JP2004130151A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which game balls are used in a game area for playing and a special game area is set in the game area and which can suppress boring feeling to improve game interest. <P>SOLUTION: A working port 3 and a jackpot winning port 4 are set in a game board 2 of the game machine.A display device 8 with a display part 8a is set in the center part of the game board 2. The display device 8 has a center frame 21 equipped in front of the display part 8a so as to surround the display part 8a. The center frame 21 has a ceiling part 23, both right and left side parts 24, and a lower part 25. A game ball gotten into an entrance part 27 of the ceiling part 23 is guided through a game ball passage 31 to a stage 29 which has continuously varied height with a chevron projecting part 32 at an almost centering part and dent parts 33 on both right and left sides thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game ball in a game area and having a special game area in the game area.

Conventionally, as one type of gaming machine, a pachinko machine equipped with a special symbol display device (variable display device) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols or the like in a predetermined arrangement is known.

In this type of pachinko machine, according to the display symbol (stop symbol) when the variable display is stopped on the variable display device, a "special game state", which is in a state advantageous to the player after passing through the reach state, and a reach state, An "out-of-reach state" that does not enter the special game state later, or an "out-of-state" that does not go through the reach state and does not become the special game state is generated. The stop symbols include a special game symbol (big hit symbol) for generating a special game state, a detachable reach symbol for generating a detached reach, and a detached symbol for generating a detached state.

で は In the pachinko machine as described above, the variable display device starts displaying symbols in a variable manner on the variable display device on condition that the game ball wins an operating port provided below the variable display device. In addition, a stop symbol corresponding to the game situation is selected from the special game symbol, the off-reach symbol, and the off symbol, and the variable display is stopped at the selected stop symbol. Then, when the player stops at the big hit symbol, the special variable winning device is switched so as to be in an advantageous state (big hit state) for the player. More specifically, the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls by opening a special winning port provided at a lower portion of the operating port or the like.

The variable display device described above has a display unit for displaying symbols, and the display unit includes, for example, a liquid crystal screen or a dot matrix screen. Further, conventionally, a resin center frame is generally provided so as to surround the periphery of the display unit.

In general, this center frame is composed of a ceiling portion located on the upper portion, left and right sides and a lower portion, and the ceiling portion is provided with a ceiling surface for guiding game balls to the left and right sides. An entrance for guiding a game ball to a lower portion is provided. In addition, a stage is formed below. Further, a game ball passage (also referred to as a warp route) communicating the entrance and the stage is provided on both left and right sides, and a decorative lens is provided.

When the game ball enters the entrance, the game ball is guided toward the stage through the game ball passage. The game ball guided to the stage makes several left and right reciprocating motions, then falls forward from the stage, and is discharged onto the game board surface again. At this time, one of the game balls falling from the stage wins an operating port provided immediately below the stage. In other words, the player expects that the game ball will enter the operation port from the time the game ball enters the entrance to the time the ball is dropped from the stage and guided toward the operation port. You will watch the behavior.

However, the above-mentioned gaming machines have room for improvement as described below. That is, in the stage, the central portion is generally at the lowest position, and the game ball usually falls from the central portion or the vicinity thereof. For this reason, every game ball behaves in a similar manner from being guided to the stage until it falls, which may cause the player to feel bored. As a result, there is a possibility that the interest may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can play a game using a game ball in a game area and that has a special game area in the game area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing boring feeling and improving amusement.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a game can be performed using a game ball in a game area, and in a gaming machine provided with a special game area in the game area, An entrance portion that can guide a certain game ball to the special game area, a stage provided in the special game area, where a player can visually recognize the behavior of the game ball, and a stage provided in the special game area. A game ball passage communicating between the entrance and the stage so as to guide the game ball entering the entrance from the side of the stage onto the stage; and A concave portion and a convex portion having different lengths are provided, and a regulating portion for regulating the rolling of the game ball to a further rear side is provided at a rear portion of the stage, and the regulating portion is guided to the stage. The technical ball is capable of rolling along the concave and convex portions, the convex portion is provided substantially at the center of the stage, a guide portion is provided at the top of the convex portion, and the regulation of the rear portion of the top portion is provided. The portion has an opening having a size such that when the game ball rolls on the convex portion, the ball can enter through the guide portion, and the game ball that has entered the opening has a discharge guide. It is configured to be led out directly above the winning opening provided in the game area via a mouth, the concave portion is provided on both sides of the convex portion, and the game ball that did not enter the opening is the game ball of the concave portion. The front side is configured to be discharged forward from a lower inclined surface, and the entrance section has enough energy so that a game ball entering the entrance section can roll on the concave section and the convex section. That the stage has sufficient height. It is the gist. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the guide portion is formed so as to be orthogonal to a width direction of the stage at a top of the convex portion, and becomes lower toward a rear side. The gist is that the guide groove is inclined. Further, in the invention according to claim 3, in the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, the entrance portion is configured such that a game ball that has entered the entrance portion reciprocates right and left between the concave portion and the convex portion. The gist is to have a sufficient height with respect to the stage so as to have enough energy to be able to do so. In addition, in the invention described in claim 4, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the special game area is a center surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols. The gist is that it is constituted by a frame.

(Action)
According to the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, a game is played using a game ball in a game area.

遊 A game ball in the game area can be guided from the entrance to the special game area. The game balls guided from the entrance are guided to a stage provided in a special game area through a game ball passage. The stage is provided with a concave portion and a convex portion having different heights almost continuously, and the player visually recognizes and enjoys the behavior of a game ball rolling on the concave portion and the convex portion.

In the present invention, the guide portion and the opening are provided corresponding to the convex portion of the stage, and the game ball may pass through the opening provided corresponding to the convex portion via the guide portion. . For this reason, when the game ball passes through the opening, the player can play the game with an expectation that something desirable will happen to him / her. Therefore, in each case, compared to the prior art in which the game ball simply falls off the stage due to almost the same behavior, the player is excited while expecting the game ball to pass through the opening. You can play while playing.

In addition, in particular, in the present invention, the opening is provided in the projection. For this reason, unlike a concave portion in which a game ball easily rolls (is easily guided), there are relatively few cases in which the game ball is run on a convex portion and guided to an opening. For this reason, there is a rare value in being guided to the opening, and the fun is further increased.

As described in detail above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, a game can be played using a game ball in the gaming area, and in the gaming machine provided with the special gaming area in the gaming area, the feeling of boredom is suppressed, It has an excellent effect that it can improve the interest.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the gaming machine of the present invention is embodied as a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an operating port 3 and a special winning port 4, and the game board 2 constitutes a game area. The operating port 3 has a passage for the game ball 5, and a blade 6 is supported at the passage entrance so as to be openable and closable.

シ ャ ッ タ Further, a shutter 7 is provided in front of the special winning opening 4. The shutter 7 is actuated by a special winning opening solenoid (not shown) provided on the side of the special winning opening 4 to open and close the special winning opening 4. More specifically, when the solenoid is excited, the shutter 7 is tilted substantially horizontally, thereby opening the special winning opening 4. Further, when the solenoid is in the non-excited state, the shutter 7 is in a substantially vertical state, whereby the big winning opening 4 is closed.

A special symbol display device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “display device”) 8 as a variable display device is incorporated in a central portion of the gaming board 2 (above the special winning opening 4). The display device 8 includes a display unit 8a formed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), on which a plurality of (for example, three) symbol rows are displayed. The symbol row is basically composed of a plurality of types of symbols. These symbols can be any of a jackpot symbol, a miss reach symbol, and a miss symbol as a special game symbol.

In the display unit 8a of the display device 8, the symbol variation (rotation variation) of each symbol row is started based on the winning of the game ball 5 to the operating port 3. In addition, one of the big hit symbol, the missing reach symbol, and the missing symbol is selected, and this is set as the stop symbol. The stop symbol is a symbol that is displayed when each symbol row stops changing symbols.

The jackpot symbol is a symbol for generating a jackpot state advantageous to the player after passing through a so-called reach state. Specifically, when the fluctuation of all the symbol columns is stopped, the combination of the displayed symbols is a predetermined jackpot combination, that is, when the same type of symbols are arranged along the jackpot line. There may be a combination of the symbols (for example, the symbol of “7”, “7”, “7”). The symbol constituting this combination is a "big hit symbol". When the jackpot combination is established, the special electric accessory is activated (the big winning opening 4 is opened), and it becomes possible to obtain a jackpot advantageous to the player, that is, to acquire more prize balls.

(4) In the display device 8, the holding lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d made of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are incorporated above the display section 8a. The holding lamps 9a to 9d are basically turned on each time a change display based on winning in the operating port 3 is held, and are turned off with execution of the change display corresponding to the hold. Further, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a speaker (not shown) that generates a sound effect according to the progress of the game.

ほ か In addition, various lamps for enhancing the gaming effect are attached to a plurality of places of the pachinko machine 1. These lamps include, for example, a lamp windmill 11, an upper corner decoration 12, a lower corner decoration 13, and the like, and a lighting state (light-off, lighting, blinking, etc.) can be appropriately changed according to the progress of the game. The upper corner decoration 12 has a built-in lamp, a winning lamp, and the like in order to notify the player of the out-of-ball state and the winning state.

In the present embodiment, various detection switches are mounted on the game board 2 in order to detect the game state of the pachinko machine 1 that changes according to the operation of the player. With these detection switches, winning of the game ball 5 to the operating port 3 and winning of the large winning port 4 are detected. Further, in the present embodiment, a control device is provided for driving and controlling the solenoid, the display device 8, the respective holding lamps 9a to 9d, the various lamps 11 to 13, the speakers, and the like based on the detection results of the respective detection switches. ing. The control device includes a read-only memory (ROM), a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The ROM stores a predetermined control program and initial data in advance, and the CPU executes various arithmetic processes according to the control program of the ROM.

Next, the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

The display device 8 described above has a center frame 21 provided in front of the display unit 8a so as to surround the display unit 8a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the center frame 21 constitutes a special game area, includes a liquid crystal mounting plate 22 at a rear portion, and includes a ceiling portion 23, left and right side portions 24 and a lower portion 25. Have. A ceiling decoration 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided at the center of the ceiling 23, and both sides thereof are entrances 27 through which the game balls 5 can be guided. A shoulder decoration lens 28 is provided on both sides of the entrance 27, and the game ball 5 hitting the ceiling 23 corresponding to the shoulder decoration lens 28 is guided to both left and right sides.

The upper surface of the lower portion 25 is a stage 29, on which the player can visually recognize the behavior of the game ball 5. Further, a game ball passage 31 communicating between the entrance 27 and the stage 29 is formed in the left and right side portions 24. The game ball passage 31 is configured to be covered with a cover so that the player cannot easily see the game ball 5 passing therethrough. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the game ball 5 entering the entrance portion 27 passes through the game ball passage 31 (at this time, it becomes temporarily difficult to visually recognize the game ball 5) and moves onto the stage 29. It is guided.

The height of the stage 29 is continuously different, and a substantially central portion thereof is formed as a mountain-shaped convex portion 32, and left and right sides thereof are formed as concave portions 33. The concave portion 33 has a lower inclined surface toward the front side, and many game balls 5 are led out forward from this. On the other hand, a guide groove 34 that is lower toward the rear is formed at the top of the protrusion 32. An opening 35 through which the game ball 5 can pass is formed behind the guide groove 34. At a position corresponding to the opening 35 below the concave portion 33, a discharge guide portion 36 for discharging the game ball 5 forward is provided.

In the present embodiment, a casing 37 is provided at the rear of the opening 35 so that the game balls 5 that have passed through the opening 35 are smoothly discharged from the discharge guide 36. That is, the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 is once guided inside the casing 37, and is guided from the bottom of the casing 37 to the discharge guide section 36. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a guide projection 38 for always guiding the game ball 5 to one side (the left side in FIG. 3) is formed on the casing 37 so as to protrude. Further, in the event that the game balls 5 are clogged in the casing 37, the volume on the side that is not always guided is formed relatively large so that the game balls 5 can be easily taken out (casing 37). The left and right shapes of the bottom wall, that is, the angles are different).

As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge guide portion 36 is provided immediately above the operating port 3, and the game balls 5 discharged from the discharge guide portion 36 win the operating port 3 with a relatively high probability. It is configured to be easy.

遊 Further, a large number of nails (not shown) are planted in the game board 2. Therefore, some of the game balls 5 hitting these nails may jump and be led to the stage 29 without passing through the game ball passage 31.

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the game ball 5 driven into the upper part of the game board 2 may be guided from the entrance 27 to the center frame 21 by the operation of the player. The game balls 5 guided from the entrance 27 are guided to the stage 29 through the game ball passage 31. The player visually recognizes and enjoys the behavior of the game ball 5 that rolls (reciprocates left and right) on the concave portion 33 and the convex portion 32 formed on the stage 29.

In the present embodiment, an opening 35 is provided corresponding to the projection 32 of the stage 29, and the game ball 5 may be able to pass through the opening 35 in some cases. For this reason, when the game ball 5 passes through the opening 35, the player can play the game with an expectation that something desirable will happen to him / her. Therefore, in each case, the player expects the game ball 5 to pass through the opening 35 as compared with the related art in which the game ball simply drops from the stage by almost the same behavior. You can play games while you are excited. As a result, it is possible to suppress the feeling of boredom caused by the game balls 5 exhibiting similar behavior, and to dramatically improve the interest.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the game balls 5 passing through the opening 35 are guided from the bottom of the casing 37 to the discharge guide portion 36, and the game balls 5 discharged from the discharge guide portion 36 have a relatively high probability. It is easy to win the working port 3. Therefore, the player more expects that the game ball 5 passes through the opening 35, and can make the above-mentioned operation and effect more reliable.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the opening 35 is provided corresponding to the projection 32. Therefore, unlike the concave portion 33 in which the game ball 5 easily rolls (is easily guided), there are relatively few cases in which the game ball 5 rides on the convex portion 32 and is guided to the opening portion 35. For this reason, guiding the game ball 5 to the opening 35 has a rare value, and further increases the fun.

At the same time, since the opening 35 is provided at the back of the projection 32, the game ball 5 can move in the depth direction. For this reason, the player can enjoy a three-dimensional game feeling, and can further improve the interest.

て In addition, the protrusion 32 is provided with a guide groove 34 for guiding the game ball 5 to the opening 35. Therefore, the player can understand that the presence of the guide groove 34 may guide the game ball 5 toward the opening 35. As a result, it is possible to dispel the doubt for the player that the player rarely enters the opening 35, and it is possible to further improve the interest in the meaning.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the game balls 5 passing through the game ball passage 31. Therefore, the player feels that the game ball 5 that has once entered the entrance 27 is hidden once and then suddenly appears on the stage 29. Therefore, it is more interesting.

Further, in the present embodiment, the stage 29 is provided with the convex portions 32 and the concave portions 33 having different heights continuously. Therefore, when the game ball 5 rolls on the stage 29, the speed of the game ball is increased or decreased. Therefore, the player can enjoy such a unique behavior. Further, when such a unique behavior is caused, no special device is used, so that an increase in cost and difficulty in production can be avoided.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(A) In the above-described embodiment, the operating port 3 is configured to be able to win a prize, but the operating port 3 may be simply passed. In addition, instead of the operation port 3, the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 may be configured to easily enter another winning port (for example, a general winning port).

(B) In the above embodiment, the convex portion 32 is provided at the center of the stage 29, and the concave portion 33 is provided on both sides. However, the shape is not limited as long as the stages have continuously different heights. It is not done. For example, a stage in which a concave portion is formed at the center and convex portions are formed on both sides thereof may be used.

(C) In the above embodiment, the center frame 21 surrounding the periphery of the display unit 8a is set as the special game area. However, the area surrounding other characters may be set as the special game area.

(D) In the above embodiment, the guide groove 34 is formed in the projection 32, but the guide groove 34 may be omitted.

(E) In the above embodiment, the inclined surface is formed in the concave portion 33, but the inclined surface may not be provided.

(F) The game ball 5 passing through the game ball passage 31 may be configured to be visible. Alternatively, the configuration may be completely invisible.

(G) In the above embodiment, the inlet portions 27 are formed at two places, but may be provided at three or more places, or may be provided at only one place. Further, a variable entrance device capable of changing the opening area of the entrance may be provided.

(H) In the above embodiment, the opening 35 is provided at the back of the projection 32, but a hole may be provided directly on the projection 32 on the stage 29, and this may be used as the opening.

(I) In the above embodiment, the display unit 8a is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, a CRT, a dot matrix, an LED (electroluminescence), a fluorescent display tube, or the like may be used.

(J) The present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine of a type different from the above embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine without the display device 8. Further, the present invention can be applied to a game machine such as a sparrow ball, an arrangement ball and the like in addition to the pachinko machine.

(K) The blade 6 in the above embodiment may be omitted.

技術 The technical ideas that are not described in the claims but can be grasped from the above embodiment are described below.

(1) The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided at a depth of the projection.

{Circle around (2)} The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is provided substantially at the center of the stage, and concave portions are provided on both sides thereof.

(3) In the gaming machine described in claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) and (2), the convex portion is provided with a guide portion for guiding a game ball to the opening. A gaming machine.

(4) In the gaming machine described in claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (3), the recess is provided with a discharge unit for discharging a game ball to the game area again. A gaming machine.

(5) In the gaming machine described in claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (4), a winning port that can give a predetermined game value to a player is provided in the gaming area, and The gaming machine, wherein the winning opening is provided at a position where a game ball passing through the opening can easily win.

(6) In the gaming machine according to the above supplementary note (5), immediately above the winning opening, a game ball passing through the opening is discharged to the game area again at the lower portion of the stage, and the winning is achieved. A gaming machine characterized by having a discharge guide port for guiding to a mouth.

(7) In the gaming machine described in claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (6), the gaming ball passage is configured so that a player cannot visually recognize or difficult to visually recognize a passing game ball. A gaming machine characterized by:

(8) In the gaming machine described in claim 1 and the additional notes (1) to (7), the special game area is constituted by a center frame surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols. A gaming machine characterized by:

(9) In the gaming machine according to the above supplementary note (8), a prize of a game ball to the winning opening is a trigger for starting the variable display of the symbol on the variable display device.

It is a front view showing the important section of the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a center frame etc. It is a front view which shows a center frame etc. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 3.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 2 ... Game board constituting a game area, 3 ... Operation opening, 4 ... Grand prize winning opening, 5 ... Game ball as a game medium, 8 ... Variable display device (special design) Display device, 8a display unit, 21 center frame, 27 entrance part, 29 stage, 31 ball passage, 32 convex part, 33 concave part, 34 groove, 35 opening, 36 discharge Guide.

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine that can play a game using a game ball in the game area and has a special game area in the game area,
An entrance capable of guiding a game ball in the game area to the special game area,
A stage provided in the special game area, wherein a player can visually recognize the behavior of the game ball;
A game ball passage provided between the entrance and the stage, for guiding the game ball entering the entrance to the stage from the side of the stage, provided in the special game area,
The stage is provided with a concave portion and a convex portion having continuously different heights, and a regulating portion for regulating the rolling of the game ball to a further rear portion is provided at a rear portion of the stage, The game ball guided to the stage is capable of rolling along the concave and convex portions,
The projection is provided substantially at the center of the stage,
A guide portion is provided at the top of the convex portion, and the regulating portion at the rear portion of the top portion has a size such that when the game ball rolls on the convex portion, it enters the ball via the guide portion. With the provision of the opening, the game ball that entered the opening is configured to be led out directly above the winning opening provided in the game area via the discharge guide port,
The concave portion is provided on both sides of the convex portion, and a game ball that did not enter the opening is configured to be discharged forward from a lower inclined surface toward the front side of the concave portion,
The entrance portion has a sufficient height with respect to the stage so that the game ball entering the entrance portion has sufficient energy to be able to roll the concave portion and the convex portion. A gaming machine characterized by: The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is a guide groove formed at a top of the convex portion so as to be orthogonal to a width direction of the stage, and inclined so as to become lower toward a rear side. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the entrance portion has enough energy so that a game ball entering the entrance portion can reciprocally roll the concave and convex portions left and right. A gaming machine having a sufficient height with respect to the stage. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the special game area is constituted by a center frame surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols. Machine.

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