JP4655810B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a kind of gaming machine, there is known a slot machine (revolving gaming machine) provided with a reel device that changes a symbol by rotating an annular reel having a plurality of symbols attached to the surface thereof. In this type of gaming machine, when a stop symbol displayed on a predetermined active line is a combination of specific symbols, a predetermined game (special game state) advantageous to a player such as a big bonus game occurs. What to do is provided.

  In recent years, a ball-cylinder revolving type game machine that can play a game similar to a slot machine using a game ball instead of a medal has been considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a gaming machine, a take-in device is provided, and after a predetermined number of game balls have been taken in by the take-in device, the lever is operated so that the reel circulates and the symbol variation display is performed. Further, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out in accordance with the combination of symbols when the symbol variation display ends. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, the game ball can be handled as a common game medium with the pachinko machine in a gaming hall such as a pachinko hall and the gaming characteristics of the slot machine can be maintained. In addition, in this case, problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and game balls and restrictions on the location of game machines, which are often seen in current game halls where pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed, are solved. In addition, there is an advantage that flexibility such as installing the game machine on the island of the pachinko machine is generated.

  Here, in the take-in device described above, a game ball take-in passage and a game ball discharge passage that are bifurcated are provided, and a gate member for opening and closing each passage at the entrance portion of each passage Is provided. When each game is started, a predetermined number of game balls are taken in via the take-in passage, and at that time, the passage of the game balls is individually detected by an optical sensor or the like. On the other hand, when a ball such as an upper plate is removed at the end of the game, the game ball is discharged through the discharge passage. In addition, when the game ball is taken in, the game ball passes through the take-in passage in a fixed trajectory by causing the game ball to collide with a predetermined position of the discharge gate member in the closed position and then passing through the take-in passage. Thus, the detection of the game ball is surely performed.

  In order to accurately take in a predetermined number of game balls, it is necessary to control the drive of the take-in gate member according to the count result while counting the number of game balls taken in by a control device comprising a microcomputer. is there. On the other hand, it is not necessary to discharge a predetermined number of game balls, and the discharge gate member is operated manually. In this case, the control processing load of the control device can be reduced.

However, in the configuration in which the discharge gate member is operated by manual operation, the intake gate member and the discharge gate member are individually operated, and there is a possibility that both passages are simultaneously opened. When both passages are open at the same time, even if a game ball flows into the take-in passage, it does not collide with a predetermined position of the discharge gate member at the time of inflow, so the behavior of the game ball is different from that during normal take-in It becomes. That is, the behavior of the game ball when the game ball is taken in is disturbed. In this case, there is a possibility that a detection error of the game ball occurs. As a case where a detection error of a game ball occurs, for example, one game ball is decelerated due to disturbance of the behavior of the game ball, and a plurality of game balls are passed by passing through the detection position together with the subsequent game ball. A case where one sphere is counted is considered.
JP 2004-81449 A

  The present invention provides a gaming machine capable of manually detecting a discharge gate member that opens and closes a discharge passage of a take-in device, and can prevent a detection error of a game ball passing through the take-up passage. It is intended.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in the embodiment of the invention is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A take-in passage (take-in passage 168) and a discharge passage (discharge passage 169) provided by bifurcating a game ball passage through which a game ball passes, and an entrance portion of the take-in passage, A take-off gate member (take-in gate member 175) that opens and closes the passage, and a discharge that is provided at a position where the game ball hits once when the game ball is taken in at an entrance portion of the discharge passage, and opens and closes the discharge passage Gate member (discharge gate member 190) and game ball detection that is provided on the inlet side of the intake passage and downstream of the intake gate member and detects a game ball passing through the intake passage A capture device (capture device 35-37) having means (sensor unit 200),
Based on a predetermined take-in trigger signal, the take-in control means (main control device 131) operates the take-in gate member to the open position to open the take-in passage, and a predetermined number is detected by the game ball detecting means. Allow the game to start when a game ball is detected,
On the other hand, in the gaming machine in which the discharge gate member can be manually operated by a player and the discharge passage is opened by the manual operation,
Determining means for determining whether or not the discharge passage is in an open state (sensor monitoring processing in the main controller 131);
When the determination means determines that the discharge passage is in the open state, the intake prohibiting means for controlling the intake gate member to be in the closed position (the step of taking the game ball in the main controller 131) S611).

  In the gaming machine of means 1, when the take-in gate member is controlled to move to the open position and the take-in passage is in the open state, take-in of the game ball is started. In this case, the game ball passes through the take-in passage after once colliding with a predetermined position of the discharge gate member. When a predetermined number of game balls are detected by the game ball detecting means, the start of the game is permitted. On the other hand, when the discharge gate member is manually operated and moved to the open position, the discharge passage is opened and the game ball is discharged.

  In this case, since the discharge gate member is operated regardless of the operation state of the take-in gate member, both the passages are simultaneously opened when the operations of both the gate members are repeated. If both the passages are opened at the same time, even if the game ball flows into the intake passage, the game ball does not hit the predetermined position of the discharge gate member, so that the behavior of the game ball is different from that during normal intake. . That is, the behavior of the game ball when the game ball is taken in is disturbed. As a result, for example, one game ball is decelerated, and it is detected by the game ball detection means together with the subsequent game balls, and there is a possibility that a plurality of game balls are counted as one.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the discharge passage is in the open state, the intake passage is controlled to be in the closed state. That is, when it is determined that the discharge passage is in the open state when the intake passage is in the closed state, the intake gate member is prohibited from being moved to the open position. When it is determined that the discharge passage is in the open state when the intake passage is in the open state, the gate member for intake is moved to the closed position. Thereby, the detection mistake of a game ball can be prevented.

  Note that the “take-in trigger signal” means the take-in start operation means in the configuration provided with the take-in start operation means (max bet switch 109) operated to start taking-in of the game ball by the take-in device. Refers to a signal that is output when the is operated.

  The intake passage is in a closed state not only when the intake passage is completely closed by the gate member for intake, but also when the intake passage is partially closed to the extent that a game ball cannot pass through. Is also included. However, when partially closing, it is preferable not to form a gap larger than the radius of the game ball between the take-in gate member and the wall portion of the take-in passage. This is because if there is a gap larger than the radius of the game ball, the tip of the game ball in the flow-down direction may get stuck in the gap portion without hitting the take-in gate member. Then, in this case, there is a possibility that the game ball passes by the gate member for taking in being pushed toward the open position by the game ball that is stuck. On the other hand, the state where the intake passage is in the open state includes a state where the intake gate member slightly protrudes in the intake passage. The above description of the closed state and the open state is the same for the closed state and the open state of the discharge passage.

  Mean 2. In the means 1, when the discharge gate member moves from the closed position to the open position, a discharge gate detection means (gate position detection sensor 210) for detecting the discharge gate member before reaching the open position is provided, and the determination The means determines whether or not the discharge passage is in an open state based on a detection result of the discharge gate detection means.

  According to the means 2, it is determined whether or not the discharge passage is open based on the detection result of the discharge gate detection means. In this case, when the discharge gate member moves from the closed position to the open position, the discharge gate detection means detects the discharge gate member before reaching the open position. With this configuration, the intake passage can be in the closed state before the discharge passage is in the open state. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent both the passages from being simultaneously opened.

  Means 3. In the means 1 or 2, the game ball detection means has a detection unit (count sensors 201, 202) provided at a predetermined position in the width direction in the take-in passage, and detects the game ball when the game ball passes. A game machine that outputs a ball detection signal when the parts face each other.

  According to the means 3, the game ball detection means has its detection unit provided at a predetermined position in the width direction in the take-in passage, and when the game ball passes, the detection unit opposes the game ball and outputs a ball detection signal. Output. That is, the game ball detecting means detects one point in the passage width direction of the game ball passing through the take-in passage, and outputs a ball detection signal during detection. In this case, if the passing trajectory of the game ball passing through the take-in passage deviates from the normal trajectory, the game ball passes through the take-in passage without facing the detecting portion of the game ball detecting means, and the game ball May not be detected. In addition, even if it is detected, if the behavior of the game ball passing through the take-in passage is disturbed, the position of each game ball that faces the detection unit of the game ball detection means varies, and there is a period during which a ball detection signal is output. fluctuate. In this case, if the period is shorter than normal, it may not be determined that the game ball has passed. On the other hand, by preventing both passages from being opened simultaneously, when a game ball passes through the take-in passage, it passes through a predetermined trajectory, and the detection error can be prevented.

  Means 4. In the means 3, the game machine is characterized in that the passage width of the take-in passage is such that one game ball can pass, and the detection section is arranged so as to be biased outward in the passage width direction.

  Since the game ball has a spherical shape, the passage time when passing through the position of the detection unit of the game ball detection means is different between the position near the center and the position closer to the center. Of course, the passage time is longer at a position near the center. In the means 4, the detecting portion of the game ball detecting means is arranged so as to be biased outward in the passage width direction of the intake passage. Thereby, the detection time of each game ball in the game ball detection means (period in which the ball detection signal is output) is shortened, and individual game balls can be detected reliably. In the configuration in which the detection unit is arranged to detect the position near the center of the game ball, the state where the detection unit detects the game ball when the game balls pass in a daisy chain is one game ball. Since there is no interruption every time, there is a possibility that a plurality of game balls are counted as one. On the other hand, the occurrence of such an inconvenience can be suppressed by disposing the detection unit so as to be biased outward in the passage width direction.

  In this case, if the passing trajectory of the game ball passing through the take-in passage deviates from the normal trajectory, there is a high possibility that the game ball passes through the take-in passage without being detected by the game ball detecting means. Moreover, even if it is detected, if the behavior of the game ball passing through the take-in passage is disturbed, the detection time of each game ball becomes extremely short, and there is a high possibility that it is not determined that the game ball has passed. On the other hand, by preventing both passages from being opened simultaneously, when a game ball passes through the take-in passage, it passes through a predetermined trajectory, and the detection error can be prevented.

  Means 5. In any one of the means 1 to 4, a plurality of the take-in devices are provided side by side, and the game balls supplied from the upstream are guided to the game ball inlets (game ball inlets 35a, 36a, 37a) of the take-in devices. Furthermore, the game machine is characterized in that the discharge gate member is configured to collectively open and close the discharge passages of the intake devices.

  According to the means 5, since a plurality of taking-in devices are provided, the game balls are taken in simultaneously by the plurality of taking-in devices. Thereby, the taking-in of a predetermined number of game balls can be completed in a short time. In this case, the discharge passages of the respective capture devices are collectively opened and closed by the discharge gate member. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide the discharge gate member of the discharge passage individually for each discharge passage, the take-in device can be reduced in size. Further, the configuration can be simplified, and further, the number of parts is reduced, which is preferable in terms of member management and manufacturing cost. Further, it is possible to collectively determine whether or not each discharge passage is in an open state. In the configuration including the above means 2, the position of the discharge gate member can be detected by one discharge gate detection means. it can.

  In the configuration as described above, when both passages of each capture device are simultaneously opened, the occurrence frequency of detection mistakes for game balls is higher than in a configuration with only one capture device. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent an erroneous detection of a game ball by preventing both passages from being simultaneously opened.

Means 6. In any one of means 1 to means 5, a plurality of rotating bodies (reels 71 to 73) that circulate in the circumferential direction and in which a plurality of kinds of patterns are arranged in the circumferential direction;
A display window (transparent panel 65) that makes it possible to visually recognize a part of each of the patterns for each orbiting body,
Start operation means (start lever 101) operated to start rotation of each of the circuit bodies;
Stop operation means (stop buttons 102 to 104) operated to stop the rotation of the respective circling bodies,
A predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in device, and the start operation means is operated to start the rotation of the respective revolving bodies, either due to the operation of the stop operation means or the stop The configuration is such that the rotation of each orbiting body is stopped due to the lapse of a predetermined time without operating the operation means, and a bonus is given to the player in accordance with the stop pattern or combination of stop patterns after the stop A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the means 6, the effects of the means 1 and the like can be enjoyed in the spinning ball type game machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a gaming machine in which a game is started after taking a game ball will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment requires a game ball (for example, a game ball similar to a pachinko machine: a pachinko ball) as a predetermined number of game media (game value) in the game, and a plurality of game balls when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Game balls, and in some cases, a large amount of game balls are paid out. The game balls are not limited to pachinko balls, and may be steel balls in a broad sense.

  First, the outline of the external configuration and internal structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire gaming machine 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the front configuration of the gaming machine body, and FIG. 4 is a line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 as a main body frame, and a front frame that is provided at a front portion of the outer frame 2 and is openable and closable at one side of the outer frame 2. 3 is provided. In this case, the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 are connected to each other by hinges 31 and 32 at the upper and lower portions of the left end so as to be opened and closed. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plate members to four sides, and has a rectangular shape as a whole. Further, the front frame 3 is made of a rectangular frame-like plate material whose outer dimensions are slightly smaller than those of the outer frame 2, and is provided so as to contact the front surface of the outer frame 2. A back set board 16 extending from the back side to the back side along the inner peripheral surface of the outer frame 2 is attached and fixed to the front frame 3, and a reel unit or a game ball described later is attached to the back set board 16. A device for taking in or paying out (so-called back set), various control devices, and the like are mounted. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine main body is basically composed of the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, the back set board 16 provided on the front frame 3, and the like.

  A front door 4 as an openable / closable door that can be opened and closed with respect to the front frame 3 is provided on the front side of the front frame 3, and a lower dish unit 5 is provided below the front door 4. That is, the front side of the front frame 3 is covered with the front door 4 and the lower plate unit 5, and the front frame 3 and the upper plate 3 above the lower plate unit 5 are opened by opening the front door 4. Various mechanisms (such as a belt unit) mounted thereon are exposed forward. The front frame 3 and the front door 4 are connected in an openable and closable manner by upper and lower hinges 33 and 34 at the left end. Therefore, the right side of the front door 4 is rotated around the left side of the front frame 3.

  The front surface of the front door 4 and the lower tray unit 5 is formed in a continuous three-dimensional shape so as to form an integrated appearance as a whole gaming machine, and is formed in a ring shape over the entire outer periphery of the gaming machine 1 and the front surface of the gaming machine. Have annular portions 6, 7 projecting from each other. The annular portions 6 and 7 have a substantially symmetrical shape when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. A large number of light emitters 8 and 9 made of light emitting diodes or the like are embedded in these annular portions 6 and 7 (see the partially broken portion in the lower right of FIG. 2), and the light emitters 8 and 9 emit light during the game. Thus, for example, the annular portions 6 and 7 illuminate all at once or around the outer periphery of the gaming machine. Of the annular part 6, the top part 6a located at the uppermost part protrudes further forward than the other parts. The top part 6a is provided with a pair of left and right lamp display parts 10 and a pair of left and right speakers. 11 is provided. Further, in the annular portion 6, a constricted portion 6 b that is constricted on the inside is provided near the center in the height direction, and the lamp display portions 12 and 13 are also provided on the constricted portion 6 b.

  The annular portions 6 and 7 (light emitters 8 and 9) and the lamp display portions 10, 12, 13 and the like are for performing an auxiliary effect during the game while intending to diversify the display contents and make the display effect heavy. It is provided and performs various display effects as the game progresses. For example, when it becomes possible to acquire a big bonus game, the annular portions 6 and 7 (light emitters 8 and 9) are caused to emit light all at once or all around the lamp display portions 10, 12, and 13 The player is notified by turning on or blinking.

  The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that a game is played with the actual game ball being taken in as a necessary condition, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A configuration for using a game ball as a game medium will be described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper plate forming body 17 is detachably attached to the back set board 16 attached and fixed to the front frame 3 below the front side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the upper plate forming body 17.

  An upper plate 18 as a storage portion is formed in the upper plate forming body 17, and the upper plate 18 is positioned on the upstream side of the main upper plate 18 a that leads to a loading port to an intake unit 30 described later. And an auxiliary upper dish portion 18b. Basically, the main upper tray portion 18a stores game balls paid out from a payout mechanism to be described later, while the auxiliary upper tray portion 18b is a game ball supplied from a nozzle of a ball rental machine (not shown). The game balls in the main upper plate 18a flow into the insertion port through the ball guide unit 19. The ball guide unit 19 is configured so that game balls can be arranged in a line and supplied to the slot, and a stainless steel cover (protective cover) 20 is attached to the ball guide unit 19. The main upper plate portion 18a and the sub upper plate portion 18b are provided so as to be folded back and forth, the sub upper plate portion 18b is inclined slightly downward toward the left side of FIG. It is inclined somewhat downward toward the right side of FIG. Therefore, the game balls in the main upper tray portion 18a and the sub upper tray portion 18b flow in the downstream order in order, and flow into the inlet as described above.

  At both left and right ends of the upper plate forming body 17, mounting fixing portions 21 are provided. By fastening the mounting fixing portion 21 to the back set board 16 side, the upper plate forming body 17 is attached to the back set board 16. It has come to be. By releasing the fastening of the mounting fixing portion 21, the upper plate forming body 17 is detached from the back set board 16. The attachment fixing part 21 may be any fastening method as long as it can be attached to and detached from the back set board 16, and a fastener (for example, Nylatch (registered trademark)) is pushed into a fastening hole provided on the back set board 16 side. A push-type fastening method, a method of screwing a male screw into a screw hole provided on the back set board 16 side, or the like can be applied.

  When the front door 4 is closed while the upper plate forming body 17 is mounted on the back set board 16, the upper plate forming body 17 is fixed between the back set board 16 and the front door 4. The upper plate forming body 17 is provided with a flange 22 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the flange 22 is sandwiched between the back surface of the front door 4. That is, since a holding recess is formed at a corresponding position on the back surface of the front door 4 so as to sandwich the flange 22, the upper plate forming body 17 is prevented from falling off when the front door 4 is closed. The weight of a large amount of game balls stored in the upper plate 18 can also be supported. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a portion of the front door 4 corresponding to the upper plate forming body 17 (operation unit 100) is bulged to the front side, and the upper surface of the bulged portion is open. is doing. For this reason, when the front door 4 is in the closed state, the upper plate 18 of the upper plate forming body 17 is opened above the bulging portion (operation unit 100). With the above configuration, the upper plate forming body 17 can be easily removed from the gaming machine main body or the front door 4, and the upper plate 18 (in particular, the ball guide portion 19) is cleaned after the upper plate forming body 17 is removed. Work becomes easier. In addition, inspection, repair, and the like of the operation unit 100 described later can be easily performed from the back side of the front door 4. In other words, maintenance is improved. The bulging portion of the front door 4 is an operation unit 100, and a back wall 64 is provided in the front door 4 immediately above the operation unit 100. The configurations of the operation unit 100 and the back wall 64 will be described later.

  The take-in unit 30 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the back set board 16, and a predetermined number of game balls are taken in via the take-in unit 30 based on an operation by the player. A predetermined number of game balls are taken in, so that a game (game) start condition is established, and preparations for game start are made. At this time, the taken game ball is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 1 through a discharge path (not shown).

  Here, the configuration of the capture unit 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7 in which the entire take-in unit 30 is shown, the take-in unit 30 is provided with three take-in devices 35, 36, and 37 so as to overlap each other. (In the following description, the capturing device 35 located on the near side in FIG. 7 is referred to as “first capturing device”, and the capturing device 36 located in the center is referred to as “second capturing device.” ”, The capturing device 37 located on the far side is referred to as“ third capturing device 37 ”). This take-in unit 30 is arranged with the first take-in device 35 as the front side of the gaming machine and the third take-in device 37 as the rear side. Further, game ball inlets 35a, 36a, and 37a are formed on the upper surfaces of the respective take-in devices 35 to 37, and these game ball inlets 35a to 37a are arranged in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the game balls stored in the upper plate 18 flow into the respective take-in devices 35 to 37 through the ball distribution passage 38. The ball distribution passage 38 communicates with the inlet of the upper plate 18 and extends upward of the take-in unit 30. Further, the ball distribution passage 38 is inclined so that the game ball flows down toward the take-in unit 30 side, and the downstream side is branched by the partition plates 38a and 38b. Specifically, the downstream side of the ball distribution passage 38 is first branched in two directions by the first partition plate 38a, and further branched in two directions by the second partition plate 38b on the downstream side of the branched one passage. . In this case, the upstream ends of the partition plates 38a and 38b are inclined toward one or both of the passages so that the game balls are smoothly distributed to the branched passages. A drop hole 38c is formed at the downstream end of the passage branched by the partition plates 38a and 38b so as to correspond to the game ball inlets 35a to 37a. With the configuration as described above, the game ball stored in the upper plate 18 flows down the ball distribution passage 38 and is guided to one of the drop holes 38c by the partition plates 38a and 38b. Will flow into each of the take-in devices 35-37. In addition, it is good also as a structure which distributes a game ball on the upper plate 18 instead of distributing the game ball to each taking-in apparatus 35-37 by the ball distribution channel | path 38 as mentioned above. In this case, the partition plate and the drop hole are provided on the upper plate 18.

  Next, the structure of the capture devices 35-37 is demonstrated using FIGS. 9-11. However, since each of the capture devices 35 to 37 has a substantially similar configuration, the third capture device 37 is basically described as an example here. 9 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the capture device 37, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the capture device 37, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the capture unit 30. It is. In the following description, for convenience of description, the respective directions of up, down, left, and right are described in the state shown in FIG.

  The third take-in device 37 includes a pair of front and back housing members 161 and 162, both of which are made of a resin molded product (hereinafter, the housing member 161 is a "first housing" and the housing member 162 is a "second housing". Called). The first housing 161 has a substantially quadrangular shape, while the second housing 162 has a shape in which the lower right side is notched compared to the first housing 161. The housings 161 and 162 are coupled with each other by screws or the like, so that a substantially square box-shaped housing having an opening on the right side of the front surface is formed. Further, notches 161a and 162a for forming the above-described game ball inlet 37a are formed on the upper surfaces of the first housing 161 and the second housing 162.

  Further, the third take-in device 37 is formed with a game ball passage 165 for allowing game balls to pass through in a row. Specifically, the first housing 161 is provided with a substantially equal width passage wall 161b extending from the wall portion W1 of the first housing 161 toward the inside of the housing, and the second housing 162 is similarly provided with a passage wall (not shown). ) Are provided, and a game ball passage 165 is defined by being surrounded by four side passage walls including them.

  The game ball passage 165 is bifurcated near the center of the housings 161 and 162, and an upstream passage 167 extending from the game ball inlet 37a to the passage branch position, and an intake passage 168 extending vertically from the passage branch position. And a discharge passage 169 extending obliquely downward to the left from the passage branch position. A predetermined number of game balls as game start conditions are taken in through the take-in passage 168. Further, when the game balls are settled at the end of the game, the game balls stored in the upper plate 18 and the third take-in device 37 are discharged to the lower plate 41 through the discharge passage 169.

  The upstream passage 167 is provided in a substantially horizontal direction, but in detail is slightly inclined downward. As a result, the game balls that have entered the third take-in device 37 from the game ball inlet 37a flow down to the downstream side while being aligned in the horizontal direction in the upstream passage 167. The upstream passage 167 is provided with a rectifying unit 170 for keeping the flow of game balls constant. The configuration of the rectifying unit 170 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view in which the central portion of the rectifying unit 170 is cut along a horizontal line. The upper side of the drawing shows the wall surface (wall portion W1) of the first housing 161, and the lower side shows the wall surface (wall portion) of the second housing 162. W2). As shown in FIG. 12, in the rectifying unit 170, an arc-shaped recess 171 is formed in the first housing 161, and a triangular mountain-shaped protrusion 172 is formed facing the recess 171 in the second housing 162. Has been. In this case, when the game ball flowing downstream in the upstream passage 167 reaches the rectifying unit 170, the game ball collides with the protrusion 172, changes the flow direction as indicated by an arrow, and then further has a recess facing the protrusion 172. 171 collides with the inner wall. Thus, the game ball flows downstream while changing its flow direction so as to detour to the concave portion 171 side.

  At this time, each time the game ball passes through the rectifying unit 170, the momentum of the flow is extinguished and the subsequent flow speed is reduced, so that a detection error at the time of game ball detection described later after the passage is reduced. In addition, when a large number of game balls are connected in a daisy chain and taken into the third take-in device 37, when passing through the rectifying unit 170, an interval between adjacent game balls can be created due to a speed difference. The problem of erroneous detection as one game ball is also suppressed.

  Further, the upstream passage 167 is provided with a single protrusion 173 from the most upstream side, and the protrusion 173 is provided to the most downstream side of the intake passage 168 (however, in the rectifying unit 170). The installation of the protrusion 173 is optional). The protrusion 173 is formed on at least one of the four passage walls that define the upstream passage 167 and the intake passage 168. In the present embodiment, the first housing 161 holds the game ball from the side. A ridge 173 is formed at substantially the center of the wall.

  An intake gate member 175 is provided in the intake passage 168 immediately downstream of the branch position. The take-in gate member 175 has a long shape extending in the vertical direction, and is taken in through a base 175a supported by a support shaft 176 disposed outside the passage and a notch 179 provided in the passage wall. And a claw portion 175 b that appears and disappears in the insertion passage 168. The take-in gate member 175 is disposed in a region inside the corner portion between the upstream passage 167 and the take-in passage 168, and the claw portion 175 b protrudes and retracts in the take-in passage 168, thereby The passing of game balls is prevented or allowed.

  Here, a drive mechanism of the take-in gate member 175 will be described with reference to FIG. A solenoid 181 is used as a drive source for the take-in gate member 175. The solenoid 181 includes a main body 181a and an output shaft 181b as main components. The solenoid 181 is energized based on an electrical signal input to the main body 181a, and the output shaft 181b moves in the expansion / contraction direction. The solenoid 181 is arranged on the right side of the take-in gate member 175 so that the output shaft 181b protrudes downward. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, it is fixed to the housing 161 by a solenoid cover 182. Further, since the position where the solenoid 181 is disposed is the lower right portion of the third take-in device 37, it corresponds to the position where the second housing 162 is notched, and the solenoid 181 is covered by the second housing 162. No (see FIG. 7).

  A guide 183 is attached to the tip of the output shaft 181b of the solenoid 181. A part of the rotating piece 184 is engaged with the guide 183, and the other part of the rotating piece 184 is drivingly connected to the rear end of the take-in gate member 175. Reference numeral 185 denotes a coil spring that constantly urges the output shaft 180 in the extending direction, and reference numeral 186 denotes a support shaft that is provided at substantially the center of the rotating piece 184 and rotatably supports the rotating piece 184. .

  According to this configuration, when the solenoid 181 is not energized, the output shaft 181b is held in an extended state by the urging force of the coil spring 185 as shown, and the claw portion 175b of the take-in gate member 175 is taken in. It protrudes into the passage 168 and the intake passage 168 is closed. At this time, the rear end portion of the take-in gate member 175 is in contact with the stopper 187, so that the take-in gate member 175 is restricted from rotating further in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing. That is, in an actual use state, a game ball is put on the claw portion 175b of the take-in gate member 175 and the passage of the game ball is prevented in this state, but the take-in gate member 175 is shown in the figure by the weight of the game ball. Receives force in the counterclockwise direction. At this time, the movement of the take-in gate member 175 is stopped by the stopper 187.

  When the output shaft 181b moves in the contraction direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 185 as the solenoid 181 is energized, the take-in gate member 175 rotates through the guide 183 and the rotating piece 184 (FIG. 9 is turned clockwise). At this time, the claw portion 175 b of the take-in gate member 175 is retracted out of the take-in passage 168. When the energization of the solenoid 181 is stopped, the output shaft 181b is moved in the extending direction by the urging force of the coil spring 185, and the claw portion 175b of the take-in gate member 175 is projected into the take-in passage 168.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of upper and lower count sensors 201 and 202 are installed in the intake passage 168 immediately downstream of the intake gate member 175. The count sensors 201 and 202 detect a game ball passing through the take-in passage 168 when the take-in passage 168 is opened by the take-in gate member 175. The sensors 201 and 202 start the game. Incorporation of a predetermined number of game balls, which is a condition, can be confirmed.

  Here, the configuration of the count sensors 201 and 202 will be described with reference to FIG. Each sensor 201, 202 is configured by a known optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Specifically, the optical sensor includes a sensor main body 205 extending from the wall W1 side of the first housing 161 toward the wall W2 of the second housing 162 (in the front-rear direction), and both ends of the sensor main body 205. Are provided as a sensor unit 200 integrally formed with arm portions 203 and 204 extending along the housings 161 and 162 toward the intake passage 168 side. The light receiving elements constituting the count sensors 201 and 202 are arranged vertically on one arm portion 203 on the tip side, and the other arm portion 204 is similarly positioned at a position opposite to the light receiving elements. Light emitting elements constituting 201 and 202 are provided.

  The distance between the arm portions 203 and 204 is slightly longer than the width of the intake passage 168. The sensor main body 205 is inserted into a through window 188 provided between the intake gate member 175 and the solenoid 181, which is an area inside the corner portion of the upstream passage 167 and the intake passage 168. Further, the sensor unit 200 is disposed in a state where both the arm portions 203 and 204 straddle the take-in gate member 175 and sandwich the take-in passage 168. As a result, the sensor unit 200 is configured to be integrated with the take-in gate member 175 and other driving mechanisms.

  In this case, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 9, the ends of the arm portions 203 and 204 are located near the center of the intake passage 168. Accordingly, the count sensors 201 and 202 are disposed at a position offset from the center of the intake passage 168 (the protrusion 173), so that it is possible to suitably detect a game ball that continuously flows down. . That is, the game ball has a spherical shape, and the passing time when passing the front of each sensor (that is, the gaming ball detection time by the sensor) is shorter at the position outside the center than the position near the center. This is because by shifting the positions of the count sensors 201 and 202 from the center line of the intake passage 168, it is possible to secure a long time from detection of one game ball to detection of the next game ball. .

  It should be noted that the outer surfaces of the first housing 161 and the second housing 162 have a depth similar to the thickness (length in the front-rear direction) of the arm portions 203 and 204, respectively, and the vertical direction of the arm portions 203 and 204. A fitting groove 189 having a width approximately equal to the length of the fitting groove 189 is formed, and the arm portions 203 and 204 are accommodated in the fitting groove 189. Further, the sensor main body 205 houses a sensor substrate (not shown) having a functional circuit for causing the light emitting element and the light receiving element to function. The sensor board is provided with a connector portion 205a to which a signal line connected to the main control device 131 is connected. The connector part 205a faces the solenoid 181. As the solenoid 181 and the sensor main body part 205 are close to each other, the connector part 205a is also close to the solenoid 181.

  Next, an outline of game ball detection by the count sensors 201 and 202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A shows the passing positions of the game balls with respect to the sensors 201 and 202, and shows the game balls in each passing process of B1, B2, and B3 in the figure. FIG. 13B shows the output waveform (rectangular waveform after waveform shaping) of each sensor 201, 202 as the game ball passes, and shows the logic that is turned ON when the game ball passes for convenience. This ON output corresponds to the ball detection signal.

  After the game ball passes through the take-in gate member 175, when it reaches the B1 position in FIG. 13A, the output of the upper sensor 201 is turned ON (timing of t1), and when it reaches the B2 position, The output of the side sensor 202 is turned on (timing t2). Thereafter, the output of the upper sensor 201 is turned off (timing at t3), and when the position B3 is further reached, the output of the lower sensor 202 is turned off (timing at t4). In this case, it is determined that the game ball has been properly taken in only when each sensor is turned on in the order of the upper sensor 201 → the lower sensor 202 under a predetermined time condition. That is, when a predetermined time elapses from when the upper sensor 201 is turned on to when the lower sensor 202 is turned on, each sensor in the order of the lower sensor 202 → the upper sensor 201 contrary to the normal time. When is turned on, an error occurs, and a notification to that effect is made and the game is prohibited. Therefore, for example, by attaching a string or the like to the game ball and moving it up and down, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as having a plurality of game balls taken in.

  The discharge passage 169 is provided with a discharge gate member 190 immediately downstream of the passage branch position. The discharge gate member 190 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 14 to 16, and the like. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the third capture device 37. FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the operation of the discharge gate member 190. FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the relationship between the discharge gate member 190 and the discharge passage 169. In FIG. 16, the upper side of the drawing is the discharge passage 169 side, and the lower side of the drawing is the upstream passage 167 side.

  The discharge gate member 190 is made of synthetic resin, and has three passage shielding portions 191a and a connecting portion 191b for connecting them at the lower end of each passage shielding portion 191a as shown in FIG. ing. A proximal end portion 192 to which a force is applied to hold the discharge gate member 190 at a predetermined position in the thickness direction of the housings 161 and 162 is formed at the front side end portion of the connecting portion 191b. There is a game ball passage region between the base end 192 and the adjacent passage shield 191a and between the two adjacent passage shields 191a, and the length between them is at least that of the game ball. The length is possible. In addition, an extended portion 191c extending to the back side is formed at the back end of the connecting portion 191b.

  Through holes 193a and 193b corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the discharge gate member 190 are formed in the inlets of the discharge passages 169 in the housings 161 and 162 of the respective intake devices 35 to 37. The through holes 193a, A discharge gate member 169 is inserted through the entire intake devices 35 to 37 through 193b. However, the base end portion 192 is not located in the housings 161 and 162 but is accommodated in a cover 194 fixed to the outer surface of the second housing 162 of the first take-in device 35. A through hole 194a is formed in the cover 194, and a protrusion 192a formed integrally with the base end 192 protrudes from the through hole 194a to the near side (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 11, a spring 195 is interposed between the base end portion 192 and the second housing 162, and the base end portion 192 is always urged forward by the spring 195. In this case, the cover 194 serves as a stopper that restricts the forward movement of the base end 192. Further, the combined length of the passage shielding portion 191a and the distance between adjacent passage shielding portions 191a is the same as the thickness of the housings 161 and 162 of the take-in device, and therefore the housing 161 of each take-in device 35-37. 162, the passage shielding portions 191a are arranged one by one.

  Further, a gate position detection sensor 210 is disposed on the back surface of the first housing 161 of the third take-in device 37 as shown in FIGS. The gate position detection sensor 210 is substantially U-shaped, and a light emitting element 210c is disposed on the tip side of one arm part 210a, and a light receiving element 210d is disposed at a position opposite to the light emitting element 210c in the other arm part 210b. It is installed. The gate position detection sensor 210 is disposed so that both arm portions 210a and 210b sandwich the lower portion of the through hole 193a when viewed in the state of FIG. An extending portion 191c of the discharge gate member 190 is inserted through the lower portion of the through hole 193a.

  In a state where the base end portion 192 is in contact with the cover 194 by the biasing force of the spring 195 (a state where the discharge gate member 190 is in the closed position), as shown in FIG. 15A, half of each discharge passage 169 The passage shielding part 191a protrudes so as to block the above. Thereby, the passage of the game ball flowing from the upstream passage 167 (discharge of the game ball through the discharge passage 169) is prevented. In this case, the extending portion 191 c is in the housings 161 and 162 of the third capture device 37.

  When the protrusion 192a is pushed to the back side, the discharge gate member 190 slides to the back side against the biasing force of the spring 195. In this case, the timing at which the tip of the extension portion 191c blocks between the two elements of the gate position detection sensor 210 is before the timing at which the discharge gate member 190 opens the discharge passage 169 by the radius of the game ball or more. As described above, the length dimension of the extending portion 191c and the arrangement position of both elements are set. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, in the state where the passage of the game ball in the discharge passage 169 is blocked by the passage shielding portion 191a, the tip portion of the extension portion 191c protrudes outside the housings 161 and 162, and the gate The two elements of the position detection sensor 210 are blocked. As a result, a signal indicating that the extension 191c has been detected is output from the gate position detection sensor 210 to the main controller 131.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15C, the connecting portion 191b is disposed in the discharge passage 169 of each of the take-in devices 35 to 37 (the discharge gate member 190 is operated to the open position). Thereby, the passage of the game ball flowing down from the upstream passage 167 (discharge of the game ball through the discharge passage 169) is permitted.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16A, the passage shielding portion 191a has a tapered front end portion (left end portion in FIG. 16) protruding into the discharge passage 169. In the tapered portion, the surface on the upstream passage 167 side is a surface perpendicular to the passage direction, and the surface on the discharge passage 169 side is an inclined surface with respect to the passage direction. Therefore, the state in which the passage of game balls in the discharge passage 169 is permitted as shown in FIG. 16B shifts to the state in which the passage of game balls in the discharge passage 169 is blocked as shown in FIG. At this time, the game ball on the connecting portion 191b is pushed toward the discharge passage 169 side by the passage shielding portion 191a. In the configuration in which the upstream passage 167 and the discharge passage 169 are formed so as to extend in the direction of gravity drop, the game ball is pushed out to the discharge passage 169 side as described above, so that the transition of the state is smoothly performed. It can be carried out. Further, for example, in a configuration in which the tip of the passage shielding portion 191a is not tapered as described above, there is a possibility that the game ball is sandwiched between the passage wall and the passage shielding portion 191a. On the other hand, if it is the said structure, a possibility that such a problem may arise can be reduced.

  Next, the drive mechanism of the discharge gate member 190 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a drive mechanism of the discharge gate member 190. FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the drive mechanism of the discharge gate member 190.

  An operation member 211 is provided on the front door 4. A protrusion 211a is provided on the front surface of the operation member 211, and an extruding portion 211b is provided on the back surface. The extruding part 211b is inclined to one side so that one end becomes a low-order part and the other end becomes a high-order part. The front door 4 is formed with a horizontally long slide hole 4a, and the protrusion 211a protrudes forward from the slide hole 4a. When the projection 211a is pushed in the longitudinal direction of the slide hole 4a by a finger or the like, the operation member 211 moves in the left-right direction. A stopper 212 is provided on the side of the pushing portion 211b of the operation member 211, and the operation member 211 has a direction in which the side portion of the pushing portion 211b (that is, the right end portion in the state of FIG. That is, it is biased by a biasing means (not shown) on the right side of FIG. Thus, the operation member 211 is held at a position where the pushing portion 211b contacts the stopper 212 when not operated by a finger or the like (state shown in FIG. 17), and resists the urging force when operated by the finger or the like. To the left in FIG.

  A link member 215 for transmitting the movement of the operation member 211 to the discharge gate member 190 is provided on the mounting portion 214 on the back side of the operation member 211. The link member 215 extends in the front-rear direction, and a roller portion 215a is provided at an end portion on the operation member 211 side. The roller portion 215a has a columnar shape extending in the thickness direction of the link member 215, and is attached to be rotatable about the center thereof. As shown in FIG. 18, a groove 214a that extends linearly is formed in the mounting portion 214, and a biasing receiver 215b that protrudes toward the groove 214a is formed in the link member 215. The bias receiver 215b is biased toward the operation member 211 by a spring 224 provided in the groove 214a. Accordingly, the link member 215 is biased toward the operation member 211, and the roller portion 215a is in contact with the inclined surface of the pushing portion 211b.

  The end surface of the link member 215 on the discharge gate member 190 side faces the protrusion 192 a of the discharge gate member 190. A slide pin 216 is inserted into the end of the link member 215 on the discharge gate member 190 side so as to protrude from the link member 215 to the left and right (as viewed in the state of FIG. 17). The slide pin 216 is also inserted through guide walls 217 provided at the left and right ends (as viewed in the state of FIG. 17) of the protrusion 192a and the link member 215. Specifically, the guide wall 217 rises upward from the mounting portion 214, and a slit 217a extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the wall portion. Both ends of the slide pin 216 are inserted into the slit 217a.

  Next, a driving mode of the discharge gate member 190 via the operation member 211 and the link member 215 will be described.

  In the case of starting to take in game balls by the take-in devices 35 to 37 and playing a game, the player basically does not operate the operation member 211. As a result, the link member 215 contacts the lower portion of the push-out portion 211b, and the discharge gate member 190 is in the closed position. Therefore, the discharge passage 169 is closed. In this case, the gate position detection sensor 210 detects that the discharge gate member 190 is in the closed position (the discharge passage 169 is in the closed state).

  Further, when the game ball remaining in the take-in devices 35 to 37 is to be discharged, the player operates the operation member 211. As a result, the link member 215 is pushed out toward the discharge gate member 190 as the contact portion between the link member 215 and the pushing portion 211b shifts from the lower portion to the higher portion of the pushing portion 211b. Then, when the link member 215 pushes the projection 192a of the discharge gate member 190, the discharge gate member 190 slides to the open position, and the discharge passage 169 is opened. In this case, the gate position detection sensor 210 detects that the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position (the discharge passage 169 is in the open state).

  Next, referring to FIG. 19, an actual game ball taking-in operation by the third taking-in device 37 will be described. FIG. 19A shows the initial state, FIG. 19B shows the taking-in state of the game ball B, and FIG. 19C shows the discharging state of the game ball B. Note that in the actual game, the game balls B enter the upstream passage 167 one after another, but only five game balls B are shown in FIGS.

  In the initial state shown in FIG. 19A, since the solenoid 181 is in a non-energized state, the claw portion 175b of the take-in gate member 175 protrudes into the take-in passage 168, and the discharge gate member 190 is in the initial state. Therefore, the passage shield 191a is located at the entrance of the discharge passage 169. Therefore, the passage of the game ball B through the take-in gate member 175 and the discharge gate member 190 is not allowed. That is, among the plurality of game balls B in the upstream passage 167, the top game ball is supported by the claw portion 175b and the passage shielding portion 191a.

  In the state where the game ball B is taken in as shown in FIG. 19B, the claw portion 175 b is retracted outside the take-in passage 168 by energization of the solenoid 181. As a result, the game ball B flows through the take-in passage 168 and the game ball is taken in.

  Furthermore, in the discharge state of the game ball B shown in FIG. 19 (c), when the operation member 211 is operated, the projection 192a is pushed to the back side, and the discharge gate member 190 moves to the back side. A connecting portion 191 b is disposed at the inlet of the discharge passage 169. Thereby, the game ball B flows in the discharge passage 169 to the downstream side, and the game ball is discharged. At this time, the game ball B passes while rolling on the claw portion 175b.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the intake passage 168 and the discharge passage 169 are configured not to be opened simultaneously. Thereby, the detection mistake in the count sensors 201 and 202 of the game ball passing through the take-in passage 168 can be prevented.

  That is, in the intake state described above, the passage shielding portion 191a constitutes a part of the passage wall of the intake passage 168 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the game ball that has reached the branch position collides with the passage shielding portion 191 a and the flow momentum is reduced, and then flows into the intake passage 168. Thereby, the game ball passes through the take-in passage 168 in the same trajectory (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 20A). Therefore, the game balls are detected by the count sensors 201 and 202 as described above, and the game balls are reliably detected.

  On the other hand, when both the passages 168 and 169 are simultaneously opened, even if a game ball flows into the intake passage 168, the game ball does not collide with the passage shielding portion 191a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The behavior of the game ball will be different from the time of taking in. That is, the behavior of the game ball passing through the intake passage 168 is disturbed. In this case, as described above, the count sensors 201 and 202 are disposed at positions offset from the center of the intake passage 168. Therefore, when the game ball passes along the left passage wall as viewed in the state of FIG. 20, the detection time of the game ball in the count sensors 201 and 202 is shorter than normal, and it may not be determined that the game ball has passed. On the other hand, even when a game ball passes along the right passage wall as seen in the state of FIG. 20, if one game ball is decelerated due to a disturbance in behavior, It passes the position of the count sensors 201 and 202. In this case, it may be determined that only one game ball has passed though a plurality of game balls have passed through the intake passage 168.

  In the above configuration, the number of the capture devices 35 to 37 constituting the capture unit 30 is three, but each capture device 35 to 37 has a substantially similar configuration, and further includes a discharge gate. Since one member of the member 190 is configured to prevent and allow the passing of the game ball to the discharge passage 169 in each of the take-in devices 35 to 37, the take-in device having the same configuration is the first take-in device. 35 and the third capture device 37, and by increasing the number of passage shielding portions 191a of the discharge gate member 190, the number of capture devices 35 to 37 is four, five, or It can be easily increased to 6 or more.

  On the back side of the back set board 16, a payout mechanism for paying out game balls when a predetermined condition is established during the game is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a tank 25 is provided at the uppermost part on the back side of the back set board 16, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 25. A tank rail 26 is connected to the lower side of the tank 25, and a case rail 27 is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 26. The payout device 28 is provided on the downstream side of the case rail 27, and a required number of game balls are paid out by a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. The game balls paid out from the payout device 28 are supplied to the upper plate 18 through the game ball passage unit 29.

  The payout mechanisms such as the tank rail 26, the case rail 27, and the payout device 28 are arranged so as to bypass a reel unit 70 (actually a protective cover 135 surrounding the reel unit 70) described later. Further, in FIG. 5 (rear view of the gaming machine 1), the front frame 3 is pivotally supported by the upper and lower portions at the right end so as to be openable and closable, and the above-described payout mechanism is disposed on the shaft side. In this case, a large number of game balls are stored in the payout mechanism, and the weight of the game ball naturally increases. However, since the payout mechanism is provided on the shaft side, the front frame 3 can be opened and closed without hindrance. Moreover, since the weight burden concerning a shaft member (hinges 31 and 32) is reduced at this time, the effect which protects a coaxial member (hinges 31 and 32) is also acquired collectively. Since the take-in devices 35 to 37 are also provided on the shaft side as with the payout mechanism, all the mechanisms relating to the handling of the game balls are integrated on the shaft side, making it easier to deal with problems related to the flow of the game balls. Furthermore, the act of opening the front door 4 and illegally paying out or taking in the game ball can be suppressed.

  When the take-in devices 35 to 37 are activated, a predetermined number of game balls in the upper plate 18 are taken in accordingly. Further, when a predetermined condition is established during the game, the payout device 28 is operated, whereby the game balls stored in the tank 25 are basically returned to the upper plate 18 via the game ball passage unit 29 and the like. To be paid out.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a lower plate 41 is formed in the lower plate unit 5 provided below the front surface of the front door 4, and a lower plate discharge port 42 is formed on the back side of the lower plate unit 5. ing. When the game balls are fully stored in the upper plate 18 or the like and are further paid out from the payout device 28, the game balls are paid out to the lower plate 41 through the lower plate discharge port 42. It is. An ashtray 44 is formed adjacent to the lower plate 41.

  The lower surface of the operation unit 100 including the bulging portion on the front surface of the front door 4 is cut out in a trapezoidal shape (convex shape) (in fact, a lower part of a stop button operation surface 113 described later is cut out). The space below the operation unit 100 (the space formed by the cutout) is also a space into which a hand is inserted in order to scrape out the game balls stored in the lower plate 41.

  A ball punching hole 45 is formed in the lower tray unit 5, and a ball punching mechanism (not shown) is interlocked by pressing the ball punching button 46, and the game balls stored in the lower tray 41 are discharged downward from the ball punching hole 45. It has come to be.

  An upper panel 59 is disposed below the top portion 6 a of the annular portion 6. The upper panel 59 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and a translucent film on which a model name, a character related to a game, etc. are drawn on the rear surface thereof can identify the character from the front of the gaming machine. It is pasted. An upper light 59a for illuminating the upper panel 59 from the inside is disposed inside the upper panel 59, and a character or the like drawn on the film is illuminated by the light of the upper light 59a. The player can easily see the character and the like. The transparent upper panel 59 may have a configuration in which the model name, characters related to games, and the like are directly printed. Further, since the upper panel 59 is disposed to be inclined, the front surface of the upper panel 59 is configured to face slightly downward. The height of the eyes of the player who plays a game on the gaming machine 1 is located near the lower edge of the upper panel 59. Therefore, when the front surface of the upper panel 59 faces downward, the front of the upper panel 59 is visually recognized. Improves.

  A case body 60 having a three-dimensional shape is disposed below the upper panel 59 so as to protrude from the upper panel 59 to the front of the gaming machine 1. The case body 60 is made of a synthetic resin colored in black, has an upper end along the lower end of the upper panel 59, and left and right ends are the left and right constricted portions of the annular portion 6. It has a shape along the inner side of 6b, and has a shape such that the lower end is along the upper end of the upper plate 18. The case body 60 is disposed in a region surrounded by the upper panel 59, the constricted portion 6b, and the upper plate 18. The case body 60 includes an upper inclined portion 61, a frame portion 62, a lower inclined portion 63, and a back wall 64 in order from the top, and the frame portion 62 projects most forward. The frame 62 has an opening at the center, and the opening is provided with a transparent panel 65 that is formed of a transparent synthetic resin and allows a part of the symbol attached to the reel to be visually recognized. ing. As described above, since the frame portion 62 projects most forward in the case body 60, the transparent panel 65 is positioned in front of the gaming machine with respect to the upper panel 59. As shown in FIG. 4, the case body 60 is located immediately in front of the reel unit 70, and forms an accommodation area for the reel unit 70 together with the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, and the protective cover 135. Since the transparent panel 65 protrudes ahead of the gaming machine from the upper panel 59, the reel unit 70 having a relatively large size can be arranged. However, in order to prevent the transparent panel 65 from overhanging the front of the gaming machine, the reel unit 70 is positioned so that the rear end of the reel unit 70 is positioned near the rear end of the protective cover 135. Further, a control device or the like is not provided behind the protective cover 135. The configuration of the reel unit 70 will be described in detail later.

  The upper inclined portion 61 has an upper end in contact with the lower end of the upper panel 59 and connects the upper panel 59 to the frame portion 62 and the transparent panel 65 disposed in the frame portion 62. ing. Further, the upper inclined portion 61 is located above the front side of the reel unit 70. And, by being formed of a synthetic resin colored in black, light from the ceiling lighting and the upper light 59a in the game hall is blocked by the upper inclined portion 61. This prevents the light from being irradiated onto the reel unit 70 and the visibility of the symbol at the irradiated position from being lowered. In the case where such a means for blocking the transmission of light is not provided, the light is irradiated onto the reel unit 70, and the symbol visibility at the position irradiated with the reflected light is remarkably high. It will be reduced. The game of the gaming machine 1 is performed at a predetermined timing so as to stop a combination of predetermined symbols on a preset effective line by visually recognizing a symbol that passes through an area visible to the player through the transparent panel 65. This is done by stopping the variation of symbols. Therefore, a decrease in the visibility of the symbol may be a factor that causes a decrease in the entertainment interest of the game. On the other hand, with the configuration of the present embodiment, there is no possibility that such inconvenience occurs. Further, since the upper inclined portion 61 is formed of a synthetic resin colored in black, the internal structure of the gaming machine 1 cannot be visually recognized from the outside. Further, the front surface of the upper inclined portion 61 is inclined downward from the back side toward the near side. As a result, even if the upper panel 59 is located behind the transparent panel 65, the content displayed on the upper panel 59 is visually recognized by the player without being obstructed by the transparent panel 65. Can be made. If the front surface of the upper inclined portion 61 is not inclined as described above and is, for example, substantially horizontal, the lower edge of the upper panel 59 and the upper edge of the transparent panel 65 are at the same height. This is because, in a situation where the player's eyes are near the upper edge of the transparent panel 65, part of the content displayed on the upper panel 59 may not be visible.

  The transparent panel 65 disposed in the frame portion 62 has a planar shape. This prevents light such as ceiling lighting in the game hall from being reflected by the transparent panel 65. If the transparent panel 65 is on a curved surface, the reflection of the light of the illumination is remarkably generated, and there is a possibility that the visibility of the symbol is remarkably lowered. However, in this embodiment, such inconvenience is caused. There is no risk of occurrence. Further, the front surface of the transparent panel 65 faces upward. Thereby, the improvement of the visibility of a symbol is achieved. On the other hand, since the frame portion 62 is formed of the synthetic resin colored black as described above, the structure around the reel unit 70 cannot be visually recognized from the outside.

  The front surface of the downward inclined portion 63 is inclined downward from the lower end of the frame portion 62 toward the back side. The back end portion corresponds to the upper end of the back wall 64. Thereby, the back wall 64 can be disposed on the back side to some extent as compared to the transparent panel 65. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower part on the near side of the reel unit 70 is located on the back side of the downward inclined portion 63 and the back wall 64, and the portion is curved. Then, by tilting the downward inclined portion 63 so as to conform to the curved surface, the rear wall 64 can be disposed as far as possible in the range where the rear wall 64 is not in contact with the reel unit 70. Moreover, even if it is the structure where the back wall 64 is located in the back | inner side rather than the transparent panel 65 because the front surface of the downward inclination part 63 inclines as mentioned above, it is provided in the back wall 64. The contents displayed on the acquired number display section 122 and the like can be visually recognized by the player without being obstructed by the transparent panel 65. If the front surface of the downward inclined portion 63 is substantially horizontal, the lower edge of the transparent panel 65 and the upper edge of the back wall 64 are the same height, and the height of the player's eyes is high. This is because the content displayed on the acquisition number display unit 122 or the like may not be visible under the circumstances near the upper edge of the transparent panel 65. Further, since the downward inclined portion 63 is formed of a synthetic resin colored in black, the internal structure of the gaming machine 1 cannot be visually recognized from the outside.

  The back wall 64 extends substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the downward inclined portion 63 over a predetermined range, and its center is opened. In the opening, an acquisition number display unit 122 and an information display unit 123 are provided. Further, below the back wall 64, the upper plate 18 having the operation unit 100 disposed on the front surface is located. The back wall 64 is located on the back side of the transparent panel 65 and is further located near the center of the upper plate 18 in the depth direction. With this configuration, a space for the player to replenish game balls to the upper plate 18 is secured while suppressing the operation unit 100 from protruding forward of the gaming machine as much as possible. If the rear wall 64 is not located behind the transparent panel 65 and, for example, is configured to protrude to the front of the gaming machine to the same extent as the transparent panel 65, the player moves to the upper plate 18. In order to secure a space for refilling game balls, it is necessary to bulge the upper plate 18 forward of the game machine. In this case, the operation unit 100 is positioned in front of the upper plate 18, and as a result, the operation unit 100 is projected forward of the gaming machine. The game of the gaming machine 1 is performed by a player sitting in a fixed chair disposed in front of the gaming machine 1 operating the operation unit 100 for each game. If the game machine is projected forward, the distance between the player's trunk and the operation unit 100 becomes short, and the operation of the operation unit 100 for each game time becomes tight. This may be a heavy burden for a player who continues to play games. Further, if the distance between the gaming machine 1 and the chair is increased in order to eliminate the inconvenience, the distance from the transparent panel 65 to the player's eyes becomes longer, which may cause a decrease in the visibility of the symbol. . Furthermore, in this case, the distance between the chairs is shortened, and the passage space for employees and customers in the game hall is narrowed. Further, when the operation unit 100 protrudes in front of the gaming machine, the movement range of the front end of the operation unit 100 when the front door 4 is rotated in a game hall or the like is widened, and the front end of the operation unit 100 is the player. There is a risk of hitting. On the other hand, in this embodiment, there is no possibility that such inconvenience occurs. The back wall 64 is made of a synthetic resin colored in black. Thereby, the internal structure cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the gaming machine 1.

  For the sake of convenience of explanation, although description by illustration is omitted, a front light member having a panel shape is similarly attached to the back surface of the case body 60 so as to overlap. The front light member constitutes a light emitting means, a light source (light), and a transparent light guide that introduces light from the light source along the panel surface and reflects it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the panel surface and emits it to the outside of the panel. And a panel. That is, according to the front light member, surface light emission is performed substantially vertically toward the rear thereof, and a belt surface (design) of the belt unit 70 described later is illuminated brightly. In this case, surface light emission is performed with respect to the visible range of the symbol by the transparent panel 65.

  Next, the configuration of the reel unit 70 as a display device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 21, and 22. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the reel unit 70 taken out from the gaming machine main body. In FIG. 21, the front surface of the reel unit 70, that is, the symbol display surface is shown on the left front side. FIG. 22 is an assembled perspective view of the left reel.

  The reel unit 70 constitutes variable display means, and is installed on the back set board 16 from the front on the back side of the front door 4. That is, the belt unit 70 includes a metal base 80 (base member). The base 80 includes a rear portion 80a on the rear side of the reel unit 70, an upper surface portion 80b on the upper side, and a lower surface portion 80c on the lower side. Two support fixing portions 81 as fixed portions are provided at the front end portion of the upper surface portion 80b by bending a part of the end portion. Each support fixing portion 81 is formed with one insertion hole 81a. On the other hand, a support fixing portion 82 as a fixed portion is provided at the front end portion of the lower surface portion 80c by bending the entire end portion. The support fixing portion 82 has one insertion hole 82a at each end. The reel unit 70 is fixedly attached to the back set board 16 by screwing screws inserted through the insertion holes 81a and 82a into the back set board 16.

  The base 80 accommodates a left reel 71, a middle reel 72, and a right reel 73 that are formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each reel 71, 72, 73 is rotatably supported such that its central axis is the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 71, 72, and 73 are disposed on the same axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and a part of the surface of each reel 71, 72, 73 is in a state that can be visually recognized through the transparent panel 65. ing. Further, when the reels 71, 72, and 73 are rotated forward, the surfaces of the reels 71, 72, and 73 are projected through the transparent panel 65 as if they are moving from top to bottom.

  Each of these reels 71, 72, 73 is connected to stepping motors 74, 75, 76, and each reel 71, 72, 73 is individually driven by each stepping motor 74, 75, 76, that is, independent of each other. Thus, it can be rotationally driven. Since these reels 71, 72, 73 have the same configuration, the left reel 71 will be described as an example here with reference to FIG.

  The left reel 71 includes a cylindrical skeleton member 50 forming a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is affixed on the cylindrical skeleton member 50 through a pair of seal part formed along the both sides of the long side of the belt so that the wound state may be maintained. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. A boss 51 is formed at the center of the cylindrical skeleton member 50 and is attached to the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 74 via a disc-shaped boss reinforcing plate 52. Accordingly, when the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 74 rotates, the cylindrical skeleton member 50 rotates about the drive shaft, and the left reel 71 circulates along the annular reel surface. It has become.

  The left reel stepping motor 74 is fixed to the side surface of the motor plate 53 arranged in an upright state in the reel unit 70 (FIG. 21) with screws 54. The motor plate 53 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 55 in which a light emitting element 55a and a light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, a base end portion 56 b of a sensor cut bun 56 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 71 with a screw 57. The front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56 is bent at a substantially right angle and is positioned so as to pass between both elements 55a and 55b of the reel index sensor 55. Each time the left reel 71 makes one revolution, the reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is made. Therefore, the main controller 131 can confirm and correct the angular position of the left reel 71 every rotation based on the detection signal.

  The stepping motor 74 is set to rotate once by giving, for example, a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter). The rotation position of the stepping motor 74, that is, the left position is determined by this excitation pulse. The rotational position of the reel 71 is controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 71, 72, 73, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 55 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is visible from the transparent panel 65 or to visually recognize any symbol from the transparent panel 65 It is possible to perform control to achieve a proper state.

  Of the symbols attached to each of the reels 71, 72, 73, the number of symbols that can be visually recognized through the transparent panel 65 is limited to a predetermined number mainly determined by the vertical length of the transparent panel 65. Yes. In this embodiment, three reels are provided. For this reason, when all the reels 71, 72, 73 are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player.

  Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, although illustration explanation is omitted, the reel unit 70 is provided with a backlight (rear light emitting means) for illuminating a symbol visible through the transparent panel 65 from behind. . This backlight is composed of a fluorescent lamp or the like, and is arranged so as to illuminate a symbol visible from the rear through the transparent panel 65 on the inner peripheral side of each reel.

  Here, the symbols attached to the reels 71, 72, 73 will be described. FIG. 23 shows a symbol arrangement drawn on the belt wound around each of the left reel 71, the middle reel 72, and the right reel 73. As shown in the figure, each of the reels 71, 72, 73 is provided with 21 symbols in a row. Numbers 1 to 21 are assigned to the reels 71, 72, and 73 for convenience of explanation, but are not actually assigned to the reels 71, 72, and 73. . However, in the following description, the number is used for explanation.

  As the symbols, there are a “7” symbol (for example, the left belt 20th) and a “youth” symbol (for example, the left belt 19th) as the first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. Further, there is a “BAR” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as the second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. In addition, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the eleventh left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, a “watermelon” symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), a “bell” symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), and a “cherry” symbol (for example, left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 4th). As shown in FIG. 23, in the belt wound around each of the reels 71, 72, 73, the number and arrangement order of various symbols are completely different.

  In this embodiment, when the “7” symbol and the “youth” symbol are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the effective line, which will be described later, 75 game balls are paid out and the bonus game is played. A rush is made. Further, when the “BAR” symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, 75 game balls are paid out and the player enters the regular bonus game. Further, when the “replay” symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the game balls are not paid out and the player enters the replay game.

  Furthermore, regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, 75 game balls are paid out, and the “Bell” design is on the left, middle, and right on the active line. In the event that they are aligned, 40 gaming balls are paid out. Further, when the “cherry” symbol of the left reel 71 is stopped on the active line, ten game balls are paid out. That is, the “cherry” symbols on the middle reel 72 and the right reel 73 are irrelevant to the payout of the game ball, and are meaningless symbols. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the game ball is paid out regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore, the position where the plurality of effective lines of the left reel 71 overlap (specifically, the upper or lower level). When the “cherry” symbol is stopped at the same time, game balls are paid out by multiplying the number of overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, 20 game balls are paid out. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a main controller 131 for performing various controls relating to the game is installed on the back set board 16 on the back of the gaming machine 1. The main control device 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, an IO port that communicates with various devices, and an input / output driver that functions as a buffer. The control circuit board includes a random number circuit used in various lotteries, a reset circuit that outputs a reset signal, and the like.

  Similarly, the back set board 16 is provided with a sub-control device 132 for controlling the various lamps 8 to 10, 12, 13 and the speaker 11 so as to be accommodated in the protective cover 135. Similarly, the sub-control device 132 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and adopts a one-way communication configuration that receives a control signal from the main control device 131 but does not transmit a signal to the main control device 131 side. Yes. A payout control device 136 is installed on the back set panel 16 so as to be aligned with the main control device 131. The payout control device 136 also includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and adopts a bidirectional communication configuration with the main control device 131 via an input / output buffer. The main control device 131, the sub control device 132, and the payout control device 136 are all housed in a transparent or non-transparent control board box, and are fixed to the back set board 16 with the control board box sealed. ing. The reel unit 70 is housed and integrated in a colorless and transparent protective cover 135 as a case member.

  A power supply device 133 is installed on the back set panel 16 so as to be in contact with the side surface of the protective cover 135 (reel unit 70). The power supply device 133 houses a power supply board for supplying necessary power to the control device such as the main control device 131, the sub control device 132, the payout control device 136, and the other payout device 28 described above, and the power supply device. A colorless and transparent substrate box and a metal plate for noise countermeasures for eliminating noise generated inside and outside the power supply substrate are provided, and these are integrally assembled. In addition, the back set board 16 is provided with a vertically long concave portion 134 immediately next to the reel unit 70, and the side portion of the power supply device 133 is accommodated in the concave portion 134. Thereby, the power supply device 133 is attached in a state in which the power supply device 133 is arranged vertically in a direction extending in the depth direction of the gaming machine 1.

  The arrangement of the main control device 131, the sub control device 132, the power supply device 133, the payout control device 136, and the like is not limited to the arrangement described above.

  The power supply device 133 is provided with a power switch, a reset switch, a setting key insertion hole, and the like. The power switch is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main controller 131. The reset switch is a switch for resetting various states of the gaming machine 1. This game machine 1 has a backup function for various data. Even if a power failure occurs, the gaming machine 1 maintains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from the power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is turned off in the normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the turn-off is stored, but if the power switch is turned on while pressing the reset switch, the backup data is reset. It has become. If the reset switch is pressed while the power switch is on, the error state is reset. The setting key insertion hole is used by a hall manager or the like to adjust the ball appearance. That is, the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the gaming machine 1 can be changed from, for example, “setting 1” to “setting 6” by inserting and operating the setting key into the setting key insertion hole. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 24, a total of five active lines are set on the transparent panel 65 of the gaming machine 1 in such a manner that three lines are parallel to the horizontal direction and two are diagonally crossed. ing. That is, as the effective lines, upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines (upper line, center line, and lower line) and a pair of diagonal lines (upward and rightward lines) are set. Of course, the maximum number of effective lines may be 6 or more, or less than 5, and the maximum number of effective lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition. In order to make it easier for the player to understand the effective line, a line display unit that explicitly displays the line activated according to the number of bets may be provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the left side of the operation unit 100 provided at the bulging portion of the front door 4, the reels 71 to 73 are started simultaneously (not necessarily simultaneously). A start lever 101 is provided which is operated by the user. The start lever 101 constitutes start operation means that is operated to start variable display. An operation piece 211 a of the operation member 211 is disposed below the start lever 101.

  A stop button operation surface 113 is provided on the right side of the start lever 101, and stop buttons 102, 103, 104 for individually stopping the rotating reels 71 to 73 are provided on the stop button operation surface 113. ing. The stop buttons 102 to 104 are provided for the reels 71 to 73 to be stopped, respectively. The stop buttons 102 to 104 constitute stop means for stopping the variable display and stop operation means operated to stop the variable display. In the present embodiment, the reels 71 to 73 are configured to stop when a predetermined time elapses without the stop buttons 102 to 104 being pressed.

  A flat operation assisting surface 105 is formed on the upper surface of the operation unit 100 (the bulging portion of the front door 4). The operation assisting surface 105 is provided in an arch shape so as to surround the upper tray 18 behind it, and an opening 106 having substantially the same shape as the upper tray 18 is formed between the operation assisting surface 105 and the front surface of the gaming machine. When the front door 4 is closed, the upper plate 18 opens upward through the opening 106. Further, the operation assisting surface 105 is provided with a slight inclination so as to descend toward the front (front side). However, the inclination may not be present, and conversely, the inclination may be lowered downward.

  Here, the portion directly above the stop buttons 102 to 104 (stop button operation surface 113) on the operation assisting surface 105 has a substantially uniform width in the front-rear direction, and the rear edge of the operation assisting surface 105 (L portion in FIG. 1). ) Is configured in a straight line. In this case, assuming that the player presses each of the stop buttons 102 to 104 with the thumb, another finger such as an index finger or a middle finger may be put on the rear edge (L portion) of the operation assisting surface 105. By moving the hand to the left and right in this state, the stop buttons 102 to 104 can be continuously pressed along the operation assisting surface 105. In other words, the above pressing operation can be performed by placing a finger on the upper plate portion. In short, since the operation assisting surface 105 is flat and the rear edge thereof is a straight line, the operation assisting surface 105 is used to perform the continuous pressing operation of the stop buttons 102 to 104 quickly and smoothly. Can do.

  Further, the upper plate 18 (in this embodiment, in particular, the sub-upper plate portion 18b shown in FIG. 5 and the like) may be provided with a step or an inclination so that the operation assisting surface 105 side is somewhat raised. Good. That is, a height difference is provided so that the front of the upper plate 18 is high and the rear is low. According to this, even if game balls are stored in the upper plate 18, many of them are stored in a lower part of the upper plate 18 (that is, a part away from the operation assisting surface 105). Therefore, in the case where the upper plate 18 is used as a finger rest, the inconvenience that the finger and the game ball interfere can be avoided.

  Above the start lever 101 (that is, on the left hand side for the player), the operation assisting surface 105 of the operation unit 100 is provided with a button-like bet switch that constitutes an input operation means for starting to take in a game ball. It has been. In the present embodiment, a max bet switch 109 is provided as a bet switch.

  The max bet switch 109 is provided with a light-emitting body (light-emitting member) for notifying that an operation is being effectively accepted. The light emitter is built in the button pressing portion of the max bed switch 109, and the button pressing portion emits light when the light emitter emits light. The illuminator is turned on (or flashes) when the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted, and after the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted or when the operation is not accepted. Turns off. Alternatively, the light emitter emits red light when the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted, and after the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted or when the operation is not accepted. It may emit blue light.

  Each time the max bet switch 109 is pressed, “15” game balls on the upper plate 18 are taken in by the take-in devices 35 to 37. As a result, all the five valid lines are validated. This state is the maximum bet state. In other words, when the maximum bet switch 109 is pressed once, no further game balls are taken in. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the maximum bet state is reached and the maximum bet switch 109 is further pressed, the operation is invalidated. However, in a jack-in game in a big bonus game that is in a special gaming state, five (one bet) game balls are taken in by one press operation of the max bet switch 109. . In this case, only the center line of the five effective lines is activated.

  Further, the display unit 63 of the front door 4 includes an acquisition number display unit 122 for displaying the number of acquired game balls, and an information display unit 123 for displaying information during the big bonus game (for example, the number of games). Each is provided. In this embodiment, each of the display units 122 and 123 is constituted by a three-digit seven-segment display. However, the number of digits is not particularly limited, and can be replaced by a liquid crystal display or the like. It is.

  Note that various notification units (not shown) such as a big notification unit, a replay notification unit, and a small role notification unit may be appropriately provided on the upper portion of the gaming machine 1 (front door 4). These various notification units may be provided in places other than the upper part of the gaming machine 1, or different types of notification may be performed by a common notification unit. Moreover, you may utilize the annular parts 6 and 7 as this alerting | reporting part. For example, when the “7” symbols are aligned on the active line when the reels 71 to 73 are stopped, the big notification unit displays and notifies that the big bonus game has been acquired by lighting, flashing, or the like. When the “replay” symbols are aligned on the active line when the rotation of the reels 71 to 73 is stopped, the replay notification unit notifies the player that the replay game has been acquired by lighting, flashing, or the like. When the rotation of each reel 71 to 73 is stopped, the small role notification unit displays that a predetermined number of game balls have been acquired by lighting, flashing or the like when the “watermelon” symbols as the small role symbols are aligned on the active line. Inform. In addition, although each of these alerting | reporting parts decided to alert | report by display, you may alert | report by the audio | voice with the speaker 11 with which it replaces with this or in addition to this, the gaming machine 1 (upper part of the front door 4).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control device 131 is equipped with a microcomputer centering on a CPU 151 as arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 133, the CPU 151 is connected to a clock circuit 154 that outputs a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 155, and the like via an internal bus. The main controller 131 functions as a main base built in the gaming machine 10. Note that the power from the power supply device 133 is supplied directly or indirectly to the sub control device 132, the payout control device 136, etc. in addition to the main control device 131. Various signals based on the operation of the reset switch 138 provided in the power supply device 133 are transmitted to the main control device 131 and the payout control device 136, thereby executing the above-described ball removal processing and the like.

  On the input side of the main control device 131, a settlement detection sensor 111a that detects a pressing operation of the settlement switch 111, a maximum bed detection sensor 109a that detects a pressing operation of the maximum bed switch 109, and a start detection that detects an operation of the start lever 101. Various sensors such as a sensor 101a, stop detection sensors 102a, 103a, and 104a that individually detect operations of the stop buttons 102 to 104, and a reel index sensor 55 that individually detects the rotation positions (origin positions) of the reels 71 to 73 Is connected.

  On the output side of the main controller 131, stepping motors 74 to 76 mounted on the reel unit 70, and an acquisition number display unit 122 and an information display unit 123 provided in the display unit 63 are connected.

  The main control device 131 is connected to take-in devices 35 to 37. Specifically, the count sensors 201 and 202 of the capture devices 35 to 37 and the gate position detection sensor 210 are connected to the input side of the main control device 131, and the capture devices 35 to 35 are connected to the output side of the main control device 131. 37 solenoids 181 are connected.

  In addition, a payout control device 136 is connected to the main control device 131 so that bidirectional communication can be performed. Accordingly, the payout control device 136 can receive a command from the main control device 131, and the main control device 131 can receive a signal from the payout control device 136. In addition, a payout device 28 is connected to the payout control device 136.

  Further, a sub control device 132 is connected to the output side of the main control device 131. The light emitters 8 and 9, the lamp display units 10, 12 and 13, and the speaker 11 are connected to the output side of the sub-control device 132. From the main control device 131, game information at that time is transmitted as a signal to the sub-control device 132. The sub-control device 132 to which signals relating to each game information are input executes various effects based on various control signals based on its own control program.

  The CPU 151 described above stores various control programs executed by the CPU 151 and a ROM 152 storing fixed value data, and temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 152 is executed. In addition to the RAM 153 for securing the area, various processing circuits necessary for the gaming machine 1 such as a timer circuit such as an interrupt circuit and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and various counters such as a bet counter are incorporated. Yes. The ROM 152 and the RAM 153 constitute a main memory as storage means, and a program for executing the processes shown in various flowcharts shown in FIG. 26 and subsequent figures is stored in the ROM 152 described above as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 153 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 133 provided in the power supply box 121 and the data can be held (backed up) even after the gaming machine 1 is powered off. In addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data such as a discharge operation flag and a bet operation flag, a backup area is provided.

  The backup area indicates the values of the stack pointer, registers, I / O, etc. when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure, etc. This is an area to be stored, and when the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch; the same applies hereinafter), the state of the gaming machine 1 is in the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area. You can return. Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is cut off by the power failure process, and restoration of each value written to the backup area is executed in the main process when the power is turned on. The NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 is configured to receive a power failure signal from the power supply device 133 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as generation processing is immediately executed.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 151 in the main controller 131 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. The main controller 131 is roughly divided into a main process that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt process that is started periodically (in a cycle of 1.49 msec in this embodiment), and an NMI terminal (non-maskable). NMI interrupt processing activated by the input of a power failure signal to the terminal). For convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt processing and timer interrupt processing will be described first, and then the main processing will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of NMI interrupt processing. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal is output from the power supply device 133 to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) provided in the CPU 151 of the main controller 131. In the main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal, NMI interrupt processing is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, in step S101, the data of the used register provided in the CPU 151 is saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. Subsequently, in step S102, the power failure flag is set in the power failure flag storage area of the RAM 153. Thereafter, the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 153 in step S103 is restored to the use register of the CPU 151 again. With this return processing, the NMI interrupt processing ends. If the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data in the register used by the CPU 151, the saving and restoring processing to the backup area can be omitted.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing periodically executed by the main control device 131, and a timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 every 1.49 msec, for example.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step S201, the values of all the registers in the CPU 151 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S203, and a power failure process is executed.

  Here, the power failure process will be described with reference to FIG. Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register saving process in the timer interrupt process, other interrupt processes can be executed without interruption. Therefore, the process at the time of power failure is not executed by interrupting each process, for example, during the transmission process of various commands, the process of reading the switch state (ON / OFF), and the like. It is no longer necessary to create a power failure processing program that also takes into account This simplifies the processing program for power failure processing and reduces the program capacity. This also applies to a processing program for power recovery processing described later.

  In step S301, it is determined whether command transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, the process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process to terminate the command transmission. In this way, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process, the transmission process is prioritized when the transmission is incomplete, and the power failure process is executed after the unit command transmission process is completed. By doing so, it is not necessary to construct a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed during command transmission. As a result, the power failure processing program can be simplified and the ROM 152 can be reduced in capacity.

  If YES in step S301, that is, if command transmission is complete, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as a stop process, and the output state of the output port in the input / output port is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum at the work area address of the RAM 153. By saving the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the check sum of the RAM 153 to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed. In consideration of, for example, the case where the power failure flag is set erroneously due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, it means that the power failure state has been recovered. Therefore, writing to the RAM 153 is permitted, the power failure flag is reset, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. If the power outage signal is continuously output, the infinite loop is entered.

  Note that the power supply unit of the power supply device 133 holds the output of the stabilization voltage (5 volts) used as the drive voltage for the control system for a time sufficient to execute the above-described NMI interrupt processing and power failure processing. It is configured as follows. In the present embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, if the power failure flag is not set in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed.

  That is, in step S204, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate the reels 71, 72, 73, stepping motor control processing for driving the stepping motors 74 to 76, which are the respective cylinder drive motors, is performed. In step S207, sensor monitoring processing for monitoring the state of various sensors (see FIG. 25) connected to the input / output port is performed. In step S208, a game ball take-in process for controlling the take-in of game balls by the take-in devices 35 to 37 is performed. The game ball taking process will be described in detail later. In step S209, a timer subtraction process for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S210, counter processing is performed for outputting the number of game balls bet and the result of counting the number of payouts to the external concentration terminal board. Incidentally, the information output to the external concentration terminal board is transmitted to the hall management device or the like through the external concentration terminal board.

  In step S211, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the sub-control device 132 is performed. In step S212, a segment data setting process for setting the segment data displayed on the acquisition number display unit 122 and the information display unit 123 is performed. In step S213, the segment data set processing in the segment data setting processing is supplied to the respective display units 122 and 123, and the segment data display processing for displaying the corresponding numbers, symbols, etc. is performed. In step S214, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port is performed. In step S215, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S201 is restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 151. Thereafter, in step S216, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

  Next, the main process in the main controller 131 executed after power-on will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The main process is executed when power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on a power switch.

  First, in step S401, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 151, and an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, various settings for the register group in the CPU 151, the I / O device, and the like are set. And so on.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S402 whether or not the reset switch 138 has been turned on. If the reset switch 138 is turned on, the process advances to step S403 to clear all data stored in the RAM 153 as a RAM clear process.

  Thereafter, in step S404, it is determined whether or not the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole. If the setting key has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected from a plurality of preset setting states (for example, “setting 1” to “setting 6”), internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. To do.

  In step S406, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. When the power failure flag is not set, that is, when the data in the RAM 153 is cleared in the previous step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process to be described later, and this process ends.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S406, the process proceeds to power recovery processing shown in step S408 and thereafter. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that subroutine processing such as RAM clear processing in step S403 and setting change processing in step S405 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM 153 is not rewritten at all, and the power recovery process requires confirmation processing such as whether or not the data in the RAM 153 is normal. For this purpose, first, in step S408, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the checksum value of the RAM 153 is checked to check whether the value is normal, that is, whether the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal in step S408, that is, if the checksum value is not zero, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM 153 has been destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, error display processing is performed in step S409. As the error display processing, first, interrupt processing is prohibited, and all output ports in the input / output port are cleared to control all actuators connected to the input / output port to the off state. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S410, the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 151, and the stack state before the power is shut off is written. Return to the state. Next, in step S411, a power recovery command used during power recovery processing is transmitted to the sub-control device 132. Thereafter, in step S412, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed, and in step S413, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 101a are initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S414, and the processing returns to the address before the power is shut off. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watch interrupt timer clear process for the timer interrupt is executed.

  Next, normal processing for performing main control relating to the game will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S501, it is determined whether or not a bet flag is set in a bet flag storage area provided in the RAM 153, that is, whether or not a game ball is bet. The bet flag is set in the game ball take-in process of the timer interrupt process. Therefore, the game ball take-in process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the game ball take-in process, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not a discharge operation flag is set in a discharge operation flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. The discharge operation flag is set when the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the extended portion 191c of the discharge gate member 190, and is cleared when the gate position detection sensor 210 does not detect the extended portion 191c. It is. That is, the discharge operation flag is a flag that is set when the discharge gate member 190 is moved to the open position, and is then erased when the discharge gate member 190 is moved to the closed position.

  If the discharge operation flag has not been set, it is determined in step S602 whether the solenoid 181 that is the drive source of the take-in gate member 175 is energized. As a result, if not energized, the process proceeds to step S603, and it is determined whether or not the bet operation flag is set in the bet operation flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. The bet operation flag is a flag that is set when the max bet switch 109 is operated by the player and the main controller 131 receives an ON signal from the max bet detection sensor 109a. However, even if the max bet switch 109 is operated while the reels 71 to 73 are rotating or while a game ball is being paid out (that is, in the take-in disallowed state), the bet operation flag is not changed. Not set. This is to prevent the game balls from being taken in while the reels 71 to 73 are rotating.

  If the bet operation flag has not been set, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the bet operation flag is set, a signal is output to the solenoids 181 of all the capture devices 35 to 37 in step S604. As a result, the solenoid 181 is energized, and the take-in gate member 175 is driven accordingly, and the take-in passage 168 is opened in all the take-in devices 35 to 37.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S602 (that is, when the solenoid 181 is already energized) and after the processing in step S604, the passing of the game ball from the sensor unit 200 in each of the take-in devices 35 to 37 is performed in step S605. It is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the signal has been detected is input. As a result, if the signal is input, the number of game balls detected by the sensor unit 200 is counted up in the bet counter in step S606. The bet counter is a counter that stores the number of game balls taken in by the take-in devices 35 to 37. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S607, and it is determined whether or not the game ball has been taken in by determining whether or not the value of the bet counter is 15. If the game ball has been taken in, a bet flag is set in the bet flag storage area in step S608, the value of the bet counter is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step S609.

  In step S609, output of signals to the solenoids 181 of all the capture devices 35 to 37 is stopped. Accordingly, the drive of the take-in gate member 175 is stopped, whereby the take-in passage 168 is closed, and the take-in of the game ball by the take-in devices 35 to 37 is finished. In step S609, the bet operation flag stored in the bet operation flag storage area is deleted.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S605 (that is, when a signal indicating that the passing of a game ball has been detected is not input from the sensor unit 200), and when a negative determination is made in step S607 (that is, a bet counter). Is not 15), in step S610, it is determined whether or not the allowable intake time has elapsed since the solenoid 181 was turned on in step S604. If the allowable capture time has not elapsed, the present process is terminated. If the allowable capture time has elapsed, the process is terminated after performing the process of step S609 described above. In this way, by determining whether or not the allowance time has passed, it is possible to prevent the take-in solenoid 181 from being excited even though the game ball is not stored in the upper plate 18. Can do. In this case, the number of game balls stored in the bet counter is paid back to the player via the payout device 28.

  If the discharge operation flag has not been set, the above processing is executed. If the discharge operation flag has been set, a negative determination is made in step S601 to proceed to step S611. In step S611, it is determined whether the solenoid 181 is energized. As a result, when the solenoid 181 is not energized, this processing is terminated as it is. Thereby, in the state where the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position, even if the max bet switch 109 is operated, the taking-in of the game ball is not started. On the other hand, if the solenoid 181 is energized, the process ends after the process of step S609 described above is executed. Thereby, when the discharge gate member 190 is moved to the open position under the situation where the game ball is being taken in, the game ball is stopped from being taken in. In this case, the number of game balls stored in the bet counter is paid back to the player via the payout device 28.

  Returning to the description of the normal process in FIG. 30, when the bet flag is set, it is determined in step S502 whether or not the start lever 101 has been operated. If both steps S501 and S502 are YES, the lottery process in step S503, the reel control process in step S504, the payout monitoring process in step 505, and the special game state process in step S506 are executed in order, and the process returns to step S501. If an affirmative determination is made in step S502, the bet flag set in the bet flag storage area is deleted. On the other hand, if the bet flag is not set in step S501 or the start lever 101 is not operated in step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Hereinafter, the lottery process in step S503 and the reel control process in step S504 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. In the payout monitoring process in step S505, a game ball payout process (described later) executed by the payout control device 136 is monitored. Further, in the special game state process in step S506, the start or end of the big bonus game and the regular bonus game is determined. Detailed explanation of these payout monitoring processing and special game state processing is omitted for the sake of convenience.

  First, the lottery process in step S503 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S701, a random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the gaming machine 1 and the like. Here, the setting state of the gaming machine 1 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6”. When “setting 1”, the random number table having the lowest winning probability of the winning combination is selected, and “setting 6” is selected. Sometimes the random number table with the highest winning probability is selected. Note that the random number table for determination of success / failure may have a configuration in which something other than those described above is set, or may have a configuration in which only a table based on the setting state is set.

  In step S702, the random number table selected in this way is used for lottery in light of the random numbers latched by the random number counter when the start lever 101 is operated. In step S703, it is determined whether or not any combination is won. If any combination is not selected, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S704, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. In step S705, a slip table for reel stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM. Here, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped when the symbol on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop buttons 102 to 104 are pressed differs from the symbol to be stopped on the effective line. This is a table that defines how much the reels 71 to 73 are slid so as to stop on the active line.

  Next, the reel control processing in step S504 will be described based on the flowchart in FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is performed in step S801. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the reel rotation in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game. For this reason, even if the start lever 101 is operated after the maximum bet switch 109 is operated, the reels 71 to 73 may not immediately rotate.

  Following the wait process, the reel start process in step S802 is performed to rotate the reels 71 to 73. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S803, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the left reel 71 started to rotate. If not, the process waits until the predetermined time elapses. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S804, where one of the stop buttons 102 to 104 is pressed to generate a reel stop command, more specifically from the stop detection sensors 102a to 104a. It is determined whether an ON signal is received. That is, in the present embodiment, a period from when the left reel 71 starts to rotate until a predetermined time elapses is set as an invalid period, and the stop buttons 102 to 104 are pressed during the invalid period. Also, the ON signal from the stop detection sensors 102a to 104a is invalidated. If no stop command has been issued, the process advances to step S805 to determine whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each reel 71 to 73 has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S804. If the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S806 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the rotating reels.

  On the other hand, if any of the stop buttons 102 to 104 is pressed in step S804 to generate a stop command, the process proceeds to step S807 to perform a reel stop process. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery, and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, if the “Watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop button is pressed at the timing when the “Watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 will stop on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is predetermined (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop button. Even in the forced stop processing in step S806, if the winning flag is set, the same processing is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S808, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop button has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S809, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of a combination” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line. Refers to cases. The sliding table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, if the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S808, the process proceeds to step S810, whether the second stop command is received, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. Whether or not the stop button has been pressed is determined. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S811, and a stop eye determination process is performed. In this stop eye determination process, when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When sound effects are generated from the speaker 11, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than the two bonus symbols is met, or an effect using the lamp display units 10, 12, and 13 other than the sound effect is performed. May be.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S806, after the slip table change process in step S809, when the current stop instruction is not the second stop instruction in step S810, or the stop eye determination process in step S811 is performed. After that, in step S812, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 71, 72, and 73 have stopped. If the rotation has not stopped, the process returns to step S804. If the rotation has stopped, a payout determination process is performed in the subsequent step S813, and this process ends.

  The payout determination process is a process for setting the payout number of game balls on the condition that the winning combinations are arranged on the active line. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout scheduled number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and when they do not match, an error is displayed on the lamp display unit 10 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. When the winning combination on the active line matches the winning combination, the payout number corresponding to the winning combination in the payout amount storage area is set, and information on the payout amount is further stored in the payout control device 136. To output, a payout number command including payout number information is set.

  Next, game ball payout processing executed by the CPU of the payout control device 136 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the game ball payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the payout number counted by the payout detection counter in step S901 matches the planned payout number determined from the command stored in the RAM of the payout control device 136. . When the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, the payout device 28 is driven in step S902 to pay out the game balls to the upper plate 18. At this time, in step S903, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the detection signal of the payout detection sensor provided in the payout device 28. At this time, a payout command indicating that the payout number is incremented by 1 is output to the main controller 131. Thereafter, the process returns to step S901. When the number of payouts and the planned number of payouts match in step S901, the payout device 28 is stopped in step S904, and this process ends. The number of payouts is reset when the number of game balls to be paid out is paid out.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  In the intake devices 35 to 37, the discharge passage 169 is opened in accordance with the opening operation of the discharge gate member 190 by manual operation, and when it is determined that the intake passage 169 is in that state, the intake passage 168 is in the closed state. By adopting a configuration in which the two passages 168 and 169 are controlled, it is possible to prevent the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened. When both the passages 168 and 169 are opened simultaneously, even if a game ball flows into the intake passage 168, the game ball does not collide with the passage shielding portion 191a of the discharge gate member 190. Will behave differently. That is, the behavior of the game ball passing through the intake passage 168 is disturbed. In this case, a detection error of the game ball in the count sensors 201 and 202 may occur. On the other hand, by preventing the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened, it is possible to prevent an erroneous detection of the game ball in the count sensors 201 and 202.

  In particular, in the configuration in which the count sensors 201 and 202 are arranged at positions offset from the center of the intake passage 168, the behavior of the game ball is disturbed, and the trajectory of the game ball when passing through the intake passage 168 is the count sensor 201, When deviating from the normal trajectory close to 202, the detection time of the game ball (the output period of the ball detection signal) of the count sensors 201 and 202 is shortened, and there is a high possibility that it is not determined that the game ball has passed. In addition, even if the normal trajectory near the count sensors 201 and 202 is passed, if one game ball is decelerated due to a disturbance in behavior, the count sensors 201 and 202 can detect the game ball and the subsequent game balls as one unit. . In this case, it is determined that only one game ball has been taken in even though a plurality of game balls have passed through the take-in passage 168. On the other hand, by preventing the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened, it is possible to prevent the detection error of the game ball as described above.

  If it is attempted to prevent an erroneous detection of the game ball in the count sensors 201 and 202 without preventing both the passages 168 and 169 from being opened simultaneously, the count sensors 201 and 202 are positioned closer to the center in the passage width direction. It is necessary to make it easy to detect the game ball by disposing in the above. However, such a configuration is not preferable because the effect of disposing the count sensors 201 and 202 at positions outside the passage width direction is lost.

  Since the discharge gate member 190 is configured to be manually operated, the control processing load of the main controller 131 is reduced. Further, even when the gaming machine 1 is turned off, such as when the gaming machine 1 is out of order, the game balls remaining in the take-in devices 35 to 37 can be easily taken out.

  Whether or not the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position by adopting a configuration in which the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the position of the discharge gate member 190 instead of detecting the positions of the operation member 211 and the link member 215. Can be detected directly, and it can be detected whether or not the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position regardless of the state of the operation member 211. Therefore, for example, when a game ball is sandwiched between the passage shielding portion 191a of the discharge gate member 190 and the passage wall of the discharge passage 169, or the spring 195 that biases the discharge gate member 190 toward the closed position. Even in the case where the distance is removed, it is possible to prevent both the passages 168 and 169 from being opened simultaneously.

  The timing at which the tip of the extended portion 191c of the discharge gate member 190 blocks between both elements of the gate position detection sensor 210 is earlier than the timing at which the discharge gate member 190 opens the discharge passage 169 more than the radius of the game ball. Thus, the length dimension of the extending part 191c and the arrangement position of both elements were set. Thus, when the discharge gate member 190 moves from the closed position to the open position, the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the discharge gate member 190 before reaching the open position. Therefore, before the discharge passage 169 is opened, the intake passage 168 can be in the closed state, and the passage of game balls through the intake passage 168 can be prohibited.

  Here, the timing at which the two elements of the gate position detection sensor 210 are blocked is set before the timing at which the discharge passage 169 is opened by the radius of the game ball or more when the game ball is released by the radius of the game ball or more. There is a possibility that the leading end of the flowing down direction does not hit the passage shielding portion 191a of the discharge gate member 190 and flows into the intake passage 168, and further, the game ball is disposed on the passage wall of the discharge passage 169 and the discharge gate member 190. This is because there is a risk of fitting between the two. In these cases, the behavior of the game ball is disturbed, and a detection error of the game ball in the count sensors 201 and 202 occurs.

  By adopting a configuration in which a plurality of take-in devices 35 to 37 (game ball passages 165) are provided, it is possible to shorten the time required for taking in game balls for each game time. In the gaming machine 1, the reels 71 to 73 are allowed to rotate on the condition that a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls have been taken in. It will be a typical interruption time. And if the forced interruption time of this game becomes long, it may become a factor that gives the player a feeling of boredom, and further, the number of games per game unit (game progress speed) decreases. There is a risk that. On the other hand, with this configuration, this forced interruption time can be shortened.

  In the configuration in which a plurality of take-in devices 35 to 37 are provided, the discharge gate member 190 collectively prevents or allows the game balls to be discharged through the discharge passages 169 of the take-in devices 35 to 37. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of members disposed in each of the capture devices 35 to 37. This is because there is no need to separately provide a member for preventing or allowing the game ball from being discharged through the discharge passage 169 for each of the take-in devices 35 to 37. Thereby, since each capture device 35-37 is reduced in size, in the structure which provides the several capture device 35-37, reduction of the space for arrange | positioning the capture device 35-37 in the gaming machine 1 is reduced. Can be realized. Further, the configuration can be simplified, and further, as the number of members decreases, it becomes preferable from the viewpoint of member management and manufacturing cost.

  In addition to the embodiment described above, for example, the following may be implemented.

  (A) Examples of changing the detection position of the discharge gate member 190 by the gate position detection sensor 210 are shown in FIGS.

  First, in FIGS. 35A and 35B, a gate position detection sensor 210 is provided on the cover 194, and an extension 221 is formed so as to extend from the base end 192 to the near side. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 35 (a), when the discharge gate member 190 is in the closed position, the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the extending portion 221, and as shown in FIG. 35 (b), When the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position, the gate position detection sensor 210 does not detect the extending portion 221. In this case, it is determined that the discharge passage 169 is in the closed state while the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the extension portion 221, and the discharge passage 169 is in the open state by not detecting the extension portion 221. With the configuration in which it is determined that the two passages 168 and 169 are simultaneously opened in the game ball taking-in process similar to that of the above-described embodiment, it can be prevented.

  35C and 35D, the gate position detection sensor 210 is provided in the housings 161 and 162 of the third capturing device 37, and further in the housings 161 and 162 of the third capturing device 37. A certain passage shielding part 191a serves as an extending part in the above embodiment. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 35C, when the discharge gate member 190 is in the closed position, the gate position detection sensor 210 does not detect the passage shielding portion 191a, as shown in FIG. In addition, when the discharge gate member 190 is in the open position, the gate position detection sensor 210 detects the passage shielding portion 191a. With this configuration, the discharge gate member 190 does not need to be provided with the extending portion in the above embodiment, so that the shape of the discharge gate member 190 can be simplified.

  In addition to the above configuration, for example, the gate position detection sensor 210 may be configured to detect the positions of the operation member 211 and the link member 215.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the gate position detection sensor 210 is configured by an optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, but may be configured by, for example, an ultrasonic sensor.

  (C) The discharge gate member 190 is not configured to be manually operable via the operation member 211 and the link member 215, but one end of the discharge gate member 190 is projected from the front of the gaming machine, and the discharge gate member 190 is The discharge passage 169 may be opened and closed by directly operating the.

  (D) The discharge gate member 190 may be configured to be manually operated via the operation member 211 and the link member 215, and the discharge gate member 190 may be driven by an electric actuator such as a solenoid. However, the electric actuator may be driven without being controlled by the main controller 131 in order to reduce the processing load of the main controller 131. Specifically, a discharge switch is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine (front door 4), and when the discharge switch is pressed, the power supply circuit of the electric actuator is closed and the electric actuator is driven. Even in this configuration, the gate position detection sensor 210 can detect that the discharge passage 169 is in the open state, thereby preventing both the passages 168 and 169 from being in the open state at the same time.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the count sensors 201 and 202 are configured by optical sensors, but may be changed. For example, an ultrasonic sensor may be used. In the sensor, the game ball is detected by a time difference until the reflected wave or transmitted wave of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmitter is reached. Accordingly, when both the passages 168 and 169 are opened simultaneously, the trajectory of the game balls when passing through the intake passage 168 is disturbed. For example, when a plurality of game balls pass through the detection position as a group, There is a possibility that it is determined that only one game ball has been taken in even though the ball has passed. On the other hand, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be prevented by preventing the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened as in the above embodiment. Further, the count sensors 201 and 202 may be constituted by electromagnetic proximity sensors.

  (F) The configuration in which the count sensors 201 and 202 are arranged at the center of the intake passage 168 may be employed. Even in this case, if both the passages 168 and 169 are simultaneously opened, a plurality of game balls may pass through the detection position as one unit. On the other hand, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be prevented by preventing the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened as in the above embodiment.

  (G) The configuration of the game ball passage 165 may be different from that of the above embodiment. For example, the game ball passage 165 is configured to be bifurcated so as to have an inverted Y shape. In this case, the passage branched into two branches from the most downstream portion of the upstream passage portion extending in the vertical direction becomes the intake passage and the discharge passage. And it is set as the structure which each provides a gate member in the entrance part of an intake passage and a discharge passage, and opens and closes each passage. Further, the game ball passage 165 is bifurcated so as to have a toroidal shape. In this case, a passage continuously extending in the vertical direction from the most downstream portion of the upstream passage portion extending in the vertical direction is a discharge passage, and a passage extending in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction is an intake passage. And it is set as the structure which each provides a gate member in the entrance part of an intake passage and a discharge passage, and opens and closes each passage. In these configurations, the speed of the game ball when reaching the branch position is higher than that in the above embodiment, so that it is necessary to reduce the momentum of the flow by colliding with the discharge gate member when the game ball is taken in. In this case, if both the passages are opened at the same time, the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball may be larger than that in the above embodiment. On the other hand, detection errors in the count sensors 201 and 202 can be prevented by preventing the passages 168 and 169 from being simultaneously opened.

  (H) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of capture devices 35 to 37 are provided in series, but a configuration in which only one capture device is provided may be used. Even in this case, by allowing the discharge gate member to be manually operated via the operating means as in the above embodiment, the game ball is preferably discharged through the discharge passage. Further, when the number of take-in devices is reduced, the time required for taking in a predetermined number of game balls becomes longer than in the above embodiment. And if the said time becomes long, possibility that an operation means will be operated in the condition where taking in of a game ball is performed becomes high. In this case, the gate position detection sensor 210 is provided to prevent the game ball from being taken in through the take-in passage 168 while the game ball is allowed to be discharged through the discharge passage 169. The game ball can be taken in without any trouble.

  Moreover, the structure provided with two, four, or five or more capture devices may be sufficient. Even in this case, by providing the operation member 211, the gate position detection sensor 210, and the like, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above embodiment.

  (I) Although the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment has a configuration in which only the max bet switch 109 is provided as the bet operating means, the 1 bet switch and the 2 bet switch are also provided. May be. In other words, in a normal game, a 1-bet game or a 2-bet game can be performed.

  (J) Although the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment is configured not to have a credit function (virtual game medium storage function), it may be configured to have this credit function.

  (K) Information providing means for auxiliary effects may be installed in the gaming machine 1. For example, the information providing means is installed integrally with the reel unit 70 on the front side of the reel unit 70, installed near the transparent panel 65 (one of the left, right, top, and bottom) in the case body 60, What is necessary is just to install in the upper part rather than the body 60, or install in the top part 6a among the annular parts 6. As the information providing means, a liquid crystal display device, which is a kind of electrical display device, can be used, and other electrical display devices such as CRT, dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence (EL), fluorescent display tube. Etc. may be used. In addition to the electrical display device, a sound generating device such as a speaker may be used, thereby enabling dynamic sound effects for the player. Furthermore, you may comprise an information provision means as a combination of the speaker 11 which is an audio | voice generator, and a display apparatus.

  (L) In the above embodiment, the reels 71 to 73 are cylindrical skeleton members that form a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt (not shown) is wound around the outer peripheral surface thereof. The belt and the belt may be integrally formed, and the design may be individually attached to the outer peripheral surface of the belt. In such a case, the integrally formed outer peripheral surface corresponds to a rotating body. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which uses the belt | belt-shaped belt by which the design was attached | subjected to the outer peripheral surface without providing a cylindrical frame member instead of the reels 71-73. In such a case, this belt corresponds to the rotating body.

  (M) The maximum take-in number, payout number, etc. of the game balls in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to the above numerical values.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a front frame. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the AA line vicinity of FIG. It is a rear view of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an upper plate formation body. It is a perspective view which shows the whole taking-in unit. It is a figure which shows simply the flow of the game ball from an upper plate to a taking-in unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a taking-in apparatus. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a taking-in apparatus. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a part of taking-in unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a rectification | straightening part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the game ball detection by a count sensor. It is a rear view of a 3rd taking-in apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a motion of the gate member for discharge. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the gate member for discharge | emission, and a discharge channel | path. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the drive mechanism of the gate member for discharge | emission. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the drive mechanism of the gate member for discharge | emission. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a taking-in apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the motion of the game ball in the branch position of an intake passage and a discharge passage. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a reel unit. It is an assembly perspective view of a left reel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of the belt of each rotary body. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | sequence of an effective line. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows a game ball taking-in process. It is a flowchart which shows a lottery process. It is a flowchart which shows a reel control process. It is a flowchart which shows a game ball payout process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a change of the detection position of a gate position detection sensor.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 2 ... Outer frame, 3 ... Front frame, 4 ... Front door, 28 ... Dispensing device, 35-37 ... Take-in device, 70 ... Reel unit, 71-73 ... Reel, 101 ... Start lever, 102 ˜104 ... Stop button, 109 ... Max bet switch as take-in start operation means, 131 ... Main control device, 161 and 162 ... Housing member, 167 ... Upstream passage as take-in passage, 168 ... Take-in passage, 169 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Discharge passage, 175 ... Gate member for taking in, 181 ... Solenoid, 190 ... Gate member for discharge, 200 ... Sensor unit as game ball detection means, 201, 202 ... Count sensor, 210 ... Gate as discharge gate detection means Position detection sensor, 211, operation member, 211a, protrusion, 211b, push-out portion, 215, link member.

Claims (5)

A take-in passage and a discharge passage provided by bifurcating a game ball passage for allowing a game ball to pass therethrough, and an entrance portion of the take-up passage are provided to prevent or allow the passage of the game ball in the intake passage. An intake blocking permission member, and a discharge blocking permission member that is provided at a position where the game ball hits once when the game ball is taken in at an entrance portion of the discharge passage, and blocks or allows passage of the game ball in the discharge passage And a game ball detecting means provided on the inlet side of the intake passage and downstream of the intake blocking permission member and detecting a game ball passing through the intake passage. ,
Based on a predetermined take-in trigger signal, the take-in control means moves the take-in blocking permission member to an allowable position to place the take-in passage in an allowable state, and a predetermined number of game balls are detected by the game ball detecting means. Allow the start of the game if
On the other hand, in the gaming machine in which the discharge blocking permission member can be manually operated by a player and the discharge passage is allowed by the manual operation,
Determining means for determining whether or not the discharge passage is in the allowable state;
When the determination means determines that the discharge passage is in the allowable state, the intake prohibiting means for controlling the intake blocking permission member to be in the blocking position;
With
When the discharge blocking permission member operates from the blocking position to the permission position, a discharge detecting means for detecting the discharge blocking permission member before reaching the permission position is provided,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not the discharge passage is in the allowable state based on a detection result of the discharge detection means. The game ball detection means is configured such that the detection unit is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction of the take-in passage, and outputs a ball detection signal by the detection unit facing the game ball when the game ball passes. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is characterized. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the passage width of the take-in passage is such that one game ball can pass, and the detection unit is arranged so as to be biased outward in the passage width direction. A plurality of the take-in devices are arranged side by side, the game balls supplied from the upstream are guided to the game ball entrance of each take-in device, and further, the game balls in the discharge passage in each take-in device by the discharge blocking allowance member The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is configured to block or allow passage of all of them. A plurality of circling bodies that circulate in the circumferential direction and in which a plurality of types of patterns are arranged in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows a part of the design to be visually recognized with respect to each orbiting body,
Start operation means operated to start rotation of each of the circulating bodies;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each of the circulating bodies,
A predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in device, and the start operation means is operated to start the rotation of each of the revolving bodies, either due to the operation of the stop operation means or the stop The configuration is such that the rotation of each orbiting body is stopped due to the lapse of a predetermined time without operating the operation means, and a bonus is given to the player according to the stop pattern or combination of stop patterns after the stop The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: