CN1709537A

CN1709537A - Game computer

Info

Publication number: CN1709537A
Application number: CNA2005100790059A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 原伸次
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2005-06-17
Publication date: 2005-12-21
Also published as: SG118385A1; TWI294302B; JP2006000454A; KR20060049622A; TW200615031A

Abstract

The invention provides an game machine which can make the variation of the stream of game balls remarkable to a game player. This game machine has an outlet which recovers game balls streaming down on a game region, a storage tray which temporarily stores game balls being recovered from the outlet, and at the same time, on which a ball passage for guiding game balls to a launching position is formed, and a discharging port which is formed under the outlet, and is opened to the ball passage. The game machine also has a tray cover for covering the ball passage which is attached to the storage tray, and is equipped with a visually checking section through which a part of the ball passage can visually be checked. The visually checking section is made of a member having transparency, and is provided in a vicinity of the discharging port in which the variation of the stream of game balls is most intense.

Description

Game machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to game machine, relate in particular to a kind of interior blocking type game machine, it allows player to utilize the game ball that circulation is encapsulated in wherein simultaneously in game machine to play.

Background technology

In this in the game machine of blocking type, the game ball of predetermined number is packed and be stored in the Pinball machine and game ball (inclosure ball) is used for game machine in the mode of circulation.

More particularly, the game ball that is encapsulated in the game machine is transferred into transmitting site down the lever operated of player, and the game ball that is transferred into transmitting site launch under the elasticity repulsive force by the Launch Equipment Shop generation and guiding at guide rail under be supplied to game area on the game panel.Knock down nail and flowing downward of the game ball that is supplied to game area.Then, when game ball is entering in panel surface flows downward process when rewarding mouthful, extra ball is just paid the player.On the other hand, when game ball did not also finally enter the award mouth along game panel is mobile, game ball entered outlet.

Enter the game ball of rewarding mouth and outlet and be collected and be collected in the storage tray, and be back to transmitting site once more subsequently by means of the payment opening.Then, the encapsulation ball that is collected into transmitting site is launched under the elasticity repulsive force that is produced by Launch Equipment Shop once more.

As the document of describing this interior blocking type game machine the open 2000-218019 of Japan Patent, the open 2003-190588 of Japan Patent, the open 2002-827 of Japan Patent etc. are for example arranged.

Here, in the open 2000-218019 of Japan Patent, by covering storage tray with lid and game ball being separated or separated with the player.In addition, in the open 2003-190588 of Japan Patent, extra ball is paid out from the payment mouth that is installed in the storage tray left side.Further, in the open 2002-827 of Japan Patent, provide one to promote and feedway, to replace top tray.

Summary of the invention

Yet, in above-mentioned in the blocking type game machine, owing to utilized lifting and feed unit etc. to make the game ball circulation, thus improved the manufacturing cost of game machine.

In order to reduce cost, can form the payment mouth in the position below the outlet, promote and feed unit and do not utilize, and will and reward mouthful game ball direct payment of collecting to storage tray from this outlet.

In this structure, because game ball flows out to the core of storage tray from payment mouth, flowing of game ball just can not be unidirectional, thereby increased the interest that the player continues to play.Yet in this case, because game ball is scattered on left and right directions, the player is difficult to follow the tracks of flowing of game ball.

So, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of in the game machine of blocking type, it can make the variation that game ball flows become clearly for the player, so that the player can discern flowing of game ball with great interest easily and clearly.

For overcoming above-mentioned shortcoming, the invention provides a kind of game machine that utilizes game ball to play, wherein this game machine comprises: game ball reclaims mouth, and it comprises the outlet that is arranged in the game area bottom and is collected in the game ball that flows downward in the game area; Storage tray, it is temporarily stored from game ball and reclaims a mouthful game ball of collecting, and is provided with the ball passage that game ball is directed to transmitting site simultaneously; Payment mouthful, it is formed at the following of outlet and towards the ball access portal; And pallet cover, it is installed on the storage tray and covers the ball passage, has simultaneously to allow the player to see the observation window of a part of ball passage.

In this way, form observation window on the part owing to the pallet cover that is formed at the ball passage in the storage tray in covering, the game ball of being paid storage tray just becomes clearly by observation window, and therefore the player can be easily and is clearly discerned the variation that game ball flows, thereby this recreation can cause player's interest more effectively.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the perspective view that game machine according to an embodiment of the invention is shown;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of game machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is the view that the storage tray of a part that constitutes game machine shown in Figure 1 is shown;

Fig. 4 is the decomposition view that storage tray shown in Figure 3 is shown.

The specific embodiment

Below, explain in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and implement the preferred embodiments of the present invention.Here, in institute's drawings attached, the explanation that identical parts provide identical Reference numeral and omit its repeatability.In addition, although below the explanation that provides described and be used to implement the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 is the perspective view that game machine according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, Fig. 2 is the block diagram of game machine shown in Figure 1, Fig. 3 is the view that the storage tray of a part that constitutes game machine shown in Figure 1 is shown, and Fig. 4 is the decomposition view that storage tray shown in Figure 3 is shown.

In Fig. 1, game machine 10 is served as reasons and is constituted the housing 11 of an independent bank and be installed in Pinball machine (hereinafter being referred to as " game ontology ") 12 single piece that constituted on the housing 11.Housing 11 is supported on game ontology 12 under such state, so that the game area 13a of the game panel 13 of game ontology 12 places the height place of player's eyes.In addition, in housing 11 game ontology 12 under the position be provided with the mounting base 14 that extends forward from housing 11, directly over game ontology, be provided with simultaneously the display floater 15 of predetermined information being informed the player.

The game ball of predetermined number is packed plays with being stored in the game ontology 12 and by the game ball circulation that makes these encapsulation.

The frame body that above-mentioned game panel 13 is installed on it about game ontology 12, is rotatably installed on the housing 11 in hinged mode.On the front surface of game panel 13, the glass door 16 that the state that can observe game panel 13 with the player covers game panel 13 is installed to be and makes glass door 16 to be opened and closed.Under glass door 16, a tray unit 17 is installed with such state, so that tray unit 17 can be opened and closed.

About game panel 13, on the game area 13a that is limited and constitute the zone that the game ball of emission flows downward by guide rail 18, suitably be furnished with a plurality of barriers for example play nail and pinwheel (not shown), reward mouthfuls 19 and for example begin a mouthful 19a, a general mouthful 19b and the big mouth 19c that rewards of rewarding.In addition, outlet 20 is arranged, do not enter these and reward game ball of mouthfuls 19 and enter wherein in the lower disposed of game area 13a.In addition, reward mouthfuls 19 and outlet 20 constitute game ball and reclaim mouthful, it flows downward in game ball and collects game ball after passing game area 13a.

In addition, on game area 13a, be formed with additional character display unit 21.The display mode of these distinctive signal display unit 21 reindexing, its formation a plurality of (for example three) identifying information image, wherein symbol enters a beginning mouthful 19a according to the game ball of rewarding and begins or stop.Then, when the symbol combination of halted state and predetermined triumph combination were consistent, playing just turned to the favourable special play state for the player, and it is got Grand Prix and encourages mouthful 19c and present open mode according to predetermined symbol.

As previously mentioned, tray unit 17 be arranged in game panel 13 below.Tray unit 17 is provided with storage tray 22, and the game ball of being paid away temporarily is stored in wherein with the game ball that is launched into game area 13a.Here, although down pallet 23 be located at storage tray 22 below, in this embodiment at the game machine of interior blocking type, game ball can not be stored in down in the pallet 23.Therefore, in this embodiment, originally provide and be used for allowing to be stored in the flashboard control lever 25 that the game ball in the storage tray 22 falls down on the pallet 23 and being controlled as and working by opening a flow channel that allows storage tray 23 and following pallet 23 to communicate with each other.

The details of the peripheral structure of storage tray 22 is described below.

On the right side of tray unit 17, be provided with the handle of when game ball is launched the game area 13a of game panel 13 by guide rail 18, being handled 24.By rotary handle 24, the transmitter (not shown) starts and the game ball that is supplied to transmitting site is launched under elasticity repulsive force.Here, transmitter is swung a hammer at a predetermined velocity and is clashed into game ball and launch game ball at transmitting site (terminal of leading to the guide channel of transmitter from memory device 22) towards game panel 13 by the far-end with hammer under the control of payment/countdown circuit.

At a side end place of game ontology 12 (being right side shown in the figure) along direction of visual lines, be provided with ball distributor (game medium lends the unit) 30, it lends the suitable game ball of quantity that quantity and player are inserted.

This ball distributor 30 is provided with and lends number display part 31, lends adjusting button 32, lends and transmit button 33, game money number display part 34 and infrared transmission parts 35 or the like on its front surface.

Here, lending number display part 31 is made of seven sections three LED (light emitting diode) and shows the current number (coin lends the number of data) that has the coin in the game machine.In addition, game money number display part 34 also is made of seven sections three LED (light emitting diode) and shows the current number that has the game money in the game machine.

Lend and transmit the button that lends data that button 33 is a transmission relevant coin that lends game ontology 12, game money etc., the transmission that wherein lends data is undertaken by pressing this button.Here, for example transmitting action carries out as follows.

When lending when transmitting button 33 and being pressed, CPU confirms to lend the content of data.When as the result who confirms coin being lent, the data that lend of coin are transferred into game ontology 12.So game ontology 12 receives to lend data and will lend data transaction and becomes game ball number data.For example, when lending coin when being 100 yen, suppose that lending coin has per 100 yen of value that are equivalent to 120 game ball, then lends the game ball data that coin just converts 120 balls to.Here, in lending number display part 31, show the number that deducts " 1 ".

On the other hand, when as the result who confirms game money being lent, the data that lend of game money are transferred into game ontology 12.So game ontology 12 receives to lend data and will lend data transaction and becomes game ball number data.For example, when lending game money when having the value that each game money is equivalent to 7 game ball, then lend the game ball data that game money just converts 7 balls to.Here, on game money number display part 34, show the number that deducts " 1 ".

Here, in this embodiment, press to lend at every turn and transmit button once, one lends data and is transferred into game ontology 12.Yet the present invention is not limited to this pattern, but all lend data can be sent to game ontology 12 when a push.

In addition, when pressing when lending that coin and game money are all lent when transmitting button 33, in this embodiment, the high priority data that lends of coin is transferred into game ontology 12.Yet,, can preferentially transmit the data that lend of game money as opposite situation.

Lend and regulate button 32 for lending coin and lending the button of game money payment, wherein PayPal is crossed and is pressed this button and carry out.Here, lending coin is converted into game money and game money and is paid away from game money payment mouthfuls 36.

For example, when to lend coin be two 100 yen coin, have per 100 yen of value that are equivalent to 17 game moneys, lend when regulating button 32 pressing, always have 34 game moneys and pay away from game money payment mouthfuls 36 owing to lend coin.

On the other hand, for game money, the number that lends of game money is directly paid away from game money payment mouth 36.For example, suppose that the number that lends game money is 6, lend when regulating button 32 depressing that 6 game moneys mouthful are paid away from the game money payment.

When this delivery operation is finished, lend on number display part 31 and the game money number display part 34 and to show that a credit side saves the reading for " 0 ".

In addition, below game money number display part 34, be provided with game money and insert mouth 37, the player can insert game money thus as game medium; Game money back bar 37a, player can operate and regain and be inserted into game money and insert game money in mouthfuls 37; And game money return port 37b, insert be the game money of irregular (or unconventional) or player's operate game coin back bar 37a the time game money will turn back to this place.

In addition, below game money return port 37b, be provided with coin and insert mouth 38, the player can insert for example 100 yen coins such as coin thus; Coin back bar 38a, player can operate and regain the coin that is inserted in the coin insertion mouth 38; And coin return port 38b, insert be irregular coin or player when operating coin and regaining bar 38a coin will turn back to this place.

Here, in this embodiment, 100 yen coin is as rule (or conventional) coin, and therefore, and when other coin outside 100 Japanese yen coins inserted coin and inserts mouthfuls 38, such coin was regarded as irregular (unconventional) coin.Yet the present invention is not limited to this situation, but other coin also can be considered as regular coin.

Infrared transmission parts 35 are located at game money number display part 34 and game money inserts between the mouth 37.

These infrared transmission parts 35 can transmit game data (the game money number of acquisition) after finishing recreation.For example, the player utilizes his/her mobile phone to receive game data from infrared transmission parts 35, and the game money number that after this enters the particular web site on the internet and allow this network address recording game person to be obtained.So, when a large amount of players carries out same record, just may realize the demonstration of (for example one day, a week) nationwide grade in the predetermined amount of time.So game machine can further cause player's interest.

The circuit structure of the control system of the game ontology 12 in this game machine 10 has been shown among Fig. 2.

The control system of game ontology 12 comprises main control circuit 40 and the sub-control circuit 50 that links to each other with main control circuit 40.

In this control system, main control circuit 40 constitutes main element and is installed on the back side of game panel 13.

In main control circuit 20, host CPU (superminiature arithmetic processor) 41, initial reset circuit 42, main RAM 43 and main ROM are installed.Here, host CPU 41 carries out the game operation of game ontology 12 according to pre-set programs.Initial reset circuit 42 returns to initial value with various settings when abnormal conditions occurring.Main RAM 43 storage operation host CPUs 41 necessary various data.Main ROM 44 store the game operation that allows 41 pairs of game ontologies 12 of host CPU carry out processing controls program, based on random number raffle carry out Grand Prix when judging be reference Grand Prix judgement table and carry out the result when raffling with the various possibility tables (for example group selection table) as a result etc. that are reference.

Here, host CPU 41 is carried out wherein the processing that enters beginning mouthful 19a and produce the Grand Prix judgment processing of carrying out Grand Prix when beginning to encourage and judging, be used for additional character and be presented at the processing that result's demonstration of the background image on the additional character display part 21 judges convertibly and be used for the content that is presented on the ordinary symbol display part (not shown) is judged when game ball.In addition, host CPU 41 constitutes Grand Prix mouth SOL control module, and it is switched to special play state control Grand Prix mouth SOL of following time (electromagnetic solenoid) 60 at game machine, with the door of opening/closing Grand Prix mouth 19c.

With having that the I/O (end) of main control circuit 40 mouthfuls 46 links to each other: the V/ that the number of the game ball of the specific region (V zone) by offering Grand Prix mouth 19c is counted counts SW (switch) 61, the counting SW (switch) 62 that the number of the game ball of the normal areas (V zone) by offering Grand Prix mouth 19c is counted, detect game ball and enter the common common prize mouthful SW 63 that rewards mouthful 19b, be located in the beginning door (not shown) and detect the game ball process through the SW64 that moves into one's husband's household upon marriage, that detects that game ball enters beginning mouthful 19a begins to reward a mouthful SW 65, open and close the beginning mouth SOL 66 of the common electronic door of beginning mouthful 19a, open and close the Grand Prix mouth SOL 60 of the door of Grand Prix mouth 19c, activation lever is distributed the specific region that enters Grand Prix mouth 19c and the lever SOL 67 of normal areas, and eliminate the backup that is stored in the various data among the main RAM 44 and remove SW68.

When above-mentioned each SW 61 to 65 detected game ball, the signal of detection was transfused to the host CPU 41 of main control circuit 40, and in response to the detection signal of importing, host CPU carries out the respective drive control of above-mentioned each SOL 60,66,67.In addition, control instruction is passed to sub-control circuit 50 and payment/countdown circuit 70 from main control circuit 40 by instruction output end mouth 45.Because this structure is by the operation of sub-control circuit 50 and payment/countdown circuit 70 control LCD (image display) 80, loudspeaker 81, lamp/LED 82, payment devices 71 and transmitter 72.

In sub-control circuit 50, sub-CPU 51, work RAM 52 and programming ROM 53 are installed.

51 couples of sub-CPU decipher from the control instruction that main control circuit 40 receives by instruction input port 40, and according to decode results image control circuit 55, sound control circuit 56 and lamp control circuit 57 are controlled.

In programming ROM 53, store the sub-CPU 51 of permission and control program, the sub-CPU 51 of permission that image control circuit 55 carries out processing controls carried out the control program of processing controls, the sub-CPU 51 of permission carries out processing controls to lamp control circuit 57 based on the lamp control instruction signal of exporting from main control circuit 40 control program etc. based on the sound generating command signal from main control circuit 40 outputs to sound control circuit 56 based on image control instruction signal from main control circuit 40 outputs.

Work RAM 52 temporarily constitutes memory, and it allows sub-CPU 51 to carry out processing controls according to above-mentioned control program.

LCD 80 links to each other with image control circuit 55.Image control circuit 55 carries out image based on the control of sub-CPU 51 and shows that control handles, and for example additional character and background view are corresponding to the Grand Prix judged result and the change on the additional character display part 21 of LCD 80 shows.In addition, image control circuit 55 and LCD 80 are configured to comprise informing device, and the display mode as a result when its change according to additional character shows is informed the triumph result's whether triumph result (1i-zhi effect) produces, produced kind or the possibility that Grand Prix produces.

Loudspeaker 81 is connected to sound control circuit 56.Sound control circuit 56 produces voice signal and loudspeaker 81 based on the control of sub-CPU 51 and produces sound based on the voice signal of these inputs.

Lamp/LED 82 is connected to lamp control circuit 57.Lamp control circuit 57 produces optical signalling based on the control of sub-CPU 51.Then, light/LED 82 carries out light demonstration etc. based on the optical signalling of these inputs.

Payment devices 71 and transmitter 72 are connected to payment/countdown circuit 70.Here, payment/countdown circuit 70 carries out the driving control of transmitter corresponding to the rotary manipulation of handle 24, with the emission game ball or according to paying the player from the payment instruction of main control circuit 40 with game money.

Explain tray unit 17 below in conjunction with Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

As shown in these figures, tray unit 17 is provided with storage tray 22.One ball passage 22a is formed in the storage tray 22, and the game ball of paying and be launched into game area 13a and reclaimed mouthful 19,20 collected game ball by game ball and temporarily be stored among the ball passage 22a.

Ball passage 22a communicates with the transmitting site of game ball.Allow game ball to roll simultaneously for game ball being supplied to transmitting site, ball passage 22a is to form towards the downward-sloping mode of transmitting site.In addition, the side relative with transmitting site (in the face of the left side of accompanying drawing) that be arranged as of ball passage 22a is broadened, so that ball passage 22a edge is forwards to protrusion.Further, the width of ball passage 22a narrows down towards transmitting site gradually from widen location, and has finally taked to be equivalent to the width of game ball diameter.

So, be in line along the restriction of the game ball of rolling, and therefore game ball is directed to transmitting site one by one owing to the width of the ball passage 22a that is subjected to narrowing down gradually towards the direction of transmitting site.

Payment mouth 26 is towards such storage tray 22 openings.Payment mouthfuls 26 be formed at the bottom (referring to Fig. 1) that is arranged in above-mentioned game area 13a outlet 22 below, and therefore reclaimed by game ball that mouthful 19,20 collected game ball are rolled downwards and pay the core of storage tray 22 from payment mouthfuls 26.

In addition, as shown in the figure, pallet cover 27 is installed on the storage tray 22.Pallet cover 27 covers ball passage 22a, is formed with the installing hole 27a that meshes with flashboard control lever 25 in a flashboard closure from storage tray 22 to the position of playing the game ball passage in pallet 23 scopes simultaneously, so that flashboard control lever 25 is fixed on this position.Because this structure, the manipulation of flashboard control lever 25 becomes and can not realize, and has therefore stoped the player will be stored in game ball in the storage tray 22 to fall into play pallet 23 and the game ball of interior envelope is fetched into outside the game machine.

Locating hole 27b is formed at four part places of pallet cover 27, and locator protrusions 22b is formed on the storage tray 22 at four part places corresponding to locating hole 27b.Locator protrusions 22b is assemblied among the locating hole 27b.Because this structure, pallet cover 27 is just located and is fixed on the storage tray 22.

Here, can not form installing hole 27a, and pallet cover can have and prevents pallet cover 27 and flashboard control lever 25 shape of mutual interference mutually.In addition, the locator protrusions 22b that also can not form locating hole 27b and mesh with locating hole 27b by assembling.In this case, pallet cover places on the storage tray 22 simply.

Here, pallet cover 27 is integrally formed by opaque material (for example metal or plastics), and is formed with observation window 27c with bowed shape on pallet cover 27, and it allows to observe a part of ball passage 22a that is formed in the storage tray 22.

By forming this observation window 27c, can allow the player only to observe the game ball of being paid storage tray 22 with ways to restrain, and therefore flowing of game ball just become clearly for the player by the observation window 27c of pallet cover 27.So the player can be easily and is clearly discerned the mobile variation of game ball and therefore may cause player's interest more effectively.

Here, in this embodiment, for example, observation window 27c is formed by transparent material (material with transparency), for example plastics.Yet for observation window 27c, it is just enough to can be observed a part of ball passage 22a.So, replace transparent material, for example, observation window 27c can be by forming a part of pallet cover 27 or forming by form slit in pallet cover 27 with the mesh form.Here, utilize for example transparent material, mesh or the slit formation observation window 27c of plastics, just can utilize simple relatively and the observation window of method formation easily.In addition, the shape of observation window 27c is not limited to arc.

Preferably, as the situation among this embodiment, observation window 27c is located at the periphery place of payment mouth 26.This is because as mentioned above, pay away from payment mouthfuls 26 owing to reclaim mouthfuls 19,20 collected game ball by game ball, thereby can allow to pay mouthfuls 26 periphery, be that the game ball the most violent part of change that flows becomes for the player clearly.

Summarize the invention described above, according to the present invention, on being formed at the part of pallet cover of the ball passage in the storage tray, covering forms observation window, and the game ball of therefore being paid storage tray just becomes clearly by observation window, the player can be easily and is clearly discerned the variation that game ball flows thus, thereby causes player's interest.

In addition, observation window is set, the periphery that flow to change the payment mouth of the most violent position as game ball is become for the player clearly by periphery place in payment mouthful.

In addition, form observation window with the form of mesh or slit, can use simple relatively and the observation window of method formation easily by utilizing transparent material to form observation window or passing through.

Although with respect to wherein Pinball machine being explained the present invention as the situation of game ontology, but game machine of the present invention is not limited to Pinball machine, and can be applied to various utilize game ball for example intelligent sphere (smart ball) or mahjong etc. as the game machine of game medium.

Claims

1. game machine that utilizes game ball to play comprises:

Game ball reclaims mouth, and it comprises the outlet that is arranged in the game area bottom and is collected in the game ball that flows downward in the game area;

Storage tray, it is temporarily stored from game ball and reclaims a mouthful game ball of collecting, and is provided with the ball passage that game ball is directed to transmitting site simultaneously;

Payment mouthful, it is formed at the following of this outlet and towards this ball access portal; And

Pallet cover, it is installed on this storage tray and covers this ball passage, has simultaneously to allow the player to see the observation window of a part of ball passage.

2. game machine according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this observation window is located at the periphery place of this payment mouth.

3. game machine according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that, this observation window is formed by transparent material or forms with the form of mesh or slit.