JP2002136696A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make compatible an interest by the behavior of a game ball and an interest by a pattern variation. SOLUTION: A CPU70a performs a drawing when a game ball passes a gate 43 and, when the drawing is a big win, controls a solenoid 42 to move induction members 41 and 41 to an expanded position so as to increase the possibility of the game ball to pass through an intermediate area 30. When the induction members 41 and 41 are located at the expanded position, a time for start opening is extended. Accordingly, the positions of the induction members 41 and 41 in the start opening state for determining whether a special game is executed for not become very important, and a player is very anxious about the display of a pattern for the opportunity of the special game. Both conventional two types of interests and an interest by a pattern variation are enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of ball and ball game machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A variable prize is variable between an open state in which prizes can be easily won and a closed state in which prizes are difficult or impossible, and has a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area. The variable prize device is opened (started and released) within a set range on the condition that a game ball enters or passes through an open start region set for starting the variable prize device and the start thereof. A state in which the variable prize device is opened for a longer time than the start-up release (special release) due to a game ball that has won the variable prize device during opening, passing through a specific area.
There is a ball-and-game machine provided with a fluctuation control means. For example, there is a ball game machine described in Japanese Patent No. 2552466.

In the ball game machine disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2552466, when the entry of a game ball into a predetermined area (for example, a winning opening) is detected, the winning control member is moved or the moving direction is changed to a specific area. The prize winning probability is changed to improve the fun.

[0004]

However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2552466 discloses a configuration in which a winning control member is moved or a moving direction is changed when a game ball enters a predetermined area, that is, when the game ball enters the predetermined area. Then, the winning control member moves, but even if the winning control member moves, the winning probability does not always become high, and the other way around, the player is dissatisfied.

Although the big hit state is established only by the behavior of the game ball, it is somewhat interesting. However, there are some aspects that are not satisfactory to a player who has become accustomed to the formation of the big hit by a symbol in a so-called fever machine or the like.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The above described ball and ball game machine is variable between an open state where winning is easy and a closed state where it is difficult or impossible to win, and a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area are provided therein. The variable prize winning device and the open state (starting) in a range in which the variable prize winning device is set on the condition that a game ball enters or passes through an open start region set for starting the variable prize winning device. Open), and the variable prize device is placed in an open state (special open) for a longer period than the start and open due to the game ball that has won the variable prize device during the start and open has passed through the specific area. And a variation control means for changing the probability that a game ball passes through the specific area (pass probability) in at least two levels, a symbol set for starting a symbol. Starting A symbol display means for statically displaying the symbols after the symbols are variably displayed as a result of a game ball entering or passing through the area, and the symbol display means for displaying the symbols displayed statically in a specific display mode. Passing probability control means for controlling the passing probability changing means to increase the passing probability; and a change for prohibiting the variable display of the symbol during a period when the passing probability is increased (high rate period) or during the special opening. Prohibiting means.

When the game ball enters or passes through the opening start area, the start opening is executed. Therefore, by making a prize during the start opening and passing through a specific area, the variable winning apparatus can be made special opening. . This is the same as the conventional case. In this ball game machine, the symbol display means fluctuates and displays the symbol due to the game ball entering or passing in the symbol starting area set for symbol starting, and then displays the symbol statically. If the display mode of the symbol is the specific display mode, the passage probability control unit controls the passage probability changing unit to increase the passage probability. As a result, the possibility of passing through a specific area increases, and the probability of special opening increases.

When a game ball enters or passes through the symbol starting area, a symbol is displayed, and depending on the display mode, the passing probability may or may not be increased, so that the player can enjoy the symbol display. The game content can be prevented from being monotonous. Further, if the symbols are displayed in the specific display mode, the passing probability is always increased, so that the player does not feel dissatisfied. In addition, the relationship that the probability of passage is increased when the symbol is displayed in the specific display mode is clear and extremely easy to understand.

Further, even if the symbol does not become the specific display mode, the start-opening is executed even in a short time if the game ball enters or passes through the opening start area, so that the opportunity to obtain the special opening as in the prior art is obtained. There is. The player is very interested not only in whether or not the variable prize winning device is started and opened, but also in whether or not a specific display mode is realized by the symbol display means, and can enjoy displaying the symbols.

[0010] Therefore, it is possible to entertain the player with the result of the display of the symbol, while maintaining the fun that the special opening (so-called big hit state) occurs due to the behavior of the game ball. By the way, during the high rate period where the passage probability is increased or during the special opening, when the symbol display and the static display are performed and the specific display mode is displayed, a new high rate period is started from that point. Setting (the former) or setting to start a new high-rate period after the already-started high-rate period ends (the latter). Alternatively, it is possible to set such that the specific display mode during the high rate period is invalidated.

[0011] However, the player is confused if the settings around the ball game machine are variously set depending on the model or manufacturer. For example, there is a high possibility that a player misunderstands the latter setting despite the former setting. Further, when a new symbol change is performed, there is a possibility that the high-rate period is misunderstood.

However, since the ball game machine according to the first aspect is provided with the fluctuation prohibiting means for prohibiting the fluctuation display of the symbols during the period when the passage probability is increased or during the special opening, the ball game machine is used during the high rate period or The symbol does not change during special opening. This prevents the problem associated with starting a new high rate period described above.

Further, since the symbol is not changed during the high rate period or during the special opening, the display of the specific display mode can be maintained during that period. This allows the player to recognize that the high rate period or the special opening is being performed while the display of the specific display mode is continued.

The difference between the special opening and the starting opening can be defined as the length of the opening operation time of the variable winning device. For example, in the case of an intermittent opening operation, it is possible to distinguish between the two by setting a small number (for example, two or three times) at the time of starting opening and a large number (for example, 20 or 30 times) at the time of special opening. Good. Further, in that case, one opening time may be lengthened in the special opening (for example, 0.5 seconds for the start opening and one second for the special opening). In the case where the intermittent operation is not performed, the two can be distinguished by shortening the time for starting and opening (for example, about 0.5 seconds) and increasing the time for special opening (for example, about 30 seconds). In addition,
The times and times given here are examples only, and are not limited to these.

There is no particular limitation on the configuration or technique for increasing the probability (passing probability) that a game ball passes through a specific area. For example, in the case of intermittent opening, the number of times may be increased or
By increasing the opening time of each round, the chances of winning in the variable winning device can be increased, and the probability (passing probability) that the game ball passes through the specific area can be increased. Further, by moving a member for guiding a winning game ball to the variable winning device, the passing probability can be increased by making it easier for the game ball to pass through a specific area than usual. Alternatively, the extension of the opening time of the variable prize device and the guidance by the guidance member may be combined.

The open start area and the symbol start area may be entrance holes (winning openings) or passage openings. Both can be a winning opening or both can be a passing opening, but the symbol starting area is a passing opening where prize balls are not paid out in order to give more opportunities for symbol display, and the opening starting area frequently uses a variable winning device. In order not to start and release the ball at any time (in order to start and release the ball at an appropriate frequency), it is desirable to give a prize ball to a prize hole which is more difficult to enter the ball than the passing port.

Note that the object of the present invention can be achieved if the passage probability has two levels of high and low, but it may be three or more steps, or may be continuously variable from the lowest to the highest. However, it is desirable that a specific area can be passed even when the passing probability is minimized.

As a method of prohibiting the fluctuation display of the symbol by the fluctuation prohibition means, a configuration in which a signal indicating that a game ball has entered or passed in the symbol starting area is not received, and even if this is received, it is ignored (disabled). ) A configuration, a configuration in which the symbol display means is not instructed to perform the variation operation, and a configuration in which the symbol variation means does not issue a command to start variation are exemplified. Is not performed, and there is no particular limitation.

It is preferable that the change prohibition is always performed during the high rate period. However, the change prohibition may be performed only during the special opening period, or may be performed both during the high rate period and during the special opening period. If the high rate period in which the passage probability is increased is not ended at an appropriate point, the player becomes too advantageous, which is inconvenient. Therefore, it is preferable to limit the high rate period in which the passage probability is increased, as described in claim 2.

The limitation of the high-rate period is such that when the elapsed time after the high-rate period is increased, for example, the passage probability has reached a set value, the number of game balls that have won the variable prize device has reached the set number. When a set number (for example, one) of game balls pass through the specific area, when the open state of the variable prize device reaches the set number of times, and when the duration of the open state of the variable prize device reaches the set value. For example, when the number of times a game ball enters or passes through the open start area reaches a set value, the game may be terminated by an event relating to a variable winning device or a specific area.

However, as described in claim 3, during the period in which the passing probability is increased, the duration of the start-open, the number of start-open, or the number of wins to the variable prize device reaches a set value. With such a configuration, unnecessary trouble can be avoided in an easy-to-understand manner.

Further, as described in claim 4, claim 2
Alternatively, in the ball game machine described in 3, if the remaining period display means for displaying the remaining degree of the high rate period is provided, the player can satisfactorily recognize how much of the remaining high rate period is. There is no particular limitation on the display form of the remaining period, and if the high-rate period ends when the elapsed time reaches the set value, the remaining time may be indicated by a graph or a numerical value. In the case of limiting the number of winnings to the apparatus, the number of times and the number of winnings may be indicated by numerical values. In these displays, a decrement display that displays the remaining time, the number of times, the number of winnings, or the like may be used, or an increment display that displays an actual value such as an elapsed time or the number of winnings may be used. However, for easy understanding, the decrement display is preferable.

The symbol display means may autonomously determine in what manner the symbol display means statically displays the symbol, that is, whether or not the symbol is statically displayed in the specific display mode. As described above, the lottery means for lottery to win or lose due to the game ball entered or passed in the symbol start area is provided, and when the lottery is a hit, the symbol display means displays the symbol in the specific display mode. With a configuration for static display, the symbol display means can concentrate on the display of symbols. In addition, since the lottery means and the symbol display means can be separated, it is suitable for the structure of the currently mainstream ball game machine.

[0024]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 10 which is a kind of a ball game machine. This figure 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which each part of the configuration is held by a housing including a rectangular outer frame 11 and a front frame 12. The pachinko machine 10 is a so-called CR machine, and includes a card reader unit (hereinafter, CR unit) 13 for reading and writing a prepaid card.

The front frame 12 is attached to the outer frame 11 by the upper and lower hinges 14 at the left end so as to be openable and closable, and is normally closed as shown in the figure. A window-shaped glass frame 20 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable with respect to the front frame 12. A plate glass 21 is doubly fitted in the glass frame 20, and a game board 22 held by the front frame 12 is stored behind the plate glass 21.

An upper plate 15 is arranged below the glass frame 20 and is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable. The upper plate 15 is provided with a lending button 16 for instructing lending of game balls by a prepaid card, a settlement button 17 for instructing return of a prepaid card, and a balance display section 18 for displaying a balance of the prepaid card. Have been. When the prepaid card is inserted into the card slot 19 of the CR unit 13, the balance of the prepaid card is displayed on the balance display section 1.
8, when the lending button 16 is pressed, the lending of the game balls is executed within the range of the balance, and the game balls as the loaned balls are discharged to the upper plate 15. When the settlement button 17 is pressed, the prepaid card is ejected from the card slot 19.

Below the upper plate 15, the lower plate 23 is
2 and a firing handle 24 is attached to the right side of the lower plate 23. A dial portion 24a is mounted on the outer periphery of the firing handle 24. When the dial portion 24a is rotated clockwise, a firing device (not shown) operates to play the game balls supplied from the upper plate 15 and play the game board 22. Fire at. At this time, the strength of the firing force can be adjusted by the amount of rotation of the dial portion 24a. A conductive touch sensor 24b is provided adjacent to the dial portion 24a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 22 has a substantially circular game area 25a surrounded by a guide rail 25.
And an indicator 47 corresponding to the remaining period display means is provided in the upper left corner on the outside. The indicator 47 is a display device using a dot matrix of LEDs, and can display numbers 0 to 99 in this embodiment.

On the other hand, a central winning device 26, which is a variable winning device, is provided in the center of the game area 25a. The central prize winning device 26 includes a pair of opening and closing blades 27 on the left and right sides.
When the opening and closing blade 27 is opened to the left and right, the state changes to an open state in which it is easy to win (in the figure, both the upright state and the open state are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the state indicated by (27) is the open state).
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the central winning device 26 has a solenoid 27a for opening and closing these opening and closing blades 27.
Is provided.

A symbol display device 28 serving as symbol display means is provided at a portion sandwiched between the opening and closing blades 27 of the central winning device 26. The symbol display device 28 includes three dot matrix display units 28a, 28b, and 28c. Each of the display units 28a, 28b, and 28c displays one symbol (for example, a number or an alphabet), and the three symbols are displayed. Is displayed by the combination of.

In this embodiment, the symbol display device 28 corresponding to the symbol display means is integrated with the central winning device 26. However, the symbol display means may be integrated with another winning device or the like, or the symbol display means may be independent. It is also possible to attach to the game board 22 as a device. It is not necessary to use three symbols, two or one symbol may be used, or a combination of four or more symbols may be used. The configuration of the display unit is not limited to the dot matrix, but is a 7-segment LE.
D, a liquid crystal display panel, a CRT, or the like can be used. That is, the structure and form of the symbol display means and the position of the symbol display means belong to so-called design items and are arbitrary.

The game ball (winning ball) which has won the central winning device 26 is discharged behind the game board 22 through one of the left area 29, the middle area 30 and the right area 31 provided at the lower part. . Although not shown in FIG. 2, the left area 29, the middle area 3
Sensors 29a, 30a, and 31a for detecting game balls passing therethrough are installed in the 0 and right regions 31, respectively, so that passing balls can be detected in each region. In the case of the present embodiment, the middle region 30 is a so-called V and corresponds to a specific region, and the left region 29 and the right region 31 correspond to non-specific regions.

An internal stage 40 is disposed above the left area 29, the middle area 30 and the right area 31. All the winning balls of the central winning device 26 pass over the internal stage 40, and from the front edge thereof. It falls into any of the left area 29, the middle area 30, and the right area 31.

A pair of guide members 4 is provided above the middle region 30.
1, 41 are arranged. These guide members 41, 41
Is swingable about a lower end portion between a normal position in which the guide members 41 are substantially parallel to each other and an enlarged position (position indicated by (41)) inclined outward by about 45 degrees. . The central winning device 26 is provided with a solenoid 42 (not shown in FIG. 2) for swinging and displacing the guide members 41, 41.

When the guide members 41, 41 are in the normal position, the distance between the guide members 41, 41 is slightly larger than the diameter (about 11 mm) of the game ball (about 13 m in this embodiment).
m). However, in that state, the left area 29 and the right area 31
Is much larger than this, so that the inner stage 40
The game ball passing above is in the left area 29 or the right area 31
Is high, and the probability of falling into the middle area 30 is low. In the case of the present embodiment, the probability of falling into the middle region 30 is about 1/10 due to the structure of the internal stage 40 and the like.

On the other hand, when the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position, the interval between the upper ends of the guide members 41, 41 becomes large, and the probability of falling into the middle region 30 increases. In the case of the present embodiment, the probability of falling to the middle region 30 when the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position is about 1/3.

In the game board 22, normal winning ports 32 are provided on the left and right of the central winning device 26, and below them, a normal winning port 34 integrated with the side decoration 33 is provided. Further, a gate 43 corresponding to a lottery passage is disposed below the central winning device 26, three starting winning openings 35 are disposed below the gate 43, and an out opening 36 is provided at the bottom of the board. Have been. Although not shown in FIG. 2, sensors 32a, 34a and 35a for detecting a winning ball are installed in the normal winning openings 32 and 34 and the starting winning opening 35, respectively, and a winning ball is provided for each winning opening. Can be detected.
The gate 43 itself is a sensor and can detect the passage of a game ball.

A plurality of (six in this embodiment) windmills 37 are provided in the game area 25a, and a large number of game nails are hit. Since the game nail is well known, its illustration and description are omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, this pachinko machine 10
Has a main control board 70, a payout control board 75, a lamp control board 80, a display control board 90, a firing control board 95, and a voice control board 97.

The main control board 70 includes a CPU 70a, an RO
M70b, RAM 70c, random number counters 70d, 70
e, input / output ports, etc. This main control board 7
0 is the sensor 29a, 30a, 3
1a, sensors 32a, 34a of normal winning openings 32, 34,
The sensor 35a of the starting winning port 35, the gate 43, the touch sensor 24b, and other sensors installed in each part of the game board 22 and the pachinko machine 10 are connected, and the main control board 70 transmits signals from these. Can be obtained.

The main control board 70 is also connected to the solenoid 27a and the solenoid 42 of the central winning device 26, a payout control board 75, a lamp control board 80, a display control board 90, a firing control board 95, and a voice control board 97. ing.
Then, the CPU 70a operates according to the program stored in the ROM 70b, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the various signals, and outputs the payout control board 75, the lamp control board 80, the display control board 9
0, output to the launch control board 95 and the voice control board 97.
Further, the CPU 70a can control the operation of the solenoid 27a and the solenoid 42, that is, the opening and closing of the central winning device 26 and the opening and closing of the guide members 41 and 41. The CPU 70a corresponds to the variation control means in controlling the opening and closing of the central winning device 26, and corresponds to the passage probability control means in controlling the opening and closing of the guide members 41, 41.

The lamp control board 80 includes a CP (not shown).
U, ROM, RAM, I / O ports, etc.
In response to a command sent from the main control board 70, the controller controls lamps installed in each part of the game board 22 and the pachinko machine 10, motors and solenoids which are not controlled by other control boards.

The dispensing control board 75 includes a CP (not shown).
U, ROM, RAM, I / O ports, etc.
The payout device 75a is controlled in accordance with the command sent from the main control board 70, and pays out the number of prize balls specified by the command on the main control board 70. Also, CR unit 1
In response to the request from 3, the payout device 75a is operated to pay out the lent ball.

The display control board 90 includes a CP (not shown).
U, ROM, RAM, I / O ports, etc.
The display of the symbol display device 28 and the display of the indicator 47 are controlled according to the command sent from the main control board 70. CPU and RO not shown are provided on the audio control board 97.
M, a RAM, a sound source LSI, an input / output port, etc. are provided, generate an audio signal in response to a command sent from the main control board 70, and drive the speaker 97a with the audio signal to output audio. .

The operation of the pachinko machine 10 is the same as that of a known pachinko machine, for example, in that a prize ball is paid out when a prize port (winning device) is won. Next, referring to FIGS.
Main control board 70 mainly related to the control of the central winning device 26
Pachinko machine 1 focusing on the processing of (especially CPU 70a)
The operation of 0 will be described. In addition, each process shown in FIGS.
The CPU 70a is to be executed as a subroutine of a main routine (illustration and description is omitted) performed during operation of the pachinko machine 10.

First, the guidance member control for controlling the opening and closing of the guidance members 41 will be described with reference to FIG. In this process,
The CPU 70a determines whether a passing signal from the gate 43 has been input (S101). If a passing signal is input (if the game ball is passing through the gate 43),
It is determined whether the high rate flag F1 is set to 1 (S102). If the high rate flag F1 is set to 1, it indicates that the guide members 41 are in the enlarged position. If the determination is affirmative, the CPU 70a returns without performing the following processing.

If a negative determination is made in step S102 (F1 is not set), the CPU 70a reads the value of the random number counter 70d and determines whether or not the random number counter 70d determines whether or not the value matches a predetermined hit value. (S103, lottery means). In the case of the present embodiment, the random number counter 70d is configured to repeatedly count integer values from 0 to 99 in ascending order, and the hit value is 7. Therefore,
Here, the winning probability is 1/100. However, this (probability 1/100) is merely an example, and it can be set to an appropriate probability in the implementation.

If the lottery is successful (S104: YE
S), a command (hit display command) for displaying the special display mode (hit symbol) indicating the hit on the symbol display device 28 and sending it to the display control board 90 (S10).
5). In the case of the present embodiment, 000, 111, 222, 333, 444, and 55 are set as hit symbols for indicating a hit.
5, 666, 777, 888, and 999 are set. In S104, one of these winning symbols is determined, and a command corresponding to the determined symbol is generated and transmitted.
The display control board 90 which has received the command is the symbol display device 2
8, the symbols are variably displayed on the display units 28a, 28b, and 28c, and then, for example, left, center, and right are stopped and displayed, thereby displaying a hit symbol (for example, 777) according to the command. Let it. This allows the player to know that the lottery has been won.

Subsequently, the high rate flag F1 is set to 1 (S
106), the symbol display device 2 according to the hit display command
After waiting for the winning symbol to be confirmed and displayed at 8, the solenoid 42 is operated to bring the guide members 41, 41 to the enlarged position (S107). This is the beginning of the high rate period. In the case of the present embodiment, the high-rate period in which the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position is set to start and open 15 times, and the CPU 70a performs the start and open 15 times from the processing of S107. The guide member 41 is returned to the normal position by turning off the solenoid 42, and the control thereof will be described later.

On the other hand, when the lottery is out (S104:
NO), a command (missing display command) for causing the symbol display device 28 to display a combination of symbols other than the above-mentioned winning symbols (so-called three-digit uniform), that is, a symbol indicating a miss (missing symbol), and controlling the display. It is sent to the substrate 90 (S108). Display control board 90 which received the command
Are displayed on the display units 28a, 28
After the symbols are variably displayed at b and 28c, for example, by displaying the symbols in the order of left, middle, and right, a miss symbol according to the command is displayed. This allows the player to know that he / she has been removed by lottery.

As described above, each time a game ball passes through the gate 43, a lottery is performed.
Since the positions 1 and 41 are the enlarged positions, the probability that the winning ball to the central winning device 26 passes through the middle region 30 increases. However,
When the guide members 41, 41 are already in the enlarged position (when the high-rate flag F1 is set in the processing), no lottery is performed even if the game ball passes through the gate 43, and the symbol variation display is performed. Is not done. CPU 70a
Does not perform the lottery when the affirmative judgment is made in S102, and does not send out the symbol display command, thereby functioning as the fluctuation inhibiting means.

Next, referring to FIG.
Display control and control for returning the guide members 41 to the normal position will be described. In this indicator control, the CPU 70a
Determines whether the high rate flag F1 is set to 1 (S111).

When the high-rate flag F1 is not set to 1 (that is, when the guide members 41, 41 are at the normal position), the display of the indicator 47 remains 0, and it is not necessary to update this. Then, a command for displaying 0 on the indicator 47 is generated and sent to the display control board 90 (S112). Display control board 90 which received the command
Causes the indicator 47 to display 0.

On the other hand, when the high rate flag F1 is set to 1 (S111: YES), it is determined whether or not a signal (start winning signal) from the sensor 35a of the starting winning port 35 is input (S113). ). When the start winning signal is input, the central winning device 26 is started and released as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, if the determination is affirmative in S113, the value of the indicator counter C provided in the RAM 70c is decremented by 1 (S114). The initial value of the indicator counter C is set to 15, which corresponds to the number of times of starting and opening (15 times) during the period when the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position. That is, every time the start-up and release are performed, the indicator counter C
Decrease to 15, 14, 13...

At S115, a command for displaying the value of the indicator counter C on the indicator 47 is generated and sent to the display control board 90. The display control board 90 receiving this command causes the indicator 47 to display the designated numerical value. Next, it is determined whether or not the indicator counter C has become 0 (S116). If the determination is negative, the routine returns. If the determination is affirmative, that is, the 15th start-up is released, the high rate flag F1 is cleared, and the indicator counter C is cleared. Is set to the upper limit value of 15 (S11).
7). Then, after a fifteenth start and release, the prize sphere to the central prize device 26 is moved to the left region 2 for an appropriate period of time.
9, after waiting for a time sufficient to fall into one of the middle area 30 and the right area 31), the guide members 41, 41 are returned to the normal position (S118). This ends the high rate period.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. In this process, the CPU 70a determines whether a signal (start winning signal) from the sensor 35a of the starting winning port 35 has been input (S201).
If the start winning signal has been input (if the player has won the start winning port 35), the solenoid 27a is operated to open and close the opening and closing blade 27 of the central winning device 26 (S20).
2). In the case of the present embodiment, the start-up and opening are normally performed twice for 0.5 seconds, but in the high rate period in which the guide members 41 and 41 are in the enlarged position, one opening time is extended to 1 second. Release twice. As mentioned above, the starting release is 1 during the high rate period.
The game is continued until the game is performed five times, during which the opening time is extended, so that the central winning device 26 can win more game balls than usual at the start and release. Guide member 4
The game balls 1 and 41 are guided to the middle area 30 with a higher probability than usual. Therefore, during the high rate period, the probability that the winning ball of the variable winning device 26 passes through the middle area 30 is much higher than usual.

In this embodiment, the guide members 41, 41 correspond to the passing probability varying means by being displaced between the normal position and the enlarged position, and the central winning device 26 itself also sets one start and open time to 0.5 seconds. And 1 second, thereby functioning as passage probability changing means. Next, the CPU 70a determines whether or not the game ball (winning ball) that has won the central winning device 26 by this opening operation has passed through the middle area 30 based on the signal of the sensor 30a (S203). Note that this S20
The process 3 is executed after waiting for a time sufficient for all of the winning balls at the time of starting and opening to pass through any of the left area 29, the middle area 30 and the right area 31 at the end of opening and closing (that is, after closing). Is done.

If the winning ball has passed through the middle area 30 (S
203: YES), the hit flag F2 is set to 1 (S204), and the process returns. Here, when the winning ball passes through the middle region 30, a special game is performed as described below.

Next, the special game will be described with reference to FIG.
Note that the special game itself of the present embodiment is almost the same as a pachinko machine provided with a variable winning device called a second type special electric accessory. In this process, the CPU 70a first determines whether or not the hit flag F2 is set to 1 (S301). If the determination is affirmative, the process from S302 is performed, but if the determination is negative, the process returns without performing the substantial process.

In S302, the CPU 70a operates the solenoid 27a to open and close the opening and closing blades 27 of the central winning device 26 intermittently. Specifically, the opening / closing operation is performed a set number of times (18 times in the present embodiment) within a set time (30 seconds in the present embodiment), or the upper limit number (10 in the present embodiment) of winning balls is set in the central winning device 26. The opening and closing operation is performed intermittently until the occurrence of. This series of opening and closing operations corresponds to special opening.

When the special opening is completed once, it is determined whether or not to start the next special opening, that is, whether or not to continue the special game (S303). In the case of the present embodiment, based on whether or not any of the winning balls to the central winning device 26 in the special opening that has just ended has passed through the middle area 30 (whether or not the sensor 30a has detected a game ball). If there is a winning ball passing through the middle area 30, it is determined that the continuation is continued. However, when there is no winning ball passing through the middle area 30, and when the number of times of special opening is continued is the upper limit value (in the case of this embodiment, 1
(5 times), it is determined that the game will not be continued (end of the special game).

Therefore, it is very important whether or not the vehicle passes through the middle region 30. At this time, if the guide members 41 are in the enlarged position, the probability of passing through the middle region 30 becomes extremely high. If the special game is continued (S303: Y
ES) Returning to S302, a new special opening is started.
If the special game is over (S303: NO), the hit flag F2 is cleared (S304), and this processing is finished.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, since the game ball has passed through the gate 43,
U70a performs a lottery, and when the lottery is a win, the solenoid 42 is controlled to bring the guiding members 41, 41 to the enlarged position to increase the probability of passing through the middle area 30 which is a special area. The guide members 41 and 4 are used for starting and opening to determine whether or not to execute and special opening in a special game.
It is very important whether or not 1 is in the enlarged position, and the player welcomes the guiding members 41 and 41 to be in the enlarged position.

Furthermore, when the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position, the start-up and release time is long, that is, 1 second × 2 times, so that a larger number of game balls win the central winning device 26 than usual. The probability that any of those winning balls will pass through the middle region 30 will be higher. Therefore, the player is very interested in the display result of the symbol.

A random lottery is performed with a random number selected at the timing of passing through the gate 43, and whether the guiding members 41 are in the enlarged position is determined by the randomness of the lottery. Does not mean that the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position. That is, the player cannot predict whether or not the guide members 41, 41 will be at the enlarged position. Therefore, it is avoided that the game content becomes monotonous.

Moreover, since the lottery result is displayed on the symbol display device 28 before the guide members 41, 41 are set to the enlarged position, the player can change the target location, determine the timing of firing, etc. Can be prepared in advance. In addition, the open state of the central prize device 26 includes a start-up opening with a short opening time and a special opening with a long opening time, and the special opening is provided as a privilege due to the passing of the game ball through the middle area 30. Can realize the benefits.

Further, since there is a limit to the high rate period in which the guiding member 41 is in the enlarged position to increase the probability of passing through the middle area 30, there is no possibility that the player becomes too advantageous. In addition, since the symbol fluctuation display is not performed during the high rate period, a problem when the symbol is changed, for example, the symbol fluctuation display and the static display are performed during the high rate period, and the specific display mode is displayed. If it is, it is unclear whether the new high-rate period starts at that point in time or the new high-rate period starts after the already-started high-rate period ends, and the player is misunderstood or confused. There is no such fear.

Further, since the symbol is not changed during the high rate period, the display of the specific display mode can be maintained during that period. This allows the player to recognize that the high rate period or the special opening is being performed while the display of the specific display mode is continued. Further, since the remaining degree of the high-rate period is numerically displayed by the indicator 47, the player can clearly recognize how many times the start-up and opening are to be continued until the high-rate period continues.

In this embodiment, the passage probability is changed in two steps by displacing the guide members 41, 41 in two steps of a normal position and an enlarged position. However, instead of the solenoid 42, for example, a stepping motor is driven. The guide members 41, 41 are displaced in three or more steps or steplessly by using the source (the passage probability is changed in three or more steps or continuously).
It is also possible.

In this case, depending on the type of the hit symbol displayed on the symbol display device 28, for example, 777 increases the passage probability to the highest, 333 the next, and the other hit symbols are further lower (but (It is higher than the normal position).

In this embodiment, when the guide members 41, 41 are in the enlarged position, the time for starting and opening is lengthened. However, the time for starting and opening may be the same as the normal time. Alternatively, the guide members 41 are fixed, and the opening and closing time is made longer than usual (for example, about four times), or the number of times of opening is made larger than usual (for example, about four times). , Thereby the central prize device 2 in starting and opening
The probability of passing through the middle area 30, which is a specific area, may be increased by increasing the number of winnings to 6.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to such examples, and it can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say. In addition,
The example of the special game in the embodiment is merely an example, and other forms such as a special game similar to that of a known pachinko machine called a first type or a third type can be used. It may be different.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a guide member control process executed by the main board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an indicator control process executed by the main board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a start control process executed by the main board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a special game process executed by the main board of the pachinko machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pachinko machine (ball game machine) 22 Game board 25a Game area 26 Central prize device (variable prize device, passage probability changing means) 27 Opening / closing blade 28 Symbol display device (symbol display device) 29 Left region (non-specific region) 30 Middle area (specific area) 31 Right area (non-specific area) 35 Starting winning opening 41 Guidance member (passing probability changing means) 42 Solenoid (passing probability changing means) 43 Gate (passage for lottery) 47 Indicator (remaining period display) Means) 70 main control board (passage probability control means) 70a CPU (fluctuation control means, pass probability control means, fluctuation prohibition means, lottery means)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shogo Tatsumi 1-3-3 Taiheidori, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Takaonai F-term (reference) 2C088 AA05 AA06 AA11 AA36 AA39 AA42 AA43 BC22 EB29 EB44 EB55 EB68 EB74

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A variable prize which is variable between an open state in which a prize is easy and a closed state in which a prize is difficult or impossible, and in which a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area are provided. Device and the open state (hereinafter referred to as “start”) in a range in which the variable winning device is set on condition that a game ball enters or passes through an open starting region set for starting the variable winning device. In this case, the variable winning device is opened for a longer period of time than the starting opening (hereinafter, referred to as “open”) because the game ball that has won the variable winning device during the starting and opening has passed through the specific area. , A "special opening"), the probability that the game ball passes through the specific area (hereinafter referred to as "passing probability") is changed in at least two levels. Probability of passing Fluctuating means, symbol display means for statically displaying after a symbol is fluctuated and displayed due to a game ball entering or passing through a symbol starting area set for symbol starting, and Passing probability control means for controlling the passing probability varying means to increase the passing probability when the display mode of the displayed symbol is a specific display mode; and a period during which the passing probability is increased (hereinafter referred to as a “high rate period "
That. And a change prohibition unit for prohibiting the change display of the symbol during the special opening or during the special opening. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the high rate period has a limit. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein, during the high rate period, the duration of the start and release, the number of times of the start and release, or the number of winnings to the variable winning device reaches a set value. A ball game machine characterized by being terminated by: 4. The ball game machine according to claim 2, further comprising a remaining period display means for displaying a remaining degree of said high rate period. 5. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a lottery means for performing a lottery process for determining whether or not a hit has occurred due to a game ball having entered or passed in the symbol starting area, The ball game machine wherein the symbol display means displays the symbol stationary in the specific display mode when the lottery is a hit.