JPH07185069A - Sealed ball type game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To judge the excess or shortage of game ball number according to the form of a game state by providing a sealed ball type game machine with a game state judging means for detecting a specified game state of the game machine for circulating game balls, and judging the excessive or short state of the game ball number on the basis of the judgment result. CONSTITUTION:A sealed ball type game machine has a sealed ball circulating mechanism 16 mounted on the reverse side of a frame 13, and the mechanism 16 has a collecting gutter 43 for collecting prize balls of the game balls shot to a game area, a guide passage 4 for guiding the collected balls in the neatly arranged state, and a supplying gutter 47 for guiding the guided balls toward a shooting device 15. This machine has a game state judging means for judging, as a specified game state, a non-game state where all game balls are recovered in the supplying gutter 47, or a game state where the game balls in the supplying gutter 47 are successively fed to the shooting device 15 and the game balls are also successively recovered from the game area. In the specified game state, the excessive or short state of the game ball number is judged from the output of a sealed ball number detecting means 51.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an enclosed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in a circulatory manner and these game balls are sequentially fired to play a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an enclosed ball type game machine (for example, an arrange ball machine) in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in a circulatory manner and these game balls are sequentially ejected to perform a game,
It is proposed by the applicant of the present application in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-50058. And, in particular, in an arrange ball machine, a prescribed number of game balls are shot, and a particular combination of winning points of the game balls determines a game result that is advantageous and a disadvantage game result for the player. Has become. From such a game content, if more than a specified number of game balls are enclosed, the number of winning places will increase and the above-mentioned specific combination will be more likely to occur. Therefore, it is detected whether the number of enclosed game balls is a specified number or more than the specified number because an unfair state of giving a value is given.

[0003]

By the way, in such an enclosed ball type gaming machine, when the phenomenon of the ball stopping that the gaming ball stops on the game board occurs, or for some reason, the enclosed ball If the number of enclosed game balls is less than the specified number, such as when the game ball is dropped from the game machine, it will be disadvantageous to the player, or in the worst case, there will be no shot ball. Since it is assumed that the game ball will be lost, it is necessary to once stop the game, adjust the game ball to a specified number, and then restart the game.

When such a procedure is adopted, in the above-mentioned arrangement ball machine, one game is completed by firing a prescribed number of game balls, and therefore it is sufficient to cancel one game. However, in a gaming machine of a type in which a game ball is continuously circulated and a prize ball is awarded for winning a game ball, for example, in a pachinko machine, since the game is continuously played, it is enclosed. Even when the number of game balls becomes less than a predetermined number, it is possible to continue the game for a while as long as there is a game ball that returns to the launch position in time for the next launch, but the following unique problems Dots occur.

That is, there is a problem in that the game is interrupted if the number of ball stops increases and the game ball does not return to the launch position. There are many types of game modes that generate advantageous game modes for a player who is likely to win a game ball for a certain period of time when a certain condition is satisfied for the game mode. However, if there is a problem, that is, a state in which the game cannot be fired, the privilege cannot be effectively utilized even though the advantageous game form is acquired.

In the pachinko machine described above, depending on the function of the game machine provided on the game board surface, a predetermined number of shot game balls are stored and collected when the stored number reaches the predetermined number. There is a type in which a gaming machine having such a configuration is provided. In such a type of gaming machine, the number of gaming balls stored by the gaming machine differs depending on the type of the gaming machine, and the enclosed ball of the gaming ball required to continue the game in a normal gaming state. Also differs depending on the type of the gaming machine. Along with this, there is a problem in that the device for detecting the number of enclosed game balls also needs to be changed in accordance with the game machine to be attached.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in an enclosed ball type gaming machine of a type in which a game ball is continuously shot to play a game, the enclosed game ball is in an excess or deficiency state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosed ball type gaming machine capable of detecting the.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an enclosed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are circulatedly enclosed and the game balls are sequentially emitted to a game area by a launching device to perform a game, the enclosed ball circulation mechanism in which the game balls are circulated. Based on the game state determination means for detecting a specific game state of the enclosed ball type gaming machine, and the specific game state determination signal from this game state determination means, the number of game balls enclosed in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism is insufficient or insufficient. It is characterized in that it is provided with a sealed sphere number detecting means for judging the state.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 2, the game state determination means according to claim 1 is a non-gaming game in which all the gaming balls are collected in the supply gutters of the gaming balls forming the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. It is characterized in that the state is determined to be a specific game state.

In the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to claim 3, the game state determination means according to claim 1 causes the gaming balls in the supply gutter constituting the enclosed ball circulation mechanism to be sequentially sent to the launching device, and the game The game state in which the game balls are sequentially collected from the area is determined to be a specific game state.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 4, the enclosed ball number detecting means according to claim 2 determines whether the state is excessive or insufficient with respect to the prescribed number of game balls to be loaded in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. It is characterized by being done.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 5, the enclosed ball number detecting means according to claim 2 or 3 is a specific gaming ball preset with the number of gaming balls existing in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. It is characterized in that an excess / deficiency state is determined based on a comparison with the number.

Further, the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 6 is, in any one of claims 1 to 5, an abnormality handling control means for carrying out an abnormality response based on the enclosed ball number abnormality signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 7, the abnormality response by the abnormality response control means in claim 6 is caused when the enclosed ball number abnormal signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means is canceled, or , Is canceled when an abnormality handling cancellation signal is input.

[0015]

According to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of claim 1, the game state determining means determines the gaming state of the enclosed ball type gaming machine, and based on the determination result, the enclosed ball number detecting means, Excess / shortage determination of the number of game balls is performed according to the form of the game state.

According to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of claim 2, in a state where all of the gaming balls are collected in the supply gutter,
It is determined whether the number of game balls is excessive or insufficient. Therefore, the excess or deficiency of the game ball is determined before the start of the game, and the occurrence of problems after the start of the game is prevented.

According to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of the third aspect, it is determined whether the number of game balls is excessive or insufficient in a state where the game balls are being launched by the launching device and the game is in progress. Therefore, even during the game, the defect can be found quickly and the countermeasure can be taken quickly and surely.

According to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of the fourth aspect, in a state where all of the gaming balls have been collected in the supply gutter, it is judged whether there is an excess or deficiency with respect to the prescribed number to be enclosed. This ensures that the excess / deficiency of all the game balls is determined.

According to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of claim 5, during the game or while the game is stopped, the excess or deficiency of the number of game balls is determined on the basis of the specific number of predetermined game balls. . Here, by setting the minimum allowable value or the maximum allowable value necessary for continuing the game as the specific number of game balls, the range of abnormality determination criteria is widened, and unnecessary game stop operations are prevented. It

Further, according to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of claim 6, when the enclosed game balls reach an excess or deficiency state, an enclosed ball number detecting signal is output from the enclosed ball number detecting means, and this signal is output. Based on the above, the abnormality handling control means takes measures against the abnormal state.

Further, according to the enclosed ball type gaming machine of claim 7, the excess or deficiency state of the enclosed balls is eliminated, and the output of the enclosed ball number abnormal signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means is stopped. At this time, the countermeasure by the abnormality handling control means is automatically stopped or forcedly released by an external input.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a description will be given of the overall configuration of a sealed ball type gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as gaming machine) to which the present embodiment is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a gaming machine, which has a rectangular rear frame 2 and a front frame 3 rotatably attached to the front side of the rear frame 2. First, various members provided on the front side of the front frame 3 will be described. The front frame 3 is rotatably provided so as to cover its front surface, and has a glass support frame 5 in which a transparent glass 4 is fitted,
An opening / closing panel 6 disposed below the glass support frame 5 and rotatably attached to the front frame 3, and a front panel 7 fixed to the front frame 3 below the opening / closing panel 6. , Provided on the right side of the front panel 7,
An operation dial 8 that drives a launching device that repels a game ball enclosed in the gaming machine 1, and a storage recess 9 that is provided in the center of the front panel 7 and that stores small items that the player carries. And the ashtray 1 provided on the left side of the storage recess 9
0, a pilot lamp 11 provided on the upper portion of the front frame 3 for displaying a game state and the like, and a pilot lamp 11 provided on the right side of the front frame 3 for opening and closing the front frame 3 and the glass support frame 5. A lock 12 is provided.

Next, the various members attached to the rear surface side of the front frame 3 will be described. On the rear surface of the front frame 3, a substantially square through hole 13a is formed as shown in FIGS. The frame 13 is attached, and the game board 14 is detachably attached so as to close the through hole 13a of the frame 13.

Further, below the front frame 3, the operation amount is adjusted by the operation dial 8, and an enclosed game ball, which will be described later, is formed in the game area G formed on the front surface of the game board 14. A launching device 15 for launching toward is attached, and further, on the back side of the frame 13,
Enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 for circulating the enclosed game balls
Is attached. And in this embodiment,
The enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 is provided with an exchange ball supply device 17 for loading a new game ball into the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16.

The game board 14 is, in this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 4, a configuration having a right generation means for generating the right to shift the game form to a special game form advantageous to the player is illustrated, and the game launched by the launching device 15 is illustrated. A guide rail 18 for guiding a ball (enclosed ball) to a game area G formed on the front surface of the game board 14 and a guide rail 18 arranged substantially at the center of the game board 14 to play a variable display game and display when the game is stopped. A variable display device 19 as a right generation device for generating a right to shift to the special game form when the form becomes a specific display form,
A specific winning opening 20 provided below the variable display device 19 as a starting opening for outputting a start signal of a variable display game on the variable display device 19 by winning or passing a game ball, and below the specific winning opening 20. When the display mode when the variable display device 19 is stopped is changed to a specific display mode, the game ball is converted into the first state which is easy for the player to win and is advantageous to the player. It is difficult for players to win a game ball, which is disadvantageous to the player.
The special variation winning device 21 to be in a state, above and to the left and right of the variable display device 19, and the special variation winning device 2
General winning openings 22 provided on the left and right of 1 and below the special variable winning device 21, and the game board 14 without winning.
The game board 1 collected by collecting the game balls dropped below
The game ball collection port 23 taken into the back side of 4, the both sides of the game area G, and outside the game area G, are provided at both upper ends of the game board 14, and are turned on or off depending on the form of the game. A blinking decoration lamp 24 is provided.

Further, a frame board 25 as shown in FIG. 5 is integrally attached to the lower front surface of the frame 13, and this frame board 25 has the frame 13 attached to the front frame 3, The open / close panel 6 attached to the front frame 3 is configured to be openably / closably covered. Also, its front side,
That is, on the surface opposite to the back surface of the opening / closing panel, game balls shot by the launching device 15 are placed on the game board 1
4, a firing rail 26 for guiding to the guide rail 18 is attached, and in the vicinity of the base end portion of the firing rail 26 of the frame board 25, as shown in FIG.
A launch ball supply port 27 for supplying the game balls to be launched is formed. Further, above the base end portion of the launch rail 26, in cooperation with the launch rail 26, from the launch ball supply port 27. A launch ball holding member 28 for holding the supplied game balls at the launch position is attached.

In the vicinity of the end of the launch rail 26 of the frame board 25, as shown in FIG. 5, the game balls launched from this launch rail 26 return without reaching the game area G. When a so-called foul ball occurs,
A foul gutter 29 is provided for collecting the foul balls and preventing the foul balls from reaching the launching device 15. The foul gutter 29 is provided with a foul sensor 30 for detecting a foul ball passing through the foul gutter 29. It is installed.

Furthermore, a card with valuable data written therein is inserted below the end of the frame board 25 on the side opposite to the side where the firing rail 26 is provided, so that the card is written on the card. A card reader / writer 31 for reading information stored therein and for writing information according to a gaming state is provided, and a service ball outlet 32 for discharging service balls is formed above the card reader / writer 31. Underneath that, a tray 33 for storing the service balls is provided, and at the side of the service ball outlet 32, the service ball supply device 17 is operated to discharge the service balls. A service ball discharge switch 34 is provided.

Further, the card reader / writer 31
A plurality of through holes B for display of the enclosed ball number indicator 35 for displaying the number of game balls loaded in the gaming machine 1, which will be described later, are formed on the side portion of the launch ball supply port 27. Above the above, a ball feed switch 36 for manually sending the game ball onto the launch rail 26 is provided by operating a ball feed mechanism described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the lower left side of the front surface of the opening / closing panel 6, there is formed a card insertion opening 37 opposed to the card reader / writer 31 provided on the frame board 25, and above it. In the case of leaving the game machine 1 in the middle of the game, a hold button 38 for temporarily ejecting the card, a conversion button 39 for converting the valuable data of the card into the number of game balls, and when terminating the game. , An end button 40 for rewriting the card information such as the number of balls held, valuable data, etc., and ejecting the card, and the card inserted into the card insertion slot 37 at substantially the center of the opening / closing panel 6. A balance display section 41 for displaying valuable data (balance) recorded in
On the right next to it, the number of game balls as prize balls associated with winning is added to the number of game balls converted from the valuable data by the operation of the player, and the number of game balls shot to the game area G is added. A possessed ball number display unit 42 for displaying the result of the subtraction is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 wins each of the winning holes 20 and 22 and the special variation winning device 21 among the game balls shot in the game area G. A collecting gutter 43 that collects the winning balls that have flowed into the back surface of the game board 14, a first guiding path 44 that guides the gaming balls that are collected by the collecting gutter 43 in an aligned state, and the gaming board without winning the prize. From the game ball collection port 23 of 14 to the game board 14
The second guide path 45 for guiding the game balls that have flowed into the back side in an aligned state, the third guide path 46 that is connected to the foul gutter 29 and guides the foul ball, and each of these guide paths 44, 45.・ 46 are connected to each other, and a supply gutter 47 for guiding the game balls guided by the respective guide paths 44, 45, 46 toward the launching device 15,
The supply gutter 47 is provided downstream from the supply gutter 47 and is provided with a discharge gutter 48 for guiding the game balls in the supply gutter 47 to the outside of the gaming machine 1.

The first guiding path 44 is provided with a safe sensor 49 for counting winning balls, and the second guiding path 45 is provided with an out sensor 50 for counting out balls. The supply gutter 47 is provided with enclosed ball number detecting means 51 for detecting the number of game balls in the supply gutter 47 when the game is stopped, and further, the discharge gutter 48 is provided outside the gaming machine 1. A sampling sensor 52 for counting the gaming balls discharged (that is, detecting the sampling number) is provided.

On the other hand, the supply gutter 4 of the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16
On the downstream side of 7, a sealed ball discharging mechanism 53 for discharging the game balls in the supply gutter 47 is provided, and
A ball feeding mechanism 54 for feeding the game balls supplied from the supply gutter 47 to the launching device 15 is provided.

The enclosed ball discharge mechanism 53 is provided with the supply gutter 4
An opening / closing plate 55 that forms a part of the bottom surface of the supply gutter 7 and is slidably provided to the supply gutter 47, and that opens and closes a part of the bottom surface of the supply gutter 47 by this sliding operation. 55 and a swing arm 5 for transmitting the operation of the solenoid 56 to the opening / closing plate 55.
7 and 7.

Further, on the upstream side of the supply gutter 47, a loading gutter 58 as a game ball supply unit for supplying a new game ball to the supply gutter 47 is connected. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the loading gutter 58 is provided with the supply gutter 47.
It is erected from the upstream end to the upper side, and its upper end is opened to serve as a game ball loading port 58a. Further, in the present embodiment, a new game ball is stored at the upper end portion of the loading gutter 58, and a replacement ball supply device 17 for supplying the game ball to the loading gutter 58 via the loading port 58a is attached. There is.

This exchange ball supply device 17 is, as shown in FIG. 2, an island facility (not shown) in which a large number of the game machines 1 are installed.
It is made to communicate with the game ball supply gutter 60 provided at by a supply pipe 61 composed of a coil spring or the like.
In the present embodiment, the exchange ball supply device 17
Is such that the same number of game balls as the number of game balls required for the game in the game machine 1 are always stored, and the replacement enclosed ball storage device is also used, and inside the A counting and discharging mechanism (not shown) is provided for discharging the loaded game balls one by one and counting the number of discharged balls.

In the middle of the loading gutter 58, a service ball discharging mechanism which is operated by the operation of the service ball discharging switch 34 and sends the game balls discharged from the exchange ball supplying device 17 to the tray 33. 62 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, the service ball discharging mechanism 62 is provided so as to be branched from the loading gutter 58 and communicates with the service ball discharging port 32, and the service ball discharging gutter 63. The discharge gutter 63 and the loading gutter 58 are rotatably provided at the branching part and the flow path of the game ball is loaded into the gutter 5
Flap 64 for switching between 8 and service ball discharge gutter 63
And a solenoid 66 which is connected to the flap 64 via a link piece 65 and rotates the flap 64.

As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosed sphere number detecting means 51 is composed of a plurality of photosensors 67 (five in the illustrated example) as detectors for detecting game spheres. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the photo sensor 67 is mounted in a holder 68 having a U-shaped cross section, and is also attached to the supply gutter 47 via the holder 68.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the holder 68 is formed with grooves 69 into which the respective photosensors 67 are inserted, and these grooves 69 are formed.
The locking claw 70 is integrally formed corresponding to the holder 68, and each photosensor 67 is inserted into the groove 69 and then locked by the locking claw 70.
It can be attached to.

In the supply gutter 47 to which the enclosed ball number detecting means 51 is attached, a plurality of through holes are provided at a position facing the game ball on the rear end side of the game ball in a stopped state, as shown in FIG. 71 is formed, and a ridge 72 is formed at a position sandwiching these through holes 71. The engaging grooves 59 are formed in the holder 68 at the same pitch as the through holes 71, and the holder 68 is supplied so that the protrusions 72 engage with the engaging grooves 59. Gutter 4
By attaching the photosensors 67 so as to cover them, the photosensors 67 can be opposed to the through holes 71.

Enclosed sphere number detecting means 5 constructed in this way
1, for example, when the gaming machine 1 detects the number of enclosed balls when the game is stopped, the mounting position of the holder 68 with respect to the supply gutter 47 is set to the rear end with a prescribed number of gaming balls loaded. The photo sensor 67 in the center is attached to the game ball so as to face it. Therefore, the enclosed ball number detecting means 51 detects two excesses and deficiencies with respect to the regular number of game balls. Further, when detecting the number of enclosed balls during the game, the central photo sensor 67 is attached so as to be located at a position where the minimum number of game balls required for the game can be detected. The mounting position is changed according to the state of the gaming machine 1 when detecting the game ball.

On the other hand, the enclosed sphere number detecting means 51 is shown in this embodiment as an example using a plurality of photosensors 67, but as shown in FIG. The enclosed sphere number detecting means 75 including a holder 74 for holding the photo sensor 73 may be used. In the case of using the enclosed ball detecting means 75, by detecting whether or not a game ball exists at the position where the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 is attached, a specified number of enclosed game balls or a game can be played. The minimum number, or the maximum allowable number (which is determined by the mounting position of the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 as described above), or a predetermined interval with respect to these reference values. By installing at the upstream side or the downstream side,
Signals for detecting excess or deficiency with respect to these reference values are output.

Further, the enclosed ball number indicator 35 for displaying the detection result by the enclosed ball number detecting means 51 includes a base 76 attached to the back mechanism board C provided with the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 11, the LED and the like are attached to the base 76 in a state of being opposed to the display holes 77 formed in the base 76.
Each of the lamps 78 and a coupler 79 that electrically connects the lamps 78 to a control device or the like are provided in a recess 80 formed in the back mechanism board C as shown in FIG. It is attached and fixed with screws etc.,
In the state where the coupler 79 is mounted in the recess 80, the coupler 79 is fixed in the recess 80.
It is designed to be connected to. On the other hand, in the case of using the enclosed sphere number detecting means 75 having one photo sensor 73, the enclosed sphere number indicator 35 does not detect the game sphere by the enclosed sphere number detecting means 75, and thus the gaming sphere. Is less than the specified number, or if the game ball is not detected in the state of being installed in the lower limit position and falls below the minimum allowable value, and the detection of the game ball is performed in the state of being installed in the upper limit position. It is used as a warning display when there are too many filled balls.

On the back surface of the game board 14, as shown in FIG. 2, a game board control device 82 for controlling various devices for games attached to the game board 14 and a variable display device 19 are provided. A driver 83 for driving the game machine 1 and a terminal 8 for connecting the game machine 1 to a power source or a centralized management device
4 are provided, and the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 has
A game machine control device 85 for controlling devices other than the devices controlled by the game board control device is provided.

As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal 84 can be engaged with and disengaged from the game board 14 above the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 via a coupler 86 provided on the upper back surface of the game board 14. It is installed at various positions.

In the present embodiment, a dirt sensor 87 for detecting dirt on the enclosed game ball is provided in the middle of the supply gutter 47. This dirt sensor 87
As for, for example, by detecting a change in the brightness of the surface of the game ball by a reflection type photo sensor, the structure of detecting the dirt degree of the game ball, and the weight change of the game ball due to the adhesion of dirt is detected. Weight detector, or
A resistance measuring device that measures the electrical contact resistance of the game ball that changes due to the adhesion of dirt, and a speed detector that measures the change in the rolling speed of the game ball due to the increase in rolling resistance due to the adhesion of dirt. Is used.

Further, in this embodiment, the variable display device 19 serves as an informing means for displaying that it is time to replace the enclosed game ball, and the display is switched during the game. Is displayed.

Next, an outline of the control of the gaming machine 1 thus constructed will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

The control of the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment is performed by the game control (88), the enclosed ball control (89), and the launch control (9).
0) and card control (91), and its control circuit is distributed to the game board control device 82 and the game machine control device 85 provided in the game machine 1, and to the game store. A signal is exchanged with a centralized management device (abbreviated as management device) 92 installed. The transfer of rough signals between these control units will be described below.

The management device (92) is provided for centrally managing the gaming status of a large number of gaming machines 1 installed in a gaming shop, and a dirt detection signal (A) output from the dirt sensor 87. ) Is input to the game control (88), the game interruption command signal (S) when a mischief is performed, and the display switching of the variable display device 19 when it is time to replace the enclosed game ball The special map switching command signal (T) and the abnormal cancellation command signal (U) when the abnormal state of the gaming machine 1 is canceled are output, and the enclosed ball control (89) is performed. When it is determined that it is time to replace the sealed ball replacement command signal (1
2) is output, and a process continuation permission signal (M) for continuing the process at the time of replacing the enclosed ball is output, and the firing control (90) is used to cause the launch device 15 to be operated when the enclosed ball is replaced. If there is a remaining ball in the ball, the forced firing command signal (K) for forcibly firing the remaining ball is output, and it is secured to prompt the player to return to the game machine depending on the interruption time of the game. The period end notification request signal (B) is output to the in-store broadcasting device. In the present embodiment, this management device (92) sends a signal such as an abnormality notification, a game interruption, or information to the centralized management device when the game ball enclosed in the gaming machine 1 becomes insufficient or insufficient. Is used as an abnormality handling control means for outputting.

In the game control (88),
Based on a signal from the specific winning opening 20, a drive signal is output to the variable display device 19 to start a variable display game, and the special variable winning device 21 operates based on the game result of the variable display game. Control, and also
Pilot lamp 11 and decoration lamp 2 depending on the game state
The control for the game is performed by turning on or blinking 4 or the like. And in connection with the game,
A signal (Q) for recognizing that the enclosed ball type gaming machine 2 is playing a game and the model of the gaming machine 1 is the enclosed ball control (8
9) A signal output to 9) indicating that a magnetic card or IC card storing valuable data (information about the balance or balls), which is the condition for starting the game, is being inserted, and the game is being interrupted. A signal (W) indicating that there is is input from the card control (91). Further, information (X) relating to the number of prize balls is output to the card control 91, and a determination signal (R) indicating whether or not the gaming machine 1 is in an abnormal state is output to the management device 92. In addition, an abnormality cancellation command signal (V) is input from a separately provided abnormality cancellation switch. And in the present embodiment, this game control (8
8) is a game state determination means for detecting a specific game state of the game machine 1. During the game, the game is stopped, or the game machine attached to the game board 14 is in a specific game form. It is designed to judge whether there is something.

The enclosed ball control (89) is for exchanging the enclosed game balls such as withdrawal and replenishment, for detecting the stored amount (the number of enclosed balls), for determining whether the number is too large, and for adjusting the number of enclosed balls. The management device (9) outputs a signal (L) relating to the number of extracted game balls when exchanging the enclosed game balls.
2), and based on the detection signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means 51, outputs a signal (P) relating to the stored amount of the enclosed game balls to the game control (88), and an enclosed ball number indicator. A display drive signal (N) corresponding to the enclosed ball is output to 35, and a replenishment command signal (O) is input from a replenishment switch that is operated when manually replenishing the game sphere, etc. A drive signal is output to the supply device 17 and the service ball discharge mechanism 62. Then, in this embodiment, the enclosed ball control (89) is
It constitutes means for determining the number of enclosed spheres.

In the present embodiment, the firing control (90) is information regarding the firing and the number of firing of the enclosed ball (game ball) during the game, and the floating state in the middle of falling in the game board. It manages the information of the ball, the number of shot balls, the number of out balls, the number of foul balls, the information of the number of prize balls, and the information of the ball stop of the game ball. The ball feed request signal from the ball feed switch 36 (9 ), The forced firing command signal (10) from the separately provided forced firing switch, the foul detection signal (6) from the foul sensor 30, the safe detection signal (7) from the safe sensor 49, the out sensor 5
Out detection signal from 0 (8), the card reader
When the test card is inserted into the lighter 31, the forced firing command signal (5) output from the card control (91) is input. In addition, based on the above-mentioned information, when the game machine 1 has a ball stop, it outputs a ball stop determination signal (I) to the management device (92), and also a foul. When a ball is generated, a foul count signal (J) is output, and further, to the game control (88), a signal (2) relating to the information of a floating ball and the number of balls held in a card control (91) described later. An award number request signal (3) used for calculation and a ball stop determination signal (4) similar to the ball stop determination signal (I) output to the management device (92) are output. .

The card control (91) controls presence / absence of insertion of a card, management of valuable data (balance and number of balls held) written in the card, arithmetic processing and display thereof.
Further, the card reader / writer 31 is used for card processing at the time of game interruption or game termination.
A card insertion signal and a card information signal (Y) output from the player, a conversion operation signal (C) output from the conversion button 39 operated when renting a game ball, and an end button 40 operated at the end of the game. The end operation signal (D) output from the terminal and the hold (interruption) operation signal (E) output from the hold button 38 operated when the game is interrupted are input. Three
1, a signal (11) for holding processing at the time of interruption or rewriting processing of valuable data at the time of termination is output, and the number of balls held display signal (Z) for displaying the current number of balls held on the ball holding display section 42. Is output to the balance display section 41,
A balance display signal (1) for displaying the current balance is output.

Further, in this card control 91, after the holding button 38 is operated with respect to the management device (92), a securing period of the gaming machine 1 (that is, a holding period).
, A reservation period notification request signal (F) for issuing a notification according to the elapsed state of the card, an interruption signal (G) output when the hold button 38 is operated, and a card in the card reader / writer 31. The card ejection count signal (H) relating to the number of ejections of the card is output.

Next, each of these controls will be described in more detail. First, as shown in FIG. 15, the centralized management control performed in the management device (92) includes keyboard input operated by a store clerk (step S101), a ball-out rate from each gaming machine 1 and a card issuing machine, and operation. Collection of information such as rate or sales (step S102), insufficient extraction processing when the number of the enclosed balls is insufficient when exchanging the enclosed balls (step S103), determination of replacement time of enclosed balls performed as a subroutine ( Step S1
04), a gaming machine 1 which is also performed as a subroutine
Judgment of mischief (step S105), in-store broadcasting performed in relation to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 (step S106), command signal transmission for various processing (step S107), calculation storage processing of various numerical data ( Each process of step S108) and monitor display of the designated information (step S109) is repeatedly performed in a predetermined cycle.

Next, the game board control which is one of the game controls (88) will be described with reference to FIG. When the game board control is started, it is determined whether or not the abnormality determination is in progress (abnormal state or interrupted state) based on the presence or absence of the abnormality determination signal (R) from the management device (92) (step S121). If an abnormality is being determined, step S1
If no abnormality determination is in progress, the process proceeds to step S123.

In step S122, it is judged whether or not there is an abnormality cancellation command signal (U) from the management device (92) or an abnormality cancellation command signal (V) from the abnormality cancellation switch, and the abnormality cancellation command signal (U). If it is determined that there is, after canceling the abnormality determination in step S124, as shown in FIG. 17, in step S125, the information signal (Q) relating to the gaming machine type and the gaming state is enclosed ball control (89). In step S126, the card control (9) is executed based on the prize ball number request signal (3) from the launch control (90) described later.
The signal (X) relating to the number of prize balls is output to 1) and step S1
Return to 21.

When it is determined in step S122 that there is no abnormality cancellation command signal (U) or (V), the process proceeds to step S127, in which the enclosed game ball output from the enclosed ball control (89). Based on the signal (P) relating to the storage amount, it is determined whether or not the storage amount is the specified storage amount, and if the specified number of game balls are enclosed, the processing from step S124 onward is performed to include the game balls. If the number is not the specified number, the process proceeds to step S128, the game interruption process is performed, and then the process of step S125 and thereafter is performed.

On the other hand, in step S123,
A determination is made as to whether the game is suspended. This judgment is based on the operation of the hold button 38, and the card control 91
The determination is made based on the presence or absence of the interruption signal (W) output from, that is, whether or not the player has made an intention to interrupt the game. When the interruption signal (W) is present, the step S128 is performed. If there is no subsequent processing, the processing proceeds to step S129.

In this step S129, it is judged based on the card information signal (W) from the card control (91) whether or not a card is inserted, and if not inserted, the step shown in FIG. When the process proceeds to S130 and the card is inserted, step S13
Move to 1.

In this step S131, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 1 is playing a game. If the gaming machine 1 is not playing, the process proceeds to step S132, and the amount of the enclosed game balls is insufficient. It is determined whether or not (or, in the case of using the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 provided with the single photosensor 73, whether or not the number of game balls is playable). If the storage amount is insufficient (the number of unplayable game balls), the abnormality determination processing is performed in step S133, and then step S128.
When the subsequent processing is performed and the storage amount is sufficient (the number of game balls that can be played), the step S12 is performed.
The processes after 5 are performed.

If it is determined in step S131 that a game is being played, the number of floating balls is excessive based on the signal (2) relating to the floating ball information from the launch control (90) in step S134. If it is determined that the number of floating balls is not excessive, step S1
35, for example, after the game processing such as the control of the variable display game on the variable display device 19 and the drive control of the special variation winning device 21 based on the game result is performed, the processing of step S125 and thereafter. Is done. Furthermore, when it is determined in step S134 that there are too many floating balls, the process proceeds to step S133 and subsequent steps.

In step S130, it is judged whether or not there is a special figure switching command signal (T) from the management device (92). If there is no special figure switching command signal (T), the steps from step S125 onward are executed. If the special figure switching command signal (T) has been processed, the process proceeds to step S136.

In step S136, it is determined whether or not there is a signal relating to the display information output from the management device (92), and if there is a signal, step S13.
In step 7, the display information is displayed on the variable display device 19 and then the process proceeds to step S125 and thereafter, and if there is no signal, step S13.
After the information held in 8 is displayed in the same way,
The processing moves to step S125 and thereafter. Here, as the display information, for example, there is information regarding the replacement time of the enclosed game balls.

Next, the firing control (90) will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When this firing control is started,
It is determined by the signal from the launching device 15 whether or not the launching process is being performed (step S139). If the launching process is being performed, the launching process is performed in step S140 and then provided as a subroutine. Floating sphere processing in step S141, and step S14
The ball stopping determination processing of No. 2 is performed, and the above step S13 is performed.
Return to 9.

If the firing process is not performed in step S139, step S143 is performed.
In the ball feeding mechanism 54, game control (88)
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the ball feed processing is being performed based on the ball feed request signals (9) and (13) from the ball feed switch 36, and when the ball feed processing is in progress,
After the ball feeding process is performed in step S144, it is determined whether the ball feeding process is completed (step S145). If the ball feeding process is completed, the ball feeding process is executed in step S146. , It is determined whether or not the process by the signal from the ball feed switch 36, and if the process by the signal from the ball feed switch 36 is not
Then, the process proceeds to step S147.

In this step S147, it is judged whether or not the sphere removing process is being performed in the enclosed sphere discharging mechanism 53, and if the sphere removing process is in progress,
The foul launch information is set in step S148, and the foul launch process is performed in step S140 based on the foul launch information, and then step S140.
If the process proceeds to the processing of 141 or later, and if the ball removal processing is not in progress, the firing information according to the operation amount of the operation dial 8 is set (step S149), and the firing processing is performed in step S140 based on this firing information. Then, the process proceeds to step S141 and subsequent steps. Here, the foul firing process is performed during the process of extracting the enclosed sphere in order to eject the enclosed sphere on the downstream side of the enclosed sphere discharging mechanism 53.
This is to move the enclosed sphere to the upstream side of the enclosed sphere discharging mechanism 53 by the firing operation, but when the game sphere fed to the gaming area G during the process of extracting the enclosed sphere reaches the game area G, the collection and launch information of the game sphere If it takes a long time to control the collection information and the game ball that reaches the game area G,
This is because it is necessary to stop outputting the winning ball request signal based on the winning because the game is not being played, and to prevent the control from becoming complicated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S145 that the ball feed has not ended, and if it is determined that the ball feed process is performed by the ball feed switch 36, the process proceeds to step S141 and subsequent steps. To do. Therefore, in the case of the ball feeding process by the ball feeding switch 36, only the ball feeding process is performed and the firing process is not performed. As a result, despite the enclosed ball type gaming machine 1, the clerk or the like can handle the delivered gaming ball and can use it as a service ball.

If it is determined in step S143 that the ball feeding process is not in progress, it is determined in step S150 whether a card is inserted. If it is determined that a card is inserted, In step S151, it is determined whether or not there is a ball to be held, and if there is a ball to be held, after the operation amount change counter of the operation dial 8 is cleared in step S152,
In step S153, it is determined whether or not a firing operation is performed using the operation dial, and if the firing operation is performed, the process proceeds to the processing of step S144 and subsequent steps, and if the firing operation is not performed, Then, the processing shifts to the processing after step S141.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S151 that there is no ball to be held, it is determined in step S154 whether or not the operation amount of the operating handle 8 has been changed. S141
If it is changed to the subsequent processing and changed, the count in the manipulated variable change counter is added (step S155) and then the processing of step S141 and subsequent steps is performed.

Further, when it is determined in step S150 that the card is not inserted,
In step S156, it is determined whether or not the operation amount of the operation dial 8 has been changed. If the operation amount has been changed, the operation amount change counter is incremented in step S157, and then step S158 is performed.
If there is no change in the manipulated variable, go to step S1.
57 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S158.

This step S156 and step S15
7, and when the card is not inserted by the processing of step S154 and step 155, and
When the operation dial 8 is operated when there is no ball to be held, the number of changes in the amount of change is counted and used as a determination factor for the mischief determination (step S105 in centralized control).

Further, in step S158,
It is judged whether or not the forced emission command signal (K) is output from the management device (92), and if the signal is output, the process proceeds to step S153 and subsequent steps, and further the signal is output. If not, step S15
Move to 9. This process is, for example, a process used when the management device (92) performs a game ball extracting operation.

In step S159, it is determined whether or not the enclosed sphere is being deflated, and if it is being deflated, the process proceeds to step S144 and subsequent steps, and if it is not deflated. , And proceeds to step S160.

In step S160, it is determined whether the ball feed switch 36 has been operated. If the ball feed switch 36 has been operated, the operation information is sent to the card control 9 as described above.
After transmitting to step 1 (step S161), the process proceeds to step S144 and subsequent steps. If the ball feed switch 36 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S141 and subsequent steps. The processing of steps S160 and S161 is to determine the invalid operation determination standard in the card control described later by monitoring the number of operations of the ball feed switch 36.

Next, the subroutine of the floating ball process (step S141) in the above-mentioned launch control will be described with reference to FIG. This floating ball processing is for managing the number of game balls that have not been returned to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 after the game balls have been fired. When the control is started, it is determined whether or not the game balls have been fired. If it is determined (step S162) and the game ball is fired, after the floating ball counter is added in step S163, the process proceeds to the next step S164, and the game ball is fired. If not, the step S16 is directly executed.
Go to 4.

In step S164, the presence / absence of a foul ball is determined based on the presence / absence of a foul ball detection signal from the foul sensor 30, and if there is a foul ball, the foul counter is added in step S165. Then, in step S166, the floating sphere counter is decremented and the process returns to the main routine. If there is no foul ball, the process moves to the next step S167. Then, the count in the foul counter is used to determine the foul count number in the mischief determination (step S118).

In step S167, the presence / absence of a safe ball is determined by the presence / absence of an output signal from the safe sensor 49. If a safe ball is present, in step S168, the game control (88) is passed to the prize ball. After the number request signal (3) is transmitted, the foul counter is cleared in step S169, and step S16 is performed.
The processing shifts to 6 and thereafter. Here, when the award ball number request signal (3) is transmitted, the award ball number signal described above is transmitted from the game control (88) to the card control (91).

If it is determined in step S167 that there is no safe sphere, the next step S1
At 70, the presence or absence of an out ball is determined by the presence or absence of an output signal from the out sensor 50. If there is an out ball, the foul counter clear processing is performed at step S169, and then the processing at step S166 and thereafter is performed. If there is no out ball, the process returns to the main routine. In such a process, the floating ball counter is added by the launch ball, and it is confirmed that the game ball has returned to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 by the detection of the foul ball, safe ball, and out ball, and the number of returns The floating ball counter is subtracted based on the result, and the calculation result is detected as the number of game balls that have not returned to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16, that is, the number of floating balls.

In the floating sphere processing, the foul counter is cleared when the safe sphere is detected in step S167 or when the out sphere is detected in step S170. In any case, since the game ball is generated as a result of being launched into the game area G, if these out balls or safe balls occur, it is determined that a normal game is being performed, and foul firing is performed. This is because the mischief caused by is considered to have been resolved.

Next, the ball stopping determination process (step S142) which is another subroutine of the firing control will be described with reference to FIG. This ball stop determination process detects a state where the game ball is caught on the game board surface for some reason and does not return to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16, and the game cannot be performed due to a shortage of game balls that can be launched. This is for avoiding such a situation.

When the ball stopping determination process is started, first,
Judgment criteria according to the type of game and the game state, that is, the number of floating balls that are considered to be ball stops are set (step S17).
1) In the next step S172, it is determined whether or not the number of floating balls is a predetermined number or more based on the number of floating balls detected in the floating ball processing. If the number is a predetermined number or more, it is determined that the ball is stopped. Then, the process returns to the main routine of the firing control (step S173), and when the number of floating balls is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S174.

In step S174, the stored amount is allowed based on the signal (P) relating to the stored amount of the enclosed sphere output from the enclosed sphere control (89) based on the detection signal from the enclosed sphere number detecting means 51. It is judged whether or not it is below the limit. If it is less than the allowable limit, the process returns to the firing control main routine through step S173.
If the allowable limit is exceeded, the process directly returns to the main routine. As described above, in the ball stopping determination process according to the present embodiment, the number of floating spheres pseudo-calculated by each sensor and the number of enclosed spheres in the enclosed sphere circulation mechanism 16 directly detected by the enclosed sphere number detection means 51. It is judged by two systems.

Then, based on FIG. 21, the enclosed ball control (8
9) will be described. In the following explanation,
An example of the enclosed ball control when the gaming machine 1 is in the game stopped state will be described. When the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 is used, the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 is in the state where the prescribed number of game balls are loaded in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 and the game ball at the end of the game ball. When using the enclosed ball number detecting means 51 mounted at a position capable of detecting a plurality of photosensors 67, the photosensor 67 at the center thereof can detect the game ball at the rearmost end. Be attached to.

For the control of the enclosed spheres, three types of control methods are set depending on the difference in the processing performed after the excess or deficiency of the enclosed spheres after the replacement of the enclosed spheres. One of them is shown by the flow on the left side of FIG. 21, and all of the replacement of the enclosed sphere and the subsequent processing are automatically performed. The details will be described below. When this enclosed ball control is started, step S240
In the control of the enclosed ball exchange timing determination of the centralized control, the presence / absence of the enclosed ball exchange command signal (12) output from the management device (92) is determined based on the enclosed ball exchange determination process of step S114. If there is no replacement command signal, the process proceeds to the next step S241, and if there is a replacement command signal, after performing the enclosed ball replacement processing provided as a subroutine (step S242), The process moves to S241.

In this step S241, the stored amount of the enclosed game balls is detected based on the detection signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means 51, and then the next step S241.
After shifting to 243 and determining the number of excesses and shortages of the enclosed game balls, the routine proceeds to step S244.

The processing of step S243 is such that the enclosed sphere number detection means 51 is provided with a plurality of photosensors 67, and is provided with a function of detecting the reference number of enclosed spheres and the number of excesses and deficiencies with respect to the reference value. This is the process performed by. Therefore, the enclosed ball number detecting means 5
In the case of using the enclosed sphere number detection means 75 having a single photo sensor 73 instead of 1, it is determined whether or not a prescribed number of game spheres are loaded.

In step S244, it is determined whether the gaming machine 1 is playing a game. If it is determined that the gaming machine 1 is playing, the process returns to step S240.
If it is determined that the game is not in progress, after the enclosed game balls are supplemented and extracted (step S
245), and returns to step S240.

Next, the enclosed ball exchange processing in step S242 will be described with reference to FIG. When the enclosing exchange process is started, first, the enclosing process of the game balls enclosed in step S246 is performed. In this extraction process, a drive signal is output to the solenoid 56 of the enclosed ball discharge mechanism 53, and the opening / closing plate 55 is slid through the swing arm 57, so that the downstream end of the supply gutter 47 is discharged. The game ball in the supply gutter 47 is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 1 via the discharge gutter 48 in communication with the gutter 48.

Then, after such enclosed ball extracting processing, the process proceeds to the next step S247, and it is determined whether or not the enclosed ball extracting processing is completed. The determination of the end of the enclosed ball removing process is performed by, for example, stopping the operation of the enclosed ball discharging mechanism 53 at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the ball removing process, and outputting an end signal together with this stop. Be done.

If it is determined in step S247 that the ball removal processing has not been completed, the process returns to step S246 repeatedly until the ball removal processing is completed, with the condition that the ball removal processing is completed. Then, the process proceeds to next step S248.

In this step S248, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of enclosed game balls have been extracted based on the extraction number signal (L) detected by the extraction sensor 52 while the above-mentioned ball removal processing is being performed. If it is determined that the number of samplings is a predetermined number, step S
In step S249, a drive signal is output to the exchange ball supply device 17, and the exchange ball supply device 17 transfers the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 through the loading gutter 58 as a game ball supply unit. Loading of new balls into the supply gutter 47 is started.

Then, following the enclosed ball loading process in step S249, it is determined in step S250 that the loading is completed. If the loading is completed, the process returns to the main routine of the enclosed ball control, and otherwise, in step S2.
Returning to step 49, step S249 and step S250
The process of is repeated.

The judgment of the end of loading of the enclosed ball is made by, for example,
The exchange ball supply device 17 is provided with a counting and discharging mechanism for discharging new balls one by one and counting the number of discharged balls.
The counting and discharging mechanism counts the number of new balls supplied from the exchanged ball supply device 17, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value (that is, the number of balls to be enclosed), the exchanged ball supply device 17 This is performed by stopping the supply operation of the new spheres by the above and outputting a loading end signal to the enclosed sphere control 89 at the same time when the supply operation is stopped.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S248 that the number of extracted game balls is not the predetermined number, the control device (92) outputs the signal (L) related to the extracted number regardless of whether the number of extracted game balls is large or small. To the variable display device 1 (step S251), and whether or not the sampling number is small is determined in step S252.
In step 9 (step S253), the clerk is informed, and if the number is large, the process proceeds to step S249 and subsequent steps. This excessive number of withdrawals occurs when extra game balls are put in due to a service or the like during the game, and the insufficient number of withdrawals is conditioned on the regular number of game balls being enclosed. In this case, the state in which the enclosed ball is caught on the nail in the game area G of the game board 14,
This occurs when the game area G is stopped in the middle of reaching the supply gutter 47.

Then, after the above-described display process of the insufficient number of samplings is performed in step S253, the process proceeds to step S254 to determine whether the control (processing) continuation permission signal (M) is input. When the determination is made and the permission signal is present, the processing from step S249 is performed, and when the permission signal is not present, the process waits until the command is output.

The control continuation permission signal (M) is a command signal output from the management device (92), and processes the floating sphere based on the insufficient extraction indication (for example, confirmation or removal of the floating sphere by a store clerk). (Processing etc.) is completed, or after only the information of the floating spheres is collected without performing the processing of the floating spheres, the information is output by the operation of a clerk or the like.

Next, a supplementary withdrawal process (step S245) which is another subroutine of the enclosed sphere control will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case will be described where the number of enclosed spheres detecting means 51 including a plurality of photosensors 67 is used to detect the number of enclosed spheres.

When this replenishment / sampling process is performed, it is determined whether or not the excess / deficiency number exceeds 3 based on the information of the excess / deficiency number determination (step S243) performed in the main routine (step S255). ), If the number of excesses and deficiencies exceeds 3, in step S256, the same processing as the enclosed ball exchange (step S242) described as the subroutine is performed, and the process returns to the main routine.

In step S255, it is determined whether the number of enclosed game balls loaded is excessive, and if the number of enclosed game balls is excessive, the enclosed ball discharging mechanism 53 is operated. As a result, one game ball is extracted (step S258), and then the step S25.
Returning to 7, these steps are repeated until the excess state of the number of enclosed balls is resolved.

Further, when it is determined in step S257 that the number of enclosed bodies is not excessive, it is determined in the next step S259 whether or not the number of enclosed bodies is insufficient. By supplying the new balls one by one by operating the supply device 17 (step S260), the process returns to step S259, and these steps are repeatedly performed until the insufficient filling is eliminated, and the insufficient number of enclosed is reduced. When it is resolved, it returns to the main routine.

With such an enclosed ball control, when a replacement instruction for the enclosed ball is output, the game machine automatically performs the process of extracting and loading the game ball, and the number of withdrawals, the number of loads and the number of excesses and deficiencies are ensured. And the specified number of game balls are surely loaded.

On the other hand, the replenishment sampling process (step S
245), when using the enclosed sphere number detecting means 75 including one photosensor 73, step S25
The processing from 5 to step S258 is omitted, and the processing from step S259 is performed. This is because the enclosed sphere number detecting means 75 does not have a function of detecting the excess and deficiency or excess of the enclosed spheres.

Next, another example of the enclosed ball control will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to steps S261 to S263 shown in FIG. This control is performed after the process of determining the excess / deficiency number in step S243 (when the number of enclosed balls is insufficient, when the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 is used), and the manual loading of the enclosed balls is performed. It is for adjustment. In this control, the step S24
After the excess / deficiency number determination of 3 (determination of the number of enclosed balls is insufficient), the presence or absence of the replenishment command signal (O) is determined (step S261). This replenishment command signal (O) is generated by operating a replenishment switch installed in the gaming machine 1 or the like by a clerk or the like, and the clerk or the like confirms the display of the enclosed ball number display 35. At the same time, the refill switch is operated.

When it is determined in step S261 that the replenishment command signal (O) is not output, the process proceeds to the next step S262, and the number of enclosed game balls is displayed as the number of enclosed balls. After being displayed in the container 35, the process returns to the step S240. In the enclosed ball number display 35, a plurality of lamps 78 are selectively turned on according to the number of enclosed game balls based on the output signal from each photosensor 73 of the enclosed ball number detecting means 51. In this embodiment, two excess / deficiency states are displayed with respect to the prescribed number of enclosed balls, and the enclosed state is surely visually recognized. Further, when the enclosed ball number detecting means 75 provided with a single photo sensor 73 is used and installed at a position for detecting a prescribed number of game balls, a game is issued by an alarm in the enclosed ball number indicator 35. If the ball shortage is confirmed, and if it is installed in a position that detects the minimum allowable number, it means that the minimum allowable number (specific number of game balls) has been reached is installed in the position that detects the maximum allowable number. If there is, it is confirmed that the maximum allowable number (specific number of game balls) has been reached. Furthermore, if they are arranged upstream or downstream with respect to the detection positions of the minimum allowable number and the maximum allowable number, it is confirmed that there is excess or deficiency with respect to the specific game ball number such as the minimum allowable number or the maximum allowable number. To be done.

If it is determined in step S261 that the replenishment command signal (O) has been output, one game ball is supplied in step S263, and then the process proceeds to step S262 and thereafter. To do.
The supply of this game ball, the exchange ball supply device 17 is operated by the operation of the replenishment switch, the game ball 1
It is carried out by supplying the supply gutter 47 to the supply gutter 47 through the loading gutter 58, and with the supply of such game balls, of the lamps 78 constituting the enclosed ball number display 35, plus The lamp is newly turned on and it is confirmed that the game ball has been supplied.

Therefore, after the completion of the process of exchanging the enclosed spheres, it is determined that the number of enclosed spheres is insufficient with respect to the specified number, the minimum / maximum allowable number is reached, or the excess / deficiency of these is determined. In this case, the store clerk or the like can perform the refilling operation while confirming the number of refilled balls by the enclosed ball number display 35, or the alarm in the enclosed ball number display 75 is stopped, so that a prescribed number of game balls are obtained. It is confirmed that it has been loaded, and the lack of the number of enclosed balls is surely avoided. In such a process, when the enclosed game balls are excessive, it is possible to adjust by operating the ball feed switch 36 to forcibly send the game balls to the firing position and then withdrawing them.

Further, another enclosed ball control will be described based on steps S271 to S277 shown in FIG. This enclosed ball control is designed to directly supply the game sphere lacking the above-mentioned control to the enclosed sphere circulation mechanism 16, while the game sphere to be supplied is once taken out to the front side of the gaming machine, This is a process for supplying from the front side of the gaming machine to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16.

This enclosed sphere control is performed by the step S243.
This is a process after the excess / deficiency number determination process is performed in step S271, and it is determined in step S271 whether there is a replenishment command signal (O) from the replenishment switch, and if there is no replenishment command signal (O), step S272. After the number of enclosed spheres is displayed on the enclosed sphere number indicator 35, the process returns to step S240.

Then, in the step S271,
If it is determined that the replenishment command signal (O) is present, the operation information indicating that the replenishment switch has been operated is transmitted to the central management control in the next step S273, and then the process proceeds to step S274.

In step S274, the solenoid 66 of the service ball discharging mechanism 62 is operated,
By swinging the flap 64 from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the chain line in FIG. 7, the communication between the loading gutter 58 and the supply gutter 47 is interrupted, and the loading gutter 58 is discharged from the service ball discharge gutter. Switching processing of the enclosed sphere supply path communicated with 63 is performed, and step S275
Move to.

In step S275, the counting and discharging mechanism of the exchange ball supply device 17 is operated to supply one game ball from the exchange ball supply device 17 to the loading gutter 58. The game ball supplied to the loading gutter 58 is guided to the service ball discharging gutter 63 by the flap 64, and then discharged from the service ball discharging port 32 formed on the frame board 25 to the tray 33, After this processing is performed, the next step S27
Go to 6. In such processing, the saucer 3
Since 3 is provided on the front side of the frame board 25, the clerk directly grabs the game ball on the front side of the gaming machine, and wins various winning holes in the game area G or the game ball collecting port 2
3 or to the foul gutter 29 provided on the frame board 25.

In step S276, the flow path switching process is performed in which the loading gutter 58 communicated with the service ball discharge gutter 63 is communicated with the supply gutter 47, and then the process proceeds to step S277. This flow path switching process is performed by the solenoid 6 of the service ball discharging mechanism 62.
The operation of 6 is stopped, and the flap 64 is swung to the position shown by the solid line in FIG.

In step S277, it is determined whether or not the foul sensor 30, safe sensor 49, and out sensor 50 have confirmed the passage of the game ball, and it is confirmed whether any of the sensors has passed the game ball. As a condition, the process proceeds to step S272 and subsequent steps, and waits until the passage is confirmed. By the processing in this step S227, it is confirmed that the discharged game balls have been securely enclosed, and the problem of enclosure leakage is prevented.

The game machine 1 in this embodiment is controlled by the above procedure. When the enclosed ball control is performed during the game, the number of game balls staying in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 is reduced. Therefore, the enclosed ball number detecting means 51/75 is located downstream of the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16. The game balls located at the rear end (upstream end) are detected in a state in which the game balls are installed so as to be shifted to the side, and the minimum necessary game balls necessary for the game are retained in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16. If the number of game balls is detected to be less than the specified number in the detection result, the signal is the step S of the game board control.
It is output to 127 and game interruption processing (step S12
8) is done.

As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, even in the gaming machine of the type in which a predetermined number of enclosed gaming balls are sequentially shot to play a game, while the game is stopped. , The number of enclosed game balls is the enclosed ball number detecting means 51.
(75). As a result, the treatment for the excess or deficiency of the game balls is performed quickly and surely, and the trouble such as the interruption of the game due to the shortage of the game balls is avoided. Further, in the present embodiment, the enclosed sphere number detecting means 51
(75) is an enclosed ball circulation mechanism 1 in which game balls are circulated
Since the mounting position is adjustable with respect to 6, even if the number of enclosed balls differs depending on the type of gaming machine 1, the detected position of the enclosed gaming balls can be adjusted to an appropriate position. Therefore, it is possible to respond quickly to changes in the model. Further, by installing the enclosed ball number detecting means 51 (75) on the downstream side or the upstream side of the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16, has the minimum allowable number or the maximum allowable number required for the game of the game ball 1 been reached? Furthermore, excess and deficiency with respect to these minimum allowable number and maximum allowable number are detected, so that the occurrence of the game interruption can be detected promptly and the measures can be taken reliably.

Further, when there is an excess or deficiency in the enclosed game balls, the abnormality handling control means (management device) responds to the abnormality (for example, notification to a clerk or information transmission to a centralized management device, or By taking measures such as interruption of the game), the corresponding operation can be performed quickly and reliably. And
This abnormality handling operation is released by an abnormality release switch operated by a store clerk or the like, or when the enclosed ball number determination means (enclosed ball control 89) eliminates the excess / deficiency state of the enclosed game balls, The game state determination means (game control 88) is automatically released by outputting an abnormality determination release signal.

The shapes, dimensions, etc. of the respective constituent members shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on the type of game to be applied and the design requirements.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the exchanged enclosed sphere storage device is provided side by side with the exchanged sphere supply device 17, but instead of this, for example, as shown by reference numeral 93 in FIG. A mini tank that can be attached to and detached from the loading port 58a of the gutter 58 is provided.
An opening / closing plate 94 is rotatably provided below the table, and an operation lever 95 for rotating the opening / closing plate 94 is attached to the mini tank 9.
3 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall, and at a suitable time, the mini-tank 93 is removed from the gaming machine 1 and filled with a new number of new game balls required for one exchange, and then the gaming machine 1 is again loaded. It can also be attached to. With such a configuration, without affecting the operation of the gaming machine 1, it is possible to perform an operation such that the gaming machine 1 is detached from the loading gutter 58, a new game ball is loaded, and then mounted on the gaming machine 1 again. So, one for one gaming machine 1
Only one mini tank needs to be provided, and it is not necessary to secure a separate storage space for it, thus saving space. However, when using the above-mentioned mini tank 93,
The supply of new game balls must be done manually.

Further, in the above embodiment, in the ball stopping determination process, a game ball in a state in which the game ball is caught on the game board surface and does not return to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 is a floating ball, and the number of floating balls is predetermined. Although the example in which it is determined that the ball is stopped when the number is equal to or more than the number is shown, depending on the model of the game machine 1, the game ball is supplied to the enclosed ball circulation mechanism 16 for a certain period of time in spite of a normal game state other than that. There is a case where it does not return. In this case, the determination definition of the number of floating balls in step S171 of the ball stopping process or the enclosed ball control (8
It is necessary to reset the determination standard for the excess / deficiency number determination (step S243) in 9).

For example, the gaming machine 1 provided with the gaming machine 94 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 corresponds to the above-mentioned situation. That is, this gaming machine 96 is attached to the gaming board 14, and when the gaming machine 1 enters a specific gaming state,
A game ball that is launched into the game area G is converted into a state in which it is easy to win a prize, and a pair of swingable arm 97 that is rotatable for temporarily holding the game ball that wins a prize, and these swing arms. 9
7 By swinging, the swinging ends of these swinging arms 97 are swung so that they approach each other, thereby forming an actuator 9 that forms a storage space S in which the game ball is stored.
8 and.

[0124] When the gaming machine 1 is brought into a specific gaming state as a result of a game, the gaming machine 96 is provided with the swing arms 9 described above.
By swinging 7 in the direction of approaching each other,
As shown in FIG. 23, a storage space S is formed between them, and the game balls launched in the game area G are converted into a state in which the gaming machine 96 can easily win the prize. In this state, gaming balls are successively won into the gaming device 96,
Most of the winning game balls fall into the storage space S and are stored. The direction in which the two swing arms 97 are separated from each other by the actuator 98 when the duration of a specific game state reaches a predetermined time, or when the number of winnings to the gaming machine 96 reaches a predetermined number. As shown in FIG. 24, the storage space S is largely opened by swinging the storage space S. Along with this, the stored game balls are dropped all at once toward a plurality of winning openings 99 provided in front of the swing arm 97, and are collected by these winning openings 99.

Therefore, the amusement machine 9 of such a type
In the gaming machine 1 using 6, if the gaming ball stored in the gaming device 96 is determined as a floating ball similarly to the gaming ball caught in an obstacle nail or the like, it is determined in the gaming machine 1 as a ball stop. As a result, the game is interrupted despite the normal game state. Further, when such a gaming machine 96 is used, if the number of excesses and deficiencies of the game balls is set in the same manner as in the normal gaming machine 1, an excess or deficiency determination is made when a storage state occurs, and the game is similarly performed. Will be interrupted. Therefore, in the former case, in step S171 in the ball stop determination process (step S142) of the game launch control, whether the floating ball counter addition is stopped while the game machine 96 is being converted into a specific game form. Alternatively, when the number of game balls stored in the game machine 96 is predicted, the above-mentioned interruption of the game is prevented by performing processing such as subtracting the stored number from the floating ball counter. To be done. Further, in the latter case, a means such as arranging the installation position of the enclosed sphere number detecting means 51 (75) by shifting in advance can be considered.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the enclosed sphere number indicator 35 is constituted by a plurality of lamps 78 such as LEDs is shown, but instead of this, the constitution as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is adopted. It is also possible to do so.

That is, the enclosed ball number indicator 111 is
As shown in FIG. 26, the segment type L is formed on the substrate 112.
Using the ED, the first display unit 113 that displays positive and negative and 2
A second display unit 114 for displaying a digit number is formed. By using the first display unit 113 and the second display unit 114 together, an excess or deficiency display of the number of enclosed balls is performed, and a second display unit 114 is also provided.
By using the display unit 114 alone, the number of enclosed spheres is displayed as a number. And the enclosed ball number indicator 11 shown in this example
1, the connector 112 is provided on the back surface, and the base 112 is mounted in the recess 80 like the base 76, and is connected to the coupler 81.

[0128]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The enclosed ball type gaming machine described in (1) is a sealed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in a circulatory manner, and the game balls are sequentially emitted to a game area by a launching device to perform a game An enclosed ball circulation mechanism in which a game ball is circulated, a game state determination means for detecting a specific game state of an enclosed ball type gaming machine, and an enclosed ball circulation mechanism based on a specific game state determination signal from this game state determination means It is characterized in that it is provided with an enclosed ball number detecting means for judging an excess / deficiency state of the number of game balls enclosed in (3), and has the following excellent effects.

Based on the game state of the enclosed ball type gaming machine determined by the game state determination means, the enclosed ball number detection means can determine whether the number of game balls is excessive or insufficient according to the form of the game state. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine whether the game ball is excessive or insufficient, and to reliably deal with the occurrence of an abnormality, so that the service to the player can be improved.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 2, the game state determining means according to claim 1 is a non-gaming game in which all the gaming balls are collected in the supply gutter of the gaming balls forming the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. It is characterized that it is designed to determine the state as a specific game state, and in a state where all of the game balls have been collected in the supply gutter, it is possible to determine whether the number of game balls is excessive or insufficient, It is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects after the start of the game by determining whether the game balls are excessive or insufficient before the start of the game.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 3, the game state determining means according to claim 1 causes the gaming balls in the supply gutter which constitutes the enclosed ball circulation mechanism to be sequentially sent to the launching device, and the game. It is characterized in that the game state in which the game balls are sequentially collected from the area is determined to be a specific game state, and the game balls are shot by the launching device and are in the game. It is possible to determine whether the number of balls is excessive or insufficient. Therefore, even during a game, it is possible to quickly find a defect and deal with it quickly and surely.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the enclosed ball number detecting means according to the second aspect determines the excess or deficiency state with respect to the prescribed number of game balls to be loaded in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. In the state where all of the game balls have been collected in the supply gutter, it is determined whether the game balls are over or under the prescribed number to be enclosed. This ensures that the excess / deficiency of all the game balls is determined.

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 5, the enclosed ball number detecting means according to claim 2 or 3 is a specific gaming ball preset with the number of gaming balls existing in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. It is characterized in that it is configured to determine an excess or deficiency state based on a comparison with the number, and whether the deficiency of the number of game balls is excessive or deficient during the game or the game is stopped is a predetermined specific game. It is performed based on the number of balls.
Here, by setting the minimum allowable value or the maximum allowable value necessary for continuing the game as the specific number of game balls, the range of abnormality determination criteria is broadened, and unnecessary game stop operations are prevented. be able to.

Further, the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 6 is, in claims 1 to 5, an abnormality handling control means for carrying out an abnormality response based on the enclosed ball number abnormality signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means. When the enclosed gaming balls reach an excess or deficiency state, an enclosed ball number detection signal is output from the enclosed ball number detection means, and abnormality response control is performed based on this signal. By the means, the abnormal condition is dealt with. With this, for example, a notification to the clerk,
Actions such as interruption of the game or transmission of information to the central management device are promptly performed, and abnormalities are appropriately dealt with.

Furthermore, in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to claim 7, the abnormality response by the abnormality response control means according to claim 6 is when the enclosed ball number abnormal signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means is released, or It is characterized in that it is canceled when an abnormality handling cancellation signal is input, and the handling by the abnormality handling control means is forcibly released by an external input by the operation of a store clerk, or the excess or deficiency of the enclosed ball When the state is resolved, it is automatically canceled, and it is possible to reliably perform recovery after an abnormality has occurred. In particular, by adopting automatic cancellation, it is possible to more reliably recover the game. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an enclosed ball type gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a game board used in an enclosed ball type gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a frame board constituting the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing the surroundings of the enclosed ball circulation mechanism that constitutes the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a service ball discharging mechanism provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing enclosed ball number detecting means provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a main part of the enclosed ball number detecting means provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing an enclosed ball number display provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an enclosed ball number indicator provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a mounted state of the enclosed ball number indicator provided in the enclosed ball type gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection structure of terminals for connecting a game board and an external device in a sealed ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of an enclosed ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of centralized management control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of game board control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of game board control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of firing control in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a control procedure of floating ball processing performed as a subroutine in launch control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of ball stopping determination processing which is performed as a subroutine in the firing control in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for inclusion sphere control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a supplemental withdrawal process performed as a subroutine in the enclosed ball control in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is an external perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine attached to the gaming board.

FIG. 24 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is an external perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine attached to the gaming board.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the appearance as seen from the back side, showing another embodiment of the enclosed ball number indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a front view showing another embodiment of the enclosed ball number indicator of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Gaming Machine 14 Gaming Board 15 Launching Device 16 Enclosed Ball Circulation Mechanism 17 Exchange Ball Supply Device 19 Variable Display Device 35 Enclosed Ball Number Display 47 Supply Gutter 51 Enclosed Ball Number Detection Means 52 Extraction Sensor 53 Enclosed Ball Ejection Mechanism 54 Ball Feed Mechanism 58 Loading Gutter (Game Ball Supplying Section) 58a Loading Port (Game Ball Supplying Section) 59 Engaging Groove (Locking Means) 62 Service Ball Discharging Mechanism 67 Photo Sensor (Detector) 72 Ridge (Locking Means) 73 Photo Sensor (Detector) 75 Enclosed ball number detection means 82 Gaming board control device 85 Gaming machine control device 88 Game control (game state determination means) 89 Enclosed ball control (enclosed ball number detection means) 92 Management device (abnormality response control means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An enclosed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in a circulatory manner, and the game balls are sequentially emitted to a game area by a launching device so that the game balls are circulated. Based on the enclosed ball circulation mechanism, the game state determination means for detecting a specific game state of the enclosed ball type gaming machine, and the game enclosed in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism based on the specific game state determination signal from the game state determination means. An enclosed ball type gaming machine, comprising: an enclosed ball number detecting means for determining whether the number of balls is excessive or insufficient. 2. The game state determination means is configured to determine a non-game state in which all the game balls are collected in a supply gutter of a game ball forming an enclosed ball circulation mechanism as a specific game state. The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein. 3. The game state determination means specifies a game state in which the game balls in the supply gutter which constitutes the enclosed ball circulation mechanism are sequentially sent to the launching device, and the game balls are sequentially collected from the game area. The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming state is determined. 4. The enclosed ball number detecting means is adapted to determine an excess / deficiency state with respect to a prescribed number of game balls to be loaded in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism. Enclosed ball type game machine. 5. The enclosed ball number detecting means is configured to determine an excess / deficiency state based on a comparison between the number of game balls existing in the enclosed ball circulation mechanism and a preset number of specific game balls. The enclosed ball type game machine according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that 6. The abnormality response control means for performing abnormality response on the basis of the enclosed ball number abnormality signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means, according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Enclosed ball type game machine. 7. The abnormality handling by the abnormality handling control means is canceled when the enclosed ball number abnormality signal from the enclosed ball number detecting means is released or when the abnormality handling release signal is input. The enclosed ball game machine according to claim 6.