JP2005027878A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the interesting property of a game during a period until the patterns of a pattern display section (variable display device) start varying. <P>SOLUTION: In this Pachinko machine of a so-called right granting type, characters are displayed (character performance) in a character display area 25C on the basis of the entry of a ball in a start opening before patterns of a variable display device 25 in which the patterns start varying only when a game ball enters the start opening and a game ball enters a role object device from a ball winning opening and enters a V winning opening. The characters displayed in the character display area 25C change every time when a game ball enters the start opening (see Figs. (b) and (c)). Even when a game ball fails to enter the winning opening, a player pays attention to the character performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball game machine capable of playing a game by firing a game ball toward a game board.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Among the ball game machines, there is a third type of pachinko machine called a right object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of pachinko machine game board, for example, an accessory device, an operation port, a round starting rotary body, a big prize winning port, and the like are arranged. When the game ball launched toward the game board enters the operation port, the game ball can enter the entrance as the entrance of the game ball to the accessory device. When a game ball that has entered the accessory device from the entrance enters a predetermined winning entrance (so-called V winning entrance), symbol variation of a variable display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is started. The symbol is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. When a predetermined symbol (a jackpot symbol) is stopped on the variable display, a right is generated and the player can enjoy the jackpot game.
[0003]
When the right is generated, the player puts the game ball into the ball housing recess formed in the round starting rotating body that is always rotating at a constant speed by making a right hand strike. The game ball that has entered the ball housing recess rotates together with the round start rotating body, and is collected in the machine through the round start region.
When the game ball passes through the round start area, it becomes possible to enter the game ball into the big winning opening arranged below the round starting rotary body. A number (for example, 15) of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls. During the jackpot game, the player can easily put a large number of game balls into the big prize opening, and can obtain a large number of prize balls for entering the big prize opening.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-17998
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described prior art, the design of the variable display is made only when a game ball enters the operation port, a game ball enters the accessory device from the entrance port, and the game ball enters the V prize port. Since it fluctuates, there is a problem that until the game ball enters the V winning opening (while the design of the variable display does not fluctuate), the change of the game is scarce and uninteresting. In this case, the player is bored, stops playing the pachinko machine, and moves to another pachinko machine, which is not preferable.
[0006]
The present invention has been made under such a background, and provides a ball game machine in which the interest of the game is further improved until the symbol of the symbol display unit (variable indicator) starts to fluctuate. Objective.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The invention described in claim 1 for achieving the above object is a bullet ball game machine capable of playing a game by launching a game ball toward the game board (1), wherein the game ball can enter the game. The operation port (3), a winning port (221) that makes it easy to enter when a game ball enters the operating port, and a variety of symbols can be displayed in a variable manner. When a symbol display unit (25, 25L, 25R) that starts symbol variation in response to entering and a symbol (big hit symbol) predetermined in the symbol display unit stops, a big hit game advantageous to the player is executed. When the game ball enters the action opening and the jackpot game execution means (8, T8), the character is displayed until the game ball enters the winning opening and the symbol on the symbol display section starts to change. Character display means (25, 25C, 8, S5) It is a ball-shooting game machine according to claim.
[0008]
The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, when a game ball enters the operation port, the character can be displayed by the character display means to produce an effect (character effect). Therefore, even if the game ball does not enter the winning port, the player Will pay attention to the character production. Therefore, the interest of the game until the symbol on the symbol display unit starts to change is further improved, and the player can be prevented from being bored.
[0009]
The invention described in claim 2 includes a ball number counting means (81) for counting the number of game balls that have entered the operation port (3), and the character display means (25, 25C, 8, S5). 2. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the mode of the character to be displayed is switched based on the count value obtained by the pitch counting means.
The character display means may switch the character to be displayed each time the count value by the number-of-entrance counting means is incremented (+1).
[0010]
According to the configuration of the present invention, the mode of the character displayed by the character display means is switched every time the game ball enters the operation port, so that the player can be expected to be in a gaming state advantageous to the player. Can be given to. Therefore, the interest of the game is further improved, and the player can be more effectively prevented from being bored.
The character display means (25, 25C, 8, S5) preferably switches the character display mode in such a manner that it develops whenever a game ball enters the operation port (3).
[0011]
As in the third aspect of the invention, the character display means (25, 25C, 8, S5) is configured to hide the character in response to a game ball entering the winning opening (221). May be.
The invention according to claim 4 includes game information notifying means (25, 8, T11) for notifying the player of game information at a predetermined timing. It is a ball game machine.
[0012]
The game information notifying means (25, 8, T11) may display the character and notify the game information.
The game information notifying means (25, 8, T11) may notify the game information when the number of game balls entering the operation port is a predetermined number or more.
The game information notifying means (25, 8, T11) is used when a symbol (out of symbol) different from the predetermined symbol is stopped on the symbol display section (25, 25L, 25R) after the jackpot game ends. In addition, game information may be notified.
[0013]
According to the configuration of the present invention, the player pays attention to the notification by the game information notification means even in a state in which the interest of the game is reduced after the jackpot game is ended or after the off-line symbol is stopped. . Therefore, the interest of the game is further improved, and the player can be more effectively prevented from being bored.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a game board 1 provided in a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
This pachinko machine is a third type of pachinko machine called a right item, and on the board surface of the game board 1, an accessory device 2, an operating port 3, a round starting rotary body 4, a grand prize winning port 5 and the like are arranged. Has been. During a game, a handle (not shown) that can be rotated within a predetermined angle range is rotated by a player, and a game is played from a ball launcher (not shown) with a resilience according to the amount of operation of the handle. A ball (pachinko ball) is fired. The game ball launched from the ball launcher is guided by a substantially arc-shaped guide rail 7 disposed on the board surface of the game board 1 and released from the upper left side of the game board 1 toward the upper right. A large number of obstacle nails are placed on the surface of the game board 1, and the game ball released from the guide rail 7 falls along the board surface of the game board 1 and passes between the many obstacle nails. To do.
[0015]
The accessory device 2 is disposed in the approximate center of the game board 1. At the top of the accessory device 2, a entrance 21 as an entrance for a game ball into the accessory device 2 is disposed, and a pair of expansion / contraction is associated with the entrance 21. An electric tulip accessory 211 having wings that can be closed is provided. Usually, a pair of blades of the electric tulip accessory 211 is closed and closed so that a game ball hardly enters the entrance 21. When the game ball enters the operation port 3 in the process of falling along the game board 1, the pair of blades of the electric tulip accessory 211 is responsive to the incoming ball for a certain period of time (for example, 0. 0). 5 seconds), and it becomes easy to put the game ball into the accessory device 2 through the entrance 21.
[0016]
However, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the game ball is difficult to enter the entrance 21 with the pair of blades of the electric tulip accessory 211 closed and closed, and the game ball cannot enter the entrance 21. Such a configuration may be adopted.
In the accessory device 2, a substantially disc-shaped ball sorting rotator 22 is arranged such that its axis extends in the vertical direction. For example, one winning opening 221, 222, 223 (three in total) is formed in the peripheral portion of the ball distribution rotating body 22 at positions separated by approximately 120 ° in the circumferential direction. The ball sorting rotator 22 is constantly rotating at a constant speed around the axis while the pachinko machine is powered on.
[0017]
The game ball that has entered the accessory device 2 from the entrance 21 falls through the ball passage 23 and is guided to a substantially annular guide path 24 formed around the ball distribution rotating body 22. The game ball that has reached the guide path 24 rolls around the ball distribution rotating body 22 along the guide path 24 for a predetermined time, and then enters one of the three winning ports 221 to 223. One of the three winning ports 221 to 223 (winning port 221) is a so-called V winning port. When a game ball enters the V winning port 221, the accessory device 2 is provided. The variable operation of the variable display 25 is started.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the display mode of the variable display 25.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, variable display 25 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and regions 25L and 25R at the left and right ends of the display screen are each provided with a plurality of types of symbols (for example, “1 ”To“ 8 ”) is a symbol display area in which variable display is possible. A region 25C in the center of the display screen sandwiched between these symbol display regions 25L and 25R is a character display region capable of displaying various characters. As will be described in detail later, in the character display area 25C, an effect (character effect) can be performed by displaying a plurality of types of characters in stages.
[0019]
When a game ball enters the V prize opening 221, the symbols (see FIG. 2A) of the symbol display areas 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R of the variable display 25 that have been stopped start changing as shown in FIG. 2B. (In FIG. 2, arrows are attached to the symbol display areas 25L and 25R during symbol variation (the same applies hereinafter)). When the fixed time has elapsed, the symbol in the left symbol display area 25L stops (see FIG. 2C), and when the fixed time has passed, the symbol in the right symbol display area 25R stops (FIG. 2 ( d)). As the symbol variation mode, in addition to the normal symbol variation (normal reach) in which the symbols in the left and right symbol display areas 25L and 25R scroll in the vertical direction, the symbol varies in a special manner (for example, the symbol shakes in the horizontal direction). Special reach can be performed.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2D, when the same symbol is stopped in the left and right symbol display areas 25L and 25R, a right is generated and the player can enjoy the jackpot game. On the other hand, when different symbols are stopped in the left and right symbol display areas 25L and 25R, no right is generated and the jackpot game is not executed. In the big hit game, the handle is rotated more than a predetermined angle near the maximum angle, and the game ball is vigorously launched aiming at the upper right side of the game board 1 (so-called right hit is performed). The game ball that has reached the upper right part of the game board 1 is guided to the round starting rotator 4 side by a nail structure in the vicinity thereof.
[0021]
The round starting rotator 4 has a substantially disk-shaped outer shape, and is arranged so that the center axis thereof is orthogonal to the game board 1. The round start rotating body 4 is always rotating around the axis line at a constant speed while the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. A substantially U-shaped notch (sphere receiving recess 41) is formed at a part of the periphery of the round starting rotator 4, and is guided to the round starting rotator 4 side by right-handing so as to receive the sphere receiving recess 41. The game ball that has entered inside rotates together with the rotator 4 for starting the round. When the ball housing recess 43 faces the round start area 42 formed at a predetermined position (for example, lower right) around the round start rotating body 4, the game ball rolls out from the ball housing recess 41, and the game The ball is collected in the aircraft through the round start area 42.
[0022]
When the game ball passes through the round start area 42, the open / close plate 51 that closes the grand prize winning opening 5 tilts to the near side with a pivot shaft (not shown) arranged along the lower edge thereof, The grand prize opening 5 is opened. Of the game balls that have reached the upper right side of the game board 1, most of the game balls that have not entered the ball housing recess 41 of the round start rotary body 4 are between the round start rotary body 4 and the big prize opening 5. It is led to the big prize opening 5 by the nail structure. A game ball that falls onto the big prize opening 5 with the big prize opening 5 opened is received by the tilted opening / closing plate 51 and introduced into the big prize opening 5. A predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls is given to the player as a prize ball for entering the big winning opening 5.
[0023]
The special winning opening 5 is opened until a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10) of game balls enter the special winning opening 5 or until a predetermined time elapses. In the jackpot game, the period in which the big prize opening 5 is opened as described above is defined as one round, and this one round period is repeated a predetermined number of times. Therefore, during the jackpot game, the player can easily put a large number of game balls into the big prize opening 5 and can obtain a large number of prize balls for entering the big prize opening 5. . During the big hit game, the number of rounds currently being executed is displayed on the display screen of the variable display 25 (see FIG. 2E).
[0024]
The game balls that have not entered any of the entrance 21, the operation entrance 3, the ball receiving recess 41, and the big prize opening 5 are collected in the machine from the out-ball collection opening 6 formed at the bottom of the game board 1. The
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of this pachinko machine.
Referring to FIG. 3, the operation of this pachinko machine is controlled by a control unit 8 including a microcomputer, for example. The control unit 8 is provided with a step number counter 81 for counting the number of steps (step number) when the characters are displayed step by step in the character display area 25C of the variable display 25.
[0025]
The control unit 8 includes an operation port sensor 3A for detecting a ball entering the operation port 3, a V winning port sensor 221A for detecting a ball entering the V winning port 221, and a game ball in the round start area 42. Detection signals are input from a round start area sensor 42A for detecting passage, a large winning opening sensor 5A for detecting entry into the large winning opening 5, and the like.
The control unit 8 is connected to a variable display 25, an electric tulip accessory 211, an opening / closing plate 51, a ball distribution rotating body 22, a round starting rotating body 4, and the like as control objects. The operation of the object is controlled by the control unit 8.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the control unit 8 when a game ball enters the operation port 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the control unit 8 when a game ball enters the V prize opening 221. Furthermore, FIG. 6 is a figure which shows the specific example of the display mode of the variable indicator 25 when a character effect is performed.
First, referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the control unit 8 monitors whether or not a game ball enters the operation port 3 while a game is being performed (step S1). When a game ball enters the operation port 3 and a detection signal is input from the operation port sensor 3A (YES in step S1), the control unit 8 holds the electric tulip accessory 211 for a certain time (for example, 0.5 seconds). ) Is expanded (step S2).
[0027]
If the count value (number of steps) of step number counter 81 has not reached a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “50”) (NO in step S3), control unit 8 increments the count value of step number counter 81 by +1. (Increment) (step S4). On the other hand, when the number of steps has reached the upper limit value (NO in step S3), the control unit 8 does not increment the count value of the step number counter 81 by +1.
[0028]
Thereafter, the control unit 8 executes a character effect corresponding to the number of steps (step S5). Specifically, when the number of steps as shown in FIG. 6A is “0”, a game ball enters the operation port 3 and when the number of steps becomes “1”, the character display area 25C is displayed. A character imitating “egg” is displayed (see FIG. 6B). When a game ball further enters the operation port 3 from this state and the number of steps becomes “2”, the character in the character display area 25C is switched to a character imitating “an egg with a broken shell” ( (Refer FIG.6 (c)). In this way, the character displayed in the character display area 25C is switched in such a manner that it develops whenever a game ball enters the operation port 3.
[0029]
In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the operation port 3, the character can be displayed in the character display area 25 </ b> C to perform a character effect. Therefore, even if no game ball enters the V prize opening 221, the player Will pay attention to the character production. Therefore, the interest of the game until the symbols in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R start to change is further improved, and the player can be prevented from being bored.
In particular, it is expected that a game state advantageous to the player may be obtained by adopting a configuration in which the character in the character display area 25C is switched (in a developing manner) each time a game ball enters the operation port 3. Can be given to the player. Therefore, the interest of the game is further improved, and the player can be more effectively prevented from being bored.
[0030]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the control unit 8 monitors whether or not a game ball enters the V winning opening 221 while the game is being performed (step T1). When a game ball enters the V winning opening 221 and a detection signal is input from the V winning opening sensor 221A (YES in step T1), the control unit 8 determines whether or not to execute the jackpot game. After performing the big hit lottery (step T2) and the stop symbol lottery (step T3) for determining the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R of the variable display 25, the symbol changing operation of the symbol display areas 25L and 25R Is started (step T4). At this time, the character displayed in the character display area 25C disappears (not displayed) as shown in FIG. 6D (step T5).
[0031]
If it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed as a result of the jackpot lottery (YES in step T6), that is, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, the control unit 8 displays the left and right symbol display areas 25L and 25R. After the same symbol (the jackpot symbol) is stopped (step T7), the jackpot game is executed (step T8). On the other hand, when it is determined that the jackpot game is not to be executed as a result of the jackpot lottery (NO in step T6), that is, when the jackpot lottery result is off, the control unit 8 performs the process shown in FIG. Then, different symbols (out of symbol) are stopped in the left and right symbol display areas 25L and 25R (step T9).
[0032]
In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the V winning opening 221 with the number of steps reaching the upper limit value, the symbol display is performed in the game after the big hit game is finished (step T8) or after the off symbol is stopped (step T9). A mode (notification mode) for notifying the player of predetermined game information using the display screen of the variable display 25 until the symbols of the regions 25L and 25R change by a predetermined number of times (for example, five times). It is supposed to be executed. That is, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the number of steps is the upper limit after the jackpot game is over (step T8) or after the off symbol stop (step T9) (step T10), and the number of steps is the upper limit. In such a case (YES in step T10), after setting to execute the notification mode (step T11), the count value of the step number counter 81 is cleared (step T12).
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the display mode of the variable display 25 when the notification mode is executed.
When the number of steps reaches the upper limit value, a character imitating “angel” is displayed in the character display area 25C of the variable display 25 as shown in FIG. When a game ball enters the V winning opening 221 in this state, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, the jackpot game is executed after the jackpot symbol is displayed in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R, while the jackpot lottery is performed. If the result is out of position, the out-of-pattern is stopped in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R.
[0034]
Thereafter, until the symbols in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R change a predetermined number of times (for example, five times), the game information is displayed at a fixed timing on the display screen of the variable display 25, whereby the notification mode is set. Executed. In the specific example of FIG. 7, a character imitating an “angel” is displayed on the display screen of the variable display 25, and if the next symbol variation in the symbol display areas 25L and 25R is normal reach, it is always a big hit. (See FIG. 7B).
[0035]
According to such a configuration, the player pays attention to the display of the variable display 25 in the notification mode even in a state where the interest of the game is reduced, such as after the jackpot game is ended or after the game is stopped. Will be. Therefore, the interest of the game is further improved, and the player can be more effectively prevented from being bored.
However, the content of the game information displayed on the variable display 25 during the notification mode is not limited to the content shown in FIG. 7B, and for example, there is a probability that it will be a big hit when displayed in the character display area 25C. It may be configured to notify other information advantageous to the player, such as notifying a character (premium character) that increases.
[0036]
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the character effect is not limited to a configuration in which a character is switched every time a game ball enters the operation port 3, but may be configured to switch a character each time a predetermined number of game balls enter the operation port 3. .
The symbol display areas 25L and 25R and the character display area 25C are not limited to being configured by the same variable display 25, but may be configured by separate displays.
[0037]
Further, the variable display 25 is not limited to the configuration provided in the accessory device 2, and may be arranged separately from the accessory device 2.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a game board provided in a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a display mode of a variable display.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the control unit when a game ball enters the operation port.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the control unit when a game ball enters the V winning opening.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a display mode of a variable display when a character effect is executed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the variable display when the notification mode is executed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 3 Operating port 8 Control part 81 Step number counter 25 Variable display device 25L, 25R Symbol display area 25C Character display area 221 V prize opening

Claims (4)

A ball game machine capable of playing a game ball by launching a game ball toward the game board,
An operating port through which a game ball can enter,
A winning opening that makes it easy to enter when a game ball enters the operating port,
A symbol display unit that can display a variety of symbols in a variable manner, and starts symbol variation in response to a game ball entering the winning opening.
A jackpot game executing means for executing a jackpot game advantageous to a player when a predetermined symbol is stopped in the symbol display section;
And a character display means for displaying a character before the game ball enters the winning opening and the symbols on the symbol display section start to change when a game ball enters the operation port. A ball game machine. Including the number-of-balls counting means for counting the number of game balls that have entered the working port,
2. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the character display means switches a character mode to be displayed based on a count value obtained by the number-of-entrance counting means. 3. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the character display means hides the character in response to the game ball entering the winning opening. 4. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising game information notifying means for notifying the player of game information at a predetermined timing.

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