JPH11137824A - Odd ball processor of pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make fraction processing not disadvantageous to make a game joyful, by equipping a fraction calculating means to calculate the number of odd game balls on dividing the number of retained balls by the minimum unit ball number for exchanging for gift or converting into money and a fraction display means to display the fraction. SOLUTION: A ball lending operation part 31 to lend game balls by a prepaid card is equipped on an upper pan 15 of a game machine 10 corresponding to installation of a prepaid card unit 30. A reset switch 31a to make the number of odd balls generated on calculating the number of retained balls into gifts by a gift exchange rate to zero is equipped on the ball lending operation part 31. When the reset switch is operated, a ball launching device to launch game balls on to a game board 13 is stopped. A frequency display part 25 to display the remaining value of a prepaid card, errors, and the fraction calculated by the number. The record on the prepaid card is changed by operating a liquidation switch 35 to add an increased number of retained balls.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine, and more particularly, to a pachinko game machine, which has a fraction processing function for preventing a useless ball as a fraction when a player finishes a game and exchanges prizes. The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When ending a game while holding a game ball, the player takes the ball to a prize exchange, where the number of game balls is counted. Then, according to the counted number, it is exchanged for prizes etc. As a result of calculating based on the number of balls held by the player and the exchange ratio of prizes (minimum unit ball number), the fraction that can not be exchanged for prizes is It happens naturally. Then, the game ball having such a fraction is paid back to the player, and the player generally uses the end ball to return to the original gaming machine or another game machine and to use up the end ball and return. ing.

[0003]

However, in this case, the player wants to return early but cannot return until he has exhausted the number of end balls, and also wants to end the game once and leave the gaming machine for counting. If the gaming machine is not empty, the entertainment will be lost. In addition, there is a problem that when the end ball is generated, it cannot be exchanged for a prize, so that the player is disadvantaged.

On the other hand, a pachinko game machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-357982 has a ball number display section for displaying the number of game balls that can be fired and fired on the game machine, and the player obtains the ball by playing the game. A coin number display unit is provided to convert the equivalent value of the game ball to the number of coins and display the number, and subtracts the number of game balls fired toward the game board surface by the hitting ball firing device from the number of game balls purchased If there is a prize in the winning opening on the game board, the number of prize balls to be paid out is added and displayed on a coin display section provided on the front panel.

However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-35798 discloses
In the gaming machine disclosed in No. 2, when the equivalent value of the game ball obtained by the player is calculated, the equivalent value is converted into the number of coins and displayed, and when the game is completed and exchanged for a prize or the like. The processing of the resulting end ball is not made possible in a gaming machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a prize exchange ratio so that a fraction is not generated when a player purchases a game ball and exchanges the possessed ball for a prize after enjoying the game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pachinko gaming machine capable of displaying the presence or absence or the number of end balls generated in the relationship on a gaming machine, and an end ball processing device. This allows the player to enjoy the game to the end without wasting end balls.

[0007]

In order to solve this problem, an end ball processing device in a pachinko game machine according to the present invention is provided with a ball-counting device for counting the number of game balls lent by a prepaid card or cash. Means, a number of hit balls counting means for counting the number of game balls fired from the ball tray toward the game board surface, and a prize ball paid out to the ball tray with a prize of a game ball to a winning opening of the game board surface. Ball dispensing number counting means for counting the number of game balls remaining on the ball tray based on the number of game balls counted by the ball lending number counting means, hitting ball counting means and ball dispensing number counting means. Current ball possession number calculating means for calculating the number, and a fractional game ball obtained by dividing the number of balls in the ball tray determined by the current ball possession number calculating means by the minimum unit number of game balls at the time of prize exchange or cash conversion. Number And a fractional computation means for obtaining by calculation, it is an summarized in that and a fraction display means for displaying a fraction of game balls obtained by the fractional arithmetic means.

[0008] According to the end ball processing apparatus of the first aspect having the above structure, when a player purchases a game ball with a prepaid card or cash, the number of game balls lent out with the prepaid card or cash is reduced. The number of game balls that are counted by the ball lending number counting means and fired from the ball tray toward the game board surface during play is counted by the hit ball number counting means, and further to a winning port to a winning port on the game board face. The number of prize balls to be paid out to the ball tray in accordance with the winning of the game ball is counted by the ball payout number counting means. Then, based on the number of game balls counted by the number-of-lending-balls counting means, hit-ball-counting means or ball-paid-out number counting means, the number of game balls currently remaining in the ball tray is calculated by the currently held ball number calculating means. The fractional number of game balls obtained by dividing the determined number of balls held in the ball tray by the minimum number of game balls at the time of prize exchange or cashing is calculated by the fraction calculating means. The fraction of the game ball obtained by the fraction calculating means is displayed on the pachinko gaming machine by the fraction display means.

In this case, in the case of a prepaid card type pachinko gaming machine, the number of balls to be lent is counted based on an operation signal from a ball rental operation unit as in the second aspect of the invention. Alternatively, as in the invention according to claim 3, the number of balls to be paid out from the prize ball payout mechanism that operates based on an operation signal from the ball rental operation unit is determined by a detection sensor provided in the prize ball payout mechanism. May be counted based on the detection signal.

In the case of a pachinko game machine in which game balls are purchased with a cash machine, the total weight of the game balls put into the ball tray is counted and the total weight is played. The count is preferably made by dividing by the weight of one sphere. In this case, it is preferable that a time limit means for operating the number-of-lending-balls counting means for a certain period of time only at the beginning of the game is further provided. At the start of the game, there are some game balls on the ball tray in advance, and when a game ball purchased with a cash machine is inserted into the ball, the total number of balls is counted after a certain time has elapsed by the time limit means. . As a result, the number of balls thrown into the ball tray is counted without distinguishing the prize balls that have been set in advance.

Further, if the end ball number reset means for resetting the number of end balls displayed on the display means to zero by operating the end ball processing switch is provided as in the invention of claim 6, The number of end balls is reset to zero at any time by operating the end ball processing switch.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 7, there is provided a card rewriting means for adding the end ball number displayed on the display means to the holding ball number data recorded on the prepaid card and rewriting by operating the settlement switch. By operating the settlement switch at the end of the game, the number of end balls is added to the held ball number data and recorded on the prepaid card.
This eliminates the disadvantage that the player wastes a fraction of the game balls.

According to the present invention, there is provided a firing device stopping means for stopping a hit ball firing device for firing a game ball toward a game board by operating the end ball number resetting means. For example, when the player operates the reset means which is operated when processing the end ball, the operation of the hit ball launching device is stopped, and the game ends with the number of balls that do not have the end ball at the time of prize exchange.

Further, in the end ball processing device according to the ninth aspect, a ball detection port for detecting a game ball dropped from the ball release port is provided in a ball release port provided in a lower ball tray for storing game balls. Along with the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls detected by the number of game balls, the minimum number of games at the time of prize exchange or cash The gist of the present invention is to include a fraction calculating means for calculating a fractional number of game balls divided by the number of balls by calculation, and a fraction display means for displaying a fraction of game balls determined by the fraction calculating means.

According to this, the game balls dropped out of the ball hole of the lower ball tray are detected by the ball detection means, and the number of the game balls is counted by the ball number counting means. The counted number is divided by the fraction calculating means with the exchange ratio with the premium, and the calculated fraction is displayed on the fractional ball display means. Therefore, also in this case, the player can exchange prizes or the like with the number of possessed balls having no fraction.

Also in this case, as in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the number of end balls displayed on the display means is added to the retained ball number data recorded on the prepaid card and rewritten by operating the settlement switch. If the card rewriting means is provided, the end ball number displayed on the display means is added to the held ball number data and recorded on the prepaid card by the player operating the settlement switch at the end of the game.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, if there is provided a launching device stopping means for stopping a hitting ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board surface by operating the end ball number resetting means, By performing the resetting operation by the ball count resetting means, the hit ball launching device is stopped and the game is terminated in a state where no fraction is generated.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a gaming machine frame 11 serving as a base for the front of the gaming machine.
A metal frame 12 is fitted to an inner peripheral edge of an opening formed in a frame shape of the game machine frame 11, and a glass door 14 that covers the front surface of the game board 13 is provided on the metal frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. .

Below the glass door 14, an upper tray 15 for storing game balls to be supplied to the hit ball launching device is attached. Below the balls, balls overflowing from the upper tray 15 when the prize balls are discharged. Tray 16 for storing
Is provided. The game balls in the upper tray 15 are dropped toward the lower tray 16 by operating the ball release button 17 provided on the upper tray 15, and the lower ball tray 16
In order to discharge the game balls stored in the game machine to the outside of the gaming machine, the user operates the ball removal slide button 18 provided on the front surface of the lower ball tray 16 to open the ball removal port 18a and drop the game balls. The ball extraction port 18a has a ball extraction sensor 18b.
The number of removed balls is detected by the removed ball detection sensor 18b.

At the right side in the drawing of the lower tray 16 located below the gaming machine frame 11, a firing lever 20 for firing a game ball toward the game board 13 is provided. Is provided with a single shot switch 21 for firing a game ball for each ball. The firing lever 20 adjusts the degree to which the game ball is fired and fired toward the game board 13 in accordance with the amount of the turning operation, and the firing power is turned on by detecting the predetermined turning position. Has become.

A frame top decoration 22 composed of a lens body made of a synthetic resin is provided from the upper side edge of the gaming machine frame 11 to the right side edge in the drawing, and a frame decoration lamp is provided inside the frame top decoration 22. Are provided. At the right end, an end ball display lamp 24 for displaying the presence or absence of an end ball generated when the number of currently held balls is counted with the prize exchange ratio, and a key decoration lamp for decorating the periphery of the keyhole 25 for opening and closing the glass door 14. 26 are provided.

On one side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a ball lending machine using a prepaid card (hereinafter, referred to as a "prepaid card unit") 30 is provided for each gaming machine.
In response to the installation of the prepaid card unit 30, the upper tray 15 of the gaming machine 10 is provided with a ball lending operation unit 31 for performing a lending operation of a game ball by a prepaid card, and the ball lending operation unit 31 has a currently owned ball lending operation unit. A reset switch 31a is provided to reset the number of end balls generated when the number of balls is counted at the premium exchange ratio to "0". When the reset switch is operated, the hit ball firing device for firing the game ball onto the game board 13 also stops.

The ball lending operation section 31 includes a ball lending button 32 for operating a ball lending operation using a prepaid card, a ball lending button lamp 33 for indicating a ball lending possible state,
A card return button 34 for discharging the prepaid card is provided. Further, a frequency display unit 35 for displaying the balance of the prepaid card, the error display, and the fraction of the counted game balls is provided. The fraction displayed here is added to the ball count data recorded on the prepaid card by operating the settlement switch 35a, and the ball count record data of the prepaid card is rewritten.

When using the prepaid card, the user inserts the prepaid card into the card insertion slot 37 while the card availability indicator lamp 36 provided in the prepaid card unit 30 is lit, and operates the amount setting button 38 so that the loan amount ( 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 50
0 yen). Then, by operating the ball lending button 32 of the ball lending operation section 31 provided in the upper tray 15, a game ball of a preselected amount is lent.

The game board 13 provided on the front of the game machine frame 11 has a metal inner rail 40 mounted on a game board,
The outer rail 41 for guiding the game ball fired from the hit ball firing position toward the board, and the game ball fired on the game board 13 returns to the firing rail or the hit ball firing position again by the bouncing action. The perimeter is formed by a foul stop 42 for prevention, a return rubber 43 for dropping a shot and released game ball below the surface of the game board 13, and a game area is formed inside.

FIG. 2 shows details of the game board 13 surface. A special symbol display device 50 is provided at the center of the game area on the 13 game boards, and special symbol display units (middle symbol display unit 50a, left symbol display unit 50b, right symbol display unit 50c) are provided at the center. Can be At the position directly below the special symbol display device 50, a first-class start winning prize port 51, which is an ordinary electric accessory, is provided.
Is provided, and a first normally closed position is provided below the first position.
A special winning combination 52, which is a special special electric accessory;
And a specific area winning port 53 that can win when the is opened.

To the left and right of the specific area winning opening 53, there are provided a normal winning opening, a leftward winning opening 54 and a rightward winning opening 55, and a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out according to the winning of the game ball. Further, a special winning opening 60, a left sleeve winning opening 61, and a right sleeve winning opening 62 provided at the upper portion of the special symbol display device 50 are provided. When a game ball wins in these winning openings, the winning opening is set for each winning opening. Prize balls are paid out to the player.

On the left side of the special symbol display device 50, a gate 63 through which a game ball can pass is provided, and a normal symbol of a normal symbol display device 64, which is displayed in 7-segment digital every time the game ball passes, is provided. Initiate fluctuations. This gate 63
The game balls that have passed through are counted and stored up to a maximum of four in the ordinary symbol storage display LED 65, and the number of the stored balls is displayed by turning on the lamp. Further, a windmill 70 and a ramp windmill 7 for randomly changing the falling direction of the shot game ball and changing the falling speed and direction of the game ball.
1, a sleeve decoration 72, a passage opening 73 and the like are provided.

The game balls fired and fired on the game board 13 fall while rolling in the game area, and enter one of the above-mentioned winning ports or a game ball that did not enter any of the winning ports. Is the game board 13 from the discharge port 74 opened at the bottom of the game area.
It is discharged outside. The gate 63 may be configured to pay out prize balls (for example, six) when a game ball passes.

Various lamps are provided on the game board 13. Side lamps 80 are provided on the left and right sides of the game board 13, one of which is turned on and off at the same time as the power to the game machine is turned on. These various types of lamps are
Also, each of the winning ports such as the lamp windmill 71, the left and right sleeve winning ports 61 and 62, and the game board 13 are provided on and around the game board 13, and are turned on and off in order to enhance the effect of the game.

Further, on the upper outside of the game area of the game board 13, a ball payout LED 81 which is turned on and off when a payout ball payout operation is performed, and on a prize ball tank or tank rail provided on the back side of the gaming machine 10. When the number of the game balls becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the ball is turned off, and a ball-out LED 82 is displayed to indicate that fact. Also, on both sides of the special symbol display device 50,
A special symbol storage display LED 83 is provided, and the number of times of change of the special symbol display device 50 is stored up to four times, and is displayed with lighting of a lamp.

A game ball fired and fired by a player has left and right prize holes 54, 55 provided on the game board 13 surface.
When a normal winning opening such as the left and right sleeve winning openings 61 and 62 and the natural winning opening 63 is won, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each winning opening. However, when passing through the gate 63, the symbol display device 64 usually starts to fluctuate, stops after fluctuating for a certain period of time, and displays the symbol. The number of game balls that have passed through the gate 63 is counted up to a maximum of four, and is normally lit on the symbol storage display LED 65. Here, when the symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol display device 64 is a “hit” symbol,
The first kind start winning opening 51 is opened, and when a game ball wins in this opening, the special symbol display device 50 starts to change. However, when the displayed symbol is a “missing” symbol, the special symbol display device 50 does not change.

The special symbol display device 50 (50a, 50)
b, 50c) stop after fluctuating for a certain period of time, and when all the symbols displayed here are the same symbols, so-called "big hits", the special winning opening 52 is opened for a certain period of time. And
A large number of prize balls can be obtained by winning game balls while the large winning opening 52 is open. Further winning opening 52
When the game ball wins in the specific area winning opening 53 provided in the game, the special winning opening 52 is continuously opened (so-called “repeating chan” operation). The maximum number of continuous openings is set. If the maximum number of continuous openings ends, or if the game ball does not win in the specific area winning opening 53, the special winning opening 52 is also closed and the "big hit" operation ends.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine. Mechanism plate 100 provided on the back of gaming machine 10
A prize ball tank 102 for temporarily storing game balls supplied from an island of the game arcade is provided above the game ball, and a tank rail 104 is provided so as to be connected to the prize ball tank 102. Further, a prize ball payout mechanism 106 that pays out a prize ball in accordance with a winning of a game ball is connected to a lower end portion of the tank rail 104.

The tank rail 104 is provided with a supply switch 108 which operates according to a supply state of the prize ball tank 102 and the game balls on the tank rail 104, and a shortage of prize balls immediately before the prize ball payout mechanism 106. Is provided and an emptying prevention switch 110 for preventing the empty operation of the mechanism section 106 is provided. Also, when the prize balls paid out by the mechanism section 106 are filled inside the gaming machine 10,
A full tank switch 112 for detecting this, a full tank stopper 114 which is engaged by a game ball filled inside the gaming machine 10 and pushes the full tank switch 112, and the like are also provided.

In the mechanism board 100, when a game ball wins in each of the winning holes provided on the surface of the game board 13, the safe ball payout mechanism 1 detects the winning ball by cutting the ball one by one.
16 are provided. Here, the winning balls detected by the safe ball payout mechanism 116 are discharged outside the machine. The back of the game board 13 of the gaming machine 10 is covered with a central cover 118, and various control boards and the like for controlling and instructing the game state are provided inside the central cover 118.

For example, a CR external connection terminal board 120 for connecting a prepaid card unit 30 for processing information relating to a prepaid card used by a player outside the gaming machine 10 to the gaming machine body, and provided on the game board 13 surface The prize ball payout mechanism unit 1 is provided with the number of prize balls set for each of the winning ports thus set.
CR prize ball payout control board 122 to be paid out from 06, between the control board 122, the prepaid card unit 30, the ball lending operation board, and the frequency display board (stored in the ball lending operation section 31 in FIG. 1). The information of the prepaid card, the operation signal of the ball lending request to the ball lending operation unit 31, the frequency display information indicating the ball lending state, and the information for controlling the CR prize ball payout control unit based on the ball lending information are provided. A card interface board 124 for exchanging is provided.

The CR external connection terminal board 120, C
A CR relay board 126 and a main board 130 for relaying signals related to card data processing between the R-prize ball payout control board 122 and the card interface board 124 are mounted on the mechanism plate 100. After these boards are assembled to the mechanism plate 100, they are detachably connected to each other using connector wiring. The prepaid card unit 3 provided outside the gaming machine 10
Input and output of information between the game machine 10 and the main body of the gaming machine 10 are performed via the card interface connection unit 132.

The CR prize ball payout control board 122 detects shortage deficiency of the prize ball and abnormality in supply / discharge state,
Stoppage of the prize ball payout operation and display operation are performed together. Here, when an abnormality such as a shortage of game balls, a clogged ball, an abnormal circuit operation, or a soft error occurs in the prize ball payout control mechanism such as the CR prize ball payout control board 122 and the prize ball payout mechanism 106, the fact is described. An error display section 134 to be displayed, or an error display section 134 when an error state is released.
Error display reset button 1 for resetting to the initial state
36 are provided.

On the main board 130, a setting display LED 13 for displaying the appearance state (probability) of "hit" generated in the specific symbol display device 50 by three LEDs.
8. A probability mode setting switch 1 for setting the appearance probability of the "hit" to be switchable upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.
40 are provided.

Information generated by the gaming machine 10 is transmitted to the mechanism plate 10
The signal is output to a game arcade management device provided outside the gaming machine via an external connection terminal 122 provided at one upper corner of the game machine.
Thereby, the display symbol of the special symbol display device 50 and the number of times the winning device is started, the number of occurrences of the "big hit" generated by fixing the predetermined symbol, the continuation information for continuing the special profit state for the player, and the pachinko gaming machine Various information such as the appearance probability of “hit” and a fraud detection signal is input and output via the external connection terminal 122.

Further, the game balls supplied to the upper tray 15 are placed on the game board 13 at a position near the lower rear corner of the mechanism plate 100.
A hit ball launching device 150 that launches and launches toward the surface is provided. This hitting ball launching device 150 is a hitting ball launching motor 1
52, a launching device control circuit, a hitting hammer, an elasticity adjusting means, and the like. Touch sensitivity adjustment volume 154
Is provided to adjust the detection sensitivity of the touch switch circuit for turning on the power of the hit ball firing motor 152 by detecting the contact of the firing lever 20 and the single shot switch 21 by the player. Is provided to adjust and set the resilience and the flight distance when the game ball is fired and fired.

A launching device control board 158 is provided near the hitting / ballistic launching device 150, and includes a drive control circuit for the hitting / ballistic launching motor 152 and a touch switch circuit. In the drive control circuit of the hit ball firing motor 152, the rotation speed and torque of the motor, particularly the interval between hitting balls per minute, the speed, and the like are set.

Further, the launching device control circuit of the hitting ball launching device 158 also incorporates a control circuit for stopping driving of the hitting ball launching motor 152 when a signal from the reset switch 31a is encountered. In addition, this pachinko gaming machine 10
Is connected to a 100 V AC power supply via a power plug 160. The lead wire 162 drawn from the external connection terminal 122 is connected to the connector 164 and the power plug 1
66 is connected to a 24 V AC power supply.

FIG. 4 shows the flow paths of the game balls in the prize ball payout mechanism 106 and the safe ball payout mechanism 116 provided on the back surface of the gaming machine 10. In the upper part of the mechanism plate 100, a prize ball payout gutter 200 and a ball drain gutter 202 are provided to be branched into a flow path of a game ball supplied from the prize ball tank 102 and the tank rail 104. A prize ball payout mechanism 106 is provided at a position downstream of the prize ball payout gutter 200, and a prize ball flowing down from an open lower end port 204 provided thereunder is
The ball is temporarily stored in the prize ball storing unit 208 via the cushion roller 206.

The prize balls held here are paid out to the upper ball tray 15 from the ball outlet 210. When the upper ball tray 15 is full, the filled prize balls are transferred to the side plate 21 of the prize ball holding unit 208.
After passing over 2 and moving out to the side overflow path 214, it is paid out to the lower ball tray 16 via the prize ball path gutter 216.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed sectional structure of the safe ball payout mechanism 116. This safe ball dispensing mechanism 11
In 6, a safe ball discharge gutter 250 is integrally provided on a mounting substrate 251 mounted on the mechanism plate 100. A cutout opening 252 is provided in the safe ball discharge gutter 250, and a lever member 254 for cutting a continuously flowing winning ball is provided below the notch opening 252, and the lever member 254 is intermittently shaken. A moving safe ball discharge solenoid 256 is connected. As for the winning balls, the lever member 254 swings as the plunger of the discharge solenoid 256 moves forward and backward, whereby the balls pass one by one. Further, the safe ball discharge gutter 250 is provided with a safe ball detection switch (collected prize ball detecting means) 258 for detecting winning balls one by one.
Is transmitted to the CR prize ball payout control board 122.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the prize ball payout mechanism 106, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The main body frame 300 of the prize ball payout mechanism 106 has a ball passage 301 through which game balls flowing down from the prize ball payout gutter 200 pass, and the prize ball motor 302 is fixed to the main body frame 300 by screws. . A connection portion 306 for connecting a connector 304 is provided on a side surface of the prize ball motor 302, and a ball passage 301 is provided at a lower portion.
A screw body 308 that guides the game ball that has passed through to the open lower end port 204 is provided. A case bearing 310 is provided below the body frame 300 to fix the body frame 300 and serve as a bearing for the screw body 308. Photo sensors 31 for detecting the passage of a game ball are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the case bearing 310.
2 are provided. The outer frame of the case bearing 310 is covered with a case bearing cover 314, and is screwed to the main body frame 300 via the case bearing 310.

In the prize ball payout mechanism 106, the screw body 308 is rotationally driven by driving the prize ball motor 302. By this drive, the game balls flowing down the prize ball payout gutter 200 connected to the upper portion of the mechanism 106 are introduced from the ball passage 301 into the mechanism 106. Here, the number of the game balls guided from the ball passage 301 to the screw body 308 is counted by the photo sensor 312 at the same time as the number of the game balls passed out is detected. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls from the open lower end port 204 to the prize ball holding unit 208 via the cushion roller 206. The award ball payout mechanism 106 also pays out a predetermined number of balls to be loaned in response to an operation signal from the ball rental operation unit 31. The payout ball is also detected by the photo sensor, and the number is counted.

FIG. 8 shows an outflow path of the winning balls provided on the back surface of the game board 13. As shown in the figure, the winning balls that have won the prize winning opening 63, the left sleeve winning opening 61, and the left falling winning opening 54 fall on the inclined plate-shaped safe ball gathering path (safe ball gathering plate) 350, and the slope thereof is inclined. The ball is guided to the safe ball payout mechanism 116 via a safe ball guide path (safe ball guide plate) 352 provided at the lower end position. In addition, the winning balls that have won the first-class start winning opening 51 and the large winning opening 52, the specific region winning opening 53, the right sleeve winning opening 62, and the right drop winning opening 55 directly fall on the safe ball guiding path 352, and are safe. It is guided to the ball payout mechanism 116.

A first type start detection switch 354 for detecting the winning is provided in the outflow path of the winning ball entering the first type start winning opening 51. Further, a counting switch 358 for counting the number of winning balls to the special winning opening 52 is provided on the outflow path of the winning balls entering the special winning opening 52, and a winning switch entering the specific area winning opening 53 is further provided. In the outflow path of the ball, a specific area winning detection switch 360 for detecting the winning is provided. The gate 6
The game ball passes through the gate 6
3 is provided with a gate switch 362 for detecting the passage through the gate.

When it is detected from the detection signal of the first type start detection switch 354 that a game ball has won the first type start winning opening 51, the special symbol display device 50 changes as described above. When a "big hit" occurs, the big winning opening 5
2 opens. When it is detected from the detection signal from the counting switch 358 that a predetermined number of winnings (10 in this embodiment) have been detected during the opening of the special winning opening 52, the special winning opening 52 is closed.

Further, during the opening of the special winning opening 52, the specific area winning detecting switch 360 is used to operate the specific winning opening 53.
If it is detected that there is a prize,
Is repeated. Also, if there is a detection signal from the gate switch 362, the ordinary symbol display device 64 will be driven as described above. And this big winning opening 5
The opening and closing operation of No. 2 is operated by the special winning opening solenoid 364.

On the other hand, specific winning detection switches (specific winning ball detecting means) 366, 368 are provided in the flow paths of the winning balls entering the winning openings of the left and right sleeve winning openings 61, 62. Based on the detection signals from 366, 368, a predetermined number (for example, 15
Prize balls are paid out. Also, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of prize balls can be paid out from the prize ball payout mechanism 106 by the detection signal of the first type start detection switch 364 provided in the first type start winning opening 51. Has become.

Further, when a detection signal is received from the counting switch 358 provided in the special winning opening 52 and the specific area winning detection switch 360 provided in the specific area winning opening 53, a predetermined number of signals are sent from the safe ball payout mechanism 116. Award balls (for example, 10) are paid out. Although a switch for detecting the winning is not provided in the flow path of the winning ball entering the left and right drop winning ports 54 and 55, the safe ball detecting switch 252 provided in the safe ball payout mechanism 116 provides a total ball. Since the winning number is counted, a prize ball of the number difference is paid out as a prize to the normal winning opening.

FIG. 9 shows a method of detecting the number of end balls in a prepaid card type gaming machine. (A) is a block diagram showing the processing procedure, (b) is a calculation method and a fraction calculation method in the current ball possession number calculation processing, and (c) is a calculation example thereof. This block diagram is based on the number of balls possessed on the prepaid card used by the player,
A case where a predetermined number of rental balls are purchased is shown. Note that this lending ball is obtained by a ball lending operation by the player. At the start of the game, the number of rented balls (A) borrowed by the player is determined by a photo sensor 312 provided in the payout mechanism 106 when the game balls are lent from the prize ball payout mechanism 106 as the number of balls to be rented counting means. It is counted based on the detected detection signal. Note that an operation signal corresponding to the operation amount of the ball lending button 32 of the ball lending operation unit 31 may be used for counting the number of ball lending.

Next, the number of prize balls to be paid out (B) is determined by the photo sensor in the same manner as the method of counting the number of lent balls (A) because the prize balls obtained by winning are paid out from the prize ball payout mechanism 106. The counting is performed using the detection signal detected by 312.
However, since a prize ball is obtained every time a game ball wins a winning opening, the prize ball obtained by the end of the game is added every time and updated as needed. The number of balls for rental (A) and the number of prize balls paid out (B)
Is an additional amount for increasing the current ball holding number (E).

Then, the number of hit balls (C) shot from the upper ball tray 15 onto the game board 13 is counted by using data such as the hitting shot firing interval for one minute controlled by the firing device control board 158, and The number of ball removals (D) detected by a sensor provided in the ball removal port 18a of the ball tray 16 is counted. The current ball holding number (E) is calculated using these counted values. As shown in (b), the current ball possession number calculating means for counting the current ball possession number (E), as shown in (b), the number of balls lending (A) and the number of award ball payout balls ( The number of hit balls (C) is subtracted from the added value of B), and the number of hit balls (D) is further subtracted. Then, a fraction is calculated from the counted current ball holding number (E). For this purpose, a method of dividing the current ball holding number (E) by the premium exchange ratio (F) is used. Of the calculated values (G) obtained, the remainder (H)
Is calculated as the number of balls that cannot be exchanged for prizes. The exchange ratio indicates how many game balls can be exchanged for one prize having the lowest unit price.

(C) shows a calculation example by the current ball possession number calculation processing and the fraction calculation processing. The number of balls for sale (A) purchased by the player is 20, and the number of balls to be paid out and paid out by winning (B)
Is 20, the number of shots (C) fired is 15, and if the number of shots (C) is subtracted from the sum of the number of balls lending (A) and the number of prize balls paid out (B), it becomes 25. The number of current balls held (E) is obtained by subtracting 10 balls removed from this value.
It is. When the number of currently held balls of 15 is divided by 4, which is the exchange ratio (F), the calculated value (G) is 3 and the remainder (H) is 3. Thus, in this calculation example, the number of game balls is three, and the number of end balls is such that prize exchange is impossible. The presence or absence of the fraction is notified to the player by lighting of the fractional ball display lamp 24, and the number is displayed on the frequency display unit 35. When the end ball is reset as the end ball processing, the display becomes “0” by operating the reset switch 31a, and the hit ball launching device 150 also stops.

FIG. 10 shows a method of detecting the number of end balls of a cash-type gaming machine. (A) is a block diagram showing the processing procedure, and (b) shows a calculation method and a fraction calculation method in the current ball possession number calculation processing. The counting of the number of balls in the cash-type gaming machine is the same as the method of detecting the number of balls in the prepaid card-type gaming machine shown in FIG. Therefore, FIG.
Is omitted, and the current ball holding number calculation method and calculation example are shown in FIG.
(B) Reference shall be made to (c). In the case of a cash-type gaming machine, since the game is played by putting cash into the ball lending machine and putting the purchased game balls into the upper ball tray 15, the number of balls to be lent is counted by the game balls loaded into the upper ball tray 15. Is detected by using a differential transformer. The total weight Wt of the game balls detected here is calculated as the weight Wo per one game ball.
The number of game balls (N) is counted by dividing by.

The ball-counting process using the differential transformer is based on the premise that no game balls are loaded in the upper and lower ball trays 15 and 16 at the start of the game. However, if it is assumed that game balls remain in the ball tray (especially the upper ball tray 15), a timer time limit means that operates for a certain period of time only at the beginning of the game start is provided. The number of balls may be counted. The load detection values of the upper and lower ball trays 15 and 16 are “0”, and the firing lever 20 and the single-switch 2
The timer may be set to operate at the time when the state of the device 1 is changed from the non-operated state to the operated state. The current ball possession number (E) is calculated using the number of ball rentals (A) counted by the above method, and the end ball number (E) is calculated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the end ball processing apparatus in this embodiment. In addition, since the counting method of the number of rented balls is different between the prepaid card type gaming machine and the cash type gaming machine, the counting shown in FIG. 9 is performed for the prepaid card type gaming machine (S10 "YES", S11), and the cash type If it is a gaming machine, the counting shown in FIG. 10 is performed (S10 "N
O ", S12). If the end ball is generated by this counting, the end ball display lamp 24 is turned on and the number is displayed on the frequency display section 35 (S13 "YES", S14).
If the end ball has not been calculated, the end ball display lamp 24 is not turned on, and “0” is displayed on the frequency display unit 35 (S
13 "NO"). Regarding the lighting and extinguishing of the lamp 24, the lighting and extinguishing also fluctuate each time the presence or absence of the end ball which occurs during the continuation of the game fluctuates (S15 "YES", S16). However, by pressing a game end switch (not shown) at the time of the end of the game, the calculation processing of the end ball may be performed, and the result may be displayed.

When ending the game or when processing the end ball ("NO" in S15), there is an end ball (S1).
7 "YES"), it is determined whether or not to play a game using the end ball. When playing a game using the end ball, the settlement switch 35a is operated (S18 "Y").
ES ", S19). As a result, the hit ball firing device 150 hits only the end ball, and stops when the hit ball ends. In addition, no end ball is generated when the game ends (S17 "NO").
Or when the game is not played even if the end ball is generated (S18)
"NO") operates the reset switch 31a (S2).
0) If it is a prepaid card type gaming machine, the game is terminated (S21) after being added to the ball count data recorded on the prepaid card and returned (S21). If it is a cash-type gaming machine, the game is terminated as it is (S22).

Here, when the end ball shot and fired on the game board 13 wins the winning opening (S23 "YES"), the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning opening is paid out. When the end ball is generated again, the above processing is repeated. When the end ball is exhausted without winning (S23 "N
O "), the game ends (S22).

As described above, during the period from the start to the end of the game, the presence or absence and the number of the end balls are always displayed, and the calculation method is automatically calculated / updated without operation by the player. You can concentrate on the game without being distracted by the operation of, and it will also be a guide to the end of the game. In addition, the method of calculating the equivalent value of a game ball and calculating the number of end balls is large in the case of a prepaid card type game machine because detection signals from each mechanism used in a conventional game machine are used. No modification is required. In the case of cash game machines, it is necessary to replace the upper ball tray with a tray provided with a differential transformer,
Others do not require major remodeling or the like as in the prepaid card type gaming machine.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the presence / absence display of the end ball is displayed by turning on / off a lamp provided at the upper part of the game board. The equivalent value counting method used, the data used therefor, and the content to be displayed can be changed as appropriate, thereby providing a fair gaming machine that does not cause disadvantage to the player.

[0067]

As described above, according to the end-ball processing device of the present invention, the number of balls lent to a player, the number of hit balls fired by the player, and the current ball possession Is calculated, a fractional calculation is further performed based on the number of balls of the minimum unit such as exchange of prizes, and the fraction is displayed. Therefore, the player can grasp the presence or absence of the end ball and the number of the end ball at any time, and can easily give an indication of whether to continue or end the game. Also, if the game can be terminated by operating the reset switch so that no fraction remains, or if the fraction can be updated and rewritten on the prepaid card, the profit of the player can be reduced. You can concentrate on the game with ease and enjoy the game without losing interest.
In addition, since the calculation processing of the number of end balls can be performed based on signals or data from a sensor or a control circuit board provided in a mechanism used in an existing game machine, the game machine already used Can also be accommodated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board in the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming machine shown in FIG.

4 is a flow path of a game ball in a prize ball payout mechanism and a safe ball payout mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the safe ball payout mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a front view of the prize ball payout mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

FIG. 8 is an outflow path of a winning ball in the rear view shown in FIG. 2;

9 (a), 9 (b) and 9 (c) are a block diagram showing a procedure for detecting the number of balls in a prepaid card-type gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and a calculation method, a fraction calculation method and a calculation example.

10 (a) and 10 (b) are a block diagram showing a procedure for detecting the number of balls in a cash-type gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and a method for calculating the number of balls and a method for calculating the number of fractions.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the end ball processing procedure shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 Pachinko game machine 15 Upper ball tray 16 Lower ball tray 18a Ball removal port 18b Ball removal detection sensor 24 End ball display lamp 31 Ball rental operation unit 31a Reset switch 35 Frequency display unit (fraction display means) 35a Payment switch 106 Prize ball payout Mechanism 116 Safe ball dispensing mechanism 150 Ball hitting device 312 Photosensor (ball lending counting means, ball dispensing counting means)

Claims (11)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A lending ball number counting means for counting the number of game balls lent by a prepaid card or cash, and a hit ball number counting means for counting the number of game balls fired from a ball tray toward a game board surface. A ball payout number counting means for counting the number of prize balls paid out to the ball tray in accordance with a prize of a game ball to a winning opening on a game board surface, the ball rental number counting means, the hit ball number counting means, and the ball payout number. Current ball possession number calculating means for calculating the number of game balls remaining in the current ball tray based on the number of game balls counted by the counting means, and a ball tray calculated by the current ball possession number calculating means. Fraction calculating means for calculating the fractional number of game balls obtained by dividing the number of possessed balls by the minimum number of game balls at the time of prize exchange or cashing, and a fraction for displaying the fraction of game balls determined by the fraction calculating means table And an indicating means. 2. The ball lending device according to claim 2, wherein, in the case of a prepaid card type pachinko game machine, the ball lending number counting means counts the ball lending number based on an operation signal from a ball lending operation unit. Item 2. An end ball processing apparatus in a pachinko game machine according to Item 1. 3. In the case of a prepaid card-type pachinko gaming machine, the number-of-balls-for-payment counting means calculates the number of balls-for-payment from a prize-ball dispensing mechanism that operates based on an operation signal from a ball-lending operation unit. 2. The end ball processing device in a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the counting is performed based on a detection signal from a detection sensor provided in the winning ball payout mechanism. 4. In the case of a pachinko game machine in which game balls are purchased by a cash machine, the number-of-lending-balls counting means counts the total weight of the game balls put into the ball tray, and determines the total weight of the game balls 1. 2. The end ball processing apparatus in a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the counting is performed by dividing by a weight of the pachinko game machine. 5. The end ball processing device of a pachinko game machine according to claim 4, further comprising time limit means for operating the number-of-lending-balls counting means for a predetermined time only at the beginning of a game start. 6. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, further comprising end ball number reset means for resetting the number of end balls displayed on said display means to zero by operating an end ball processing switch. End ball processing equipment in gaming machines. 7. A card rewriting means for adding and rewriting the number of end balls displayed on said display means by operation of a settlement switch to ball holding number data recorded on a prepaid card. 7. The end ball processing device in the pachinko gaming machine according to 2, 3, or 6. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a launching device stopping means for stopping a hitting ball firing device for firing a game ball toward a game board surface by operating said end ball number resetting means. End ball processing equipment for pachinko machines. 9. A ball extraction port provided in a lower ball tray for storing game balls, wherein a ball extraction unit for detecting a game ball dropped from the ball extraction port is provided, and the ball is detected by the ball detection unit. The number of game balls to be counted, which counts the number of game balls, and the number of game balls in fractions obtained by dividing the number of game balls counted by the device for counting ball count by the minimum number of game balls at the time of prize exchange or cashing. A fraction ball processing device for a pachinko game machine, comprising: a fraction calculation means calculated by calculation; and a fraction display means for displaying a fraction of a game ball calculated by the fraction calculation means. 10. A card rewriting means for adding and rewriting the number of balls to be displayed on the display means by operation of a settlement switch to ball count data recorded on a prepaid card. 3. An end ball processing apparatus for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1. 11. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a launching device stopping unit that stops a hitting ball launching device that launches a game ball toward a game board surface by operating the end ball number reset unit. End ball processing equipment for pachinko machines.