US20100230895A1

US20100230895A1 - Token-Operated Game Machine

Info

Publication number: US20100230895A1
Application number: US12/223,935
Authority: US
Inventors: Masato Okuaki
Original assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2007-02-09
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: CN101384310B; WO2007094249A1; CN101384310A; GB2449402A; TWI321060B; GB0816433D0; KR20080080605A; JP2007215651A; TW200738314A; KR100942641B1; JP3944517B1

Abstract

The present invention provides a token-operated game machine capable of increasing players who continuously play without stopping playing the game even when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove.

A token-operated game machine, in which tokens on a token placed face are dropped into a dropping groove by reciprocating a pushing-out member, includes a foreign-shape-object supplying unit for supplying a foreign shape object onto the token placed face; a physical drawing unit for carrying out a drawing in which a winning object is decided from a plurality of drawing objects, when the foreign shape object is dropped into the token dropping groove, by moving the fallen foreign shape object itself or another foreign shape object; a pattern-information generating unit for generating pattern information indicating a drawing object pattern using part or all of the plurality of the drawing objects; a display unit for displaying a pattern image based on the pattern information; a storage unit for storing a plurality of winning objects that are decided by the drawings carried out at the physical drawing unit; a decision unit for carrying out a decision whether a pattern of plural winning objects on the drawing object pattern indicated by the pattern information corresponds to a specific pattern or hot, based on the plurality of winning objects stored in the storage unit; and a benefit awarding unit for awarding a benefit on a condition that the decision thin decides such that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a token-operated game machine installed in a gaming arcade or the like, and more particularly relates to a token-operated game machine in which tokens are pushed out by a token pushing-out member that moves in a reciprocating manner relatively with respect to a token placed base along part thereof such that tokens on the part of the token placed base are pushed out toward another part of the token placed base, whereby some of the tokens on the token placed base are dropped into a token dropping groove.

BACKGROUND ART

This type of a token-operated game machine has been known as a game machine called a token dropping game machine or a pusher game machine. This pusher game machine has a constitution that, in which a flat field surface (the token placed base) on which a large number of tokens are placed previously and a block-shaped token pusher (the token pushing-out member) relatively move in a reciprocating manner with a constant stroke inside a play field. Thereby, where tokens are present on part of the field surface when the token pusher is retracted therefrom, the tokens are pushed out by a push out face of the token pusher, so that there is no token on the part of the field surface. Therefore, for example, when a player inserts a token therein, aiming at a suitable point on the field surface from which the token pusher has been retracted, the token is pushed out by the token pusher at the next time when the token pusher return. The token which was thus pushed out thereby, pushes out a pile of tokens on the field surface, and thereby the tokens are dropped into a token dropping groove that is located outside the field surface in the push out direction. When the tokens are dropped into the token dropping groove, tokens are paid out to the player.
In conventional pusher game machines, there are game machines including various types of ideas so as to capture player's interest. As one of the game machines, a token-operated game machine described in Patent Document 1 has been known. The token-operated game machine described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a slot machine, which has a display unit for displaying a slot game screen, in the play field. When a token inserted from a token inserting device passes through a token chucker arranged in the play field, a drawing program is executed and thereby a computer drawing is carried out on the basis of generated random numbers. Then, images of three reel images are changed while they are displayed on the display unit of the slot device, and thereafter the three reel images are halted so that a pattern of symbols according to the result of the computer drawing is displayed in a stationary state. Where a ball bonus combination is awarded by the computer drawing, while a pattern of symbols corresponding to this combination is displayed on the display unit when the three reel images are stopped and displayed, a ball (a foreign shape object) is supplied on the field surface. After that, when tokens on the field surface move toward the token dropping groove, the ball also moves with the token movement, and when the ball on the field surface falls into the token dropping groove, the ball is transferred to a station drawing device (a physical drawing unit). The station drawing device has a constitution in which six accommodating spaces are arranged on a conical ball receiving base, wherein a physical drawing about which of the accommodating spaces, the ball moved on the ball receiving base enters into, is carried out. Where the ball enters into any of the accommodating spaces, the number of tokens corresponding to the type of the accommodating space is paid out into the play field. Thereby, a player has a chance to obtain a large number of tokens at one time. Also, where the ball enters into a specific accommodating space, another physical drawing using this ball is carried out at a center drawing device, and the number of tokens corresponding to the result of the another physical drawing is paid out into the play field. In this case, the player has a chance to obtain a larger number of tokens at one time.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-253842

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be solved by the Invention

However, the token-operated game machine described in Patent Document 1 is such that the result of the individual physical drawings carried out every fall of a ball into the token dropping groove is utilized to decide the number of tokens paid out into the play field every one physical drawing. In other words, the results of the individual physical drawings are utilized independently on one another, and are not utilized in relation with one another. Therefore, there are many players who stop playing the game when tokens are paid out by carrying out the physical drawing using the ball that falls into the token dropping groove.
The present invention realizes and provides a token-operated game machine capable of increasing players who continuously play without stopping playing the game even if the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove.

Means for solving the Problem

As an aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a token-operated game machine, includes: a token placed base having a token placed face on which many tokens are placed; a token pushing-out member that moves in a reciprocating manner relatively with respect to the token placed face along part thereof such that tokens on the part of the token placed face are pushed out toward another part of the token placed face; a token dropping groove into which tokens enter when the tokens are pushed out outside the token placed face by tokens pushed out with the token pushing-out member; a foreign-shape-object supplying unit for supplying a foreign shape object having a shape different from the token, onto the token placed face; a physical drawing unit for carrying out a drawing in which a winning object is decided from a plurality of drawing objects; when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove, by moving the fallen foreign shape object itself or another foreign shape object; a pattern-information generating unit for generating pattern information indicating a drawing object pattern using part or all of the plurality of the drawing objects; a display unit for displaying a pattern image in which a plurality of drawing object images respectively corresponding to the drawing objects, which are included in the drawing object pattern indicated by the pattern information generated by the pattern-information generating unit, are arranged based on the pattern information; a storage unit for storing a plurality of winning objects that are decided based on the drawings carried out by the physical drawing unit; a decision unit for carrying out a decision whether a pattern of plural winning objects on the drawing object pattern indicated by the pattern information corresponds to a specific pattern or not, based on the plurality of winning objects stored in the storage unit; and a benefit awarding unit for awarding a benefit on a condition that the decision unit decides such that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern.
In the present token-operated game machine, for example, if a player inserts a token and thereby a token is present on part of the token placed face, the token is pushed out toward another part of the token placed face by the token pushing-out member. When the token pushed out by the token pushing-out member pushes out tokens outside the token placed face and thereby the tokens are dropped into the token dropping groove, the tokens may be paid out to the player or may be used for other game purpose. Such a constitution can be applied to the so-called pusher game machine. In this instance, in the present token-operated game machine, the foreign-shape-object having a shape different from the token is supplied onto the token placed face by the foreign-shape-object supplying unit. The foreign-shape-object supplied onto the token placed face moves toward the token dropping groove with tokens on the token placed face by the tokens pushed out by the token pushing-out member. And, when the foreign-shape-object falls into the token dropping groove, a physical drawing, in which a drawing result is decided by moving the fallen foreign shape object itself or other foreign shape object at the physical drawing unit, is carried out.
Further, in the present token-operated game machine, the pattern information indicating the drawing object pattern using part or all of the plurality of the drawing objects capable of winning by the physical drawings is generated. Then, the drawing objects which respectively correspond to the plurality of the drawing results decided by the physical drawings (winning object) are stored, and it is decided whether the pattern of the plural winning objects on the drawing object pattern corresponds to the specific pattern or not. As a game executing such a process, there is, for example, a bingo game. In the present token-operated game machine, a specific benefit is awarded by a benefit awarding unit on the condition that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern. At this time, a condition for supplying tokens onto the placed base may include a condition that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern.
At this point, the benefit awarding unit is a unit that carries out a process and operation for awarding a benefit that is advantageous to a player when playing the game in the present token-operated game machine. In addition, “benefit” is referred to, for example, supplying tokens onto the token placed base, delivering tokens directly to the player, supplying the foreign shape object onto the token placed base, and changing an operation mode of the present token-operated game machine to an operation mode in which the player obtains tokens more easily.
According to the present token-operated game machine, the benefit is awarded by a mutual relation of the result of the physical drawing carried out when the foreign-shape-object falls into the token dropping groove and the result of the physkal drawing carried out when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove again thereafter. Then, the more the number of times the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove increases, the more a probability that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern in the above decision increases and thereby a probability of awarding the benefit increases. Thus, since the probability of awarding the benefit increases every time that the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove, fall of the foreign shape object into the token dropping groove does not create an opportunity in which the player stops playing the game, rather it stimulates the player to play the game continuously.
In addition, in the token-operated game machine, the foreign shape object may be a spherical object.
As a shape of the foreign shape object, various types of shapes are listed according to usages of the foreign shape object. For example, aiming that tokens are easily dropped into the token dropping groove, a block-shaped member, of which a face for pushing out tokens is large, or the like may be used. However, aiming that various types of games are provided on the basis of movement of the foreign shape object, if such a block-shaped member, etc. is used as the foreign shape object, the movement of such a block-shaped member, etc. is easily predicted by the player and thereby the game attractiveness is lowered. Therefore, in the present token-operated game machine, the spherical object is used as the foreign shape object. According to the foreign shape object composed of thus spherical object, for example, when the foreign shape object is supplied onto the token placed face, the foreign shape object rolls and moves according to an accumulation state of tokens on the token placed face or the like. Therefore, it is difficult that the player predicts the movement of the foreign shape object. As a result, it is possible to enhance the game attractiveness of games provided on the basis of movement of the foreign shape object.
Also, the token-operated game machine may further include: a token sending-out unit for sending out a token into the play field including the token placed face when a token is inserted into a token inserting port; a passage-opening forming member, which is arranged inside the play field, for forming a token passage opening through which a token is allowed to pass; a token detecting unit for detecting the token that passes through the token passage opening; and a supply drawing unit for carrying out a drawing for deciding whether the foreign shape object is supplied by the foreign-shape-object supplying unit or not on the condition that the token is detected by the token detecting unit, wherein the foreign-shape-object supplying unit may supply the foreign shape object onto the token placed face on the condition that a drawing result indicating that the foreign shape object is supplied by the drawing of the supply drawing unit, is obtained.
In the present token-operated game machine, where a token inserted into the token inserting port is sent out into the play field by the token sending-out unit and thereby a token passes through the token passage opening of the passage-opening forming member arranged inside the play field, the drawing whether the foreign shape object is supplied onto the token placed face of not is carried out. In other words, a start condition of the drawing whether the foreign shape object is supplied onto the token placed face of not is that the inserted token passes through the token passage opening. Thus, to pass the token through the token passage opening becomes not only the start condition of drawing whether the foreign shape object is supplied or not but also a condition for deciding that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern in the above decision, whereby a sense of purpose by players with respect to passing the token through the token passage opening is enhanced. As a result, it is possible to enhance the game attractiveness of game aiming to pass the token through the token passage opening.
Further, the token-operated game machine may further include: a plurality of stations, each of which has at least the token placed base, the token pushing-out member, the token dropping groove and the foreign-shape-object supplying unit, wherein the pattern-information generating unit may generate the individual pattern information so that at least a piece of the pattern information corresponds to each station, the display unit may display, by each station, the pattern images concerning the pattern information corresponding to each station, the storage unit may store the winning objects by each station, the winning objects stored, by each station, may be winning objects that are decided by the drawings carried out by the physical drawing unit when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove of the own station, the decision unit may carry out the decisions by each station based on the winning objects stored by each station in the storage unit, the benefit awarding unit may award the benefit, in the condition that the decision unit makes a decision that the pattern corresponds to the specific pattern, to the station concerning the decision, the storage unit may store the winning object, which is decided by the drawing carried out by the physical drawing unit when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove of one station, relating to not only the one station but also another station, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
In the present token-operated game machine, the first game aiming tokens on the token placed face to fall into the token dropping groove, is carried out separately by each station. Also, individual pattern information is generated at each station. The pattern of winning objects utilized to decide whether the pattern of winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern on the drawing object pattern corresponding to this pattern information is a pattern that is composed of winning objects corresponding to results of the physical drawings carried out when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove at own station. Therefore, players cannot increase the number of winning objects capable of becoming an object of the decision whether the pattern of the winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern or not if the players cannot drop the foreign shape object into the token dropping groove at own station respectively played by them. In other word, the second game, in which the benefit is awarded when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove to carry out the physical drawing and the pattern of the winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern, is also carried out separately by each station in the present token-operated game machine.
However, in relation to the above second game, in the present token-operated game machine, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, winning objects of the physical drawings carried out by falling the foreign shape object into the token dropping groove at stations played by other players are handled as winning objects used at own station. In other word, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, carrying out the physical drawings at other player's station makes it easy that the pattern of the winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern and thereby the benefit is awarded. As a result, according to in the present token-operated game machine, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, it is possible to produce a state such that the second games of the players playing respectively at the plural stations relate to each other. Therefore, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, it is possible that the second games, which are usually carried out independently each other at the plural stations, relate to each other, and thereby the attractiveness of the whole present token-operated game machine can be enhanced.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, even if the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove, it is possible to increase players who continuously play without stopping playing the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining a constitution of a station unit in a pusher game machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an entire constitution of the pusher game machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining an internal structure of the station unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing one example of a slot game screen displayed on a display unit of the station unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing one example of a bingo game screen displayed on the display unit of the station unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a major constitution of a satellite drawing device in the pusher game machine.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view in which a constitution of a play field of the station unit and a peripheral part thereof is extracted.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory view for explaining a reciprocating movement of a pusher unit in the play field.

FIG. 8B is an explanatory view for explaining the reciprocating movement of the pusher unit in the play field.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a token inserting mechanism of the station unit.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the token inserting mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the token inserting mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective diagram of the token inserting mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the token inserting mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a constitution of the center drawing device.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the center drawing device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing one example of a screen displayed on a display device of the center drawing device.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a major constitution of a game control system in the pusher game machine.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a flow of a slot game carried out in the pusher game machine.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a flow of a bingo game carried out in the pusher game machine.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a flow of a jackpot game carried out in the pusher game machine.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1: Pusher game machine
100: Token inserting mechanism
160: Button
500: Play field
501: Main table
510: Pusher unit
512: Sloping table
515: Chucker
600, 610, 620: Control units
700: Display unit
1000: Satellite drawing device
1100: Outer bingo stage
1101, 1102: Winning spots
1200: Inner bingo stage
1520: Ball carrier
1600: Stage-ball-inserting-mechanism
1800: Ball inserting mechanism
2000: Center drawing device
2100: Rotational transfer device
2300: Display device
2400: Large drawing ball
2500: Large-ball-inserting-mechanism
B1, B2: Balls
BC: Bingo card image
DS: Dice-shaped slots
F: Retention space
M: Token
SA: Satellite unit
ST: Station unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a description is given of one embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pusher game machine being a token-operated game machine, with reference to the drawings. In addition, each of the drawings merely shows the shape, dimensions and positional relationship briefly to such an extent that is helpful in understanding the content of the present invention. The present invention shall not be therefore limited only to the shape, dimensions or positional relationship shown in each of the drawings. Further, in each of the drawings, in order to make a constitution clear, part of the hatching on the cross section is omitted. Still further, a numerical value to be exemplified later is only a preferable example of the present invention, and therefore the present invention shall not be limited to the exemplified numerical value.
(Entire Constitution)
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an entire constitution of a pusher game machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
The pusher game machine 1 is provided with four satellite units SA so as to surround a center drawing device 2000. Each of the satellite units SA is provided with four station units ST so that each player can play at the respective station units ST. Further, each of the satellite units SA is provided with one satellite drawing device 1000 as physical drawing means, and the respective station units ST are arranged in juxtaposition around the satellite drawing device 1000.
(Constitution of Station Unit)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining a constitution of the station unit ST in the pusher game machine 1.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining an internal structure of the station unit ST.
As shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST includes a token inserting mechanism (inserting unit) 100, a token transfer channel 200, a lift-up hopper 300, token discharge channel 400, a play field 500, a control unit 600, a display unit 700, and a cabinet 800. In the present embodiment, a token sending-out unit functioning as token sending-out means is mainly composed of the token inserting mechanism (inserting unit) 100, the token transfer channel 200, the lift-up hopper 300 and the token discharge channel 400.
The cabinet 800 has a constitution that forms a framework of the station unit ST. In the cabinet 800, the token inserting mechanism 100 is arranged on the upper front side, and the display unit 700 as display means is arranged on the upper backside, and the play field 500 is arranged at the upper center. Further, the token transfer channel 200, the lift-up hopper 300, the control unit 600 and others are accommodated inside the cabinet 800. Herein, “front side” means a side at which a player is positioned during a game, “back side” means a side opposite to the side at which a player is positioned during a game, and “center” means a region between the above-described “front side” and “back side.”
The token inserting mechanism 100 has a constitution in which a player inserts tokens M into the pusher game machine 1 during a game. The tokens M inserted from the token inserting mechanism 100 are transferred via the token transfer channel 200 to the lift-up hopper 300 and stored temporarily at the lift-up hopper 300. The token transfer channel 200 and the lift-up hopper 300 are, as described above, arranged in the cabinet 800. In addition, the token transfer channel 200 has functions to mechanically and physically connect the token inserting mechanism 100 and the lift-up hopper 300, and to transfer the tokens M inserted from the token inserting mechanism 100 to the lift-up hopper 300.
The lift-up hopper 300 includes a token storing unit 310 for storing tokens M, a lift-up unit 320 for lifting up the tokens M to a predetermined height, and a token discharge unit (discharge unit) 330 for discharging the thus lifted up tokens M at a predetermined timing. Further, a token discharge channel 400 for guiding the thus discharged tokens M to the play field 500 is provided with a discharge port of the token discharge unit 330 so as to sway in the lateral direction.
The upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is arranged above the play field 500. Accordingly the token discharge unit 330 provided with the upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is also arranged above the play field 500. As a result, the tokens M temporarily stored at the token storing unit 310 arranged below the play field 500 are lifted up above the play field 500 by the lift-up unit 320, and thereafter discharged from the token discharge unit 330 via the token discharge channel 400 into the play field 500.
A main table 501 as a token placed base for storing tokens M in a valid state and a pusher unit 510 as a token pushing-out member placed on the main table 501 are arranged inside the play field 500. In addition, the valid state means a state that is involved in the game. The pusher unit 510 includes an upper face for storing the tokens M in a valid state (which is referred to as a sub-table 511), an sloping table 512 on which the tokens M dropped from the sub-table 511 slide, and a pushing wall 513 for pushing the tokens M stored on the main table 501. Further, the pusher unit 510 is arranged on the main table 501 in the play field 500 so as to slide, and moves back and forth in a sliding manner with a constant cycle or any given cycle. Part (a back side) of the pusher unit 510 is accommodated in an accommodating unit 720 to be described later, which is arranged below the display unit 700. The pusher unit 510 slides in such a manner as to enter into and leave from the accommodating unit 720, thereby reciprocates back and forth.
A frame member 710 of a display 701 in the display unit 700 is in contact with the sub-table 511 so as to slide thereon. Therefore, where the pusher unit 510 moves to a direction at which it is accommodated into the accommodating unit 720, tokens M on the sub-table 511 are pushed by the frame member 710. This push allows part of the tokens M on the sub-table 511 to drop on the sloping table 512. Part of the tokens M dropped from the sub-table 511 enters into openings (which are referred to as chuckers 515-1, 515-2 and 515-3) as a token passage opening arranged on the sloping table 512. Further, remaining tokens M are dropped to the main table 501, as they are, and stored on the main table 501.
The tokens M on the main table 501 are pushed by a sliding movement of the pusher unit 510 in the same way as the tokens M on the sub-table 511. In other words, since the pusher unit 510 is placed on the main table 501 without any clearance, upon movement of the pusher unit 510 to a direction at which it moves out from the accommodating unit 720, the tokens M on the main table 501 are pushed by the pushing wall 513 that is the front face of the pusher unit 510. This push allows part of the tokens M on the main table 501 to drop. Of the thus dropped tokens M, the tokens M dropped from the end on the side of a player (which is referred to as a front end 501 a (refer to FIG. 1)) into a token dropping groove are paid out to the player, whereas other tokens M, for example, tokens M dropped from either side of the main table 501 (which are referred to as a side end 501 b) are stocked at a predetermined storing unit in the station unit ST.
In addition to the above-described constitution, as shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST according to the present embodiment is also provided with a token-movement-quasi-performing-unit 900. The token-movement-quasi-performing-unit 900 is, as described later, provided with a plurality alight emitting units (LEDs 920 to be described later) arrayed from the vicinity of the token inserting mechanism 100 to the vicinity of the token discharge unit 330. These light emitting units are lit sequentially from a side of the token inserting mechanism 100 toward the token discharge unit 330, by which a movement scene of the tokens M inserted into the token inserting mechanism 100 is performed in a simulated manner. In this instance, it is acceptable that a channel through which the tokens M actually move may not be the same as or in close proximity to a channel simulated by the performance.
Further, the tokens M inserted from the token inserting mechanism 100 are temporarily stocked at the token storing unit 310 in the lift-up hopper 300. The tokens M stocked at the token storing unit 310 are lifted up by the lift-up unit 320 and preset at the token discharge unit 330 of the lift-up hopper 300. When the tokens M are inserted into the token inserting mechanism 100, the lift-up hopper 300 discharges into the play field 500 the tokens M preset at the token discharge unit 330 in accordance with control from the control unit 600. As described above, in the present embodiment, the tokens M inserted from a player are different from the tokens M actually inserted into the play field 500.
Still further, when tokens M are inserted into the token inserting mechanism 100, the token-movement-quasi-performing-unit 900 sequentially lights the arrayed LEDs 920 from the side of the token inserting mechanism 100 toward the token discharge unit 330 in accordance with control from the control unit 600. In this instance, if a timing at which the LED 920 in the vicinity of the token discharge unit 330 is lit and a timing at which the token M is discharged from the token discharge unit 330 are controlled, by which a movement scene of the tokens M inserted into the token inserting mechanism 100 can be performed in a simulated manner by the token-movement-quasi-performing-unit 900.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the station unit ST is provided with a ball inserting mechanism 1800 at least on either side. The ball inserting mechanism 1800 has a constitution for inserting into the play field 500 a ball B1 or B2 that are spherical objects as foreign shape objects to be described later. The ball inserting mechanism 1800 is provided with a ball inserting slope 1801 and a ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810. In addition, the balls B1 and B2 are drawing objects for carrying out a bingo game to be described later.
The ball inserting slope 1801 has a constitution for guiding the ball B1 or B2 inserted from a ball carrier 1520 to be described later to the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810 by a gravitational effect. It is therefore a declining slope. Further, the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810 has a constitution for by drawing a position on the play field 500 into which the ball B1 or B2 are inserted. As described above, the ball B1 or B2 which have been transferred from the ball carrier 1520 to be described later to the station unit ST are inserted into the play field 500 via the ball inserting slope 1801 and the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the station unit ST is provided with a ball conveying mechanism 1900 at least on either side. The ball conveying mechanism 1900 has a constitution for conveying the ball B1 or B2 to the satellite drawing device 1000 when the ball B1 or B2 falls from the main table 501 in the play field 500 into the token dropping groove arranged on the front side thereof. The ball conveying mechanism 1900 is provided with a ball transfer channel 1040 and a ball conveying unit 1910 and a ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 to be described later. The ball transfer channel 1040 is arranged below the front end 501 a, thereby guiding the ball B1 or B2 fallen from the front end 501 a to the ball conveying unit 1910. The ball conveying unit 1910 has a constitution for conveying the ball B1 or B2 received via the ball transfer channel 1040 to the satellite drawing device 1000. The ball conveying unit 1910 runs on the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 in accordance with control of the control unit 600. In addition, the ball B1 or B2 conveyed to the satellite drawing device 1000 is delivered to the ball carrier 1520 to be described later (refer to FIG. 6).
Still further, as shown in FIG. 1, the station unit ST is provided with a token payout mechanism including a lift-up hopper 1020 and a token payout unit 1030. Driving the token payout mechanism, tokens M as many as the tokens M dropped from the front end 501 a to the token dropping groove are discharged into a storing portion 101 of the token inserting mechanism 100.
In addition, a game screen of games such as a bingo game and a digital drawing game (slot game) different from the pusher game is displayed on the display unit 700 at the station unit ST. In the present pusher game machine 1, as will be described later, besides the pusher game, a slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 700 and the slot game is carried out. Also, a bingo game screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 700 and the bingo game is carried out.
The slot game is a digital drawing game in which the control unit 600 at the station unit ST mainly carries out a drawing digitally. This slot game is started under the condition that the token M enters into any one of chuckers 515-1, 515-2 and 515-3 arranged on the sloping table 512 at the pusher unit 510. The slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 700 during a period when the bingo game to be described later does not progress. When the token M enters into any one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, 515-3 and thereby the slot drawing start condition is satisfied, the control unit 600 controls to display for rotating three dice-shaped slots DS. In the digital drawing of the slot game, the control unit 600 executes a predetermined drawing program and decides a winning in which any one of specific-combinations is awarded or a non-winning by; referring to a predetermined winning table based on generated random number. Thereafter, where a winning combination is decided, the control unit 600 controls to display for allowing the display unit 700 to halt the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS so as to halt and display a pattern of symbols related to the winning combination.
In the present embodiment, as the specific-combinations of the digital drawing, provided are a minor-combination A in which three tokens are supplied to the play field 500, a minor-combination B in which eight tokens are supplied to the play field 500, a ball supply combination in which the ball B1 is supplied to the play field 500, an normal bonus combination in which thirty tokens are supplied to the play field 500, a probability-change bonus combination in which thirty tokens are supplied to the play field 500 and a winning table at which a winning probability is set to be higher is used in subsequent digital drawings, a direct satellite combination in which the ball B1 is directly supplied to the satellite drawing device 1000, a direct center combination in which the ball B1 is directly supplied to the center drawing device 2000, and others. The winning probability of each of these specific-combinations is set to be lowered in accordance with the above-described order. In addition, which specific-combination is provided or to which winning probability each of the specific-combinations is set is determined arbitrarily. For example, various benefits such as direct payment of tokens M are given to a player.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 600, which is a supply drawing unit, functions as supply drawing means, decides whether a ball supply combination is awarded or not, thereby carrying out a drawing whether the ball B1 is supplied to the play field 500 or not. Then, when the ball supply combination is awarded by the digital drawing of the control unit 600, the control unit 600 outputs a ball supply order to a control unit (not illustrated) of the satellite drawing device 1000. Thereby, the control unit of the satellite drawing device 1000 delivers, as will be described later, the ball B1 from a ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, by which the ball carrier 1520 is moved along the outer circumference of an annular ball transfer channel 1500 to a corresponding position of the station unit ST at which the ball supply combination is awarded. After that, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball inserting mechanism 1800 of the station unit ST, and the ball B1 is supplied from the ball inserting mechanism 1800 to the play field 500. In addition, in the present embodiment, the ball B2 is supplied to the play field 500 only when BINGO of a specific line on a bingo card is established in the bingo game to be described later. A constitution and movements related to thus ball supply are substantially similar to those of the ball B1 excluding the fact that the ball B2 is delivered from a ball supply mechanism 1400 different from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520.
In the present embodiment, as described above, a constitution for supplying the ball B1 or B2 to the play field 500 composed of a foreign-shape-object-supplying-unit which functions as foreign-shape-object-supplying-means.
The bingo game is a physical drawing game which is progressed by a physical drawing using two types of balls B1, B2 and the satellite drawing device 1000. The bingo game is allowed to progress by a control unit (not illustrated) of the satellite drawing device 1000 to be described later and the control unit 600 of the station unit ST. In addition, in the bingo game, the control unit of the satellite drawing device 1000 mainly controls a drawing for deciding the winning bingo numbers of the bingo game. The control unit 600 of each of the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite drawing device 1000 is mainly in charge of controlling the performance of the bingo game and the judgment of the establishment of BINGO. In the present embodiment, the ball B1 or B2 is moved by the satellite drawing device 1000, by which such a physical drawing is carried out that one winning bingo number (a winning object) is selected from a plurality of mutually different bingo numbers (drawing objects). In the physical drawing of the present embodiment, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo numbers of “1” through “9.” Then, pattern information of the bingo card at which these bingo numbers of “1” through “9” are arrayed in a matrix form is generated individually for each of the station units ST by the control unit 600 as a pattern-information generating unit which functions as pattern-information generating means for the station unit ST. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in which images of the bingo numbers of “1” to “9” (drawing object images) are arrayed according to the pattern information is, as shown in FIG. 5, displayed on the display unit 700 of each of the station units ST. In the present embodiment, while the bingo game does not progress, the slot game screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 700, and when a physical drawing of the bingo game is started, it is changed to the bingo game screen shown in FIG. 7. In addition, on completion of the physical drawing of the bingo game, the screen is again returned to the slot game screen. However, the bingo card image BC is displayed to be small at the upper part on the slot game screen as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, a player is able to constantly confirm how many winning bingo numbers are obtained on the bingo card of the station unit ST that a player plays.
In the present embodiment, each of the bingo games carried out at each station is usually executed independently for each station unit ST. In other words, where the ball B1 or B2 falls on the token dropping groove at one station unit ST to start the physical drawing in the satellite drawing device 1000, a bingo number that is drawn thereby is handled as a winning bingo number only at the one station unit ST and not handled as a winning bingo number at other station units ST. However, in the present embodiment, where a predetermined event condition to be described later is satisfied, a bingo number which is drawn by the physical drawing carried out when the ball B1 or B2 falls on the token dropping groove of one station unit ST is handled as a winning bingo number not only at the one station unit ST but also at other station units ST as well.
In this instance, these other station units ST in the present embodiment are three remaining station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA to which the above one station unit ST also belongs. In other words, in the present embodiment, all the station units ST provided in the present pusher game machine 1 are divided into a plurality of groups, each of which is given as the satellite unit SA, and the above event condition is satisfied between the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA, thereby developing a state that the game of each player is mutually related. As a result, a game attractiveness, for example, that players who play at station units ST belonging to the same satellite unit SA cooperate with each other to obtain tokens is created.
Other details of the bingo game according to the present embodiment will be described later.
(Constitution of Satellite Drawing Device)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a major constitution of the satellite drawing device 1000.
The satellite drawing device 1000 includes an outer bingo stage 1100, an inner bingo stage 1200, the ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400, the ball transfer channel 1500, a stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600 and a supporting base 1700.
The supporting base 1700 has a constitution acting as a framework of the satellite drawing device 1000, and supporting other constitutions thereof. The inner bingo stage 1200 is arranged at the upper center of the supporting base 1700. The outer bingo stage 1100 is arranged so as to surround the inner bingo stage 1200. Further, the ball transfer channel 1500 is arranged so as to surround the outer bingo stage 1100. The ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400 are arranged at the side of the ball transfer channel 1500.
The ball supply mechanism 1300 has a constitution for supplying a certain type of ball, for example, a non-metal ball B1. On the other hand, the ball supply mechanism 1400 has a constitution for supplying a type of ball different from the ball B1, for example, a metal ball B2. In addition, a difference between the ball B1 and the ball B2 may be defined by other factors, for example, the color of the ball, not depending on whether it is a metal ball or a non-metal ball.
The ball supply mechanism 1300 includes a ball supply unit 1301, a lift-up unit 1302, and a ball returning channel 1303. The ball supply unit 1301 has a constitution for supplying the ball B1 to the ball carrier 1520 to be described later. The lift-up unit 1302 has a constitution for lifting up the ball B1 up to the ball supply unit 1301. The ball returning channel 1303 has a constitution acting as a channel for returning the ball B1 supplied to the outer bingo stage 1100 to be described later to the lift-up unit 1302 in the ball supply mechanism 1300.
Similarly, the ball supply mechanism 1400 includes a ball supply unit 1401, a lift-up unit 1402 and a ball returning channel (not illustrated). The ball supply unit 1401 has a constitution for supplying the ball B2 to the ball carrier 1520 to be described later. The lift-up unit 1402 has a constitution for lifting up the ball B2 to the ball supply unit 1401. The ball returning channel (not illustrated) has a constitution acting as a channel for returning the ball B2 supplied to the inner bingo stage 1200 to be described later to the lift-up unit 1402 in the second ball supply mechanism 1400.
The ball carrier 1520 has a constitution for conveying the ball B1 or B2 along the outer circumference of the annular ball transfer channel 1500. The ball carrier 1520 is provided with a receiving unit composed of two bar-like members bent in a V letter shape, by which the ball B1 or B2 are retained. Further, the ball carrier 1520 is fixed to a ring-shaped member 1550 arranged along the ball transfer channel 1500. Therefore, the ring-shaped member is rotated along the ball transfer channel 1500, by which the ball carrier 1520 moves along the ball transfer channel 1500.
The ball transfer channel 1500 is provided on the outer circumferential face with a plurality of sensor units 1510. The sensor units 1510 has a constitution for detecting whether the ball carriers 1520 are present in the closest vicinity thereof. Information detected by the sensor units 1510 is input, for example, into a control unit (not illustrated) whenever necessary or on real time basis. This control unit specifies a position of the ball carrier 1520 on the basis of information sent from the sensor units 1510, thereby controls the running and halt of the ball carrier 1520. For example, where the ball B1 is supplied to the station unit ST shown in FIG. 4, this control unit allows the ball carrier 1520 to halt at a position of the sensor unit 1510-1 on the basis of information from the sensor units 1510. Thereby, the ball carrier 1520 is positioned on an extension of the ball inserting slope 1801. In this state, when the V letter shaped receiving unit of the ball carrier 1520 is tilted toward the ball inserting slope 1801 by using the control unit (not illustrated), the ball B1 or B2 retained on the ball carrier 1520 are inserted into an inlet of the ball inserting slope 1801 (refer to FIG. 1). In addition, the sensor units 1510 are arranged on the outer circumferential face of the ball transfer channel 1500 and respectively at a position where the ball inserting slope 1801 at individual station units ST is arranged and a position where the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 is arranged.
The ball B1 or B2 inserted into the ball inserting slope 1801 is temporarily retained by a stopper 1802 shown in FIG. 4. Then, when a player pushes a button 160 and thereby a button operating signal is sent to the control unit 600, the control unit 600 controls for driving the stopper 1802 so as to tilt toward an outlet of the ball inserting slope 1801. Thereby, the ball B1 or B2 retained by the stopper 1802 rolls down due to inclination of the ball inserting slope 1801, and is inserted into the play field 500 via the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810. The ball B1 or B2 which has been inserted into the play field 500 falls, in the same way as tokens M, from the front end 501 a of the main table 501 to the token dropping groove while the pusher game progresses. The fallen ball B1 or B2 is, as described above, set at the ball conveying unit 1910 via the ball transfer channel 1040 to be described later. In addition, the ball transfer channel 1040 is provided with a ball receiving unit 1041 for receiving only the ball B1 or B2 and allowing the tokens M to pass. Also, the ball conveying unit 1910 is normally on standby at a ball discharge port 1043 of the ball transfer channel 1040.
As described above, the ball conveying unit 1910 has a constitution for conveying the ball B1 or B2 to the satellite drawing device 1000. When the ball B1 or B2 is set, the ball conveying unit 1910 runs up the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 on the basis of controlling from the control unit (not illustrated), and moves up to the upper end of the ball-conveying unit traveling slope 1901. The ball carrier 1520 is on standby in the vicinity of the upper end of the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901. After the ball conveying unit 1910 has moved to the upper end of the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901, the ball conveying unit 1910 delivers the transferred ball B1 or B2 to the ball carrier 1520. In addition, the ball carrier 1520 to which the ball B1 or B2 has been delivered is in a posture of retaining this.
Further, upon receipt of the ball B1 or B2, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600 on the basis of control from the control unit (not illustrated). The stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600 includes a catch pan 1610 for inserting the ball B1 into the outer bingo stage 1100 and a catch pan 1620 for inserting the ball B2 into the inner bingo stage 1200. The ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the catch pan 1610 or 1620 depending on a type of the balls (B1, B2) that is retained, on the basis of control from the above-described control unit (not illustrated). Where the catch pan 1610 or 1620 receives the ball from the ball carrier 1520, the catch pan 1610 or 1620 moves down to a position facing the ball carrier 1520. After receipt of the ball from the ball carrier 1520, the catch pan 1610 or 1620 moves up to a position facing the ball inserting channel 1110 or 1210. Then, the catch pan 1610 or 1620 retains the ball until a ball inserting timing.
For example, where the ball B1 is received from the ball conveying unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 runs along the ball transfer channel 1500 and thereafter delivers the ball B1 to the catch pan 1610 in the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600. The catch pan 1610, which has received the ball B1, inserts the retaining ball B1 into the ball inserting channel 1110, for example, at a timing when a player pushes the button 160. The thus inserted ball B1 is accelerated according to the inclination and length of the ball inserting channel 1110 and thereafter inserted into the outer bingo stage 1100. Further, for example, where the ball B2 is received from the ball conveying unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 runs along the ball transfer channel 1500 and thereafter delivers the ball B2 to the catch pan 1620 in the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600. The catch pan 1620, which has received the ball B2, inserts the retaining ball B2 into the ball inserting channel 1210, for example, at a timing when a player pushes the button 160. The thus inserted ball B2 is accelerated according to the inclination and length of the ball inserting channel 1210 and thereafter inserted into the inner bingo stage 1200. In addition, whether a type of the ball delivered to the ball carrier 1520 is the B1 or B2 can be detected by mounting a metal sensor on the ball carrier 1520, for example, where the ball B1 is made of a non-metal material and the ball B2 is made of a metal. Further, for example, where a different color is given to the ball B1 and the ball B2, a color sensor or the like is mounted on the ball carrier 1520, thus making it possible to detect a type of the ball. Also, information on the type of the thus detected ball is sent to a control unit (not illustrated). Therefore, the ball carrier 1520 is controlled on the basis of the type of the ball notified to the control unit.
The outer bingo stage 1100 is provided with two or more holes (which are referred to as winning spots 1101) having such a diameter that allows the ball B1 to pass. The outer bingo stage 1100 is rotating around the inner bingo stage 1200 in a predetermined cycle. In the present embodiment, there are a total of ten winning spots 1101 to which bingo numbers of “1” through “9” used in the bingo game and a right for starting a drawing at the center drawing device 2000 are individually allocated. The ball B1 that has been inserted into the outer bingo stage 1100 goes around in the outer bingo stage 1100 by acceleration obtained at the ball inserting channel 1110 and the rotation of the outer bingo stage 1100 itself, and thereafter enters into any one of the winning spots 1101. Information on which of the winning spots 1101 the ball B1 has entered is sent to a control unit (not illustrated) appropriately. When the ball B1 enters into any one of the winning spots 1101 to which bingo numbers are allocated, this control unit decides a bingo number allocated to the winning spot 1101 as a winning bingo number in cooperation with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST from which the ball B1 is transferred, or the like, and progresses the bingo game. In addition, the ball B1 that has entered into the winning spot 1101 is retained temporarily at an inlet of the winning spot 1101 so as to be confirmed by a player and thereafter inserted into the ball returning channel 1303 arranged below the outer bingo stage 1100.
Similarly, the inner bingo stage 1200 is provided with one or more of winning spots 1201 having such a diameter that allows the ball B2 to pass. The inner bingo stage 1200 is rotating in a predetermined cycle around a central pivot thereof. In the present embodiment, there are four winning spots 1201 to which bingo numbers of “1” to “8” used in the bingo game are individually allocated by two each and one winning spot 1201 to which a right for starting the drawing at the center drawing device 2000 is allocated, a total of five winning spots 1201. The ball B2 that has been inserted into the inner bingo stage 1200 goes around in the inner bingo stage 1200 by acceleration obtained at the ball inserting channel 1210 and the rotation of the inner bingo stage 1200 itself, and thereafter enters into any one of the winning spots 1201. Information on which of the winning spots 1201 the ball B2 has entered is sent to the control unit (not illustrated) appropriately. When the ball B2 enters into any one of the winning spots 1201 to which bingo numbers are allocated, this control unit decides bingo numbers allocated to the winning spot 1101 as winning bingo numbers in cooperation with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST from which the ball B2 is transferred, or the like, and progresses the bingo game. In addition, the ball B2 that has entered into the winning spot 1201 is retained temporarily at an inlet of the winning spot 1201 so as to be confirmed by a player and thereafter inserted into a ball returning channel (not illustrated) arranged below the inner bingo stage 1200.
Further, when at the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200, the ball B1 or B2 enters into the winning spots 1101 or 1201 to which the right for starting the drawing at the center drawing device 2000 is allocated, the control unit (not illustrated) of the satellite drawing device 1000 outputs an order for starting a jackpot game to a control unit (not illustrated) of the center drawing device 2000 to be described later. The details of the jackpot game at the center drawing device 2000 will be described later.
(Constitution of Play Field)
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view in which a constitution of the play field 500 and the peripheral part thereof is extracted.
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory view for explaining a reciprocating movement of the pusher unit 510 in the play field 500.
As described above, the play field 500 is composed of the main table 501 that is the token placed base, and the pusher unit 510 that is the token pushing-out member placed on the main table 501 so as to slide. The pusher unit 510 moves in a sliding manner back and forth on the main table 501 so as to enter into and leave from the accommodating unit 720 arranged below a display 701 of the display unit 700. In addition, FIG. 8A is an upper view taken when the pusher unit 510 retracts into the accommodating unit 720 to the greatest extent, whereas FIG. 8B is an upper view taken when the pusher unit 510 projects from the accommodating unit 720 to the greatest extent.
As described above, the frame member 710 of the display unit 700 is in contact with the sub-table 511, which is an upper face of the pusher unit 510. Therefore, tokens M stored on the sub-table 511, which is an upper face of the pusher unit 510, are pushed on the sub-table 511 by the frame member 710 toward the sloping table 512 when the pusher unit 510 moves to a direction at which it retracts into the accommodating unit 720 (refer to FIG. 8B→FIG. 8A), and thereby the tokens M on the sub-table 511 flow in a direction toward the sloping table 512 as a whole. As a result, part of the tokens M on the sub-table 511 in the vicinity of the sloping table 512 is dropped to the sloping table 512. In addition, of the thus dropped tokens M, part of the tokens M enters into any one of chuckers 515-1, 515-2 and 515-3 arranged on the sloping table 512, and the remaining of them are dropped on the main table 501. Further, a drop prevention wall 521 is provided on both sides covering a range at which the pusher unit 510 slides, thereby preventing the tokens M from dropping from the sides of the sub-table 511.
Further, the pusher unit 510 is placed on the main table 501 without any clearance. In addition, “without any clearance” referred to here means that there is no clearance, which is greater than the width of the token M. Therefore, the tokens M stored on the main table 501 are pushed by the pushing wall 513, which is the front face of the pusher unit 510, toward the front end 501 a on the main table 501 when the pusher unit 510 moves to a direction at which it leaves from the accommodating unit 720 (refer to FIG. 8A→>FIG. 8B) and the tokens M on the main table 501 flow in a direction toward the front end 501 a as a whole. As a result, part of the tokens M on the main table 501 in the vicinity of the front end 501 a is dropped into the token dropping groove from the front end 501 a. Also, part of the tokens M on the main table 501 in the vicinity of the end (side end 501 b) on both sides of the main table 501 may be dropped from the side end 501 b by the flow of the tokens M. In addition, the tokens M dropped from the side end 501 b are stored at a predetermined storing unit (a hopper is also acceptable) inside the station unit ST.
Still further, as shown in FIG. 7, the tokens M dropped from the front end 501 a are received on a token receiver 1001 arranged below the front end 501 a, that is, inside the token dropping groove. The token receiver 1001 is connected to a token transfer channel 1002 for transferring the tokens M to the lift-up hopper 1020 in a token payout mechanism.
Further, the token receiver 1001 is inclined toward a connecting part with the token transfer channel 1002. Therefore, the tokens M received on the token receiver 1001 flow into the token transfer channel 1002. The token transfer channel 1002 is also inclined toward a storing unit 1021 in the lift-up hopper 1020 of the token payout mechanism. Therefore, the tokens M that have flown into the token transfer channel 1002 are continuously led to the token payout mechanism. In addition, an assortment bar 1010 to be described later for stopping the ball B1 or B2 is arranged at the connecting part between the token receiver 1001 and the token transfer channel 1002, and by which the ball B1 or B2 does not enter into the token payout mechanism.
The token payout mechanism is provided with a token counter (not illustrated) for counting the number of tokens M, in addition to the above-described lift-up hopper 1020 and the token payout unit 1030. The token counter is arranged, for example, at an inlet of the storing unit 1021 in the lift-up hopper 1020, and counts the number of tokens M inserted from the token transfer channel 1002 to the storing unit 1021. The control unit 600 shown in FIG. 5 is notified of the number of the tokens M counted by the token counter. The control unit 600 drives the lift-up hopper 1020 on the basis of the thus notified number of the tokens, thereby the corresponding number of the tokens M is paid out from the token payout unit 1030 to the storing portion 101 in the token inserting mechanism 100. The lift-up hopper 1020 includes a hopper driving unit 1022 and a lift-up unit 1023. The hopper driving unit 1022 is driven on the basis of control from the control unit 600, thereby the tokens M are paid from the token payout unit 1030 arranged at the end of the lift-up unit 1023. In addition, the token payout mechanism, which is a payout unit including the token receiver 1001, the token transfer channel 1002, the lift-up hopper 1020, the token payout unit 1030 and the token counter, function as payout means for paying out to a player the tokens M dropped from the front end 501 a of the main table 501 to the token dropping groove.
Further, the balls B1 and B2 supplied from the ball carrier 1520 of the satellite drawing device 1000 are also present on the main table 501. These balls B1 and B2 move on the main table 501 in association with a flow of the tokens M by the reciprocating movement of the pusher unit 510 and thereafter drop from the front end 501 a into the token dropping groove. As described above, the ball transfer channel 1040 is arranged below the front end 501 a, that is, inside the token dropping groove. The ball transfer channel 1040 includes the ball receiving unit 1041 which receives only the fallen ball B1 or B2 and allows the tokens M to pass, a ball halting unit 1042 which retains the ball received at the ball receiving unit 1041 until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the ball discharge port 1043. Therefore, the ball B1 or B2 which has been received at the ball receiving unit 1041 is halted by the ball halting unit 1042 until a predetermined timing and thereafter discharged from the ball discharge port 1043. Thereby, the ball B1 or B2 is set to the ball conveying unit 1910 (refer to FIG. 1) kept on standby at the ball discharge port 1043. In addition, the position of the station unit ST shown in FIG. 4 and the station unit ST shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 are reversed in the lateral direction for the convenience of explanation but similar in constitution.
Still further, as shown in FIG. 7, guide units 530R and 530L for controlling the flow of the tokens M and balls B1 and B2 are arranged on the main table 501. A guide-unit-moving-mechanism 540 for moving vertically the guide units 530R and 550L with respect to the main table 501 is also arranged below the main table 501. The guide units 530R and 530L are respectively provided with a ball guide plate 531 for controlling the flow of the balls B1 and B2, a token guide plate 533 for controlling the flow of the tokens M, and a support member 534 for supporting the ball guide plate 531 and the token guide plate 533. The ball guide plate 531 and the token guide plate 533 are also vertically supported by the support member 534 so as to make a passage opening 532 of predetermined configuration between the ball guide plate 531 and the token guide plate 533.
Where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to a lower limit position, the upper end of the token guide plate 533 at the guide units 530R and 530L is located at the same level as the upper face of the main table 501 or below wherefrom. In other words, where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the token guide plate 533 is accommodated below the main table 501. However, in this instance as well, the passage opening 532 in its entirety between the token guide plate 533 and the ball guide plate 531 is not closed. Therefore, in a state that the token guide plate 533 retracts below the main table 501, the flow of tokens M on the main table 501 is not prevented by the token guide plate 533, thereby the tokens M can pass through the passage opening 532 and flow in any arbitrary direction. In other words, the tokens M are able to flow to the side end 501 b on the main table 501. As a result, the tokens M dropped from the side end 501 b are available in a greater number, for example, than a case where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to an upper limit position. The flow of tokens M is prevented by the support member 534, which will be, however, disregarded for simplifying the explanation. Further, even where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the ball guide plate 531 projects above the main table 501, thereby a flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. In other words, the balls B1 and B2 are guided to a direction of the front end 501 a so as not to fall from the side end 501 b of the main table 501.
On the other hand, where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to, the upper limit position, the upper end of the token guide plate 533 at the guide units 530R and 530L is projected above main table 501. In such a state, a flow of tokens M on the main table 501 is prevented by the token guide plate 533. Therefore, a direction at which the tokens M flow is restricted to a direction of the front end 501 a. As a result, the tokens M dropped from the side end 501 b can be made smaller in number, for example, than a case where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position. The flow of tokens M is prevented by the support member 534, which will be, however, disregarded for simplifying the explanation. Further, even where the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, the ball guide plate 531 projects above the main table 501, thereby a flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. In other words, the balls B1 and B2 are guided to a direction of the front end 501 a so as not to fall from the side end 501 b of the main table 501.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, in other words, the token guide plate 533 of the guide units 530R and 530L is accommodated below the main table 501, by which the flow of ball B1 is restricted to a direction of the front end 501 a and the tokens M are allowed to flow in any relatively arbitrary direction. As a result, of the tokens M dropped from the main table 501, the tokens M dropped from the side end 501 b can be made higher in ratio. On the other hand; the guide units 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, in other words, the token guide plate 533 of the guide units 530R and 530L is allowed to project above the main table 501, by which the flow of tokens M can be restricted to a direction of the front end 501 a, together with the flow of the ball B1. As a result, the flow of tokens M can be concentrated in a direction of the front end 501 a, thus making it possible to drop many tokens M from the front end 501 a and also decrease a ratio of the tokens M dropped from the side end 501 b.
(Constitution of Token Inserting Mechanism)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the token inserting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the token inserting mechanism 100.
FIG. 11 is a top view of the token inserting mechanism 100.
FIG. 12 is a front perspective diagram of the token inserting mechanism 100.
The token inserting mechanism 100 includes a horizontal region 21, a first sloping region 22 and a second sloping region 23 located on both sides of the horizontal region 21, a first side structure 117 located outside the first sloping region 22, and a second side structure 118 located outside the second sloping region 23. The token inserting mechanism 100 also includes a storing portion 101 for storing a plurality of tokens. The storing portion 101 constitutes the horizontal region 21 of the token inserting mechanism 100.
The token inserting mechanism 100 further includes a first sloping wall extending while sloping upward continuously from a first boundary region 102 in contact with a first side unit of the storing unit 101. The first sloping wall forms the first sloping region 22. The first sloping wall is constituted with a first sloping-wall-lower-region 104 and a first sloping-wall-upper-region 106. The first boundary region 102 is constituted with curved surfaces.
The token inserting mechanism 100 further includes a second sloping wall extending while sloping upward continuously from a second boundary region 103 in contact with a second side unit of the storing portion 101 located on the side opposite to the first side unit. The second sloping wall forms the second sloping region 23. The second sloping wall is constituted with a second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and a second sloping-wall-upper-region 107. The second boundary region 103 is constituted with curved surfaces.
The token inserting mechanism 100 still further includes a first token inserting unit 108 having a first token inserting port 108-1 in close proximity to the first sloping wall and a second token inserting unit 109 having a second token inserting port 109-1 in close proximity to the second sloping wall. The first boundary region 102, the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104, the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106, and the first token inserting unit 108 form the first sloping region 22 of the token inserting mechanism 100. The second boundary region 103, the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105, the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 and the second token inserting unit 109 form the second sloping region 23 of the token inserting mechanism 100.
The first token inserting unit 108 is additionally provided with a first fixing flange 110, and the first fixing flange 110 extends from part of the first boundary region 102 to part of the storing unit 101. The second token inserting unit 109 is also provided with a second fixing flange 111, and the second fixing flange 111 extends from part of the second boundary region 103 to part of the storing unit 101. As shown in FIG. 11, the first fixing flange 110 and the second fixing flange 111 extending on the storing portion 101 are provided with a greatly rounded angular unit. The first fixing flange 110 and the second fixing flange 111 define a token storing region for storing tokens M at the storing unit 101. The first fixing flange 110 and the second fixing flange 111 are spaced away from each other, and the tokens M are supplied from a token supply side 119 between the two flanges 110, 111. The thus supplied tokens M are constrained at a greatly rounded angular unit between the first fixing flange 110 and the second fixing flange 111. A first token constraining plate 112 for preventing the tokens M supplied from the storing portion 101 to the front side where a player is situated from being dropped is arranged at the side unit opposite to the token supply side 119 of the storing unit 101.
A first guide unit 113 is formed on a boundary between a first sloping-wall-lower-region 104 and a first sloping-wall-upper-region 106. The first guide unit 113 is constituted so as to lock tokens sliding down on the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 and allow the tokens to slide rotationally into a first token inserting port 108-1 along the first guide unit. The first guide unit 113 is constituted with a first step 113 formed on a boundary between the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104 and the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106. The first step 113 extends while linearly descending toward the first token inserting port 108-1. The first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 is provided with at least one projection formed so as to reduce friction between the tokens M sliding rotationally along the first guide unit 113. In other words, the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 is provided with at least one ridge line-shaped projection 115 which is spaced upward only by a distance smaller than a diameter of the token M from the first guide unit 113 and extending substantially parallel to a direction at which the first guide unit 113 extends. Concretely, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped projections 115 is formed.
The second guide unit 114 is formed on a boundary between a second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and a second sloping-wall-upper-region 107. The second guide unit 114 is constituted so as to lock tokens sliding down on the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 and allow the tokens to slide rotationally to a second token inserting port 109-1 along the second guide unit. The second guide unit 114 is constituted with a second step 114 formed on a boundary between the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107. The second step 114 extends while linearly descending to the second token inserting port 109-1. The second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 is provided with at least one projection formed so as to reduce friction between the tokens M sliding rotationally along the second guide unit 114. In other words, the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 is provided with at least one ridge line-shaped projection 116 which is spaced upward only by a distance smaller than a diameter of the token M from the second guide unit 114 and extending substantially parallel to a direction at which the second guide unit 114 extends. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped projections 116 is formed.
The outer upper end unit of the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 is coupled to a first side structure 117. The first side structure 117 is formed in a deformed L-shaped cross sectional shape and constituted with a horizontal upper unit, a vertical wall unit and a horizontal lower unit. The horizontal upper unit extends continuously outward from the outer upper end unit of the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106. The vertical wall unit extends from the outer end unit of the horizontal upper unit downwardly in a perpendicular direction. The horizontal lower unit extends inward from the lower end unit of the vertical wall unit. The horizontal upper unit is provided with an operating handle used in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of a discharge end unit of the token discharge channel 400, and a player manipulates the operating handle to control the position and orientation of the discharge end unit of the token discharge channel 400. The horizontal lower unit acts as a fixing flange for fixing the token inserting mechanism 100 to the cabinet 800 of the station unit ST.
The outer upper end unit of the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 is coupled to the second side structure 118. The second side structure 118 is formed in a deformed L-shaped cross sectional shape and constituted with a horizontal upper unit, a vertical wall unit and a horizontal lower unit. The horizontal upper unit extends continuously outward from the outer end unit of the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107. The vertical wall unit extends from the outer end unit of the horizontal upper unit downward vertically. The horizontal lower unit extends inward from the lower end unit of the vertical wall unit. The horizontal upper unit is provided with an operating handle used in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of a discharge end unit of the token discharge channel 400, and a player manipulates the operating handle to control the position and orientation of the discharge end unit of the token discharge channel 400. The horizontal lower unit acts as a fixing flange for fixing the token inserting mechanism 100 to the cabinet 800 of the station unit ST.
If the storing unit 101, the first boundary region 102, the second boundary region 103, the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104, the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105, the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 are constituted with the same member, there are no seams at a region where tokens M are moved, thus making it possible to reduce resistance.
Further, the first, token inserting port 108-1 of the first token inserting unit 108 and the second token inserting port 109-1 of the second token inserting unit 109 are given such dimensions that only one token M is allowed to enter. This is to reliably prevent tokens M from clogging at the first token inserting unit 108 or the second token inserting unit 109, if a plurality of tokens M enter into the first token inserting port 108-1 or the second token inserting port 109-1 at the same time.
The above-described token inserting mechanism 100 is configured and structured substantially symmetrically based on an intermediate position between the first side unit and the second side unit.
FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the token inserting mechanism 100.
Since the first token inserting unit 108 is identical in structure to the second token inserting unit 109, hereinafter, the second token inserting unit 109 is taken as an example to explain the internal structure thereof.
The second token inserting unit 109 is provided with a second guide unit 114, that is, a second token inserting port 109-1 in close proximity to the dead end unit of the second step unit 114, a token inserting channel 109-7 communicatively connected to the dead end unit of the second step unit 114, a token dropping hole 109-8 communicatively connected to the token inserting channel 109-7, a first token guide plate 109-5 and a second token guide plate 109-6 defining respectively the token inserting channel 109-7 and both side units of the token inserting channel 109-7. The token inserting channel 109-7 is formed so as to guide tokens M inserted via the second token inserting port 109-1 up to the token dropping hole 109-8.
Further, the second token inserting unit 109 is provided with a first intermediate plate 109-3 having a first roller 109-4. The first intermediate plate 109-3 is attached to the first token guide plate 109-5 and the second token guide plate 109-6. The first roller 109-4 is located above the token dropping hole 109-8, by which when tokens M which have passed through the token inserting channel 109-7 are brought almost above the token dropping hole 109-8, the metals M brought into contact with the first roller 109-4 and slightly pushed downward and dropped through the token dropping hole 109-8. The thus dropped tokens M are transferred via a token transfer channel 200 shown in FIG. 5 to a lift-up hopper 300. Then, the tokens M are lifted up by the lift-up hopper 300 to the supply end of a token discharge channel 400, and supplied via the token discharge channel 400 from the discharge end onto the play field 500. The second token inserting unit 109 is additionally provided with a first token-inserting-unit-cover 109-2. The first token-inserting-unit-cover 109-2 covers a first intermediate plate 109-3. Further, the first token-inserting-unit-cover 109-2 is formed integrally with a second fixing flange 111 and the second fixing flange 111 is fixed to the storing unit 101, thereby the position thereof is indirectly fixed with respect to the first intermediate plate 109-3.
A player allows a token M stored at the storing portion 101 to slide upward to the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104 and the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 extending while sloping continuously upward from the storing portion 101 as well as the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107, and when the player lets go of the token M, the token M slides down from the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 due to gravitational force and is locked by a first step unit 113 constituting the first guide unit 113 and a second step unit 114 constituting the second guide unit 114. Then, the first step unit 113 and the second step unit 114 are constituted so that the token M is allowed to slide rotationally to the first token inserting port 108-1 and the second token inserting port 109-1 due to gravitational force.
In other words, a player allows a token M to slide upward to the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104 and the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 extending while sloping continuously upward from the storing portion 101 as well as the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107, thereafter, when the player lets go of the token M, the token M slides down from the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 due to gravitational force and is locked by the first step unit 113 and the second step unit 114, and the token M then slides rotationally to the first token inserting port 108-1 and the second token inserting port 109-1 of the first inserting unit along the first step unit 113 and the second step unit 114 due to gravitational force. When the token M rolls over along the first step unit 113 and the second step unit 114, the token M is to slide with respect to the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107. In other words, the player only allows the token M to slide upward from the storing portion 101 along the first sloping-wall-lower-region 104, the first sloping-wall-upper-region 106, the second sloping-wall-lower-region 105 and the second sloping-wall-upper-region 107 and lets go of the token, thereby facilitating motion of the hand of the player as compared with a conventional operation to manually bring the token M to the token inserting port and inert it into the token inserting port. Therefore, if the player continues to insert tokens M for a long time, player fatigue can be reduced to a great extent. Further, since the tokens M can be inserted with almost no attention, the player can concentrate on a game itself and enjoy the game fully. Still further, since the tokens M are not completely automated for the insertion but the insertion of tokens is made easier for the player. The player can play a game continuously for a long time, while actually holding the feeling of playing the game.
(Constitution of Center Drawing Device)
FIG. 14 is a front elevational view showing a constitution of the center drawing device 2000.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the center drawing device 2000.
The center drawing device 2000 is mainly composed of a circular rotational transfer device 2100, a device supporting base 2200 for supporting the rotational transfer device 2100 from vertically below, a display device 2300, a large-ball-inserting-mechanism 2500 for inserting a large drawing ball 2400, and a transfer slope 2600 for transferring the large drawing ball 2400 inserted from the large-ball-inserting-mechanism 2500 to the rotational transfer device 2100.
The rotational transfer device 2100 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawings by a driving device (not illustrated) mounted on the device supporting base 2200. The rotational transfer device 2100 constantly rotates by this driving device at a fixed cycle after the power supply of the pusher game machine 1 is turned on. A plurality of retention spaces F having an inner space for accommodating only one large drawing ball 2400 are formed in the outer circumferential direction in the outer circumferential region of the rotational transfer device 2100. In the present embodiment, twenty retention spaces F is arranged at equal intervals in the outer circumferential region of the rotational transfer device 2100. Each of the retention spaces F rotationally moves along the outer circumference of the rotational transfer device 2100 due to the rotation of the rotational transfer device 2100. The rotational transfer device 2100 of the present embodiment is inclined both in a perpendicular direction and in a horizontal direction. Thus, each of the retention spaces F rotationally moves along a virtual flat surface inclined both in a perpendicular direction and in a horizontal direction.
The large-ball-inserting-mechanism 2500 is arranged on the left side of the rotational transfer device 2100 shown in the drawings. The large-ball-inserting-mechanism 2500 is mainly composed of a ball collecting port 2510 for receiving the large drawing ball 2400, a ball retaining part 2520 for retaining the large drawing ball 2400 received from the ball collecting port 2510, and a case 2530. The large drawing ball 2400 that has entered into the ball collecting port 2510 is transferred through the interior of the case 2530 to the ball retaining part 2520 due to its own weight and stopped by a ball stopper 2521 of the ball retaining part 2520. The ball stopper 2521 is moved between a ball retaining position for stopping the large drawing ball 2400 and a ball releasing position for releasing the large drawing ball 2400 according to control by the control unit (not illustrated) of the center drawing device 2000. In addition, FIG. 15 shows a state that the ball stopper 2521 is positioned at the ball retaining position and the large drawing ball 2400 is retained at the ball retaining part 2520.
When the ball stopper 2521 moves from the ball retaining position to the ball releasing position, the large drawing ball 2400 retained at the ball retaining part 2520 rolls into the transfer slope 2600 by its own weight. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, the large drawing ball 2400 rolls on the transfer slope 2600 by its own weight, moving like a pendulum around a lowest point of the transfer slope 2600. The transfer slope 2600 has a constitution that, in which part of region thereof around the lowest point is adjacent to the retention spaces F of the rotational transfer device 2100 and the part of region is inclined toward the rotational transfer device 2100. Therefore, when a moving speed of the large drawing ball on the transfer slope 2600 become slow, the large drawing ball 2400 enters into any of the retention spaces F adjacent to the transfer slope 2600 among the retention spaces F moving rotationally by the rotation of the rotational transfer device 2100. In the present embodiment, the transfer slope 2600 is constituted so that the lowest point thereof inclines the most toward the rotational transfer device 2100 and the large drawing ball 2400 can enter into the retention space F of the rotational transfer device 2100 more easily as it comes closer to the lowest point of the transfer slope 2600.
As shown in FIG. 15, a ball sensor 2101 for detecting the fact that the large drawing ball 2400 has entered into the corresponding retention space F is arranged inside each of the retention spaces F of the rotational transfer device 2100. Each of the ball sensors 2101 is connected to the control unit (not illustrated) of the center drawing device 2000 and the detection signal is to be sent to the control unit. Thereby, the control unit of the center drawing device 2000 is able to grasp which of the retention spaces F the large drawing ball 2400 has entered.
A prize is allocated to each of the retention spaces F. In the present embodiment, the prizes include a jackpot prize, an event prize and token supply prize. In the center drawing device 2000, a physical drawing (jackpot game) about which of the retention spaces F the large drawing ball 2400 enters into is carried out. The jackpot prize is a prize that the amount of tokens M corresponding to the jackpot value (payout amount) are supplied to the play field 500 of the station unit ST which has satisfied the start condition of the jackpot game. This jackpot value is obtained by cumulatively adding the number of pieces (for example, 0.03 pieces) corresponding to part of the number of inserted tokens every time the tokens are inserted at all the station units ST to a predetermined initial value (for example, 500 pieces). The number of tokens supplied to the play field 500 when this jackpot prize is awarded; that is, the jackpot value; is set to be largest in number among the number of tokens which can be supplied at one time to the play field 500 in the present pusher game machine 1. Therefore, a player who plays at the present pusher game machine 1 usually plays aiming at obtaining this jackpot prize.
Further, the event prize is a prize that when the prize is awarded, the above-described predetermined event condition is satisfied, thereby during a subsequent predetermined event period, in the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST satisfying the start condition of the jackpot game belongs, a winning bingo number drawn by the physical drawing carried out at the satellite drawing device 1000 at any one of the four station units ST belonging thereto is handled as a winning bingo number also in the other three station units ST.
Further, the token supply prize supplies the predetermined number of tokens M to the play field 500 of the station unit ST in which a start condition of the jackpot game are satisfied. In addition, the number of tokens supplied on winning the token supply prizes M100, M500 are preferably smaller than an initial value of the jackpot value.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the display device 2300 of the center drawing device 2000 displays a screen indicating the present jackpot value, that is, the number of tokens which are to be supplied to the play field 500 when the jackpot prize is awarded, during a period in which no jackpot game is carried out. On the other hand, during a period in which a jackpot game is carried out, a screen for performing the jackpot game is displayed.
On starting a jackpot game, the device supporting base 2200 itself rotates around a rotating shaft parallel to a perpendicular direction by a driving device (not illustrated), thereby the center drawing device 2000 moves to face the front of the satellite unit SA belonging to the station unit ST which has satisfied the start condition of the jackpot game. Thereafter, the jackpot game is allowed to progress. The jackpot game will be explained in details later:
(Constitution of Game Control System)
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a major constitution of the game control system of the present pusher game machine 1. In addition, in the block diagram, a constitution of a driving control system or the like for driving each part according to the progression of the game is omitted for the convenience of explanation.
The game control system of the present embodiment is mainly composed of the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, a control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000 and a control unit 620 of the center drawing device 2000. The control unit 600 of the station unit ST is mainly in charge of a comprehensive control of progression of the above-described slot game and bingo game. The control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000 is mainly in charge of controlling the physical drawing of the above-described bingo game and controlling the transfer of the balls B1 and B2. The control unit 620 of the center drawing device 2000 is mainly in charge of controlling the above-described jackpot game.
The control unit 600 of the station unit ST is mainly composed of a control device 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603 and a communication device 604. The control device 601 executes various types of programs stored at the ROM 602, and thereby carries out various types of control. The ROM 602 stores programs and others for carrying out various types of control to be carried out at the control unit 600 of the station unit ST. The RAM 603 temporarily stores various types of data or information. The communication device 604 carries out data communications with the control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000.
The control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000 is mainly composed of a control device 611, a ROM 612, a RAM 613, a station-side communication device 614 and a center-side communication device 615. The control device 611 executes various types of programs stored at the ROM 612, and thereby carries out types of control. The ROM 612 stores programs and others for carrying out various types of control to be carried out at the control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000. The RAM 613 temporarily stores various types of data or information. The station-side communication device 614 carries out data communications with the control unit 600 of each of the station unit ST belonging to this satellite unit SA. The center-side communication device 615 carries out data communications with the control unit 620 of the center drawing device 2000.
The above-described constitution has been explained for a case where the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, the control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000 and the control unit 620 of the center drawing device 2000 are connected in series. However, these control units 600, 610, 620 may be connected parallel to each other (star type or bus type).
(Flow of Slot Game)
Next, a description is given of a flow of the slot game which progresses in the pusher game machine 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the flow of the slot game in the present embodiment.
When a player inserts tokens M on the storing portion 101 into the first token inserting port 108-1 or the second token inserting port 109-1 in a manner as described above, tokens M are inserted to the sub-table 511 inside the play field. Then, when, of the tokens M which have been dropped from the sub-table 511, part of them enters into any one of chuckers 515-1, 515-2 and 515-3 arranged on the sloping table 512 and is detected by a token detecting unit (not illustrated) functioning as token detecting means, its detection signal is sent to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, and thereby the control device 601 comprehends that the token M has entered into any one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2 and 515-3 (S1). Thereby, the control device 601 determines that the start condition of the slot game is satisfied and executes a drawing program stored at the ROM 602. T hereby, the control device 601 carries out the digital drawing for deciding a winning in which any one of the above specific-combinations is awarded or a non-winning by referring to a predetermined winning table and using a generated random number (S2). Further, the control device 601 carries out a display control of rotating the three dice-shaped slots DS on the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4, which is displayed on the display unit 700, and thereafter carries out a display control of halting the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS so that where a winning combination is decided by the digital drawing, a pattern of symbols related to the winning combination is halted and displayed on the display unit 700 (S3).
Where the non-winning that is any one of the specific-combinations is not awarded by the above digital drawing (S4), the control device 601 finishes the slot game as it is.
On the other hand, where the minor-combination A is awarded (S5), the control device 601 controls a token supply unit (not illustrated) functioning as token supply means to supply three tokens to the play field 500 (S6). The token supply unit may be commonly used with the above-described mechanism for inserting tokens M onto the sub-table 511 inside the play field when a player inserts tokens M on the storing portion 101, or it may be provided separately from the mechanism. Where the token supply unit is provided separately from the mechanism, it may be similar in constitution to the mechanism. In other words, such a constitution may be made that tokens M are lifted up to a supply end on a token discharge channel by using a lift-up hopper and supplied via the token discharge channel from a discharge end to the play field 500.
Further, where the minor-combination B is awarded (S7), the control device 601 controls the token supply unit to supply eight tokens to the play field 500 (S8).
Further, where the normal bonus combination is awarded (S9), the control device 601 controls the token supply unit to supply thirty tokens to the play field 500 (S10-1). Further, the control device 601 changes a setting so that an normal winning table in which a winning probability is set lower is used, as a winning table to be used in subsequent digital drawings (S10-2).
Further, where the probability-change bonus combination is awarded (S11), the control device 601 controls the token supply unit to supply thirty tokens to the play field 500 (S12-1). Further, the control device 601 changes a setting so that a high-probability winning table in which a winning probability is set higher is used, as a winning table to be used in subsequent digital drawings (S12-2).
Further, where the ball supply combination is awarded (S13), the control device 601 outputs the ball supply order for supplying the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000. Thereby, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, and the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball inserting mechanism 1800 of the station unit ST at which the ball supply combination is awarded. The ball B1 that has been delivered to the ball inserting mechanism 1800 is retained temporarily by the stopper 1802 of the ball inserting slope 1801. Then, a player pushes the button 160, by which the control device 601 allows the ball B1 to be released from the stopper 1802 at a timing when the control device 601 receives its button operating signal, and the ball B1 rolls down on the ball inserting slope 1801 and is delivered to the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810. Then, a drawing for selecting a ball supply position on the play field 500 is carried out at a ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810, and thereafter the ball B1 is supplied either to the back side or the front side on the main table 501 (S14). The ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810 is constituted so that a ball receiving port through which the balls B1 and B2 are allowed to pass moves in a reciprocating manner between the front side and the back side around the lowest point of the ball inserting slope 1801. When the ball enters into the ball receiving port, this ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501. When the ball does not enter into the ball receiving port, this ball is supplied to the back side on the main table 501. Where the ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501, there is a shorter moving distance up to the token dropping groove as compared with a case where the ball is supplied to the back side on the main table 501, thereby the ball B1 falls more easily into the token dropping groove and the start condition of the bingo game can be satisfied more easily. As a result, a player is to play so as to push the button 160 at a timing when the ball B1 that has been retained at the stopper 1802 enters into the ball receiving port of the ball-inserting-position-drawing-mechanism 1810.
Still further, where the direct satellite combination is awarded (S15), the control device 601 outputs the ball supply order for supplying the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000. Thereby, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position opposed to the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600, delivering the ball B1 to the catch pan 1610 of the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600. Then, a player pushes the button 160, by which the control device 601 outputs the ball inserting order to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000 at a timing when the control device 601 receives its button operating signal. Thereby, the ball B1 is inserted via the ball inserting channel 1110 into the outer bingo stage 1100 to carry out the physical drawing. Where the direct satellite combination is awarded, the control device 601 decides that the start condition of the bingo game are satisfied and starts the bingo game to be described later (S20).
Furthermore, where the direct center combination is awarded (S16), the control device 601 outputs an order for starting a jackpot game via the control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000 to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center drawing device 2000. Thereby, the jackpot game is started in the center drawing device 2000 to be described later (S40).
(Flow of Bingo Game)
Next, a description is given of a flow of the bingo game which progresses in the pusher game machine 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the flow of the bingo game in the present embodiment.
In the bingo game of the present embodiment, when the start condition of the bingo game are satisfied, in which the ball B1 or B2 falls to the token dropping groove or the direct satellite combination is awarded in the above-described slot game (S21), the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST executes a bingo execution program stored at the ROM 602, thereby starting the bingo game. More specifically, the control device 601 first carries out a display control so as to switch the slot game screen, shown in FIG. 4, displayed on the display unit 700 to the bingo game screen shown in FIG. 5 (S22). At this time, the bingo card image BC on the bingo game screen is based on pattern information generated at an arbitrary timing in the past. The pattern information is generated at a timing, for example, when the power supply of the pusher game machine 1 is turned oh, a reset button (not illustrated) is pushed, or BINGO is established in preceding bingo games. In the present embodiment, a description is given of a case where on establishment of BINGO in the bingo game, new pattern information is generated and then changed to the preceding pattern information.
Further; the control device 601 outputs a bingo starting order to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000 when the start condition of the bingo game are satisfied. Thereby, the control device 611 moves the ball carrier 1520 to a position opposite to an outlet of the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 in the ball conveying mechanism 1900 of the station unit ST that has received the order. Then, the control device 601 controls the ball conveying mechanism 1900, thereby transferring the ball B1 or B2, which has fallen to the token dropping groove, from the ball-conveying-unit-running-slope 1901 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, as described above, the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000 moves the ball carrier 1520 to a position opposite to the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600, controlling the stage-ball-inserting-mechanism 1600 according to the type of the balls B1 and B2, thus inserting the ball B1 or B2 into the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 (S23).
When the ball B1 or B2 which has been inserted into the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 enters into any one of winning spots 1101 and 1201, the signal thereof is sent to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000. Thereby, the control device 611 is able to recognize which of the winning spots 1101 and 1201 the ball B1 or B2 has entered into. At this time, if the winning spot 1101 or 1201 into which the ball B1 or 132 has entered is a JP winning spot to which a right for starting the jackpot game in the center drawing device 2000 is allocated (Yes in S24), the control device 611 outputs the order for starting the jackpot game to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center drawing device 2000. Thereby, the jackpot game is started in the center drawing device 2000 (S40).
On the other hand, if the winning spot 1101 or 1201 into which the ball B1 or B2 has entered is a winning spot to which the bingo number is allocated (No in S24), the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000 outputs information indicating the thus allocated bingo number to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST which satisfies the start condition of the bingo game. The control device 601 that has received the information stores the bingo number related to the information as a winning bingo number at a winning-bingo-number storing area of the RAM 603 as a storage unit functioning as storage means. In addition, winning bingo numbers since the generation of pattern information corresponding to the station unit ST are cumulatively stored at the winning-bingo-number storing are a. Then, the control device 601, which is a decision unit, functions as decision means, and carries out a bingo decision whether patterns of all the winning bingo numbers on a card pattern (a drawing object pattern) that is a pattern of bingo numbers of “1” to “9” on the bingo card indicated by the pattern information are a specific pattern or not by referring to all the winning bingo numbers stored at the winning-bingo-number storing area and the pattern information stored at a pattern-information storing area of the RAM 603 (S25). In addition, there are a total of eight rows that are vertical, horizontal and diagonal rows on a bingo card consisting of 3 rows and 3 columns, as the specific patterns in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, any one of the following prizes, that is, a token payout prize that a predetermined number of tokens are paid out to the play field 500, an normal ball-supply prize that the ball B1 is supplied to the play field 500 and a special ball-supply prize that the ball B2 is supplied to the play field 500, is allocated to each of the specific patterns. In the above bingo decision, where the control device 601 decides that it is not a specific pattern; that is, BINGO is not established (No in S25), the bingo game is finished.
On the other hand, where the control device 601 decides that BINGO is established (Yes in S25) and its specific pattern is related to the special ball-supply prize (Yes in S26), the control device 601 functions as benefit awarding means and supplies a predetermined number of tokens M to the play field 500 by the same method as a case that the token supply combination such as the minor-combination A is awarded in the above-described slot game (S27-1). Also, the control device 601 supplies the ball B2 to the play field 500 by the same method as a case that the ball supply combination is awarded in the above-described slot game (S27-2).
Further; where the specific pattern in which BINGO has been established is related to the normal ball-supply prize (Yes in S28), the control device 601 functions as benefit awarding means and, supplies a predetermined number of tokens M to the play field 500 by the same method as a case that the token supply combination such as the minor-combination A is awarded in the above-described slot game (S29-1). Also, the control device 601 supplies the ball B1 to the play field 500 by the same method as a case that the ball supply combination is awarded in the above-described slot game (S29-2).
Still further, where the specific pattern in which BINGO has been established is related to the token supply prize (No in S28), the control device 601 functions as benefit awarding means and supplies a predetermined number of tokens M to the play field 500 by the same method as a case that the token supply combination such as the minor-combination A is awarded in the above-described slot game (S30).
In addition, the number of tokens M supplied to the play field 500 on establishment of BINGO may be the number different in each of the prizes related to the establishment of BINGO or may be the same number.
After the control device 601 has executed the process after establishment of BINGO as described above, the control device 601, which is the pattern-information generating unit, functions as pattern-information generating means, executing a pattern-information generating program stored at the ROM 602 to generate new pattern information. T hereby, the pattern information stored in a pattern-information storage area of the RAM 603 changes to the thus generated new pattern information to reset the pattern information (S31).
(Flow of Jackpot Drawing)
Next, a description is given of the flow of the jackpot game piogressed at the present pusher game machine 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the flow of the jackpot game in the present embodiment.
In the jackpot game of the present embodiment, where the start condition of the jackpot game is satisfied (S41), that is, the ball B1 or B2 enters into the winning spot to which a right for starting the jackpot game in the center drawing device 2000 is allocated by the physical drawing in the satellite drawing device 1000 of the above-described bingo game, or the direct center combination is awarded in the above-described slot game, the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center drawing device 2000 execute a jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 622 to start the jackpot game. More specifically, the control device 621 controls for driving so that the device supporting base 2200 rotates and thereby the front of the center drawing device 2000 faces the satellite unit SA including the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot game. Further, the control device 621 makes the display device 2300 display a performance screen of the jackpot game, and controls the display device 2300 for displaying.
Thereafter, when a player who plays at the above station unit ST pushes the button 160 of the station unit ST (S42), its button operating signal is input into the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST. Thereby, the control device 601 outputs the ball inserting order to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center drawing device 2000 via the control unit 610 of the satellite drawing device 1000. Thereby, the control device 621 outputs the ball inserting order to the large-ball-inserting-mechanism 2500. The large-ball-inserting-Mechanism 2500 that has received the ball inserting order moves the ball stopper 2521 from the ball retaining position to the ball releasing position and inserts the large drawing ball 2400 retained at the ball retaining part 2520 into the transfer slope 2600 (S43). Thereby, the large drawing ball 2400 moves like a pendulum on the transfer slope 2600 around the lowest point thereof, and finally enters into any one of the retention spaces F of the rotational transfer device 2100. When the large drawing ball 2400 enters into any one of the retention spaces F, its signal is sent to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in center drawing device 2000. Thereby, the control device 621 is able to recognize the retention space F into which the large drawing ball 2400 has entered.
At this time, where the retention space F into which the large drawing ball 2400 has entered is allocated the jackpot prize (Yes in S44), the control device 621 executes processing for reading out the jackpot value data from the RAM 623 and for supplying the number of tokens M indicated by the jackpot value data to the play field 500 of the station unit ST which has satisfied the start condition of the jackpot game (S45-1). At this time, the token supply order may be output from the control device 621 to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST to supply tokens M to the play field 500 under the control of the control device 601 by the same method as the above-described normal token supply process. However, since the number of tokens supplied when the jackpot prize is awarded is a great number, a token supply process using an original token supply mechanism may be used for this token supply process in separation from the above-described normal token supply process. This is also preferable as a performance made in a case where the jackpot prize is awarded. Further, the control device 621 resets the jackpot value data stored at the RAM 623 to the initial value (S45-2).
On the other hand, where the retention space F into which the large drawing ball 2400 has entered is allocated the event prize (Yes in S46), the control device 621 outputs the token supply order to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST which satisfies the start condition of the jackpot game. Accordingly, a predetermined number of tokens M (for example, 100 pieces) are supplied to the play field 500 of the station unit ST by the same method as a case that the token supply combination such as the minor-combination A is awarded in the above-described slot game (S47-1). Further, the control device 621 outputs an event starting order to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite drawing device 1000 of the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST belongs. The control device 611 which has received the order decides that a predetermined event condition has been satisfied and executes an event process in which during a subsequent predetermined event period, a winning bingo number selected by the physical drawing of the bingo game carried out at any one of four station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA is handled as a winning bingo number also in the other three station units ST (S47-2). More specifically, the control device 611 outputs information indicating the winning bingo number selected in the physical drawing by the satellite drawing device 1000 carried out during the predetermined event period to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in all the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA.
In addition, where the retention space F into which the large drawing ball 2400 has entered is allocated the token supply prize (No in S46), the control device 621 outputs the token supply order to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST which has satisfied the start condition of the jackpot game. Accordingly, a predetermined number of tokens M are supplied to the play field 500 of the station unit ST by the same method as a case that the token supply combination such as the minor-combination A is awarded in the above-described slot game (S48).
As described above, in the present embodiment, it is decided whether BINGO is established or not by using the result (winning bingo numbers) of the physical drawing carried out at the satellite drawing device 1000 when the ball B1 or B2 falls into the token dropping groove in each station unit ST and the result (winning bingo numbers) of the physical drawing carried out when the ball B1 or B2 falls into the token dropping groove again thereafter, and, when BINGO is established, the tokens are supplied into the play field of the corresponding station unit ST. In other words, the result (winning bingo numbers) of the physical drawing carried out at the satellite drawing device 1000 when the ball B1 or B2 falls into the token dropping groove in each station unit ST and the result (winning bingo numbers) of the physical drawing carried out when the ball B1 or B2 falls into the token dropping groove again thereafter are related to each other, and thereby the tokens are supplied into the play field. Further, the more the number of times the balls falls into the token dropping groove increases, the more a probability that bingo is established increases and thereby a probability of supplying the tokens into the play field increases. Thus, in the present embodiment, the probability of supplying the tokens into the play field increases every time that the ball B1 or B2 falls into the token dropping groove, whereby falls of the balls B1 and B2 into the token dropping groove do not create an opportunity in which the player stops playing the game, rather it stimulates the player to play the game continuously. As a result, it is possible to have players play the game continuously.
In addition, the event condition in the present embodiment is such that the event prize is awarded in the above jackpot game, but it is limited to this. For example, a prize such as the above event prize may be provided in the above bingo game or slot game, etc. and awarding of this prize may be set as the event condition.
Still further, in the above embodiment, means realized by software such as computer programs may be realized by using hardware such as circuits and chips. Also, means realized by hardware such as circuits and chips may be realized by software such as computer programs.

Claims

1. A token-operated game machine, comprising:

a token placed base having a token placed face on which many tokens are placed;

a token pushing-out member that moves in a reciprocating manner relatively with respect to the token placed face along part thereof such that tokens on the part of the token placed face are pushed out toward another part of the token placed face;

a token dropping groove into which tokens enter when the tokens are pushed out outside the token placed face by tokens pushed out with the token pushing-out member;

a foreign-shape-object supplying unit for supplying a foreign shape object having a shape different from the token, onto the token placed face;

a physical drawing unit for carrying out a drawing in which a winning object is decided from a plurality of drawing objects, when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove, by moving the fallen foreign shape object itself or another foreign shape object;

a pattern-information generating unit for generating pattern information indicating a drawing object pattern using part or all of the plurality of the drawing objects;

a display unit for displaying a pattern image in which a plurality of drawing object images respectively corresponding to the drawing objects, which are included in the drawing object pattern indicated by the pattern information generated by the pattern-information generating unit, are arranged based on the pattern information;

a storage unit for storing a plurality of winning objects that are decided based on the drawings carried out by the physical drawing unit;

a decision unit for carrying out a decision whether a pattern of plural winning objects on the drawing object pattern indicated by the pattern information corresponds to a specific pattern or not, based on the plurality of winning objects stored in the storage unit; and

a benefit awarding unit for awarding a benefit on a condition that the decision unit decides such that the pattern of the plural winning objects corresponds to the specific pattern.

2. The token-operated game machine according to claim 1,

wherein the foreign shape object is a spherical object.

3. The token-operated game machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a token sending-out unit for sending out a token into the play field including the token placed face when a token is inserted into a token inserting port;

a passage-opening forming member, which is arranged inside the play field, for forming a token passage opening through which a token is allowed to pass;

a token detecting unit for detecting the token that passes through the token passage opening; and

a supply drawing unit for carrying out a drawing for deciding whether the foreign shape object is supplied by the foreign-shape-object supplying unit or not on the condition that the token is detected by the token detecting unit,

wherein the foreign-shape-object supplying unit supplies the foreign shape object onto the token placed face on the condition that a drawing result indicating that the foreign shape object is supplied by the drawing of the supply drawing unit, is obtained.

4. The token-operated game machine according to claim 2, further comprising:

5. The token-operated game machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of stations, each of which has at least the token placed base, the token pushing-out member, the token dropping groove and the foreign-shape-object supplying unit,

wherein the pattern-information generating unit generates the individual pattern information so that at least a piece of the pattern information corresponds to each station,

the display unit displays, by each station, the pattern images concerning the pattern information corresponding to each station,

the storage unit stores the winning objects by each station,

the winning objects stored, by each station, are winning objects that are decided by the drawings carried out by the physical drawing unit when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove of the own station,

the decision unit carries out the decisions by each station based on the winning objects stored by each station in the storage unit,

the benefit awarding unit awards the benefit, in the condition that the decision unit makes a decision that the pattern corresponds to the specific pattern, to the station concerning the decision,

the storage unit stores the winning object, which is decided by the drawing carried out by the physical drawing unit when the foreign shape object falls into the token dropping groove of one station, relating to not only the one station but also another station, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

6. The token-operated game machine according to claim 2, further comprising:

the storage unit stores the winning objects by each station,

7. The token-operated game machine according to claim 3, further comprising:

the storage unit stores the winning objects by each station,

8. The token-operated game machine according to claim 4, further comprising:

the storage unit stores the winning objects by each station,