JP2009106551A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine having a performance display area capable of being enlarged without deteriorating visibility of game balls rolling on the game board. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is constituted by arranging the game board where a prize winning area that game balls can pass through is arranged in a game area where game ball roll, a shooting means arranged below the game board and shooting game balls to the game area by the operation of the player, and a projecting display means arranged below the shooting means and carrying out projecting performance display by irradiating light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a representative of this type of gaming machine, there is a pachinko gaming machine that aims to acquire a prize ball by operating a launch handle to launch a gaming ball on a gaming board and winning a predetermined winning opening. .

  In such a conventional pachinko gaming machine, it is common to display an effect image on a liquid crystal display device or the like provided on the game board to amplify the fun of the game. Since it is necessary to secure a game area for rolling, the size of a liquid crystal display device or the like tends to be regulated.

Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which a light-transmitting reflecting plate is attached to a protective glass plate provided in front of the game board, and display light for displaying information on the reflecting plate is emitted (for example, see Patent Document 1). .)
JP 2004-313384 A

  However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to visually recognize how the game ball rolls from the player side because the game board and the reflector are superposed.

  An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can solve the subject mentioned above.

  (1) A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a gaming area in which a gaming ball rolls, a gaming board provided with a winning area through which the gaming ball can pass, and a lower part of the gaming board. A projecting unit that launches a game ball toward the game area by a player's operation; and a projection display unit that displays a projection effect by projecting light. The projection display unit is provided below the launch unit. It is characterized by that.

  (2) In the gaming machine according to (1), the present invention is characterized in that the projection display means has a light projecting direction facing downward.

  (3) In the gaming machine according to (1) or (2), the present invention provides a detection unit that detects whether or not an object is present at a predetermined position below the launching unit, and an object by the detection unit. Projection display control means for controlling to project light from the projection display means when it is detected that the image is not present.

  (4) According to the present invention, in the gaming machine described in (3), a game control unit that controls execution of a game, and a projection effect pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of types of projection effect patterns by the projection display unit. In addition, the projection display control means may perform light projection control based on a projection effect pattern of a type corresponding to a change in game content controlled by the game control means.

  (5) In the gaming machine according to (4), the present invention is a special game lottery in which whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player is determined with a predetermined winning probability according to the type of the special game. And a correspondence table storage means for storing a correspondence table in which the special game and the projection effect pattern are associated with each other, wherein the projection display control means is a correspondence table stored in the correspondence table storage means. Based on the above, the projection effect pattern by the projection display means is changed.

  (6) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5), the present invention is characterized in that the projection display control means displays information related to the game in a projection effect display.

  According to the present invention, the effect display area can be expanded without impairing the visibility of the game ball rolling on the game board, and the game entertainment can be further improved.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a game area in which a game ball rolls, a game board provided with a winning area through which the game ball can pass, and a game board disposed below the game board. And a projection display means for performing projection effect display by light projection, and the projection display means is provided below the launching means. .

  With this configuration, an effect image or the like can be projected and displayed via a projection display means at a position lower than the launching means outside the game board, and the effect display can be performed without impairing the visibility of the game ball rolling on the game board. It is possible to effectively display the effect by expanding the area.

  In addition, an effect display area such as a logo mark in an unexpected space such as a mounting table or a floor on which a game ball storage box provided in a gaming facility (so-called “amusement island”) where a gaming machine is installed is placed. Can appear at a predetermined timing. For example, if the game board is equipped with a separate liquid crystal display device, etc., when an opening title appears on this liquid crystal display device, an electric decoration-style logo mark is projected onto this expanded effect display area. The player can determine the degree of expectation of the game by changing the predetermined mark, color, number, picture, etc. projected at the time of advance notice of the game state change during the game (for example, when displaying the sign of super reach) Can be. In particular, in pachinko games, the player tends to play monotonously because the player concentrates on the game board. However, the effect display outside the game board causes a new effect for the player. Thus, it is possible to improve the gaming interest.

  As the gaming machine, for example, a so-called bullet ball gaming machine provided with launching means for launching a gaming ball such as a pachinko machine or a smart ball onto the gaming board. Obstacle nails and various accessories for rolling are arranged. In the case of a pachinko machine, a game ball is launched into the game area at a predetermined speed via a launching means for launching a game ball into the game area of the game board. This game area is provided with a winning area through which a game ball can pass, and a predetermined lottery process or the like is performed along with the game ball entering.

  The launching means includes an operation unit for launching a game ball to the game area of the game board with a launch intensity according to the operation amount by the player, and its control means, and includes a variety of game members including a winning opening. A bullet ball device for launching a game ball in the game area of the board, a launch handle for starting it with a predetermined strength, and the like are included. The launch handle is disposed at the lower part of the game board, and launches the game ball toward the game area by the player's turning operation.

  The projection display means is a projector device that projects laser light, LED light, or the like in which an image projecting portion such as a lens is provided below the launching means, and its operation is performed via a main control unit that controls the gaming machine. It should be controlled. The optical system in such a projector apparatus is a combination of several lenses and a focus control system, and often includes a zoom control system. By providing these control systems, an image can be projected so as to be focused at a predetermined image size on an image projection surface such as a mounting table or a floor surface below the launching means. In this way, the effect image can be appropriately projected from the launching means in accordance with changes in the game mode, game state, etc. in the gaming machine, and a novel effect can be imparted to the gaming state of the gaming machine. In addition, as a projector apparatus, if the projection direction can be changed in the range of a predetermined angle, it is still better.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the projection display means directs the light projecting direction downward. As a result, the effect image can be effectively displayed in a space such as the player's hand or feet without obstructing the player's field of view on the game board.

  In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a detection unit that detects whether or not an object is present at a predetermined position below the launching unit, and the projection when the detection unit detects that no object exists. And a projection display control means for controlling to project light from the display means.

  As a result, depending on the placement state of an object such as a game ball storage box or cigarette at the video display location by the projection display means, the display of the effect image is stopped, the projection direction is shifted, etc. Can be displayed.

  The detecting means is an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part for detecting whether or not an object is present at a predetermined position below the emitting means, a magnetic sensor for detecting a lighter or a game ball, a fired light Infrared sensors that detect infrared rays from cigarettes and human bodies. Further, a digital camera system equipped with an image recognition program for determining the presence or absence of a specific object placed on a placement table of a gaming machine can be used as the detection means.

  The projection display control means detects the presence / absence of an object at the projection display position via the detection means, and controls image data projected from the projection display means toward the projection display position, on / off operation thereof, and the like. The main control circuit that controls the gaming machine has its function.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present embodiment further includes a game control unit that controls execution of the game, and a projection effect pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of types of projection effect patterns by the projection display unit, and the projection display control unit Can also perform light projection control based on a projection effect pattern of a type corresponding to a change in game content under the control of the game control means. As a result, it is possible to appropriately perform the effect display by the projection effect pattern corresponding to the change of the gaming state in the gaming machine.

  For example, when the pachinko game is in a reach state before it becomes a game state that is advantageous to the player, such as a big hit, an animation effect image by a specific character is flash-projected at a predetermined time interval, or the display is switched with a specific background color, etc. The projection effect pattern can be set so as to strongly impress the player on the change in the game state while maintaining the visually recognized state of the game board.

  The game control means is a main control unit provided on a control board for managing and managing a game executed in the gaming machine and its effect display, for example, a count sensor provided in each part of the gaming machine, It has a function of determining the gaming state in accordance with a detection signal acquired via a winning ball sensor, a passing ball sensor, a starting winning ball sensor, a firing handle sensor, or the like.

  The projection effect pattern storage means is a detachable or fixed memory unit provided in a main control unit or the like of a gaming machine for storing a plurality of types of projection effect patterns by the projection display means. The projection effect pattern according to the installation conditions in the game hall and the seasonal fluctuation conditions is stored as appropriate.

  The gaming machine of the present embodiment includes a special game lottery means for drawing whether or not a special game advantageous to a player is executed with a predetermined winning probability according to the type of the special game, the special game, and the projection effect. Correspondence table storage means for storing correspondence tables each corresponding to a pattern, and the projection display control means performs projection by the projection display means based on the correspondence table stored in the correspondence table storage means. It is also characterized by changing the production pattern. In other words, since the projection effect pattern is changed based on the data of the correspondence table stored in the correspondence table storage means, the player gives a sharp and impact to the projection effect that tends to become monotonous as the player gets used to the projection display. The interest in the game can be further increased.

  The special game lottery means determines whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player when the game ball enters a specific prize opening provided on the game board according to the type of the special game. This is a control circuit for drawing with the winning probability of the game machine, and the main control unit of the gaming machine has the function.

  The correspondence table storage means is a memory unit for storing a correspondence table that associates the state of the special game with the projection effect pattern executed in the game state, and is similar to the special game lottery means. The main control unit is provided.

  In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the projection display control means displays a projection effect display of information relating to the game. As a result, information such as the game mode and the logo mark of the gaming machine at that time can be dynamically projected and displayed using an animation display to impress the player.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically based on the drawings. Note that the gaming machine according to the present invention is a pachinko gaming machine in this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open state of a door body in the pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine.
[Composition of gaming machine]
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has an opening 12a formed on the front surface, a gaming machine housing 12 having a launching handle 26 as launching means for launching a game ball onto the game board 14, and a game The door body 11 and the base door 11a are pivotally attached to the front of the machine casing 12 so as to be openable and closable.

  A plurality of pachinko gaming machines 10 are placed in parallel on a gaming machine installation base (so-called “gaming island”) 10a which is a gaming facility in a gaming hall. The gaming machine installation table 10a is formed by extending a mounting table in a table shape so that the upper part protrudes toward the player, and a portion on the mounting table is an image projection surface 10b ( (See FIG. 6B). In this way, an effect image including a logo mark at the time of game opening or the like is displayed on the image projection plane at a predetermined timing.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the projection display means, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a projection image projected by the projection display means.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the projection display means includes an image projection device 27 such as a small projector provided below the installation axis of the launch handle 26, and includes a projection display control means arranged in the gaming machine housing 12. It is controlled via the projection display control circuit 27a.

  The image projection device 27 is configured by a projector including an optical lens 27 b system for projecting light downward from the firing handle 26, and can project a projection effect image below the firing handle 26. Yes. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, a predetermined projection effect image is projected and displayed on the image projection surface 10b on the mounting table.

  Projection effect images including still images and moving images such as character images A and B as shown in FIG. 7 are transmitted via a main control circuit 60 (see FIG. 5) of the gaming machine main body, a data storage unit including a memory device, and the like. Generated based on the image data generated or stored. For example, the projection effect image A shown in FIG. 7A is a mark or the like indicating that the game mode is in a probable change state. Examples of the mark include a logo such as a maker of a game hall or a pachinko gaming machine 10. Marks are also included. Further, the projection effect image B shown in FIG. 7B is a character of “Intense heat” indicating that the gaming state has changed greatly.

  The image projection device 27 is for projecting such a projection effect image onto the image projection surface 10b of the gaming machine installation base 10a at a predetermined timing. The image projection surface 10b may be a specially prepared rectangular screen or the like, or a space itself where game balls acquired by a player in pachinko games, cigarettes held by the player, writer, etc. are usually placed. Preferably, it may be a planar shape that does not hinder image display by the image projection device 27. Conversely, by displaying a character image or the like on a three-dimensional surface such as a ball tray or a writer placed on the image projection surface 10b, it is possible to enjoy a variety of effects.

  In order to perform such an effect by the image projection device 27 more effectively and dynamically, a detection sensor for detecting whether or not an object exists on the image projection surface 10b below the firing handle 26 is provided as a detection unit. be able to.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the projection display method in the first modification of the present embodiment. The projection display means in the modification example 1 is turned on / off based on information data acquired from the object detection sensor 28 for detecting an object such as a cigarette or a writer placed on the image projection surface 10b below the firing handle 26. The state and the like are controlled.

  The object detection sensor 28 is, for example, an optical sensor provided on the axis of the launch handle 26, and can measure the amount of light received from the image projection surface 10b. In this way, the main control circuit 60 serving as the game control means and the projection display control circuit 27 serving as the projection display control means determine the change in the amount of light acquired from the object detection sensor 28 as the presence or absence of an object, and project it onto the image projection plane 10b. Therefore, it is possible to control the projection display pattern of the projection image and the on / off state. Further, as shown in the figure, the image projection device 27 is controlled by providing a planar sensor 28a such as a magnetic sensor temperature sensor and a weight sensor directly below the image projection surface 10b formed on the table of the gaming machine installation table 10a. It can also be used as a detection means used for the purpose.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage pattern of the projection display means in the second modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the image projection device 27 which is the projection display means of the modification example 2 is provided with an image projection hole 10c penetrating vertically on the mounting table of the gaming machine installation table 10a on which the pachinko gaming machine 10 is installed. is there. By projecting light rays from the image projection device 27 downward through such an image projection hole 10c, the floor of the game hall where the gaming machine 10 is installed is set as the image projection surface 10b ′ of the image projection device 27. It is possible to project a flash effect image such as a logo mark or animation related to the game, an alarm image, etc. on the floor surface of the player's feet so that it can be recognized even in the surrounding area.

  Another configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the door body 11 is for closing the game board 14 and various electronic boards etc. which are arrange | positioned inside the opening 12a from the front side, and in the pachinko gaming machine 10, this door body In the closed state, the game is played, and in the open state, maintenance work such as replacement of the game board stored in the gaming machine housing 12 can be easily performed.

  Inside the opening 12a of the gaming machine housing 12, a liquid crystal display device 32 for displaying images, a spacer 31, a game board 14 and the like are disposed on the base door 11a. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted in order to make an understanding easy about various components (not shown) other than the game board 14, the spacer 31, and the liquid crystal display device 32. FIG.

  The base door 11a is hinged so as to be fixed or openable with respect to the gaming machine housing 12, and a liquid crystal display device 32 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, a door body 11 having a protective plate 19 such as glass is attached to the front side of the base door 11a so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The game board 14 is disposed on the base door 11a, and all of the game board 14 is formed of a light-transmitting plate-shaped resin (light-transmitting member). Examples of the translucent member include various materials such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and methacrylic resin. The game board 14 has a game area 15 in which a game ball launched by operating the launch handle 26 can roll. The game area 15 is an area surrounded by the guide rails 30 where the game ball can roll. Also, a plurality of obstacle nails 13 (FIG. 2) are driven into the game area 15 of the game board 14.

  Further, by providing the liquid crystal display device 32 behind the translucent area in the game board 14, for example, the area where the game member such as the obstacle nail planting area, the accessory, and the decorative member is provided can be enlarged, and the degree of freedom of layout is increased. Can be further increased.

  The spacer 31 is disposed on the rear side (back side) of the game board 14 and on the front side (front side) of the liquid crystal display device 32. That is, the spacer 31 is sandwiched between the game board 14 and the liquid crystal display device 32. The spacer 31 is made of a light-transmitting material, and has a large through hole 31a at the center.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the electrical decoration unit 53 provided in the lower front portion of the door body 11. The special symbol display 33, the normal symbol display 35, the special symbol hold lamps 34a to 34d and the normal symbol hold lamps 50a to 50d will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the special symbol display device 33 accommodated in the display device case 37 is composed of 7-segment LEDs 41. The 7-segment LED 41 is repeatedly turned on and off when a predetermined special symbol variation display start condition is satisfied. When the 7-segment LED 41 is turned on / off, 10 numeric symbols from “0” to “9” are variably displayed as special symbols. In the present embodiment, the process from the change display of special symbols to the stop display is referred to as a “special symbol game”.

  On both the left and right sides of the display case 37, special symbol holding lamps 34a to 34d are provided. The special symbol hold lamps 34a to 34d display the number of executions of the special symbol variation display held by turning on or off (so-called “number of special symbols on hold ball”).

  A normal symbol display 35 is provided on the right side of the special symbol display 33. The normal symbol display 35 is composed of two display lamps (not shown). When these display lamps are alternately turned on and off, symbols such as “O” and “X” are displayed. Fluctuated display as a normal symbol.

  Under the display case 37, normal symbol holding lamps 50a to 50d are provided. As will be described later, the normal symbol holding lamps 50a to 50d display the number of executions of the fluctuation display of the normal symbol held by turning on or off (so-called “the number of holding balls of the normal symbol”).

  Decorative lamps 133a and 133b are arranged outside the light-transmitting area of the game board 14, and display a predetermined light emission mode according to the game state. In the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display device 32 disposed behind (on the back side of) the game board 14, an effect image related to the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display 33 is displayed.

  Further, an upper plate 20 and a lower plate 22 are provided in the lower front portion of the game board 14, and when a game ball is won, a predetermined number of award balls (game balls) are set according to the type of each winning opening. The tank-like game ball storage section 12b provided at the upper back of the gaming machine housing 12 is paid out to the upper plate 20 or the lower plate 22.

  During the variation display of the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 33, in the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display device 32, it is a decorative symbol consisting of numbers, symbols, etc. in a single symbol row (also identification information for effect). For example, “0” to “9” are displayed in a variable manner. In addition, the special symbol that has been variably displayed on the special symbol display 33 is stopped and displayed, and the decorative symbol for effect is also stopped and displayed on the display area 32 a of the liquid crystal display device 32.

  In addition, when a specific numeric symbol is stopped and displayed as a special symbol on the special symbol display 33, an effect image for allowing the player to grasp that it is a big hit is a display area 32a of the liquid crystal display device 32 or a gaming machine installed. The image can be displayed on the image projection surface 10b provided on the table surface of the table 10a. Specifically, when a specific numeric symbol is stopped and displayed as a special symbol on the special symbol display 33, a combination of effect decorative symbols displayed in the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display device 32 is a specific display. This is a mode (for example, a mode in which all of “1” to “9” are stopped and displayed).

  Further, in synchronism with the display mode of the display area 32a in the game mode that changes in accordance with the execution of the special game lottery means, a logo mark is displayed on the image projection surface 10b of the gaming machine installation table 10a via the image projection device 27. It is also possible to display an animation image including the above. In this case, the projection display control circuit 27a changes the projection effect pattern projected on the image projection plane 10b by the image projection device 27 based on the correspondence table in which the special game and the projection effect pattern are associated with each other. Data of such a correspondence table is loaded in advance in, for example, a storage unit of a sub control circuit 200 (see FIG. 5) described later.

  Next, game members provided on the game board 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 14 is provided with a guide rail 30 including an outer rail 30 a and an inner rail 30 b, obstacles 55 and 57, a passage gate 54, a start port 25, and a big prize port 39. In addition, in the lower part of the game board 14, the electrical decoration units 53 (see FIG. 4) such as the special symbol display 33 and the normal symbol display 35 are visible. An obstacle 55 is provided in the upper part of the game board 14, and an obstacle 57 is provided in the approximate center of the game board 14. A starting port 25 is provided below the obstacle 57.

  The pachinko gaming machine 10 is subjected to a lottery to determine whether or not to shift to a game advantageous to the player when the game ball enters the start opening 25, and the special symbol display 33 displays the variation of the identification symbol. In the liquid crystal display device 32, the decorative symbol variation display as an effect and the accompanying effect display are performed, and when the lottery is won, the game shifts to a jackpot game advantageous to the player. In the present embodiment, the effect display including the variable display of the decorative symbols is referred to as a variable display game.

  That is, the game ball launched by the player's gripping operation of the launch handle 26 is caused by a collision with a plurality of obstacle nails 13 (see FIG. 2), obstacles 55, 57, etc. provided on the game board 14. It flows down toward the lower side of the game board 14 while changing the traveling direction.

  When a game ball wins at the start opening 25, a special symbol change display by the special symbol display 33, that is, a special symbol game and a variable display game are started. If the game ball wins the start opening 25 during the variation display of the special symbol, the special symbol game based on the winning of the game ball to the start opening 25 is stopped until the special symbol during the variation display is stopped. Execution (start) is put on hold. Then, after the special symbol that has been variably displayed is stopped and displayed, the reserved special symbol game is started. That is, the special symbol hold lamps 34a to 34d (see FIG. 4) provided in the illumination unit 53 are lit in order from the left in accordance with the number of executions of the reserved special symbol game. When is finished and the next reserved special symbol game is started, the corresponding special symbol holding lamp is turned off. Note that an upper limit is set for the number of times the execution of the special symbol game is put on hold. For example, the special symbol game is put on hold with an upper limit of four times (pieces).

  Also, in the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display device 32, when a game ball is won in the start opening 25 described above, a variation display of the decorative pattern for production is started in accordance with the start of the special symbol game. . In addition, when the game ball wins the start opening 25 during the variation display related to the special symbol, the game ball to the start opening 25 is stopped until the decorative symbol which is the identification information for effect during the variation display is stopped. Execution (start) of the decorative symbol variation display based on the winning is suspended. At this time, the effect display by other effect images may be continued. Thereafter, when the decorative symbol that has been variably displayed is stopped and displayed, variably displaying the decorative symbol that has been suspended is started.

  A passing gate 54 is provided on the left side of the approximate center of the game board 14. The passing gate 54 is provided with a passing ball sensor 114 (see FIG. 5) described later. The passing ball sensor 114 detects that the game ball has passed through the passing gate 54. When the passing of the game ball is detected by the passing ball sensor 114, the normal symbol variation display is started on the normal symbol display 35, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the normal symbol variation display is stopped. As described above, this normal symbol is a symbol such as “◯” or “×”.

  When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a predetermined symbol, for example, “◯”, the blade members (so-called normal electric accessories) 23 provided on both the left and right sides of the start port 25 are changed from the closed state to the open state, It becomes easy for a game ball to enter the start opening 25. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the blade member 23 is opened, the blade member 23 is closed to make it difficult for a game ball to enter the start port 25. As described above, a game in which the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner and then stopped and the open / closed state of the blade member 23 differs depending on the result is referred to as a “normal symbol game”.

  Similarly to the special symbol game, when the game ball passes through the passing gate 54 during the normal symbol variation display in the normal symbol game, the passing gate 54 is displayed until the normal symbol in the variation display is stopped and displayed. The execution (start) of the normal symbol game based on the passing of the game ball to is suspended. That is, the normal symbol hold lamps 50a to 50d (see FIG. 4) provided in the lighting unit 53 are lit in order from the left in accordance with the number of executions of the held normal symbol game, and the fluctuation is stopped. When displayed, the next held normal symbol game is started, and the corresponding normal symbol holding lamp is turned off. It should be noted that an upper limit is set for the number of times the execution of the normal symbol game is suspended, for example, the upper limit is 4 times (pieces).

  The big prize opening 39 is provided with a shutter 40 that can be opened and closed on the front side (front side). In the shutter 40, a specific numerical symbol is stopped and displayed as a special symbol on the special symbol display 33, and the gaming state is shifted to the jackpot gaming state (that is, 15R probability variation big hit, 2R probability variation big hit and 15R normal big hit state). If it is, it is driven so as to be in an open state where it is easy to accept the game ball. As a result, the special winning opening 39 is in an open state where it is easy to accept a game ball.

  On the other hand, the special winning opening 39 provided on the back side (rear side) of the shutter 40 has a game ball passage area (not shown) having a count sensor 104 (see FIG. 5). The shutter 40 is driven to the open state until the number (for example, 10) passes or a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses. When a condition for winning a predetermined number of game balls in the grand prize opening 39 or elapse of a predetermined time is satisfied in the open state, the shutter 40 is driven so as to be in a closed state in which it is difficult to accept the game balls. . As a result, the special winning opening 39 is in a closed state where it is difficult to accept a game ball.

  A game from an open state in which the big prize opening 39 is in a state in which it is easy to accept game balls to a closed state in which the big prize opening 39 is in a state in which it is difficult to accept game balls is called a round game. Therefore, the shutter 40 is opened during the round game and is closed between the round games. Since the round game is counted as the number of rounds such as “1” round, “2” round, etc., the first round game may be referred to as the first round and the second round as the second round.

  The shutter 40 that is driven from the open state to the closed state is again driven to the open state, and proceeds to the next round game. In this way, a game in which the shutter 40 is repeatedly opened and closed until the final round game is finished is referred to as a jackpot gaming state. That is, the jackpot gaming state is a gaming state advantageous for the player.

In addition, when game balls win the start opening 25, the general winning openings 56a to 56d, and the large winning opening 39, the number of game balls set in advance according to the type of each winning opening is the upper plate 20 or It is paid out to the lower plate 22.
[Electric configuration of gaming machine]
Here, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a control circuit included in the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment.

  The control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a main control circuit 60 that mainly functions as game control means, and a sub-control circuit 200 for performing presentation control related to the game. The main control circuit 60 includes a payout / firing control circuit 126 that controls the firing driving unit 130 based on an operation signal input via the firing handle 26, and controls the game.

  The sub-control circuit 200 controls effects according to the progress of the game (for example, projection display control for controlling effect images on the display area 32a and the image projection surface 10b, sound output control, decoration lamp control, etc.). is there.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the main control circuit 60 includes a main CPU 66, a main ROM (read only memory) 68, and a main RAM (read / write memory) 70. The main control circuit 60 determines whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player, a game control means for determining a game state according to a winning result of the game ball rolled on the game board 14, or not. It has a function as a special game lottery means for lottery with a predetermined winning probability according to the type.

  The main CPU 66 is connected to a main ROM 68, a main RAM 70, and the like, and has a function of executing various processes according to a program stored in the main ROM 68. In this way, the main CPU 66 functions as, for example, a jackpot game execution means or a special game lottery means executed by the game program.

  The main ROM 68 stores a program for controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 by the main CPU 66. In addition, various tables such as a jackpot determination table that is referred to when a jackpot determination is made by random number lottery. Is remembered.

  In such a jackpot lottery table, probability data of “out of” and “big jackpot” are registered, and a lottery process using random numbers is performed based on these probability data. Thus, by appropriately setting the probability data in this lottery table, the advantageous and unfavorable states in the pachinko game can be controlled.

  The main RAM 70 has a function of storing various flags and variable values as a temporary storage area of the main CPU 66.

  The main control circuit 60 also has a command for a reset clock pulse generating circuit 62 that generates a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency, an initial reset circuit 64 that generates a reset signal when the power is turned on, and a sub-control circuit 200 described later. IC for serial communication 72 is provided. The reset clock pulse generation circuit 62, the initial reset circuit 64, and the serial communication IC 72 are connected to the main CPU 66. The reset clock pulse generation circuit 62 generates a clock pulse every predetermined period (for example, 2 milliseconds) in order to execute the system timer interrupt process. The serial communication IC 72 corresponds to transmission means for transmitting various commands to the sub control circuit 200 (various means included in the sub control circuit 200).

  Various devices are connected to the main control circuit 60. For example, the count sensor 104, the general winning ball sensors 106, 108, 110, 112, the passing ball sensor 114, the starting winning ball sensor 116, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 118, a prize winning solenoid 120, and an object detection sensor 28 are connected.

  The count sensor 104 is provided in a general area different from the specific area in the special winning opening 39. The count sensor 104 supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 60 when the game ball passes through the general area at the special winning opening 39.

  The general winning ball sensors 106, 108, 110, and 112 are provided in the general winning ports 56a to 56d, respectively. The general winning ball sensors 106, 108, 110, and 112 supply a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 60 when a game ball wins each of the general winning ports 56 a to 56 d.

  The passing ball sensor 114 is provided in the passing gate 54. The passing ball sensor 114 supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 60 when a game ball passes through the passing gate 54.

  A start winning ball sensor 116 for detecting a game ball is provided at the start port 25. The start winning ball sensor 116 detects that a game ball has won the start opening 25 and supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 60.

  The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 118 is connected to the blade member 23 via a link member (not shown), and makes the blade member 23 open or closed according to a drive signal supplied from the main CPU 66. .

  The big prize opening solenoid 120 is connected to the shutter 40 shown in FIG. 3 and drives the shutter 40 in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the main CPU 66 to make the big prize opening 39 open or closed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the object detection sensor 28 is provided on the lower portion of the launch handle 26, the image projection surface 10b of the gaming machine installation base 10a, and the like, and detects whether or not an object exists at a predetermined position below the launch handle 26. Then, a detection signal is transmitted to the main CPU 66. Here, when it is detected that no object exists on the image projection surface 10b, the main CPU 66 outputs a command to the sub CPU 206, and the projection display control circuit 27a connected to the sub CPU 206 controls the image projection device 27. A projection effect image as shown in FIG. 7 appears on the image projection surface 10b in a predetermined projection effect pattern.

  The main control circuit 60 is connected to a payout / launch control circuit 126 having a function of controlling the launch of the game ball. The payout / launch control circuit 126 includes a payout device 128 that pays out game balls, a launch drive unit 130 that has a ball mechanism such as a solenoid, a motor, and a spring to launch game balls, and an operation by a player. A firing handle 26 for sending a signal and a card unit 150 are connected.

  The payout / launch control circuit 126 receives a prize ball control command supplied from the main control circuit 60 and a lending ball control signal supplied from the card unit 150, and transmits a predetermined signal to the payout device 128. The paying device 128 pays out the game ball.

  Such a payout / firing control circuit 126 functions as a firing drive control unit, and supplies a predetermined firing signal to the firing drive unit 130 based on an operation signal sent from the firing handle 26, thereby playing a game ball. The control to fire is to be performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a display control circuit 76 is connected to the main control circuit 60, and the display control circuit 76 follows special instructions from the main CPU 66, special symbol holding lamps 34 a to 34 d, The normal symbol holding lamps 50a to 50d, the special symbol display 33 (7-segment LED 41), the normal symbol display 35 (display lamp), and the like are controlled.

  On the other hand, the sub-control circuit 200 is connected to the serial communication IC 72. The sub control circuit 200 performs display control in the liquid crystal display device 32, control related to sound generated from the speaker 46, control of the decoration lamps 133a and 133b, and the like according to various commands supplied from the main control circuit 60.

  The main control circuit 60 is configured not to supply a predetermined command to the sub control circuit 200 and to supply a signal from the sub control circuit 200 to the main control circuit 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this. There is no problem even if it is configured such that a signal can be transmitted from the control circuit 200 to the main control circuit 60.

  The sub-control circuit 200 is a variable display control means, a sub CPU 206 as a sound generation control means, and a special game and an image on the image projection plane 10b in a special game lottery with a predetermined winning probability corresponding to the type of special game. A program ROM 208 as a storage means such as a correspondence table storage means storing a correspondence table in which projection effect patterns to be projected are associated with each other, a work RAM 210, a display control circuit 250 for performing display control in the liquid crystal display device 32, and a speaker 46 Display control for projecting an image onto the image projection plane 10b by controlling the sound control circuit 230 for controlling the sound generated from the lamp, the lamp control circuit 240 for controlling the lamps 133a and 133b such as decorative lamps, and the image projection device 27. The circuit 27a is constituted. The sub-control circuit 200 executes an effect according to the progress of the game in accordance with a command from the main control circuit 60.

  A program ROM 208, a work RAM 210, and the like are connected to the sub CPU 206. The sub CPU 206 has a function of executing various processes according to the program stored in the program ROM 208. In particular, the sub CPU 206 controls the sub control circuit 200 in accordance with various commands supplied from the main control circuit 60. The sub CPU 206 functions as various means.

  In the program ROM 208, the sub CPU 206 relates to a plurality of types of effect image data associated with the image display of the liquid crystal display device 32 executed in association with the variable display of the special symbol of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and related to the round game during the jackpot game A plurality of types of effect image data to be executed are stored, and in addition, a reach time table in which a display period of reach effect for indicating a shift to a jackpot game is indicated by an effect display, and an image projection device 27 also stores various data such as a projection effect pattern and its control pattern to be displayed on the image projection surface 10b.

  The work RAM 210 has a function of storing various flags and variable values as a temporary storage area of the sub CPU 206. For example, various variables such as a timer variable for controlling the reach effect time, an effect display selection random number counter for selecting an effect pattern, and the like are positioned.

  The display control circuit 250 is executed in association with a plurality of types of effect patterns that are supplied from the sub CPU 206 and accompanied by the progress of effect display that is executed in relation to the variable display of special symbols, and in the round game during the jackpot game. Control is performed to cause the liquid crystal display device 32 to display images of effect image data such as a plurality of types of effect patterns.

  The sound control circuit 230 generates sound from the speaker 46 in response to a sound generation command supplied from the sub CPU 206.

  The lamp control circuit 240 performs light emission control of the decorative lamps 133a and 133b according to a program stored in the program ROM 208 supplied from the sub CPU 206.

In the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 10, the main control circuit 60 for managing and controlling the entire game and the sub control circuit 200 as effect control means are separately configured. However, the main control circuit 60 and the sub control circuit 200 are configured separately. May be configured on the same substrate.
[Game machine operation]
The game state in the present embodiment includes a general game state (consumes game balls while performing a lottery lottery, a so-called disadvantageous state for a player) and a jackpot game state (a large amount of game balls can be expected in a short time, And so-called advantageous state for the player). Further, even in the general game state, game states such as a normal mode, a probability change mode, and a time reduction mode are provided. These game states are executed according to a game program stored in the main ROM 68 of the main control circuit 60 in the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  For example, in the main process in this game program, setting of a game mode in the pachinko gaming machine 10, a lottery process by winning a game ball, and the like are executed. The main process is started when the power is turned on, and an initial setting process including a RAM access permission process, a backup recovery process, a work area initialization process, and the like is executed. In this way, the special symbol game is advanced, and the special symbol control process related to the control of the special symbol and the decorative symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display device 32 and the special symbol display 33 is executed. Then, the normal symbol game is advanced, and the normal symbol control process related to the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 35 is executed. In this way, after the initial setting process is completed, various game states in the pachinko gaming machine 10 are provided by repeatedly executing the special symbol control process and the normal symbol control process.

  The sub control circuit main process in the above game program and the projection display control process executed in this sub control circuit main process will be described with reference to FIGS. This sub control circuit main process is a process that is started when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, and the projection display control process is based on the projection effect pattern according to the change in the game content by the game control. And a series of processes related to the control of the image projection device 27 such as projecting the effect image.

[Sub control circuit main processing]
The sub control circuit main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sub control circuit 200 executes a sub control circuit main process. The sub-control circuit main process is a series of processes started when the gaming machine 10 is powered on.

  First, in step S201, the sub CPU 206 executes initial setting processing such as RAM access permission and work area initialization. That is, the sub CPU 206 performs a predetermined initial setting for normally playing the game based on the power being turned on. The sub CPU 206 that executes step S201 corresponds to an example of an initial setting unit. If this process ends, the process moves to a step S202.

  In step S202, the sub CPU 206 executes random number update processing. In this process, the sub CPU 206 updates various random number values positioned in a predetermined area of the work RAM 210. If this process ends, the process moves to a step S203.

  In step S203, the sub CPU 206 executes command analysis processing. In this process, the sub CPU 206 analyzes various commands (for example, a derived symbol designation command) sent from the main CPU 66 of the main control circuit 60, and executes a process according to the analyzed command. If this process ends, the process moves to a step S204.

  In step S204, the sub CPU 206 executes display control processing. In this process, when the sub CPU 206 receives a derived symbol designation command from the main CPU 66 of the main control circuit 60 in the command analysis process, the sub CPU 206 performs image display control such as a decorative symbol according to the derived symbol designation command. This is performed in the display area 32 a of the liquid crystal display device 32.

  Then, the sub CPU 206 executes sound control processing (step S205) for controlling sound generated from the speakers 46R and 46L and lamp control processing for controlling light emission of the various decorative lamps 133a and 133b (step S206). When this process ends, the process proceeds to a projection display control process in step S207 described later.

  As described above, in the sub control circuit main process, after the initial setting process in step S201 is completed, the processes from step S202 to step S207 are repeatedly executed.

[Projection display control processing]
The projection display control process in step S207 of the sub control circuit main process is executed as shown in FIG.

  In the first step S301 in this projection display control process, an object such as a cigarette or a writer exists on the image projection surface 10b of the gaming machine installation base 10a below the launch handle 26 based on the detection signal acquired by the object detection sensor 28. It is determined whether or not to do. Here, when it is detected that no object is present, the process proceeds to processing for acquiring a game mode in which light is projected from the image projection device 27 in step S302, and when there is an object, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In the game mode acquisition process of step S302, the execution state of the game controlled by the game control means is acquired, the game mode such as the big hit state or the reach state at that time is determined, and the process proceeds to the next step S304.

  In the projection effect pattern setting process in step S304, referring to the correspondence table of the projection effect pattern storage means that stores a plurality of types of projection effect patterns corresponding to the game mode based on the game mode acquired in the game mode acquisition process. Then, a projection effect pattern of a type corresponding to a change in game content under the control of the game control means is set.

  In step S305 of the projection display execution process following step S304, an execution process for controlling the image projection device 27 based on the projection effect pattern set by the projection effect pattern setting process is performed via the projection display control circuit 27a. It has become so.

  In the mounted object effect process in step S303 when no object is detected on the image projection surface 10b in step S301, the projection process being executed by the image projection device 27 is interrupted or stopped, or the game machine installation table 10a An effect process for alerting the player is performed by projecting an effect image such as an alarm image corresponding to the type or three-dimensional shape of the object placed on the image projection surface 10b.

  As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention is characterized in that the projection display means is provided below the launching means for launching the game ball, and the effect image is projected and displayed at a position outside the game board. By doing so, it is possible to effectively perform an effect display in which the effect display area is expanded without impairing the visibility of the game ball rolling on the game board. In addition, effects such as the opening title and its logo mark appear in an unexpected space such as on the table or floor of a gaming machine at a predetermined timing, or the mark, color, By allowing the player to determine the degree of expectation of the game by changing the projected image such as numbers and pictures, the variation of the production can be expanded to give the player a new production effect. .

  The following gaming machines are realized from the embodiment described above.

  A game board 14 having a game area 15 in which a game ball rolls and having a winning area through which the game ball can pass is provided in the game area 15 and a lower part of the game board 14. A projecting unit (e.g., a launch handle 26) that launches a ball toward the game area; and a projecting display unit (e.g., an image projecting device 27) that displays a projection effect by light projection. A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10) provided below the means.

  The projection display means (for example, the image projection device 27) is a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10) in which the light projecting direction is directed downward.

  Detection means (for example, an object detection sensor 28) for detecting whether or not an object is present at a predetermined position below the emission means (for example, the emission handle 26), and detection of the absence of the object by the detection means. In this case, a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10) further comprising projection display control means (projection display control circuit 27a) for controlling the projection display means (for example, the image projection device 27) to project light.

  Game control means (for example, main control circuit 60) for controlling the execution of the game and projection effect pattern storage means (for example, program ROM 208) that stores a plurality of types of projection effect patterns by the projection display means (for example, image projection device 27). , Work RAM 210), and the projection display control means (projection display control circuit 27a) controls light projection based on a projection effect pattern of a type corresponding to a change in game content under the control of the game control means. A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10).

  Special game lottery means (for example, main control circuit 60) for drawing whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player with a predetermined winning probability according to the type of the special game, the special game and the projection effect pattern And a correspondence table storage means (for example, program ROM 208, work RAM 210) that stores correspondence tables that respectively correspond to each other, and the projection display control means (projection display control circuit 27a) includes the correspondence table storage means ( A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10) that changes a projection effect pattern by the projection display means (for example, the image projection device 27) based on a correspondence table stored in a main ROM 68 and a main RAM 70).

  The projection display control means (projection display control circuit 27a) is a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 10) that displays information related to the game in a projection effect display.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples and effects thereof are illustrated here, and the present invention is not limited thereby, and the specific configuration of the gaming machine can be appropriately changed in design. is there. For example, in the present embodiment, the image projection device serving as the projection display means is fixedly provided at the lower portion of the shaft portion of the launching handle, but can be rotated or swung freely in accordance with the rotation operation of the firing handle by the player. You may arrange.

1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the open state of the door body in the pachinko gaming machine. It is a front view which shows the general view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a front view which shows the electrical decoration unit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing of a projection display means. It is explanatory drawing of the projection image projected by a projection display means. It is explanatory drawing of the projection display method in the modification example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the projection display method in the modification example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart of a sub control circuit main process. It is a flowchart of a projection display control process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a Game machine installation stand 10b Image projection surface 10c Image projection hole 14 Game board 26 Launch handle (launch means)
27 Image projection device (projection display means)
27a Projection display control circuit (projection display control means)
27b Optical lens 28 Object detection sensor (detection means)
28a Planar detection sensor (detection means)
60 main control circuit (game control means), (special game lottery means)
68 Main ROM (projection effect pattern storage means), (correspondence table storage means)

Claims (6)

A game board having a game area where a game ball rolls, and a winning area through which the game ball can pass;
A launching means disposed below the game board and launching a game ball toward the game area by a player's operation;
Projection display means for performing projection effect display by light projection;
With
A gaming machine, wherein the projection display means is provided below the launching means.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the projection display means has a light projecting direction facing downward. Detecting means for detecting whether an object is present at a predetermined position below the emitting means;
A projection display control means for controlling to project light from the projection display means when the detection means detects that no object is present;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: Game control means for controlling the execution of the game;
Projection effect pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of projection effect patterns by the projection display means;
Further comprising
The projection display control means includes
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein light projection control is performed based on a projection effect pattern of a type corresponding to a change in game content controlled by the game control means. Special game lottery means for drawing whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player with a predetermined winning probability according to the type of the special game;
Correspondence table storage means for storing a correspondence table in which the special game and the projection effect pattern are associated with each other;
Further comprising
The projection display control means includes
5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a projection effect pattern by the projection display means is changed based on a correspondence table stored in the correspondence table storage means.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the projection display control means displays a projection effect display of information relating to the game.

Images