JP2000176099A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel and interesting game machine with increased amusement which can sufficiently fulfill a player's expectation and a speculative spirit. SOLUTION: In this game machine, a symbol variation game, in which various symbols change as if they were exchanged with each other and stop changing after that, is executed in a variable display device 30 based on entrance of a ball into a starting winning hole 20. When a reach (within an inch of winning) condition is displayed in the middle of the symbol variation game, the starting winning hole 20 is temporarily opened. The ball entering the starting winning hole 20 alone is taken in to a ball dividing device 40. If the ball enters a receiving part previously selected as effective in the ball dividing device 40, the same symbols as of the reach display are displayed in a third display part, the last of the variable display device 30, and the symbol variation game is finished. After that, a variable winning device 60 is opened/closed to generate a special prize condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a special prize advantageous to a player is generated when predetermined conditions are satisfied in a game in which a ball is hit on a game board. Here, the gaming machine mainly refers to a pachinko machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of game machine, various types of pachinko machines generally known as fever machines and right goods are known. In the fever machine, when a ball wins in the starting winning opening established on the game board, various symbols are scroll-displayed in three rows on a variable display device such as a liquid crystal screen. Then, when the big hit display in which all the three symbols match after the scroll is stopped, a special prize (so-called fever) is generated, and the large winning opening is set to be opened and closed a predetermined number of times.

Further, in the above-mentioned right, when a ball wins in the starting winning opening, the movable winning device having a mechanical structure is temporarily opened, and in the meantime, the so-called V of the movable winning device is opened.
If a ball enters the winning opening, it will be a big hit. Then, after the occurrence of the big hit, the movable winning device is controlled so as to be repeatedly opened every time a ball is won in the starting winning opening. As described above, there are various models that can enjoy completely different game methods. At the amusement arcade, several types of models were installed to meet the players' preferences.

[0004]

However, in the conventional gaming machines, the display contents of the variable display device are diversified in the case of the fever machine, and the structure of the movable prize device is complicated in the case of the right game. Then, although there are various ways to enhance the interest, the game methods are almost categorized for each model, and the games themselves tend to be rut.

[0005] As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, within the range of the gaming method that is being standardized for each model, unprecedented entertainment is imparted, and the expectation of the player for the occurrence of the special prize is provided. There is a limit to directing to enhance the game, and it has been difficult to further incite the gambling spirit of the player or to visually stimulate the player.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-190112, there has been proposed a game machine which brings out the unique interest of the right in addition to the display contents common to the fever machine. Such a gaming machine opens the variable winning device when the display content on the variable display device satisfies a predetermined condition, and shifts to a special prize when a ball winning the variable winning device enters a specific winning opening. Was set to

However, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned publication, a specific winning opening is fixed, and there is no change in the winning mode of the ball at all, and there is no interest. The display contents on the variable display device were not affected by the variable winning device. Furthermore, in the variable display device, the probability variation that can highly fluctuate the probability of satisfying the predetermined condition is implemented, but it is only a software change, there is no change in the mechanism at all, and there is a problem that it lacks interest. Was presenting.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The present invention not only integrates the conventional game methods between different models, but also displays the contents of the variable display device and the ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the thrill and excitement in the process up to the occurrence of a special prize by giving a relation to a winning mode in the distribution device.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a game in which a ball is hit on the game board surface (11), in a gaming machine (10) in which a special prize advantageous to a player is generated, a start winning opening (20) and a variable display device (30). ), A ball distribution device (40), a symbol variation executing unit (113), a character displacement executing unit (114), a winning mode determining unit (115), and a special prize generating unit (116). The start winning port (20) can be displaced between a normal collecting state in which a winning ball is collected as it is and an entrance state in which the winning ball is guided into the inside of the ball sorting device (40). (11) A ball is provided so as to be able to win, and the variable display device (30) includes a plurality of display portions (31 to 33) each of which can display various symbols one by one. ), And the ball sorting device (40) is The start winning port (20) has a plurality of receiving portions (42) that can receive a winning ball when in the entrance state, and each receiving portion (42) is provided on the variable display device (30). It is provided on the game board surface (11) in a state where it is associated with the symbol to be displayed and it is possible to visually recognize which receiving portion (42) the ball has won,
The symbol variation executing means (113) is configured to execute all the display units (31-33) of the variable display device (30) due to the winning of the ball when the starting winning port (20) is in the collecting state.
After changing the various patterns with, each display unit (31
To 33), a symbol change game for sequentially stopping any one symbol is executed, and the accessory displacement execution means (114)
During the symbol change game, when one of the display portions (33) is left and the symbols stopped on the other display portions (31, 32) match the reach display, the starting winning opening (2) is displayed.
0) is temporarily displaced from the normal collecting state to the entrance state, and thereafter, is returned to the collecting state when one ball wins in the starting winning opening (20).
15) Based on the reach display, the receiving unit (42) corresponding to the symbol forming the reach display is previously selected as valid, and when the starting winning opening (20) is in the entrance state, 1 is selected.
It is determined whether or not the winning ball has won the receiving unit (42) previously selected as valid, and the receiving unit (42) previously selected as valid by the prize mode determining means (115). ), When it is determined that the ball has won, the symbol change execution means (113) outputs the last display unit (3).
3) Also performs a jackpot display in which the symbols forming the reach display are aligned, and the special prize generating means (116) executes the symbol change game on the variable display device (30) as a result.
The gaming machine (10), wherein the special prize advantageous to the player is generated when the big hit is displayed.

[2] The ball sorting device (40) has a disk (41) rotatably supported, and the plurality of receiving portions (42) are arranged in a circumferential direction of the disk (41). The gaming machine (10) according to [1], wherein the gaming machine is formed in a roulette type.

[3] A winning rate management means (117) is provided,
The winning rate management means (117) is provided with the ball sorting device (4).
By controlling the rotation of the disk (41) of 0),
The gaming machine (10) according to [2], wherein the probability of winning a ball to any one of the receiving units (42) is increased.

[4] A part of each receiving section (42) of the ball sorting device (40) is set as a special receiving section (42) separately from the one associated with the symbol, and A special prize generating means (118);
8) generating a small special prize in which the special prize is reduced when a ball is awarded in the special receiving section (42) by the ball distribution device (40) [1], [2]. ] Or the gaming machine (10) according to [3].

[5] A part of each receiving part (42) of the ball sorting device (40) is set as a special receiving part (42) separately from the one corresponding to the symbol, and A fluctuation means (119); and said probability fluctuation means (119).
Is the special receiving unit (4) in the ball sorting device (40).
When the ball is won in 2), the probability of reaching display in the next symbol change game is changed to be higher than the present time, [1], [2], [3] or [4]. A gaming machine (10) as described.

[6] A variable winning device (60) is provided on the game board surface (11), and the variable winning device (60) has a movable plate (61) capable of opening and closing the winning opening. The movable plate (61) is normally maintained in a closed state, and the special prize generating means (116) opens and closes the movable plate (61) a predetermined number of times to obtain the special prize [1],
A gaming machine (10) according to [2], [3] or [4].

[7] A game status notification device (50) is provided on the game board surface (11), and the game status notification device (50) is provided.
Is characterized by notifying a player that reach display has occurred in the symbol change game on the variable display device (30), separately from the display on the variable display device (30) [1] ], [2], [3], [4], [5] or [6]
A gaming machine (10) as described.

Next, the operation based on the above solution will be described. According to the gaming machine (10) of the present invention, when the ball hit on the gaming board surface (11) successfully wins the starting winning opening (20) in the normal collecting state, the variable display device ( 30) All display units (31 to 3)
In 3), various symbols start to change. Here, the fluctuation is, for example, such that various symbols are switched in one direction and changed,
This is an example of scroll display. The ball that has won the start winning port (20) is directly used as the gaming machine (10).
Collected inside.

When a predetermined time elapses from the start of the symbol change game, one of the symbols is stopped and displayed on each of the display sections (31 to 33) in order. Such a symbol variation game is controlled by symbol variation executing means (113). The case where the symbols stopped and displayed on the respective display units (31 to 33) are finally all the same is equivalent to the jackpot display.

In order to determine the jackpot display in the symbol-changing game, in the process, only one display section (33) in which the symbol is finally stopped and displayed, and the other display sections (31, 32) are left.
Will always go through the reach display that matches the stopped symbol. After this reach display, the last one display section (3
The type of symbols stopped and displayed in 3) is determined by the ball distribution device (4).
0) depends on the winning mode of the ball.

That is, when the reach display is made in the middle of the symbol change game, the starting winning opening (20) is temporarily displaced from the normal collection state to the entrance state based on the display. When one ball wins in the starting winning opening (20) in the entrance state, the starting winning opening (20) returns to the original collecting state at that time. That is, at the time of the reach display, only one ball from the starting winning opening (20) is set in the ball distribution device (4).
0). Such a form displacement of the starting winning opening (20) is performed by the accessory displacement executing means (114).
Is controlled by

At the time of the reach display, in the ball sorting device (40), of the plurality of acceptors (42), the acceptor (42) corresponding to the symbol forming the reach display is previously selected as valid. . Then, when only one ball taken into the ball sorting device (40) wins one of the receiving units (42), the receiving unit (42) is previously selected as valid. This is determined by the winning mode determination means (115). It should be noted that the player can visually check which receiving section (42) the ball has entered.

In the ball sorting device (40), when a ball wins in the receiving unit (42) selected as valid in advance, the symbol variation executing means (113) uses the variable display device (30) to set one symbol. The symbol which has reached the reach display is also stopped and displayed on the last display section (33) in which only one symbol has not been determined. That is, in the variable display device (30), a big hit display in which the same symbol is arranged on all the display units (31 to 33) is eventually obtained.

If the result of the symbol variation game finally becomes a big hit, a special prize advantageous to the player is generated. As a result, the player can have an opportunity to win, for example, with a relatively higher probability than usual. The occurrence of the special prize here is controlled by the special prize generating means (116).

As described above, the variable display device (30)
Whether or not the result of the symbol change game at the end of the symbol change game becomes a big hit through the reach state is determined separately from the display control by the variable display device (30) and by the ball distribution device (40). Is determined based on the winning mode of the ball. Therefore, the probability of occurrence of a prize does not depend only on software control, and the thrill and excitement in the game process up to the occurrence of the prize can be increased.

The ball sorting device (40) includes, for example, a rotatably supported disk (41), and the plurality of receiving portions (42) are arranged in a circumferential direction of the disk (41). If it is formed into a roulette type, the prize winning mode of the ball in the ball distribution device (40) is thrilled, and can be enjoyed sufficiently.

The rotation operation of the disk (41) of the ball sorting device (40) is controlled by the winning rate management means (117), whereby any one of the receiving portions (42) is received. The winning probability of the ball for (42) may be increased.

In this case, it can be adjusted so that the ball easily enters or hardly enters the receiving section (42) selected as valid in advance. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately adjust the probability that the symbol change game will be a big hit display, that is, a special prize will be generated according to the game situation (divided number or the like).

Further, a part of each of the receiving sections (42) is set as a special receiving section (42), and when a ball wins in the special receiving section (42), a small special prize generating means (1) is set.
If the small prize in which the special prize is reduced by the control of 18) is generated, the game process becomes more varied and the situation advantageous to the player increases, so that the game can be made more interesting. .

As described above, another special receiving section (42)
Is set, and when a ball wins in the special accepting section (42), the probability of the reach display in the next symbol change game is increased by the control of the probability change means (119) from the present time. May be varied. In such a case, the game process becomes more varied, and the situation advantageous to the player also increases.

The special prize may be in various states, such as a temporary increase in the ratio of the number of prize balls or a change in the form of a prize that easily changes the form of the prize. Is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, a winning chance with a relatively higher probability than usual can be given to the player clearly and easily.

Further, a game state notification device (50) is provided on the game board surface (11), and the game state notification device (50) is provided.
By notifying the player that the reach display has been achieved in the symbol-changing game on the variable display device (30) separately from the reach display itself, the player can be notified of the chance of a prize occurrence. Can be surely informed and excited.

[0031]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 17 show a gaming machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a pachinko machine in which a special prize advantageous to a player is generated when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a game in which a ball is hit on the gaming board surface 11. This pachinko machine is a so-called fever machine, but may be applied to other types of pachinko machines and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 10 has a launching device 12 for hitting a ball, and when a player operates the launching device 12, the game machine 10 One ball is hit on the game board surface 11 one by one.
Further, below the upper plate 13, there is provided a lower plate 14 for storing balls overflowing from the upper plate 13 when a large amount of balls are paid out by the special prize.

The front surface of the game board surface 11 is covered with a glass door forming a space for moving a ball between the game board surface 11 and the game board surface 11. On the outer edge of the game board 11, there is provided a firing rail 11 a for sending a ball hit by a rotating operation of the launching device 12 to a position above the game board 11 in the vertical direction. At approximately the center of the game board surface 11, the variable display device 3
0 and a ball distribution device 40 are provided as a main accessory.

Immediately below the variable display device 30, a reserved ball display device 35 is provided. The variable display device 30 and the holding ball display device 35 are configured as one integrated accessory. Immediately above the variable display device 30, the ball distribution device 40, the game status notification device 50, and the starting winning opening 20 are arranged in order from bottom to top.

A variable winning device 60 is provided below the game board 11. In addition, on the game board surface 11, various obstacles such as a plurality of obstacle nails for changing the falling speed or the direction of the struck ball, and various other objects such as a windmill 15 are provided at appropriate places. At the lowermost end of the game board surface 11, there is provided an out port 16 for collecting a ball that has not won.

Above the game board surface 11, a holding lamp 17 for displaying various game states and the like and increasing the fun of the game is provided. A game control device 100 (FIG. 1) for centrally managing the game state is provided on the back side of the game board surface 11.
Reference). The game control device 100 will be described later in detail.

The starting winning port 20 is generally called a starting chucker. In the present embodiment, the starting winning port 20 also serves as an inlet of a ball distribution device 40 described later. The starting winning port 20 is configured to be displaceable between a normal collecting state in which the winning ball is collected as it is and an entrance state in which the winning ball is guided into the inside of the ball sorting device 40.

A movable piece 21 that is driven to open and close by a solenoid 23 is provided inside the start winning port 20. As shown in FIG. 4, when the movable piece 21 of the starting winning opening 20 is closed, the ball is in a normal collecting state. At this time, the winning ball passes through the ball collection path 26 outside the movable piece 21 and plays a game. It is collected inside the machine 10 as it is.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the movable piece 21 is open, the ball is in the entrance state. At this time, the winning ball is introduced into the ball sorting device 40 through the ball introduction path 27 inside the movable piece 21. The start winning opening 20 is temporarily displaced from the normal collecting state to the entrance state when the reach display is performed in the symbol change game on the variable display device 30 described below, and thereafter, the ball is inserted into the starting winning opening 20. Is controlled so as to return to the original collection state when one wins.

Further, inside the start winning port 20, there is provided a winning detecting means 24 for detecting a winning of the ball. The winning detection unit 24 is set to output a start winning signal to the game control device 100 when a winning ball is detected and turned on. The winning detection means 24 is, specifically, an optical sensor,
What is necessary is just to comprise with various sensors, such as a proximity sensor or a magnetic sensor. Further, the winning detection means 24 is connected to a winning counter 25 (see FIG. 1) which counts a starting winning signal output by the winning detecting means 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the variable display device 30 has a screen for displaying various symbols, and the screen is divided into three display sections 31, 32, and 33 capable of displaying symbols. The left side of the screen of the variable display device 30 is the first display unit 3
1, the center is set as the second display unit 32, and the right side is set as the third display unit 33. The symbol displayed on the variable display device 30 may be any character, graphic, symbol, or the like, but in the present embodiment, one digit numbers from “0” to “9” are prepared.

The variable display device 30 is specifically composed of a color liquid crystal display. However, the variable display device 30 is not limited to this, and may be configured using not only a monochrome liquid crystal display but also a fluorescent display tube, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a drum having a mechanical structure, or the like.

On the screen of the variable display device 30, a ball is awarded to the starting winning port 20 in the collecting state,
The symbol variation game is displayed. That is, a scroll display in which various symbols are switched at once for each of the display units 31 to 33 is started, and after a predetermined time elapses, the first display is started.
The symbols are stopped and displayed one by one in the order of the display unit 31, the second display unit 32, and the third display unit 33. Here, the display units 31 to
The order in which the symbols stop at 33 is merely an example, and may be set to stop in another order.

As shown in FIG. 6E, after the reach display in which the symbols stopped on the two display units 31 and 32 match each other, the reach display is finally formed on the last third display unit 33. The jackpot is displayed when all the symbols are displayed.
Here, the symbols that first stop on the two display units 31 and 32 are as follows:
Although determined by software, the last symbol stopped on the display unit 33 is determined based on a winning mode in the ball sorting device 40. This will be described later in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reserved ball display device 35
When the ball wins in the start winning port 20 in the collected state during the symbol change game on the variable display device 30, the number of times the symbol change game is not executed is displayed. The reserve ball display device 35 is set so as to display the number of suspensions stored in the game control device 100 based on a command from the game control device 100.

More specifically, the holding ball display device 35 has four holding lamps 36, 36,..., And an unexecuted symbol change game can be held up to four times. That is, the number of the holding lamps 36 corresponding to the number of holdings is controlled to be turned on. When the held symbol-changing game is executed, the number of executions is subtracted from the number of holdings, updated and stored in the game control device 100, and the number of times is newly displayed on the held ball display device 35.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ball sorting device 40 is formed in a roulette type. The ball sorting device 40 has a rotatable disk 41, and a plurality of receiving portions 42, 42... That can each receive a ball are arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk 41. The disk 41 is arranged to be slightly inclined forward from the horizontal plane. The disk 41 is rotatably supported by a drive motor 46.

The receiving portions 42 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the disk 41, and each receiving portion 42 is formed as a U-shaped groove that opens on the outer periphery of the disk 41. As shown in FIG. 11, the same symbols as the various symbols displayed on the variable display device 30 are added to each of the receiving sections 42 and are visually distinguished.

More specifically, there are a total of twelve receiving sections 42, and each receiving section 42 has "1" to "9",
The numbers “0” are added one by one, and the symbols “★” and “☆” are added to the two receiving units 42. "★", "☆"
Are set as different special receiving units from each other. In addition, the disk 41 is
The ball is arranged on the game board surface 11 so as to be able to visually check which receiving portion 42 has won the prize.

As shown in FIG. 3, an annular ball passage 43 in which the sphere moves is provided around the disk 41. The ball passage 43 is also slightly inclined forward from the horizontal plane similarly to the disk 41. The front end (the front side in FIG. 3) of the inner peripheral wall of the ball passage 43 is connected to the receiving portion 4 of the disk 41 that rotates inside.
2 is provided with a notch 43a communicating with the second. The end of the ball introduction path 27 is opened rearward and upward from the disk 41. The sphere discharged from the end of the sphere introduction path 27 rolls in the sphere passage 43.

As shown in FIG. 7, the front end side of the ball passage 43 has a receiving portion 42 of a disk 41 communicating with the notch 43a.
It is arranged at a higher position and is set to be slightly inclined toward the notch 43a. That is, due to the inclination of the entire ball passage 43, the ball that has reached the front end side must be cut out 43a.
Through one of the receiving portions 42.

A ball discharge path 44 is provided below one location on the circumferential locus of the receiving section 42, and a ball falling from the receiving section 42 is detected in the middle of the ball discharge path 44. First winning detection means 45 is provided. Further, a plate 47 that rotates integrally with the disk 41 is fixed to an output shaft 46 a of a drive motor 46 that supports the disk 41.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 8, the plate 4
At one end of 7, a reference slit 47a is cut out,
On the side of the plate 47, a second winning detection unit 48 facing the outer peripheral edge of the plate 47 including the reference slit 47a is provided. Here, the second winning detection means 48 is an optical sensor including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and can detect the reference slit 47a.

The first prize detecting means 45 and the second prize detecting means 48 constitute a receiving portion 42 in which a ball is inserted, that is, a symbol detecting portion for specifying a symbol corresponding to the receiving portion 42. In FIG. 16, after the counting of the driving pulses of the driving motor 46 is initialized by the output pulses of the first winning detecting means 45, the driving pulses of the driving motor 46 are counted, and the ball wins based on the counted number of driving pulses. The detected symbol of the receiving unit 42 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 3, a gaming state notifying device 50 is provided between the starting winning opening 20 and the ball sorting device 40. The game state notifying device 50 is an accessory that notifies by lighting of a lamp that the reach display has been performed in the symbol change game of the variable display device 30. More specifically, the gaming state notifying device 50 has a plurality of lighting lamps 51, and is controlled so that each lighting lamp 51 repeats lighting and blinking in a predetermined pattern when the reach display is performed in the symbol change game.

As shown in FIG. 1, the variable winning device 60
A movable plate 61 driven by a solenoid 62 is provided. The variable winning device 60 is controlled so as to produce a special prize based on a signal from the game control device 100 when the result of the symbol change game is a big hit display. Here, the special prize means that the movable plate 61 is held for a predetermined period
This is a state in which the opening / closing operation of opening for 9 seconds) and closing for a short time (for example, 2 to 3 seconds) is continued up to a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 times).

Inside the variable winning device 60, a winning detecting means 63 for detecting a winning ball is provided. Based on the signal from the winning detection means 63, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls are counted in the winning counter 64 for each round.
At the time counted in the above, the movable plate 61 is set to close once even before the predetermined time for continuously opening has elapsed.

Also, inside the variable winning device 60,
A V winning hole 65 is also provided, and for each round,
The winning in the V winning opening 65 is set as a continuation condition for shifting to the next round. The winning of the ball into the V winning opening 65 is detected by the V winning detecting means 66.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game control device 100
Centrally controls the operation of the entire gaming machine 10,
It comprises a microcomputer including a CPU 110, a ROM 120, a RAM 130, and the like. The game control device 100 is formed as a unit, and is mounted inside the machine such as the back side of the game board surface 11. The game control device 100 is also connected to a hall management terminal or the like that centrally controls the inside of the game hall from an output unit 140 via a local information communication network (LAN).

The CPU 110 functionally includes a lottery executing means 111, a right holding means 112, and a symbol change executing means 1.
13, character object displacement executing means 114, winning mode determination means 11
5, a special prize generating means 116, a winning rate managing means 117, a small special prize generating means 118, a probability changing means 119 and the like.

The lottery executing means 111 executes a random lottery using random numbers due to a ball winning in the starting winning port 20 in the collecting state, and outputs a signal corresponding to the lottery result. is there. The lottery execution means 111
By using the random number table shown in No. 3, a symbol random number, which is a combination of two-digit random numbers, is randomly selected. Here, the case where the two-digit random numbers match is a reach random number, and the others are off random numbers.
The random number table is stored in the ROM 120, and the symbol random numbers as the lottery results are stored in the RAM.

The right holding means 112 determines whether or not a symbol fluctuating game is being played on the variable display device 30 when a ball is won in the starting winning port 20 in the collecting state, and the symbol fluctuating game is performed. When the game is in the middle, the execution of the new symbol change game is temporarily suspended and displayed on the reserved ball display device 35. The number of reserved rights (the symbol random numbers) is indicated by the number of lighting of the reserve lamp 36 in the reserve sphere display device 35.

The symbol change execution means 113 starts a symbol change game in which various symbols scroll and change on the display portions 31 to 33 of the variable display device 30 every time a ball wins in the starting winning opening 20 in the collecting state. It is to let. Here, the symbol change execution means 113 executes a symbol change game of various display contents according to the symbol random number drawn by the lottery execution means 111.

More specifically, for example, when the symbol random number is a reach random number, the third display unit 33 which stops lastly
Reach display (see FIG. 6E) in which the symbols stopped on the first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 are coincident with each other. Last third display section 33 after such reach display
Is determined based on the determination result of the winning mode determination means 115 described later.

If the symbol random number is a non-reach random number other than the reach random number, the symbol variation executing means 113
It is determined whether any of the symbols stops on the last third display section 33, but when the symbols stop on the third display section 33, the symbols stopped on the respective display sections 31 to 33 eventually. Are not the same as each other.

The display contents in the symbol change game are programmed in advance so as to be various symbol combinations according to the lottery result by the lottery executing means 111.
Further, when the reach display is performed on the variable display device 30, that is, when the lottery result (symbol random number) by the lottery execution device 111 is a reach random number, the symbol variation executing means 113 changes the game state notifying device 50. Of each lighting lamp 51,
Control is also performed to repeat lighting and blinking in a predetermined pattern.

When the reach display is performed on the variable display device 30, the accessory displacement execution means 114 drives the solenoid 23 of the starting winning opening 20 based on the reach display to move the movable piece 21.
Is opened to temporarily displace the normal collection state to the entrance state. Also, the accessory displacement execution means 114
When one ball wins in the starting winning opening 20 displaced to the entrance state, a control for returning the starting winning opening 20 to the original collecting state is also executed. Thereby, in the case of the reach display, only one ball is taken into the ball sorting device 40.

The winning mode discriminating means 115 selects, based on the reach display on the variable display device 30, the receiving section 42 corresponding to the symbol forming the reach display as valid in advance. Specifically, the winning mode determination means 115
When reach display is performed on the variable display device 30, a symbol forming the reach display is specified based on a signal from the lottery executing means 111. And the starting winning opening 20
Before the is displaced to the entrance state, the reach display symbol (FIG. 12)
In this example, the receiving unit 42 having the same symbol as "1") is selected as valid.

The winning mode determining means 115 determines whether or not only one winning ball has been awarded to the receiving section 42 which has been previously selected as valid, after the starting winning port 20 has been displaced to the entrance state. Also perform More specifically, when one ball enters the ball distribution device 40, the winning mode determination means 115 is added to the receiving unit 42 where the ball has actually won based on the signal from the symbol detection unit described above. Identify the symbols that are present. Then, the winning mode determination means 115 compares the symbol of the receiving unit 42 selected as valid in advance with the symbol of the receiving unit 42 to determine whether the ball has actually won or not, and determines whether or not they match.

When the winning mode determining means 115 determines that the ball has won the receiving section 42 which has been previously selected as valid, the symbol change executing means 113 also displays the last third display section 33. A jackpot display in which the symbols forming the reach display are aligned is executed.

The special prize generating means 116 is provided with the ball sorting device 4.
When a ball wins in the accepting unit 42 that is previously selected as valid at 0, the variable winning device 60 is opened and closed up to 16 rounds to generate a special prize. Here, the special prize is set to be generated after the result of the variable display device 30 is determined to be the big hit display. The special prize generating means 116 includes a solenoid circuit for driving the solenoid 62 of the variable winning device 60 according to a game control program.

The winning rate management means 117 controls the rotating operation of the disk 41 (drive motor 46) of the ball sorting device 40, thereby allowing any one of the receiving portions 42 of the receiving portions 42 to be controlled.
This is to increase the winning probability of the ball for No. 2. Specifically, the ball is awarded in the arbitrary receiving portion 42 by reducing the rotation speed only when the arbitrary receiving portion 42 matches the notch 43a of the ball passage 43 or by temporarily stopping the rotation. Can be increased.

The small special prize generating means 118 generates a small special prize in which the special prize is reduced when the ball is received in the receiving section 42 (special receiving section) to which the symbol “★” is given by the ball distribution device 40. To be generated. In such a case, the result of the symbol fluctuation game is not displayed as a big hit, but, for example, the variable winning device 60 is set to be opened and closed several times to generate a small special prize.

The probability changing means 119 is provided in the ball sorting device 4.
When the ball wins in the receiving unit 42 (special receiving unit) to which the symbol “☆” is given at 0, the probability of the reach display in the next symbol change game is changed to be higher than the present time. . Specifically, when the probability that the symbol random number corresponding to the reach display is randomly selected by the lottery executing means 111 is normally 1/350, control is performed to set the probability to a high probability of 1/150, for example.

The variable winning device 6 is stored in the ROM 120.
Game control program data for controlling 0, etc., display control program data relating to the display contents of the variable display device 30, and display lamps 17 for effecting prizes to various types of public goods.
The fixed data such as the lighting pattern of, the sound generation pattern from the speaker, and the like are stored. The RAM 130 temporarily stores winning data and the like related to the game including signals from various winning ports.

As shown in FIG. 1, a prize ball payout means 70 is also provided inside the gaming machine 10. The prize ball payout means 70 includes a prize ball payout counter 71, a payout setting means 72 for setting a predetermined number of prize balls for each winning port, and a calculation means 73 for counting the number of prize balls. The winning ball payout means 70 is also connected to the CPU 110 of the game control device 100 via a signal line.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine 10 will be described. The player operates the firing device 12 to launch a ball on the game board surface 11 and play a game. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, when the hit ball has successfully won the winning prize port 20 in the recovered state (Y in S101), a winning prize signal is output from the prize detecting means 24 to the game control device 100. When this signal is received by the lottery execution means 111 of the game control device 100, a random lottery using random numbers is executed (S10).
2).

When the random lottery is performed, if the right stored in the RAM 130 of the game control device 100 is less than the limit number 4 that can be displayed on the reserved ball display device 35 (Y in S103), the maximum The execution right of the symbol variable game is held up to four times (S105). The number of rights reservation at this time is added and displayed by turning on the reservation lamp 36 of the reservation ball display device 35 (S104).

On the other hand, even if a random lottery is performed in a state where the right is held up to the limit number 4 (N in S103), the execution right of the symbol changing game is abandoned (S107). Thereafter, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the winning in the starting winning opening 20 including the case where the execution right of the symbol change game is suspended (S106).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing from the start to the end of the game. In FIG. 15, the “holding ball display section” refers to the holding lamp 36 of the holding ball display device 35,
The “variable display units” are the display units 31 to 3 of the variable display device 30.
That is three.

First, the holding lamp 36 of the holding ball display device 35
Is lit (Y in S201), a corresponding symbol random number is read (S202), and it is determined whether or not it is a reach random number (S203). The symbol random number read at this time, that is, the executed right is subtracted and displayed by turning off the holding lamp 36 of the holding ball display device 35.

When the symbol random number is determined to correspond to the reach random number (Y in S203), the winning mode determining means 1
By 15, the receiving unit 42 corresponding to the symbol forming the reach display on the variable display device 30 is selected as valid in advance. Then, the valid receiving unit information on the selected receiving unit 42 is stored (S204).

After that, in accordance with the symbol random number, based on the command from the symbol variation executing means 113, the variable display device 30
, A symbol change game is started (S205). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the same symbols are stopped and displayed in the order of the first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 (S206, S20).
7), a reach display in which both symbols match (S20)
8), and then proceed to the accessory processing (S209).

On the other hand, the symbol random number is not a reach random number,
In other words, if it is a random number (N in S203),
As described above, the symbol variation game is started (S211),
Eventually, the symbols stopped on the display units 31 to 33 are not all the same, and the lost symbols are displayed (S212 to S212).
215).

Thereafter, when the game is executed (S210
N), the process returns to the determination (S201) of whether or not the holding lamp 36 of the holding ball display device 35 is lit. If the game is not executed (Y in S210), the game ends. The above-described game process is repeated until the player finishes the game.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 shows the accessory processing after the reach display is made during the symbol change game. In the accessory processing, when the reach display is performed in the symbol change game, first, the movable piece 21 of the starting winning opening 20 is opened based on a command from the accessory displacement executing means 114.
That is, the starting winning port 20 is temporarily displaced to the entrance state (see FIG. 5) (S301). Here, when one ball wins in the starting winning opening 20 (Y in S302), the starting winning opening 20 returns to the original collecting state as shown in FIG. 4 (S30).
3).

The ball won when the starting winning port 20 is in the entrance state directly falls down the ball introduction path 27 and is taken into the ball distribution device 40 (S304). At this time, the disk 41 of the ball sorting device 40 is set in a certain direction (FIG. 11,
It is rotationally driven clockwise in FIG.

In FIGS. 3 and 7, the sphere discharged from the end of the sphere introduction path 27 rolls in the sphere passage 43 and reaches the front end side due to the inclination of the sphere passage 43 as a whole. Then, the ball passes through the notch 43a and wins one of the receiving portions 42. At this time, the player can visually check which receiving unit 42 the ball has won in the ball sorting device 40. The ball sorting device 40 is formed in a roulette type, and the ball winning mode in the ball sorting device 40 can be sufficiently enjoyed.

Here, after the ball winning one of the receiving portions 42 falls into the ball discharge path 44 with the rotation of the disk 41,
The winning mode determining means 115 determines whether or not the ball has won the receiving unit 42 which has been previously selected as valid (S3).
05). As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the first display unit 31
When "1" is displayed on the second display unit 32 and reach display is performed, the receiving unit 42 with the symbol "1" forming the reach display is selected as valid.

When a ball is won in the receiving section 42 selected as valid in advance (Y in S305), the symbol ("1" in the example shown in FIG. 12) added to the receiving section 42 is displayed on the variable display device. Only one of the symbols 30 is displayed on the last third display unit 33 whose symbol has not been determined (S306). The last symbol display here is, after the determination by the winning mode determination means 115,
This is executed by the symbol variation executing means 113.

As a result, the symbol change game on the variable display device 30 is completed, and in the example shown in FIG. 11, a big hit display in which the same symbol "1" is aligned on each of the display portions 31 to 33 is determined (S307). , A special prize process is executed by the variable winning device 60 (S308). This will be described later.

If the ball does not enter the receiving section 42 selected as valid, it is determined whether a ball has entered the receiving section 42 (special receiving section) marked with “★”. (S310). Here, when the ball enters the receiving section 42 of “★” (Y in S310), the symbol variation game is displayed as a loss display (S311), and thereafter, a command from the small special prize generating means 118 is issued. For example, a small special prize in which the variable winning device 60 opens and closes several times occurs (S
312).

Further, when the ball has not entered the receiving section 42 of "★", it is determined whether or not the ball has entered the receiving section 42 (special receiving section) marked with "☆". Is performed (S320). Here, when a ball enters the receiving unit 42 of “☆” (Y in S320), the symbol variation game is displayed as a loss display and ends (S321). Based on this, a probability change is performed (S322). That is, the probability of the reach display in the next symbol change game is set to change higher than the present time.

As described above, whether or not the result of the symbol change game on the variable display device 30 finally becomes a big hit after reaching the state is determined separately from the display control on the variable display device 30. The determination is made based on the actual winning of the ball in the ball sorting device 40. Therefore, the probability of occurrence of a prize does not depend only on software control, and the thrill and excitement in the game process up to the occurrence of the prize can be increased.

Further, the rotation operation of the disk 41 of the ball distribution device 40 is controlled by the winning rate management means 117, whereby the winning probability of the ball with respect to any one of the receiving units 42 is determined. It may be appropriately controlled so as to increase. In this case, the ball can be adjusted so that the ball easily enters or becomes difficult to enter the accepting section 42 that has been selected as valid in advance, and the jackpot is finally displayed in the symbol changing game. It is possible to make appropriate adjustments according to the game situation (fraction etc.).

Also, under the control of the small special prize generating means 118, a small special prize in which the special prize is reduced may be generated, so that the game process becomes more varied and the situation advantageous to the player increases. The game can be made more interesting. Further, under the control of the probability varying means 119, the probability of the reach display in the next symbol variation game may fluctuate higher than the present time, so that the game process becomes more varied.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 25 shows the special prize processing. Here, on condition that the jackpot display is determined on the variable display device 30, the variable winning device 60 is first opened (S401). Specifically, based on a command from the special prize generating means 116, the solenoid 62 of the variable winning device 60 is driven to open the movable plate 61 for a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds).

While the variable winning device 60 is being opened, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number, for example, ten, has been won based on the count signal from the winning detecting means 63 (S40).
2). Here, if there are ten winnings (Y in S402), the solenoid 62 is driven based on the command from the special prize generating means 116, and the movable plate 61 is driven for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds).
And the variable winning device 60 is closed (S404).

If there are no 10 winnings (S
At N), it is determined whether or not a timeout of 29 seconds has occurred (S403). If a timeout has occurred (Y at S403), the variable winning device 60 is closed (S404). If the timeout has not occurred (N in S403), 10
The process returns to the determination of whether or not there is a winning.

After the variable winning device 60 is closed for 2 seconds,
Again, the variable winning device 60 is opened for 29 seconds,
Before that, it is determined whether or not the number of rounds (the period from when the variable winning device 60 opens until it closes is one round) has reached a predetermined upper limit round number of 16 (S405). .

If the number of rounds has not reached the upper limit yet (N in S405), it is determined whether or not a winning in the V winning opening 65 has been achieved (S406). Here, if no prize has been won in the V winning opening 65 (N in S406), the special prize ends at that time. On the other hand, if the player has won the V winning opening 65 (S406)
Y), the variable winning device 60 is opened again as the next round (S401).

When the number of rounds reaches the upper limit (S4
05, Y), the special prize ends at that point. According to the above-described special prize, a winning chance with a relatively higher probability than usual can be given to the player clearly and easily.

The gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the number of receiving units of the ball sorting device is not limited to 12, and may be further reduced or increased. In addition, a special receiving unit may not be set in each receiving unit of the ball sorting device.

[0104] Furthermore, various methods of notification by the game state notification device are conceivable, and in addition to the above-described lighting of the lamp, the player may be configured to blow air or to play specific music.

[0105]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the probability of occurrence of a special prize depends only on software control by associating the display content on the variable display device with the winning mode on the ball distribution device. Without causing the prize to be generated in the ball distribution device, it is also possible to increase the thrill and excitement in the game process up to the generation of the prize, since the receiving section of the actual sphere that determines whether or not the sphere wins is determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a ball sorting device, a variable display device, and the like constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing, in an enlarged manner, a start winning port constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining displacement of a start winning port constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing a symbol-changing game in the variable display device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a ball sorting device included in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a symbol detecting unit of the ball sorting device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a plate and a second winning detection unit of the ball sorting device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a time chart for explaining symbol detection by a symbol detection unit of the ball distribution device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view showing a winning mode in the ball sorting device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a winning mode in the ball sorting device constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and display contents on the variable display device.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a random number table used in lottery execution means constituting the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the preservation of the right of the symbol variable game in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the entire game in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a bonus processing in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a special prize in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 10 ... Game machine 11 ... Game board surface 11a ... Launching rail 12 ... Launching device 13 ... Upper plate 14 ... Lower plate 16 ... Out opening 17 ... Display lamp 20 ... Start winning opening 21 ... Movable piece 23 ... Solenoid 26 ... Ball collection path 27 ... Ball introduction path 30 ... Variable display device 35 ... Reservation ball display device 36 ... Reservation lamp 40 ... Ball distribution device 41 ... Disk 42 ... Receiving part 43 ... Ball passage 43a ... Notch 44 ... Ball discharge path 50 ... Gaming state notification device 51 ... Lighting lamp 60 ... Variable winning device 61 ... Movable plate 62 ... Solenoid 64 ... Winning counter 100 ... Game control device 111 ... Lottery execution means 112 ... Rights holding means 113 ... Symbol change execution means 114 ... Position Object displacement execution means 115 ... winning mode determination means 116 ... special prize generation means 117 ... winning rate management means 118 ... small special prize generation means 119 ... probability variation means

Claims (7)

[Claims] When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a game in which a ball is hit on a game board surface, a special winning prize advantageous to a player is generated in a gaming machine, a start winning opening, a variable display device, a ball distribution device, a symbol It has a variation executing means, an accessory displacement executing means, a winning mode discriminating means, and a special prize generating means, wherein the starting winning port is a normal collecting state for collecting the winning ball as it is, It is displaceable to an entrance state leading to the inside of the ball sorting device, a ball is provided on the game board surface so as to be able to win, and the variable display device has a plurality of display units capable of displaying various symbols one by one. The ball distribution device is provided with a plurality of receiving portions that can respectively receive the winning balls when the starting winning opening is in the entrance state, and each receiving device Parts are displayed on the variable display device, respectively. Is provided on the game board so that it is possible to visually recognize which receiving portion the ball has won, and the symbol change execution means is provided when the starting winning opening is in the collecting state. Due to the winning of the ball, after changing various symbols on all the display units of the variable display device, thereafter, a symbol change game for sequentially stopping any one symbol for each display unit is executed, The role item displacement executing means, during the symbol change game,
When only one display is left and the reach display matches the symbols stopped on each of the other displays, the starting winning opening is
The normal collecting state is temporarily displaced to the entrance state, and thereafter, when one ball is won in the starting winning opening, the state is returned to the collecting state. When the winning state determination means is set, the reach mode is determined based on the reach display. Whether the receiving unit corresponding to the symbol forming the display is previously selected as valid, and whether only one winning ball has won the receiving unit previously selected as valid when the starting winning opening is in the entrance state. If the winning mode determination unit determines that the ball has won the receiving unit selected as valid in advance, the symbol change execution unit also displays the reach in the last display unit. Executing a jackpot display in which the symbols forming the display are aligned, wherein the special prize generating means, when the jackpot display is achieved as a result of the symbol change game on the variable display device, the special prize advantageous to the player. Generating Gaming machine and features. 2. The ball sorting device according to claim 1, wherein said ball sorting device has a rotatably supported disk, and is formed in a roulette type in which said plurality of receiving portions are arranged in a circumferential direction of said disk. 1
The gaming machine described. 3. A prize rate managing means, wherein the prize rate control means controls a rotation operation of a disk of the ball sorting device to thereby obtain a prize winning probability of a ball with respect to an arbitrary one of the receiving parts. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein 4. A part of each receiving part of the ball sorting device,
Separately from the one associated with the symbol, it is set as a special receiving section, and has a small special prize generating means, and the small special prize generating means has received a ball in the special receiving section by the ball distribution device. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a small special prize in which the special prize is reduced is generated in such a case. 5. A part of each receiving part of the ball sorting device,
Separately from the one associated with the symbol, it is set as a special accepting unit, and has a probability varying unit, and the probability varying unit is provided when a ball wins in the special accepting unit with the ball sorting device. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the probability of reaching display in the next symbol change game is changed to be higher than the present time. 6. A variable prize device is provided on the game board surface, the variable prize device includes a movable plate capable of opening and closing a winning opening, and the movable plate is normally maintained in a closed state. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the special prize generation means opens and closes the movable plate a predetermined number of times to set the special prize. 7. A game state notifying device is provided on the game board, and the game state notifying device indicates that a reach display has been achieved in the symbol change game on the variable display device, and a display on the variable display device. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the information is separately notified to a player.