JP2001000650A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid such inconvenience that a prize-winning ball before a starting prize wins a V prize to cause a new specific game state. SOLUTION: The detection of a ball by a specific ball detector 48 is made ineffective at the time when a preset time Tf' passed after the finishing conditions of a specific game state are established, and the detection of a ball by a starting ball detector 5b is made effective when the finishing conditions of the specific game state are established. Then, the preset time Tf' is set to be the same as an interval time Tf from the detection of a ball by the starting ball detector 5b to the transition of a variable prize winning ball device 20 into an open state. Accordingly, a specific ball detection effective time is finished before the interval time passed after starting and winning a prize and balls getting a V prize within the interval time are judged to be prize winning balls the specific game state. Such inconvenience that a prize-winning ball before a starting prize wins a V prize to cause a new specific game state can thus be avoided as much as possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a starting ball detecting means for detecting a winning of a hit ball in a starting winning area provided in a game area. A variable winning prize ball device that shifts to an advantageous first state, wherein the starting is performed by ball detection of specific ball detecting means for detecting a prize of a hit ball in a specific prize area provided in a winning space of the variable prize ball device. The present invention relates to a ball game machine capable of generating and continuing a specific game state in which a variable winning ball device is controlled to shift to a first state in a specific mode which is more advantageous to a player than a mode based on ball detection by a ball detection unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, generally, a second type of ball game machine is:
The big winning opening (variable winning ball device) is opened in accordance with the winning of the ball in the starting winning opening, and specified by the winning in a specific area (specific ball detector) of the big winning opening (this is also called V winning). A game state occurred and the big winning opening was continuously opened. Further, if the player wins V again during the specific game state, the specific game state is continued (extended) although the game does not continue from the predetermined upper limit number of times. Further, in such a ball-and-ball game machine, in order to prevent an act of illegally winning a ball, a specific ball is activated only for a predetermined period (for example, a predetermined time after opening of a special winning opening). The period was set.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the end condition of the specific gaming state is satisfied (for example, the winning of the winning number to the predetermined big winning opening or the opening of the predetermined big winning opening). Even after the condition for ending one cycle such as reaching the number of times), the last winning ball may win the V, so a specific ball validity period is provided for a predetermined time, but during that time the starting winning is established. Is activated, so that when a winning ball wins during the specific game state after the start winning, a new specific game state is generated. On the other hand, during the specific ball validity period, the starting winning prize may not be made valid, but doing so invalidates the starting winning prize which was originally enabled, so that the player loses. . The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to avoid a problem that a ball which has been won before the start winning wins a V and wins a new specific game state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball-and-ball game machine capable of doing so.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a ball detecting means for detecting a hit ball in a starting winning area provided in a game area. A variable winning ball device that shifts from a second state disadvantageous to the player to a first state advantageous to the player, and a ball is shot into a specific winning area provided in a winning space of the variable winning ball device. The specific game state in which the variable winning ball device is controlled to shift to the first state in a specific mode which is more advantageous to the player than the mode based on the ball detection of the starting ball detecting means by the ball detection of the specific ball detecting means for detecting a winning. In the ball game machine that can be generated and continued, a specific ball reception control unit that invalidates ball detection by the specific ball detection unit at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, Special Starting ball reception control means for enabling ball detection by the starting ball detection means when the end condition of the game state is satisfied, wherein the predetermined time is variable after the starting ball detection means detects the ball. It is characterized in that it is set to be the same as the interval time until the winning ball device is shifted to the first state. With this configuration,
Since the specific ball detection effective time ends before the interval time elapses after the start winning, the ball that wins the V during that interval time can be determined to be a winning ball in the specific game state, and therefore wins before the start winning. It is possible to avoid as much as possible a defect that the ball being played wins a V and a new specific game state is generated. Further, according to this configuration, the ball detection of the starting ball detecting means is enabled immediately after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, so that a loss in starting winning can be minimized.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, during the period when the ball detection by the specific ball detection means is valid and the ball detection by the starting ball detection means is valid, the ball detection by the starting ball detection means is performed. If the ball is detected by the specific ball detecting means at a stage before the variable winning prize ball device shifts to the first state based on the ball detection by the starting ball detecting means, the ball detection by the starting ball detecting means is performed. Is invalidated and the specific game state is continued. With such a configuration, even if a ball won during the specific game state after the start winning is V-win, the specific game state can be continued without ending.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the starting ball reception control means performs a starting prize control for shifting the variable winning ball device to the first state in accordance with ball detection by the starting ball detecting means. After the starting ball detecting means detects the ball, the ball is once invalidated, but thereafter, regardless of whether the ball detection by the specific ball detecting means is invalidated, the ball is re-validated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. I do. With this configuration, the chance of generating a specific game state can be doubled while minimizing the loss of the start winning during the start winning control, so that the interest of the game can be improved.

In the invention according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at the time of starting winning control in which the variable winning ball device is shifted to the first state in accordance with ball detection by the starting ball detecting means, the variable winning ball device is set to the second state. And the specific ball validity period from when the state is shifted to when the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid, and the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. And the specific ball validity period up to,
Are characterized by having different lengths. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the interest of the game by setting the valid period of the ball detection by the specific ball detection means according to the situation.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration of a game board 1 of a ball game machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the game board 1. In FIG. 1, on the surface of the game board 1, a guide rail 2 for guiding a shot hit is planted in a substantially circular shape, and an area defined by the guide rail 2 forms a game area 3. ing. At the approximate center of the game area 3, a variable winning ball device 20, which is a main part of the present embodiment, is disposed. Below the variable winning ball device 20, left, middle, and right starting winning ports 4a to 4c each having a built-in starting ball detector 5a to 5c are arranged.
When a hit ball is awarded in the starting winning ports 4a to 4c, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c detect this, and the variable winning ball device 20 is opened for a predetermined period. When the player wins the right and left starting winning openings 4a and 4c among the starting winning openings 4a to 4c, the variable winning ball device 20 is opened once, and the center starting winning opening 4b is opened among the starting winning openings 4a to 4c. When a prize is won, the variable prize ball device 20 is opened twice. Also, as described above, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c
The state in which the variable prize ball device 20 performs the opening operation in accordance with the prize detection is referred to as a starting game state. In the game area 3,
In addition to the above-described configuration, windmills 6a and 6b, windmills 8a and 8b, and side lamps 10 that incorporate windmill lamps 7a and 7b
There are provided side lamp decorations 9a and 9b incorporating a.10b, an out opening 11, and the like.

Next, a variable winning ball device 20 which is a main part of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the variable winning ball device 20 has a mounting board 21 for mounting the variable winning ball device 20 on the surface of the game board 1, and the mounting board 21 includes an upper winning space 2.
2 and a lower winning space 30 are formed. In the upper winning space 22, a pair of left and right opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b are rotatably provided. The opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are connected to solenoids 24a and 24b via well-known link mechanisms, respectively, and when the solenoids 24a and 24b are turned on, rotate in a direction to open the upper winning space 22.
When the solenoids 24a and 24b are turned off, the upper winning space 22 is rotated in the closing direction. In the bottom wall portion of the upper winning space 22, there is an upper winning space 2
A pair of left and right winning ball detectors 2 for detecting a hit ball winning 2
5a and 25b are provided. The winning ball detector 2
The winning balls detected by 5a and 25b are the winning ball detector 25.
a. After passing through the ball passages 26a and 26b formed on the left and right sides of the mounting board 21, the ball discharge port 27a
-It is sent from 27b to the lower winning space 30. On the rear wall in the upper winning space 22, the number of winning balls detected by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b is displayed, and the number-of-winning / continuous-number display 28 for displaying the number of continuous rounds in the specific game state is provided. And a discharge number / continuation number display 29 for displaying the number of discharge balls detected by the residual ball detectors 33a and 33b and displaying the number of continuations of the round in the specific game state.

On the other hand, in the lower winning space 30, a ball discharge port 2 is provided.
A lower rolling plate 31 that rolls the winning balls sent from 7a and 27b backward, an opening 32 formed at the downstream end of the lower rolling plate 31, and a ball that has fallen through the opening 32 is detected. A pair of left and right residual ball detectors 33a and 33b, an opening / closing plate 34 for opening and closing the opening 32, a rotating drum 36 rotating at a position above the opening / closing plate 34, and an upper end rear portion of the rotating drum 36 are provided. An upper rolling plate 40 is provided. The open / close plate 34 is connected to a solenoid 35 and moves forward in a direction to close the opening 32 when the solenoid 35 is turned on, and moves backward in a direction to open the opening 32 when the solenoid 35 is turned off. It has become. The rotating drum 36 is connected to each of the connecting gears 37a to 37c.
The motor 38 is connected via the motor 38, and rotates in one direction (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4) at a constant speed with the driving of the motor 38. On the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 36, permanent magnets 39a-
39c is buried. Thereby, the rotating drum 36
Is a state in which the opening 32 is closed by the opening / closing plate 34,
4 is attracted by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets 39a to 39c, and is attracted to the upper rolling plate 40 by the rotation operation.
To be sent to.

On the rear side of the upper rolling plate 40, there are formed inclined portions 40a and 40b which are inclined downward in the left-right direction with the center as a boundary, and are provided downstream (on both left and right sides) of the inclined portions 40a and 40b. The ball passages 41a and 41b for feeding the balls rolled on the inclined portions 40a and 40b onto the lower rolling plate 31 again are formed. Note that the inclined portions 40a and 40b are slightly inclined downward toward the rear side. A specific receiving port 42 is provided at the rear center of the upper rolling plate 40, and a pair of left and right movable members 43 a and 43 b is provided in front of the specific receiving port 42.
Is provided. Rotary shafts 44a and 44b are integrally attached to the movable members 43a and 43b, respectively. At the rear ends of the rotary shafts 44a and 44b, interlocking portions 46a and 46b of a connecting member 46 to which a solenoid 45 is connected are integrally formed. It is attached. The connecting member 46 converts the forward / backward movement of the plunger 45a constituting the solenoid 45 into the rotation of the rotating shafts 44a and 44b (movable members 43a and 43b). Thereby, the movable member 43a
43b is a direction in which the front of the specific receiving port 42 is shut off when the solenoid 45 is turned on (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2).
While the solenoid 45 is turned off,
It rotates in the direction of releasing the blockage in front of the specific reception port 42. A plurality of decorative LED indicators 47 are provided on the outer periphery of the specific reception port 42, while a specific ball detector 48 for detecting a ball entering the specific reception port 42 is provided inside the specific reception port 42. Is provided. On the downstream side of the specific ball detector 48, a ball passage 49 for sending the detected ball through the position below the open / close plate 34 to the remaining ball detector 33a is formed.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, various actuating members constituting the above-mentioned variable winning ball device 20 and the like
The operation thereof is controlled by a game control circuit board 50 provided with a ROM 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. Specifically, the game control circuit board 50 includes a specific ball detector 48, starting ball detectors 5a to 5c, and a remaining ball detector 33a.
33b and individual detection signals from the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. Then, based on the input of these detection signals, the game control circuit board 50
a.10b, windmill lamps 7a and 7b, each solenoid 24
a, 24b, 35, 45, a motor 38, a winning number / continuation number display 28, an LED display 47, and a control signal is output to various operation members of a discharge number / continuation number display 29 to operate various operation members. Is controlled in a predetermined manner.

Next, the operation control of the variable winning ball device 20 by the game control circuit board 50 will be described. First, when the start game state occurs, the solenoids 24a and 24b are turned on for a predetermined time, and
a.23b opens. If a hit ball wins in the upper winning space 22 during the opening operation, the winning ball is sent to the lower winning space 30 through the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. The open / close plate 34 is turned on by the game control circuit board 50 so that the solenoid 35 is turned on.
25b moves in a direction to close the opening 32 until a predetermined time elapses after detecting the winning ball. Then, the ball sent into the lower winning space 30 receives any one of the permanent magnets 39a to 39c of the rotating drum 36 within the closing time of the opening 32.
Is sent to the upper rolling plate 40 as the rotating drum 36 rotates. At this time, when the winning ball stopped on the opening / closing plate 34 is attracted to the left and right permanent magnets 39a and 39c, the winning ball is 100% likely to be passed through the ball passage 4
It is sent to 1a and 41b. At this point, the opening and closing plate 3
4 is the O of the solenoid 35 by the game control circuit board 50.
By the FF control, the opening 32 is moved in a direction to open. Then, the balls sent to the ball passages 41a and 41b fall through the opening 32 through the lower rolling plate 31, and are sent to the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b. On the other hand, when a winning ball stopped on the open / close plate 34 is attracted to the central permanent magnet 39b, the winning ball is sent to the specific reception port 42 with a considerably high probability (not 100%). Then, the ball (the ball that won the V prize) sent to the specific reception port 42 is the specific ball detector 4
8, the remaining ball detector 33 passes through the ball passage 49.
sent to a. At this time, the specific ball detector 48
The specific game state is generated by the passing of the ball in (the detection of the ball by the specific ball detector 48). (Actually, only the right to generate the specific game state is obtained, and the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls match. The specific game state occurs only at the time).
The balls that have passed through the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b pass through a ball passage (not shown) and are collected on a winning ball collecting cover (not shown). Further, the remaining ball detector and the like may be provided in a winning ball aggregate cover body or the like.

In the specific game state described above, the solenoid 35 is turned on / off by the game control circuit board 50, so that the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b repeat the opening operation for a predetermined time 18 times (18 opening / closing cycles). ). If 10 winning balls are detected before the opening / closing cycle is completed 18 times, the opening / closing pieces 23a at that time are detected.
The opening operation of 23b ends. In addition, opening and closing pieces 23a and 2
During the opening / closing cycle of 3b, the solenoids 35 and 45 are always turned on, so that the opening / closing plate 34 always closes the opening 32, and the movable members 43a and 43b always shut off the front of the specific receiving port 42. As a result, a ball that has won the variable prize ball device 20 during the opening and closing cycle does not fall through the opening 32 until the end of the opening and closing cycle. Therefore, the opening and closing plate 3
The winning balls parked on 4 are the left and right permanent magnets 39a and 39
c, the winning ball is passed to the ball passage 41a / 4.
It is fed into the lower rolling plate 31 through 1b and is stopped again on the opening / closing plate 34. On the other hand, when the winning ball stopped on the opening / closing plate 34 is attracted to the central permanent magnet 39b, the winning ball is moved to the movable members 43a and 43 in front of the specific reception port 42.
b. Then, at the same time as the end of the opening and closing cycle, the solenoids 35 and 45 are turned off,
The opening / closing plate 34 opens the opening 32, and the movable members 43a and 43
b releases the blockage in front of the specific reception port 42. Thereby, the winning balls received by the movable members 43a and 43b roll the upper rolling plate 40 straight rearward and enter the specific receiving port. Then, the ball that has entered the specific reception port 42 (the ball with the V prize) passes through the specific ball detector 48, thereby establishing the continuation right of the 18 opening / closing cycles as described above.
After the elapse of a predetermined interval time, the opening / closing piece 23a
Release 23b. In addition, the permissible continuation number of the opening / closing cycle is permitted up to 16 times (16 rounds). Also, in such a specific game state,
The winning number / continuation number display 28 includes opening and closing pieces 23a and 23.
The remaining number of times of b (the number of remaining rounds) is displayed, and the number-of-discharges / continuation number display 29 displays the number of winnings for each round. The number of open / close cycles is not particularly limited to 18, and may be one or more.
Also, the number of rounds is not limited to the upper limit of 16 times, but may be set to a plurality of times. When the number of rounds is set to a plurality of types (the upper limit is set by the display result of the variable display). And the upper limit of the number of rounds may include one.

Next, start winning control by the game control circuit board 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the normal game state, the effective start period is continued until the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c are turned on, and the specific ball valid period is disabled until the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b are turned on. You. First, one opening operation of the variable winning ball device 20 (also referred to as opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b or a large winning opening) (opening operation in accordance with winning in the starting winning openings 4a and 4c).
In the case where there is no winning in, as shown in FIG. 6, when the left and right starting ball detectors 5a and 5c are turned on, the starting valid period becomes invalid from the time of turning on. Also, the starting ball detector 5
1.500 seconds after the ON of the a.5c, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b (the solenoids 24a and
・ 24b) is opened (ON) for 0.500 seconds. And
While the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are opened, no hit ball is won in the variable winning ball device 20, and the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b are turned on.
Otherwise, 1.000 from the closing of the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b
After two seconds, the starting validity period switches to valid. On the other hand, the specific ball validity period is the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23 of the variable winning ball device 20.
Since 1.000 seconds have passed since the closing of b, no winning ball was detected by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b.
Invalidity continues without switching to validity.

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the opening operation (23b) of one opening operation (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning openings 4a and 4c), if there is a winning and the number of winning balls and the number of discharging balls match, as shown in FIG. When the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c are turned on, the starting valid period becomes invalid from the time when the starting ball detectors are turned on. Also, the starting ball detector 5
1.500 seconds after the ON of the a.5c, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b (the solenoids 24a and
・ 24b) is opened (ON) for 0.500 seconds. And
While the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are open, a ball is hit in the variable winning ball apparatus 20 and the opening / closing piece 23a of the variable winning ball apparatus 20 is opened.
If a prize ball is detected by the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b by the time when 1.000 seconds have passed since the closing of 23b, the specific ball validity period becomes valid from the detection time. Thereafter, when the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b are turned ON, the start valid period is switched to valid, and the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid. In the case where the second and subsequent winning balls are detected by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b by 1.000 seconds after the closing of the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball device 20, the remaining balls are detected. Tableware 33a ・ 3
3b is turned on last (FIG. 8 illustrates a case where there are two winnings, so the remaining ball detector 33a
(When 33b detects the second winning ball), the starting valid period is switched to valid, and the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid. The open / close piece 23 of the variable winning ball device 20
Winning prize ball detectors 25a and 25b even when a and 23b are open and closed
If the first winning ball is detected, the detection of the specific ball is effective at that time.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the specific ball valid period (specific ball detection) is effectively switched based on the detection of the winning ball by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. Has become. For this reason, in the case of performing a fraudulent removal of the winning ball detector from the variable winning ball device (for losing the counting of the number of winning balls during a big hit and paying out a large amount of premium balls), the specific ball validity period is set. Such invalidity can be prevented because it cannot be validated.

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the one opening operation (23b) (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning openings 4a and 4c), if there is a winning and the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls do not match, as shown in FIG. When the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c are turned on, the starting valid period becomes invalid from the time when the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c are turned on. Also, after 1.500 seconds from the time when the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c are turned on, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b (solenoid 24
a.24b) is opened (ON) for 0.500 seconds. The variable winning ball device 2 is opened while the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are open.
The hit ball wins within 0 and the opening and closing piece 2 of the variable winning ball device 20
If a prize-winning ball is detected by the prize-winning ball detectors 25a and 25b by the time when 1.000 seconds have passed since the closing of the 3a and 23b, the specific ball validity period becomes effective from the detection time. If the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls do not match (FIG. 8)
In (2), the residual ball detector is turned on once), and that state is maintained (becomes a standby state).

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
If there is no winning in the two opening operations of 23b) (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning opening 4b), when the central starting ball detector 5b is turned on as shown in FIG.
The starting valid period becomes invalid from the time point N. 1.50 seconds after the start-up ball detector 5b is turned on, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b (solenoids 24a and
・ 24b) is opened (ON) for 0.800 seconds and 0.900 seconds
After an interval (closed) of seconds, 0.8
Open (ON) for 00 seconds. And the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23
During the opening of b, the ball does not win in the variable winning ball device 20,
If the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b are not turned on,
From the closing in the second opening operation of 3a / 23b:
After 000 seconds, the starting validity period is effectively switched. on the other hand,
The specific ball validity period is the opening and closing piece 23a of the variable winning ball device 20.
1.00 from closing in the second opening operation of 23b
By the time 0 seconds have passed, the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b
Since no winning ball is detected, invalidity continues without being switched to valid.

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the two opening operations (23b) (opening operation in accordance with the winning in the starting winning opening 4b), if there is a prize and the prize ball is discharged normally, the center starting ball is detected as shown in FIG. When the switch 5b is turned on, the starting valid period is invalidated from the time when the switch 5b is turned on. 1.500 seconds after the start-up ball detector 5b is turned on, the opening and closing piece 2 of the variable winning ball device 20 is opened.
3a / 23b is ON (open) for 0.800 seconds, and 0.90 seconds
After an interval of 0 seconds, it is turned on (opened) again for 0.800 seconds. Then, while the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b are open, a ball is hit in the variable winning ball apparatus 20 and 1.0 mm from the closing of the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball apparatus 20.
By the time 00 seconds have elapsed, the winning ball detectors 25a and 25
When the winning ball is detected by b, the specific ball validity period becomes effective from the time when the winning ball is detected. FIG. 11 illustrates a case where there are a plurality of (two) winning balls before 1.000 seconds elapse from the closing of the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball device 20. In this case, the specific ball validity period becomes effective from the time when the first winning ball is detected. After that, the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b
At the time of N (when the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b detect the second winning ball), the starting valid period is switched to valid, and the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid.

The control of the specific ball valid period and the starting valid period is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the start valid period may be valid from the start winning prize to the opening of the special winning opening, or the specific ball valid period may be valid from the opening of the special winning opening. Further, in the variable winning ball apparatus, the number of the opening / closing members (opening / closing pieces) may be one, and a horizontal sliding system or a front and rear opening system may be used. Further, the means for detecting a ball such as a winning ball detector may be a photo switch, a micro switch, or the like, and is not limited to those described in the embodiment.

Next, the jackpot control (1 to 15 rounds excluding the last round) by the game control circuit board 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. At the start of the specific gaming state, the valid start period is invalid, and the specific ball valid period is valid. In the final round, the same control as in the 1st to 15th rounds is performed except that the transition to the next round is not performed even if the detection is performed by the specific ball detector 48. That is, in the final round, the specific ball validity period is invalid. Also, in one round, after the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball device 20 are turned on (open) for 0.800 seconds, and after an interval of 0.800 seconds,
It is turned on (opened) again for 0.800 seconds, and such an opening operation is repeatedly performed 18 times in total. However, 18
If ten prizes are awarded before the opening is completed, the opening operation ends when the tenth prize ball is detected. First, if the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls match during one round, as shown in FIG.
While the ball 23b is open, a ball is hit in the variable winning ball device 20 and the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b detect 10 winning balls, and any one of the 10 winning balls is a specific ball. When detected by the detector 48, the specific ball validity period becomes invalid from the time of detection. After that, the remaining ball detector 33a
When the number of remaining balls coincides with the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls, it is determined that 1.b is at the time when 33b is turned ON last (in FIG. 11, when the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b detect the tenth remaining ball). When 500 seconds have elapsed, the next round is started and the specific ball validity period is switched to valid. On the other hand, in the start valid period, since the specific ball detector 48 detects a winning ball and the round is continued, invalidity continues without being switched to valid. In FIG. 11, the timing of invalidating the specific ball validity period is the detection time of the specific ball. However, the specific ball validity period is invalidated when the number of winning balls and the number of remaining balls become equal (match). It may be. The start valid period may be made valid from the time when the number of winning balls matches the number of remaining balls until the opening of the first round of the next round.

Next, in the case where the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls match during one round and the round does not continue, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, while the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are open, a hit ball wins in the variable winning ball device 20 and the winning ball detector 25
a.25b detects 10 winning balls, and
If none of the winning balls is detected by the specific ball detector 48, when the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b are turned ON last (in FIG. 12, the remaining ball detector 33a
(At the time when 33b detects the tenth remaining ball), in other words, when the number of discharged balls detected by the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b matches the number of winning balls detected by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. The ball valid period is switched to invalid, and the starting valid period is switched to valid, and the specific game state ends. When the specific ball detector 48 is turned on at the end of the specific game state in which the specific ball validity period is switched to invalid (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 12),
This is regarded as an abnormal occurrence, and an error is notified. Note that this error notification is to notify the user of the error by displaying the display in a predetermined manner on each of the indicators 28 and 29. However, the means and mode of error notification are not limited to this. The notification may be performed, or only the game deactivation may be performed without the notification. The inactivation of the game may be only the prohibition of hitting the ball, or the process processing may be stopped, for example, the variable winning prize ball device may not be opened even if the starting prize which invalidates the detection of the detector, or a combination thereof. May be. In addition, the processing for the occurrence of such an abnormality is not limited to the error notification, and may be combined with the inactivation of the game by the game control circuit board 50 or the like. In addition, the abnormal processing for such an abnormal occurrence is terminated based on the ball detection by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b, and the subsequent game can be automatically restarted (the normal game state). . However, the termination control of the abnormal processing is not limited to the ball detection by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b, but may be the specific ball detector 48 or the remaining ball detector 3.
When there is a predetermined ball detection such as the ball detection by 3a / 33b,
What is necessary is just to end abnormal processing. In addition, when a predetermined time elapses after the occurrence of an abnormality other than the predetermined ball detection, the abnormality processing may be automatically terminated.

Next, if the winning ball is not ejected normally during one round, as shown in FIG.
While the ball is awarded in the variable prize ball device 20 while the a. 23b is open, the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b despite the 10 prize balls detected by the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b.
If the player does not detect all the winning balls (10 winning balls in FIG. 13), the state is maintained as it is, but the specific ball detector 48 is turned on by the clerk (or the ball stop is eliminated by vibration). The ball is passed, at which point the specific validity period is switched to invalid. When the ball is detected by the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b, the specific ball validity period is switched to valid at the time when 1.500 seconds have elapsed from the detection time, and the next round is started. .
On the other hand, in the start valid period, since the specific ball detector 48 detects a winning ball and the round is continued, invalidity continues without being switched to valid.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b as prize ball detecting means for detecting a prize ball that has won the variable prize ball device 20 and the variable prize ball device 20 And remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b as discharged ball detecting means for detecting discharged balls.
Winning ball detector 2 when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied
Number of balls detected by 5a / 25b and remaining ball detector 33a / 3
3b, the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 as the specific ball detecting means is invalidated based on the coincidence, and the specific ball detector 48 is activated during the invalid period of the specific ball valid period. When the detection is performed, this is detected as an abnormality. With this configuration,
It is possible to avoid a trouble of whether or not a specific game state occurs due to a defect such as a ball jam, and of course, it is possible to appropriately set a specific ball validity period.

Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the game control circuit board 50 as the abnormality processing means performs at least the inactivation of the game as the abnormality processing.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a game from being played when an abnormality occurs. In other words, there is no possibility that the specific ball detection becomes invalid and the normal game state is left as it is,
There is no trouble between the player and the employee. Also,
Each of the indicators 28 and 29 as the abnormality processing means performs at least abnormality notification as abnormality processing. With this configuration, it is easy to recognize that an abnormality has occurred. That is, it is clear that an abnormality has occurred, and there is no trouble between the player and the employee. Further, the abnormality processing by the abnormality processing means is terminated based on ball detection by predetermined ball detection means (ball detection by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b in the embodiment), and returns to a normal state. I do. With this configuration, the game automatically returns to the normal game state, so that the game can be restarted without turning off the power. Further, the abnormality processing by the abnormality processing means is terminated based on a lapse of a predetermined time since the abnormality processing was performed, and is brought into a normal state. With such a configuration, the game automatically returns to the normal game state, so that the game can be restarted without turning off the power.

Next, a modification of the jackpot control will be described as a second embodiment with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the variable winning ball device 2 is opened while the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are open.
Even if a hit ball wins within 0 and the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b detect 10 winning balls, the 10 winning balls are:
Since neither of them passes through the specific ball detector 48,
The specific ball validity period continues validity, and the starting validity period continues invalidity. Then, the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b
The point in time when the prize-winning ball is detected, in other words, the point in time when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied (that is, the opening and closing pieces 23a.2
At the time when 1.000 seconds have elapsed since 18b of the opening operation of 3b), the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid and the start valid period is switched to valid. Further, when the specific ball detector 48 is turned on (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 14) at the end of the specific game state in which the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid, an error is notified as an abnormal occurrence. I do. In addition, the processing for such occurrence of an abnormality is not limited to error notification, and may be combined with inactivation of a game. Further, only the inactivation of the game may be regarded as the abnormal processing.

As described above, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, a predetermined time is counted from the time, and a specific ball is detected when the time of the predetermined time ends. Disables the ball detection by the detector 48,
When the specific ball detector 48 detects a ball during the invalid period of the specific ball valid period, this is detected as abnormal. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a trouble of whether or not the specific game state occurs due to a defect such as a ball jam, and it is possible to appropriately set the specific ball validity period.

In the above-described second embodiment, in the invalid switching of the specific ball valid period at the end of the specific game state, the specific ball is invalidated when a predetermined time elapses from the time when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. Although the configuration is adopted, the timing control in the invalid switching of the specific ball valid period may be performed as in the third embodiment described below. In the third embodiment, the movable members 43a and 43
b is a configuration in which the winning balls entering the lower winning space 30 are stored and released when the predetermined condition is satisfied, so that the winning balls can be guided to the specific reception port 42. A predetermined time is measured from the time when the movable members 43a and 43b release the storage of the winning balls, and the ball detection (specific ball valid period) by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated when the measurement of the predetermined time is completed. At this time, when the movable members 43a and 43b store the balls, it is ensured that no V winning will be achieved. The predetermined conditions for the movable members 43a and 43b to release the storage of the ball include a residual ball detector 33
The number of discharged balls detected by the a.33b is a winning ball detector 25a.
For example, when the number of winning balls detected by 25b is smaller by "1". Alternatively, one cycle may be completed by opening 18 times or winning 10 pieces, or a predetermined time after the start of the cycle operation. That is,
Movable as ball storage means for storing the prize balls entering the lower prize space 30 as a prize space and releasing the storage of the prize balls toward the specific reception port 42 as a specific prize area when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The movable members 43a and 43b at the time of ending the specific game state.
b measures a predetermined time from the time point when the storage of the winning prize ball is released, and when the time measurement of the predetermined time is completed, the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated, and the ball is specified during the invalid period of the specific ball validity period. When the ball detector 48 detects a ball, the ball is detected as abnormal. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a trouble of whether or not a specific game state occurs due to a defect such as a clogging,
Naturally, the specific ball validity period can be set appropriately. In the second and third embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, automatic return is performed based on the establishment of a predetermined condition after the abnormal processing (either the detection of a winning ball or the lapse of a predetermined time may be used as the predetermined condition). (Return to a normal game state). Further, in the first to third embodiments, the automatic recovery may not be performed after the abnormality processing.
In the second and third embodiments, only the winning ball detecting means may be provided. In this case, the position where the winning ball detecting means is provided is not particularly limited. In addition, the end of the specific game state and the end of the specific game state referred to in this specification do not mean only the end point of 16 rounds (final round), but one round (open / close). The expression also includes the end point of the one-cycle opening / closing operation of the pieces 23a and 23b).

In the above-described first to third embodiments, a winning ball detecting means (winning ball detector 2) for detecting a winning ball.
5a and 25b) and the discharged ball detecting means (residual ball detectors 33a and 33b) for detecting the discharged balls are provided in the variable winning ball device, but it is necessary to always provide the winning ball detecting means and the discharged ball detecting means. There is no. That is, only one of the winning ball detection means (discharge ball detection means) may be provided, and in the following embodiment, a configuration including only one of them will be described. Further, the time settings of the specific ball valid period and the start valid period (including the switching time between valid and invalid) are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described as fourth to sixth embodiments based on this point.

Various controls at the end of the specific game state in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The control shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 indicates the end point of the round before 16 rounds (final round). That is, the difference is that the specific ball detection is invalidated from the start of the round in the final round. First, if the winning ball does not win V,
As shown in FIG. 15, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23)
a.23b) big hit (special game state) opening operation (1
When the cycle operation is completed, the start valid period is switched from invalid to valid at this time. For this reason, the ball detection of the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c during the specific game state becomes invalid. Thereafter, the specific ball validity period is switched from valid to invalid when a predetermined time Ta has elapsed from the end of the specific game state. Then, while the specific ball validity period is valid, ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 (V winning)
Because there is no continuation of the specific game state. Further, since there is ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c from the end of the specific game state to the elapse of the predetermined time Ta,
When a predetermined time Ta 'elapses from the detection of the ball, the opening operation of the variable prize ball device 20 accompanying the start prize is performed, and at the same time, the specific ball valid period is effectively switched. Further, when the specific ball detector 48 is turned on during the invalid period Tb of the specific ball valid period at the end of the specific game state (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 15), this is notified as an error and an error is notified. In addition, the processing for such occurrence of an abnormality is not limited to error notification, and may be combined with inactivation of a game. Further, only the inactivation of the game may be regarded as the abnormal processing. As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the time Ta from the time when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied to the time when the specific ball validity period is switched to invalid is set to the interval time from the start winning prize time to the time when the variable prize ball device 20 is opened. It is set the same as Ta '. In addition, in the start valid period, the specific ball valid period is switched from invalid to valid before switching to invalid.

Next, when a winning ball wins a V, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the variable winning ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a
When the opening operation (one cycle operation) of the big hit (specific game state) in 3b) is completed, the start valid period is switched from invalid to valid at this time. For this reason, the ball detection of the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c during the specific game state becomes invalid. Thereafter, a predetermined time Ta from the end of the specific game state
When the specific ball detector 48 is turned on (V winning) before the time elapses, the specific ball valid period is switched from valid to invalid at that time, and the starting valid period is switched from valid to invalid. Note that the start may be invalidated when the start winning is achieved within the start valid period. Also, in this case, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5a to 5 (V prize) before the specific ball detector 48 is turned on (V winning) during a period from the end of the specific game state to the elapse of the predetermined time Ta (effective starting period). There is a ball detection by 5c, but this ball detection is invalidated by the V winning. Thus, when the start winning is invalidated when the continuation right of the specific gaming state is established, the opening operation of the next variable winning sphere device 20 becomes 1
It avoids the problem of becoming a round one. That is, the specific game state can be continued without restarting the specific game state from the beginning. Then, the big hit opening operation (next round) is started from the time of winning the V. More specifically, the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b) is started when a predetermined interval time Tc has elapsed from the time of winning the V, and at the same time, the specific ball valid period is effectively switched. . In addition, even if it starts and wins within the predetermined time Ta, it is desirable not to open the variable winning ball device 20 by the start winning within the predetermined time Ta. In other words, if the ball is not released, the ball that wins the V during the predetermined time Ta can be easily determined as the ball that won during the big hit opening operation.

As described above, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, the ball detection (start valid) by the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c before the specific ball valid period becomes invalid. Period) is valid.
With this configuration, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5a
The period during which the ball detection by c is invalid can be minimized. Note that the timing at which the start winning is changed from invalid to valid is not limited to the end of the jackpot opening operation, but may be the timing of releasing the storage device, or the timing of the starting winning is not adjusted to the timing at which the specific ball validity period becomes invalid. There is no particular limitation as long as it is effective first.

Further, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, during the period when the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is valid and the ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c are valid, the starting ball detector is used. After the ball detection by 5a-5c, the specific ball detector 4 is set at a stage before the variable winning ball device 20 based on the ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a-5c shifts to the open state.
8, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5a
The specific game state is continued by invalidating the ball detection by 5c. With such a configuration, instead of disabling the specific ball detection by validating the start winning prize,
Since the start winning is invalidated and the specific ball detection is made valid, by continuing the specific game state that has been continued, it is possible to give priority to a game state that is advantageous to the player. further,
Not the ball that won the variable winning ball device by the start winning,
It is possible to minimize the occurrence of a new specific game state due to a winning ball in the specific game state.

Next, the start winning control and the big hit control in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 and 18 show the starting ball detector 5b.
Winning prize ball device 20 (opening / closing piece 23)
a.23b) is opened twice. First, the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b) is performed twice (opening operation in accordance with winning in the starting winning opening 4b).
In the case where there is no V winning, as shown in FIG. 17, when the center starting ball detector 5b is turned on, the starting valid period becomes invalid from the time when the starting ball detector 5b is turned on. Further, when a predetermined interval time Tf has elapsed from the time when the starting ball detector 5b is turned on, the specific ball valid period is switched from invalid to valid,
At the same time, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23 of the variable winning ball device 20
b performs the first opening. After that, the second opening is performed after an interval. And opening and closing piece 23a
When the second release of 23b is completed, the start valid period is switched from invalid to valid, and when a predetermined time Th shorter than the interval time Tf has elapsed from that point, the specific ball valid period is switched from valid to invalid. . Also,
While the specific ball validity period is valid, the specific ball detector 48
No specific game state is generated because there is no ball detection (V winning).

In the fifth embodiment, the V effective time is the same between the case of opening once (this is called one start) and the case of opening twice (this is called two starts) due to one start winning. Is set. Further, the timing at which the start winning prize changes from invalid to valid is the end of the opening of the variable prize ball device 20 due to the start winning, but it may be valid at the start of opening or within the interval time Tf. The predetermined time Th is
It may be the same as the interval time Tf or a time T described later.
It may be the same as f ′ and is not particularly limited. In addition, the timing at which the specific ball detection is enabled is set to the opening start of the variable winning ball device 20, but may be the end of opening. Further, as in the first embodiment, the winning ball detector is O
N may be made effective on condition. However, in this case, the ball detected by the specific ball detector is limited to the configuration that is always detected by the winning ball detector first.

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the two opening operations of 23b) (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning opening 4b), when there is a V winning, as shown in FIG. 18, when the central starting ball detector 5b is turned on, the turning on is performed. The starting validity period becomes invalid from that point. In addition, a predetermined interval time T from the time when the starting ball detector 5b is turned ON.
When f has elapsed, the specific ball validity period is switched from invalid to valid, and at the same time, the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable prize ball device 20 perform the first opening. After that, after an interval, the second opening is performed.
When the second release of 3a / 23b is completed, the start valid period is switched from invalid to valid. Then, if there is a ball detection (V winning) by the specific ball detector 48 until the predetermined time Th elapses from the end of the second opening, the specific ball valid period and the starting valid period are valid at the detection time. Is switched to invalid, and a specific game state occurs. Specifically, the first opening operation in one round is started when a predetermined interval time Tg has elapsed since the time of winning the V.

The specific ball validity period is effectively switched at the same time as the start of the first opening operation of the variable winning prize ball device 20. After that, when the 18th opening operation in one round is completed (when 10 prizes are earlier, 10 prizes are won), the starting valid period is switched from invalid to valid at that time. Then, the specific ball detector 48 detects a period of time Tf ′ (this time is the same as the interval time Tf from the start winning prize time to the start of the opening operation) from the end of the 18th opening. When a ball is detected (V winning), the specific ball validity period is switched from valid to invalid at the time of the detection. For a predetermined time from the end of the opening until the specific ball validity period is switched to invalid, the specific ball detection is invalid for the last round,
After the end of the big hit (the condition is satisfied), even if the start winning prize and the V prize are won within the time of Tf, it is invalidated. That is, even if a ball that has been determined to have won a start but has been determined to win during a big hit does not become a big hit even if it wins a V. In this case, a ball is detected by the starting ball detector 5b before the winning of the V during a period from the end of the specific game state to the lapse of the predetermined time Tf '(validity of the valid starting period). The detection is invalidated by the V winning. Thus, by invalidating the start winning when the continuation right of the specific game state is established, the problem that the opening operation of the next variable winning ball device 20 becomes the first round is avoided. That is, the specific game state can be continued without restarting the specific game state from the beginning. Then, the big hit opening operation of the next round (second round) is started from the time of winning the V. Specifically, at the time when the interval time Tg has elapsed from the time of the V winning, the variable winning ball device 20 (opening and closing piece 2)
The opening operation of 3a / 23b) is started, and at the same time, the specific ball validity period is effectively switched.

As described above, according to the configuration of the fifth embodiment, the predetermined time T after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied.
At the time when f has elapsed, the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated, and at the time when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, the starting ball detector (in the fifth embodiment, only the starting ball detector 5b is used). Although illustrated, the ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c may be enabled, and the predetermined time Tf ′ is set.
Is the interval time Tf from when the starting ball detector 5b detects the ball to when the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state.
It is characterized in that it is set the same as With this configuration, the specific ball detection effective time ends before the interval time elapses after the start winning, so that the ball that has won the V during that interval time is determined to be a winning ball in the specific game state. Therefore, it is possible to avoid as much as possible a problem in which a ball that has won a prize before the start prize wins a V and generates a new specific game state. Further, according to this configuration, the ball detection of the starting ball detector 5b is enabled immediately after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, so that loss of the starting winning can be minimized. Note that the timing at which the start is made valid is not limited to the time when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, and may be simultaneous with the storage release, or before the specific ball detection becomes invalid (before the time Tf 'elapses). ) Can be used.

During the period when the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is valid and the ball detection by the starting ball detector 5b is valid, the starting ball is detected after the ball detection by the starting ball detector 5b. When the variable winning prize ball device 20 based on the ball detection by the detector 5b detects a ball by the specific ball detector 48 at a stage before shifting to the open state, the ball detection by the starting ball detector 5b is invalidated and specified. The game state is continued. With this configuration,
Even if a ball won during the specific game state after the start winning is V-win, the specific game state can be continued without ending.

Also, at the time of start winning control in which the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state in accordance with the detection of the ball by the starting ball detector 5b, the starting valid period is temporarily invalidated after the starting ball detector 5b detects the ball. However, after that, regardless of whether or not the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 has become invalid, the predetermined condition is satisfied (in the fifth embodiment, the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied) again. It is characterized by being effective. With this configuration, the chance of generating a specific game state can be doubled while minimizing the loss of the start winning during the start winning control, so that the interest of the game can be improved.

Also, at the time of start winning control in which the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state in accordance with the detection of the ball by the starting ball detector 5b, the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the closed state before the identification. The specific ball valid period Th until the ball detection by the ball detector 48 becomes invalid, and the specific ball valid period from when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied until the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 becomes invalid. Tf 'is different from Tf' in length. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the interest of the game by setting the valid period of the ball detection by the specific ball detection means according to the situation.

In the fifth embodiment described above, the interval time from the start winning time to the start of the opening operation is provided, but the interval time from the start winning time to the start of the opening operation is not provided. In other words, as in the fifth embodiment, the interval time Tf and the predetermined time Tf ′
, The interval time Tf <the predetermined time Tf ′ may be set. However, as in the fifth embodiment,
The phenomenon of returning to the first round cannot be effectively prevented. However, the configuration of the sixth embodiment described below can be effectively prevented as in the fifth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment described below, the interval time Tf may be smaller than the predetermined time Tf ′, but the description will be made assuming that there is no interval time (time Tf = 0).
Hereinafter, this configuration will be described as a sixth embodiment with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 19 and FIG.
The case where the variable winning prize ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b) is opened twice by starting winning to the starting ball detector 5b is illustrated. First, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the two opening operations (23b) (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning opening 4b), when there is no V winning, as shown in FIG. 19, when the center starting ball detector 5b is turned on, it is turned on. At that time, the starting valid period is switched from valid to invalid, and the specific ball valid period is switched from invalid to valid. At the same time, the opening / closing piece 23a of the variable winning ball device 20 is opened.
23b performs the first release. After that, the second opening is performed after an interval. And opening and closing piece 2
The specific ball validity period is switched from valid to invalid when a predetermined interval time Ti elapses from the time when the second release of 3a / 23b is completed. Also, since there is no ball detection (V winning) by the specific ball detector 48 during such a specific ball validity period, the specific game state is not generated.

Next, the variable winning ball device 20 (open / close piece 23a)
In the two opening operations (23b) (opening operation associated with winning in the starting winning opening 4b), if there is a V winning, as shown in FIG. 20, when the central starting ball detector 5b is turned on, it is turned on. At that time, the starting valid period is switched from valid to invalid, and the specific ball valid period is switched from invalid to valid. At the same time, the opening / closing piece 23a of the variable winning ball device 20 is opened.
23b performs the first release. After that, the second opening is performed after an interval. And opening and closing piece 2
If there is a ball detection (V winning) by the specific ball detector 48 during a period from the time when the second opening of 3a / 23b is completed to the time when the predetermined interval time Ti elapses, the starting valid period is valid at the time of the detection. Is switched to invalid, and a specific game state occurs. Specifically, the first opening operation in one round is started at the same time as the V winning. In addition,
At this time, the specific ball validity period is continued, but if there is no V winning by the interval time Ti, as shown by the broken line in FIG. Can be switched from enabled to disabled.

After that, if there is a ball detection (V prize) by the specific ball detector 48 between the end of the 18th opening operation in one round and the elapse of the predetermined time Tj,
The big hit opening operation of the next round (the second round) is started from the time of the V winning. Specifically, the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b) is started simultaneously with the V winning (an interval time may be provided from the V winning to the start of the opening operation). The ball is detected by the starting ball detector 5b before the V prize from the end of the specific game state (the end of the 18th opening of the first round until the predetermined time Tj elapses). Since the start valid period is invalid at the time of detection, the ball detection by the start ball detector 5b becomes invalid. At this time, the specific ball validity period continues to be valid, but if there is no V winning from the end of the specific game state (condition establishment) to the elapse of the predetermined time Tj, the broken line in FIG. As shown by, the specific ball validity period is switched from valid to invalid at the elapse of the predetermined time Tj. At the same time, the start valid period is switched from invalid to valid. The length of the specific ball validity period may be set differently for each of the first start, the second start, the continuous upper limit of the specific game state, and the continuous play at other times.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, no interval time is provided from the time of the start winning to the start of the opening operation (the interval time may be set to a time shorter than the predetermined time Tj). Conversely, it may be provided longer, but the shorter the interval time is, the more unnecessary time is saved.) According to the configuration of the sixth embodiment, when the predetermined condition is satisfied after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated, and the end condition of the specific game state is set. The starting ball detector (in the sixth embodiment, only the starting ball detector 5b is illustrated in the sixth embodiment, during the specific ball valid period from when the above is established until the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 becomes invalid.
The ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a and 5c may be invalidated. With such a configuration, the start winning during the specific ball validity period is invalidated, so that it is possible to avoid as much as possible a problem that a specific gaming state is newly generated by a winning ball during the specific gaming state. In addition, since the interval time from when the starting ball detector 5b detects the ball to when the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state is set to 0, the game can proceed without wasting time. Note that the interval time from when the starting ball detector 5b detects the ball to when the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state is not limited to “0”, and is specified after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. By setting the time shorter than the specific ball valid period until the ball detection by the ball detector 48 becomes invalid, useless time can be saved. That is, if the starting winning is invalidated at the predetermined time Tj as in the sixth embodiment, the above-described problem can be avoided as much as possible without limiting the interval time as in the fifth embodiment.

Further, according to the configuration of the sixth embodiment, at the time of the start winning control in which the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state in accordance with the ball detection of the starting ball detector 5b, the starting ball detector 5b detects the ball. After that, the ball is once invalidated. Thereafter, the specific condition is satisfied regardless of whether or not the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated (in the sixth embodiment, the variable prize ball device 2).
(The end of the opening operation of 0). With this configuration, the chance of generating a specific game state can be doubled while minimizing the loss of the start winning during the start winning control, so that the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, at the time of the start winning control in which the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the open state in accordance with the ball detection of the starting ball detector 5b, the specific ball is changed after the variable winning ball device 20 shifts to the closed state. The specific ball valid period Ti until the ball detection by the detector 48 becomes invalid, the specific ball valid period Tj until the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 becomes invalid after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, and , With different lengths. With this configuration,
By setting the valid period of the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 according to the situation, the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, according to the configuration of the sixth embodiment, a plurality of types of starting ball detectors 5a to 5c having different modes of controlling the variable prize ball device 20 to shift to the open state (in the embodiment,
The two types of starting ball detectors 5a and 5c which are opened once and the starting ball detector 5b which is opened twice are provided, and different transition control modes (opening / closing pieces) by the plurality of types of starting ball detectors 5a to 5c are provided. Each of the specific ball detectors 48 at each time of the upper limit of the specific game state (16 rounds) and the continuation of other times (1 to 15 rounds), and each time the specific game state is opened once and twice. It is characterized in that the length of the valid period of the ball detection is made different. With such a configuration, the specific ball validity period can be set according to various situations, so that an appropriate specific ball validity period is set, and the interest of the game can be improved. Specifically, the expected number of winnings and the winning rate of the specific winning area differ depending on the situation, so by setting the specific ball validity period according to such conditions, the expectation of winning in the specific winning area is When the height increases, the length of the game can be increased to improve the interest of the game.

In the sixth embodiment, the winning ball detecting means (winning ball detectors 25a and 25b) and the discharged ball detecting means (remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b) are not provided in the variable winning ball device. Although the specific ball validity period and the starting validity period are set, the winning ball detectors 25a and 25
b and the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b are provided, as in the sixth embodiment described above, when a predetermined time elapses after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, the ball by the specific ball detector 48. The detection is invalidated, and the ball detection by the starting ball detector 5b is invalidated during the specific ball valid period from when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied to when the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 becomes invalid. Instead, as in the first embodiment, the winning ball detection means (the winning ball detector 25a)
.25b) and the number of discharged balls and the means for detecting discharged balls (residual ball detector 3)
3a and 33b), the detection by the specific ball detecting means (specific ball detector 48) is invalidated, and during the valid period of the specific ball, the starting ball detecting means (starting ball detector 5a)
5c) may be invalidated. In the seventh embodiment described below, unlike the first embodiment, the starting winning is invalidated by the starting winning, but the starting winning is changed from an invalid state to an effective state before the variable winning ball device is opened. ing. Hereinafter, this configuration will be described as a seventh embodiment with reference to FIG. In FIG. 21,
One opening operation of the variable winning prize ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b) (opening operation in accordance with winning in the starting winning openings 4a and 4c)
In this example, there is a prize and a prize ball is normally ejected. In FIG. 21, the left and right starting ball detectors 5
When a.5c is turned on, the starting validity period becomes invalid for 0.700 seconds from the time of ON. Also, the starting ball detector 5a
1.500 seconds after the ON point of 5c, the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball device 20 are opened for 0.500 seconds. Note that the interval time from the start winning prize to the opening may be 0 (that is, open at the same time as the starting winning), and is not particularly limited. And the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b
When the ball is hit in the variable winning ball device 20 during the opening of the ball, the winning ball detector 25a is detected by 1.000 seconds after the closing of the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b of the variable winning ball device 20.
When a winning ball is detected by 25b, the specific ball validity period becomes effective from the time of detection. Thereafter, when the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b are turned ON, the specific ball valid period is switched to invalid.

As described above, according to the configuration of the seventh embodiment, the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b as prize ball detecting means for detecting a prize ball detected by the variable prize ball device 20, and the variable prize ball device 20 Ball detectors 33a and 33b as discharged ball detecting means for detecting balls discharged from the
It is determined that the number of detected balls by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b and the number of detected balls by the remaining ball detectors 33a and 33b match with each other. Condition). With this configuration, the specific ball detector 48
The period during which the ball detection by the CPU becomes effective can be appropriately set. In addition, such a structure and the effect accompanying it are as follows.
The same can be said for the first embodiment.

Further, according to the configuration of the seventh embodiment, the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b as the winning ball detecting means for detecting all the balls winning the variable winning ball device 20 are provided. Is provided so that the balls detected by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b are detected, and the variable winning ball device 20 is opened in accordance with the ball detection of the starting ball detector 5b as the starting ball detecting means. During the start winning control, the winning ball detector 25a after shifting the variable winning ball device 20 to the open state based on the ball detection of the starting ball detector 5b.
The method is characterized in that ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is made effective on condition that ball detection by 25b is performed. With this configuration, the starting winning is enabled, and even if a ball won during the specific gaming state after the starting winning wins in the specific winning area, the specific ball detection is not enabled. In this way, it is possible to more reliably avoid the problem of causing a specific game state. Note that such a configuration is not limited to the seventh embodiment, and may be applied to the above-described first to sixth embodiments. However, in this case, it is necessary to leave a possibility of winning a V after winning balls are detected first.

According to the configuration of the seventh embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, at the time of the start prize control in which the variable prize ball device 20 shifts to the open state in accordance with the detection of the ball by the start ball detector 5b. After the ball is detected by the starting ball detector 5b, the ball is once invalidated. Thereafter, the specific condition is satisfied regardless of whether the ball detection by the specific ball detector 48 is invalidated (in the seventh embodiment, a predetermined condition is satisfied). It becomes valid again with the passage of time. With this configuration, the chance of generating a specific game state can be doubled while minimizing the loss of the start winning during the start winning control, so that the interest of the game can be improved. The establishment of the specific condition may be caused by the movement of various constituent members such as the end of the opening operation, or may be caused with the passage of time.

Further, the following can be grasped from the embodiments described above. (1) A ball game machine wherein an interval time from when the starting ball detecting means detects a ball to when the variable winning ball device shifts to the first state is set to 0. With this configuration, the game can be advanced without wasting time. (2) The interval time from when the starting ball detecting means detects the ball to when the variable winning prize ball device shifts to the first state is defined as the specific ball detecting means after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. A ball game machine, wherein the time period is set to be shorter than the specific ball validity period until the ball detection is invalidated. With this configuration, the game can be advanced without wasting time.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the starting ball detecting means detects the winning of the hit ball in the starting winning area provided in the game area. A variable prize ball device that shifts from a second state disadvantageous to the player to a first state advantageous to the player, and a ball is hit into a specific prize area provided in a prize space of the variable prize ball device. A specific game state in which the variable winning ball device is controlled to shift to the first state in a specific mode which is more advantageous to the player than the mode based on the ball detection of the starting ball detection module is generated by the ball detection of the specific ball detecting means for detecting the game state. And a ball game machine that can be continued, a specific ball reception control unit that invalidates ball detection by the specific ball detection unit at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, and Starting ball reception control means for enabling ball detection by the starting ball detection means when the end condition of the game state is satisfied, wherein the predetermined time is variable after the starting ball detection means detects the ball. It is characterized in that it is set to be the same as the interval time until the winning ball device is shifted to the first state. With this configuration,
Since the specific ball detection effective time ends before the interval time elapses after the start winning, the ball that wins the V during the interval time can be determined as a winning ball in the specific game state, and therefore wins before the start winning. It is possible to avoid as much as possible a defect that the ball being played wins a V and a new specific game state is generated. Further, according to this configuration, the ball detection of the starting ball detecting means is enabled immediately after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, so that a loss in starting winning can be minimized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, during the period in which the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit is valid and the ball detection by the starting ball detection unit is valid, the ball detection by the starting ball detection unit is effective. If the ball is detected by the specific ball detecting means at a stage before the variable winning prize ball device shifts to the first state based on the ball detection by the starting ball detecting means, the ball detection by the starting ball detecting means is performed. Is invalidated and the specific game state is continued. With such a configuration, even if a ball won during the specific game state after the start winning is V-win, the specific game state can be continued without ending.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the starting ball reception control means performs a starting prize control in which the variable prize ball device shifts to the first state in accordance with ball detection by the starting ball detecting means. After the starting ball detecting means detects the ball, the ball is once invalidated, but thereafter, regardless of whether the ball detection by the specific ball detecting means is invalidated, the ball is re-validated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. I do. With this configuration, the chance of generating a specific game state can be doubled while minimizing the loss of the start winning during the start winning control, so that the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the variable prize ball device is set to the second state at the time of the start prize control in which the variable prize ball device is shifted to the first state in accordance with the ball detection of the starting ball detection means. And the specific ball validity period from when the state is shifted to when the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid, and the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. And the specific ball validity period up to,
Are characterized by having different lengths. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the interest of the game by setting the valid period of the ball detection by the specific ball detection means according to the situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a variable winning ball device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing various components of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the flow of balls in the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a game control circuit board for controlling various game operations.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of various constituent members when there is no winning in one opening in the start winning control.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the operation of various constituent members when there is a prize in one opening in the start prize control (the number of winning balls matches the number of discharged balls).

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of various components when there is a prize in one opening in the start prize control (the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls do not match).

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing operations of various constituent members when there is no winning in double opening in the start winning control.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of various constituent members when there is a prize by opening twice in the start prize control (a prize ball is normally ejected).

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of various constituent members during one (up to 15) rounds in the big hit control (the number of winning balls matches the number of discharged balls / continuation).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one (up to 15) rounds of the jackpot control (the number of winning balls and the number of discharged balls do not match or do not continue).
6 is a time chart showing the operation of various components.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the operation of various constituent members when a prize during 1 (to 15) rounds in the big hit control is not properly discharged.

FIG. 14 is a time chart showing operations of various components in the big hit control of the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of 1 (up to 1) in the jackpot control according to the fourth embodiment.
5) A time chart showing the operation of various components during the round (when no V prize is won).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a 1 (up to 1) in the big hit control of the fourth embodiment.
5) A time chart showing the operation of various constituent members during a round (when a V prize is won).

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing start winning control according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a time chart showing the jackpot control of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing start winning control according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a time chart showing the jackpot control of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a time chart showing start winning control according to a seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming board 4a-4c Starting winning opening 5a-5c Starting ball detector (starting ball detecting means) 20 Variable winning ball device 22 Upper winning space 23a / 23b Opening / closing piece 25a / 25b Winning ball detector 28 Display of number of winnings / continuation number Container 29 Number of discharge / continuation number display 30 Lower winning space 31 Lower rolling plate 33a / 33b Remaining ball detector 34 Opening / closing plate 36 Rotating drum 39a-39c Permanent magnet 40 Upper rolling plate 42 Specific receiving port 43a / 43b Moving member 48 specific ball detector (specific ball detection means) 50 game control circuit board (specific ball reception control means, starting ball reception control means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first state which is advantageous for a player from a second state which is disadvantageous to a player by detecting a ball by a starting ball detecting means for detecting a winning of a hit ball in a starting winning area provided in a game area. The ball detection of the starting ball detection means by the ball detection of the specific ball detection means for detecting the winning of a hit ball into a specific winning area provided in the winning space of the variable winning ball apparatus, In the ball game machine capable of generating and continuing the specific game state in which the variable winning ball device is controlled to shift to the first state in a specific mode more advantageous to the player than the mode based on the game mode, the end condition of the specific game mode is satisfied. A specific ball reception control unit that invalidates the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed, and a ball detection by the starting ball detection unit when the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied. Starting ball reception control means to be enabled, wherein the predetermined time is set to be the same as the interval time from when the starting ball detection means detects a ball to when the variable winning ball apparatus shifts to the first state. A ball game machine characterized by the following. 2. A starting ball detecting unit which detects a ball by the starting ball detecting unit during a period in which ball detection by the specific ball detecting unit is valid and ball detection by the starting ball detecting unit is valid. If the variable winning prize ball device based on the ball detection by the specific ball detecting means at the stage before shifting to the first state, the ball detection by the starting ball detecting means is invalidated and the specific game state is changed. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is continued. 3. The starting ball detecting means detects a ball during starting winning control in which the variable winning ball device is shifted to a first state in accordance with ball detection by the starting ball detecting means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit is re-enabled after the predetermined condition is satisfied, regardless of whether or not the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit is disabled. The ball game machine described. 4. At the time of starting winning control in which the variable winning ball device shifts to the first state in accordance with ball detection by the starting ball detecting means, the variable winning ball device shifts to the second state and then the variable winning ball device shifts to the second state. A specific ball valid period until the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid, and a specific ball valid period until the ball detection by the specific ball detection unit becomes invalid after the end condition of the specific game state is satisfied, The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length of the ball game machine is varied.