JP2004290231A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the movement of a game ball inside a winning device unclear. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine, such as a pachinko machine and an arrangement ball machine, has the winning device 2 comprising a variable winning hole 1 for a game ball B to enter, a movable body 3 capable of varying the movement of the game ball B entering the variable winning hole 1, a plurality of areas 6 (e.g. areas 6a and 6b) for the game ball B entering the variable winning hole 1 to pass and a detector 5 for detecting the game ball B passing a specific area (e.g. the area 6b). The game machine also has a movement state switching means 7 for switching the movement of the game ball B entering the winning device 2 through the variable winning hole 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a winning device provided with at least a variable winning opening, a movable body, a plurality of areas, and a detector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional pachinko machine, when a pachinko ball wins a starting port during a game, a large winning port provided in a winning device is opened and closed. Many of the winning devices include, for example, a V zone in which a jackpot game can be performed, a normal area only for paying out prize balls, and the like. The big hit game consisting of 15 rounds or the like ends each round when the large winning opening is opened and closed, for example, 18 times from the start, or when ten pachinko balls win the big winning opening. Then, if the pachinko ball enters the V zone during this period, it is possible to shift to the next round and continue the jackpot game (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2003-62217 (page 2, FIG. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The prize winning devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above brighten the interior of the room to make it easy to see the movement of the pachinko ball. The winning device often includes a movable member capable of changing the movement of the pachinko ball. Since the movable member moves regularly (or periodically) and the inside of the prize device is bright, the player can predict to some extent the movement of the pachinko ball entering the prize device. Conversely speaking, the movement of the pachinko ball is not surprising, and the enjoyment of the game is reduced by half.
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and has a pleasure of predicting the movement of the game ball by making it difficult to understand the movement of the game ball (the pachinko ball in the example described above) in the room of the winning device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be operated.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problem 1]
Means 1 for solving the problem, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, can change a variable winning opening 1 in which a game ball B can win, and a movement of a game ball B entered from the variable winning opening 1. The movable body 3 and a plurality of areas 6 through which the game ball B entered from the variable winning opening 1 can pass (in the example of FIG. 1, two areas 6a and 6b are shown, but three or more areas may be used). And a detector 5 for detecting a game ball B passing through a specific area (for example, the area 6b).
There is provided state switching means 7 capable of switching between a state in which the movement of the game ball B entering the winning device 2 from the variable winning opening 1 is easy to see and a state in which it is difficult to see.
[0006]
According to the means 1, the movement of the game ball B entering the prize device 2 is made easier or less visible by the state switching means 7. For example, a state where the room of the winning device 2 is bright (the first state shown on the left side of the drawing in the example of FIG. 1), a state where the polarization state of the liquid crystal member changes and the room can be seen, a state where the room can be seen without obstacles, and the like. The movement of the game ball B is easy to see. On the other hand, the interior of the winning device 2 is in a dark state (in the example of FIG. 1, this is the second state shown on the right side of the drawing, and the interior is dark due to a cross hatch), or the polarization state of the liquid crystal member is changed and the interior is visible. In a difficult state, a state in which the room is difficult to see due to an obstacle, and the like, the movement of the game ball B is also difficult to see. If it becomes difficult to see the movement of the game ball B in the room of the winning device 2 in this way, the player 9 and the like will predict the movement. In the enjoyment of the game, if the movement of the game ball B becomes unexpected, the game becomes more interesting. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with a pleasure of predicting the movement of the game ball B.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problem 2]
The means 2 for solving the problem includes a variable winning opening 1 in which the game ball B can win, a movable body 3 capable of changing the movement of the game ball B entered from the variable winning opening 1, and the variable winning opening 1 A plurality of areas 6 (areas 6a and 6b in the example of FIG. 1) through which a game ball B entered from above can pass, and a detector 5 for detecting the game ball B passing through a specific area (for example, the area 6b) are provided. Gaming machine having a winning device 2
There is provided state switching means 7 capable of switching between a state in which the movement of the game ball B entering the winning device 2 from the variable winning opening 1 is easy to predict and a state in which the movement is difficult.
[0008]
According to the means 2, the movement of the game ball B which has entered the prize device 2 can be easily predicted or difficult to predict by the state switching means 7. For example, in a state where the inside of the room of the winning device 2 can be viewed or a state where the movable body 3 moves regularly (or periodically), the movement of the game ball B can be easily predicted. On the other hand, a state in which it is difficult to visually check the interior of the winning device 2 due to the presence of an obstacle (for example, a non-transparent member or a semi-transparent member) or a state in which the movable body 3 moves irregularly (or aperiodically) is a game. It becomes difficult to predict the movement of the sphere B. In the example of FIG. 1, the movement of the game ball B entered from the variable winning opening 1 hits the movable body 3 or bounces down the passage 4 depending on the posture and the manner of movement of the movable body 3 moving as indicated by the arrow Da. As a result, the traffic route changes in various ways (for example, a locus along the arrow Db). If it becomes difficult to predict the movement of the game ball B in the room of the winning device 2 as described above, the unexpectedness of the movement increases the interest. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with a pleasure of predicting the movement of the game ball B.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problem 3]
The means 3 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in the means 1 or 2, and the state switching means 7 switches from one state to the other state when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied. .
[0010]
The terms described in Means 3 are interpreted as follows. The same applies to the claims and the detailed description of the invention.
(1) The "switching condition" can be arbitrarily set according to the type of gaming machine, gaming state, date and time, and the like. For example, that a specific result has been obtained by a lottery, that a predetermined number of prizes have been won in a specific winning opening, that a movable body has moved a predetermined number of times, that a specific game (such as a jackpot game) is being performed, For example, a predetermined time has elapsed since the specific game was started.
(2) “One state” is one of a state in which the movement of the game ball is easily visible, a state in which the movement of the game ball is hard to see, a state in which the movement of the game ball is easy to predict, and a state in which the movement of the game ball is difficult to predict. Either is applicable. The other state corresponds to a state different from the one state.
[0011]
According to the means 3, in order for the state switching means 7 to switch from one state to the other state, it is necessary to satisfy a switching condition. If the other state is a preferable state for the player 9 or the like, a game is attempted to satisfy the switching condition. Therefore, it is possible to improve the player's willingness to play the game.
[0012]
[Means for solving the problem 4]
Means 4 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of means 1 to 3, and notifies one or both of the states when a predetermined notification condition is satisfied. It has a notification unit 8.
[0013]
The term "notifying means" described in the means 4 is not limited to means for visually notifying by displaying on a display unit (display, light emitting body, etc.), but also for hearing (sound, music, sound effect, etc.) by sound. And a means for providing tactile notification through a member attached to the gaming machine such as a handle or a chair (for example, the handle or chair is vibrated by a vibrator, or a fan is blown). The same applies to the claims and the detailed description of the invention.
[0014]
According to the means 4, if the notification condition is satisfied, the notification means 8 notifies one state or both states. The player 9 recognizing this notification can know in advance what state will be in the future, so that it becomes easy to make a game strategy. Therefore, it is possible to improve the player's willingness to play the game.
[0015]
[Means for solving the problem 5]
The means 5 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 1 to 4, wherein the state switching means 7 switches between light and dark in the room of the winning device 2.
[0016]
According to the means 5, the state switching means 7 brightens or darkens the interior of the winning device 2 by using a lighting member (a lamp, an LED or the like), a display, or the like. When the room becomes bright, the movement of the game ball B becomes easy to see, and conversely, when the room becomes dark, the movement of the game ball B becomes hard to see. Therefore, the invention can be realized with a simple configuration, and the realization cost can be kept low.
[0017]
Means for Solving the Problems 6
The means 6 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 1 to 5, wherein the state switching means 7 changes the polarization state (or alignment state, phase state) of the liquid crystal member. Thus, it is configured to switch between visible and invisible.
[0018]
According to the means 6, when the polarization or the orientation of the liquid crystal member is changed by changing the driving voltage or the like, the interior of the winning device 2 can be easily seen according to the polarization state (or the alignment state or the phase state). , It becomes hard to see. Since the ordinary liquid crystal member is thin, it does not disturb the indoor space. In addition, since the liquid crystal member can display characters, designs, and the like, it can be used as a medium for transmitting information to the player 9 and the like.
[0019]
Means for Solving the Problems 7
The means 7 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 1 to 5, wherein the state switching means 7 moves a non-transparent member (for example, an opaque member or a translucent member), It is configured to switch between a state in which the room of the winning device 2 is easily visible and a state in which the room is hardly visible.
[0020]
According to the means 7, the interior of the winning device 2 becomes easy to see or hard to see depending on the posture of the non-transparent member. The non-transparent member can be realized by using a member such as an opaque plate or a translucent plate. The non-transparent member is moved by the drive torque from the drive source, but the way of movement (for example, opening and closing, sliding, swinging, etc.) is arbitrary. Therefore, the invention can be realized with a simple configuration, and the realization cost can be kept low.
[0021]
Means for Solving the Problems 8
The means 8 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 5 to 7, and the winning device 2 has a semi-transparent member (half mirror or the like).
[0022]
According to the means 8, when the winning device 2 is provided with a semi-transparent member, the interior of the winning device 2 is more difficult to see than when there is no semi-transparent member. When a half mirror or the like is used as the semi-transparent member, the movement of the game ball B can be recognized by brightening the room. Therefore, the invention can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems 9]
The means 9 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 1 to 8, and the state switching means 7 is configured to move the movable body 3 irregularly (randomly).
[0024]
According to the means 9, since the movable body 3 moves irregularly, the possibility that the movement of the game ball B entering the winning device 2 also moves irregularly increases. If the movement of the game ball B in the room of the winning device 2 becomes irregular in this way, it becomes difficult for the player 9 and the like to predict the movement. In the enjoyment of the game, if the movement of the game ball B becomes unexpected, the game becomes more interesting. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with a pleasure of predicting the movement of the game ball B.
[0025]
Means for Solving the Problems 10
A means 10 for solving the problem is the gaming machine described in any one of the means 1 to 9, wherein the state switching means moves the movable body 3 by lottery.
[0026]
According to the means 10, since the movable body 3 is moved based on the result of the lottery, the movement of the game ball B entering the winning device 2 also changes according to the result of the lottery. If the movement of the game ball B in the room of the winning device 2 changes in this manner, it becomes difficult for the player 9 and the like to predict the movement. If the movement of the game ball B becomes unexpected when the game is enjoyed, it becomes more interesting and the ratio of the movement can be kept within a certain range. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game not only with the movement of the game ball B but also with the fun of predicting the lottery result.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, which is one of gaming machines, and switches between a state in which the movement of a game ball is easy to see and a state in which it is difficult to see. The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
It should be noted that other members and devices constituting the pachinko machine (for example, a handle for firing, an upper plate, a lower plate, a frame, a speaker, lamps for decoration, an information display for a card, a return switch, etc.) are well known. Since it is a technique, illustration and description are omitted. Unless otherwise specified, the side where the player 9 is located is referred to as “front”, and the island facility side is referred to as “rear”, and the directions up, down, left, and right refer to the directions toward the drawing.
[0028]
First, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an appearance of a game board 10 provided in a pachinko machine. As will be described later, the game board 10 has a movable member 14, movable wing pieces 20, 48, etc., an accessory device 12, a pachinko ball start port 38, 40, 30, and a gate and a general prize. Mouth, windmill, obstacle nail, etc. are arranged appropriately. The starting port 38 is disposed below the accessory device 12 and includes a starting port sensor 36 for detecting winning of a pachinko ball. Similarly, the starting ports 40, 30 are also arranged below the accessory device 12, and are provided with starting port sensors 34, 32, respectively, for detecting winning of a pachinko ball. A half mirror 27 is provided on the front side of the accessory device 12 in the room, and is indicated by hatching for easy understanding. The half mirror 27 corresponds to a semi-transparent member. Some of the other winning ports, obstacle nails and the like are not shown.
[0029]
FIG. 3 shows the accessory device 12 in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner. The accessory device 12 has a plurality of (three in this example, three on each of the right and left sides) decorative lamps 54 provided in a portion formed in the shape of a lantern and capable of lighting / flashing, and wins the special winning openings 18 and 50. Winning number lamps 16 and 52 for displaying the number of pachinko balls B2 formed, a movable member 14 configured to be able to change the posture along a predetermined direction (in this example, up and down direction) and imitating a lantern, a special winning opening A movable wing piece 20 for opening and closing the opening 18, a movable wing piece 48 for opening and closing the special winning opening 50, an illumination lamp 49 for illuminating the room of the accessory device 12, and a wavy shape having a peak near the center are formed. From the vicinity of the left end of the slope 22, a path 58 for guiding the pachinko ball B2 so as to fall from near the left end of the slope 22, and also substantially "T" from the vicinity of the right end of the slope 22 Detour A path 60 for guiding the pachinko ball B2 through the path, a bottom plate 64 through which the pachinko ball B2 guided through these paths 58 and 60 can pass, and a pachinko ball B2 passing through the bottom plate 64 can be parked in a predetermined direction (this example). (In the vertical direction), the stop member 66 moves, the stop member 66 moves, the shelf board 62 that releases the stopped pachinko ball B2, the symbol change performed using the symbol group, and the symbol change is transmitted to the player 9. An LED display 28 for displaying information and the like is provided. On the front side of the passage 58, a decorative member 56 configured to allow a predetermined movement (rotation, swing, etc.) and imitating a fan is provided, and a drum is provided on the front side of the bottom plate 64, the stop member 66, and the like. A decorative member 68 formed by imitation is provided. Among these elements, the accessory device 12 corresponds to the winning device 2, the movable member 14 and the stationary member 66 each correspond to the movable body 3, and the special winning openings 18, 50 correspond to the variable winning opening 1, respectively. , The slope 22 corresponds to the passage 4.
[0030]
The movable wing pieces 20 and 48 are provided with notification lamps 26 and 46 for notifying the opening and closing timing of the special winning openings 18 and 50, respectively. In the vicinity of the movable wing piece 48, there is provided a notice lamp 47 for giving notice of opening of the special winning openings 18, 50. The notice lamp 47 has a plurality of light emitters (five LEDs in this example). The passages 58 and 60 are provided with winning sensors 24 and 44 (so-called first count switches) for detecting the pachinko balls B2 that have won the special winning openings 18 and 50, respectively. The LED display 28 realizes a display of symbol variation, information, and the like by arranging a plurality of LEDs in a grid and performing lighting control of each LED. Below the decorative member 68, there is provided a V sensor 42 for detecting a pachinko ball B2 passing through a passage hole of the shelf plate 62 or the bottom plate 64 as described later. The V sensor 42 corresponds to the detector 5.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows a mechanism for changing the attitude of the movable member 14. The attitude of the movable member 14 is changed by a solenoid 74 as a drive source. A link member 72 is connected between the connecting piece 14a provided on the movable member 14 and the rod 74a of the solenoid 74. The link member 72 is rotatable (rotatable) about the fulcrum 70. FIG. 4A shows a state where the solenoid 74 is de-energized and the rod 74a is retracted, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the solenoid 74 is excited and the rod 74a is protruded. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the pachinko ball B2 can freely pass on the slope 22 without hitting the movable member 14, so that the posture of the movable member 14 is the passing position. On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 4B, the pachinko ball B2 hits the movable member 14 and cannot pass, so that the posture of the movable member 14 is the shielding position.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the shelf plate 62, the retaining member 66, and the bottom plate 64. The shelf board 62 shown in FIG. 5A is gently inclined forward (see FIG. 6), and has two projections 62b provided on the upper surface and a projection 62c projected forward at the center. And The projection 62c has a passage hole 62a through which a pachinko ball can pass. The stop member 66 shown in FIG. 5 (B) includes three stop portions 66a, 66b, 66c each of which can hold a pachinko ball, a lever 66d protruding forward, and a small hole 66f penetrating both left and right ends. And a pedestal 66e. When the rod-shaped member indicated by the two-dot chain line is penetrated through the small hole 66f to be in a free state, the stopping member 66 is formed at a center of gravity position that slightly tilts backward (hereinafter, simply referred to as “backward tilting posture”). . It is to be noted that a rigid member is naturally used as the rod member. The bottom plate 64 shown in FIG. 5 (C) is inclined so as to gently descend toward the rear side, and includes a convex portion 64a protruding upward at a substantially central front side, and a wall portion 64c for preventing falling from the front side. Prepare. The projection 64a has a passage hole 64b through which a pachinko ball can pass. As shown by the two-dot chain line, the left end of the bottom plate 64 communicates with the passage 58, and the right end also communicates with the passage 60. Similarly, the posture in which the retaining member 66 can retain the pachinko ball B2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As will be described in detail later, the pachinko ball B2 rolling from the passage 60 to the bottom plate 64 has a high probability of being stopped at the stopping member 66 (particularly the stopping portion 66b), and the pachinko ball B4 rolling from the passage 58 on the bottom plate 64 is stopped at the stopping member 66. The probability of being done is low.
[0033]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which the stopping member 66 moves between the shelf plate 62 and the bottom plate 64. As shown in FIG. 6A, the position where the retaining member 66 holds the pachinko ball B <b> 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “bottom plate position”) is slightly lower than the upper surface of the bottom plate 64. The state in which the stopping member 66 is moving upward along the arrow D10 is as shown in FIG. 6B, and the lever 66d does not hit the bottom plate 64 formed in a step shape. At this time, since the stopping member 66 is in the rearwardly inclined posture, for example, the pachinko ball B2 stopped at the stopping portion 66b can be stably conveyed. When the stopping member 66 reaches the shelf board 62, the lever 66d hits the lower surface of the shelf board 62. When the stop member 66 is further moved upward, the stop member 66 gradually assumes a forwardly inclined posture centered on the rod-shaped member penetrating the small hole 66f of the pedestal portion 66e, and as shown in FIG. , The pachinko ball B2 is released to the shelf board 62. The position of the stop member 66 at this time is simply referred to as “shelf plate position”. The released pachinko sphere B2 is guided by being sandwiched between the two protrusions 62b, and thus easily passes through the passage hole 62a. The pachinko ball B2 that has passed through the passage hole 62a further falls as shown by the arrow D12, passes through the passage hole 64b of the bottom plate 64, and is detected by the V sensor 42. Therefore, these passage holes 62a and 64b correspond to the V zone (that is, the specific region 6b), and the other passage holes correspond to the region 6a. On the other hand, when the stopping member 66 moves downward, the state changes as shown in FIG. 6 (C) → FIG. 6 (B) → FIG.
[0034]
The brightness of the room by the illumination lamp 49 (lighting state and light-off state), the posture of the movable member 14 (shielding position and traffic position; see FIG. 4), and the posture of the stop member 66 (bottom plate position and shelf plate position; FIG. 6) Can be freely combined. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the illumination lamp 49 is turned on to brighten the room, the movable member 14 is in the closed position, and the stationary member 66 is in the bottom plate position. On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the illumination lamp 49 is turned off to darken the interior of the room (represented by a cross hatch), the movable member 14 is in the passing position, and the stop member 66 is in the shelf position. .
As shown in FIG. 2 by a hatched hatch, the half mirror 27 is provided on the front side of the interior of the accessory device 12, so that when the illumination lamp 49 is turned on, the interior becomes easier to see (see FIG. 3). When the lights are turned off, the interior becomes difficult to see (see FIG. 7).
[0035]
Next, examples of various types of boards connected to realize a game using a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the term “connect” means to electrically connect unless otherwise specified.
[0036]
The main control board 120 mainly composed of a CPU (processor) 122 includes a ROM 124 storing a game control program, required data, and the like, and a RAM 126 storing temporary data such as random numbers and detection signals. The CPU 122 executes the game control program to realize a pachinko game. The game control program includes a program for realizing a procedure such as an operation control process described later. For example, although an EPROM is used for the ROM 124 and a DRAM is used for the RAM 126, other types of memory (for example, EEPROM, SRAM, flash memory, etc.) may be used arbitrarily. Other components constituting the main control board 120, for example, an input / output processing circuit for controlling input / output of data and the like are the same as those of the well-known configuration, so that illustration and description are omitted.
[0037]
First, the drive sensor 102 monitors the drive state of the motor 100 and a payout device that pays out pachinko balls. The counting sensor 104 counts the number of pachinko balls actually paid out. The main control board 120 receives a signal from the drive sensor 102, the counting sensor 104, or the like, and drives and controls the payout motor 100. The main control board 120 fires upon receiving a signal from the touch sensor or the payout control board 110. Control board 106 for driving and controlling a motor for use, an interface board 112 for connecting to a card unit and a payout control board 110 and controlling data transmission / reception, display on an information display, and the like ("I / F board" in FIG. 8). ), A sound control board 114 for controlling sounds (sound, music, sound effects, etc.) sounded from the speaker 108, a symbol control board 116 for controlling symbol variation and information displayed on the LED display 28, a light-emitting element ( For example, a lamp control board 118 for controlling the display of the winning number lamps 16 and 52, the notification lamps 26 and 46, the illumination lamp 49, and the like is connected. That. Each board is configured around a CPU similarly to the main control board 120.
[0038]
The main control board 120 includes, in addition to the above-described starting ports 30, 38, and 40, an external terminal board 130 that can transmit signals (including, for example, game information such as a jackpot, a symbol decision, and a certainty change) to an external device. Connect directly. The external device corresponds to an island computer provided in an island facility, a hall computer provided in a hall, or the like.
Further, the main control board 120 is connected to various devices provided in the accessory device 12 via a relay terminal plate 132 for signal relay. The various devices include a motor 134 for moving the stationary member 66 in a predetermined direction (for example, the direction of the arrow D12), the winning sensors 24, 44, the V sensor 42, and the movable member 14 in a predetermined direction (for example, the direction of the arrow D14). The solenoid 74 changes the posture by moving, and the solenoids 138 and 136 move the movable wing pieces 20 and 48 to open and close the special winning openings 18 and 50, respectively.
Note that the drive sensor 102, the counting sensor 104, the winning sensors 24, 44, the starting port sensors 32, 34, 36, the V sensor 42, etc. include contact sensors (for example, reed switches, micro switches, pressure sensors, etc.), Alternatively, a non-contact type sensor (for example, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like) is used.
[0039]
In the example shown in FIG. 8, the voice control board 114, the symbol control board 116, and the lamp control board 118 are configured to be directly controlled from the main control board 120, respectively. The control unit 114 and the lamp control board 118 may be configured as a sub-control board that integrates the functions of the voice control board 114, the symbol control board 116, and the lamp control board 118. In this way, the LED display 28, the speaker 108, the winning number lamps 16, 52, and the like can be controlled by one sub-control board, so that the manufacturing cost of the pachinko machine can be reduced in accordance with the decrease in the number of boards. it can.
[0040]
The procedure executed by the main control board 120 to realize the present invention in the pachinko machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in FIG. 9, depending on which of the starting ports 30, 38, 40 the pachinko ball wins, the brightness of the room of the accessory device 12, the opening and closing of the large winning ports 18, 50, and the movable state. A procedure of an operation control process for changing the posture and the like of the member 14 is shown in a flowchart. In this procedure, steps S12, S22 and S32 correspond to the state switching means 7. In the figure, the left starting port corresponds to the starting port 38, the middle starting port corresponds to the starting port 40, and the right starting port corresponds to the starting port 30 (see FIG. 2). Similarly, the left special winning opening corresponds to the special winning opening 50, and the right special winning opening corresponds to the special winning opening 18 (see FIG. 3).
[0041]
In the operation control process of FIG. 9, when the pachinko ball first wins the starting port 38 (left starting port) (YES in step S10), the illumination lamp 49 is turned on to brighten the room of the accessory device 12, and then [step S12], the right and left big winning ports 18 and 50 are opened and closed once (or non-simultaneously) once (step S14). The period during which the special winning openings 18, 50 are opened can be set arbitrarily, for example, 0.5 seconds. Then, the movable member 14 is moved to the closed position by the operation control of the solenoid 74 [Step S16], and the stopping member 66 is reciprocated randomly between the bottom plate position and the shelf plate position by the drive control of the motor 134 [ Step S18]. The operation start timing of each of the movable member 14 and the stationary member 66 can be arbitrarily set. Note that when randomly moving each member (for example, the movable member 14 and the stationary member 66), a period in which the members are temporarily stopped may be included.
[0042]
The state at this time is as shown in FIG. 3, and the pachinko ball B2 entered from the special winning opening 18 moves along the arrow D4. However, since the movable member 14 is in the blocking position, the pachinko ball B2 moves along the arrow D6 in the opposite direction, passes through the passage 60 along the arrow D8, and is detected by the winning sensor 24. Since the passage 60 is a downhill, the kinetic energy is increased and the passage 60 rolls on the bottom plate 64. Therefore, the pachinko ball B2 shown in FIG. 5C rolls vigorously on the bottom plate 64 and has a low probability of falling from the right bottom plate 64 having a large area. Although the stationary member 66 moves randomly, the probability that the stationary member 66 is retained by the stationary member 66 (particularly, the stationary portion 66b) increases, and particularly if the roller rolls along the wall 64c, the winning probability further increases.
[0043]
On the other hand, since the pachinko ball B2 entered from the special winning opening 50 is blocked from passing by the movable member 14, it passes through the passage 58 (normally, falls). The pachinko ball is detected by the winning sensor 44 during the passage of the passage 58, and hits the bottom surface of the passage 58 to significantly reduce the kinetic energy and then rolls on the bottom plate 64. Therefore, since the pachinko ball B4 shown in FIG. 5C slowly rolls on the bottom plate 64, the probability of falling from the bottom plate 64 increases as shown by the arrow, and the probability that the pachinko ball B4 stays on the stopping member 66 (particularly the stopping portion 66b). Becomes lower.
[0044]
When the illumination lamp 49 is turned on in step S12, the posture of the movable member 14, the movement mode of the stationary member 66, and the like may be notified through the effect device. The effect device corresponding to the notifying means 8 is, for example, the notifying lamps 26 and 46 for performing an effect by lighting or blinking, or "Aim at the right! LED display 28 that performs an effect by displaying a message such as "" or "random up and down" or a character design, a speaker 108 that performs an effect by sound (especially voice), an effect that vibrates a steering wheel, a chair on which the player 9 sits, and the like. And the like. It is easy for the player 9 to understand if the emission colors, blinking patterns, and the like of the notification lamps 26 and 46 are changed according to the posture and the exercise form.
[0045]
Returning to FIG. 9, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 30 (right starting port) (YES in step S30), the illumination lamp 49 is turned on to brighten the room of the accessory device 12, [step S32]. The left and right big winning openings 18 and 50 are opened and closed once as in step S14 described above (step S34). Then, the movable member 14 is caused to be in the traveling position [Step S34], and the stopping member 66 is reciprocated at random in the same manner as in Step S18 described above [Step S38]. The notification in step S32 is realized in the same manner as in step S12 described above.
[0046]
The state at this time is as shown in FIG. 7, but the room is bright as shown in FIG. The pachinko ball B4 entered from the special winning opening 50 moves along the arrow D16. Usually there is kinetic energy from falling. The pachinko ball B4 having such a momentum moves along the arrow D20 beyond the top of the slope 22. As a result, the pachinko ball B4 vigorously rolls on the bottom plate 64 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the probability of being stopped at the stopping member 66 (particularly the stopping portion 66b) is increased.
On the other hand, the pachinko ball B4 having no momentum returns in the opposite direction without going over the top of the slope 22. Then, the pachinko ball B4 passes through the passage 58 along the arrow D22, and is detected by the prize sensor 44 in the middle of the passage, and then hits the bottom surface of the passage 58 to significantly reduce kinetic energy and roll on the bottom plate 64. Therefore, the probability of being stopped at the stopping member 66 (particularly the stopping portion 66b) is reduced.
The point that the probability that the pachinko ball B4 is parked on the retaining member 66 differs depending on whether or not there is momentum is the same for the pachinko ball that has entered through the special winning opening 18. Therefore, when entering the special winning opening 18, the momentum is lost, and when entering from the special winning opening 50, when the momentum is applied, the probability of being stopped at the stop member 66 increases, and the game becomes more interesting.
[0047]
Returning to FIG. 9 again, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 40 (middle starting port) (YES in step S20), the illumination lamp 49 is turned off to darken the room of the accessory device 12, [step S22]. Then, the left and right large winning openings 18, 50 are opened and closed twice (step S24). Then, the movable member 14 is caused to reciprocate at random between the shielding position and the passing position [Step S34], and the stopping member 66 is reciprocated according to a predetermined movement pattern as in Step S18 described above [Step S38]. An example of the predetermined exercise pattern will be described later (see FIG. 10). The notification in step S22 is realized in the same manner as in step S12 described above.
[0048]
The state at this time is as shown in FIG. 7, but the movable member 14 randomly moves in the vertical direction, and the stationary member 66 moves in the vertical direction according to a predetermined movement pattern. That is, although the pachinko ball B4 that has won from the special winning openings 18 and 50 passes through the slope 22, it is easy to see, but since the room is dark, the movement of the shelf board 62, the bottom board 64, the stop member 66, and the like is difficult to see. For this reason, the player 9 or the like plays a game while predicting the movement of the pachinko ball B4, or follows the movement of the pachinko ball B4 while watching the room while squinting.
[0049]
After executing steps S18, S28, and S38, or when no winning opening has been won (NO in step S30), it is determined whether or not the pachinko ball that has won the large winning opening has entered the V zone. [Step S19]. Specifically, if there is a detection signal from the V sensor 42, it is determined that the signal is input (YES), and if there is no detection signal, it is determined that the signal is not input (NO).
If the pachinko ball has entered the V zone (YES in step S19), a jackpot game is implemented to give the player 9 an opportunity to obtain many prize balls [step S29], and the operation control process ends. The jackpot game consists of, for example, 16 rounds, each round opening and closing the special winning opening 18 times from the start, whether a pachinko ball enters the V zone, or whether 10 pachinko balls enter the special winning opening or the like. Of these, the game ends when any of the conditions is satisfied the earliest, and if the pachinko ball cannot be put in the V zone by the end of each round, the jackpot game is ended at that point, etc. is there. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball has not entered the V zone (NO in step S19), the operation control process is terminated.
[0050]
Next, an example of the operation accompanying the start-up winning by executing the operation control process shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to a time chart shown in FIG. 10 (time t progresses from left to right in the drawing). FIG. 10 shows, in order from the top, time-series changes of the starting port sensor 36, the illumination lamp 49, the notice lamp 47, the special winning opening 18, the movable member 14, and the stop member 66. FIG. 10 (A) shows a temporal change when the pachinko ball wins the left starting port or the right starting port, and FIG. 10 (B) shows a temporal change when the pachinko ball wins the middle starting port. Represent.
[0051]
In the time chart of the example shown in FIG. 10A, the starting port sensor 36 that detects the pachinko ball that has won the starting port 38 (left starting port) or the starting port 30 (right starting port) detects a pulse at time t10. Signal is being output. Upon receiving this detection signal, the illumination lamp 49 is turned on until time t20 (steps S12 and S32 in FIG. 9), and the special winning openings 18, 50 are opened from time t12 to time t14 (steps S14 and S34 in FIG. 9). . When the start port 38 is won, the movable member 14 is positioned at the shielding position as shown by a solid line (step S16 in FIG. 9), and when the start port 30 is won, the movable member 14 is shown as a two-dot chain line. At the traffic position (step S36 in FIG. 9). Then, the stopping member 66 is randomly moved, for example, in a pattern indicated by a solid line or a two-dot chain line (steps S18 and S38 in FIG. 9). If the movement of the stationary member 66 is randomized in this manner, the probability that the pachinko ball will win the V zone also changes. If the posture of the retaining member 66 changes as shown by the solid line, the probability that the pachinko ball enters the V zone increases as the residence time at the bottom plate position increases.
In the time chart, the lighting period Ta for lighting the illumination lamp 49 and the opening period Tb for opening the special winning openings 18 and 50 can be arbitrarily set, for example, 10 seconds and 1 second. Similarly, a shielding period Tc (from time t12 to time t16) in which the movable member 14 is positioned at the shielding position, and an operating period Td (from time t14 to time t18) in which the stopping member 66 is randomly moved between the bottom plate position and the shelf plate position. ) Can also be set arbitrarily, for example, 2 seconds and 3 seconds.
[0052]
In addition to the lighting of the illumination lamp 49, a notice (notification) can be made (steps S12 and S32 in FIG. 9). In the example shown in FIG. 10 (A), as shown in FIG. 11, between the time t10 at which the illumination lamp 49 starts to be turned on and the time t12 at which the starting ports 30 and 38 start to be opened, the lighting parts are sequentially arranged in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. The notice lamp 47 is turned on in a display pattern that reciprocates. Since this display pattern suggests the form of movement of the stationary member 66, the player 9 and the like can grasp that the stationary member 66 moves in a predetermined movement pattern. On the other hand, if the plurality of light emitters constituting the notice lamp 47 are turned on randomly, the player 9 and the like can grasp that the stationary member 66 moves randomly.
In the present embodiment, the mode in which the movement pattern of the stationary member 66 is announced by the display effect of the announcement lamp 47 is applied. However, the mode in which the posture and the movement of the movable member 14 are announced, and the opening pattern of the special winning opening 18, 50 are announced. The present invention can be applied to other forms.
[0053]
In the time chart of the example shown in FIG. 10B, the starting port sensor 34 that detects the pachinko ball that has won the starting port 40 (middle starting port) outputs a pulse-like detection signal at time t30. In response to the detection signal, the illumination lamp 49 is turned off, and the effect is given by the notice lamp 47 until time t32 before opening the special winning openings 18 and 50 to give a notice (step S22 in FIG. 9). The notice period Te for performing the notice can be arbitrarily set, and corresponds to, for example, 4 seconds. The notice by the notice lamp 47 is finished (or in parallel with the notice), or the special winning openings 18 and 50 are opened and closed twice from the time t34 to the time t36 (step S24 in FIG. 9). The opening period Tf (from time t34 to time t36) for opening the special winning openings 18, 50 can be set arbitrarily, and for example, corresponds to 0.5 seconds as described above.
[0054]
Further, the movable member 14 is moved at random (Step S26 in FIG. 9), and the stationary member 66 is moved according to a predetermined movement pattern (Step S28 in FIG. 9). The operation period Tg for moving the movable member 14 (from time t34 to time t38) and the operation period Th for moving the stationary member 66 (from time t34 to time t39) can also be arbitrarily set, for example, in 4 seconds and 5 seconds. is there. Although the stationary member 66 is moved according to the movement pattern shown in FIG. 10B, the stationary member 66 may be moved according to another pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to fire the pachinko ball by predicting the brightness of the room of the accessory device 12, the opening and closing of the special winning openings 18, 50, and the movement of the movable member 14 and the stationary member 66. In other words, the player 9 plays a game with the pleasure of predicting the movement of the pachinko, and the unexpectedness of the movement of the pachinko ball increases the fun.
[0055]
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A1) When a pachinko ball (for example, a pachinko ball B2 shown in FIG. 3 or a pachinko ball B4 shown in FIG. 7) enters the accessory device 12 from the special winning opening 18, 50, the lighting lamp 49 is turned on / off. The state switching means 7 is switched between a state in which the movement of the pachinko ball in the room of the accessory device 12 is easy to see and a state in which the movement of the pachinko ball is difficult to see {see steps S12, S22, S32 in FIG. 9, FIGS. . In particular, if the movement of the pachinko ball in the room becomes difficult to see, the player 9 or the like predicts the movement. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with the pleasure of predicting the movement of the pachinko ball, and the unexpectedness of the movement of the pachinko ball increases the fun.
[0056]
(A2) When the pachinko ball enters the accessory device 12 from the special winning opening 18, 50, the movement of the movable member 14, the stop member 66, and the like is randomized, so that the movement of the pachinko ball in the room of the accessory device 12 is increased. Switching between an easily predictable state and a hardly predictable state {state switching means 7; see steps S16, S18, S26, S28, S36, S38 in FIG. 9, FIG. 10}. If the movable member 14 or the stationary member 66 moves irregularly (or aperiodically), it becomes difficult to predict the movement of the pachinko ball. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with the pleasure of predicting the movement of the pachinko ball, and the unexpectedness of the movement of the pachinko ball increases the fun.
[0057]
(A3) Switching from one state to the other state triggered by satisfying a predetermined switching condition. That is, when the pachinko ball wins the starting ports 30 and 38, the room of the accessory device 12 is switched to a brighter and easily visible state (see steps S10, S12, S30 and S32 in FIG. 9). When the player wins the prize 38, the interior of the accessory device 12 is darkened so that it is hard to see (see steps S20 and S22 in FIG. 9). When the room is darkened and the movement of the pachinko balls is switched to a state in which it is difficult to see the pachinko balls, the player 9 plays games with a fun of predicting the movement of the pachinko balls, and it is interesting if the movement of the pachinko balls becomes unexpected. Increase. On the other hand, when the room becomes bright and the state of the pachinko ball is switched to a state in which it is easy to see, the player can play the game aiming to put the pachinko ball into the V zone, so that it is possible to improve the player's willingness to play the game. it can.
[0058]
(A4) One or both states are notified when the predetermined notification condition is satisfied {notifying means 8; see steps S10, S12, S20, S22, S30, and S32 in FIG. 9}. The notification conditions in the above-described example are such that when the pachinko ball wins the starting ports 30 and 38, notification is performed as needed (for example, when a lottery is won), and notification is always performed when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 40. The player 9 that recognizes the notification in this way can know in advance what state will be in the future, so that it becomes easier to make a game strategy. Therefore, the player's willingness to play can be improved.
[0059]
(A5) The lighting lamp 49 (corresponding to a lighting member) is turned on / off to switch between light and dark in the room of the accessory device 12 {see FIGS. 3 and 7}. The lighter the room, the easier it is to see the movement of the pachinko balls, and the darker the room, the harder it is to see the movements of the pachinko balls. Therefore, the invention can be realized with a simple configuration, and the realization cost can be kept low.
[0060]
(A6) The accessory device 12 is provided with a half mirror 27 as a semi-transparent member {see FIG. 2; a hatched portion}. The interior of the accessory device 12 is more difficult to see than in the state without the half mirror 27. If the illumination lamp 49 is turned on to brighten the room, the movement of the pachinko ball can be recognized even with the half mirror 27. Therefore, the invention can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0061]
(A7) The movable member 14, the stationary member 66, and the like are moved irregularly (randomly) (see steps S18, S26, and S38 in FIG. 9). Since the movable member 14, the stationary member 66, and the like move irregularly, the possibility that the movement of the pachinko ball that has entered the accessory device 12 also moves irregularly increases. If the movement of the pachinko ball in the room of the accessory device 12 becomes irregular in this way, it becomes difficult for the player 9 and the like to predict the movement. In the enjoyment of the game, if the movement of the pachinko balls becomes surprising, the fun will increase. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with a pleasure of predicting the movement of the pachinko ball.
In this example, the movable member 14, the stationary member 66, and the like are moved at random. However, when the movable member 14 and the stationary member 66 are applied to a second embodiment described later, the protrusion members 62d and 62e can be moved at random. Also in this case, the effects (a2) and (a7) described above can be obtained.
[0062]
[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine similarly to the first embodiment, and switches between a state in which the movement of a game ball is easy to predict and a state in which the movement is difficult. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration and the like of the pachinko machine are the same as those of the first embodiment, and only points different from the first embodiment will be described in the second embodiment in order to simplify the illustration and the description. Therefore, the same components as those used in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0063]
The difference from the first embodiment is as follows. First, the protrusions provided on the shelf board 62 are configured to be movable. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, instead of the projection 62b in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), the shelf members 62d and 62e are provided on the shelf board 62. One or both of the projection members 62d and 62e correspond to the movable body 3. Although not shown, it further includes a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor whose drive can be controlled from the main control board 120, and a link mechanism for transmitting power. The projection members 62d and 62e can be moved in the directions of arrows D30 and D32 based on the power transmitted from the driving source through the link mechanism. The protruding members 62d and 62e indicated by solid lines are in a parallel posture, and the protruding members 62d and 62e indicated by a two-dot chain line are in an intersecting posture (in the illustrated example, they are in an inverted C shape). If the crossing angle in the crossing posture can be controlled, the winning probability in the V zone can be changed.
[0064]
Secondly, instead of the half mirror 27, a liquid crystal plate 55 is provided on the room front side of the accessory device 12. The liquid crystal plate 55 can control the polarization state from the main control substrate 120, and FIG. 13 shows a state (visible state) in which the room of the accessory device 12 is easily seen by changing the polarization and the orientation. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the interior of the accessory device 12 is difficult to see (invisible state). According to the liquid crystal plate 55 of this example, it is difficult to see not only the bottom plate 64, the shelf plate 62, the stopping member 66, but also the movable member 14.
Note that the accessory device 12 shown in the examples of FIGS. 13 and 14 may be provided with an illumination lamp 49 as in the first embodiment in order to brighten the room.
[0065]
FIG. 15 shows a procedure of an operation control process executed in place of FIG. First, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 38 (left starting port) (YES in step S10), the polarization and orientation of the liquid crystal plate 55 are controlled to be in a visible state [step S11], and the large winning port 18 to be opened and closed from now on. Is notified through the effect by the effect device (step S13). The effect example by the effect device is the same as steps S12 and S32 in FIG. For example, the notification lamp 26 turns on or blinks, and the LED display 28 indicates “hit the right large winning opening! And the like, a character design, and the like, and the contents of the message are output from the speaker 108 by voice.
[0066]
Subsequently, only the special winning opening 18 is opened and closed once (step S15), and the current posture of the projection members 62d and 62e provided on the shelf board 62 is switched to another posture (step S17). The period during which the special winning opening 18 is opened in step S15 can be arbitrarily set, for example, 1 second. If the current posture of the projection members 62d and 62e is the parallel posture, the posture is switched to the cross posture, and if the current posture is the cross posture, the posture is switched to the parallel posture. When the protruding members 62d and 62e are switched to the intersecting posture, even if the pachinko ball is parked in any of the stationary portions 66a, 66b and 66c of the stationary member 66, it becomes easy to enter the V zone, so that the winning probability is increased. Can be
[0067]
The state when the special winning opening 18 is opened is as shown in FIG. 13. The pachinko ball B6 entering along the arrow D4 from the special winning opening 18 moves along the arrow D6 if there is no momentum and moves along the passage 60. Pass. In this case, the probability of stopping at the stopping member 66 increases. On the other hand, the momentum pachinko ball B6 passes over the top of the slope 22 and consequently passes through the passage 58. In this case, the probability of stopping at the stopping member 66 decreases.
[0068]
Returning to FIG. 15, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 30 (right starting port) (YES in step S30), the liquid crystal plate 55 is made visible as in step S11 (step S31), and the special winning port 50 (left). Only the special winning opening) is opened and closed once (step S33). Further, a lottery using a random number or the like is performed [Step S35], and the postures of the projection members 62d and 62e provided on the shelf board 62 are switched according to the lottery result [Step S37]. For example, if the random number value acquired in step S35 is even, the projection members 62d and 62e are switched to the parallel posture, and if the random number value is odd, the projection members 62d and 62e are switched to the cross posture.
[0069]
The state when the large winning opening 50 is opened is as shown in FIG. 14, and the pachinko ball B8 entering along the arrow D16 from the large winning opening 18 passes over the top of the slope 22 if there is momentum, and as a result, Pass through the passage 60. In this case, the probability of stopping at the stopping member 66 increases. On the other hand, if there is no momentum, it moves along the arrow D22 and passes through the passage 58. In this case, the probability of stopping at the stopping member 66 decreases.
[0070]
Returning to FIG. 15 again, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 40 (middle starting port) (YES in step S20), the polarization, orientation, and the like of the liquid crystal plate 55 are controlled to be invisible (step S21). The winning prize opening to be performed (one or both of the winning prize opening 18, 50) is determined by a lottery using a random number or the like, and the determined winning prize opening is notified through the notification device [step S23]. Then, the special winning opening determined in step S22 is intermittently opened and closed twice [step S25], and the postures of the projection members 62d and 62e are changed at random [step S27].
[0071]
In step S25, the open / close state of one or both of the special winning openings 18, 50 may be made different depending on whether the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 40. When opening and closing both the special winning openings 18 and 50, there are a form in which both are opened and closed almost simultaneously, and a form in which one is opened and closed once and then the other is opened and closed once. Regarding the protruding members 62d and 62e, the periods of the parallel posture and the cross posture can be arbitrarily set, for example, 0.5 seconds each.
[0072]
Since the liquid crystal plate 55 is in an invisible state as shown in FIG. 14, the room of the accessory device 12 (particularly, the movement of the pachinko ball B8) is difficult to see. In addition, since the protrusion members 62d and 62e move at random, it is predicted how the pachinko ball B8 moves on the shelf board 62. The behavior of the pachinko ball greatly changes depending on which winning opening is opened or the posture of the projection members 62d and 62e. Therefore, in order to increase the probability of winning a pachinko ball in the V zone, the player 9 needs to adjust the firing according to the open / close state of the special winning opening and the posture of the projection members 62d and 62e. Therefore, the player 9 plays a game with the pleasure of predicting the movement of the pachinko ball, and the unexpectedness of the movement of the pachinko ball increases the fun.
[0073]
Next, an example of the operation accompanying the start-up winning by executing the operation control process shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to a time chart shown in FIG. 16 (time t progresses from left to right in the drawing). 16 (A) and 16 (B) show, in order from the top, time-series changes applied to the starting port sensor 36, the notification lamp 26, the special winning opening 18, the movable member 14, and the stop member 66.
[0074]
In the time chart of the example shown in FIG. 16A, the starting port sensor 36 that has detected a pachinko ball that has won the starting port 38 (left starting port) outputs a pulsed detection signal at time t40. In response to the detection signal, an effect of lighting / flashing the notification lamp 26 is performed until time t42 when the special winning opening 18 is opened, and the notification is performed (step S13 in FIG. 15). The notification period Ti for performing the notification can be arbitrarily set, and corresponds to, for example, 2 seconds. The notification by the notification lamp 26 is finished (or in parallel with the notification), or the special winning opening 18 is opened until time t44 (step S15 in FIG. 15), and the projection members 62d and 62e are set to the crossing posture (FIG. 15). Step S17). The intersecting posture period Tj (from time t42 to time t46) in which the protruding members 62d and 62e are in the intersecting posture can be arbitrarily set, and corresponds to, for example, 10 seconds.
[0075]
Note that, when the pachinko ball that has won the starting port 30 (right starting port) is detected by the starting port sensor 32, the postures of the protrusion members 62d and 62e are indicated by two-dot chain lines. That is, the protrusion members 62d and 62e are maintained in the parallel posture. If the postures of the projection members 62d and 62e are changed in accordance with the starting opening for winning as described above, the probability that the pachinko ball wins the V zone can be changed. In this example, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 38, the probability that the stopping member 66 stays at the bottom plate position is longer than when the pachinko ball wins the starting port 30 because of a longer time in the bottom plate position.
[0076]
In the time chart of the example shown in FIG. 16B, the starting port sensor 34 that detects a pachinko ball that has won the starting port 40 (middle starting port) outputs a pulse-like detection signal at time t50. In response to the detection signal, an effect of turning on or blinking one of the notification lamps 26 and 46 is performed until time t52 when the special winning opening is opened, and the notification is performed (step S23 in FIG. 15). The notification period Tk for performing the notification can be set arbitrarily, and corresponds to, for example, 5 seconds. The notification by the notification lamps 26 and 46 may be terminated (or in parallel with the notification), or the special winning openings 18 and 50 may be opened and closed two or three or more times until time t54 (step S25 in FIG. 15). Then, the postures of the projection members 62d and 62e are changed at random (step S27 in FIG. 15). The operation period Tm for moving the projection members 62d and 62e (from time t52 to time t56) can also be arbitrarily set, for example, 12 seconds. In this example, the pachinko ball must be won according to the opening and closing of the special winning openings 18 and 50 and the movement and posture of the projection members 62d and 62e. Moreover, since the liquid crystal plate 55 is in an invisible state as shown in FIG. 14, it is necessary to play while predicting how the pachinko ball B8 moves, which makes the player 9 more interesting.
[0077]
In the above-described example, the liquid crystal plate 55 realizes a visible state in which the room of the accessory device 12 is easily visible and an invisible state in which the room is hardly visible. Instead of this mode, it may be realized by using another member capable of switching between the visible state and the invisible state in the room. As other members, non-transparent members such as opaque plates and translucent plates are applicable. Further, the non-transparent member is moved using a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor that can be drive-controlled from the main control board 120, a link mechanism that transmits power, and the like. The method of moving the non-transparent member (for example, opening, closing, sliding, swinging, etc.) is arbitrary.
[0078]
According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(B1) Visible / invisible is switched by changing the polarization state (or alignment state, phase state) of the liquid crystal plate 55 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The interior of the accessory device 12 becomes easy to see or hard to see depending on the polarization state (or alignment state, phase state) of the liquid crystal plate 55. Since the ordinary liquid crystal member is thin, it does not disturb the indoor space. Further, since the liquid crystal plate 55 can display characters, designs, and the like, it can be used as a medium for transmitting information to the player 9 and the like.
[0079]
(B2) The non-transparent member is moved to switch between a state in which the room of the accessory device 12 is easily visible and a state in which the room is hardly visible. Depending on the position of the non-transparent member, the interior of the accessory device 12 becomes easy to see or hard to see. The invention can be realized with a simple configuration of a non-transparent member and a driving mechanism, and the realization cost can be kept low.
[0080]
(B3) Based on the result of the lottery, the positions of the protrusion members 62d and 62e are switched {the movable body 3 is moved; see steps S35 and S37 in FIG. 15}. If the protrusion members 62d and 62e move, the movement of the pachinko ball that has entered the accessory device 12 also changes, making it difficult for the player 9 and the like to predict the movement. In the enjoyment of the game, if the movement of the pachinko balls becomes surprising, the fun will increase. By appropriately setting the lottery probability and the like, it is possible to keep the rate of the operation within a certain range. Therefore, the player 9 has a pleasure of predicting not only the movement of the pachinko ball but also the lottery result.
In the present example, the protrusion members 62d and 62e are moved based on the lottery result. However, when applied to the first embodiment, the movable member 14, the stop member 66, and the like can be moved based on the lottery result. Also in this case, the above-described effects can be obtained.
[0081]
(B4) Other requirements, configurations, operations, operation results, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. {Items (a1) to (a7) ) See｝.
[0082]
[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine in the same manner as the first and second embodiments described above, and in a certain case, the motion of the game ball is switched to a state in which it is easy to predict. The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration and the like of the pachinko machine are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, a technique realized in addition to the first and second embodiments will be described for simplicity of illustration and description.
[0083]
The indoor control process shown in FIG. 17 is executed in parallel with the operation control process of FIG. 9 shown in the first embodiment and the operation control process of FIG. 15 shown in the second embodiment. In the room control process, the special winning openings 18 and 50 are opened (YES in step S40), and when the winning sensors 24 and 44 detect the winning pachinko balls (YES in step S42), the room of the accessory device 12 is easily viewed. [Step S44].
[0084]
For example, when applied to the first embodiment, the illumination lamp 49 is turned on to brighten the room as shown in FIG. If the pachinko ball wins the starting port 40 (middle starting port) (YES in step S20 in FIG. 9) and the lighting lamp 49 is turned off to darken the room (step S22 in FIG. 9), the player 9 comes to guess how the pachinko ball moves. In this case, if the interior of the room is brightened by the lighting of the illumination lamp 49, it can be confirmed whether or not the guess was successful.
[0085]
Similarly, when applied to the second embodiment, the interior of the room is made visible as shown in FIG. 13 by changing the polarization state and the like of the liquid crystal plate 55. When the pachinko ball wins the starting port 40 (middle starting port) (YES in step S20 in FIG. 15), and the liquid crystal plate 55 is invisible (step S21 in FIG. 15), the player 9 determines how the pachinko ball is. It comes to guess at what moves. Even in this case, if the liquid crystal plate 55 becomes visible, it is possible to confirm whether or not the guess was successful.
[0086]
On the other hand, if the special winning openings 18 and 50 are not opened (NO in step S40), or if the winning sensors 24 and 44 do not detect a winning pachinko ball (NO in step S42), the current state is maintained. The indoor control process ends.
[0087]
[Other embodiments]
In the above-described pachinko machine (gaming machine), the structure, shape, size, material, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of other portions are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the following embodiments can be implemented.
(C1) In the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. Instead of this form, a game machine other than a pachinko machine (for example, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.), having an accessory device provided with a special winning opening and a V zone The present invention can be applied to the same manner. Even with the other gaming machines, it is difficult for the player 9 and the like to understand the movement of the pachinko ball, so that it is possible to have a fun of predicting the movement of the pachinko ball.
[0088]
(C2) In the first and second embodiments, the movement of the movable member 14, the stop member 66, the protrusion members 62d, 62e, and the like is determined depending on which starting port the pachinko ball wins. {See FIGS. 9 and 15. ｝. Instead of this mode, a lottery using a random number or the like is performed when a required condition is satisfied, and the movement of the movable member 14, the stop member 66, the protrusion members 62d and 62e, etc. is determined according to the lottery result. Is also good. The required conditions correspond to, for example, that the pachinko ball wins the starting port (or only a specific starting port) or that a specific design or the like is displayed on the LED display 28. In this way, the movement of the member changes each time the required condition is satisfied, so that the player can enjoy the game while predicting what kind of movement will be.
It is desirable that the above-mentioned lottery result be notified to the player 9 or the like in advance (for example, steps S13, S23, S33, etc. in FIG. 15). In this way, the player 9 that has recognized the notification content can predict the movement of the pachinko ball by narrowing down to some extent, and thus can easily formulate a game strategy.
[0089]
(C3) In the first embodiment, the interior of the accessory device 12 is turned on or off by the illumination lamp 49 (see steps S12, S22, and S32 in FIG. 9). Instead of this mode, a configuration may be adopted in which the brightness illuminating the room is adjusted (ie, dimming). For example, the brightness is adjusted between 100% and 0%, with the maximum light amount of the illumination lamp 49 being 100% and the light-off state being 0%. The movement of the pachinko ball becomes more or less visible depending on the brightness of the game arcade (inside the store) and the amount of light of the illumination lamp 49.
Furthermore, the brightness of the game hall may be sensed to adjust the brightness of the interior of the accessory device 12 (i.e., dimming). This makes it possible to brighten or darken the room of the accessory device 12 irrespective of the brightness of the game hall.
[0090]
(C4) In the second embodiment, the shelf 62 is provided with a movable member capable of changing the flowing direction of the pachinko ball (that is, the protrusion members 62d and 62e) (see FIG. 12). Instead of this configuration, it may be provided on the bottom plate 64, or may be provided on both the shelf plate 62 and the bottom plate 64. This makes the movement of the pachinko ball more complicated, making it difficult for the player 9 to predict the movement, but allows the player 9 to enjoy the game with the prediction.
[0091]
(C5) In the first embodiment, the half mirror 27 is provided on the room front side of the accessory device 12 (see FIG. 2). In the second embodiment, the liquid crystal plate 55 (or non-transparent) is provided on the room front side of the accessory device 12. (See FIGS. 13 and 14). In addition to simply providing these devices and members, a special metal film may be applied to the surface of the float glass in order to prevent external noise (for example, interference radio waves, etc.), or a special film may be attached in order to prevent breakage. This improves the durability.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the configuration is such that the brightness of the room of the winning device is switched, or the configuration is such that the motion of the game ball is switched between a state in which it is easy to predict and a state in which it is difficult to predict. Therefore, it becomes difficult for a player or the like to understand the movement of the game ball, and it is possible to have a fun of predicting the movement of the game ball.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the game board.
FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the accessory device in which a movable member is positioned at a shielding position.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the accessory device in which a movable member is in a posture of a passage position.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for changing the attitude of a movable member.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing each configuration example of (A) a shelf plate, (B) a retaining member, and (C) a bottom plate.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism in which a stopping member can move between a shelf plate and a bottom plate.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a connection example of a control board and the like.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an operation control process.
FIG. 10 is a time chart showing an example of an operation associated with winning a start opening.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an effect produced by a notice lamp.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a shelf board.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an operation control process.
FIG. 14 is a front view showing the accessory device in a state where the interior of the room is easy to see through.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing the accessory device in a state where it is difficult to see through the room.
FIG. 16 is a time chart showing an example of an operation associated with winning a start opening.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an indoor control process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Variable winning openings
2 Winning device
3 movable body
4 passage
5 Detector
6 (6a, 6b) Multiple areas
7 State switching means
8 Notification means
9 Player
B game ball
12 Character equipment (winning equipment)
14 Movable member (movable body)
18,50 Winner (variable wins)
20,48 Movable wing piece
22 Slope (passage)
26, 46 Notification lamp (reporting means)
27 Half mirror (semi-transparent member)
28 LED display (notification means)
42 V sensor (detector)
47 Notice lamp (information means)
49 Lighting lamp (lighting member)
55 liquid crystal plate (liquid crystal member)
62 Shelf (passage)
62a, 64b Passing hole (area)
62d, 62e Projecting member (movable body)
120 Main control board (state switching means)
122 CPU
124 ROM (storage unit)
126 RAM (storage unit)
134 motor (drive source)
136,138 solenoid (drive source)
B2, B4, B6, B8 Pachinko balls (game balls)

Claims (1)

A variable winning opening in which a game ball can be won, a movable body capable of changing the movement of a game ball entered from the variable winning opening, a plurality of areas through which a game ball entered from the variable winning opening can pass, A game machine having a prize winning device including a detector for detecting a game ball passing through an area,
A gaming machine having state switching means capable of switching the movement of a game ball entering the winning device from the variable winning opening.

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