JP5088064B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

A pachinko machine, which is a type of gaming machine, includes a storage tank for storing game balls inside the pachinko machine. The game balls stored in the storage tank are guided to the ball tray on the front portion of the gaming machine through the guide passage portion. In addition, a payout device is provided in the middle of the guide passage portion, and the game ball guided by the guide passage portion is temporarily stopped in the payout device. Specifically, the payout device incorporates ball stopping means such as a rotating body, and the game ball guided by the guide passage is temporarily stopped by the ball stopping means. The dispensing device is electrically connected to the control device. Then, based on the fact that a game ball has won a prize opening provided in the game area, information on the number of winning balls is stored in the control device, and the control device drives and controls the payout device so that the ball stopper means executes the payout operation. As a result, the game ball once stopped is paid out to the ball tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-167431 A

  Here, for example, when a pachinko machine is used and distributed, all game balls in the pachinko machine are extracted. The game balls have unique patterns for each game hall. By extracting all the game balls in the pachinko machine during second-hand distribution, it is possible to prevent different game balls from being mixed between the game halls. .

  The configuration for extracting a game ball is as follows. The guide passage section is provided with a discharge passage section that leads to the outside of the pachinko machine (for example, the island facility of the game hall) upstream from the payout device, and further, a switching section is provided at the entrance of the discharge passage section. It has been. The switching portion is provided so as to be able to switch so as to guide the game ball on the upstream side to either the payout device side or the discharge passage portion side. By switching so that the switching portion is guided to the discharge passage portion side, the game ball on the upstream side is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine. However, there is an interval in which a predetermined number of game balls can stand by between the switching unit and the ball stop position in the payout device, and even if the switching unit is switched to guide to the discharge passage unit side, A game ball remains between the two. On the other hand, the remaining game balls can be discharged by exposing the game area, cleaning the game balls into the winning opening, and operating the payout device.

  In this case, when pachinko machines are used and distributed as described above, there is a concern that the control device may be replaced with an unauthorized control device in the distribution process. If the discovery is not performed, there is a possibility that the game hall of the distribution destination may suffer a great disadvantage.

  On the other hand, in addition to cases where pachinko machines are used and distributed, in game halls, etc., the passage portion that constitutes the upstream side of the payout device and the payout device in the guide passage portion is a fraudulent unit to which unauthorized parts are attached. It is assumed that they will be exchanged. And if the discovery is not performed, there is a possibility that the game hall suffers a great disadvantage, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of solving at least one of the problems related to the above-described fraud.

  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 game entry area (general winning entry 62, variable winning device 63, upper operation opening 64, lower operation opening 65) provided in a game area where a game ball flows down and into which the game ball flowing down can enter;
An inner storage part (tank 132) for storing game balls inside the gaming machine;
An outer storage part (upper plate 95a, lower plate 96a) for storing game balls in the front part of the gaming machine;
A guide passage portion (first case rail portion 174, second case rail portion 175, game ball passage 192, payout passage portion 203, etc.) for guiding the game balls stored in the inner storage portion to the outer storage portion;
It has a ball stop means (rotating body 195) that is provided in the middle of the guide passage portion and temporarily stops the game ball flowing down from the upstream side. A payout means (payout device 135) for paying out downstream by a payout operation;
The award ball number information is stored as information corresponding to the number of game balls to be paid out based on the game ball having entered the pitching part, and the number of game balls corresponding to the award ball number information is stored. Control means (main control device 107, payout control device 146) for causing the payout means to execute the payout operation so as to be paid out to the outer storage section;
A payout guidance state that forms part of the guide passage portion at a position upstream of the payout means, guides the game ball to the payout means side, and a discharge passage that discharges the game ball to the outside of the guide passage portion A switching portion (switching piece 181) provided so as to be switchable to a discharge guiding state for guiding the game ball to the portion (upper discharge passage portion 178) side,
With
Furthermore, prize ball number information stored in the control means is set so that the number of unit game balls to be paid out with respect to one entrance to the entrance part becomes a plurality of game balls,
The power supply means (backup power supply unit 331a) for supplying backup power to the control means in a situation where the power supply from the external power supply to the gaming machine is stopped,
When the switching unit is switched to the discharge guiding state and the game ball upstream of the switching unit is discharged, the remaining remaining from the switching unit to the position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped. A waiting path length from the switching unit to a position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped is set so that the number of game balls does not coincide with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. .

  In the gaming machine of the means 1, the payout means is operated by the control means based on the fact that the game ball has entered the ball entry portion, and the game ball stored in the inner storage portion is outside through the guide passage portion. It is paid out to the storage part. For example, when game machines are distributed as second-hand goods, game balls waiting in the inner storage part and the guide passage part may be discharged. In this case, the switching unit is switched from the payout guidance state to the discharge guidance state, so that the game ball stored in the inner storage unit and the game waiting in the guide passage unit from the inner storage unit side to the position of the switching unit. The ball is guided to the discharge passage portion side. However, in this state, the game ball remains from the position of the switching unit to the stop position of the payout means. The remaining game ball is discharged, for example, by opening the game area forward of the game machine, putting the game ball in the entrance portion and causing the ball stop means of the payout means to perform the payout operation.

  In the above configuration, the number of unit game balls to be paid out with respect to one entry to the entrance part is set to be a plurality of game balls, and the number of remaining game balls is further set to the number of unit game balls. The waiting passage length from the switching unit to the position where the ball stop means is temporarily stopped is set so as not to coincide with an integer multiple of. As a result, when a ball entry operation is performed on the ball entry unit in order to discharge all remaining game balls, the information on the number of unpaid prize balls is reliably left in the control means. In this case, in the situation where the power supply from the external power source to the gaming machine is stopped, the backup power is supplied to the control means, and the prize ball number information is stored and retained. It is possible to confirm at the distribution destination whether or not the control means has been replaced with an unauthorized one.

  That is, it is possible to confirm whether or not the cheating has been performed in the distribution process by confirming whether or not the unpaid prize ball number information still remains at the distribution destination. As the confirmation, for example, when the gaming machine is installed in the island facility and the game ball is replenished to the inner storage unit and then the game machine is turned on, the game ball is paid out to the outer storage unit. It is conceivable to check whether or not. And, as described above, when the entrance operation to the entrance part is performed in order to discharge all the remaining game balls, since the information on the number of unpaid prize balls remains in the control means, backup power is supplied to the control means. If it is supplied, it is possible to confirm whether or not the above fraud has been performed. As described above, it is possible to favorably distribute used goods.

  In addition to cases where gaming machines are used and distributed, in game halls and the like, the payout means and the passage portion that constitutes the upstream side of the payout means in the guide passage portion are used as fraudulent units with unauthorized parts attached. It is assumed that they will be exchanged. And if the discovery is not performed, there is a possibility that the game hall suffers a great disadvantage, which is not preferable. In this case, when the number of remaining game balls is changed after being replaced with a fraud unit, there is a possibility that the number of remaining game balls coincides with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. In this situation, if the number of unpaid award balls is stored in the control means, but the game ball to be paid out is not on the upstream side of the ball stopping means, the fact can be grasped by notification or the like. With the configuration, it is possible to grasp the exchange to the fraud unit in the game hall.

  The “control means” includes not only a single control board but also a plurality of physically separated control boards, and backup power is supplied to some of the control boards. It is good also as a structure.

Mean 2. In the means 1, the game area is provided with a plurality of ball entering portions with different unit game balls,
The prize ball number information stored in the control means is set so that the number of unit game balls in each of the entrance parts is a plurality of game balls,
The waiting path is set so that the number of remaining game balls does not coincide with any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls corresponding to the entrance portion where entry is valid even when the remaining game balls are discharged. A gaming machine characterized in that a length is set.

  According to the means 2, even if there are a plurality of ball entering portions each having a different number of unit game balls, even if the number of remaining game balls is in a situation where the remaining game balls are discharged. The waiting passage length is set so that it does not coincide with any integral multiple of the number of unit game balls corresponding to the entrance portion where the entrance is valid. As a result, even in a configuration in which a plurality of ball entering portions are provided, even if any one of the ball entering portions is arbitrarily selected and a ball entering operation to the ball entering portion is performed in order to discharge all remaining game balls The effects described in the means 1 can be obtained.

Means 3. In means 2, the number of unit game balls corresponds to the maximum number of unit game balls corresponding to the maximum number of game balls compared to the number of other unit game balls, and the minimum number of game balls compared to the number of other unit game balls. The minimum number of unit game balls is set,
The remaining number of game balls is larger than the maximum number of unit game balls, and the remainder when the quotient of the maximum number of unit game balls with respect to the number of remaining game balls is calculated is less than the minimum number of unit game balls. As described above, the waiting path length is set.

  In a configuration in which a plurality of entrance portions each having a different number of unit game balls are provided, the maximum number of unit game balls is set when performing the entrance operation to the entrance portion in order to discharge all remaining game balls. By performing the entry operation on the entered entry part, the work efficiency of the entry operation is enhanced. In this case, according to the means 3, when the quotient of the maximum unit game ball number with respect to the remaining game ball number is calculated, the standby passage length is set so that the remainder becomes less than the minimum unit game ball number. As a result, in a distribution destination or the like, when it is confirmed whether or not the game ball is paid out to the outer storage unit in order to check whether or not the above-mentioned fraudulent act has been performed in the distribution process, the game ball to be paid out Can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a large number of game balls are paid out at the time of confirmation work, it is possible to efficiently perform the cleanup work after the confirmation.

  Means 4. In the means 2 or 3, the waiting path is such that the number of remaining game balls coincides with the sum of two or more types of unit game balls, each of which is an integer multiple of the plurality of types of unit game balls. A gaming machine characterized in that a length is set.

  According to the means 4, when the remaining game balls are discharged in a situation where the used goods are not distributed, for example, during maintenance in the game hall or after the manufacturer's pre-shipment inspection, the control means receives a prize ball. The remaining game balls can be discharged while the number information does not remain.

Means 5. The means 4 has an opening / closing means (opening / closing door 63a, electric accessory 65a) that opens and closes as the entrance portion is in a state where the entrance is possible or easy to enter and a state where the entrance is impossible or is difficult to enter. A ball entry part (variable prize winning device 63, lower operation port 65) and an open ball entry part (general prize entry port 62, upper operation port 64) that does not include the opening and closing means.
Furthermore, there are provided a plurality of open entrance parts with different unit game balls,
The waiting passage length is set so that the number of remaining game balls coincides with the sum of two or more types of unit game balls, each of which is an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls in the open entrance portion. A gaming machine characterized by that is set.

  By providing the configuration of the means 4, it is possible to discharge the remaining game balls while keeping the control ball number information from remaining in the control means. However, in this case, it is necessary to perform a ball entry operation on a plurality of ball entrance portions. On the other hand, according to the means 5, since it is only necessary to perform the entrance operation on the open entrance portion, not on the open / close entrance portion, the work efficiency of the entrance operation can be improved.

Means 6. In means 4 or 5, a gaming board (game board 61) mounted on the gaming machine main body (gaming machine base unit 22) and having the gaming area formed on the front surface;
A display unit (window panel) that can be opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body with one of the left and right sides of the gaming machine main body as the opening / closing base end side and the other as the opening / closing distal end side, so that the gaming area can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine Part 91) gaming machine front body (gaming machine front unit 23),
With
In the game area, the ball-entry portion is installed in the center part in the left-right direction of the game area, the opening / closing base end side from the center part, and the opening / closing tip side from the center part,
The number of remaining game balls is the sum of the number of unit game balls of two or more types among the plurality of types of unit game balls in the central portion or the entrance portion provided on the opening / closing tip side, each of which is an integer multiple. The gaming machine is characterized in that the waiting passage length is set so as to match.

  By providing the configuration of the means 4, it is possible to discharge the remaining game balls while keeping the control ball number information from remaining in the control means. However, in this case, it is necessary to perform a ball entry operation on a plurality of ball entrance portions. On the other hand, according to the means 6, the entrance operation is not performed on the entrance part on the opening / closing base end side but on the entrance part on the opening / closing tip side in the central part in the horizontal direction of the game area. Therefore, the work efficiency of the pitching operation can be improved.

Mean 7 Any one of the means 1 to 6 comprises a ball non-detecting means (ball non-detecting sensor 186) provided to detect a game ball flowing in a position upstream of the payout means in the guide passage portion,
The control means includes
When the game ball stored in the inner storage unit is identified as being in a no-ball state based on the detection result of the no-ball detection means, the pay-out operation of the ball stopping means is regulated to be stopped. Stop control means (function to execute the process of step S704 in the CPU 341 of the payout control device 146),
Based on the operation of the release operation unit provided in the gaming machine or on the back side of the gaming machine, even if the ball is not in the state, the number corresponding to the stored number of winning balls is set as the upper limit. A gaming machine characterized by causing a payout means to execute the payout operation.

  According to the means 7, the ball stopping means is controlled so that the payout operation is stopped when the ball absence state is detected by the ball absence detection means. The payout operation of the stopping means will not be continued. On the other hand, since the restriction state is released based on the operation of the release operation unit even in the absence of a ball, it is possible to obtain the effect of the means 1 and the like.

  In particular, when discharging the remaining game balls, the number corresponding to the prize ball number information stored in the control means is set as the upper limit, thereby making it possible to prevent an act of illegally receiving game balls. . That is, in a configuration in which the payout operation of the ball stopper is started in response to the operation of the release operation unit and the game ball is discharged to the outer storage unit, the payout operation of the ball stop unit is started only by operating the release operation unit. Assuming this configuration, an act of illegally operating the release operation unit and illegally receiving game balls is assumed. On the other hand, by setting the discharge conditions for the remaining game balls as described above, it is possible to prevent the cheating.

Means 8. In the means 7, when the stop restricting means inputs a detection result indicating that there is no sphere from the sphere non-detecting means, when the period when the detection result is equal to or greater than a preset first period, And restricting the payout operation of the ball stopper means to be stopped,
Further, when the period during which a detection result indicating that there is no sphere is input from the non-sphere detecting means is equal to or longer than a second period shorter than the first period, the control means A game machine comprising: a cycle changing means for changing the cycle of the payout operation to a cycle slower than the previous cycle.

  When a large number of game balls are paid out in a short time, such as a big hit state, the inflow of game balls from the inner storage part to the guide passage part side may be delayed. In this case, if the payout of the game ball on the downstream side of the ball non-detection means is immediately completed, the game ball of the game ball is actually stored despite the fact that the prize ball number information for the big hit state still remains. The withdrawal is stopped. In this case, the player may misunderstand that the payout of the game ball in the big hit state is completed, and may be separated from the gaming machine. On the other hand, according to the means 8, since the cycle of the payout operation is changed to a cycle later than before as the stage before the payout operation of the ball stopping means is stopped, The game ball on the downstream side of the ball non-detecting means is slowly paid out, and the possibility that the game ball flows into the guide passage portion side from the inner storage portion during that time increases. Therefore, the possibility that the above inconvenience occurs is reduced.

  Means 9. In the means 8, the passage length from the ball stopping means to the ball non-detecting means is such that the number of game balls that can stand by in the passage portion is delayed until the payout operation is stopped by the stop restricting means. A gaming machine that is set to be smaller than the number of game balls to be paid out by executing the payout operation according to a cycle.

  According to the means 9, even if the ball is in a non-state and the payout operation of the ball stopping means is stopped, a game ball exists on the upstream side of the ball stopping means. For example, assuming a configuration in which there is no gaming ball upstream from the ball stopper when the ball stopper is not in operation and the ball stopper stops the payout operation, The game ball flowing into the guide passage portion side flows down while being accelerated by a distance from the position of the inner storage portion to the ball stopper, and collides with the ball stopper with the momentum. If it does so, a big load will be applied to a ball stop means. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present means, even if the ball is in a non-state and the payout operation of the ball stopping means is stopped, the game ball exists upstream from the ball stopping means, so that the guide passage from the inner storage portion When the inflow of the game ball to the club side is resumed, the load applied to the ball stopping means is reduced.

Means 10. A game entry area (general winning entry 62, variable winning device 63, upper operation opening 64, lower operation opening 65) provided in a game area where a game ball flows down and into which the game ball flowing down can enter;
An inner storage part (tank 132) for storing game balls inside the gaming machine;
An outer storage part (upper plate 95a, lower plate 96a) for storing game balls in the front part of the gaming machine;
A guide passage portion (first case rail portion 174, second case rail portion 175, game ball passage 192, payout passage portion 203, etc.) for guiding the game balls stored in the inner storage portion to the outer storage portion;
It has a ball stop means (rotating body 195) that is provided in the middle of the guide passage portion and temporarily stops the game ball flowing down from the upstream side. A payout means (payout device 135) for paying out downstream by a payout operation;
The award ball number information is stored as information corresponding to the number of game balls to be paid out based on the game ball having entered the pitching part, and the number of game balls corresponding to the award ball number information is stored. Control means (main control device 107, payout control device 146) for causing the payout means to execute the payout operation so as to be paid out to the outer storage section;
A payout guidance state that forms part of the guide passage portion at a position upstream of the payout means, guides the game ball to the payout means side, and a discharge passage that discharges the game ball to the outside of the guide passage portion A switching portion (switching piece 181) provided so as to be switchable to a discharge guiding state for guiding the game ball to the portion (upper discharge passage portion 178) side,
Non-ball detecting means (ball non-detecting sensor 186) provided to detect a game ball flowing in a position upstream of the payout means in the guide passage portion;
With
The control means includes
When the game ball stored in the inner storage unit is identified as being in a no-ball state based on the detection result of the no-ball detection means, the pay-out operation of the ball stopping means is regulated to be stopped. Stop control means (function to execute the process of step S704 in the CPU 341 of the payout control device 146),
Based on the operation of the release operation unit provided in the gaming machine or on the back side of the gaming machine, the payout is made up to the number corresponding to the memorized prize ball number information even if the ball is in the absence state. Means to execute the payout operation,
Furthermore, prize ball number information stored in the control means is set so that the number of unit game balls to be paid out with respect to one entrance to the entrance part becomes a plurality of game balls,
The power supply means (backup power supply unit 331a) for supplying backup power to the control means in a situation where the power supply from the external power supply to the gaming machine is stopped,
When the switching unit is switched to the discharge guiding state and the game ball upstream of the switching unit is discharged, the remaining remaining from the switching unit to the position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped. A waiting path length from the switching unit to a position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped is set so that the number of game balls does not coincide with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. .

  In the gaming machine of means 10, the payout means is operated by the control means based on the fact that the game ball has entered the ball entry part, and the game ball stored in the inner storage part is outside through the guide passage part. It is paid out to the storage part. For example, when game machines are distributed as second-hand goods, game balls waiting in the inner storage part and the guide passage part may be discharged. In this case, the switching unit is switched from the payout guidance state to the discharge guidance state, so that the game ball stored in the inner storage unit and the game waiting in the guide passage unit from the inner storage unit side to the position of the switching unit. The ball is guided to the discharge passage portion side. However, in this state, the game ball remains from the position of the switching unit to the stop position of the payout means. The remaining game ball is discharged, for example, by opening the game area forward of the game machine, putting the game ball in the entrance portion and causing the ball stop means of the payout means to perform the payout operation.

  In the above configuration, the number of unit game balls to be paid out with respect to one entry to the entrance part is set to be a plurality of game balls, and the number of remaining game balls is further set to the number of unit game balls. The waiting passage length from the switching unit to the position where the ball stop means is temporarily stopped is set so as not to coincide with an integer multiple of. As a result, when a ball entry operation is performed on the ball entry unit in order to discharge all remaining game balls, the information on the number of unpaid prize balls is reliably left in the control means. In this case, in the situation where the power supply from the external power source to the gaming machine is stopped, the backup power is supplied to the control means, and the prize ball number information is stored and retained. It is possible to confirm at the distribution destination whether or not the control means has been replaced with an unauthorized one.

  That is, it is possible to confirm whether or not the cheating has been performed in the distribution process by confirming whether or not the unpaid prize ball number information still remains at the distribution destination. As the confirmation, for example, when the gaming machine is installed in the island facility and the game ball is replenished to the inner storage unit and then the game machine is turned on, the game ball is paid out to the outer storage unit. It is conceivable to check whether or not. And, as described above, when the entrance operation to the entrance part is performed in order to discharge all the remaining game balls, since the information on the number of unpaid prize balls remains in the control means, backup power is supplied to the control means. If it is supplied, it is possible to confirm whether or not the above fraud has been performed. As described above, it is possible to favorably distribute used goods.

  In addition to cases where gaming machines are used and distributed, in game halls and the like, the payout means and the passage portion that constitutes the upstream side of the payout means in the guide passage portion are used as fraudulent units with unauthorized parts attached. It is assumed that they will be exchanged. And if the discovery is not performed, there is a possibility that the game hall suffers a great disadvantage, which is not preferable. In this case, when the number of remaining game balls is changed after being replaced with a fraud unit, there is a possibility that the number of remaining game balls coincides with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. In this situation, if the number of unpaid award balls is stored in the control means, but the game ball to be paid out is not on the upstream side of the ball stopping means, the fact can be grasped by notification or the like. With the configuration, it is possible to grasp the exchange to the fraud unit in the game hall.

  In addition, when the absence of the ball is detected by the non-ball detecting means, the pay-out operation of the ball stopping means is regulated to be stopped. The operation will not continue. On the other hand, since the restriction state is released based on the operation of the release operation unit even in the absence of a ball, the above effect can be obtained.

  In particular, when discharging the remaining game balls, the number corresponding to the prize ball number information stored in the control means is set as the upper limit, thereby making it possible to prevent an act of illegally receiving game balls. . That is, in a configuration in which the payout operation of the ball stopper is started in response to the operation of the release operation unit and the game ball is discharged to the outer storage unit, the payout operation of the ball stop unit is started only by operating the release operation unit. Assuming this configuration, an act of illegally operating the release operation unit and illegally receiving game balls is assumed. On the other hand, by setting the discharge conditions for the remaining game balls as described above, it is possible to prevent the cheating.

  The “control means” includes not only a single control board but also a plurality of physically separated control boards, and backup power is supplied to some of the control boards. It is good also as a structure.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means can be applied is shown below.

  Ball game machine: operation means (game ball launching handle 84) operated by a player, ball launching means (game ball launching mechanism 80) for launching and launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and launch thereof A gaming machine including a guide portion (inner and outer rail portions 77 and 78) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area, and each game component (general winning opening 62 and the like) arranged in the game area.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 in an expanded state, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main portion 21 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be rotatable forward.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting plate members 12 to 15 to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. In the plate members 12 to 15 constituting the outer frame 11, the left and right plate members 12, 13 are made of metal such as aluminum, and the upper and lower plate members 14, 15 are made of wood. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the upper and lower plate members 14 and 15 of the outer frame 11 to the island facility. As described above, the left and right plate members 12, 13 are made of metal, and the upper and lower plate members 14, 15 are made of wood, so that the outer frame 11 can be reinforced while being fixed to the island facility. The configuration of the outer frame 11 is not limited to the above, and all the plate members 12 to 15 may be made of wood, and all the plate members 12 to 15 may be made of metal. Further, all or part of the plate materials 12 to 15 may be made of synthetic resin. Moreover, although the pachinko machine 10 is configured to include the outer frame 11, the pachinko machine 10 may be configured to include only the gaming machine main portion 21 without including the outer frame 11.

  Support metal fittings 17 and 18 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left plate 12 of the outer frame 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gaming machine main part 21 is rotatably attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be supported by these support fittings 17 and 18.

  The gaming machine main unit 21 includes a gaming machine base unit (main body frame or inner frame) 22, a gaming machine front unit (front door or front frame) 23 disposed in front of the gaming machine base unit 22, and a gaming machine base. And a back pack unit 24 disposed behind the unit 22. A gaming machine base unit 22 of the gaming machine main portion 21 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11. More specifically, the gaming machine base unit 22 is turnable (openable / closable) forward, with the left side as the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side and the right side as the rotation tip (opening / closing tip) side in front view. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gaming machine base unit 22 has a size that covers the entire opening of the outer frame 11, and a locking device 31 is attached to the rear end side of the gaming machine base unit 22 at the rotating tip side. It has been. The locking device 31 is provided with a long interlocking rod 32, and the interlocking rod 32 is provided with a pair of upper and lower metal fittings 33. When the gaming machine base unit 22 is closed with respect to the outer frame 11, the bar bracket 33 is locked to the receiving bracket 34 provided on the plate 13 on the right side of the outer frame 11 and is locked by the locking device 31. It has become so. Further, the gaming machine base unit 22 is provided with a cylinder lock 35, and when the interlocking rod 32 is moved in a predetermined direction among the upward direction and the downward direction by the operation of the cylinder lock 35, a game with respect to the outer frame 11 is performed. The locked state of the machine base unit 22 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine front unit 23 is rotatably supported by the gaming machine base unit 22. In the front view, the left side is the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side, and the right side is rotated. It can be turned forward (openable and closable) as the tip (opening / closing tip) side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a backpack unit 24 is rotatably supported by the gaming machine base unit 22, and in the front view, the left side is the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side and the right side is rotated. The moving tip (opening / closing tip) side can be rotated backward (openable / closable).

  Next, each of the gaming machine base unit 22, the gaming machine front unit 23, and the back pack unit 24 will be described in detail.

<Game machine base unit 22>
First, the configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a front view of the gaming machine base unit 22, FIG. 6 is a front view of the gaming board 61 mounted on the gaming machine base unit 22, and FIG. 7 is a rear view of the gaming machine base unit 22. In FIG. 5, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  The gaming machine base unit 22 is mainly composed of a resin base 41 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 51 is formed at the center of the resin base 41. A game board 61 is detachably attached to the resin base 41 from behind. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of (four places in the present embodiment) fixing brackets 52 to 55 are provided on the back surface of the resin base 41. 61 is fixed so as not to fall backward. The fixing brackets 52 to 55 can be manually rotated, and can be switched between a fixing position (lock position) and a fixing release position (unlock position).

  The game board 61 is made of plywood, and the game area formed on the front surface of the game board 61 is exposed to the front surface side of the gaming machine base unit 22 through the window hole 51 of the resin base 41.

  Here, the structure of the game board 61 is demonstrated based on FIG. The game board 61 has a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction by being subjected to router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 62, a variable winning device 63, an upper operating port 64, a lower operating port 65, a through gate 66, a variable display unit 67, and the like. Among these, the variable winning device 63, the upper operation port 64, the lower operation port 65, and the variable display unit 67 are provided side by side in the vertical direction at the center of the game board 61 in the left-right direction. The operation port 64, the lower operation port 65, and the variable winning device 63 are arranged in this order. Further, in the lower part of the game board 61, four general winning ports 62 are provided, two on the left side and two on the right side. Incidentally, the left side of the gaming board 61 corresponds to the rotating base end side of the gaming machine front unit 23, and the right side of the gaming board 61 corresponds to the rotating distal end side of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  When a game ball enters the general winning port 62, the variable winning device 63, the upper operating port 64, and the lower operating port 65, it is detected by a detection switch, and a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out based on the detection result. Is done. Specifically, when one game ball enters the general prize opening 62, 10 game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls, and when one game ball enters the variable winning device 63, the number of unit game balls 15 game balls are paid out, and when one game ball enters the upper operation port 64, 3 game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls, and one game ball enters the lower operation port 65. When a ball is played, four game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls.

  In addition, an out port 68 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 61, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area through the out port 68. The game board 61 is provided with a large number of nails 69 for dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game ball as appropriate, and various members (functions) such as a windmill.

  The variable display unit 67 is provided with a symbol display device 71 for variably displaying symbols with a winning at one of the operation ports 64 and 65 as a trigger. The variable display unit 67 is provided with a center frame 72 so as to surround the symbol display device 71. A first specific lamp portion 73 and a second specific lamp portion 74 are provided on the center frame 72. Reservation lamp portions 75 and 76 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the center frame 72, respectively. The lower holding lamp unit 75 corresponds to the symbol display device 71 and the first specific lamp unit 73, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the operation ports 64 and 65 is held up to four times, and the holding lamp unit 75 The number of hold is displayed by lighting. The upper holding lamp unit 76 corresponds to the second specific lamp unit 74, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 66 is held up to four times, and the number of the holding balls is displayed by turning on the holding lamp unit 76. It has become so.

  The symbol display device 71 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. In the symbol display device 71, for example, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, a special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot) occurs. The symbol display device 71 may have a display screen made up of other types such as CRT, dot matrix, and 7 segments.

  In the first specific lamp unit 73, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order using a winning at the operation port 64 as a trigger, and if the display is stopped in a predetermined color, a big hit occurs. Further, in the second specific lamp portion 74, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order triggered by the passage of the game ball through the through gate 66, and when the stop color is displayed in a predetermined color, the lower operation port 65 is displayed. The electric accessory 65a attached to is opened for a predetermined time.

  Incidentally, the lower operating port 65 can enter when the electric accessory 65a serving as the opening / closing means is in an open state, and cannot enter when it is in a closed state. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which it is easy to enter when the electric utility item 65a is in an open state and it is difficult to enter when the electric accessory 65a is in a closed state.

  In the variable winning device 63, the open / close door 63a as an opening / closing means is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter, and a predetermined open state in which a game ball can easily enter in the case of a big hit Can be switched to. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 63, the variable winning device 63 is repeated with a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings as one round and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit. What is opened is common.

  An inner rail portion 77 and an outer rail portion 78 are attached to the game board 61, and a guide rail is constituted by the inner rail portion 77 and the outer rail portion 78, and a game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism. Is guided to the upper part of the game area. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a return rubber 79 is provided at the upper right portion of the window hole 51 of the resin base 41, and a game ball launched at a predetermined momentum or more hits the return rubber 79, and is in the center of the game area. It is designed to be bounced back. In this case, the return rubber 79 is formed so that the surface on which the game ball hits is inclined toward the center of the game area, so that the game ball is rebounded toward the center of the game area. ing.

  The game ball launching mechanism 80 is attached below the window hole 51 in the resin base 41 as shown in FIG. The game ball launching mechanism 80 includes an electromagnetic solenoid 81, a launching rail 82, and a ball feed mechanism 83, and the output shaft of the solenoid 81 moves in the expansion / contraction direction by the input of an electrical signal to the solenoid 81. Then, the game ball placed on the launch rail 82 is launched by the ball feed mechanism 83 toward the game area. The input of an electrical signal to the solenoid 81 is generated based on the operation of a game ball launch handle 84 (see FIG. 1 and the like) provided at the lower portion of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  Support metal fittings 42 and 43 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the rotation base end side of the front surface of the resin base 41, and the gaming machine front unit 23 is supported by the support metal fittings 42 and 43. Thus, the gaming machine front unit 23 can be rotated forward with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22. Further, a plurality of insertion holes 45 are formed on the front side of the front surface of the resin base 41 so as to be inserted in the vertical direction in order to insert the metal fittings 44 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the gaming machine front unit 23. Is provided. In a state where the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22, the metal fitting 44 of the gaming machine front unit 23 enters the insertion hole 45, and the metal fitting 44 is locked to the locking device 31 described above. The As a result, the gaming machine front unit 23 is locked to the gaming machine base unit 22. This locked state is released by moving the interlocking rod 32 of the locking device 31 to the opposite side to the case where the gaming machine base unit 22 is unlocked with respect to the outer frame 11 by operating the cylinder lock 35.

<Game machine front unit 23>
Here, the configuration of the gaming machine front unit 23 will be described. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  The gaming machine front unit 23 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the gaming machine base unit 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine front unit 23 is provided with a substantially elliptical window panel portion 91 that allows almost the entire gaming area to be viewed from the front. Around the window panel portion 91, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided. For example, an annular illumination part 92 containing a light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window panel part 91. In the annular illumination part 92, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the gaming state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. In addition, an error display lamp portion 93 that is turned on at the time of a predetermined error is provided at the center of the annular illumination portion 92 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, on the upper left and upper right of the window panel unit 91, a speaker unit 94 that outputs sound effects according to the gaming state is provided.

  Below the window panel portion 91 in the gaming machine front unit 23, an upper bulging portion 95 and a lower bulging portion 96 that bulge to the near side are arranged in parallel. An upper plate 95a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge portion 95, and a lower plate 96a that is also opened upward is provided inside the lower bulge portion 96. The upper plate 95a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism described later while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 96a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 95a. Note that the game ball launching handle 84 described above is provided to the right of the lower bulging portion 96.

  Protrusion shafts 97 and 98 are provided on the upper and lower ends of the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 8) on the back of the gaming machine front unit 23. These projecting shafts 97 and 98 constitute an assembly mechanism for the gaming machine base unit 22. In addition, a plurality of the above-mentioned metal fittings 44 are arranged in the vertical direction on the rotating front end side (the left side in FIG. 8) on the back surface of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a front side passage unit 271 is attached to the back of the gaming machine front unit 23. The front side passage unit 271 is formed of a synthetic resin, and includes a front door side upper plate passage that communicates with the upper plate 95a and a front door side lower plate passage that communicates with the lower plate 96a. Details of the front-side passage unit 271 will be described later.

<Back side configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22>
Next, the back configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The locking device 31 already described is provided on the rotation tip side of the back surface of the resin base 41. Further, the game board 61 is attached to the center of the resin base 41 as described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the variable display unit 67 disposed at the center of the game board 61 is provided with a frame cover 100 made of synthetic resin that covers the center frame 72 from the rear side so as to protrude rearward. The symbol display device 71 described above is attached to the frame cover 100 from the rear side, and a display control device 101 for driving the symbol display device 71 is attached. The symbol display device 71 and the display control device 101 are overlapped in the front-rear direction (the symbol display device 71 is the front and the display control device 101 is the rear), and the sound lamp control device unit 102 is mounted on the rear side. The sound lamp control device unit 102 includes a sound lamp control device 103 and a mounting base 104, and the sound lamp control device 103 is mounted on the mounting base 104.

  The sound lamp control device 103 includes a sound lamp control board that controls sound and lamp display and control of the display control device in accordance with instructions from a main control device described later, and the sound lamp control substrate is made of a transparent resin material or the like. It is housed and configured in a substrate box.

  A main controller unit 105 is mounted on the back of the game board 61 and below the variable display unit 67. The main control unit 105 has a synthetic resin mounting base 106, and a main control apparatus 107 is mounted on the mounting base 106. The main control device 107 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that governs the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power supply, and the main control board is a transparent resin material. It is configured to be accommodated in a substrate box 108 made of, for example. The board box 108 is provided with a caulking structure or a sealing seal (not shown) as an opening trace means of the board box, and a caulking structure as a leaving trace means of the main controller 107 with respect to the mounting base 106. Yes.

  A collective plate unit (not shown) is provided in an area covered by the main controller unit 105 on the back surface of the game board 61. The collective board unit is provided with a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls won in various winning ports, a winning detection sensor for detecting winning of game balls in various winning ports, and the like. The game balls collected by the game ball collection mechanism are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through a discharge passage described later. The winning detection sensor is electrically connected to the main controller 107, and a detection signal when a winning of a game ball is detected is input by the main controller 107.

  Bearing fittings 111, 112, and 113 are attached to the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 7) on the back surface of the resin base 41. Three bearing fittings 111 to 113 are provided apart from each other in the vertical direction. The number of bearing fittings 111 to 113 is arbitrary, and may be two or may be four or more. A backpack unit 24 is attached to the gaming machine base unit 22 while being pivotally supported with respect to the bearing fittings 111 to 113. As shown in FIG. 5, the back pack unit 24 covers all of the variable display unit 67 and a part of the main controller unit 105 from the rear. Unless the back pack unit 24 is opened, the variable display unit 67 and the main controller unit 105 are covered. The control device unit 105 cannot be removed from the resin base 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a fixing metal 115 for fixing the back pack unit 24 to the gaming machine base unit 22 is provided on the back surface of the resin base 41. The fixing bracket 115 can be manually rotated, and can be switched between a fixing position (lock position) and a fixing release position (unlock position). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a fastening hole 116 is formed on the back surface of the resin base 41, and a fastener 117 (see FIG. 9) provided in the back pack unit 24 with respect to the fastening hole 116. Also, the back pack unit 24 is fixed to the gaming machine base unit 22 by fastening.

<Back pack unit 24>
Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 24 will be described in detail. 9 is a front view of the back pack unit 24, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the back pack unit 24.

  The back pack unit 24 includes a first back pack unit 121 that constitutes an upper portion and a central portion of the back pack unit 24, and a first portion that is provided continuously with the first back pack unit 121 and constitutes a lower portion of the back pack unit 24. 2 back pack unit 141. An opening 122 is formed in the lower portion of the first back pack unit 121, and the upper portion of the second back pack unit 141 constitutes the lower edge portion of the opening 122.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 are respectively provided with shaft fittings 123 and 139. The shaft fittings 123 and 139 are individually provided with bearing fittings 111 to 113, respectively. It is supported by. Accordingly, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 can be individually rotated with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22.

  Here, as described above, the upper portion of the second back pack unit 141 constitutes the lower edge portion of the opening 122 of the first back pack unit 121, and the first back pack unit 121 is formed at the lower edge portion. The first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 overlap each other so as to be in front of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the second back pack unit 141 can be opened with the first back pack unit 121 closed with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22, but the first back pack unit 141 can be opened with the second back pack unit 141 closed. The unit 121 cannot be opened. The opening / closing relationship may be reversed between the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141, and the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 may be reversed. And can be opened and closed without interfering with each other. Further, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 may be integrated and cannot be individually opened and closed.

  Next, the configuration of the first back pack unit 121 will be described in detail.

  The first back pack unit 121 includes a back pack 124, and a payout mechanism 125 is attached to the back pack 124. The back pack 124 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and includes a base portion 126 to which the payout mechanism portion 125 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 127 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover 127 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 67.

  The base part 126 is provided with an external terminal board 131 at the upper right part thereof. The external terminal board 131 is provided with various output terminals, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. Further, the base 126 is provided with the shaft fitting 123 of the first back pack unit 121 described above.

  The base portion 126 is provided with a payout mechanism portion 125 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 127. The payout mechanism 125 includes a tank 132, a tank rail 133, and a vertical passage unit 134. The tank 132 is opened upward and is provided at the top of the back pack 124. The game balls are sequentially supplied to the tank 132 from the island facilities of the game hall. The tank rail 133 is connected to the tank 132 below the tank 132, and is gently inclined toward the downstream side. An upper and lower passage unit 134 is connected to the downstream portion of the tank rail 133. The vertical passage unit 134 extends in the vertical direction, and a dispensing device 135 is provided at a midway position thereof. Further, a ball receiving portion, a back pack side passage portion, a main body side passage portion and a front side passage portion are provided on the downstream side of the vertical passage unit 134, and the front side passage portions are provided on the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a. It is communicated.

  That is, between the tank 132 and the ball trays of the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a, the tank rail 133, the vertical passage unit 134, the ball receiving portion, the back pack side passage portion, the main body side passage portion, and the front side passage portion. A guide passage portion is provided, and the game balls stored in the tank 132 are paid out to the upper plate 95a or the lower plate 96a through the guide passage portion. The configuration of the vertical passage unit 134 and the configuration on the downstream side thereof will be described in detail later.

  A backpack substrate 136 is installed in the dispensing mechanism unit 125. The back pack substrate 136 is supplied with, for example, a main power of 24 volts AC, and is turned on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 137.

  Next, the configuration of the second back pack unit 141 will be described in detail.

  The second back pack unit 141 includes a discharge passage board 142 and a control device assembly unit 143. The discharge passage board 142 constitutes the front side of the second back pack unit 141, and the control device assembly unit 143 constitutes the rear side of the second back pack unit 141. The discharge passage board 142 and the controller assembly unit 143 are assembled in the front-rear direction to form a second back pack unit 141.

  The discharge passage board 142 is formed with a discharge passage 144 opened rearward on a surface facing the control device assembly unit 143, and an open portion of the discharge passage 144 is closed by the control device assembly unit 143. The discharge passage 144 is formed so as to discharge the game balls to the island facilities of the game hall, and the game balls led out to the discharge passage 144 from the above-described various winning holes etc. pass through the discharge passage 144 to make a pachinko parlor. It is discharged outside the machine 10.

  The control device assembly unit 143 has a horizontally long mounting base 145, and a payout control device 146 and a power source and launch control device 147 are mounted on the mounting base 145. The payout control device 146 and the power supply / launch control device 147 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 146 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  The payout control device 146 contains a payout control board for controlling the payout device 135 in the board box 148. The payout command signal from the payout control device 146 to the payout device 135 is relayed by the backpack substrate 136 described above. The payout control device 146 is provided with a state return switch 148a. For example, when the state return switch 148a is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout device 135, the ball jam is eliminated.

  The power source and launch control device 147 includes a power source and launch control board housed in a board box 149, and a predetermined power source required for various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board. Control of the launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the firing handle 84 is performed. The power supply and launch control device 147 is provided with a RAM erase switch 149a. This pachinko machine 10 has a function to store and store various data so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of the power failure, and when it recovers from the power failure, it can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure. It has become. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is turned off in the normal procedure, as in the case of the game hall being closed, the state before the turn-off is stored and held. However, when the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 149a, the RAM data is initialized. It is like that.

<Vertical passage unit 134>
Next, the configuration of the vertical passage unit 134 will be described in detail. 11 is a perspective view of the upper and lower passage unit 134, FIGS. 12 and 13 are exploded perspective views of the upper and lower passage unit 134, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a part of the passage formed in the upper and lower passage unit 134. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the vertical passage unit 134 includes an upper unit 161, a dispensing device 135, and a lower unit 162. The upper unit 161, the dispensing device 135, and the lower unit 162 are integrated as an upper and lower passage unit 134, thereby forming a part of a guide passage portion that communicates with the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a. Further, the upper unit 161 and the lower unit 162 form a discharge passage portion for discharging the game balls stored in the tank 132 to the island facility. The upper unit 161, the dispensing device 135, and the lower unit 162 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper unit 161 includes a pair of housing members 171 and 172 formed of a synthetic resin having transparency such as polycarbonate. Each housing member 171, 172 is integrally formed with a passage wall. These housing members 171 and 172 are assembled in the front-rear direction with a partition plate 173 formed of a synthetic resin having transparency in the same manner as the housing members 171 and 172. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, the first case rail portion 174 is formed by the housing member 171 and the partition plate 173 on the rear side of the pachinko machine 10, and the housing member 172 and partition plate 173 on the front side of the pachinko machine 10. A second case rail portion 175 is formed.

  An outer cover 176 is attached to the pair of housing members 171 and 172 so as to sandwich both of them, and a holding member 177 for holding an outlet plug is attached when the pachinko machine 10 is transported. It has been.

  The first case rail part 174 and the second case rail part 175 are juxtaposed in the front-rear direction, and are formed to meander so as to have a curved part at an intermediate position in the vertical direction. Both the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 constitute a part of the guide passage portion.

  In the upper unit 161, as shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175, an upper discharge passage portion 178 is formed. The upper discharge passage portion 178 is formed in a region that is not partitioned by the partition plate 173 between the pair of housing members 171 and 172, and is outside the pachinko machine 10 than the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175. Is located. The upper discharge passage portion 178 is provided to be branched from both the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 from the middle position thereof.

  Here, a switching piece 181 is provided at the inlet portion of the upper discharge passage portion 178. The switching piece 181 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to both housing members 171 and 172 with the front-rear direction as a rotation axis. The switching piece 181 is built in between both housing members 171 and 172. Further, a switching operation piece 182 is provided outside the pachinko machine 10 with respect to the switching piece 181. Similarly to the switching piece 181, the switching operation piece 182 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to both housing members 171 and 172, with the front-rear direction serving as a rotation axis.

  The switching operation piece 182 has a pressing portion 183 located in both housing members 171 and 172 and a lever portion 184 located outside both housing members 171 and 172. The switching operation piece 182 can be switched and arranged between a pressing position where the pressing portion 183 presses the switching piece 181 and a press releasing position where the pressing is released by operating and turning the lever portion 184. .

  When the switching operation piece 182 is arranged at the pressing position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 14, the switching piece 181 is pressed by the pressing portion 183 of the switching operation piece 182 as described above, and the switching piece 181 Part of the passage walls of the case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 is configured. Moreover, in the position which comprises this channel | path wall, the 1st case rail part 174 and the 2nd case rail part 175 are curving, and the switching piece 181 has comprised the bottom part side in the said channel | path wall. Incidentally, the state where the switching piece 181 is pressed by the pressing portion 183 to form the passage walls of the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 corresponds to the payout guiding state. When the switching piece 181 is in the payout guidance state, the game ball upstream of the switching piece 181 flows down the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 as it is.

  On the other hand, when the switching operation piece 182 is arranged at the pressing release position as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14, the pressing state of the switching piece 181 by the pressing portion 183 is released. As a result, the switching piece 181 is rotated by its own weight and does not constitute the passage walls of the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175. Incidentally, the state where the pressing by the pressing portion 183 is released and the switching piece 181 does not constitute the passage walls of the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 corresponds to the discharge guiding state. When the switching piece 181 is in the discharge inducing state, the game ball upstream of the switching piece 181 flows toward the upper discharge passage portion 178 side. The switching operation piece 182 is normally arranged at a position where the switching piece 181 is in the payout guidance state, and when the game ball inside the pachinko machine 10 is pulled out, the switching piece 181 is switched and arranged so as to be in the discharge guidance state. .

  The upper unit 161 includes a sphere absence detection sensor 186 for detecting the absence of a sphere in the tank 132. The ball non-detection sensor 186 is provided so as to detect a game ball on the upstream side of the switching piece 181 in the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175, and the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 174. Detection units 187a and 187b are provided corresponding to the case rail portions 175, respectively. In the pachinko machine 10, the ball non-detection sensor 186 uses a sensor that outputs a ball non-detection signal when the protruding pieces provided on the detection units 187a and 187b are not pressed by the game ball. What kind of sensor is used is arbitrary. The detection result of the ball non-detection sensor 186 is output to the payout control device 146, and the payout control device 146 determines whether or not there is no ball based on the detection result of the ball non-detection sensor 186.

  Next, the payout device 135 will be described. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device 135. In the description of the payout device 135, FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the payout device 135 is assembled to the upper part of the lower unit 162. The payout device 135 includes a housing 191 formed by combining a plurality of members, and a game ball passage 192 is formed in the housing 191. The game ball passage 192 constitutes a part of the guide passage portion.

  The game ball passage 192 includes a pair of inlet-side passage portions 193a and 193b and a single outlet-side passage portion 194. The inlet-side passage portions 193a and 193b are arranged side by side in front and rear, and both are open on the upper surface of the housing 191. One of the inlet side passage portions 193 a and 193 b communicates with the first case rail portion 174, and the other communicates with the second case rail portion 175. The inlet-side passage portions 193a and 193b merge with the outlet-side passage portion 194 at the most downstream portion. The outlet side passage portion 194 is opened at the lower surface of the housing 191.

  The payout device 135 is provided with a rotating body 195 as ball stopping means for temporarily stopping the game ball flowing from the inlet side passage portions 193a and 193b to the outlet side passage portion 194 on the inlet side passage portions 193a and 193b side. ing. As shown in FIG. 15, the rotator 195 includes a pair of ball guide plates 196 and 197 corresponding to the respective inlet-side passage portions 193a and 193b, and the inlet-side passages corresponding to the respective ball guide plates 196 and 197. The rotating body 195 is disposed so as to be accommodated in the downstream portion of the portions 193a and 193b. The center of the rotating body 195 is fixed to the output shaft 198a of the dispensing motor 198.

  The payout motor 198 is constituted by a stepping motor, and the output shaft 198a is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. Thereby, the rotator 195 rotates in the predetermined direction, and accordingly, the ball guide plates 196 and 197 rotate in the inlet side passage portions 193a and 193b. The output shaft 198a is set to advance one step by giving a driving signal of one pulse and to make one rotation by giving a driving signal of 360 pulses. The payout motor 198 is accommodated in the housing 191.

  Concave portions 196a and 197a are formed at two positions at 180 ° intervals on the periphery of each of the ball guide plates 196 and 197. However, the positions of the recesses 196a and 197a are shifted by 90 ° from each other between the pair of inlet-side passage portions 193a and 193b. When the rotating body 195 is not rotating, the flow of the game ball is temporarily stopped in both the pair of inlet side passage portions 193a and 193b. Further, when the rotating body 195 is rotating, only the game balls that have entered the recesses 196a and 197a are led out to the outlet side passage portion 194.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a payout detection sensor 199 having a substantially flat plate shape is installed in the outlet side passage portion 194. The payout detection sensor 199 is configured by a known magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and converts a magnetic field change caused by the passing of the game ball through the through hole into an electric signal and outputs it. With the payout detection sensor 199, the number of game balls paid out via the payout device 135 can be confirmed.

  Next, the lower unit 162 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the lower unit 162 includes a pair of housing members 201 and 202, and both housing members 201 and 202 are assembled in the front-rear direction to form a dispensing passage portion 203 extending in the vertical direction. Has been. The payout passage portion 203 constitutes a part of the guide passage portion. The payout passage portion 203 communicates with the outlet side passage portion 194 of the payout device 135, and the game ball paid out from the payout device 135 passes through the payout passage portion 203. A partition wall 204 is formed on the downstream side of the payout passage portion 203, and the payout passage portion 203 is branched into two rows on the downstream side. Of these two rows of passages, the game ball is guided to the upper plate 95a by one and the game ball is guided to the lower plate 96a by the other. The state of this guidance will be described later.

  In the lower unit 162, a lower discharge passage portion 205 is formed in addition to the payout passage portion 203. The lower discharge passage portion 205 extends in the vertical direction, and is located on the outer side of the pachinko machine 10 with respect to the payout passage portion 203. Further, it is formed to extend upward from the payout passage portion 203 and communicates with the upper discharge passage portion 178 of the upper unit 161. Thereby, the game ball guided to the upper discharge passage portion 178 passes through the lower discharge passage portion 205.

  The back pack substrate 136 described above is mounted on the lower unit 162. Here, the back pack substrate 136 is provided with a ball removal button 206 as shown in FIG. In the pachinko machine 10, the ball non-detection sensor 186 is provided as described above, and the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped in a situation where the ball non-detection sensor 186 detects a ball non-detection state. In this case, when the ball removal button 206 is operated, the operation stop state is released, and the payout operation of the payout device 135 becomes possible.

  As described above, the vertical passage unit 134 includes the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 of the upper unit 161, the game ball passage 192 of the payout device 135, and the payout passage portion 203 of the lower unit 162. Is provided. The game balls flowing down from the tank rail 133 are basically guided toward the upper plate 95a or the lower plate 96a through the passage portions 174, 175, 192, and 203. Further, the upper and lower passage unit 134 is provided with an upper discharge passage portion 178 of the upper unit 161 and a lower discharge passage portion 205 of the lower unit 162. Then, by operating the switching operation piece 182 to bring the switching piece 181 into the discharge guiding state, the game ball located upstream from the switching piece 181 passes through the upper discharge passage portion 178 and the lower discharge passage portion 205, and It is guided toward the island facility outside the machine 10.

<Number of remaining game balls>
Here, by setting the switching piece 181 to the discharge guiding state as described above, the game balls are guided to the discharge passage portions 178 and 205 side, but all the game balls cannot be discharged. That is, the switching piece 181 is installed at the inlet portion of the upper discharge passage portion 178 as described above, and this position is an intermediate position between the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175. Further, the position at which the game ball is temporarily stopped by the rotating body 195 in the payout device 135 is an intermediate position in the game ball passage 192. Therefore, even if the switching piece 181 is set in the discharge induction state, a certain amount of game balls remain at the position of the rotating body 195 from the downstream side of the switching piece 181.

  In this case, in the pachinko machine 10, the number of remaining game balls is a characteristic number. The number of remaining game balls will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the number of remaining game balls.

  As already described, the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 are formed to meander so as to have a curved portion at an intermediate position in the vertical direction, but are located downstream of the switching piece 181. The shape of the passage is different between the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175.

  Specifically, the first standby region 211 on the downstream side of the switching piece 181 in the first case rail portion 174 includes a U-shaped region 212 formed in a U-shape in the lateral direction at the downstream portion, and the first standby region A region from the most upstream portion 211 to the U-shaped region 212 is linearly formed with a predetermined angle.

  On the other hand, the second standby area 213 on the downstream side of the switching piece 181 in the second case rail portion 175 includes a U-shaped area 214 formed in a lateral U-shape on the downstream side, similarly to the first standby area 211. ing. However, the area from the most upstream area to the U-shaped area 214 in the second standby area 213 is composed of an upper and lower area 215 extending in the vertical direction and a left and right area 216 extending in the left-right direction. The passage length of the second case rail portion 175 is longer. Except for this portion, the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175 have the same passage shape. Further, the passage lengths from the inlets of the pair of inlet side passage portions 193a and 193b to the ball guide plates 196 and 197 (rotating body 195) in the dispensing device 135 are also the same.

  Incidentally, the first standby region 211 and the second standby region 213 have different passage shapes, and the housing members 171, 172 and the partition plate 173 have transparency, so that the first case rail portion 174 is formed. And the second case rail part 175 are arranged side by side in front and back, it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of game balls for both the first case rail part 174 and the second case rail part 175 from the back side of the pachinko machine 10. it can.

  As described above, the first standby region 211 of the first case rail portion 174 and the second standby region 213 of the second case rail portion 175 are formed so that the passage lengths are different from each other. The number of remaining game balls remaining at the position from the switching piece 181 to the rotating body 195 in the rail portion 174 is larger than the number of remaining game balls remaining at the position from the switching piece 181 to the rotating body 195 in the second case rail portion 175. The number is reduced by one sphere. Specifically, the number of remaining game balls in the first case rail portion 174 is 14, whereas the number of remaining game balls in the second case rail portion 175 is 15. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the number of remaining game balls in the first case rail portion 174 and the number of remaining game balls in the second case rail portion 175 are constant regardless of the rotational position of the rotating body 195. It has become.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, when the switching piece 181 is in the discharge induction state, the number of remaining game balls remaining at the position from the switching piece 181 to the rotating body 195 is a sum of 14 and 15, 29 It is. This number is a prime number, and is a number that does not match any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls to be paid out when one game ball enters the winning opening provided in the game area. Further, the number is larger than 15 which is the maximum number of unit game balls among the number of unit game balls.

  In other words, the game area is provided with a general winning port 62, a variable winning device 63, an upper operating port 64, and a lower operating port 65 as winning ports. Among these, the number of unit game balls to be paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 62 is 10, and the unit game ball to be paid out when one game ball enters the variable winning device 63. The number is 15, and the number of unit game balls to be paid out when one game ball enters the upper working port 64 is three, and is paid out when one game ball enters the lower working port 65. The number of unit game balls to be played is four. Then, 29 does not correspond to an integral multiple of any unit game ball number.

  Here, the method of extracting the remaining game balls in the pachinko machine 10 is as follows. When extracting the remaining game balls, the gaming machine front unit 23 is first opened, and the gaming area is exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10. Thereafter, a plurality of game balls are put into a winning opening provided in the game area. By making a plurality of game balls enter the winning opening, the result of entering the ball is specified by the main controller 107. The main control device 107 outputs a winning ball command to the payout control device 146 as will be described later by specifying the winning ball at the winning opening. The payout control device 146 stores information on the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command, and normally controls the payout device 135 so that game balls having the number of prize balls corresponding to the stored information are paid out. . However, in this state, since the absence of a ball is detected by the no-ball detection sensor 186, the drive control is not started, and the payout operation of the payout device 135 is not started. In this case, by operating the ball removal button 206, the drive control is started even when there is no ball, and the payout operation of the payout device 135 is started. As a result, the remaining game ball is discharged to the upper plate 95a or the lower plate 96a.

  Note that a configuration in which the payout device 135 is operated by operating the ball removal button 206 regardless of the game ball entering the winning opening is also conceivable, but in this case, the ball removal button 206 is illegally operated. Therefore, it is preferable that the pachinko machine 10 has the above-described configuration.

  In the configuration in which the remaining game balls are extracted as described above, since the number of remaining game balls is 29, a plurality of game balls are carefully placed in any one winning opening to discharge all remaining game balls. If it is made to do, the number of prize balls memorize | stored in the payout control apparatus 146 at that time will exceed the said number of remaining game balls. That is, when the general winning opening 62 is used, it is necessary to insert three game balls in order to discharge all remaining game balls, and the number of prize balls is 30, which is one more than 29. When the variable winning device 63 is used, two game balls need to be entered in order to discharge all remaining game balls, and the number of prize balls is 30, which is one more than 29. Further, when the upper operation port 64 is used, in order to discharge all the remaining game balls, it is necessary to insert 10 game balls, and the number of prize balls is 30 which is one more than 29. Further, when the lower operation port 65 is used, in order to discharge all the remaining game balls, it is necessary to enter 8 game balls, and the number of prize balls is 32, which is 3 more than 29. The number of prize balls exceeding the number of remaining game balls is stored and held in the payout control device 146. In this case, as will be described later, backup power is supplied to the payout control device 146 from the power supply and launch control device 147, so even if the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off, the award exceeding the number of remaining game balls is exceeded. Information on the number of balls is stored and held.

  The extraction of the game balls as described above is performed, for example, when the pachinko machine 10 is used and distributed. The game balls are given a unique pattern for each game hall, and by extracting all the game balls in the pachinko machine 10 for second-hand distribution, it is ensured that different game balls are not mixed between the game halls. Can do. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is used and distributed, there is a concern that the dispensing control device 146 and the like may be replaced with an unauthorized control device during the distribution process. In this case, there is a possibility that the distribution game hall may suffer a great disadvantage, which is not preferable. Moreover, if a complicated structure is added in order to prevent the payout control device 146 from being illegally exchanged in order to suppress this, the cost of the pachinko machine 10 is increased.

  On the other hand, in the present pachinko machine 10, as described above, the number of remaining game balls is 29, and a plurality of game balls are carefully placed in any one winning opening and all the remaining game balls are collected. If it is made to discharge, information on the number of prize balls will remain in the payout control device 146 by itself. The information on the number of prize balls is stored and held even when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off by supplying backup power. As a result, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed in the secondhand, by confirming that the information on the number of prize balls is stored in the payout control device 146 at the distribution destination, the payout control device 146 is illegally distributed during the distribution process. It can be confirmed whether or not the exchange has been performed. As this confirmation, for example, when the pachinko machine 10 is installed in the island facility and the power supply is turned on after the game ball is replenished to the tank 132, it is confirmed whether or not the game ball is discharged to the upper plate 95a. Can be done.

  In particular, in the present pachinko machine 10, since the number of remaining game balls is set to 29, the payout control is surely performed by performing the above-described maintenance operation of the game balls with respect to any one winning opening. Information on the number of winning balls will remain in the device 146. Therefore, it is possible to reliably check whether or not the payout control device 146 has been illegally exchanged during the distribution process.

  Further, when the ball removing operation is actually performed, it is conceivable to use the variable winning device 63 having the largest number of unit game balls in consideration of the work efficiency. In this case, by entering two game balls in the variable winning device 63, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 becomes 30, which exceeds the number of remaining game balls. When the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 is 30, the number of prize balls remaining after discharging the remaining game balls is one. Then, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed as a used product, the information on the number of prize balls stored and held in the payout control device 146 is one. As a result, when the power source of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on at the distribution destination, the number of game balls to be paid out becomes one, and at the time of tidying up work after checking the presence / absence of fraud in the distribution hall at the distribution destination, Just take out the game ball. Therefore, the work efficiency of the tidying work can be improved. That is, according to this configuration, it is possible to improve both the work efficiency of the ball removal work and the work efficiency of the tidying work.

  Note that the information on the number of winning balls stored in the payout control device 146 when a winning opening corresponding to the maximum number of unit playing balls is used is not limited to “the number of remaining gaming balls + 1”, and the remaining gaming balls The remainder of the quotient of the maximum unit game ball number relative to the number may be less than the minimum unit game ball number. That is, in this pachinko machine 10, since the minimum unit game ball number is 3, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 when using a winning opening corresponding to the maximum unit game ball number is You may make it become "the number of remaining game balls +2." However, in this case, the number of remaining game balls or the maximum number of unit game balls must be different from the above.

  When actually performing the above-described ball removal operation, it is conceivable to use a winning opening that makes it easier to perform the ball entry work by taking into consideration the work efficiency. In the present pachinko machine 10, the winning port is a general winning port 62 located on the rotation tip side of the gaming machine front unit 23 in the gaming board 61. In this case, by entering three game balls into the general winning opening 62, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 becomes 30, which exceeds the number of remaining game balls. When the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 is 30, the number of prize balls remaining after the remaining number of game balls is discharged is one. Then, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed as a used product, the information on the number of prize balls stored and held in the payout control device 146 is one. As a result, when the power source of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on at the distribution destination, the number of game balls to be paid out becomes one, and at the time of tidying up work after checking the presence / absence of fraud in the distribution hall at the distribution destination, Just take out the game ball. Therefore, the work efficiency of the tidying work can be improved. That is, according to this configuration, it is possible to improve both the work efficiency of the ball removal work and the work efficiency of the tidying work.

  Note that the information on the number of winning balls stored in the payout control device 146 when using a winning opening that facilitates the entering work is not limited to “the number of remaining gaming balls + 1”, and the number of remaining gaming balls is not limited. The remainder of the quotient of the number of unit game balls in the winning opening may be less than the minimum number of unit game balls. That is, in this pachinko machine 10, since the minimum unit number of game balls is 3, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 when the above winning opening is used is “the number of remaining game balls + 2”. You may make it become. However, in this case, it is necessary to make the number of remaining game balls or the number of unit game balls of the general winning opening 62 different from the above.

  On the other hand, 29 of the remaining game balls coincide with, for example, the sum of the number of unit game balls of the general winning opening 62, the number of unit game balls of the variable winning device 63, and the number of unit game balls of the lower operation port 65. Is a number. Therefore, for example, when there is no need to circulate second-hand goods, such as during maintenance in a game hall or when shipping from a manufacturer, one for each of the general winning port 62, the variable winning device 63, and the lower operating port 65. By entering the game balls one by one, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 matches the number of remaining game balls so that the information on the number of prize balls does not remain in the payout control device 146. be able to.

  In addition, 29 of the remaining number of game balls is a number that is equal to the sum of twice the number of unit game balls of the general winning opening 62 and three times of the number of unit game balls of the upper operation port 64. The general winning port 62 and the upper operating port 64 are winning ports which are not provided with an opening / closing means for making it difficult or difficult for a game ball to enter, and do not require an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing means or the like in the case of entering a ball in the maintenance. . Therefore, when the remaining game balls are extracted while the information on the number of winning balls is not left in the payout control device 146, the work efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, as described above, a part of the general winning opening 62 is disposed on the rotating front end side of the gaming machine front unit 23 in the gaming board 61. Further, the lower operating port 65 is disposed on the center side in the left-right direction on the game board 61. In this regard, in the case of a manually entering ball operation, the game balls are inserted into the general winning port 62 and the lower operation port 65, so that the information on the number of winning balls does not remain in the payout control device 146, and the remaining game balls The work efficiency can be drastically improved in the case of extracting.

<Passage configuration on the downstream side of the vertical passage unit 134>
Next, the passage configuration on the downstream side of the vertical passage unit 134 will be described. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the path configuration of the game ball. In FIG. 18, for the sake of convenience, the passage configurations on the gaming machine base unit 22 side and the back pack unit 24 side are shown in cross section.

  In the back pack unit 24, a ball receiving portion 252 is provided on the downstream side of the vertical passage unit 134, and the game ball that has passed through the vertical passage unit 134 is introduced into the ball receiving portion 252. The ball receiver 252 has a function of guiding the game ball that has passed through the upper and lower passage units 134 to the upper plate 95a side or the lower plate 96a side, or to the discharge passage 144 of the second back pack unit 141.

  The configuration of the ball receiving portion 252 will be described with reference to a longitudinal sectional view around the ball receiving portion 252 shown in FIG. The ball receiving portion 252 is open upward and forward, and the inside thereof is partitioned by two partition walls 253a and 253b, so that three openings 255a, 255b, and 255c are juxtaposed in the left-right direction.

  Of these openings 255a, 255b, and 255c, the opening 255a inside the pachinko machine 10 is located below the passage inside the pachinko machine 10 out of the two rows of passages partitioned by the partition wall 204 in the payout passage 203. And leads to an upper plate passage that continues to the upper plate 95a. The central opening 255b is located below the passage on the outside of the pachinko machine 10 out of the two rows of passages partitioned by the partition wall 204 in the payout passage portion 203, and is a lower plate continuing to the lower plate 96a. It leads to the passage. Further, the outer opening 255c is positioned below the lower discharge passage portion 205 and communicates with the discharge passage 144 of the second back pack unit 141.

  The upper plate passage is provided in the back pack side upper plate passage portion 258 provided in the back pack unit 24, the main body side upper plate passage portion 262 provided in the gaming machine base unit 22, and the gaming machine front unit 23. It is composed of a front side upper dish passage portion 272. Similarly, the lower plate passage is connected to the back pack side lower plate passage portion 259 provided in the back pack unit 24, the main body side lower plate passage portion 263 provided in the gaming machine base unit 22, and the gaming machine front unit 23. The front side lower dish passage portion 273 is provided.

  Each of these passage portions 258, 259, 262, 263, 272, and 273 will be described in detail.

<Back pack side passage portions 258, 259>
The back pack side upper plate passage portion 258 and the back pack side lower plate passage portion 259 are provided so as to penetrate the base portion 126 in the front-rear direction on the rotation base end side of the back pack unit 24. 257 (see FIG. 18). The back pack side upper dish passage portion 258 and the back pack side lower dish passage portion 259 are partitioned by a passage wall and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Further, the back pack side upper dish passage portion 258 and the back pack side lower dish passage portion 259 each extend in the front-rear direction and are inclined downward toward the downstream side. In the above configuration, the game balls introduced into the back pack side upper dish passage portion 258 and the back pack side lower dish passage portion 259 roll on the bottom portions 258a, 259a and then the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower plate. It is discharged to each of the passage portions 263.

<Main body side passage portions 262, 263>
The main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 are provided on the main body side passage unit 261 provided so as to penetrate the resin base 41 in the front-rear direction on the rotation base end side of the gaming machine base unit 22. Is formed.

  The main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 are partitioned by a partition passage wall 264 and arranged in parallel in the left-right direction, and are formed so that the ball outlets 262a and 263a face downward. ing. Specifically, the upstream side of the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 is inclined downward toward the downstream side, and on the downstream side, it extends slightly downward so that the ball outlet 262a, 263a is formed. The game balls introduced into the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 in the above configuration roll on the bottom portions 262b, 263b and the front side upper dish passage portion 272 through the ball outlets 262a, 263a. It is discharged into each of the front side lower dish passage portions 273.

<Front side passage portions 272, 273>
The front side upper dish passage portion 272 and the front side lower dish passage portion 273 are formed in a front side passage unit 271 provided on the back surface of the gaming machine front unit 23. Here, the front-side passage unit 271 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 is a perspective view of the front side passage unit 271, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the front side passage unit 271, and FIG. 22 is a front view of the front side passage unit 271.

  The front side passage unit 271 has a pair of base plates 274a and 274b as shown in FIG. These base plates 274a and 274b are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate resin, and have a groove and an opening, respectively. Since both the base plates 274a and 274b are fixed by screws, a receiving portion 275 constituting the front upper dish passage portion 272 is formed, and at least a passage forming portion constituting the front lower tray passage portion 273. 276 is formed. The front-side passage unit 271 has a plate-like portion 271a in addition to the receiving portion 275 and the passage forming portion 276. In the front side passage unit 271, the outlet 272 a of the front side upper dish passage part 272 overlaps with the front and rear of the ball entrance of the upper dish 95 a, and the outlet 273 a of the front side lower dish passage part 273 extends back and forth with the ball inlet of the lower dish 96 a. The screws are fixed from behind the pachinko machine 10 to the back of the gaming machine front unit 23 so as to overlap.

  The receiving part 275 and the passage forming part 276 of the front side passage unit 271 will be described. The position where the receiving portion 275 is formed is the upper corner of the front-side passage unit 271, and is the rotation base end side of the gaming machine front unit 23 in relation to the gaming machine front unit 23. In addition, the receiving portion 275 protrudes rearward of the pachinko machine 10 from the passage forming portion 276, and is further rearward of the pachinko machine 10 than the rotation shaft of the gaming machine front unit 23. And in the state which closed the game machine front unit 23, the opening part 275 has entered into the back rather than the front side edge part of the game machine base unit 22. FIG.

  However, the receiving portion 275 is in front of the rear end portion of the gaming machine base unit 22, and the receiving portion 275 is located at a position facing the receiving portion 275 in the gaming machine base unit 22 (resin base 41). A housing recess 292b is formed as a cover portion that covers the protruding side of the housing (see FIG. 23). Therefore, in a state where the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed, the receiving portion 275 does not penetrate the gaming machine base unit 22 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 20 and the like, the receiving portion 275 is opened upward, and a partition wall 277 erected upward from the bottom is integrally formed at the approximate center in the left-right direction. By being partitioned by the partition wall 277, the opening portion 275 has two openings 278 and 279 arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. In such a configuration, the inner side wall of the pachinko machine 10 in the receiving portion 275 is taller than the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 and the like, and a flange 275a is formed on the side wall. Due to the formation of the flange 275a, the opening 278 inside the pachinko machine 10 out of the two openings 278 and 279 has a smaller width dimension (lateral dimension) than the opening 279 outside the pachinko machine 10. It has become.

  The opening 278 inside the pachinko machine 10 is vertically opposed to the ball outlet 262a of the main body side upper dish passage 262, and serves as a ball inlet of the front side upper dish passage 272 as shown in FIG. Yes. Further, the opening 279 outside the pachinko machine 10 faces the ball outlet 263a of the main body side lower dish passage part 263 in the vertical direction, and the ball inlet of the front side lower dish passage part 273 formed in the passage forming part 276 It has become. In this case, as described above, since the receiving portion 275 enters the rear side of the front side end portion of the gaming machine base unit 22, the boundary between the front side upper plate passage portion 272 and the main body side upper plate passage portion 262 is provided. A part of the portion and the boundary portion between the front side lower dish passage part 273 and the main body side lower dish passage part 263 enter the rear side from the front side end part of the gaming machine base unit 22 (see FIG. 18 and the like). ).

  The inner opening 278 and the ball inlet 196 of the upper plate 95a are arranged in the front-rear direction, and the front-side upper plate passage 272 extends in the front-rear direction so as to connect the inner opening 278 and the ball inlet 196. The outer opening 279 and the ball entrance of the lower plate 96a are in a positional relationship shifted in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. That is, the outer opening 279 is on the rotation base end side of the gaming machine front unit 23, and the ball entrance of the lower plate 96a is near the center in the left-right direction of the gaming machine front unit 23. Further, the ball entrance of the lower plate 96a is below the outer opening 279. A front side lower dish passage 273 is formed so as to connect the outer opening 279 and the ball inlet of the lower dish 96a.

  Next, the flow of game balls to the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a game ball is paid out from the payout device 135 toward the inner opening 255a of the ball receiving portion 252. Therefore, the game balls paid out from the payout device 135 are discharged to the upper plate 95a through the upper plate passage constituted by the upper plate passage portions 258, 262, 272.

  However, if a large number of game balls are paid out from the payout device 135 and the upper tray 95a is full, and then the game balls are continuously paid out, the game balls are connected in the upper plate passage, as shown in FIG. In addition, the entire inner opening 255a of the ball receiving portion 252 is filled with the game ball, and the game ball is filled to the position of the tip of the partition wall 204 in the payout passage portion 203 of the vertical passage unit 134. In this state, the game ball paid out from the payout device 135 gets over the partition wall 204 of the payout passage portion 203 and enters the central opening 255b. And this game ball is discharged | emitted to the lower plate 96a through the lower plate channel | path comprised by each lower plate channel | path part 259,263,273.

<Shutter mechanism 291>
Next, the shutter mechanism 291 will be described. FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the shutter mechanism 291, and FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the shutter mechanism 291.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the front passage unit 271 is provided for the gaming machine front unit 23. Further, the gaming machine front unit 23 is provided with the window panel portion 91 as described above. For example, when the gaming machine front unit 23 is opened in order to eliminate a clogged ball or the like in the gaming area, At the same time, the front side passage unit 271 moves forward, and the passage portions 272 and 273 on the gaming machine front unit 23 side and the passage portions 262 and 263 on the gaming machine base unit 22 side are separated from each other. The opening operation of the gaming machine front unit 23 is a state where the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a are full and the game ball is waiting in the main body side upper plate passage portion 262 and the main body side lower plate passage portion 263. If this is done, the waiting game ball may not be received by the front upper dish passage 272 or the front lower dish passage 273 and may be scattered. On the other hand, a shutter mechanism 291 is provided to prevent scattering of the game ball.

  The shutter mechanism 291 is provided on the front side of the gaming machine base unit 22. Specifically, an attachment portion 292 is formed below the main body side passage unit 261 in the resin base 41, and a shutter mechanism 291 is attached to the attachment portion 292. The shutter mechanism 291 includes a shutter member 293, a coil spring 294, and a stopper 295.

  The shutter member 293 is formed in a substantially plate shape from synthetic resin. A shaft hole 293a is formed in the lower end of the shutter member 293 so as to penetrate in the left-right direction, and a support shaft portion 292a having a shaft hole on the same axis as the shaft hole 293a is formed in the mounting portion 292. Since the shaft pin 296 is inserted and fixed in the shaft hole 293a and the shaft portion 292a of the shutter member 293, the shutter member 293 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction with the lower end as an axis. Yes.

  At the upper end of the shutter member 293, an extension portion 297 is formed to extend from one end portion (the left end portion in the present embodiment) to the side. Thus, a stopper 295 is provided. The stopper 295 is formed of a synthetic resin material and is fixed to the attachment portion 292 with screws. Further, the stopper 295 is formed with a shutter stopper 295a and a spring stopper 295b which is below the shutter stopper 295a and protrudes forward.

  A coil spring 294 is provided between the stopper 295 and the extending portion 297. The coil spring 294 has one end fixed to the spring stopper 295b and the other end fixed to the lower end of the extending portion 297, and is provided in an extended state. Therefore, a forward urging force always acts on the shutter member 293, and the extended portion 297 is in a position in contact with the shutter stopper 295a in the natural state of the shutter member 293. At the abutted position, the upper end portion 298 of the shutter member 293 is below the main body side passage unit 261.

  The upper end 298 of the shutter member 293 has an upper surface with a predetermined curvature, is convex outward, and has an arc shape in the front-rear direction. The virtual center of this arc is a shaft hole 293a. The front-rear direction dimension of the shutter member 293 is substantially the same as the front-rear direction dimension of the ball outlets 262a, 263a of the main body side upper dish passage part 262 and the main body side lower dish passage part 263, and further, the left-right direction dimension is larger. It is substantially the same as the horizontal dimension of the main body side passage unit 261. The upper end portion 298 is opposed to substantially the entire ball outlets 262a and 263a of the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263. That is, the ball outlets 262 a and 263 a of the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 are closed by the shutter member 293. This position is the closed position (blocking position) of the shutter member 293.

  A front step portion 298b is formed integrally with the upper end portion 298 so as to protrude forward. When the front step portion 298b moves to the closed position, the front step portion 298b has a boundary portion between the main body side upper plate passage portion 262 and the front side upper plate passage portion 272, or the main body side lower plate passage portion 263 and the front side lower plate passage portion. 273 has a function of pushing the game ball located at the boundary with the H.273 into the receiving portion 275 side.

  In the upper end portion 298, a groove portion 298a extending in the front-rear direction is formed at an intermediate position in the left-right direction. The position of the groove portion 298a corresponds to the position of the partition wall 277 in the receiving port portion 275. That is, in the upper end portion 298, the area inside the pachinko machine 10 from the groove 298a is a blocking area for the upper dish passage, and the area outside the pachinko machine 10 from the groove 298a is a blocking area for the lower dish path. Yes. When the shutter member 293 is in the closed position, the lower end portion 264a of the partition passage wall 264 that partitions the passage portions 262 and 263 in the main body side passage unit 261 enters the groove portion 298a.

  An accommodation recess 292 b that is recessed rearward is formed behind the shutter member 293 in the attachment portion 292. Further, the shutter member 293 has a front end face that is in contact with the receiving portion 275 of the front side passage unit 271 when the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed, and when the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed as described above. The receiving port 275 is disposed below the main body side passage unit 261. Therefore, in a state where the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed, the rear end portion of the receiving portion 275 is in contact with the front end surface of the shutter member 293, and a force against the urging force acts on the shutter member 293. Thus, the shutter member 293 rotates rearward and is accommodated in the accommodating recess 292b. This position is the open position (blocking release position) of the shutter member 293.

  The movement of the shutter member 293 in response to the opening operation of the gaming machine front unit 23 will be described. As shown in FIG. 24 (a), the shutter member 293 is in the opened position when the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed. The side upper dish passage portion 262 and the front side upper dish passage portion 272 communicate with each other, and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 and the front side lower dish passage portion 273 communicate with each other.

  Further, by opening the gaming machine front unit 23, the shutter member 293 moves to the closed position as shown in FIG. As a result, the ball outlets 262a and 263a of the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 are closed, and a game ball is waited in the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263. Even if the gaming machine front unit 23 is opened in this state, the waiting game balls are not scattered. Thereafter, when the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed, the state returns to the state of FIG.

  In this case, as described above, the main body side upper dish passage portion 262 and the main body side lower dish passage portion 263 are inclined downward toward the ball outlets 262a and 263a, respectively. Therefore, a part of the weight load of the game ball waiting in the passage portions 262 and 263 on the gaming machine base unit 22 side is applied to the bottom portions 262b and 263b of the passage portions 262 and 263 on the gaming machine base unit 22 side. Can be received. That is, the weight load on the shutter member 293 of the waiting game balls is reduced. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 293 is facilitated.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 25, the power supply line is indicated by a double arrow, and the signal line is indicated by a solid arrow.

  A main control board 311 provided in the main controller 107 incorporates a main control circuit 312 and a power failure monitoring circuit 313. The main control circuit 312 is equipped with a CPU 321. The CPU 321 temporarily stores various control programs executed by the CPU 321 and ROM (non-volatile storage means) 322 storing fixed value data, and various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 322. A RAM (volatile storage means) 323, which is a memory for storing data, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data input / output circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 323 has a configuration in which backup power (data storage holding power) is supplied from the power source and launch control board 331 provided in the power source and launch control device 147 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off, and data is retained. It has become.

  An input / output port is connected to the CPU 321 via a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. Connected to the input side of the main control circuit 312 are a power failure monitoring circuit 313 provided on the main control board 311, a payout control board 332 provided on the payout control device 146, and other switches not shown. In this case, a power supply and launch control board 331 is connected to the power failure monitoring circuit 313, and power is supplied to the main control circuit 312 via the power failure monitoring circuit 313.

  Incidentally, as a group of switches connected to the input side of the main control circuit 312, there are winning detection sensors 325 to 328. The winning detection sensors 325 to 328 include a general winning port sensor 325 that detects a game ball that has entered the general winning port 62, a count sensor 326 that detects a game ball that has entered the variable winning device 63, and an upper operating port. There are an upper operation port sensor 327 that detects a game ball that has entered the ball 64 and a lower operation port sensor 328 that detects a game ball that has entered the lower operation port 65. The general prize opening sensor 325 is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the general prize opening 62. Based on the detection results from these winning detection sensors 325 to 328, the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 specifies whether or not a game ball has entered the various winning ports 62 to 65.

  On the other hand, a power failure monitoring circuit 313, a payout control board 332 and a relay terminal board 333 are connected to the output side of the main control circuit 312. Various commands such as a prize ball command are output to the payout control board 332. Various commands and the like are output from the main control circuit 312 to the sound lamp control board 334 provided in the sound lamp control device 103 via the relay terminal plate 333.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 313 relays the main control circuit 312 and the power source and launch control board 331, and monitors the DC stable 24 volt power source that is the maximum power source output from the power source and launch control board 331.

  The payout control board 332 performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 135. The CPU 341 which is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM (non-volatile storage means) 342 storing a control program executed by the CPU 341, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM (volatile storage means) 343 used as a work memory or the like. I have.

  Similarly to the RAM 323 of the main control circuit 312, the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332 is supplied with backup power (data storage holding power) from the power supply and the launch control board 331 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off. It has a configuration to be held.

  An input / output port is connected to the CPU 341 of the payout control board 332 through a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. A main control circuit 312, a power and launch control board 331, and a backpack board 136 are connected to the input side of the payout control board 332. Incidentally, the detection result of the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the presence / absence of the operation of the ball removal button 206 are input to the payout control board 332 through the back pack board 136. Further, the main control circuit 312 and the back pack board 136 are connected to the output side of the payout control board 332.

  The power supply and launch control board 331 includes a power supply unit and a launch control unit. The power supply unit supplies necessary operating power to each of the main control circuit 312 and the payout control board 332 through a path indicated by a double line arrow. The launch control unit is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 80 in accordance with the operation of the game ball launch handle 84 by the player, and the game ball launch mechanism 80 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met. .

  Further, the power source and launch control board 331 is provided with a backup power source unit 331a. The backup power supply unit 331a includes a capacitor, and is charged when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is in an ON state (when power is supplied from an external power supply). Further, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is in an OFF state or in a power cut-off state such as when a power failure occurs in a commercial power supply (when power supply from an external power supply is cut off), the main control circuit 312 is discharged from the backup power supply unit 331a. Backup power is supplied to the RAM 323 and the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332. Therefore, even in such a situation, while the backup power is being supplied from the backup power supply unit 331a, the information stored in the RAMs 323 and 343 is stored and held without being erased.

  Incidentally, the backup power supply unit 331a has a relatively large capacity, and the information stored in each of the RAMs 323 and 343 before the power supply is cut off is retained within a predetermined period (for example, 1 day or 2 days). Further, the backup power supply unit 331a is not limited to a capacitor, and may be a battery or a non-rechargeable battery. In the case of a non-rechargeable battery, it is not necessary to store power in the power supply means for power interruption when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is ON, but it is necessary to replace it periodically.

  The sound lamp control board 334 controls each of the illumination units 175 to 177, the speaker unit 178, the error display unit 179, and the display control device 101. The CPU 351, which is an arithmetic device, includes a ROM 352 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 351, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 353 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  An input / output port is connected to the CPU 351 of the sound lamp control board 334 via a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. A main control circuit 312 is connected to the input side of the sound lamp control board 334 by being relayed to the relay terminal plate 333, and based on various commands output from the main control circuit 312, the lighting units 175 to 177, The speaker unit 178, the error display unit 179, and the display control apparatus 101 are controlled. The display control device 101 controls the symbol display device 71 based on a display command input from the sound lamp control board 334.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 321 is roughly divided into main processing that is started when the power is turned on, timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a power failure signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 26 shows an NMI interrupt process, which is executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 313 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 321 and the CPU 321 interrupts the control being executed and starts NMI interrupt processing. . In the NMI interrupt processing, the power failure flag is set in the power failure flag storage area provided in the RAM 323 in step S101, and this processing is terminated. Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the power failure flag is set in the normal processing described later, the power failure processing is executed.

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S201, signal reading processing from various switches and the payout control board 332 is executed. Here, in the signal reading process, it is specified whether or not a detection result indicating that a game ball is detected is input from the general winning opening sensor 325, the count sensor 326, the upper operation port sensor 327, and the lower operation port sensor 328. Then, a process for setting a prize ball command is executed based on the specified result. Specifically, when a game ball is entered into the general prize opening 62 based on the detection result of the general prize opening sensor 325, ten prize ball commands are set. Further, when a game ball is entered into the variable winning device 63 based on the detection result of the count sensor 326, 15 prize ball commands are set. Further, when a game ball entering the upper operation port 64 is specified based on the detection result of the upper operation port sensor 327, three prize ball commands are set. In addition, when a game ball enters the lower operation port 65 based on the detection result of the lower operation port sensor 328, four prize ball commands are set. Here, the set prize ball command is output to the payout control board 332 in an external output process described later.

  Thereafter, in step S202, a start winning process is executed. In the start winning process, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the upper operating port 64 or the lower operating port 65 based on the detection results input from the upper operating port sensor 327 and the lower operating port sensor 328. And when a game ball is entering the upper operation port 64 or the lower operation port 65, the number of operation reservation balls of the 1st specific lamp part 73 and the symbol display apparatus 71 is less than an upper limit. Then, a process of storing in the RAM 323 a counter value serving as an index as to whether or not to generate a big hit for the incoming ball is executed. If the counter value is a value corresponding to the occurrence of the jackpot, the jackpot is generated in the game times corresponding to the entry. That is, in the start winning process, a lottery function (transition determination means) for transitioning to a special gaming state such as a big win is performed.

  After the start winning process, the CPU 321 once ends the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt process, a process of updating a counter value serving as an index as to whether or not to generate a jackpot may be executed.

  Next, the main process started by the reset at the time of power-on is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S301, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a wait process is executed, for example, for about 1 second in order to wait for the slave control board (such as the payout control board 332) to be operable. In the subsequent step S302, access to the RAM 323 is permitted.

  Thereafter, in step S303, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 149a provided in the power supply and launch control device 147 is turned on. In subsequent step S304, whether or not the power failure flag is stored in the power failure flag storage buffer of the RAM 323 is determined. Determine. In step S305, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S306, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the stored data. The RAM determination value is a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 323, for example. It is also possible to determine the validity of the data stored and held based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 323 are correctly stored.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, for example, when RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, such as at the start of business in a hall, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 149a. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 149a is pressed, the process proceeds to steps S309 to S311. Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power shutdown is not set, or when an abnormality of data stored and held is confirmed by the RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to steps S309 to S311.

  In step S309, a payout initialization command or the like is output in order to initialize the payout control board 332 or the like serving as the slave control board. In subsequent step S310, the used area of the RAM 323 is cleared to 0, and in step S311, initialization processing of the RAM 323 is executed. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S312, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 149a has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S307 on condition that the power failure flag is stored and the RAM determination value (checksum value etc.) is normal. In step S307, the power failure flag stored in the power failure flag storage buffer is cleared, and in step S308, a power recovery command for returning the slave control board to the gaming state before power-off is output. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S312, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later. Thereby, it returns to the state before power-off.

  Next, normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed.

  In the normal process, in step S401, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is output to each control board on the slave side. Specifically, the prize ball command set in the signal reading process described above is output to the payout control board 332. Further, a stop symbol command, a variation mode command, and the like are output to the sound lamp control board 334 when the symbol display device 71 displays the variation of the first symbol.

  In a succeeding step S402, a first specific lamp unit control process for switching the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 73 is executed. In the first specific lamp unit control process, jackpot determination, on / off control of a light source switch of an LED lamp disposed in the first specific lamp unit 73, and the like are performed. Then, in the first specific lamp control process, when it is determined that the jackpot is generated based on the counter value stored in the start winning process, the gaming state is shifted to the jackpot state. That is, in the first specific lamp control process, a function for shifting to the special gaming state (transition means) is performed. In the first specific lamp unit control process, the variable display of the first symbol by the symbol display device 71 is also set.

  After the first specific lamp unit control process, a special winning opening opening / closing process is executed in step S403. In the big prize opening / closing process, the big prize opening of the variable prize winning device 63 is opened or closed in the case of a big hit state. That is, it is determined whether the big winning opening is opened for each round of the big hit state, and whether the maximum opening time of the big winning opening has elapsed or whether a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the big winning opening. The determination as to whether or not the prescribed number has been won is made by confirming the above-described counter for the big prize opening. When either of these conditions is satisfied, the special winning opening is closed. In other words, the special game state progression function (progress means) is performed in the special prize opening / closing process.

  Thereafter, in step S404, a second specific lamp unit control process for switching the color displayed on the second specific lamp unit 74 is executed. In the second specific lamp control process, the switching of the display color in the second specific lamp unit 74 is started on the condition that the number of retained gate balls is 1 or more. At this time, the display color switching time is also set. Then, when the electric accessory 65 a attached to the lower working port 65 is opened for a predetermined time, a stop display of a predetermined color is performed in the second specific lamp unit 74.

  After step S404, a game ball launch control process is executed in step S405. In the game ball launch control process, the game ball launch mechanism 80 of the game ball launch mechanism 80 is once in a predetermined period (for example, 0.6 sec) on condition that a launch permission signal is input from the launch control unit of the power source and launch control board 331. The solenoid 81 is excited. Thereby, the game ball on the launch rail 82 is launched toward the game area.

  In a succeeding step S406, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is stored in a power failure flag storage buffer provided in the RAM 323. If the power failure flag is not stored, the last process of the plurality of processes that are repeatedly executed is completed, so whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process is reached in step S407, that is, the previous normal process It is determined whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the process. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S406, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S401.

  On the other hand, if the power failure flag is stored in step 406, it means that the power supply has been cut off, and therefore, the power failure processing after step S408 is executed. That is, in step S408, the generation of timer interrupt processing is prohibited. In subsequent step S409, a power failure command indicating that the power supply has been shut off is output to another control board. In step S410, the RAM determination value is calculated and stored, and after the access to the RAM 323 is prohibited in step S411, the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and the process cannot be executed. Even after the power supply is completely shut down, the backup power is supplied from the power source and the backup power supply unit 331a of the launch control board 331. Therefore, the information stored in the RAM 323 before the power is shut off is left in a predetermined state. It is held within a period (for example, 1 day or 2 days).

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 341 of the payout control board 332 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 341 can be broadly divided into input interrupt processing activated by the input of a command from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312, main processing activated upon power-on, and periodically (in this embodiment). There is a timer interrupt process activated at a cycle of 2 msec). For convenience of explanation, the interrupt process at the time of input will be described first, and then the main process and the timer interrupt process will be described in this order.

  The input interrupt process is executed by interrupting other processes described later when a command is input from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312. In the interrupt process at the time of input, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 30, the command from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 is stored in the command storage buffer of the RAM 343 in step S501, and then the command provided in the RAM 343 in step S502. The command input flag is stored in the input flag storage buffer, and this process is terminated.

  Next, main processing executed by the CPU 341 of the payout control board 332 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This main process is started upon reset at power-on.

  First, in step S601, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, the interrupt mode is set. In step S602, RAM access is permitted and an external interrupt vector is set in step S603.

  Thereafter, in step S604, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is stored in the power failure flag storage buffer of the RAM 343. In step S605, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S606, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the stored data. The RAM determination value is a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 343, for example. It is also possible to determine the validity of the stored data based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 343 are correctly stored.

  When the power failure flag is not stored, or when abnormality of data stored and held is confirmed by the RAM determination value (check sum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing (steps S611 to S613) of the RAM 343. That is, in step S611, the entire area of the RAM 343 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S612, initialization processing of the RAM 343 is executed. In step S613, the CPU peripheral device is initialized.

  On the other hand, when the power failure flag is stored and the RAM determination value (checksum value or the like) is normal, processing at power recovery (processing at power recovery after power failure due to power failure) is executed. That is, in step S607, the power failure flag is cleared, and in step S608, the payout permission flag for permitting the payout of prize balls is cleared. In step S609, the CPU peripheral device is initialized. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 343.

  After the process of step S609 or step S613, an interrupt is permitted in step S610, and it is determined in step S614 whether or not a power failure flag is stored in the power failure flag storage buffer of the RAM 343, and the power failure flag is stored. If not, it waits until the power failure flag is stored.

  On the other hand, if the power failure flag is stored, it means that a power failure has occurred, and therefore the process of step S615 is executed as a power failure process. In the power failure process, first, in step S615, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited. Thereafter, the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S616, and access to the RAM 343 is prohibited in step S617, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and the process cannot be executed. Even after the power supply is completely shut off, the power for holding data storage in the RAM 343 is supplied from the power supply and launch control board 331. Therefore, the information stored in the RAM 343 before the power supply is shut off within a predetermined period (for example, 1 or 2 days).

  Here, in this main process, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is stored (whether or not a power interruption has occurred) after the end of a series of processes at the normal times of steps S601 to S613. There is no power outage process in the middle of each process. As a result, the amount of data stored in the RAM 343 can be reduced as much as possible when the power interruption occurs, and further, when returning to the state before the power interruption, it is not necessary to start from the middle of the processing, and the payout control board 332 The burden of processing can be reduced.

  Next, timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 341 of the payout control board 332, for example, every 2 msec will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S701, command determination processing for determining a command input from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 is executed. In this command determination process, as shown in FIG. 33, in step S801, it is determined whether or not a command input flag is stored in the command input flag storage buffer of the RAM 343. If no command input flag is stored, a new command has not been output from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312, so this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the command input flag is stored, command read processing is executed in step S802. In the command read process, the input command is read from the command buffer of the RAM 343, and the command input flag is cleared.

  Thereafter, the type of the read command is determined in each process of step S803, step S805, step S810, and step S811, and the process corresponding to each command is executed. That is, in step S803, it is determined whether or not the command is a power failure command. If the command is the command, the power failure flag is stored in the power failure flag storage buffer of the RAM 343 in step S804, and the process is terminated.

  In step S805, it is determined whether the command is a payout initialization command. If the command is the command, initialization of the RAM 343 is instructed from the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 when the power is turned on. After executing the processing of S806 to Step S809, this processing is terminated. In step S806, it is determined whether or not a payout permission flag is stored in the payout permission flag storage buffer provided in the RAM 343. If the flag is not stored, the work area of the RAM 343 is set to 0 in step S807. In step S808, the initial value of the RAM 343 is set. Thereafter, by storing a payout permission flag in step S809, payout of prize balls is permitted.

  If the payout permission flag is stored in step S806, the process ends without performing the processes in steps S807 and S808. With this configuration, even if the input of the payout initialization command is recognized due to noise or the like even though the RAM erase switch 149a is not pressed, the remaining prize ball is paid out to the player. Can be prevented without being erased.

  In step S810, it is determined whether the command is a power recovery command. If the command is the command, since the payout control board 332 returns to the state before the power cut-off due to a power failure, the payout permission flag is set in step S809. After storing, this process is terminated. With such a configuration, when a prize ball remains before the power is turned off, the prize ball can be paid out immediately.

  In step S811, it is determined whether or not the command is a prize ball command. If it is the command, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command is added to the total number of prize balls in step S812, and then in step S809. The payout permission flag is stored, and this process ends.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 32), after executing the command determination process, it is determined in step S702 whether a payout permission flag is stored. If the payout permission flag is not stored, this processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the payout permission flag is stored, the state return switch 148a is checked in step S703, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state return operation is executed.

  In step S704, setting of a tank ball absence state or a tank ball absence release state is executed according to a change in the state of the tank ball. That is, the absence of a sphere in the tank 132 is determined based on the detection result of the no-sphere detection sensor 186. If it is determined that there is no sphere, the setting of the no-sphere state is executed. Cancels the setting of no ball.

  In the pachinko machine 10, a counter area is provided as a period measuring means in the RAM 343 of the payout control device 146, and when a detection result indicating that there is no ball is input from the ball no detection sensor 186, The input duration is measured. Then, when the input continuation period reaches 1 sec, the payout speed of the payout device 135 is changed to a lower speed cycle than before. For example, the normal period is a period for paying out one game ball every 60 msec, and the low speed period is a period for paying out one game ball every 1.2 sec. Further, in a situation where game balls are paid out at a low speed cycle, when the input continuation period reaches 10 sec, the payout device 135 is stopped and restricted so that the state is maintained. . In step S704, a low speed setting flag is stored in the RAM 343 when the input continuation period reaches 1 sec. When the input continuation period reaches 10 sec, a prize ball payout disabled state is set. Note that a real timer may be provided as a period measuring means instead of the counter area.

  In addition, in the situation where the payout speed of the payout device 135 is a low-speed cycle and the situation where the payout of the game ball is stopped, the detection result indicating that there is no ball is interrupted, and the setting of these ball-free states is cancelled. . As a result, the low-speed state and the prize ball disapproval state are canceled.

  Here, by stopping the payout operation of the payout device 135 based on the absence of the ball, it is possible to prevent the payout device 135 from continuing the payout operation despite the absence of the ball. .

  In addition, the following effects can be obtained by changing the payout speed to the low speed cycle at the stage before the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped. That is, when a large number of game balls are paid out in a short time, such as in a big hit state, the flow of game balls from the tank 132 to the vertical passage unit 134 side may be delayed. In this case, assuming a configuration in which the payout speed is not changed to a low speed cycle, the payout of the game ball located downstream of the ball non-detection sensor 186 is immediately completed. Even though the information still remains, the payout of game balls is stopped. If it does so, a player may misunderstand that the payout of the game ball in the big hit state is completed, and there is a possibility that the player will be separated from the pachinko machine 10. On the other hand, by changing the payout speed to a low speed cycle as described above, the game ball on the downstream side of the ball non-detection sensor 186 is slowly paid out in the above situation. The possibility that a game ball flows from the tank 132 to the upper and lower passage unit 134 side is increased. Therefore, the possibility that the above inconvenience occurs is reduced.

  Incidentally, when the game balls are paid out for 1 sec at 60 msec, which is the normal cycle, 16 game balls are paid out. In addition, when the game balls are continuously dispensed for 9 seconds at the low speed of 1.2 seconds, seven game balls are paid out. In other words, 23 gaming balls are paid out after the ball non-detection sensor 186 detects that there is no ball, until the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped. On the other hand, as already described, the number of remaining game balls is 29, and at least 29 game balls exist between the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the payout device 135. Therefore, even if the ball is in a state of being absent and the payout device 135 is stopped, a game ball exists between the ball no detection sensor 186 and the payout device 135.

  For example, when it is assumed that there is no gaming ball between the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the payout device 135 when the payout device 135 stops due to the absence of a ball, the payout device from the tank 132 after the payout device 135 stops is assumed. The game ball flowing into 135 flows down while being accelerated by the distance from the position of the tank 132 to the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 and collides with the rotating body 195 with its momentum. Then, there is a concern that the rotating body 195 is damaged. On the other hand, in this pachinko machine 10, since a game ball exists between the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the payout device 135, the occurrence of breakage of the rotating body 195 as described above is suppressed.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 32), after step S704, in step S705, the presence / absence of a notification state is determined, and if there is a notification state, a 7-segment LED provided in the payout control device 242. To inform.

  In steps S706 to S709, prize ball payout processing is executed. First, in step S706, it is determined whether or not the ball removal button 206 is operated. If the ball removal button 206 has not been operated, it is determined in step S707 whether or not a prize ball cannot be paid out. When the prize ball cannot be paid out, the prize ball payout process is terminated regardless of whether or not the information on the number of prize balls is stored in the RAM 343. In this case, although not shown, when the drive control of the payout motor 198 is being performed, the drive control is stopped and the payout of the game ball is stopped.

  If the ball removal button 206 is operated and an affirmative determination is made in step S706, or if a negative determination is made in step S707 instead of a prize ball payout disapproval state, the number of award balls is stored in the RAM 343 in step S708. It is determined whether information is stored. If information on the number of prize balls is stored, the process proceeds to step S709 to start prize ball control processing.

  In the prize ball control process, the start of driving control of the payout device 135 or the setting of the payout speed is executed. If the information on the number of prize balls is not stored, the prize ball payout process is terminated. In this case, although not shown, when the drive control of the payout motor 198 is being performed, the drive control is stopped and the payout of the game ball is stopped.

  After the award ball payout process is completed, the process proceeds to a rental ball payout process in steps S710 to S712. In the lending payout process, if the lending payout is not possible and a lending payout request is input (NO in step S710, YES in S711), the process proceeds to step S712 to start the lending control process. In the lending control process, the payout device 135 is driven and controlled, and a number of game balls corresponding to the lending payout request are paid out. Further, if the rental ball cannot be dispensed or a rental ball dispensing request has not been input (step S710 is YES or S711 is NO), the process proceeds to step S713.

  In step S713, the control of the vibrator provided in the tank 132 (vibration motor control) is executed on the condition that the ball is clogged. Thereafter, the timer interrupt process is terminated.

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

  The game ball is extracted from the pachinko machine 10, for example, when the pachinko machine 10 is used and distributed. The game balls are given a unique pattern for each game hall, and by extracting all the game balls in the pachinko machine 10 for second-hand distribution, it is ensured that different game balls are not mixed between the game halls. Can do. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is used and distributed, there is a concern that the dispensing control device 146 and the like may be replaced with an unauthorized control device during the distribution process. In this case, there is a possibility that the distribution game hall may suffer a great disadvantage, which is not preferable. Moreover, if a complicated structure is added in order to prevent the payout control device 146 from being illegally exchanged in order to suppress this, the cost of the pachinko machine 10 is increased.

  On the other hand, even if the switching piece 181 of the vertical passage unit 134 is in the discharge induction state, the number of remaining game balls remaining at the position from the switching piece 181 to the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 is 29. The 29 pieces are set as numbers that do not match any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls set in advance as the number of game balls to be paid out for one of the winning holes 62 to 65. As a result, when any one winning opening is selected, and a plurality of game balls are put into the selected winning opening and the remaining gaming balls are exhausted, the payout control device 146 automatically receives the winning balls. Number of information will remain. The information on the number of prize balls is stored and held even when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off by supplying backup power. As a result, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed in the secondhand, by confirming that the information on the number of prize balls is stored in the payout control device 146 at the distribution destination, the payout control device 146 is illegally distributed during the distribution process. It can be confirmed whether or not the exchange has been performed. As this confirmation, for example, when the pachinko machine 10 is installed in the island facility and the power supply is turned on after the game ball is replenished to the tank 132, it is confirmed whether or not the game ball is discharged to the upper plate 95a. Can be done.

  In particular, in the present pachinko machine 10, since the number of remaining game balls is set to 29, the payout control is surely performed by performing the above-described maintenance operation of the game balls with respect to any one winning opening. Information on the number of winning balls will remain in the device 146. Therefore, it is possible to reliably check whether or not the payout control device 146 has been illegally exchanged during the distribution process.

  Incidentally, the number of remaining game balls is larger than the maximum unit game ball number and is a prime number. Thereby, as a design change of the pachinko machine 10, when changing the number of game balls of each unit game ball number, any number can be selected as long as it is 2 or more and within the range of the remaining game ball numbers. And the design change can be easily performed.

  Further, when the ball removing operation is actually performed, it is conceivable to use the variable winning device 63 having the largest number of unit game balls in consideration of the work efficiency. In this case, by entering two game balls in the variable winning device 63, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 becomes 30, which exceeds the number of remaining game balls. When the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 is 30, the number of prize balls remaining after discharging the remaining game balls is one. Then, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed as a used product, the information on the number of prize balls stored and held in the payout control device 146 is one. As a result, when the power source of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on at the distribution destination, the number of game balls to be paid out becomes one, and at the time of tidying up work after confirming whether there is fraud in the distribution destination game hall, that one game Just take out the ball. Therefore, the work efficiency of the tidying work can be improved. That is, according to this configuration, it is possible to improve both the work efficiency of the ball removal work and the work efficiency of the tidying work.

  When actually performing the above-described ball removal operation, it is conceivable to use a winning opening that makes it easier to perform the ball entry work by taking into consideration the work efficiency. In the present pachinko machine 10, the winning port may be a general winning port 62 located on the rotating front end side of the gaming machine front unit 23 in the gaming board 61. In this case, by entering three game balls into the general winning opening 62, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 becomes 30, which exceeds the number of remaining game balls. When the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 is 30, the number of prize balls remaining after the remaining number of game balls is discharged is one. Then, when the pachinko machine 10 is distributed as a used product, the information on the number of prize balls stored and held in the payout control device 146 is one. As a result, when the power source of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on at the distribution destination, the number of game balls to be paid out becomes one, and at the time of tidying up work after checking the presence / absence of fraud in the distribution hall at the distribution destination, Just take out the game ball. Therefore, the work efficiency of the tidying work can be improved. That is, according to this configuration, it is possible to improve both the work efficiency of the ball removal work and the work efficiency of the tidying work.

  On the other hand, 29 of the remaining game balls coincide with, for example, the sum of the number of unit game balls of the general winning opening 62, the number of unit game balls of the variable winning device 63, and the number of unit game balls of the lower operation port 65. Is a number. Therefore, for example, when there is no need to circulate second-hand goods, such as during maintenance in a game hall or when shipping from a manufacturer, one for each of the general winning port 62, the variable winning device 63, and the lower operating port 65. By entering the game balls one by one, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 matches the number of remaining game balls so that the information on the number of prize balls does not remain in the payout control device 146. be able to.

  In addition, 29 of the remaining number of game balls is a number that is equal to the sum of twice the number of unit game balls of the general winning opening 62 and three times of the number of unit game balls of the upper operation port 64. The general winning port 62 and the upper operating port 64 are winning ports which are not provided with an opening / closing means for making it difficult or difficult for a game ball to enter, and do not require an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing means or the like in the case of entering a ball in the maintenance. . Therefore, when the remaining game balls are extracted while the information on the number of winning balls is not left in the payout control device 146, the work efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, as described above, a part of the general winning opening 62 is disposed on the rotating front end side of the gaming machine front unit 23 in the gaming board 61. Further, the lower operating port 65 is disposed on the center side in the left-right direction on the game board 61. In this regard, in the case of a manually entering ball operation, the game balls are inserted into the general winning port 62 and the lower operation port 65, so that the information on the number of winning balls does not remain in the payout control device 146, and the remaining game balls The work efficiency can be drastically improved in the case of extracting.

  In addition to the case where the pachinko machine 10 is used and distributed, it is assumed that the payout device 135 and the upper unit 161 are replaced with fraudulent units equipped with unauthorized parts in a game hall or the like. And if the discovery is not performed, there is a possibility that the game hall suffers a great disadvantage, which is not preferable. In this case, when the number of remaining game balls is changed after being replaced with a fraud unit, there is a possibility that the number of remaining game balls coincides with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls.

  In this situation, the pachinko machine 10 rotates the payout device 135 so that the number of game balls corresponding to the information on the number of prize balls stored in the payout control device 146 is paid out when the number of remaining game balls is discharged. This is done by rotating the body 195. In this case, as described above, the number of remaining game balls does not match an integer multiple of any number of unit game balls. Therefore, when discharging the remaining game balls, there is information on the number of prize balls corresponding to the number larger than the number of remaining game balls. Even after all the remaining game balls are stored and discharged, the rotating operation of the rotating body 195 is continued. On the other hand, when the number of remaining game balls matches an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls after being replaced with a fraud unit, the rotating operation of the rotating body 195 is performed at the timing when all the remaining number of game balls are discharged. It will be stopped. Therefore, for the game hall manager or the like, the fraudulent unit is replaced by checking whether or not the rotation operation of the rotating body 195 stops at the timing when all the remaining game balls are discharged. It can be confirmed whether or not.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the path length from the switching piece 181 to the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 is set in the vertical path unit 134 so that the number of remaining game balls is 29. The number is not limited to 29, and the specific number is arbitrary as long as it does not match any integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. For example, in the setting of the number of unit game balls in the above embodiment, the number of remaining game balls may be 17, 19, 23, or the like.

  (2) The setting of the number of unit game balls for the winning holes 62 to 65 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and is arbitrary. However, when the setting of the number of unit game balls is changed, it is necessary to change the number of remaining game balls so as not to match any integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. Incidentally, the number of unit game balls for the variable winning device 63 may be 14 instead of 15. Even in this configuration, by setting the number of remaining game balls to 29, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above embodiment.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the number of types of winning holes having different unit game balls is four, but this is not limited to this, and there are one type, two types, three types, or five or more types. Also good. Even in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained by making the remaining number of game balls not coincide with any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the upper unit 161 in the vertical passage unit 134 is formed with two rows of case rail portions, the first case rail portion 174 and the second case rail portion 175, but the case rail portion is one. Only a row may be formed, or three or more case rail portions may be formed. Even in this configuration, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by making the number of remaining game balls not coincide with any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls.

  (5) The present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine in which the winning ball is invalidated even if the game ball is thrown into the variable winning device 63 in a situation where the winning state is not. In this case, the number of remaining game balls may be configured to be equal to an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls of the variable winning device 63.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the backup power is supplied to both the RAM 323 of the main control board 311 and the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332. Instead, the backup power is supplied only to the RAM 323 of the main control board 311. It is good also as a structure by which electric power is supplied. However, in this configuration, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off, the award ball number information stored in the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332 at that time is output to the main control board 311, and the award ball number The information may be stored and held in the RAM 323 of the main control board 311.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the game ball to be paid out exists upstream of the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 even though the information on the number of prize balls is stored in the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332. If not, a predetermined ball shortage notification may be executed. Specifically, regardless of whether or not there is no ball, after the rotating body 195 is rotated in a situation where the information on the number of prize balls is stored in the RAM 343, the payout detection sensor 199 is informed for a predetermined period. If the game ball is not detected, the above-mentioned ball shortage notification may be executed. As this ball shortage notification, for example, a configuration in which the lamp unit on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10 emits light or a configuration in which predetermined display is performed by a 7-segment display installed in the payout control device 146 can be considered. As a result, it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of fraudulent activity even in a situation in which the game balls are not replenished to the tank 132 at a used product distribution destination or the like.

  Moreover, in the structure which performs alerting | reporting in the lamp | ramp part of the front surface of the pachinko machine 10, it is good also as a structure which performs the said alerting | reporting, when information on the number of prize balls is memorize | stored in RAM343 at the time of power activation. In this case, in the game hall where a plurality of second-hand goods were delivered, when they were attached to the island facility and each pachinko machine was turned on, it was confirmed whether the front lamp part would be lit or not. The presence or absence of fraud in the distribution process can be easily confirmed.

  (8) In the above-described embodiment, when the ball non-detection sensor 186 detects the absence of the game ball, the payout operation is stopped after changing the payout speed of the payout device 135 to the low speed cycle. Instead of this, it may be configured not to change to a low speed cycle. Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the low speed period was set 2 steps or more.

  Further, even when changing to the low speed cycle, the period until the low speed cycle is changed and the period until the payout operation is stopped are not limited to those of the above embodiment, and are arbitrary. . However, in relation to the number of remaining game balls, each period is set so that the game ball remains between the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 when the payout operation is stopped. It is preferable to do.

  Further, the normal period and the low speed period of the dispensing device 135 are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment, and are arbitrary. However, in relation to the number of remaining game balls, each of the above cycles is set so that the game ball remains between the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the rotating body 195 of the payout device 135 when the payout operation is stopped. It is preferable to do.

  (9) In the above embodiment, the ball removal button 206 is provided on the back pack substrate 136, but instead, it may be provided on the main control device 107, the payout control device 146, or the like. Moreover, you may provide in the area | region covered with the back pack unit 24 like the audio | voice lamp control apparatus 103. FIG. Further, the ball removal button 206 may be omitted, and the function of the ball removal button 206 may be shared with other switches. For example, the state return switch 148 and the RAM erase switch 149a may be used for the same function. Furthermore, when the ball removal button 206 is not provided and a predetermined ball removal start operation (cancellation operation) is performed, the remaining game balls are discharged even when a ball-free state is specified. It is good also as a structure. For example, letting a predetermined ball detection sensor (for example, a ball detection sensor provided in the through gate 66) detect a game ball over a period that is not detected in a normal game may be the above-described ball removal start operation. .

  (10) In the above embodiment, the number of remaining game balls is larger than the number of game balls to be paid out until the no-ball state detection sensor 186 detects a no-ball state and the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped. Although the number is set, it may be set to a small number instead. However, the sum of the number of game balls that can stand by from the ball non-detection sensor 186 to the switching piece 181 and the number of remaining game balls is calculated based on the number of game balls to be paid out before the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped. It is preferable to set so as to be a large number. With this configuration, as in the above embodiment, when the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped in the absence of a ball, the game ball can remain upstream from the rotating body 195. .

  (11) The ball non-detection sensor 186 may be installed upstream of the payout device 135 and downstream of the switching piece 181. Even in this configuration, the number of game balls that can wait from the ball non-detection sensor 186 to the rotating body 195 is greater than the number of game balls that are paid out before the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped. It is preferable to set so that As a result, as in the above embodiment, when the payout operation of the payout device 135 is stopped in the absence of a ball, the game ball can remain upstream from the rotating body 195.

  (12) Although the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 10 provided with the symbol display device 71 in the above embodiment, the present invention may be applied to other types of pachinko machines. For example, a pachinko machine equipped with a prize winning device provided with a game ball rolling part or an advantageous opening, a pachinko machine equipped with other bonuses, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, etc. The invention can be applied. Further, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine provided with a single ball receiving tray, instead of being provided with the upper tray 95a and the lower tray 96a as the ball receiving tray.

It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a gaming machine base unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a gaming machine base unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a game machine front unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an up-and-down passage unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of an up-and-down passage unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of an up-and-down passage unit. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of a part of channel | path formed in the vertical path unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a payout apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the number of remaining game balls. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the number of remaining game balls. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the channel | path structure regarding payout of a game ball. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the channel | path structure regarding payout of a game ball. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a front surface side channel | path unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a front side channel | path unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a front side channel | path unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a shutter mechanism. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a motion of a shutter mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the NMI interruption process by CPU of a main control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption process at the time of input by CPU of a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a command determination process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a gaming machine, 22 ... Gaming machine base unit as a gaming machine body, 23 ... Gaming machine front unit as a gaming machine front body, 61 ... Gaming board, 62 ... General prize opening as an open pitching part , 63 ... Variable winning device as an open / close entrance part, 63a ... Open / close door as an opening / closing means, 64 ... Upper operation opening as an opening entry part, 65 ... Lower operation opening as an opening / closing entry part, 65a ... Opening / closing means 91 ... Window panel portion, 95a ... Upper plate as outer storage portion, 96a ... Lower plate as outer storage portion, 107 ... Main controller, 132 ... Tank as inner storage portion, 135 ... Dispensing Device, 146... Discharge control device, 174... First case rail portion constituting guide passage portion, 175... Second case rail portion constituting guide passage portion, 178... Upper discharge passage portion, 181. No detection sensor, 192 ... game ball passage comprising the guide passage portion, 195 ... ball rotating member as a stop means, dispensing passage constituting the 203 ... guide channel section, 331a ... backup power supply unit, 341 ... CPU.

Claims (5)

A game area where game balls flow down, and a ball-entry unit into which the game balls flowing down can enter;
An inner storage section for storing game balls inside the gaming machine;
An outer storage part for storing game balls at the front part of the gaming machine;
A guide passage section for guiding the game balls stored in the inner storage section to the outer storage section,
The ball stop means is provided in the middle of the guide passage portion and temporarily stops the game ball flowing down from the upstream side, and the game ball that has been temporarily stopped is provided downstream by the payout operation of the ball stop means. Withdrawing means to pay to
The award ball number information is stored as information corresponding to the number of game balls to be paid out based on the game ball having entered the pitching part, and the number of game balls corresponding to the award ball number information is stored. Control means for causing the payout means to execute the payout operation so as to be paid out to the outer storage section;
A payout guidance state that forms part of the guide passage portion at a position upstream of the payout means, guides the game ball to the payout means side, and a discharge passage that discharges the game ball to the outside of the guide passage portion A switching unit provided so as to be switchable to a discharge guiding state for guiding the game ball to the club side,
With
Furthermore, prize ball number information stored in the control means is set so that the number of unit game balls to be paid out with respect to one entrance to the entrance part becomes a plurality of game balls,
In addition to providing power supply means for supplying backup power to the control means in a situation where power supply from an external power source to the gaming machine is stopped,
When the switching unit is switched to the discharge guiding state and the game ball upstream of the switching unit is discharged, the remaining remaining from the switching unit to the position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped. A waiting path length from the switching unit to a position where the ball stopping means is temporarily stopped is set so that the number of game balls does not coincide with an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls. . The game area is provided with a plurality of entrance parts with different unit game balls,
The prize ball number information stored in the control means is set so that the number of unit game balls in each of the entrance parts is a plurality of game balls,
The waiting path is set so that the number of remaining game balls does not coincide with any integer multiple of the number of unit game balls corresponding to the entrance portion where entry is valid even when the remaining game balls are discharged. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a length is set. The waiting passage length is set so that the number of remaining game balls coincides with the sum of two or more types of unit game balls, each of which is an integer multiple of the plurality of types of unit game balls. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein: As the entrance part, an opening / closing entrance part having an opening / closing part that is opened and closed in a state in which entry is possible or easy to enter and a state in which entry is impossible or difficult to enter, and an opening without the opening / closing part. A ball club, and
Furthermore, there are provided a plurality of open entrance parts with different unit game balls,
The waiting passage length is set so that the number of remaining game balls coincides with the sum of two or more types of unit game balls, each of which is an integral multiple of the number of unit game balls in the open entrance portion. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein is set. A gaming board mounted on a gaming machine body and having the gaming area formed on a front surface;
A game having a display unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, with one of the left and right sides of the gaming machine main body being an opening / closing base end side and the other being an opening / closing distal end side, so that the gaming area can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine The front of the machine,
With
In the game area, the ball-entry portion is installed on the center side in the left-right direction of the game area, the opening / closing base end side from the center side, and the opening / closing tip side from the center side, respectively.
The number of remaining game balls is the sum of two or more unit game balls, each of which is an integer multiple of the number of unit game balls of the plurality of types in the entrance provided at the center side or the opening / closing tip side. The gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the waiting passage length is set so as to coincide with the game machine.

Images