JPS62299286A - Apparatus for taking in unit number of balls of game machineusing pinball - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention involves playing a game using a predetermined number of pachinko balls as one unit, and assigning a predetermined number of balls according to the weight of the game result. This invention relates to an MG1 machine that pays for a number of pachinko balls, and in particular to its unit ball number capturing device.

(Prior Art) The idea of configuring a slot machine using pachinko balls has already been proposed. What makes it possible to play slot machines using pachinko balls is that the same rigid balls as used in pachinko machines that have been in use for a long time can be used within a single amusement park, and for this reason, a pachinko ball replenishing device in a pachinko parlor can be used. There is an advantage that the counting device and the central control device can be shared without being disposed of, and that pachinko machines and slot machines can coexist in the same island facility.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in order to put the above game machine into practical use, the 'M game machine that uses coins must solve several different problems. One is how to continuously capture a predetermined number of pachinko balls into the game machine while dividing them into units. Moreover, this unit pitch count capturing device is
Even in the case of a form in which multiple units are applied to one game, that is, an expandable form that allows the M player to select the grade of the unit to be applied to the game, it is possible to continuously incorporate the units, and furthermore. It is desired that the system be configured to be able to quickly deal with changes in the number of pachinko balls that should be taken in as one unit due to changes in the value of one pachinko ball or regulations in the future.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and includes: a
[An object of the present invention is to provide a unit ball capturing device suitable for capturing a predetermined number of pachinko balls into a machine as one unit.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The unit ball count capturing device of the first invention includes a downflow gutter that guides balls from an upper tray provided at the front of the game machine to a take-in gutter, and a partway of the flowdown gutter. a capturing member disposed movably between a downward ball flow blocking position and a release position; an electrical capturing drive means for moving the capturing member from the blocking position to the release position; a control device that takes in balls for a unit number of balls; a return gutter branched from the middle of the take-in gutter for returning the balls in the take-in gutter to a lower tray provided at the front of the game machine; a switching valve provided at a branching part between the gutter and the intake gutter; an electric return driving means for switching the switching valve to form a flow path from the intake machine side to the return gutter side; A ball game equipped with a sensor that detects the presence of the minimum number of balls, and a ball game installed in the downstream end area of the downflow gutter in order to extract the pachinko balls in the downflow gutter from the first ball blocked by the uptake member to the ball extraction gutter. a ball extraction gate member for closing the ball game opening, and an electric ball extraction drive means for opening the ball extraction gate member, and the control device is configured such that the sensor is located in the intake gutter. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control means for operating the ball removal drive means to return the half-end balls to the ball removal gutter when it is detected that there are fewer half-end balls than the minimum number of unit balls remaining.

Further, the unit ball count intake device of the second invention further includes an openable and closable gate member forming a ball storage chamber upstream of the intake gutter;
a second electric intake drive means for opening and closing the gate member; a control device for controlling the first and second intake drive means to capture balls for a unit number of balls; and the intake gutter. It has a count sensor for counting the number of balls actually taken into the ball,
The control device includes a control means that operates the ball extraction drive means to return the half-end ball to the return gutter when the actual number of balls counted by the count sensor is less than a predetermined number of balls taken. Furthermore, the unit ball count capturing device of the third invention is based on the premise that pachinko balls are paid from the prize ball ejecting device, and is characterized by including the components of the first invention. The control device has a count sensor for counting the number of balls actually taken into the intake gutter, and the control device is configured to keep the actual number of balls counted by the count sensor within a predetermined number of balls taken. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control means for ejecting prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in from the prize ball ejecting device.

(Function) In any of the unit ball count capturing devices of the first, second, and pJS3 inventions, the pachinko balls that have flowed down from the upper plate provided on the front of the M game machine into the downflow gutter, The lowering of the flow is prevented by a receiving member consisting of a cam, sprocket, etc. installed in the middle of the downflow gutter. The take-in member has an electric take-in drive means for moving it to the release position.

For example, an electromagnetic solenoid, a pulse motor, etc. are included, and the intake drive means are controlled by a control device and move the intake member into the release position. Corresponding to the period during which the intake member is moved to the release position, balls corresponding to the unit number of balls flow down into the intake gutter. That is, regardless of whether the minimum number of unit balls to be taken in is one or two or more, the outside of the downflow gutter is divided into sections corresponding to the number of unit balls and taken in. Therefore, even when a situation arises in which the minimum unit number of balls to be taken in needs to be changed, or when a predetermined number of balls cannot actually be taken in, the process can be easily handled by electrical control.

Further, the downflow gutter has a ball opening in its downstream end region for extracting pachinko balls from the leading ball into the ball extraction gutter in the downstream end region, and a ball extraction gate member that closes the ball game opening is , can be opened by electric bulb removal drive means. This ball extraction driving means is activated under the control of the control device during a ball game, for example, when the ball game switch is pressed during a period when the retrieval operation is not in progress, or during an automatic ball game immediately after the retrieval operation is completed. A ball game will be played.

In addition, in order to return the balls in the intake gutter to the lower tray provided on the front of the game machine, a return gutter branches out from the middle of the intake gutter.
The switching valve installed at the branch part is switched when the sensor detects that fewer than the minimum number of half-balls remain in the downflow gutter, and the flow path is switched from the intake machine side to the return gutter side. to form. At this time, the taking-in member is also moved to the release position, and is used, for example, to automatically return half-end balls in the downflow gutter to the lower tray via the ball extraction gutter.

In the second aspect of the invention, the count sensor counts and checks the number of balls actually taken into the storage chamber formed upstream of the intake bridge, and if the actual number of balls taken is within a predetermined number of balls, When the number of balls contained is less than the number of balls, that is, when an abnormal condition due to garbage or illegal activity occurs, the switching valve is switched to the return gutter side and the gate member of the storage chamber is opened. Therefore, the half-balls temporarily retained in this storage chamber are returned to the player via the return gutter.

In the third aspect of the invention, the counting sensor counts and checks the number of balls actually taken in and collected in the intake gutter, and if the actual number of balls taken in is equal to the predetermined number of balls taken in, In other words, if an abnormal condition occurs due to garbage or fraudulent activity, the prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in will be ejected from the prize ball ejecting device instead of from the intake gutter and the game will be played. returned to the person. Therefore, the capture operation at that time is treated as invalid.

(Example) The present invention will be described below based on an example of a slot machine shown in the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a front frame 3 is attached to a hollow box-shaped machine frame 1 so as to be openable and closable by means of hinges 4A and 4B. The front frame 3 is locked by engaging the hook piece 5B with the receiving metal fitting 5A constituting the locking device N5, and is unlocked by sliding the hook piece 5B vertically with the lock 5C.

The case IOA of the game device 10 is attached to the front frame 3 from the back side thereof. Inside the case IOA, three rotating drums 6 are arranged side by side and rotatable around a rotating shaft 7.
Their minus sides partially enter into the opening 3A of the front frame 3. Note that 8 indicates a control device.

The front side of the front frame 3 includes a display section cover 11 and a front cover 12.
This is so that one side of the three rotating drums 6 can be visually recognized through the visible window 12B of the front cover 12. On the operation panel 12C of the front cover 12, a certain bet can be placed on the gaming device 10 in points (an integral multiple of the unit number of pitches).
A start lever 13 capable of starting the rotation, a stop button 14 assigned to each rotating drum 6, a stop indicator 15, and a speaker 9 are provided. 16 is the ball capturing device 3
Upper plate for supplying pachinko balls to 0, 17A, 17B
, 17c is a grade selection switch for selecting the grade of the bet, that is, a constant (integer) by which the unit number of pitches is multiplied, and 18A, 18B, and 18C are grade indicators that indicate that they can be selected for one run. In this example, the minimum number of pitches that can be played in a game is 5, and the grade that can be bet is either 1 unit (5 balls), 2 units (10 balls), or 3 units (15 balls). It is.

When the start lever 13 is pressed, a motor (not shown) is started and the three rotating drums 6 rotate in unison. By pressing any stop button 14, one of the play stop devices (not shown) provided for each rotating drum 6 is actuated, and the corresponding one rotating drum 6 is stopped. This play stop device is configured, for example, to cause a stop pawl released by a stop solenoid to fall into a ratchet provided for each rotating drum 6. Various codes (predetermined figures, symbols, numbers, etc.) are continuously marked on the outer peripheral surface of each rotating drum 6 in the circumferential direction. A total of nine images, three in the upper, middle, and lower tiers, are simultaneously displayed from the front visible window 12B. Reference numeral 19 denotes a direction line provided in the visible window 12B to specify the combination direction of these nine display codes in total, and is composed of three horizontal lines (top, middle, and bottom) and two diagonal lines. Visible window 1
Next to 2B is a bet line indicator lamp (bet indicator) that indicates whether or not the combination on each direction line is subject to betting.
20 is the default. 21 is a digital score display, and when one of the predetermined specific combinations (prize mode) of the rotating drum 6 lines up on the line that M Ginagi has bet on,
The promised score is displayed on the score display 21 according to the weight of the combination, and the prize ball discharging device 40 discharges the number of prize balls corresponding to the upper tray 16 from the upper tray outlet 16A.

When the upper tray 16 is full, the prize balls from the prize ball discharge device 40 are discharged into the lower tray 22 from the lower tray outlet 22C by the function of the overflow device 42. 24 is a return switch, which is used when returning a half-ball that does not meet the minimum unit number of balls to the player in the upper tray 16 or the ball receiving device 30, or when the player wants to cancel the game. This operation is performed when returning the balls in the upper @ 16 to the lower tray 22 (at the time of payment).

The prize format is 2.7.10.1 under “General Games”.
4. It is broadly divided into two cases: a case where the number of prize balls is paid in 15 units, and a case where the number of prize balls is paid in 15 units under "Large Bonus Game" and "Bonus 'Mt&". . In this example, the combination that transitions from the normal game state to the “big bonus game” is when three diamond symbols “☆” are aligned, and the combination that transitions to the “bonus game” is when the number 7” is On the 0 display part cover 11 when all three pieces are present, there is a large bonus display 25 that displays the acquisition of the right to this "large bonus display", and a bonus display 26 that displays the acquisition of the right to the "bonus game". 0 indicator 27 is provided.
is used as a profit and loss indicator that numerically displays the difference between the number of balls (or units) thrown in by the player and the number of prize balls (or units) paid out, or as a large bonus of the gaming machine on that day. It is used as a rights number indicator to display the number of rights that have been transferred to play. 28 is a termination indicator (completion lamp) that is lit when the payment of prize balls reaches a predetermined number.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting board 3 on the back side of the front frame 3
1 includes a ball capturing device 30 and a downflow gutter 3 to the ball capturing device.
2, a take-in machine 33 for taking in the unit number of pachinko balls from the ball take-in device, and a ball pick-up device @ 30 pachinko balls into the lower tray 22 when a half-ball occurs or at the time of payment. A ball removal gutter 34 for returning the ball is provided. The mounting board 31 also includes an upper tank 37 equipped with a ball outage detector 38 and a prize ball discharge device 40.
The upper tank 37 is supplied with balls from a common supply gutter 35 provided as an island facility by a supply device 7136, and the beads in the upper tank 37 are led to a prize ball discharge device 40 through a delivery chute 39. Furthermore, the mounting board 31 is provided with a floor plate device 44 for the upper tank, and when necessary, such as when the store is closed, all the balls from the upper tank 37 to the prize ball ejecting device 40 are pulled out and passed through a ball removal gutter 45 to the bottom. guided by. This ball extraction gutter 45
And the balls derived from the capturing machine 33 of the ball capturing device 30 are:
It is discharged into a merging gutter 46 provided in the lower part of the interior of the machine frame 1, and collected into a recovery gutter 48.

Figure 4 shows a capture device of a type (variable unit type) that can take any N (N≧1) pachinko balls (5 in this case) as the unit number of balls captured. 30 examples are shown.

(B) Downstream gutter This ball intake device 30 is installed downstream of the downstream gutter 32.
This embodiment has a fan-shaped cam 50, which is a take-in member that can be converted into a "blocking position" that prevents the ball from flowing down and a "release position" that allows the ball to flow down. The cam 50 is rotatably supported on a shaft 50A perpendicular to the downward direction of the ball, and has pivot shafts 51A on both sides thereof.
It is connected to the lower end of the plunger 52A of the intake solenoid 52 located above via a lever 51 whose tip is pivoted by a lever 51. Therefore, when the ball capture device 30 is in its normal, non-operating state, the cam 50 is pushed down by the weight of the plunger 52A to the blocking position shown in FIG. Then, the take-in solenoid 52 is energized and the ball take-in device 3
0 is activated, the cam 50 is pulled up to a release position allowing the ball to flow down.

In the normal blocking position (FIG. 4), the aligned balls in the downflow gutter 32 are prevented from flowing down by the leading ball being blocked by the cam 50. Whether a predetermined number of pachinko balls is present or not is determined by three reflective optical sensors (unit ball number detectors) 53, 54 provided at each position along the downflow gutter 32 at a length corresponding to the number of unit balls. Confirmed by .55.

The first sensor 53 detects the fifth piece (the end of the first unit) and the second
The sensor 54 senses the 10th unit (end of the 2nd unit), and the third sensor 55 senses the 15th unit (end of the 3rd unit).

In the downflow gutter 32, a pressure reducing part 33C is provided by a step at the boundary between the fifth and sixth balls counted from the first ball blocked by the cam 50, that is, the boundary between the first and second units. The height center of the first unit's legal principle is lower than the height center of the second unit's legal principle. With this configuration, the pressure of the ball on the upstream side of the sixth ball is reduced by the pressure reducing part 33C, and
The reduced pressure of the ball acts to push down the first unit of law. For this reason, the pressure applied to the shaft 50A of the cam 50 is also reduced, so the cam 50 is smoothly rotated to the release position shown by the dotted line, and the series of balls from the first to the fifth are continuously smoothly and quickly. However, the sixth and subsequent balls collide with the decompression section 33C and change the direction of flow, so it takes time for them to pass. In other words, the 6th and subsequent legal principles lag behind the 1st unit legal principle, creating a slight gap between the two.

Therefore, when taking in balls that are an integral multiple of the unit number of balls, 1
If the cam 50 is moved up and down once for each unit, each time one unit of balls (5 pieces) passes, a break is created in the flow of the balls, and the cam 50 reliably returns to the blocking position in time. be able to.

For example, when the cam 50 is first set to the release position, the row of pachinko balls is divided into unit balls by the decompression section 32C and flows down, and the first unit is taken into the take-in machine 33 from the downflow gutter 32. By deenergizing the intake solenoid 52, the cam 50 returns to the blocking state in a timely manner at the arrival of the first unit and the second unit. When taking in two or three units, This operation may be repeated two or three times. Note that a diagonally cut guide portion 33B is formed at the corner from the downflow gutter 32 to the intake machine 33 to improve the flow of the balls.

The number of balls actually taken in is confirmed by a ball passage detector (count sensor) 56 provided in the downflow gutter 32. The count sensor 56 can be provided in the intake machine 33, but when the count sensor 56 is provided in the downflow gutter 32 as in this example,
The detection position can be set at any position within the area where the first unit law exists. In this case, in consideration of the problem of cheating, the count sensor 56 is configured so that the cam 50
It is preferable to detect from the first ball counting from
Installation becomes difficult due to space constraints. Therefore, in this embodiment, the count sensor 56 is set such that in the normal state shown in FIG. 4, the second ball counted from the cam 5o is sensed, and when the ball is taken in, the third It is designed to detect from the rise of the second ball. Even if you set it like this,
After the cam 50 returns to the blocking position, the sixth and seventh balls from the beginning flow down to the position of the count sensor 56, and the fourth and fifth balls as seen from the count sensor 56. Since the ball is counted as a ball, it does not affect the calculation result as to whether or not the unit number of balls has been captured.Please note that the photoelectric detection position of the count sensor 56 and each sensor 53, 54, 55 is determined by the number of balls. It is located away from the center, so that even if the law passes through it as a whole, it can detect individual balls.

(b) Taking-in machine The taking-in machine 33 has a return machine 58 branched from the middle thereof, and at the branching point of the return machine, there is a switch that switches the flow path from the take-in machine 33 side to the return machine 58 side. A stream conversion mechanism 59 including a valve 57 and a return solenoid 60 as its electric drive source is provided, and a ball storage chamber 65 is provided on the upstream side of the intake machine 33.

FIG. 5 shows the conversion mechanism 59 of the switching valve 57.
The rotation shaft 57A has a rotation rod 6 on the outer surface of the intake machine 33.
1 is fixed, and the pin 61A at the tip of the rotating rod 61 is loosely fitted into the slit 62B of the operating rod 62, which can swing around the support shaft 62A. 6
3, the switching valve 57 is held in the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, and the intake machine 33 side is opened. The return solenoid 60 is energized and the operating rod 6 is moved against the spring 60A.
2, the switching valve 57 is switched to a position where the return machine 58 side is opened.

The ball storage chamber 65 is provided with a second intake solenoid 67 on the way from the wire intake port 33A of the intake machine 33 to the branch point of the return machine 58.
It is formed by providing a storage gate 66 which is opened and closed by the following. In the example, there is only one storage gate 66, and the storage gate 66 is connected to the intake machine 3.
It consists of a flexible plate that can be moved between a position that closes the flow path of No. 3 and an open position that allows the ball to flow downward. Reservoir gate 66 is normally closed and is opened by energizing intake solenoid 67.

In any case of time wheel 1 to bet rate 3, all balls flowing down from the receiving port 33A are temporarily stored in the ball storage chamber 65. After the time elapses until the last legal principle corresponding to the maximum bet 3 is checked by the count sensor 56, there was a number of balls taken in corresponding to the hour wheel 1 to the hour wheel 3? If it is correct, the second intake solenoid 67 is activated to open the storage gate 66 of the bulb storage chamber 65.

The advantage of such a configuration is that fraudulent acts can be prevented and the flow path up to the switching valve 57 of the intake machine 33 can be shortened. Misconduct, etc., includes, for example, the act of blocking the flow of a ball that should be taken in by a piano wire, etc., or the flow of the ball due to garbage, etc., in the area where the first legal principle exists.
This means that the number of passing balls actually taken into the receiving port 33A of the taking machine 33 should be the unit number of balls (5 balls for 1 unit, 10 balls for 2 units, 15 balls for 3 units) depending on the bet. However, it is an inconvenient situation that there are fewer than that (for example, 3, 6, 12).

This inconvenience is caused by the switching valve 57 installed in the middle of the intake machine 33.
A temporary solution can be achieved by switching from the intake side to open the flow path from the return machine 58 side.

However, in this method, during normal operation, the switching operation of the switching valve 57 cannot be determined until the count sensor 56 checks the last ball of 1 unit, 2 units, and 3 units that are determined to have been captured. Not possible, count sensor 56
The time when the last ball is checked must be earlier than the time when the first ball that has been taken in reaches the switching valve 57.Therefore, in the above method, the switching valve 5
It is effective only when the flow path has to be set relatively long, up to 7, and there is space to set such a long flow path.

However, by providing the storage chamber 65, the time difference between the first ball and the last ball is shortened, so that the flow path up to the switching valve 57 of the intake machine 33 can be shortened to the minimum necessary length. In addition, the final intake of previous balls is suspended until the intake of the last ball is confirmed, so if the number of balls that have fallen into the storage chamber 65 is incorrect, it is determined that there has been misconduct. , it is possible to prohibit the operation of the game machine and quickly return the stored balls to the player.

There are two possible methods for this return process. The first processing method is to stop the operation of the ball intake device 30, operate the flow path conversion mechanism 59 and the storage gate 66, and move the storage ball itself to M! It is returned to person a, and the capture operation for that time is treated as invalid. In the second processing method, the stored balls themselves are not returned to the player, but instead, the same number of prize balls as the half-sized balls are returned to the player from the prize ball ejecting device 40.

Immediately after the end of the ball retrieval operation, when it is detected that there are only half balls remaining in the single ball retrieval device 30, which is less than the number of unit balls, the ball game solenoid 64 is automatically energized, Pull the slide plate 63, which is a gate member, to open the ball game opening 32A.
The half-end balls in the 0-ball capturing device 30 that release the ball are returned to the lower tray 22 from the first ball through the ball game opening 32A along the ball extraction gutter 34. This arrangement of automatically returning the fractional number of balls to the lower tray 22 has the advantage that the player does not have to operate the return switch 24 each time to return the fractional number of balls.

When the number of balls in the ball taking-in device 30 is less than the minimum unit ball number, or when the pachinko balls are to be removed as necessary during settlement, the return switch 24 is operated. This results in
The ball game solenoid 64 is energized, the slide plate 63 serving as a gate member is pulled, and the ball game opening 32A is opened. The balls in the ball take-in device 30 and in the upper tray 16 are returned to the lower tray 22 from the first ball through the slotted opening 32A along the ball extraction trough 34,
A ball is taken out.

In addition, in the configuration in which the prize balls are returned to the player from the prize ball ejecting device 40, the flow path conversion mechanism 59 of the embodiment is not necessarily necessary. In other words, if it is desired to omit the switching valve 57, etc., the number of balls can be changed. Regardless of the situation, the prize balls are taken into the collection gutter 48 in all cases, and a number of prize balls corresponding to the number of detected balls actually taken in are returned to the player from the prize ball discharge device 40. This is because it is possible to substantially remove the balls from the upper plate 16.

(a) Ball capturing device in Figure 6 This capturing device 30 takes any number of N (N≧1) pachinko balls (in this case, 5 balls) as the unit number of balls captured. Another specific example of a format (unit variable type) in which the following is possible is shown below.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a rotary intake body disposed at the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32, and is configured as a sprocket having a plurality of semicircular (in this example, five, corresponding to the number of balls) semicircular wire receiving recesses 68A around its periphery. It is. The intake rotating body 68 is connected to an output shaft 69 of a pulse motor 69 that runs horizontally orthogonally to the downstream direction of the downflow gutter 32.
A, and its lower part faces into the downflow gutter 32 from above. The ball of the downflow gutter 32 is configured so that it cannot flow down to the intake machine 33 unless its upper portion enters the semicircular line receiving recess 68A.

In this example, the convex portion 68B remaining between the adjacent wire receiving recesses 68A, 68A is stationary at a position where it prevents the ball from flowing down, and is rotated from one blocking position to the next blocking position. During this time, the line receiving recess 68A and the convex part 68B alternately pass through the inside of the downflow gutter 32, and the line receiving recess 68A receives the first ball, and the line receiving recess 68A receives the leading ball, and the line receiving recess 68A passes through the downflow gutter 32.
The rotational angular position of the taking-in rotating body 68, which sends out the balls in the axial direction of the balls, is determined by the number of pulses input to the pulse motor 69. Therefore, by rotating the pulse motor 69 by a predetermined angle, a desired number of balls can be sent out from the downflow gutter 32. It can be made to flow down to the intake machine 33. In this example, when the output shaft 69A11 is rotated, five pieces corresponding to one unit are taken in. Note that the storage section 65 described in FIG. 4 is not provided.

(b) The ball intake device 30 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is also a specific example of a variable unit type, and is of a type that does not have a storage chamber 65. This differs from FIG. 6 in that the output shaft 69A of the pulse motor 69 is directed in the downstream direction of the downflow gutter 32.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a flow prevention plate which also functions as a mounting frame for the pulse motor 69, and is located downstream from the downstream end of the flow gutter 32 at an interval of about a spacing. Intake rotating body 6
8 is designed to slide in contact with the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32. As shown in FIG. 8(A), the intake rotating body 68 normally rests at a "blocking position" where the protrusion 68B remaining between the adjacent wire receiving recesses 68A and 68A coincides with the axis of the ball flow. and is rotated from one blocking position to the next blocking position. During this time, the wire receiving recess 68A and the protrusion 68B alternately pass through the downflow gutter 32, and when the wire receiving recess 68A coincides with the axis of the ball flowing down as shown in FIG.
The first ball is received at A and pulled down in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the downflow gutter. Therefore, in the case of the intake rotary body 68 having one unit or more of wire receiving recesses 68A arranged around the circumference as in this example, the pulse motor 69 is 6/360=
1/60, therefore 60" X5 = 300° rotation, one unit of five balls is taken from the downflow gutter 32 into the intake machine 33. Note that 71 is horizontally rotated from the rotating intake rotary body 68. This is a case to prevent balls from falling into the receiving port 33A of the receiving machine 33 below.

It should be noted that the ball retrieving device 30 shown in FIG.
As in the case shown in the figure, the storage chamber 65 and the second intake solenoid 6
7 can be omitted. Therefore, it is suitable for returning half-odd balls by paying the same number of prize balls from the prize ball discharging device 140 side.

The unit-variable capturing device shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7 above is designed to handle the fluctuations in the value of pachinko balls as prices rise.
Even if it becomes necessary to change the number of unit pitches to be taken in, this can be quickly handled without changing the configuration.

Figure 1 shows any number of pachinko steel balls (here, 5).
A specific example of a prize ball ejecting device 40 that discharges prize balls by using the unit number of balls as a unit ball number will be shown.

The prize ball discharge device 40 includes a lead-out chute 39 and a prize ball discharge gutter 4.
1 (see FIG. 3), and a fan-shaped cam 74 that can be converted into a blocking position for preventing the ball from flowing down and a release position for allowing the ball to flow down. The cam 7
4 is rotated around a shaft 74B provided at a key position of the fan, and the discharge solenoid 75 switches from the blocking position to the releasing position.
It has

The downflow gutter 73 includes an inclined guide gutter portion 73A facing the cam 74;
It has a flow regulating bridge section 73B that continues upstream of the guide channel section 73A, and a rectifying channel section 73C that is bent at approximately 9 degrees from the flow regulating bridge section 73B. A pressure reducing section 73D is provided due to the step. In addition, the flow control bridge section 73
A deflection section 73E for changing the direction of the prize ball flowing down by about 90 degrees is provided at the outer corner of the approximately 90 degree curved passage section which is the boundary between B and the flow adjustment section 73C.

The length of the guiding gutter part 73A and the flow regulating part 73C is several hundred prize balls per unit (fifth ball) counting from the prize ball Bl blocked by the cam 74.
B5 is set so as to be in contact with the direction changing portion 73H. Furthermore, the relationship with the alignment part 73C is such that the position where the fifth prize ball B5 contacts the sixth prize ball B6 occurs above the center of the fifth prize ball Bl. . With this configuration, the ball pressure of the prize ball on the upstream side of the sixth ball is reduced to the deflection portion 73E.
This acts to push down the fifth prize ball B5 that is in contact with the ball vertically downward. Therefore, when the cam 74 reaches the release position indicated by the dotted line, a series of prize balls from the first to the fifth prize balls flow down smoothly and quickly, but the sixth prize ball flows into the direction change section 73E. It takes time to pass because the flow direction is changed by about 90 degrees due to the collision. In other words, 6 for the 5th prize ball B1
The second prize ball Bl is delayed and the interval between them becomes longer. Therefore, when paying a prize ball that is an integral multiple of the number of unit prize balls, a break is created in the flow of the prize balls every time the number of unit prize balls (5) passes, and the cam 74 is reliably set in time. It can return to the blocking position.

76 is a photoelectric counting sensor provided at the position of the second prize ball B2, and 76A is the 11th counting sensor that indicates the detection position.
As shown in the figure, the first to seventh prize balls are blocked by the cam 74.

The count sensor 76 has detected the second prize ball B2, and its output is in a rising state. First sensor 77
is a sensor for checking whether or not balls of the unit prize number are present, and in the figure, the fifth prize ball B5 is detected.

The prize balls from the guide gutter section 73A of the prize ball discharge device fi40 are released into the prize ball discharge gutter 41 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 11, a switching valve 78, which is a component of the upper tank floor plate device 44, is provided in the middle of the prize ball discharge gutter 41.

The switching valve 78 normally opens on the prize ball discharge gutter 41 side as shown in FIG. 12(A), and when one ball is hit, the switching valve 78 opens as shown in FIG. 12(B).
As shown in the figure, it is switched to a 45-piece ball extraction gutter. Switching valve 78
A rotating rod 79 is fixed to the rotating shaft 78A on the outer surface of the prize ball discharge gutter 41, and a pin 79 at the tip of the rotating rod 79 is fixed to the rotating shaft 78A.
A shows the slit of the actuating rod 80 that can swing around the support shaft 80A. The prize ball discharge gutter 41 side shown in A) is held in the open position. Ball game solenoid 7 fixed to the side of prize ball discharge gutter 41
9, the operating rod 80 is moved against the spring 81.
When rotated, the switching valve 78 is switched to the ball removal gutter 45 side shown in FIG. 12(B).

1 Figure 13 shows a control device 8 using a microcomputer.
This is a configuration example, and includes a CPU 90, a ROM 91, and a RAM 82 consisting of a nonvolatile memory. The CPU 90 reads required external data from the input port 83 according to the program written in the ROM 91,
Alternatively, arithmetic processing is performed while exchanging data with the RAM 92, and the processed data is sent to the output port 94 or the audio IC (audio circuit) 9.
Output to 5.

Fig. 14 shows the main routine, which includes: "Input detection processing" Grade selection processing "Ball capture processing" Game start processing "Drum rotation processing""Drum stop processing" Judgment processing "Prize ball ejection processing" Termination Each process of the process "processing mode update" is defined. Although not shown in the figure, each process of "general game" and "special game" is performed in the subroutine of the determination process, and "prize ball number calculation" is performed during each process of the general game and special game. processing is defined. “Grade selection processing” “Ball loading processing” “Game start processing” Drum rotation processing”
Each process of the drum stop process "determination process" and the prize ball discharge process is sequentially performed in process mode 1 to process mode 7.

When the "update flag" becomes "1" in any subroutine from "input detection processing" to "stop processing", the processing mode is updated to the next processing mode (processing mode update), and the corresponding Set the update flag to “O” and select the first “
Return to "input detection processing".

Hereinafter, an example of the capturing operation will be described according to the flow shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. An applicable capture device 30 is that shown in FIG. 4 or 6.

When Kazuyuki's program starts, the microcomputer enters the "input detection process" (step ■). First, it gives a boat designation signal to the input boat 93, and the ball capture device 30
It is checked whether a pachinko ball is statically present on the first sensor 53 for a predetermined period of time.

In step 1.04 of FIG. 15, first, when the first sensor 53 detects the ball and rises, a "rise timer" is set (1.08). When the player first throws a ball into the upper tray 16, does the player only temporarily detect the thrown ball in motion, or does it detect a ball in a stationary state? Next, it is checked whether the ball remains stationary at the first sensor 53 for a predetermined timer period of the rising timer. That is, return to step 1.03 and check whether the first sensor 53 is ON while the rising timer is in use (1.0G). If it is still ON, wait for the rising timer to end (1.0G). ), if the rising timer times up, it is confirmed that the ball is statically present, so set the "ball presence flag" to "t" (t, ti, 1°12). When the first sensor 53 returns to OFF while the rising timer is in use (1, 03, 1, 09), the ball is in a flowing state, so the rising timer must be canceled (1.10).
, Reset the rise timer in step 1.08.

On the other hand, if the first sensor 53 does not detect a ball, check whether it is temporary due to the operation of the ball capturing device 30 or a continuous one caused by the absence of a ball. In order to judge, the CPU.

When the ball is no longer detected, set the "fall timer" (1.0G, 1.13), and when the first sensor 53 detects the ball and turns ON within this timer time ( 1, 05, 1, 14), Temporarily cancel the falling timer (1.15), 1, If the ball is not detected even after the falling timer time elapses and the first sensor 53 If it is still OFF (1°05.1.
14.1.18) The ball is attached to the upper tray 16 and the ball capturing device 30
Since it is not present, set the "r silicon flag" to "1" and return the "ball presence flag" to "0" (1, 17, 1, 18
).

Steps 1.19 to 1.27 in FIG. 15 by the switch are performed during periods other than the ball capture process (processing mode 2), which will be described later.
This program operates the take-in solenoid 52, the return solenoid 60, and the second take-in solenoid 67 when the M player presses the return switch 24 (FIG. 1) to remove the ball from the take-in device 30. That is, the return switch 24
If it is confirmed that is pressed and the mode is other than processing mode 2 (1,02°1.19), set the “Spherical Nucleus Flag” to “°1”.
” to energize the bulb solenoid 64 (ball extraction device) (
1.20.1.21), thereby the balls in the downflow gutter 32 flow down toward the lower tray 22 via the ball removal gutter 34. Furthermore, the 6th
When a pulse motor 69 is used as in the ball taking-in device 30 shown in the figure, the pulse motor 69 becomes one component of the ball game device.

When the spherical nucleus flag becomes 1'', the CPU outputs Sten 7'1.O.
Proceed to step 1.23 from I and wait for the arithmetic flag = "l" to rise (1, 23). If the arithmetic flag = "l" is set, the last ball of the law has passed directly under the first sensor S1. Therefore, in order to completely nuclearize up to this last ball, we set the "ball game timer" (1.24), and when the ball nucleus timer time elapses, the ball nucleus of the last ball ends. Wait for (1,01,1°22.1.25), return the silicon ball flag and the ball nucleus flag to "°0", turn off the ball game device, and stop the operation of the ball game device (1.213. 1.2
7) Also, grade indicators 18A, 18B, taC
Turn off the light. In this way, the return switch 24 is enabled except during the take-in operation, and the bulb can be operated.

Translation A1 Next, enter the grade selection process with processing mode = 1 (first
Steps in Figure 4 ■■).

In step 3.02.3.03 of FIG.
Checks whether the "ball presence flag" and "balance flag" are "1". If the 0 ball presence flag = "1", the first sensor 53 is in the ON state for a certain period of time and the ball is not flowing. Therefore, there are at least as many balls as the number of unit balls (5 balls).

(B) When there is a ball If the ball presence flag = "1" is confirmed, the bet enters the rate grade display (3.02), grade display 18C, 1
First, the third sensor 55. The second sensor 54 is ON for a certain period of time.

Check whether there are balls of 3 units (15 pieces) or 2 units (10 pieces) (3. QB
, 3. tl).

Now, there are 3 units worth of balls (15 pieces), so the first to third sensors 53, 54, and 55 are all ONL.

If it is (3,02,3,0B, 3.11),
First, check whether "bet is less than 1" (3.0
7) Here, "the bet is less than 1 unit" means that the bet as a result of the player's operation of the grade selection switches 17A, 17B, and 17C does not reach a rate of 1 unit;
Specifically, grade selection switches 17A, 17B, 17
This means that none of C is pressed. If the bet is less than 1, 3 units can still be bet, so the grade indicator 1 for bets of 3 units, 2 units, and 1 unit.
Light up 8C118B and 18A and notify the player that they can be operated (3.08.3.08.3.10)
.

If the bet is not less than 1 (3,07), then either 3 units, 2 units, or 1 unit has already been bet, so the process advances to step 3.11 and the second sensor 54 is After confirming that it is ON for a certain period of time (3, 11), it is checked whether the bet made is less than 2 units, that is, "the bet is less than 2 units" (3.12),
If YES, you can still bet 2 additional units, so
The 2-unit and 1-unit grade indicators 18B and 18A are lit to inform the player that they can be operated (3.0
9.3.10).

Unless “the bet is less than 1” or “the bet is less than 2” (
3,07,3,03), since 2 or more units have already been bet, proceed to step 3.13 and check whether the bet is less than 3 units, that is, "the bet is less than 3". Check (3.13), if YES, you can still bet 1 additional unit.

The 1-unit grade display 18A is lit to inform the player that it can be operated (3.10).

Now, if the grade selection switch 17C is pressed first (3, 14), the CPU will display the grade display 1.
Check whether 8C is lit and determine whether the corresponding grade selection switch 17C is a selectable pot (3.2
0), YES, it is a 3 unit bet, so
The CPU sets the hour wheel memory to "3" (3.21), and displays three horizontal lines 19 at the top, middle, and bottom and two diagonal lines 19.
All the betting line display lamps 20 belonging to a total of 5 lines are lit to indicate that all of them are subject to betting. Also, write +3 L (3, 22) for the season, “15” as the “number of intake”, and (3, 23), 3
Set the capture timer A to determine the release time of the cam 50 necessary to capture the number of pitches per unit (3.24), set the data for sound effect A (3.25), and capture Set the flag to “1” and the update flag to “1” Step 3
．． Proceed to step 17 (3, 2B, 3.27), the "hour wheel 3" is reached, so the judgment in step 3.17 is YES,
Turn off all three grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C (3, 28, 3, 29, 3, 30) to indicate that no additional bets can increase the rate, and proceed to step 3.01. Return.

On the other hand, when the grade selection switch 17B is pressed for the first time and 2 units are bet, the bet memory is set to "2" (3,
32) The two bet line display lamps 2o belonging to the upper and lower horizontal lines l'9 are turned on to indicate that the three horizontal lines 19 (top, middle, and bottom) are the targets for bets. Also,
Add 2 to the hour wheel (3, 33) and set the “number of acquisitions” to “10”.
3.35), and write the data of sound effect B. Set (3.38), and set the import flag to “1”.
Set the update flag to “1” and step 3.17.3.18
Proceed to (3, 2B, 3.27), since the "hour wheel 2" is displayed, the judgment in step 3.18 is YES, and the two grade indicators 18B and 18C are turned off (3, 29,
3.30), leaving only the grade indicator 18A illuminated, indicating that no more than one unit of additional bets can increase the rate. After that, if the player additionally presses the grade selection switch 17A and bets 1 unit more, the CPU adds +11. to the above hour wheel (2). and set it to 3" (3
．． 39) All three grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C are turned off for the above-mentioned reason.

When the grade selection switch 17A is pressed for the first time and only one unit is bet (3, 1B, 3.37), the bet memory is set to l'' (3, 38) and the center of the bet line display lamp 20 is placed. lights up to notify the player that the horizontal line 19 in the center is the bet line on which the bet is to be made.Also, the hour wheel is set to +11, (3,39),
As well as writing “5” as the “number of imports” (3, 40)
, Set the capture timer C to determine the release time of the cam 50 necessary to capture one unit of pitches, and set the capture flag and update flag to "1" Step 3.17.3.1
Proceed to 8.3.19 (3, 2B, 3゜27), “Time wheel 1
”, the judgment in step 3.19 is YES, and the grade display 18C is turned off (3, 30).
Leave only the grade indicators 18A and 18B lit,
No more additional bets of 2 units indicate that the rate cannot be increased. After that, 'M player additionally receives 1 unit or 2 units.
If you bet a unit, the above hour wheel is +1 or +2 and increases to "2" or "3" (3.39.3.33)
, When the bet becomes 3 units, the grade indicator becomes 1.
All three lights 8A, 18B, and 18C go out.

If the bet determined in this way has a rate, wait until the start switch (start lever 19) is turned on, jump to the game start process (processing mode = :3), and at that time The hour wheel is returned to “°0” (3.43~
3.45).

(b) When there is no ball, if the "silicon flag" is "1", set the "r silicon timer", set the "update flag" to "1", and enter the ball import process shown in FIG. 17 (3. 03-3°05).

When the bet rate is confirmed and the take-in flag l” is set (3°2B),
Next, the ball loading process begins (step ■■ in FIG. 14).

(b) Normal import operation In step 5.02 of Fig. 17, the import flag is “1”.
”, the CPU switches the intake solenoid 52
ON L (5,05), the cam 50 is moved to the release position and the capture device is activated. Pachinko ball is cam 5
0 and flows down into the sediment gutter 33. Downstream gutter 32
When the ball flowing down inside is detected by the count sensor 56 and the count sensor 56 rises once, step 3.23
．． 3.34. -1 from the "number of imports" set in 3.40
(5.07), steps 5.02.5.04-5
．． Repeat step 08 and subtract 1 from the number of captures each time. The number of pachinko balls is sequentially stored in the storage chamber 65. "Number of acquisitions"
= 0 (5°08), it means that the predetermined number of balls have safely entered the storage chamber 65. Turn off intake solenoid 52
Return to F and generate a sound effect (5, 09, 5, 10
), Turn off the grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C once. (bet is rate) “15” “
10 "5" The predetermined number of capture operations
This means that the session has ended. The capture flag is returned to 0'' and the process returns (5.13).

The program steps return again to step 5.02. Since the import flag has been returned to "0", the judgment here is No, and in step 5.03, the processing mode is returned to "1", and the grade selection process is started again. Therefore, the additional increase in bet is the turning section, and the operation of capturing the number of pitches corresponding to the bet is performed in the same manner as described above.

However, since the memorized bet remains the same, the units you will receive from subsequent grade selections will be narrowed down until the accumulated value reaches 3 units. As mentioned above. If you press the start lever 13 without additionally increasing the bet, the memorized bet will also be changed at the same time as the game start processing in processing mode = 3.
It is returned to ON (3°45).

(b) In the case of no balls Next, when the first sensor 53 is unable to confirm the presence of one unit of balls after taking in only a predetermined unit of balls, the grade shown in FIG. Step 3 of the selection process.
At 03.3.04, the "silicon timer" is set.

Until this silicon timer is typed up, the CPU
In other words, the ball nucleus solenoid 64 is turned on until enough time has elapsed to cause five balls to flow down (5.01.5.1
5) Then, when the bulb time has elapsed, turn the bulb solenoid 64 back to OFF (5, 18) and return the grade indicators 18A to 18G to "θ" 5.17).
Furthermore, the silicon flag is returned to "ON" (5.18), and the processing mode is returned to "1" (5,03).

(c) When the number of balls to be taken in is insufficient When the count sensor 56 cannot confirm that a predetermined number of balls have passed due to some abnormality such as dirt or fraudulent activity during the fetching operation, that is, in step 5.08. Judgment is YES
If not, the "intake timer" set in step 3.24.3.35.3.41 of the grade selection process in Figure 16 will type up (5,04), CP
U immediately turns off the intake solenoid 52 (
5, 19), set the grade display 18A to 18C to “0”
(5, 20), that is, treat that intake as invalid, and also turn on the return solenoid 60 and turn on the switching valve 57.
Switch the flow path to the return gutter 58 side (5, 21),
Preparations are made to return the half-sphere that has flowed into the storage chamber 65 during the taking-in operation to the player. To treat the number of pitches in the relevant taking-in operation as invalid.

The production is reduced from "gambling" by "gambling memory about the current fetching operation" (5.22), and the second fetching solenoid 67 is turned on for a certain period of time to transfer the pachinko balls in the storage chamber 65 to the player. Return (5, 23), then turn off the return solenoid 60 and return the switching valve 57 to its original state 5.24)
, set the capture flag to "0" and return to processing mode "l" (5.13.5.03).

The flow of the grade selection process in Figure 18 and the ball capture process in Figure 19 does not return half-sized balls to the player when the number of captured balls is insufficient.

These are completely taken in and collected, and instead, the prize ball ejecting device 40 discharges the same number of pachinko balls as the number of balls that have already been taken in as prize balls, equivalently changing the number of balls taken into the game. This is an example of control that returns the information to the user. The ones shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 correspond to the intake devices 2i30 that are not applicable.

The difference between the grade selection process in Figure 18 and that in Figure 16 is that
In steps 3.23.3.34, 3.40. That is,
Grade selection switch 17c, 17B, 17A selection is valid and when it is pressed (3, 1
4, 3, 15, 3, 18), ``1
5'' “10” “65” are written.

The first difference between the ball intake process in FIG. 19 and that in FIG. That's true. For this reason, even if a half-shaped ball occurs, the half-sized ball is not returned directly to the player, but is collected by the collection channel 48 via the merging channel 46.

The second difference from FIG. 17 is that steps 5.18 to 5.28 in FIG. This is in place of flow. To be more specific, when the count sensor 56 cannot detect a predetermined number of balls during the fetching operation due to some abnormality such as dust or fraudulent activity, that is, the judgment in step 5.08 of FIG. 19 is YES. If not, the "capture timer" is typed up (5.04) as already mentioned.

The CPU immediately turns off the intake solenoid 52 and
! The alarm will sound for 1 second (5, 1B, 5.19), and the number of balls actually taken in, that is, the "target number of balls taken in" will be subtracted by the number of balls taken in in step 5.07. Subtract the remaining confirmation intake number I" and write it as the "prize ball output number" (5, 20). For example, "target capture number ■" =
5, and if the actual number of balls taken in was 3, the confirmation number of balls to be taken in at that time is "2", so 5-2 = 3 is the r prize ball ejected. Then, turn the discharge solenoid 75 of the Yikyu discharge device M40 ONL.
.

(5, 21), each time the ejection count sensor 76 turns ON, the r prize ball ejection number is subtracted by 1 (5°22.
5.23) When the same number of prize balls as the number of balls actually taken in is discharged and the number of prize balls discharged becomes "O" (5.20, return the discharge solenoid 75 to OFF and turn off the grade display 18A.
~ Return 18C to OFF (5°25.5.2B), and return the capture flag to “O” and the hour wheel to “θ” 5.2
7) Wait for the discharge count sensor 76 to turn ON once and return to processing mode "1" (5.2B, 5.03)
.

This means that the same number of prize balls that were actually captured can be returned to the player. In addition, the discharge count sensor is ON once.
The reason for waiting is to accurately calculate the number of prize balls for the next ejection operation in relation to the sensing position of the ejection count sensor 76.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the ball taking-in device of the present invention, the pachinko balls from the upper tray are prevented from flowing down by the taking-in member and are held in the downflow gutter. By activating the take-in drive means and moving the take-in member to the release position for a period corresponding to the number of balls to be taken in, the balls corresponding to the unit number of balls will be lowered into the take-in gutter. That is, regardless of whether the minimum number of unit balls to be taken in is one or two or more, the legal principles in the downflow gutter are divided into the number of unit balls and taken in. In other words, capture′! There is no restriction on the number of unit balls from the mechanism of A position.
Therefore, even when a situation arises in which the minimum unit number of balls to be taken in needs to be changed, or when a predetermined number of balls cannot actually be taken in, the process can be easily handled by electrical control. This means that multiple units can be multiplied in one game,
That is, it also means that it is easy for the player to develop the game into an iE format that allows him to select the grade of the unit to be applied to the game.

In addition, the downflow gutter has a ball hole in its downstream end area for extracting the pachinko balls in the flowdown gutter from the first ball to the ball hole gutter, and a ball extraction gate that closes the ball hole. The members can be opened by electrical bulb removal drive means. This ball extracting drive means is operated under the control of the control device when the ball nucleus is removed, for example, when the ball nucleus switch is pressed when the ball nucleus is not being taken in, or when the ball nucleus is automatically removed immediately after the taking operation is completed. It is activated and the ball is removed. Therefore, the player does not need to operate the return switch every time.

In addition, it is possible to use the same pachinko balls as the pachinko machines that have been in use for a long time, so there is no need for a pachinko ball replenishing device or a counting machine in the pachinko parlor. A and the central management device can be shared without being disposed of, so pachinko machines and different types of books can be installed in the same island facility. i-machine can be mixed.

In the form 1 of the second invention, the count sensor counts and checks the number of balls actually taken into the storage chamber formed upstream of the taking machine, and if the actual number of balls taken is within a predetermined value. When the number of balls taken in is less than 1, that is, when an abnormal condition occurs due to garbage or illegal activity, the switching valve is switched to the return gutter side and the gate member of the storage chamber is opened. Therefore, since the game is temporarily stored in the storage room and then returned to the player through the return gutter, there is an advantage that fraudulent acts that would be disadvantageous to the game parlor are prevented. In addition, the flow path above the intake gutter can be configured to be 7 cm shorter.

In the third aspect of the invention, the counting sensor counts and checks the number of balls actually taken in and collected in the intake gutter, and if the actual number of balls taken in is equal to the predetermined number of balls taken in, In other words, if an abnormal condition occurs due to garbage or fraudulent activity, the prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in will be ejected from the prize ball ejecting device instead of from the receiving machine and will not be returned to the player. will be returned to. Therefore, the retrieval operation of that time is treated as invalid, which has the advantage of preventing fraudulent acts that would be disadvantageous to the amusement arcade.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] Fig. 1 is an external view of a gaming machine to which the unit ball count capturing device of the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view with the front frame opened. , FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the ball intake device having a storage chamber, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the flow path conversion mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a specific example of another intake device. 7 and 9 are perspective views showing specific examples of the intake device without one storage chamber, respectively, and FIGS. Figure 1O is a perspective view illustrating the prize ball discharge device, Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the flow path conversion mechanism section belonging to the ball discharge gutter, and Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the switching operation. Fig. 13 is a block diagram of a computer system as a control device, Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating its main block diagram, Figs. 15, 16, and 17.
The figure is a flowchart showing an example of control of the ball taking-in device, and FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts showing other examples of control of the ball-taking device. l...Machine frame 3...Front frame 13...
・Start switch 14...stop switch 15
...Stop indicator 16...Top plate 17...Grade selection switch 18...Grade display 19...Direction line 2
0...Betting line display lamp 22...Lower plate 28...
Stop indicator 30...Ball intake device 31...Mounting board 32...Downflow gutter 32A...Ball core port 32B...Opening 33...Intake machine
33A... Line reception port 34... Ball core gutter 3
7... Upper tank 40... Prize ball ejection device 2141...
Ball discharge gutter 44... Ball core device for upper tank 45... Ball core gutter 46... Merging gutter 50... Cam 51.
... Lever 52 ... Intake solenoid 53
...First sensor 54...Second sensor 55.
...Third sensor 56... Passing ball detector (count sensor) 57...
Switching valve 58... Return gutter 59... Flow path conversion mechanism 65... Ball storage chamber 63... Slide plate 64... Ball nucleus solenoid 66... Storage gate 67... Second intake Solenoid 68...Intake rotating body 68A...Four floor supports 69...Pulse motor
70... Flow blocking IL plate 73... Flow gutter
74...Cam 75...Discharge solenoid 76.
...Discharge count sensor 90...CPU
91...ROM92...RAM Figure 2 Horses Figure 11 Birds Figure 12

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A game machine that plays a game with a predetermined number of pachinko balls as one unit and pays out a predetermined number of pachinko balls according to the weight of the game result, especially in its unit ball number capture device. , a downflow gutter that guides the balls from the upper tray provided on the front of the game machine to the inlet gutter, a retrieval member provided in the middle of the downflow gutter so as to be movable between a ball flow prevention position and a release position, and the inflow gutter. an electric take-in drive means for moving the take-in member from the blocking position to the release position; a control device that controls the take-in drive means to take in balls for a unit number of balls; A return gutter branched from the middle of the intake gutter to allow the return to the lower tray provided on the front of the game machine, a switching valve provided at the branching part between the return gutter and the intake gutter, and the switching valve being switched. an electric return driving means for forming a flow path from the intake gutter side to the return gutter side; a sensor for detecting the presence of the minimum unit number of balls in the downflow gutter; A ball extraction port opened in the downstream end region of the downflow gutter to extract the first ball blocked by the intake member to the ball extraction gutter, a ball extraction gate member that closes the ball extraction hole, and a ball extraction gate member that closes the ball extraction hole; and an electric ball removal drive means for opening the gate member, and the control device removes the ball when the sensor detects that a half-ball less than the minimum number of unit balls remains in the intake gutter. A device for capturing the number of unit balls for a game machine using pachinko balls, characterized in that the device includes a control means for activating an ejection drive means to return half-odd balls to a ball ejection trough. (2) A game machine that plays a game with a predetermined number of pachinko balls as one unit and pays out a predetermined number of pachinko balls according to the weight of the game result, especially in its unit ball number capture device. , a downflow gutter that guides the balls from the upper tray provided on the front of the game machine to the inlet gutter, a retrieval member provided in the middle of the downflow gutter so as to be movable between a ball flow prevention position and a release position, and the inflow gutter. an electrical first intake drive means for moving the intake member from the blocking position to the release position; an openable and closable gate member forming a ball storage chamber upstream of the intake trough; and an electrical first intake drive means for opening and closing the gate member. a second taking-in driving means; a control device that controls the first and second taking-in driving means to take in balls for a unit number of balls; A return gutter is branched from the middle of the inlet gutter to allow the return to the lower tray provided in an electric return driving means for forming a flow path from the flow path to the return gutter side; a sensor for detecting the presence of the minimum unit number of balls in the flow gutter; and a sensor for detecting the presence of the minimum unit number of balls in the flow gutter; In order to extract the first blocked ball to the ball extraction gutter, a ball extraction opening is opened in the downstream end region of the flowing gutter, a ball extraction gate member that closes the ball extraction opening, and the ball extraction gate member is opened. and a count sensor for counting the number of balls actually taken into the uptake gutter, and the control device is configured such that the sensor detects the minimum unit ball count in the downflow gutter. A control means that operates the ball removal drive means to return the half-end balls to the return gutter when it is detected that fewer than the number of half-end balls remain;
When the actual number of balls taken in as counted by the count sensor is less than a predetermined number of balls taken in, the return drive means and the second take-in drive means are operated to return the half-end balls to the return gutter. A device for capturing the number of unit balls for a game machine using pachinko balls, characterized by including a control means. (3) A game machine in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are played as a unit, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out by a prize ball ejecting device according to the weight of the game result, especially the unit ball count. The loading device includes a downstream gutter that guides the balls from the upper tray provided at the front of the game machine to the inlet gutter, and an inlet installed in the middle of the downstream gutter so as to be movable between a ball flow blocking position and a releasing position. a member, an electric take-in drive means for moving the take-in member from a blocking position to a release position, a control device that controls the take-in drive means to take in balls for a unit number of balls; A return gutter branched from the middle of the take-in gutter in order to return the balls in the gutter to a lower tray provided on the front of the game machine, a switching valve provided at the branching part between the return gutter and the take-in gutter; an electric return driving means that switches a switching valve to form a flow path from the intake gutter side to the return gutter side; a sensor that detects the presence of the minimum number of balls in the downflow gutter; and an intake gutter. and a count sensor for counting the number of balls actually taken into the gutter, and when the sensor detects that there are half balls remaining in the downflow gutter less than the minimum number of balls, the control device control means for operating the ball removal drive means to return the half-end ball to the return gutter;
control means for ejecting prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in from the prize ball ejecting device when the actual number of balls counted by the count sensor is less than a predetermined number of balls taken in; A unit ball count capturing device for a game machine using pachinko balls, characterized by the following.