JP2002052165A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for dissolving the disadvantages of a player and improving the additional value of a game by circulating a game ball inside one accessory device at the time of reaching a specified game state such as 'held ball full'. SOLUTION: This game machine constituted so as to circulate the game ball inside the accessory device at the time of reaching the specified game state is provided with a route switching plate (route switching mechanism) 18 for switching the circulation state that the game ball is circulated along a circulation route inside the accessory device and the non-circulation state that the circulation route is cut off and the game ball can flow down to the downstream and a changeover control means C for controlling the operation and non-operation of the route switching plate 18 corresponding to a game state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention solves a disadvantage of a player by circulating a game ball in a special equipment device when a specific game state is reached, and provides a new game with added value. Related to gaming machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of the accessory devices provided in a pachinko machine, there is a center accessory provided with a shelf board. The conventional center accessory is provided at a central portion of a game board surface, and the shelf board is provided. Has reached the downstream side due to the inclination, and the player has no interest in the monotonous flow of the game balls. For this reason, in order to have a change in the flow of the game balls on the shelf, a distribution device for distributing the game balls to the left and right or a stopping device for temporarily stopping the game balls has been provided on the shelf. . However, the change in the flow of the game ball due to the installation of each device is within the range that the player can guess, and the flow of the game ball is always constant. It did not happen until it was raised or the player became interested in the flow of game balls.

On the other hand, in a gaming machine in which a starting winning port is provided below the shelf of the center item on the board surface, the number of reserved balls of symbol fluctuation reaches a prescribed number (this is referred to as "reserved ball full"). Even if the game ball dropped from the shelf board wins in the starting winning opening, the reserved ball is not counted. Therefore, the privilege that can be acquired by the player is only payout of the prize ball. Become. In other words, when the start winning prize is won, the symbol is changed immediately after the winning in the normal state where the “holding ball is not full”, or during the change of the symbol, the right to count the reserved ball and the prize by the starting opening prize. While both the right to pay out the ball are generated, in the state of “full ball reserved”, only the latter right is generated, which is disadvantageous to the player. For this reason,
In the state of "full reserve ball", the player sometimes performs "stopping" to stop firing of the game ball. Due to this "stop", the operating rate of the gaming machine is reduced, which is disadvantageous for game arcade operators.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, when a specific game state such as the above-mentioned "reserved ball full" is reached, the game balls circulate in the accessory device, thereby reducing the disadvantage of the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that has solved the problem and has increased the added value of the game.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine having a configuration in which a game ball circulates in a bonus item device, wherein the game ball is circulated in the circulation route in the bonus item device. A path switching mechanism for switching between a circulating state in which the game balls circulate, a non-circulating state in which the circulation path is cut off, and the game balls can flow downstream, and a path switching mechanism according to the game state. It is characterized by having switching control means for controlling activation and deactivation. With this configuration, the path switching mechanism is activated or deactivated by the switching control means.
Since the game balls circulate in the accessory device, a complicated change occurs in the flow, and the taste of the game is enhanced.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is based on the premise of the invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the path switching mechanism operates when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Since the circulation state is interlocked, the interest of the game is enhanced.

[0007] Further, in the invention of claim 3, based on the premise of the invention of claim 2, the predetermined condition that the path switching mechanism is operated to cause the game ball to circulate is reserved and the operation of the accessory device is reserved. It is characterized in that the number of reserved balls reaches a predetermined number. Here, “reserving the operation of the accessory” is not limited to the reservation of the operation of the special symbol display device, and the accessory that normally operates by winning detection may be reserved (non-operation).
For example, in the state of "reserved ball full" in which the number of reserved balls has reached a predetermined number, even if the player wins the starting winning opening, only the right to pay out the winning ball is obtained and the right to change the symbol is not obtained. To
Although it is disadvantageous for the player, in this case, the path switching mechanism is operated by the switching control means, and the game balls circulate in the accessory device, and during the circulation of the game balls, the reserved balls become empty. In the case where the "reserved ball full" is released, the route switching mechanism is deactivated,
The circulation of the game ball is stopped so that the game ball flows toward the starting winning opening. This prevents disadvantages experienced by the player.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 1 or 2
On the premise of the invention, the route switching mechanism is in the circulation state when the number of reserved balls reaches a predetermined number in a normal state, and in an advantageous state where the number of reserved balls is more likely to reach a predetermined number than in the normal state, the number of reserved balls is It is characterized in that the circulation state is not reached even when the number reaches a predetermined number. Here, the "advantageous state" refers to a state in which the operating time per unit time of a movable winning device (ordinary electric accessory device) that also serves as a detecting device that performs a change of a special symbol becomes longer, for example, This includes extending the operation period of the movable start winning device, shortening the normal symbol change time for operating the movable start winning device, and changing the probability of the ordinary symbol display device. Note that the “normal state” refers to a state that is not the “advantageous state”. For this reason, in the state where the fluctuation time of the special symbol, which is one of the "advantageous states", is reduced, for example, during the probability fluctuation or the fluctuation time is shortened, the ordinary electric accessory device also serving as the starting winning opening operates. In general, the number of reserved balls for symbol change is likely to be full, and during a game, the state may be frequently "full of reserved balls". During the game, if the game ball frequently enters the "reserved ball full" state and the game ball circulates, the game is interrupted and its taste is impaired, so the path switching mechanism is not operated in the state where the symbol variation time is shortened. The state is set so that the game ball flows along the normal path.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a front view of a portion of a game board 1 of a pachinko machine P according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a center accessory device A in a "non-circulating state" of a game ball, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the center accessory device A in the “circulating state”. In FIG. 1, in the center of the game area of the game board 1, a center accessory device A provided with a special symbol display device F by liquid crystal display is arranged, and a pair of lamp windmills is provided above the accessory device A. 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and windmills 3 are arranged on both sides of the accessory device A, respectively. A start winning opening 4 is disposed immediately below the center role device A, and an attacker device 6 having a large winning opening 5 is located immediately below the starting winning opening 4.
Is arranged. When the game ball B wins the start winning port 4, the special symbol display device F starts operating. The attacker device 6
When the special symbol display device F is in a specific display mode (for example, a mode in which a plurality of “same symbols” are arranged side by side), a special game state is established, and the special winning opening 5 is held for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10
) Is kept open until a winning ball of the number is generated.

Next, the center accessory device A will be described. The accessory device A has a configuration in which a pair of left and right distribution rotators 13 rotatable clockwise is provided on a shelf plate 12 forming a bottom of a box-shaped device main body 11 having an open front surface. A large number of game nails 14 are implanted in the pair of distribution rotating bodies 13, and a large number of game nails are respectively provided in front of and outside of the pair of distribution rotation bodies 13 on the shelf 12. 14 are planted. The device body 1
Inside the both side wall portions, a water wheel-shaped rotary transport body 15 for rotatably transporting the game ball B rearward (backward) is disposed rotatably in a vertical plane. Magnets 16 are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary carrier 15 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and the magnets 16 roll on the shelf 12 at the lowest position. The game ball B is attracted and is rotated and transported to the rear of the apparatus main body 11 as it is.

A stage table 17 is provided at the rearmost (backward) side of the shelf board 12 in a lateral direction. The stage table 17 is inclined so as to gradually decrease from both ends to the center, and the game balls B flowing along the inclined surface from both ends are gathered at the center, and From above to fall on the shelf 12. A path switching plate 18 is provided between the pair of left and right distribution rotators 13 and the stage 17 on the shelf 12 so as to be able to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the shelf 12. That is, the path switching plate 18 has a gentle V-shape in a plan view, and both ends thereof are arranged so as to be located downstream of the central bent portion. In a state where the path of the game ball B is formed between each of the rotary transporters 15 and the path switching plate 18 is disposed close to the rotary transporter 15 and protrudes from the upper surface of the shelf board 12, The game balls B flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the shelf plate 12 do not pass through the pair of distribution rotators 13. The path switching plate 18 is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the shelf 12 by driving means such as a solenoid (not shown) and to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the shelf 12. I have.

In the center of the upper end of the apparatus main body 11,
First and second sphere inflow holes 19 and 21 opened on the front surface are provided adjacent to each other in the lateral direction (left and right direction), and flowed into the first and second sphere inflow holes 19 and 21. Each game ball B reaches a left end portion and a right end portion of the stage 17 via a warp passage (not shown) which is invisible from the outside, respectively.
As described above, the game balls B that have reached both end portions of the stage 7 can flow on the inclined surface of the upper surface of the stage table 17 and reach the center portion thereof, as described above. Further, third and fourth sphere inflow holes 22 and 23 which are respectively opened to the side are provided on both sides of the upper end of the apparatus main body 11,
The game balls B that have flowed into the ball inflow holes 22 and 23 flow through the warp passages and directly flow out from under the left and right ends of the stage table 17 to the upper surface of the shelf 12.

For this reason, each of the first and second ball inflow holes 1
The game balls B that have flowed into 9 and 21 reach the left and right ends of the stage table 17 through the warp passages, respectively, and roll the inclined surface of the upper surface toward the center portion, and from the center portion to the shelf board. 1
The game balls B, which have fallen on the upper surface of the ball 2 and flowed into the third and fourth ball inflow holes 22 and 23, respectively pass through the warp passages and from below the left and right end portions of the stage table 17 to the shelves 12 Spills directly onto the top surface. In FIG. 2,
Reference numeral 24 denotes an insertion hole provided in the shelf plate 12 for installing the path switching plate 18 so as to be able to protrude and retract (can enter and exit) with respect to the shelf plate 12.

The center accessory device A is provided with an ordinary symbol display device G comprising a pair of left and right blinking lamps 25a and 25b.
5a and 25b start blinking when the game ball B passes through a gate (not shown), and after a lapse of a set time, one of them is turned on and the other is turned off and the symbol is turned off. It is configured to be determined. When the blinking lamp on the predetermined side (for example, the left blinking lamp 25a) is turned on, a "hit" is given, and when the other blinking lamp (the right blinking lamp 25b) is turned on, a "losing" occurs. It is configured as follows. And
In the case of "hit", the ordinary electric accessory device (ordinary electric winning opening) 7 provided directly below the big winning opening 5 of the attacker device 6 is operated, the door is opened, and the winning is possible. Becomes

In a normal game state, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the path switching plate 18 is retracted downward from the upper surface of the shelf 12 and, as described above,
The game ball B that has reached the upstream side of 2 flows toward the downstream side of the shelf plate 12 as it is due to the inclination of the shelf plate 12, and the game ball B that has entered the inside of the pair of distribution rotators 13 on the way. B is distributed to the left and right by the rotation thereof, and a part of the game balls B reaching the vicinity of the rotary carrier 15.
Is attracted by the magnet 16 and the rotating carrier 15
Due to the rotation of the main body 11, it may be conveyed to the back of the apparatus main body 11, and flow again over the shelf board 12 toward the downstream side. Most of the game balls B not conveyed rearward by the rotary conveyance body 15 fall from the downstream end of the shelf board 12 onto the board of the game board 1, so that the winning prize port 4 can be won. Become. Then, when the game ball B wins the starting winning opening 4, the symbol change of the special symbol display device F is started. A part of the above-mentioned flow of the game ball B is the accessory device A.
These are "non-circulating states", which are normal flows.

On the other hand, in a specific game state such as "full ball", as shown in FIG.
Protrudes from the upper surface of the shelf board 12, and the path of the game balls B flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the shelf board 12 is regulated. That is, since the path switching plate 18 is in an upright state with respect to the shelf 12 by the protrusion of the path switching
All of the game balls B flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side of
Guided by the path switching plate 18, the left and right rotary conveyance bodies 1
5 and cannot pass through a pair of left and right sorting rotators 13 arranged at the center of the shelf 12. In this manner, all the game balls B that have reached the vicinity of the left and right rotary transfer bodies 15 are attracted to the magnet 16 located at the lowest part, and are rotated and transported toward the rear (rear side) of the apparatus main body 11. As a result, a "circulation state" in which the circulation path is circulated in the center accessory device A without falling from the tip of the shelf board 12 onto the board surface of the game board 1. In both the “circulating state” and the “non-circulating state”, the game balls B that have reached both ends of the shelf board 12 are not necessarily all attracted to the magnets 16 of the rotary carrier 15,
A part thereof flows down from the both ends of the shelf board 12 to the outside of the accessory device A as it is.

Next, a switching control means for circulating the game ball B in the center accessory device A only when the special symbol display device F is "reserved ball full" and not "probability changing". C will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the switching control means C. In the center accessory device A, there is no (zero) “reserved ball” of the special symbol display device F, or even if “retained ball is full”. If the number is smaller than the predetermined number (4), the path switching plate 18
It remains retracted below the shelf 12. Therefore, the flow of the game ball B in the center role device A is
When the game ball B falls on the game board 1 from the tip of the shelf board 12 and enters the starting winning prize port 4 in a normal flow (a flow in the "non-circulating state"), the symbol change of the special symbol display device F occurs. Is started.

In addition, even if the number of "reserved balls" of the special symbol display device F reaches a predetermined number (4) and the "reserved balls are full", if the "probability is fluctuating", the above-mentioned large number is retained. The ordinary electric accessory device (ordinary electric winning opening) 7 (see FIG. 1) which also serves as the starting winning opening arranged immediately below the winning opening 5 is in a state in which it is easy to win a prize. Even if the "full tank" state is released, the "number of reserved balls" for changing the symbol is likely to be full again, and during the game, it may be repeatedly set to the "full filled ball" state. Therefore, in the above case, during the game, if the game ball frequently becomes “reserved ball full” and the game ball circulates, the game is interrupted each time, and the taste of the game is reduced. , The path switching plate 18 remains retracted below the shelf plate 12 and the flow of the game ball B in the center role-gear device A in the case of "probability changing". Is in a non-circulating state. In FIG. 1,
Reference numeral 27 denotes a reserved ball display lamp for displaying the number of reserved balls, and there are provided four "ball full of reserved balls".

Here, the relationship between the "probability fluctuation" and the "reserved ball full" will be described in more detail. The above-mentioned pachinko machine P is referred to as a “first type”, and includes a special symbol display device F and a normal symbol display device G. When B wins, the special symbol display device F is operated, and when a specific display mode (for example, a mode in which a plurality of “same symbols” are arranged side by side) is set, a specific game state of “big hit” is achieved. On the other hand, when the normal symbol display device G becomes "hit",
Normally, the electric accessory device 7 is operated, and the game ball B
Wins, the special symbol of the special symbol display device F starts to change. That is, the ordinary electric accessory device 7 has the same function as the start winning opening 4.

The "probability variation" of the special symbol display device F indicates that the probability of the "big hit" is changed from a low probability to a high probability. Of the combinations in which the special symbol is a "big hit", "Big hit" in a specific combination (for example, a form in which a plurality of "odd symbols" are arranged side by side)
Occurs, for example, the “big hit probability” is changed from (1/320) to a high probability of (1/80). In addition, in the “probability fluctuation” state, not only the “big hit probability” of the special symbol increases, but also the following benefits advantageous to the player occur at the same time. In the special symbol display device F, the time from the start of the change of the special symbol to the determination of the symbol is reduced (for example, the time is reduced from 15 seconds to 5 seconds). In the ordinary symbol display device G, the time from the start of variation of the ordinary symbol to the determination of the symbol is shortened (for example, the above-mentioned time is 30
Seconds to 5 seconds). The opening time of the electric accessory device 7 is extended (for example, the opening time is extended from 0.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds). The “advantageous state” in which the number of reserved balls easily reaches the predetermined number may be at least one of the above-mentioned modes. In other aspects, the above-mentioned "advantageous state" is obtained even if the winning probability of the symbol is changed to a high probability.

Therefore, during the "probability change", the ordinary electric accessory device also serving as the starting winning opening (ordinary electric winning opening)
7, the special symbol display device F is likely to be "full of reserved balls".

The "reserved ball" of the special symbol display device F
Has reached the predetermined number (4) and is in the state of “full ball” and not “probability fluctuating”, only when the path switching plate 1
8 project upward from the lower side of the shelf 12,
With this, the path switching plate 18 is in an upright state, and the flow of the game balls B in the center accessory device A is in the “circulating state” described above. As a result, even if a game ball is awarded in the starting winning opening 4 in the state of “reserved ball full”, the player can only obtain the prize ball and cannot obtain the right to change the symbol. In addition to eliminating the disadvantage of the player, the flow of the game balls B flows through a complicated circulation path, so that the flow of the game balls themselves enhances the taste of the game.

Also, in the above-mentioned circulation state of the game balls, the "reserved balls" are subjected to the symbol change, so that the "reserved balls number" is reduced, and the "reserved balls full" state is released. Then, the flow of the game balls B becomes a normal “non-circulating state”, and the game balls B dropped from the tip of the shelf board 12 can enter the starting winning opening 4. In the configuration in which the game balls are stopped in a stationary state in the state of “full ball”, after the stop is released, a large number of the stopped balls flow at the same time and go to the start winning opening. There is a drawback that the disadvantage of the hole side is increased due to excessive winning in the mouth, but in the configuration in which the game balls circulate, as in the present invention, after the circulation is released, the flow of the game balls at that time is: Since the flow is changed to the normal flow, the flow of the game ball according to the above drawback does not occur.

In the above embodiment, the path switching plate 18 stands up and the flow of the game ball is changed from the "non-circulating state" to the "circulating state". Although the state has been described, the other “predetermined conditions” include the following. For example, a gate is installed on the game board 1, and when the game ball passes through the gate, the path switching plate stands up, the game ball becomes "circulating", and when the game ball passes through the gate again, The upright of the path switching plate may be released, and the game ball may be set in the “non-circulating state”. Further, the path switching plate is set up and released in a time-controlled manner, and when a predetermined time has passed from the non-standing state, the path switching plate is set up to bring the game ball into the "circulating state" and a predetermined time from the standing state. When elapses, the upright of the path switching plate may be released, and the game ball may be set to the “non-circulating state”. Further, as the “predetermined condition”, when the number of reserved balls is four and the “retained ball full” is reached, when the number of reserved balls before reaching the “retained ball full” reaches three, The "circulating state" may be set, or the "circulating state" may be set for a predetermined time, for example, "20 seconds" after the "holding ball full".

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the shelf board 1 is used as a path switching mechanism for changing the path of the game ball and alternately changing between the "circulating state" and the "non-circulating state" in the accessory device.
Although the path switching plate 18 which appears and disappears (enters and exits) with respect to the upper surface of 2 is used, other examples of this mechanism include the following. For example, as a switching control means, using a movable magnet arranged below the shelf, when the game state reaches a "predetermined condition", the movable magnet is brought close to the shelf in a loop shape. To move the magnet to the active state, and the attractive force causes the game ball to "circulate".
And when the "predetermined condition" is released, the movable magnet is separated from the shelf to make the magnet inactive and the game ball to "non-circulating". . It is also possible to use wind pressure as the path switching mechanism, and when the game state reaches a “predetermined condition”, the game pressure is caused to flow in a predetermined direction by the wind pressure, thereby causing the game ball to “circulate”. And releasing the "predetermined condition" to release the wind pressure, thereby bringing the game ball into the "non-circulating state".

[0026]

According to the present invention, when a predetermined condition such as "retained ball full" is satisfied, the game ball becomes "circulating" in the accessory device and when the predetermined condition is released, Since the flow of the game ball in the accessory device becomes a normal flow "non-circulating state", the profit of the player is secured,
Because the flow of the game ball also repeats circulation and non-circulation,
The taste of the game can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portion of a game board 1 of a pachinko machine P according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a center accessory device A in a “non-circulating state” of a game ball.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the center accessory device A in the “circulating state”.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the switching control means C;

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Center accessory device (accessory device) B: Game ball C: Switching control means 18: Route switching plate (route switching mechanism)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine having a configuration in which a game ball circulates in an accessory device, wherein a circulation state in which the game ball circulates along a circulation route in the accessory device, and wherein the circulation route is cut off. A path switching mechanism for switching between a non-circulating state in which the game ball can flow downstream, and switching control means for controlling the operation and non-operation of the path switching mechanism according to the gaming state of the gaming machine. A gaming machine, comprising: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the path switching mechanism operates when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 3. The predetermined condition that the path switching mechanism is activated to cause the game balls to circulate is that the number of reserved balls for retaining the operation of the accessory reaches a predetermined number. 3. The gaming machine according to 2. 4. The route switching mechanism enters the circulation state when the number of reserved balls reaches a predetermined number in a normal state, and in an advantageous state in which the number of reserved balls is more likely to reach a predetermined number than in a normal state, the number of reserved balls is a predetermined number. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation state is not reached even when the number reaches the number.