JP5746859B2 - Game machine unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine unit in which a game ball enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from the outside is used in a game.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an encapsulated gaming machine has been proposed in which a game ball enclosed in a gaming machine is repeatedly fired and driven into a gaming area. In this enclosed game machine, the enclosed game ball circulates along a path formed inside the game machine.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes the following technology. That is, in the ball-enclosed pachinko machine described in Patent Document 1, the game ball that has flowed into the out ball receiver flows down the launch ball path and reaches the supply port. Then, the game ball that has flowed out from the supply port is set on the launch rail, and is launched into the game area by being hit by a striker provided in the launcher. That is, the out ball receiving, the firing ball path, the supply port, the firing rail, the game area, the general winning port (or the big winning port or the out hole), and the duct form a closed passage.

JP 2000-218019 A

By the way, in the gaming machine unit, there may be a case where a component different from the gaming machine is provided separately from the gaming machine that circulates the game ball in the gaming area and the game ball is circulated in the component. In the gaming machine unit configured as described above, a distribution mechanism that distributes game balls to components different from the gaming machine and the gaming machine is required. When the game ball is distributed using the distribution mechanism, noise due to the operation sound of the distribution mechanism or the sound generated when the game ball moves in accordance with the distribution operation is likely to be generated. The noise generated at the time of distribution may affect the game, for example, disturbing the performance using the sound in the game.
An object of the present invention is to distribute game balls without affecting the game.

The present invention that achieves the above object is a gaming machine unit PU in which a plurality of game balls are enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from the outside, and the game is played by circulating the plurality of enclosed game balls. A game machine 100 to be performed, a game ball circulation unit 60 (70) that forms a circulation of game balls different from the game machine 100, a storage unit 41 for storing game balls enclosed in the unit, and a game ball The guide member 44 has a discharge port 44ba for discharging, guides the game ball received from the storage unit 41 to the discharge port 44ba, and rotates the guide member 44 around a rotation axis. The discharge port 44ba faces the first guide path 45 that guides the game ball toward the gaming machine 100 or the second guide path 46 (47) that guides the game ball toward the game ball circulation unit 60 (70). Let Period and the distribution unit 40, in the gaming machine 100 is a game not expected is that performed to distribute the game balls without moving the serial reservoir 41 to the game machine 100 and the game ball circulation unit 60 (70) A gaming machine unit comprising a control unit 500 that distributes game balls stored in the storage unit 41 to the distribution unit 40 therein.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to distribute game balls without affecting the game.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine unit concerning this embodiment, (a) is a figure showing mainly a front, and (b) is a figure showing mainly a back. It is a figure which shows schematic structure inside the housing | casing of a pachinko game machine unit, (a) is the figure seen mainly from the front side, (b) is the figure seen mainly from the rear side. It is a perspective view of a unit main body. (A) is a schematic front view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the game control part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the presentation control part of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the circulation mechanism for circulating a game ball. It is the perspective view which looked at the circulation mechanism from the slanting upper side of the upper plate. It is a perspective view of a ball polishing member. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a pitching feeling production | presentation part. It is a perspective view which shows the rotary body of a pitching feeling production | presentation part. It is a figure which shows schematic structure around the discharge port of a rotary body cover. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the discharge | emission site | part of the game ball in an upper tray. It is a perspective view which shows a guide member. It is a perspective view of a storage ball feeling production | presentation part. It is the figure which looked at the storage ball feeling production | presentation part from upper direction. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a ball | bowl insertion part and a ball | bowl discharge | emission part. It is the figure which looked at the lower side of the upper tray from the upper part. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a ball | bowl standby | waiting part. It is a schematic block diagram of the site | part which rotationally drives an insertion side cylinder. It is a schematic block diagram of the site | part which rotationally drives a discharge side cylinder. It is a figure which shows the state which made the insertion side cylinder the angle (alpha) normal rotation, and the discharge side cylinder the angle (beta) normal rotation from the origin position. It is a figure which shows a mode that a game ball is discharged | emitted from the state in which the game ball is displayed on the display shelf from the bottom to the 4th step | paragraph. It is a figure which compares the state which reversed the discharge side cylinder only by the predetermined angle (beta), and the state reversed by the angle twice the predetermined angle (beta). It is a figure which shows a mode that a discharge side cylinder rotates only predetermined angle (gamma) from the origin. It is a perspective view of a washing | cleaning part. It is an exploded view which shows the component of a washing | cleaning part. It is an exploded view which shows the component of a washing | cleaning part. It is an exploded view which shows the component of a mounting unit. It is an expanded sectional view of an outer case and an inner case. It is sectional drawing of a washing | cleaning part. It is sectional drawing when an inner case exists in a draining position. It is sectional drawing when an inner case exists in a discharge position. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the mounting member of a mounting unit, and the discharge | emission hole of an inner case main body when an inner case exists in a discharge position. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a washing ball guide part. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a distribution device from back right diagonally upward. It is the figure which looked at the distribution apparatus from the upper part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control unit of a pachinko gaming machine unit. It is a figure which illustrates the screen which a unit control part displays on a touch panel. It is a figure which illustrates the screen which a unit control part displays on a touch panel. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the basic process which a unit control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the basic process which a unit control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the away process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a break. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a service process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the sphere data management process which a sphere data management part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the pitching feeling control process which a pitching and storage feeling control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the storage feeling control process which a pitching and storage feeling control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the washing | cleaning management process which a washing | cleaning control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the washing process of a washing | cleaning control part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of pachinko machine unit]
1-1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a diagram mainly showing a front surface, and (b) is a diagram mainly showing a rear surface.
FIG. 1-2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the housing of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, (a) is a diagram viewed mainly from the front side, and (b) is a diagram viewed mainly from the rear side. It is a figure.
FIG. 1-3 is a perspective view of the unit main body.
The pachinko gaming machine unit PU is a unit in which a plurality of game balls are enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from the outside. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU has a game ball enclosed in its internal space so that the player cannot touch the game ball, and the enclosed game ball is used for the game and the game ball acquired by the game It is used to visualize the number and the number of game balls that can be used for games held by the player.

The pachinko gaming machine unit PU visually produces the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the feeling that the pachinko gaming machine 100 has acquired a gaming ball, or the number of gaming balls that a player can use in the game. And a rendering device 20 that visually renders the inside of the housing 10.
The pachinko gaming machine 100 is configured to acquire a prize ball when a game ball launched by a player's instruction operation wins a prize. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched.
The directing device 20 is a game appearance that can be used by a player who is playing a game, and a ballistic feeling production unit 60 that visually creates a feeling of the number of prize balls acquired by the player who is playing the game. And a storage ball feeling production unit 70 for visually producing a feeling of a large number of balls.
The enclosed game balls are roughly classified into a circulation ball that circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for a game, and a production ball that is used for production in the exit ball feeling production unit 60 and the storage ball production production unit 70. To be utilized.

In addition, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a cleaning device 30 that cleans the enclosed game balls, and a distribution device 40 that distributes the game balls cleaned by the cleaning device 30 to the above-described circulation balls and effect balls. In the housing 10. Further, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a CR unit 21 having a banknote identification machine and two card readers / writers that read information from the card and write information to the card. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine PU is, for example, a capacitance type that electrically detects a position touched by a finger by detecting a change in surface charge of a panel in which a low-voltage electric field is formed, or an electrode that is separated from each other. A known touch panel 22 such as a resistive film type is provided that electrically detects the position touched by a finger when the position changes from a non-energized state to an energized state. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes, for example, an indicator lamp 23 that lights red when a player presses a button, or blinks red, blue, yellow, etc. when a big hit occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 100. ing.
The gaming board 110, the rendering device 20, the CR unit 21, the touch panel 22, the indicator lamp 23, the cleaning device 30, the distribution device 40, and the like constituting the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are directly or indirectly connected to the unit body 11. And is housed in the housing 10.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a unit control board that controls the pachinko gaming machine unit PU in an integrated manner within the housing 10, a ball data management board that manages gaming balls circulating in the pachinko gaming machine 100, Various types (not shown) such as a ball exit / storage feeling control board that controls the stage device 20, a cleaning control board that controls the cleaning apparatus 30, a distribution control board that controls the distribution apparatus 40, and a launch board that controls the launch of game balls. A substrate or the like is attached. Further, in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, a power supply board (not shown) having a switching power supply for converting the supplied 24V AC power supply into a DC power supply is disposed in the housing 10. The power supply board outputs the converted DC power to the unit control board, the launch board, the indicator lamp 23, the panel power supply relay terminal board, and the like. The board power supply relay terminal board outputs DC power to the game board 110 and also outputs DC power to a game control board of the pachinko gaming machine 100 described later.

[Basic configuration of pachinko machines]
FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of the gaming board 110 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment, and FIG. It is an enlarged view.
The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result), for example, as the game progresses by the player. An effect image by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

In the present embodiment, the first starting port 121 and the second starting port 122 where a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) is started when a game ball enters and a game ball passes as various prizes related to winning and lottery. Then, a gate 124 for starting a normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is arranged on the game board 110. Here, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 refer to a winning port related to winning a game ball that activates one predetermined special symbol display.
The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) and a specified number of times (for example, 3 times) while lighting or flashing.

  In the case of the pachinko gaming machine 100, when the jackpot probability of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery varies under a predetermined condition (from a low probability state (for example, 1/300) to a high probability state (for example, 1/30)) Variation). In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can reduce the special symbol variation time during the special symbol lottery under a predetermined condition, increase the probability of winning during the normal symbol lottery, or the normal symbol variation time during the normal symbol lottery. It may be shortened, the opening time of the blades of the electric tulips 123 may be extended, or the number of times the blades of the electric tulips 123 may be opened.

Also, in this embodiment, the lottery does not start even if a game ball is won and the large winning opening 125 as a special electric accessory that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery as other prizes and lotteries. A normal winning opening 126 is disposed on the game board 110.
In addition, the game board 110 has a ball gathering portion where game balls discharged from the discharge port 117 to the outside of the game area 111 and game balls won in various winning prizes gather, and the games gathered in the ball gathering portion. The balls are discharged out of the game board 110 from a lower end 118 (see FIG. 21) formed at the lower end of the ball assembly.

In the present embodiment, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are disposed in the game area 111. However, a configuration example in which only one of them is disposed or another start port is disposed. A configuration example is also conceivable. In the present embodiment, one big winning opening 125 is arranged in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which a plurality of big winning openings 125 are arranged is also conceivable.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

Also, on the back side of the game board 110, there are a game control board that performs internal lottery and determination of winning, an effect control board that comprehensively controls effects, an image control board that controls effects by images and sounds, various lamps, Various substrates (not shown) such as a lamp control substrate for controlling the effect by the movable accessory 115 are attached.
A transparent plate 24 for separating the game board 110 from the player is attached to the front surface of the game board 110 of the housing 10.

In the pachinko gaming machine 100, when the player touches the handle 151 (see FIG. 1-1) and performs an operation of rotating the handle lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the game ball is held for a predetermined time with a hitting force according to the operation angle. A launching device 160 (see FIG. 45) for electrically firing at intervals (for example, 100 per minute) is provided. The handle 151 is provided with a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a supply device 158 (see FIG. 45) that sequentially supplies game balls one by one to the launching device 160 at a timing interlocked with an operation by the player's handle lever 152, and the supply device 158 is a launching device. And an upper plate 153 (see FIGS. 1-2 and 20) for temporarily storing game balls to be supplied to 160. In the upper plate 153, a return path 153a (see FIG. 20) for guiding a game ball (foul ball) that has been launched by the launch device 160 and has not reached the game area 111 to the supply device 158 is formed. Yes. Further, the upper part of the upper plate 153 is covered with the housing 10 so that the player cannot touch the game balls on the upper plate 153. However, a part of the housing 10 covering the upper part of the upper plate 153 is transparent, and the player can play a plurality of games on the upper plate 153 through the transparent part 10a (see FIG. 1-1 (a)). Part of the sphere can be seen.
The launching device 160, the supply device 158, and the upper plate 153 are directly or indirectly attached to the unit main body 11.

Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a speaker 156 (see FIG. 1-1 (a)) and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects based on music, voice, and sound effects, and the frame lamp 157 performs various effects based on light depending on the pattern and light emission color caused by lighting and blinking. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The speaker 156 and the frame lamp 157 are directly or indirectly attached to the unit main body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives the first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to the winning of the first starting port 121 and the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display 221 variably displays the special symbol resulting from winning of the first start port 121 and displays the lottery result. The second special symbol display 222 variably displays special symbols resulting from winning at the second start port 122 and displays the lottery results. The normal symbol display unit 223 displays the normal symbol variably and displays the lottery result when the game ball passes through the gate 124. Each of the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, and the normal symbol display 223 is composed of an LED display device, and a symbol representing each lottery result is displayed according to its lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. Each of the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 is configured by an LED display device, and the number of holds is displayed by its lighting mode.

  Here, the hold will be described. If there is a prize with another game ball during the fluctuation display operation of special symbols or normal symbols (while the fluctuation display for one win is being performed), the symbol fluctuation display operation for the winning game ball will be A predetermined number (for example, four) is held until the variation display operation for the game ball won in is completed. The fact that such a hold is made and the number of the hold (the number of undrawn lots) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161 and an effect key 162 composed of a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape are provided on the surface of the housing 10. It is arrange | positioned so that it may protrude from. The housing 10 is opened at a site where the input device is arranged. The production key 162 is configured such that one central key is arranged at the center, and four peripheral keys having substantially the same shape are arranged around the central key. The player can select one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating the four peripheral keys, and can select the selected image by operating the center key. Can be entered as information.

[Configuration of control unit of pachinko machine]
Next, a control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100 that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that performs various controls relating to the number of prize balls to be paid out, such as internal lottery and determination of winning, as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A lamp control unit 320 that controls the lamp.

  As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, and the lamp control unit 320 are each a game control board and a sub board as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The effect control board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the number of paid-out prize balls, such as internal lottery and winning determination, and a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like. And a RAM 203 used as a working memory for the CPU 201.
The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, and sends a determination result as to whether or not it is a win in the special symbol lottery to the effect control unit 300. Also, fluctuation setting of winning probability at special symbol lottery (for example, fluctuation setting from 1/300 to 1/30), special symbol fluctuation time shortening at special symbol lottery, and normal symbol at normal symbol lottery The variable time is set to be shortened, and the setting content is sent to the effect control unit 300.
Further, the game control unit 200 controls the extension of the opening time of the blades of the electric tulip 123, the setting of the number of times the blades of the electric tulip 123 are opened, and the setting of the opening / closing operation interval when the blades are opened. In addition, when a game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game ball is suspended until the limit number (for example, four) for the undrawn lots, or the game ball continuously passes through the gate 124. The suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) for the undrawn lots.
In addition, the game control unit 200 performs a predetermined number of rounds that maintain an open state until the special winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Control to repeat. Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

  Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The fact that a predetermined number of prize balls has been acquired is output to a unit controller 500 (see FIG. 45) described later. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning port 126 is output to the unit controller 500 that 10 winning balls have been acquired. Even if it is detected that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, the acquisition of a prize ball in conjunction with it is not output.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, and a second start. A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the mouth 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and a game ball to the gate 124 A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 that detects passage is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 displays the reserved number for the undrawn special symbol lottery (big win lottery) started by winning the game ball at the first start port 121 within the limit number (for example, four). A special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219 for displaying the number of unsold lots in the special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball in the second start port 122 within the limit number, A normal symbol hold indicator 220 is connected to the normal symbol lottery display (open / close lottery) started by the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 and displays the number of unsettled hold numbers within the limit number.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a result of a special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball at the first start port 121, and a game ball to the second start port 122. A second special symbol display 222 for displaying the result of the special symbol lottery started by winning, a normal symbol display 223 for displaying the result of the normal symbol lottery, and a status indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 , Is connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of winning balls as described above.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 250 that transmits various kinds of information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits information regarding the number of paid-out winning balls acquired from the payout control unit 400, information indicating the state of the game control unit 200, and the like to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 250. .

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
Next, the effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301, various data, and the like, and a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 301 and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring the date and time.
The production control unit 300 sets the production content based on, for example, the determination result of whether or not the winning is a special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using an effect button or the like (the effect button 161 and the effect key 162), the contents of the effect corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as an effect button, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect. In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, an instruction to set a screen display for waiting for a customer is given as one of the effects.
Furthermore, when the game control unit 200 changes the winning probability at the time of the special symbol lottery, shortens the special symbol fluctuation time at the time of the special symbol lottery, and shortens the normal symbol fluctuation time at the time of the normal symbol lottery. In this case, the production control unit 300 sets the production content corresponding to the set content.
In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored. Furthermore, various kinds of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles are stored. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in the figure, the game control unit 200 is a special symbol lottery unit 231, a normal symbol lottery unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol lottery result determination as functional units for executing various lottery processes. A unit 234 and a normal symbol control unit 237.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 and a game progress control unit 236 as functional units that execute processing associated with special symbol variation.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc., as a function unit for a prize winning opening operation control unit 238, an electric tulip operation control unit 239, and a prize ball processing unit 240. And an output control unit 241 and a random number control unit 242.

The special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122.
The normal symbol lottery unit 232 performs the normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124.
When a special symbol lottery is performed, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol according to the lottery result.

The special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, when a special symbol lottery is performed, the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of jackpot when a big winner is won”, “not a big winner It is determined whether or not it is a small hit or not.
Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined by a combination of the presence / absence of a short-time gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol is shortened and the presence / absence of a probability-changing gaming state in which the winning probability of the jackpot varies with high probability. In other words, the types of jackpots include jackpots in which both a short-time gaming state and a probability variable gaming state occur after the jackpot game ends, a jackpot in which only a short-time gaming state occurs, a jackpot in which only a probability-changing gaming state occurs, a short-time gaming state and There can be a jackpot where none of the probable gaming states occur. Hereinafter, when distinguishing these jackpots, they are distinguished by describing as “with time reduction”, “without time reduction”, “with certainty change”, “without certainty change”, etc., based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the big winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined number of game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times. In the “short win”, a round in which the big prize opening 125 is opened for a predetermined time is repeated a predetermined number of times. Usually, a jackpot where a short-time gaming state occurs (with time saving) after the jackpot game ends is a long win, and a jackpot where no short-time gaming state occurs (no time saving) is a short win.

  Note that a jackpot in which a probability change gaming state occurs (with probability change) after the jackpot game ends is also referred to as a “probability change jackpot”, and a jackpot in which a probability change gaming state does not occur (without probability change) is also referred to as a “normal jackpot”. Also, depending on the game mode, only a probable gaming state occurs after the jackpot game ends, and a short-time gaming state does not occur (with certain change + no short-time) jackpots are "latent probability change jackpot", "sudden probability change jackpot" Also called etc. In addition, “probability jackpot” may be distinguished as “15 round (15R) probability jackpot”, “2 round (2R) probability jackpot” or the like based on the number of rounds in which the winning prize opening 125 is open. is there.

In addition, the “small winning” in the case where the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game in which the opening and closing of the big winning opening 125 is performed a predetermined number of times is performed, and the gaming state at the time of winning the small winning is continued even after the winning. It is a hit. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the probability variation game state, the probability variation game state is continued even after the end of the small hit game, and the game state does not shift. Similarly, if the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is a normal gaming state (normal gaming state) in which neither probability fluctuation nor time reduction is made, the normal gaming state is continued even after the end of the small hitting game, The gaming state does not transition.
Further, in the “out of game”, neither “big hit” nor “small win” is set, and none of the above-described gaming states advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 displays the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222 when the lottery result of the special symbol is “big hit”. Select. Further, it is determined whether or not a reach effect is to be performed. The “reach effect” here is an effect performed by the image display unit 114 or the like for causing the player to expect a big hit.
The game progress control unit 236 controls the progress of the game in each game state.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or lost”. Further, the fluctuation of the normal symbol is controlled according to the lottery result. The winning probability of this normal symbol lottery is high when there is a winning support (so-called electric chew support) to the second start port 122 by opening the electric tulip 123, which is mainly performed in the short-time gaming state.
When it is determined as “winning”, the electric tulip 123 is opened for a specified time and a specified number of times, and a state in which the winning probability of the game ball to the second start port 122 is increased is generated. During the above winning support (electrical chew support), the specified number of times and the specified time increase. In addition, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 does not occur.

The special winning opening operation control unit 238 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The electric tulip operation control unit 239 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123.
The prize ball processing unit 240 controls the management of the number of prizes received for various types of winnings related to winning or lottery.
The output control unit 241 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400. Further, the output control unit 241 controls the output of the number of awarded prize balls to the unit control unit 500 described later.
The random number control unit 242 controls updating of various random number values used in processing by the main control unit and the sub control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above will be described.
The basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is performed by a game control unit 200 that is a main control means. Then, under the control of the game control unit 200, the effect control on the game is performed by the effect control unit 300 which is a sub-control means.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 200.
The game control unit 200 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 5 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Referring to FIG. 5, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (steps 501 to 506).

  In the random number update process (step 501), the random number control unit 242 of the game control unit 200 updates various random number values used in the process by the main control unit and the sub control unit. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (step 502), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. Processing for symbol lottery is executed.
In the gate switch process, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. 3 and executes a process for the normal symbol lottery when the switch is turned on.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (step 503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol processing, the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, the variation pattern selection unit 235, and the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 perform special symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation. Done.
In the normal symbol processing, the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 performs normal symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (step 504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the special prize opening operation controller 238 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition.
The detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

In the winning ball process (step 505), the winning ball processing unit 240 of the game control unit 200 manages the number of winning balls and the number of winning balls according to winning.
In the output process (step 506), the output control unit 241 of the game control unit 200 outputs a control command to the effect control unit 300. Further, the output control unit 241 outputs information related to the number of winning balls to the unit control unit 500. Information relating to the control command and the number of winning prize balls is generated in each process up to step 505, set in the RAM 203, and output in this output process.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in step 502 of FIG.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball is won at the first starting port 121 and the first starting port switch 211 is turned on (step). 601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned ON, then the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the number U1 of the unlotted hold in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (step). 602). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U1 has reached the upper limit (No in step 602), the winnings for the undrawn lots cannot be held any longer, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 602), the special symbol lottery unit 231 then adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations U1 (Step 603). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is obtained and stored in the RAM 203 (step 604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. And the result of the special symbol lottery is determined by this random number value. Random value here is a jackpot random value that determines jackpot, jackpot or lose, jackpot type (whether there is a short-time gaming state after the jackpot game, whether there is a promiscuous gaming state, per jackpot, short hit) A design random number value to be determined (a jackpot symbol random number value), a variation pattern random number for specifying a variation pattern in symbol variation, a reach random number value for determining whether or not to perform a reachable effect, and the like are included.

Next, the special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a pre-determination process for performing a notice effect of the lottery result on a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is suspended (that is, an undrawn lottery). Perform (step 605). In this pre-determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (that is, at step 605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect of the lottery result, this prior determination process may be omitted.
Thereafter, the special symbol lottery unit 231 sets a command for increasing the number of held U1 to notify the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the number of held U1 in Step 603 in the RAM 203 (Step 606), and wins a prize at the first start port 121. The process for is terminated. When the preliminary determination process in step 605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 605 is included in the pending number U1 increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 6, next, the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (step 607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned on, then the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the number U2 of unreserved hold numbers in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit (step). 608). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in step 608), the winning for the undrawn lots cannot be held any longer, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 608), the special symbol lottery unit 231 next adds 1 to the value of the reserved number U2 (Step 609). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is acquired and stored in the RAM 203 (step 610). Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery (a jackpot random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, etc.) is acquired as in step 604 above. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. And the result of the special symbol lottery is determined by this random number value.

Next, the special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a pre-determination process for performing a notice effect of the lottery result on a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is suspended (that is, an undrawn lottery). Perform (step 611). The contents of this preliminary determination process are the same as in step 605 above. This pre-determination process may also be omitted in gaming machines that do not perform a lottery result notice effect.
Thereafter, the special symbol lottery unit 231 sets a command for increasing the number of held U2 for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the number of held U2 in step 609 in the RAM 203 (step 612), and wins a prize at the second starting port 122. The process for is terminated. When the preliminary determination process in step 611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 611 is included in the pending number U2 increase command.

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process among the switch processes shown in step 502 of FIG.
In this gate switch process, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (step 701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, then the normal symbol lottery unit 232 determines whether or not the number of holds G for the undrawn lot is less than the upper limit value (step 702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds G has reached the upper limit (No in Step 702), the winning for the undrawn lots cannot be held any more, so the gate switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit (Yes in Step 702), the normal symbol lottery unit 232 next adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (Step 703). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is obtained and stored in the RAM 203 (step 704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing of the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( Step 801). Here, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a big win or a small win, the win game flag is a flag that is set to identify a game state corresponding to these wins. Depending on the hit type, one of the long hit game flag, the short hit game flag, and the small hit game flag is set. In the present embodiment, these are collectively referred to as a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in a gaming state due to some kind of hitting (a state where the special symbol is selected and stopped), the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation. (Yes in step 801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in Step 801), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (Step 802). . When the special symbol is not changing (No in step 802), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number of holdings U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) for the undrawn special symbol (steps 803 to 806). . In the present embodiment, since the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port.

  Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (step 803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (Step 804). On the other hand, if the hold number U2 = 0 (No in step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the hold number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (step 805). . When the number of reservations U1 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U1 (Step 806). On the other hand, if the number of holdings U1 = 0 (No in step 805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting for a different routine is set. The process is executed and the process is terminated (step 816).

  After subtracting the holding number U1 or the holding number U2 in step 804 or step 806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process.

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (steps 808 and 809). As will be described in detail later, setting information (design, game state, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command sent to the effect control unit 300 is determined by the jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing.

  Thereafter, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233, based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the fluctuation pattern selection process, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 shown in FIG. The variation of the special symbol displayed is started (step 810). Then, a change start command including setting information (symbol, gaming state, change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in the RAM 203 (step 811). The variation start command set in step 811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in step 802), or after the change start command is set in step 811, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed. (Step 812). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol at step 810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process at step 809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in step 812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in step 812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first stops the variation of the special symbols in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (step 813), a change stop command is set in the RAM 203 (step 814). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (step 815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in step 814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (step 808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number in the current special symbol lottery (step 901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made. (Steps 902 and 905). The value of the jackpot random number acquired at step 604 or step 610 in FIG. 6 matches the value set as the winning value of the jackpot or the value set as the winning value of the jackpot. It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a big hit (Yes in step 902), then the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number (step 903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (any of probability variation + time reduction, probability variation + no time shortage, no probability variation + time shortage, no probability variation + no time shortage) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches one of the preset values for each jackpot type (FIG. 17B). )reference).
After the above determination, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203 (step 904).

  When the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a small hit (No in step 902, Yes in step 905), the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 next displays a symbol indicating a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol). ) As setting information in the RAM 203 (step 906).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is neither big win nor small win (No in step 902 and step 905), then the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 indicates that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol). Is set in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (step 809 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (step 1001). This determination is the same as steps 901 and 902 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9) (the determination result of step 902 may be used). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1002).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in step 1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random number for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (Step 1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches a preset value (see FIG. 17C).
As a result of determination using random numbers, when a reach effect is performed (Yes in step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads a variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1006).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random number using the variation pattern random number acquired in Step 604 or Step 610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in Steps 1002, 1005, and 1006 ( Step 1007). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern tables are different, the determined variation pattern may be different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in Step 1007 in the RAM 203 as setting information (Step 1008). The variation pattern setting information set in step 1008 is included in the variation start command set in step 811 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the stop process (step 815 in FIG. 8).
In this stop process, the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the time reduction flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1101). The short time flag is a flag for identifying that the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is the short time gaming state. When the time-short flag is ON (Yes in Step 1101), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time-short game state (Step 1102), and the number of lotteries J becomes 0. It is checked whether or not (step 1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in Step 1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (Step 1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in step 1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in step 1104, or if the value of the number of times of lottery J is not 0 (No in step 1103), then the game progress control unit 236 Checks whether or not the probability variation flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1105). The probability variation flag is a flag for identifying that the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a probability variation game. When both the probability change flag and the previous time reduction flag are ON, generally, the game state has a probability change and time reduction as performed after a long hit, and the probability change flag is ON and the time reduction flag is OFF. In some cases, the game is generally in a gaming state where the probability change is made after a short win but the time is not short.

  When the probability change flag is ON (Yes in Step 1105), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the probability variation game state (Step 1106), and the number of lotteries X is set to 0. It is checked whether or not (step 1107). If the number of times of lottery X = 0 (Yes in Step 1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (Step 1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in step 1105), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in step 1108, or if the value of the lottery count X is not 0 (No in step 1107), then the game progress control unit 236 Determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (step 1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1109), the game progress control unit 236 next determines whether or not the type of big hit is a long win (Step 1110).

  These determinations can be made based on the type of symbol set in the setting information in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, when the normal symbol A or the probability variation symbol A is set among symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B described later, it is determined that the jackpot type is long hit. Further, when the normal symbol B, the probability variation symbol B or the latent probability symbol is set, it is determined that the type of jackpot is short hit. Therefore, if the normal symbol A or the probable variation symbol A is set in the setting information, “Yes” in both steps 1109 and 1110. If the normal symbol B, the probability variation symbol B, or the latent probability symbol is set, Yes in step 1109 and No in step 1110. If the off symbol or the small hit symbol is set, No in step 1109. Since these determinations are substantially the same as steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in Step 1110), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the long hit game flag (Step 1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. Here, the presence / absence of probability fluctuation is not distinguished in the per unit length. The presence / absence of the probability change is specified by turning on the corresponding flag in the gaming state setting process (FIG. 15) in the special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  When the big hit type is not long hit (No in Step 1110), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the short hit game flag (Step 1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit.

  After the winning game flag is turned ON in step 1111 or step 1112, the game progress control unit 236 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (step 1113). That is, since the special symbol lottery was a big win (step 1109), the lottery times J and X are reset to 0 and newly counted again. Further, the game progress control unit 236 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in step 1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in step 1103 (step 1114). Similarly, if the probability variation flag is ON in step 1105 and the lottery count X is not 0 in step 1107, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (step 1114).

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in Step 1109), the game progress control unit 236 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (Step). 1115). If it is not a small hit (No in step 1115), the in-stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in step 1115), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the small hit game flag (step 1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state.

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in step 1113 and turning on the small hit game flag in step 1116, the game progress control unit 236 starts an opening operation (step 1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of steps 1111, 1112, and 1116 the winning game flag is turned on. In other words, depending on the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game, the short winning game, and the small winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game progress control unit 236 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1118), and ends the in-stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (step 816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  When the customer waiting flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, the processing is ended as it is (Yes in step 1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game progress control unit 236 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag (step 1203). The customer waiting command set in step 1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set in order to identify a game state (auxiliary game state) corresponding to a normal symbol lottery when winning. In the auxiliary gaming state, the electric tulip 123 is opened according to the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later, and the second start port 122 is easily won (assisted).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, the normal symbol is already selected and stopped, so the normal symbol processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in step 1301). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in Step 1301), the normal symbol control unit 237 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is changing the normal symbol (Step 1302). When the normal symbol is not changing (No in step 1302), the normal symbol control unit 237 next determines whether or not the holding number G (see FIG. 7) for the undrawn of the normal symbol is 1 or more (step 1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in step 1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in step 1303), the normal symbol control unit 237 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (step 1304), and the random number in the current normal symbol lottery is calculated. A determination is made to determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (step 1305). Whether or not the game is won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in step 704 in FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value.

  Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 sets the normal symbol in accordance with the result of the normal symbol lottery (step 1306). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (step 1307). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 11, step 1506 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in step 1307, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is set. After this setting, the normal symbol control unit 237 starts the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIG. 3 based on the setting content in Step 1307 (Step 1308).

  After starting normal symbol variation in step 1308 or when it is determined in step 1302 that normal symbol variation is in progress (Yes in step 1302), the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed. (Step 1309). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of normal symbol fluctuation in step 1308 has reached the fluctuation time set in step 1307. If the fluctuation time has not elapsed (No in step 1309), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has ended (Yes in step 1309), the normal symbol control unit 237 stops the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 (step 1310). Then, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won based on the stopped normal symbol (step 1311). If it is elected (Yes in Step 1311), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (Step 1312). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in step 1311), the normal symbol process is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG.
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, so the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1401). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1401), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next performs the operation control at the time of the big hit started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not the opening operation is in progress (step 1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in Step 1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not a predetermined time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed. Judgment is made (step 1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (step 1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0) (step 1405), the value of the number of operation rounds R of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (step 1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (step 1407).

  In the operation setting of step 1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same for the case of short win and the case of small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in Step 1404 has elapsed (Step 1408). When the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in step 1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 then determines that the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 is a predetermined number (for example, It is determined whether or not (9) or more (step 1409). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than the prescribed number, the operating state (opening state) of the big winning opening 125 is continued, so that the big winning opening process is terminated (step 1409). No). On the other hand, if the opening time has passed (Yes in Step 1408) or the winning number C has reached the specified number (Yes in Step 1409), the special winning opening operation controller 238 ends the operation of the special winning opening 125 ( (Step 1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in Step 1404 (Step 1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1411).

If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special prize opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in Step 1411), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 then starts the ending operation (Step 1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in each gaming state of long hit game, short hit game, and small hit game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets an ending command for performing the effect in the ending operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1413). This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  Next, the prize winning opening operation control unit 238 resets the round number R of the action of the prize winning opening 125 to 0 (step 1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the time to be played (ending time) has passed (step 1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in Step 1417), the special winning opening operation unit 238 next performs the game state setting process (Step 1418), and then turns off the winning game flag to make a big prize. The mouth process is terminated (step 1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in step 1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in step 1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not ending is in progress (step 1415). If ending is in progress (Yes in step 1415), the operations after step 1417 are executed.

  On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in step 1415), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the special prize opening 125 is operating (opening) (step 1416). . If it is not in operation (No in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1408 is executed.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the contents of the game state setting process (step 1418) executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1417).
As shown in FIG. 15, first of all, since the winning game flag is ON in step 1401 of FIG. 14, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines the type of winning (steps 1501, 1502, 1503, 1506). These determinations can be made based on, for example, the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). Since these determinations are substantially the same as steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

If the win type is a small win (Yes in step 1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
If the winning type is a jackpot with no positive change and a short time (No at Step 1501, Yes at Steps 1502 and 1503), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 turns on the short time flag (Step 1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the short-time gaming state. Further, the special winning opening operation controller 238 sets an initial value of the lottery number J (step 1505) and ends the gaming state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the short-time gaming state is performed 100 times, the short-time gaming state ends.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with no probability change + no time reduction (No in step 1501, Yes in 1502, No in step 1503), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 does not set both the time reduction flag and the probability change flag to ON. The process ends. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot does not result in a short-time game state or a probabilistic game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit with certain change + short time (No at Steps 1501 and 1502, Yes at Step 1506), the winning prize opening operation control unit 238 turns on the hourly flag (Step 1507), and the number of lottery times J Is set (step 1508). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets the probability variation flag to ON (step 1509) and sets the initial value of the lottery number X (step 1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a time-varying probability changing gaming state. If the lottery is performed 10,000 times in the time-varying probability variation game state, the time-variable probability variation game state ends.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with probability variation + no time reduction (No in steps 1501, 1502, and step 1506), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 turns on only the probability variation flag (step 1509), and the number of lotteries An initial value of X (10000 times) is set (step 1510). As a result, the game state of the RAM 203 is set to a probabilistic gaming state in which time is not set. If the lottery in the timeless probability change game state is performed 10,000 times, the timeless probability change game state ends.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1601). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Step 1602).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in Step 1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (Step 1603), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern ( Step 1604). Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 11, steps 1503 and 1506 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in step 1603, an operation pattern that opens once with a release time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, 1.80 seconds are set. An operation pattern that opens three times in the opening time is set. As described above, normally, when the hourly flag is ON (when the hourly gaming state is set), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second starting port 122 (electric chewing support) ) Is performed.

  When it is determined in step 1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in step 1602), or after the electric tulip is operated in step 1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 opens the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether or not elapses (step 1605). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1605). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1605), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (step 1606).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random numbers used in the present embodiment.
17A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of a jackpot symbol random number, FIG. 17C shows a configuration example of a reach random number, and FIG. Configuration examples are shown respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), the jackpot random number is set to two types, that is, a jackpot at normal time when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 does not change, a jackpot at the time of probability change, and a jackpot. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299. In the case of a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) during normal times, only one winning value is set and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of special symbol lottery at the time of probability change, ten winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). In other words, in the example shown in the figure, if the special symbol lottery is performed by winning at the start ports 121 and 122 at the time of the probability change, the winning probability is 10 times as compared with the case where the special symbol lottery is performed at the normal time. In addition, three winning values are set regardless of whether or not the probability changes, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 17B, there are five types of jackpot symbols: normal symbol A, normal symbol B, probability variation symbol A, probability variation symbol B, and latent probability symbol. Here, the normal symbol A and the normal symbol B are symbols representing a big hit without any probability change. Among them, the normal symbol A has a long hit (with a short time), and the normal symbol B has a short hit (without a short time). Represent. The probability variation symbol A and the probability variation symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot with certain probability variation. Of these symbols, the probability variation symbol A represents a long winning (with time reduction), and the probability variation symbol B represents a short winning (without time shortening). The latent pattern is a pattern that represents a jackpot with certainty + short time. Therefore, the probability variation symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is provided separately from the probability variation symbol B in order to make it a condition for performing the probability variation latent effect. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

In the normal symbol A, 35 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning in the normal symbol A (no change in probability + short time) is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the normal symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning a jackpot, the probability of winning in the normal symbol B (no probability change + no time reduction) is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the probability variation symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when the first starting port 121 is won. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probability variation symbol A (with certain variation + short time) is 25/250 (= 1/1 /) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121. 10).
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probable variation symbol A (with certain variation + short time) is 175/250 (= 7 / 10).

In the probability variation symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when the first starting port 121 is won. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probable variation symbol B (with certain variation + no short time) when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3 / 10).
On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the probability variation symbol B (with certain variation + no short time) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1 / 10).

In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol (with certainty + no time) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2 / 5).
On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 is highly likely to be a jackpot (probability variation symbol B, latent probability symbol) with probability variation + no time reduction, There is a high probability that the jackpot when winning at the second start port 122 will be a jackpot with probability variation + short time (probability variation symbol A). In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 in the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125).

  Referring to FIG. 17D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed when the short-time gaming state has not occurred, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed when the short-time gaming state is occurring, the winning is performed with a probability of 9/10.

  These random number values start from a predetermined initial value and are incremented by one each time the random number update process (step 501) shown in FIG. 5 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). The Note that this random value counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the big hit random number). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300 when a command is received from the game control unit 200.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 18A and an interrupt process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 18A, the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (step 1801), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (step 1802), and then sets the cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating the random number used in the production control (step 1803).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the period set in step 1802. Referring to FIG. 18B, in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (step 1811). In this command reception process, an effect pattern is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting operations such as an effect button by the player (step 1812). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (step 1813). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Basic structure of circulation mechanism]
Next, a circulation mechanism for circulating game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described in detail.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a circulation mechanism for circulating game balls. In FIG. 19, a cover 52b described later is indicated by a broken line.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the circulation mechanism as viewed from an oblique upper side of the upper plate 153.
The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a discharge ball tray 51 that receives game balls discharged from a lower end 118 (see FIG. 21) provided in the game board 110, and a ball lift that raises the game balls discharged to the discharge ball tray 51. A device 52 and a circulating ball stock 53 that receives the game ball raised by the ball lifting device 52 and stores the game ball before being supplied to the upper plate 153 are provided. The discharge ball tray 51, the ball lifting device 52, and the circulating ball stock 53 are directly or indirectly attached to the unit body 11.

The discharge ball receiving tray 51 is provided below the lower end port 118, and the bottom surface of the ball elevating device 52 is lowest so that the game ball supplied from the lower end port 118 or the like is directed toward the ball elevating device 52 by its own weight. Is a concave member formed.
The ball lifting device 52 includes a cylindrical cylinder 52a having a spiral groove 52ag formed on the outer periphery, a thin cylindrical cover 52b that covers the outside of the cylinder 52a, and a cover 52b that rotates on a cylindrical center line. A rotation motor 52c that is driven to rotate as a shaft. A plurality of ribs 52br are formed on the inner surface of the cover 52b so as to protrude from the inner surface in the rotational radius direction and to be formed over the entire region in the rotational axis direction. Then, the ball lifting device 52 rotates the cover 52b to push the game ball guided into the cover 52b with the rib 52br formed on the inner surface thereof, thereby forming a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder 52a. Raise from bottom to top along 52ag.
The circulating ball stock 53 is a concave member that is disposed on the upper part of the ball lifting device 52 and receives a game ball lifted by the ball lifting device 52. The bottom surface of the circulating ball stock 53 is such that the ball raising device 52 is high and the second guide member 55 side is low so that the received game ball is directed toward the second guide member 55 described later by its own weight. Is formed.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 further includes a first guide member 54 in which a first guide path 54a for guiding the game ball from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 to the ball lifting device 52 is formed. The first guide path 54a is positioned such that the end on the discharge ball receiving tray 51 side is higher than the end on the ball lifting device 52 side and rolls from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 to the ball lifting device 52 by the weight of the game ball. It is inclined to. The first guide member 54 is formed with a third guide path 54b that guides the game ball rolling from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 to the pre-cleaning stock 32a described later. The third guide path 54b branches from the middle of the first guide path 54a, and is inclined so that the end on the first guide path 54a side is higher than the end on the stock 32a side before cleaning. doing. Furthermore, the game ball rolled from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 side is guided to the ball raising device 52 or the pre-cleaning stock 32a at the connection portion between the first guide path 54a and the third guide path 54b. A switching valve 57 is provided for switching between guiding to the side.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 also includes a second guide member 55 in which a path for guiding the game ball from the circulating ball stock 53 toward the upper plate 153 is formed. Under the second guide member 55, a predetermined number of game balls falling from the circulating ball stock 53 through the second guide member 55 (in this embodiment, in the present embodiment). A ball cutting device 58 for supplying one (1) game ball to the upper plate 153 in order is provided.

Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a ball polishing member 59 between the lower end port 118 and the discharge ball receiving tray 51.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the ball polishing member 59.
As shown in FIG. 21, the ball polishing member 59 has a mortar shape, and a hole 59a is formed in the lower part so that the game ball falls on the discharge ball receiving tray 51 disposed below the ball polishing member 59. The diameter increases as you go. In addition, irregularities are formed on the inner surface. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 21, the lower end port 118 is provided on the outer diameter side of the circular opening end of the mortar-shaped ball polishing member 59 so as to discharge the game ball in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the game ball discharged from the lower end port 118 moves downward while rotating around the inner surface of the ball polishing member 59, falls from the hole 59a, and reaches the discharge ball receiving tray 51. Then, when the game ball goes around the inner surface of the ball polishing member 59, the dust attached to the game ball is caught by the irregularities formed on the inner surface, and the game ball is polished.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above, due to the operation of the handle 151 by the player, the game balls in the upper plate 153 are sequentially supplied to the launching device 160 by the feeding device 158 one by one. Fired toward the gaming area 111 by the device 160. Then, the game ball that is launched by the launching device 160 and reaches the game area 111 reaches the lower end port 118 through the discharge port 117 or through various winning ports, and is then discharged from the lower end port 118. It reaches the discharge ball tray 51 while being polished by the polishing member 59. Thereafter, the ball riser 52 is reached through the first guide path 54 a and is raised by the ball lifter 52 to reach the circulating ball stock 53. Then, it is supplied to the upper plate 153 by the ball cutting device 58. In this way, the circulation ball circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100. When the game ball launched by the launching device 160 does not reach the game area 111 and becomes a foul ball, the game ball returns to the upper plate 153 again via the return path 153a. Moreover, it can be illustrated that there are 150 circulation spheres.

  When the game ball is washed, such as after the opening hours of the hall, the switching valve 57 of the first guide member 54 is switched so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-wash stock 32a. Thereby, the game ball reaching the discharge ball receiving tray 51 reaches the pre-cleaning stock 32 a via the first guide member 54. In addition, when the hall is closed, the game balls other than the discharge ball receiving tray 51, such as the circulating ball stock 53 and the upper plate 153, are fired by the launching device 160 to the discharge ball receiving tray 51, and the first guide member 54 to the pre-cleaning stock 32a. In this way, after the hall business hours, all the circulating spheres are collected in the pre-cleaning stock 32 a and then cleaned by the cleaning device 30.

[Basic structure of production equipment]
Next, the rendering device 20 will be described in detail.
The production device 20 includes a ballistic feeling production unit 60 (see FIG. 1-1) for visually producing a feeling of the number of game balls acquired by a player who is playing the game on the pachinko gaming machine 100, There is provided a storage sensation effect producing unit 70 (see FIG. 1-1) for visually producing a feeling of a large number of game balls that a player can use in the game.

First, the ball appearance effect production unit 60 will be described in detail.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ball appearance effect producing unit 60. In FIG. 22, the figure which looked at schematic structure of the pitching feeling effect production | presentation part 60 from back diagonally upward is shown. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the rotating body 61a of the ball appearance effect producing unit 60. FIG. In FIG. 23, a partial cross-sectional view is shown in order to show the rotating body 61 a of the ball appearance effect producing unit 60.

The exit ball feeling production unit 60 as an example of a game ball circulation unit waits for a game ball supplied to the ball rotation unit 61 and a ball rotation unit 61 that produces an exit ball feeling by rotating an actual game ball. And an upper tray 62 to be kept. In addition, the ball appearance feeling production section 60 stores a lower tray 63 that stores game balls sent from a main stock 41, which will be described later, via the ball appearance feeling ball guide member 46, and games stored in the lower tray 63. And a ball raising device 64 for raising the ball to the upper tray 62.
Further, the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 branches from the guide path 65a for guiding the game ball supplied from the upper tray 62 toward the ball rotating unit 61, and the guide path 65a, and the game ball is washed later. There is provided a guide member 65 formed with a branch path 65b for guiding toward the front stock 32a (see FIG. 1-2).

  As shown in FIG. 23, the ball rotating unit 61 has a cylindrical portion and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) blades that extend in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion and stir the game ball. A body 61a is provided. Further, the ball rotating unit 61 is attached to a rotating shaft 61b (see FIG. 22) for rotating the rotating body 61a and a rotating shaft to which the rotating body 61a is fixed, and rotates the driving force of the rotating body motor 61b. A transmission gear (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the body 61a and a rotating body cover 66 that covers the rotating body 61a are provided.

The rotating body 61a is an object that rotates around the center line of the cylindrical portion as a rotation axis. When the rotation axis is viewed from the front, the rotation feeling production unit 60 (in this embodiment, a game board). 110 in a direction perpendicular to the board surface. The blades of the rotating body 61a are formed so that the distance from the rotation axis to the tip in the rotation radius direction is substantially equal to the rotation axis direction, and the tip in the rotation radius direction is from the near side. It forms so that it may curve in the circumferential direction as it goes to the back side.
The rotating body motor 61b is rotated and adjusted by a control unit to be described later, and the rotating body 61a is rotated in two stages, for example, a low-speed rotation that rotates at 12 rotations per minute and a high-speed rotation that rotates at 24 rotations per minute, for example. The rotation speed is adjusted.

The basic shape of the rotating body cover 66 around the rotating body 61a is a cylindrical shape, and its inner peripheral radius is longer than the tip of the blade of the rotating body 61a in the rotating radius direction by less than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, when the rotator 61a is rotating, the game balls cannot pass through the gap between the blades of the rotator 61a and the inner surface of the rotator cover 66, and the game balls in the rotator cover 66 are not in the rotator 61a. Stir by.
The rotary body cover 66 has an insertion port 66a for guiding the game balls supplied from the upper tray 62 into the rotary body cover 66, and a discharge port 66b for discharging the game balls on the inside to the outside of the rotary body cover 66. Is formed. The insertion slot 66a is formed in an obliquely upward right direction when viewed from the rotation center of the rotating body 61a.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration around the discharge port 66b of the rotating body cover 66. As shown in FIG.
A concave portion 66c is formed at the bottom of the rotating body cover 66 so as to be recessed from the inner periphery of the basic shape and to be lowered as it goes from the near side to the far side. And the discharge port 66b is formed in the last part of the recessed part 66c. Thereby, the game ball in the rotator cover 66 rolls in the recess 66c by its own weight, and comes out of the rotator cover 66 from the discharge port 66b.
The discharge port 66b is provided with an adjustment valve 67 that blocks the game ball from passing through the discharge port 66b. The adjusting valve 67 is rotationally driven by a rotating motor 67a that is rotated by being controlled by a ball exit / storage feeling control unit 700 described later, and a position for preventing the game ball from being discharged from the discharge port 66b, Move to the position you want.

The upper tray 62 has a concave shape in which a bottom surface is formed so that the ball lifting device 64 side is high and the guide member 65 side is low so that the game ball supplied from the ball lifting device 64 is directed toward the guide member 65 by its own weight. It is a member.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game ball discharge portion in the upper tray 62.
In the upper tray 62, a discharge port 62a is formed at a portion for discharging the game ball to the guide member 65, and an adjustment valve 62b for adjusting the passage of the game ball is attached to the discharge port 62a. The adjusting valve 62b is rotated by the adjusting valve motor 62c to open the discharge port 62a, thereby discharging the game ball from the upper tray 62, and a suppression position for suppressing the discharge by closing the discharge port 62a. Move between. The driving time of the regulating valve motor 62c is controlled by a ball exit / storage feeling control unit 700, which will be described later, and moves the regulating valve 62b from the discharging position to the suppressing position and from the suppressing position to the discharging position. In addition, the adjustment valve motor 62c suppresses the adjustment valve 62b from the discharge position to the suppression position in order to smoothly discharge the game ball when the game ball should be discharged from the upper tray 62 to the guide member 65. Repeatedly move from position to discharge position at regular intervals. The game balls are discharged from the upper tray 62 to the guide member 65 in accordance with the game situation.

As shown in FIG. 22, the lower tray 63 includes a receiving port 63 a that receives a game ball sent from the main stock 41 (see FIG. 1-2), and a discharge port 63 b that discharges the game ball to the ball lifting device 64. , And a concave shape having a bottom surface formed so that the receiving port 63a side is high and the ball lifting device 64 side is low so that the game ball supplied from the receiving port 63a is directed toward the discharge port 63b by its own weight. It is a member.
The sphere raising device 64 has the same configuration and function as the sphere raising device 52 arranged in the circulation mechanism of the above-described circulation sphere, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the guide member 65.
The guide path 65a of the guide member 65 is formed so that the upper tray 62 side is high and the ball rotation unit 61 side is low so that the game balls supplied from the upper tray 62 are directed to the ball rotation unit 61 by their own weight. The branch path 65b of the guide member 65 is formed such that the guide path 65a side is high and the pre-clean stock 32a side is low so that the game balls are directed toward the pre-clean stock 32a (see FIG. 2). Then, at the connection portion of the guide member 65 between the guide path 65a and the branch path 65b, the game ball rolling from the upper tray 62 side is guided toward the ball rotating portion 61, or the pre-cleaning stock 32a side. A switching valve 65c is provided for switching between guiding to the direction.

The ball appearance effect producing unit 60 configured as described above operates as follows.
The game balls sent from the distribution device 40 (see FIG. 1-2) to the lower tray 63 are raised to the upper tray 62 by the ball raising device 64.
When the hall is open during business hours, when the game is not played in the pachinko machine unit PU, or even when a game is being played, the number of winning prizes that will produce a sense of appearance When there is not, the rotating body 61a of the ball rotating part 61 is stopped. Further, the adjustment valve 62b attached to the upper tray 62 is set to a suppression position that suppresses the discharge of the game ball.

Thereafter, when the number of winning prize balls increases, an effect is performed. The effect is set to three levels according to the increase or decrease of the number of winning prize balls.
The lowest level level 1 effect is that a predetermined number of game balls are placed in a rotating body cover 66 of the ball rotating unit 61, and the inserted game balls are placed on a rotating body 61a that rotates at a low speed. Stirring effect.
The effect of level 2 which is an intermediate level is to add a game ball to the rotating body cover 66 of the ball rotation unit 61 and insert a game ball with a predetermined second number of balls. This is an effect of stirring the rotating body 61a at a low speed.
The production of level 3, which is the highest level, is achieved by placing a predetermined second number of game balls in the rotator cover 66 of the sphere rotation unit 61 and placing the game balls in the rotator 61a with high-speed rotation. Stirring effect.
It can be exemplified that the first number of balls is about 300 and the second number of balls is about 600. Further, the low speed rotation of the rotating body 61a can be exemplified, for example, 12 rotations per minute, and the high speed rotation can be exemplified, for example, 24 rotations per minute.

Then, when the increase in the number of winning prize balls within a predetermined period becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined first increase, the production starts, and the increase in the number of winning prize balls is a predetermined first increase. When the number is more than the number and less than the second increase number, the level 1 effect is performed.
When the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined second increase, the effect is switched to level 2. When switching from the level 1 effect to the level 2 effect, the number of game balls in the rotating body cover 66 is increased from the first number of balls to the second number of balls while the rotating body 61a is rotated at a low speed. .
Further, when the increase in the number of winning prize balls exceeds a predetermined third increase, the effect is switched to level 3. When switching from the level 2 effect to the level 3 effect, the rotation speed of the rotator 61a is changed from the low speed rotation to the high speed rotation while the game balls having the second number of balls are put in the rotator cover 66.

On the other hand, when an effect is being performed, the level is lowered by one level each time the number of reductions in the number of winning prize balls within a predetermined period becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number.
For example, when an effect of level 3 is being performed, if the number of reductions in winning balls within a predetermined period is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of reductions, the effect is changed from level 3 to level 2. Can be switched. When switching from the level 3 effect to the level 2 effect, the rotation speed of the rotator 61a is changed from the high speed rotation to the low speed rotation while the game balls having the second number of balls are put in the rotator cover 66.
In addition, after the level 2 effect is switched, if the number of winning prize balls decreased within a predetermined period becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the level 2 effect is switched to the level 1 effect. . When switching from the level 2 effect to the level 1 effect, the number of game balls in the rotating body cover 66 is reduced from the second number of balls to the first number of balls while the rotating body 61a is rotated at a low speed. .
In addition, after switching to the level 1 effect, the effect ends when the number of reductions in the number of winning prize balls within a predetermined period becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined decrease number. When the effect ends, the rotation of the rotating body 61a is stopped and all the game balls in the rotating body cover 66 are discharged.
In this way, the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 switches the number of game balls in the rotator cover 66 and the rotation speed of the rotator 61a according to the increase or decrease in the number of prize balls acquired by the player, thereby changing the effect level. Switch.

  When the game ball is put into the rotator cover 66, the switching valve 65c of the guide member 65 is set so that the game ball rolls toward the rotator cover 66, and the discharge port 62a of the upper tray 62 is inserted. The attached adjustment valve 62b is set to the discharge position. Thereby, the game balls stored in the upper tray 62 roll from the upper tray 62 into the rotating body cover 66. Further, when a game ball is to be put in the rotator cover 66, the adjusting valve 62b is repeatedly moved at regular intervals from the discharge position to the suppression position and from the suppression position to the discharge position. Thereby, at the time of discharge of game balls from the upper tray 62, the occurrence of ball clogging in the upper tray 62 is suppressed. Then, the number of game balls supplied into the rotator cover 66 is adjusted by controlling the period during which the adjustment valve 62b is in the discharge position.

Further, when rotating the rotating body 61a, the adjustment valve 67 provided at the discharge port 66b of the rotating body cover 66 is set to a position that suppresses the discharge of the game ball.
Then, when the effect at the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 is finished, the rotation of the rotating body 61a is stopped and the adjustment valve 67 provided at the discharge port 66b of the rotating body cover 66 is discharged from the game ball. Set to. Thereby, the game balls in the rotating body cover 66 are discharged to the lower tray 63.

  On the other hand, when the game ball is washed, such as after the opening hours of the hall, the discharge port 62a of the upper tray 62 is set with the switching valve 65c of the guide member 65 set so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-wash stock 32a. The adjustment valve 62b attached to is set to the discharge position. Thereby, the game balls stored in the upper tray 62 roll from the upper tray 62 toward the pre-cleaning stock 32a. At that time, while the game balls are present in the lower tray 63, the ball raising device 64 is driven to supply the game balls from the lower tray 63 to the upper tray 62.

Next, the storage ball feeling production unit 70 will be described in detail.
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the storage ball feeling effect unit 70. FIG. 28 is a view of the storage ball feeling production unit 70 as viewed from above. FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a ball insertion portion 72 and a ball discharge portion 73 described later. FIG. 30 is a view of the lower side of an upper tray 76 (see FIG. 28), which will be described later, as viewed from above.
A storage ball feeling production unit 70 as an example of a game ball circulation unit includes a ball display unit 71 that displays actual game balls, a ball insertion unit 72 that inserts game balls into the ball display unit 71 (see FIG. 29), It has a ball discharge section 73 (see FIG. 29) for discharging the game balls displayed on the ball display section 71 from the ball display section 71. Further, the storage ball feeling production unit 70 receives game balls sent from a main stock 41 (see FIG. 1-2), which will be described later, via a storage ball feeling ball guide member 47 (see FIG. 1-2), which will be described later. A lower tray 74 that is stored below the ball display unit 71, a ball lifting device 75 (see FIG. 28) that raises the game balls stored in the lower tray 74, and a ball lifting device 75. And an upper tray 76 for storing the game balls above the ball display portion 71.

  The ball display unit 71 includes a case 71a that is transparently formed and stores a game ball, and a plurality of display cases 71b that are arranged in the vertical direction in the case 71a and display the game ball on the display shelf 71b. . The case 71a has an arc shape when viewed from above, and is shaped to be rectangular when viewed from the front. Further, each display shelf 71b has an arc shape as shown in FIG. 28 when viewed from above, and is inclined from the left side to the right side as shown in FIG. 27 when viewed from the front. Yes. Further, in the ball display section 71 according to the present embodiment, 15 display shelves 71b are arranged in the vertical direction, and the interval between the plurality of display shelves 71b is the size of the game ball (1. 1 mm) is slightly larger (for example, 1.2 mm). The display shelf 71b is set to a length that allows 22 game balls to be displayed. Therefore, in the ball display unit 71 according to the present embodiment, 330 game balls can be displayed as the entire ball display unit 71. And the both ends of the left-right direction of the case 71a are opened, and a game ball comes in and out from these openings. In the following, the opening formed at the left end of the case 71a when viewed in FIG. 27 is referred to as “left opening 71c”, and the opening formed at the right end of the case 71a is referred to as “right opening 71d. (Refer to FIG. 29).

The ball insertion portion 72 is a cylindrical member, and includes an insertion side cylinder 81 in which a plurality of holes 81a having a size that allows a game ball to pass while rotating about the center axis of the cylinder are formed. ing. The ball insertion unit 72 includes a ball standby unit 82 for waiting for a game ball inside the insertion side cylinder 81.
The insertion side cylinder 81 is arranged such that the rotation axis direction of the rotation center thereof is the vertical direction. The plurality of holes 81a formed in the insertion side cylinder 81 have a height corresponding to the arrangement height of the display shelf 71b in the left-side opening 71c of the case 71a of the ball display portion 71 in the rotation axis direction of the rotation center. The same number as the number of display shelves 71b is formed. The plurality of holes 81a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the arrangement interval is determined to be less than an angle obtained by dividing 360 degrees by the number of holes 81a. As the height of 81a increases, the circumferential position of the hole 81a is determined to be shifted at equal intervals counterclockwise when viewed from above.
In addition, a notch 81 b that is recessed from the upper surface is formed in the upper part of the insertion side cylinder 81. The notch 81b is used to detect the rotation angle of the insertion side cylinder 81.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ball standby unit 82. (A) is a perspective view, (b) is a figure which shows the height relationship between the projection part 82bc mentioned later and the hole 81a.
The ball standby portion 82 is disposed inside the insertion-side cylinder 81, and forms a space between the inner surface of the insertion-side cylinder 81 so that game balls can be arranged in a line in the vertical direction. And an inner cylinder 82b for adjusting the minimum height of the game balls arranged in a space formed by the ball standby member 82a and the inner surface of the insertion side cylinder 81.
The ball standby member 82a is a long and narrow member that has a U-shaped basic shape when viewed from above and extends in the vertical direction so as to be substantially the same length as the insertion-side cylinder 81. The ball standby member 82a is formed in a space formed between the inner side of the U-shape and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion side cylinder 81 in the rotation center direction (vertical direction) of the insertion side cylinder 81. One game ball can be stored in the radial direction and the circumferential direction.

  The inner cylinder 82b is a cylindrical member disposed inside the insertion side cylinder 81, and a plurality of protrusions projecting into the space formed by the inner surface of the insertion side cylinder 81 and the ball standby member 82a on the outer peripheral surface thereof. It has a part 82bc. Each protrusion 82bc has a circumferential width approximately the same as the diameter of the game ball, and is formed so that the shape in the rotational radius direction becomes thinner toward the outside. The same number of the plurality of protrusions 82bc are provided at the same arrangement interval as the plurality of holes 81a formed in the insertion side cylinder 81 in the rotation center direction (vertical direction) and the circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), the height of the plurality of projections 82bc is such that the height of the top of each projection 82bc in the radial direction is the lowest of each hole 81a of the insertion side cylinder 81. It is formed to be the same as the height.

FIG. 32 is a schematic configuration diagram of a portion for driving the insertion side cylinder 81 to rotate.
The insertion side cylinder 81 is provided with a gear 83. The ball insertion portion 72 includes a transmission gear 84 that meshes with a gear 83 provided in the insertion-side cylinder 81, and an insertion-side motor 85 in which the transmission gear 84 is fixed to the rotation shaft. Thereby, the insertion side cylinder 81 is rotated by the rotational driving force of the insertion side motor 85 being transmitted via the transmission gear 84 and the gear 83. Further, the inner cylinder 82b rotates together with the insertion side cylinder 81. At that time, the inner cylinder 82b and the insertion side are arranged so that the height of the uppermost portion of the radial tip of each protrusion 82ba of the inner cylinder 82b is the same as the height of the lowermost portion of each hole 81a of the insertion side cylinder 81. The cylinder 81 is positioned (see FIG. 31B).

The ball discharge portion 73 is a cylindrical member, and has a discharge side cylinder 86 formed with a plurality of holes 87 having a size that allows the game ball to pass while rotating about the center axis of the cylinder. doing.
The discharge side cylinder 86 is arranged so that the rotation axis direction of the rotation center thereof is the vertical direction. The hole 87 formed in the discharge side cylinder 86 is a first discharge hole 87a formed at a height corresponding to the arrangement height of the display shelf 71b in the right opening 71d of the case 71a of the ball display portion 71. The first discharge hole group formed in the same number as the number of the shelves 71b and the second discharge hole 87b formed over the same length as the right opening 71d of the case 71a of the ball display section 71 in the rotation axis direction. It consists of.

The size of each first discharge hole 87a is determined as follows. That is, the size in the rotation axis direction (vertical direction) of each first discharge hole 87a is large enough for one game ball to pass, and is as large as the arrangement interval of the display shelves 71b. It is stipulated in. The size of each first discharge hole 87a in the circumferential direction is such that the size of the first discharge hole 87a at the bottom is one ball passing through the display shelf 71b at the bottom. It is set to a large enough size. The circumferential size of the first discharge hole 87a that is second from the bottom in the height direction is set to about twice the size of the first discharge hole 87a at the bottom in the circumferential direction. ing. And the one edge part of the circumferential direction of the 2nd 1st discharge hole 87a from the lowest part is set so that it may become a substantially the same position as one edge part of the 1st discharge hole 87a of the lowest part. . The size of the third and subsequent first discharge holes 87a from the bottom in the height direction is set to be the same as the size of the second first discharge hole 87a, half of which is one below (n It is formed so as to overlap with the first discharge hole 87a formed at the (n-1th) position. The second and subsequent first discharge holes 87a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the circumferential direction when viewed from above as the height of the first discharge holes 87a increases. Is formed so as to shift counterclockwise.
The second discharge hole 87b is formed so as not to overlap any of the first discharge holes 87a in the circumferential direction, and the right end in the circumferential direction is formed in parallel to the rotation axis direction, The left end is formed such that its circumferential length increases from the bottom to the top.
In addition, a notch 86 a that is recessed from the upper surface is formed in the upper portion of the discharge side cylinder 86. The notch 86a is used to detect the rotation angle of the discharge side cylinder 86.

FIG. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram of a portion where the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotationally driven.
The discharge side cylinder 86 is provided with a gear 88. The ball discharge unit 73 includes a transmission gear 89 that meshes with a gear 88 provided on the discharge side cylinder 86, and a discharge side motor 90 in which the transmission gear 89 is fixed to the rotation shaft. Thereby, the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated by the rotational driving force of the discharge side motor 90 being transmitted via the transmission gear 89 and the gear 88.

The lower tray 74 (see FIG. 27) includes a receiving port 74a that receives a game ball sent from a main stock 41 (see FIG. 1-2), which will be described later, and a discharge port (not connected) that discharges the game ball to the ball lifting device 75. And a concave member. The bottom surface is formed so that the receiving port 74a side is high and the discharging port side is low so that the game ball supplied from the receiving port 74a is directed toward the discharge port by its own weight. The lower tray 74 is disposed below the discharge side cylinder 86, and the game balls discharged from the ball display portion 71 through holes 87a and 87b formed in the discharge side cylinder 86 as will be described later. Accept.
The ball lifting device 75 is disposed inside the inner cylinder 82 b and rotates with the central axis of the inner cylinder 82 b (insertion side cylinder 81) as a rotation center to raise the game ball from the lower tray 74 to the upper tray 76. The ball lifting device 75 has the same configuration and function as the ball lifting device 52 described above, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The upper tray 76 is a concave member that guides the game ball raised by the ball raising device 75 toward the ball standby unit 82 or the pre-cleaning stock 32a. The upper tray 76 is formed so that the ball lifting device 75 side is high and the ball standby portion 82 side is low so that the game ball raised by the ball lifting device 75 is directed to the ball standby unit 82 by its own weight. A guide path 76a and a branch path 76b formed so that the ball guide path 76a side is high and the pre-cleaning stock 32a side is low so that it branches from the middle of the guide path 76a toward the cleaning device 30 under its own weight. Is formed. Then, at the connection portion between the guide path 76a and the branch path 76b, switching is performed to switch whether the game ball rolled from the ball lifting device 75 side is guided toward the ball standby unit 82 or toward the cleaning device 30. A valve 76c is provided. The switching valve 76c is switched by a control unit described later. In addition, the game ball rolling on the guide path 76a is dropped into the space above the space formed by the above-described ball standby member 82a and the inner surface of the insertion cylinder 81 on the bottom surface of the upper tray 76. A drop hole 76d is formed.

  In addition, an insertion side photo sensor 76e disposed above the insertion side cylinder 81 and a discharge side photo sensor 76f disposed above the discharge side cylinder 86 are attached to the upper tray 76. The insertion-side photosensor 76e and the discharge-side photosensor 76f are well-known photointerrupter sensors, and have two protrusions formed downward on the sensor body and light emitting elements (not shown) provided on each of the protrusions. And a light receiving element (not shown) (see FIG. 35). Then, depending on whether or not the light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element, the passage and presence of an object at a portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other are read. More specifically, the upper portion of the insertion-side cylinder 81 is disposed at a position where the two protruding portions of the insertion-side photosensor 76e face each other (see FIG. 35). When the light receiving element receives light emitted from the light emitting element when the notch 81b is interposed, the rotation angle of the insertion side cylinder 81 is detected. Similarly, the discharge-side photosensor 76f is disposed such that the upper portion of the discharge-side cylinder 86 is interposed at a portion where the two protruding portions face each other (see FIG. 35), and a notch 86a is formed at the opposite portion. When the light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element when intervening, the rotation angle of the discharge side cylinder 86 is detected.

  The upper tray 76 is attached with a ball detection photosensor 76g for detecting whether or not a game ball is present at a position downstream of the switching valve 76c in the guide path 76a. The sphere detection photosensor 76g is a well-known photointerrupter sensor, and includes two protrusions formed downward on the sensor body, a light emitting element (not shown) and a light receiving element (not shown) provided on each of the protrusions. ). Then, depending on whether the light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element, the passage and presence of the game ball at the portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other are read. More specifically, the ball detection photosensor 76g detects the passage of the game ball by detecting the switching from light reception to light shielding and light shielding to light reception, and the light receiving element does not receive light so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other. Detect the presence of a game ball at the site to play.

In the storage ball feeling production | presentation part 70 comprised as mentioned above, it acts as follows.
If the hall is open during business hours and no game is played in the pachinko machine unit PU, or if a game is being played but the player does not have a ball, insert it The side cylinder 81 and the discharge side cylinder 86 are set to the origin positions. In addition, the switching valve 76c of the upper tray 76 is set at a position for guiding the game ball toward the ball standby unit 82, and the ball detection photosensor 76g has a game ball at its two protrusions. Until this is detected, the ball lifting device 75 is driven.

  Here, the origin position of the insertion-side cylinder 81 is determined by rotating the insertion-side cylinder 81 in the counterclockwise rotation direction as viewed in FIG. 30 (hereinafter, the clockwise rotation is “forward rotation”, and the counterclockwise rotation direction is This is the position where the insertion-side photosensor 76e detects the light-blocking → light-receiving switching point. The origin position of the discharge side cylinder 86 is a position where the discharge side photo sensor 76f detects a light blocking → light receiving switching point when the discharge side cylinder 86 is reversed. FIG. 29 shows a state where the insertion side cylinder 81 and the discharge side cylinder 86 are set to the origin positions. When the insertion side cylinder 81 is at the origin position, the left side opening 71c of the case 71a of the ball display portion 71 is completely closed by the insertion side cylinder 81. When the discharge side cylinder 86 is at the origin position, the right opening 71d of the case 71a is open only at the lowermost part and the part corresponding to the second first discharge hole 87a from the bottom.

In such a case, the game balls in the lower tray 74 are raised by the ball lifting device 75 to reach the upper tray 76 and roll on the guide path 76a toward the ball standby unit 82. Then, in the order in which the upper tray 76 is reached earlier, it falls into the space formed by the ball standby member 82a and the inner surface of the insertion side cylinder 81, and is arranged in order on the protrusion 82bc of the inner cylinder 82b. However, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 29, the insertion side cylinder 81 blocks the left side opening 71 c of the ball display portion 71, so that it is not displayed on the display shelf 71 b of the ball display portion 71.
Among the game balls supplied to the upper tray 76 by the ball lifting device 75, the game balls that do not reach the ball standby unit 82 are arranged in the guide path 76 a of the upper tray 76. Then, when the ball detection photo sensor 76g detects that a game ball is present at a portion facing the two protrusions, the driving of the ball lifting device 75 is stopped.

When displaying game balls on the display shelf 71b of the ball display unit 71, the operation is as follows.
First, the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated forward by a predetermined angle β so as to close the right opening 71d corresponding to the lowermost display shelf 71b. Further, the insertion side cylinder 81 is rotated forward by a predetermined angle α to open the left side opening 71c corresponding to the lowermost display shelf 71b.
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which the insertion side cylinder 81 is rotated forward by angle α and the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated forward by angle β from the origin position.

By rotating the discharge side cylinder 86 forward by the angle β and rotating the insertion side cylinder 81 forward by the angle α from the origin position, the game ball waiting in the ball standby portion 82 is placed in the case 71 a of the ball display portion 71. Enter and move to the right when viewed from the front using the slope of the lowermost display shelf 71b. Since the right opening 71d corresponding to the lowermost display shelf 71b is closed, the top game ball hits the outer peripheral surface of the discharge side cylinder 86 and stops, and the subsequent game ball becomes the preceding game ball. Stop by hitting. In this way, game balls are displayed on the lowermost display shelf 71b. In addition, the game ball that has been waiting in the ball standby unit 82 enters the case 71 a of the ball display unit 71, and the game ball moves from the upper tray 76 to the ball standby unit 82. Then, the ball detection photosensor 76g detects that the game ball no longer exists at the portion where the two protrusions face each other, whereby the driving of the ball lifting device 75 is resumed, and the lower tray 74 and the upper tray are restarted. A game ball is supplied to 76. Thereafter, when the ball detection photosensor 76g detects that a game ball is present at a portion where the two protrusions face each other, the driving of the ball lifting device 75 is stopped.
Note that the predetermined angle α is an arrangement interval (for example, 20 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the plurality of holes 81 a formed in the insertion-side cylinder 81. The predetermined angle β is an arrangement interval (for example, 20 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the second and subsequent first discharge holes 87a formed in the discharge side cylinder 86 from the bottom.

  Thereafter, the discharge-side cylinder 86 is further rotated forward by a predetermined angle β and the insertion-side cylinder 81 is rotated forward by a predetermined angle α so that the right opening corresponding to the second display shelf 71b from the bottom is provided. 71d is closed and the left opening 71c is opened. As a result, the game balls are displayed on the second display shelf 71b from the bottom. Thereafter, by repeating the forward rotation of the discharge side cylinder 86 by the predetermined angle α and the forward rotation of the insertion side cylinder 81 by the predetermined angle β, the game balls are placed on the third and subsequent display shelves 71b from the bottom. It will be displayed.

Next, a case where the game balls displayed on the ball display unit 71 are discharged will be described.
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a state in which game balls are discharged from a state in which game balls are displayed on the display shelves 71b from the bottom to the fourth level.
First, the case where the game balls displayed on the plurality of display shelves 71b are discharged out of the ball display unit 71 for each display shelf 71b will be described.
Of the currently displayed display shelves 71b, the insertion side cylinder 81 is set at a predetermined angle so as to close the left opening 71c corresponding to the highest display shelf 71b (the fourth display shelf 71b in FIG. 35). Reverse by α. Further, the discharge side cylinder 86 is reversed by a predetermined angle β so as to open the right opening 71d corresponding to the display shelf 71b (the fourth display shelf 71b in FIG. 35). Thereby, the game displayed on the display shelf 71b in a state in which the game balls are prevented from moving from the ball standby unit 82 toward the display shelf 71b (the fourth display shelf 71b in FIG. 35). The sphere goes out of the case 71 a from the right side opening 71 d and falls to the lower tray 74 arranged below the discharge side cylinder 86.
Thereafter, by repeating the rotation of the insertion side cylinder 81 by a predetermined angle α and the reverse rotation of the discharge side cylinder 86 by a predetermined angle β, the cases from the game balls displayed on the upper display shelf 71b in order. It is discharged out of 71a.
In this way, the game balls displayed on the display shelf 71b are discharged out of the ball display section 71 for each display shelf 71b.

Next, a case where the game balls displayed on the plurality of display shelves 71b are discharged out of the ball display unit 71 every two display shelves 71b will be described.
Of the display shelves 71b currently being displayed, the insertion side to close the left-side opening 71c corresponding to the first and second highest display shelves 71b (the fourth and third display shelves 71b in FIG. 35) The cylinder 81 is reversed by an angle twice the predetermined angle α. Further, in order to open the right side opening 71d corresponding to the display shelves 71b (the fourth and third display shelves 71b in FIG. 35), the discharge side cylinder 86 is set twice the predetermined angle β. Reverse only the angle.

FIG. 36 is a diagram comparing a state in which the discharge side cylinder 86 is reversed by a predetermined angle β and a state in which the discharge side cylinder 86 is reversed by an angle twice as large as the predetermined angle β.
As shown in FIG. 36, two first discharge holes 87a that are formed in the discharge side cylinder 86 and are continuous in the vertical direction overlap in the circumferential direction. Thereby, from the ball standby portion 82 to the display shelves 71b (fourth and third display shelves 71b from the bottom in FIG. 35) corresponding to the two first discharge holes 87a continuous in the vertical direction. The game balls displayed on the two display shelves 71b continuous in the vertical direction go out of the case 71a from the right side opening 71d in a state in which the game balls are prevented from heading, and the discharge cylinder 86 It falls to the lower tray 74 arranged below. At that time, in the process of reversing the discharge side cylinder 86 by an angle twice as large as the angle β, the upper first discharge hole 87a of the two first discharge holes 87a that are continuous in the vertical direction is the upper one. The right opening 71d corresponding to the display shelf 71b (the fourth display shelf 71b in FIG. 35) is opened (see FIG. 36A). Therefore, of the two display shelves 71b that are continuous in the vertical direction, the game balls displayed on the upper display shelf 71b start to come out of the case 71a through the right opening 71d first.
Thereafter, by repeating the reverse rotation of the insertion side cylinder 81 by an angle twice as large as the predetermined angle α and the reverse rotation of the discharge side cylinder 86 by an angle twice as large as the predetermined angle β, the upper 2 The game balls displayed on the two display shelves 71b are sequentially discharged out of the case 71a.
In this way, the game balls displayed on the display shelf 71b are discharged out of the ball display section 71 every two display shelves 71b.

Next, a case where the game balls displayed on the plurality of display shelves 71b are discharged from all the display shelves 71b almost simultaneously to the outside of the ball display unit 71 will be described. In other words, a case where the game balls displayed on the plurality of display shelves 71b are discharged out of the ball display unit 71 at once is described.
First, the insertion side cylinder 81 is reversed to return to the origin position so as to close the left side openings 71c corresponding to all the display shelves 71b. Thereafter, the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated forward at a predetermined angle γ from the origin position so as to open the right side opening 71d corresponding to all the display shelves 71b. The predetermined angle γ is an angle from when the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated forward from the original position until the second discharge hole 87b of the discharge side cylinder 86 is opposed to all the right side openings 71d of the case 71a. It is. In the storage ball feeling production section 70 according to the present embodiment, the predetermined angle γ is 320 degrees.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a state in which the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated from the origin by a predetermined angle γ.
As shown in FIG. 37, the second discharge hole 87b is formed such that the right end in the circumferential direction is formed in parallel with the rotation axis direction, and the length of the left end extends in the circumferential direction from top to bottom. It is formed so as to be shorter. Therefore, in the process in which the discharge side cylinder 86 is rotated from the origin by a predetermined angle γ, that is, the second discharge hole 87b is rotated to a position facing all the right side openings 71d of the case 71a, 71d faces the second discharge hole 87b in order from the high position side. As a result, the game balls are prevented from going from the ball standby unit 82 toward all the display shelves 71b, and the game balls displayed on the display shelves 71b at a higher position are first moved out of the case 71a. And fall to the lower tray 74. Finally, the second discharge holes 87b face all the right side openings 71d of the case 71a, so that the game balls displayed on all the display shelves 71b are discharged out of the case 71a.
In this way, the game balls displayed on the plurality of display shelves 71b are discharged out of the ball display unit 71 all at once.

Next, the case where the game ball of the stored ball feeling production unit 70 is washed will be described.
When the game ball is washed, such as after the opening hours of the hall, the game ball no longer exists in the lower tray 74 with the switching valve 76c of the upper tray 76 set so that the game ball rolls toward the cleaning device 30. Until the ball lift device 75 is driven. Thereby, the game balls accumulated in the lower tray 74 are raised by the ball raising device 75 to reach the upper tray 76, and reach the pre-cleaning stock 32a of the cleaning device 30 via the branch path 76b.

Next, the cleaning device 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1-2, the cleaning device 30 includes a cleaning unit 31 for cleaning game balls with liquid, a ball collecting unit 32 for collecting game balls distributed to the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the rendering device 20, A cleaning ball guiding unit 33 for guiding the game balls collected by the ball collecting unit 32 to the cleaning unit 31; Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, the cleaning device 30 cleans the washed stock 34 that stores the game balls that have been cleaned by the cleaning unit 31, and the game balls that have been cleaned by the cleaning unit 31. A guide member 35 that guides from the section 31 to the stock 34 after washing, and a ball transport device 36 that sends game balls from the stock 34 after washing to the main stock 41 are provided.

First, the cleaning unit 31 will be described.
FIG. 38A is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 31. 38-2 is an exploded view showing components of the cleaning unit 31. FIG. FIG. 38-3 is an exploded view showing components of the cleaning unit 31. 38-4 is an exploded view showing components of the mounting unit 381. FIG. 38-5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outer case 37 and the inner case 38. FIG. FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit 31.
The cleaning unit 31 includes an outer case 37 in which liquid is stored inside, an inner case 38 that is disposed inside the outer case 37 and can store game balls inside, and raises and lowers the inner case 38 relative to the outer case 37. An inner case lifting device 360 and an inner case rotating device 370 that rotates the inner case 38 relative to the outer case 37 are provided. In the present embodiment, a case where water is used as the liquid for cleaning the game ball is illustrated.
The outer case 37 is a thin-walled cylindrical member, with a water insertion part (not shown) for inserting water inside on the top, a water discharge part 37a for discharging stored water on the bottom, A bearing portion 37b into which a shaft member 397 of the mounting unit 381 described later is fitted is provided. A plurality (three in the present embodiment) of pins 37c are fixed to the upper surface of the bearing portion 37b so as to extend vertically at equal intervals in the circumferential direction by screw connection or press-fitting. In addition, on the upper side of the outer case 37, an outer case lid 39 that covers a part of the upper surface of the outer case 37 whose upper surface is open, and a lid cover 379 that covers a part of the center of the upper surface of the outer case lid 39, , Is arranged. An insertion hole 39a into which the inner case 38 is inserted is formed in the outer case lid 39, and a side wall 39b extending from the upper surface to the upper side in the vertical direction is formed on the outer peripheral portion. Further, the upper surface of the outer case lid 39 is inclined so that the game ball discharged from the inner case 38 rolls from the inner case 38 side to the side wall 39b side. A plurality (three in the present embodiment) of the gaming balls penetrating in the vertical direction and dropped on the upper surface of the outer case lid 39 on the inner side of the side wall 39b are dropped downward. The through holes 39c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the outer case lid 39 is inclined so that the edge of the opening of the through hole 39c has the lowest height.
The outer case 37 is fixed to the main frame 31 a of the cleaning unit 31, the outer case lid 39 is fixed to the outer case 37, and the lid cover 379 is fixed to the outer case lid 39.

The inner case 38 includes a placement unit 381 on which a game ball is placed, and an inner case body 380 that supports the placement unit 381.
The mounting unit 381 is basically a disk-shaped member, and a mounting member 395 that mounts a game ball on the upper surface thereof, a support member 396 that supports the mounting member 395, and a rod shape that is fixed to the support member 396. The shaft member 397. Further, the mounting unit 381 includes a stepped bolt 398 that fixes the shaft member 397 to the support member 396 and a cap 399 that restricts the vertical movement of the mounting member 395 with respect to the support member 396. .
The stepped bolt 398 has a flange portion 398a, a first screw 398b provided on one side of the flange portion 398a, and a second screw 398c provided on the other side of the flange portion 398a. ing.

  The mounting member 395 is formed such that the shape of the upper surface, which is the surface on which the game ball is placed, is inclined from the center side to the outer peripheral side. In addition, unevenness is formed on the surface of the mounting member 395 on which the game ball is placed. More specifically, a plurality of convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction on the surface of the mounting member 395 on which the game ball is placed. That is, the mounting member 395 includes a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) wall surfaces 395b formed in parallel to the rotation axis direction at a portion on the side where the game ball is placed, and a wall surface having a height in the circumferential direction. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) slopes 395c formed so as to gradually increase toward the upper end of 395b. The mounting member 395 according to the present embodiment is formed such that the height of the inclined surface 395c gradually increases in the clockwise direction when the cleaning unit 31 is viewed from above. The plurality of wall surfaces 395b and the inclined surfaces 395c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The wall surface 395b and the slope 395c formed so as to be continuous with the lower end of the wall surface 395b constitute a recess, and the wall surface 395b and the slope 395c formed so as to be continuous with the upper end of the wall surface 395b are convex. Parts. Further, a through hole 395a penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface is formed at the center of the mounting member 395, and the first screw 398b of the stepped bolt 398 is passed through the through hole 395a. The mounting member 395 is fixed to the stepped bolt 398 by fitting a cap 399 having an outer shape larger than the diameter of the through hole 395a into the first screw 398b.

  Further, a through hole 396a penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface is formed at the center of the support member 396, and the second screw 398c of the stepped bolt 398 is passed through the through hole 396a through a washer. The The shaft member 397 has an outer diameter that is larger than the hole diameter of a through hole 396a formed in the central portion of the support member 396, and a female screw that fits the second screw 398c is formed in the central portion. Then, the shaft member 397 is fitted into the second screw 398 c, whereby the shaft member 397 is fixed to the support member 396. Also, a plurality of recesses 396b that are recessed from the bottom surface of the support member 396 and into which the plurality of pins 37c fixed to the bearing portion 37b of the outer case 37 are fitted are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Has been.

  The inner case main body 380 includes a cylindrical cylindrical portion 380a, an inner protruding portion 380b formed at the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 380a so as to protrude inward in the rotational radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a, and the cylindrical portion 380a. And a flange 380c protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a in the rotational radial direction. The cylindrical portion 380a surrounds the outer periphery of the mounting member 395 with the inner peripheral surface thereof, and restricts the movement of the game ball mounted on the mounting member 395 in the lateral direction. The cylindrical portion 380a has a plurality of insertion holes 38a for inserting water stored in the outer case 37 inside, and a plurality of discharge holes 38b for discharging game balls placed on the mounting member 395 to the outside. , Is formed. The insertion hole 38a is formed smaller than the size of the game ball, and the discharge hole 38b is formed larger than the size of the game ball. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of discharge holes 38b are formed to be equally spaced in the circumferential direction so as to have the same height in the vertical direction. The inner projecting portion 380b includes a cylindrical bearing portion 38c provided at the center portion into which the above-described support member 396 is fitted, and a boss 38d in which a screw hole to which an opening / closing member support member 391 described later is screwed is formed. And a convex portion 38e that is provided between the cylindrical portion 380a and the bearing portion 38c and supports the mounting member 395. The convex portion 38e is formed so that peaks and valleys are continuous in the circumferential direction. Then, the inner projecting portion 380b is mounted such that the upper surface of the bearing portion 38c is in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 395, or the peak of the convex portion 38e is in contact with the lower surface of the mounting member 395. The unit 381 is restricted from moving downward.

  The inner case body 380 of the inner case 38 is provided with opening / closing members 390 that open and close the discharge holes 38b so as to correspond to a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of the discharge holes 38b. The opening / closing member 390 is supported by an opening / closing member support member 391 fixed to the lower portion outside the inner case body 380. A plurality of (three in this embodiment) rails 391 a for raising and lowering the opening and closing member 390 are formed on the opening and closing member supporting member 391 so as to correspond to the respective opening and closing members 390. The opening / closing member support member 391 is fixed to the inner protruding portion 380b of the inner case main body 380 from the lower side with a bolt or the like. The opening / closing member support member 391 is fixed with a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) bolts or the like so as to correspond to the opening / closing members 390, respectively. Has been. A coil spring 393 is interposed between the regulating member 392 and the opening / closing member 390, and the coil spring 393 pushes the opening / closing member 390 upward. Here, the opening / closing member 390 includes a fitted portion 390a fitted into the rail 391a of the opening / closing member support member 391, and a protruding portion 390b projecting outward from the fitted portion 390a. The opening / closing member 390 receives the downward force from the lid cover 379 whose upper surface of the projecting portion 390b is fixed to the outer case lid 39, so that the fitted portion 390a pushes the coil spring 393 while sliding the rail 391a. It moves downward relative to the opening / closing member support member 391 against the pressure. As described above, the opening / closing member 390 moves relative to the inner case 38 and allows the game ball to be discharged by opening the discharge hole 38b, or suppresses the discharge of the game ball by closing the discharge hole 38b. To do.

The cleaning unit 31 includes an inner case support member 350 that supports the inner case 38, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) that support the inner case support member 350 and guide the inner case support member 350 in the vertical direction. Guide rod 352.
The inner case support member 350 is formed with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 380a of the inner case main body 380 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 380c, and a portion positioned below the flange 380c is fitted therein. A use hole 350a is formed. The inner case support member 350 is formed with a plurality of guide rod holes 350b (three in this embodiment) into which the guide rods 352 are inserted. A plurality of bearing recesses 350c, which are recesses into which the ball bearings 353 incorporating the balls are fitted, are formed on the upper surface of the inner case support member 350. The cleaning unit 31 includes a bearing regulating plate 354 that regulates the vertical movement of the plurality of ball bearings 353 fitted in the plurality of bearing recesses 350c formed on the upper surface of the inner case support member 350. ing.

The cleaning unit 31 includes a transmission gear 382 that is fixed to the flange 380c of the inner case 38 and has teeth formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof, an inner case lid 383 that covers a part of the upper opening of the inner case 38, A lid support member 384 that fixes the inner case lid 383 via a flange 380c. The inner case lid 383 is formed with a recess 383a that is recessed from the upper surface at the center. Then, the cleaning unit 31 is fitted into the concave portion 383a of the inner case lid 383, and is fitted inside the ball bearing 385 so that the inner case 38 can rotate with respect to the inner case support member 350. And a base 386 for supporting. Further, the cleaning unit 31 includes a case restricting plate 387 for restricting the movement of the case main body 380 of the inner case 38 in the vertical direction, and a plurality of (in this embodiment) for fixing the restricting plate 387 to the inner case supporting member 350. 3) pedestals 388. The case restricting plate 387 has an inner case hole of the inner case supporting member 350 from the lower side of the inner case 38 to which the transmission gear 382, the lid supporting member 384, the inner case lid 383, the ball bearing 385 and the base 386 are mounted. After being inserted into 350 a, it is fixed to the base 386 and is fixed to the inner case support member 350 via a plurality of bases 388. When the inner case 38 is inserted into the inner case hole 350a of the inner case support member 350, a plurality of ball bearings 353 and a bearing restriction plate 354 are mounted on the inner case support member 350. The case regulating plate 387 is fixed to the inner case support member 350 in a state where the lower surface of the transmission gear 382 is in contact with the plurality of ball bearings 353.
With such a configuration, the inner case support member 350 supports the inner case 38 in a rotatable manner.
The base 386 has an upper portion formed in a mortar shape, and an introduction member 389 for introducing the game ball into the inner case 38 is attached.

The plurality of guide rods 352 are attached to the main frame 31a and a first guide rod 352a that is rotatably attached to the main frame 31a of the cleaning unit 31 and has a spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And a second guide bar 352b in which no spiral groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface. In the present embodiment, the plurality of guide rods 352 are composed of one first guide rod 352a and two second guide rods 352b.
The first guide rod 352a is fitted into the guide rod hole 350b of the inner case support member 350 via the first bearing 351a fixed to the inner case support member 350. That is, a spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing 351a, and the outer peripheral surface of the first guide rod 352a is fitted into the inner peripheral surface. The second guide bar 352 b is fitted into the guide bar hole 350 b of the inner case support member 350 via the second bearing 351 b fixed to the inner case support member 350. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the second bearing 351b and the outer peripheral surface of the second guide rod 352b are fitted together.

Next, the inner case elevating device 360 will be described.
The inner case elevating device 360 is attached to the elevating motor 362 for applying a force for moving the inner case supporting member 350 in the vertical direction, the transmission gear 363 attached to the first guide rod 352a, and the elevating motor 362. A transmission gear 362a and a belt 364 wound on the transmission gear 363. Then, the first guide rod 352a rotates by transmitting the rotational driving force of the elevating motor 362 by the transmission gears 362a and 363 and the belt 364. Then, when the first guide rod 352a rotates, the first bearing 351a rises or falls according to the rotation direction. As a result, the inner case support member 350 to which the first bearing 351a is fixed, the inner case 38 supported by the inner case support member 350, and the like rise and fall depending on the rotation direction of the lifting motor 362. .

Next, the inner case rotation device 370 will be described.
The inner case rotation device 370 includes a rotation motor 371 for applying a rotational driving force to the inner case 38, a transmission gear 371a attached to the rotation motor 371, and a transmission gear fixed to the transmission gear 371a and the inner case 38. And a transmission gear 372 that meshes with 382. The inner case rotating device 370 includes a bracket 373 for supporting the rotation motor 371 on the inner case supporting member 350, a rotating shaft 374 fixed to the inner case supporting member 350 and serving as a rotating shaft of the transmission gear 372, And a cover 375 for restricting the movement of the transmission gear 372 in the vertical direction. The rotation motor 371 is fixed to the bracket 373, and the bracket 373 is fixed to the inner case support member 350. As a result, the rotation motor 371 is fixed to the inner case support member 350, and the transmission gear 371 a is rotatable with respect to the inner case support member 350. The transmission gear 372 is rotatably supported by the inner case support member 350 via a rotation shaft 374 fixed to the inner case support member 350. The cover 375 is fixed to the inner case support member 350 so as to straddle the upper sides of the transmission gear 372 and the transmission gear 371a, and restricts the vertical movement of the transmission gear 372.
By the inner case rotating device 370 configured as described above, the rotational driving force of the rotation motor 371 is transmitted to the transmission gear 382 fixed to the inner case 38 via the transmission gear 371a and the transmission gear 372. As a result, the inner case 38 rotates relative to the inner case support member 350 by the plurality of ball bearings 353 and the ball bearings 385. However, when the inner case 38 is in a cleaning position to be described later and the concave portion 396b of the support member 396 of the mounting unit 381 is fitted into the pin 37c fixed to the bearing portion 37b of the outer case 37. In the inner case 38, the mounting unit 381 does not rotate, and only the inner case main body 380 rotates.

In the cleaning unit 31 configured as described above, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the inner case elevating device 360 to move the inner case 38 to three positions having different heights. The lowest position is a position where a game ball stored inside the inner case 38 is immersed in water stored in the outer case 37. The highest position is a position at which the game ball stored inside the inner case 38 is discharged to the upper surface of the outer case lid 39 through the discharge hole 38b formed in the inner case main body 380. The intermediate position is a position where the game ball stored inside the inner case 38 is not immersed in the water stored in the outer case 37.
Then, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the inner case rotating device 370 in a state where the inner case 38 is moved to the lowest position described above, thereby rotating the inner case 38 and storing the game ball stored in the inner case 38. Wash. Hereinafter, this lowest position is referred to as a “cleaning position”. FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view when the inner case 38 is in the cleaning position. In addition, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the inner case rotating device 370 in a state where the inner case 38 is moved to the above-described intermediate position after washing the game ball stored in the inner case 38. 38 is rotated to drain the washed game ball. Hereinafter, this intermediate position is referred to as a “draining position”. In addition, the cleaning control unit 800 drains the game ball stored in the inner case 38 and then controls the inner case lifting device 360 to move the inner case 38 to the highest position described above. Drain the ball. Hereinafter, this highest position is referred to as a “discharge position”.

In the state where the inner case 38 is present at the cleaning position, the concave portion 396b of the support member 396 of the mounting unit 381 is fitted into the pin 37c fixed to the bearing portion 37b of the outer case 37. When driven, the placement unit 381 in the inner case 38 does not rotate, and only the inner case main body 380 rotates.
Here, the placement member 395 of the placement unit 381 has a wall surface 395b formed in parallel to the rotation axis direction at a portion on the side where the game ball is placed, and a height in the circumferential direction gradually toward the wall surface 395b. And a slope 395c formed to be higher. Therefore, the rotation direction of the inner case 38 is set such that the rotation direction of the inner case main body 380 with respect to the mounting unit 381 gradually increases the height of the inclined surface 395c formed on the mounting member 395. That is, when the cleaning unit 31 is viewed from above, the inner case 38 is rotated so that the rotation direction of the inner case body 380 with respect to the placement unit 381 is the clockwise rotation direction. In other words, when the inner case 38 is rotated while the inner case 38 is in the cleaning position, the inner case main body 380 is relatively rotated in one direction with respect to the mounting unit 381, and the mounting unit The height of the inclined surface 395c formed on the mounting member 395 in the rotation direction of the inner case main body 380 with respect to 381 is gradually increased toward the upper end of the wall surface 395b.
The game ball on the outermost peripheral portion of the mounting member 395 is out of the game ball on the central portion side of the mounting member 395 because the upper surface of the mounting member 395 is inclined from the central portion side to the outer peripheral side. While receiving the direction force, the movement in the rotational radius direction is restricted by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a of the inner case main body 380. Therefore, a frictional force is generated between the game ball in the outermost peripheral portion of the mounting member 395 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380 a of the inner case main body 380 or the opening / closing member 390. As a result, when the inner case body 380 rotates with respect to the placement unit 381, the game ball placed on the placement unit 381 is placed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a of the inner case body 380 or the opening / closing member 390. The generated frictional force moves in the rotation direction of the inner case body 380 according to the rotation of the inner case body 380. That is, it goes up the slope 395c formed on the mounting member 395, falls after reaching the upper end of the wall surface 395b. Of the game balls placed on the mounting unit 381, the game balls that are not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a of the inner case body 380 or the opening / closing member 390 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 380a. As the game ball moves due to the frictional force generated by the movement, it moves as it moves. As a result, the game balls stored in the inner case 38 move both in the circumferential direction and in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid stored in the outer case 37. And since the movement may move while each game ball rolls, more surfaces of each game ball touch the liquid as compared to a plurality of game balls moving together. Become. As a result, the dust attached to the game ball easily falls.

When the cleaning control unit 800 stops the rotation after rotating the inner case 38 in a state where the inner case 38 exists at the cleaning position, the cleaning member 800 is placed on the wall surface 395b and the lower end of the wall surface 395b. The concave portion formed by the slope 395c formed so as to be continuous is stopped at a position facing the discharge hole 38b of the inner case main body 380. For example, as shown in FIG. 41-2 to be described later, the inner case main body 380 is stopped at a position where the wall surface 395b and the circumferential end of the discharge hole 38b form a straight line in the rotational radius direction.
Here, the cleaning unit 31 includes an inner case position detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position (rotation angle) in the rotation direction of the inner case 38. The inner case position detection sensor is a well-known photointerrupter sensor, and reads the presence of a member at a portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other depending on whether or not the light receiving element receives light emitted from the light emitting element. More specifically, since the light receiving element of the inner case position detection sensor does not receive light, the presence of a member at a portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other is detected. In the present embodiment, the inner case position detection sensor is fixed to the inner case support member 350 or the case regulating plate 387. As shown in FIG. 38-3, a protrusion 383b that protrudes in the rotational radius direction is provided on the outer periphery of the gear support member 383, and the protrusion 383b includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element of the inner case position detection sensor. Pass through the opposite part. Further, when the cleaning control unit 800 detects the protrusion 383b by the inner case position detection sensor and stops the rotation motor 371, the concave portions of the mounting member 395 are opposed to the discharge holes 38b of the inner case main body 380, respectively. The position of the protruding portion 383b of the gear support member 383 is set so as to stop at the position where it is to be moved. With this configuration, when the cleaning control unit 800 stops the rotation after rotating the inner case 38 in a state where the inner case 38 exists at the cleaning position, the inner case position detection sensor switches from light reception to light shielding. By detecting the switching point and stopping the rotation of the inner case 38, the recess formed by the wall surface 395 b and the inclined surface 395 c of the mounting member 395 stops at a position facing the discharge hole 38 b of the inner case main body 380.

  Further, when the rotation motor 371 is driven in a state where the inner case 38 exists at the draining position, the inner case body 380 and the mounting unit 381 are integrated with each other, and the inner case 38 rotates to adhere to the game ball. Since the liquid is blown off, the liquid adhering after the cleaning is easily lost. Then, when the cleaning control unit 800 stops the rotation after rotating the inner case 38 in a state where the inner case 38 is in the draining position, the cleaning control unit 800 detects the switching point from the light reception to the light shielding. The rotation of the inner case 38 is stopped. As a result, the inner case 38 is in the same rotational position (rotation angle) after the draining process as that after the cleaning process.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view when the inner case 38 is in the draining position. FIG. 41-1 is a cross-sectional view when the inner case 38 is at the discharge position. FIG. 41-2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the placement member 395 of the placement unit 381 and the discharge hole 38b of the inner case main body 380 when the inner case 38 is at the discharge position.
As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the opening / closing member 390 disposed outside the lower portion of the inner case 38 has an upper surface of the protruding portion 390 b such that the inner case 38 exists in the cleaning position and the draining position. Until the lid cover 379 is fixed, the coil spring 393 is pressed to close the discharge hole 38b. Then, as shown in FIG. 41-1, the opening / closing member 390 is pushed by the cover cover 379 fixed to the outer case cover 39 in the process in which the inner case 38 rises from the draining position to the discharge position, and Is present at the discharge position, the discharge hole 38b is opened. Further, as described above, the upper surface of the mounting member 395 is inclined from the center side to the outer peripheral side, and when the inner case 38 is present at the discharge position, the wall surface 395b and the inclined surface 395c of the mounting member 395 are provided. The configured concave portion is stopped at a position facing the discharge hole 38b of the inner case main body 380. As a result, as shown in FIG. 41-2, the game balls stored in the inner case 38 jump out of the inner case 38 through the discharge holes 38b and flow out to the upper surface of the outer case lid 39.
The game ball that has flowed out to the upper surface of the outer case lid 39 then reaches the post-cleaning stock 34 via the through hole 39c and the guide member 35.

Next, the sphere collecting unit 32 will be described.
The ball collecting unit 32 has a pre-cleaning stock 32 a that stores the collected game balls before being sent to the cleaning unit 31. In addition, the ball collecting unit 32 is connected to the guide member 65 of the ball appearance feeling production unit 60 and the pre-cleaning stock 32a. The first introduction member 32b to be guided, the upper tray 76 of the storage ball feeling production unit 70, and the pre-cleaning stock 32a are connected to the pre-cleaning stock 32a. And a second introduction member 32c that leads to the first position.

  The pre-cleaning stock 32a is formed so that the volume of the inner recess is large enough to store all of the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, and passes through the game ball at the bottom. A through hole 32ah having a size that can be adjusted is formed. The bottom surface of the pre-cleaning stock 32a is inclined so that the portion where the through hole 32ah is formed is the lowest and the game ball rolls toward the through hole 32ah.

The first introduction member 32b has a receiving port for receiving a game ball from the branch path 65b of the guide member 65 of the ball feeling effect producing unit 60 on one end side, and a game ball on the uncleaned stock 32a on the other end side. Has a discharge outlet. The first introduction member 32b is arranged such that the one end side is higher than the other end side so that the game ball rolls under its own weight from one end side to the other end side.
The second introduction member 32c has a receiving port for receiving a game ball from the branch path 76b of the upper tray 76 of the storage ball effect production unit 70 on one end side, and a game ball on the pre-cleaning stock 32a on the other end side. Has a discharge outlet. The second introduction member 32c is arranged so that the one end side is higher than the other end side so that the game ball rolls under its own weight from one end side to the other end side.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning ball guide 33.
The cleaning ball guide 33 is disposed below the pre-cleaning stock 32a, receives a game ball that has dropped from the pre-cleaning stock 32a and sends it one by one, and a game ball sent by the ball feeding device 33a. And a nozzle 33b for guiding the inner case 38 toward the introduction member 389 (see FIG. 39).
The ball feeding device 33a has a stepping motor 33am, and with the rotation of the stepping motor 33am, the game balls are sent out one by one from the discharge port. The nozzle 33b is a hollow member through which a single game ball can pass. The nozzle 33b is disposed below the discharge port of the ball feeding device 33a and has a receiving portion 33ba opened upward. And a lateral portion 33bs formed so as to become lower as it goes to the tip where the discharge port 33be is formed. A rotation motor (not shown) is connected to the nozzle 33b. The nozzle 33b is driven by the rotation motor and is formed at the tip of the lateral portion 33bs with a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction as a rotation center. The discharge port 33be rotates between a position where the inner case 38 is present above the introduction member 389 and a position which is not present above.
In the cleaning ball guide 33 configured as described above, when the discharge port 33be of the lateral portion 33bs of the nozzle 33b exists above the introduction member 389 of the inner case 38, the game sent by the ball feeding device 33a. The sphere enters the nozzle 33b from the receiving portion 33ba of the nozzle 33b, is discharged from the discharge port 33be of the lateral portion 33bs, and enters the introduction member 389.

The post-cleaning stock 34 is a box-shaped member having a volume capable of storing all of the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, and the same number of holes as the guide members 35 in which the guide members 35 are fitted on the upper surface. Is formed. And the discharge port which discharges | emits a game ball is formed in the side surface of the stock 34 after washing | cleaning, and the bottom is inclined so that a game ball may go to this discharge port.
The guide member 35 is a thin cylindrical member. One end of the guide member 35 is connected to a through hole 39c formed in the outer case lid 39, and the other end is connected to the stock 34 after cleaning. The guide member 35 is provided in the same number as the through hole 39c. .
The ball transport device 36 is a device that raises a game ball discharged from the outlet of the stock 34 after washing to a main stock 41 to be described later, and has the same configuration and function as the ball lift device 52 described above. Description is omitted.

  The cleaning device 30 configured as described above operates as follows. That is, when the inner case 38 of the cleaning unit 31 is in the cleaning position and the discharge port 33be of the lateral portion 33bs of the nozzle 33b is on the introduction member 389, the ball feeding device 33a has a predetermined number of games. Send a ball. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are stored in the inner case 38. Thereafter, the inner case rotation device 370 rotates the inner case 38 at a predetermined rotation speed for a predetermined period. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are cleaned.

Thereafter, a rotary motor that rotates the nozzle 33b rotates the lateral portion 33bs of the nozzle 33b to a position that does not interfere with the introduction member 389 even when the introduction member 389 is lifted. 38 is raised to the draining position. Then, the inner case rotation device 370 rotates the inner case 38 at a predetermined rotation speed for a predetermined period. Thereby, a predetermined number of game balls are drained.
Thereafter, the inner case lifting device 360 raises the inner case 38 to the discharge position. In the process, the opening / closing member 390 descends with respect to the inner case 38, and when the inner case 38 reaches the discharge position, the discharge hole 38b is opened to a size that allows the game ball to pass therethrough. Thereby, the game ball in the inner case 38 is discharged to the upper surface of the outer case lid 39. Thereafter, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the outer case lid 39 and falls from the through hole 39c. Then, the game ball dropped from the through hole 39c passes through the guide member 35 and reaches the stock 34 after cleaning.
The above process is repeated until all the game balls sealed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU reach the stock 34 after cleaning. Thereafter, the ball transport device 36 raises all the game balls in the stock 34 after cleaning to the main stock 41.

  In the cleaning device 30 according to the above-described embodiment, the shape of the convex portion 38e formed on the upper surface of the inner protruding portion 380b of the inner case main body 380 of the cleaning portion 31 may be a shape shown below. That is, the height of the tops of some mountains is made higher than the heights of the tops of other mountains without making the heights of the tops of the peaks and valleys formed so as to be continuous in the circumferential direction uniform. It should be high. In the state where the inner case 38 is present at the cleaning position, the concave portion 396b of the support member 396 of the mounting unit 381 is fitted into the pin 37c fixed to the bearing portion 37b of the outer case 37. Even if driven, the mounting unit 381 does not rotate. On the other hand, with respect to the vertical movement of the mounting unit 381, the force acting downward due to the weight of the game ball mounted on the mounting member 395 is applied to the bearing portion 38c of the inner protrusion 380b. The upper and lower surfaces and / or the tops of the convex portions 38e are only supported, and the movement in the vertical direction is not limited. Therefore, the height of the tops of some of the peaks of the protrusions 38e of the inner protrusion 380b of the inner case body 380 is made higher than the heights of the tops of the other peaks, so that When the case main body 380 rotates, the placement unit 381 vibrates in the vertical direction according to the height of the peak of the convex portion 38e. As a result, the vertical movement of the game balls placed on the placement member 395 increases, and more surfaces of the individual game balls come into contact with the liquid. As a result, the dust attached to the game ball easily falls.

In the cleaning device 30 according to the above-described embodiment, the plurality of wall surfaces 395b and the inclined surfaces 395c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the surface of the mounting member 395 on which the game ball is placed. However, it is not particularly limited to such an embodiment. However, a plurality of game balls placed on the mounting member 395 move up and down evenly when formed at equal intervals, and a plurality of game balls are more easily cleaned evenly. Become.
In the cleaning device 30 according to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of wall surfaces 395b and slopes 395c are formed on the surface of the mounting member 395 on which the game ball is placed, and a plurality of concave portions and convex portions are formed. However, these may be singular. However, when the number of the balls is increased, the game balls placed on the placement member 395 are more actively moved in the vertical direction, and the attached dust is easily dropped.

Further, in the cleaning device 30 according to the above-described embodiment, the number of the discharge holes 38b formed in the cylindrical portion 380a of the inner case main body 380 of the cleaning portion 31 is determined by the wall surface 395b and the inclined surface 395c of the mounting member 395. Although an example is shown in which the number is the same as the number of concave portions formed and three are formed in the circumferential direction, the present invention is not particularly limited to such an embodiment. If all the concave portions formed by the wall surface 395b and the inclined surface 395c of the mounting member 395 are stopped at a position facing the discharge hole 38b of the inner case main body 380, the number of the discharge holes 38b of the inner case main body 380 is set. It is good also as an integral multiple of the number of the recessed parts of the mounting member 395. FIG.
In the cleaning device 30 according to the above-described embodiment, when the game ball is cleaned, the placement unit 381 is not rotated in the inner case 38 of the cleaning unit 31 and only the inner case main body 380 is rotated. However, the embodiment is not limited to this mode as long as the placement unit 381 and the inner case main body 380 move relatively. For example, only the placement unit 381 may be rotated without rotating the inner case main body 380 in the inner case 38.
The guide member 35 may be configured as follows. That is, the space inside the guide member 35 is set to a space that allows one game ball to pass, and a member having water absorption is provided inside. Thereby, even if the liquid is attached to the game ball discharged from the inner case 38 after cleaning, the liquid is wiped off while passing through the guide member 35. It becomes difficult to accumulate. Furthermore, since the guide member 35 is formed in a spiral shape, more surfaces of the individual game balls come into contact with the water-absorbing members, so that the wet game balls are less likely to accumulate in the stock 34 after cleaning.

Next, the distribution device 40 will be described in detail.
FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the distribution device 40 from the upper right rear obliquely. FIG. 44 is a view of the distribution device 40 as viewed from above.
A distribution device 40 as an example of a distribution unit includes a main stock 41 that stores game balls sealed in a pachinko gaming machine unit PU, and a distribution ball that guides the game balls stored in the main stock 41 to a ball cutting device 43 described later. A guide member 42 and a well-known ball cutting device 43 that supplies game balls falling from the main stock 41 one by one in order through the distribution ball guide member 42 are provided.

In addition, the distribution device 40 distributes the game balls supplied from the ball cutting device 43 to the circulating ball stock 53, the lower tray 63 of the exit ball feeling production section 60, or the lower tray 74 of the storage ball feeling production section 70. A dispensing nozzle 44 for dispensing is provided.
In addition, the distribution device 40 guides the game ball received from the distribution nozzle 44 to the circulation ball stock member 45 that guides the game ball to the circulation ball stock 53 and to the lower tray 63 of the ball appearance feeling production unit 60. A member 46, a storage ball feeling ball guide member 47 for guiding to the lower tray 74 of the storage ball feeling production unit 70, a circulating ball guide member 45, a ball feeling ball guide member 46, and a ball feeling ball guide member And a support member 48 that supports the end portion of the distribution nozzle 44 on the 47 side.
The distribution device 40 includes a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of nozzle position detection sensors 49 that detect the position of the distribution nozzle 44, and the plurality of nozzle position detection sensors 49 are provided on the support member 48. It is attached.

The main stock 41 as an example of the storage portion is a concave member formed so that the volume of the inner recess is large enough to store all game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. A receiving port for receiving the game ball sent from the stock 34 after cleaning via the ball transport device 36 and a discharge port 41a for discharging the game ball are formed. The bottom of the main stock 41 is inclined so that the discharge port 41a is the lowest and the game ball rolls to the discharge port 41a.
The distribution ball guide member 42 is a hollow member through which a single game ball can pass. One end of the distribution ball guide member 42 is connected to the discharge port 41a of the main stock 41, and the other end opens downward. It is connected to the device 43.

  The distribution nozzle 44 is a hollow member through which a single game ball can pass, and is disposed below the opening portion facing the lower side of the distribution ball guide member 42 and opened to the upper side. 44a (see FIG. 44), and a lateral portion 44b formed so as to extend in the lateral direction and become lower toward the tip where the discharge port 44ba is formed. A rotation motor (not shown) is connected to the distribution nozzle 44. The distribution nozzle 44 is driven by the rotation motor, and a discharge port 44ba is formed around a rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction. The tip of the lateral part 44b rotates. Further, the distribution nozzle 44 has a protruding portion 44c that is lower than the lateral portion 44b and protrudes in the rotational direction.

The circulation ball guide member 45, the exit ball feeling ball guide member 46, and the storage ball feeling ball guide member 47 are formed at one end with a receiving port for receiving a game ball below the discharge port 44 ba at the tip of the distribution nozzle 44. The other end is connected to the circulating sphere stock 53, the lower tray 63 of the exit ball feeling effect production unit 60, and the lower tray 74 of the storage ball effect production unit 70, respectively. And it arrange | positions so that the direction of one end side may become a higher position than the other end side so that a game ball may roll with dead weight from one end side.
The support member 48 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and a notch for supporting the circulating ball guide member 45, the exit ball feeling ball guide member 46, and the storage ball feeling ball guide member 47 is formed on each side surface. ing. A bearing 48a to which the rotation shaft of the distribution nozzle 44 is fitted is provided at the bottom of the support member 48 and on the center line of the cylinder. A rotation motor (not shown) that rotates the distribution nozzle 44 is disposed below the bottom of the support member 48.
As shown in FIG. 44, one end of the circulating ball guide member 45, the exit ball feeling ball guide member 46, and the storage ball feeling ball guide member 47 circulates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above. The ball guide member 45, the stored ball feeling ball guide member 47, and the exit ball feeling ball guide member 46 are supported by the support member 48 in this order.

The nozzle position detection sensor 49 is a well-known photo interrupter sensor, and includes two protrusions formed so as to protrude in the horizontal direction from the sensor body, and light emitting elements (not shown) provided in the protrusions, respectively. A light receiving element (not shown). Then, depending on whether the light receiving element receives light emitted from the light emitting element, the presence of the distribution nozzle 44 at a portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other is read. More specifically, since the light receiving element of the nozzle position detection sensor 49 does not receive light, the presence of the protruding portion 44c of the distribution nozzle 44 at the portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other is detected.
In this embodiment, three nozzle position detection sensors 49 are provided, and the light receiving element of the nozzle position detection sensor 49a, which is one of the sensors, does not receive light. It is detected that the discharge port 44ba of the part 44b exists above the receiving port of the circulating ball guide member 45. Further, since the light receiving element of the nozzle position detection sensor 49b, which is one of the three sensors, does not receive light, the discharge port 44ba of the lateral portion 44b of the distribution nozzle 44 is the receiving port of the storage ball sensation ball guide member 47. , And the light receiving element of the nozzle position detecting sensor 49c does not receive light, so that the discharge port 44ba of the lateral portion 44b of the distribution nozzle 44 is located above the receiving port of the ball sensing ball guide member 46. Detect the presence. As shown in FIG. 44, these three nozzle position detection sensors 49 are attached to the support member 48 in the order of the nozzle position detection sensors 49a, 49b, and 49c in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above. ing.

  The distribution device 40 configured as described above operates as follows. In other words, the distribution device 40, before the opening of the hall, the circulation ball that circulates all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game, At 60, the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect is distributed to the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect at the storage ball feeling effect unit 70. For this purpose, the distribution device 40 circulates the game balls stored in the main stock 41 via the distribution nozzle 44, the circulating ball stock 53, the lower tray 63 of the outgoing ball feeling effect unit 60, and the stored ball feeling effect unit 70. The lower tray 74 is distributed.

  When the distribution device 40 sends a game ball to the circulation ball stock 53, first, a nozzle position detection sensor is provided so that the discharge port 44ba of the lateral portion 44b of the distribution nozzle 44 exists above the reception port of the circulation ball guide member 45. The distribution nozzle 44 is rotated until 49a switches from light reception to light shielding. Thereafter, a predetermined number of game balls are sent from the main stock 41 by the ball cutting device 43. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are sent to the circulating ball stock 53 via the circulating ball guide member 45.

  In addition, when the distribution device 40 sends a game ball to the lower tray 63 of the ball-feeling effect producing unit 60, first, the outlet 44ba of the lateral portion 44b of the distribution nozzle 44 is inserted into the ball-entrance-sensitive ball guide member 46. The distribution nozzle 44 is rotated until the nozzle position detection sensor 49c switches from light reception to light shielding. Thereafter, a predetermined number of game balls are sent from the main stock 41 by the ball cutting device 43. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are sent to the lower tray 63 of the outgoing ball feeling effect production unit 60 via the outgoing ball feeling ball guide member 46.

  In addition, when the dispensing device 40 sends a game ball to the lower tray 74 of the storage ball feeling production unit 70, first, the discharge port 44ba of the lateral portion 44b of the distribution nozzle 44 is connected to the receiving port of the storage ball feeling ball guide member 47. The distribution nozzle 44 is rotated until the nozzle position detection sensor 49b switches from light reception to light shielding. Thereafter, a predetermined number of game balls are sent from the main stock 41 by the ball cutting device 43. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are sent to the lower tray 74 of the stored ball feeling effect producing unit 70 via the stored ball feeling ball guiding member 47.

  Then, as described above, the circulation ball that circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game, and the production ball and the storage ball that are used for the ball production feeling production unit 60 in the ball production feeling production unit 60 before the hall starts business. The game balls distributed to the effect balls used for the ball feeling effect by the feeling effect unit 70 are used for the circulation ball, the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect, and the ball feeling effect during the business hours of the hall, respectively. It is used as a production ball.

  The cleaning device 30 may be configured to distribute the game balls after being cleaned by the distribution device 40 in parallel with the cleaning process. In other words, the washed game balls that are transported to the main stock 41 by the ball transport device 36 are sequentially distributed to the appearance feeling effect section 60, the storage feeling effect section 70, and the pachinko gaming machine 100. In this way, by performing the cleaning process by the cleaning device 30 and the distribution process by the distribution device 40 in parallel, for example, as compared with the case where distribution is started after all the game balls are once stored in the main stock 41. The time required from the start of the ball cleaning to the completion of the distribution of the game balls after the cleaning can be shortened. Further, by paralleling the cleaning process and the distribution process in this way, the storage capacity of the game balls required in the main stock 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where all the game balls are temporarily stored in the main stock 41. It is possible to reduce the size of the entire apparatus.

[Configuration of control unit of pachinko machine unit]
FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control unit of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. As shown in the figure, the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a unit control unit 500 that comprehensively controls the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, such as displaying the remaining balance of the player, the number of pitches and the number of stored balls. ing. In addition, the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a ball data management unit 600 that manages data of the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, a ball appearance feeling effect unit 60, and a ball feeling feeling effect unit 70. A ball and storage feeling control unit 700 that controls the production, a cleaning control unit 800 that controls the cleaning of the game balls by the cleaning device 30, and a distribution control unit 900 that controls the distribution of the game balls by the distribution device 40. I have.
The unit control unit 500, the ball data management unit 600, the ball exit / storage feeling control unit 700, the cleaning control unit 800, and the distribution control unit 900 are each a unit control board described above disposed on the rear surface of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. The ball data management board, the ball exit / storage feeling control board, the cleaning control board, and the distribution control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of unit controller]
The unit control unit 500 includes a CPU 501 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the overall control of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, a ROM 502 that stores programs executed by the CPU 501, various data, and the like, and operations of the CPU 501 And a RAM 503 used as a general memory. In addition, the unit controller 500 of this embodiment has a real time clock (RTC) that measures the date and time. Further, in the present embodiment, the unit control unit 500 is configured to store information on the opening time and closing time of the hall where the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is installed in the RAM 503 or the like. And the unit control part 500 grasps | ascertains the opening time and closing time of a hall using a real-time clock (RTC). In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU of the present embodiment, it is scheduled that the game will be performed from the closing time of the hall where the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is installed to the opening time when the hall opens again after closing. No period.
As shown in FIG. 45, the sphere data management unit 600, the cleaning control unit 800, the CR unit 21, and the touch panel 22 are connected to the unit control unit 500. The unit controller 500 is connected to the game controller 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 through a panel power supply relay terminal board. The unit control unit 500 is connected to a unit external information terminal board 450 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall.

The unit control unit 500 plays a game due to a game ball winning from the pachinko gaming machine 100 to the first starting port 121, the second starting port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126 of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Information on prize balls acquired by the player. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, information indicating that 10 winning balls have been acquired is acquired from the game control unit 200.
The unit control unit 500 transmits information regarding the number of winning balls acquired from the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the unit external information terminal board 450.

In addition, the unit control unit 500 acquires information that a game ball has been launched and information on a foul ball from the ball data management unit 600. Further, the unit control unit 500 indicates that the rental button has been pressed from the CR unit 21 with information stored in the card inserted into the CR unit 21, information on the amount of cash inserted to borrow a game ball, etc. Information such as information and information that the stored ball is paid out as a game ball is acquired from the touch panel 22.
Then, the unit control unit 500 manages the balance and the number of stored balls based on the information acquired in this way. Further, the unit control unit 500 transmits the information on the remaining amount / the number of stored balls to the CR unit 21 as information to be stored in the card inserted in the CR unit 21.

In addition, when the business of the hall is finished, the unit control unit 500 controls the cleaning device 30 to the cleaning control unit 800 to instruct cleaning of all game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. To do.
Further, the unit control unit 500 controls the distribution device 40 with respect to the distribution control unit 900 to circulate all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for gaming. The circulation ball, the production ball used for the ball feeling production by the ball appearance feeling production unit 60, and the production ball used for the storage ball production by the storage ball feeling production unit 70 are distributed.

In addition, the unit control unit 500 displays a menu screen or the like on the touch panel 22 and acquires information indicating that a button displayed on the touch panel 22 such as the menu screen has been pressed from the touch panel 22.
FIGS. 46A and 46B are diagrams illustrating examples of screens that the unit control unit 500 displays on the touch panel 22.
When neither card nor cash is inserted into the CR unit 21 and the game is not in progress, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen A in FIG. And the unit control part 500 displays the screen B of FIG. 46-1 (b), when cash or a card | curd is inserted, while displaying the screen A of FIG. 46-1 (a). Screen B displays the selection buttons labeled “Rental”, “Payout”, “Service”, “Leave Seat”, the number of balls played (number of winning prize balls), the number of balls stored, and the remaining amount. Yes. Only when there is a balance, the button labeled “Rental” is lit, and the player can press it, and when there is a ball, the button labeled “Payout” is lit. The player can press it. Note that the number of balls to be played (the number of winning prize balls) is the total number of game balls that the player has acquired with this pachinko gaming machine unit PU. The number of stored balls is the number of game balls that a player can use for a game in this pachinko gaming machine unit PU (can be launched toward the game board 110 by the launching device 160). The remaining amount is the amount of unused money. In the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, when the number of stored balls is one or more and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the amount corresponding to one gaming ball, the launching device 160 launches one gaming ball. The unit controller 500 decrements the number of stored balls by one and does not decrease the remaining amount. In addition, when winning game balls are acquired due to the winning game balls winning in the winning opening, the unit control unit 500 increases the number of stored balls by the number of acquired winning balls and does not increase the remaining amount. . When the number of stored balls is zero and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the amount corresponding to one game ball, the unit control unit 500 determines the remaining amount when one game ball is fired by the launching device 160. When the game ball that has been fired becomes a foul ball, the number of stored balls is increased by the amount that has become a foul ball.

Further, when the selection button indicated as “service” on the screen B is pressed, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen C in FIG. On the screen C, there are displayed a selection button for an item to receive the service, a selection button for a payment method when receiving the service, and a selection button indicated as “Cancel”.
In addition, when the selection button indicated as “seating” on the screen B is pressed, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen D in FIG. 46-2 (a). On the screen D, a selection button indicated as “meal” and “toilet”, a selection button indicated as “game end”, and a selection button indicated as “cancel” are displayed.
In addition, when the selection button indicated as “meal” or “toilet” on the screen D is pressed, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen E in FIG. 46-2 (b). Then, when the screen E is displayed, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen B when the player returns within a predetermined time as a meal break or a toilet break, and the predetermined value is determined in advance. When the player does not return within the time, the screen F of FIG. 46-2 (c) is displayed.
Further, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen A when the selection button indicated as “game end” on the screen D is pressed. In addition, when the selection button indicated as “cancel” on the screen C or the screen D is pressed, the unit control unit 500 displays the screen B again.
The screen display on the touch panel 22 and the transition timing performed by the unit controller 500 will be described later.

[Configuration / Function of Sphere Data Management Department]
The sphere data management unit 600 includes a CPU 601 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various types of control related to management of the circulating sphere, a ROM 602 that stores programs executed by the CPU 601, various data, and the like, and a work memory of the CPU 601. Etc., and a RAM 603 used as the
As shown in FIG. 45, the ball data management unit 600 includes a launch detection unit (launch switch (SW)) 611 (see FIG. 2A) for detecting a game ball launched by the launch device 160, and a game board. 110, a lower end detection unit (lower end switch (SW)) 612 (see FIG. 21) for detecting a game ball passing through the lower end 118, and a foul ball detection unit (foul ball switch (SW)) for detecting a foul ball. 613 (see FIG. 2A) is connected.

The ball data management unit 600 includes information that a game ball has been launched by the launching device 160 from the launch detection unit (launch switch (SW)) 611, and the game board 110 from the lower end port detection unit (lower end port switch (SW)) 612. Information indicating that the game ball has passed through the lower end 118 of the player, and information indicating that the game ball has become a foul ball from the foul ball detection unit (foul ball switch (SW)) 613, and the unit control unit 500 obtains the information. Send to.
Further, the ball data management unit 600 acquires information on the number of winning prize balls and the number of stored balls from the unit control unit 500. Then, the ball data management unit 600 manages the number of winning prize balls and the number of stored balls, and transmits the number of winning prize balls and the number of stored balls to the outgoing and stored ball feeling control unit 700.

  The ball data management unit 600 is connected to the launching device 160 described above, a supply device 158 that supplies a game ball to the launching device 160, and a ball cutting device 58, and the ball data management unit 600 drives these. To control.

[Configuration and function of the starting and storage feeling control unit]
The exit / storage feeling control unit 700 stores a CPU 701 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the exit feeling and the storage effect, and a program executed by the CPU 701, various data, and the like. ROM 702 and RAM 703 used as a working memory for CPU 701 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 45, the above-described ball exit / storage feeling control unit 700 is connected to the insertion side photosensor 76e, the discharge side photosensor 76f, and the ball detection photosensor 76g.
In addition, the ball-and-ball feeling control unit 700 includes driving units such as a rotating body motor 61b and an adjustment valve motor 62c provided in the ball-feeling effect unit 60, and a ball-feeling effect unit 70. The drive units such as the insertion-side motor 85 and the discharge-side motor 90 provided are connected.
Then, the exit / storage feeling control unit 700 controls the exit feeling effect part 60 and the storage effect effect part 70 based on the number of winning prize balls and the number of stored balls acquired from the ball data management part 600.

[Configuration and function of cleaning control unit]
The cleaning control unit 800 includes a CPU 801 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the cleaning of game balls, a ROM 802 that stores programs executed by the CPU 801, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 801, and the like. RAM 803 used as
The cleaning control unit 800 includes a pre-cleaning ball detection unit (pre-cleaning ball switch (SW)) 811 that detects a game ball supplied from the pre-cleaning stock 32 a to the inner case 38, and a cleaning device 30 that supplies the main stock 41. A post-cleaning ball detection unit (post-cleaning ball switch (SW)) 812 that detects a game ball to be played is connected.
Further, the cleaning control unit 800 includes a vertical movement device and a rotation device that are provided in the cleaning device 30 to move the inner case 38 up and down, a stepping motor 33am that drives the ball feeding device 33a, a rotation motor that rotates the nozzle 33b, and the like. Are connected to each other.
Then, based on the command acquired from the unit control unit 500, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the cleaning device 30 so as to clean all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU.

[Configuration and function of distribution control unit]
The distribution control unit 900 includes a CPU 901 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the distribution of game balls, a ROM 902 that stores programs executed by the CPU 901, various data, and the like, a work memory of the CPU 901, and the like. And a RAM 903 used as the above.
The above-described nozzle position detection sensor 49 is connected to the distribution control unit 900. Further, the distribution control unit 900 is connected to each drive unit provided in the distribution device 40 such as a ball cutting device 43 and a rotation motor that rotationally drives the distribution nozzle 44.
Then, the distribution control unit 900 controls the distribution device 40 based on a command from the unit control unit 500. In other words, the distribution control unit 900 controls the distribution device 40 so that all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are circulated in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game, The effect part 60 distributes the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect and the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect by the storage ball feeling effect unit 70.

Further, in this embodiment, the unit controller 500 issues an instruction command to the distribution controller 900 so that the distribution of the game balls stored in the main stock 41 by the distribution device 40 is completed by the opening time of the hall. send. Specifically, the unit controller 500 acquires information on the opening time of the hall. Furthermore, the unit controller 500 acquires information on the time required to complete the distribution of the game balls to each unit by the distribution device 40. Then, the unit control unit 500 sends the game balls to the distribution control unit 900 so that the distribution of the game balls is completed by the time set as the opening time of the hall based on the time required for distribution of the game balls. Send a command to start the distribution process.
Note that the unit control unit 500 sets information on the time required for completing the distribution of the game balls to each part by the distribution device 40 to the time required for the distribution by the distribution device 40 when distributing the past game balls, for example. You may acquire based on. The unit controller 500 may be configured to receive information on the time required to complete distribution from the outside.

[Basic operation of pachinko machine unit]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU configured as described above will be described.
Basic operations of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are performed by the unit controller 500. Then, under the control of the unit control unit 500, the game data is managed by the ball data management unit 600, and the ball feeling / ballistic feeling control unit 700 performs the ball feeling effect producing unit 60 and the ball feeling feeling producing unit. 70 is controlled. In addition, under the control of the unit control unit 500, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the cleaning device 30, and the distribution control unit 900 controls the distribution device 40.

[Initial processing of the unit controller]
The unit controller 500 reads and displays a number set in advance as the number of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU as an initial process when the power is turned on. In addition, the unit controller 500 reads an amount per game ball (for example, 1 yen / 1 ball, 4 yen / 1 ball) preset for the pachinko gaming machine 100. Further, the unit controller 500 displays the screen A on the touch panel 22.

[Basic processing by the unit controller]
In addition, the unit control unit 500 repeatedly executes basic processing at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off.
FIGS. 47-1 and 47-2 are flowcharts showing the contents of basic processing performed by the unit controller 500. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 47-1, the unit control unit 500 first determines whether or not the in-game flag is OFF in the flag setting set in the RAM 503 (step 4701). Here, the in-game flag is a flag that is set when a “rental” button or a “payout” button on the screen B displayed on the touch panel 22 is pressed, as will be described later.

If the in-game flag is OFF (Yes in step 4701), it is determined whether or not the screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4702). If the screen B is not displayed (No in step 4702), it is determined whether or not the store is closed (step 4703). This is a process of determining whether or not the time when the in-game flag is OFF has reached a time that is predetermined as the closing time. If the store is closed (Yes in Step 4703), a command for the cleaning process is transmitted to the cleaning control unit 800 (Step 4704), and the basic process ends.
As described above, the unit control unit 500 of the present embodiment sets the cleaning control unit 800 in the period after the hall is closed and the game is not scheduled to be performed after the game flag is turned OFF and the game is ended. The cleaning is started. The pachinko gaming machine unit PU of the present embodiment collects game balls with relatively large noise and cleans the game balls during a period when the game is not scheduled to be performed by the player. Yes. Further, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU of the present embodiment is configured to complete the distribution of the game balls after cleaning with relatively large noise during a period when the game is not scheduled to be performed by the player.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, after determining whether or not a predetermined time has been reached as the closing time, a command for cleaning processing is transmitted to the cleaning control unit 800. Here, the cleaning of the game ball in the cleaning device 30 may be performed in a period during which no game is scheduled to be performed, and does not necessarily need to be started immediately after the hall closing time is reached.

  On the other hand, if the store is not closed (No in Step 4703), it is determined whether or not a card has been inserted into the CR unit 21 (Step 4705). If a card is inserted into the CR unit 21 (Yes in step 4705), it is determined whether or not a card error has occurred (step 4706). This is a process of determining whether or not the identification information of the inserted card is readable, and determining a card error if it is not readable. Alternatively, it is determined whether the inserted card can be used in the hall where the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is arranged, that is, whether the identification information of the card matches the identification information stored in the ROM 502 in advance. In this case, the card error is determined as unusable if they do not match. An example of card identification information is a card manufacturing number.

If it is a card error (Yes in step 4706), a message indicating a card error is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4707). On the other hand, if it is not a card error (No in step 4706), it is determined whether or not the inserted card is a hole card (step 4708). This is a process for determining whether or not the identification information of the inserted card matches the identification information stored in advance in the ROM 502 as a card for the employee of the hall. If the inserted card is a hole card (Yes in step 4708), the door of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opened (step 4709). On the other hand, if it is not a hole card (No in step 4708), since the inserted card is a card that can be used for games in this hole, screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4710).
On the other hand, if no card is inserted in the CR unit 21 (No in step 4705), it is determined whether or not a bill is inserted in the CR unit 21 (step 4711). Even when a bill is inserted (Yes in step 4711), the screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4710).

  If screen B is displayed on touch panel 22 in step 4710 and if it is determined in step 4702 that screen B is displayed on touch panel 22 (Yes in step 4702), it is displayed on screen B. It is determined whether or not a button indicated as “rental” or a button indicated as “payout” has been pressed (step 4712). If the button indicated as “rented” or “paid out” is pressed (Yes in step 4712), the in-game flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 503 is turned ON (step 4713).

  Then, after the game flag is set to ON in step 4713, if it is determined in step 4712 that the button indicated as “rented ball” or “payout” has not been pressed (No in step 4712) and step If it is determined in 4701 that the in-game flag is not OFF (No in step 4701), it is determined whether or not a call button (not shown) provided for calling an employee in the hall has been pressed (step). 4714). If the call button is pressed (Yes in step 4714), the indicator lamp 23 is lit in red (step 4715). When the call button is not pressed (No in Step 4714), and after the indicator lamp 23 is lit in red in Step 4715, the button indicated as “Seating” on screen B displayed on the touch panel 22 is pressed. It is determined whether or not (step 4716). If the button labeled “seating” is pressed (Yes in step 4716), screen D is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4717), and another routine of leaving is executed (step 4718). The contents of the away process will be described later.

  On the other hand, if the button labeled “separate” has not been pressed (No in step 4716), it is determined whether or not the button labeled “service” on screen B displayed on touch panel 22 has been pressed. (Step 4719). If the button labeled “service” is pressed (Yes in step 4719), the screen C is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4720), and another routine of service processing is executed (step 4721). The contents of the service process will be described later.

Thereafter, information is acquired from the ball data management unit 600 and the game control unit 200 (step 4722). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been launched based on the information acquired from the ball data management unit 600 (step 4723). If the game ball has not been fired (No in step 4723), it is determined whether or not a prize ball has been acquired based on the information acquired from the game control unit 200 (step 4724). If no winning ball has been acquired (No in step 4724), it is determined whether or not a bill has been inserted into the CR unit 21 (step 4725).
When a game ball is fired (Yes in step 4723), a winning ball is obtained (Yes in step 4724), and a bill is inserted (Yes in step 4725), Data regarding the number of stored balls is updated (step 4726). The update of the number of balls to be played is a process of adding the number of prize balls acquired this time to the cumulative number of balls that have been played so far. The update of the number of stored balls is a process of subtracting the number of game balls launched from the number of stored balls in the previous flow, or a process of adding the number of prize balls acquired this time to the number of stored balls in the previous flow. The balance update is a process of adding the amount of money inserted this time to the balance in the previous flow. After that, these data are stored in the card inserted into the CR unit 21 (step 4727), and transmitted to the exit / pickup feeling control unit 700 (step 4728).

[Seating processing by unit control section]
FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the contents of the leaving process (step 4718 in FIG. 47).
In this away process, the unit controller 500 first determines whether or not the screen D is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4801). If the screen D is being displayed (Yes in step 4801), it is determined whether or not the button indicated as “game end” on the screen D displayed on the touch panel 22 has been pressed (step 4802). If the “game end” button is pressed (Yes in step 4802), it is determined whether or not there is a balance or a stored ball (step 4803). If there is a balance or a stored ball (Yes in step 4803), the information is recorded on the card, and the card is discharged (step 4804). Thereafter, the in-game flag is turned off (step 4805), and the screen A is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4806).

  On the other hand, if the “game end” button has not been pressed (No in step 4802), it is determined whether or not the button labeled “meal” on screen D displayed on touch panel 22 has been pressed (step 4807). ). If the button labeled “meal” is pressed (Yes in step 4807), a predetermined time as a meal break time is read from the ROM 502 and set in the RAM 503 (step 4808). On the other hand, if the button labeled “meal” has not been pressed (No in step 4807), it is determined whether or not the button labeled “toilet” on screen D displayed on the touch panel 22 has been pressed (No). Step 4809). When the button labeled “toilet” is pressed (Yes in step 4809), a predetermined time as a rest time is read from the ROM 502 and set in the RAM 503 (step 4810).

  If the meal break time is set in step 4808 or the toilet break time is set in step 4810, it is determined whether there is a balance or a stored ball (step 4811). When there is a balance or a stored ball (Yes in step 4811), the information is recorded on the card, and the card is discharged (step 4812). Thereafter, the break flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 503 is turned ON (step 4813), and the screen E is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4814). After that, another break process is executed (step 4815). The content of the break process will be described later.

  On the other hand, if the “toilet” button has not been pressed (No in step 4809), it is determined whether or not the button labeled “cancel” on screen D displayed on touch panel 22 has been pressed (step 4816). . When the button indicated as “Cancel” is pressed (Yes in Step 4816), the screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (Step 4817).

[Processing during breaks by the unit controller]
FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the contents of the break process (step 4815 in FIG. 48).
In the break process, the unit controller 500 first determines whether or not the break flag is ON (step 4901). If the break flag is ON (Yes in step 4901), it is determined whether or not a card has been inserted into the CR unit 21 (step 4902). If a card is inserted (Yes in step 4902), it is determined whether or not the inserted card is the same card as when the button labeled "meal" or "toilet" is pressed. A determination is made (step 4903). This is a process of determining by collating the identification information of the card. If they are the same card (Yes in step 4903), the break flag is turned off (step 4904), and the screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4905). On the other hand, if they are the same card (No in step 4903), the touch panel 22 is displayed to indicate that a card error has occurred (step 4906).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 4902 that a card is not inserted into the CR unit 21 (No in step 4902), it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (step 4907). This is a process for determining whether or not the elapsed time since the break flag is ON is equal to or longer than the break time set in step 4808 or step 4810 in FIG. If it is timed out (Yes in step 4907), the screen F is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 4908).

[Service processing by the unit controller]
FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the contents of the service process (step 4721 in FIG. 47-2).
In this service process, the unit controller 500 first determines whether or not the screen C is displayed on the touch panel 22 (step 5001). If the screen C is being displayed (Yes in step 5001), it is determined whether or not the service content is confirmed (step 5002). This is a process for determining whether or not the selection button for the item to receive the service and the selection button for the payment method displayed on the screen C are pressed. If both selection buttons are pressed, the service contents are displayed. If any selection button is not pressed, it is determined that the service content has not been confirmed. If the service content is confirmed (Yes in step 5002), information about the confirmed service content is transmitted to the host computer via the unit external information terminal board 450 (step 5003). On the other hand, if the service content has not been confirmed (No in Step 5002), it is determined whether or not the button labeled “Cancel” on the screen C displayed on the touch panel 22 has been pressed (Step 5004).

  Then, after transmitting the service content determined in Step 5003 or when the button indicated as “Cancel” on the screen C is pressed (Yes in Step 5004), the screen B is displayed on the touch panel 22 (Step 5005). ).

[Sphere data management processing by the sphere data manager]
The sphere data management unit 600 repeatedly executes the sphere data management process at regular intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off.
FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the contents of the sphere data management process performed by the sphere data management unit 600.
Referring to FIG. 51, the sphere data management unit 600 first determines whether or not the “rented ball” button on the screen B displayed on the touch panel 22 has been pressed (step 5101). Then, when the “ball rental” button is pressed (Yes in step 5101), a predetermined number (for example, the number to be supplied to the upper plate 153 due to the “ball rental” button being pressed) (for example, , 125 balls) is set as the number of balls to be supplied to the upper plate 153 (step 5102).

  On the other hand, if the “Rent” button has not been pressed (No in Step 5101), it is determined whether or not the “Payout” button on the screen B displayed on the touch panel 22 has been pressed (Step 5103). When the “payout” button is pressed (Yes in Step 5103), it is determined whether or not the number of stored balls is equal to or larger than a predetermined number (for example, 125 balls) (Step 5104). If the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Yes in step 5104), the predetermined number is set as the number of balls to be supplied to the upper plate 153 (step 5105). On the other hand, if the number of stored balls is less than the predetermined number (No in step 5104), the number of stored balls is set as the number of balls to be supplied to the upper plate 153 (step 5106). Thereafter, the number of balls set in step 5102, step 5105 or step 5106 is supplied to the upper plate 153 (step 5107).

  After supplying the game balls to the upper plate 153 in step 5107 or when the “Borrowing” and “Payout” buttons on the screen B displayed on the touch panel 22 are not pressed (No in steps 5101 and 5103), the upper It is determined whether or not game balls remain on the plate 153 (step 5108). If a game ball remains on the upper plate 153 (Yes in Step 5108), it is determined whether or not the service ball button has been pressed (Step 5109). This service ball button is a button pressed by a hall employee as a game ball to be given to a player, and here is a process of determining whether or not this service ball button has been pressed. If the service ball button is pressed (Yes in Step 5109), one game ball is replenished from the circulating ball stock 53 to the upper plate 153 (Step 5110).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been fired (step 5111). If it is determined that a game ball has been fired (Yes in step 5111), it is determined whether there is a foul ball (step 5112). This is processing for determining whether or not a signal indicating that a foul sphere has been detected is received from the foul sphere detection unit 613. If there is no foul ball (No in step 5112), the fact that the game ball has been launched is transmitted to the unit controller 500 (step 5113).

[Departure feeling control processing by the exit / storage feeling control section 700]
The pitching and storage feeling control unit 700 repeatedly executes the ball data management process at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off.
FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the content of the ball feeling control process performed by the ball throwing / storage feeling control unit 700.
Referring to FIG. 52, the ball-out / pick-up feeling control unit 700 first determines whether or not the in-game flag is ON (step 5201). If the in-game flag is ON (Yes in Step 5201), it is determined whether or not the number of prize balls acquired within a predetermined period is increased (Step 5202). This is a process of determining based on the number of winning prize balls acquired from the unit control unit 500. For example, the total number of winning balls within 30 minutes from the current time is 30 minutes from one minute before the current time. This is a process for determining whether or not there is more than the total number of winning prize balls paid out within a minute.

  If the number of winning prize balls in the predetermined period has increased (Yes in step 5202), whether or not the number of winning prize balls in the predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined first increase number. Is determined (step 5203). This is, for example, processing for determining whether or not the number of prize balls acquired so far from the time of the previous jackpot occurrence is equal to or greater than the first increase number. Then, when the increase in the number of winning prize balls is less than the first increase (No in Step 5203), the level of the effect performed in the exit ball feeling effect production unit 60 is maintained at the current level (Step 5204). . On the other hand, if the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than the first increase (Yes in step 5203), it is determined whether or not the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined second increase. (Step 5205). Then, if the increase in the number of winning prize balls is less than the second increase (No in step 5205), the level of the effect performed by the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 is set to level 1 (step 5206). On the other hand, if the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than the second increase (Yes in step 5205), it is determined whether or not the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined third increase. (Step 5207). If the increase in the number of winning prize balls is less than a predetermined third increase (No in step 5207), the level of the effect performed by the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 is set to level 2 (step 5208). . On the other hand, when the increase in the number of winning prize balls is equal to or greater than the third increase (Yes in step 5207), the level of the effect performed by the ball appearance effect production unit 60 is set to level 3 (step 5209).

  On the other hand, if the number of winning prize balls in the predetermined period has not increased (No in step 5202), whether or not the reduction number of the winning prize balls in the predetermined reference period is equal to or greater than the predetermined decrease number. Is determined (step 5210). For example, the difference between the total number of winning balls awarded within 30 minutes retroactive from the present time and the total number of winning balls paid out within 30 minutes retroactively from the current time is determined in advance. This is a process of determining whether or not the number of reductions is greater than or equal to. If the number of reductions is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of reductions (Yes in step 5210), a setting is made to reduce the level of the effect performed by the ball-ball feeling effect production unit 60 by 1 (step 5211). On the other hand, when the number of reductions is less than the predetermined number of reductions (No in step 5210), the level of the performance performed by the ball appearance effect production unit 60 is maintained (step 5212).

  Then, the number of game balls in the rotating body cover 66 of the ball rotating unit 61 is set to the number of game balls according to the level set as described above (step 5213), and the rotation speed of the rotating body 61a is set as follows. The rotation speed is set according to the set level (step 5214). That is, when changing the setting level, the number of game balls in the rotator cover 66 is changed and / or the rotation speed of the rotator 61a is changed to match the level. On the other hand, when the set level is maintained, the number of game balls in the rotator cover 66 and the rotation speed of the rotator 61a are maintained.

On the other hand, if the in-game flag is not ON (No in step 5201), it is determined whether or not the production is in progress (step 5215). If the production is in progress (Yes in Step 5215), the game ball is removed from the rotating body cover 66 (Step 5216), and the rotation of the rotating body 61a is stopped (Step 5217).
The predetermined first increase number, second increase number, and third increase number described above may be, for example, 1000, 5000, and 10,000, respectively. Moreover, it can be illustrated that the predetermined reduction number is 2000, for example.

[Storing feeling control process by the starting and storing feeling control section 700]
The pitching and storage feeling control unit 700 repeatedly executes the ball data management process at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off.
FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the content of the stored ball feeling control process performed by the outgoing ball / stored ball feeling control unit 700.
Referring to FIG. 53, the pitching / pickup feeling control unit 700 first determines whether or not the in-game flag is ON (step 5301). If the in-game flag is ON (Yes in step 5301), a number corresponding to the number of stored balls is set as the number of game balls displayed on the ball display unit 71 (step 5302). This is a process of reading out a predetermined number as the number of displays (the number predetermined as the number of display shelves 71b to be displayed) from the ROM 702 and setting it in the RAM 703 based on the number of stored balls acquired from the unit controller 500. It is. Then, the insertion side cylinder 81 and the discharge side cylinder 86 are rotated so that the set number of game balls are displayed (step 5303). In addition, as a relation between the number of stored balls and the number of display shelves 71b to be displayed, for example, when the number of stored balls is 1000, the display shelves 71b in the first row from the bottom are displayed so that they are full, When the number of stored balls is 2000, the display shelves 71b that are displayed every time the number of stored balls increases by 1000, such as displaying so that the display shelves in the first and second rows from the bottom become full are displayed. Can be exemplified by increasing the number of each by one column from the bottom.

On the other hand, if the in-game flag is not ON (No in step 5301), it is determined whether or not the production is in progress (step 5304). If the production is in progress (Yes in step 5304), the insertion side cylinder 81 and the discharge side cylinder 86 are rotated so as to discharge the game balls from the ball display unit 71 at once (step 5305).
In the above description, when the game balls are displayed on the ball display unit 71, the display is controlled to display on the display shelves 71b corresponding to the number of stored balls. You may display the number of game balls according to the number of balls. For example, when the number of stored balls is 1000, the number of displayed is 15, and when the number of stored balls is 2000, the number of displayed is 30. May increase.

[Cleaning management processing by the cleaning control unit 800]
The cleaning control unit 800 executes the cleaning management process when receiving a command from the unit control unit 500 to execute the cleaning management process.
FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the contents of the cleaning management process performed by the cleaning control unit 800.
Referring to FIG. 54, the cleaning control unit 800 first collects all game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU in the pre-cleaning stock 32a (step 5401). This is a process of controlling various valves and driving devices that control the path of the game ball in order to collect the circulation ball and the production ball in the pre-cleaning stock 32a. For example, the first guide path of the circulation mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 100 A switching valve 57 provided at a connection portion between 54a and the third guide path 54b is switched so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-cleaning stock 32a. Further, the switching valve 65c of the guide member 65 of the ball appearance effect producing unit 60 is switched so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-cleaning stock 32a, and the ball raising device 64 is driven. Further, the switching valve 76c of the upper tray 76 of the storage ball feeling effect production unit 70 is switched so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-cleaning stock 32a, and the ball lifting device 75 is driven.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all the game balls in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU have been washed (step 5402). This is a process of determining whether or not the number of game balls detected by the post-cleaning ball detection unit 812 matches the number of game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. If all the game balls have not been cleaned (No in step 5402), it is determined whether or not a cleaning process described later is being executed (step 5403). If the cleaning process is being executed (Yes in step 5403), the process waits until the cleaning process ends. On the other hand, if the cleaning process is not being executed (No in step 5403), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the pre-cleaning stock 32a (step 5404). If there is a game ball in the pre-cleaning stock 32a (Yes in step 5404), the game ball is supplied from the pre-cleaning stock 32a to the inner case 38 (step 5405). This can be exemplified by supplying a predetermined number of game balls from the pre-cleaning stock 32a. At that time, the pre-cleaning ball detection unit 811 counts the number of game balls supplied from the pre-cleaning stock 32a to the inner case 38, and the supply may be stopped when a predetermined number is counted. Thereafter, another routine cleaning process is executed (step 5406). The details of the cleaning process will be described later.

  On the other hand, when all the game balls have been washed (Yes in Step 5402), an end process is executed (Step 5407). In the end process, all the washed game balls stored in the stock 35 after the cleaning are sent to the main stock 41 of the distribution device 40 by the ball transport device 36 and switched to collect in the pre-cleaning stock 32a in step 5401. In this process, the switching valves 65c and 76c are returned to their original positions and the driving of the ball lifting devices 64 and 75 is stopped.

[Cleaning process by cleaning control unit 800]
FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing the contents of the cleaning process of the cleaning control unit 800.
In this cleaning process, the cleaning control unit 800 rotates the inner case 38 at a predetermined rotational speed in order to wash the game balls in the inner case 38 with water (step 5501). Then, it is determined whether or not the cleaning has timed out (step 5502). This is a process for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation of the inner case 38 for water washing. If it is not a timeout (No in step 5502), the process waits until a timeout occurs. On the other hand, if it is timed out (Yes in Step 5502), the rotation of the inner case 38 is stopped (Step 5503). As described above, this is a process of stopping the rotation of the rotation motor 371 when the inner case position detection sensor detects a switching point from light reception to light shielding.

Thereafter, the inner case 38 is raised to the draining position (step 5504). This can be exemplified by the process in which the cleaning control unit 800 rotates the lifting motor 362 in one direction by a predetermined number of rotations. Alternatively, for example, a well-known reflection type photosensor that detects the presence of the introduction member 389 at the draining position is fixed to the main frame 31a. The rotation of the motor 362 may be stopped.
Then, after raising the inner case 38 to the draining position, the inner case 38 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed (step 5505). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a draining timeout has occurred (step 5506). This is a process for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation of the inner case 38 for draining water. And when it is not draining timeout (it is No at step 5506), it waits until it becomes draining timeout. On the other hand, when it is time-out (Yes in Step 5506), the rotation of the inner case 38 is stopped (Step 5507). As described above, this is a process of stopping the rotation of the rotation motor 371 when the inner case position detection sensor detects a switching point from light reception to light shielding.

Thereafter, in order to discharge the game ball, the inner case 38 is raised to the discharge position (step 5508). This can be exemplified by the process in which the cleaning control unit 800 rotates the lifting motor 362 in one direction by a predetermined number of rotations. Alternatively, for example, a well-known reflection type photosensor that detects the presence of the introduction member 389 at the discharge position is fixed to the main frame 31a, and the cleaning control unit 800 moves up and down when the reflection type photosensor detects the introduction member 389. The rotation of the motor 362 may be stopped.
Then, after raising the inner case 38 to the discharge position, it is determined whether or not a discharge timeout has occurred (step 5509). This is a process for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the inner case 38 was raised to discharge the game ball. If it is not the discharge timeout (No in step 5509), the process waits until the discharge timeout is reached. On the other hand, if it is the discharge time-out (Yes in step 5509), the inner case 38 is lowered to the cleaning position (step 5510). This can be exemplified by the process in which the cleaning control unit 800 rotates the lifting motor 362 in the other direction by a predetermined number of rotations. Alternatively, for example, a well-known reflection type photosensor that detects the presence of the introduction member 389 at the cleaning position is fixed to the main frame 31a, and the cleaning control unit 800 moves up and down when the reflection type photosensor detects the introduction member 389. The rotation of the motor 362 may be stopped. In the process of lowering the inner case 38 to the cleaning position, the recess 396b of the support member 396 of the mounting unit 381 is fitted into the pin 37c fixed to the bearing portion 37b of the outer case 37.

  In the pachinko gaming machine unit PU configured as described above, the ball pitch feeling production unit 60 visually senses the feeling of the number of game balls acquired by the player who is playing on the pachinko gaming machine 100. Since it is directed, it is possible to experience the feeling of winning a prize ball. And since the effect is performed using an actual game ball used in the game, a sense of reality is further increased as compared with a case where an actual game ball is not used. In addition, the storage ball feeling production unit 70 visually recognizes the feeling of the number of prize balls acquired by the player, in other words, the feeling of the number of game balls that can be used for the game possessed by the player. Since the performance is directed, it is possible to enjoy a sense of superiority due to the number of prize balls acquired. And since the effect is performed using an actual game ball used in the game, a sense of reality is further increased as compared with a case where an actual game ball is not used.

  In addition, the game balls used for the production in the ball feeling feeling production unit 60 and the storage ball feeling production unit 70 are collected together with the game balls used for the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100 in the pre-washing stock 32, and the washing unit. Washed at 31. Thereafter, the game balls cleaned by the cleaning unit 31 are distributed again by the distribution device 40 to the pachinko gaming machine 100, the exiting ball feeling effect unit 60, and the stored ball feeling effect unit 70. Therefore, it is suppressed that the circulating sphere used in the game that circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100 is repeatedly used as the circulating sphere.

  For example, in the configuration in which all the enclosed game balls are collected and cleaned after the hall is closed and distributed again until the next store opening, such as the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, a specific game ball is stored for several days. It can suppress using continuously as a circulation sphere. Therefore, according to the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the contamination of the game balls as compared with the enclosed game machine used for the game by circulating all the enclosed game balls. . In addition, like the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, the number of game balls circulating in the pachinko gaming machine 100 is 150, and the number of game balls used for production in the appearance feeling effect production unit 60 is 600. Probability of being repeatedly used as a circulation sphere by using a larger number of game balls than the number of circulation spheres as the production sphere, such as 330 pieces of game balls used for production in the storage ball feeling production unit 70 Can be reduced. Furthermore, in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, since the ball polishing member 59 is provided on the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 100, the attached dust is removed even when the dust adheres to the circulating ball. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of clogging due to dust adhering to the circulating sphere.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ball polishing member 59 is applied to the pachinko gaming machine 100 that constitutes the pachinko gaming machine unit PU together with the effect device 20 or the like has been described, but the invention is not particularly limited. For example, the present invention may be applied to an enclosed pachinko gaming machine that does not include the rendering device 20 and circulates only a plurality of game balls enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from outside. In addition, a plurality of game balls enclosed in the internal space so as not to be touched from the outside are circulated by a plurality of pachinko gaming machines housed in a single housing, instead of being circulated by only one pachinko gaming machine. You may apply to the pachinko game machine in the pachinko game machine group comprised so that it might make it.

  In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, the internal space in which the game balls are enclosed indicates a space surrounded by the housing 10, and a plurality of pachinko gaming machines are stored in one housing. In the pachinko gaming machine group, a space surrounded by the one housing is shown. In addition, in an enclosed pachinko gaming machine that does not include the rendering device 20 and circulates a plurality of enclosed game balls only for gaming, a space surrounded by a casing of the pachinko gaming machine is shown.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is configured by the pachinko gaming machine 100, the rendering device 20, the cleaning device 30, and the like, but is not particularly limited. For example, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU may be configured by the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the cleaning device 30 without providing the rendering device 20. In such a case, the game balls circulating in the pachinko gaming machine 100 may be washed by the cleaning device 30, and the washed game balls may be returned to the pachinko gaming machine 100 and circulated again.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distribution device 40 distributes the game balls to the three locations of the gaming machine 100, the ball feeling effect production unit 60, and the ball storage effect production unit 70. However, the distribution destination of the game balls distributed by the distribution device 40 is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it is a component that constitutes a circulation system in which the circulation of game balls is formed. In addition to the gaming machine 100, the ball appearance feeling production section 60, and the storage ball feeling production section 70, when a component for distributing game balls is provided, the game ball is distributed to the components. May be.

PU ... Pachinko machine unit, 10 ... Housing, 20 ... Production device, 30 ... Cleaning device, 40 ... Distributing device, 60 ... Out ball feeling production unit, 70 ... Storage ball production production unit, 100 ... Pachinko game machine, 110 ... game board, 500 ... unit control section

Claims (1)

A gaming machine unit in which a plurality of game balls are enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from the outside,
A gaming machine in which a game is played by circulating a plurality of enclosed game balls;
A game ball circulation unit for forming a game ball circulation different from the game machine;
A storage unit for storing game balls enclosed in the unit;
A guide member having a discharge port for discharging the game ball, and guiding the game ball received from the storage unit to the discharge port;
The guide member is rotated around a rotation axis, and the discharge port of the guide member guides the game ball toward the first guide path for guiding the game ball toward the game machine or the game ball circulation unit. a distributor is opposed to the second guide path, which distributes the game balls to the gaming machine and the game ball circulation unit without moving the reservoir,
A gaming machine unit comprising: a control unit that distributes game balls stored in the storage unit to the distribution unit within a period in which a game is not scheduled to be performed in the gaming machine.

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