JP2005143687A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko game machine with excellent playing potentialities by enhancing the expectations felt for the winning of prizes. <P>SOLUTION: The pachinko game machine 1 has a center generator 8 at the central position of the surface of the game board 4 and the center generator 8 is actuated by the winning of starter prize winning slots 12 and 13. During the actuation of the center generator 8, the winning of major prize winning slots is made possible and as the winning game balls further pass through a V zone in the center generator 8, the special game state is offered. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine 1, the array of obstacle nails or the like on the board surface is arranged closer to the center generator 8 to further enhance the expectations felt for the winning of the center generator 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a variable winning device capable of changing a winning probability by displacement of a movable member.

  An example of this type of gaming machine is one that includes a variable winning device that is arranged at a substantially central position in the gaming area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a variable winning device (an electric accessory device) is also referred to as a “center accessory”, and the game ball that has won there is a big hit when it passes through a specific area inside. The variable winning device has, for example, a pair of left and right movable members, and by operating these movable members, it is possible to change the winning probability to the winning opening.

  Specifically, when the movable member is of a type that can open and close the prize opening, if the movable member is in a state where the prize opening is open, it is possible to win there (there is a probability of winning), and conversely the movable member is the prize opening. There is no possibility of winning in the closed state (no winning probability). In addition, in the so-called electric tulip type variable prize winning device, it is relatively easy to win a prize when the movable member is in an expanded state (high probability of winning), and conversely, if the movable member is in a constricted state, a prize is relatively awarded. It becomes difficult (the probability of winning a prize is small).

In any case, in a gaming machine equipped with a variable winning device, when the movable member is ready to win, the player can play a game with a stronger expectation of winning than before. For this reason, in a gaming machine equipped with a variable winning device, it is considered that by changing the movable member to a state where it is easier to win a prize, a sense of expectation for winning is also increased, and the gameability can be improved accordingly.
JP 2002-126220 A (page 3-4, FIG. 2, FIG. 3)

  However, it is preferable to change the movable member to a state where it becomes excessively easy to win even if it is for improving the gameability in the gaming machine because it is expected that the gambling will be excessively increased thereby. Absent. For this reason, even with known gaming machines, even though the movement of the movable member can increase the expectation of winning a prize, the movement only changes the winning probability within a predetermined range, and it still improves the interest. There is a problem that there is a limit.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can further improve the interest of a gaming machine without excessively improving gambling.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention is provided in a game area of a game board, and includes a variable winning device having a movable member that can be opened and closed with respect to a winning opening, a driving means that opens and closes the movable member, and a movable by the driving means. Control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the member.

  In the above variable winning device, since the movable member is in an open state, it is possible to increase the expectation of winning the prize, so by controlling the opening / closing operation, the player's attention is drawn and the game content is more interesting Can be provided.

(Solution 2)
A more specific configuration of the gaming machine includes a variable winning device that is disposed in a gaming area of the gaming board and has a movable member that is displaceable between a predetermined first posture and a second posture with respect to the winning opening. The movable member is formed in a position on the upper surface side in a state of being in the second posture, formed in a game area, a ball receiving surface that extends in a direction along the board surface to receive the game ball and guide it to the winning opening, A light emitting region that is continuous with the end portion of the movable member in the second posture and extends in a direction in which the ball receiving surface expands from the end portion, and the movable member is displaced between the first posture and the second posture. And a control means for controlling the light emission state of the light emitting area in synchronization with the operation.

  When the movable member of the variable winning device is displaced to the second posture during the operation of the gaming machine, the ball receiving surface is positioned on the upper surface side thereof, so that the game ball flowing down the board surface is received by the ball receiving surface and the winning opening It will be guided to. At this time, it can be said that the wider the range in which a game ball can be received by the ball receiving surface within the game area, the easier it will be to win, but expanding such a range unnecessarily will increase the euphoria excessively. Is not preferable because it is expected. For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, a light emitting area extending in the direction in which the ball receiving surface expands is formed, and the light emitting area is controlled to emit light in synchronization with the movement of the movable member to the second posture. .

  As specific control contents, for example, by controlling the light emitting region to emit light in accordance with the timing at which the movable member is displaced to the second posture, the player feels as if the movable member has been extended, It is possible to give a visual effect as if the ball receiving surface has been expanded. As a result, it is possible to enhance the visual expectation of winning a prize when the variable winning device is operated, and to improve the fun of the game. Further, even if the expectation of visual winning is increased during the game, the winning probability in the structure is not increased, so that the gambling ability of the gaming machine does not become excessively high.

  The “end portion” of the movable member includes various parts such as a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a side end portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion. Therefore, as long as the “light emitting region” extends in the direction in which the ball receiving surface expands, the “light emitting region” may be in a state of being arranged not only at one place but also at a plurality of “ends”.

(Solution 3)
In the above solution 2, the light emitting region further includes a lap portion that overlaps the rear side of the movable member in the second posture, and the movable member transmits light so as to transmit light emitted from the wrap portion to the near side. The aspect which has property is preferable. In this case, since the light from the lap portion is transmitted through the movable member and visually recognized by the player, it is possible to give a visual sense of unity as if the movable member and the light emitting region are integrally emitting light. .

(Solution 4)
In the solving means 2 and 3, the gaming machine of the present invention further includes an intermediate light emitting region formed in the gaming region and extending continuously from the end portion in the process of moving the movable member from the first posture to the second posture. The control means has a function of further controlling the light emitting state of the intermediate light emitting region in synchronization with the movement of the movable member between the first posture and the second posture.

  In this case, the visual effect of the intermediate light emitting region is exhibited not only in the state where the movable member is in the second posture but also in the process of displacement from the first posture to the second posture. For this reason, since the player can make an illusion as if the movable member was extended while being displaced to the second posture, the visual effect when the movable member is displaced to the second posture can be exhibited without a sense of incongruity. .

  It should be noted that the “displacement process from the first posture to the second posture” may be interpreted as including the first posture at the moment when the movable member that has been stationary until then starts to be displaced. Accordingly, the “intermediate light emitting region” can include all the elements connected to the end of the movable member in the course of displacement including the first posture.

(Solution 5)
Alternatively, in the above solution means 4, a plurality of intermediate light emitting regions are formed along the displacement direction of the movable member, and the control means is a process in which the movable member is displaced from the first posture to the second posture. The aspect which has a function which controls the light emission state of a some intermediate | middle light emission area | region in order of the displacement direction may be sufficient.

  With such an aspect, in addition to the solution means 4 described above, it is possible to make the process of moving the movable member extended from the normal illusion more realistic. For this reason, the visual change of a movable member can be impressed more strongly with respect to a player.

(Solution 6)
In the solving means 4 and 5, preferably, the length of the intermediate light emitting region is set shorter than the length of the light emitting region when viewed from the end of the movable member in the outward direction. In this case, since the movable member in the displacement process is visually felt shorter than the movable member in the second posture, the player is given an illusion as if the movable member was gradually extended in the process of displacement. be able to. For this reason, the visual extension effect of the movable member can be given to the player without a sense of incongruity.

(Solution 7)
Alternatively, in the above solution 5, the length of the plurality of intermediate light emitting regions is set to be shorter than the length of the light emitting region when viewed from the end of the movable member in the outer direction, and the plurality of intermediate light emitting regions further include the movable member. It is preferable that the length is extended in order from the one close to the first posture in the displacement direction.

  In this case, as the movable member is displaced from the first posture to the second posture, the light emitting state is controlled in order from the shortest to the longest light emitting region, so that the movable member is synchronized with the operation. The gradually expanding process can be visually recognized in a moving-picture-like manner.

(Solution 8)
In the above solutions 2 to 7, the movable member can be rotated along the board surface around the base end portion, and the light emitting region extends to the extension line of the distal end portion in a state where the movable member is in the second posture. More preferably, the light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitters arranged in a row along the line. In this case, the light emitting area (or the intermediate light emitting area) is formed in a direction in which the movable member extends from the tip to the tip, so that the player can easily recognize the visual effect directly.

(Solution 9)
Alternatively, in the solution means 7 described above, the plurality of intermediate light emitting regions include a plurality of light emitter rows arranged in a fan shape along the rotation direction of the movable member, and the control means rotates the movable member. The aspect which has a function which controls the light emission state of each light-emitting body row | line | column synchronizing with is preferable.

  In this case, the plurality of light emitter rows are sequentially emitted in synchronization with the rotation of the movable member, so that the movement of the movable member is greatly recognized in the process of rotating, and the movable member is It is possible to clearly impress the player on how the player is stretched.

(Solution 10)
In the above solutions 2 to 9, it is more preferable that the emission color in the light emission region (or the intermediate light emission region) and the color of the movable member are set to the same color. As a result, the visual sense of unity between the movable member and the light emitting region (or the intermediate light emitting region) can be further enhanced, and the effect is maximized.

(Solution 11)
Further, in the above solutions 2 to 10, the variable winning device operates in a specific region in which a condition for shifting to the special gaming state is generated when a game ball that has won a prize from the winning opening passes and a predetermined operation pattern. The control means includes a distribution member, and a distribution device that changes a probability that the game ball passes through the specific area by distributing a movement destination of the game ball won from the winning opening by the distribution member. When the movable member is displaced to the second posture at a timing when the probability of passing through the specific region increases from the relationship with the operation pattern of the sorting member, the light emitting region is controlled to emit light with a specific color. May be.

  As one aspect of the gaming process in the gaming machine, there is one that shifts to a special gaming state when a gaming ball that has won a variable winning device further passes a specific area. In such an aspect, after winning the variable winning device, whether or not to pass through the specific area greatly depends on the distribution of the game balls inside. For this reason, the player sets the first goal to win the variable winning device during the game, and further advances from there to make the variable winning device win at a timing that makes it easier to pass the specific area. Make it a goal.

  On the other hand, since the sorting member is operated with a certain movement pattern, it is uniformly judged as a simple bonus probability that the game ball will be sorted with the probability that it will easily pass through the specific area when winning in the winning slot. can do. Therefore, if the control unit measures the above timing based on the operation pattern of the sorting member and the timing at which the movable member is displaced to the second posture is close to the timing at which it easily passes through the specific region, By making the light emitting region emit light with a specific color different from the case, it is possible to strongly appeal the player to the expectation to pass the specific region.

  In this case, it is premised that the light emitting area can emit light with two or more colors instead of a single color, and it is more effective that the above-mentioned “specific color” belongs to a color system having a high visual appeal. In addition, the “specific color” may be a system different from the color in other cases (particularly, the timing at which it does not easily pass through the specific area).

  As described above, according to the present invention, the light emitting region or the intermediate light emitting region emits light with the operation of the movable member, so that the effect of visually enhancing or exaggerating the operation of the movable member can be obtained. For this reason, in this invention, the range of applicability can be provided as follows about the function of a control means.

  (1) When the control means controls the light emission state of the light emitting region “synchronously with the operation” of the movable member, the timing at which the movable member is displaced to reach the second posture and the timing at which the light emitting region emits light are completely The timings of the two may be shifted within a range in which a certain visual effect can be obtained. Therefore, any mode in which the light emission state of the light emitting region is controlled while maintaining a certain relationship between the two is included in the control performed in “synchronization with the operation” of the movable member.

  (2) Further, when the control means controls the light emission state of the intermediate light emitting region “synchronously with the operation” of the movable member, the position of the end of the movable member is completely the same as the position of the intermediate light emitting region in the process of displacement of the movable member. It is not necessary to cause the intermediate light emitting region to emit light at a matching timing, and the intermediate light emitting region may emit light at a timing at which the position of the end of the movable member is deviated from the position of the intermediate light emitting region with a certain interval. Therefore, if the intermediate light emitting region emits light while maintaining a certain relationship with the position of the end portion in the process of displacement of the movable member, the control is performed “synchronously with the operation” of the movable member. included.

  (3) Particularly with respect to the above (2), the control means can also execute the following control “in synchronization with the operation” of the movable member.

  That is, in an aspect including a light emitting region and a plurality of intermediate light emitting regions, when the displacement speed of the movable member is extremely high, if the plurality of intermediate light emitting regions are caused to emit light in order according to the displacement speed, individual The light emitting interval of the intermediate light emitting region becomes extremely short, and the adjacent intermediate light emitting regions are visually recognized as if they are emitting light almost simultaneously, so that a sufficient visual effect may not be obtained. In such a case, the control means may perform control so that the plurality of intermediate light emitting regions emit light sequentially in accordance with a speed slightly slower than the displacement speed of the movable member. Thereby, since the light emission intervals of the individual intermediate light emitting areas are appropriately maintained, it is possible for the player to fully see how the plurality of intermediate light emitting areas change in the displacement direction of the movable member while emitting light in order. .

  The gaming machine according to the present invention can give an illusion that the movable member is expanded more than the actual one by visually impressing the player on the movement of the movable member. As a result, a sense of expectation for winning is increased when the variable winning device is activated, and a more interesting game can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described along the following items with reference to the corresponding drawings.
A. First Embodiment A1. Basic configuration of the gaming machine (Figure 1)
A2. Variable winning device (Figure 2)
A2-1. Movable member A2-2. Ball bearing surface A3. Light emitting area, intermediate light emitting area (Fig. 2)
A4. Control means (Fig. 3)
A5. Operation example 1 (FIG. 4)
A6. Operation example 2 (FIG. 4)
A7. Operation example 3 (FIG. 5)
A8. Operation example 4
B. Second Embodiment (FIG. 6)
B1. Variable winning device (Figure 7)
B2. Movable member (Fig. 7)
B3. Light emitting area, intermediate light emitting area (FIG. 7)
B4. Control means B5. Operation example 1 (FIG. 7)
B6. Operation example 2 (FIG. 7)
C. Reference to other embodiments.

(A. First embodiment)
The first embodiment relates to a gaming machine that is classified into two types of pachinko machines (so-called feathers) for legal purposes.

(A1. Basic configuration of gaming machine)
FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment. As is well known, the pachinko machine 1 is roughly divided into a frame body 2 and a game board 4, and the game board 4 is detachably attached to the frame body 2.

  The game board 4 has a substantially circular game area on the front side facing the player, and in the game by the pachinko machine 1, game balls launched toward this game area move in various ways in the game area. While proceeding. The launched game ball flows down along the board surface, and in the process, various movement changes are given by a guide nail (not shown), a windmill 6 or the like.

  In the game area, a center winning feature 8 that has a particularly large eye-catching position is arranged at a substantially central position, and a general winning opening 10, start winning openings 12, 13 and the like are arranged around the center. When a game ball is won at these winning openings 10, 12, and 13, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out. Particularly when the winning winning openings 12 and 13 are won, the center accessory 8 is triggered a predetermined number of times (for example, once). (Or twice).

  The center accessory 8 has a pair of left and right movable members (blades) 14, and when the center accessory 8 is in operation, the left and right movable members 14 are arranged in the left-right direction as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure. After unfolding, they can be constricted again as indicated by the solid line.

(A2. Variable winning device)
FIG. 2 shows the center accessory 8 and its surrounding parts (some of them are omitted) in more detail in the game area. The center accessory 8 has a pair of left and right large winning openings 16, and the movable member 14 is disposed corresponding to each large winning opening 16.

  A shelf board 20, a character body 22, a guide plate 24, a ball guide path 26 and the like are provided inside the center accessory 8. The game balls won from the big prize opening 16 are received by the shelf board 20 and then rolled toward the character body 22 where the moving destinations are distributed.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment, the character body 22 functions as a sorting device, and the sorting member 28 is reciprocated up and down (reciprocatingly rotated) at a constant cycle. The sorting member 28 imitates the lower jaw of the character body 22, and when it reciprocates up and down, it appears to the player that the character body 22 opens and closes its mouth.

  When the game ball rolls at a timing when the character body 22 is in a state where the mouth is open (a state in which the sorting member 28 is lowered), the game ball is temporarily received by the sorting member 28 and stays there. Next, when the character body 22 is in a state where the mouth is closed (a state in which the sorting member 28 is raised), the staying game ball spills from the back of the sorting member 28 and is sent out to the ball guiding path 26 below it.

  A V zone (specific area) 30 is formed at the tip of the ball guide path 26. When a game ball passes through the V zone 30, a V prize is awarded and the game is shifted to a special game state. When shifting to the special gaming state, the center combination 8 is operated in a predetermined pattern, and the chances of winning in the special winning opening 16 during this period increase.

  On the contrary, when the game ball rolls on the shelf board 20 at the timing when the character body 22 is closed, the game ball is distributed from the center of the character body 22 to the left and right sides, Fall through the side. The dropped game ball is guided by the guide plate 24 and spills from there, and passes through a normal zone 32 different from the V zone 30. The normal zone 32 is disposed on both sides of the V zone 30.

(A2-1. Movable member)
The movable member 14 is configured to be displaceable with respect to the grand prize winning opening 16 between a posture (first posture) for closing it and a posture (second posture) for opening the same, in this example. Each movable member 14 rotates in the left-right direction along the board surface around the base end.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the movable member 14 extends upward (or obliquely upward) from the base end as the rotation center, and the movable member 14 is in its first posture (indicated by a two-dot chain line). It stands up almost vertically. On the other hand, when the movable member 14 is displaced to the second posture (shown by a solid line), the movable member 14 is inclined obliquely upward from the base end portion. When this is seen on both the left and right sides, the two movable members 14 are both displaced to the second posture, so that they expand to the left and right. W) is largely defined.

(A2-2. Ball bearing surface)
More specifically, when the movable member 14 is displaced to the second posture, the ball receiving surface 14a is formed at a position on the upper surface side. The game ball flowing down along the board surface is received by the ball receiving surface 14a of the movable member 14, and is guided to the special winning opening 16 along the inclination. In this example, the ball receiving surface 14a has a stepped planar shape, but the ball receiving surface 14a may have various surface shapes such as a flat surface, a curved surface, and an uneven surface.

  Here, if the position of the base end portion of the movable member 14 is constant, if the ball receiving surface 14a is expanded to the left and right by extending its entire length, it can be said that the opening width W is expanded accordingly and the probability of winning is increased. As already described, it is expected that a result of excessively increasing the euphoria by structurally extending the movable member 14 by extending the movable member 14 greatly is not a method suitable for improving the interest. .

  For this reason, in the first embodiment, a technique is adopted in which the player is made to make an illusion as if the opening width W is expanded by visually showing the movable member 14 large.

(A3. Light emitting area, intermediate light emitting area)
As the above technique, a plurality of LEDs (light emitting bodies) 34 a to 34 f are attached to the game area (board surface) on both sides of the center accessory 8 in a predetermined arrangement pattern. These LEDs 34a to 34f form a plurality of rows extending radially outward on both outer sides of the center accessory 8, whereby the LEDs 34a to 34f constitute a fan-shaped array as a whole.

Of these, the respective columns are collectively referred to as the first column Q ₁ , the second column Q ₂ , the third column Q ₃ ,..., The sixth column Q _6. in one state, the sixth column Q ₆ is positioned on the extension of its distal end, the light emitting region is formed by a plurality of LED34f constituting the sixth column Q ₆ (6 pieces in this example). Such a light emitting region is continuous with the tip of the movable member 14 in the second posture and extends in the direction in which the ball receiving surface 14a expands.

  In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, only the right LEDs 34 a to 34 f are provided with a surrounding line (indicated by a two-dot chain line) indicating a group of columns, and the left LEDs 34 a to 34 f are not provided with a surrounding line. .

Meanwhile, the first column Q ₁ from the fifth row Q ₅ which is located above the sixth column Q _6, in the course of up to the movable member 14 is displaced from the first posture to the second posture, the extension of the distal portion It is located on the line so as to extend outward. These from the first row Q ₁ column 5 Q ₅ to which a plurality of intermediate light-emitting region by a column of LED34a~34e constituting each form, its front end portion in the displacement process of the intermediate light-emitting Any region movable member 14 And extends outwardly therefrom.

In the first embodiment, when sequentially look up the fifth column Q ₅ from the first row Q ₁ which is an intermediate light-emitting region, the number of LED34a~34f included in each column is increasing gradually, and therefore each column The first column Q ₁ is the shortest, and the second column Q ₂ , the third column Q ₃ , the fourth column Q ₄ , and the fifth column Q ₅ are set so that the total length becomes longer. Then, the number of LED34f sixth column Q ₆ as an emission region included in this most, therefore, is set as the sixth column Q ₆ is the longest.

  In addition, a center winning hole 36 is formed at the top of the center accessory 8 and a display 38 for performing various displays (numerical value display or symbol display) is provided. In addition, decorative lamps, LEDs, and the like (without reference numerals) are arranged at various locations on the center accessory 8 to give a light emitting decoration.

(A4. Control means)
FIG. 3 schematically shows a part of the configuration related to the electronic devices of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 has a main control board (main board) 40 for controlling game operations and a sub-control board 42 for controlling various performance operations. These boards are connected to each other through wiring. In addition, electronic devices are connected to each board. All of these boards are arranged on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 and are usually not visible to the player. The pachinko machine 1 is also equipped with a power supply board, an interface board (in the case of a CR machine), a payout control board, and the like. To do.

  The main control board 40 includes electronic components such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input / output interface (all not shown). For example, sensor devices such as a start port sensor 44, a first count sensor 46, and a V winning sensor 48 are connected to the main control board 40, and detection signals output from these sensor apparatuses are input to the main control board 40. . Among these, the start port sensor 44 detects that a game ball has won the start winning ports 12 and 13 in the game area, and outputs a detection signal thereof. Further, the first count sensor 46 detects that the game ball has won the big winning opening 16 and outputs a detection signal thereof. The V winning sensor 48 detects that the game ball has passed through the V zone 30 in the center accessory 8 and outputs a detection signal thereof.

  Further, the center accessory 8 is provided with a solenoid 50, and the solenoid 50 is used as a driving source for displacing the movable member 14 between the first posture and the second posture. The solenoid 50 is connected to the main control board 40, and its operation is controlled by the main control board 40.

  The display 38 of the center accessory 8 is also connected to the main control board 40, and the display operation is controlled by the main control board 40. The indicator 38 may be connected to the sub-control board 42.

  Control of the game operation by the main control board 40 is performed by, for example, the CPU executing a predetermined control program. When the CPU receives a detection signal from the start port sensor 44 during execution of the control program, the CPU performs control for operating the center accessory 8 based on the detection signal. Thereby, the movable member 14 is operated by the number of times (one or two times) corresponding to each of the start winning ports 12 and 13.

  At this time, the CPU validates the detection operation by the V winning sensor 48 over a predetermined valid period. As described above, when the game ball wins the big winning opening 16 within the period in which the V winning sensor 48 is activated and the winning game ball passes through the V zone 30, this is detected by the V winning sensor 48. Then, a detection signal is output to the main control board 40. When the CPU of the main control board 40 receives the detection signal from the V winning sensor 48, the CPU determines that it is a big hit based on this and shifts the gaming operation to the special gaming state. At this time, the CPU also draws the number of rounds and determines the number of continuations (number of rounds) of the special gaming state based on the result.

  When the big hit is reached, the CPU of the main control board 40 operates the solenoid 50 to reciprocate the movable member 14 in a predetermined operation pattern. The player can obtain a lot of prize balls by winning game balls while the grand prize opening 16 is opened.

  The sub-control board 42 plays a role of controlling various presentation operations as the game progresses. For this reason, the pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a speaker 54, a panel decoration lamp 56, a frame decoration lamp 58, and the like as performance elements. Among them, the speaker 54 is disposed, for example, inside the front frame or the upper plate of the pachinko machine 1, and normally, the speaker 54 outputs a sound effect or a sound accompanying the progress of the game. . Further, the panel decoration lamp 56 is mounted on the game board surface, and this panel decoration lamp 56 can give decoration and effects by light emission in the game area. Further, the frame decoration lamp 58 can be arranged at an appropriate position on the front frame to give decoration and effects by light emission. The speaker 54 is connected to the sub-control board 42 via the amplifier board 60, and the panel decoration lamp 56 and the frame decoration lamp 58 are connected to the sub-control board 42 via lamp relay boards 62 and 64, respectively. Yes.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the LEDs 34 a to 34 f are also connected to the sub control board 42 via the lamp relay board 62. The LEDs 34 a to 34 f may be connected to the main control board 40 including the lamp relay board 62.

  While the game by the pachinko machine 1 is in progress, the sub-control board 42 controls the production operation based on the command signal transmitted from the main control board 40, and performs the production by sound output, light emitting decoration, etc. according to a certain production pattern. Yes.

  The main control board 40 transmits a command signal to the sub-control board 42 in synchronism with the operation of the movable member 14 when the center accessory 8 is operated in response to a winning at the start winning ports 12 and 13. The board 42 controls the light emitting states of the LEDs 34f (light emitting area) and the LEDs 34a to 34e (intermediate light emitting areas) based on this command signal.

  Hereinafter, control of the light emission state of the LEDs 34a to 34f performed based on the command signal of the main control board 40 will be described with an operation example.

(A5. Operation example 1)
FIG. 4 shows the process of moving the movable member 14 step by step. As described above, when a detection signal is output from the start port sensor 44 by winning at the start winning ports 12 and 13, the CPU of the main control board 40 energizes the solenoid 50 based on this and the start winning ports 12. , 13, the movable member 14 is reciprocally rotated by the number of times (one or two times). When the movable member 14 is displaced from the first posture to the second posture in one operation, the movable member 14 returns to the first posture again within a predetermined time. As a result, the special winning opening 16 is opened for a predetermined time (about 0.5 seconds).

In the operation example 1, in synchronization with the operation of the movable member 14 as described above, the CPU of the main control board 40 executes control for turning on and off the LED 34f. Specifically, CPU movable member 14 is rotated by energization of the solenoid 50, to just in synchronism with the timing displaced in the second position the sixth column all lit LED34f forming the _{Q 6} (ON from OFF The lighting control is performed.

  As a result, the light emitting area composed of the LED 34f row is in a light emitting state, and at this time, the player visually recognizes that the movable member 14 is expanded and at the same time as if it is extended outward by the length of the light emitting area. Thereafter, when the CPU releases the energization to the solenoid 50, the movable member 14 starts the return operation toward the first posture. Therefore, the CPU performs a light-off control to turn off the LED 34f in synchronization with the return operation.

  When the CPU executes the above control, the player sees the movable member 14 as if the center member 8 is activated and the movement is increased, and the ball receiving surface 14a is expanded to the left and right to win a prize. This makes it possible to create an illusion for the player as if it were easier to do. Thereby, the expectation of winning a prize at the special winning opening 16 is greatly increased, and a highly entertaining game can be provided.

  Although only the right movable member 14 is shown in FIG. 4, the same control is performed for the left movable member 14.

(A6. Operation example 2)
In the operation example 1 described above, the control is performed only for the LED 34f that forms the light emitting region. However, in the operation example 2, the LEDs 34a to 34f are turned on and off in the order of the columns in synchronization with the operation of the movable member 14. Is added and executed. Hereinafter, the contents of control by the CPU will be specifically described in order.

(1) First, the CPU turns on the LED 34a at almost the same timing (or immediately before) when the energization of the solenoid 50 is started. Thus, the intermediate light-emitting region of the first row Q ₁ is in a state of emitting light, visual effects as if the movable member 14 by the length of the intermediate light-emitting region is extended when viewed from the player is obtained.

(2) when the movable member 14 by the solenoid 50 begins to rotate, CPU is to turn off the LEDs 34a, to turn on the next LED34b forming the second row _{Q 2.} The turn-on timing, the movable member 14 is synchronized with the timing which is located on substantially the same line as the second column Q ₂ in the course of displacement. At this time, since the second column Q ₂ is set longer than the first column Q _1, a visual effect is obtained as if the movable member 14 is further extended by the difference between the lengths and shorts from the viewpoint of the player. .

Also Viewed from the player, the intermediate light-emitting region is actually turned intermediate emission region itself is visually recognized as if they were moved by switching from the first row Q ₁ in the second column Q _2, the movable member 14 and the intermediate light emitting area can be maintained visually.

(3) When the (2) the movable member 14 from the state of the further displacement by the rotation, CPU is to turn off the LED34b, to light the next LED34c forming the third column _{Q 3.} The lighting timing also, because the movable member 14 is synchronized with the timing which is located on substantially the same line as the third column Q ₃ in the course of displacement, that the intermediate light-emitting region in the third column Q ₃ emits light, the visual effect as if only the length difference between the two columns Q ₂ the movable member 14 is further extended to obtain.

(4) Hereinafter, control is performed in which the LEDs 34d to 34e are sequentially turned on and off in the same manner as the above (2) and (3). Thus, as a result of emission of the intermediate light-emitting region of the first row Q ₁ in synchronism with the displacement movement of the movable member 14 to the fifth column Q ₅ it is controlled, and the movable member 14 and the intermediate light-emitting region is a player As if they were moving together.

  (5) When it is time to move the movable member 14 to the second position, the CPU turns off the LED 34e that was turned on before that, and controls the LED 34f to turn on and off as in the first operation example.

  When the CPU executes the above control, it is visually recognized by the player as if the leading end portion is gradually extended in the process of moving the movable member 14 from the first posture when the center accessory 8 is operated. For this reason, the visual gap generated between the first posture and the second posture is smaller than in the case of the operation example 1, and the player can visually recognize the change of the movable member 14 more smoothly and realistically. Can be visually impressed.

  In the above-described operation examples 1 and 2, it is more effective to make the color emitted by the LEDs 34a to 34f and the color of the movable member 14 similar.

(A7. Operation example 3)
Next, FIG. 5 shows one mode of the light emitting region used in the third operation example. In this case, in a state where the movable member 14 is displaced to the second posture, a plurality of (in this example, four) LEDs 34g are arranged at positions overlapping the back surface side when viewed from the front. Compared to the case, the light emitting region is extended in the direction of the proximal end of the movable member 14. For this reason, in the light emitting region, a wrap portion is configured by the LEDs 34g included in a range (reference symbol L) overlapping with the movable member 14.

  Moreover, in the operation example 3, the movable member 14 is formed from the material which has a light transmittance. Therefore, when all of the LEDs 34f and 34g constituting the light emitting area are controlled to be turned on with the movable member 14 being displaced to the second posture, the light emitted from the LEDs 34g included in the wrap portion of the light passes through the movable member 14. It is visually recognized by the player. As a result, the player can visually recognize the movable member 14 and the light emitting area as if they are emitting light integrally, and the visual effect due to the extension of the movable member 14 can be enhanced accordingly.

(A8. Operation example 4)
Next, the operation example 4 is control in the case where the LEDs 34a to 34f are configured by multicolor light emitting type (at least two colors). In this case, the CPU emits the LEDs 34a to 34f when the movable member 14 is displaced to the second posture at the timing when the probability of V winning is high based on the relationship with the operation pattern of the sorting member 28 in the center accessory 8. Add and execute control to switch colors.

  As described above, when the game ball wins the big winning opening 16 at the timing when the distribution member 28 moves downward, the game ball is retained in the distribution member 28 with a high probability. It can be said that the probability of winning a V prize through the road 26 also increases. For this reason, for example, after the big winning opening 16 is opened and the game ball is won, the average time required for the game ball to reach the distribution member 28 through the shelf board 20, and the distribution member 28 moves up and down. Based on the structural specifications of the center accessory 8, it is possible to uniformly determine at what timing when the movable member 14 is expanded, the probability of winning a V prize increases.

  In this case, when the center accessory 8 is operated at a timing when the probability that the V winning a prize does not increase, that is, when there is a high probability that the prize will be distributed to the normal zone 32 even when winning the big winning opening 16, Control is performed to cause the LEDs 34a to 34f to emit light in a color belonging to a system (for example, a cold color system) whose degree of stimulation or appeal is not so high.

  On the other hand, if the center accessory 8 is operated at a timing when the probability of V winning is high, that is, when there is a high probability of being distributed to the V zone 30 when winning the big winning opening 16 from now on, Control is performed to cause the LEDs 34a to 34f to emit light with colors belonging to a system (for example, a warm color system) with a very high degree of stimulation and appeal.

  According to the operation example 4 described above, in addition to the visual effect that the operation of the movable member 14 is felt greatly by the light emission in the light emission region and the intermediate light emission region when the center accessory 8 is operated, the V prize is further determined by the light emission color. Can greatly enhance the sense of expectation, and can provide even more advanced entertainment.

(B. Second Embodiment)
Next, 2nd Embodiment is related with the game machine classified into one kind of pachinko machine (what is called a digital pachi, seven machine) on the law.

  FIG. 6 shows a pachinko machine 100 according to the second embodiment. The frame 2, the game board 4 and the like, which are the basic configuration of the pachinko machine 100, are the same as those of the first embodiment, but here the board surface configuration is different. As is well known, in one type of pachinko machine 100, a symbol display device 102 is arranged almost at the center of the game area, and various symbols and images are displayed on the symbol display device 102 as the game progresses. . In addition, a start winning opening 104 is disposed immediately below the symbol display device 102, and an attacker device 106 is disposed further below.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 100 of FIG. 6, when the winning prize opening 104 is won during a normal game, the symbol display device 102 starts to change when the winning is received, and the symbol stops after a certain period of time. At this time, if the symbol is displayed in a predetermined manner, it is a big hit and the attacker device 106 is activated. The player can obtain a lot of prize balls by winning the game balls at the big prize opening 110 while the attacker device 106 is operating.

(B1. Variable winning device)
In the second embodiment, the above-described attacker device 106 is an example of a variable prize winning device. By applying a light emitting region and an intermediate light emitting region to such an attacker device 106, a movable member (opening / closing door) is activated during the operation. ) 108 can be viewed larger than actual.

(B2. Movable member)
FIG. 7 shows the attacker device 106 and its surrounding parts (some of them are omitted) in more detail in the game area. The attacker device 106 has a rectangular large winning opening 110 that is greatly opened in the width direction, and the large winning opening 110 can be opened and closed by the movable member 108. The movable member 108 has a rectangular shape in accordance with the shape of the special winning opening 110, and can be opened and closed in the direction facing the board surface with the lower end edge thereof as the center.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the movable member 108 is substantially parallel to the board surface in a state of closing the prize winning opening 110 (first posture), and falls down to the near side from here. To displace. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the movable member 108 is substantially perpendicular to the board surface in a state where the movable member 108 is displaced to the posture (second posture) for opening the big prize opening 110 ( The opening angle is smaller than vertical).

  At this time, a ball receiving surface 108a is formed at a position on the upper surface side of the movable member 108, and the ball receiving surface 108a has a downward slope toward the big prize opening 110 when viewed from the front, and the width direction of the game area It extends to. When the movable member 108 is displaced to the second posture during the operation of the attacker device 106, the game ball that flows down along the board surface is received by the ball receiving surface 108a, and is guided from there to the special winning opening 110. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the width of the movable member 108 (or the special winning opening 110) corresponds to the opening width W described above.

(B3. Light emitting area, intermediate light emitting area)
In the second embodiment, a light emitting region and an intermediate light emitting region are formed on both sides of the special winning opening 110, respectively. Specifically, a plurality of LEDs 112 a to 112 d are attached to the game board 4 on both sides of the big prize opening 110 in a predetermined arrangement pattern, and these LEDs 112 a to 112 d are right triangles on both outer sides of the big prize opening 110. Is arranged. In such an arrangement pattern, a plurality of (four in this example) LEDs 112d are arranged in a horizontal row at positions corresponding to the bases of the right triangles on both sides of the winning prize opening 110. A light emitting region is formed by the columns. When this is seen on both sides of the grand prize winning opening 110, as shown in FIG. 7C, the row of the LEDs 112d is connected to both side end portions with the movable member 108 displaced to the second posture, and from there The ball receiving surface 108a extends in the expanding direction (both left and right directions).

  Further, in the above arrangement pattern, when LEDs 112a to 112c are distinguished from each other in order from the position corresponding to the apex of the right triangle as a group of horizontal rows, an intermediate light emitting region is formed by each row of these LEDs 112a to 112c. Yes. Each of these intermediate light emitting regions is connected to both end portions in the course of displacement of the movable member 108 and extends outwardly therefrom. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, only the right LEDs 112 a to 112 d are provided with a surrounding line (indicated by a two-dot chain line) indicating a group of columns, and the left LEDs 112 a to 112 d are not provided with a surrounding line. .

  Also in the second embodiment, when the rows of the LEDs 112a to 112c serving as the intermediate light emitting regions are viewed in order from the top, the number of the LEDs 112a to 112c included in each row is gradually increased. Therefore, the total length of each row is the uppermost stage. (In this example, one LED 112a is included) is the shortest, and then the next lower row (in this example, two LEDs 112b are included), and the lower row (in this example, three LEDs 112c). Are included in the order of (inclusive). And the lowest row | line | column which comprises a light emission area | region is set so that the number of LED112d contained therein may be the largest, Therefore, the full length of a light emission area | region becomes the longest.

(B4. Control means)
Also in the second embodiment, the lighting operation of the LEDs 112a to 112d can be controlled by the CPU of the main control board (not shown) provided in the pachinko machine 100. Also in the second embodiment, the LEDs 112a to 112d may be connected to the sub control board via a relay board or the like, or may be connected to the main control board.

(B5. Operation example 1)
First, the operation example 1 relates to control for turning on and off only the LED 112d constituting the light emitting region.

  7A to 7C show the process of moving the movable member 108 step by step. As described above, when a big hit is made, the CPU energizes a solenoid (not shown) of the big prize opening 110 to open and close the movable member 108 with a predetermined operation pattern. In the first operation example of the second embodiment, the CPU executes control to turn on and off the LED 112d in synchronization with the opening and closing operation of the movable member 108. Specifically, in the CPU, the movable member 108 is opened by energizing the solenoid, and all the LEDs 112d are turned on in synchronization with the timing of displacement to the second posture in (c) of FIG. 7 (switching from OFF to ON). Lighting control is performed.

  As a result, the light emitting area composed of the rows of LEDs 112d is in a state where light is emitted. At this time, the player visually recognizes that the movable member 108 is opened and at the same time it is extended to both sides by the length of the light emitting area. Thereafter, when the CPU releases the energization to the solenoid after a predetermined time has elapsed, the movable member 108 starts the return operation toward the first posture in FIG. The CPU performs turn-off control for turning off the LED 112d.

  By executing the above control by the CPU, the player can visually recognize the movable member 108 as if it is elongated horizontally when the attacker device 106 is operated, and the ball receiving surface 108a is expanded left and right. An illusion can be generated in the player as if it was easier to win.

(B6. Operation example 2)
In the operation example 1 described above, control is performed only for the LED 112d that forms the light emitting region. However, in the next operation example 2, the LEDs 112a to 112d are arranged in order from the top row in synchronization with the operation of the movable member 108. Control to turn on and off is additionally executed. Hereinafter, the contents of control by the CPU will be specifically described in order.

  (1) First, the CPU turns on the LED 112a at almost the same timing (or immediately before) when the energization of the solenoid of the special winning opening 110 is started. As a result, since the intermediate light emitting region located at the uppermost stage emits light, a visual effect as if the movable member 108 has been extended to both sides by the length of the intermediate light emitting region is obtained from the viewpoint of the player.

  (2) When the movable member 108 starts to open by the solenoid, the CPU turns off the LEDs 112a and then turns on the LEDs 112b in the second row from the top. The lighting timing is synchronized with the timing at which the upper edge of the movable member 108 is aligned with the second row in the horizontal line as shown in FIG. 7B. As a result, since the second intermediate light emitting region from the top is in a light emitting state, the movable member 108 is further extended to both sides by a difference in length between the uppermost row and the second row. A visual effect that looks as if it has been obtained.

  From the viewpoint of the player, the intermediate light-emitting area that is actually lit is visually recognized as if the intermediate light-emitting area itself has moved by switching from the uppermost row to the second row. A visual sense of unity with the intermediate light emitting area is maintained.

  (3) When the movable member 108 is further displaced from the state (2), the CPU turns off the LEDs 112b and then turns on the LEDs 112c in the third row from the top. Although not shown in FIG. 7, this lighting timing is also synchronized with a timing that is located substantially on a horizontal line with the third intermediate light emitting region from the top in the process of moving the movable member 108. A visual effect is obtained as if the movable member 108 is further extended on both sides by the difference between the second row and the third row.

  As a result, the light emission state of the intermediate light emission region from the uppermost row to the third row is controlled in synchronization with the displacement operation of the movable member 108. As a result, the player places the movable member 108 and the intermediate light emission region together. It is visually recognized as if it is moving.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 7 (c), when it is time to move the movable member 108 to the second position, the CPU turns off the LED 112c that has been turned on before, and is similar to the operation example 1. Control to turn on and off the LED 112d is performed.

  When the CPU executes the above control, it is visually recognized by the player as if the movable member 108 was gradually expanded in the width direction in the process of displacement of the attacker device 106. For this reason, the visual gap generated between the first posture and the second posture is smaller than in the case of the operation example 1, and the player can visually recognize the change of the movable member 108 more smoothly and realistically. Can make a strong impression.

  In the above-described operation examples 1 and 2, it is more effective to make the color emitted by the LEDs 112a to 112d and the color of the movable member 108 similar.

(C. Reference to other embodiments)
Although the above is description about 1st and 2nd embodiment, embodiment of this invention is not restrict | limited to these. In the following, other embodiments will be described with some examples.

  (1) In the first and second embodiments, two or one kind of pachinko machine is given as an example. However, the gaming machine of the present invention may be three kinds of pachinko machines, and other than pachinko machines. A ball-type game machine may be used.

  (2) In each embodiment, a center prize, an attacker device, or the like is given as an example of a variable winning device. However, the variable winning device may be an electric tulip type or other forms, and the winning probability depends on the operation of the movable member. The form is not particularly limited as long as the value changes.

  (3) In the operation example for controlling the lighting state of the intermediate light emitting region, the control of the light emitting state synchronized with the operation of moving the movable member from the first posture to the second posture has been described. You may make it control the light emission state of an intermediate | middle light emission area | region synchronizing with the operation | movement which returns from 2 attitude | positions to a 1st attitude | position. In this case, the movable member that has been visually recognized as if it has been extended can be visually recognized as if it had contracted to its original length along with its return operation.

  (4) In each of the above operation examples, an example is given in which the lighting timing of the LED array is made to coincide with the timing when the movable member reaches the second posture, but these timings must be completely coincident with each other. Instead, they may be deviated from each other within a range where the visual effect of each operation example is sufficiently obtained.

  (5) In each operation example, an example is described in which lighting / extinguishing control is performed at a timing at which the position of the distal end portion (both side end portions) of the movable member and the position of the LED row to be lit coincide completely. In this case as well, there may be a difference between the position of the tip of the movable member and the position of the LED row to be lit during the displacement operation.

  For example, when the displacement speed of the movable member is extremely high, if it is attempted to turn on / off the LED rows in order according to this speed, the adjacent LED rows are visually recognized as if they are turned on almost simultaneously. Effects may fade. In such a case, even if the position is slightly shifted from the position of the tip of the movable member, the LED rows may be turned on in order according to a speed slower than the displacement speed.

  (6) Although not shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7, etc., a lens cover having a light diffusibility is attached to the light emitting region or the intermediate light emitting region, and the point light emission of each LED is diffused, so that the entire surface light emission. You may make it visually recognize in the aspect.

  (7) Moreover, in each embodiment, although LED is mentioned as an example of the light-emitting body which comprises a light emission area | region and an intermediate | middle light emission area | region, you may apply light sources, such as a lamp, to a light-emitting body.

  (8) Although the wrap portion is included only in the light emitting region in FIG. 5, the same kind of wrap portion may be included in other intermediate light emitting regions.

  (9) In each embodiment, the LEDs constituting the light emitting area and the intermediate light emitting area are attached to the game board 4 in an embedded manner, but the LEDs are attached in an integrated manner with the center accessory or the attacker device. There may be.

  (10) In (A8. Operation example 4) of the first embodiment, the control is performed to switch the light emission color of the LED according to the operation timing of the center object 8, but for example, at the timing when the probability of V winning is high, the luminance of the LED May be increased and the luminance may be decreased at the opposite timing.

  (11) In addition, the specific forms such as the center character and the attacker device cited as the variable winning device in each embodiment are merely examples, and the shape and structure of the variable winning device and the shape of the movable member depending on the model of the pachinko machine. Needless to say, the structure, the mode of the sorting device, and the like are variously modified.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine used as a 1st embodiment. It is the figure which showed the center accessory and the surrounding part in detail. It is the figure which showed schematically the structure regarding the electronic devices of a pachinko machine. It is the figure which showed the light emission area | region and the intermediate | middle light emission area | region in detail. It is the figure which showed the intermediate | middle light emission area | region containing a lap | wrap part in detail. It is a front view of the pachinko machine used as 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the attacker apparatus and the surrounding part in detail.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 8 Center part 14 Movable member 14a Ball receiving surface 16 Big prize opening 34a-34f LED
34g LED
40 Main control board 106 Attacker device 108 Movable member 108a Ball receiving surface 110 Big prize opening 112a-112d LED

Claims (1)

A variable winning device having a movable member disposed in a game area of the game board and capable of opening and closing with respect to a winning opening;
Drive means for opening and closing the movable member;
A gaming machine comprising control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the movable member by the driving means.

Images