JP2004008388A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko game machine whose space for disposing various prize devices and nails in a game area is not limited even if a display device is increased in size, and which facilitates reuse of the display device even if a game board is replaced. <P>SOLUTION: In this pachinko game machine in which a game ball is discharged into a game area 3a on a board surface of the game board 3 by the shooting operation of a game player to play a game, a liquid crystal display device 4 for displaying a pattern and the other images related to the game is disposed outside of the game area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pachinko game machine and other ball-and-ball game machines provided with control means such as a microcomputer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a pachinko gaming machine, a display means for changing and displaying a symbol is provided in a game area on a game board surface, and a special game state (so-called "big hit") advantageous to a player when the variable display is stopped in a specific symbol combination. ) Is provided. In recent years, as such a display means, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying various effects has been used in addition to the variable display of symbols. Here, the game area on the game board surface is an area where the shot game balls move, and the display device is provided in addition to various winning devices, nails, windmills and the like arranged in this area. .
[0003]
In recent years, electronic control means such as microcomputers have enabled complex and sophisticated games, and the variety of games has been diversified. For this reason, the gaming machine is often replaced with a new one having a new game content in a certain period. This exchange is not performed for all the components of the gaming machine, but is performed for the inside thereof (the gaming board equipped with the main CPU, ROM, etc.) while maintaining the frame (the housing including the front door and the base door). Is often asked.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when the game board is replaced, it is not always necessary to replace the liquid crystal display device because it is a general-purpose product. Further, if the original display device is attached to a new game board after the game board has been removed from the game machine, this operation requires a great deal of labor and time.
[0005]
In addition, the display device tends to be large, but the size of the game board does not change, so when the display device is large, various prize devices, nails, windmills, etc. can be arranged in a game area on the game board surface. Space has to be reduced. Therefore, the moving range of the game ball, such as between various winning devices, nails, windmills, and the like on the game board, is reduced. On the other hand, whether or not a game ball wins is a matter of greatest interest, and when the range of movement of the game ball on the game board decreases and the flow of the game ball becomes monotonous, the player intends to display the angle effect display. It cannot be denied that the original fun of the pachinko game that follows the whereabouts of the game ball is reduced even if the game is elaborated.
[0006]
By the way, the specifications of this type of gaming machine are regulated by related laws and regulations. For example, only one large winning opening (so-called attacker) that is opened when the above-mentioned special gaming state is entered is provided in the gaming area. Can not be set up. However, if such regulations are revised and it becomes possible to arrange a plurality of special winning openings, it may be necessary to secure the arrangement position.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is that even if the above-described display device becomes large, the space for disposing various prize devices and nails in the game area is not limited. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine that can be easily reused.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The ball game machine of the present invention is a ball game machine that plays a game ball by hitting a game ball into a game area on a game board surface by a shooting operation of a player, and a display device that displays symbols and other images related to the game ( For example, a liquid crystal display device 4) described later is provided outside the game area.
[0009]
The embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the display device is provided above a front surface (for example, a front door 2 described later) provided with a game board surface.
[0010]
An embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the display device can be adjusted to an arbitrary angular position for the player.
[0011]
[Action and effect]
According to the present invention, since the display device is provided outside the game area, when exchanging the game board, only the game board can be exchanged without changing the display device. As a result, even when the display device is reused, the labor for replacing the game board is greatly reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to take up space for a display device on the game board surface, various prize-winning devices, nails, windmills, etc. can be provided in the same manner as a ball game machine without the above-described display device. A sufficient range in which the game ball can move around on the board can be secured.
[0012]
In addition, when the display device is provided on the upper portion of the front surface on which the game board surface is provided, the player can easily visually recognize the display content only by slightly raising the line of sight.
[0013]
In addition, when the display device can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle position for the player, the player can adjust the display device in a direction that is easy for the player to see. Thereby, even if the display device is installed outside the game area, the player can smoothly play the game without paying special attention to seeing the display contents.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a front external view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
A gaming board 3 is provided inside the front door 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. On the surface of the game board 3, there is a later-described game area 3a in which various winning devices, nails (not shown), windmills and the like are arranged. The game area 3a is visible through a glass plate provided on the front door 2. In the center of the upper part of the front door 2, there is provided a liquid crystal display device 4 as a display means for displaying various effects such as variable display of special symbols and animation. Details of each part of the game area 3a on the board of the game board 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0017]
Below the front door 2, an upper plate 21 for storing game balls (pachinko balls) paid out as prize balls or rental balls is provided, and the game balls discharged to the upper plate 21 are provided on the back side of the game board 3. It is supplied to the launching device 42 (FIG. 5) provided. Further, below the upper plate 21, a discharge port 22 for discharging game balls from the upper plate 21, a lower plate 23 for storing game balls discharged from the discharge port 22, and a game ball in the game area 3a. A firing handle 24 as an operating means for firing toward, and speakers 40L and 40R for outputting sounds such as background sounds are provided. Speakers 41L and 41R for emitting sounds such as background sounds are also provided on the left and right of the upper part of the front door 2.
[0018]
FIG. 2A is a front view of the front door 2. The figure shows a state in which three numbers “seven” are stopped and displayed in a horizontal line on the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 shown in the figure. The liquid crystal display device 4 simulates the display of three rows of rotating reels of the slot machine by variably displaying a plurality of symbols represented by images. These symbols start to fluctuate when a game ball wins a start winning port 6a, 6b, 6c to be described later. The symbols to be displayed in a variable manner are called "special symbols". When the special symbol is displayed in a predetermined symbol mode (for example, a symbol mode such as "7-7-7-7" shown in the drawing, which is referred to as a "big hit stop mode"), the special symbol is played. Is set to shift to the "special game state" which is advantageous to the player. Whether or not to generate a "big hit" for shifting to the special game state is determined by a main control circuit 30 (FIG. 5) described later.
[0019]
The liquid crystal display device 4 displays an effect such as an animation in which various characters appear in addition to the special symbols. Examples of the display means for displaying special symbols and the like include a liquid crystal display device 4 as in the present embodiment, a display configured by arranging a large number of LEDs, and other electrical displays such as a CRT, a plasma display, and electroluminescence. It can also be configured using a vessel. Instead of an electric display device, a mechanical device that performs variable display using a rotating reel having a design drawn on an outer peripheral surface may be used.
[0020]
Below the game area 3a, on the left and right sides, there are provided ordinary electric accessories 5a, 5b and 5c constituting start winning holes (so-called start holes) 6a, 6b and 6c. The ordinary electric accessory 5a, 5b, or 5c has a prize device having an opening / closing wing piece that can be converted into a first state in which it is easy to win the starting winning opening 6a, 6b, and 6c and a second state in which it is difficult to win the starting winning opening 6. (So-called tulips). Even in the second state in which the opening / closing wing pieces are closed, it is possible to win about one game ball. When a game ball wins the start winning ports 6a, 6b and 6c, a predetermined prize ball, for example, five prize balls are paid out. In addition, a normal symbol operation gate 7 is provided at the lower left of the start winning port 6a. A game ball passes through the ordinary symbol operating gate 7, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the ordinary electric accessory 5a, 5b and 5c is converted to the first state.
[0021]
A door which can be converted into a first state advantageous to the player (hereinafter referred to as an "open state") and a second state disadvantageous to the player (hereinafter referred to as a "closed state") below and above the ordinary electric accessory 5a. Big winning openings (attackers) 8a and 8b, each of which is an open / close type variable winning device, are provided. The special winning openings 8a and 8b are converted to the above-mentioned open state for a predetermined time when the special symbol change display on the liquid crystal display device 4 is stopped in the big hit stop mode. It is defined that a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are paid out when a game ball wins. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned "special game state" is a state where the special winning openings 8a and 8b are opened. An out port 9 for collecting out balls is provided below the large winning port 8a.
[0022]
A rail 10 is provided at the left end of the game area 3a. A game ball fired from a firing device 42 (FIG. 5) provided on the back side of the game board 3 moves upward along the rail 10 and is driven into the game area 3a. The game area 3a is a range indicated by oblique lines on the game board 3 shown in FIG. 2 (b). Various winning devices, nails, windmills and the like are not shown.
[0023]
Referring again to FIG. 2A, above the special winning opening 8b, there are provided ordinary symbol display LEDs 11a and 11b, ordinary symbol storage LED 12, and special symbol storage LEDs 13a to 13d. The normal symbol display LEDs 11a and 11b are composed of light emitting diodes of two colors (green and red), and perform a blinking operation of alternately turning on green and red for a predetermined time when the game ball passes through the ordinary symbol operating gate 7. . After the lapse of a predetermined time, if the ordinary symbol display LEDs 11a and 11b are lit in green, the ordinary electric accessory 5a, 5b and 5c is converted to the first state.
[0024]
The normal symbol storage LED 12 is turned on one by one each time the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 7, and the number of operable normal symbol display LEDs 11a and 11b at that time (up to four times). Is notified to the player. The fifth and subsequent passes are not counted and become invalid.
[0025]
The special symbol storage LEDs 13a to 13d are lit one by one each time a game ball wins in the starting winning ports 6a, 6b and 6c in a state where the special symbol is not stopped and displayed on the screen 4a. Winning to the start winning prize openings 6a, 6b and 6c when all four special symbol storage LEDs 13a to 13d are turned on is invalidated.
[0026]
An upper left windmill 14a and a lower left windmill 14b are provided in the game area 3a, and an upper windmill 15a and a lower windmill 15b are provided on the right side thereof. An upper right windmill 16a and a lower right windmill 16b are provided at the right end of the game area 3a, and an upper windmill 17a and a lower windmill 17b are provided on the left side thereof.
[0027]
On the left and right sides of the start winning opening 6a, there are provided general winning openings 18a and 18b which are set so as to pay out predetermined winning balls, for example, 10 winning balls when there is a winning ball.
[0028]
In the game area 3a, various decorative lamps that perform effects using light according to the game state are provided.
[0029]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, since the player 1A normally plays a game at a position where the player can easily view the game area 3a, it is desirable that the player 1A can view an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 4 from that position. Further, the game ball driven into the game area 3a from the firing device 42 moves downward from the upper part of the game area 3a, but generally the player moves downward from the upper part of the game area 3a. Pay attention to whether you win in the middle. That is, the player 1A often moves his or her line of sight up and down. Since the liquid crystal display device 4 is provided at the center of the upper portion of the front door 2 as described above, the position of the upper portion of the game area 3a and the position of the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 are close. This makes it easy for the player 1A to visually recognize the movement of the game ball and the effect display. Further, since the liquid crystal display device 4 is located at a position higher than the game area 3a, it may be difficult for some players to see the effect display, but in the embodiment, the direction in which the player can easily see the angle of the liquid crystal display device 4 is shown. Can be adjusted.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a structure for that purpose.
[0031]
Note that wiring such as cables connected to the liquid crystal display device 4 is omitted.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4A, one end of a fixing member 4b protruding horizontally from the front door 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a spherical portion 4c formed in a spherical shape. The spherical portion 4c is mounted so as to be in sliding contact with the spherical portion 4e of the bearing 4d. The bearing box 4f accommodating the bearing 4d and the liquid crystal display device 4 are joined.
[0033]
According to this structure, the liquid crystal display device 4 can be stopped at an inclined position as shown in FIG. 4 (2) by friction between the spherical portion 4c of the fixing member 4b and the spherical portion 4e of the bearing 4d. Therefore, the player can turn the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 in a direction that is easy to see by himself. This allows the player to see the images displayed on the game area 3a and the liquid crystal display device 4 by slightly changing his or her line of sight regardless of the height of his or her eyes, so that the game can be smoothly performed. It can be carried out.
[0034]
Although not shown, the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 can be tilted in other directions such as left and right. Accordingly, the position where the liquid crystal display device 4 is provided is not limited to the center of the upper part of the front door 2 and the screen 4a is inclined in a direction that makes it easy for the player to see the screen 4a regardless of whether the liquid crystal display device 4 is provided at the right, left, or lower side of the game area 3a. Can be.
[0035]
Further, since the liquid crystal display device 4 is provided by the fixing member 4b protruding from the front door 2 in the horizontal direction, it is sufficient that there is a place where the fixing member 4b is provided. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 4 can be provided even if there is no space in the front door 2 according to the size of the liquid crystal display device 4.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit unit in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment.
[0037]
The main operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled by a main control circuit 30 as main control means. The main control circuit 30 includes a ROM 30b that is a read-only storage unit that stores a control program, a RAM 30c that is a readable and writable storage unit, and an arithmetic processing unit that performs a control operation according to the control program stored in the ROM 30b. And an MPU 30a as one of them, and these are arranged on one circuit board. The MPU 30a, the ROM 30b, and the RAM 30c on the main control circuit 30 are hereinafter referred to as a main MPU 30a, a main ROM 30b, and a main RAM 30c in order to distinguish them from an MPU and the like on the display control circuit 31, which will be described later. The main MPU 30a executes the processing of the control program stored in the main ROM 30b in response to the input of a periodically generated reset signal.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 5, the relay circuit 34 connected to the main control circuit 30 has passed through a special winning ball sensor 8S for detecting a game ball winning the special winning openings 8a and 8b, and a normal symbol operating gate 7. A passing ball sensor 7S that detects a game ball, a winning ball sensor 18S that detects a game ball that has won a general winning opening 18a, 18b, and a start winning ball sensor 6S that detects a game ball that has won a starting winning opening 6a, 6b, 6c. A shooting ball sensor 20a for detecting a game ball fired by the firing device 42 to the game area 3a, and a return ball for detecting a game ball fired by the firing device 42 but not reaching the game area 3a. The sensor 20b is connected as a game ball detecting means. Further, the relay circuit 34 is also connected with a lamp controller 41 that controls various electric lamps of the ordinary electric auditors 5a, 5b, 5c, the special winning openings 8a, 8b, and the game area 3a.
[0039]
A detection signal output when each sensor detects a game ball is input to the main MPU 30a on the main control circuit 30 via the relay circuit 34. The main MPU 30a performs various determinations and the like based on the input detection signal, and transmits a control command (hereinafter, referred to as a “command”) to the display control circuit 31 and the like. For example, when receiving a detection signal from the starting winning ball sensor 6S, the main MPU 30a extracts a random number, determines whether or not to shift to a special game state (big hit determination), and determines whether a special symbol is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 4. The user selects the stop mode and the effect contents. In addition, based on the determination result and the selection result, a command is transmitted to the display control circuit 31, the sound control circuit 32, and the prize ball control circuit 33.
[0040]
The display control circuit 31 generates image data based on a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 30, and controls a display operation of the liquid crystal display device 4 based on the image data. The display control circuit 31 is configured by arranging various control devices on a circuit board different from a circuit board constituting the main control circuit 30. The various control devices include a sub-MPU 31a for interpreting a control command received from the main control circuit 30 and setting parameters of a VDP 31d described later, a program ROM 31b for storing a control program to be executed by the sub-MPU 31a, and when executing the control program. A work RAM 31c as a temporary storage means, an image ROM 31e for storing dot data for forming an image, and reading dot data in the image ROM 31e in accordance with parameters set by the sub-MPU 31a to read image data to be displayed. A VDP (Video Display Processor) 31d to be generated, a D / A converter 31g to convert image data generated by the VDP 31d into an RGB signal, and a CTC (Counter Timer C) for interrupting at predetermined time intervals. (i.e., circuit) 31f, and a reset IC 31h that issues a reset command to return the sub-MPU 31a and the VDP 31d to the initial state when the control program enters an abnormal processing routine.
[0041]
The sound control circuit 32 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a SOUNDIC, and an AMP (not shown), and controls the speakers 40L, 40R, 41L, 41R. The prize ball control circuit 33 controls a launch device 42 for launching a game ball into the game area 3a and a prize ball device 43 for paying out a prize ball based on a command output from the main control circuit 30.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the display device is installed so as to protrude from the upper part of the front door of the pachinko game machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device may be fitted to the front door.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display device 4 is provided above the base door 46 on the front of the housing 45, and a window is provided above the front door 2 so that the image displayed on the screen 4a can be seen by the player. 47 may be provided. 6 omits illustrations of the game board 3 provided on the front door 2 and various devices provided inside the housing 45. Further, the display device may be provided by an arm-shaped fixing member extending from an upper surface or a side surface of the gaming machine.
[0044]
Further, the types of the prize devices and the types of the windmills arranged in the above-mentioned game area, or the numbers and arrangement positions thereof are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1, but may be appropriately determined according to the plan contents.
[0045]
Further, in the embodiment, the screen of the display device is fixed at an arbitrary angular position by the friction between the spherical portion and the spherical portion described above, but is not limited thereto, and the display device is supported to be tiltable, A tilt angle adjusting means for fixing the screen of the display device at one tilt angle from among a plurality of predetermined tilt angles may be provided. For example, when the display device is provided above the front door, the screen of the display device is tilted up and down, and the plurality of tilt angles are determined so as to be adaptable to various player preferences.
[0046]
Further, in the embodiment, the setting of the angular position of the display device is performed manually, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the setting may be performed electrically. For example, a switch is provided that allows the player to adjust the angular position of the display device, and a driving device such as a motor is driven by operating the switch, and a control unit that can set the angular position of the display device is provided. It is possible. According to this, since the player does not directly touch the display device, it is possible to prevent the display device from being stained or damaged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front external view of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of a front door and a game board.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a pachinko gaming machine and its players.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device and a pachinko gaming machine.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit diagram of the pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine with a front door opened.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko gaming machine, 2 ... Front door, 3 ... Game board, 3a ... Game area, 4 ... Liquid crystal display device, 5a, 5b, 5c ... Ordinary electric accessory, 6a, 6b, 6c ... Starting winning opening, 6S ... Starting winning ball sensor, 7: gate for normal symbol operation, 7S: passing ball sensor, 8a, 8b: large winning port, 8S: large winning ball sensor, 9: out port, 10: rail, 11a, 11b: normal symbol display LED, 12 ... Normal design memory LED, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d: Special design storage LED, 14a: Upper left windmill, 14b: Lower left windmill, 15a: Upper windmill, 15b: Lower windmill, 16a: Upper right windmill, 16b ... Lower right wind turbine, 17a Upper wind turbine, 17b Lower wind turbine, 18a, 18b General winning opening, 18S Winning ball sensor, 20a Launch ball sensor, 20b Return ball sensor, 21 Upper plate, 22 outlet 23 ... lower plate, Reference numeral 4: Launch handle, 30: Main control circuit, 30a: Main MPU, 30b: Main ROM, 30c: Main RAM, 31: Display control circuit, 31a: Sub MPU, 31b: Program ROM, 31c: Work RAM, 31d: VDP 31e: Image ROM, 31f: CTC, 31g: D / A converter, 31h: Reset IC, 32: Sound control circuit, 33: Winning ball control circuit, 34: Relay circuit, 40L, 40R, 41L, 41R: Speaker 41, a lamp control device, 42, a firing device, 43, a prize ball device.

Claims (3)

In a ball game machine that plays a game by firing a game ball into a game area on a game board surface by a player's firing operation,
A ball game machine, wherein a display device for displaying symbols and other images related to the game is provided outside the game area. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device is provided on an upper portion of a front surface provided with the game board surface. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device is adjustable to an arbitrary angle position for a player. 4.

Images