JP2001224772A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a premium device for a pinball game machine which has a blocking member hard to be forcibly pulled down to an opening position from outside to effectively prevent unfair act, or the like. SOLUTION: In an auxiliary game started with a game ball getting in a starting premium winning port, the establishment of a special game generating condition (detection of a ball with a continuing switch) is substantially unnabled by making premium winning ball guiding means equipped on a variable premium device during (2) an initial open/ close condition, the premium winning ball guiding means is changed to a ball guiding condition after a prescribed time elapsed in (3) a special premium start accepting condition to allow a ball to pass to the continuing switch, and in case the continuing switch detects a special premium winning ball and the game gets into (4) a stand-by condition for special game, when a ball getting into the variable premium winning device during a prescribed time moves to (5) a special premium open/close condition, balls are counted with a reserve counting means, and the number is added to the judgement of 10 count in the special premium condition (the first cycle game) moved from (4) the stand-by condition for special game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a game control device for controlling the operation of various game devices in order to play a game by popping a game ball into a game region. A variable winning device that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and a starting winning region in which a game ball can be awarded, and the variable winning device wins inside. The game balls can be distributed to either the specific area or the normal area, and only the prize ball detecting means for detecting all the game balls which have won the variable prize apparatus, and only the prize ball reaching the specific area in the variable prize apparatus. And a specific winning ball detecting means for detecting the second winning based on a first rule that sets the variable winning device as a necessary condition that the game ball wins in the starting winning area. Convert to state An auxiliary game control means for performing an auxiliary game to be moved, and a cycle game for converting and driving the variable winning device to the second state based on a second rule which is more advantageous to the player than the first rule by the auxiliary game control means. Cycle game control means, basic counting means for counting winning balls detected by the winning ball detection means after the drive control of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means is started, and the number of winning balls counted by the basic counting means Before the first end condition in which a predetermined standby time elapses after the number reaches the predetermined upper limit number or the second end condition in which a predetermined time elapses from the start of driving control of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means is achieved. The predetermined cycle game update standby time has elapsed, with the cycle game update condition being that the specific winning ball detection means detects a winning ball reaching the specific area. The cycle game update control means for updating the cycle game by the cycle game control means to a new cycle game, and the game ball which has won the variable winning device in the auxiliary game by the auxiliary game control means is detected by the specific winning ball detection means. A special game is generated on condition that the cycle game is started, and after a predetermined cycle game start waiting time has elapsed from the generation of the special game, a cycle game is started by the cycle game control means, and the first end condition of the cycle game is achieved. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a ball game machine including a special game control means for terminating a special game based on attainment of a first end condition of achievement of a second end condition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko machine capable of performing a pachinko game using small balls as a game medium has been rented from a game store to a game area of a game board provided with various game machines and the like. A predetermined number of prize balls are given to a player as a prize game value by bouncing a ball and winning in a predetermined prize area, and various game machines are operated based on a ball prize in a special prize port or the like. To convert to a different game state.

[0003] As described above, the game content of the ball game machine is diverse, and among them, the ball game machine known as the so-called second type game machine is provided in the game area. As a prerequisite that the game ball wins the starting winning area,
A first state that is disadvantageous to the player (for example, a state in which the opening / closing member closes the inside winning area) and a second state that is advantageous to the player (for example, the opening / closing member is opened and the inside winning area is opened) And an auxiliary game in which the variable winning device which can be converted to the second state is converted to the second state based on a predetermined first rule (for example, the opening and closing member is opened for 0.8 seconds). The game content is such that a special game is generated when the game ball that has won the winning device reaches a specific area.

[0004] In the special game of the second type of ball and ball game machine, after a predetermined cycle game start waiting time (for example, 5 seconds) elapses from the occurrence of the special game, the variable winning device is determined in advance. A cycle game in which the driving is converted to the second state based on the second rule (for example, the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member is repeated every 0.8 seconds) is performed. The counting means counts,
After the count value counted by the basic counting means reaches a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10), a predetermined standby time (for example, 3)
Before the first ending condition in which the second time elapses or the second ending condition in which the predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses from the start of the cycle game is achieved, the game ball that has won the variable prize device reaches the specific area. And the cycle game update condition is satisfied,
At that time, the cycle game is temporarily ended, and after a predetermined cycle game update standby time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the cycle game is started again. On the other hand, if either the first end condition or the second end condition is achieved without satisfying the cycle game update condition, the cycle game is not updated as it is, and the special game ends.

[0005]

However, the second type of ball game machine as described above has a cycle game start waiting time until a special game is generated and a cycle game is started. For this reason, there has been a problem that the inspection of the ball game machine cannot be performed efficiently.

In particular, in an inspection as to whether or not a special game consisting of a bundle of cycle games is normally performed, it is confirmed whether or not the special game is completed when a predetermined upper limit number of game balls are counted in each cycle game. In this case, it is desirable to update the number of cycles to be inspected in a short time, but it is not possible to cancel the cycle game start waiting time and start the cycle game, so that a special game is generated for the purpose of inspection. Every time the cycle game start standby time elapses, the time until the time elapses is not small, which affects the reduction in work efficiency.

[0007] Under the recognition of such a problem, the inventor of the present application,
In Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-008744, the number of balls detected by the count switch of the variable winning device is counted by the preliminary counting means during the cycle game start standby time, and in the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time, By changing the first end condition of the cycle game to "the total of the winning ball count value by the basic counting means and the count value of the preliminary counting means reaches a predetermined number", the cycle game start waiting time has elapsed. It is possible to efficiently update the later first cycle game.

[0008] However, when the above-described control of counting the winning balls during the standby time for starting the cycle game by the preliminary counting means is employed, a great effect is exerted at the time of inspection work at a factory or the like. Is not preferable for the player performing the game.

For example, if a relatively large number of game balls win the variable prize device in the auxiliary game, one of these prize balls is detected by the specific ball detection means, the special game start condition is achieved, and the cycle game starts. After the standby time, the count switch may detect subsequent winning balls, and in a cycle game started after these winning balls are detected by the preliminary counting means, the first end condition is satisfied. By this time, the number of winning balls that can be counted by the basic counting means is substantially reduced, so that the amount of winning balls that can be obtained by the player in the first cycle game is substantially reduced.

Furthermore, the probability that the winning prize ball which has won the variable prize winning device reaches the specific area is kept constant due to the internal structure of the variable prize winning device. Only when counting, the probability that the game ball reaches the specific area will not be changed, so if the number of winning balls that can be counted by the basic counting means in the first cycle game is reduced, it becomes easier to specify The possibility that the game ball reaches the area, that is, the possibility that the cycle game update condition is achieved is reduced.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to suppress the inspection loss time due to the cycle game start standby time, and to allow the player to perform the cycle game in the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of preventing difficulty in achieving game update conditions.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides various games for playing a game by popping a game ball into a game area (for example, a game section 6). A game control device (29) for controlling the operation of the device;
The gaming area includes at least a variable winning device (10) that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and a starting winning area (for example, where a game ball can be won). First and second starting ports 12a, 12b)
The variable winning device is capable of distributing the gaming balls that have won inside to either the specific region (14) or the normal region (15), and all the gaming balls that have won the variable winning device are The game includes: a winning ball detecting means (for example, a count switch 13) for detecting; An auxiliary game control means for performing an auxiliary game for converting and driving a variable winning device to a second state based on a predetermined first rule, on condition that a game ball wins in the starting winning region; Cycle game control means for performing a cycle game in which the variable winning device is converted to the second state based on the second rule which is more advantageous to the player than the first rule by the auxiliary game control means. A basic counting means for counting the number of winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means after the driving control of the variable winning device by the cycle game controlling means is started; and a predetermined upper limit number of the winning balls counted by the basic counting means. Before the first end condition in which a predetermined standby time elapses after reaching the predetermined time or the second end condition in which a predetermined time elapses from the start of driving control of the variable prize device by the cycle game control means, a specific winning ball detection is performed. Cycle game update control means for updating the cycle game by the cycle game control means to a new cycle game, with the cycle game update condition being that the means detects a winning ball reaching a specific area, and assistance by the auxiliary game control means. In the game, a special game is created on condition that the game ball which has won the variable winning device is detected by the specific winning ball detecting means. After a predetermined cycle game start standby time has elapsed from the occurrence of the special game, the cycle game is started by the cycle game control means, and either the first end condition or the second end condition of the cycle game is achieved first. And a special game control means for ending the special game based on the completion condition of the special sphere passing through the specific prize ball detecting means in the variable prize winning device. In the right place, there is a prize ball guiding means capable of converting into a ball passing restriction state for restricting a game ball from reaching a specific prize ball detecting means, and a ball guiding state for guiding a game ball to a specific prize ball detecting means. The game control device is based on the lapse of a predetermined time after the auxiliary game control means completes the second state conversion control of the variable winning device and returns the variable winning device to the first state. A winning game guidance control means for converting the winning game ball guiding means into a ball guiding state; and a cycle game start in which the start of the cycle game by the cycle game control means after the special game is generated by the special game control means is started. In the standby time, the preliminary counting means for counting the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device, and when the winning balls are counted by the preliminary counting means, the cycle game start waiting time The first ending condition in the first cycle game to be performed after the lapse has been changed so that a predetermined standby time elapses after the sum of the count value of the preliminary counting means and the count value of the basic counting means reaches a predetermined upper limit number. And a first ending condition change control means.

Therefore, in the ball game machine according to the first aspect, the variable winning device of the second embodiment of the variable winning device by the auxiliary game control means.
Until the predetermined time elapses after the state conversion control ends, the winning ball guiding control means keeps the winning ball guiding means in the ball passing control state, and thereafter converts the winning ball guiding means to the ball guiding state, so during the auxiliary game The winning ball which has won the variable winning device is guided to the specific winning ball detecting means by the winning ball guiding means, and most of the winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means until the special game launch condition is achieved. It will be. Also,
When the preliminary counting means counts the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device in the cycle game start standby time, the first ending condition in the cycle game that is performed first after the special game is generated, The first end condition change control means changes the standby time after the sum of the count value by the preliminary count means and the count value by the basic count means reaches a predetermined upper limit number, and If the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detection means is increased in the cycle game start standby time in which the counting by the counting means is performed, the first end condition is set in the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time. It can be achieved quickly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ball game machine according to the first aspect, the winning ball guiding means provided in the variable winning device causes the ball holding member to protrude into a specific ball passage. A ball that restricts the passage of game balls that can store game balls in the specific ball passage, and that sends out the game balls stored in the specific ball passage to the specific ball detection means by retreating the ball holding member from the specific ball passage. The present invention is characterized in that each of the guidance states is generated.

Accordingly, in the ball game machine according to the second aspect, the winning ball guidance control means enters the specific ball passage in the specific area while holding the winning ball guiding means in the ball passing state. When there is a game ball, the game ball is stored in the specific ball passage by the ball holding member, and most of the winnings are performed during a predetermined time after the second state conversion operation of the variable winning device in the auxiliary game is completed. After the ball is detected by the winning ball detecting means, when the ball holding member retreats from the specific ball passage and enters a ball guiding state, the ball is sent to the specific ball detecting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ball game machine according to the second aspect, the variable winning device communicates with a downstream side of an arrangement position of a ball holding member on a specific ball passage. A ball insertion portion is provided.

Therefore, in the ball game machine according to the third aspect, even if the ball holding member projects into the ball passage, the ball holding member protrudes into the specific ball passage, and the ball is inserted into the ball passage through the ball insertion portion. Is detected by the special winning ball detecting means.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a ball game machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a ball game machine 1 capable of performing a ball game for bouncing a game ball as a game medium rotates a frame-shaped front frame to the front side of a hollow box frame-shaped machine frame. It is configured by being provided as possible. Further, a glass frame 2 on which a transparent glass is provided and a front panel 3 on which a ball plate for storing game balls are provided are rotatably provided on the front frame.
In addition, a rectangular frame-shaped decorative member 4 is arranged on the front surface of the glass frame 2, and the glass faces the opening of the decorative member 4. In addition, in the right place of the decorative member 4, the prize ball discharge display LED 4a indicating the discharge state of the prize ball, the overflow state in which the game ball overflows in the prize ball discharge path, and the supply ball supplied for the discharge of the prize ball were insufficient. Gaming machine status display LED 4b for informing the status, decoration display LED 4 for enhancing the decoration effect
c etc. are provided.

A game board 7 having a game section 6 surrounded by guide rails 5 is disposed behind the glass frame 2 (see FIG. 2). The game board 7 is a main player of a ball game, and when a game ball ejected by an electric drive source such as a rotary solenoid reaches the inside of the game section 6 along the guide rail 5, it hits a game nail. When flowing down in the direction of flow by a windmill or the like, and when the player wins one of various winning ports 8 as a winning area provided in the game section 6, a winning sensor provided for each of the winning ports 8 ( (Not shown), each winning ball is detected, and based on the detected signal, a prize ball (prize game value) as a game value for a prize (generation of a game value providing state) is given to the player, and a prize port 8 ...
The ball which did not win any of the above is collected as a ball coming off from the out port 9.

The prize game value given to the player is not limited to the prize ball. For example, in an enclosed ball type ball game machine (a ball game machine in which a player can circulate a game ball enclosed in the machine without handling an actual ball to perform a ball game), The operation of giving the game value is performed in such a manner that the typical ball number data is added.

At a substantially central portion of the gaming section 6, a variable prize winning device 10 which is a relatively large gaming device (center role) is provided.
The variable winning device 10 changes from a state in which the pair of left and right opening and closing members 11 and 11 stand upright and does not receive a game ball (a first state disadvantageous to the player).
When the ball 11 is opened to the left and right, the game ball is converted to a state in which the ball can be easily received (a second state advantageous to the player). Also,
A first start port 12a and a second start port 12 functioning as a prize area serving as a start condition of an auxiliary game (to be described in detail later) performed using the variable prize apparatus 10 as appropriate below the variable prize apparatus 10.
b. Although the first and second starting ports 12a and 12b shown in the drawings are of the winning opening type for guiding game balls to the back side of the game board 7, the present invention is not limited to this. A winning gate may be used in which a winning prize passes down the board of the gaming section 6 after the winning.

As shown in FIG. 3, the variable winning device 10 has a winning room 10a at the top where a pair of left and right opening / closing members 11, 11 are opened right and left so that a game ball can win. After entering the prize room 10a and becoming a prize ball, the game ball is detected by the count switch 13 at the rear of the prize room, and then falls to the lower distribution room 10b, where the distribution room 10b.
Flows down to the front side, and is finally distributed to either the specific area 14 or the normal areas 15 and 15, and the game balls allocated to the specific area 14 are detected by the specific winning detection means (not shown). There are things. Further, a display unit 16 capable of displaying various information is provided at the upper part on the front side of the variable prize winning device 10, and an opening / closing member solenoid which is a driving source for opening and closing the open / close members 11, 11 is provided at the rear of the variable prize winning device 10. 17 are provided.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of a specific winning ball flow path 18 illustrated as a specific ball passing path in which a winning ball distributed to a specific area 14 of the variable winning device 10 reaches a continuous switch 19 serving as a specific winning ball detecting means. The continuation switch 19 as specific winning ball detection means faces the downstream side of the specific winning ball flow path 18 appropriately, as shown in FIG.
Is flown down the specific winning ball flow path 18 and detected by the continuation switch 19.

On the other hand, a ball holding member which is slidable so as to be substantially perpendicular to the flow path of the game ball and capable of holding the game ball in the specific game ball flow path 18 is provided at an appropriate upstream side of the specific game ball flow path 18. Is provided. If this shielding member 20 is made to protrude into the specific winning ball flow path 18, it will be in a state in which the flow of the game ball will be prevented, and if the storage release solenoid 21 is excited, the shielding member 20 will be withdrawn from the specific winning ball flow path 18. The state in which the game ball can flow down is enabled. That is, in the variable prize winning device 10, the shield member 20 extends at a position where the winning ball reaching the specific area 14 can be stopped in the specific winning ball channel 18, and the shielding member 20 is The storage release solenoid 21 that is driven to convert between a state in which the game ball protrudes into the specific winning ball path and a state in which the game ball retreats from the specific winning ball flow path. Is realized as a winning ball guiding means that can be converted into a ball guiding state for guiding and guiding to the specific winning ball detecting means. The specific timing of the state conversion control of the winning ball guidance means will be described later in detail.

Further, a ball insertion opening 22 communicating from the outside of the variable winning device 10 to the downstream side of the position of the shielding member 20 in the specific winning ball flow path 18 is opened, and the shielding member 20 is opened.
In the ball passing restricted state in which the game ball extends into the specific winning ball flow path 18, if the game ball is directly inserted into the specific winning ball flow path 18 from the ball insertion port 22, it flows down the specific winning ball flow path 18. This is detected by the continuation switch 19. The ball insertion port 22 is not used in a normal game, but is used at the time of inspection of the ball game machine 1 or the like.

Here, another example of the winning ball guiding means suitable for the inspection will be described below. FIG. 5 shows a shielding member 20 'having an arc-shaped ball receiving recess 20a, in which a game ball is stably fitted into the ball receiving recess 20a, and is fitted into the ball receiving recess 20a. When the game ball is further pushed in, the pressing force causes the shielding member 20 ′ to retreat from the specific winning ball channel 18 and drop it toward the continuation sensor 19. In addition, the coil spring that applies a pressing force to the plunger of the storage release solenoid 21 is moved downward by the downward force when the flowing game ball in the variable winning device 10 is fitted into the ball receiving recess 20a.
The spring elasticity is set so that 0 'does not leave the specific winning ball flow path 18. Further, a ball guiding notch 20b is formed in the shielding member 20 'so that a winning ball can be smoothly guided toward the ball receiving recess 20a. In this case, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide the ball insertion port 22.

In the variable winning device 10,
The arrangement configuration is such that all the winning game balls are immediately detected by the count switch 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game balls are detected as the winning balls after being distributed to the specific area 14 and the normal areas 15, 15. Alternatively, the number of detected balls by the specific winning detection means for detecting the game balls allocated to the specific area 14 and the detection of the general winning detection means for detecting the game balls allocated to the normal areas 15 and 15 Variable winning device 1 by summing up the numbers
It may be configured to calculate the number of winning balls to 0.

The winning ball guiding means provided in the variable winning device also includes shielding members 20 and 20 ′ and a storage release solenoid 21.
However, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, in the variable winning device 10 'shown in FIG.
By positioning the ball holding member 23 at a location where the game ball flows down from 0c to the specific area 14, the game ball A plays so as to reach the right and left normal areas 15, 15 or the game ball A is This causes a ball flow-down regulation state in which the ball holding member 23 is held on the upstream side surface, and the ball holding member 23 is moved to the specific region 14.
The floor 1 is moved from the upstream side of the
The flow of the game ball flowing down the central portion of 0c to the specific area 14 is not hindered, and the game ball hitting the ball holding member 23 is flipped to generate a winning ball guiding state toward the specific area. At this time, the distribution chamber 10b is adjusted to the left and right ends of the specific area 14.
By providing the guide projections 24, 24 on the floor surface 10c, it is possible to more effectively prevent the game balls from reaching the specific area 14 in the ball down regulation state, and to reduce the specific area 14 in the winning ball guide state. A game ball is more easily guided.

The winning ball guiding means of the variable winning device 10 "shown in FIG. 7 comprises a pair of left and right arc-shaped guide members 25a, 25a.
A ball receiving recess 26a of such a size that only one game ball A fits into an appropriate position on the outer periphery of the rotating body 26 that rotates along the inner peripheral wall of 5b.
The game ball stopped in the guide ball storage area 27 which is a gap formed between the upstream end of the arc-shaped guide member 25a and the upstream end of the arc-shaped guide member 25b is generated by the rotation of the rotating body 26. The guide sphere opening, which is a gap formed between the downstream end of the arc-shaped guide member 25a and the downstream end of the arc-shaped guide member 25b with the rotation of the rotating body 26. When reaching the region 28, the ball receiving recess 26
a, and flows down to the downstream side as it is.
4.

That is, in the variable winning device 10 ″, the arc-shaped guide members 25 a,
25b and the rotating body 26 are located, so that the floor 10
Since there is almost no possibility that the game ball flowing down c reaches the specific area 14, the existence of the arc-shaped guide members 25a and 25b and the rotating body 26 formed on the floor 10c itself causes a ball flowing down state. Further, the game balls stored in the guiding ball storage area 27 flowing down on the floor surface 10c of the sorting chamber 10b are received in the ball receiving recess 26a, and the guiding ball opening area 2 is received.
8, the game ball received in the ball receiving portion 26a can almost certainly reach the specific region 14, and the game ball received in the ball receiving concave portion 26a of the rotating body 26 is guided to the guiding ball open region. The transfer to 28 causes a winning ball guiding state.

The flow of a game in the ball game machine 1 having the above-described board surface configuration will be briefly described. When a game ball is inserted from a ball supply tray and the operation handle is rotated appropriately, the game ball is hit and the game ball is hit. In the process of entering the game section 6 and flowing down the gaming section 6, if any of the winning openings 8 is won, a prize ball based on the winning is discharged and any of the winning openings 8 is won. The ball which has not been played is recovered from the outlet 9. Further, when the player wins either the first starting port 12a or the second starting port 12b in the gaming section 6, the variable winning device 10 performs an auxiliary game in which the variable winning device 10 is converted into the second state for a relatively short time. When the game ball that has won the variable winning device 10 in the auxiliary game reaches the specific area 14, a special game in which the variable winning device 10 is repeatedly changed to the second state is performed, and the predetermined end condition is achieved. When the special game ends, the game returns to the normal game.

A game control device 29 for performing such game control in an integrated manner is provided at an appropriate position on the back side of the ball-and-ball game machine 1. In addition, various game devices and the like in response to instructions from the game control device 29 are provided. Control device 30, which controls the game, award ball discharge display LED 4a, gaming machine status display LED 4b, decoration display L
A decoration control device 32 for controlling display on a decoration display 31 such as the ED 4c, a sound control device 34 for controlling sound output to a speaker 33, and a power supply for supplying power to various control devices and a game device. An apparatus 35 is provided.

The game control device 29, as shown in FIG.
Various game machines required for ball game (variable winning device 10
And the like, a game microcomputer 36 consisting of a one-chip microcomputer for controlling the operation of the game microcomputer 36, an oscillator 37 for dividing the oscillation frequency of the crystal to generate a clock having a predetermined time width and supplying the clock to the game microcomputer 36 and the like. Input interface 38 for receiving detection signals from various sensors and the like
And an output interface 39 for outputting command signals and the like to various electric devices and control devices. The gaming microcomputer 36 includes a CPU 36a, a ROM
It is integrated on a single chip as an amuse chip IC having a built-in 36b and a RAM 36c.

The input interface 38 has a discharge ball confirmation signal from a prize ball discharge confirmation sensor 40 for detecting one prize ball actually discharged from the prize ball discharge device, and a prize ball to the first starting port 12a. Start switch 41 for detecting
a from the first start winning ball detection signal from the second starting switch 41b for detecting the winning ball to the second starting opening 12b.
A starting prize ball detection signal, a prize ball detection signal from a count switch 13 serving as a prize ball detecting means for detecting all prize balls in the variable prize device 10, and detecting only a prize ball reaching a specific area 14 in the variable prize device. A specific prize ball detection signal or the like is input from the continuation switch 19 serving as a specific prize ball detection means.

From the output interface 39, various signals for external transmission are output to a signal output terminal 42 which is a port for outputting to the outside, and the opening / closing member solenoid 17 which is an electric drive source of the variable winning device 10 is provided. , Storage release solenoid 21, discharge control device 30, decoration control device 32,
An appropriate command signal or the like is output to the sound control device 34 or the like.
The signal output terminal 42 includes at least a terminal that outputs an ON signal only during the special prize start receiving state (described in detail later). Further, the decoration control device 32 receives the number of rounds and the number of counts (detailed later), which are information for notifying the player of the progress of the special game generated by the game control device 29. Number display 4
3, control for displaying the count number on the display 44. The arrangement number of the round number display 43 and the count number display 44 is not particularly limited as long as the part can be visually recognized by the player. In the present embodiment, the variable prize used in the auxiliary game and the special game is used. By allocating the display unit 16 provided on the device 10 to the round number display 43 and the count number display 44, it is possible to effectively draw the attention of the player during the game.

A specific game flow of the ball game machine 1 provided with the game control device 29 as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram showing the contents of a game played by the ball game machine 1 according to the present embodiment as a transition of the game state, and FIG. 10 is a trigger for the state transition. 4 is a time chart showing detection outputs of various detectors in a time series.

First, when the game is normally started by turning on the power, a state in which a normal game can be performed (standby state) is established, and the player plays a bullet game. Then, when a game ball wins in the first starting port 12a or the second starting port 12b, the first and second start switches 41a, 41b detect these starting winning balls, and the auxiliary game is started.

When the auxiliary game is started, the variable winning device 1
0 is converted to a second state based on a predetermined first rule (initial open / close state), and the ball that has won the variable winning device 10 during that time is detected by the count switch 13. If there is no game ball that has won the variable prize device 10 and reached the specific area 14 during the initial opening / closing state, the game ball that has won the variable prize apparatus 10 immediately before the end of the initial opening / closing state is still in the specific area 14 or the normal area. The standby state (special prize start acceptance state) is set for a predetermined time in consideration of the possibility that the area is not allocated to the area 15. Then, there is a game ball that has reached the specific area 14 before the special prize start accepting state ends, and when the continuation switch 19 detects this, a special game is generated.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the game ball enters the second opening 12b from the standby state and shifts to the initial opening / closing state. The opening / closing member solenoid 17 is activated by the detection of the game ball by the second start switch 41b. Although the ball is driven twice and the winning ball to the variable winning device 10 is detected by the count switch 13, the initial opening / closing state ends without the detection output of the continuation switch 19, and the special prize start receiving state is entered. This is the case where the continuation switch 19 detects a game ball that has reached the specific area 14. The auxiliary game is terminated by the detection output of the continuation switch 19, and the process immediately shifts to the special game.

If there is no detection output from the continuation switch 19 even in the special prize start accepting state, the game returns to the standby state (normal game) by the end of the special prize start accepting state (end of the auxiliary game). If there is a detection output of the continuation switch 19 during the initial opening / closing state, the game shifts to the special game without shifting to the special prize start acceptance state. Further, the first rule for converting the variable prize device 10 to the second state in the auxiliary game is more than the second rule (the rule for converting the variable prize device to the second state in each cycle game of the special game) described later. There is no particular limitation as long as the number of winning balls to the variable winning device 10 is sufficiently reduced, but in the present embodiment, the first starting port 12 is used.
In the auxiliary game by winning a ball to a, the opening and closing members 11 and 11 are opened and closed for 0.8 seconds as a first rule,
Opening / closing member 1 in auxiliary game by ball prize to starting port 12b
The first rule is that an operation of opening 1,11 for 0.8 seconds, closing it for 0.8 seconds, and opening it again for 0.8 seconds.

Here, a specific example of the progress control of the auxiliary game including the operation of the storage release solenoid 17 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the normal game state, the initial opening / closing state is established based on, for example, the detection output of the second start switch 41b, and the opening / closing members 11, 11 of the variable winning device 10 are opened and closed twice. If there is no detection output of the continuation switch 19 during this time, the special game start condition has not yet been achieved, and the special prize start acceptance state is entered. Note that the first start switch 41a or the second start switch 41a or the second
Even if there is a detection output of the start switch 41b, this is invalidated and does not shift to the initial open / close state based on the start winning.

When a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses after entering the special prize start accepting state, the storage release solenoid 21 is turned on to convert the winning ball guiding means to the ball guiding state. Therefore, the game ball that has been prevented from flowing down on the shielding member 20 flows down the specific winning ball flow path 18 and is detected by the continuation switch 19, and the special game occurrence condition is achieved. However, after the storage release solenoid 21 is turned on, the winning ball held by the shielding member 20 is switched to the continuation switch 1.
Even if a sufficient and sufficient time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses to reach 9, if there is no detection output from the continuation switch 19, the storage release solenoid 21 is turned off and returns to the standby state.

It is also possible to perform control to shift to the initial open / close state based on the winning prize ball without invalidating the winning prize ball detected during the special prize start accepting state. An example of such control will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the movable members 11, 11
The opening and closing members 11 and 11 are then opened twice to end the initial opening and closing state and shift to the special prize start receiving state. If there is a detection output of the first start switch 41a or the second start switch 41b during the feature start accepting state, the state shifts to the initial open / close state and the storage release solenoid 21
Operation is canceled. First and second start switches 4
When there is no detection output of 1a, 41b, the drive control of the storage release solenoid 21 is performed in the same manner as in the above-described example, and if there is a detection output from the continuation switch 19, the special game is started. When 2 seconds have elapsed without any status, the storage release solenoid 21 is turned off and the process returns to the standby state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), from the initial opening / closing state based on the detection output of the first and second start switches 41a, 41b, until the opening / closing members 11, 11 of the variable winning device 10 are actually opened. of a predetermined time t _1, the winning ball which has been stored by the shielding member 20 operates storage release solenoid 21 is kept set to be longer than necessary and sufficient time t ₂ required until is detected continuously switch 19 Is desirable.

With such a setting (t ₁ > t ₂ ), after the storage release solenoid 21 is operated in the state of receiving the special prize (or almost simultaneously with the operation of the storage release solenoid 21), the first and the second are set. starting switch 41a, if there is detection output of 41b, if the detection output of the continuous switch 19 before t ₂ has elapsed to turn off the storage release solenoid 21, first, second start switch 41a, 41b detects the The output is substantially disabled, and the game automatically shifts to the special game without operating the opening / closing members 11, 11.

Meanwhile, if there is no detection output of the continuous switch 19 before t ₂ has elapsed to turn off the storage release solenoid 21, first, second start switch 41a, after t ₂ has elapsed from the detection output of 41b, usually Since the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing members 11 is performed in the same manner as in the initial opening / closing state, it is possible to solve the dissatisfaction that the special game start condition is not achieved and the start winning prize is invalidated.

At the start of the special game, first, the second
Waits for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) as a wait time before performing a cycle game in which the variable winning device 10 is converted and driven to the second state (special prize start standby state). If there is a detection output of the switch 19, these are counted.
Then, when a predetermined time elapses, a cycle game is executed.

In FIG. 10, two winning balls are detected by the count switch 13 during the special prize start standby state.
Further, a case where a game ball distributed to the specific area 14 is detected by the continuation switch 19 is shown.

In the cycle game, the variable winning device 1
0 is converted to a second state based on a second rule (for example, an operation of alternately repeating opening for 0.8 seconds and closing for 0.8 seconds) (a special open / close state), and changes during this special open / close state. If there is no game ball that has won the prize device 10 and has reached the specific region 14, the game ball that has won the variable prize device 10 immediately before the end of the special prize opening / closing state has not yet been allocated to the specific region 14 or the normal region 15. The waiting state (special prize continuation receiving state) is set for a predetermined time in consideration of the possibility. Then, there is a game ball that has reached the specific area 14 before the special prize continuation accepting state ends, and when this is detected by the continuation switch 19, the game sphere is again set to the special prize opening / closing state through a standby state for a predetermined time (a special prize continuous standby state). . That is, the cycle game is updated.

In the conventional ball game machine of the second kind of game content, the number of winning balls detected by the count switch 13 of the variable winning device 10 from the start of the cycle game is increased to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10 pieces). ) Is reached and a predetermined waiting time (5
Elapse of the second cycle is a first condition for ending the cycle game, and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds + 5) from the start of the cycle game.
(Seconds) is set as the second condition for ending the cycle game, and if any of the first or second end conditions is satisfied, the cycle game is updated. It is not performed, and therefore, the special game itself composed of a bundle of cycle games is also ended.

That is, the ball game machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the above, the game control device 29 performs an auxiliary game that converts and drives the variable winning device to the second state based on a predetermined first rule, as a necessary condition that a game ball wins in the above-mentioned starting winning region. "Auxiliary game control means", "Cycle game control means for performing a cycle game in which the variable winning device is converted and driven to the second state based on the second rule more advantageous to the player than the first rule by the auxiliary game control means""Basic counting means for counting the winning balls detected by the winning ball detection means after the drive control of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means is started", "the number of winning balls counted by the basic counting means is a predetermined number A first end condition in which a predetermined standby time elapses after reaching the upper limit number or a second time in which a predetermined time elapses from the start of driving control of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means. A cycle for updating the cycle game by the cycle game control means to a new cycle game, as a cycle game update condition that the specific winning ball detection means detects a winning ball reaching the specific area before the completion condition is achieved. Game update control means "," generates a special game on condition that the game ball which has won the variable prize device in the auxiliary game by the auxiliary game control means is detected by the specific winning ball detection means, and starts the special game. The cycle game is started by the cycle game control means after a predetermined cycle game start standby time has elapsed from the birth, and the earliest end condition of the achievement of the first end condition or the achievement of the second end condition of the cycle game is achieved. It is provided with a function as a "special game control means for terminating the special game based on what has been done".

The predetermined time for determining the second end condition after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the drive control of the variable prize apparatus by the cycle game control means is determined by the elapsed time from the start of the drive of the variable prize apparatus. In addition to the method of measuring the opening and closing timing of the variable prize apparatus, there is also a method of measuring a predetermined time by monitoring the number of opening and closing operations of the variable prize apparatus.

Further, if the cycle game continues for a long time, the profit obtained by the player in the special game will increase, but the disadvantage of the game store will increase significantly. The fact that the number of specific winning balls detected by the switch 19 reaches a predetermined number (for example, seven) is added as a third end condition. As a result, the cycle game is performed only up to seven times after the first cycle game, and the special game ends at the maximum of the eighth cycle game. Therefore, in the last (last round) cycle game (final round prize open / close state), even if the continuation switch 19 detects a game ball distributed to the specific area 14, the cycle game is terminated at that time. Without updating to the next cycle game,
The number of winning balls detected by the count switch 13 from the start of the last cycle game reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), or the second state conversion operation of the variable winning device 10 based on the second rule (for example, an operation requiring 30 seconds). When the parentheses are completed, the special game is ended and the game returns to the normal game (standby state).

That is, the ball game machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the above, the special game control means realized by the game control device 29 sets the third end condition that the specific winning ball detected by the specific winning ball detecting means after the special game has occurred reaches a predetermined number, In the cycle game updated by the specific winning ball in which the third end condition is achieved, the cycle game updating control by the cycle game updating control means is deactivated, and the number of winning balls counted by the basic counting means is increased to a predetermined upper limit number. Or a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the drive control of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means, or a function to end the special game when any of the earliest conditions is achieved. .

As described above, one of the technical features of the ball game machine 1 according to the present invention resides in the operation control of the storage release solenoid 21 in the state of accepting the special game start of the auxiliary game. That is, the game control device 29 of the ball game machine 1 according to the present embodiment states that “the auxiliary game control means completes the second state conversion control of the variable winning device and returns the variable winning device to the first state. Based on the elapse of a predetermined time from,
Prize ball guidance control means for converting the prize ball guidance means into a ball guidance state ", the prize ball guidance control is performed until a predetermined time elapses after the second state conversion control of the variable prize device by the auxiliary game control means ends. The means holds the winning ball guiding means in the ball passing control state, and thereafter converts the winning ball guiding means to the ball guiding state, so that the winning ball which has won the variable winning device during the auxiliary game is specified by the winning ball guiding means. Most of the winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means until the special game starting condition is achieved by being guided to the ball detecting means, and after the special game generating condition is achieved, the winning ball detecting means is obtained. Is extremely unlikely to detect a winning ball.

Another technical feature of the ball-and-ball game machine 1 according to the present invention lies in the control of the special prize start standby state in the special game and the first special prize opening / closing state performed thereafter. That is, as shown in the time chart of FIG.
When the game shifts from the auxiliary game to the special game and enters the feature start standby state, the winning balls detected by the count switch 13 are counted by the spare counting means (count number = 2) during this time, and the feature start standby state ends. In the special prize opening / closing state performed later, the variable prize winning device 1 under the first end condition is set.
The basic counting means that counts the winning upper limit to 0 sets the counting result of the preliminary counting means as an initial value (when two winning balls are detected by the preliminary counting means, the initial value is "2") and counts. By starting, in the first special prize opening / closing state performed after the special prize start standby state, when the sum of the preliminary counting means and the basic counting means reaches a specified number (if the initial value is "2", a new 8 is set). The opening / closing member solenoid 17 is turned off at the time when the winning balls are detected by the count switch 13), and the state shifts to the special prize continuation receiving state.

In order to do so, the game control device 29 of the ball game machine 1 according to the present embodiment states that “after the special game is generated by the special game control means, the start of the cycle game by the cycle game control means is restricted. When the cycle game start standby time has been performed, the preliminary counting means for counting the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device and the `` preliminary counting means counting the winning balls, The first end condition in the first cycle game to be performed after the elapse of the above-mentioned cycle game start standby time is set to a predetermined standby time after the sum of the count value by the preliminary count means and the count value by the basic count means reaches a predetermined upper limit number. It includes a function as "first end condition change control means for changing over time".

Accordingly, when the preliminary counting means counts the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device during the cycle game start standby time, the first counting in the cycle game after the special game is generated. 1 The termination condition is
The first end condition change control means changes the standby time after the sum of the count value by the preliminary count means and the count value by the basic count means reaches a predetermined upper limit number, and If the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detection means is increased in the cycle game start standby time in which the counting by the counting means is performed, the first end condition is set in the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time. Since it can be achieved quickly, it is possible to suppress the inspection loss time due to the cycle game start standby time.

In this way, in the special game created for the purpose of the inspection, the time until the cycle game start waiting time elapses every time the cycle game is updated is not wasted, and the work efficiency is improved. In the actual game, the possibility that the winning ball is detected by the preliminary counting means during the cycle game start standby time after the auxiliary game is performed and the special game occurrence condition is achieved is extremely high. This makes it possible to prevent the first ending condition in the cycle game from being achieved before the cycle game update condition is achieved, thereby preventing the player from being disadvantaged.

On the other hand, if the preliminary counting means does not count the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device during the cycle game start standby time, the first ending condition changing control means causes the first ending condition changing control means to execute the first ending condition changing means. Is not changed, as before, only the game balls detected by the winning ball detecting means after the first cycle game is started after the elapse of the cycle game start waiting time are counted, and the first ball is counted.
This is used to determine the termination condition.

In addition, preliminary winning ball display means (for example, for visually displaying the result of counting by the preliminary counting means to the player)
The display unit 16) of the variable winning device 10 is provided, and "preliminary winning ball display control means for displaying the counting result by the preliminary counting means on the preliminary winning ball display means as the number of winning balls to the variable winning device during the cycle game start standby time" Is included in the game control device 29, the counting result of the preliminary counting means in the cycle game start standby time affects the first end condition of the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time. Can be notified to the player, so that the player can start an effective game strategy for the first cycle game from the display of the preliminary count result display means.

Also, without changing the initial value of the basic counting means in the special prize opening / closing state, the number obtained by subtracting the counting result of the preliminary counting means from the upper limit number which can be counted by the basic counting means is set as the changed upper limit number and the first cycle If the first game termination condition in the game is determined by the cycle game update control means and the special game control means, in order to calculate the change upper limit number,
Since the count value by the preliminary counting means and the count value by the basic counting means are individually calculated, there is no need to perform any special operation to obtain these count values, and each count value is sampled as it is. Feedback to the development of gaming machines. A change upper limit number display means (for example, the display unit 16 of the variable prize winning device 10) for visually displaying the change upper limit number is provided, and "the first changed value according to the prize to the variable prize device in the cycle game start standby time" is provided. If the function as the "change upper limit number display control means for displaying the change upper limit number of the first end condition in the cycle game in the upper limit number display means" is included in the game control device 29, the reserve in the cycle game start standby time is The counting result of the counting means affects the first end condition of the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time, and informs the player that the count result is different from the winning upper limit number of the first end condition in the normal cycle game. Since the player can be notified, it is possible for the player to take an effective game strategy for the first cycle game from the display of the change upper limit number display means. That.

Further, even if there is a detection output of the continuation switch 19 during the special game start standby state which is the cycle game start standby time, the special game control means determines the specific winning sphere as the third determination condition (start of special game). (Specific winning balls detected by the specific winning ball detecting means after birth reach a predetermined number) may be excluded from the determination target. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the cycle game from ending without performing the second state conversion of the variable winning device by the cycle game control means, so that the finite number of updates of the cycle game is reduced unnecessarily. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from being significantly disadvantaged.

In the special game, the cycle game update condition is achieved in the first cycle game, and the counting by the preliminary counting means is performed even during the special prize continuation standby state, which is the standby time until the next cycle game is started. When the winning switch is detected by the count switch 13 during the special prize continuation standby state, the first ending condition of the cycle game after the special prize continuation standby state is changed based on the counting result of the preliminary counting means ( The count value of the preliminary counting means may be used as the initial value of the basic counting means, or the number obtained by subtracting the counting result of the preliminary counting means from the upper limit number which can be counted by the basic counting means may be used as the changed upper limit number. .

Even if the continuation switch 19 detects the output during the special game start standby state, which is the cycle game start standby time, or the special prize continuation standby state, which is the cycle game update standby time, the specific prize ball is used for the special game. You may make it exclude from the determination target of the 3rd determination condition (The specific winning ball detected by the specific winning ball detection means reaches a predetermined number after the occurrence of a special game) determined by the control means. Thus,
Since it is possible to prevent the cycle game from ending without the second state conversion of the variable prize device being performed by the cycle game control means, the finite number of updates of the cycle game is reduced unnecessarily, and the player Significant disadvantages can be effectively suppressed.

Next, the flow of the above-described special game process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In the special prize start standby state process which is started when the mode shifts from the auxiliary game to the special game, first, in order to forcibly return the variable winning device 10 to the first state, the energizing of the opening / closing member solenoid 17 is performed. Cut off (step S1-
1), the number of rounds, which is the number of executions of the cycle game, is set to “1” (step S1-2), and the count of the counter that counts the detection signal from the count switch 13 is set to “0” (step S1-3). ), The control timer is set to the continuation time (for example, 5 seconds) of the special prize start standby state (step S1-4).

Subsequently, it is determined whether there is a detection output from the count switch 13 (step S1-5). If there is a detection output, "+1" is added to the count number (step S1).
-6). Then, the display of the count number and the round number is updated (step S1-7), the control timer is updated (step S1-8), and it is determined whether or not the time of the control timer has expired (step S1-9). If the time has not yet elapsed, the flow returns to step S1-5 again to determine whether or not there is a detection output from the count switch 13. If the control timer times out in step S1-9 while repeating the above processing, it means that the continuation time of the special prize start standby state has elapsed, and the special prize start standby state processing is ended and the processing shifts to the special prize start state processing. .

When the process proceeds to the special prize start state process as described above, the control timer is set to a predetermined time included in the second end condition of the cycle game (for example, 30 seconds excluding 5 seconds in the special prize continuation receiving state). (Step S2-1), the open / close timer is set to the open / close time of the open / close members 11, 11 (for example, 0.8
Second) (step S2-3), and the display of the count number and the round number is updated (step S2-4).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the continuation switch 19 has detected a specific winning ball (step S2-5). The cycle game is ended, and the process shifts to the special prize continuation standby state process to wait for the subsequent cycle game. On the other hand, if there is no detection output from the continuation switch 19, it is determined whether there is a detection output from the count switch 13 (step S2-6). Winning device 1
"+" Is added to the count number of the counter that counts the winning balls to 0.
1 "is added (step S2-7). If the count has already been increased in the special prize start standby state process, the count is taken over and further added to the count. Go.

Then, it is determined whether or not the count number of the counter is equal to or more than the maximum value set as the first end condition (step S2-8).
The process shifts to the special prize continuation receiving state process, and if there is a detection output from the continuation switch 19 during the special prize continuation receiving state, the cycle game is performed again, and conversely, the detection output from the continuation switch 19 during the special prize continuation receiving state. If not, the special game ends. In very rare cases,
Since it is also conceivable that the detection output from the count switch 13 has reached or exceeded the maximum value during the special-prize start standby state, the count number of the counter has exceeded the maximum value at the time of the determination in step S2-8. The case was also determined.

If it is determined in step S2-8 that the count number of the counter is still less than the maximum value, the control timer is updated (step S2-9), and whether or not the time of the control timer has expired is determined. (Step S2-
10) If the control timer has expired, the process proceeds to the special prize continuation reception state process. Also, the above step S2-1
If it is determined that the control timer has not yet timed out at 0, the open / close timer is updated (step S2-1).
1) It is determined whether or not the open / close timer has expired (step S2-12). If the open / close timer has expired, the open / close timer is set again (step S2).
-13), the output to the opening / closing member solenoid 17 is inverted (step S2-14). That is, after the opening and closing members 11 and 11 are opened for the time counted by the opening and closing timer, the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing members 11 and 11 being closed for the time counted by the opening and closing timer is repeated every 0.8 seconds.

If the open / close timer has not yet timed out in step S2-12, or
After the reset of the open / close timer based on the expiration of the open / close timer and the reversal operation of the open / close member solenoid 17 are completed, the process returns to step S2-4, updates the count number and the land number, and repeats the same processing. The game is executed.

Step S2 of the special open / close state processing described above.
At -8, the count number obtained by counting the detection output from the count switch 13 becomes equal to or more than the maximum value, and the first end condition is achieved, or at step S2-10, the control timer times out and the second end condition becomes In the special prize continuation reception state process that shifts when the achievement is achieved, the opening and closing member solenoid 17 is turned off and the variable prize winning device 10 is set to the first position.
The state is converted to a state (step S3-1), and a release timer for measuring a standby time until the excitation of the storage release solenoid 21 is started is set to a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) (step S3-1).
3-2) A predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) for maintaining the special prize continuation receiving state is set in the control timer (step S3-
3).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the release timer set in step S3-2 has expired (step S3-4). If the release timer has not expired, the release timer is updated (step S3). -5). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3-4 that the release timer has expired, the storage release solenoid 2
1 is turned on (step S3-6), and the specific winning ball flow path 18 is converted into a state in which game balls can flow down.

Then, it is determined whether or not the continuation switch 19 has detected a ball (step S3-7). If the continuation switch 19 has not yet detected a specific winning ball, the control timer is updated (step S3). -8). On the other hand, step S
If the continuation switch 19 has detected the specific winning ball in 3-7, the cycle game update condition has been achieved, and the storage release solenoid 21 is turned off (step S).
3-9), the process proceeds to the special prize continuation standby state process.

If the continuation switch 19 has not detected a specific winning ball in step S3-7, it is determined whether or not the control timer has timed out (step S3-10). If the time has not elapsed yet, the processing from step S3-4 is repeated again. As a result, if the control timer has expired, the storage release solenoid 21 is turned off (step S3-11), The process proceeds to the standby state process (return to the normal game).

That is, in the special prize continuation receiving state processing, the same operation control of the storage release solenoid 21 as in the above-described special prize start receiving state is performed. Therefore, when a predetermined time elapses after the variable winning device 10 returns to the first state, the storage release solenoid 21 is turned on, and the specific area 14
The winning ball (game ball stored on the shielding member 20) that has reached the predetermined winning ball flow path is allowed to flow down and is detected by the continuation switch 19, so that the storage release solenoid 21 is turned off. During this period, the winning balls are detected up to the specified number by the count switch 13 without achieving the cycle game update condition, and the storage release solenoid 21
When the is turned on, the cycle game update condition is achieved with a very high probability, so that the player can smoothly obtain the profit amount (award ball amount) at each cycle game until the last round cycle It is possible to continuously update.

Incidentally, since various uncertain factors affect the actual playing of a ball game, the count switch 13 is not always set to the upper limit number (for example, 1) during the cycle game of one land.
Zero game balls are not necessarily detected, and the second end condition (for example, 3 from the start of the cycle game) is not detected while the number of game balls does not reach the specified number.
(Elapse of 0 seconds) may be achieved and the state may shift to the special prize continuation receiving state. If the winning ball guiding means does not operate as it is, the cycle game update condition will not be achieved, which is disadvantageous for the player. Further, even when the number of game balls detected by the count switch 13 reaches the specified number of the first end condition, the state shifts to the special prize continuation receiving state and the opening / closing member 1 of the variable winning device 10 is changed.
If the winning balls are not left in the variable winning device 10 at the time of the closing of the game balls 1 and 11 (when the succeeding game ball cannot be won in the variable winning device), even if the winning ball guiding means is a ball, Even if the state is changed to the guidance state, the cycle game update condition is not achieved, which is disadvantageous for the player.

Therefore, if the winning ball guiding means adopts a structure in which it is substantially impossible to detect a winning ball by the continuous switch 19 while the ball passing control state is set, the first ending condition is set, for example. The winning ball guiding means is converted to the ball guiding state based on the detection of appropriately fewer game balls than the number of balls (not only when the specified number of balls are detected but also when the specified number of balls are detected). (Includes conversion when a suitable wait time elapses after detection)
The prize ball guiding means is changed to the ball guiding state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the cycle game, or the prize ball guiding means is ball guided when the first condition is achieved by combining these conditions. You may make it convert into a state.

In the special prize continuation standby state processing in which the cycle game update condition is achieved in the special prize reception standby processing as described above, or the cycle game update condition is achieved in the special prize open / close state processing, first, the processing is not yet completed. If the open / close member solenoid 17 is in the ON state in consideration of the case where the open / close members 11, 11 of the variable prize device 10 are shifted from the special prize open / close state process to the special prize continuation standby state process, it is turned off (step S4-1) "1" is added to a counter for counting the number of rounds, which is the number of executions of the cycle game in the special game, to update the number of rounds (step S4-2), and a count for determining the first end condition in each cycle game The count value of the counter for counting the number is set to "0" (step S4-3), and a predetermined time (for example, 5 ) Is set to control timer (step S4-4).

Then, it is determined whether or not the count switch 13 has detected a winning ball (step S4-5). If detected, the counter is updated by adding "1" to the count number (step S4-5). S4-6) The updated count and cycle game round are displayed as described above (step S4-7), and the first end condition is determined from the next cycle game round count and the count result by the preliminary counting means. Is visually notified to the player whether has been changed.

Subsequently, the control timer is updated (step S
4-8) It is determined whether or not the time of the control timer has expired (step S4-9).
Step S4-8 is repeated, and then step S4-8 is performed.
If it is determined in 4-9 that the control timer has expired, it is determined whether the number of rounds is equal to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 8) (step S4-10). In other words, if the number of rounds has not yet reached the maximum value, the processing shifts to the special prize opening / closing state processing described above so that further cycle games can be updated, while if the number of rounds has reached the maximum value, Shifts to the final round special prize opening / closing state processing to perform the final round cycle game based on the achievement of the third end condition.

In the final round prize opening / closing state processing (for example, the eighth cycle game) performed based on the achievement of the third end condition, the continuation switch 19 in step S2-5 is executed in the above-described prize opening / closing state processing. Is not performed, and a standby state process (normal game) is performed on the basis of the true determination of “count number ≧ maximum value” in step S2-8 and the true determination of “control timer time-up” in step S2-10. Control to return to. Thus, the number of prize balls reaching the variable prize device 10 reaches 10 or the variable prize device 1
When 30 seconds elapse from the start of the opening / closing operation of 0, the normal game state is returned.

In the above-described embodiment, the opening and closing members 11, 11 of the variable winning device 10 are immediately activated in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the first and second starting openings 12a, 12b. For example, the opening / closing member is configured to operate after a certain opening / closing member operation standby time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses from, for example, a winning in the starting port (the timing of detecting the game ball by the start switch). May be. By adopting such a configuration and delaying the operation timing of the opening / closing member due to a winning in the starting opening, a sense of tension and a sense of expectation of the player can be effectively increased, and a more interesting gaming machine Becomes

Further, when the opening / closing member operation standby time is provided after winning the start opening as described above, when the continuation switch detects that a game ball has reached a specific area during the opening / closing member operation standby time, the switch is activated. A special game may be started from the point in time. That is, the opening / closing member operation standby time is generated in accordance with the winning at the starting port, and if the game ball reaches the specific game area before the time of the opening / closing member operation standby time elapses, the opening / closing member operation during the auxiliary game Is shifted to the cycle game start standby time without any operation (a special game state is generated). By adopting such a control, the effect of the loss time due to the opening / closing member operation standby time provided after winning the start opening is eliminated, so that the inspection of the continuation sensor and the inspection of the count switch can be quickly performed at the time of inspection at a factory or the like. It is possible to do.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cycle game can be updated up to seven times in the special game generated when the winning ball to the variable winning device 10 reaches the specific area 14 during the auxiliary game. However, the maximum number of continuations of the cycle game may be changed. For example,
By randomly selecting the maximum number of cycles that can be updated according to the timing at which the special game occurs (the game ball detection timing of the continuation switch),
Each time a special game is generated, the maximum number of continuations of the cycle game is changed to enhance the interest in the game.

As an example of a specific procedure for determining the maximum number of continuous cycle games, a random number is extracted at a game ball detection timing of a continuation switch that determines the occurrence of a special game, and “two times” is determined according to the random number. "4 times" or "7 times". A variable display device using a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information (alphanumeric characters, symbols such as ○, Δ, □, etc.) so that the player can see the determination of the number of continuations as a visual game. The player plays the game and impresses the player that the number of continuations according to the stop result mode of the variable display game is determined. It is not necessary to equalize the selection probabilities in the three types of continuation times, and the probability may be reduced as the number of continuations increases, or four or more types of continuation times may be used. It may be only.

The variable display device for performing the above-described variable display game for determining the maximum continuation number of the cycle game can also be used as a display device for displaying the counting result by the preliminary counting means. However, since the maximum number of continuous cycle games is information that largely relates to the gain of the player (the number of prize balls obtained by the player in the special game), the determined cycle game is displayed more than the display of the counting result by the preliminary counting means. It is desirable to give priority to the maximum number of continuations.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the prize ball is held until the predetermined time elapses after the second state conversion control of the variable prize device by the auxiliary game control means is completed. Since the guidance control means keeps the winning ball guiding means in the ball passing control state and thereafter converts the winning ball guiding means to the ball guiding state, the winning ball which has won the variable winning device during the auxiliary game is determined by the winning ball guiding means. Most of the prize balls will be detected by the prize ball detecting means until the special game stimulating condition is achieved by being guided to the specific prize ball detecting means. The possibility that the detecting means detects a winning ball is extremely reduced. Also,
When the preliminary counting means counts the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device during the cycle game start standby time, the first end condition in the first cycle game to be performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time is: The first end condition change control means changes the standby time after the sum of the count value by the preliminary count means and the count value by the basic count means reaches a predetermined upper limit number, and If the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detecting means is increased during the cycle game start standby time in which the counting by the counting means is performed, the first cycle game performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time ends the first cycle game. Since the condition can be achieved quickly, it is possible to suppress the inspection loss time due to the cycle game start standby time.

Thus, in the special game created for the purpose of the inspection, the time until the cycle game start waiting time elapses every time the cycle game is updated is not wasted, and the work efficiency is improved. In the actual game, the possibility that the winning ball is detected by the preliminary counting means during the cycle game start standby time after the auxiliary game is performed and the special game occurrence condition is achieved is extremely high. This makes it possible to prevent the first ending condition in the cycle game from being achieved before the cycle game update condition is achieved, thereby preventing the player from being disadvantaged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, while the prize ball guidance control means keeps the prize ball guidance means in the ball passing state, the player enters the specific ball passage of the specific area. When there is a game ball, the game ball is stored in the specific ball passage by the ball holding member, and most of the game ball is passed during a predetermined time after the second state conversion operation of the variable winning device in the auxiliary game ends. After the winning ball is detected by the winning ball detecting means, when the ball holding member retreats from the specific ball passage and enters the ball guiding state, the ball is sent out to the specific ball detecting means, so the variable winning device is won. Even if the timing at which the game ball normally flows and reaches the specific area is not synchronized with the ball guidance state conversion timing of the winning ball guiding means, the guiding to the specific winning ball detecting means becomes possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the ball holding member protrudes into the specific ball passage, the ball holding member protrudes into the ball passage, and the ball is inserted into the ball passage. Since the ball is detected by the special winning ball detecting means, it is easy to achieve the special game launch condition without waiting for the winning ball guiding means to be changed from the ball passing restricted state to the ball guiding state. Thus, it is possible to suppress the inspection loss time due to the auxiliary game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the variable winning device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a specific area including a winning ball guiding means in the variable winning device.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing another example of the ball holding member in the winning ball guiding means. (B) It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a specific area including winning ball guiding means constituted by a ball holding member of another example.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a waist of a variable winning device provided with another winning ball guiding means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a waist of a variable winning device provided with another winning ball guiding means.

FIG. 8 is a schematic functional block diagram of input and output of the game control device.

FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram showing a change state of a game state.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a specific example of returning from a normal game to a normal game again through an auxiliary game and a special game.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are time charts showing an example of progress control of an auxiliary game including an operation of a storage release solenoid.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the game control device in a special prize standby state.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the game control device in the special prize opening / closing state.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of the game control device in the special prize continuation receiving state.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of the game control device in the special prize continuation standby state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming machine 6 Gaming part 10 Variable winning device 12a 1st starting port 12b 2nd starting port 13 Count switch 14 Specific area 15 Normal area 16 Display part 19 Continuation switch 29 Game control device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game control device for controlling the operation of various game machines in order to play a game by popping a game ball into a game area, wherein the game area includes at least a first disadvantageous player. A variable winning device that can be converted into a state and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and a starting winning region in which a game ball can be awarded. A prize ball detecting means that can be assigned to any of the normal regions and detects all game balls that have won the variable prize device, and a specific prize ball that detects only a prize ball that has reached a specific region in the variable prize device. Detecting means, wherein the game control device assists in converting the variable winning device to a second state based on a predetermined first rule on condition that a game ball wins in the starting winning region. Play An auxiliary game control means for performing, and a cycle game control means for performing a cycle game for converting and driving the variable winning device to the second state based on a second rule more advantageous to the player than the first rule by the auxiliary game control means. A basic counting means for counting the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means after the drive control of the variable winning device by the cycle game controlling means is started; and a predetermined upper limit number of the winning balls counted by the basic counting means. Before the first end condition in which a predetermined standby time elapses after reaching the predetermined time or the second end condition in which a predetermined time elapses from the start of driving control of the variable prize device by the cycle game control means, a specific winning ball detection is performed. When the means for detecting a winning ball reaching a specific area is set as a cycle game update condition, the cycle game by the cycle game control means is set to a new cycle. A cycle game update control means for updating to a game, and a special game is generated on condition that a game ball won to the variable prize device in the auxiliary game by the auxiliary game control means is detected by the specific winning ball detection means; A cycle game is started by the cycle game control means after a predetermined cycle game start standby time has elapsed from the occurrence of the special game, and either the first end condition of the cycle game or the achievement of the second end condition is the earliest. A special game control means for ending the special game based on the end condition being achieved; anda special game control means for ending the special game. In the right place, there is a ball passage restriction state that restricts the game ball from reaching the specific winning ball detecting means, and a ball guide shape that guides the game ball to the specific winning ball detecting means. A prize ball guiding means that can be converted to a predetermined value after the auxiliary game control means completes the second state conversion control of the variable prize apparatus and returns the variable prize apparatus to the first state. Based on the passage of time, the winning ball guidance control means for converting the winning ball guidance means into the ball guiding state, and the start of the cycle game by the cycle game control means after the special game is generated by the special game control means During the cycle game start standby time, the preliminary counting means for counting the winning balls detected by the winning ball detecting means of the variable winning device, and when the counting of the winning balls by the preliminary counting means is performed, The first end condition in the first cycle game to be performed after the elapse of the cycle game start standby time is determined by determining the sum of the count value of the preliminary counting means and the count value of the basic counting means. Pinball game machine, wherein a predetermined waiting time has reached the maximum number has a first end condition change control means for changing to elapse, it shall include the. 2. The prize ball guiding means provided in the variable prize winning device includes: a ball passing restricted state in which a game ball can be stored in a specific ball passage by projecting a ball holding member into the specific ball passage.
2. A ball guiding state in which the ball holding member is retreated from the specific ball passage to send out the game balls stored in the specific ball passage to the specific ball detection means. The ball-and-ball game machine described in 1. 3. The variable winning device according to claim 2, wherein the variable winning device is provided with a ball insertion portion communicating with a downstream side of a position where the ball holding member is disposed in the specific ball passage. Ball game machine.