JP2004135750A - Winning device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To illuminate the vicinity of the entrance of a winning port without complicating a device by effectively utilizing a sensor attaching space made available by design specifications, to visually emphasize the entrance of the winning port by the illumination and to provide a performance effect of increasing player's desire for an entry to the winning port. <P>SOLUTION: In the design specifications of a pachinko machine 10, an illumination unit 114 is attached instead of a dummy sensor in the case that a winning sensor 172 is not required for each winning device (down) 49. The need of a separate engaging means for mounting is eliminated and the winning device (down) 49 itself is not enlarged. Also, since the attaching position of the illumination unit 114 is near the entrance 108A of the winning port 108, the entrance 108A of the winning port 108 is emphatically illuminated by turning a light source 116A on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a winning device for a gaming machine provided on a game board and provided with a winning opening that changes the progress of the game when a game ball wins.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in gaming machines, in particular pachinko machines, the pachinko balls falling from above the gaming board surface come into contact with the nails that change the falling trajectory of the pachinko balls or the position of the pachinko balls. A windmill or the like that distributes left and right by rotation is provided.
[0003]
In addition, on the game board, a winning device provided with a winning opening through which a pachinko ball falling in an irregular drop orbit by the nail or windmill wins with a predetermined probability is provided as appropriate. .
[0004]
When a pachinko ball wins the winning device, the progress of the game is changed. For example, for a single win, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out, and a lottery is executed in response to the win. For example, opening a movable member that allows winning a pachinko ball.
[0005]
In any case, the winning at the winning opening can basically be an opportunity to shift to a gaming state advantageous to the player.
[0006]
Such a winning device preferably has a visually conspicuous effect, and Patent Document 1 proposes a winning device with a lamp.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4939
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, Patent Document 1 above illuminates the decorative member of the winning device, and does not illuminate the entrance of the winning opening. That is, the entrance of the winning opening secures a passage for the pachinko ball, and the smoothness of this passage is maintained, so that a lamp or the like cannot be arranged. In addition, usually, a sensor for detecting the winning of a pachinko ball is attached in the vicinity of the entrance of the winning opening, so there is no room for performing an effect using a lamp.
[0009]
Further, since the lamp (or lamp unit including the substrate) is an indispensable part of the winning device, the winning device with lamp must be provided with a dedicated fixture (such as a hook) in advance in the winning device body. It is getting complicated.
[0010]
By the way, in recent years, in order to detect a winning of two or more winning devices with one sensor, a sensor may be provided at a position after merging in a guide path for guiding a pachinko ball from the winning device. . This is determined by the design specifications of the pachinko machine, but in the case of such design specifications (sensor sharing after merging), the sensor mounting area in each winning device will be vacant.
[0011]
For this reason, a dummy resin sensor made of a synthetic resin having the shape of a sensor is attached instead of the sensor, but this has only a fake function.
[0012]
In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can effectively illuminate the vicinity of the entrance of the prize opening without complicating the apparatus by effectively using the sensor mounting space opened according to the design specifications. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a winning device for a gaming machine that can visually enhance the entrance of the game and provide a player with an effect of increasing the willingness to win a prize opening.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1 is a gaming machine winning device provided on a gaming board and provided with a winning opening that changes the progress of the game when the gaming ball wins. A mounting part to which a sensor for electrically detecting the game can be attached and detached, and an illumination unit that is mounted on the mounting part in place of the sensor and that illuminates the vicinity of the game ball entrance of the winning award. doing.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the illumination unit can be mounted on the mounting portion instead of the sensor, the vicinity of the game ball entrance of the winning opening can be illuminated by the light source, and the vicinity of the entrance can be emphasized. it can.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting unit further includes a lighting control unit that controls the lighting unit to effect lighting in the vicinity of the entrance of the winning opening based on the progress state of the game. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, lighting in and out by the lighting unit is controlled based on the progress state of the game, so that lighting in the vicinity of the entrance of the prize opening becomes meaningful and further draws attention of the player. be able to.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the light source is detachable from the illumination unit.
[0018]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light source to be attached to the illumination unit is detachable, and it is only necessary to attach the light source only when necessary, so that it can correspond to various forms of design specifications. In addition, it is possible to quickly respond to color changes, illumination intensity changes, and the like.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 12, and one side portion (left side portion in FIG. 1) of a frame-shaped inner frame 14 having a window portion is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 12 so as to be openable and closable.
[0020]
The inner frame 14 is provided with a plurality of displays 62 and 63 and speakers 64 and 66. In addition, a window portion is formed at the center of the inner frame 14, and a glass frame in which a pair of glasses 16 (double structure) that are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in the depth direction of the paper is mounted on the window portion. 20 is provided. A locking device (cylinder) 22 is provided on the right side of FIG.
[0021]
An integrated dish 26 having a ball dish part 24 is disposed below the glass frame 20. The ball tray portion 25 of the integrated dish is provided with a communication port 23 that communicates with a ball storage tank (not shown) and allows the pachinko balls in the ball storage tank to flow out to the ball tray portion 25.
[0022]
The one side part (left side part of FIG. 1) of the integrated dish 26 is attached to the inner frame 14 so that it can be opened and closed. An ashtray 28 is disposed on the lower left side on the front surface of the integrated dish 26, and a firing handle 30 is provided on the lower right side for adjusting the flight distance of the ball to be fired from the launching device (see FIG. 3).
[0023]
In addition, a game board 32 that is exchangeable by being placed on the game board mounting table is installed in the window part of the inner frame 14 so as to correspond to the window part.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming board 32 is formed with a substantially circular gaming region 40 surrounded by an outer band 36 and an inner band 37.
[0025]
In the game area 40, in addition to nails and windmills (not shown), a center character 42, a special symbol display device 43 provided on the center character 42, and a character such as a big prize opening (variable prize device) 44, start Game parts such as a mouth 46, a winning device (upper) 48, a winning device (lower) 49, and the like are attached, and an out port 54 is arranged at the lowest position.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows an outline of a control system for controlling the pachinko machine 10. The control system is classified for each function such as the payout control board 152, the sound control board 154, the lamp control board 156, the launch control board 158, the symbol display control board 160, etc. with the main control board 150 as the center (hereinafter referred to as “the control system”). These are collectively referred to as the sub-control board 151).
[0027]
The main control board 150 and the sub control board 151 can also manage the operation status of the pachinko machine by connecting to the hall computer 208 on the pachinko shop side via the management control board 206.
[0028]
The main control board 150 stores a basic program relating to the game, and the other sub-control boards 151 execute independently based on the command signal from the main control board 150.
[0029]
The payout control board 152 controls the payout prize ball device 162 and pays out a pachinko ball in accordance with the payout at the time of lending the ball and the prize ball at the time of winning. The voice control board 154 is provided in the pachinko machine 110. The output of sound effects and the like from the received speakers 64 and 66 is controlled. In addition, the lamp control board 156 controls turning on / off of the plurality of indicator lights 62 and 63 attached to the pachinko machine 10, and the launch control board 158 controls the launching device 164 to control the handle 30 by the player. Launch a pachinko ball according to the operation.
[0030]
The symbol display control board 160 is connected to the special symbol display device 43, and executes display that provides a predetermined effect based on a command signal from the main control board 150.
[0031]
On the main control board 150, a start winning sensor 168 provided at the starting opening 46, a winning opening (upper) 48, winning sensors 171 and 172 for detecting pachinko balls won in a winning apparatus (lower) 49, and a grand prize are provided. A large winning mouth sensor 173 for detecting a pachinko ball winning in the mouth 44 is connected. The special winning opening 44 is provided with a V zone for continuing the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening, and a V zone sensor 177 is also provided in this V zone and is connected to the main control board 150. ing.
[0032]
The main control board 150 is connected to a solenoid 174 for opening / closing an electric tulip 47 provided at the start port 46 and a solenoid 175 for opening / closing the special winning opening 44.
[0033]
In addition, the main control board 150 performs a lottery drawing of special symbols and normal symbols, selects display contents on the special symbol display device 43 based on the lottery result, and outputs a command signal to the symbol display control board 160. . That is, in the symbol display control board 160, data of different display contents based on a plurality of types of command signals are stored in advance, and the data is selected based on the command signals and activated.
[0034]
Although not shown, a normal symbol display device and a holding lamp provided on the game board 32 are also controlled by the main control board 150.
[0035]
Here, in the present embodiment, in the pair of winning devices (lower) 48, the winning sensor 172 for detecting the winning of the winning pachinko ball has a single configuration.
[0036]
That is, in a simplified manner, as shown in FIG. 4, the pachinko balls won in each winning device (lower) 49 are joined together on the common path 102 through the independent guide paths 100 </ b> A and 100 </ b> B. A winning sensor 172 is arranged on the common path 102. As a result, there is no winning sensor in each winning device (lower) 49.
[0037]
However, this is a design specification of the pachinko machine 10, and in other design specifications using the winning device (lower) 49, it may be necessary to provide a winning sensor in each winning device (lower) 49. obtain. Therefore, the winning device (lower) 49 has a structure in which the winning sensor 172 is removable.
[0038]
FIG. 5 shows the detailed structure of the winning device (lower) 49.
[0039]
A box-shaped winning port 108 is integrally formed from the base portion 106 of the winning device (lower) 49, and the upper opening serves as an entrance 108A to the winning port 108 for the pachinko ball.
[0040]
The winning opening 108 communicates with the guide path 100 on the lower side of the base portion 106, and the pachinko ball enters from the entrance 108A and is guided to the guiding path 100 through the winning opening 108. ing.
[0041]
A rectangular groove 110 is formed on the left and right inner surfaces of the winning opening 108 near the entrance 108A.
[0042]
The groove portion 110 continues to the base portion 106, and a hook 112 is protruded from the back surface side of the base portion 106 so as to correspond to one side of the pair of groove portions 110. The inner surface of the hook 112 is flush with the bottom surface of the groove 110.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, an illumination unit 114 (see FIG. 6) is attached to the pair of grooves 110. The illumination unit 114 has a rectangular outer shape, and the thickness dimension is substantially the same as the width dimension of the groove 110. For this reason, when the illumination unit 114 is gradually approached to the groove 110 from the claw 112A formed at the tip of the hook 112, the hook 112 is elastically deformed by contact with the claw 112A, and the claw 112A is illuminated. Retreat from the movement trajectory of the unit 114.
[0044]
Thereafter, the lighting unit 114 is inserted into the pair of groove portions 110 while being guided by the groove portions 110 on both sides thereof. When the predetermined insertion amount is reached, the hook 112 returns due to the elastic force because the claw portion 112A finishes passing through the side surface of the illumination unit 114. By this restoration, the claw portion 112A is engaged with and held by the rear end portion in the insertion direction of the illumination unit 114. The lighting unit 114 can be easily removed by elastically deforming the hook 112 and releasing the claw 112A from the engaged state.
[0045]
In this engaged and held state, the distal end side in the insertion direction of the illumination unit 114 faces the inlet 108A of the winning opening 108, and a through hole 114A equivalent to the winning sensor is provided.
[0046]
In addition, a pair of leg portions 114B is formed behind the region where the through hole 114A is provided (on the rear end side in the insertion direction). The hook 112A of the hook 112 is engaged with one of the pair of legs 114B.
[0047]
A vertical groove 114 </ b> C is formed on the projecting front ends of the pair of leg portions 114 </ b> B on the surfaces facing each other. A light source assembly 116 (see FIG. 7) is detachably attached so as to fit into the groove portion 1144C. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the light source assembly 116 is assembled to the illumination unit 114.
[0048]
The light source assembly 116 includes two light sources 116A and a substrate 116B for turning on the light source 116A. The thickness of the substrate 116B is substantially the same as the width of the groove 110. . Further, a connector 116C is attached to the board 116B on the surface opposite to the surface on which the two light sources 116A are provided, and electrical connection with the lamp control board 156 (see FIG. 3) becomes possible. Yes.
[0049]
Rectangular cutouts 116D are formed at both left and right ends of the substrate 116B. Accordingly, when the light source assembly 116 is mounted on the leg portion 114B, the substrate 116B is accommodated in the groove portion 114C, and the leg portion 114B is accommodated in the notch portion 116B.
[0050]
The irradiation range of the two light sources 116A includes the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108. For this reason, when the light source 116A is turned on, the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108 is illuminated and visually enhanced.
[0051]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
[0052]
(Normal game flow)
When the player holds the handle 30 and performs an operation for launching, a pachinko ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the handle operation amount (rotation amount).
[0053]
When the pachinko ball is launched, it is guided by the outer band 36 and the inner band 37 and falls while making an unpredictable movement while contacting a nail or a windmill provided on the game board 32. Here, when a pachinko ball wins at the starting port 46, a big hit lottery is started with a predetermined probability using a random number counter. When winning / losing is determined as a result of this big hit lottery, a symbol variation pattern (symbol variation pattern) prepared in advance is selected (may be selected by a random number counter), and the symbol variation is displayed on the special symbol display device 43. Display the pattern. In this symbol variation pattern, there are various effects such as hitting via reach, missed reach, and missed via reach, and the player can wait for the lottery result with a sense of expectation.
[0054]
That is, when the symbol variation control at the time of winning is completed, a jackpot process for a preset number of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) is executed. During the jackpot process, since the big prize opening 44 is almost open, it can be put in an advantageous state by the player. When the jackpot processing for a predetermined round is completed, the game returns to the normal game.
[0055]
Here, in the design specifications of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the winning devices (lower) 49 do not have individual winning sensors, are guided to the respective guiding paths 100A, and merged on the common path 102, and then the winning sensors. A winning is detected at 172 (see FIG. 4).
[0056]
For this reason, the winning device (lower) 49 has an area for attaching a winning sensor. In this case, conventionally, a dummy sensor is attached, and the appearance is equivalent to that of a prize sensor. However, since this is merely a masquerade, the effect of the winning device (below) is low.
[0057]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the lighting unit 114 is attached instead of the winning sensor 172 (in place of the dummy sensor).
[0058]
The attachment procedure is as follows. First, from the back surface side of the base portion 106 of the winning device (lower) 49, the side surface of the lighting unit 114 is inserted into the pair of grooves 110 of the winning opening 49 by placing the side surface of the lighting unit 114 on the claw portion 112A of the hook 112. Go. At this time, since the hook 112 is elastically deformed, the claw portion 112A is retracted from the movement locus of the illumination unit 114.
[0059]
When the insertion is continued and the insertion into the groove portion 110 is completed, the claw portion 112A deviates from the side surface of the illumination unit 114, thereby releasing the elastic deformation of the hook 112 and returning. By the return operation of the hook 112, the claw portion 112A is engaged with the rear end surface of the illumination unit 114 in the insertion direction.
[0060]
This mounting is the same as the mounting procedure of the winning sensor 172 and the dummy sensor because the outer shape of the illumination unit 114 is the same as that of the winning sensor 172 and the dummy sensor.
[0061]
The winning device (lower) 49 in which the lighting unit 114 has been attached is attached to a predetermined position of the game board 32 and is electrically connected to the lamp control board 156 via the connector 116C of the light source assembly 116.
[0062]
At this time, since the vicinity of the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108 is included in the light irradiation range by the light source 116A, the vicinity of the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108 is illuminated and visually enhanced by turning on the light source 116A.
[0063]
Further, since the light source assembly 116 can be attached to and detached from the illumination unit 114, the illumination unit 114 can be simply used as a dummy sensor, and the design specifications of the pachinko machine 10 can be quickly handled.
[0064]
In addition, it is possible to easily change the color of the light source 116A or change the intensity of illumination.
[0065]
As described above, in this embodiment, a dummy sensor is attached to a place where a conventional winning sensor is unnecessary. However, since this dummy sensor has only a function of appearance, the decoration of the winning device (lower) 49, The production was poor. In addition, in order to produce light, the winning device (lower) 49 itself has to be enlarged, and further, lighting that emphasizes the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108 cannot be structurally achieved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the design specifications of the pachinko machine 10, when the winning sensor 172 is not required for each winning device (lower) 49, the illumination unit 114 is attached instead of the dummy sensor. Since the illumination unit 114 has the same external shape as the winning sensor 172 and the dummy sensor, no separate engaging means is required for mounting, and the engaging means for attaching the winning sensor 172 or the like (hook 112 or groove 110). Can be used as is. As a result, the winning device (lower) 49 itself does not increase. Further, since the mounting position of the illumination unit 114 is in the vicinity of the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108, the entrance 108A of the winning opening 108 can be emphasized and illuminated by turning on the light source 116A.
[0066]
In the present embodiment, when it is not necessary to provide the winning device (lower) 49 with the winning sensor 172, the lighting unit 114 is provided instead, and the entrance of the winning port 108 is simply set regardless of the progress of the game. Although the effect lighting of 108A is performed, lighting and extinguishing may be controlled in association with the progress of the game as follows. Further, not only the winning device (lower) 49 but also the winning device (upper) 48 or the starting port 46 may be provided.
[0067]
For example, when the lighting unit 114 is provided at the start port 46, a random number for lottery is acquired from the random number counter when the start port 46 is won. The random value acquired from the random number counter is compared with a preset hit value. When the random value is acquired, the player can turn on the light source 116A in accordance with the timing of acquiring the hit value. For example, a pachinko ball can be fired aiming at this timing. FIG. 9 shows a control flowchart in the lighting control at the time of obtaining the hit random number value.
[0068]
FIG. 9A shows a known random number update process. In step 250, the random number value is updated by +1. Then, in step 252, whether or not the random number value has reached a preset upper limit value (here, 314). If the determination is affirmative and the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 254 where the random number is returned to 0 and the routine proceeds to step 256. If a negative determination is made in step 252, the process proceeds to step 256.
[0069]
In step 256, it is determined whether or not the random number value matches the initial value, that is, whether or not the circuit has made one round. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 258 to select and store a new initial value. Transition to 260. In step 260, the initial value stored in step 258 is set as a random value, and this routine ends. If a negative determination is made in step 256, it is not necessary to select an initial value, and this routine ends. As a result, since the random value is randomly skipped every round, it is difficult to predict the winning value (here, 7), leading to prevention of fraud.
[0070]
Next, FIG. 9B shows an effect process by the lighting unit 114 according to the present embodiment. In step 270, the current random number value is between 1 and 13 (1 <random number value <13). If it is determined whether or not there is an affirmative determination, it is determined that the random number value is close to the winning value, and in order to illuminate the vicinity of the entrance of the start port 46, the process proceeds to step 272 to turn on the light source 116A.
[0071]
If a negative determination is made in step 270, it is determined that the random number value is far from the winning value, the process proceeds to step 274, the vicinity of the entrance of the start port 46 is not illuminated, and the light source 116A is turned off. .
[0072]
The lighting control time is about 0.044 seconds in terms of the CPU processing time, and is set to a time that will not be overlooked if watched carefully.
[0073]
That is, although it is a random value that is updated randomly every lap, since the player is illuminated at a time close to the winning value by carefully watching the start port 46, the player aims at this lighting time and starts the start port. It is possible to adjust the launch intensity so that the pachinko ball wins a prize 46, to have game characteristics, and to improve the taste.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the vicinity of the entrance of the prize opening without causing the apparatus to be complicated by effectively utilizing the sensor mounting space opened according to the design specifications. The entrance is visually emphasized, and the player has an excellent effect of being able to bring about a presentation effect that increases the willingness to win a prize opening.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a simplified configuration of a pair of winning devices using a common winning sensor.
5A is a front view of a winning device (lower) according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VB-VB in FIG. 5A, and FIG. A rear view, (D), is a cross-sectional view taken along line VD-VD of FIG.
6A is a front view of the lighting unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C is a bottom view of FIG. is there.
7A is a front view of the light source assembly, FIG. 7B is a right side view of FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is a bottom view of FIG. 7A.
8A is a front view showing a state where a light source assembly is mounted on the illumination unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIXB-IIXB in FIG. 8A.
9A is a control flowchart showing a random number update processing routine, and FIG. 9B is a control flowchart in the case where an effect is provided by providing a lighting unit at the start port.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
32 Game board 49 Prize winning device (bottom) 49
106 Base part 108 Winning port 108A Entrance 100 Guide path 100A, 100B Guide path 102 Common path 110 Groove part 112 Hook 114 Illumination unit 112A Claw part 114A Through hole 114B Leg part 114C Groove part 116 Light source assembly 116A Light source 116B Substrate (illumination control means)
116C Connector 116D Notch 150 Main control board 156 Lamp control board (lighting control means)
172 Winning sensor (sensor)

Claims (3)

A winning device for a gaming machine provided on a gaming board and provided with a winning opening that changes the progress of the game by winning a game ball,
A detachable mounting part for electrically detecting a winning of the game ball;
An illumination unit equipped with a light source that is mounted on the mounting portion instead of the sensor and illuminates the vicinity of the game ball entrance of the prize opening;
A prize-winning device for a gaming machine. 2. The winning device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising lighting control means for controlling the lighting unit to effect lighting in the vicinity of the entrance of the winning opening based on the progress state of the game. The game machine winning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source is detachable from the lighting unit.

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