JPS6321085A - Unit number-of-ball take-in apparatus of game machine using pinball - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is a system in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are played as one unit, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid according to the weight of the game result. The present invention relates to the M game machine, particularly its unit ball count capturing device.

(Prior Art) The idea of configuring a slot machine using pachinko balls has already been proposed. Making it possible to play slot machines using pachinko balls is a single 'ji
It is possible to use hard balls that are common to pachinko machines that have been popular for a long time in the play area, and therefore the pachinko ball supply device, counting device, and central control device in the pachinko game parlor can be shared without being disposed of, and therefore the same hard balls can be used in the pachinko game parlor. There is an advantage that pachinko machines and slot machines can be mixed in the island equipment.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in order to put the above-mentioned game machine into practical use, it is necessary to solve several problems that are different from those of game machines that use coins, one of which is The problem is how to continuously capture a predetermined number of pachinko balls into the game machine while dividing them into units.

Furthermore, this device for capturing the number of pitches per game can be used in a format where multiple units are applied to one game, that is, when the player is allowed to select the grade of units to be applied to the game. The ability to take in commands, and furthermore,
In the future, if the number of pachinko balls that should be taken into one unit needs to be changed due to fluctuations in the value of one pachinko ball or regulations, etc., the 4R configuration will allow for a quick response, and it will be as simple as possible. It is desirable that the configuration is as follows.

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

(Means for Solving the Problems) The unit ball count capturing device of the present invention includes a downflow gutter that guides balls from an upper tray provided at the front of the game machine to the inflow gutter, and a flowdown gutter and the inflow gutter. an electric intake drive means for moving the intake member from the blocking position to the release position; a control device that controls a driving means to take in balls for a unit number of balls; and a downstream end of the downflow gutter for extracting pachinko balls in the downflow gutter from the first ball blocked by the taking-in member to the ball core gutter. A ball opening opened in the area, a ball game gate member for closing the ball game gate, and an electric ball extraction drive means for opening the ball game gate member;
The control device has a first sensor for detecting the presence or absence of balls in the downflow gutter and a count sensor for counting the number of balls actually taken into the intake gutter, and the control device is configured to operate when a return switch is operated. control means for activating the ball extracting driving means; and 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 prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in are given as prize balls; The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a control means for ejecting the balls from the ball ejecting device.

(Function) 'The pachinko balls that have flowed down from the upper tray provided on the front surface of the M game machine into the downflow gutter are prevented from flowing down by the intake member provided at the connection between the flowdown gutter and the uptake gutter. The take-in member has an electric take-in drive means for moving it to a release position, and further has a control device that controls the take-in drive means to take in balls equal to the unit number of balls. Therefore, balls corresponding to the unit number of balls flow down into the take-in gutter corresponding to the period during which the take-in member is moved to the release position. That is, whether the minimum number of unit balls to be taken in is one or two or more, the row of balls in the downflow gutter is divided into units 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.

In addition, the ball opening provided downstream of the downflow gutter is closed by a ball game gate member, and when the return switch is operated when a ball is released, the electric ball drive means is activated and the ball game gate member opens. The actual number of balls taken into the intake gutter is always counted and checked using a count sensor, so if the actual number of balls taken in is less than the predetermined number of balls taken in, it may be due to garbage or fraudulent activity. When an abnormal state occurs based on the above, the prize balls corresponding to the actual number of balls taken in are ejected from the prize ball discharge device rather than from the take-in gutter and returned to the player.

Therefore, the number of intakes does not malfunction depending on when the ball game gate member opens.

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

1 to 3, a front frame 3 is attached to a hollow box-shaped machine frame 1 so that it can be opened and closed by 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 5, and is unlocked by sliding the hook piece 5B in the vertical direction using 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 so as to be rotatable around a rotating shaft 7, and 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 fixed bet is displayed on the game device 10 in points (an integral multiple of the number of pitches).
A start lever 13 capable of starting the rotation, a stop button 14 assigned to each rotating drum 6, a stop/stop indicator 15, and a speaker 9 are provided. 16 is ball intake device 2
Upper plate for supplying pachinko balls to 130, 17A, 1
7B and 17C are grade selection switches for selecting the grade of the point, 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 are selectable. In this embodiment, the minimum number of pitches that can be played in a game is 5 balls, and the grade that can be bet is 1 unit (5 balls), 2 units (10 balls), or 3 units (15 balls). be.

When the start lever 13 is pressed, a motor (not shown) is started and the three rotating drums 6 rotate in unison. By pressing an arbitrary stop button 14, one of the stop devices m (not shown) provided for each rotating drum 6 is activated, and the corresponding one rotating drum 6 is stopped. This 'M stop device is constructed such that, for example, a ratchet provided for each rotating drum 6 causes a stop pawl released by a stop solenoid to fall. Various codes (predetermined figures, symbols, numbers, etc.) are continuously marked on the outer circumferential surface of each rotating drum 6 in the circumferential direction, and in a stationary state, each rotating drum 64tj among these codes. upper, middle, and lower 3
A total of nine images 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 symbols in total, and consists of three horizontal lines (upper, middle, and lower) and two diagonal lines.

Adjacent to the visible window 12B, a bet line display lamp (hour indicator) 20 is provided which indicates whether or not the combination on each direction line is to be bet. 21 is a digital score display, and a rotating drum 6 is displayed on the line bet by the player.
When one of the predetermined specific combinations (prize mode) is lined up, the promised score is displayed on the score display 21 according to the weight of the combination, and the prize ball ejecting device 40 releases the ball from the upper plate wave Yamaguchi 16A. A number of prize balls corresponding to the upper tray 16 are ejected. When the upper tray 16 is full, the prize ball ejecting device 4
The prize ball from 0 is discharged to the lower tray 22 from the lower tray magic outlet 22C by the function of the overflow device 42. 24 is a return switch, which is set to MvJ when an odd number less than the minimum unit number of balls occurs in the upper tray 16 or the ball capturing device 30.
This operation is performed when returning the balls in the upper tray 16 to the lower tray 22 (at the time of payment) when the player wants to cancel the game.

The prize format is 2.7.10.1 under “General Games”.
4. There are two types of payment: 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 Mfi" and "Bonus Game". In this example, the combination that moves from the general M game state to the “large bonus display” is when three diamond symbols “☆” are aligned, and the combination that moves to the “bonus game” is the number 0 display section cover 11 when there are three "7"
The 0 display 27 is provided with a large bonus display 25 that displays the acquisition of the rights to the "large bonus display" and a bonus display 26 that displays the acquisition of the rights to the "bonus game". As a profit and loss indicator that numerically displays the difference between the number of balls (or units) thrown in by an M player and the number of prize balls (or units) paid out, or for the big bonus game of the gaming machine on that day. It is used as a display box to display the number of transferred rights. 28 is a termination indicator (completion lamp) that is lit when the payment of prize balls reaches a predetermined number.

In FIG. 3, a mounting board 31 on the back side of the front frame 3 includes a ball take-in device 30, a flow gutter 32 to the ball take-in device, and a pachinko machine with a unit number of balls from the ball take-in device. It is provided with a take-in machine 33 for taking in balls and a ball trap gutter 34 for returning the pachinko balls from the ball take-in device 30 to the lower tray 22 in the event of a half-balance or at the time of payment.

Further, the mounting board 31 is provided with an upper tank 37 equipped with a ball outage detector 38 and a prize ball discharge device 40, and the upper tank 37 has a common replenishment gutter 35 provided as an island facility and a replenishment device 36. Balls are replenished by the upper tank 37, and the balls in the upper tank 37 are led to a prize ball ejecting device 40 through a delivery chute 39. Furthermore, the mounting board 31 is provided with an upper tank ball attachment fi 44, and when necessary, such as when the store is closed, all the balls from the upper tank 37 to the prize ball discharge device 40 are pulled out and passed through the ball nucleus gutter 45. guided downward. The balls led out from the ball core gutter 45 and the capturing machine 33 of the ball capturing device 30 are discharged into a merging gutter 46 provided in the lower part of the interior of the single machine frame 1, and are collected in a recovery gutter 48.

Figure 4 shows a method (variable unit type) in which any N (N≧1) pachinko balls (in this case, 5) can be used as the unit number of balls to be captured. A specific example of the device 30 is shown.

This ball intake device 2t30 is located downstream of the downflow gutter 32.

It has a fan-shaped cam 50 which is rotatable and converts the flow gutter 32 into a "blocking position n" which prevents the ball from flowing down and a "release position" which 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 the lower end of the plunger 52A of the intake solenoid 52 located above is connected via a lever 51 whose tip is pivoted on both sides by a pivot 51A. is connected to. Therefore, when the ball intake awn 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, when the take-in solenoid 52 is energized and the ball take-in device 30 is activated, the cam 50 is pulled up to the release position that allows 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. And whether there is a pachinko ball or not is determined by the
This is confirmed by two reflective optical sensors (first sensors) 53.

In the downflow gutter 32, a pressure reducing part 32C 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 unit and the second unit. The height center of the first unit ball row is set lower than the height center of the second unit ball row. With this configuration, the pressure of the ball on the upstream side of the sixth ball is reduced by the pressure reducing part 32G, and
The reduced ball pressure acts to push down the row of balls at the 11th position. 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. The balls flow down, but the balls after the six holes collide with the pressure reducing part 32C and the flow direction is changed, so it takes time for the balls to pass through. That is, the sixth and subsequent ball rows lag behind the first unit ball row, creating a slight gap between them.

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 set to the release position, the row of pachinko balls is divided into unit balls by the decompression part 32C and flows down.
The first unit is taken into the taking machine 33. By deenergizing the intake solenoid 52 and returning the cam 50 to the blocking state at a timely timing at the flow break, one unit, two units, or three units can be intake. 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 second sensor (count sensor) 54 provided in the taking machine 33. 1st, 2nd
The photoelectric detection positions of the sensors 53 and 54 are located away from the center of the sphere, so that even if a series of spheres pass together as one, they can detect individual spheres.

When removing a ball from the one-ball loading device ff130 at the time of payment or the like, the return switch 24 is operated. As a result, the one-ball game solenoid 55 is energized, the slide plate 56 is pulled, and the ball nucleus port 32A is opened.

Ball loading! ! (The balls in 30 and the balls in the upper tray 16 pass from the first ball through the ball nucleus port 32A and along the ball nucleus gutter 34 to the lower plate 22.
The ball is returned to the ball and the ball is removed.

If the number of passing balls actually taken in is less than the number of unit balls, in the interval where the first unit ball row exists,
This happens when there is some kind of accident such as poor drainage due to garbage or fraudulent activity due to a piano wire, or when there is only one pachinko ball in the drainage gutter 32. In this case as well, the prize balls are actually taken in through a predetermined taking operation, and the prize balls ejecting device 40
will return it to the player.

By processing in this manner, there is no need to distinguish whether the number of pachinko balls present in the lt lower gutter 32 is equal to a predetermined unit number of balls or less. Therefore, to check for pachinko balls in the downflow gutter 32, it is only necessary to know whether there are any, and there is no need to monitor whether or not there are balls remaining for the number of units of play. Even if a bet can be made and a ball worth 3 units is taken in in one taking action, there is no need to provide a senna to check whether the ball worth 3 units exists. .

In this embodiment, the first ball is simply monitored by the first sensor 53. The reason why we decided to sense the first ball was because
This is because when the first sensor 53 is turned off, there is no ball in the ball taking-in device 30 at all, and there is an advantage that no return process is required. In detail,
If the detection position is set to the position of the second or more balls, the mere fact that the first sensor 53 turns OFF immediately after the completion of the ball fetching operation will indicate whether there is no ball at all or a state where there is still an odd situation. Therefore, in order to avoid the need for the player to operate the return switch 24 each time, as a half-hearted return process, it is necessary to perform an extra retrieval operation, or to automatically return the return switch 24. It is necessary to energize the ball removal solenoid 55.

Otherwise, an additional sensor is required to confirm the presence of the minimum number of pitches. Such return processing itself is unnecessary.

(a) Ball taking-in device of FIG. 5 This ball taking-in device 30 has a horizontal U-shaped floor support portion 58 positioned above the receiving port 33A of the taking-in machine 33, and a tilting member. 57 is provided, and by passing the balls from the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32 to the floor receiving portion 58 of the tilting member 57, the ball can be taken in one by one. When the number of unit pitches to be captured is two or more and constitutes one unit, the capturing operation is performed the corresponding number of times.

The tilting member 57 is tiltably supported by a shaft 59, and normally the side (front side) of the tilting member 57 is in a "non-operating position" where the side (front side) of the floor bracket 58 is lowered by its own weight. has a blocking piece 58A extending upward from the tip of its upper wall, and this blocking piece 5
8A, the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32 is closed in the non-operating position.

The intake solenoid 52 is connected via a rod 60 to a pivot shaft 57A provided on the @ side of the shaft 59 of the tilting member 57.

By energizing the intake solenoid 52, the tilting member 5
The front side of ball 7 is pushed up to the stopper 61, and only one ball 0 from the downflow gutter 32 is received in the floor receptacle 58, where the floor receptacle 58 is in the "operating position" where it coincides with the downstream end opening of the downflow gutter 32. At the time when the insertion of this ball receiver is completed, the intake solenoid 52 is OFF, and the tilting member 57 is moved to the inoperable position due to the weight of the floor receiver 58 of the tilting member 57 and the weight of the inserted ball. to return to. During this return operation, the balls in the floor receiver 58 flow down into the take-in machine 33 and are taken in.

(b) The ball intake device in Figure 6 is this intake device f! L30 shows another specific example of a format (variable unit type) in which any N (N≧1) pachinko balls (5 in this case) can be taken as the unit number of balls.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a rotary intake body disposed at the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32, around which a plurality of (in this example, five pieces corresponding to the number of unit balls) semicircular floor recesses 64A are sucked. Intake rotating body 64
is attached to an output shaft 63A of a pulse motor 63 that runs horizontally orthogonally to the downstream direction of the downflow gutter 32, and its lower portion faces into the flowdown 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 floor receiving recess 84A.

In this example, the convex portion 64B remaining between the adjacent floor recesses 64A, 64A remains stationary at a position where it prevents the ball from flowing downward, and is rotated from one blocking position to the next blocking position. During this time, the floor receiver recesses 64A and the protrusions 64B alternately pass through the downflow gutter 32, and the floor recess recess 64A receives the first ball, and the flowdown gutter 3
The rotational angular position of the intake rotating body 64 that sends out in the direction of the axial force of 2 is.

It is determined by the number of pulses input to the pulse motor 63, and therefore, by rotating the pulse motor 63 by a predetermined angle, a desired number of balls can be flowed down from the downflow gutter 32 to the intake machine 33. In this example, when the output shaft 63A rotates once, five pieces corresponding to one unit are taken in.

(c) Ball capturing device in FIG. 7 This capturing device 30 is also a specific example of a unit variable type, but the center axis of rotation of the capturing rotary body 64, that is, the output shaft 63A of the pulse motor 63 is connected to the downstream gutter 32. No. 6 in that it points in the downstream direction.
Different from the illustration.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a flow prevention plate which also functions as a mounting frame for the pulse motor 63, and is located on the downstream side from the downstream end of the flow gutter 32 at an interval of about a spacing. Intake rotating body 6
4 is designed to slide in contact with the downstream end of the downflow gutter 32. The intake rotating body 64 is normally as shown in FIG. 8(A).

The convex portion 64B remaining between the adjacent floor support concave portions 64A, 64A is stationary at the “blocking position” that coincides with the axis line under the ball flow, and 1
It is rotated from one blocking position to the next blocking position. During this time, the floor receiver recess 64A and the protrusion 64B alternately pass through the downflow gutter 32, and when the floor receiver recess 64A coincides with the axis of the ball under the flow as shown in FIG. The first ball is accepted and pulled down in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the gutter. Therefore, as in this example, the intake rotary body 64 is provided with one unit or more of the floor support recesses 64A in the embodiment.
In this case, the pulse motor 63 is 6/360=1/60. Therefore, 60''''X5=1 unit of 5 when rotated 300'
balls are taken into the taking machine 33 from the downflow gutter 32. still,
Reference numeral 66 denotes a case for preventing the ball from falling into the receiving opening 33A of the receiving machine 33 below, which is thrown horizontally from the rotating receiving rotary body 64.

Figure 9 shows a specific example of a prize ball discharging device 40 that discharges an arbitrary number of pachinko balls as a unit number of prize balls. Ball discharge gutter 41
a bent downflow gutter 70 that connects the flow down gutter, a convoluted fan-shaped cam 71 that converts the downflow gutter into a blocking position that prevents the balls from flowing down and a release position that allows the balls to flow down, and the cam 71 that is connected to the The discharge solenoid 7 is rotated about a shaft 71A provided in the center against a return spring 71B to switch from the blocking position to the releasing position.
2, and 73 is a photoelectric count sensor provided at the first prize ball position. The prize balls released from the prize ball discharge device 40 to the prize ball discharge gutter 41 are normally guided to the lower tray 22, but in the case of one ball game, a switching valve 74 provided in the middle of the prize ball discharge gutter 41 switches the prize balls. and guided to the bulb gutter 45 side.

Lesson 11 Figure 10 shows a control device i using a microcomputer.
! 18. The system has a CPU 80, a ROM 81, and a RAM 82 consisting of a nonvolatile memory. CPU80
follows the program written in the ROM 81, takes in necessary external data from the input port 83, or performs arithmetic processing while exchanging data with the RAM 82, and processes the data as necessary. Output boat 84 or audio IC (audio circuit)
Output to 85.

Figure ml1 shows the main routine, which includes "input detection processing," grade selection processing, "ball capture processing," game start processing, drum rotation processing, "drum stop processing," and judgment processing.
π Prize ball ejection processing ° Each process of "stop processing" and "processing mode update" is defined. Also, although not shown, in the subroutine of 1 judgment processing, each of "general game" and "special game" In addition, in each process of the general game and special game, the process of "calculating the number of prize balls" is defined. 'Grade selection process''Ball import process''Game start process' Drum rotation process Each process of the "drum stop process" determination process and the "prize ball discharge process" is performed sequentially in process mode 1 to process mode 7. When the "update flag" becomes "l" 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”,
Return to the initial “input detection processing”.

Hereinafter, an example of the capturing operation will be described using the capturing device 30 of FIG. 4 as an example, according to the flow shown in FIGS. 11 to 14.

- When the program starts, the microcomputer enters "input detection processing" (step ■). First, it gives the input boat 83 - boat designation signal, and
It is checked whether a pachinko ball is statically present at the first sensor 53 of 0 for a predetermined period of time.

In step 1.04 of FIG. 12, first, when the first sensor 53 detects the ball and rises, a "rise timer" is set (1.08). This is because it is not possible to distinguish whether a moving ball that is in the middle of a capture operation is detected temporarily or a stationary ball. It is checked whether the ball remains stationary on the first sensor 53 for a certain amount of time. That is, step 1.03
, the first sensor 53 is turned on while the rising timer is in use.
Please check if it is on (1.09), and if it is still on, wait for the rising timer to end (1°11)
If the rising timer times up, it is confirmed that the ball is statically present, so set the "silica flag" to "1" (1.11.1°12). When the first sensor 53 returns to OFF while the timer is in use (1,03,1,09), the ball is in a flowing state, so the rising timer must be canceled.1.1
0), 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. To make the determination, the CPU sets a "fall timer" when the ball is no longer detected (1.06.1.13>
, and when the first sensor 53 detects a ball and switches to ON within this timer time (1, 05, 1, 14)
, - temporarily release the falling timer (1.1
5). However, if the ball is not detected even after the falling timer time has elapsed and the first sensor 53 is still OFF (1°05.1.14.1.18), the ball is detected by the upper plate 16 and the ball. Since there is no ball in the loading neck 30, set the "no ball flag" to 1" and return the "r silica flag" to °"0" (1
,1? , 1.18).

L Otsujimu I-cutting 1 Next, enter the processing mode; grade selection processing of 1 (1st
Steps in Figure 1 ■■).

In step 3605 of FIG. 13, the CPU checks whether the "silica flag" and the "no ball flag" are "1". If the silica flag = "1", the first sensor 53 is in an ON state for a certain period of time. This means that there is at least one ball in the state where the ball is not flowing.

If the silica flag = "1" is confirmed, the bet enters the rate grade display (3.02).

Now, if there are balls for 3 units (15 pieces) and the first sensor 53 is ON, then (3,05,3°08,3
．． 11) First, "Betting rate = 3J r Betting rate = 2"
``Check whether the bet is rate = lJ (3.
0G, 3.0? , 3.08), here "bet rate = 3"
This is because the player presses the grade selection switch 17A, 1.
The bet as a result of operating 7B and 17C is that the rate has reached 3 units, specifically the grade selection switch 17C.
is pressed once, 17B is pressed twice and 17A once, or 17A is pressed three times. "Rate = 2" and "Rate = 1" similarly mean that the bet as a result of operating the grade selection switches 17B, 17C has reached 2 units or 1 unit.

“The bet is rate = 3” “The bet is the rate = 2” “The bet is neither rate = lJ, that is, if the bet is “ON” (3゜08, 3
．． 0? , 3.08), any grade selection switch 1
Enable operations 7A, 17B, and 17C. However, if the "bet rate = 3" is already set, the operations of all grade selection switches 17A, 17B, and 17C are invalidated (3.08
), and if "bet = 2", then only the operation of the grade selection switch 17A is valid, and the operations of 17B and 17C are invalid (3゜08.3.07.3.11). If the bet is rate = 1, then grade selection switch 17A
Only the operations of 17B and 17B are valid, and the operations of 17C are invalid (3.0111 to 3.08.3.10.3.11)
.

Initially, the bet is at a rate of "θ" and 3 units are available for bet. Grade display of 3 units, 2 units, 1 unit r5
18C 118B and 18A are turned off, thereby informing the player that any of the grade selection switches 17A, 17B, and 17C can be operated.

Now, first of all, if the grade selection switch 17C is pressed (3,09), the CPU selects "Gambling" +
3 and (3, 12), "bet memory" is +3 and 3.13), all betting line display lamps belonging to a total of 5 lines, 3 horizontal lines 19 (top, middle, and bottom) and 2 diagonal lines 19. 20 is lit to indicate that all of them are subject to bet.

Also, write “15” as the two data of “Confirmation number of intakes” and “Target number of intakes ■” and (3
, 15), 50 cams required to capture 3 units of pitches.
Set the capture timer A to determine the release time (3
．． 15) Also, set the data for sound effect A and light up all three grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C (
3,113), indicate that no additional bets can increase the rate and proceed to step 3.17, and
Set the import flag to “1” and the update flag to “1” and return to step 3.Ol (3.1?, 3.18)
.

On the other hand, first the grade selection switch 17B is pressed (3
, 10), when 2 units are bet, add 2 to ``bet'' (3, 19), add 2 to ``bet memory'' (3, 20), and place the 2 bets belonging to the upper and lower horizontal lines 19. The line display lamp 20 is turned on to display that the upper, middle, and lower three horizontal lines 19 are the object of bet.

Also, write “10” as the two data of “confirmation intake number I” and “target intake number H” and (3
, 21), cam 5 required to capture 2 units of pitches.
Set the capture timer B to determine the release time of 0 (
3.22) Also, set the data for sound effect B and turn only the grade display 18A on. 3.23)
Indicating that no more than one additional unit of bet can increase the rate, proceed to step 3.17 and set the capture flag to “
1", set the update flag to "1" and return to step 3゜Ol (1.1?, 3.18), "Gamble 2"
Therefore, the determination in step 3.07 becomes YES. After that, the player additionally selects the grade selection switch 17.
If you press A and bet one more unit, the CPU adds 1 to the bet "2" to make it "3" (3.24), and all three grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C go out.

First, the grade selection switch 17A is pressed (3, 11
), when only one unit is bet, add 1 to ``bet'' (3, 24), add 1 to ``bet memory'' (3, 25), and change the center one of the betting line display lamps 20. It is turned on to notify the player that the central horizontal line 19 is the bet line on which the bet is made.

As well as writing 05″ as the two data of “Confirmation intake number” and “Target number of intake ■” (3, 28)
, Sets the capture timer C to determine the release time of the cam 50 necessary to capture one unit of pitches (3.27).
)・In addition, only the grade indicators 18A and 18B are turned on to display that the rate can no longer be increased with an additional bet of only 2 units, and data for sound effect C is written (3, 28). Then, set the import flag and update flag to “1゛9” and return (3.17.3゜18).
Since the result is “bet L”, the decision in step 3.08 is Y.
It becomes ES. After that, if the player additionally bets 1 or 2 units (3, 10, 3°11), the above bet is increased by +1 or +2 to "2" or 3 (3.
24.3.19) When the bet finally reaches a rate of 3 units, all three grade indicators 18A, 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 then place the bet. is returned to “ON” (3.02-3.
04).

゛ Steps 1.19 to 1.28 in FIG. 12 according to the switch actuate the ball game solenoid 55 when the player presses the return switch 24 (FIG. 1), and the ball game of the capture device 30 is activated. This is a program that allows you to do this. That is, when the return switch 24 is pressed (1,02), the "r ball nuclear flag" is set to 1" and the ball game solenoid 55 of the ball game device is energized (1.1
a, 1.20), whereby the balls in the downflow gutter 32 flow down from the ball core gutter 34 toward the lower tray 22. When the ball game flag becomes "1", the CPU executes step 1. Proceed to step 1.21 from Ol and wait for no ball 2 lag = “1” (
1, 21), if the arithmetic flag = “1” is set (1, 22)
), Since the last ball in the ball row has just passed directly under the first sensor 53, in order to play a complete ball game up to this last ball, set the "ball game timer" (1.23), Wait until the ball game timer time has elapsed and the ball game of the last ball is completed (1, 01, 1, 21, 1, 24), return the counting ball flag and the ball game flag to "O", and turn the ball game device to "O".
FF and stop the operation of the ball game device (1.25.1
．． 26), thus the return switch 24 becomes effective and the ball game can be played.

When the bet rate is determined and the capture flag 1 is set (3°17),
Next, the ball loading process begins (step ■■ in FIG. 11).

(b) Normal import operation In step 5.01 of Fig. 14, the import flag is set to l”
If it is determined that this is the case, the CPU turns the intake solenoid 52 ON L (5,04), moves the cam 50 to the release position, and operates the intake device. Pachinko ball is cam 5
0 and flows down into the intake machine 33. Downstream gutter 32
When the ball flowing down inside is detected by the count sensor 54 and the count sensor 54 rises once, steps 3 and 14 are performed.
．． From the “number of imports I” set in 3.21 and 3.28 -
1 (s, oe), step 5.01.5.03~
5. Repeat step 07 and subtract 1 from the number of captures I each time.

When the "number of intakes 1" becomes 0 (5, 0?), the intake solenoid 52 is turned off and a sound effect is generated (
5.0B, 5.09), this completes one operation of capturing the predetermined number of pieces according to the number of captures (bet rate) set in the grade selection process: "15", "10", or "5". That means you did it.

The grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C are temporarily turned off (5, IQ), the capture flag is returned to "ON", and the process returns (5.11).

The program steps return again to step 5.01. Since the import flag has been returned to "O", the judgment here is No, and in step 5.02, the processing mode is returned to "l", and the grade selection process is started again. Therefore, the additional bet increase can be used, 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 number of units you can get from subsequent grade selections will be narrowed down until the cumulative value reaches 3 units. , as described above. If the start lever 13 is pressed without additionally increasing the bet, the stored bet is also returned to "O" at the same time as the game start processing in processing mode=3 (3,04).

(b) When the number of balls to be taken in is insufficient When the count sensor 54 cannot confirm that a predetermined number of balls have passed due to some abnormality such as dust or fraudulent activity during the fetching operation, that is, in step 5.07. Judgment is YES
If not, the "intake timer" set in step 3.15.3.22.3.27 of the grade selection process in Figure 13 will type up (5,03), CP
U immediately turns off the intake solenoid 52 and (
5, 12), sound the W alarm for only 1 second (5, 13)
), informs the player of the abnormal condition.

Then, the actual number of balls taken in, that is, the “target number of balls taken in IIJ
Write the value obtained by subtracting "the remaining confirmation intake number I subtracted by the actual number of balls taken in step 5.06" as the r prize ball output number (5, 15), for example, If "Target number of imports ■" = 5 and the number of items actually imported is 3, the number of confirmation imports I at that time is "2", so 5 - 2 = 3 is written as r prize ball ejection number 0 Next, the ejection solenoid 72 of the prize ball ejecting device 40
ON L (5,1fi), discharge count sensor 7
Every time 3 is turned on, this "number of prize balls discharged" is subtracted by 1 (5, 17, 5, 1 fl), and the same number of prize balls as the number of balls actually taken in is discharged, resulting in the number of prize balls discharged. = "0" (5, 19), return the discharge solenoid 72 to OFF.

Also turn off the grade indicators 18A to 18C (5, 2
0, 5, 21), then return the intake flag to "0" 5.22), wait for the discharge count sensor 73 to turn ON once, and return to the processing mode "l" (5.23).

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 purpose of waiting for this 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 73.

In the above embodiment, the ball game processing using the return switch is performed within the flow of the input detection processing (see steps 1.19 to 1.26 in FIG. 12), but in the grade selection processing of FIG. For example, if the determination at step 3.05 in FIG. 13 is NO, whether the sphere nucleus flag is "1" (step 1.0 in FIG. 12).
(corresponding to step 1.02 in FIG. 12) and determine whether the return switch 24 has been pressed.
Processing may be performed in the same manner as steps 1.19 to 1.26 in FIG.

In this way, the ball game process using the return switch can be performed during the grade selection process when the number of balls that have been taken in is insufficient, rather than returning the half-ball itself to the player. 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 reducing the number of balls taken in by the player. This is because they are being returned to. Even if a hemisphere occurs due to some abnormal condition, it is sufficient to uniformly incorporate it regardless of the cause, and there is no need to change the processing depending on the cause. For example, even if a player tries to play with fewer than a predetermined number of unit balls and operates the return switch 24 at the same time as the row of balls to be captured starts falling, the count sensor 54 detects that the ball is a half-sized ball. It is determined that the ball is returned by the prize ball device 40, and it is completely impossible for any fraudulent act to benefit the player. Therefore, there is no problem even if the return switch 24 is enabled during the ball retrieval process. It is sufficient to provide the first sensor 53 on one side.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the first sensor 53 detects the first ball, if the first sensor 53 turns OF or F, there will be no ball in the downflow gutter 32. Even if the first sensor 53 is 0FFI immediately after the taking-in operation, there is no need for automatic half-sphere return processing.

(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. When the take-in driving means is controlled to move the take-in member to the release position, balls corresponding to the number of unit balls corresponding to that period flow down to the take-in machine. That is, whether the minimum number of unit balls to be taken in is one or two or more, the row of balls in the downflow gutter is divided into units corresponding to the number of unit balls and taken in. In other words, there are no restrictions on the number of balls per unit due to the mechanism of the capturing device.Therefore, if circumstances arise to change the minimum number of balls to be captured, or if a predetermined number of balls actually Processing when data cannot be captured can be easily handled using electrical control. This also means that it is easy to develop a format in which a plurality of units can be applied to one game, that is, a configuration in which the player can select the grade of units to be applied to the game.

In addition, since the number of balls actually taken into the intake gutter is always counted and checked using a count sensor, if the actual number of balls taken in is less than the predetermined number of balls taken in, that is, dirt or When an abnormal state occurs due to a fraudulent act or the like, the prize balls equivalent to the actual number of balls taken in are ejected from the prize ball ejecting device rather than from the take-in gutter and returned to the player. Therefore, the capture operation of that time is treated as invalid, which has the advantage of preventing fraudulent acts that would be disadvantageous to the player. In other words, even if the return switch is operated and the ball game gate member is opened in the middle of the retrieval operation, it will be judged as a half-measure and will be returned, so no error will occur in the retrieval operation. The form is
Compared to a configuration in which the intake method that flows out from the intake device is returned to the player using a switching valve or the like, such a switching valve or return gutter is not required, and the configuration is extremely simple. be.

In addition, since it is possible to use the same pachinko balls as the pachinko machines that have been in use for a long time, the pachinko ball replenishing device, counting device, and central control device in the pachinko parlor can be shared without having to be disposed of, and therefore the same island equipment can be used. It is possible to mix pachinko machines and different types of main road m machines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view of a game machine to which the unit ball count capturing device of the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, Fig. 3 is a perspective view with the front frame open, and Fig. 4 is a ball capturing device. A diagram illustrating an embodiment of the embedding device,
5, 6, and 7 are diagrams showing specific examples of other capturing devices, respectively, and FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the capturing device in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the prize ball ejecting device, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer system as a control device, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating its main block diagram, FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of controlling the ball taking-in 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 33...Intake gutter 34...Ball core gutter
37... Upper tank 40... Prize ball discharge device
41... Ball discharge gutter 44... Upper tank ball extraction device 45
...Global gutter 46...Gallery Ii, gutter 50.
...Cam 51...Lever 52...Intake solenoid 53...First sensor 54...Count sensor 55...Nuclear solenoid 56...Slide plate (gate member) 57...Tilt Component 58... Floor support part 63.
...Pulse motor 64...Intake rotating body 70...
・Downflow gutter 71...Cam 72...Discharge solenoid 73...Discharge count sensor 80...C
PU 81... ROM 82... RAM ・Figure 2 Zi Itozu δ Technique 1j Orthography (Method) October 20, 1985 Display of 1.11G 1986 Patent Application No. 165219 2, Invention Name: 'TL game machine using pachinko balls' unit ball number capture bag 3,
Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant name: Sofia 4 Co., Ltd., agent address: 301-6, Tokyo Royal Plaza Building, 1-18-11 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, of the specification subject to amendment "Brief description of drawing" column. 7. Contents of amendment (1) “Fig. 8 (
Correct "A) (B)" to "758 (A) (B)".

Claims (1)

[Claims] A game machine in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are played as one 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 device for taking in the number of balls per unit. The downflow gutter that guides the balls from the upper tray provided on the front of the game machine to the intake gutter, and the connecting part between the downflow gutter and the intake gutter, can be moved between a ball flow prevention position and a release position. A taking-in member provided, an electric taking-in driving means for moving the taking-in member from a blocking position to a release position, and a control device for controlling the taking-in driving means to take in balls for a unit number of balls. , a ball hole opening provided in the downstream end region of the flow gutter for extracting pachinko balls in the flow gutter from the first ball blocked by the uptake member to the ball nucleus gutter, and a ball extraction hole with the ball nucleus hole closed. a ball removal gate member, an electric ball removal drive means for opening the ball removal gate member, a first sensor that detects the presence or absence of a ball in the downflow gutter, and a ball actually taken into the intake gutter. a count sensor for counting the number of balls, and the control device has a control means for activating the ball extraction drive means when the return switch is operated, and a control device for controlling the actual number of balls taken in as counted by the count sensor. A unit ball of a game machine using pachinko balls, characterized in that it includes a control means for ejecting prize balls equal to the actual number of balls taken in from the prize ball discharge device when the number of balls taken in is less than a predetermined number. Number capture device.