JPH10272A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Problem] When a prize ball overflows from a saucer or a branch trough,
To provide a gaming machine capable of reliably reporting an overflow state. SOLUTION: A supply plate 101 capable of storing game balls discharged from a ball discharging device, and a supply plate 101 installed on the front side of the game machine,
Receiving tray 1 into which excess game balls flowing down through the diversion gutter when the game balls stored in the supply tray exceed a predetermined amount are guided.
02, detecting means provided at a predetermined location of the diversion gutter and capable of detecting that the number of game balls stored in the saucer has reached a predetermined amount, and operation of other necessary devices based on a detection signal from the detecting means. (For example, an overflow indicator (overflow lamp) 113) for notifying the player that the number of game balls in the saucer has reached a predetermined amount without stopping the player in a manner recognizable by the player. I did it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine,
Especially when the prize ball is ejected and the saucer is full,
The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can notify a player.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that fires a game ball to play a predetermined number of balls by winning a hit ball in a prize area provided in the game area. Prize balls are discharged to the player. The prize balls are discharged to a supply tray provided on the front of the gaming machine, and when the supply tray is full, the overflowing prize balls are stored in a receiving tray via a diversion gutter. If a large number of prize balls are continuously discharged, the prize balls that overflow the saucer fill the diversion gutter, and eventually the accumulated prize balls reach the ball discharge device. And the normal operation of the ball discharging device may be hindered. Conventionally, in order to avoid the above-mentioned state, a detection switch for detecting a prize ball stored in the diversion gutter is provided, and the hitting ball firing device is stopped based on a detection signal from the switch, thereby obtaining a prize ball. There is known a gaming machine which does not generate a discharge state.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional pachinko game machine, when a prize ball accumulates in the diversion gutter and the detection switch is turned on, the hit ball firing device is immediately stopped. Therefore, for example, in a pachinko game machine equipped with a variable display device that has become mainstream in recent years, when a special gaming state occurs due to the stop mode of the variable display device, a large variable winning device is opened until a predetermined time or a predetermined number of coins are won. Further, when the winning prize ball that has been won while the variable prize winning device is open wins in the internal continuous winning opening, the opening operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times), so that the large variable prize winning device is opened for a certain period of time. If the prize ball is full in the diversion gutter and the detection switch is turned on during this time, the hit ball launching device stops immediately and the game cannot be continued.

[0004] In this case, the player loses the right to continuously open the variable prize apparatus which should be originally received, or closes without obtaining sufficient prize to the variable prize apparatus. There was a risk that the player would be inadvertently disadvantaged.

Further, it is difficult for the player to know that the state of "stop of the ball-shooting device" indicates that the prize ball is overflowing in the saucer. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to intuitively notify the player of an operation to be performed to remove the prize ball overflowing from the saucer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and ensures that even if a prize ball overflows from a saucer or a diversion gutter, the prize ball overflows without causing disadvantages to the player as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of notifying the player.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a ball discharging device (for example, a prize ball discharging device 2) for discharging a predetermined number of game balls based on a predetermined discharging command signal.
(0), a supply plate (101) provided on the front side of the game machine and capable of storing the game balls discharged from the ball discharge device, and provided on the front side of the game machine; A tray (102) into which excess game balls flowing down via the diversion gutter (15) when the game balls stored in the supply tray exceed a predetermined amount are provided, and a predetermined position of the diversion gutter; Based on detection means (for example, an overflow detector 92) capable of detecting that the game balls stored in the saucer have reached a predetermined amount, and a detection signal from the detection means,
Notifying means for notifying the player that the number of game balls in the saucer has reached a predetermined amount in a manner recognizable to the player without stopping the operation of other necessary devices (for example, the hitting ball firing device 103). (For example, an overflow indicator (overflow lamp) 113).

According to the above-mentioned means, when the prize ball is full in the diversion gutter, it is determined that the number of game balls in the receiving tray has reached a predetermined amount by the light emitting device or the like without any influence on other necessary devices. Is notified in a recognizable manner. Therefore, the player can immediately confirm the full state of the prize ball, and since the game can be continued even in this full state, the player removes the prize ball in the saucer without interrupting the game. Thus, the operation of eliminating the full state of the prize ball can be performed promptly without disadvantage.

Further, if the operation of the other necessary devices is stopped when the notification by the notification means has passed for a predetermined time, malfunction and failure of the ball discharge device due to continuation of the full state can be prevented. Since a predetermined period of time is given to the player before the operation of the other required devices is stopped, the game is not suddenly disabled due to the full state of the prize ball as in the related art, For example, the variable winning device that the player should be able to receive loses the right to continue opening, or closes without obtaining sufficient prize to the variable winning device, and the player has an unexpected disadvantage. Can be effectively avoided.

[0010] Further, the detecting means capable of detecting that the number of the game balls stored in the receiving tray has reached a predetermined amount has a simple structure in which only one is provided at a predetermined position of the diversion gutter, and sufficiently exerts the above-mentioned effects. Therefore, the apparatus can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows an example of the structure of a back mechanism of a pachinko game machine to which the present invention is applied.

At the upper part of the back mechanism panel 1, a reserve tank 2 for reserve spheres is arranged, and to one end of the reserve tank 2, a guide gutter 11 for automatically aligning and guiding the internal reserve spheres is connected. ing. The guide gutter 11 has two passages, is gently inclined, and is provided with a pendulum type ball nose 3 and a pressing type ball nose 4 on the way. While flowing down, they are aligned in two rows.

A stopper-type prize ball discharging device 20 (see FIG. 4) as a ball discharging device is disposed at the lower end of the guide gutter 11. The hit balls which have been won in the winning holes provided in the game board in front of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 2) are collected on the back surface and collected at one place by the collecting shelf 10, and one by one by the winning ball processing device 40. It is separated and detected by the winning ball detector 91, and as a result, a discharge command signal is formed. Then, the prize ball discharging device 20
Is operated only once to discharge a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls. The winning balls separated and detected by the winning ball processing device 40 are discharged to a collecting gutter (not shown) behind the gaming machine through the outlet gutter 12. When the discharge of the prize ball by the prize ball discharge device 20 is completed, the prize ball processing device 40 receives and separates the discharge completion signal, and separates and detects the next prize ball.

On the other hand, the prize balls discharged by the prize ball discharge device 20 flow through the prize ball discharge trough 13 and out of the ball outlet 14 to the supply plate 101 (see FIG. 2) on the front of the gaming machine. When the supply tray 101 is full, the prize ball is placed in the diversion gutter 15.
Is discharged to the tray 102 below the front of the gaming machine.
When the receiving tray 102 becomes full, the overflow is detected by an overflow detector 92 provided as a detecting means provided in the middle of the diversion gutter 15, and the driving of the hit ball launching device 103 as another required device, for example, is stopped.

When the overflow detector 92 detects the overflow state of the tray, the overflow indicator 113 is provided on the front of the gaming machine to notify the player of the overflow state.

On the front of the gaming machine 100, in addition to the above-mentioned overflow indicator 113, a prize ball lamp 111 which is turned on every time a prize ball is discharged in accordance with the occurrence of a prize ball, and a storage tank 2 are emptied. Completion lamp 11 that is turned on when the number of prize balls discharged reaches a predetermined number.
2. The prize ball discharging device 20 is intentionally inserted by inserting a piano wire or the like.
Warning indicator lamp 114, which is lit or blinked when there is a fraudulent operation of the prize ball, the prize ball discharging device 2
A malfunction indication lamp 115 that is turned on or blinks when a ball is clogged at 0 or the like, a discharge solenoid, a discharge sensor, or the like fails, and a prize ball number display that displays the number of prize balls paid out for one winning ball. Various display devices such as a pilot lamp 117 that is turned on while the firing motor of the hit ball firing device 103 is driven are provided. The prize ball number display 116 comprises, for example, a transparent plate on which three types of prize ball numbers are described and three lamps provided behind the transparent plate, respectively, and a prize ball set by a setting device (described later). The display is performed by selectively lighting the lamp corresponding to the number.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an out hole for collecting, at the back of the game board, a hit ball which did not win the winning opening out of the hit balls hit into the game board. This is a ball shortage detector for detecting this.

A ball drain gutter 16 is provided below the prize ball discharge device 20 in parallel with the prize ball discharge gutter 13 at an entrance of the ball drain gutter 16, that is, at a junction with the prize ball discharge gutter 13. Is provided with a ball punching device 60 having a switching gate. The ball punching device 60 can operate the gate by inserting a tool such as a pin or a wire through an operation hole 106 formed on the front surface of the holding frame 104 of the gaming machine. When the switching gate is switched to the ball drain gutter 16 side, the ball drain switch 84 is turned on.

In a conventional pachinko game machine using a ball-sheath case, a ball-extraction gate is provided upstream of the prize-ball discharge device 20, so that even if the ball is eliminated, a ball remains on the way. However, in this embodiment, since the ball removing device 60 is located on the downstream side of the prize ball discharging device 20, all balls can be removed, and data of pachinko parlors can be accurately collected.

The lower end of the ball drain gutter 16 joins with an out ball lead-out gutter 17 for guiding the out ball collected from the out hole 105, and is connected to a collection gutter (not shown) disposed below the island facility of the pachinko parlor. The collecting sphere flows out toward it.

Further, the back mechanism panel 1 is used to electrically control the entire pachinko gaming machine, such as stopping the launch of a hit ball based on detection signals from the prize ball discharge device 20 and the overflow detector 92 and driving various display devices. Control device 200
Further, a game content control device 210 for controlling the game operation based on a signal from a detector incorporated in various variable prize devices or variable display type auxiliary game devices on the front of the game board is provided.

In the field of pachinko machines, in order to prevent game players from leaving due to monotonization of game contents, the game contents are exchanged with new game boards having different game contents and design. The pachinko game machine main body and the back mechanism board except for the board are almost the same. However, it is very uneconomical to replace such an invariable part together with the game board before the end of its life.

In the above embodiment, when the game board is replaced, only the game board and its game content control device 210 need be replaced. That is, the game content control device 2
10 is fixed to the back of the detachable game board, the prize ball discharge device 20, the winning ball processing device 40 and their control device 200, the spare ball storage tank 2 and various guiding gutters 10
17 together with the game machine main body and is fixed to the back mechanism board 1. Therefore, even when the game board is replaced, most of the main body and the back mechanism board can be left as they are and can be used continuously, which is very economical.

On the outer surface of the control device 200, a prize ball number setting device 8 composed of a dip switch or the like is provided in order to set the number of discharged balls in one discharging operation in the prize ball discharging device 20.
1, 82 are attached. In addition, a manual switch (hereinafter referred to as a memory discharge switch) for discharging a winning ball on the collecting shelf 10 without operating the prize ball discharging device 20 at the time of hitting or failure, is provided on the upper portion of the back mechanism board 1. 83 are provided. That is, the storage and discharge switch 83 provides a pseudo discharge end signal instead of the discharge sensor 25 in the prize ball discharge device 20 described later.

FIG. 3 shows a reserve sphere storage tank 2 and a guide gutter 1.
1 and the structure of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the connection state thereof.

The storage tank 2 is mounted so as to be placed in a storage recess formed in the upper part of the back mechanism panel 1. Although not shown, an opening is formed at one end (the left end in the figure) of the bottom wall of the storage tank 2, and the guide gutter 1 is arranged so as to face the opening.
1 is attached. A tread plate is rotatably arranged on the bottom wall of the guide gutter 11, and when the reserve ball runs out in the storage tank 2, the tread plate rises. This is detected by the ball shortage detector 93 to form a ball supply request signal.

A flow dividing wall 11a is provided in the middle of the guide gutter 11, and separates and aligns the flowing ball into two lines. The ball fly 3 is hung down by a pin 3a on a support portion 11b formed on the upper part of the guide gutter 11, and the balls that flow vertically over the guide gutter 11 are broken up and aligned. Ball narashi 4
Are rotatably supported by pins 4b on support pieces 4a fixed to both sides of the guide gutter 11 to prevent the balls flowing down on the guide gutter 11 from overlapping.

Further, in the middle of the guide gutter 11, preferably immediately before the prize ball discharging device 20, there is provided a flow-down control member 7 rotatable around the pin 4b. The tip bent piece of the flow-down control member 7 is divided into two pieces, and when turned as shown by the broken line a in the figure, each bent piece 7c, 7d corresponds to the two guide paths and the guide gutter 11 Slot 1 formed in the upper wall
By entering the inside of 1c, 11d, the flow of the ball in the guide gutter 11 is prevented, and the supply to the prize ball discharging device 20 can be manually interrupted.

As a result, the maintenance and inspection of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the replacement operation in the case of failure can be easily performed.

An operation piece 7b is provided on one side of the flow-down control member 7 so as to protrude laterally so that the flow-down control member 7 can be easily rotated manually. Further, a spring 9 is stretched between the operation piece 7b and the pin 8 provided on the side wall of the guide gutter 11, so that the state of the flow-down control member 7 can be stably maintained by the spring 9.

At the lower end of the guide gutter 11, a prize ball discharge device 20 having a flow-down path 30 is provided. In this case, a locking piece 11e is provided on the side of the gutter at the lower end of the guide gutter 11.
Guide piece 30a protruding forward at the top and bottom of the starting end of the zero
The guide gutter 11 and the downflow path 30 can be connected by the guide piece 30a and the locking piece 11e.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the prize ball discharging device 20. The prize ball discharge device 20 includes a downflow path 30 and a downflow prevention member 2 that enters the downflow path 30 and controls the flow of the ball.
2 and a solenoid 21 as a driving means thereof are integrally connected.

The flow path 30 includes a slowly inclined alignment gutter 31, a flow adjustment gutter 33 extending substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the alignment gutter 31, and a flow gutter 33 extending from the lower end of the flow gutter 33. Guide gutter 34 extending obliquely downward at 45 degrees
And a discharge gutter 35 extending substantially vertically downward from the end of the guide gutter 34.

In the vicinity of the boundary between the guide gutter 34 and the discharge gutter 35, a pair of support pieces 36 project from the outer wall of the flow path 30, and the support shaft 24 is suspended between the support pieces 36. .

The flow-down path 30 is formed in two lines corresponding to the guide gutter 11, and a pair of fan-shaped flow-down preventing members 22 are formed around the support shaft 24 in correspondence with the two flow-down paths 30. It is mounted rotatably. Downflow prevention member 22
, A pair of solenoids 21 is provided. The tip of the flow-down preventing member 22 is connected to the flow-down path 3
No. 0 enters through a slit provided in the inner wall portion and protrudes into the guide gutter 34. The rear end of the downflow prevention member 22 is connected to the solenoid 21 through a link member 23.
Is connected to the tip of the plunger 21a.
4, the tip part enters the guide gutter 34 or retreats. As a result, a predetermined number of discharges are performed while allowing or preventing the flow of the ball.

Further, the side wall of the guide gutter 34 bulges out to form an accommodating portion 37, into which the ejected ball detector 25 composed of a transmission type optical sensor is inserted.

In addition, above the solenoid 21, the lead wires drawn from the solenoid 21 and the discharge ball detector 25 are concentrated at one place, and the control device 200
A connector 26 is provided so that wiring for connecting to the terminal can be collectively connected from the front. An engaging portion 13a formed at the start end of the prize ball lead-out gutter 13 is engaged with the lower end of the flow-down path 30 to perform connection.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, slits 31a and 33a are formed on the upper wall of the flow control gutter 31 and the outer wall of the flow control gutter 33 which constitute the flow path of the prize ball discharging device 20, respectively.
a is provided. As a result, a foreign matter or the like enters the downflow path and causes clogging in the prize ball discharge device 20,
When smooth flow is impeded, this slit 3
Maintenance can be facilitated, for example, by inserting a tool such as a pin from 1a or 33a to remove foreign matter. A cover member 39 having a step portion 39a having substantially the same size as the slit is engaged with the slits 31a and 33a, and is fixed and closed with screws or the like.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the prize ball processing device 40 confirms the end of discharge in the prize ball discharge device 20, and then operates the solenoid 46 to discharge the previous prize ball, and detects the next prize ball. Is controlled to proceed to Thus, it is possible to prevent a trouble that occurs between a player and a game store, such as a case where a prize ball is not paid out even when a prize ball is generated. In other words, if there is no prize ball discharged, the winning ball remains at the stopper,
You can see immediately if the player's claim is correct. Moreover, there is a one-to-one relationship between the prize ball and the discharge of the prize ball, and while the discharge is stopped, the processing of the prize ball is interrupted,
In addition, since the prize balls that have not been discharged are kept on standby, it is not necessary to take a power outage countermeasure. In other words, if the winning balls are detected in advance and stored electrically in a memory or counter,
In order to prevent the number of stored data from being lost at the time of a power failure, it is necessary to take measures against power failure such as backup with a battery,
The use of the winning ball processing apparatus of the above embodiment eliminates the necessity.

Next, an embodiment of a control device 200 for controlling the prize ball discharging device 20 to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls and control the hit ball launching device 103 and the like will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, control of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the like is performed using a CPU (microcomputer) 200 '.

The CPU 200 'receives the prize ball number setting devices 81 and 82, the memory ejection switch 83, the ball removal switch 84, the safe sensor 91, the overflow detector 92, and the ball shortage detector 93 in the above embodiment. By providing the prize ball number setting devices 81 and 82, models (pachinko machines) having different numbers of prize balls can be controlled. Also, the CPU 200 '
A pair of ejected ball detectors (hereinafter, referred to as ejected sensors) provided in the flow path 30 of the prize ball ejecting device 20
The ejected ball detection signal from 25 is input.

Further, a stop command signal from a central control device of a pachinko parlor (not shown) is input to the CPU 200 '.

The CPU 200 'has a ROM 201 as a read-only memory and a RAM 202 as a memory which can be read and written at any time. ROM
201 includes a C for controlling the prize ball discharge device 20 and the like.
A program to be executed by the PU 200 ′ and fixed data such as a drive time and a wait time (discharge interval) of the safe solenoid 46 are stored.

On the other hand, the RAM 202 stores the discharge sensor 25
A memory area for storing the cumulative number of balls ejected from each flow-down path 30 and the number of ejected balls in each flow-down path, a register area forming a soft timer, and a CPU 200 'Work area (work area) is provided.

Further, the CPU 200 'includes a driver 2
20, a pair of solenoids (hereinafter referred to as “discharge solenoid”) 21 in the prize ball discharge device 20, a solenoid (hereinafter referred to as “safe solenoid”) 46 in the winning ball processing device 40, a prize ball lamp 111, and a completion lamp 11
2. Overflow lamp 113, improper warning indicator lamp 114, malfunction indicator lamp 115, prize ball indicator 11
6, a display device such as a pilot lamp 117 (all shown in FIG. 2), a speaker 120, a hit ball launching device 103, and the like. The CPU 200 ′ drives the prize ball discharge device 20, various display lamps, the hit ball launching device 103, and the like based on signals from the setter, various detectors and switches according to a program in the ROM 201.

The main processes of the CPU 200 'are an overflow process, a tank process, a ball removing process, a winning ball detecting process, and a prize ball discharging process. However, the procedure of the processing is not limited to the above order, and the processing may be started from any processing. The pachinko gaming machine is controlled by repeatedly executing the above processing by a timer interrupt or the like.

Here, in the overflow processing, for example, the overflow lamp 113 as the informing means is turned on or off for a predetermined time (10 to 20 seconds) based on the detection signal from the overflow detector 92 as the detecting means. If the overflow state has not been released, the shooting operation by the hit ball firing device 103 is stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inside of the prize ball lead-out gutter 13 from being filled with the prize balls up to the vicinity of the prize ball discharge device 20 and adversely affecting the discharging operation. Also, based on the detection signal from the overflow detector 92, the player recognizes that the number of game balls in the saucer 102 has reached a predetermined amount by the light emitting device such as the overflow lamp 113 without affecting other devices at all. Since the notification can be made in a possible manner, the player can immediately confirm the full state of the prize ball. Further, even in this full state, the game can be continued for a predetermined time, so that the player can play the tray 102 without interrupting the game.
Of the prize ball can be removed, and the operation of eliminating the full state of the prize ball can be performed promptly without disadvantage. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the notification by the overflow lamp 113, the hitting ball firing device 103
Is stopped, thereby preventing malfunction or failure of the prize ball discharge device by stopping the firing operation, and also, for a predetermined time (for example, (10 to 20 seconds) is given, so that the game does not suddenly become impossible due to the full state of the prize ball, for example, the variable prize winning device which the player can originally receive can be continued. Such as losing the right to open the game, or closing the game without obtaining a sufficient prize in the variable prize device, thereby giving an unexpected disadvantage to the player. .

In the tank processing, when it is detected that the storage tank 2 is empty and the ball shortage detector 93 has been turned off, for example, a ball replenishment request is sent to the central control room and the completion lamp 112 is turned on. At the same time or thereafter, when the ball absence state is detected based on the signal of the discharge sensor 25 in the prize ball discharge device 20, the hitting ball firing device 103 is stopped. When the ball replenishment request signal is sent to the central control room, a replenishing device (not shown) above the tank is operated by a command from the central control quality, and replenishment to the storage tank 2 is performed. In this embodiment, the discharge of the prize ball is not restarted immediately even if the state of the ball in the tank is detected by the signal from the ball shortage detector 93, and a delay time td of, for example, 2 seconds elapses as shown in FIG. Waiting for it to resume. The delay time is taken into account in consideration of the time difference between when the tank is refilled and when the guide gutter 11 is filled with the spare ball, thereby preventing the prize ball discharging device 20 from being discharged empty.

A signal from the ball release switch 84 indicates that the switching gate of the ball release device 60 has been switched to open the entrance of the ball drain gutter 16 and close the entrance of the prize ball outlet gutter 13. , The solenoid 21 in the prize ball discharging device 20 is operated to continuously discharge the reserve sphere through the two flow paths 30, thereby emptying the storage tank 2.

Since the winning ball detection processing and the prize ball discharging device are related to each other and become complicated, timing charts are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and will be described below based on the timing charts.

When the processing is started by turning on the power or generating an interrupt, the CPU 200 'first sets a safe memory for storing the number of winning balls and various registers before detecting a winning ball, and then sets a prize ball. The number of discharge spheres (hereinafter, referred to as radix number) for each flow down path in the discharge device 20 is determined.

In the gaming machine of the above embodiment, the prize ball number setting device 8 comprising a dip switch for setting the number of ejected balls.
1, 82 are provided. Accordingly, the CPU 200 'determines the discharge bases 1 and 2 as shown in the following table, for example, according to the combination of the ON and OFF states of the switches 81 and 82, and displays the total number of prize balls on the display on the front of the gaming machine. 1
16 is displayed. Here, as an example, a case where the total number of prize balls is set to any one of 11, 13, and 15 is shown.

[0054]

[Table 1] In Table 1 above, the discharge solenoid 1 side refers to a solenoid provided on a path closer to the mounting board among the two flow paths, and in Table 1 above, the number of discharge units on the discharge solenoid 1 side always discharges. It is determined to be larger than the solenoid 2 side. The reason for setting such a relationship is that, when the flow-down path is set to two, the flow of the ball flowing down from the storage tank 2 through the guide gutter 11 toward the prize ball discharge device 20 is closer to the substrate. This is because it has been experimentally revealed that the flow path is smoother, and that the distant side tends to be short of balls at all times. Therefore, by always increasing the number of discharge bases on the discharge solenoid 1 side as shown in Table 1, it becomes possible to balance the supply of spheres to the two flow paths.

When the set n prize balls are discharged by the prize ball discharge device 20 shown in FIG. 3, the flow-down preventing member 22 is provided downstream of the mounting position of the discharge sensor 25.
There is one ball blocked by the discharge sensor 25
Waits for the next ejection command in a state where is detected the previous ball. Therefore, in the actual control, it is necessary to change the control signal to the solenoid 21 that activates the flow-down preventing member 22 when the discharge sensor detects the (n-1) th ball that is “1” smaller than the set number n. is there.

During normal operation, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7, the winning memory of the safe memory is set to "1" in response to the rise of the output of the safe sensor, the safe lamp is turned on and the discharge solenoid 1 is connected. 2 is turned on. Then, the discharge of the prize balls is started, and the outputs of the discharge sensors 1 and 2 change for each discharged ball, and a predetermined number (Table 1)
When the radix-1) is reached, a solenoid demagnetization command is issued, the corresponding discharge solenoid is turned off, and the safe lamp is turned off. At the same time, the safe solenoid is turned on for only about 100 msec to discharge the winning ball, and the next winning ball can be accepted. on the other hand,
The discharge wait timer is turned on at the same time when the safe solenoid is turned on, and the discharge of the prize ball for the next 600 ms is waited until the timer expires (600 ms).

The set time of the safe solenoid timer is 1
00 ms, the safe solenoid 46
The stopper 47 driven by the stopper 47 is raised for 100 ms, and the winning ball blocked by the stopper 47 is surely ejected, and promptly moves to a state for waiting for the winning ball next flowing into the winning ball processing device 40. Can be migrated to.

The set time of the discharge wait timer is 6
00 ms, the guide gutter 11 after the discharge is completed.
After the state of the ball inside is stabilized, the next discharge can be performed, and the accuracy of the discharge is guaranteed.

In this embodiment, if a ball is clogged in the guide gutter 11 or in the downflow path 30 of the prize ball discharging device 20 and a ball-less state is detected during the prize ball discharging operation, a corresponding action is taken. The discharge solenoid 21 on the path side is turned off to display a malfunction.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the discharge sensor 1 detects three discharge balls, a ball clogging occurs, and when the output of the sensor 1 is kept at a low level, the CPU returns to 10%. After a lapse of seconds, the discharge solenoid 1 is turned off. Also, the prize ball lamp 1
11 is turned off, and the malfunction indication lamp 115 is caused to blink at a cycle of, for example, 400 msec. In addition, in the above case, even if the discharge solenoid is turned off, the winning memory in the safe memory is maintained without being subtracted, and the operation of the safe solenoid is also suspended. That is, the prize memory is subtracted by turning off the discharge solenoid, then the safe solenoid is turned on, the next prize ball is taken into the prize ball processing device 40 and detected, and the prize ball discharge device 20 operates again. However, in this embodiment, when a ball is clogged in the prize ball discharge device 20, separation and detection of the prize ball in the prize ball processing device 40 are interrupted, and an operation failure is displayed.

Therefore, the clerk of the amusement store can see the malfunction display lamp 115 and know that the malfunction has occurred, and can quickly deal with the malfunction.

When the clogging of the ball is eliminated by the attendant and the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 changes to a high level as shown in FIG. 8, two seconds later after that, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 of the prize ball discharge device 20 are returned again. Is turned on, the malfunction display is stopped, and the prize lamp 111 is turned on.

On the other hand, the prize ball discharge device 20 does not perform accurate discharge even when the discharge sensors 1 and 2 and the discharge solenoid fail. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
If the output of the discharge sensor 1 (or 2) remains at a high level before the predetermined number of prize balls (six) are detected after the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are turned on, this state is assumed. Is continued for 1.5 seconds, the drive signal of the discharge solenoid 1 (or 2) is lowered to a low level, the safe lamp is turned off, and the malfunction indicator lamp 115 is blinked at a cycle of, for example, 200 ms. ing.
Therefore, the clerk at the game store knows that the malfunction has occurred by looking at this display, and can take appropriate measures such as replacing the solenoid or the sensor.

Even if the discharge solenoid or the discharge sensor has failed before the start of discharge, the output of the discharge sensor does not change and remains at a high level, so that a malfunction display is performed after 1.5 seconds. .

Further, as described above, when the ball is clogged (first abnormal state) and when the discharge solenoid or the discharge sensor fails (second abnormal state), the malfunction indication lamp 1 is used.
15 flashing periods are changed (400msec and 200m
Seconds), the attendant can guess the cause of the defect, and a more rapid response is possible.

Further, when a malfunction (abnormal state) is detected, the winning memory in the safe memory is retained without being subtracted, so that the player may be disadvantaged in that the prize ball is not paid. Absent. Further, since the discharge solenoid is turned off when the malfunction is detected, it is possible to prevent the solenoid from being heated for a long time and generating heat.

In the above-described embodiment, when there is an abnormality in the prize ball discharger, the malfunction indicator lamp 115 is caused to blink. However, the malfunction is indicated by voice using a speaker or a buzzer instead of the lamp. You may make it notify.

[0068]

As described above, the present invention relates to a game machine provided with a ball discharge device (for example, a prize ball discharge device 20) for discharging a predetermined number of game balls based on a predetermined discharge command signal. A supply plate (101) provided on the front side of the machine and capable of storing game balls discharged from the ball discharge device;
And a tray (10) to which an excessive amount of game balls flowing down through the diversion gutter (15) when the game balls stored in the supply tray exceed a predetermined amount are installed on the front side of the gaming machine.
2) a detecting means (for example, an overflow detector 92) provided at a predetermined location of the diversion gutter and capable of detecting that the number of game balls stored in the receiving tray has reached a predetermined amount; Based on the detection signal, the player can recognize that the number of the game balls in the receiving tray has reached a predetermined amount without stopping the operation of other necessary devices (for example, the hitting ball firing device 103). Since a notification means (for example, an overflow indicator (overflow lamp) 113) for notifying in a mode is provided, according to the above-mentioned means, when the prize ball becomes full in the diversion trough, it does not affect any other necessary devices. Without giving any effect, the light emitting device or the like informs the player of the fact that the number of game balls in the saucer has reached the predetermined amount in a manner recognizable by the player. Therefore, the player can immediately confirm that the prize ball is full,
Because it is possible to continue the game even in this full state,
The player can remove the prize ball in the saucer without interrupting the game, and can quickly perform the operation of eliminating the full state of the prize ball without disadvantage.

Further, if the operation of the other required devices is stopped when the notification by the notification means has passed a predetermined time, the ball discharge device (prize ball discharge device) malfunctions due to the continuous full state. And a predetermined time is given to the player before the operation of the other required devices stops, so that the game cannot be suddenly performed due to the full state of the prize ball as in the past. State, for example, the variable winning device that the player should be able to receive may lose the right to continue opening, or may be closed without obtaining sufficient winnings in the variable winning device. There is also an effect that a situation such as giving an unexpected disadvantage to a player can be effectively avoided.
Further, it is sufficient to provide only one detection means at a predetermined location of the diversion gutter, which can detect that the game balls stored in the receiving tray have reached a predetermined amount, so that the device can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a configuration example of an entire back mechanism board of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a reserve ball storage tank, a guide gutter, and a prize ball discharge device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a prize ball discharging device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing timing in tank processing for replenishing a storage tank.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing timing in a prize ball discharging process in a normal state by the CPU.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart of a prize ball discharging process when a ball is clogged.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of prize ball discharge processing when a discharge solenoid or a discharge sensor is defective. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Back mechanism board, 2 Storage tank, 10 Assembly shelf, 11 Guide gutter, 12 Winning ball outlet gutter, 13 Prize ball outlet gutter, 15 minute flow gutter 20 Prize ball discharge device (ball discharge device) 22 Downflow prevention member, 25 Discharge sensor , 30 downflow path, 40 winning ball processing device, 91 winning ball detector (safe sensor), 92 overflow detector (detection means) 100 pachinko machine, 101 supply tray, 102 tray, 103 hitting ball launching device (other required devices) ), 113 Overflow indicator (notification means) 200 Control device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game machine provided with a ball discharge device for discharging a predetermined number of game balls based on a predetermined discharge command signal, wherein the game ball is provided on the front side of the game machine and discharged from the ball discharge device. And a supply tray capable of storing the game balls, and an excess game ball that is installed on the front side of the gaming machine and flows down through the diversion gutter when the game balls stored in the supply tray exceed a predetermined amount. A receiving tray, provided at a predetermined location of the diversion gutter, and detecting means for detecting that the number of game balls stored in the receiving tray has reached a predetermined amount; based on a detection signal from the detecting device, Notifying means for notifying the player that the number of the game balls in the saucer has reached a predetermined amount without stopping the operation of the device, in a manner recognizable by the player. Machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means is a light emitting device provided on a predetermined portion of a front surface of the gaming machine. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation of another required device is stopped when the notification by the notification means has passed a predetermined time.