JPH11206966A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent malfunctions caused by the stagnation of prize-winning balls in a path for prize-winning balls. SOLUTION: A prize-winning ball assembling chute 130 for introducing prize- winning balls to a prize-winning ball discharging device 114 is formed of a prize-winning ball aligning part 132, a throttle part 134, a tank part 136, etc., and a prize-winning ball piling-up detecting switch 138 is arranged on the ceiling 137 of a part which shifts from the tank part 136 to the throttle part 134. In the prize-winning ball stagnation detecting switch 138, a detecting lever 140 is protruded into the throttle part 134. When the detecting lever 140 is pushed up by prize-winning balls accumulated in the throttle part 134, the prize-winning ball stagnation detecting switch 138 is turned on. Then, it is made possible to detect the prize-winning balls stagnating in the throttle part 134. As launching is permitted until prize-winning balls are detected by the prize-winning ball stagnation detecting switch 138, and launching is halted when detected, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by the stagnation of prize-winning balls.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a ball and ball game machine, and more particularly to a technique for detecting a game ball staying on a winning ball path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ball-and-ball game machine fires a game ball toward a game area by a launching device, and among the fired game balls, a game ball which has won (also called a winning ball or a safe ball). Collected by the prize ball path, for example, every time a prize ball is paid out in response to a prize, one ball is discharged outside the machine by a prize ball discharge device installed at the end of the prize ball path. . Therefore, sometimes, the prize ball is not properly discharged due to malfunction of the prize ball payout device or the prize ball discharge device, and the prize ball may stay in the prize ball path. In such a case, the on state of the prize ball detection switch installed inside the prize ball discharge device or at the entrance of the prize ball discharge device or the like continues, so that the stay of the prize ball is detected based on the output signal. Since the notification has been given to the player and the person related to the game arcade by the ramp, for example, the game can be interrupted to take measures to eliminate the stagnant prize balls. Further, when the winning ball detection switch is disconnected, the abnormality is detected and reported.

[0003]

However, in the middle of the winning ball path on the upstream side of the above-mentioned ball detecting sensor, foreign matter such as dust or intruding screws adhering to the passage, or engagement of the winning ball, etc., may cause the problem. When the winning ball stays, it cannot be detected, and thus such stay cannot be notified, so that the game may be continued without the stay being eliminated. Then, as the prize is generated, the stagnant prize balls gradually increase, and the stagnant prize balls reach the prize port, which may hinder the prize of the subsequent game balls.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to prevent a problem caused by a prize ball staying on such a prize ball path.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bullet-ball game machine for shooting a game ball toward a game area, and a game machine for shooting the game. A ball game machine comprising: a winning ball path for collecting the winning game balls among the balls; and a winning ball discharging device for discharging the game balls collected by the winning ball path one by one to the outside of the machine. Since there is a stagnant ball detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a stagnant game ball stagnating along the prize ball path, for example, a prize ball caused by foreign matter such as dust adhering to a passage or invading screws, or a bite of the prize ball. It is possible to detect the stay of the winning ball on the route, and it is also possible to detect the stay due to the malfunction of the winning ball payout device and the winning ball discharging device described above.

[0006] If the stay of the winning ball on the winning ball path can be detected, for example, the launch of the game ball is stopped to prevent the staying ball from increasing, or the player or the like is notified that the winning ball is staying. In this way, it is possible to prevent a problem caused by a prize ball staying in the prize ball path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ball game machine according to the first aspect, wherein the firing is stopped when the staying ball is detected by the staying ball detecting means. Since the stopping means is provided, the launch of the game ball can be stopped when the stay of the winning ball in the winning ball path is detected. Since no game ball is fired, no prize is generated, and no more stagnant prize balls increase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem caused by a stagnant prize ball in the prize ball path, such as a stagnant prize ball reaching the prize port and hindering a prize of a subsequent game ball.

Normally, the width of the prize ball path is wide on the upstream side, gradually narrowed on the way, and finally sized to allow the game balls to pass in one row. Therefore, stagnation due to foreign matter such as dust is likely to occur in a portion where the winning sphere is passed in a single row, and stagnation due to meshing of the winning sphere is, for example, a portion where the winning sphere is reduced from two rows to one row. It can be said that this easily occurs. Therefore, it is preferable that the staying ball detecting means can detect staying upstream of the portion where the stay is likely to occur, that is, upstream of the portion where the winning balls are narrowed down to one line.

It is not clear to a player or a person involved in a game arcade what the cause is (just what to do) by simply stopping the firing as described in claim 2. However, as described in claim 3, claim 1 or 2
The ball game machine according to the above, further comprising a staying notification means for notifying that the staying game ball is detected by the staying ball detection means, the player can be notified that the winning ball is staying in the winning ball path. Etc., and a measure for eliminating the stay of the winning ball can be performed based on the notification.

[0010] By the way, in the conventional ball game machine,
For example, there is a device having a function of automatically stopping the operation of the launching device when the lower plate is filled with a prize ball or when a communication error occurs between the ball game machine main body and the card unit. However, in the case where the firing is forcibly stopped immediately upon occurrence of any abnormality as described above, the firing is automatically stopped when the lower plate is full when the variable type character such as a big winning device is opened. Sometimes. There is usually a limit to the opening time of such a character, and if the firing is automatically stopped, you will not get the prize ball that would have been obtained by winning the character if it was fired normally Sometimes. That is, if fired normally, the player may lose the profit that would have been obtained.

For example, when the lower plate is full and the firing is stopped, the firing is resumed by discharging the game ball from the lower plate, but immediately after the player notices that the lower plate is full, the game ball is discharged. Even after the operation, it takes a few seconds for the firing to resume. On the other hand, the opening time of a special prize device such as a grand prize device is limited, and passing a prize ball through a specific area in the special prize is a condition for acquiring a special game right or continuing a special game. Stopping the launch against the will of the player may greatly affect the progress of the game and the number of prize balls. Of course, the shorter the opening time of the role, the easier it is to miss the opportunity to win a prize, and the effect of stopping the firing is greater.

However, when it is better not to execute the payout of the prize ball, for example, when the lower plate is filled with the prize ball, or even when the payout cannot be performed normally, the number of the prize balls retained in the prize ball path is determined. It is acceptable to receive a prize as long as the prize does not become excessive, so that it can be said that firing may be continued as long as it is not.

Therefore, based on the structure of claim 1 or 2, even if it is detected that the lower plate is filled with a prize ball, for example, the lower plate stays at a stagnant detection position set in the middle of the winning ball path. If the launching is not stopped (the launching is permitted) until the presence of the staying game ball is detected by the staying ball detecting means, for example, the lower plate becomes full when the accessory such as the big winning device is opened. By automatically stopping firing,
Failure to lose the benefits that would have been obtained if fired successfully can be avoided.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of hinges 2 are attached to a main body frame 22 on the front side of a pachinko machine 20 as a ball and ball game machine.
A front frame 26 pivotally mounted to be openable and closable at 4 is provided. An upper frame 28 and a dish door 30 are attached to the front frame 26 by a hinge (not shown), and the upper frame 28 and the dish door 30 can be opened and closed with respect to the front frame 26.

The upper frame 28 has an arched window 32 and holds a glass 34 on the back side of the window 32. On the back side of the upper frame body 28, a game board 36 held by the front frame 26 is arranged.
6 is visible. The upper portions 28a and 28b and the arch top portion 28c of the upper frame 28 are made of colored and translucent plastic, and lamps such as a prize ball display lamp 29a and a stop display lamp 29b are arranged inside. Note that the prize ball display lamp 29a is lit in a predetermined manner when paying out a prize ball or lending a ball, and the stop display lamp 29b is lit in a predetermined manner when the lower plate 64 is filled with game balls or when the ball runs out. However, it is also used as a stay notification means. The operation as the stay notification means will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Has an outer guide rail 37a and an inner guide rail 37b.
Are mounted in an arc shape, and in a region surrounded by the outer guide rail 37a and the inner guide rail 37b, a center role 42 composed of a liquid crystal display device 38 and a frame 40 surrounding the periphery thereof, a tulip-type variable winning device 44, a special winning device 4 including a special winning opening 46 and two normal winning openings 47
8, a normal winning opening 50, an out opening 52, and a windmill, obstacle nails, and the like, which are not shown, are disposed on the left and right of the big winning device 48.

The large winning opening 46 is closed when the opening / closing plate 54 is raised (see FIG. 1), and is opened when the opening / closing plate 54 is lowered toward the player (toward the player) (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, a specific area 56 and an area 58 outside the specific area are provided therein, and the winning sphere to the special winning opening 46 passes through the specific area 56 or the area 58 outside the specific area.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, an upper plate 60 is mounted on the front side of the plate door 30, and the game balls flowing out from the main body side of the pachinko machine 20 through the upper plate discharge port 62 are supplied to the upper plate 6.
It can be stored at zero. Further, a speaker 61 is attached to the dish door 30, and sound effects and the like can be output from the speaker 61. The speaker 61 is also used as a stay notification unit. The operation as the stay notification unit will be described later.

Below the upper plate 60, a lower plate 64 attached to the front frame 26 is arranged. The lower plate 64 is provided with a lower plate discharge port 66 communicating with the inside of the pachinko machine 20, so that game balls flowing through the lower plate discharge port 66 can be stored in the lower plate 64. Note that the upper plate 60 is provided with an upper plate ball release button 63.
By pressing 3, the game balls in the upper plate 60 can be discharged to the lower plate 64.

On the bottom surface of the lower plate 64, there is disposed a lower plate pulling lever 70 urged rightward in the figure by a return spring 68. If the slide is made against the urging force, the game balls on the lower plate 64 can be discharged from a discharge port (not shown) opened on the bottom surface.

Further, the lower tray 64 is partially notched, and an ashtray 72 is attached thereto. The front frame 26 also has a firing handle 7 for operating a firing device 90 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 9) adjacent to the lower plate 64.
4 are attached. Next, the configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine 20 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the pachinko machine 20, a mechanism panel 80 is attached to the back side of the front frame 26 so as to be opened and closed by a pair of hinges 82. The mechanism panel 80 includes a back cover 84 for protecting the rear side of the liquid crystal display device 38, and a main control device 85 (FIG. 3) for controlling the game.
(Not shown in the figure), a frame control device 92 that controls the payout device 88 and the launching device 90, processes a winning ball, monitors the winning ball route, and also functions as a firing stopping unit. ing. The frame control device 92 is provided with a frame status indicator 93 having 7-segment LEDs. The frame state display 93 can display various types of abnormalities by a single-digit number of a 7-segment LED, and also functions as a stay notification unit.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a prize ball tank 94 and a tank rail 96 are mounted on the mechanism panel 80, and the tank rail 96 and the dispensing device 88 are connected by a bent gutter 98 as shown in FIG. Have been. As shown in FIG. 6, the dispensing device 88 includes a motor 160 as a rotary drive source, and a shaft 162 of the motor 160 has a notched disk 1
A rotating body 172 in which the first sprocket 164 and the first sprocket 166 and the second sprocket 168 are connected by a common shaft 170 is connected.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the notched disk 164
Are provided with eight notches 174 at equal pitches, and the amount of rotation of the notch disk 164 can be detected by detecting light passing through the notches 174 with the sensor 176.
As shown in FIG. 6C, the first sprocket 166
As shown in FIG. 6D, the second sprocket 1 has a plurality of peaks 178 and valleys 180 formed between the peaks 178.
68 has four peaks 182 and valleys 184 formed between the peaks 182, and the shape thereof is the first sprocket 1
Same as 66. However, the first sprocket 166 and the second sprocket 168 are out of phase with each other by 45 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the case 190 of the dispensing device 88 is provided with a first passage 192 corresponding to the first sprocket 166 and a second passage 194 corresponding to the second sprocket 168. As shown in FIG. 6C, the first sprocket 166 protrudes a peak 178 into the passage 192 and rotates, and as shown in FIG. 6D, the second sprocket 168 protrudes a peak 182 into the passage 194 and rotates. I do.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, both passages 192 and 194 are connected to the bent gutter 98.
The bent gutter 98 has a two-layer structure of a first gutter 98a corresponding to the first passage 192 and a second gutter 98b corresponding to the second passage 194. With this configuration, when the rotating body 172 is rotated by the motor 160, the first sprocket 166 and the second sprocket 168 rotate every 90 degrees.
The game balls from above are received in the valleys 180 and 182 and discharged downward. However, the first sprocket 166 and the second sprocket 166
Since there is a phase difference of 45 degrees between the sprockets 168, the prize balls are paid out from the payout device 88 every time the rotating body 172 is rotated by 45 degrees. By controlling the amount of rotation of the rotating body 172, an arbitrary number of game balls can be paid out. For example, if the rotator 172 is rotated twice from the state shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, seven pieces on the first sprocket 166 side and the second sprocket A total of 15 game balls can be paid out on the 168 side. 7 and 8, the payout game balls are painted black in order to explain the payout of 15 game balls.

Returning to the description of the mechanism panel 80, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a ball drain gutter 100 that bypasses the dispensing device 88 and communicates outside the machine is also connected to the tank rail 96.
Normally, the tank rail 96 and the ball drain gutter 100 are in a cut-off state. However, when the ball drain lever 102 is operated, the communication is established, and the game balls flowing into the ball drain gutter 100 from the tank rail 96 can be discharged outside the machine.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper plate passage 104 connected to the upper plate discharge port 62 shown in FIG. 1 and the lower plate discharge port 66 shown in FIG. The lower plate passage 106 is connected to the game ball discharged from the payout device 88 and the upper plate passage 104 normally supplies the game ball.
When the upper plate 60 to the upper plate passage 104 are filled with game balls, the lower plate 64 guides the lower plate 64 to the lower plate 64. Further, the upstream side of the upper plate passage 104 and the lower plate passage 106
And a bypass gutter 108 projecting to the back side of the pachinko machine 20 is provided.
By virtue of 8, when the upper plate passage 104 is filled with game balls, the flow of the game balls from the payout device 88 to the lower plate passage 106 can be quickly performed. Further, the lower plate passage 106
When the lower plate 64 is full and the downstream end of the lower plate passage 106 is filled with game balls, the rocking plate 110 is pressed by the ball pressure. The tongue switch 112 can be turned on.

A winning ball discharging device 114 is provided adjacent to the full tank switch 112. 4, 5, and 10
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
A solenoid 116 serving as a drive source, a first lever 118 connected to the plunger 117 of the solenoid 116 and swinging by reciprocation of the plunger 117, are stopped by a second lever 120 and a second lever 120 interlocked with the first lever 118. It comprises a hold winning ball detection switch 122 for detecting a game ball.

When the solenoid 116 is energized, the winning ball discharge device 114 retracts the plunger 117 as shown in FIG. 11B, and swings the first lever 118 counterclockwise in the drawing. Move. Then, the first lever 118 is moved to the second lever 1 by the lower pawl 119.
Swing 20 clockwise. This second lever 12
By the swing of 0, the game ball stopped by the second lever 120 and in the hold winning ball detection switch 122 falls and is ejected. At this time, the claw 121 on the first lever 118 prevents the following game balls from passing, so that the game balls are not continuously discharged. Winning ball discharging device 114
Are discharged out of the machine by the winning ball discharge gutter 124 shown in FIG.

When the energization of the solenoid 116 is completed and the plunger 117 is lowered, the first lever 118 swings clockwise, and the second lever 120 moves to the lower claw 11.
9 is swung in the counterclockwise direction, and the solenoid 11
6 before the energization (FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 11).
The state returns to (a). Then, until then, the first lever 1
The game ball stopped by the claw 121 on the top 18 advances and enters the hold winning ball detection switch 122, and the second lever 12
The passage is blocked by 0. Thus, the solenoid 1
By operating 16 intermittently, game balls can be discharged one by one. Also, prior to ejection, the game ball can be detected by the hold winning ball detection switch 122.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, a prize ball collecting gutter 130 as a prize ball path for introducing a game ball (prize ball) into the prize ball discharge device 114 arranges the prize balls in a line. The prize ball aligning section 132 which feeds the prize ball to the prize ball discharge device 114, the throttle section 134 connected to the upstream side of the prize ball aligning section 132, the tank section 136 formed on the upstream side of the throttle section 134, and the like. A staying prize ball detection switch 138 as a staying ball detection means is provided on a ceiling 137 at a portion where the ball moves to the narrowing portion 134 from the stop. The retained prize ball detection switch 138 protrudes the detection lever 140 into the narrowed portion 134, and when the detection lever 140 is pushed up by the winning balls accumulated in the narrowed portion 134, the retained prize ball detection switch 138 is turned on. Therefore, it can be detected that the winning ball is staying there.

The winning ball collecting gutter 130 is connected to the mechanism board 80 described above.
The tank part 136 is formed integrally with the game board 36.
To the lower part on the back side of. Variable winning device 44, large winning opening 46, normal winning opening 47, 5 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The winning balls that have won a prize of 0 or the like are discharged behind the game board 36. At that time, the winning ball of the variable winning device 44 is detected by the start switch 142 and then the winning ball collecting gutter 13
The winning ball that has dropped to zero and passed through the specific area 56 shown in FIG. 2 among the winning balls in the large winning opening 46 has been detected by the V switch 144 and passed through the area 58 outside the specific area. After being detected by the count switch 146, it falls into the winning ball collecting gutter 130, and the winning balls in the normal winning openings 47 and 50 fall directly into the winning ball collecting gutter 130. Further, an out ball collecting gutter 150 is formed in the mechanism board 80, and the out ball flowing down to the back side of the game board 36 through the out port 52 is discharged outside the machine via the out ball collecting gutter 150.

Next, a control system of the pachinko machine 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control device 85 and the frame control device 92 are configured as microcomputers having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input port, an output port, and the like. .

As shown in FIG. 12, the main control device 85 includes a special winning device 48, a start switch 142, and a V switch 14.
4, a count switch 146, a liquid crystal display device 38, and the like are connected. The main control device 85 can control the opening and closing of the variable winning device 44 and the large winning opening 46 included in the special winning device 48, and a start switch 142. , V switch 144
And the signal from the count switch 146 can be obtained,
The display contents can be instructed to the liquid crystal display device 38.

The frame control device 92 includes a prize ball display lamp 29.
a, stop display lamp 29b, speaker 61, frame state indicator 93, full tank switch 112, pending winning ball detection switch 122, staying winning ball detection switch 138, payout device 88, launching device 90, solenoid of winning ball discharging device 114 116 etc. are also connected. The frame control device 92 includes the full tank switch 112, the hold winning ball detection switch 1
22 and the acquisition of signals from the staying prize ball detection switch 138, the payout device 88, the firing device 90, and the solenoid 1
It is possible to control the operation of 16, send a signal to the speaker 61 to output a sound, control the display of the frame state display 93, and the like.

The main controller 85 and the frame controller 92 are also connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received between them.
Then, the frame control device 92 controls various devices according to an instruction from the main control device 85. Next, the main controller 85
And control by the frame control device 92 will be described.

First, a game control process that the main control device 85 repeatedly executes each time there is a timer interrupt will be described with reference to FIG.
3. Description will be given with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
The main controller 85 determines whether or not there is a start winning signal from the start switch 142 (step 101; hereinafter, steps are abbreviated as S).
1: YES), a hit / miss determination is made (S102).
As is well known, this determination is made based on whether or not the value of the determination counter when the start winning signal is input matches the hit value.

Next, the main controller 85 sets the special game flag F
Is set to 1 (S10).
3). If this special game flag F is set to 1, it means that a special game is being played, and in that case, (S103: YE
S), the start winning prize and the determination result are stored (hold storage) (S109), and the process proceeds to S107.

If the special game flag F is not set to 1 (S103: NO), the main controller 85 instructs the liquid crystal display device 38 to display the judgment result, and if the judgment is a hit, the special indicating the hit A symbol (for example, 777) is displayed, and if the determination is incorrect, a symbol indicating the loss is displayed (S1).
04).

If the determination is successful (S1
05: YES), the special game flag F is set to 1 (S106), and if the determination is incorrect (S105: NO), S
The process proceeds to S107 without executing 106. When there is no start winning signal (S101: NO), it is determined whether or not there is a hold storage of the determination result (S110). If there is a hold storage (S110: YES), the special game flag F
Is set to 1 (S11).
1). If the special game flag F is not set to 1 (S111: NO), the main control device 85
The display of the result of the hold storage is instructed to the liquid crystal display device 38 (S
104). On the other hand, when there is no hold storage (S110: N
O) or when the special game flag F is set to 1 (S111: YES), the process directly proceeds to S107.

The main controller 85 executes a special game processing subroutine in S107, and in S108, executes various processing necessary for execution of the game, data transmission / reception with the frame control device 92, and the like. Is temporarily terminated. As shown in FIG. 14, in the special game processing subroutine, the main control device 85 first determines whether or not the hit flag F is set to 1 (S121), and if this is not set to 1 (S121: NO). ) Return to the main routine without performing any substantial processing.

If the winning flag F is set to 1 (S121: YES), the main controller 85 sets the special winning opening 46
It is determined whether or not is already opened (S122).
Here, if the special winning opening 46 is not opened (S1
22: NO), it is determined whether or not to open the special winning opening 46 (S123). Specifically, whether or not it is time to execute the first opening of the special winning opening 46, or if there is a game ball that has passed the specific area 56 while the special winning opening 46 is being opened (that is, from the V switch 144) It is determined whether or not the condition for reopening is satisfied (when the specific area passage signal is input) and it is time to reopen.

When it is determined that the special winning opening 46 is to be opened (S123: YES), the main control device 85 instructs the special winning device 48 to open the special winning opening 46, and the opening is performed in this special game. The round number data indicating the number of times of opening is sent to the liquid crystal display device 38 (S124).
Subsequent to S124, or when the special winning opening 46 has already been opened (S122: YES), the V switch 1
Specific area passing signal from 44 and count switch 1
After acquiring the count signal from the 46 (S125), based on the signals from the V switch 144 and the count switch 146 acquired up to that point, the number of winnings to the special winning opening 46 during the opening of the special winning opening 46 this time is calculated. The corresponding count value data is sent to the liquid crystal display device 38 (S126).

As shown in FIG. 16, in the liquid crystal display device 38, during a special game, a round value R is displayed above a character of ROUND, a count value C is displayed above a character of COUNT, and the count value C is displayed with a moving image as a background. The big hit symbol A is displayed below. The round value R is a numerical value corresponding to the round number data sent from the main controller 85, and
The count value C is a numerical value corresponding to the count value data, and is a special winning opening 4 during this opening.
The big hit symbol A indicates the symbol representing the special symbol used for the hit display that caused the execution of the special game this time (for example, 7 if the special symbol is 777). Therefore, the player can see the round value R to know how many times the special winning opening 46 is being opened, and see the count value C to know how many winnings have been made during the opening of the current special winning opening 46. By watching the jackpot symbol A, it is possible to confirm what the special symbol triggered the execution of this special game was.

As described above, the count value C (actual winning in the special winning opening 46) corresponding to the count value data sent from the main controller 85 is displayed. The special winning opening 46 is set to be closed if there is a set number (specified number) of winnings. In the present embodiment, the specified number is set to 10, but for example, immediately before the closing of the special winning opening 46. In some cases, a plurality of game balls win almost simultaneously or consecutively and exceed a prescribed number. Conventionally, even in such a case, the count value C is displayed only up to a specified number. For this reason, the player could not know the actual number of winning balls even if there were ten or more winnings in the special winning opening 46. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the winning prize in the special winning opening 46 is displayed as the count value C, so that the player can know the exact winning number, and thus the accurate winning number can be grasped. Become.

Returning to FIG. 14, following transmission of the count value data (S126), the main controller 85 sets the special winning opening 46
It is determined whether or not to close (S127). In this embodiment, 30 seconds have passed since the opening of the special winning opening 46,
If the number of wins (count value C) to the special winning opening 46 has reached the specified number, the main controller 85 determines that the special winning opening 46 is to be closed. If the main control device 85 determines that the special winning opening 46 is to be closed (S127: YES), the special winning device 4
8 to close the special winning opening 46 (S128) and return to the main routine. If it is determined that the special winning opening 46 will not be closed (S127: NO), the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S123 that the special winning opening 46 is not to be opened (S123: NO), the main controller 85 determines whether or not to end the special game (S123).
129). In this embodiment, when there is no game ball passing through the specific area 56 while the special winning opening 46 is open (when the V switch 144 does not detect the game ball), or the number of times of opening the special winning opening 46 (round) When the value R) reaches 16, the special game is set to end. Therefore,
In S129, it is determined whether any of these conditions is satisfied.

If either condition is satisfied (S129: YES), main controller 85 sets hit flag F to 0.
(S130) and returns to the main routine. If none of the conditions are satisfied (S12)
9: NO), and return directly to the main routine.

Next, the winning ball discharging process which is repeatedly executed by the frame control device 92 every time there is a timer interrupt will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, first, the frame control device 92 obtains, from the main control device 85, data indicating the presence or absence of a winning and the number of winning balls, and stores the data (S201).

Next, when the lower plate 64 is full (S202: YES), the frame controller 92 blinks the stop display lamp 29b to notify the player or the game store clerk (S202).
203) The process proceeds to S207, but if the lower plate 64 is not full (S202: NO), the process proceeds to S204.

In S204, if there is a winning ball (S20
4: YES), the frame control device 92 instructs the payout device 88 to pay out prize balls (S205). At this time, if the number of winnings in the variable winning device 44 is stored, six are stored, if the number of winnings is stored in the large winning opening 46, fifteen is stored. Instruct 10 payouts (because there are). If both the storing of the number of winnings in the variable winning device 44 and the storing of the number of winnings in the special winning opening 46 are performed, the payout of six is preferentially instructed. This prevents the winning balls from staying. When the payout of six is instructed, the winning number is stored in the variable winning device 44, and when the payout of fifteen is instructed, the special winning opening 46 is set.
Is subtracted by 1 from the storage of the winning numbers. Then, the solenoid 116 is operated to hold the winning ball detection switch 1
The winning prize ball that has been parked within 22 is discharged (S20
6). If there is no winning ball (S204: NO), the payout ball payout (S205) and the discharging of the winning ball (S206) are not performed.

When the lower plate 64 is full as described above (S202: YES), S203 to S20 are performed.
Since the process proceeds to S7, the processes of S204 to S206 are not executed, so that it is possible to prevent the prize balls from being excessively accumulated in the lower plate passage 106 communicating with the lower plate 64. However, since the prize ball is not discharged (S206), the prize ball collecting gutter 13 is not executed.
The winning balls accumulated in 0 are not reduced, and if there is a winning, the winning balls accumulated in the winning ball collecting gutter 130 increase.

Next, the frame control device 92 determines whether or not the winning ball is staying in the narrowing portion 134 (near the installation location of the staying winning ball detection switch 138) based on the signal from the staying ball detecting switch 138. Is determined (S207). More specifically, if the staying prize ball detection switch 138 is continuously turned on for a set time or longer, it is determined that the winning ball has stayed, and otherwise, it is determined that there is no stay. This is because, for example, when the staying prize ball detection switch 138 is turned on for a very short time due to a jump of a winning ball in the narrowing portion 134 or the like, it is not erroneously determined that there is a stay.

When the winning ball is not staying in the narrowing portion 134 (S207: NO), the frame control device 92 allows the launching device 90 to operate (S208), and the winning ball stays in the narrowing portion 134. If yes (S207: YES), the firing device 90 is stopped (S209), and the award ball display lamp 2
9a and the stop display lamp 29b are turned on and off in synchronization with each other, and the notification sound is output from the speaker 61 (S21).
0), to notify the player or game clerk. Further, a numerical value indicating a winning ball abnormality is displayed on a frame state display 93 of the frame control device 92.

As described above, since it is detected that the winning ball is staying in the narrowing portion 134 (near the installation position of the staying winning ball detection switch 138), for example, the winning ball collecting gutter 13
It is possible to detect stagnant prize balls due to dust adhering to the staples and the engagement of prize balls, and to detect stagnant prize balls due to stoppage of the payout device 88 or malfunction of the prize ball discharge device 114. When such a stay is detected, the launch of the game ball can be stopped. Since no game ball is fired, no prize is generated, and no more stagnant prize balls increase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem caused by a stagnant prize ball in the prize ball collecting gutter 130, such as a stagnant prize ball reaching the prize port and hindering a prize of a subsequent game ball.

At this time, light (blinking of the prize ball display lamp 29a and the stop display lamp 29b) and sound (speaker 6)
Since the notification is made in 1), it is possible to reliably notify the player or the like that the winning ball has stayed in the winning ball collecting gutter 130 and the firing has been stopped, and based on the notification, a measure for eliminating the stay of the winning ball is taken. It is possible to urge the people involved in the game arcade.

Further, when the winning balls exceeding the set value are accumulated in the winning ball collecting gutter 130, the firing is stopped, and the firing is not stopped just by filling the lower plate 64, so that, for example, the large winning opening 46 is opened. When the lower plate 64 is full and the firing is automatically stopped, the prize ball that should have been obtained by winning the big winning opening 46 at that time cannot be obtained, or the passing through the specific area 56 is performed. A failure such as failure, that is, a failure that loses a profit that would have been obtained unless the launching device 90 is stopped can be avoided.

In the present embodiment, the winning ball collecting gutter 130
The shape and dimensions of the prize ball collecting gutter 130 are set so that approximately 100 prize balls can be accumulated in the sphere, in other words, the retained prize ball detection switch 138 is turned on when about 100 prize balls are retained. . However, the number of prize balls that can be accumulated can be appropriately set to, for example, about 50 or about 200. The number of winning balls that can be accumulated is
It is preferable that the game is set so that a highly interesting game can be performed in consideration of the prize ball payout control and the firing stop control.
Further, by making the prize ball collecting gutters 130 detachable, the prize ball collecting gutters 130 having different capacities can be shared by the common mechanical panel 8.
0 can be attached.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say. For example, a prize ball display lamp 29a and a stop display lamp 29b
And the frame state display 93 is used as the stay notification means, but a dedicated lamp or the like may be provided.

Further, in this embodiment, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified by combining the lamp drive and the sound output. However, the notification may be performed by only one of them. The notification may be performed by displaying an error message on the liquid crystal display device 38, for example. Alternatively, when the stay of the winning prize ball is detected, it is possible to perform only the notification without stopping the firing, or to use the detection result of the staying prize ball detecting switch 138 for another control.

Further, in this embodiment, the count value C during the special game is displayed in combination with the image of the liquid crystal display device 38, but a dedicated display (for example, a 7-segment display) for displaying the count value is provided. May be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a mechanical panel of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment and a part of its periphery.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a path of a game ball on the back side of the game board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

6A and 6B are explanatory views of the structure of a payout device mounted on the pachinko machine of the embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the rotating body, and FIG. 6B is FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken along line AA, FIG. 6C is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6D is CC in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the line.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the payout device mounted on the pachinko machine of the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line A, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which followed the B line.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation of the payout device mounted on the pachinko machine of the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the line A, FIG.
It is sectional drawing which followed the B line.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the vicinity of the upper plate and the lower plate of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a structure for winning ball processing in the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the winning ball discharging device in the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a game control process executed by the main control device of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a special game process executed by the main control device of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a winning ball discharging process executed by the pachinko machine frame control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary view showing an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device during a special game in the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 20: Pachinko machine (ball game machine) 22: Main body frame 26: Front frame 28: Upper frame 29a: Prize ball display lamp (retention notification means) 29b: Stop display lamp (retention notification means) 30: Dish door 36 ... Game board 38 ... Liquid crystal display device 42 ... Center role 44 ... Variable winning device 48 ... Grand prize winning device 52 ... Out opening 60 ... Upper plate 61 ... Speaker (retention notification means) 64 ... Lower plate 80 ... Mechanical panel 85 ... Main control Device 88: Dispensing device 90: Launching device 92: Frame control device (Launching stop means) 93: Frame status display (Residence informing means) 112: Full tank switch 114: Winning ball discharge device 122: Hold winning ball detection switch 130 ... Winning ball collecting gutter (winning ball path) 132 Winning ball alignment unit 134 Throttle unit 136 Tank unit 137 Ceiling 138 Staying winning ball detection switch (staying ball detection means) 1 42 Start switch 144 V switch 146 Count switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A launching device for launching a game ball toward a game area, a winning ball route for aggregating winning game balls among the launched game balls, and a game gathered by the winning ball route. A ball game machine having a prize ball discharging device for discharging a ball one ball at a time outside the machine, comprising a stagnant ball detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a stagnant game ball stagnating in the prize ball path. Ball game machine to do. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a firing stop means for stopping the firing due to the staying game ball being detected by the staying ball detection means. Ball game machine to do. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a staying notification unit that notifies that the staying game ball has been detected by the staying ball detection unit. Machine.