JP2009011723A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the motion certainty of a movable accessory by a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: At a specified position in the game region, a specified region as the movable accessory is installed. A passing sensor is installed on the track of a repeating motion of the specified region, and detects the passing of the specified region. A signal processing means transmits a detection signal every time when the passing is detected. An accessory monitoring means detects abnormal motions of the specified region from the receiving timing of the detection signal, and transmits an abnormality signal indicating the fact when the abnormal motion is detected. An abnormality reporting means reports the abnormal motion of the specified region to the outside when the abnormality signal is received. The accessory monitoring means detects the fact as the abnormal motion of the specified region when a detection standby period after the receipt of the detection signal to the receipt of the next detection signal is shorter than a specified minimum standby period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a control technique of mechanical elements in a ball game machine.

  Various types of pachinko machines are popular as bullet ball machines. Among conventional pachinko gaming machines, when a game ball enters a start port formed on a game board, a lottery value is randomly acquired as a result. The acquired lottery values are temporarily stored, for example, up to four as reserved balls. The reserved balls are sequentially read one by one. The read lottery value is determined whether or not the winning symbol is determined, and a symbol called a special symbol is variably displayed.

When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the winning mode, the gaming state shifts to a special game as a so-called “big hit”. A special game is composed of a plurality of unit games. The big prize opening formed on the game board is opened at the start of the unit game. The unit game ends when a predetermined period, for example, 30 seconds elapses from the start of the unit game, or when nine or more game balls are won in the big prize opening during the unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is also closed. During a unit game, if the game ball passes through a specific area called a V zone provided in the special winning opening, the unit game is continued to the next unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is opened again. The unit game can be continued up to a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times. When the game balls fall into the big prize opening, more game balls than usual are paid out as prize balls.
A general player plays a game for the purpose of opening a special winning opening in order to obtain a lot of prize balls, that is, shifting the gaming state to a special game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In many cases, an effect that further enhances the player's expectation for the jackpot is executed by displaying the symbol for the effect purpose called the decorative symbol or the effect symbol during the variable symbol display period. Also, as a mechanical structure for production purposes, so-called movable accessories are often provided on the game board surface or around the liquid crystal screen. The movable accessory may be used as a mechanical element that determines the progress of the game itself.
JP 2003-230714 A

  In recent years, a movable accessory having a complicated structure is often attached to a narrow space on a game board surface, and it has become more difficult to ensure the operational stability of the movable accessory. In order to guarantee the operational stability of various movable actors, the robustness of the movable actor itself is of course important, but it is desirable to provide a monitoring mechanism for monitoring the operating state of the movable actor in real time. . In particular, when a movable accessory is abnormally operated due to a player's cheating, it is necessary to detect such cheating early. However, in view of various design restrictions in pachinko gaming machines, such as product cost and detection program size, it is desirable that the monitoring mechanism has a simple configuration that does not restrict the gaming mechanism.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, The objective is to provide the technique for ensuring the operation | movement reliability of a movable accessory with a comparatively simple structure in a ball game machine.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ball game machine.
This ball-and-ball game machine is provided with a game board in which a game area is formed, a start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a predetermined number of times when a game ball can enter, Special game control means for executing a special game, which is a game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the conditions are satisfied, and a predetermined position in the game area, which is always operated by repeating a predetermined operation pattern A movable accessory that is provided on the trajectory of the movable action repeated, and a passing sensor that detects the passage of the movable accessory, and that the movable accessory has passed each time a movable accessory is detected. A signal processing means for transmitting a detection signal indicating to the outside, and receiving the detection signal, detecting an abnormal operation of the movable accessory based on the reception timing, and transmitting an abnormal signal indicating that to the outside when the abnormal operation is detected And monitoring equipment When receiving an abnormality signal from the viewing means comprising an abnormality informing means for informing an abnormal operation of the movable won game to the outside.
When the detection waiting period until the next detection signal is received after receiving the detection signal is shorter than a predetermined minimum waiting period, the accessory monitoring means detects the movable accessory as an abnormal operation.

  Here, “on the trajectory of the movable accessory” where the “passing sensor” is installed is mainly assumed to be, for example, a path through which the movable accessory passes or a position in the vicinity thereof. However, this is not intended to exclude a case where the movable combination is not located at a position opposite to the movable combination, that is, a part of the movable combination itself. Therefore, it naturally includes a configuration in which either the light receiving element or the light emitting element is installed on the trajectory of the movable accessory and the passage is detected by installing either the light emitting element or the light receiving element on the movable accessory side. . The “notification to outside” by the “abnormality notification means” may use visual means such as lighting a light emitting unit such as a lamp or displaying it on a liquid crystal, or hearing such as outputting sound. Means may be used.

  According to this aspect, it is necessary to monitor that the movable accessory must be operating at all times. However, as a means for monitoring, the operation of the movable accessory is not continuously monitored, but at least a part of the operation is performed. It is possible to recognize the appropriateness of the entire operation only by monitoring the instantaneous operation. Since the structure of such monitoring means is relatively simple and can be constructed relatively easily, the operational certainty of the movable accessory can be ensured by meeting structural constraints, cost requirements, and program constraints. Can be secured.

  The accessory monitoring means may transmit an abnormal signal on condition that the detection signal is newly received a predetermined number of times or more after the detection signal is received and before the minimum waiting period elapses.

  Instead of notifying the temporary or accidental abnormal movement of the movable accessory as an abnormality one by one, a condition for determining an abnormal situation to the extent that an abnormality should be notified may be provided. As described above, by providing the condition that “the detection signal is received a predetermined number of times or more before the minimum waiting period has elapsed”, the effectiveness of abnormality notification can be enhanced.

  The abnormality notification means continuously notifies the abnormal operation of the movable accessory to the outside until a predetermined notification period elapses after receiving the abnormality signal, and when a new abnormality signal is received during the notification period, You may extend the period which should continue alerting | reporting until the alerting | reporting period passes after receiving an abnormal signal.

  According to such an aspect, when an abnormal operation is continuously occurring, the abnormality is notified over a long period of time, so that it becomes easier to alert the player or the store clerk about the abnormal operation of the movable accessory.

  The abnormality notification means notifies the abnormal operation of the movable accessory to the outside in a first notification mode and a second notification mode which are different from each other, and the first notification until the first notification period elapses from the reception of the abnormality signal. The abnormal operation is continuously notified by the mode, and the abnormal operation is continuously notified by the second notification mode until a second notification period different from the first notification period elapses after the reception of the abnormal signal. Good.

  For example, in the case of a notification mode with a screen display or the like that can easily draw the player's attention, it is considered that the player's attention can be sufficiently drawn even by short-term abnormality notification. On the other hand, in the case of a notification mode using a lamp or the like that does not call the player's attention so much, the player's attention may be drawn by abnormality notification by lighting for a long time. Thus, the effectiveness of various types of abnormality notification can be enhanced by changing the notification period according to the alerting power of each notification mode.

  An abnormality history updating unit may be further provided that holds an abnormality occurrence history of the movable accessory and updates the abnormality occurrence history when an abnormal operation of the movable accessory is detected. The accessory monitoring means may determine whether or not an abnormal signal can be transmitted on the basis of a detection tendency of an abnormal operation in the past with reference to the abnormality occurrence history.

  For example, even from the viewpoint of the detection tendency of abnormal operations in the past, abnormality notification may be executed only when there is an abnormality. Improving the effectiveness of abnormality notification by determining whether or not notification execution is possible based on the condition determination related to the abnormality occurrence history, rather than notifying the temporary or accidental abnormal movement of the movable accessory as a single abnormality. Can do.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for ensuring the operational reliability of the movable accessory with a relatively simple configuration.

  The pachinko gaming machine shown in the present embodiment provides a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game in a plurality of forms. A special game in the conventional first type pachinko gaming machine is provided as a first special game, and a special game in the conventional second type pachinko gaming machine is provided as a second special game. The first special game is generated through the following process. When the game ball enters the start winning opening, the first lottery is executed, and a special symbol variation display for indicating the result is performed. When the first lottery is won and the special symbol is stopped in a predetermined winning manner, the first special game is started. The second special game occurs through the following process. When the game ball enters the normal electric role entrance, the second grand prize opening is temporarily opened and the first stage of the second special game is started. When the game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening passes through a specific area inside, the second stage of the second special game is started and the second special game is continued.

  When the first special game or the second special game ends, the game shifts to a specific game called a so-called variable time reduction game (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction”) with a predetermined probability. The specific game continues after the special game ends until the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches a predetermined number of times (hereinafter referred to as “continuation number”). During this specific game, the ease of entering the normal electric role entrance is enhanced, so that it becomes easier to shift to the second special game. When the second special game occurs during the specific game, the specific game is continued even if the second special game is finished. Usually, since it is not easy to enter a normal electronic role entrance, first enter the game ball into the start winning entrance and shift to the first special game, then shift to the specific game, 2. The game method aiming at the transition to special games will be a standard.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the front side of a pachinko gaming machine.
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, a launch handle 17, and an abnormality alarm lamp 220. 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 operation button 82 is a button operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine side. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15. The abnormality alarm lamp 220 is a lamp that blinks when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a center decoration 64, a first type start winning port (hereinafter simply referred to as “start port”) 24, a normal electric power, on a game area 52 defined by an outer rail 54 and an inner rail 56. It includes a winning ball opening 26, a first big winning port 28, a second big winning port 30, and an operating port 68. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed.

  The start port 24 includes an incoming ball detection device 32 that detects an incoming ball of a game ball. The operation port 68 includes an incoming ball detection device 38 that detects an incoming ball of a game ball. The ordinary electronic combination entrance 26 includes an entrance detection device 34 that detects entrance of a game ball. The normal electric combination entrance 26 includes a normal electric combination that widens the entrance to enter the ball, and a normal electric solenoid 76 that opens and closes the normal electric combination. The first grand prize opening 28 includes a ball entry detecting device 78 that detects the entry of a game ball and a big prize opening solenoid 83 that opens and closes the first big prize opening 28. The second grand prize opening 30 includes a ball entry detecting device 81 that detects the entry of a game ball and a big prize opening solenoid 80 that opens and closes the blades of the second big prize opening 30.

  The ordinary electric combination entrance 26 changes between a state in which entry is possible and a state in which entry is not possible, by opening and closing the ordinary electric accessory. Specifically, the ordinary electric role entrance 26 functions as a variable entrance that can be changed to an open state or a closed state by the driving force of the ordinary electric role solenoid 76. The ordinary electric role entrance 26 is provided immediately below the start port 24. When the ordinary electric accessory is in a closed state, the entrance of the ordinary electrical service entrance 26 is shielded by the start port 24, and the game ball does not fall into the ordinary electrical service entrance 26. As a modification, it may be configured not to be shielded at normal times. In this case, the open state of the ordinary electric accessory is easier to enter than the closed state. When the ordinary electric accessory is in an open state, the game ball can drop into the ordinary electric accessory entrance 26 from the lateral direction of the ordinary electric accessory.

  The normal opening time of the ordinary electric service entrance 26 is a short time of, for example, about 0.8 seconds in the normal state. Therefore, in a normal state, the possibility that the game ball will drop into the normal electric role entrance 26 is small. On the other hand, during the specific game, since the opening time of the normal electric role entrance 26 is set longer than the normal state, the game ball is easy to drop into the normal electric entrance 26. The opening time at this time is set to about 3.0 seconds, for example. For this reason, it becomes much easier to shift to the second special game during the specific game than in the normal state.

  The first big winning opening 28 changes between a state in which it is possible to enter and a state in which it is not possible to enter. The first grand prize winning port 28 functions as a first variable pitching device capable of changing the state between the open state and the closed state by the driving force of the big prize winning port solenoid 83. The first big winning opening 28 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened in the second stage of the first special game and the second special game, and is provided above the out opening 58. When the first big winning opening 28 is in a closed state, it is not possible to enter the ball, and it is possible to enter the ball only when it is in the open state.

  The second big winning opening 30 also changes between a state where it is possible to enter and a state where it is impossible to enter. The second big winning opening 30 functions as a second variable pitching device capable of changing the state between the open state and the closed state by the driving force of the big winning opening solenoid 80. The second grand prize winning opening 30 is in an open state in response to a ball entering the ordinary electric role entrance 26. When the second big prize opening 30 is in the closed state, it is not possible to enter the ball, and it is possible to enter the ball only when it is in the open state.

  An effect display device 60, a special symbol display device 61, and a special symbol variation holding lamp 20 are provided on a center ornament 64 provided in the approximate center of the game board 50. 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 special symbol display device 61 is a display means composed of 7-segment LEDs, and displays the special symbol 192 while fluctuating (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variable display”). The special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of a lottery executed upon entering the starting port 24 (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”), and indicates whether or not the first special game is generated. Has the role to show. When the game ball enters the start port 24, the special symbol 192 is displayed in a variably displayed state, and stops in a manner indicating the result of the special symbol lottery after the lapse of the variable time determined prior to the display. 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 on the right side 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 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 producing the result of the special symbol lottery. The effect display device 60 displays, for example, a moving image of a plurality of rows of symbol fluctuations simulating a game of a slot machine as a decorative symbol 190 on 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. In addition, the effect display device 60 displays an effect image even in an effect for arousing a player's sense of expectation for winning a prize ball in the first special game or the second special game.

  The operation port 68 is provided at the lower left position of the game board 50. The passing of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers the normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to expand the normal electric combination of the normal electric combination entrance 26. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, the normal symbol 194 for indicating the result of the normal symbol lottery is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 so as to blink the lamp. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the left side of the operation port 68. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 194 stops in a winning manner after the lapse of a predetermined time, the normal electric role entrance 26 is expanded for a predetermined time. The normal symbol change holding lamp 21 is provided in the vicinity of the normal symbol display device 59.

  The special symbol variation holding lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and the number of reserved balls of the special symbol 192 variation is displayed according to the number of lights. The number of reserved balls is a lottery random number (hereinafter also referred to as “special drawing lottery value”) that is acquired as a lottery value when a game ball enters the start opening 24 while the special symbol 192 is changing or during execution of a special game. ) And the number of winning balls for which the variation display of the special symbol 192 has not been executed yet. In other words, it is the planned number of special symbol changes. The normal symbol fluctuation holding lamp 21 is also composed of four lamps, and the number of balls held for fluctuation of the normal symbol 194 is displayed according to the number of lights. The number of reserved balls is the number of lottery random numbers (hereinafter also referred to as “general drawing lottery values”) acquired as a lottery value when a game ball falls into the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol 194. The number of incoming balls for which the variation of the normal symbol 194 has not yet been executed is shown. In other words, it is the planned number of normal symbol changes.

  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 falls into each of the winning openings such as the start opening 24, the ordinary electric service entrance opening 26, the second large winning opening 30, the first large winning opening 28, etc., the winning ball according to the type of the winning opening is raised. The ball tray 15 or the lower ball tray 16 is paid out. A game ball dropped into each winning opening such as the start port 24 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out port 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 ball enters the start port 24, 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 effect display device 60 may be a display device using a liquid crystal screen. 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 stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the first special game is entered, and the opening / closing operation of the first big prize opening 28 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 first special game, the first grand prize opening 28 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. Such opening and closing of the first big winning opening 28 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, seven times.

  When the first special game occurs and the winning stop symbol at that time is in a specific mode, the time reduction is started as the specific game in the normal game after the end of the first special game. In time saving, the variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened from the normal time. The variation time of the special symbol and the decoration symbol is returned to the original variation time after the variation display for the number of continuous times is made. In the time reduction, not only the special symbol 192 is shortened, but also the variation time of the ordinary symbol in the ordinary symbol display device 59 is shortened, and the opening time of the ordinary electronic service entrance 26 is also lengthened. Therefore, it is much easier to enter the normal electric role entrance 26 compared to the normal game in the normal state. When the player enters the opened ordinary electric role entrance 26, the second big prize opening 30 is opened. Thereby, it shifts to the second special game. The state in which the second big prize opening 30 is opened in the second special game is called the first stage of the second special game.

  The center ornament 64 forms a space partitioned inside the center ornament 64 so as to be separated from the outside of the center ornament 64. The second big prize opening 30 is attached to the left side of the center decoration 64, and the game balls that have entered the opened second big prize opening 30 pass through the passage 31 provided inside the center decoration 64 to the inside. Flows into the space. In the space, a guidance device 62, a specific area 22, and an outflow area 66 are provided. Inside the passage 31, a ball entry detection device 81 is provided to detect a ball entered into the second big prize opening 30. A game ball that has entered the center decoration 64 is guided toward the specific area 22 or the outflow area 66. The guidance device 62 is a movable accessory that rotates at a low speed, and acts to guide the game ball to either the specific area 22 or the outflow area 66. The specific area 22 is a movable accessory serving as a entrance, and always reciprocates left and right. Depending on the rotational state of the guidance device 62 and the positional relationship of the reciprocating movement of the specific area 22 and the momentum of the game ball, whether the game ball enters the specific area 22 or the outflow area 66 is determined.

  The entrance to the specific area 22 is detected by the entrance detection device 36, and the entrance to the outflow area 66 is detected by the outflow detection device 37. The entrance detection device 36 and the outflow detection device 37 are collectively referred to as a discharge detection device 35. The entrance detection device 36 and the outflow detection device 37 count the game balls that enter the specific area 22 and the outflow area 66, respectively. When the sum of the number of balls entered into each area coincides with the number of balls counted by the ball detection device 81, all the game balls that have entered the second big prize opening 30 are identified areas 22 or outflow areas 66. Is determined to have entered the ball.

  The game ball entering the specific area 22 inside the center decoration 64 is a “continuation condition” for shifting from the first stage to the second stage of the second special game. When the continuation condition is satisfied, the opening / closing operation of the first grand prize winning opening 28 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, seven times as in the first special game. The first stage of the second special game corresponds to the first unit game, and the second stage corresponds to the second and subsequent unit games. When the entry to the specific area 22 causing the occurrence of the second special game is in a short time, the time shifts to the short time again after the end of the second special game, but the entry into the specific area 22 is in a short time. If not, the game returns to the normal game in the normal state after the end of the second special game, and the time is not shortened. During the time, there is a chance that the second special game will occur repeatedly.

  As a modified example, a game machine without the first big prize opening 28 may be realized by giving the second big prize opening 30 all the functions of the first big prize opening 28. As a result, it is possible to further simplify the operation control of the special game, reduce the manufacturing cost, and effectively use the space of the game area 52.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of 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 lottery when entering the starting port 24 and the operating port 68 in particular. The sub board 104 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the effect display device 60, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 102 in particular. 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 left and right reciprocating motion of the specific region 22 inside the second grand prize opening 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a passage sensor 210 is provided on the left side of the specific region 22. The specific area 22 is a movable accessory that constantly reciprocates by repeating an operation pattern that moves at a constant speed in the left-right direction, and has a entrance for acting as the specific area 22 in a part thereof. The specific area 22 is operated by a driving force of a motor (not shown). The passage sensor 210 is on the trajectory of the repetitive motion of the specific area 22 and detects the specific area 22 passing through the position. The specific area 22 reciprocates left and right around the position of the specific area 22 as shown in FIG. When the specific area 22 moves to the right, the state shown in FIG. A broken line 212 indicates the position of the original specific area 22. Since the passage sensor 210 is provided to the left of the specific area 22, it does not detect the passage of the specific area 22 that has moved to the right. From this state, the specific region 22 reverses the moving direction and moves to the left through the state of FIG. FIG. 3 (c) shows a state of moving leftward. At this time, the specific area 22 shields the passage sensor 210, and the passage sensor 210 detects the passage of the specific area 22. A broken line 212 indicates the initial position of the specific area 22. From this state, the moving direction is reversed again, and the right side is moved through the state shown in FIG.

  Thus, the specific area 22 moves in the left-right direction in the order of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C, and FIG. It only repeats a certain operation pattern at constant speed or at regular intervals. Therefore, in order to confirm whether or not the specific region 22 is operating as designed, it is sufficient to confirm whether or not one point on the trajectory has passed. In the present embodiment, while the specific area 22 moves in both the left and right directions, the passing sensor 210 is not installed on the right side, but only one on the left side. Thus, since it is sufficient to install the passage sensor 210 only at one place, it is possible to check the appropriate operation of the specific region 22 at a low cost by reducing the number of parts. Further, since it is sufficient to detect passage at only one place, the operation load required for detection can be minimized.

  The passing detection method of the specific area 22 in the present embodiment can be applied to all movable accessories that operate in a certain operation pattern. In particular, for the operation of an important entrance that is directly connected to a large amount of balls such as the specific area 22, it is significant to adopt the passing detection method by such a simple configuration and processing.

  The passage sensor 210 is assumed to be an infrared objective sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A configuration may be adopted in which one of the light emitting element and the light receiving element is provided at the position of the passage sensor 210 and the other is provided on the back side of the specific area 22 to detect passage of the specific area 22 at the position of the passage sensor 210.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the pachinko gaming machine.
In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 24, an operation port 68, a normal electric service entrance ball 26, a first grand prize port 28, a second major prize port 30, an effect display device 60, a special symbol display The device 61, the normal symbol display device 59, the speaker 18, the operation button 82, the specific area 22, the passage sensor 210, and the abnormality alarm lamp 220 are electrically connected to each other, and various control signals can be transmitted and received. The game control device 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game, but also staging operations such as symbol variation display and electrical decoration. The game control device 100 assigns functions to the main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including the basic action of the game and the action that is directly connected to the game, and the sub-board 104 that controls the design effects and the like. It consists of different forms. 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.

  The main board 102 in this embodiment is a ball entering determination means 110, a first lottery means 112, a second lottery means 113, a symbol determination means 114, a holding control means 118, a main display control means 122, a special game control means 126, an open / close A control means 132, a specific game control means 133, a signal processing means 200, and an accessory control means 204 are provided. The sub-board 104 in this embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 140, an effect determination unit 142, an effect display control unit 144, an accessory monitor unit 202, an abnormality notification unit 206, and an abnormality history update unit 208. 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 entrance to each entrance. When receiving the start winning information from the entrance detecting device 32 for the starting opening 24, the entering determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the starting opening 24, and passes information from the entering detecting device 38 for the operating opening 68. Is received, it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operating port 68. When the winning determination means 110 receives the winning prize winning information from the winning detection device 78 for the first winning prize opening 28, it determines that the game ball has won the first winning prize opening 28, and the second winning prize opening. 30, it is determined that the game ball has won the second big prize opening 30. Furthermore, the ball entering determination unit 110 also determines whether or not to enter the specific area 22 or the outflow area 66 in the second big winning opening 30.

  The first lottery means 112 acquires a random number value as a special drawing lottery value in order to determine whether or not to shift to the first special game upon entering the starting port 24. For example, the special drawing 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. In the success / failure table referred to by the first lottery means 112, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the special drawing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting.

  The second lottery means 113 obtains a random number value as a regular lottery value in order to determine whether or not to open the ordinary electronic role entrance 26 upon entering the operation port 68. For example, the usual drawing lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “511”. In the success / failure table referred to by the second lottery means 113, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the usual drawing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting.

  The symbol determining unit 114 includes a special symbol determining unit 115 and a general symbol determining unit 116. The special symbol determination unit 115 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining the stop symbol of the special symbol 192, and the special symbol 192 stop symbol according to the determination result of the first lottery unit 112 and the symbol determination lottery value. To decide. Further, the special figure determining means 115 selects one of a plurality of variation patterns in accordance with the result of the determination of success / failure by the first lottery means 112. The special symbol determination means 115 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the special symbol 192 and a pattern determination table to be referred to in order to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol 192. Note that the “variation pattern” of the special symbol 192 determined by the first lottery means 112 is substantially synonymous with “variation time” because it is a pattern that does not include a staging process. The special figure determination unit 115 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol and variation pattern to the main display control unit 122 and an effect determination unit 142 described later.

  The normal symbol determining means 116 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining the stop symbol of the normal symbol 194, and the stop symbol of the normal symbol 194 is determined according to the determination result of the second lottery means 113 and the symbol determination lottery value. To decide. Further, the usual time determination means 116 randomly selects a variation time, for example, between 10 seconds and 60 seconds in the normal state, and selects a variation time of, for example, 1 second shorter than the normal state during the specific game. The common symbol determination means 116 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the normal symbol 194 and a time determination table to be referred to in order to determine the variation time of the normal symbol 194. The general symbol determination means 116 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol and variation time to the normal symbol display device 59. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol 194 is a specific symbol, the open / close control means 132 expands the normal electric combination at the normal electric combination entrance 26 for a predetermined time.

  The hold control means 118 includes a first hold means 119 and a second hold means 120. The first holding means 119, when there is a ball entering the start port 24 while the special symbol 192 is being displayed or during the execution of a special game, the special figure lottery value corresponding to the ball is the upper limit number of four Memorize as a holding ball. When there is a ball entering the operating port 68 during the display of the variation of the normal symbol 194, the second holding means 120 stores up to four maximum lottery values corresponding to the ball as a holding ball. .

  The main display control means 122 includes special figure display means 123 and universal figure display means 124. The special symbol display unit 123 displays the lottery result by the first lottery unit 112 on the special symbol display device 61 as a variation display of the special symbol 192 according to the variation pattern determined by the special symbol determination unit 115. The special figure display means 123 transmits the fluctuation start command and the fluctuation stop command to the production display control means 144 at the timing of starting and stopping the fluctuation display of the special symbol 192, thereby producing the special figure display means 123 and the production. The fluctuation display by the display control means 144 is synchronized and interlocked. The normal symbol display means 124 causes the normal symbol display device 59 to display the variation of the normal symbol 194 in the determined variation time.

  The special game control means 126 includes a first operation condition holding means 127, a second operation condition holding means 128, a first special game execution means 129, a second special game execution means 130, and an operation avoidance means 131. The first operating condition holding means 127 holds a first operating condition that is a condition for executing the first special game, and the second operating condition holding means 128 is a condition for executing the second special game. The second operating condition is maintained. The first operating condition is defined as a condition that the special symbol 192 stops in a winning manner. In the second operating condition, the entry into the ordinary electric role entrance 26 is defined as a condition.

  The first special game executing means 129 executes the first special game when the lottery result by the first lottery means 112 is a win. The first special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the first grand prize winning opening 28 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and a unit game with one opening / closing as a unit is executed a plurality of times. The number of unit games is, for example, seven, and the first big prize opening 28 is opened for about 30 seconds each time.

  The second special game executing means 130 executes the second special game when the lottery result by the second lottery means 113 is a win. The second special game is divided into a first stage and a second stage. Satisfaction of the second operating condition indicates that the condition for starting the first stage of the second special game is satisfied, and then the second operation is continued as long as the second special game continues through the first stage and the second stage. The condition is met. In the first stage of the second special game, the second big prize opening 30 is opened as the first unit game, and in the second stage, the first big prize opening 28 is opened a plurality of times as the second and subsequent unit games. The number of unit games in the second stage is, for example, seven, and the first big prize opening 28 is opened for about 30 seconds per time.

  The operation avoiding means 131 avoids the establishment of the other operation condition when one of the first operation condition and the second operation condition is satisfied. In other words, exclusive control is performed so that the first special game and the second special game are not executed simultaneously. While the second operating condition is being established and the first stage or the second stage of the second special game is being executed, the establishment of the first operating condition is avoided. On the other hand, while the first operating condition is established, the establishment of the second operating condition is avoided, and neither the first stage nor the second stage of the second special game is executed. When the second operation condition is satisfied while the special symbol 192 is displayed in a variable manner, the operation avoiding unit 131 temporarily stops the progress of the fluctuation time in the variable symbol display of the special symbol 192.

  The specific game control means 133 executes control for shifting the game state in the normal game from the normal state to the specific game state, and control for returning from the specific game state to the normal state. The specific game in this embodiment is short in time. When the lottery by the first lottery means 112 is won and the special symbol 192 determined by the special figure determining means 115 is a predetermined symbol, the time is shortened after the end of the first special game. Migrate to In addition, when the time shifts to the second stage of the second special game, the time shifts to after the second special game ends. In other cases, even after the first special game or the second special game is over, the time is not shifted. When shifting to time reduction, the time reduction is continued until the number of symbol fluctuations reaches a predetermined continuation number, for example, 100, or the next first special game or second special game occurs.

  The specific game control means 133 transmits information indicating the start and end of the specific game to the symbol determination means 114 and the opening / closing control means 132 at the start and end of the specific game. During the specific game, the special figure determination means 115 selects a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time, and the general figure determination means 116 shortens the fluctuation time of the normal symbol. In addition, the opening / closing control means 132 during the specific game opens the normal electric service entrance 26 with an opening time longer than the normal state when the normal symbol lottery is won.

  The opening / closing control means 132 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric combination of the ordinary electric winning combination entrance 26, the first big winning opening 28 and the second big winning opening 30. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 132 sends an opening instruction to the normal electric combination solenoid 76 to open the normal electric combination entrance 26. Similarly, during the first special game, the opening / closing control means 132 sends an opening instruction to the big prize opening solenoid 83 to open the first big prize opening 28, and the first stage of the second special game is the big prize opening solenoid 80. An opening instruction is sent to open the second big prize opening 30, and in the second stage of the second special game, an opening instruction is sent to the big prize opening solenoid 83 to open the first big prize opening 28.

  The accessory control means 204 controls the motor according to a predetermined operation pattern to repeatedly operate the specific region 22 and the guidance device 62. In the present embodiment, the specific region 22 and the guidance device 62 that are movable accessories are controlled by the main board 102 because they are a feature that is directly connected to the ball. The signal processing means 200 receives the passage of the specific area 22 from the passage sensor 210 and generates a “detection signal” indicating that the specific area 22 has passed each time passage of the specific area 22 is detected. The signal processing means 200 only generates a detection signal when receiving a detection result from the passage sensor 210. The signal processing means 200 does not determine whether the specific area 22 is normal or abnormal. Therefore, the program size for the processing of the signal processing means 200 is very small, and the load accompanying this program operation is very small. In general, the ROM size of the main board 102 is a part that is subject to restrictions, but the program of the signal processing means 200 is very light. The signal processing unit 200 transmits the detection signal to the accessory monitoring unit 202 on the sub-board 104 side.

  The pattern storage means 140 holds a plurality of variation pattern data in which a variation process from variation start to stop in variation display is defined as a variation pattern of the effect image including the decorative design. In the fluctuation pattern, 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 are displayed. 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 determination unit 142 determines the combination of stop symbols of the decorative symbols, their arrangement, and the variation pattern according to the result of the lottery by the first lottery unit 112, the stop symbol of the special symbol, and the variation pattern of the special symbol. Thereby, the variation pattern of the effect image with the same variation time as the special symbol is selected. The effect determination unit 142 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 decoration symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the first lottery means 112 indicates the transition to the first special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are displayed. 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”. When the determination result by the first 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 a special game, and a variation pattern of a special symbol indicating a 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 142 sends information on the stop symbol of the decorative symbol and the variation pattern of the effect image to the effect display control unit 144.

  The effect display control means 144 displays the effect image on the effect display device 60 in accordance with the selected variation pattern data as a result of the success / failure lottery by the first lottery means 112. The effect display control means 144 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp and sound output from the speaker 18.

  The accessory monitoring unit 202 receives a detection signal from the signal processing unit 200 on the main board 102 side. Since the signal processing means 200 generates and transmits a detection signal every time passage of the specific area 22 is detected, the accessory monitoring means 202 receives the detection signal every time passage of the specific area 22 is detected. It becomes. Since the specific area 22 is reciprocating at a constant speed or at an equal interval, the passage timing of the specific area 22, that is, the generation timing of the detection signal by the signal processing unit 200 is also basically equal. Therefore, the timing at which the accessory monitoring unit 202 receives the detection signal from the signal processing unit 200 is also equally spaced in principle.

  The accessory monitoring unit 202 determines that the specific region 22 is operating abnormally when the detection signal reception cycle is disturbed. A specific determination method will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The signal processing means 200 on the main board 102 side generates only detection signals, but the accessory monitoring means 202 on the sub board 104 side can monitor the operation of the specific area 22 by monitoring the reception timing of the detection signals. For this reason, the monitoring mechanism of the operation state of the specific region 22 is distributed to the main board 102 and the sub board 104 which are relatively loose in restrictions on design.

  The abnormality history update unit 208 manages abnormality occurrence history information (hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormality occurrence history”) indicating the occurrence history of abnormal operations. When the accessory monitoring unit 202 detects an abnormal operation, the abnormality history update unit 208 records the type and occurrence time of the abnormal operation in the abnormality occurrence history. The accessory monitoring unit 202 sends an “abnormal signal” to the abnormality notifying unit 206 on condition that a predetermined notification condition is satisfied when an abnormal operation is detected. The abnormality occurrence history is used for determining whether the notification condition is successful. The notification condition will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. When the abnormality notification means 206 receives the abnormality signal, it notifies the occurrence of abnormality via the effect display device 60 and the abnormality alarm lamp 220 (hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormality notification”). The abnormality notification method will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Possible causes of abnormal operation in the specific area 22 include a game ball clogged in the trajectory of the specific area 22, a movement of the specific area 22 blocked by an obstacle, a failure of the specific area 22 itself, or a player's fraud. It is done. Recently, fraudulent acts that cause abnormal movements by generating abnormal radio waves are also seen. Since the specific area 22 is related to the game, if the specific area 22 is arbitrarily moved, the profit of the amusement store is damaged. The signal processing means 200 and the accessory monitoring means 202 can detect an abnormal operation in the specific area 22 in real time during the game.

  The signal processing means 200 is included in the main board 102, whereas the accessory monitoring means 202 is included in the sub board 104. Here, it is not impossible from the technical point of view to include both the signal processing means 200 and the accessory monitoring means 202 in the main board 102. However, in that case, the programs of both the signal processing means 200 and the accessory monitoring means 202 must be stored in the ROM mounted on the main board 102, and depending on the program size, there is a situation where the programs cannot be stored in the ROM. obtain. Normally, the capacity of the ROM mounted on the main board 102 is determined to be a fixed size, but the size is only large enough to mount a minimum number of programs and data. By forming only the signal processing means 200 for detecting the passage of the specific area 22 on the main board 102 and installing the accessory monitoring means 202 for judging abnormal operation on the sub board 104, the ROM capacity of the main board 102 is restricted. A mechanism for real-time monitoring of the operating state of the specific area 22 is realized while corresponding.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic process in the pachinko gaming machine.
The process shown in the figure is a process repeatedly executed as a loop process. First, processing when a game ball enters the start port 24, the ordinary electric service entrance port 26, the first grand prize port 28, the second major prize port 30, or when the game ball passes the operation port 68 is performed. If it is executed (S10) and is not in a special game (N in S12), a normal game process such as a special symbol lottery is executed (S14). If it is in a special game (Y in S12), the first special game Alternatively, the process of the second special game is executed (S16), the prize ball payout according to various winnings in S10 is processed (S18), and the passage monitoring of the specific area 22 is processed (S19).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG.
Here, the variable display of the special symbol 192 and the variable image of the effect image including the decorative symbol 190 are processed (S30), and the variable symbol of the normal symbol 194 is processed (S31). Note that the processing order of S30 and S31 is merely an order defined for convenience of explanation, and processing may be performed in any order.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the special symbol and effect image symbol variation processing in S30 of FIG.
Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, “symbol” indicates both the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190. When the special drawing lottery value is held in the first holding means 119 (Y of S40) and the symbol is not changing (N of S42), whether or not the special symbol lottery is determined or determined, the fluctuation pattern And the like are processed (S44), and the variation display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is started (S46). When the special drawing lottery value is not suspended in S40 (N of S40), the processing from S42 to S46 is skipped. If the symbol is already changing in S42 (Y in S42), the processing in S44 and S46 is skipped.

  When the symbol is not changing (N in S48), the symbol changing process in S30 is terminated as it is. If the symbol variation has been started (Y in S48), the symbol variation display is processed (S50). When the variation time reaches the variation stop timing (Y in S52), the symbol variation display is stopped (S58). ). If it is during a specific game (Y in S60) and the special symbol lottery is not won (N in S61), the number of changes is incremented (S62), and if the number of changes reaches the number of continuations (Y in S64) The specific game ends (S66). If the number of fluctuations has not reached the number of continuations (N in S64), S66 is skipped and the specific game continues. If the winning is made during the specific game (Y in S60) (Y in S61), the specific game is ended (S66). When it is not in the specific game (N of S60), the processing from S61 to S66 is skipped. When the fluctuation stop timing has not been reached (N in S52), the flow in S30 ends (N in S52).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal symbol variation process in S31 of FIG.
If the normal drawing lottery value is held in the second holding means 120 (Y in S80), if the normal symbol 194 is not being displayed in a variable manner (N in S82), the second lottery means 113 is determined to be a normal symbol lottery. The determination process is executed (S84), and the variable symbol 194 display is started (S90). If the regular drawing lottery value has not been held in S80 (N in S80), the processing from S82 to S90 is skipped, and if the normal symbol 194 is in a variable display in S82 (Y in S82), The processing of S84 and S90 is skipped.

  Subsequently, if the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 194 has been started (Y in S92), the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 194 is processed (S94), and the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 194 is performed after a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed. When the stop timing is reached (Y in S96), the normal symbol 194 that is being displayed is stopped (S98). If the stop symbol is a winning mode (Y in S100), the normal electric role entrance 26 is opened (S102), and if the stopped symbol is not a winning mode (N in S100), the process of S102 is skipped. If it is before the fluctuation time has elapsed (N in S96), the processing from S98 to S102 is skipped. When the variable display is not started in S92 (N in S92), the processing from S94 to S102 is skipped.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process of S16 in FIG.
If the special game being executed is the first special game (Y of S110), the control of the first special game is processed (S112), and if the special game being executed is not the first special game (N of S110) Then, the control of the second special game is processed (S114).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the first special game in S112 of FIG.
When the special symbol lottery is won and the first big prize opening 28 is not yet opened (N in S120), the effect display control means 144 starts the effect of the first special game (S122). ), The opening / closing control means 132 opens the first big prize opening 28 (S124). If the first big winning opening 28 has been opened (Y in S120), the processes in S122 and S124 are skipped. When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the opening of the first grand prize opening 28 (Y in S126), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S126), the entry into the first big winning opening 28 When the number of balls reaches 9 or more (Y in S128), the opening / closing control means 132 temporarily closes the first grand prize winning opening 28 (S130). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S126) and the number of balls entered into the first grand prize opening 28 has not reached nine or more (N in S128), the processing after S130 is skipped and S112 is performed. End the flow.

  If the number of unit games reaches a predetermined number of times after the first grand prize opening 28 is closed in S130 (Y in S132), the effect display control means 144 ends the effect of the first special game (S134). ), The special game control means 126 ends the first special game (S136). When the transition condition to the specific game is satisfied (Y in S140), the process shifts to the specific game (S142), and when the condition is not satisfied (N in S140), the process of S142 is skipped. If the number of unit games has not reached the predetermined number in S132 (N of S132), 1 is added to the number of unit games and the flow of S112 is ended (S138). Since the basic process shown in FIG. 5 is a loop process, S124 is executed in the next loop process unless the number of unit games reaches the upper limit of 7, and the first big prize opening 28 is opened again. Will be.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the second special game in S114 of FIG.
When the game ball is dropped into the ordinary electronic service entrance 26 and the second special game has not been started (N in S150), the second grand prize opening 30 is opened (S152) and has been started. If so (Y of S150), S152 is skipped. When in the first stage (Y in S154), when the opening time of the second big prize opening 30 has passed (Y in S156), the second big prize opening 30 is closed (S158), and if it is within the opening time ( N) of S156 and S158 are skipped. Here, if there is a ball entering the specific area 22 inside the second big prize opening 30 (Y in S160), a flag indicating the transition to the second stage is immediately set (S162), and the process jumps to S168. At this time, if the second grand prize opening 30 is still open, it is closed. On the other hand, if there is no entry into the specific area 22 in the first stage (N in S160) and the end condition in the first stage is satisfied (Y in S164), the first stage is terminated. The second special game is also ended (S166). The end condition here is when a certain time has passed since the closing of the second grand prize opening 30 or when the number of detected balls and the number of detected discharges in the second big prize opening 30 coincide with the number of 10 or more balls. is there. If this end condition is not satisfied (N in S164), S166 is skipped. If not in the first stage, the processing from S156 to S166 is skipped (N in S154). When the transition flag to the second stage is set (Y of S168), the special game process shown in FIG. 10 is executed as the second stage game of the second special game (S170). If the transition flag to the second stage is not set, S170 is skipped (N in S168). In addition, since the second stage of the second special game in S170 and the first special game in S112 basically process the same operation, “first special game” in the description in FIG. It shall be read as “game”.

  Next, the abnormal operation detection of the specific area 22 and its notification process will be described. These processes are executed as the passage monitoring process of S19 in FIG. First, an abnormal operation detection method and an abnormality notification method in the passage monitoring process will be described with reference to FIGS. Thereafter, the process of the passage monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a time chart for explaining the abnormal operation detection method for the specific region 22.
As described in relation to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the specific region 22 is formed as a movable accessory that reciprocates left and right at a constant period. When the specific area 22 moves to the left (FIG. 2C), the signal processing means 200 transmits a detection signal to the accessory monitoring means 202. The transmission cycle of the detection signal during normal operation is referred to as “standard cycle T”. For Figure 12, the detection signal at time t ₁ is transmitted from time t ₁ to time t ₂ after a lapse standard period T is the transmission of the next detection signal is assumed.

However, the reciprocation cycle of the specific region 22 that constantly collides with the game ball and mechanically operates is not always constant as the standard cycle T. Therefore, an allowable period (Ta + Tb) is provided in the standard period T, and if T−Ta <transmission period <T + Tb, it is determined as normal operation. For Figure 12, if the time _t 3 _{= t} 2 -Ta time _t 4 _{= t} 2 + Tb allowable period following detection signal is received within from, it is determined that the specific region 22 is operating normally. On the other hand, during the minimum waiting period from time t ₁ to time t ₃ , that is, the next detection signal is received before time t ₃ (hereinafter referred to as “early abnormality”), time t ₄ is reached. If the next detection signal is not received (hereinafter referred to as “delay abnormality”), the accessory monitoring means 202 determines that the specific area 22 is operating abnormally. The minimum waiting period and the length of the allowable period may be set as a predetermined ratio with respect to the standard period T, but specific numerical values may be set appropriately based on an operation experiment of the specific region 22.

FIG. 13 is a time chart for explaining the abnormality notification method.
When the accessory monitoring unit 202 detects an abnormal operation in the specific area 22, the accessory monitoring unit 202 transmits an abnormality signal to the abnormality notification unit 206. When the abnormality notification unit 206 receives the abnormality signal, the abnormality notification unit 206 notifies the occurrence of the abnormality by the screen display in the effect display device 60, the lighting of the abnormality alarm lamp 220, and the sound from the speaker 18. The abnormality notification means 206 may notify the occurrence of abnormality to the outside by transmitting an error signal to the hall computer.

  The accessory monitoring unit 202 may transmit an abnormal signal to the abnormality notifying unit 206 whenever an abnormal operation is detected. However, the accessory monitoring means 202 in the present embodiment does not transmit an abnormal signal if a predetermined notification condition is not satisfied even if an abnormal operation is detected. Even when an abnormal operation is detected, it is determined based on the notification condition whether or not the abnormality should be notified. The notification condition will be described with reference to FIG.

In Figure 13, the abnormality informing unit 206 is receiving at time t ₅ the abnormal signal. Abnormality notification unit 206, a predetermined period of time ticker of "abnormality" in effect display device 60, for example, to display up to time t ₆ after 30 seconds, arouse the attention of the player's or clerk. Further, abnormality notification unit 206, the abnormality alarm lamp 220 for a predetermined time, for example, is turned on to the time t ₈ after 100 seconds, similarly to alert the player or the clerk.

At time t _7, the abnormality notification unit 206 receives a new abnormal signal. Time t ₇ is 90 seconds after time t ₅ , and the abnormality alarm lamp 220 is still on. In this case, abnormality notification unit 206, from to time _{t 9} after further 100 seconds time _{t 7,} and turns on the abnormal alarm lamp 220. According to such an aspect, when a new abnormality signal is received during abnormality notification, the period of execution of abnormality notification by the abnormality alarm lamp 220 is automatically extended. For this reason, when an abnormal signal is received continuously for a short period of time, it is easier to attract the attention of the player or the store clerk more strongly.

  When the abnormality notification is performed in a plurality of types of notification modes, the abnormality notification execution time may be varied depending on the notification mode. As a member for anomaly notification, not only notice means that are easily recognized by the player such as the effect display device 60, the anomaly alarm lamp 220, and the speaker 18, but also a special lamp (not shown) provided on the outer frame 11 or the like. ), Etc., may be provided that is not easily recognized by the player. The special lamp may be a predetermined number of LEDs, for example. Only the store clerk who knows the existence of the special lamp can recognize that the pachinko gaming machine 10 in which the special lamp is lit is operating abnormally.

  For notification means that are easily recognized by the player, such as the effect display device 60 and the abnormality alarm lamp 220, the notification time is set shorter, and for notification means that are difficult for the player to be recognized, such as a special lamp, the notification time is set longer. May be. For example, when the specific area 22 is operating abnormally, the player's attention is alerted by a short time abnormality notification by the abnormality alarm lamp 220. On the other hand, the store clerk checks the special lamp that is lit for a long time, and pays attention to whether the abnormal operation reoccurs in the pachinko gaming machine 10 in which the special lamp is lit. In this way, by varying the length of time of abnormality notification according to the notification mode, when abnormal operation is temporarily generated, the player's attention is not constantly generated but abnormal operation does not occur Or the clerk can monitor. The store clerk will not be able to monitor the inside of the store casually, but will be able to monitor the pachinko gaming machine 10 that may be abnormal based on the special lamp. If it is an abnormal operation due to an illegal act, it becomes easy for the store clerk to centrally monitor the gaming machine 10 whose special lamp is lit while warning an unauthorized player with the abnormality alarm lamp 220 or the like.

The abnormality notification unit 206 may change the notification mode when a new abnormality signal is received during abnormality notification. In the case of FIG. 13, when an abnormality signal is received at time t ₇ when the abnormality alarm lamp 220 is lit, the abnormality notification unit 206 increases the output of the abnormality alarm lamp 220 so that the abnormality alarm lamp 220 is turned on more than before. May be lit brightly. Further, the content of the message displayed on the effect display device 60 may be changed. According to such an aspect, it becomes easier to alert the player or the store clerk as the abnormal operation continuously occurs in a short time.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the passage monitoring process of S19 in FIG.
When the accessory monitoring unit 202 receives the detection signal (Y in S180), the accessory monitoring unit 202 records the reception timing (S182). If the detection signal has not been received (N of S180), the process is skipped to S188. Compare the reception timing of the previous detection signal with the reception timing of the current detection signal, and if there is an early abnormality, in other words, the current detection signal before the minimum waiting period elapses from the reception of the previous detection signal. Is received (Y in S184), the accessory monitoring unit 202 determines that the operation is abnormal, and the abnormality history updating unit 208 records the fact that the early abnormality has occurred and the determination time in the abnormality occurrence history (S186). If it is not an early abnormality (N of S184), S186 is skipped.

  Next, if the accessory monitoring means 202 has a delay abnormality, in other words, even if (T + Tb) time has elapsed since the previous detection signal was received, no new detection signal has been received (S188). Y), the accessory monitoring unit 202 determines that the operation is abnormal, and the abnormality history update unit 208 records the occurrence of the delay abnormality and the determination time in the abnormality occurrence history (S190). If no delay abnormality has occurred (N in S188), S190 is skipped.

  The accessory monitoring unit 202 determines whether a predetermined notification condition is satisfied (S192). If the notification condition is satisfied (Y in S192), the accessory monitoring unit 202 transmits an abnormality signal, the abnormality notification unit 206 sets a period of abnormality notification (S194), and notifies the abnormality (S196). If the notification condition is not satisfied (N in S192), the abnormality signal is not transmitted and the abnormality notification is not executed.

The notification conditions are as follows.
1. Even if the detection signal is received during the minimum standby period, that is, even if there is an early abnormality, the abnormality signal may not be transmitted if the number of receptions does not reach the condition number, for example, twice or more. An early abnormality may occur due to electrical noise or temporary rattling of the specific area 22. Therefore, by setting the notification condition when the detection signal is received more than the condition number of times before the minimum waiting period elapses, it is possible to control so that the abnormality notification is not excessively performed.

2. In view of the abnormality occurrence history, it is determined whether the abnormal operation is unique.
For example, assume that the average number of abnormal operations per day in the past 10 days is five. In this case, the notification condition may be satisfied when the abnormal operation per day exceeds five times. Thus, the success or failure of the notification condition may be determined based on the number of times that the abnormal operation of the specific region 22 is detected in the past predetermined period. According to such an aspect, in consideration of individual differences in the specific region 22 and secular changes, it is possible to set only a particularly abnormal situation as an abnormality notification target in view of past trends.

When the number of abnormal operation detections per day is 10 times or more, abnormality notification is performed by the abnormality alarm lamp 220, and when it is 15 times or more, abnormality notification by screen display may be performed. In this way, different notification conditions may be set according to the notification mode.
The accessory monitoring unit 202 refers to the abnormality occurrence history so that the occurrence rate of the abnormality signal is equal to or less than a predetermined probability. The number of conditions shown in (1) may be adjusted as appropriate. For example, when the number of detection signals received during the minimum standby period is 1.5 times on average when an early abnormality occurs, the condition number may be set as a number larger than the average, for example, 2 times. . According to such an aspect, even when there is an early abnormality, the abnormality notification is made only when the situation is particularly unique in view of past trends.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 described in the present embodiment, it is possible to monitor whether or not the movable accessory such as the specific area 22 is operating normally with a simple mechanism. In particular, since an early abnormality can be detected in real time, for example, even when the specific area 22 is stagnant at the position shown in FIG. 2C and the inspection signal is continuously transmitted, the abnormal operation of the specific area 22 is immediately performed. Can be detected. Further, since the notification condition is set, only a serious abnormal operation, not an accidental abnormal operation, can be targeted for abnormality notification, so that the effectiveness of abnormality notification can be improved. Further, when abnormality is continuously detected, the abnormality notification time is automatically extended, so that it is easy to alert the player or the store clerk. Furthermore, by setting different notification times for the plurality of notification means, it is possible to vary the alerting power according to the notification purpose.

  In summary, the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment rationally determines whether or not an abnormality should be notified based on notification conditions while detecting an abnormal operation with a simple mechanism. Therefore, it is easy to minimize damage to the player or the store due to abnormal operation by automatically extending the abnormality notification period.

  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 also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the specific area 22 provided in the second big prize opening 30 is realized in the form of a movable accessory, and then the present invention is realized in the movable accessory. In a modified example, the present invention may be realized in a movable combination other than the specific region 22, for example, a movable combination such as the guidance device 62. Even in such a case, the operation of the movable accessory can be secured with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, a model having game characteristics such as a combination of a conventional first type pachinko gaming machine and a second type pachinko gaming machine is illustrated. In a modified example, the present invention may be realized in the configuration of the conventional second type pachinko gaming machine. Also in this case, the present invention can be applied by making a structure such as a specific area provided inside the special winning opening into the form of a movable accessory. In still another modification, the present invention may be realized in the configuration of a conventional pachinko gaming machine such as the first type pachinko gaming machine. In any configuration, the present invention may be applied to some movable accessory.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the structure of the back side of a pachinko game machine. (A) It is a schematic diagram when the specific area | region inside a 2nd big winning opening is in a center position. (B) It is a schematic diagram when the specific area | region inside a 2nd big winning opening is in a right position. (C) It is a schematic diagram when the specific area | region inside a 2nd big winning opening is in a left position. It is a functional block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 5 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the symbol change process of the special symbol and effect image in S30 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the normal symbol in S31 of FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the special game control process of S16 in FIG. 5 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st special game in S112 of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd special game in S114 of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a time chart for demonstrating the abnormal operation | movement detection method of a specific area | region. It is a time chart for demonstrating the abnormality alerting | reporting method. It is a flowchart which shows the passage monitoring process of S19 in FIG. 5 in detail.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 17 Launch handle, 18 Speaker, 20 Hold lamp, 21 Hold lamp, 22 Specific area, 24 Start-up port, 26 Ordinary power entry ball entrance, 28 1st grand prize port, 30 2nd big prize port, 39 set base, 50 game board, 52 game area, 58 out port, 59 normal symbol display device, 60 effect display device, 61 special symbol display device, 62 guidance device, 68 operation port, 82 operation button, 100 game control device, 102 main board, 104 sub-board, 110 entry determining means, 112 first lottery means, 113 second lottery means, 114 symbol determining means, 115 special figure determining means, 116 universal figure determining means, 118 holding control means, 119 first 1 hold means, 120 second hold means, 122 main display control Means, 123 special figure display means, 124 universal figure display means, 126 special game control means, 127 first operation condition holding means, 128 second operation condition holding means, 129 first special game execution means, 130 second special game execution Means, 131 Operation avoidance means, 132 Open / close control means, 133 Specific game control means, 140 Pattern storage means, 142 Effect determination means, 144 Effect display control means, 190 Decoration symbol, 192 Special symbol, 194 Normal symbol, 200 Signal processing means 202 accessory monitoring means, 204 accessory control means, 206 abnormality notification means, 208 abnormality history updating means, 210 passage sensor, 220 abnormality alarm lamp.

Claims (5)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start prize opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, into which a game ball can enter;
A special game control means for executing a special game that is a game that is advantageous to the player over a normal game when a predetermined condition is satisfied by entering into the starting winning opening;
A movable accessory that is provided at a predetermined position in the game area and operates constantly by repeating a predetermined operation pattern;
A passing sensor that is provided on a trajectory of the repetitive movement of the movable accessory and detects the passage of the movable accessory;
Signal processing means for transmitting a detection signal indicating that the movable accessory has passed each time the passage of the movable accessory is detected;
An accessory monitoring means for receiving the detection signal, detecting an abnormal operation of the movable accessory based on the reception timing, and transmitting an abnormal signal indicating the abnormality to the outside when the abnormal operation is detected;
An abnormality notification means for notifying the outside of an abnormal operation of the movable accessory when the abnormality signal is received from the accessory monitoring means,
When the detection waiting period until the next detection signal is received after receiving the detection signal is shorter than a predetermined minimum standby period, the accessory monitoring means detects as an abnormal operation of the movable accessory. A ball game machine to play.   The accessory monitoring means transmits the abnormality signal on condition that a new detection signal is received a predetermined number of times or more after the detection signal is received and before the minimum waiting period elapses. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1.   The abnormality notification means continuously notifies the abnormal operation of the movable accessory to the outside until a predetermined notification period elapses after receiving the abnormality signal, and receives a new abnormality signal during the notification period. 3. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the new abnormality signal is received, a period in which the notification should be continued is extended until the notification period elapses.   The abnormality notification means notifies the abnormal operation of the movable accessory to the outside in a first notification mode and a second notification mode that are different from each other, and until the first notification period elapses from reception of the abnormality signal. While notifying abnormal operation continuously by the first notification mode and continuously by the second notification mode until a second notification period different from the first notification period elapses from reception of the abnormal signal. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an abnormal operation is notified. An abnormality history update means for holding an abnormality occurrence history of the movable accessory and updating the abnormality occurrence history when an abnormal operation of the movable accessory is detected;
5. The accessory monitoring unit refers to the abnormality occurrence history, and determines whether or not the abnormal signal can be transmitted based on a detection tendency of abnormal operations in the past. Ball game machine.

Images