JP2002272924A - Game machine with game interrupting and resuming function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with a game interrupting and resuming function that can avoid a player losing an acquired profit when the game machine is put in a ball run-out state when it is in a ready-to-win state or a big hit state. SOLUTION: A shooting motor driving device 61, to which a shooting lever 56 having a game ball shooting switch 53 and a touch sensor 57 is connected, for controlling a game ball shooting motor 60 is connected in a bidirectionally communicable manner to a main control device 64. When the game machine is put in a ball run-out state when it is in a ready-to-win state or a big hit state, the game ball shooting stop switch 53 is operated or the shooting lever 56 is released from the hand to temporarily interrupt the game and to temporarily interrupt a production display such as the variation of a display pattern of a pattern display device 30, and after replenishing game balls, the game can be resumed from the interrupted state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a pachinko machine and the like, in which a player can temporarily suspend a game as necessary due to a ball exhaustion or the like, and can resume the game from this interrupted state. The present invention relates to a gaming machine with a restart function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a front view of a game board of a typical game machine such as a pachinko machine. The game board 10 is substantially square and has a substantially circular game area (or game board surface) 20 inside.
Having. Inside this game area 20, there are guide rails 2
1. Center case 22, a pair of left and right gates 23, a plurality of winning ports 24 to 26, a starting port 27, an electric accessory 27A provided at the game ball entrance of the starting port 27, a large winning port 28 and an out port. 29
Are symmetrically arranged.

[0003] A special symbol display device formed of a color liquid crystal panel (LCD) or the like (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a symbol display device) is provided inside the center case 22.
30, a normal symbol display device 32 formed by three LEDs (light emitting diodes) and the like, and a reserved ball storage formed by four LEDs and the like, and storing and displaying a reserved ball waiting for an effect display on the special symbol display device 30 A display device 34 is provided.

A gaming machine is provided with a game ball launching device and a launch control device below a gaming board 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the game ball launching device 40 and an exploded perspective view of the launch control device 50. The game ball launching device 40 includes a game ball launching motor, and launches about 100 game balls per minute during a game.

The launch control device 50 is used by a player to control the launch / stop of the game ball and the launch intensity, and includes a handle base 51, a bearing 52, a launch switch 53, and a launch stop button.
54, handle shaft 55, firing lever 56, touch sensor
57 and a handle cover 58. The handle base 51 is fixed to the game ball launching device 40. Bearing 5
2. The firing switch 53 and the firing stop button 54 are attached to the front end of the handle base 51. The handle shaft 55 is rotatably inserted through the bearing 52 and the handle base 51. The firing lever 56 is fixed to the front end of the handle shaft 55, and rotates integrally with the handle shaft 55. The touch sensor 57 and the handle cover 58 are attached to the front end of the firing lever 56.

[0006] The player has a huddle cover 58 and a touch sensor 57.
By holding the firing lever 56 together, the touch sensor 57 detects the player and fires a game ball from the game ball firing device 40.

[0007] The intensity of the game ball firing by the game ball firing device 40 depends on the rotation angle of the firing lever 56 of the firing control device 50 by the player. The game ball fired from the game ball launching device 40 is driven into the game area 20 along the guide rail 21 of the game board 10. Then, it flows down the game area 20 along a complicated path while colliding with a large number of nails planted in a geometric pattern on the entire surface of the game area 20.

When a game ball wins any of the winning ports 24 to 26 in the game area 20, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of the prize balls are paid out to the player from a prize ball payout device described later. Also, when the game ball passes through the gate 23, usually a symbol display device
Fluctuating 32 display symbols, the predetermined "hit symbol"
Then, the electric accessory 27A is opened for a predetermined time, and the entrance of the game ball to the starting port 27 is expanded.

On the other hand, when the game balls enter the starting opening 27, a predetermined number (for example, five) of the prize balls are paid out to the player, and the special symbol display device 30 displays the three symbol display units on the left, middle and right. The variation (scroll) of the displayed symbol row is started, and a game effect is displayed.

[0010] This fluctuating symbol sequence is, for example, "0" to
It is a number of "9", and stops after a certain period of time (for example, in the order of left, right and middle) and displays a fixed symbol. FIG.
The inside shows a state in which the symbol rows of all the symbol display units are changing (scrolling). Since the fluctuation of the symbol row is so fast that it cannot be confirmed with the naked eye until immediately before the stop, this state is indicated by an arrow. The case where the symbols on the left and right symbol display units are aligned is called a “reach state”.

After the "reach state", when the "big hit symbol" in which all the symbols are displayed on the symbol display section, the gaming machine enters the "big hit state", and the big winning port 28 is opened. Since the special winning opening 28 has a wide game ball entrance, most of the game balls flowing down the game area 20 win the special winning opening 28, and the above-mentioned predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. For example, a winning of 10 game balls is defined as one round, and a maximum of 15 rounds of jackpot games are performed as long as the game balls pass within a predetermined area of the special winning opening 28 within a predetermined time, which is a very advantageous game for the player. State.

Of the game balls flowing down the game area 20, the above-described winning ports 24 to 26, the open large winning port 28 or the starting port.
Gaming balls that did not win 27 are lost balls in the gaming area 20.
Is transferred out of the machine via an out port 29 formed at the bottom of the machine. If the player is tired of the game or wants to interrupt the game for other reasons, the game ball launch control device
The firing stop button 54 provided on the 50 is operated. As a result, the firing motor of the game ball firing device 40 stops, and the firing of the game balls stops.

This game interruption operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6, a firing lever 56, a firing motor 60, a firing motor control device 61, a prize ball payout device 62, a payout control device 63, and a main control device 64, which are main components of the gaming machine.
And a symbol display device 30. As described above, the firing lever 56 has the firing switch 53 and the touch sensor 57. The firing switch 53 and the touch sensor 57 are connected to a firing motor driving device 61 that controls a firing motor 60 of the game ball firing device 40.

Main control device 64 for controlling the operation of the general game machine
Is connected to the symbol display device 30 and the payout control device 63. The payout control device 63 is connected to the prize ball payout device 62. In other words, the firing lever 56 is connected to the firing motor driving device 61 and only controls firing or stopping of the game ball by the firing motor 60, and is not directly connected to the main control device 64.

[0015]

In the conventional gaming machine described above, when the gaming machine is in the "big hit state",
Unfortunately, the ball may run out. In this case, since the game ball does not pass through the specific area of the special winning opening 28 within a predetermined time (a so-called punctured state), even if the "big hit state" is obtained, the game does not proceed to a new round and the special winning opening 28 Will close and lose the "big hit" benefits.

[0016] Therefore, the player must urgently replenish the game balls. Further, when the symbol display device 30 is in the “reach state”, if there is a predetermined number or more of the reserved balls in the reserved ball storage and display device 34, the player determines the variation (effect display) of the symbol display device 30. The firing of game balls is stopped until the game balls are wasted. However, stopping the launch of a game ball is an undesirable act for a game store because the operating rate of the gaming machine is reduced.

The present invention has been conceived in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional gaming machine. When the gaming machine enters the "reach state" or the "big hit state", the ball runs out and the player loses the ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that does not lose the profit obtained.

[0018]

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine with a game interrupting and resuming function, in which a player starts a game by operating a game ball firing lever and a game ball is awarded to a starting port, whereby a symbol display device is provided. A gaming machine for effecting and displaying a game by changing a symbol, when a game is interrupted by operating a firing stop button provided on a game ball firing lever or releasing a hand from the game ball firing lever, and interrupting the game. The effect display of the symbol display device is stopped, and the effect display of the symbol display device is advanced from the interrupted state when the game is resumed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function of the present invention, when the game is interrupted, the effect display of the symbol display device at the time of interruption is maintained for a predetermined time unless the player resumes the game. I do. The symbol display device is
During the game interruption period, the effect display when the game is interrupted is stopped and displayed. The effect display of the symbol display device during the interruption of the game is a display (message) that allows the player to recognize that the game is temporarily interrupted. When the symbol displayed on the symbol display device at the time of the game interruption is in the big hit state, the start of the big hit state is delayed. If there is a pending ball waiting for the next symbol change when the game is interrupted, the digestion of the retained ball is also suspended. A game ball launching drive device that drives and controls the game ball launching motor is connected to a main controller that controls the entire game machine so as to be capable of two-way communication. The game ball launch motor drive is directly connected to the main controller.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to the above-described components of the related art for convenience of description. 1 also includes a launch motor 60 of the game ball launch device 40, a launch motor drive device 61, a winning ball payout device 62, a winning ball payout control device 63, a main control device 64, a symbol display device 30, and a launch lever 56. You. The firing switch 53 and the touch sensor 57 of the firing lever 56 are connected to a firing motor driving device.
Connected to 61. The gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention is characterized in that the firing motor driving device 61 is connected to the main control device 64 directly and in a bidirectional manner.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the gaming board of FIG. When the player grips the firing lever 56 of the gaming machine, a touch detection signal is output from the touch sensor 57 to the firing motor driving device 61.
To drive the firing motor 60 of the game ball firing device 40 and send a game start signal to the main control device 64. When a sensor detects that a game ball fired from the game ball launching device 40 has won a winning opening 24 to 26 or the like, a detection signal is sent to the main control device 64, and the prize ball payout is performed via the payout control device 63. A prize ball payout command is sent to the device 62. Therefore, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize ball payout devices 62 are provided for the player.
Pay out the prize ball.

When a game ball enters the starting port 27, a predetermined number (for example, 5) of prize balls are paid out from the prize ball payout device 62 via the main control device 64 and the payout control device 63, and the symbol is displayed. The change of the display symbol of the device 30 is started, and the game is effected and displayed. The symbol display device 30 sequentially stops (or fixes) and displays the symbol rows in the left, middle, and right symbol display areas, and effects and displays the above-described “reach state” or “big hit state”.

As described above, when the game machine is in the "reach state" or the "big hit state" and the ball runs out, the player operates the firing stop button 54 of the firing lever 56 to drive the firing switch 53. . This signal is sent to the firing motor driving device 61, and the driving of the firing motor 60 is temporarily stopped. At the same time, this signal is also sent to the main control device 64, and the display symbol of the symbol display device 30 is interrupted while maintaining the "reach state" or "big hit state" at the time of operation of the firing stop button 54 (operation progress). Stop).

This gives the player time to take necessary measures such as replenishing game balls. And
When the player resumes the game by taking the firing lever 56 again after taking this measure, this signal is output by the firing motor driving device.
It is sent from 61 to the firing motor 60 and the main control device 64, and it becomes possible to continue the game from the above-mentioned interrupted state. In addition, if this game interruption state is prolonged, as described above, it becomes disadvantageous to the game store (decrease in the operating rate), so a timer is provided,
The game may be automatically restarted when the time required for the player to refill the game ball elapses.

Next, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above-described gaming machine with a game interruption / resumption function according to the present invention. First, it is periodically determined whether or not a game ball has won the starting port 27 (step S1). When the game ball has not won (step S1: N), the game waits for the game ball to win.

On the other hand, when the game ball wins the starting port 27 (step S1: Y), the display symbol on the symbol cover device 30 is changed (scrolled) to start the game (step S2). Next, it is periodically determined whether or not the player has operated the firing stop button 54 provided on the firing lever 56 (step S3). If the firing stop button 54 is not operated (step S3: N), the game is continued by changing the display symbol of the symbol display device 30 (step S6).

When the stop button is operated (step S
In 3: Y), the game is immediately interrupted, and a message indicating that the game is interrupted is displayed (step S4). Next, it is determined whether or not the player has released the interruption and resumed the game, or whether or not the interruption has elapsed for a predetermined time (step S5). If there is no interruption release or if the interruption time does not exceed the fixed time (step S5: N), the process returns to step S4 and the interruption of the game is continued. On the other hand, if the game interruption release or interruption of the player exceeds a certain time (step S5: Y), the process proceeds to step S6, and the game is restarted from the interrupted state.

Next, FIGS. 3A to 3D show a symbol display device 30 in a gaming machine with a game interruption / resumption function according to the present invention.
The following shows various display examples. First, FIG. 3A is a display example of the symbol display device 30 in step S2 of FIG. 2 described above. This shows a state in which the game ball has won the starting port 27 and the display symbols on the left symbol display unit 70, the middle symbol display unit 72, and the right symbol display unit 71 are changing (scrolling) at high speed.

FIG. 3 (B) shows that a fixed time has elapsed from the state of FIG. 3 (A), and the display symbols of the left symbol display section 70 and the right symbol display section 71 are both stopped (fixed) and displayed at "2". , The display symbol of the middle symbol display section 72 indicates the “reach state” that is still changing. In this state, if the player operates the firing stop button 54 of the gaming machine or releases his / her hand from the firing lever 56 to intentionally temporarily stop the game, the "reach" shown in FIG. The "state" state is maintained for a predetermined time or until the player resumes the game. Then, after the elapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time or when the player resumes the game, this FIG.
The feature of the present invention is to restart the game from the state shown in FIG. In the above-described conventional gaming machine, even if the game is interrupted, the launch of the game ball only stops, and the fluctuation of the display symbol of the symbol display device 30 which has started the effect display once is:
The “big hit state” or the “missing state” shown in FIG.

FIG. 3C shows a state corresponding to step S4 in FIG. 2 in which the player has operated the firing stop button 54 to temporarily suspend the game after the "reach state" in FIG. 3B. Show. When the game is interrupted, the symbol “Peach” indicates that the game has been interrupted, together with the “reach state” display symbol.
ause! (Message) 73 and a character (message) 74 that calls the player's attention, "Movement is in progress. Please restart firing." By displaying such a message, the player is reliably notified that the gaming machine is in the interrupted state, and the player can take measures such as refilling the game ball with ease.

FIG. 3D shows that the player resumes the game after the interruption of the game, and the effect display of the symbol display device 30 is shown in FIG.
And a state corresponding to step S6, which has progressed from the state of FIG. In this case,
The "big hit state" of "222" is displayed, and the symbol (message) 75 of "big hit" is also displayed together with the symbol display device.
Display on 30 display screens.

As described above, when the game of the gaming machine is temporarily interrupted, the symbols in the "reach state" or "big hit state" at the time of interruption are stopped and displayed on the display screen of the symbol display device 30. In addition, a character (message) 73 indicating an interrupted state, such as “Pause!”, Is displayed to display the state of the gaming machine so that the player can recognize it. Then, when the game is restarted, the game is continued from this state, so that the game is continued without losing the profit obtained by the player. In addition, during the interruption of the game, the digestion of the reserved ball can be stopped (interrupted).

The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the gaming machine with an interruption / resumption function according to the present invention have been described above in detail. However, this embodiment is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any way. Various modifications and alterations are possible in accordance with the specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the pause of the game may be performed at any time other than when the ball has run out, when a game state advantageous to the player is acquired.

[0035]

As will be understood from the above description, according to the gaming machine with the game interruption / resuming function of the present invention, the following remarkable practical effects can be obtained. That is,
Even if the ball runs out of luck unfortunately when it is developed into a mode of expecting a big hit such as a premium reach or a super reach, the player can interrupt the game and replenish the ball with a margin.

In addition, during the interruption, the symbol change of the symbol display device or the like is maintained at the time of the interruption, so that the player does not lose the profit of the "big hit state" and when the game is resumed,
It is possible to play a game from the state at the time of interruption. Also,
Unless the game ball is fired, the symbol change is not completed, so that the player does not stop firing even in the reach state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the gaming machine with the game interruption / resuming function shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows various display examples of a symbol display device of a gaming machine with a game interruption / resuming function according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a game board of a typical game machine to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a game ball launching, stopping and control device of the gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to a game ball launching and control device of a conventional gaming machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Gaming board 20 Gaming area 27 Starting port 30 Symbol display device 53 Launch switch 56 Gaming ball launch lever 57 Touch sensor 60 Gaming ball launch motor 61 Launch motor control device 62 Prize ball payout device 63 Payout control device 64 Main control device 70-72 Symbol display 73, 74 Game interruption message

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which a player operates a game ball firing lever to start a game, a game ball is made to enter a starting port, and a symbol on a symbol display device is varied to produce and display a game. When the game is interrupted by operating the firing stop button provided on the ball firing lever or releasing the hand from the game ball firing lever, the progress of the effect display of the symbol display device at the time of the game interruption is stopped, and the game is restarted. A game machine with a game interruption / resumption function, wherein the effect display of the symbol display device is advanced from the interruption state. 2. The game interruption restart according to claim 1, wherein when the game is interrupted, the effect display of the symbol display device at the time of the interruption is maintained for a predetermined time unless the player restarts the game. A gaming machine with functions. 3. The gaming machine with a game interruption resuming function according to claim 1, wherein the symbol display device stops and displays the effect display at the time of the game interruption during the game interruption period. 4. The effect display of the symbol display device during the interruption of the game is a display that allows the player to recognize that the game is interrupted. Game machine with a game interruption / resumption function. 5. The game interruption resuming function according to claim 1, wherein the start of the big hit state is delayed when the symbol displayed on the symbol display device at the time of the game interruption is a big hit state. With a gaming machine. 6. The game interruption resuming function according to claim 1, wherein when there is a pending ball waiting for the next symbol change at the time of the interruption of the game, the digestion of the retained ball is also interrupted. Gaming machine. 7. A game ball launching motor drive device for driving and controlling a game ball launching motor is connected to a main controller controlling overall game machine so as to be capable of two-way communication. A gaming machine with a game interruption / resumption function according to any one of 6. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the game ball launching motor drive device is directly connected to the main control device.