JP2004057639A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can enhance interests in changes in the shooting interval of balls by relating the changes in the shooting interval of the balls to the contents of games while raising the degree of technical intervention by players. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a shooting speed change switch 120 which shortens the shooting interval of the balls based on the operations of players as compared with the normal interval (switching the shooting speed A (90 balls/min) to the shooting speed B (110 balls/min)), mobile members 43a and 43b which operate to facilitate the inflow of the shot balls to a specified scoring area and speakers 109a and 109b for informing players of the operation timings of the mobile members 43a and 43b. This can raise the degree of technical intervention by the players by relating the changes in the shooting interval of the balls to the contents of games and furthermore, enhance interests in changes in the shooting interval of the balls. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hitting ball firing device for firing a hitting ball in a game area, and a variable ballast that changes an internal structure from a first state disadvantageous to the player to a second state advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied. And a winning ball device. The gaming machine includes a variable winning ball device and generates a specific game state by detecting a ball by specific ball detecting means for detecting a winning of a hit ball in a specific winning area provided in the variable winning ball device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in general, a ball game machine, which is an example of a game machine, hits a game ball into a game area formed on a game board by a player rotating an operation handle. In addition, such a ball-and-ball game machine changes the firing interval of a hit ball to be short in accordance with the opening timing of a variable winning ball device provided in a game area (for example, see Patent Literature 1), or is selected by a player. There has been proposed a device that changes a firing interval of a hit ball by operating a switch (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-70518 (page 4, FIG. 6)
[0004]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-185073 (page 4, FIG. 13)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the configuration in which the firing interval of the hitting ball can be changed as in the above-mentioned conventional art, the relationship between the changing of the firing interval of the hitting ball and the game content is thin, and the technology of the player is, of course. Since the degree of intervention (for example, when to change the firing interval of the hit ball to hit the game ball) was low, the interest in changing the firing interval of the hit ball was reduced by half. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to relate the changing of the firing interval of the hit ball to the content of the game and to increase the degree of the player's technical intervention, thereby increasing the firing interval of the hit ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing interest in changing the game machine.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hitting ball launching device that shoots a hitting ball in a game area and a first state that is disadvantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied are advantageous to the player. A variable winning ball device for changing the internal structure to the second state, wherein the specific game is detected by specific ball detecting means for detecting the winning of a hit ball in a specific winning area provided in the variable winning ball device. A gaming machine that generates a state, a firing interval changing unit that shortens a firing interval of a hit ball fired by the hit ball firing device based on an operation of a player as compared with a normal time, and an internal structure of the variable winning ball device. An internal structure changing means for changing a state in which a hit ball easily flows into the specific winning area, and a change tie for notifying a player of a timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball apparatus changes by the internal structure changing means. Characterized by comprising a ring notification means. With this configuration, changing the firing interval of the hit ball is related to the game content (change in the internal structure of the variable winning ball device) and the degree of the player's technical intervention (shortening the game ball in accordance with the internal structure change). It is possible to increase the interest in changing the firing interval of the hit ball.
[0007]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that an effective period is provided for making the change of the firing interval by the firing interval changing means effective. With such a configuration, the firing interval can be changed only within a predetermined validity period, so that a change in the firing interval can be sharpened, and the playability can be enhanced.
[0008]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the firing interval changing means controls the firing control means so as to make the firing interval longer than usual in a stage before or after reducing the firing interval. I do. With this configuration, as a compensation for shortening the firing interval, control is performed to make the firing interval longer than usual at the preceding stage or later stage, so that the number of game balls hit per hour is equalized can do.
[0009]
Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in the specific game state, a round continuation means for establishing a continuation of the round up to a predetermined number of rounds as an upper limit based on winning of a hit ball in the specific winning area, a specific condition A round determining means for determining a round in which the internal structure of the variable winning prize ball device is set to the first state by the internal structure changing means based on the establishment of the internal structure changing means. In the round determined by the above, the internal structure changing means performs notification according to the timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball device is temporarily changed to the second state. With such a configuration, in the round determined by the round determining means, in order to continue the round, the player needs to strike the game ball at a short firing interval according to the internal structure change, and as a result, Interestingness of the game can be improved by improving the playability.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overall configuration of a ball game machine 101 as a game machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the ball game machine 101 has an outer frame 102 formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and is pivotally supported by one side of the outer frame 102 to be openable and closable. The front frame 103 includes a front frame 103 in which almost all of the components are collectively provided, and a front opening / closing frame 104 provided at an upper portion of the front of the front frame 103 so as to be openable and closable. The main components provided on the front frame 103 include the front opening / closing frame 104, the lower plate 114, the operation handle 117, the game board 1, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a card unit device 113 for renting a game ball to a player is attached to the side of the ball game machine 101.
[0011]
In the front opening / closing frame 104, a circular see-through window 105 that can substantially see through the game area 3 of the game board 1 is opened, and a multilayer glass plate is mounted from the back of the circular see-through window 105. On the upper side of the front opening / closing frame 104, a decorative lamp 106 faces along the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 105. The decorative lamp 106 is lit or flashed in accordance with the game state, and informs the player when a special game state has occurred or has continued, and enhances the atmosphere of the game. Also, on the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 105, a ball-out lamp 107 for notifying that a prize ball is insufficient to pay out, or a notification that a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out based on the occurrence of a winning ball. A prize ball lamp 108 (a method of notifying when there is a prize ball unpaid portion may be provided) is further provided. Speakers 109a, which generate sound effects according to the progress of the game, are provided on the upper left and right of the front opening frame 104. 109b is provided.
[0012]
Below the front opening / closing frame 104, an upper plate 111 for temporarily storing the prize balls paid out from the prize ball payout port 110 and then guiding the prize balls to the firing position is attached. Above the open side of the upper plate 111, a ball release operation lever for guiding the game balls stored in the upper plate 111 to a lower plate 114 by flowing down a ball release path (not shown) formed on the back surface side. 112 are provided. Further, the upper plate 111 is provided with an operation unit for operating when renting a game ball via the card unit device 113 attached to the ball game machine 101. The operation unit includes a balance display board (not shown) on which a ball lending switch, a return switch, and a display LED are mounted. The balance display board is provided so as to face the upper surface of the upper plate 111.
[0013]
The lower plate 114 attached to the lower portion of the front frame 103 stores excess prize balls overflowing from the upper plate 111. On the front wall of the lower plate 114, game balls stored in the lower plate 114 are stored. A ball-pulling operation lever 115 is provided for pulling a ball downward and transferring the ball to a portable ball box. An ashtray 116 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 114. On the other hand, on the right side of the lower plate 114, an operation handle 117 for driving the drive motor 118a (see FIG. 6) of the hitting ball firing device 118 by driving operation of the player to drive the game ball into the game area 3 is provided. ing. The operation handle 117 includes a single shot switch (not shown) for temporarily stopping the driving of the drive motor 118a, and a touch sensor (not shown) for detecting that the player is touching the operation handle 117. ) And built-in. The operation handle 117 has a finger hook 119 for adjusting the resilience and a ball hit by changing the drive speed of the drive motor 118a in accordance with a player's operation within a switch effective period described later in detail. And a firing shift switch 120 for automatically shifting the firing speed (firing interval) of the camera.
[0014]
Next, the configuration of the game board 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the game board 1. In FIG. 2, on the surface of the game board 1, a guide rail 2 for guiding a hit ball is planted in a substantially circular shape, and an area defined by the guide rail 2 forms a game area 3. I have. At the approximate center of the game area 3, a variable winning ball device 20, which is a main part of the present embodiment, is disposed. Below the variable prize ball device 20, left, middle, and right start prize holes 4a to 4c each having a built-in start ball detector 5a to 5c (see FIG. 6) are arranged. When a hit ball is won in the starting winning ports 4a to 4c, the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c detect this, and the variable winning ball device 20 is opened for a predetermined period. When the player wins the right and left starting winning openings 4a and 4c among the starting winning openings 4a to 4c, the variable winning ball device 20 is opened once, and the center starting winning opening 4b is opened among the starting winning openings 4a to 4c. When a prize is won, the variable prize ball device 20 is opened twice. A state in which the variable winning ball device 20 performs the opening operation in accordance with the winning detection of the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c is called a starting game state. In addition, in addition to the above-described configuration, the game area 3 includes windmills 6a and 6b having built-in windmill lamps 7a and 7b, windmills 8a and 8b, and side lamp decorations 9a having built-in side lamps 10a and 10b (see FIG. 6). , 9b, an out port 11, and the like.
[0015]
Next, the variable winning prize ball device 20, which is a main part of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the variable winning ball device 20 has a mounting substrate 21 for mounting the variable winning ball device 20 on the surface of the game board 1. The mounting substrate 21 has an upper winning space. 22 and a lower winning space 30 are formed. In the upper winning space 22, a pair of left and right opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b are rotatably provided. Opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are connected to solenoids 24a and 24b via well-known link mechanisms, respectively. When the solenoids 24a and 24b are turned ON, the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b rotate in a direction to open the upper winning space 22, while the solenoids 24a and 24b rotate. When the 24b is turned off, the upper winning space 22 is rotated in the closing direction. On the bottom wall portion of the upper winning space 22, a pair of right and left winning ball detectors 25a and 25b (see FIG. 6) for detecting a hit ball winning in the upper winning space 22 are provided. The prize balls detected by the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b pass through the prize ball detectors 25a and 25b, and then pass through the ball passages 26a and 26b formed on the left and right sides of the mounting board 21 to discharge the ball. It is sent to the lower winning space 30 from 27a, 27b. Further, on the rear wall in the upper prize space 22, a remaining number display 28 for displaying the number of remaining open times of the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b in a specific game state, which will be described in detail later, and a prize to the variable prize ball device 20. A winning number display 29 for displaying the number is provided.
[0016]
On the other hand, the lower winning space 30 has a lower rolling plate 31 for rolling the winning balls sent from the ball discharge ports 27a and 27b backward, and an opening formed at a downstream end of the lower rolling plate 31. 32, an opening / closing plate 34 for opening and closing the opening 32, a rotating drum 36 as variable display means rotating at a position above the opening / closing plate 34, and an upper rolling plate disposed behind the upper end of the rotating drum 36 40 are provided. The opening / closing plate 34 is connected to a solenoid 35 (see FIG. 6), moves forward in a direction to close the opening 32 when the solenoid 35 is turned on, and opens the opening 32 when the solenoid 35 is turned off. It moves backward in the direction. The rotating drum 36 is connected to a motor 38 (see FIG. 6) as an electric drive source via each of the connecting gears 37a to 37c, and is constantly driven in one direction (see FIG. 4) at a constant speed as the motor 38 is driven. (In the direction of the arrow). A plurality of permanent magnets 39 are buried in the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 36. With this, the rotating drum 36 attracts the sphere retained on the opening / closing plate 34 by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 39 in a state where the opening 32 is closed by the opening / closing plate 34, and this attracts the spheres along with the rotating operation to the upper rolling plate 40. To be sent to. In addition, a plurality of permanent magnets 39 are juxtaposed in the left, middle, and right directions along the horizontal width direction of the rotating drum 36, and the three juxtapositions are arranged at predetermined intervals along the entire circumference of the rotating drum 36. It is provided in four places. As shown in FIG. 5, fifteen round lottery symbols “1 to 15” are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 36 (illustrated). This round lottery symbol is a symbol used at the time of the round lottery described in detail later, and is stopped at the front right central portion of the rotating drum 36 (the side wall portion above the ball discharge port 27a) at the front central portion of the rotating drum 36. There is provided an arrow-shaped pointing projection 33 that indicates the displayed result of the round lottery symbol to be displayed, in other words, the round lottery symbol.
[0017]
On the rear side of the upper rolling plate 40, there are formed inclined portions 40a and 40b which are inclined downward in the left-right direction with the center as a boundary, and on the downstream side (on both left and right sides) of the inclined portions 40a and 40b. Ball passages 41a and 41b are formed to feed the balls rolled on the portions 40a and 40b onto the lower rolling plate 31 again. Note that the inclined portions 40a and 40b are slightly inclined downward toward the rear side. A specific receiving port 42 is provided at the rear center of the upper rolling plate 40, and a pair of left and right movable members 43 a and 43 b is provided in front of the specific receiving port 42. A rotating shaft (not shown) is integrally attached to each of the movable members 43a and 43b, and a connecting member (not shown) connected to a solenoid 45 (see FIG. 6) is integrally provided at the rear end of the rotating shaft. Attached to. The connecting member converts the advancing / retreating operation of the plunger constituting the solenoid 45 into a rotating operation of the rotating shafts (movable members 43a, 43b). Thus, the movable members 43a and 43b rotate in a direction to shut off the front of the specific receiving port 42 when the solenoid 45 is turned on, and release the shut off in front of the specific receiving port 42 when the solenoid 45 turns off. It is designed to rotate in the direction in which it does. A plurality of decorative LED indicators 47 are provided on the outer periphery of the specific reception port 42, while a specific sphere detector 48 for detecting a sphere entering the specific reception port 42 is provided inside the specific reception port 42. Is provided.
[0018]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 50. FIG. 6 also shows a payout control board 60, a sound control board 61, a lamp control board 62, and a firing control board 65. On the main board 50, a basic circuit 51 for controlling the ball game machine 101 according to a program, a specific ball detector 48, starting ball detectors 5a to 5c, winning ball detectors 25a and 25b, a clear switch 63, and a firing shift A switch circuit 52 that supplies a signal from the switch 120 to the basic circuit 51, a solenoid circuit 53 that drives various solenoids 24a, 24b, 35, and 45 according to commands from the basic circuit 51, and a motor 38 that controls the motor 38 according to commands from the basic circuit 51. A motor circuit 54 for driving; an information output circuit 55 for outputting an information output signal such as big hit information, start information or prize ball information to an external device such as a hall computer in accordance with data provided from the basic circuit 51; And a circuit 56 are mounted.
[0019]
The basic circuit 51 includes a ROM 51a that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 51b that is an example of a storage unit used as a work memory, a CPU 51c that performs a control operation according to a program, and an I / O port unit 51d. The main board 50 having such a basic circuit 51 controls the ball payout device 64 via the payout control board 60, controls the speakers 109a and 109b via the sound control board 61, and further controls the lamp. The side lamps 10a and 10b, the windmill lamps 7a and 7b, and the various LED indicators 28, 29 and 47 are controlled via the board 62. The CPU 51c of the basic circuit 51 (main board 50) constitutes round continuation means for establishing the continuation of the round up to fifteen rounds, and performs the round in which the internal structure of the variable prize ball device 20 is set to the first state. Round determining means for determining (performing a round lottery in which the movable members 43a and 43b are stopped) is configured.
[0020]
Further, the launch control board 65 controls the driving force of the drive motor 118a in accordance with the amount of rotation of the operation handle 117 by the player, and controls the driving of the game ball into the game area 3. However, the rotation operation amount of the operation handle 117 changes the driving force of the drive motor 118a, in other words, changes the strength of the hit ball, and does not change the firing interval (firing speed) of the hit ball. That is, in the normal game state, the firing interval (firing speed) of the hit balls is set uniformly (specifically, the firing speed is set to 90 balls / min). On the other hand, the firing shift switch 120 changes the driving speed of the driving motor 118a based on the player's ON operation, and changes the firing interval (firing speed) of the hit ball. More specifically, the main board 51 that has received the ON signal of the firing shift switch 120 outputs a control signal to the firing control board 65 in response thereto, so that the firing control board 65 sets the drive motor 118a to the normal state. Drive control at different drive speeds.
[0021]
Next, the operation control of the variable winning ball device 20 by the main board 50 will be described. First, when the start game state occurs, the solenoids 24a and 24b are turned on for a predetermined time and the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b are opened. When the hit ball wins in the upper winning space 22 during the opening operation, the winning ball is sent to the lower winning space 30 through the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. Further, the opening / closing plate 34 moves in a direction in which the opening 32 is closed until a predetermined time elapses after the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b detect the winning ball by the ON control of the solenoid 35 by the main board 50. When the ball fed into the lower winning space 30 is attracted by any one of the permanent magnets 39 of the rotating drum 36 within the closing time of the opening 32, the ball is transferred to the upper rolling plate 40 with the rotation of the rotating drum 36. Sent in. At this time, when three winning balls retained on the opening / closing plate 34 are attracted to the left and right permanent magnets 39 among the three parallel, the winning balls are sent to the ball passages 41a and 41b with a 100% probability. At this point, the opening / closing plate 34 is moving in a direction to open the opening 32 by the OFF control of the solenoid 35 by the main substrate 50. Then, the balls sent to the ball passages 41 a and 41 b fall through the opening 32 through the lower rolling plate 31. On the other hand, when the winning ball stopped on the opening / closing plate 34 is attracted to the central permanent magnet 39 among the three parallel winning balls, the winning ball is sent to the specific reception port 42 with a considerably high probability (not 100%). Then, it passes through the specific ball detector 48 (V win). The specific game state is generated by the passage of the ball by the specific ball detector 48 (the detection of the ball by the specific ball detector 48).
[0022]
In the specific game state described above, the solenoids 35 are turned on / off by the main board 50, so that the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b repeat opening operations for a predetermined time 18 times (18 opening / closing cycles). If ten winning balls are detected before the opening / closing cycle is completed 18 times, the opening operation of the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b is terminated at that time. In addition, during the opening / closing cycle of the opening / closing pieces 23a, 23b, the solenoids 35, 45 are always turned on, so that the opening / closing plate 34 always closes the opening 32, and the movable members 43a, 43b are always in front of the specific receiving port 42. (Internal structure changing means). Thus, the ball that has won the variable winning ball device 20 during the opening / closing cycle does not fall through the opening 32 until the end of the opening / closing cycle. Therefore, when a winning ball stopped on the opening / closing plate 34 is attracted to the left and right permanent magnets 39, the winning ball is sent to the lower rolling plate 31 through the ball passages 41a and 41b, and again opened and closed. Parked on top.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the winning ball stopped on the opening / closing plate 34 is attracted to the central permanent magnet 39, the winning ball is received by the movable members 43 a and 43 b in front of the specific reception port 42. Then, at the same time as the end of the opening / closing cycle, the respective solenoids 35 and 45 are turned off, so that the opening / closing plate 34 opens the opening 32 and the movable members 43a and 43b release the blocking in front of the specific receiving port 42. As a result, the winning ball received by the movable members 43a and 43b rolls the upper rolling plate 40 straight rearward and enters the specific receiving port. The ball that has entered the specific reception port 42 passes through the specific ball detector 48 (wins a V), thereby establishing the right to continue the 18 opening / closing cycles as described above, and elapses a predetermined interval time. Later, the opening / closing pieces 23a and 23b are opened again. The maximum number of open / close cycles allowed is 15 (15 rounds) (round continuation means). Further, in the specific game state, the remaining number display 28 displays the number of remaining open times of the opening and closing pieces 23a and 23b (the number of remaining rounds or the number of opening of the remaining opening and closing pieces in a round). The winning number is displayed for each round.
[0024]
By the way, in a round determined by a round lottery described later among the above-mentioned maximum 15 rounds, the solenoid 45 is turned ON (internal structure change) only at a predetermined timing in the 18 opening / closing cycles. That is, the movable members 43a and 43b receive a game ball and make it easy for a hit ball to flow into the specific reception port 42 (a state where continuation rights are easily established by winning a V) at a predetermined timing. The operation of 43a and 43b is controlled. For this reason, the player hits the game ball in accordance with the timing at which the solenoid 45 is turned on, in other words, the timing at which the movable members 43a and 43b cut off the front of the specific reception port 42, in order to establish the continuation right. Must be received by the movable members 43a and 43b. Further, in such a specific game state, the occurrence period is set as the effective period of the firing shift switch 120. For this reason, when the internal structure changes, the player turns on the firing speed change switch 120 in accordance with the timing at which the solenoid 45 is turned on (the movable members 43a and 43b operate), so that the number of hits of the game ball can be made smaller than in the normal case. The number can be increased, and the game balls can be received by the movable members 43a and 43b with a higher probability. The timing at which the solenoid 45 is turned on is notified to the player in advance by generating sounds from the speakers 109a and 109b.
[0025]
Next, a specific operation mode of the rotating drum 36 will be described with reference to FIGS. There are two types of operation modes of the rotating drum 36, a mode shown in FIG. 7A and a mode shown in FIG. 7B. The operation mode shown in FIG. 7A is an operation mode in which a game ball is guided to the specific ball detector 48 side by rotation of the rotating drum 36 (a change is made in a flowing direction of the game ball in the variable winning ball device 20). is there. Specifically, when the hit ball hits the upper winning space 22 during the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 20 (opening / closing pieces 23a, 23b) and the winning ball passes through the winning ball detectors 25a, 25b, FIG. As shown in (A), the rotation operation of the rotating drum 36 (the operation of guiding the game ball to the specific ball detector 48 side) according to the driving of the motor 38 starts simultaneously with the ball detection by the winning ball detectors 25a and 25b. Is done. Then, the rotation operation ends after the predetermined period T1 is continued.
[0026]
On the other hand, the operation mode shown in FIG. 7B is an operation mode in which a round lottery symbol is variably displayed by the rotation of the rotary drum 36. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), when there is a V winning that determines the occurrence of the specific game state (when the specific ball detector 48 is turned on), the round is performed before the occurrence of the specific game state. A lottery is performed (round determination means). The round lottery is performed by extracting a random number (15 random numbers) (not shown) provided in the microcomputer (basic circuit 51) constituting the main board 50. Specifically, fifteen round lottery symbols “1 to 15” (see FIG. 5) drawn on the outer periphery of the rotary drum 36 for round lottery are provided in correspondence with the fifteen random numbers. Then, at the time of the round lottery, the round lottery symbol is variably displayed by the rotating operation of the rotating drum 36 accompanying the driving of the motor 38, and the round lottery symbol corresponding to the extracted value of the random number is derived and displayed as a display result. That is, the round lottery symbol based on the determination result of the random number for the round lottery is stopped and displayed at the position indicated by the instruction projection 33. Thereby, the number of the round lottery symbol is set as a special round of the internal structure change, and the specific game state based on this is started.
[0027]
For example, when “7” is derived and displayed as a round lottery symbol, the movable members 43 a and 43 b always shut off the front of the specific reception port 42 in 18 open / close cycles in the specific game state from 1 to 6 rounds. Is controlled to In other words, in the first to sixth rounds, the control (internal state) in which the movable members 43a and 43b receive the game ball and facilitate the inflow of the hit ball into the specific reception port 42 (V winning and the continuation right is easily established) Structural change) is always performed. Then, in the seventh round determined by the round lottery, the movable members 43a and 43b are controlled so as to shut off the front of the specific entrance 42 only at a predetermined timing among the 18 opening / closing cycles. That is, in the seventh round, the internal structure changes to a state where the continuation right is likely to be established by winning the V, only at a predetermined timing. Thereafter, when the continuation right is established in the seventh round, the internal structure is constantly changed in eight to fifteen rounds in eighteen opening and closing cycles, as in the first to sixth rounds.
[0028]
Further, the operation form of the rotating drum 36 at the time of the round lottery is such that the round lottery symbol is rotated and stopped for a predetermined period T2 so as to change the frame by one symbol at a time (not completely stopped, but rotated forward / reversely in small increments). (It may be in a state where the round lottery symbol can be visually recognized). In addition, the rotating drum 36 displays a number corresponding to the number of rounds in a round lottery symbol in each of the ongoing rounds (the rotating drum 36 indicates the number corresponding to the number of ongoing rounds so that the pointing protrusion 33 indicates the number corresponding to the number of ongoing rounds). By rotating, the player is notified of the number of rounds in progress.
[0029]
Here, a change in the internal structure of the above-described variable winning prize ball device 20 (movable members 43a, 43b) and the accompanying ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the specific game state occurs, the ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 becomes effective at the same time as the occurrence of the specific game state. Note that, in a state in which the firing shift switch 120 is not turned on (a normal game state), the firing speed of the hit ball is set to A (= 90 balls / min). Thereafter, when a special internal structure change round determined by the round lottery (a round in which the internal structure change is performed only at a predetermined timing), the speakers 109a and 109b are provided to notify the player of the timing at which the movable members 43a and 43b operate. A countdown sound is issued from 109b (change timing notifying means). However, the countdown at this time is not a countdown until the movable members 43a and 43b start operating, but a time until it is estimated that the game ball hit at that timing reaches the movable members 43a and 43b that have started the furnishing operation. It is a countdown. More specifically, the time from when the game ball is driven to when the game ball reaches the movable member 43a, 43b is set to approximately time T5, and the time point T5 before the operation start time of the movable member 43a, 43b is counted down. Set as end time.
[0030]
Then, in response to the timing notification (countdown) of the speakers 109a and 109b described above, when the player turns on the firing shift switch 120 and hits the game ball, the firing speed of the hit ball becomes B (= 110 balls / minute) accordingly. ), And the game balls are intensively fired in the game area 3 (firing interval changing means). Thereby, the movable balls 43a and 43b can receive the game balls and make it easier for the variable winning prize ball device 20 to win the game balls in accordance with the operation timing of the movable members 43a and 43b which make it easy for the hit balls to flow into the specific receiving port. The firing speed of the hit ball is switched to B (= 110 balls / min) for a predetermined period T3 from the time when the firing shift switch 120 is turned on, and then C (= 80 balls / min) for a predetermined period T4. Is switched to. Such switching to the firing speed C is a price for increasing the normal firing speed A to the firing speed B (decreasing the firing interval), and by performing such control, the number of game balls per time is increased. The number of shots is equalized.
[0031]
Further, the ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 becomes invalid at the same time as the firing shift switch 120 is turned ON, and at the same time when the firing speed C ends, that is, the firing speed is switched again to the normal A (= 90 balls / min). Then, the ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 becomes effective. In other words, during the specific game state, when the firing speed change switch 120 is turned on and the firing speed of the hit ball is switched to the firing speed B or C different from the normal time, during the switching period (T3 + T4), the firing speed change switch 120 is turned on. Becomes invalid. Further, in the embodiment, the timing at which the firing speed C ends and the ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 is effectively switched is set to be the same as the end time of the operation of the movable members 43a and 43b. It does not do. After that, the ON operation of the firing shift switch 120 is invalidated simultaneously with the end of the specific game state.
[0032]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the ball launching device (118) that launches a ball in the game area (3) and the player in accordance with establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, occurrence of a specific game state). Winning sphere device (20) for changing the internal structure from a first state (movable members 43a, 43b stopped state) disadvantageous to the player to a second state (movable members 43a, 43b operating state) advantageous to the player. ), And the ball is detected by a specific ball detecting means (for example, a specific ball detector 48) for detecting a hit of a hit ball in a specific winning area (specific receiving port 42) provided in the variable winning ball apparatus. A gaming machine (e.g., a ball game machine 101) that generates a gaming state, wherein the firing interval of the hitting ball fired by the hitting ball firing device based on the operation of the player is shorter than normal (firing speed A ( = 90 balls / min) A firing interval changing means (for example, a firing speed change switch 120) for changing the speed B (= 110 balls / min) and an internal structure for changing the internal structure of the variable winning ball apparatus to a state where a hit ball easily flows into the specific winning area. Structural change means (for example, movable members 43a, 43b) and change timing notifying means (for example, speakers 109a, 109b) for notifying a player of a timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball apparatus changes by the internal structure changing means. And characterized in that: With this configuration, changing the firing interval of the hit ball is related to the game content (change in the internal structure of the variable winning ball device) and the degree of the player's technical intervention (shortening the game ball in accordance with the internal structure change). It is possible to increase the interest in changing the firing interval of the hit ball. Note that the normal time in the firing interval is a game state in which the firing interval is not changed by the firing interval changing unit. In the embodiment, the firing speed A (= 90 balls / min) is the normal firing interval. It becomes.
[0033]
Further, an effective period for making the change of the firing interval by the firing interval changing means effective is provided. With such a configuration, the firing interval can be changed only within a predetermined validity period, so that a change in the firing interval can be sharpened, and the playability can be enhanced. In addition, if the change of the firing interval is always valid, there is a possibility that the number of hits of the game ball may be increased unconsciously, but if the validity period is provided as in the embodiment, the driving time may be increased. It is possible to avoid a disadvantage of the player that the number becomes too large.
[0034]
Further, the firing interval changing means increases the firing interval in a preceding stage or a later stage (in the embodiment, later stage) for shortening the firing interval compared with the normal time (the firing speed B (= 110 balls / min)). The launch control means is controlled so that the launch speed is switched to a launch speed C (= 80 balls / min) later. With this configuration, as a compensation for shortening the firing interval, control is performed to make the firing interval longer than usual at the preceding stage or later stage, so that the number of game balls hit per hour is equalized can do. Note that, in the embodiment, the firing interval is controlled so as to be longer than the normal time at the stage after the firing interval is shortened. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Control may be performed so as to be longer than that.
[0035]
Further, in the specific game state, a round continuation unit (the CPU 51c of the main board 50) that establishes continuation of the round with a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit based on winning of a hit ball in the specific winning area. A function that establishes the continuation of the round by using the internal structure changing means determines a round in which the internal structure of the variable winning ball device is set to the first state based on the establishment of a specific condition (for example, V winning). A round determination unit (a function of performing a round lottery by the CPU 51c of the main board 50), wherein the change timing notifying unit is configured such that, in the round determined by the round determination unit, the internal structure changing unit uses the variable winning ball device. Notification according to the timing of temporarily changing the internal structure of the device to the second state And it features. With such a configuration, in the round determined by the round determining means, in order to continue the round, the player needs to strike the game ball at a short firing interval according to the internal structure change, and as a result, Interestingness of the game can be improved by improving the playability.
[0036]
The embodiments described above do not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, as a configuration of the ball game machine, the variable winning ball device is opened in accordance with the detection of the winning ball by the starting ball detector, and the hitting of a hit ball into a specific winning area in the variable winning ball device is performed. Exemplifies a ball-and-ball game machine (generally referred to as a second type) which generates a specific game state, but is not particularly limited to this, and is variable according to detection of a winning ball by a starting ball detector. When the change of the identification information on the display device is started, and the identification information has a predetermined display result, and a hit ball wins in a specific winning area, a specific game state (right generation state) occurs, and the specific game state is generated. If there is a prize in a specific prize port, a ball game machine that opens a variable prize ball device (this is commonly referred to as a third type) may be used.
[0037]
Further, the internal structure changing means is not limited to the movable members 43a and 43b, but may be any structure as long as it changes the internal structure of the variable winning ball device to a state where a hit ball can easily flow into a specific winning region. There may be. Further, the timing of determining a round in which the internal structure of the variable winning ball apparatus is set to the first state (round lottery) is not limited to the time of determining a big hit (V winning). For example, the round may be determined at the time of the start winning (the ball detection by the starting ball detectors 5a to 5c) at which the occurrence of the specific game state is not determined. In the embodiment, the internal structure is changed to the first state only in the round determined by the round lottery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, when four rounds are determined (in each round from one round to four rounds), the internal structure may be changed to the first state. The operation mode of the rotating drum 36 is not limited to the one described in the embodiment. For example, as an operation mode in which the identification information is variably displayed, the rotation direction of the rotating drum 36 that guides the game ball toward the specific ball detector 48 may be reversed. Further, the change timing notifying means is not limited to the notification by sound, and notifies the player of the timing at which the internal structure of the variable prize ball device changes by, for example, a countdown display of numbers or lighting / flashing of various lamps / LEDs. It may be something.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, in the invention of claim 1, the hitting ball launching device that shoots a hitting ball in the game area and the player from the first state disadvantageous to the player with the satisfaction of the predetermined condition A variable prize ball device for changing the internal structure to a second state advantageous to the player, and a specific ball detection means for detecting a prize of a hit ball in a specific prize area provided in the variable prize ball device. A game machine that generates a specific game state according to the above, the firing interval changing means for shortening the firing interval of the hitting ball fired by the hitting ball firing device based on the operation of the player as compared to normal time, and the variable winning ball device An internal structure changing means for changing the internal structure to a state in which a hit ball easily flows into the specific winning area, and a timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball device is changed by the internal structure changing means is reported to the player. And change timing informing means for, characterized by comprising a. With this configuration, changing the firing interval of the hit ball is related to the game content (change in the internal structure of the variable winning ball device) and the degree of the player's technical intervention (shortening the game ball in accordance with the internal structure change). It is possible to increase the interest in changing the firing interval of the hit ball.
[0039]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that an effective period is provided for making the change of the firing interval by the firing interval changing means effective. With such a configuration, the firing interval can be changed only within a predetermined validity period, so that a change in the firing interval can be sharpened, and the playability can be enhanced.
[0040]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the firing interval changing means controls the firing control means so as to make the firing interval longer than usual in a stage before or after reducing the firing interval. I do. With this configuration, as a compensation for shortening the firing interval, control is performed to make the firing interval longer than usual at the preceding stage or later stage, so that the number of game balls hit per hour is equalized can do.
[0041]
Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in the specific game state, a round continuation means for establishing a continuation of the round up to a predetermined number of rounds as an upper limit based on winning of a hit ball in the specific winning area, a specific condition A round determining means for determining a round in which the internal structure of the variable winning prize ball device is set to the first state by the internal structure changing means based on the establishment of the internal structure changing means. In the round determined by the above, the internal structure changing means performs notification according to the timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball device is temporarily changed to the second state. With such a configuration, in the round determined by the round determining means, in order to continue the round, the player needs to strike the game ball at a short firing interval according to the internal structure change, and as a result, Interestingness of the game can be improved by improving the playability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a ball game machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the game board.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a variable winning ball device.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing various components of the variable winning ball device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a round lottery symbol provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a game control circuit board for controlling various game operations.
FIG. 7A is a time chart showing an operation mode of a rotary drum for guiding a game ball to a specific ball detector side, and FIG. 7B is an operation of a rotary drum for variably displaying a round lottery symbol. It is a time chart which shows a form.
FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a change in a shooting speed of a hit ball according to an ON operation of a shooting speed change switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 game board
3 game area
4a ~ 4c Starting winning opening
5a-5c Starting ball detector
20 Variable winning ball device
23a, 23b Open / close piece
25a, 25b Winning ball detector
33 indicating projection
34 Closing plate
36 rotating drum
38 motor
39 permanent magnet
42 Specified entrance (specified prize area)
43a, 43b movable member (internal structure changing means)
48 Specific sphere detector (specific sphere detection means)
50 Main board
51 Basic circuit
51c CPU (round continuation means, round determination means)
65 Launch control board
101 Ball game machine (game machine)
109a, 109b Speaker (change timing notification means)
117 Operation handle
118 hit ball launching device
118a drive motor
120 Firing shift switch (firing interval changing means)

Claims (4)

A ball launching device that launches a ball into the game area, and a variable winning ball device that changes the internal structure from a first state that is disadvantageous to the player to a second state that is advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A gaming machine that generates a specific gaming state by detecting a ball by specific ball detecting means that detects a winning of a hit ball into a specific winning area provided in the variable winning ball device,
Firing interval changing means for shortening the firing interval of the hit ball fired by the hit ball firing device based on the operation of the player as compared to normal time,
Internal structure changing means for changing the internal structure of the variable winning ball device to a state in which a hit ball easily flows into the specific winning region,
A change timing notifying unit for notifying a player of a timing at which the internal structure of the variable winning ball device changes by the internal structure changing unit. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an effective period for making the change of the firing interval by the firing interval changing means effective. 3. The firing control device according to claim 1, wherein the firing interval changing unit controls the firing control unit so as to make the firing interval longer than usual at a stage before or after the firing interval is shortened. Gaming machine. Round continuation means for establishing a continuation of the round up to a predetermined number of rounds as an upper limit based on winning of a hit ball into the specific winning area in the specific gaming state,
A round determining means for determining a round in which the internal structure of the variable winning prize ball device is set to the first state by the internal structure changing means based on establishment of a specific condition;
The change timing notifying means, in the round determined by the round determining means, gives a notification according to a timing at which the internal structure changing means temporarily changes the internal structure of the variable winning ball apparatus to the second state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is performed.

Images