JP2008136728A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is becoming difficult every year to secure the storage area of a mechanical element used for a performance and to guarantee sure control. <P>SOLUTION: In a Pachinko game machine 10, a game area 52 where game balls are to be fed is formed on a game board 50. A performance display device 60 is attached from the back surface side of the game board 50. A decoration unit is disposed so as to surround a display area and is provided with a movable accessory which is a device to be used for the performance of a game by the appearance and operation form and its driving mechanism. The decoration unit is provided with a photosensor for detecting the limit position of the operation range of the movable accessory and feeding it back to the driving mechanism. Also, on the movable accessory, a projection piece to be the detection object of the photosensor is integrally molded at a part having a larger movable range than a part directly controlled by the driving mechanism, and color coating by a highly reflective paint is executed to the projection piece. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for controlling a movable accessory on a game board of the ball game machine.

  Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is used while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot where more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific mode. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variation display of the symbols in the display area is not just a variation display of multiple symbols, but the time of variation display in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach variation screen. For example, it is designed to increase the player's expectation such as making it longer than usual.

Further, in recent years, the aspect of the game effect is not limited to the content of the screen display content, and the number of models in which a mechanically operated effect structure called a so-called movable accessory is provided on the game board surface or around the liquid crystal screen is increasing. As manufacturers are constantly pursuing innovative gameplay and production, we try to realize not only the display contents on the LCD screen, but also the operation of mechanical elements, in order to achieve such novelty. Is an attempt to do. In fact, the use of mechanical elements has expanded the range of production in each stage.
JP 2003-230714 A

  On the other hand, instead of relying solely on production by the movement of mechanical elements, various tastes have also been tried with regard to the screen display content in parallel with it, and the liquid crystal screen size has been increased year by year for the purpose of further expanding the range of production. ing. As a result, combined with the complexity of operation of mechanical elements and the need to avoid an increase in manufacturing costs, it is becoming more difficult to secure a storage area for these mechanical elements and to ensure reliable control year after year.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, The objective is to provide the technique which aims at harmony with the guarantee of the reliable control of the movable accessory in a ball game machine, and the ease of manufacture.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided on a game board, which is attached from the back side of the game board on which a game area into which game balls are inserted is formed, and the game board. An effect display device for effect display in the display area that is visible from the front side through the opening, and a movable accessory that is an apparatus that appears around the display area and that is used for game effects depending on the appearance and mode of operation And a decorative unit provided with the drive mechanism. The decoration unit has a photosensor that detects the limit position of the movable range of the movable accessory and feeds it back to the drive mechanism, and the movable accessory has a larger movable range than a portion that is directly controlled by the drive mechanism. The projecting piece to be detected by the photosensor is integrally molded, and the projecting piece is painted with a highly reflective paint.

  Here, the “decoration unit” includes not only a movable accessory but also a decorative structure such as a resin-molded decorative structure or an electric decoration as a part thereof, but it is not necessarily required to include all the structures integrally. For example, a plurality of subunits may be combined to form one “decoration unit”. In this case, one “decoration unit” may be configured as a result of attaching the plurality of subunits so that the game board is sandwiched from the front side and the back side of the ball game machine. “Appearing around the display area” is intended to include both the case where the entire periphery of the display area is surrounded and the case where it is configured to appear only in a part of the periphery of the display area.

  According to this aspect, since the position of the movable accessory by the photosensor is detected at a part with a larger movement, the position of the movable accessory can be detected more reliably and accurately. In addition, since the projecting piece to be detected by the photo sensor is coated with highly reflective paint, the movable object that plays a role of production should always have the same reflectance and transmittance of the surface as the projecting piece. It is not necessary, and it is possible to ensure the realization of various productions by increasing the degree of freedom in the design of movable objects and the selection of materials. In addition, since the protruding piece is integrally molded as a part of the movable accessory and painted with highly reflective paint, the movable accessory body uses colors and materials with low reflectivity, and highly transparent colors and materials. Even if it is desired, it is not necessary to configure and attach the protruding piece as a separate member from the movable accessory body, and the design and manufacture of the movable accessory including the protruding piece can be facilitated.

  The appearance of the movable accessory has a color that is not subject to detection as a specification of the photosensor, and the protruding piece may be painted with a color different from the color of the movable accessory. Thereby, it is not always necessary to make the movable accessory and the projecting piece, which play a role of production, have the same color, and to make parts other than the projecting piece a color with low reflectance, a color with high transparency, or a member. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the design of movable accessories and ensure the realization of various productions.

  The movable accessory may be arranged in the decoration unit so that the movement trajectory of the protruding piece accompanying the operation of the movable accessory is located at a portion hidden from the front side. As a result, even if the projecting piece is coated with a highly reflective paint or a paint of a different color, the part is not visually recognized by the player, and thus a desired operation can be ensured without impairing the aesthetic appearance.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to achieve harmony between guarantee of reliable control of the movable accessory and ease of manufacture.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start opening 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the normal electric accessory at the start opening. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect display device 60 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 have a variation of the special symbol 192 on each screen and a decoration linked to the special symbol 192. The variation of the effect image including the symbol 190 is displayed (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variation display”). Here, the special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball is dropped into the start port 62, and the symbol mode when the change display is stopped is determined to be the winning symbol. When the symbol is a symbol, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner interlocked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually rendering the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 190, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation simulating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The effect display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by a mechanical rotating device such as a drum or other display means such as an LED. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol 192 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production display device 60. In the case of adopting a technique in which a decorative role is not displayed and a decorative symbol is not displayed, the special symbol may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the effect display device 60. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passing of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers a lottery for expanding the start port 62. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 for a predetermined time. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect display device 60. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. The center decoration 64 in the present embodiment is configured as a part of a decoration unit to be described later. The decorative unit including the center ornament 64 has a decorative function in its appearance itself, and includes decorative structures such as a plurality of game effect lamps 90 and a plurality of movable accessories 210, 212, 214, and 216. The game effect lamp 90 plays a role by flashing or the like. The plurality of movable actors 210, 212, 214, and 216 are devices that are used to produce a game depending on the appearance and mode of operation.

  A lottery hold lamp 20 is provided below the effect display device 60, and an operation hold lamp 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right of the game area 52, which is a symmetrical position. . The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. The operation button 82 is a button operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction on the gaming machine side. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative pattern 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched. In the special game, the grand prize winning slot 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. Such opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times.

  When a special game occurs and the winning stop symbol at that time is in a specific mode, the probability variation game and the variation shortening game are started as the specific game after the special game is finished. In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early. During the execution of the fluctuation shortening game, the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol is shortened, and the time during which the start port 62 is opened is set relatively long.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub-board 104 includes a liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable actors 210, 212, 214, 216, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90. The display content is changed according to the result, and the lighting of the movable accessory and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the appearance of the decoration unit 200. The decoration unit 200 is configured by combining a front-side decoration unit 202 and a back-side decoration unit 204. Actually, the front decoration unit 202 and the back decoration unit 204 are overlapped with the game board 50 sandwiched therebetween, but in this figure, for convenience, the front decoration unit 202 and the back decoration without sandwiching the game board 50. A state in which the units 204 are overlapped is illustrated.

  The front decoration unit 202 is a unit that is attached to the game board 50 from the front side, and has a frame-shaped center ornament 64 that forms an opening 266 at the center of a substantially elliptical shape. Decorate to surround the area. The player can visually recognize the display area of the effect display device 60 located behind the opening 266. A game effect lamp 90 is provided at the upper and lower right portions of the center decoration 64, and lighting and extinguishing are controlled in an effect. A stage portion 206 on which a game ball can roll is provided below the center decoration 64, and a passage portion 208 through which the game ball can enter and pass is provided at the center of the stage portion 206. . The game ball that has entered the passage portion 208 is discharged from the hole communicating to the lower center of the stage portion 206 and flows in the direction of the starting port 62 positioned below the hole.

  The rear decoration unit 204 is a substantially rectangular unit having a size larger than that of the front decoration unit 202, and an opening 268 having substantially the same diameter as the opening 266 of the front decoration unit 202 is provided at the center. . Around the opening 268, a first movable accessory 210, a second movable accessory 212, a third movable accessory 214, a fourth movable accessory 216 and their drive mechanisms are mounted. The first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 shown in this figure are in their initial positions, and when driven, respectively in the outer direction. By moving and the opening 268 is expanded, the viewing range of the display area of the effect display device 60 that the player can visually recognize through the opening 268 is also expanded. As an effect, the first movable combination 210, the second movable combination 212, the third movable combination 214, and the fourth movable combination 216 are driven to widen the viewing range of the display area, and at the same time, the expanded area A stunning image can be displayed.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of the back side decoration unit 204. The back side decorative unit 204 is provided with a first movable accessory 210, a second movable accessory 212, a third movable accessory 214, and a fourth movable accessory 216. When viewed from the front, the first movable combination 210 is provided on the upper left side, the second movable combination 212 is provided on the upper right side, the third movable combination 214 is provided on the lower left side, and the lower right side. Is provided with a fourth movable accessory 216. The first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 are each a long blade-shaped member whose other end rotates around one end. . A part of each of the first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 is formed of a transparent member, and an LED provided inside emits light. Sometimes the light is transmitted to the outside, so that it not only operates mechanically but also functions as an electrical decoration.

  As for the 1st movable accessory 210, the 1st guide piece 250 in the other end rotates centering on the 1st axis part 234 in the end. The end of the first guide piece 250 is fitted in the first guide groove 226 and slides in an arc along the first guide groove 226 when driven. Similarly, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 have the second shaft portion 236, the third shaft portion 238, and the fourth shaft portion 240 at the respective ends as axes. The second guide piece 252, the third guide piece 254, and the fourth guide piece 256 at the other end rotate. When the second guide piece 252, the third guide piece 254, and the fourth guide piece 256 are driven by fitting their respective end portions into the second guide groove portion 228, the third guide groove portion 230, and the fourth guide groove portion 232. And slide along the second guide groove 228, the third guide groove 230, and the fourth guide groove 232 so as to draw arcs.

  One end of each of the first movable accessory 210 and the third movable accessory 214 is connected to the first cam member 222, and the first cam member 222 is reciprocated in the left-right direction by the driving force of the first motor 218. To rotate. Accordingly, the first movable accessory 210 and the third movable accessory 214 are always interlocked by the driving force of the first motor 218. Similarly, each of the second movable accessory 212 and the fourth movable accessory 216 is connected to the second cam member 224 at one end, and the second cam member 224 is moved in the left-right direction by the driving force of the second motor 220. It turns by being reciprocated. As a result, the second movable accessory 212 and the fourth movable accessory 216 are always interlocked by the driving force of the second motor 220.

  In the drawing, the first movable combination 210, the second movable combination 212, the third movable combination 214, and the fourth movable combination 216, which are represented by solid lines, each indicate a state in an initial position. On the other hand, the first movable combination 210, the second movable combination 212, the third movable combination 214, and the fourth movable combination 216, which are represented by broken lines, indicate a state at the limit position when driven. Depending on the shape of the first cam member 222 and the second cam member 224, the moving direction is reversed at the limit position, and as a result, the driving force by the first motor 218 and the second motor 220 is changed to the first cam member 222 and the second cam member 224. The two cam members 224 are reciprocated in the left-right direction.

  When the first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 move to the positions indicated by the broken lines, they are already hidden behind the front decoration unit 202. Since they are not visually recognized by the player, there may be variations in the operation of reversing each toward the original position. However, when the first movable combination 210, the second movable combination 212, the third movable combination 214, and the fourth movable combination 216 return to their initial positions and stop, they are in a position that is visible to the player. I want to stop at an accurate position so as not to impair the beauty. Therefore, the first photosensor 246 and the second photosensor 248 are provided at the initial positions of the third movable accessory 214 and the fourth movable accessory 216, and the third movable accessory 214 and the fourth movable accessory that have come to the positions are provided. 216 is detected as having come to the limit position of the operation range. The detection results are fed back to the first motor 218 and the second motor 220 to realize a stop at an accurate position. Near the initial position of the second movable accessory 212, a first accessory control board 242 for feedback control is installed, and a first photosensor 246 is disposed on the back surface thereof. Similarly, a second accessory control board 244 for feedback control is also provided near the initial position of the fourth movable accessory 216, and a second photosensor 248 is provided on the back surface thereof.

  A protruding piece (not shown in the figure), which will be described later, is integrally formed on the third guide piece 254 of the third movable accessory 214, and the third movable accessory 214 protrudes when it returns to the initial position. By detecting the position of the piece by the first photosensor 246, it is detected that the position of the third movable accessory 214 has returned to the initial position. Since the first movable combination 210 is interlocked with the third movable combination 214, the first movable combination 210 is stopped at an accurate position together with the third movable combination 214 without providing a photo sensor at the initial position of the first guide piece 250. Similarly, a projecting piece (not shown) is integrally formed on the fourth guide piece 256 of the fourth movable accessory 216, and when the fourth movable accessory 216 returns to the initial position, the position of the projecting piece is the first. By being detected by the two photosensors 248, it is detected that the position of the fourth movable accessory 216 has returned to the initial position. Since the second movable accessory 212 is interlocked with the fourth movable accessory 216, the second movable accessory 212 is controlled to stop together with the fourth movable accessory 216 at an accurate position without providing a photosensor at the initial position of the second guide piece 252.

  The movable range of the third guide piece 254 and the fourth guide piece 256 is more movable than the vicinity of the third shaft portion 238 in the third movable accessory 214 and the vicinity of the fourth shaft portion 240 in the fourth movable accessory 216. The range is large. As described above, in the vicinity of the third shaft portion 238 and the vicinity of the fourth shaft portion 240 that are directly controlled by the first motor 218 and the second motor 220 via the first cam member 222 and the second cam member 224. By detecting the position of the third guide piece 254 or the fourth guide piece 256 having a larger movable range than the position detection, a more accurate position detection can be realized. Further, the protruding pieces provided on the third guide piece 254 and the fourth guide piece 256 are located on the outermost sides of the rotation trajectories of the third shaft portion 238 and the fourth shaft portion 240, respectively, and the movement of the protruding pieces is performed. As shown in FIG. 1, the trajectory is located in a place hidden behind the front decoration unit 202 and thus is not visually recognized by the player. A passage portion 208 is provided at a position between the first accessory control board 242 and the second accessory control board 244.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the state of fitting of the guide piece of the movable accessory and the guide groove and the position detection by the photo sensor from the side. In the drawing, only the third movable combination 214 is illustrated and described among the third movable combination 214 and the fourth movable combination 216 that are targets of position detection, but the same applies to the fourth movable combination 216. Therefore, the description of the fourth movable accessory 216 is omitted.

  The end of the third guide piece 254 is fitted into the recess of the third guide groove 230, and when driven, the third guide piece 254 rotates along the third guide groove 230 so as to draw an arc. In the vicinity of the end portion of the third guide piece 254, a protruding piece 262 extended upward is integrally formed. The protruding piece 262 is a target for position detection by the first photosensor 246. The first photosensor 246 is a transmissive photosensor, and the light emitting unit 258 and the light receiving unit 260 are disposed so as to sandwich the trajectory of the protruding piece 262, and the light receiving unit 260 receives light from the light emitting unit 258. When the protruding piece 262 is positioned between the light emitting unit 258 and the light receiving unit 260 and the light reception by the light receiving unit 260 is interrupted, the current value indicating the light receiving state changes. When it is detected that the change exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the third movable accessory 214 has reached the initial position that is the limit position of the movable range.

  Here, specifications such as the size and shape of the photosensor, unit price, detection accuracy, and detection conditions vary depending on manufacturers and products. Among such a variety of photosensors, a sensor having specifications suitable for various usage environments such as a mounted application, a part, a budget, and manufacturing conditions is selected and adopted. However, there are cases where the photosensor employed sometimes requires high detection object non-transparency as a detection condition. That is, regarding the current value change in the light receiving state by the light receiving unit 260, depending on the threshold set by the manufacturer, if the detection target is not highly transmissive, it blocks light between the light emitting unit 258 and the light receiving unit 260. Even if it is, it may happen that it is not detected. Therefore, in this embodiment, the surface of the projecting piece 262 is colored with a highly reflective paint, thereby increasing the non-transmissibility and ensuring more reliable position detection. As the highly reflective paint, for example, it may be painted with glossy or glossy black paint, and its color may be different from that of the third movable accessory 214. A method of manufacturing the protruding piece 262 in the form of another member having the same surface material as that of the highly reflective paint and retrofitting it in the vicinity of the end portion of the third guide piece 254 can be considered. In this respect, the method of this embodiment is more suitable in that it is easier to perform the integral molding and coating than to increase the attachment process.

  On the other hand, the projecting piece 262 is coated with a highly reflective paint, while the portion other than the projecting piece 262 in the third movable accessory 214 is not required to be impermeable. In particular, since the third movable accessory 214 has a function that plays a role depending on its appearance, it is meaningful for the developer to be able to design a color and design different from the protruding piece 262 without being aware of its transparency. As in the present embodiment, when the third movable accessory 214 also has a function as electrical decoration, the third movable accessory 214 can be configured using a permeable member. In addition, since the movement locus of the protruding piece 262 is in a position that is not visually recognized by the player, even if it is painted in a color different from that of the third movable accessory 214, it is not perceived by the player, and the beauty is not impaired. Absent. Thus, reliable position detection can be realized by only partially painting the tip of the movable accessory, and the coloring of the movable accessory and the degree of design freedom can be ensured.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows the appearance of the game board 50 before assembly. An opening 264 is provided at a substantially central portion of the game board 50. When the front decoration unit 202 is attached from the front side of the game board 50, the outer peripheral portion of the front decoration unit 202 is locked to the inner edge of the opening 264. Further, when the back side decoration unit 204 is attached from the back side and the liquid crystal unit 42 is further attached to the back side, the opening 266 of the front side decoration unit 202 formed in the opening 264 and the back side decoration are provided. The display area of the effect display device 60 included in the liquid crystal unit 42 is visually recognized from the front side, that is, the player side, through the opening 268 of the unit 204.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows the process of attaching the decorative unit from the side. The front decoration unit 202 is attached from the front side so as to be fitted into the opening 264 of the game board 50, and one decoration unit is configured by attaching the back decoration unit 204 from the back side. Further, the liquid crystal unit 42 is attached from the back side of the back side decoration unit 204. FIG. 8 schematically shows a state when the front decoration unit 202, the back decoration unit 204, and the liquid crystal unit 42 are all attached to the game board 50 from the side.

  FIG. 9 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and operation buttons 82. The speaker 18 and the game effect lamp 90 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control device 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory, and the illumination. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 is a ball determination unit 110, a winning / failing lottery unit 112, a symbol determination unit 114, a hold control unit 116, a main display control unit 118, a special game control unit 120, a specific game execution unit 122, and an opening / closing control. Means 124 are provided. The sub-board 104 in this embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, and an accessory control unit 136. Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 accepts a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the game ball enters the start port 62. Get as a value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability in normal times, and refers to a success / failure table in which the winning probability is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, a decorative symbol that shows the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 in an effect manner is variably displayed on the effect display device 60.

  The symbol determining unit 114 determines the stop symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery unit 112. Moreover, the symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 by lottery. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determination means 114 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a special symbol or a normal symbol stop symbol, or a pattern determination table to be referred to in order to determine a variation pattern.

  The symbol determination means 114 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining a special symbol, and determines the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the determination result of the success / failure lottery means 112 and the symbol determination lottery value. The symbol determination unit 114 selects one of a plurality of variation patterns in accordance with the determination result of the success / failure lottery unit 112. The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol and variation pattern to the main display control unit 118 and the effect determination unit 132.

  The symbol determination means 114 stores a plurality of types of variation patterns in which variation modes from the variation start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed are defined. Multiple types of variation patterns have various variation times. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  The symbol determining means 114 acquires a lottery random number for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery random number. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the normal electric accessory at the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The holding control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a special symbol variation display according to the variation pattern determined by the symbol determination unit 114. The main display control means 118 transmits the change start command and the change stop command to the effect display control means 134 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol, so that the main display control means 118 and the effect display are displayed. The fluctuation display by the control means 134 is synchronized and interlocked. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution process of the special game when the result of the lottery determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a win. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously continued a plurality of times, and is constituted by one or a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 120 determines whether or not to continue the unit game, that is, whether or not to start the next unit game, based on the number of continuations of the unit game and the presence / absence of the passage detection of the special winning opening 66 to the specific area. Determine. If the continuation condition for starting the next unit game is not satisfied, or if the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game is terminated.

  The specific game execution means 122 controls the game in the probability variation state. The specific game executing means 122 shifts the game state after the special game to the probability variation state when the winning / failing lottery value is a value to be transferred to the specific game. In principle, the probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot occurs, and during that time, the probability of the hit determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is maintained at a high value.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

  The pattern storage unit 130 holds a plurality of variation pattern data as the variation pattern of the effect image including the decorative design. The effect determining unit 132 determines the stop symbol and the variation pattern of the decorative symbol in accordance with the result of the lottery by the success / failure lottery unit 112, according to the stop symbol of the special symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol. The effect determining unit 132 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a stop symbol of a decorative symbol and a pattern table to be referred to in order to determine a variation pattern.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a shift to a special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are arranged. A combination is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the same numbers as the special symbols are selected as the numbers arranged as the decorative symbols. For example, when the special symbol is “3”, the decorative symbol is “333”. In the case where the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, if the determination result is that the game does not shift to the special game, and the variation pattern of the special symbol indicating the loss with reach is selected, only one such as “191” or “727” is selected. Select a combination that does not have the same pattern. The effect determining unit 132 sends information about the stop symbol of the decorative symbol and the variation pattern of the effect image to the effect display control unit 134.

  The variation pattern of the effect image defines the variation display mode of the effect image, that is, the effect process from the start of variation of the effect image to the stop of variation. The fluctuation pattern displays a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state. When the pattern is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each variation pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 132 selects the variation pattern of the effect image having the same variation time as that of the special symbol according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  The effect display control means 134 displays the effect image on the effect display device 60 in accordance with the selected variation pattern data based on the result of the success / failure lottery performed by the success / failure lottery means 112. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 follows the effect contents in the effect display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90, and the first movable accessory 210 and the second movable accessory 212. The third movable accessory 214 and the fourth movable accessory 216 are actuated in a staging manner.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, processing is performed when the game ball has won the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, or when the game ball has passed through the operation port 68 (S10). (N in S12), control processing for normal games such as winning / failing lottery is executed (S14), and if a special game is in progress (Y in S12), control processing for special game is executed (S16), from S10 to S16 In step S18, prize ball payout corresponding to various winnings is processed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is on hold (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / losing lottery means 112 executes the determining process. (S34). In accordance with the determination result, the main display control means 118 starts changing display, transmits a change start command to the effect display control means 134, and the effect display control means 134 that receives the command displays the effect image according to the change pattern data. The fluctuation display is started (S36). If the winning or failing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 and S36 Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is executed (S40). If the symbol variation display has not started (N in S38), S40 is skipped. . Subsequently, control processing of the first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216 is executed (S42).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail S42 in FIG. First, when there is an instruction to start driving the first motor 218 and the second motor 220 by the effect display control means 134 (Y in S44), the accessory control means 136 drives the first motor 218 and the second motor 220. The process starts (S46), and if there is no drive start instruction, the process of S46 is skipped (N in S44). The first movable accessory 210, the second movable accessory 212, the third movable accessory 214, and the fourth movable accessory 216, which have started rotating in the outer direction by the start of driving, reach the outer limit position when they reach the outer limit position. The reversing operation is started by the action of the first cam member 222 and the second cam member 224. The third movable accessory 214 and the fourth movable accessory 216 return to the positions of the first photosensor 246 and the second photosensor 248 that are the initial positions, and the light reception current values of the first photosensor 246 and the second photosensor 248 are changed. When the threshold value is exceeded (Y in S48), the accessory control means 136 stops driving the first motor 218 and the second motor 220 (S50). While the first photosensor 246 and the second photosensor 248 do not detect the position, the process of S50 is skipped (N in S48).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail S16 in FIG. First, if the big prize opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the open / close control means 124 opens the special prize opening 66 (S74). ). If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 and S74 are skipped (Y in S70). When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 66 was opened (Y in S76), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), there are nine or more game balls to the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning opening 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the processing after S80 is skipped and the flow of S16 Exit.

  If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached 15 after closing the special winning opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect processing of the special game (S84), and the special game control means 120 ends the special game (S86). If the number of rounds has not reached 15 (N in S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds and the flow of S16 is terminated (S90).

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been mainly made of the so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, but naturally it is not limited to such models, but other types of pachinko such as so-called second type and third type. You may implement | achieve by control of the movable accessory in a game machine. In the above-described embodiment, the control of the movable accessory during the normal game is mainly described as an example. However, the movable accessory may be realized as a configuration for controlling the movable accessory during the special game. In the embodiment, the transmissive sensor is exemplified as the photosensor. However, the photosensor is not limited to the transmissive sensor, and the same effect can be obtained by using another sensor such as a reflective sensor. is there.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. The external appearance of a decoration unit is shown typically. The structure of a back side decoration unit is shown typically. The state of fitting of the guide piece of the movable accessory and the guide groove and the position detection by the photo sensor is schematically shown from the side. The external appearance of the game board before an assembly is shown typically. The attachment process of a decoration unit is typically shown from the side. The state when the front decoration unit, the back decoration unit, and the liquid crystal unit are all attached to the game board is schematically shown from the side. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 10 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S42 in FIG. 11 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S16 in FIG. 10 in detail.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 42 liquid crystal units, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 60 performance display devices, 64 center decorations, 90 game effect lamps, 100 game control devices, 102 main boards, 104 sub boards, 118 main display control means, 134 effect display control means, 136 accessory control means, 190 decoration design, 192 special design, 200 decoration unit, 202 front side decoration unit, 204 back side decoration unit, 210 first movable accessory, 212 second movable accessory, 214 3rd movable hand, 216 4th movable hand, 218 1st motor, 220 2nd motor, 246 1st photo sensor, 248 2nd photo sensor, 262 Projection piece.

Claims (3)

A game board in which a game area into which game balls are thrown is formed;
An effect display device that is attached from the back side of the game board and in which an effect display is made in its display area that is visible from the front side through an opening provided in the game board,
A movable accessory that is a device that appears around the display area and is used to produce a game according to the appearance and operation of the display area, and a decoration unit provided with the driving mechanism,
The decoration unit has a photo sensor that detects a limit position of the movable range of the movable accessory and feeds back to the drive mechanism, and the movable accessory has a portion that is directly controlled by the drive mechanism. A bullet ball game machine characterized in that a protruding piece to be detected by the photosensor is integrally formed at a site having a large movable range, and the protruding piece is colored with a highly reflective paint.   The appearance of the movable accessory has a color that is not detected as a specification of the photosensor, and the projecting piece is painted with a color different from the color of the movable accessory. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1.   The movable unit is arranged in the decoration unit so that the movement locus of the protruding piece accompanying the operation of the movable unit is located at a portion hidden from the front side. The ball game machine described in 1.

Images