JP2004298400A - Token game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a chance game into an interesting one in a token game machine. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine is so constituted as to put out tokens (m) through the operation performed by a token (m) thrown into a playfield B. The playfield B is provided with a chucker 5 for starting the chance game by winning of the token (m) which is thrown in the playfield B. The chucker 5 itself is so constituted as to change a token win probability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medal game machine that plays a game using inserted medals. In this specification, the term “medal” is a concept including a coin and a similar metal circular plate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Representative examples of this type of medal game machine include those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The medal game machines disclosed in these documents have a so-called pusher game mechanism as a basic configuration. This pusher game mechanism is configured by arranging two plates in a stacked relationship with each other in a play field. The upper plate repeats advance / retreat relative to the lower plate. A large number of medals inserted earlier are stored on the lower plate, and these medals are pushed toward the edge of the lower plate by the movement of the upper plate. The medals that have fallen from the edge of the lower plate are paid out to a payout port provided in an appropriate part of the game machine housing. When the medals inserted into the play field are added to the lower plate, the medals previously accumulated by the medals added in this way are pushed further toward the edge of the lower plate, and the medals stored in the lower plate are pressed. Depending on how many medals are accumulated, there is a chance to drop more medals from the lower plate and obtain them.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-210225 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-347059 A
A chance game mechanism is added to the medal game machines described in each of the above documents in order to further enhance the interest in the game. Basically, this chance game mechanism is provided with a chucker on a play field, through which a medal can be inserted according to a player's skill, and when the medal passes (wins) through the chucker, a mini game is performed. (Chance game) is activated, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the pusher game mechanism according to the result of the mini game. According to such a configuration, the player has a higher chance of acquiring more medals by his / her skill.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a chance game chucker provided in a conventional medal game machine of this type has its own medal passing probability (prize winning probability) fluctuates even if the appearance and configuration of the chucker are variously devised. It is not structured. That is, when a plurality of chuckers are provided, the probability of passing medals for each chucker naturally depends on the position and configuration on the play field where the chuckers are provided. Can be selected, but if the chucker is provided only at a certain position, the probability that a medal will pass through that chucker is only constant and the medal passing probability There is no fun of choosing.
[0006]
The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and has an object to make a chance game in a medal game machine more interesting.
[0007]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.
[0008]
That is, the medal game machine provided by the present invention is a medal game machine configured to insert a medal into a play field and receive payout of a medal through an action performed by the medal in the play field,
In the play field, there is provided a chucker for starting a chance game when a medal inserted in the play field wins,
This chucker is characterized in that it is configured to be able to change the medal winning probability itself.
[0009]
That is, the medal game machine of the present invention is characterized in that the winning probability of the chucker itself can be changed. For example, when predetermined conditions are met, while the winning probability of some of the plurality of chuckers is made lower than the winning probability of other chuckers, the medal paid out by the winning of the chucker having the reduced winning probability is obtained. By setting the number of medals to be large, it is possible to create a state in which the player is given more chances of acquiring medals in the light of his / her skill, thereby increasing the interest as a chance game. Can be enhanced. As described above, in the medal game machine of the present invention, the winning probability of the same chucker can be changed in various ways. In this regard, the fact that the winning probability naturally differs depending on the configuration and installation location of the chucker is fundamentally different. Different.
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment, the chucker includes a hole provided in a table provided in a play field, and a medal rolling on the table falls into this hole to be awarded. The chucker also includes a restricting member that circumvents the hole and restricts a medal from falling into the hole, and the revolving speed of the restricting member can be changed.
[0011]
In a preferred embodiment, the restricting member is further constituted by a plurality of protrusions provided at intervals in a circumferential direction on a ring member which fits into the opening of the hole and rotates.
[0012]
In these embodiments, as the orbiting speed of the limiting member is lower, the probability that a medal rolling on the table and heading toward the hole passes through the limiting member and falls into the hole to win a prize is increased. As the number of medals increases, the number of medals that roll on the table and head toward the hole increases, and the probability that the medal reaches the hole and wins the medals decreases. The rotation speed of the limiting member can be easily changed by controlling the number of rotations of the motor, for example.
[0013]
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the chuckers are provided, and at least one of the chuckers is capable of changing the rotation speed of the restricting member.
[0014]
As a result, it is possible to create a state in which the winning probability of some of the plurality of chuckers is made higher or lower than that of the other chuckers, and thereby, as described above, the interest as a chance game is generated. Can be further enhanced.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment, the table is further inclined such that the front side is low. By doing so, the speed at which the inserted medals roll on the table can be reduced, and the winning situation can be more easily recognized.
[0016]
In a preferred embodiment, a pusher game mechanism located below the table is arranged in the play field, and medals that have won the chucker and medals that have not won the chucker are assigned to the pusher game mechanism. It is configured to be introduced above.
[0017]
That is, in this embodiment, the winning probability of the chance game chucker itself can be changed to a medal game machine basically having a so-called pusher game mechanism.
[0018]
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal game machine A has a configuration in which a transparent showcase 1b is provided on a lower housing 1a. The inner space of the showcase 1b is divided into four zones 11 in the circumferential direction so that four players can play at the same time, and a play field B is formed in each zone 11. Two left and right medal insertion sections 2 are provided corresponding to each zone 11, and a medal payout opening 12 is provided in the lower housing 1a. As shown in FIG. 3, the medal insertion portion 2 includes a guide portion 21 for running the inserted medal m in a rolling state, and is operable to turn the guide portion 21 in a desired direction. ing.
[0021]
FIG. 2 schematically shows the front configuration of each play field B. In the play field B, a so-called pusher game mechanism 3 is arranged, and a configuration for playing various chance games is arranged. The pusher game mechanism 3 has a fixed first plate 31 having a front edge, and a reciprocating motion that repeats forward advance and retreat backward as stacked on the first plate 31. And a second plate 32. By the reciprocating motion of the second plate 32, the medals m accumulated on the first plate 31 can be dropped from the front edge of the first plate 31. The medals m dropped from the front edge of the first plate 31 can be received from the medal payout opening 12.
[0022]
Behind the pusher game mechanism 3, two left and right first chuckers 5 are provided on a table 4 that is inclined so that the front direction is low, and along the front edge of the first plate 31. In this way, five second chuckers 6 from which the medals m dropped from the front edge of the first plate 31 can be awarded are arranged side by side.
[0023]
The LCD display 10 is arranged so as to stand up behind the table 4 on which the first chucker 5 is arranged. On the LCD display 10, a demonstration image is displayed, and as a chance game, for example, a roulette game or three reels having a plurality of symbols attached to the periphery are rotated so that a predetermined symbol is displayed in a horizontal direction. An image or the like imitating a so-called slot machine, such as a "win" when the arrangement is completed, is appropriately displayed according to the progress of the game.
[0024]
In the center of the showcase 1b, a first medal dispensing device 7 that simulates a giant panda 71 shaking a large pan 72 and cooking is arranged. The giant panda 71 normally rotates at a constant speed so as to face each zone in order. On the head of the giant panda 71, a counter 74 is provided. The counter 74 has a counter for counting the number of medals inserted by the four players after being reset as a "big hit" in the past. The corresponding number is displayed. In the large pot 72, medals m expelled from appropriate portions of the Jeanant panda 71 are accumulated in accordance with the number of medals displayed on the counter 74. In the chance game described below, if a “big hit” (super jackpot) occurs, the Jeanant panda 71 stops at the zone 11 where the player who issued the “big hit” plays and stops. The player performs an operation of paying out all the medals m that have been tilted and accumulated in the play field B of the player at once. The medal m is dropped onto the table 4 on which the first chucker 5 is arranged or the pusher game mechanism 3 via a slope 73 extending from below the large pan 72 to the upper portion of the LCD display 10. Since the medals m dropped in this way are large, most of them fall directly from the front edge of the first plate 31 and are paid out from the medal payout opening 12.
[0025]
On the right side of the play field B, a second medal payout device 8 that looks like a child panda holding a steam basket is arranged. The second medal payout device 8 discharges a predetermined number of medals m from the slit 81 on the front surface of the steamed basket when a predetermined prize is won, and the medals m discharged in this manner are passed through a slope 82 through the slope 82. Payout is made on the table 4 provided with the first chucker 5 or on the pusher game mechanism 3. A part of the medals paid out in this way remains on the first plate 31 of the pusher game mechanism 3, and a part of the medals falls as it is from the front edge of the first plate 31 to reach the medal payout opening 12.
[0026]
On the left of the play field B, a chance game (ball game) mechanism 9 using a ball is arranged. The chance game mechanism 9 is activated by winning the second chucker 6 described above, and the ball discharged from the ball discharge port 91 imitating a dragon's head is a lottery member 92 imitating a two-tiered tray. A predetermined prize is obtained when the player wins the prize holes 92a and 93a opened in the lottery members 92 and 93 while rolling the 93. That is, the upper tray dish-shaped lottery member 92 is provided with several prize holes 92a. The prize holes 92a are provided with predetermined payouts other than the prize holes connected to the guide pipe 94 described later. The number of medals is set. The ball rolls while drawing a spiral in the tray-shaped lottery member 92, and eventually wins one of the winning holes 92a. The winning of the ball can be detected by a sensor provided in the winning hole 92a. One of the prize holes 92a of the upper tray dish-shaped lottery member 92 is connected to the guide pipe 94, and the ball that wins the prize hole 92a is replaced with the lower tray dish-shaped lottery member 93. And rolls while drawing a spiral thereover, and wins one of several provided prize holes 93a. A predetermined number of payout medals are set in these winning holes 93a other than those for starting a chance game described later. The payout of the number of medals determined by the lottery mechanism is performed by the second medal payout device 8 described above. Then, one of the winning holes 93a provided in the lower tray dish-shaped lottery member 93 is set as a winning hole for starting a further chance game (super jack pot game). ing. The super jack pot game is played electronically on the LCD display 10 described above, and when the super jack pot is reached, as described above, the giant as the first medal payout device 7 is set as a "big hit" as described above. The medals m (the medals displayed on the counter 74) stored in the large pot 72 of the panda 71 are paid out at once.
[0027]
The present invention is characterized in that the winning probability of the chucker itself can be changed. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the first chucker 5. Two first left and right chuckers 5 are provided on the table 4 which is tilted so that the near side is low as described above. Each chucker 5 includes a winning hole 51 formed in a table, and a limiting member 53 that can go around the winning hole 51. More specifically, a protruding restricting member 53 extending upward is provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring 54 on a rotating ring-shaped member 54 fitted into the opening of the winning hole 51. . In other words, the first chucker 5 simulates a stove pan configuration. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ring 54 or the restricting member 53 is rotated by a motor 55. The rotation speed of the motor 55 can be appropriately changed by a control unit (not shown). When the restricting member 53 is turning at a low speed, the probability that the medal m inserted into the play field B and rolls on the table toward the winning hole 51 passes through the restricting member 53 and reaches the winning hole 51 is compared. On the other hand, when the restricting member 53 is turning at a higher speed than the above, the medals m rolling toward the winning hole 51 are often rebounded by the restricting member 53 (FIG. 5 (a)). b)), as a result, the winning probability is reduced. Thus, by changing the rotation speed of the limiting member 53, the probability of winning the first chucker 5 can be easily changed. The winning of the medal to the first chucker 5 can be detected by a sensor 52 provided in the winning hole 51. The winning medals are discharged onto the pusher game mechanism 3 from the slits 42 provided on the front wall of the table 4 along the guide plate 41 disposed below the table 4 as shown in FIG. The medals m that could not win the first chucker 5 are dropped onto the pusher game mechanism 3 from the front edge of the table 4 due to the inclination of the table 4.
[0028]
As described above, the medal game machine A is based on the pusher game mechanism 3 and incorporates various chance games to enhance the interest of the medal game machine. As the chance game, as described above, in addition to a mechanical game such as a ball game (reference numeral 9) started when the second chucker 6 is won, various types of electronic games performed on the LCD display 10 are performed. You can combine chance games. In the following, an example of the overall game flow of the medal gaming machine A according to this embodiment including such an electronic chance game will be described with reference to the already described items, and the necessary configuration will be described. Will also be described.
[0029]
In the normal state, the limiting members 53 of the two first chuckers 5 simulating the stove pan are rotated at the same speed. The player inserts a medal m through the medal insertion slot 2 and inserts the medal m so that the player can pass through the restriction member 53 of the first chucker 5 on the table 4 and win a prize. Upon winning the first chucker 5, an electronic chance game on the LCD display 10 is activated. As described above, examples of the electronic chance game include a game imitating a roulette and a game imitating a slot machine. For example, in a chance game imitating a slot machine, when a predetermined pattern is completed, a predetermined number of the five second chuckers 6 arranged on the front edge of the first plate 31 of the pusher game mechanism 3 is turned on. It is said. Such selection of the ON state can be performed by, for example, turning over the chucker 6, which normally has the winning hole 61 facing downward, to face upward, or turning on the sensor 62 that detects a medal winning. it can. In this case, in order to easily identify which second chucker 6 is on, a lamp is incorporated in the second chucker 6 and the lamp of the on-state chucker is turned on. Can be considered. Note that, in this embodiment, the second chucker 6 has a configuration in which a decoration imitating the form of meat is added.
[0030]
As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned ball game 9 is activated by winning the second chucker 6, so that as more of the second chuckers 6 are turned on, the above-mentioned bomb game 9 To the super jackpot game. Also, in the above chance game, it is possible to variously set how many or at which position the second chucker is turned on depending on the symbols to be arranged. Further, in this chance game, when a predetermined pattern is completed or when a specific pattern appears, a predetermined medal m is paid out from the second medal payout device 8 in combination. It is also interesting.
[0031]
Further, in the above-mentioned electronic chance game on the LCD display 10 which is started when the first chucker 5 is won, the first chucker 5 is notified when a specific pattern is completed or when a specific pattern appears. The following mini-game utilizing the fact that the winning probability can be changed can be set. That is, when such mini-game starting conditions are met, the game shifts to the mini-game mode in which a predetermined number of medals m are paid out when the first chucker 5 is won. When the winning probability of one prize is lower than that of the other prize, and when the prize is won in the first chucker 5 with the lower prize probability, the payout is made more than when the prize is won in the first chucker 5 with the higher prize probability. Increase the number. The shift to such a mini-game and the payout conditions in such a mini-game mode can be displayed on the LCD display 10 to notify the player. The payout is executed, for example, by the second medal payout device 8. Alternatively, as another mode of the mini game, the number of the second chuckers 6 to be turned on is higher when the first chucker 5 with the lower probability is won than when the first chucker 5 with the higher probability is won. It is also conceivable to increase the number.
[0032]
In such a mini-game, the player selects which of the first chuckers 5 with different winning probabilities to insert the medals m, that is, gives the player a chance to obtain more medals in light of his / her skill. It is possible to create a state of giving, which can further enhance the interest as a chance game.
[0033]
By winning the second chucker 6, the player can proceed to the above-described chance game as the bomb game 9. In this chance game, the giant panda 71 as the first medal payout device 7 has a large pot As described above, there is a chance of receiving a payout of all the medals stored in the 72 in a super jackpot.
[0034]
Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The present invention is characterized in that the winning probability of the chucker itself can be changed, and any configuration for enabling the changing of the winning probability may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, various chance games starting from winning the first chucka are included. However, there are various chance games, and the chance game started when the above-mentioned chucka is won is started. The type is not limited.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall external view showing an example of a medal game machine of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a play field in each zone of the medal game machine in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 2, showing the structure of a first chucker.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of a first chucker.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of a first chucker.
[Explanation of symbols]
A medal game machine B play field m medal 4 table 5 first chucker 6 second chucker

Claims (6)

A medal amusement machine configured to throw a medal into a play field and receive a payout of a medal through an action performed by the medal in the play field,
In the play field, there is provided a chucker for starting a chance game when a medal inserted in the play field wins,
The medal game machine is characterized in that the chucker itself is configured to change the medal winning probability. The chucker includes a hole provided in a table provided in a play field, and is configured so that a medal rolling on the table falls into this hole to win a prize. The medal game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting member that circulates around and restricts a medal from falling into the hole, and wherein a circling speed of the restricting member is changeable. The medal game machine according to claim 2, wherein the restricting member is constituted by a plurality of protrusions provided at intervals in a circumferential direction on a ring member that fits into the opening of the hole and rotates. The medal game machine according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the chuckers are provided, and at least one of the chuckers is capable of changing a rotation speed of a limiting member. The medal game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the table is inclined so that the near side is low. In the play field, a pusher game mechanism located below the table is arranged, and a medal that has won the chucker and a medal that has not won the chucker are introduced on the pusher game mechanism. The medal game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the game is performed.

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