JP2010104841A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a construction technique of a game machine effective for increasing player's interest in the process of entries to respective winning areas of game balls which flow down the inside of a ball inflow device, in the game machine having the ball inflow device where the game balls hit to a game board surface can flow in and the plurality of winning areas of different privileges to be imparted to a player upon the entry. <P>SOLUTION: A Pachinko game machine 101, including a motor-driven accessory device 110 to be opened and closed by the establishment of a prescribed winning condition and a specified winning port 118 and a general winning port 119 that the game ball which has entered the motor-driven accessory device 110 can enter, is provided with a game ball sensor for detecting game ball information relating to the action form of the game ball turning to the specified winning port 118 or the general winning port 119 and a transmission type display device 120 for displaying winning possibility information relating to the winning possibility of the game ball on the basis of the game ball information detected by the game ball sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more specifically, a gaming machine having a ball inflow device capable of receiving gaming balls launched on a game board surface and a plurality of winning areas with different benefits given to a player at the time of winning. Concerning construction technology.

  Conventionally, a pachinko machine having a winning device that opens and closes when a predetermined winning condition is established is known. For example, a configuration of a pachinko machine having a general winning port and a special winning port through which a game ball that has entered a winning device can win is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this pachinko machine, the privilege given to the player is different depending on whether the game ball entered in the winning device wins a general winning opening or a special winning opening. In this type of pachinko machine, further technical exploration is required in order to increase the interest of the player in the process until the game ball that has entered the winning device reaches the winning opening.

JP-A-4-314471

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a point, and a ball inflow device into which a game ball launched on a game board surface can flow and a plurality of winning areas in which a privilege given to a player at the time of winning is different. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine construction technique effective for enhancing the interest of a player in the process until a game ball flowing down in a ball inflow device wins a prize area.

  The present invention is configured to achieve the above object. The present invention relates to a ball inflow device into which a game ball launched on a game board surface can flow and a plurality of winning areas in which a privilege given to a player at the time of winning a prize is different. By displaying based on the information on the operation mode of the game ball to go, a game machine effective for enhancing the interest of the player in the process until the game ball flowing down the ball inflow device wins each winning area is realized. It is a technology to do. In addition, as the “game machine” in this specification, a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and the like are typical.

(Invention of Claim 1)
The gaming machine according to claim 1 includes at least a ball inflow device, a plurality of winning areas, a detection unit, and a display unit.
As used herein, the term “ball inflow device” is intended to include a wide variety of devices capable of receiving a game ball launched on the surface of the game board into the device and allowing the game ball to flow down within the device. Typically, an accessory that can affect the flow of the game ball, for example, an accessory having a winning area for the game ball inside, or an accessory that simply allows the game ball to pass through, etc. Is included. More specifically, a winning device that has a winning area for a game ball inside and that can be awarded by winning a game ball is an example of the “ball inflow device” in the present invention.

  The winning area of the present invention is an area where a game ball that has flowed down in the ball inflow device can be won. The type and number of the winning areas are not limited and can be changed as necessary. The present invention includes a configuration including a winning area inside the ball inflow device and a configuration including a winning area outside the ball inflow device. That is, in the present invention, a plurality of winning areas are provided in the ball inflow device, and a game ball that has entered the ball inflow device wins each winning area in the ball inflow device, or outside the ball inflow device. Thus, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of winning areas are provided downstream of the ball inflow device, and a game ball that has entered the ball inflow apparatus flows into the ball inflow apparatus and then wins the winning area.

  The plurality of winning areas in the present invention are configured such that the benefits given to the player at the time of winning are different. As used herein, “winning” refers to a state in which a game ball has flowed into a winning opening, a specific winning opening, or various ball receiving openings (areas) other than the winning opening. Further, in the present specification, “the privilege granted to the player is different” means that when a game ball is won in a predetermined winning area, a predetermined privilege is given, and the game ball is in another winning area. When a prize is won, a bonus is not granted, or when a game ball wins a predetermined prize area, a predetermined bonus is given, and when a game ball wins another prize area, another bonus is granted It is the main point which includes the aspect etc. which are carried out widely. Typically, a “special prize opening (so-called V prize zone)” that is in a special gaming state by winning is used as the first winning area, and a “general prize opening” that is not in a special gaming state by winning is the second prize. Can be an area. This “special game state” is a game mode in which a predetermined privilege is given to the player, and typically corresponds to a jackpot game state. More specifically, a mode in which the opening / closing operation of the winning device is continued until a predetermined number of gaming balls enter the winning device on condition that a gaming ball wins a specific winning opening, or a predetermined value of the winning device is determined. A mode in which the number of times of opening and closing operations is continued corresponds to a “special game state (big hit game state)”.

  The detection means of the present invention is a means having a function of detecting game ball information relating to the operation mode of the game ball heading to each winning area. In this specification, “game ball information relating to the operation mode of game balls” means the flow direction in which the game balls flowing to each winning area flow down, the position where the game balls moving toward each winning area have passed, and the game at a predetermined passing position. It is intended to include state quantities such as the velocity and acceleration of a sphere. Typically, the detection means of the present invention is configured by a sensor for detecting the position of a game ball installed in a path along which the game ball moves toward each winning area in the ball inflow device. When such a sensor is installed at one location, the position through which the game ball has passed can be detected, and when sensors installed at a plurality of positions are combined, the direction in which the game ball flows down can be detected. .

  The display means of the present invention is a means having a function of performing display based on the game ball information detected by the detection means. Typically, game ball information detected by the detection means is sent to the control means, and display control of the display means is performed based on a control signal from the control means. In particular, in the present invention, the display means displays winning possibility information relating to the winning possibility to each winning area of the game ball. The “winning possibility information” here may be any information that indicates the possibility that a game ball will win a predetermined winning area, and the winning possibility may be displayed directly by numbers or characters, or Information suggesting the possibility of winning may be displayed. The winning possibility information may be information on a specific winning area or information on a plurality of winning areas.

With the display means of the present invention, the display content is variable when the winning possibility of the game ball differs depending on the operation mode of the game ball heading to the winning area. That is, the operation mode of the game ball heading to the winning area is different, and the display means depends on whether the game ball is predicted to win in a predetermined winning area and when the game ball is predicted to win in another winning area. The displayed content will be changed.
Specifically, if it is determined that the game ball will flow down to the winning area where the privilege given to the player is high as a result of the detection of the information by the detection means, the player recognizes to inform the player of that fact. It is possible to configure so as to perform a highly characteristic display (flashy display). At this time, the display means displays an image, a figure, a pattern, a character, or various display contents (a still image, a moving image, etc.) appropriately combined with these.
The present invention is a technology for predicting and displaying the possibility of winning based on the operation mode of the game ball until winning in each winning area, and the game ball winning prediction result and the game ball actually won. The result of whether or not does not necessarily match.

  According to such a configuration of the invention described in claim 1, the display means includes a case where the game ball is predicted to move to a predetermined winning area and a case where the game ball is predicted to move to another winning area. By changing the content displayed by, information regarding winning of a game ball can be notified to the player. Therefore, it is effective to increase the interest of the player in the process until the game ball flowing down in the ball inflow device wins each winning area.

The detection means of the present invention is preferably provided at a position as far as possible from the winning area upstream of the winning area. That is, a configuration is used in which a predetermined time can be earned after the information is detected by the detecting means until the game ball actually wins the winning area. As a result, it is possible to detect information related to the moving direction of the game ball at an earlier timing and display notification information related to winning of the game ball at an earlier timing.
In addition, by using a configuration in which the information relating to the movement mode of the game ball is detected by the detection means, the reliability of the notification information regarding the winning of the game ball can be increased. For example, it is possible to use a configuration in which the number of sensors for detecting game balls is increased or the sensor installation area is expanded. As a result, when notifying the player that it is difficult to win a game ball as well as information on whether or not the game ball wins in a predetermined winning area, whether the degree of difficulty in winning is large (largely lost). Alternatively, it is possible to notify the player of information about whether it is small (severe loss).

As described above, in the ball inflow device in which a ball inflow device into which a game ball launched onto the game board surface can flow and a gaming machine having a plurality of winning areas in which a privilege given to the player at the time of winning is different. For the purpose of “increasing the interest of the player in the process until the game balls that have flowed down enter each winning area”.
According to the present invention, the information regarding the possibility of winning in each winning area of the game ball is displayed according to the detection result of the game ball flowing down in the ball inflow device. It is easy to understand and can increase the player's expectation for a specific prize. ”

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the game board 103 of the pachinko machine 101 which is one Embodiment of the game machine of this invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110 in FIG. 1. It is the figure which looked at the mode of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. 2 from diagonally. It is a figure which shows the electrical equipment system of the pachinko machine. 3 is a flowchart showing display control processing in the pachinko machine 101. It is a front view of the winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110, and shows an example of display contents in step S16 in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the mode of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. 6 from diagonally. It is a front view of the winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110, and shows an example of display contents in step S16 in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the mode of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. 8 from the diagonal.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine 101 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the gaming board 103 of the pachinko machine 101 which is an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110 in FIG. FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical system of the pachinko machine 101. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine that is one of “game machines”.

  A pachinko machine 101 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called “second-type pachinko machine”. In the game area 105 formed on the surface of the game board 103 of the pachinko machine 101, there are a second type starting port 107, 109, an electric accessory device 110, a winning port, a windmill, and many Game nails and the like are arranged. In the present embodiment, second type start ports 109 are arranged on both the left and right sides of one second type start port 107. A game ball (pachinko ball) won in the second type starting port 107 is detected by the starting port sensor 150, and a game ball won in the second type starting port 109 is detected by the starting port sensor 151. Yes.

  The electric accessory device 110 includes a large winning opening 111 on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the electric connecting device 110 and a pair of left and right opening / closing blades 112 for opening and closing the large winning opening 111. The electric accessory device 110 corresponds to the “ball inflow device through which a game ball launched on the game board surface can flow” in the present invention. In FIG. 1, the open / close blade 112 in a state where the special winning opening 111 is opened is indicated by a solid line, and the open / close blade 112 in a state where the special winning opening 111 is closed is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The open / close blade 112 is configured to open and close when a game ball won in the second type start ports 107 and 109 is detected by the start port sensors 150 and 151. This opening / closing operation of the opening / closing blade 112 corresponds to an aspect of “opening and closing when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied” in aspect 9 described later. Typically, when a game ball is won at the second type starting port 107, the opening / closing blade 112 performs the opening / closing operation twice in succession, and when the game ball is won at the second type starting port 109, the opening / closing blade 112 is Open and close once. The game ball that has entered the big prize opening 111 is detected by the big prize opening sensor 152.

  In addition, although not particularly shown in the figure, there is a ball guiding path for guiding a game ball that has entered (entered) the big winning opening 111 to the winning room 116, a holding device, and a sorting device. A shelf member and the like are provided. The game ball guided to the winning room 116 through the opening 114 rolls on the floor plate 117 formed to be inclined downward as a whole, and then the special winning hole 118 or the like disposed downstream of the winning room 116. It flows down to the general winning opening 119. In the present embodiment, general winning ports 119 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the special winning port 118 arranged in the center. The special prize opening 118 and the general prize opening 119 correspond to “a plurality of winning areas” in the present invention. Further, the special winning opening 118 corresponds to a “first winning opening” in an aspect 8 described later, and the general winning opening 119 corresponds to a “second winning opening” in an aspect 8 described later. A game ball that has won the special prize opening 118 is detected by a specific prize opening sensor (V prize sensor) 154, and a game ball that has won a general prize opening 119 is detected by a general prize opening sensor 156. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device 120 is provided on the front surface of the electric accessory device 110, and the display device 120 covers an opening formed on the front surface of the winning room 116. . The display device 120 is configured by using a transmissive liquid crystal panel, can display predetermined display information on the front surface of the winning room 116, and displays the display device 120 in a non-display state or the non-display state of the display device 120. The display part becomes transparent. Therefore, the player can see through the winning room 116 through the display device 120. Although not particularly shown, lamps for decoration are arranged in the winning room 116, and these lamps act as a backlight of the liquid crystal panel in the display state of the display device 120. . The display device 120, a display control unit 174, which will be described later, and the like constitute a “display unit” of the present invention, and the display device 120 corresponds to a “display unit” in aspect 3 which will be described later.

  A game ball sensor 158 is disposed below the floor plate 117 of the winning room 116. The game ball sensor 158 is a sensor that can detect the game ball at a plurality of positions, and is arranged on the floor plate 117 so as to cover a range in which the game ball can roll. Accordingly, the game ball that is guided to the winning room 116 through the opening 114 and rolls (flows down) on the floor plate 117 is detected by the game ball sensor 158 until it wins the special winning port 118 or the general winning port 119. . In the present embodiment, the path through which the game ball has traveled by detecting a plurality of passage positions of the predetermined game ball, that is, the actual flow direction of the game ball (“game ball information regarding the operation mode of the game ball” in the invention) Is detected by the game ball sensor 158. The game ball sensor 158 constitutes the “detection means” in the present invention.

  The detection information (game ball information) detected by the game ball sensor 158 is sent to the main control unit 160 (to be described later) and processed, and then the display of the configuration is performed via the main control unit 160 and the display control unit 172. A display signal is output to the device 120. In the present embodiment, the display content displayed on the display device 120 is variable based on the detection information detected by the game ball sensor 158. In the present embodiment, information related to the possibility that a game ball entering the electric accessory device 110 will win the specific winning opening 118 is displayed on the display device 120.

  The electrical system of the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment has a main control unit 160 connected to a power supply device 140 connected to an AC power supply via a relay board 142 as a main component. Composed. In the main controller 160, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input processing circuit, and an output processing circuit (not shown) are appropriately set. Further, the main control unit 160 is connected with start opening sensors 150 and 151, a big winning opening sensor 152, a specific winning opening sensor (V winning sensor) 154, a general winning opening sensor 156, and a game ball sensor 158. Detection signals from 150, 151, 152, 154, 156, and 158 are input as appropriate. In addition, a solenoid 170, a display control unit 172, a sound control unit 174, and a prize ball control unit 176 are connected to the main control unit 160, respectively. Further, the display device 120 is further connected to the display control unit 172, and the prize ball control unit 176 is further connected to a prize ball device 178 for executing payout of prize balls.

  The solenoid 170 switches the excitation / non-excitation state as appropriate based on a drive control signal from an output processing circuit (not shown in particular) provided in the main control unit 160, and as described above, the motor combination shown in FIG. The opening / closing drive of the opening / closing blade 112 of the material apparatus 110 is performed. The display control unit 172 performs drive control of the display device 120 of the electric accessory device 110 based on a control signal from a communication control circuit (not shown) provided in the main control unit 160. The sound control unit 174 controls sound output to the speaker based on a control signal from a communication control circuit similarly provided in the main control unit 160.

  The prize ball control unit 176 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an input / output port, and the like, and is driven by power supply from the power supply device 140, although not shown. A prize ball control signal is appropriately received from the main control unit 160 that has received detection signals from the big prize opening sensor 152, the specific prize opening sensor (V prize sensor) 154, the general prize opening sensor 156, and the game ball sensor 158. The award ball payout control in the ball device 178 is appropriately performed. Further, the main control unit 160 is connected to a hall computer 180 provided in the game hall where the pachinko machine 101 is installed, and appropriately outputs business information related to the game such as the number of jackpots.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 101 having the above configuration according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 in addition to FIGS. Here, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing display control processing in the pachinko machine 101. 6 is a front view of the winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110, showing an example of display contents in step S18 in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view of the winning room 116 of the electric accessory device 110, and shows an example of the display contents in step S18 in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 shows the state of the winning room 116 shown in FIG. FIG.

  In the pachinko machine 101 shown in FIG. 1, the game balls injected to the game area 105 on the surface of the game board 103 by the launch handle device (not shown) flow down the game area 105 while changing the flow down mode by the game nails. When a game ball wins one of the second type start ports 107 and 109, the winning game ball is detected by the start port sensor 150 or the start port sensor 151. As a result, detection signals from the start port sensors 150 and 151 are sent to the main controller 160. The main control unit 160 outputs a control signal to the prize ball control unit 176, and the prize ball control unit 176 awards the number of prize balls corresponding to the number of game balls won in the second type starting ports 107 and 109. The ball device 178 is paid out. The prize ball payout information by the prize ball device 178 is also output to the hall computer 180.

  Further, when the start opening sensors 150 and 151 detect a game ball, the main control unit 160 outputs a control signal to the solenoid 170 to open / close the opening / closing blade 112 shown in FIG. 1 a predetermined number of times. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing blade 112 performs an opening / closing operation once when the start port sensor 150 detects a game ball, and the opening / closing blade 112 performs an opening / closing operation twice when the start port sensor 151 detects a game ball. Do it continuously. When the opening / closing blade 112 is in the open position, the big prize opening 111 is opened and the game ball is allowed to enter the electric accessory device 110. On the other hand, when the opening / closing blade 112 is in the closed position, the special winning opening 111 is closed and the entry of the game ball into the electric accessory device 110 is restricted.

  A game ball that has entered the big prize opening 111 when the opening / closing blade 112 is in the open position is detected by the big prize opening sensor 152. When the big prize opening sensor 152 detects a game ball, the main control unit 160 outputs a control signal to the display control unit 172 in order to display the initial display content on the display device 120.

  Here, the main control unit 160 determines whether or not the game ball has entered the special winning opening 111 by step S10 of the display control process shown in FIG. If it is determined that the game ball has entered the special winning opening 111 (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that this is not the case (NO in step S10), the display control process is terminated. In step S12, the initial display content is displayed on the display device 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an image of “10 pins simulating the state at the start of the game in the bowling game” is displayed in the first display area 122 of the display device 120. "Is displayed. In the images shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a so-called “pin 1” is arranged at the most upstream in the winning room 116. Starting from the display of the initial display content, the player is informed that the change of the display content imitating the bowling game will be started.

  The game ball detected by the big prize opening sensor 152 flows down from the opening 114 to the winning room 116 through a ball guiding path (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball 130 flows down (rolls) on the floor plate 117 toward the specific winning port 118 or the general winning port 119 in the winning room 116. In this flow-down process of the game ball 130, information regarding the actual flow direction of the game ball 130 (passage position of the game ball 130) is detected by the game ball sensor 158. When the game ball sensor 158 detects information related to the flow direction of the game ball 130, the main control unit 160 causes the display device 120 to display possibility information indicating the possibility that the game ball 130 will win the specific winning opening 118. Accordingly, a control signal is output to the display control unit 172.

  Here, information relating to the flow direction of the game ball 130 is detected in step S14 of the display control process shown in FIG. For example, the flow-down direction of the game ball 130 is detected from a plurality of information related to the passing position of the game ball 130. In step S16, the display content on the display device 120 is selected and acquired based on the information detected in step S14. Specifically, a database in which the flow direction of the game ball 130 is associated with the display content displayed on the display device 120 is stored in the main control unit 160 in advance, and each time information is detected by the game ball sensor 158. The display content corresponding to the detection information is extracted. 5, a control signal based on the display content extracted in step S16 is output to the display control unit 174, and the display signal is output to the display device 120.

  In the present embodiment, as a result of the information detected by the game ball sensor 158, the main control unit 160 will win the game ball 130 at the general winning port 119 (the game ball 130 will not win the specific winning port 118). (Hereinafter referred to as “Case 1”), and when it is determined that the game ball 130 will win the specific winning opening 118 (hereinafter referred to as “Case 2”). There is. Here, examples of display contents displayed on the display device 120 in case 1 and case 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the game ball 130 flows down the region 117 a formed at both ends of the floor plate 117, the region 117 a is difficult for the game ball 130 to win the specific winning port 118 and wins the general winning port 119. Since this is an easy route, it is determined as Case 1 above. In this case 1, two pins that overlap with the game ball 130 passing through the region 117a on the right side, two pins called “pin 4” and “pin 7” are about to fall or have already fallen. The displayed image is displayed in the first display area 122 of the display device 120.

  In the present embodiment, the display timing in the first display area 122 is configured to synchronize with the rolling timing of the game ball 130, and the “boring pin” is located at a position overlapping the game ball 130. An image is displayed. Further, assuming that the game ball 130 is a “boring ball”, the entire display information indicating the “boring game” is formed by combining the real image of the game ball 130 and the display content in the first display area 122. It is like that. For this reason, when the display device 120 is viewed from the player side as shown in FIG. 6, the game balls 130 flowing down on the floor plate 117 are displayed as if “No. 4” and “No. 4” displayed in the first display area 122. It looks as if you are defeating Pin 7. In addition, the number of pins that are about to fall or the number of pins that have fallen out of a total of 10 pins is displayed in the second display area 124 of the display device 120. In the present embodiment, “2” is displayed in the second display area 124. The display in the second display area 124 and the image in the first display area 122 are information indicating the possibility that the game ball 130 will win the specific winning opening 118, and “winning possibility information” in the present invention. It corresponds to.

  When the game ball 130 rolls near the center of the area 117a, it is difficult to win a prize in the specific winning opening 118, but it is difficult to win, so the number of pins that are going to fall is increased more than two. It is displayed in the first display area 122 and the second display area 124. That is, as the number of pins displayed in the first display area 122 and the second display area 124 increases and this number approaches 10 (total number), the game ball 130 becomes easier to win the specific winning opening 118. That the player is informed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the game ball 130 flows down the region 117 b formed in the center portion of the floor plate 117, the region 117 b is easy for the game ball 130 to enter the special winning opening 118 and receive a general prize. Since it is difficult for the mouth 119 to win a prize, the case 2 is determined. In this case 2, the game ball 130 hits a pin arranged at the most upstream of the region 117b, a so-called “pin 1”, and an image in which all ten pins are about to fall or an image that has already fallen. Is displayed in the first display area 122 of the display device 120.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the display timing in the first display area 122 is synchronized with the rolling timing of the game ball 130, and an image of a “boring pin” is displayed at a position overlapping the game ball 130. Furthermore, assuming that the game ball 130 is a “boring ball”, the entire display information indicating the “boring game” is formed by combining the real image of the game ball 130 and the display content in the first display area 122. The For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, when the image displayed on the display device 120 is viewed from the player side, the game balls 130 flowing down on the floor board 117 are as if displayed in the first display area 122. It looks as if you are defeating all the pins. At this time, a “strike” mark is displayed in the second display area 124 and a “strike” character is displayed in the third display area 126. As a result, the player can recognize that there is a high possibility that the game ball 130 will win the specific winning opening 118 before the game ball 130 is won. The display of the second display area 124, the display of the third display area 126, and the image of the first display area 122 are information indicating the possibility that the game ball 130 will win the specific winning opening 118, This corresponds to “winning possibility information” in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, there may be a case where a plurality of game balls are simultaneously present in the winning room 116. In such a case, as a result of detecting information related to each game ball by the game ball sensor 158, the display related to the game ball that is likely to give the best result is given priority. In addition, as an example of the change, there is a configuration in which display relating to the game ball that has flowed into the winning room 116 first is given priority.

  Thus, the game ball 130 flowing down (rolling) on the floor plate 117 in the winning room 116 wins the specific winning opening 118 or the general winning opening 119. When the game ball 130 wins the specific winning opening 118 or the general winning opening 119, the winning game ball is detected by the specific winning opening sensor 154 or the general winning opening sensor 156. As a result, detection signals from the specific prize opening sensor 154 and the general prize opening sensor 156 are sent to the main control unit 160.

  At this time, in step S20 in FIG. 5, the main control unit 160 determines whether or not the game ball 130 has won the specific winning opening 118 or the general winning opening 119. If it is determined that the game ball 130 has won the specific prize opening 118 or the general prize opening 119 (YES in step S20), the process proceeds to step S22, and if not (NO in step S20), the process proceeds to step S18. Return. In step S <b> 20, the main control unit 160 outputs a control signal to the display control unit 172 to stop the display on the display device 120, thereby ending the display control process.

  When the game ball 130 wins the specific prize opening 118 or the general prize opening 119, the main control unit 160 outputs a control signal to the prize ball control unit 176, and the prize ball control unit 176 includes the specific prize opening sensor 154 and the general prize winning unit. The number of prize balls corresponding to the number of game balls won in the mouth sensor 156 is paid out to the prize ball device 178. The prize ball payout information by the prize ball device 178 is also output to the hall computer 180.

When the game ball 130 wins the specific winning opening 118, the pachinko machine 101 is in a big hit state, and a plurality of rounds of so-called “special game state” are sequentially executed. In one round, except when the transition condition for the next round is achieved, the opening / closing blade 112 is opened / closed a predetermined number of times or a predetermined number of game balls are won. Continue until On the other hand, when the next round transition condition is achieved during the execution of the round, that is, when the game ball wins the specific winning opening 118 during the round, the round ends at the time of winning the specific winning opening 118. , Will move to the next round. In other words, a round in a special gaming state can be continued until a predetermined expiration condition is reached, and transitions to the next round by satisfying the next round transition condition, thereby overlapping a predetermined number of rounds. It is performed repeatedly.
Such a “special gaming state” privilege given to the player is given only when the game ball 130 wins the specific prize opening 118, and when the game ball 130 wins the general prize opening 119, Not granted. That is, the privilege given to the player differs depending on whether or not the game ball 130 has won the specific winning opening 118 and the general winning opening 119.

  In this “special game state” in which the game ball 130 has won the specific winning opening 118, display control processing as shown in FIG. 5 and display as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 may be performed. In other words, during the “special gaming state” round, the flow direction of the game ball 130 flowing down on the floor plate 117 in the winning room 116 is detected, and the display content displayed on the display device 120 changes based on this detection information. Can be controlled.

As described above, according to such a configuration of the pachinko machine 101 of the present embodiment, it is predicted that a game ball will be awarded to the specific prize opening 118 and that a game ball will be awarded to the general prize opening 119. By changing the content displayed on the display device 120 depending on the case, information regarding the winning of the game ball can be notified to the player. Therefore, it is effective to increase the interest of the player in the process from the game ball entering the electric accessory device 110 flowing down the winning room 116 to winning the specific winning port 118 or the general winning port 119. .
Further, according to the present embodiment, by using the transmissive display device 120, the player sees through the display device 120 the state of the game ball moving (rolling or flowing down) in the electric accessory device 110. Can be confirmed. As a result, the display related to the movement of the game ball can be displayed superimposed on the movement of the game ball, and the player can suppress the movement of the line of sight of the display of the game ball and the display related to the game ball. Can be confirmed. In addition, the configuration in which the transmissive display device 120 is disposed in front of the moving path of the game ball is effective for making the electric accessory device 110 itself compact.
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the display position and display timing by the display device 120 overlap with the operation of the game ball, a realistic display is possible.
Further, according to the present embodiment, it is effective to further enhance the interest of the player by associating the real image of the game ball with the bowling game that is the display content of the display device 120.

(Other embodiments)
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various application examples and modification examples based on the present embodiment can be conceived. For example, the following embodiments to which this embodiment is applied can be implemented.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the flow direction is detected by the game ball sensor 158 based on the information on the plurality of passing positions of the game ball has been described, but the game ball of the game ball is based on the velocity component information at the predetermined position of the game ball. A configuration that detects the flow direction can also be used. Further, in the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening 113 from the flow direction of the game ball is described, but the game ball is specified only from one passing position of the game ball. It is also possible to use a configuration that predicts the possibility of winning at the winning opening 113.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which has arrange | positioned the movable body which makes the rolling aspect of a game ball variable in the prize-winning room 116 of the electrically-driven accessory apparatus 110 can also be used. In such a configuration, the display contents to be displayed on the display device 120 can be set in consideration of the operation information of the movable body in addition to the information regarding the operation mode of the game ball in the winning room 116. Accordingly, even if the moving direction of the game ball is complicated by the movable body arranged in the winning room 116, the display content that is easy to understand for the player can be obtained by finely classifying the display content pattern. It is possible to display.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a display imitating “game by a bowling pin” is displayed on the display device 120 according to the flow direction of the game ball 130 flowing down in the winning room 116. The form may be used. For example, an image simulating “golf green” is displayed in the winning room 116, the winning hole with the highest privilege given to the player is regarded as “a hole on the green”, and the game ball is changed to “golf ball”. The display device 120 may display “cup-in” when the game ball is likely to win the specific winning opening 118 and “miss” when the game ball is likely to win the general winning opening 119. Good. In addition to the display imitating a bowling game or the display imitating a golf game, a display imitating a game such as baseball, billiards, or tennis may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the display device 120 configured by a transmissive liquid crystal panel is used is described. However, a display configured by a transmissive EL panel which is a self-luminous type instead of the transmissive liquid crystal panel. An apparatus can also be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the pachinko machine 101 which is a 2nd kind pachinko machine was described, this invention can also be applied to the structure of a 1st kind pachinko machine or a 3rd kind pachinko machine. The present invention can also be applied to the configuration of gaming machines other than pachinko machines, such as arrange ball machines.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electrical accessory apparatus 110 in which the big prize opening 111 was opened and closed by the opening-and-closing blade 112 was described, it is the structure of the game machine which does not have the mechanism which opens and closes the entrance of a prize-winning apparatus. The present invention can also be applied. Further, in the above embodiment, the electric accessory device 110 having the structure including the prize area (the special prize opening 118 and the general prize opening 119) in the apparatus has been described. However, the prize area is provided outside the apparatus (object). The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine having a configuration provided. In this case, it is possible to use a gaming machine having a configuration in which a game ball that has once entered the inside of the device (a bonus item) is discharged out of the device, and the winning area to be subsequently won varies depending on the discharging position.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a configuration in which the main control unit 160 performs processing and determination based on various types of detection information and outputs a control signal to each control unit has been described. Can also be used. For example, a sub board is provided between the main control unit 160, the display control unit 172, and the sound control unit 174, and the sub board performs processing and determination based on various types of detection information, and the display control unit 172 and the sound control unit 174. A control signal may be output.

  Moreover, in view of the said embodiment and the form of various changes, in this invention, the structure as described in the following aspects 1-aspect 9 can be taken.

(Aspect 1)
In the present invention, "the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the detection means is configured to detect a flow direction of a game ball as the game ball information. The configuration (embodiment 1) can be adopted.

In this aspect 1, the detection means of Claim 1 is comprised so that the flow-down direction of a game ball may be detected as game ball information.
According to such a configuration described in the first aspect, it is possible to detect in which direction the game ball has flowed down by the detection unit, and thereby predict the possibility that the game ball will win each winning area. It becomes possible to do.

(Aspect 2)
In the present invention, "the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the detection means is configured to detect a passing position of a game ball as the game ball information. The configuration (Aspect 2) can be adopted.

In this aspect 2, the detection means of Claim 1 is comprised so that the passage position of a game ball may be detected as game ball information.
According to such a configuration described in the present aspect 2, it is possible to detect where the game ball has passed by the detecting means, and thereby predict the possibility that the game ball will win each winning area. It becomes possible.

(Aspect 3)
In the present invention, “the gaming machine according to claim 1, aspect 1 or aspect 2,
The display means includes a transmissive display unit disposed in front of a moving path of a game ball in the ball inflow device, and a player can see through the ball inflow device through the display unit. A gaming machine characterized by that. The configuration (Aspect 3) can be adopted.

In this aspect 3, the display means according to claim 1, aspect 1 or aspect 2 is provided with a transmissive display unit disposed in front of the moving path of the game ball in the ball inflow device. Thereby, the player can see through the ball inflow device through the display unit. For example, when the display unit is in a non-display state, the entire display unit can be seen through the sphere inflow device, or even when the display unit is in the display state, a non-display area that is not used for display is transparent. In some cases, the inside of the ball inflow device can be seen through.
According to such a configuration described in the third aspect, by using the transmission type display unit, the player can display the state of the game ball moving (rolling and flowing down) in the ball inflow device through the display unit. Can be confirmed. As a result, the display related to the operation of the game ball can be superimposed on the display of the operation of the game ball, and the player moves the line of sight of the display of the game ball and the display related to the operation of the game ball. It can be confirmed in a state of suppressing. Therefore, the interest of the player can be further enhanced. Further, the configuration in which the transmissive display unit is arranged in front of the moving path of the game ball is effective for making the ball inflow device itself compact.

(Aspect 4)
Further, in the present invention, “the gaming machine according to aspect 3,
The display unit is configured using a transmissive liquid crystal panel. (Configuration 4).

In the aspect 4, the display unit described in the aspect 3 is configured using a transmissive liquid crystal panel. This liquid crystal panel has a configuration in which light transmission and non-transmission are electrically controlled for display.
According to such a configuration described in the fourth aspect, the display unit is configured by using a transmissive liquid crystal panel, so that even when the display unit is arranged in front of the moving path of the game ball, the sphere inflow The length of the apparatus in the depth direction can be suppressed.

(Aspect 5)
Further, in the present invention, “the gaming machine according to aspect 3,
The display unit is configured using a transmissive EL panel. The configuration (embodiment 5) can be adopted.

In this aspect 5, the display unit described in aspect 3 is configured using a transmissive EL panel. This EL panel uses EL (electroluminescence), which is a material that emits light when an electric current is passed.
According to such a configuration described in the fifth aspect, the display unit is configured by using a transmission type EL panel, so that the display unit is arranged in front of the moving path of the game ball as in the fourth aspect. Even if it exists, the length of the depth direction of a ball | bowl inflow apparatus can be restrained. Further, in the case where a transmissive EL panel is used, the structure of a backlight necessary for the liquid crystal panel can be omitted because it is a self-luminous type.

(Aspect 6)
Further, in the present invention, “the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1, 1 to 5,
A game characterized in that the display timing of the display means based on the game ball information is controlled so as to be synchronized with the timing of the operation of the game ball toward each winning area in the ball inflow device. Machine. (Aspect 6).

In this aspect 6, in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 and 1, the timing displayed by the display means based on the game ball information detected by the detection means is a game ball in the ball inflow device. Are controlled to synchronize with the timing of the operation toward each winning area.
According to such a configuration described in the sixth aspect, it is easy for the player to understand that the display content displayed by the display means is involved in the operation of the game ball. In particular, as described in Aspect 3 to Aspect 5, in a configuration in which a transmissive display unit is arranged in front of the moving path of the game ball in the ball inflow device, the display position and display timing by the display means are the same as those of the game ball. Since it overlaps with the movement, a realistic display is possible.

(Aspect 7)
Further, in the present invention, “the gaming machine according to aspect 6,
A game machine that uses a game ball headed to each winning area in the ball inflow device as an element related to winning possibility information displayed by the display means in synchronization with the timing of the operation of the game ball. . The configuration (Aspect 7) can be adopted.

In the aspect 7, in the configuration described in the aspect 6, the game ball heading to each winning area in the ball inflow device is displayed as an element related to the winning possibility information displayed in synchronization with the operation timing of the game ball. It comes to use. That is, when the overall display information is formed by combining the winning possibility information by the display means and the real image of the game ball, the game ball is one component of the entire display information. Specifically, as described in the above embodiment, the display unit displays an image imitating a “boring pin”, and the game ball, which is a real image, is regarded as a “boring ball”, thereby boring as a whole. Information about the game can be displayed. In addition, an image simulating “Golf Green” is displayed on the display means, the winning hole with the highest privilege given to the player is regarded as “Hole on Green”, and the game ball is regarded as “Golf Ball” By this, it is possible to display information regarding golf games as a whole.
According to such a configuration described in the seventh aspect, it is effective to further enhance the interest of the player by associating the real image of the game ball with the display of the winning possibility information by the display means.

(Aspect 8)
Further, in the present invention, "the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 and 1 to 7,
A plurality of first winning holes as the plurality of winning areas, and when a game ball is won in the first winning hole, a special game state is given to the player; The game machine is characterized in that the special game state is not given when a game ball is won. (Aspect 8).

Aspect 8 is specified by the configuration using the first winning port and the second winning port as a plurality of winning areas in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 and 1 to 7. The first winning opening is an area where a special game state is given to the player when the game ball wins, and the second winning port is a special game state for the player even if the game ball wins. Is an area where no is given. In the present embodiment, the specific winning port (V winning port) in the second type pachinko machine corresponds to the first winning port, and the general winning port corresponds to the second winning port. Further, in the first type pachinko machine, the specific winning opening corresponds to the first winning opening, and the general winning opening corresponds to the second winning opening.
According to such a configuration described in the present aspect 8, when the game ball is predicted to move to the first winning opening where a special game state is given to the player by winning the game ball, By changing the content displayed by the display means when the game ball is predicted to move to the second prize opening where no special game state is given, the game ball flowing down in the ball inflow device receives the first prize. This is effective for enhancing the interest of the player in the process from winning the mouth to the second winning opening.

(Aspect 9)
Further, in the present invention, “the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1, 1 to 8,
The ball inflow device is configured to open and close when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied, and has a plurality of winning areas in the ball inflow device. The configuration (embodiment 9) can be adopted.

Aspect 9 is the structure according to any one of claims 1 and 1 to 8, wherein the ball inflow device opens and closes when a predetermined winning condition is established. Further, a plurality of winning areas are provided in the ball inflow device. The game balls that have flowed down in the ball inflow device in the open state of the ball inflow device flow down toward each winning area provided in the ball inflow device. Here, “establishment of predetermined winning conditions” typically refers to the case where a game ball wins a specific winning start opening provided on the game board, and to the winning start opening of the gaming ball. This includes the case where the ball inflow device performs a single opening / closing operation on condition that the winning of the ball is won, or the case where the ball inflow device repeats the opening / closing operation a plurality of times. For example, the “winning device” in the second type pachinko machine corresponds to the “ball inflow device” of the present invention.
According to such a configuration described in the present aspect 9, in the ball inflow device configured to open and close when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied, the game balls that have flowed down in the ball inflow device have each winning area in the ball inflow device. It is effective to increase the interest of the player in the process until winning a prize.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Pachinko machine 103 Game board 105 Game area 107,109 2nd type starting port 110 Electric accessory device 111 Grand prize opening 112 Opening / closing blade 114 Opening 115 Prize opening 116 Prize room 117 Floor board 118 Special prize opening 119 General prize opening 120 Display device 122 1st display area 124 2nd display area 126 3rd display area 130 Game ball 140 Power supply device 150,151 Start port sensor 152 Large winning port sensor 154 Specific winning port sensor 156 General winning port sensor 158 Game ball sensor 160 Main control unit 170 Solenoid 172 Display control unit 174 Sound control unit 176 Award ball control unit 178 Award ball device 180 Hall computer

Claims (1)

A ball inflow device through which game balls launched on the game board surface can flow, and a plurality of winning areas in which the game balls flowing down in the ball inflow device can be won and the benefits given to the player at the time of winning are different. A gaming machine,
A detecting means for detecting game ball information related to an operation mode of a game ball heading to each winning area in the ball inflow device, and a winning in each winning area of the gaming ball based on the gaming ball information detected by the detecting means. A gaming machine comprising display means for displaying winning possibility information relating to the possibility.

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