JP2007050186A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a player easily shoot game balls without feeling fatigue and discomfort by preventing any burden from being imposed on the hand and wrist of the player who grasps an operating handle when the player keeps on playing a game for a long time with a required shooting strength. <P>SOLUTION: A putting out/shooting CPU 63 judges whether a touch switch 73 senses a player's touch on a touch sensor 84 (S31). When the judgment is "Yes" the CPU subsequently judges whether shooting strength adjustment buttons 86 and 87 are depressed or not (S32). When the judgement in S32 is "Yes" the CPU sets pachinko ball shooting strength at specified shooting strength (S33) and drives a shooting solenoid 75 at the set shooting strength (S34) on the basis of the frequency of operation of the shooting strength adjustment buttons 86 and 87. When the judgement in S32 is "No" the putting out/shooting CPU 63 retains the shooting strength set in the preceding shooting drive processing S33 by continuing to touch the touch sensor 84 by the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines a firing intensity according to a player's operation with respect to a launch intensity adjusting unit and drives and controls launching means.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, there is a pachinko machine having an operation handle for launching a game ball.

  An operation handle of a pachinko machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a handle base, a launch lever that is rotated by a player, a touch sensor that detects contact of the player with the launch lever, and a game And a handle cover that is gripped by a person. The handle cover is located on the near side when viewed from the player, and the launch lever is located on the far side when viewed from the player. Further, the touch sensor is assembled between the launch lever and the handle cover, and these handle cover, touch sensor and launch lever are provided adjacently in this order from the near side to the far side as viewed from the player. It has been. Also, the launch lever is not provided with a rotation restricting member such as a spring or a stopper, and the turning position of the launch lever when the player touches the launch lever shows a launch strength “0”. The lever is set to the operation position.

In this configuration, the game ball is launched to the game area with the desired launch strength by rotating the launch lever to the desired angle while the player touches the touch sensor from the operation position of the launch strength “0”. The Then, the rotation position of the launch lever is maintained while touching the touch sensor as it is, so that the launch strength is maintained and the game is performed. Also, if the hand is released from the launch lever while the game ball is being fired, the adjusted launch strength is reset, and when launching again, the launch lever must be operated again.
JP 2004-41413 A (paragraphs [0012] to [0019])

  However, in the conventional pachinko machine, in order to operate the firing lever, it is necessary to always hold the entire operation handle with a depth while touching the touch sensor. Further, in order to maintain a desired firing intensity, it is necessary to maintain the pivot position of the launch lever at a pivot position corresponding to the launch intensity while touching the touch sensor. For this reason, when playing a game for a long time, the hand and wrist which hold | grip an operation handle are burdened, and the problem of giving a player fatigue and discomfort arises.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The game area in which the game ball is rolled, the touch sensor touched by the player, and the firing strength of the game ball that is launched in the game area The player touches the touch sensor, an operation handle comprising a launch intensity adjusting unit that adjusts according to the player's operation, a launching means for launching a game ball to the game area based on the player's operation on the operation handle, and a touch sensor A first detection unit that detects the player, a second detection unit that detects a player's operation on the launch intensity adjustment unit, a launch intensity storage means in which a plurality of launch intensities are stored in advance, and a touch sensor When the touch is detected by the first detection unit and the player's operation on the emission intensity adjustment unit is detected by the second detection unit, a plurality of emission strengths stored in the emission intensity storage means are detected. The first is that the launch intensity is determined according to the player's operation on the launch intensity adjusting unit, the drive control of the launching means is started at the determined launch intensity, and the player touches the touch sensor. It is characterized by comprising firing control means for continuing drive control of the firing means on condition that it is detected by the detection unit.

  According to this configuration, when the player operates the launch intensity adjusting unit with the player touching the touch sensor, the launch intensity adjusting unit is selected from the plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity storage unit. The firing strength according to the player's operation is determined, the launching means is driven with the determined launch strength, and the game ball is launched into the game area. In addition, after the game ball starts to be fired, the player touches the touch sensor, so that the game ball is fired at the determined launch intensity. For this reason, even when a game is played for a long time with a desired launch strength, the launch state of the game ball continues only by the player touching the touch sensor, and the entire operation handle is gripped as in the past. There is no need to maintain the pivot position of the launch lever in accordance with the desired launch intensity, so the player's hand and wrist are not burdened, and the player can play without feeling tired or uncomfortable. The ball can be fired easily.

  Further, according to the present invention, the firing intensity adjusting unit causes the firing control means to sequentially determine a larger firing intensity from a plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means according to a pressing operation by the player. The adjustment button and a second emission intensity adjustment button for causing the emission control means to sequentially determine a smaller emission intensity from a plurality of emission intensity values stored in the emission intensity storage means according to a pressing operation by the player. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, as the first firing strength adjustment button is pressed by the player, a larger firing strength is sequentially determined from the plurality of firing strengths stored in the firing strength storage means, and the game The launch intensity of the sphere increases step by step. In addition, as the second firing strength adjustment button is pressed by the player, smaller firing strengths are sequentially determined from the plurality of firing strengths stored in the firing strength storage means, and the launch strength of the game ball is determined. Becomes gradually smaller. Therefore, when the player adjusts the launch intensity of the game ball, the player does not need a force to turn the handle by pressing the first launch intensity adjustment button or the second launch intensity adjustment button. Can be adjusted easily.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first firing intensity adjustment button and the second firing intensity adjustment button are provided at positions adjacent to the operation handle.

  According to this configuration, since the first and second launch intensity adjustment buttons are adjacent to each other, the second launch intensity adjustment button can be pressed with a finger that presses the first launch intensity adjustment button. it can. For this reason, the player can adjust the firing strength with one finger and can minimize the amount of movement of the finger operated when adjusting the firing strength. Adjustments can be made.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the launch intensity adjusting unit is rotated in a predetermined direction by the player, a greater launch intensity is sequentially given to the launch control means from the plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity storage means. It comprises a firing intensity adjustment dial that allows a firing control means to sequentially determine a smaller firing intensity from among a plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means when it is turned and rotated in a direction opposite to a predetermined direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, when the finger is placed on the firing strength adjustment dial and the finger is moved in a predetermined direction, the firing strength adjustment dial rotates in a predetermined direction, and the firing strength of the game ball increases stepwise. When the finger is shifted in the direction opposite to the direction, the firing strength adjustment dial rotates in a direction different from the predetermined direction, and the firing strength of the game ball decreases stepwise. For this reason, the player can replace the finger with a plurality of buttons such as the first launch intensity adjustment button and the second launch intensity adjustment button, and does not need to perform a pressing operation. It is possible to adjust the firing intensity more easily and quickly by simply moving the.

  In addition, the present invention provides a plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity storage means for the launch intensity of the game ball on condition that contact with the touch sensor by the player is no longer detected by the first detector. An initial value setting means for setting a predetermined initial value is provided.

  According to this configuration, when the player stops touching the touch sensor, the firing intensity determined by the operation on the firing intensity adjusting unit is determined in advance from a plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage unit. Set to a value. For this reason, when the game is resumed after releasing the operation handle and interrupting the game, it is necessary to readjust the firing strength. Therefore, for example, when a player is switched during a game, the setting of the firing strength adjusted by the previous player is set to the initial value and is not carried over to the next player. The game can be started at the desired firing strength without being affected by the firing strength adjusted by the person.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, as described above, even when a game is played for a long time with a desired launch intensity, the hand and wrist that hold the operation handle are not burdened. The game ball can be easily launched without feeling uncomfortable.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 1 with the transparent game board 2 removed, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the transparent game board 2 with the pachinko machine 1 removed. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG.

  A transparent game board 2 is provided in front of the pachinko machine 1, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 10 is provided behind the transparent game board 2 as shown in FIG. The image displayed on the LCD 10 passes through the transparent game board 2 and is observed by the player. An upper plate 3 is provided below the transparent game board 2, and a lower plate 4 is provided below the upper plate 3. The prize ball is paid out to the upper plate 3, but is paid out to the lower plate 4 when the upper plate 3 is full. A selection button 5 a for selecting information displayed on the LCD 10 and a determination button 5 b for determining information displayed on the LCD 10 are provided at the center of the front side surface of the upper plate 3. The decision button 5b also functions as a symbol stop button operated by the player when the variable symbol variable display displayed on the LCD 10 is stopped. A ball lending operation panel 6 that is operated by a player when operating a card unit 77 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that lends pachinko balls is provided on the upper right side of the upper plate 3. The ball lending operation panel 6 is provided with a ball lending button 6a operated by the player when requesting the lending of the pachinko ball and a return button 6b operated by the player when requesting the return of the prepaid card. It has been. Further, on the left side of the lower plate 4, there is provided a launch handle 8 that is operated by the player when the pachinko ball is launched on the transparent game board 2, and on the right side of the lower plate 4 is provided an ashtray 7. It has been. A frame upper decoration lamp 18 is provided above the transparent game board 2, and speakers 19, 19 are provided on both sides of the frame upper decoration lamp 18. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a ball tank 20 for storing pachinko balls to be supplied to the upper plate 3 when the pachinko balls are lent out or prize balls are paid out is provided at the upper back of the pachinko machine 1. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transparent game board 2 includes a substantially circular game area 2A in which a pachinko ball, which is a game ball, rolls, and a lower part on the left side of the game area 2A from the lower part of the game area 2A to the upper part of the center. And a sphere launch area 2B formed of a substantially arc-shaped launch rail. The ball launch area 2B is an area for guiding a pachinko ball launched by operating the launch handle 8 to the game area 2A. The ball launch area 2B and the game area 2A are partitioned by a return prevention member 2f. This return prevention member 2f is for preventing the pachinko ball in the game area 2A from returning to the ball launch area 2B, and is made of a plate-like body having elasticity. Further, on the upper right part of the game area 2A, there is provided a return rubber 2g for rebounding the pachinko ball launched into the game area 2A with a firing strength of a predetermined value or more and causing the pachinko ball to flow down below the game area 2A. Yes.

  A number of obstacle nails (not shown) are planted in the game area 2A, and the LCD 10 is provided behind the transparent game board 2 as described above. A special symbol display area 10a where a special symbol displayed on the LCD 10 is observed is provided at the center of the game area 2A. Above this special symbol display area 10a, there are provided a normal symbol display device for displaying normal symbols, a normal symbol start memory number display unit, and a special symbol start memory number display unit (not shown). In addition, passing gates 13 are provided on the left and right of the special symbol display area 10a. The passing gate 13 constitutes a normal symbol start area for starting the variable symbol display of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device. In addition, a start winning opening 14 is provided below the special symbol display area 10a. The start winning opening 14 has a blade member that can be displaced in an open state, which is an advantageous state for the player, and a closed state, which is a disadvantageous state compared to the open state. Also, below the start winning opening 14, a big winning opening 15 that is opened in the case of a big hit game is provided, and a general winning opening 16 is provided on the left and right of the starting winning opening 14. Further, below the grand prize winning port 15, there is provided an out port 17 through which a pachinko ball that has not won any of the starting prize winning port 14, the big prize winning port 15 and the general prize winning port 16 enters.

  Warp inlets 11 are provided above the special symbol display area 10a, and a warp outlet 12 is provided below the special symbol display area 10a. The pachinko balls that have entered the warp inlets 11 and 11 pass through a warp passage (not shown) provided on the back surface of the transparent game board 2 and then emerge from the warp outlet 12 and reappear on the surface of the transparent game board 2. Since the warp outlet 12 is provided above the start winning opening 14, the pachinko balls that enter the warp inlets 11 and 11 and come out from the warp outlet 12 to the surface of the transparent gaming board 2 and flow down are the start winning openings. 14 will be easier to win.

  In addition, up to four pachinko balls that have passed through the passage gate 13 are reserved, and the number of retained pachinko balls is stored in a normal symbol retained number counter stored in a main RAM 34 described later. In accordance with the number of reserved items, the above-mentioned normal symbol start memorized number display section is lit up and displayed up to four. Similarly, up to four pachinko balls won in the start winning opening 14 are held, and the number of holds is stored in a normal electric winning prize counter stored in a main RAM 34 to be described later. Depending on the number of reserves, a maximum of four special symbol start memorized number display sections described above are lit and displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the launch handle 8 of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.

  The firing handle 8 is attached to a handle base 81, a rear gripping member 82 fixed to the handle base 81, a substantially hemispherical front gripping member (handle cover) 83 fixed to the rear gripping member 82, A touch sensor 84 is provided between the rear gripping member 82 and the front gripping member 83 and touched by the player. The touch sensor 84 is formed in an annular shape, and the outer periphery thereof is provided with conductive plating. Further, on the upper part of the rear gripping member 82, a launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 for increasing the launch intensity of the pachinko sphere and a launch intensity adjustment (-) button 87 for reducing the launch intensity of the pachinko sphere are provided. . As shown in the figure, the firing intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87 are provided at positions adjacent to the firing handle 8. Further, on the lower left side of the outer periphery of the launch handle 8, a launch stop button (not shown) that stops the launch of the pachinko ball regardless of the operation on the launch intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87 is provided.

  The launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the launch intensity adjustment (−) button 87 constitute a launch intensity adjustment unit that adjusts the launch intensity of the pachinko ball launched into the game area 2A in accordance with the player's pressing operation. Yes. The firing handle 8 constitutes an operation handle including a touch sensor 84, a firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and a firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit that controls the game operation of the pachinko machine 1. This electronic circuit is a main control circuit provided on the main control board 30 for performing electrical control related to the progress of the pachinko game in the transparent game board 2, and the electrical of various effect devices based on control signals from the main control circuit. A sub-control circuit provided on the sub-control board 40 that performs control, and a payout / firing control circuit provided on the frame control board 60 that controls the payout of prize balls and the like and the firing of pachinko balls, and the like.

  A main CPU 31 and an initial reset circuit 32 are mounted on the main control board 30. In addition, the main control board 30 has a main ROM (read only memory) 33 in which a program and various tables for the main CPU 31 to control the gaming operation of the pachinko machine 1 are stored, and data is temporarily stored during the process control. A main RAM (random access memory) 34 stored in the memory is also mounted. The initial reset circuit 32 generates a reset signal for starting a game process according to a program stored in the main ROM 33 when the main control circuit is activated. The main RAM 34 also has a big prize opening number counter that counts the number of times the big prize opening 15 is opened in the big hit game, and a big prize opening that counts the time that the big prize opening 15 is open in each round of the big hit game. The time timer, the above-described normal symbol holding number counter, the normal electric winning prize counter, and the like are stored.

  Further, the main CPU 31 includes an I / O port (input / output port) 35 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from peripheral devices such as various switches and solenoids, and a sub control circuit and a frame control board 60 of the sub control board 40. A command output port 36 for outputting various commands is connected to the payout / launch control circuit. From the I / O port 35 and the command output port 36, a control signal (command) sent from the main CPU 31 is serially transmitted to the peripheral devices and the boards 40 and 60.

  Further, the main control board 30 is provided inside the above-described passage gate 13 and detects a passage gate switch 13 s for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball through the passage gate 13 and a pachinko ball won in the start winning opening 14. A start winning port switch 14s is connected. In addition, a count switch 15s for detecting a pachinko ball that has won the grand prize opening 15; a V / count switch 15v for detecting a pachinko ball that has passed through the V zone inside the big prize opening 15; A general winning opening switch 16s to be detected is connected. The main control board 30 also includes a start winning port solenoid 24 that opens and closes the ball receiving port of the starting winning port 14 by displacing the blade member, and a large winning port solenoid that opens and closes the door of the large winning port 15. 25 and a seesaw solenoid 21v for guiding the pachinko ball to other than the V zone after the pachinko ball has won the V zone inside the big prize opening 15 is connected as an actuator. The main control board 30 is connected to a backup clear switch 26 provided on the backup clear switch board, a selection switch 5as for detecting the operation of the selection button 5a, and a determination switch 5bs for detecting the operation of the determination button 5b. Yes. The backup clear switch 26 instructs to clear the backup contents of the main RAM 34 constituting the main control circuit of the main control board 30 and the work RAM 65 (see FIG. 6) constituting the payout / launch control circuit of the frame control board 60. Outputs a backup clear signal. The selection switch 5as and the determination switch 5bs detect that the selection button 5a and the determination button 5b are operated by the player, and output an operation detection signal to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 35.

  The switches 13 s, 15 s, 16 s, 15 v and the actuators 21 v, 24, 25 are connected to the main control board 30 via the panel relay board 80. When each of the switches 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s, 15v detects a pachinko ball, the detection signal is input to the main CPU 31 of the main control board 30, and the main CPU 31 selects each actuator 21v according to the input detection signal. , 24 and 25 are respectively driven and controlled.

  The sub-control board 40 is connected to the main control board 30 via the relay board 37, and is connected to the LCD 10, the frame upper decoration lamp 18, and the speakers 19 and 19, and image display control for displaying images on the LCD 10, and the gaming state In accordance with the control, electric decoration control for controlling the light emission of the frame upper decoration lamp 18 and sound control for emitting sound effects from the speakers 19 and 19 are performed. A sub CPU 41, a program ROM 42 and a work RAM 43 are mounted on the sub control board 40. The sub CPU 41 interprets commands received from the main control board 30 and issues control commands to the image control circuit 44, the lamp control circuit 45, and the sound control circuit 46. The program ROM 42 stores and stores a control program for the sub CPU 41 to process and control the operations of the LCD 10, the upper frame decoration lamp 18, and the speakers 19 and 19. The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage unit when the sub CPU 41 performs processing control according to the control program.

  The image control circuit 44 displays a special symbol in the special symbol display area 10 a of the LCD 10 in accordance with a control command from the sub CPU 41. The lamp control circuit 45 controls the light emission of the upper frame decoration lamp 18 according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 in accordance with the drive signal from the sub CPU 41. In addition, the sound control circuit 46 controls the speakers 19 and 19 according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 by a drive signal from the sub CPU 41.

  The frame control board 60 is connected to the main control board 30 via a frame relay board 62, and a payout / launch control circuit and a power supply circuit 61 are mounted on the frame control board 60. The power supply circuit 61 supplies power to circuits and the like formed on the substrates 30, 40, 60.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the configuration of the payout / firing control circuit provided on the frame control board 60 shown in FIG. 6 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the payout / launch control circuit includes a microcomputer 66 including a payout / launch CPU 63, a program ROM 64, and a work RAM 65. The program ROM 64 stores and stores a control program and the like for the payout / launch CPU 63 to process and control pachinko ball lending and prize ball payout. The work RAM 65 temporarily stores data when processing control is performed by the payout / launch CPU 63.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing a firing intensity table stored in the program ROM 64 of the frame control board 60.

  The launch intensity table constitutes launch intensity storage means in which a plurality of launch intensities are stored in advance. In this launch intensity table, the launch intensity of the pachinko sphere fired by the launch solenoid 75, that is, the arrival point of the pachinko sphere is associated with the number of operations for the launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the launch intensity adjustment (−) button 87. It has been. Here, the number of operations indicates a number obtained by subtracting the number of times the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is pressed from the number of times the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed. When the intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed three times and then the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is pressed once, the number of operations is two.

  As shown in the figure, when the number of operations is one, the launch intensity at which the pachinko ball is launched to the midpoint of the launch rail, that is, the middle of the ball launch area 2B (see FIG. 3) is determined. Therefore, when the number of operations is one, the pachinko ball does not reach the game area 2A and becomes a return ball. Further, when the number of operations is two times, the firing strength at which the pachinko ball is launched near the left region of the top of the top of the game area 2A called so-called “bukkomi” immediately after passing through the return preventing member 2f is determined. Further, when the number of operations is three times, the launch intensity at which the pachinko ball is launched in the region where the nails (not shown) are implanted above the warp inlets 11 and 11 is determined. Further, when the number of operations is four times, the firing strength at which the pachinko ball is launched in the right area rather than the top nails in the game area 2A is determined. Further, when the number of operations is 5, the right-handed fully opened state is set, and the firing strength at which the pachinko ball reaches the return rubber 2g and bounces is determined. Although not shown in the firing intensity table of FIG. 7, when the number of operations is 0, drive control of the firing solenoid 75 is not performed and the pachinko ball is not launched. In addition, the microcomputer 66 sets the firing intensity of the pachinko ball in advance among the plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity table on condition that the touch switch 84 is no longer detected by the touch switch 73 by the player. An initial value setting means for setting to a predetermined initial value (in this embodiment, a launch intensity at which a pachinko ball is not launched) is configured.

  Further, a payout solenoid 72, a ball feed solenoid 74, and a firing solenoid 75 are connected to the frame control board 60 shown in FIG. 6 as actuators. The payout solenoid 72 is driven and controlled when paying out a prize ball or lending a pachinko ball. The ball feed solenoid 74 starts driving control when the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed while the touch sensor 84 is touched by the player, and the pachinko ball stored in the upper plate 3 is launched. To send. The launch solenoid 75 is also started when the launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed while the touch sensor 84 is touched by the player, and is sent to the launch position by the ball feed solenoid 74. A pachinko ball is launched into the game area 2A via the ball launch area 2B.

  The frame control board 60 includes a touch switch 73, a firing stop switch 76, a firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86, and input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 66 to generate a control signal. A firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is connected. The touch switch 73 constitutes a first detection unit that detects that the player has touched the touch sensor 84, and outputs a detection signal to the payout / release CPU 63 when the player's hand touches the touch sensor 84. To do. The firing stop switch 76 outputs a stop signal when the above-mentioned launch stop button is operated by the player. Based on this stop signal, the payout / launch CPU 63 controls the driving of the ball feed solenoid 74 and the launch solenoid 75. Stop.

  Further, a converter 67 and a drive signal generation circuit 68 are connected to the microcomputer 66, and a firing solenoid 75 is connected to the microcomputer 66 via the drive signal generation circuit 68 and the converter 67. When the player presses the firing strength adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing strength adjustment (−) button 87, each of the firing strength adjustment buttons 86, 86, among a plurality of preset firing strengths (see FIG. 7). One of the firing intensities is determined by the microcomputer 66 according to the number of operations 87, and the numerical data of the determined firing intensity is output from the microcomputer 66 to the converter 67. The converter 67 generates a voltage signal corresponding to the input numerical data, and outputs this voltage signal to the drive signal generation circuit 68 as a firing intensity signal.

  Further, when the operation detection signal from the touch switch 73 and the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is detected by the microcomputer 66, the firing intensity input from the converter 67 is input to the drive signal generation circuit 68 under the control of the microcomputer 66. In addition to the signal, a pulse signal that regulates the firing drive period of the firing solenoid 75 is directly input from the microcomputer 66. When the player presses the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 while touching the touch sensor 84 and then further presses the firing intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87 to adjust the firing intensity, the converter 67, a drive signal generation circuit 68 receives a fire intensity signal generated according to the number of operations of each fire intensity adjustment button 86, 87 and a pulse signal from the microcomputer 66. These firing intensity signals and pulse signals are combined inside the drive signal generation circuit 68, and a solenoid driving signal having a period corresponding to the firing intensity and the pulse signal corresponding to the firing intensity signal is generated. The firing solenoid 75 is driven and controlled by the generated solenoid drive signal, and the pachinko ball is launched to the game area 2A.

  The launch solenoid 75 constitutes launch means for firing a pachinko ball into the game area 2A based on the player's operation on the launch handle 8. Further, the microcomputer 66 constitutes a second detection unit that detects the player's operation on the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87. Further, the microcomputer 66, the converter 67, and the drive signal generation circuit 68 detect that the player has touched the touch sensor 84 by the first detection unit, and the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing intensity adjustment ( -) When the player's operation on the button 87 is detected by the second detector, the player's operation on each of the firing intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87 from among the plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means. The launch intensity is determined in accordance with the launch intensity, the drive control of the launch solenoid 75 is started at the determined launch intensity, and the first detection unit detects that the player is touching the touch sensor 84. The firing control means for continuing the drive control of the firing solenoid 75 is configured. The firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is a first firing intensity that causes the firing control means to sequentially determine a larger firing intensity according to a pressing operation by the player from among a plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means. The adjustment button is configured, and the emission intensity adjustment (-) button 87 sequentially determines a smaller emission intensity from the plurality of emission intensity values stored in the emission intensity storage means to the emission control means according to the pressing operation by the player. The second firing intensity adjustment button is configured.

  In addition, the microcomputer 66 receives signals from a communication port 69 that transmits and receives signals from the main control board 30 via the frame relay board 62, and peripheral devices such as the touch switch 73, various solenoids, and various buttons. An I / O port 70 for transmitting / receiving and an I / O port 71 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from the card unit 77 are connected. The ball lending operation panel 6 is connected to the card unit 77. When a prepaid card is inserted into the card unit 77 and the ball lending button 6a is operated, a pachinko ball is supplied from the ball tank 20 to the upper plate 3.

  Next, the game operation process of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of main processing performed by the payout / launch control circuit provided on the frame control board 60 of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, first, an initial setting process of the operation of the payout / launch CPU 63 is performed (see FIG. 8, step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). In this initial setting processing, processing such as access permission of the work RAM 65, backup restoration processing, and work area initialization is executed. Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 determines whether 1 [msec] has elapsed since the previous main process (S2). When this determination is “No”, the process of S2 is repeated until 1 [msec] has elapsed. On the other hand, when 1 [msec] has elapsed and the determination of S2 is “Yes”, the payout / fire CPU 63 is based on the signal received from the card unit 77 in the card unit communication process (see S22 in FIG. 10) described later. Then, a ball lending control process for controlling the execution of the ball lending is performed (S3). In the ball lending control process, the payout solenoid 72 is driven and controlled in accordance with a signal output from the card unit 77 when the ball lending button 6a is operated by the player, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are transferred from the ball tank 20 to the upper plate. Loaned to 3. Subsequently, the payout / firing CPU 63 performs a prize ball control process for performing control relating to execution of the prize ball payout (S4). In the winning ball control process, the payout solenoid 72 is driven and controlled based on the winning information obtained from the payout command output from the main control board 30 by winning the winning holes 14 to 16, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are formed. The ball tank 20 is paid out to the upper plate 3.

  Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 performs a frame switch detection process (S5). In the frame switch detection process, it is confirmed whether or not a detection signal is input from a ball break switch provided in the ball tank 20 or a lower plate full tank switch provided in the lower plate 4. When the ball tank 20 is empty and the detection signal is input from the ball break switch, or when the lower plate 4 is full and the detection signal is input from the lower plate full switch, or When a communication error has occurred, the payout / launch CPU 63 performs error processing (S6) and interrupts the pachinko ball payout. At this time, a notification LED (light-emitting diode) provided on the frame control board 60 is turned on, and notification is given of a ball break in the ball tank 20, a full state of the lower plate 4, a communication error, and the like. Thereafter, when the pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 20 or the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 4 are removed and no detection signal is output from the ball break switch or the lower plate full switch, or a communication error occurs. When there is no more, the payout / launch CPU 63 resumes the game process.

  After the process of S6 is performed, the process returns to S2. In this way, in the main process, after the initial setting process of S1 is completed, the processes of S2 to S6 are periodically performed every 1 [msec].

  FIG. 9 shows a command allocation performed by interrupting the main process when a command from the main control board 30 is received by the dispensing / launching control circuit of the frame control board 60 while the main process shown in FIG. 8 is being executed. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a loading process.

  In the command interruption process, first, the payout / launch CPU 63 temporarily saves the data stored in the register in the work area of the work RAM 65 (see S11 in FIG. 9). Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 stores the received command in the reception buffer area of the work RAM 65 (S12). Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 restores the data saved in the work area of the work RAM 65 in S11 to the register (S13), and ends the command interrupt process.

  Further, the payout / launch CPU 63 executes a timer interrupt process according to a clock pulse generated at predetermined intervals from the initial reset circuit 32 of the main control board 30 while executing the main process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the timer interrupt process performed by the payout / release CPU 63 every 1 [msec].

  In this timer interruption process, first, the payout / launch CPU 63 temporarily saves the data stored in the register in the work area of the work RAM 65 (see S21 in FIG. 10). Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 performs card unit communication processing (S22). In the card unit communication process, communication with the card unit 77 regarding lending a ball or returning a prepaid card is performed. Subsequently, the payout / launch CPU 63 performs a count switch detection process (S23). In the counting switch detection process, when a pachinko ball wins each winning port 14-16 based on a detection signal from a counting switch that counts pachinko balls paid out from the ball tank 20, or when lending a ball, The number of pachinko balls to be paid out is counted. Subsequently, the payout / firing CPU 63 detects an overpayment in which the pachinko balls are paid out more than a predetermined number, an error detecting a ball passage in the ball passage through which the pachinko balls paid out from the ball tank 20 pass, or the like. A detection process is performed (S24), and a dispensing solenoid drive process is performed (S25). In the payout solenoid driving process, a process of driving and controlling the payout solenoid 72 is performed by operating the ball lending button 6a or winning the winning holes 14-16.

  Next, the payout / firing CPU 63 performs a firing driving process (S26). Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, in the firing drive process, the payout / firing CPU 63 includes the presence / absence of a detection signal from the touch switch 73, the presence / absence of a pressing operation on the firing intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87, and the number of operations. Based on the above, processing for driving and controlling the firing solenoid 75 is performed. When this firing driving process is completed, the payout / firing CPU 63 restores the data saved in the work area of the work RAM 65 in S21 to the register (S27), and finishes the timer interrupt process.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the firing drive process shown in FIG. 10 and S26.

  In the firing drive process, the payout / firing CPU 63 first determines whether or not the touch switch 73 serving as the first detection unit has detected that the player has touched the touch sensor 84 (see S31 in FIG. 11). ). If this determination is “Yes”, then the payout / firing CPU 63 determines whether or not the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 or the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 which is a firing intensity adjustment unit has been pressed. (S32). If this determination is “No”, the firing drive process ends. On the other hand, when the determination in S32 is “Yes”, the payout / firing CPU 63 refers to the firing strength table (see FIG. 7) and determines the number of operations determined by the pressing operation on the firing strength adjustment buttons 86 and 87. Then, the launch intensity of the pachinko ball is set to the launch intensity specified in the launch intensity table (S33), and the launch solenoid 75 is driven with the set launch intensity (S34).

  On the other hand, when the player has not touched the touch sensor 84 and the determination in S31 is “No”, the payout / firing CPU 63 sets the number of operations of the firing intensity adjustment buttons 86 and 87 to 0, which is the initial value. The firing intensity is set to the initial value (S35), and the firing solenoid 75 is stopped (S36).

  For example, when the player presses the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 while touching the touch sensor 84, the firing solenoid 75 is driven and controlled by the processing from S31 to S34, and the launch of the pachinko ball is started. The After the launch of the pachinko ball in this way, every time the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed, the number of operations increases once, twice, three times, and so on. It will be launched into the area to the right of 2A. In addition, each time the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is pressed, after the adjustment to the desired firing intensity, the number of operations decreases, and the pachinko ball is launched into the area to the left of the game area 2A. It comes to be. In this way, each time the firing strength adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed, the firing strength increases stepwise, and every time the firing strength adjustment (−) button 87 is pressed, the firing strength decreases stepwise. Become. In addition, when the player's hand leaves the touch sensor 84 while the pachinko ball is being fired at an arbitrary firing strength, the number of operations is set to the initial value of 0 and adjusted by the process of S35. The firing strength is reset. Accordingly, when the player's hand leaves the touch sensor 84, the driving of the firing solenoid 75 is stopped by the processing of S36, and the launch of the pachinko ball into the game area 2A is immediately finished.

  When the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 are not pressed with the player touching the touch sensor 84, the firing set in S33 of the previous firing drive process is performed. The firing drive process continues with the strength maintained (see S31 and S32).

  According to the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, when the player presses the firing strength adjustment buttons 86 and 87 while the player touches the touch sensor 84, the firing strength is increased. Of the plurality of firing intensities stored in the table (see FIG. 7), the firing strength corresponding to the player's pressing operation on each of the firing strength adjustment buttons 86 and 87 is determined, and the firing solenoid is determined with the determined firing strength. 75 is driven and a pachinko ball is launched into the game area 2A. Moreover, after the start of the launch of the pachinko ball, the player touches the touch sensor 84, so that the fired state of the pachinko ball with the determined launch intensity continues. For this reason, even when a game is played for a long time with a desired launch intensity, the launch state of the pachinko ball is continued only by the player touching the touch sensor 84, and the pivoting position of the launch lever as in the prior art. It is not necessary to hold the entire launch handle 8 in order to maintain the load, so that the player's hand and wrist are not burdened, and the player can easily perform the pachinko ball launch operation without feeling tired or uncomfortable. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, as the launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 is pressed by the player, a greater launch intensity is sequentially determined from a plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity table, The firing intensity of the pachinko sphere increases in steps. Further, as the launch intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is pressed by the player, smaller launch intensities are sequentially determined from a plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity table, and the launch intensity of the pachinko ball is determined. Becomes gradually smaller. For this reason, when the player adjusts the firing strength of the pachinko ball, the player rotates the operation handle as in the past by pressing the firing strength adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing strength adjustment (−) button 87. The firing intensity can be easily adjusted without requiring such a force.

  Further, in this embodiment, the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 are provided at positions adjacent to the upper portion of the rear gripping member 82 that constitutes the firing handle 8. The firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 can also be pressed with a finger that presses the intensity adjustment (+) button 86. For this reason, the player can adjust the firing strength with one finger and can minimize the amount of movement of the finger operated when adjusting the firing strength. Adjustments can be made.

  In the present embodiment, when the player stops touching the touch sensor 84, the firing intensity determined by the pressing operation on the firing intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing intensity adjustment (−) button 87 is displayed in the firing intensity table. It is set to a predetermined initial value from a plurality of memorized firing intensities, that is, a firing intensity corresponding to the number of times the pachinko ball is not fired. For this reason, when the game is resumed after releasing the hand from the firing handle 8 and interrupting the game, it is necessary to readjust the firing strength. Therefore, for example, when a player is switched during a game, the setting of the firing strength adjusted by the previous player is set to the initial value and is not carried over to the next player. The game can be started at the desired firing strength without being affected by the firing strength adjusted by the person.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the launch intensity adjustment (+) button 86 and the launch intensity adjustment (−) button 87 are used as the launch intensity adjustment unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the structure of a firing handle 8A provided with a firing strength adjustment dial 88 as a firing strength adjusting portion. The firing handle 8A shown in the figure has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment except that a firing strength adjusting button 88 is provided instead of the firing strength adjusting buttons 86 and 87 as a firing strength adjusting portion. . Also, in the figure, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.

  A slit-like groove is formed in the upper part of the firing handle 8A from the upper part of the rear gripping member 82 to a part of the upper part of the touch sensor 84, and this groove is used for adjusting the firing intensity of the pachinko ball. A firing intensity adjustment dial 88 that is operated by the player is provided. The firing strength adjustment dial 88 is pivotally supported to the front side and the back side with respect to the player as indicated by arrows in FIG. 12, and is configured to rotate stepwise over a plurality of predetermined stages. In this structure, the amount of rotation in one step is set as a unit operation amount, and the amount of rotation in one step is rotated to the near side and the far side. When the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 is rotated forward by one step, the number of operations is incremented by "1", and when the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 is rotated backward by one step, the operation is performed. The number of times is subtracted by “1”. As described above, when the player adjusts the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 in the forward direction by the player, the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 sequentially outputs a larger firing intensity from the plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity table to the dispensing / launching CPU 63. When it is determined to be rotated in the direction toward the back side, the discharge / firing CPU 63 sequentially determines smaller firing intensities from a plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity table.

  According to this configuration, when the finger is placed on the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 and the finger is shifted in the front direction, the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 rotates in the near direction, and the firing intensity of the pachinko ball is stepwise. When it is increased and the finger is shifted in the back direction, the firing intensity adjustment dial 88 rotates in the back direction, and the firing intensity of the pachinko ball is gradually reduced. For this reason, the player can place the finger on the firing strength adjustment dial 88 without replacing the finger with a plurality of buttons such as the firing strength adjustment (+) button 86 and the firing strength adjustment (−) button 87. By simply moving the placed finger, the firing intensity can be adjusted more easily and quickly.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described. However, another game in which the launching intensity is determined according to the player's operation on the launching intensity adjusting unit and the launching means is driven and controlled. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a machine. Even when the present invention is applied to such a gaming machine, the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a transparent game board is removed. It is a front view which shows the transparent game board of the state removed from the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and partially shows the structure of the launching handle of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electronic circuit which carries out process control of the game operation | movement of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the configuration of a payout / firing control circuit provided on the frame control board shown in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the discharge intensity table used when determining a discharge intensity according to the frequency | count of operation with respect to a discharge intensity adjustment part. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the main process which the frame control board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the command interruption process which the frame control board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the timer interruption process which the frame control board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the firing drive process shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the launching handle of the pachinko machine by the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine 2 ... Transparent game board 2A ... Game area 2B ... Ball launch area 2f ... Return prevention member 2g ... Return rubber 8, 8A ... Launch handle 10 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Main control board 40 ... Sub control board 60 ... Frame control board 61 ... Power supply circuit 63 ... Discharge / launch CPU
64 ... Program ROM
65 ... Work RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 66 ... Microcomputer 67 ... Converter 68 ... Drive signal generation circuit 72 ... Discharge solenoid 73 ... Touch switch 74 ... Ball feed solenoid 75 ... Launch solenoid 76 ... Launch stop switch 81 ... Handle base 82 ... Back grip member 83 ... Front grip member 84 ... Touch sensor 86 ... Launch intensity adjustment (+) button 87 ... Launch intensity adjustment (-) button 88 ... Launch intensity adjustment dial

Claims (5)

A game area in which a game ball is rolled,
An operation handle comprising a touch sensor touched by a player, and a launch intensity adjusting unit that adjusts the launch intensity of the game ball launched into the game area according to the player's operation;
Launching means for launching a game ball to the game area based on a player's operation on the operation handle;
A first detection unit for detecting that a player has touched the touch sensor;
A second detection unit for detecting a player's operation on the firing intensity adjustment unit;
A firing intensity storage means in which a plurality of firing intensities are stored in advance;
When the first detection unit detects that the player has touched the touch sensor, and the player's operation on the launch intensity adjustment unit is detected by the second detection unit, the launch intensity memory is stored. Determining a firing intensity according to a player's operation on the firing intensity adjusting unit from the plurality of firing intensities stored in the means, starting drive control of the firing means with the determined firing intensity, and the touch A gaming machine, comprising: a firing control means for continuing drive control of the firing means on the condition that the first sensing unit senses that a player is touching a sensor.   The firing intensity adjustment unit is a first firing intensity adjustment button that causes the firing control means to sequentially determine a larger firing intensity according to a pressing operation by a player from among the plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means. And a second firing intensity adjustment button for causing the firing control means to sequentially determine smaller firing strengths according to a pressing operation by the player from among the plurality of firing strengths stored in the firing strength storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the first launch intensity adjustment button and the second launch intensity adjustment button are provided at positions adjacent to the operation handle.   The launch intensity adjusting unit causes the launch control means to sequentially determine a greater launch intensity from among the plurality of launch intensities stored in the launch intensity storage means when the player is turned in a predetermined direction. A firing intensity adjustment dial that, when operated in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, causes the firing control means to sequentially determine a smaller firing intensity from the plurality of firing intensities stored in the firing intensity storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, comprising: On the condition that contact with the touch sensor by the player is no longer detected by the first detection unit, the launch intensity of the game ball is stored in advance among the launch intensities stored in the launch intensity storage means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an initial value setting means for setting a predetermined initial value.

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