JP2011024833A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, wherein a handle lever can be held in a right-side shooting state in which a maximum burden is applied to a player, while having an inexpensive and simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine configured to make a player play the game while the handle lever is turned to a position at a substantially maximum rotation angle in a specific game state. The game machine includes a holding unit for holding the handle lever rotated at the substantially maximum angle. The holding unit has a first locking member 73 provided at the handle lever, and a second locking member 71 fixed to a base portion through a fixing plate 70 and resiliently deformed. When the handle lever is near the position at the substantially maximum rotation angle, the first locking member 73 resiliently deforms the second locking member 71, and when the handle lever reaches the position at the substantially the maximum rotation angle, the second locking member 71 is returned from the resiliently deformed state. Therefore, the first locking member 73 and the second locking member 71 are engaged with each other to hold the handle lever. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that launches a game ball on a game board surface.

  When a handle lever is operated to rotate clockwise by a player, a game machine such as a pachinko game machine fires a game ball on the game board surface with a hitting force according to the operation angle, and the game ball receives various prizes. When the ball enters the mouth, the prize ball is paid out. Here, since the handle lever is biased toward the initial position by an elastic body such as a spring, when the game ball is launched on the game board surface, the player rotates the handle lever against the biasing force. It will be. At this time, since the biasing force of the elastic body is proportional to the displacement, the biasing force increases as the rotation angle of the handle lever increases. Therefore, if the rotation angle of the handle lever is greatly operated in order to launch a game ball with a stronger hitting force, a burden is applied to the player's wrist and arm accordingly.

  By the way, in some conventional gaming machines, for example, a big winning opening that is opened when winning a jackpot is provided on the right side of the game board surface. In the case of such a gaming machine, when winning the jackpot, the player strikes the game ball toward the right side of the game board by rotating the handle lever to the maximum angle. Such a gaming state is generally called a right-handed gaming state. In this right-handed game state, as described above, the handle lever is operated in a state where the handle lever is rotated by the maximum angle, so that a heavy burden is placed on the player's wrist and arm.

  For this reason, conventionally, various proposals have been made on a mechanism for holding the handle lever at an arbitrary rotational position desired by the player in order to reduce the burden on the wrist and arm of the player (for example, Patent Documents). 1, 2).

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a double push button is provided on the front surface of the handle lever, and when the handle lever is in an arbitrary rotational position, if the push button is pressed once, the double push button is thereby pressed. Clutch coupling is applied to the button and the handle lever, and the handle lever is held in a non-rotatable state.

  In Patent Document 2, a friction member that frictionally contacts the inner peripheral surface of the handle lever, a spring spring that biases the friction member toward the inner peripheral surface of the handle lever, and a biasing force of the spring spring are resisted. A push button for releasing the contact between the handle lever and the friction member is provided. When the player does not operate the handle lever, the friction member is brought into frictional contact with the inner peripheral surface of the handle lever by the urging force of the spring spring to hold the handle lever at an arbitrary rotational position, while the player holds the handle lever. When the lever is rotated, a slip is generated between the handle lever and the friction member by the operation force of the player, and the handle lever rotates. The push button is operated when the handle lever rotated to an arbitrary position is returned to the initial position.

JP-A-5-111565 Registered Utility Model No. 3055765

  However, since the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 hold the hand lever at an arbitrary rotational position, there is a problem that the structure is complicated. In particular, Patent Document 1 requires a double-pushing mechanism and a clutch mechanism. Therefore, if such a technique is introduced, there is a problem that the cost increases and the internal structure of the handle lever becomes complicated. Further, in the case of Patent Document 2, the handle lever is held at an arbitrary position by using a frictional force, and there is a problem that the frictional member is worn by repeated use and the holding force is attenuated. Furthermore, in the case of Patent Document 2, when the player finely adjusts the rotational position of the hand lever, the force of the elastic body that urges toward the initial position and the friction force of the friction member are divided into two forces. It is necessary to operate the handle lever against this, and there is a problem that the burden on the wrist and arm of the player is further increased.

  By the way, as described above, in the case of a board configuration in which a player has a right-handed gaming state in which a handle lever is rotated to a maximum angle in a specific gaming state, such as when winning a jackpot, the right-handed gaming state is long. The longer the time is spent, the greater the player's wrist and arm fatigue. Therefore, in such a board configuration, it is desired that the player's feeling of fatigue can be suppressed even when the right-handed gaming state continues for a long time.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can handle the handle lever in a right-handed gaming state in which the burden placed on the player is greatest, while being an inexpensive and simple structure, The object is to provide a gaming machine in which the holding force of the lever is not attenuated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a handle portion that can be rotated within a predetermined angle range from the initial position, and the player performs a turning operation of the handle portion. It is a gaming machine that launches a game ball onto the game board surface with a striking force according to the operation angle, and allows the player to play a game while rotating the handle portion to a substantially maximum angle rotation position in a specific game state. A base portion that rotatably supports the handle portion, an urging means that urges the handle portion from an arbitrary rotation position toward the initial position, and a rotation of the handle portion by a substantially maximum angle. Holding means for holding in a closed state, wherein the holding means is provided with a first locking member provided on one of the handle part and the base part and an elastically deformed second provided on the other. With locking member, front When the handle portion rotates with respect to the base portion, the first locking member elastically deforms the second locking member in the vicinity of a substantially maximum angle rotation position, and the handle portion has a substantially maximum angle rotation position. When the second locking member returns from the elastically deformed state in a state of reaching the position, the first locking member and the second locking member are engaged with each other to hold the handle portion. It is said.

  According to this invention, the handle portion can be held in a state where the handle portion is rotated to the substantially maximum angle rotation position by using only two locking members, and the handle portion holding mechanism with an inexpensive and simple structure is provided. Realized. Further, since the member is not deteriorated by a frictional force or the like, the holding force is hardly attenuated even if the use is continued.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the right hit detecting means for detecting that the handle portion is rotated by a substantially maximum angle by the holding means, and the right hit detecting means. And a notifying means for notifying the detection result.

  According to this invention, it is possible to notify a player, a hall employee, or the like that the handle portion is held in a state where the handle portion is rotated at a substantially maximum angle, and the handle portion is held in a state where the handle portion is rotated at a substantially maximum angle. This makes it possible to respond quickly when the user is left unattended.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising release means for releasing the state in which the handle portion is held by the holding means, wherein the release means is in a predetermined condition. And the state where the handle portion is held at the substantially maximum angular rotation position is released.

  According to this invention, the state in which the handle portion is held at the substantially maximum rotational position can be automatically released under a predetermined condition. Therefore, the handle portion is automatically returned to the initial position under a predetermined condition.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third aspect, the release means imparts vibration to the first locking member or the second locking member, and the first locking member and the The engagement state with the second locking member is released.

  Since the first locking member and the second locking member are engaged with each other in a state where the handle portion is held at the substantially maximum angle rotation position, in this invention, the release means includes the By applying vibration to the first locking member or the second locking member, the engaged state can be released and the handle portion can be returned to the initial position.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4, the release means is driven on condition that it is not at least the specific gaming state.

  According to such an invention, the handle portion can be automatically returned to the initial position when the game portion is not in a specific gaming state in which the player is allowed to play a game with the handle portion being rotated to a substantially maximum rotational position. it can.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the gaming machine according to claim 5, further comprising contact detection means for detecting contact between the handle portion and the human body, wherein the release means further includes the handle portion and the human body. It is characterized by being driven on condition that it is not in contact.

  According to this invention, it is possible to prevent the holding state of the handle part from being automatically released when the player is operating the handle part himself.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second locking member comprises a pair of arm members sandwiching the first locking member, The arm member is provided with a holding portion that holds the first locking member on the base end side, and the distal end side enters and exits the first locking member from the holding portion. The holding means is configured such that when the handle portion rotates to a substantially maximum angle rotation position, the first locking member and the constriction portion come into contact with each other and further rotate. As a result, the first locking member elastically deforms the second locking member and enters the holding portion, and the holding portion is moved to the first engagement position in a state where the handle portion has reached a substantially maximum rotational position. By holding the stop member, the handle portion is held. There.

  According to this invention, it is possible to hold the handle portion with a less expensive and simple structure.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein any one of the first locking member and the second locking member has a convex portion, The other has a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion, and a guide portion that guides the convex portion to the concave portion, and the holding means, when the handle portion rotates to a substantially maximum angle rotation position, When the convex portion and the guide portion come into contact with each other and further rotate, the first locking member elastically deforms the second locking member to guide the convex portion to the concave portion, and the handle The convex portion and the concave portion are engaged with each other in a state in which the portion reaches the substantially maximum angle rotation position, thereby holding the handle portion.

  According to this invention, it is possible to hold the handle portion with a less expensive and simple structure.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to hold the handle portion in a state where the handle portion is rotated at a substantially maximum angle by an inexpensive and simple structure, and the holding force is hardly attenuated even if it is continuously used. . Further, even when a specific gaming state in which the player plays a game while the handle portion is rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position continues for a long time, the player's feeling of fatigue can be suppressed. become able to.

It is a front view which shows the example of 1 structure of a gaming machine. It is a front view which shows one structural example of the game board provided in a gaming machine. It is a figure which expands and shows the handle for operation. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of a handle lever and an operation angle sensor. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the handle lamp provided in the operation handle in 1st Embodiment, and a handle lever holding means. It is a figure which expands and shows the clamping arm in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of the handle lever holding | maintenance means in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of the clamping bar and clamping arm in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control mechanism of the game machine attached to the back side of a game board. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an interconnection relationship among an operation handle, a launch control board, a launch unit, a main control board, an effect control board, an image control board, and a lamp control board in the first embodiment. . It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by the game control part of a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a 1st start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a 2nd start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special symbol process. It is a figure explaining an example of each random number stored in RAM of a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a normal symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an electric tulip process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a game state judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an output process. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by CPU of the production control board in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the right-handed operation state cancellation | release process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a right hit game state alerting | reporting process. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the handle lamp provided in the operation handle in 2nd Embodiment, and a handle lever holding means. It is a figure which expands and shows the engagement piece, fixing member, and engagement material in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement mechanism of the handle lever holding | maintenance means in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of the engagement piece and engagement material in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the interconnection relation of the handle | steering-wheel for operation in 2nd Embodiment, a main control board, an effect control board, an image control board, and a lamp control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by CPU of the production control board in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the right-handed operation state alerting | reporting process in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a gaming machine 1 in the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the first embodiment). The gaming machine 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by an instruction operation by a player enters various winning holes. The gaming machine 1 includes a frame member 3 having a window portion 2 in which a transparent glass plate 2 a is fitted, and a game board 10 that is detachably attached to the back side of the window portion 2 of the frame member 3.

  The frame member 3 includes an operation handle 4 operated by a player on the lower right side of the window portion 2. The operation handle 4 is a launch operation unit for launching a game ball, and includes a handle lever 49. When the player rotates the handle lever 49 in the clockwise direction, the game ball is launched on the surface of the game board 10 at a predetermined time interval with a hitting force corresponding to the operation angle. The frame member 3 includes speakers 5 provided on both the left and right sides of the upper portion of the window portion 2 and frame lamps 6 provided at the centers of the upper portion and the lower portion of the window portion 2, respectively. Various effects are produced by generating sound effects, and the frame lamp 6 is configured to perform various effects depending on a lighting / flashing pattern or a difference in emission color.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the game board 10 in the first embodiment. The game board 10 has a substantially circular game area 13 surrounded by the outer rail 11 and the inner rail 12 on the game board surface 10a corresponding to the front side, and the player operates the handle lever 49 by operating the handle lever 49. The game ball to be launched is launched from between the outer rail 11 and the inner rail 12 to the upper left portion inside the game area 13.

  An image display 8 composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like is provided inside the game area 13 so as to be positioned substantially at the center of the game board 10. A decorative frame body 14 is also provided. The image display 8 is for displaying various images for performance. As the game progresses, for example, the lottery result of the jackpot lottery is expressed by a plurality of decorative symbols with numbers 1 to 9 and the like. Information is displayed, a notice effect by the appearance of a character or an item is displayed, or various moving images are displayed as a reach effect. The decorative frame body 14 defines the screen frame of the image display 8.

  Inside the game area 13, around the decorative frame body 14, there are a large number of nails 15, through gates 16, windmills 17, a normal winning port 18, a first starting port 19, an electric tulip 20, a second starting port 21, a grand prize. Known members such as an opening 22, an accessory 23 for opening / closing the grand prize winning opening 22, and an out opening 24 are arranged. In the lower right part of the game board surface 10a outside the game area 13, a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner to display a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot lottery result, or to the first start port 19 and the second start port 21. A display 60 is provided for displaying the number of holds due to the game ball entering.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the through gate 16 is provided in the lower right portion of the decorative frame body 14. The through gate 16 is a gate which is a condition for performing the normal symbol lottery in the gaming machine 1, and when the game ball passes through the gate, the normal symbol lottery is started. Here, the normal symbol lottery is a lottery for determining whether or not to open the electric tulip 20. Further, a plurality of ordinary winning openings 18 are provided in the lower left part of the decorative frame body 14. The normal winning opening 18 is a winning opening for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls when a game ball enters.

  The first starting port 19 is provided below the center of the decorative frame body 14, and the electric tulip 20 and the second starting port 21 are provided further below the first starting port 19. The electric tulip 20 includes a blade member that opens and closes to the left and right. If the electric tulip 20 is opened to the left and right, the game ball can easily enter the second start port 21. On the other hand, when the electric tulip 20 is not opened to the left and right, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 21. When the electric tulip 20 wins the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball passes through the through gate 16, the left and right blade members are opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times according to the game state. .

  Each of the first starting port 19 and the second starting port 21 is a winning port for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls, and a winning condition that is a condition for the big win lottery (special symbol lottery) to be performed in the gaming machine 1 The mouth. That is, when a game ball enters the start ports 19 and 21, various random numbers including a big hit random number are acquired as game data in the gaming machine 1. In the gaming machine 1, a big hit lottery is performed based on the acquired game data, and the display of the special symbol on the display device 60 is started, and the display of the decorative symbol on the image display 8 is started. The image display 8 also displays various notice effects such as the appearance of various characters as well as the decorative pattern change display.

  The special winning opening 22 and the accessory 23 are provided at the lower right of the decorative frame 14 and below the through gate 16. The accessory 23 is an accessory that opens and closes the special winning opening 22 and is normally in a state where the special winning opening 22 is closed. And if a big hit or a small win is won in the big win lottery (special symbol lottery) performed on the condition that the game ball has entered the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, a big win according to the type of the win In the mouth-opening game, the game is configured to rotate around a substantially horizontal rotation axis arranged along the lower edge of the big prize opening 22 to open the big prize opening 22.

  The display device 60 provided on the outer right side of the game board surface 10a outside the game area 13 includes an LED display unit, a 7-segment display device, and the like. The display 60 includes a normal symbol display 61 for displaying a normal symbol lottery result obtained by the game ball passing through the through gate 16, and a normal symbol hold indicator 62 for displaying the number of normal symbol lotteries held. The first special symbol display 63 that displays the lottery result of the jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) performed when the game ball enters the first starting port 19, and the number of holdings that have entered the first starting port 19 A first special symbol hold indicator 64 for displaying a game, and a second special symbol indicator 65 for displaying a lottery result of a jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) performed when a game ball enters the second starting port 21; And a second special symbol hold indicator 66 for displaying the number of held balls that have entered the second starting port 21. It should be noted that not only the display device 60 but also the image display device 8 is held at the first start port 19 and held, and the held number at the second start port 21 and held. May be displayed separately from each other.

  Here, the passage route of the game balls on the board surface of the game board 10 and the relationship between the passage route and the operation mode of the handle lever 49 will be described. The game ball launched by the player in the upper left portion of the game area 13 passes through one of the left and right routes of the decorative frame body 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the game ball passes through one of the routes F1 and F2 and goes downward in the game area 13 where various known members such as a start opening and a winning opening are provided. And rolling. Rolling the game area 13 downward through the route F1 formed on the right side of the decorative frame 14 is called “right-handed”, and the player handles the route F1 through the route F1. Operating (rotating) the lever 49 is referred to as “right-handed operation”. On the other hand, the ball game ball rolling down the game area 13 through the route F2 formed on the left side of the decorative frame body 14 is called “left-handed (non-right-handed)”, and the route F2 The operation of the handle lever 49 by the player so as to pass is referred to as “left strike operation”. That is, when a game ball that is launched with a striking force according to the operation angle of the handle lever 49 exceeds the nail 15a provided at the upper center of the game area 13, the game ball enters the area on the right side of the game area 13. And flow down through route F1. On the other hand, when the game ball does not exceed the nail 15a provided at the upper center of the game area 13, the game ball stays in the left area of the game area 13 and flows down through the route F2.

  In this embodiment, as described later, the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 is restricted within a predetermined angle range, and the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base unit 50 within the angle range. The firing mechanism such as the launching solenoid is adjusted so that the “right-handed operation” state is obtained in the state where the launching is performed. In the present embodiment, the decorative frame body 14, the nail 15, and other various members are attached to the game board 10 so that the game ball passing through the route F <b> 2 does not reach the through gate 16 or the special winning opening 22. It is placed on the board. That is, a game ball passing through the route F1 has a high possibility of reaching the through gate 16 or the big winning opening 22, and a game ball passing through the route F2 is extremely unlikely to reach the through gate 16 or the big winning opening 22. The board configuration is as follows. Therefore, in order to pass the game ball through the through gate 16 or to enter the game ball into the big winning opening 22, the player sets the right-handed operation state by rotating the handle lever 49 by the maximum angle, The sphere is operated so as to pass through the route F1.

  On the other hand, a large number of nails 15, windmills 17, and the like are arranged so that the game ball passing through the route F <b> 2 rolls toward the first start port 19. That is, a game ball passing through the route F2 may enter the first starting port 19, but a possibility that a game ball passing through the route F1 enters the first starting port 19 is extremely low. It has a simple board configuration.

  The electric tulip 20 and the second starting port 21 are provided at the lower center of the game area 13, and the blade member of the electric tulip 20 is open to the left and right when passing through either the route F1 or the route F2. For example, there is a possibility that the game ball enters the second start port 21.

  Next, the type of winning in the jackpot lottery in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, there are two types of winning hits in the jackpot lottery, “big hit” and “small hit”. In the case of “big hit”, two hits of “long win” and “short win” are further added. There is. Regardless of which of these is won, the gaming machine 1 shifts to a big prize opening game (special game state) in which the big prize opening 22 is opened. However, the number of times the grand prize opening 22 is opened and closed (number of rounds) and the opening time of the big prize opening 22 are different depending on the type of winning. In other words, there are a jackpot game in the case of winning the jackpot, and a jackpot game in the case of winning the jackpot, and the jackpot game is further the first jackpot in the case of “long win” There is a game and a second jackpot game in the case of “short win”. The second jackpot game in the case where the jackpot is won and “short win” is achieved, and the jackpot game in the case of winning the jackpot is a game having substantially the same operation. Therefore, in the big winning opening game, the first big opening opening game when “long win” in the jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) and “short win” or “small hit” There are two games, the second grand prize opening game. This will be described in more detail below.

  When “long win” is set in the case of “big hit”, in the big prize opening game, the opening time per one time that the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is relatively long (for example, 30 seconds). Etc.). In the “per-long” big prize opening game, if the set opening time per time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls (for example, nine) are counted during the opening, the big prize opening 22 is opened. The closing round is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). Therefore, in this “long win” big prize opening opening game, there is a high possibility that a game ball will enter the big prize opening 22 while the bonus 23 is opening the big prize opening 22, and for the player. A gaming state in which many prize balls can be obtained. And if “long win” is set in the case of a big win, the probability change mode in which the winning probability of the big win in the subsequent big win lottery varies as a probability higher than the normal probability as the gaming state after the big winning opening release game ( Either one of a probability variation gaming state (high probability state)) and a normal mode (normal gaming state (normal probability state)) in which the jackpot winning probability remains a normal probability is set. In addition, the game state after the big prize opening game when “long win” is set is given “time-short game” in which the variation display time of the normal symbol is shortened compared to the normal game state. At this time, in the case of a short game, the time for the electric tulip 20 to be opened becomes longer than in the case of a non-time-short game, and the game ball enters the second start port 21 more easily.

  On the other hand, if “short win” is set in the case of “big win”, in the big prize opening game, the opening time per time when the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is relatively short time. (For example, 0.1 second). And in the “short win” big winning opening game, if the set opening time per time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls (for example, nine) are counted during the opening, the big winning opening 22 is opened. The closing round is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). In this “short win” big prize opening game, the opening time for the game 23 to open the big prize opening 22 is set to a short time during which it is difficult for the game ball to enter, so the big prize opening 22 is opened. During this time, there is a low possibility that the game ball will enter the big winning opening 22, and it becomes difficult for the player to obtain many prize balls. In addition, when “short win” is set as the big win, the gaming machine 1 has a probability variation in which the winning probability of the big win in the subsequent big win lottery varies more than the normal probability as the gaming state after the big winning opening release game. Mode (probability gaming state (high probability state)), latent probability variation mode (probability gaming state (high probability state)) in which the winning probability of the jackpot in the subsequent jackpot lottery fluctuates higher than the normal probability, and jackpot Any one of the normal modes (normal gaming state (normal probability state)) in which the winning probability of the game remains the normal probability is set. In addition, when “Short win” is set, the game state after the big prize opening game is “Time-short game” in which the display time of the normal symbol is shortened compared to the normal game state, and the normal symbol change Either “non-time saving game” having a display time similar to that in the normal game state is given.

  As described above, if it is “big hit”, regardless of whether it is “long win” or “short win”, the normal mode is set and the short-time game is given, and the probability variation mode is set and the short-time is set. Any of the cases where a game is awarded can occur. In the present embodiment, the normal gaming state and the short-time gaming state are referred to as “first short-time gaming state”, and the case where the probability variation gaming state and the short-time gaming state are referred to as “second short-time gaming state”. In the present embodiment, the game state that is one of the two game states is referred to as a “time-short game state”. Here, when the gaming machine 1 shifts to the first short-time game state after the big prize opening game, the first short-time game state continues until the special symbol change display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). After the predetermined number of times of the variable display is finished, the time-saving game is finished. On the other hand, when the gaming machine 1 shifts to the second short-time game state after the big prize opening game, the second short-time game state continues until the next “big hit” is won.

  In such a short time gaming state, as described above, the opening time of the electric tulip 20 becomes long, and it becomes easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 21. When a game ball enters the second start port 21, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out and a special symbol is drawn, so that game balls frequently enter the second start port 21. In the short-time game state to be played, there is an advantage that the player can enjoy the game without reducing the number of possessions. In particular, in the second short-time gaming state, the jackpot winning probability is higher than in the first short-time gaming state, and the second short-time gaming state continues until the next jackpot winning state. You can enjoy the game without losing too much money until the next jackpot. Here, the opening of the electric tulip 20 needs to be won in the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball passes through the through gate 16, but as described above, the right-handed game ball passing through the route F1. Since it is much easier to pass through the through gate 16 than the left-handed game ball, the player must perform a right-handed operation to advance the game without reducing the number of balls in such a short game state. become.

  In addition, if “long winning” is set in the case of a big win, a big winning opening opening game is performed in which the opening time per time of the big winning opening 22 is relatively long, so the player aims at the big winning opening 22. As described above, there is a possibility that the right-handed game ball passing through the route F1 may enter the big winning opening 22 much more than the left-handed game ball. Since it is expensive, the player performs a right-handed operation in order to obtain a lot of prize balls in the big winning opening opening game in the case of long hit.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the two gaming states of the short-time gaming state and the “long winning” state, that is, the big winning opening open gaming state at the time of long winning setting are referred to as “right hit gaming state”, A gaming state that requires a right-handed operation is distinguished from other gaming states.

  Here, the difference between the probability variation mode and the latent probability variation mode will be described. When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the probability changing mode, in the probability changing mode, an effect is provided to notify that the winning probability of the jackpot in the gaming machine 1 has changed to a higher probability than the normal probability. Therefore, in the probability variation mode, the game state is such that the player can easily grasp that the winning probability in the jackpot lottery has shifted to the high probability state. In contrast, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the latent probability changing mode, the fact that the winning probability of the jackpot in the gaming machine 1 has changed to a higher probability than the normal probability in the latent probability changing mode is Not notified. For this reason, in the latent probability changing mode, the gaming state itself of the gaming machine 1 is not changed from the normal gaming state, so that the player cannot clearly grasp that the player has shifted to the latent probability changing mode. . However, in any of the probability variation mode and the latent probability variation mode, the high probability state remains unchanged, and the winning probability in the subsequent jackpot lottery is the same probability (that is, high probability).

  On the other hand, unlike the “big hit” described above, the “big hit” does not change the winning probability of the big win in the big win lottery before and after the “small hit”. Also, other game states do not change. In the big prize opening game when winning this “small win”, as in the case of “short win”, the opening time per one time that the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is relatively short ( For example, 0.1 second). Then, when the set opening time per time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls (for example, 9) are counted during the opening, the round for closing the big winning opening 22 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). It is. Accordingly, even in the “small hit” big opening opening game, as in the case of “short win”, the opening time of the big winning opening 22 is set to a short time during which it is difficult for the game ball to enter. There is a low possibility that a game ball will enter the big prize opening 22 while the player 22 is open, and it is difficult for the player to obtain many prize balls. Since the operation of opening / closing the special winning opening 22 by the accessory 23 is almost the same in the case of “small win” and “short win”, the player opens / closes the large winning opening 22 by the accessory 23. Therefore, it is difficult to discriminate which one is hit.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment performs the big hit lottery on condition that the game balls have entered the start openings 19 and 21 provided in the game board 10 and, in the case of winning, according to the type of the win. The large winning opening 22 provided in the game board 10 is opened.

  For example, when the lottery result in the jackpot lottery is “hits” of “hits”, the variation display of the decorative symbols performed on the image display 8 is stopped in a state where the decorative symbols of two columns out of the three columns are aligned. And move to reach production. In the reach production in this case, after the moving image display for reach production is performed for a predetermined time, the last three rows of decorative symbols are stopped with the other two rows of symbols aligned, and all three rows are displayed. It will be in the state where the decorative design of. Normally, the player knows that he has won the jackpot only after this state. Then, the gaming machine 1 shifts to a big prize opening opening game corresponding to “long win” of “big hit”. When the lottery result in the big hit lottery is “short win” or “small hit”, the reach effect is not always performed. Further, even when the lottery result in the jackpot lottery is “losing”, a reach effect may be performed.

  Next, the details of the operation handle 4 operated by the player will be described. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the operation handle 4, and some parts provided on the inner side are indicated by broken lines. The operation handle 4 is in a state where the front side is covered with a lid 40, a handle cover 41, and a handle lever 49. The handle lever 49 can be rotated clockwise with respect to the handle cover 41. On the left side of the operation handle 4 is provided a firing stop button 51 that is operated to stop the firing of the game ball while the player is rotating the handle lever 49.

  Inside the handle cover 41 and the handle lever 49, as shown in FIG. 3, a fire stop switch 52 that operates in conjunction with the fire stop button 51 and a touch of the player on the handle lever 49 are detected. A touch sensor 53 and an operation angle sensor 54 for detecting the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 are provided.

  The handle lever 49 is, for example, chrome-plated on the entire front and back surfaces to ensure conductivity. The touch sensor 53 is, for example, a capacitance type sensor, and is connected to the back side of the handle lever 49 via a lead wire. When the player touches the handle lever 49, the player himself acts as a ground and the capacitance changes, so the touch sensor 53 detects it.

  The firing stop switch 52 is configured to perform an on / off switching operation in conjunction with the operation of the firing stop button 51. When the handle lever 49 is in the initial position or when the firing stop button 51 is on, the firing stop switch 52 is turned on and outputs a firing stop signal, and when the handle lever 49 is not in the initial position or when the firing stop button is on. When 51 is off, it is off.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing an operation mechanism of the handle lever 49 and the operation angle sensor 54. The handle lever 49 includes a rotation shaft 49a inside the operation handle 4, and a first gear 49b is provided at a predetermined position around the rotation shaft 49a. The operation angle sensor 54 is composed of, for example, a rotary volume sensor, and is provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 49a. The operation angle sensor 54 is provided with a second gear 54 b, which meshes with a first gear 49 b provided on the rotation shaft 49 a of the handle lever 49. Therefore, when the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation angle sensor 54 rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft 49a of the handle lever 49, and the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 is adjusted. Detect. The hitting force of the game ball launched on the game board 10 is adjusted based on the rotation angle detected by the operation angle sensor 54. Note that the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 is restricted within a predetermined angle range, and the player can rotate the handle lever 49 within the predetermined angle range.

  A return spring 49 c is attached to the rotation shaft 49 a of the handle lever 49. The return spring 49c is a biasing means that biases the handle lever 49 toward the original initial position. Further, a return spring 54 c is also attached to the operation angle sensor 54. The return spring 54c biases the operation angle sensor 54 toward the original initial position. Therefore, when the player releases his / her hand to operate the handle lever 49, the handle lever 49 and the operation angle sensor 54 are each arbitrarily moved by the urging force of the return springs 49c and 54c as shown in FIG. Return from the rotation position to the original initial position.

  As described above, the operation handle 4 is provided with the firing stop switch 52, the touch sensor 53, and the operation angle sensor 54. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the launch stop signal is not output from the launch stop switch 52, it is detected by the touch sensor 53 that the player is touching the handle lever 49, and the operation is stopped. If the angle sensor 54 detects a rotation angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, the game ball can be launched, and the game ball is continuously launched at a predetermined time interval with a hitting force according to the operation angle of the handle lever 49. It comes to be.

  In addition, the operation handle 4 emits light under a predetermined condition in order to perform a special effect (a jackpot finalizing effect) for causing the player to expect a big hit in the middle of each effect such as a reach effect. And a holding means for holding the handle lever 49 in a right-handed state in which the handle lever 49 is rotated at the maximum angle.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the handle lamp 59 of the operation handle 4 and the holding means of the handle lever 49 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the firing stop switch 52, the touch sensor 53, and the operation angle sensor 54 described above are not shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation handle 4 includes a base portion 50 that rotatably supports a handle lever 49. The base portion 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape whose front side is enlarged in diameter, and is attached in a state of being inserted into the frame member 3. Screw members 75 a, 75 b and 75 c for fixing the fixing plate 70 to the base portion 50 are attached to the base portion 50, and 3 corresponding to these three screw members provided on the fixing plate 70. Each of the three screw members is screwed into each of the two screw holes, whereby the fixing plate 70 is fixed to the base portion 50. The handle lever 49 is attached in a state where it abuts against the enlarged diameter part of the base part 50, and can rotate relative to the base part 50 about the same axis as the axis of the base part 50. It is said that. The handle lever 49 has a substantially cylindrical holding rod (second holding member) 71 provided on the fixed plate 70 when the handle lever 49 is rotated by a substantially maximum angle. A first locking member 73 is provided.

  The fixed plate 70 has a substantially annular shape when viewed from the front, with a circular hole through which the drive shaft 47a of the handle motor 47 is inserted, and is a concentric circle of the fixed plate 70 and has a predetermined radius. A guide long hole 70b is formed on the circular arc. The guide elongated hole 70b is arranged in such a manner that the sandwiching rod 73 penetrates, and when the handle lever 49 is rotated, the sandwiching rod 73 moves along the direction in which the guide elongated hole 70b is formed. Has been. The length of the guide slot 70b defines the operating angle range of the handle lever 49. For example, when the handle lever 49 is in the initial position, the holding rod 73 is positioned at one end of the guide slot 70b. When 49 rotates to a substantially maximum angle, the clamping rod 73 comes to be positioned at the other end of the guide long hole 70b. Further, on the surface of the fixed plate 70 on the player side, in the vicinity of the other end of the guide long hole 70b to which the holding rod 73 reaches when the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle, the holding arm 71 is fixed to the fixed plate 70. A fixing portion 70a for installation on the surface of 70 is provided. A base end portion of the holding arm 71 is attached to the fixing portion 70a. Then, with the clamping arm 71 attached to the fixing portion 70a, the screw member 72 is screwed to the fixing portion 70a, thereby fixing the proximal end portion of the clamping arm 71 to the fixing portion 70a.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the clamping arm 71. The sandwiching arm 71 is made of, for example, an elastically deformable metal thin plate or the like, and by bending the substantially center of the rectangular thin plate, the base end portion serving as the folded portion is processed into a substantially circular shape. A pair of arms having substantially the same length are formed so as to extend in the same direction from the base end portion. In the pair of arms of the sandwiching arm 71, a narrowed portion 71a, a holding portion 71b, an arm portion 71c, and a mounting portion 71d are formed at substantially the same position in order from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion. The sandwiching arm 71 is not limited to the above example, and may be configured by combining a plurality of elastically deformable members.

  The narrowed portion 71a is a portion where the pair of arms approach each other and the arm interval is narrowed. The arm spacing in the narrowed portion 71a is smaller than the diameter of the sandwiching rod 73. If the sandwiching arm 71 is not elastically deformed, the sandwiching rod 73 cannot pass, and if the sandwiching arm 71 is elastically deformed to some extent. The intervals are such that the pin 73 can pass through. The holding portion 71b is a portion in which the pair of arms are separated from each other and the arm interval is widened, and forms a space in which the outer peripheral surface of the holding rod 73 is inscribed while the holding arm 71 is not elastically deformed. . The arm portion 71c is a flat plate portion extending from the base end portion and parallel to each other. The inner diameter of the mounting portion 71d is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the fixing portion 70a of the fixing plate 70, and is configured to be fitted and attached to the outside of the fixing portion 70a.

  Note that the shapes of the sandwiching arm 71 and the sandwiching rod 73 are not limited to those described above. For example, the mounting portion 71d of the sandwiching arm 71 may have a substantially square shape. Further, the sandwiching rod 73 may have a polygonal column shape.

  Returning again to FIG. The screw member 72 is a screw for fixing the holding arm 71 in order to prevent the holding arm 71 from falling off the fixing portion 70a. The diameter of the head portion of the screw member 72 is slightly larger than the diameter of the mounting portion 71d. In a state where the mounting portion 71d is simply mounted on the fixing portion 70a, the sandwiching arm 71 can also move in the vertical direction of the fixing plate 70, but this screw member 72 is mounted on the mounting portion 71d. By screwing into the fixing portion 70a, the movement of the holding arm 71 is limited in a direction parallel to the fixing plate 70, and the holding arm 71 moves in the vertical direction of the fixing plate 70 and is detached from the fixing portion 70a. To prevent that.

  The handle cover 41 is attached in a state of being inserted inside the handle lever 49, and covers the front side of the operation handle 4 to provide a space for accommodating the handle lamp 59 and the holding means for the handle lever 49 together with the handle lever 49. Form. In this space, a holding rod 73, a screw member 72, a holding arm 71, a fixing plate 70, a handle motor 47, a white LED board 46, a support member 45, a high-intensity LED board 44, a fixed reflector 43, and a rotating reflector 42 are provided. Is provided.

  The handle motor 47 is pressed against the surface of the fixed plate 70 on the side of the base portion 50 so that the drive shaft 47a is inserted through the central hole of the fixed plate 70, and a fixing cover (not shown) is covered from above. The fixing cover is fixed to the fixing plate 70 by fixing the fixing cover to the fixing plate 70. Further, the handle motor 47 rotates a drive shaft (rotary shaft) 47 a extending in the front side (forward direction) by rotating around the same axis as the axis of the base unit 50. When the handle motor 47 is driven to rotate, some vibration is generated inside the operation handle 4.

  The white LED board 46 has a hollow disk shape (donut shape) that avoids the drive shaft 47 a of the handle motor 47. On the white LED substrate 46, a plurality of LEDs 46a arranged at substantially equal intervals around the drive shaft 47a are mounted. The LED 46a mounted on the white LED substrate 46 emits white light, for example.

  For example, an LED 44 a that emits red light is mounted on the high-brightness LED substrate 44. The high-intensity LED board 44 is fixed to the white LED board 46 at a right angle by the support member 45 so as not to contact the drive shaft 47 a of the handle motor 47. The high-intensity LED substrate 44 passes through a hole provided in the center of the fixed reflector 43 so that the LED 44a is positioned closer to the handle cover 41 than the white LED substrate 46, and extends from the fixed reflector 43 to the inside of the handle cover 41. Is supported in a protruding state. The LED 44a always emits light in a certain direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft 47a.

  The fixed reflector 43 is composed of a multi-surface reflecting member in which a plurality of reflecting surfaces are arranged radially around the drive shaft 47a, and reflects incident light toward the handle cover 41 side. In each reflecting surface, the central portion side of the fixed reflector 43 is separated from the player, and the outer peripheral portion side of the fixed reflector 43 protrudes toward the player side. The fixed reflector 43 has a plurality of holes 43a at positions corresponding to the plurality of LEDs 46a provided on the white LED board 46, and the LED 46a is more handle handle 41 than the fixed reflector 43 through the holes 43a. Emits white light while facing the side.

  The drive shaft 47a of the handle motor 47 protrudes toward the handle cover 41 via the fixed plate 70, the white LED substrate 46, the support member 45, and the fixed reflector 43, and the rotary reflector 42 is attached to the tip portion thereof. The rotary reflector 42 is coupled to the drive shaft 47a so as to be rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft 47a.

  The rotating reflector 42 has a hood-like shape that covers the LEDs 44a provided on the high-intensity LED substrate 44. The inner and outer surfaces of the rotating reflector 42 are mirror-finished so that the light emitted from the LEDs 44a is substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft 47a. An opening 42a that emits in the direction is provided. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 44a is reflected inside the rotary reflector 42 and emitted to the outside of the rotary reflector 42 through the opening 42a. When the handle motor 47 is driven to rotate and the drive shaft 47a rotates, the opening 42a of the rotary reflector 42 rotates around the drive shaft 47a, so that light emitted from the rotary reflector 42 is driven inside the handle cover 41. Rotate around 47a.

  At least a part of the handle cover 41 is a lens portion 41 a that transmits light inside the handle cover 41. Therefore, when the LED 46a provided on the white LED substrate 46 emits light, the handle cover 41 appears to emit white light. Further, when the LED 44a provided on the high-intensity LED substrate 44 emits light, and the handle motor 47 rotates the rotary reflector 42, the handle cover 41 seems to rotate, for example, red light.

  The lid 40 is formed of a member that does not transmit light inside the handle cover, and is fixed to the handle cover 41 by being inserted into the center portion of the handle cover 41. The lid 40 makes it difficult for the player to see members constituting the handle lamp 59 such as the rotary reflector 42 provided inside the handle cover 41.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment, the handle lamp 59 provided on the operation handle 4 as described above is turned on or blinked in the middle of the reach effect, for example, under predetermined conditions until the reach effect ends. The player is configured to perform a special effect (a jackpot finalizing effect) for notifying the player that the player has won a jackpot at an earlier stage than usual. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the case where the LED is adopted as the light source that emits light from the handle lamp 59 is illustrated, but the light source is not limited to the LED, and a general light bulb or the like may be adopted as the light source. .

  7 (a) and 7 (b), when the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle, the holding arm 71 holds the holding rod 73 so that the handle lever 49 is rotated at a substantially maximum angle. It is the schematic explaining the method to do. 7A and 7B both show a combination of the fixed plate 70 with the holding arm 71 and the screw member 72 attached, the handle lever 49, and the base portion 50. It is a front view at the time of seeing from a direction. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a positioning rod 74 provided on the fixing plate 70 is disposed between the pair of arms constituting the sandwiching arm 71. It is prevented from shaking in the rotation direction with the mounting portion 71d as the central axis.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which the handle lever 49 is in the initial position. In this state, the pinching rod 73 is located at the left end of the guide long hole 70b. On the other hand, the holding arm 71 holds the holding portion 71b described above at a position corresponding to the right end portion of the guide long hole 70b.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by a substantially maximum angle with respect to the base unit 50, that is, the handle lever 49 is operated to the right. Since the holding rod 73 is fixed to the handle lever 49, when the handle lever 49 rotates clockwise, the holding rod 73 moves from the left end to the right end of the guide long hole 70b. In particular, the holding rod 73 is attached so that the handle lever 49 is positioned at the right end of the guide long hole 70b in a state where the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base portion 50. The handle lever 49 is held by being held by the holding arm 71.

  FIG. 8 shows that when the handle lever 49 is rotated by the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base portion 50, the holding arm 71 is held until the handle lever 49 is held, that is, held until it is held in the right-handed operation state. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of the arm 71 and the clamping rod 73. FIG.

  FIG. 8A is a view showing the positional relationship between the holding arm 71 and the holding rod 73 in a state where the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise with respect to the base unit 50 to a position near the maximum angle. In this state, the sandwiching rod 73 is close to the vicinity of the right end of the guide long hole 70b and is in contact with the narrowed portion 71a of the pair of arms. Here, when the player further rotates the handle lever 49 clockwise with respect to the base portion 50, the holding rod 73 moves in the direction of the arrow A1, the holding arm 71 is elastically deformed, and the narrowed portion 71a is moved in the direction of the arrow A2. Pushed in the direction to expand. That is, since the force in the direction of the arrow A2 is applied to the sandwiching arm 71 by the sandwiching rod 73 that moves in the direction of the arrow A1, the sandwiching arm 71 is elastically deformed so as to expand the narrowed portion 71a.

  FIG. 8B shows the positional relationship between the holding arm 71 and the holding rod 73 when the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base portion 50 from the state shown in FIG. FIG. With further rotation, the sandwiching rod 73 increases the amount of elastic deformation of the sandwiching arm 71, expands the narrowed portion 71a to the extent that it can pass through, and tries to enter the holding portion 71b. At this time, a restoring force is generated on the sandwiching arm 71 so as to return to the shape that is not elastically deformed, that is, the shape shown in FIG. 8A, and a force in the direction of arrow A4 is applied to the sandwiching rod 73. When the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base portion 50 from this state, the pinching rod 73 moves in the direction of the arrow A3, and the constricted portion 71a moves in the direction of the arrow A4, as shown in FIG. Try to return to the indicated position.

  FIG. 8C shows a state in which the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base member from the state of FIG. 8B, and the handle lever 49 is moved with respect to the base portion 50. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the clamping arm 71 and the clamping rod 73 in the state rotated about the maximum angle clockwise. The sandwiching rod 73 enters the holding portion 71b and is held by the holding portion 71b at the right end position of the guide long hole 70b. At this time, the sandwiching arm 71 has returned from the elastically deformed state to the original state, and the constricted portion 71a has almost returned to the position shown in FIG. 8 (a), so that the constricted portion 71a is engaged with the sandwiching rod 73. And the holding rod 73 is prevented from being detached from the holding portion 71b. That is, the holding force with which the holding arm 71 holds the holding rod 73 is set to be larger than the urging force of the return spring 49c that urges the handle lever 49 toward the initial position. The clamping rod 73 is prevented from being detached from the holding portion 71b against the urging force of the return spring 49c and the like.

  Here, the holding rod 73 is fixed to the handle lever 49, and the holding arm 71 including the holding portion 71b is fixed to the base portion 50 via the fixing plate 70, so that the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle. If the holding rod 73 is held in the holding portion 71b while being engaged with the constricted portion 71a, the handle lever 49 is held in a fixed state with respect to the base portion 50 at the rotational position. Become. As described above, the positional relationship between the handle lever 49 and the base 50 corresponding to the state in which the holding rod 73 is held by the holding portion 71b, that is, the state in which the holding rod 73 is at the right end of the guide slot 70b. Since the handle lever 49 is at a position rotated about the maximum angle clockwise relative to the base unit 50, the handle lever 49 is eventually rotated about the maximum angle clockwise relative to the base unit 50, that is, It will be held in the right-handed operation state.

  In this way, the holding arm 71 is configured to engage with the holding rod 73 and hold the handle lever 49 in its rotational position only when the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle. However, there is an advantage that the holding means can be configured at low cost. It is possible to hold the handle lever 49 in a right-handed operation state in which the burden on the player's hand or arm is greatest.

  If it is desired to release the holding in the right-handed operation state, the handle lever 49 may be rotated slightly counterclockwise from the right-handed operation state. Then, the clamping rod 73 elastically deforms the clamping arm 71 to expand the narrowed portion 71a, and moves through the narrowed portion 71a in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A3 in FIG. By leaving 71b, the holding in the right-handed operation state is released.

  In addition, the release in the right-handed operation state is performed by holding the pin 73 so as to apply a force in the direction of expanding the constricted portion 71a (in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 8A) without manually rotating the handle lever 49. It is also realized by means for exercising. For example, the holding in the right-handed state can be released by vibrating the fixing plate 70 of the operation handle 4 with a motor. However, in this case, the holding force that the holding arm 71 holds the holding rod 73 is larger than the urging force of the return spring 49c that urges the handle lever 49 toward the initial position, and vibration by the motor is generated. Sometimes it is necessary to set the force to such an extent that the holding state of the pin 73 can be released.

  As described above, the return spring 49c is attached to the handle lever 49, and if the player rotates the handle lever 49 clockwise from the initial position, the urging force by the return spring 49c increases toward the initial position. This puts a burden on the player's wrist and arm. In the first embodiment, depending on the arrangement mode of various members arranged on the board surface of the game board 10, two game states (right hit game state), that is, a short-time game state and a big prize opening open game state at the time of setting a long win. However, since the spring has an elastic force proportional to the displacement, the handle lever 49 is rotated to the right by the right-handed operation, that is, approximately the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base portion 50. Holding at a different position places a heavy burden on the player's wrist and arm. Therefore, if the gaming machine 1 is provided with holding means for holding the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state as described above, even if the gaming machine 1 is in a gaming state that requires right-handed operation, the handle lever 49 is moved by the holding means. Since the player is held in the right-handed operation state, the player can perform the right-handed operation without applying force, and the burden on the player's hand and wrist when playing on the gaming machine 1 is reduced. It will be.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the gaming machine 1 attached to the back side of the gaming board 10. On the back side of the gaming board 10, a main control board 100 that controls main operations of the gaming machine 1 and a sub control board 200 that controls each part based on signals and commands output from the main control board 100 are provided. ing. The sub control board 200 includes a payout control board 120, an effect control board 130, an image control board 140, a lamp control board 150, a launch control board 160, and the like.

  The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The main control board 100 has a first start port switch 81 for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start port 19, and a second start for detecting that the game ball has entered the second start port 21. A mouth switch 82, an electric Chu solenoid 91 for opening and closing the electric tulip 20, a gate switch 92 for detecting that the game ball has passed through the through gate 16, and a normal winning port for detecting that the game ball has entered the normal winning port 18. A switch 93, a big prize opening switch 94 for detecting that a game ball has entered the big prize opening 22, a big prize opening solenoid 95 for opening and closing the accessory 23, a normal symbol display 61, a normal symbol hold display 62, A first special symbol display 63, a first special symbol hold indicator 64, a second special symbol indicator 65, and a second special symbol hold indicator 66 are connected.

  When each of the first start port switch 81, the second start port switch 82, the normal winning port switch 93, and the big winning port switch 94 detects the entry of a game ball, the main control board 100 detects whether the game ball has entered the payout control board 120. In response, a prize ball command is sent. The payout control board 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123, and is configured to control a payout motor 124 provided on the back side of the game board 10. When a prize ball command is input from the main control board 100, A predetermined number of balls are paid out in accordance with the winning entrance.

  The main control board 100 is configured to perform the above-mentioned jackpot lottery or normal symbol lottery. For example, when a game ball passes through the through gate 16, a normal symbol lottery for opening and closing the electric tulip 20 is performed, and if it is won, the electric tuo solenoid 91 is driven for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times to open the electric tulip 20. When it is detected that a game ball has entered the first starting port 19 or the second starting port 21, a big hit lottery is performed, and a special symbol variation display is started, and an effect corresponding to the lottery result is given. In order to perform this, a signal or command is sent to the effect control board 130. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1, along with the change display of the special symbol on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65, the display change of the decorative symbol is started on the image display 8, and the notice effect or Various effects such as reach effects are executed. When it is detected that the game ball has entered the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, if the special symbol is being displayed, the main control board 100 displays the change of the special symbol accompanying the entrance. Hold on. In addition, when the big winning lottery is won, the main control board 100 displays a special symbol corresponding to the winning type after displaying the variation of the special symbol, and controls each part of the sub-control board 200 according to the winning type, thereby playing the game The machine 1 is shifted to the big prize opening game corresponding to the hit type.

  The effect control board 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and a real time clock (RTC) 134, determines specific contents of effects based on signals and commands from the main control board 100, and the image control board 140. The lamp control board 150 is controlled to perform various effects. The real-time clock (RTC) 134 is a clock circuit (timer) that counts the current time in real time regardless of whether the power is turned on.

  In addition, the performance control board 130 performs a special performance that further enhances the player's expectation of jackpot by turning on or blinking the handle lamp 59 at a predetermined timing by satisfying a predetermined condition. Execute. For example, if the effect control board 130 lights or blinks the handle lamp 59 under a predetermined condition only when the decorative symbol variation display becomes “big hit”, the effect that the handle lamp 59 lights or blinks is a big hit. If the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinking while the decorative design is changing (or during the reach production), it will stop in a state where the three rows of decorative designs are aligned after the reach production, and a big hit will always occur. . Therefore, when the player starts displaying the decorative symbols on the image display 8, the player wins a big hit when the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinks until all three rows of decorative symbols are stopped. Expect to see a definitive performance.

  Further, the effect control board 130 performs a predetermined process when the gaming machine 1 is in the right-handed gaming state, and performs another predetermined process even when the gaming machine 1 is not in the right-handed gaming state. The process will be described later.

  The image control board 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, a RAM 143, and a VRAM 144, and displays a variation of the decorative symbols on the image display 8 based on an instruction from the effect control board 130 and is designated by the effect control board 130. The display image on the image display 8 is controlled such that the variable display is stopped at the selected pattern. Further, the image control board 140 performs various effects such as causing a character to appear on the image display 8 in a reach effect or a continuous effect based on the designation from the effect control board 130. The VRAM 144 is a memory for writing an image to be displayed on the image display 8. The CPU 141 executes various processes such as background image display processing, decoration symbol display processing, and character image display processing on the VRAM 144, so that a background image, decoration symbol image, character image, and the like are displayed on the image display 8. It can be displayed in a superimposed manner. Further, the image control board 140 is configured to generate a sound effect for production from the speaker 5.

  The lamp control board 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. The lamp control board 150 individually controls lighting and blinking of various lamps 97 including the handle lamp 59 described above based on instructions from the presentation control board 130. It is configured to control the accessory driving unit 98 for driving the accessory 32 and the like.

  The launch control board 160 controls a launcher (launching means) 165 composed of a motor, a solenoid and the like for launching a game ball to the game area 13 of the game board 10. The launch control board 160 is connected to the payout control board 120 and receives a permission or non-permission signal regarding the launch of the game ball from the payout control board 120. The launch control board 160 drives the launcher 165 based on the player's handle operation with respect to the operation handle 4 in a state where the launch of the game ball is permitted from the payout control board 120, and the game is performed on the game board surface 10a. Control the ball to be launched at predetermined time intervals.

  FIG. 10 shows the operation handle 4, the launch control board 160, the launch unit 165, the effect control board 130, the main control board 100, the image control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a connection relationship. As shown in FIG. 10, the main control board 100 includes a game control unit 110 that comprehensively controls the overall operation of the gaming machine 1. The effect control board 130 includes a right hit state processing unit 135 and a command processing unit 138. The right hit state processing unit 135 further includes a right hit operation state releasing unit 136 and a right hit game state notifying unit 137. I have. The launch control board 160 includes a launch control unit 161, a right strike detection unit 162, and a contact detection unit 163. The game control unit 110, the right hit detection unit 162, and the contact detection unit 163 are connected to the right hit state processing unit 135. The touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52 of the operation handle 4 described above are connected to the firing control unit 161 of the firing control board 160. The right-handed operation state release unit 136 is connected to the handle motor 47.

  If the gaming machine 1 is in one of two states, that is, a short-time gaming state or a big winning opening open gaming state at the time of setting a long hit, that is, a right-handed gaming state, A right hit game signal SG1 indicating that the gaming machine 1 is in the right hit game state is output to the processing unit 135.

  When a human body such as a player's hand is touching the handle lever 49, the touch sensor 53 outputs a signal indicating that to the launch control unit 161. The operation angle sensor 54 detects the operation angle of the handle lever 49 and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation angle to the firing control unit 161. When the firing stop switch 52 is in the ON state, a firing stop signal is output to the launch control unit 161.

  The launch control unit 161 controls the launch unit 165 based on output signals from the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the launch stop switch 52. In other words, when the firing stop signal is not received from the firing stop switch 52, it is detected by the touch sensor 53 that the player is touching the handle lever 49, and the handle angle 49 is detected by the operation angle sensor 54. In the launch operation state in which it is detected that the rotation is more than the angle, the game unit is fired by driving the launch unit 165 with a driving force according to the operation angle of the handle lever 49.

  The right-hand hit detection unit 162 detects that the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base unit 50, that is, a right-hand hit operation state. If a signal corresponding to a state in which the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base unit 50 is transmitted via the control unit 161, a right-handed operation is performed on the right-handed state processing unit 135. A right-handed operation signal SG2 indicating the state is output. The contact detection unit 163 detects that a human body such as a player is in contact with the handle lever 49, and the player detects that the player is using the handle lever 49 via the launch control unit 161 from the touch sensor 53. If a signal corresponding to the state of touching is transmitted, a contact signal SG3 indicating a touch state is output to the right-hand hit state processing unit 135.

  When the right hit game signal SG1, the right hit operation signal SG2, and the contact signal SG3 are in a predetermined input state, the right hit operation state canceling unit 136 drives the handle motor 47 to vibrate the operation handle 4, and the handle lever 49, the holding release in the right-handed operation state (hereinafter, this is referred to as the release of the right-handed operation state) is performed. That is, here, the handle motor 47 is used as release means for releasing the state in which the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state.

  If the right hit game signal SG1 and the right hit operation signal SG2 are in a predetermined input state, the right hit game state notifying unit 137 does not perform a right hit operation even though the gaming machine 1 is in the right hit game state. A command for informing the player of fact notification (hereinafter referred to as right-handed gaming state notification) is set. Based on this command, the image control board 140 or the lamp control board 150 performs a right-handed gaming state notification to the player. The notification of the right-handed gaming state may be performed by, for example, displaying on the image display 8 that the right-handing operation has not been performed even though the gaming machine 1 is in the right-handed gaming state, or displaying the frame lamp 6 in a predetermined manner. It is performed by turning off the lighting in a manner or by playing a predetermined sound from the speaker 5.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described in more detail. First, the operation in the main control board 100 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 110. The game control unit 110 repeats the process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 as a timer interrupt process at regular intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Execute. When this process is started, the game control unit 110 performs a random number update process (step S101), a first start port switch process (step S102), a second start port switch process (step S103), and a gate switch process (step S104). ), Various switch processing (step S105), prize ball processing (step S106), special symbol processing (step S107), normal symbol processing (step S108), big prize opening processing (step S109), electric tulip (electric chew) processing (Step S110), a game state determination process (Step S111), and an output process (Step S112) are sequentially executed. When these processes are completed, the initial value random number update process (Step S113) is repeatedly executed. When a certain time has elapsed and an interrupt is generated by the timer, the process after the random number update process (step S101) is executed again, and this process is repeated thereafter.

  In the random number update process (step S101), the values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers and the like stored in the RAM 103 are updated. Also, in the first start port switch process (step S102), the game control unit 110 monitors the state of the first start port switch 81, and when the first start port switch 81 is turned on, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers are generated. Execute the process for acquisition. In the second start port switch process (step S103), the game control unit 110 monitors the state of the second start port switch 82. When the second start port switch 82 is turned on, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers are generated. Execute the process for acquisition. In the gate switch process (step S104), the game control unit 110 monitors the state of the gate switch 92, and executes a process for drawing a normal symbol when the gate switch 92 is turned on. In the various switch processes (step S105), the game control unit 110 performs input processes from all other switches (for example, a normal prize opening switch, a big prize opening switch, etc.). In the winning ball process (step S106), the game control unit 110 counts the number of winnings in various winning ports, and sets a winning ball command based on the counted value. In the special symbol process (step S107), the game control unit 110 performs a special symbol change and a process associated with the symbol change. In the normal symbol processing (step S108), the game control unit 110 performs normal symbol variation and processing associated with the symbol variation. In the special prize opening process (step S109), the operation of the accessory 23 to open and close the special prize opening 22 is controlled. In the electric tulip process (step S110), the game control unit 110 controls the opening / closing operation of the electric tulip 20 based on a predetermined condition. In the game state determination process (step S111), the game control unit 110 determines the game state of the gaming machine 1, and if it is a predetermined game state, a process of generating a signal indicating the game state is performed. In the output process (step S112), the game control unit 110 outputs control commands and signals to the payout control board 120 and the effect control board 130. Commands and signals to be output to each substrate are generated in each process from steps S102 to S111 and are set in the RAM 103 in advance. In this output process, the commands and signals set in the RAM 103 are read and output. In the initial value random number update process (step S113), the game control unit 110 updates the initial values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers and the like stored in the RAM 103. For the remaining time in program execution, the initial value of various random numbers can be updated each time by repeatedly executing this initial value random number update process (step S113). Since the remaining time of the program varies each time depending on the state of the gaming machine 1, the update of the initial values of various random numbers is irregular. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to generate a jackpot illegally, the initial value of the jackpot random number is unknown, so it is not possible to know the timing at which the jackpot random number becomes the winning value of the jackpot, and thus it is possible to prevent fraud.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the first start port switch process (step S102 in FIG. 11). In this process, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port 19 and the first start port switch 81 is turned on (step S201). If the first start port switch 81 is not turned on, the first start port switch process is terminated. If the first start port switch 81 is on, it is determined whether or not the number of holdings U1 due to entering the first start port 19 is less than the upper limit value (step S202). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U1 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S202), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, and the first start port switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S202), the value of the hold number U1 is incremented by 1 (step S203). And various random numbers for the big hit lottery by having entered the 1st starting port 19 are acquired, these random number values are stored in RAM103, and the 1st starting port switch processing is ended. (Step S204). Depending on the value of the jackpot random number obtained at this time, it is determined whether the jackpot lottery accompanying the entrance to the first starting port 19 has been won as either “big jackpot” or “small jackpot” or “lost” To do. In the case of “big hit”, the type of “big hit” is determined by the value of the acquired symbol random number. Further, in the case of “losing”, whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined based on the acquired reach random number value.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the second start port switch process (step S103 in FIG. 15). In this process, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second start port 21 and the second start port switch 82 is turned on (step S301). If the second start port switch 82 is not turned on, the second start port switch process is terminated. If the second start port switch 82 is on, it is determined whether or not the number of holdings U2 due to entering the second start port is less than the upper limit value (step S302). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U2 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S302), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, so the second start port switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U2 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S302), 1 is added to the value of the hold number U2 (step S303). And various random numbers for the big hit lottery by having entered the 2nd starting opening 21 are acquired, these random numbers are stored in RAM103, and the 2nd starting opening switch processing is ended. (Step S304). Based on the value of the jackpot random number read out at this time, it is determined whether the jackpot lottery accompanying the entrance to the second starting port 21 has been selected as either “big jackpot” or “small jackpot” or “lost” To do. In the case of “hit”, the type of “hit” is determined by the value of the read design random number. In the case of “losing”, it is determined whether or not the reach effect is performed based on the read reach random number value.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the gate switch process (step S104 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the through gate 16 and the gate switch 92 is turned on (step S401). Here, if the gate switch 92 is not turned on, the gate switch process is terminated. If the gate switch 92 is on, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is less than the upper limit value (step S402). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reservations G has reached the upper limit (NO in step S402), the number of reservations cannot be increased any more, and the gate switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S402), 1 is added to the value of the reserved number G (step S403). Then, a random number for lottery of a normal symbol due to the game ball passing through the through gate 16 is read out, the random number value is stored in the RAM 103, and the gate switch process is terminated (step S404). Note that the random symbol value read at this time determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the through gate 16 is successful.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol process (step S107 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is in the big prize opening opening game after winning the “big hit” or “small win” (step S501). If the special winning opening game is in progress, a special symbol representing some “big hit” or “small bonus” has already been selected and stopped, so the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation ( YES in step S501). On the other hand, if it is not in the big prize opening opening game (NO in step S501), it is next determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying the variation of the special symbol (step S502). If the special symbol variation display is not in progress (NO in step S502), it is determined whether or not the number of holds U2 is 1 or more (step S503). If the hold number U2 is 1 or more (YES in step S503), various random numbers acquired and stored in step S304 of FIG. 13 and related to the earliest hold are read from the RAM 103, and the hold number U2 Is subtracted by 1 (step S504). Then, the storage area in the RAM 103, which is the storage area related to the suspension based on the ball entering the second starting port 21, is shifted (step S505).

  On the other hand, if the hold number U2 is 0 (NO in step S503), it is next determined whether the hold number U1 is 1 or more (step S506). Here, when the holding number U1 is 1 or more (YES in step S506), various random numbers acquired and stored in step S204 in FIG. 12 and related to the first holding are read from the RAM 103, and the holding number U1 The value of 1 is subtracted by 1 (step S507). Then, the storage area in the RAM 103 that is based on the entry to the first start port 19 is shifted (step S508).

  Further, when the holding number U1 is 0 (NO in step S506), it means that there is no entry into the first start port 19 or the second start port 21 which is a condition for the big hit lottery (special symbol lottery). Then, the process is terminated without starting the special symbol variation display.

  When various random numbers are read out in either step S504 or step S507, a big hit determination process (step S509) and a variation pattern selection process (step S510) are executed in order. Through these jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing, setting information (design, game state, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command to be output to the effect control board 130 is determined. The details of the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process will be described later.

  And the game control part 110 produces | generates the change start command containing the setting information determined by the jackpot determination process and the fluctuation pattern selection process, and sets it to RAM103 (step S511). Based on this setting information, the special symbol variation display on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65 is started (step S512). At this time, in the case of the variable display related to the suspension based on the entry to the second starting port 21, the special symbol variable display on the second special symbol display 65 is started. Further, in the case of the variable display related to the suspension based on the entry to the first starting port 19, the special symbol variable display on the first special symbol display 63 is started. Then, in order to continue the variation display of the special symbol for the variation time set by the variation pattern, measurement of the variation time is started (step S513). The change start command set in the RAM 103 in step S511 is output to the effect control board 130 in the output process (step S112) in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S502 that the special symbol is being changed (YES in step S502), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the changed time has ended (step S514). Here, it is determined whether or not the variation time at which measurement is started in step S513 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in step S510 as the special symbol variation display is started. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S514), the special symbol variation display is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has ended (YES in step S514), the game control unit 110 sets a variation stop command in the RAM 103. The variable stop command set here is output to the effect control board 130 in the output process (step S112) of FIG. Then, the variation display of the special symbol on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65 is stopped at the preset stop symbol (step S516), and the measured variation time is reset (step S517). ). Then, the stop process (step S518) is executed. The details of the stop process will be described later.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of various random numbers stored in the RAM 103. For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the jackpot random number is a random number used in the jackpot lottery and is a random number that is sequentially updated within a range of 0 to 600. When the gaming machine 1 is in a normal probability state, if the value of the jackpot random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is “7” or “317”, it is a jackpot, and the probability of winning the jackpot is 2/601. On the other hand, when the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability state, 20 random numbers are set to a value indicating a jackpot, and the value of the jackpot random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is the value of the 20 random numbers. Any one of them is a jackpot, and the probability of winning the jackpot is 20/601. In both the normal probability state and the high probability state, the two random numbers “50” and “100” are set to values indicating a small hit, and the jackpot random number acquired by the game control unit 110 When the value of “50” or “100” is, it is a small hit. Note that the probability of winning a small hit in the big win lottery is 2/601.

  When the big hit random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is a value indicating a big hit when a game ball enters the first start opening 19 or the second start opening 21, the type of the big hit is determined by the design random number. Is done. In this embodiment, depending on whether the game data is acquired by the game control unit 110 by entering the first starting port 19 or by entering the second starting port 21, the design random number is calculated. The table to be referred to when judging is different.

  FIG. 16 (b-1) shows the determination of the symbol random number at the time of jackpot by entering the first start port 19. The design random number is a random number that is sequentially updated within a range of 0 to 250, for example. When winning the jackpot by entering the first starting port 19, if the value of the symbol random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is 0 to 150, “long hit” is obtained. More specifically, if the value of the design random number is 0 to 100, “per length with a high probability shortening”, and 101 to 150 means “per length with a normal probability shortening”. On the other hand, if the value of the symbol random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is between 151 and 250, “short hit” is obtained. More specifically, if the value of the design random number is 151 to 175, “short per short with high probability” is set, and if it is 176 to 200, “short per short with normal probability”, and if 201 to 225, “high probability”. "Short hit without short time" and "226-250" will be "Short hit without normal time short". In this way, according to the value of the design random number acquired by the game control unit 110, the hit type in the case of the big win is determined as either “long win” or “short win”, and in the big win lottery after the big hit game One of the high probability state and the normal probability state is given as the winning probability. Furthermore, either a time-saving game or a non-time-saving game is given as a gaming state after the jackpot game.

  For example, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the value of the design random number is 0 to 100 or 151 to 175, the gaming state after the big prize opening game is in the probability change mode. Further, when the value of the design random number is 201 to 225, the gaming state after the big winning opening release game in the gaming machine 1 becomes the latent probability changing mode.

  FIG. 16 (b-2) shows the determination of the symbol random number at the time of jackpot by entering the second starting port 21. When winning the jackpot by entering the second starting port 21, if the value of the symbol random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is between 0 and 150, it becomes “per length with high probability time-shortening”. On the other hand, if the value of the symbol random number acquired by the game control unit 110 is any one of 151 to 250, the “per length with normal probability shortening” is obtained. That is, in this example, it is set to be “long win” whenever a big win is won by entering the second starting port 21.

  FIG. 16B-3 shows the determination of the symbol random number at the time of small hit. When a big win is won in the big win lottery, it is determined whether it is “small hit 1” or “small hit 2” based on the value of the design random number acquired by the game control unit 110. However, the difference between “small hit 1” and “small hit 2” is only the special symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, the reach random number is a random number for determining whether or not a reach effect is performed as an effect display, and is a random number that is sequentially updated within a range of 0 to 250. If the value of the reach random number acquired by the game control unit 110 when the game ball enters the first start port 19 or the second start port 21 is one of 0 to 24, Even in such a case, the reach effect is performed in the gaming machine 1. If the reach random number is between 25 and 250, the reach display is not performed without the reach effect. On the other hand, when a big win is won in the jackpot lottery, the reach performance is always performed, so the value of the reach random number is ignored. In the present embodiment, the reach random number value is ignored even when a small win is won. Therefore, this reach random number is a random number that is referenced when the jackpot random number is lost.

  Of the jackpot types shown in FIG. 16 (b-1) and FIG. 16 (b-2), in this embodiment, the game state during the big winning opening release game is the right hit game state. It includes “long per”, and in FIG. 16 (b-1), (1) per length with high probability, and (2) per length with normal probability, and in FIG. 16 (b-2) There are four totals: (3) per length with high probability and (4) per length with normal probability. In addition, when the game state after the big prize opening opening game becomes the right-handed game state, “time-short game” is given, and (1) in FIG. Four (2) per length with normal probability, (3) per short with high probability, (4) per short with normal probability, and (5) high probability with length in FIG. 16B-2. There are 6 hits in total, (6) per normal probability shortened length.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the jackpot determination process (step S509 in FIG. 15). In this process, a jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) based on various random numbers read from the RAM 103 is performed. When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state (step S531). If the gaming state is a high probability state, the table is determined as a table for determining a jackpot random number. A probability random number determination table is selected (step S532). That is, in this case, the table in the high probability state (probability game state) is selected from the tables shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is not a high probability state, a random number determination table at the normal probability is selected (step S533). That is, in this case, the table in the normal probability state (normal game state) is selected from the tables shown in FIG.

  The game control unit 110 determines the jackpot random number read from the RAM 103 based on the selected table (step S534), and determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S535). If the jackpot is won (YES in step S535), the design random number is subsequently determined (step S536). When determining the design random number, when the design random number to be determined is a random number related to the hold based on the entrance to the first start port 19 and the random number related to the hold based on the entrance to the second start port 21 The table to be referenced is different in the case of. That is, when determining the design random number related to the hold based on the entrance to the first start opening 19, the determination table shown in FIG. 16 (b-1) is referred to and the entry to the second start opening 21 is made. When determining the symbol random number related to the hold based on the reference, the determination table shown in FIG. As a result, it is determined whether the type of jackpot is “long win” or “short win”, and the game state after the big prize opening game is “high probability state” and “normal probability state” Either one of “time-short game” and “non-time-short game” is determined. When the type of jackpot and the subsequent game state are determined, the game control unit 110 sets a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol variation display (step S537).

  On the other hand, if the jackpot is not won (NO in step S535), it is determined whether or not the jackpot is won (step S538). If the bonus is won (YES in step S538), the design random number is subsequently determined (step S539), and a special symbol corresponding to the bonus is set as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol change display. (Step S540). If the winning combination is not won (NO in step S538), a lost symbol corresponding to the lost symbol is set as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol change display (step S541).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the variation pattern selection process (step S510 in FIG. 15). In this process, the variation pattern for various effects including the variation display of the decorative design on the image display 8 is determined. For this purpose, the game control unit 110 first acquires a random number (not shown) for determining the variation pattern and stores it in the RAM 103 (step S561). Next, the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S562). In this determination, determination similar to step S535 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 17) may be performed, or determination may be made by referring to the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 17). If it is a big hit (YES in step S562), it is determined whether or not the big hit type is a long hit (step S563). If it is a long hit (YES in step S563), the game control unit 110 reads a long variation pattern table from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S564). If it is not long hit (NO in step S563), a short hit variation pattern table is read from the ROM 102 and set in the RAM 103 (step S565).

  On the other hand, if it is not a big win (NO in step S562), it is further determined whether or not a small win is won (step S566). If it is a small hit (YES in step S566), the game control unit 110 reads the variation pattern table for small hits from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S567). If it is not a small hit (NO in step S566), the game control unit 110 determines a reach random number for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a big hit (step S568). ). Whether or not a reach effect is to be performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value read from the RAM 103 matches a preset value (see FIG. 16C). As a result of reach random number determination, when a reach effect is performed (YES in step S569), the game control unit 110 reads a variation pattern table for reach effect from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S570). When the reach effect is not performed (NO in step S569), the game control unit 110 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S571). Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Then, the game control unit 110 determines a variation pattern random number using the variation pattern table set in step S564, S565, S567, S570 or S571 (step S572). Here, referring to the variation pattern table set in the RAM 103, a variation pattern corresponding to the value of the variation pattern random number acquired in step S561 is selected. Therefore, even if the value of the random number of the variation pattern is the same value, whether or not you won the jackpot, if you win the jackpot, whether it is a long win, whether you won the jackpot, whether the jackpot or small If the winning pattern is not won, the variation pattern table to be referenced differs depending on the state difference such as whether or not the reach effect is performed, and therefore the determined variation pattern may be different. After that, the game control unit 110 sets the variation pattern selected in step S572 as setting information in the RAM 103 (step S573). Note that the setting information of the variation pattern set here is included in the variation start command set in step S511 of the special symbol process (FIG. 15).

  Next, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the stop process (step S518 in FIG. 15). In this process, after the special symbol variation display is stopped, the game state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the jackpot game or the jackpot game according to the result of the jackpot lottery. Also, a process for returning the short-time game to the normal game state (non-short-time game) is performed. When the stop process starts, the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S581). If it is a big hit (YES in step S581), a gaming state corresponding to the type of the big win is set (step S582). At this time, one of “Long win” and “Short win” is set as the big prize opening game, and the game state after the big prize opening game is finished (for example, a high probability state and a normal probability state) Either one of them, or one with or without short-time game) is also set. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a short-time game (step S583), and if the short-time game is set, 100 is set in the short-time fluctuation count J for counting the number of times the special symbol is changed by the short-time game (step S584). However, this processing is performed in the case of “per length with a normal probability” or “short per length with a normal probability”. In this case, since the short-time game continues until the next jackpot is won, skip without setting the number of time fluctuations. In this example, the number of short-time fluctuations is set to 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. Also, when the time-short game is not set, the time-variation number of times is not set and the skip is performed.

  Then, the game control unit 110 sets a jackpot start command in the RAM 103 (step S585), and starts the jackpot operation control (step S586). Thereby, the gaming machine 1 becomes a big hit and shifts to a big prize opening opening game, and after a predetermined opening is performed, the winning combination 23 is set in the RAM 103 based on the opening pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot. The special winning opening 22 is opened and closed by a predetermined number of rounds.

  On the other hand, if it is not a big win (NO in step S581), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not a win is won (step S587). If it is a small hit (YES in step S587), a small hit start command is set in the RAM 103 (step S588), and the small hit operation control is started (step S589). As a result, the gaming machine 1 becomes a small hit, moves to the big prize opening opening game, and after a predetermined opening is performed, the accessory 23 is based on the opening pattern corresponding to the small hit set in the RAM 103. The special winning opening 22 is opened and closed by a predetermined number of rounds.

  If it is not a small hit (NO in step S587), the game control unit 110 checks whether or not the short-time variation count J is 0 (step S590). If the number of short-time fluctuations J is 0 (YES in step S590), the in-stop process is terminated. If the time variation number J is not 0 (NO in step S590), the game control unit 110 decrements the value of the time variation number J by 1 (step S591) and checks again whether the time variation number J is 0 (step S591). S592). If the short-time variation count J is not 0 (NO in step S592), the short-time game continues, and thus the in-stop process is terminated. Also, if the time variation number J is 0 (YES in step S592), the time-short game is completed, so that the game control unit 110 changes the normal game state to the RAM 103 in order to shift the gaming machine 1 to the normal game (non-time-short game). (Step S593).

  Next, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the normal symbol processing (step S108 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S601). In the auxiliary game means that the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric tulip 20 is being opened. If the auxiliary game is in progress (YES in step S601), the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation. If it is not in an auxiliary game (NO in step S601), it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying a normal symbol variation (step S602). If the normal symbol is not variably displayed (NO in step S602), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is 1 or more (step S603). If the number of holds G is 0 (NO in step S603), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, so the normal symbol processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation display. To do.

  On the other hand, if the holding number G is 1 or more (YES in step S603), the game control unit 110 subtracts 1 from the value of the holding number G (step S604), and determines the random number in the current normal symbol lottery. It is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step S605). This determination is made by determining whether or not the value of the random number acquired in step S404 of the gate switch process (FIG. 14) matches a preset winning value. When the normal symbol lottery is won (YES in step S605), the game control unit 110 sets a symbol (winning symbol) indicating that it is won in the RAM 103 (step S606). If the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S605), the game control unit 110 sets a symbol (losing symbol) indicating that the normal symbol lottery is lost in the RAM 103 (step S607).

  Then, the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a normal gaming state (step S608). In this determination, if the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the probability change mode or the short-time game, NO is determined, and if the game state is the latent probability changing mode or the normal mode, YES is determined. That is, in the latent probability changing mode, the winning probability of jackpot is high, but the other gaming states are the same as the normal mode. Therefore, here, the latent probability changing mode is determined as the normal gaming state as in the normal mode. If the normal gaming state is determined (YES in step S608), the normal symbol variation time is set to a long time (29 seconds in the example) (step S609). If it is determined that the game state is not in the normal game state (NO in step S608), the normal symbol change time is set to a short time (3 seconds in the example shown) (step S610). And the game control part 110 starts the fluctuation | variation display of the normal symbol display 61 based on the content set by step S606 or S607 (step S611), and the fluctuation | variation display of a normal symbol is carried out only for the time set by step S609 or S610. In order to perform the measurement, the measurement of the variation time is started (step S612).

  If the normal symbol change display is being performed (YES in step S602), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the normal symbol change time has ended (step S613). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation time started in step S612 has reached the variation time set in step S609 or S610. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S613), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is. If the variation time has ended (YES in step S613), the game control unit 110 stops the variation display of the normal symbol and displays the symbol set in step S606 or S607 (step S614). Thereafter, the measured variation time is reset (step S615). Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (step S616), and if it has been won (YES in step S616), operation control of auxiliary games such as opening the electric tulip 20 is started (step S617). . As a result, the gaming state is in the auxiliary game. On the other hand, if the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S616), the normal symbol process is terminated while the current state of the gaming machine 1 is maintained.

  Next, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are flowcharts showing details of the special prize opening process (step S109 in FIG. 11). In this process, the big winning opening opening game in the case of a big win or a small win is controlled. The game control unit 110 determines whether the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a big hit or a small hit (step S701). If it is not a big hit or a small hit (NO in step S701), the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 22 is not performed, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the big hit or the small hit is being made (YES in step S701), the game control unit 110 performs the operation control at the big hit or the small hit when the gaming machine 1 is started in the stop process (FIG. 19). It is determined whether or not the opening operation is in progress (step S702).

  When the gaming machine 1 is opening (YES in step S702), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not a preset time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed (step S703). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S703), the opening operation is continued, and the big prize opening process is terminated. If the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S703), the game control unit 110 adds 1 to the current value of the round number R that opens the special winning opening 22 (step S704). Then, the accessory 23 is driven to open the special winning opening 22 (step S705). Note that the opening pattern of the special winning opening 22 is set in the RAM 103 in advance according to the winning type.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 22 by the accessory 23 has passed the time (opening time) preset by the opening pattern set in the RAM 103 (step S706). When the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S706), the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the winning number C to the opened big winning opening 22 is 9 or more (step S707). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than 9 (NO in step S707), the state of opening the big prize opening 22 is continued, and the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the opening time of the big prize opening 22 by the accessory 23 has passed a preset time (YES in step S706), or when the number of winning C has reached nine (YES in step S707), The game control unit 110 drives the accessory 23 to close the special winning opening 22 (step S708).

  Next, the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the number of rounds R for opening the special winning opening 22 has reached a preset maximum value (step S709). In the present embodiment, the maximum number of rounds R is set to 15 rounds. If the maximum value has not been reached (NO in step S709), since the operation control at the time of the big hit is continued, the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the number of rounds R reaches the maximum value (YES in step S709), the game control unit 110 resets the number of rounds R to 0 (step S710), and in the action control at the time of big hit or small hit An ending operation is started (step S711).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time for ending operation (ending time) has elapsed (step S712). If the ending time has not elapsed (NO in step S712), the ending operation is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated. In addition, when the ending time has elapsed (YES in step S712), the game control unit 110 ends the jackpot operation control or the jackpot operation control in order to end the jackpot opening game associated with the jackpot or the jackpot. The big prize opening process is terminated (step S713).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S702 that the gaming machine 1 is not opening (NO in step S702), the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 22, and the game control unit 110 determines whether or not the big prize opening 22 is open. Is determined (step S721). If it is open (YES in step S721), the processing from step S706 described above is executed. If not open (NO in step S721), it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 1 is ending (step S722). If the process is ending (YES in step S722), the processes in and after step S712 are executed. If the ending is not in progress (NO in step S722), whether or not the elapsed time after the accessory 23 has closed the special winning opening 22 has passed the opening round execution interval (interval time) set in advance by the opening pattern. Is determined (step S723). If the interval time has not elapsed (NO in step S723), it is not yet time to execute the next round, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the interval time has elapsed (YES in step S723), the processing after step S704 described above is executed to perform the next round and open the special winning opening 22.

  With the above-described big winning opening process, a total of fifteen rounds in which the accessory 23 opens the big winning opening 22 in the big winning opening releasing game in which the big win or the small win is started in the gaming machine 1 is performed.

  Next, FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip process (step S110 (electric chew process) in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S801). If the auxiliary game is not being performed (NO in step S801), the electric tulip 20 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated. On the other hand, when the auxiliary game is being performed (YES in step S801), it is determined whether or not the opening operation is being performed in the operation control during the auxiliary game (step S802). If the gaming machine 1 is opening (YES in step S802), it is determined whether or not a preset time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed (step S803). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S803), the opening operation is continued, and the electric tulip process is terminated. In contrast, if the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S803), it is determined whether or not the current operating state of the gaming machine 1 is a normal gaming state (step S804). The determination here is the same as in step S608 of the normal symbol processing (FIG. 20). If the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the probability variation mode or the short time mode, NO is determined. Become. If it is determined that the game state is normal (YES in step S804), the game control unit 110 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 20 to a short time (0.2 seconds in the example shown) (step S805). If it is determined that the game state is not the normal game state (NO in step S804), the game control unit 110 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 20 to a long time (3.5 seconds in the example shown) (step S806). And game control part 110 opens electric tulip 20 (Step S807), and starts measurement of the elapsed time after opening (Step S808). Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time set in step S805 or S806 has passed (step S809). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S809), since the opening of the electric tulip 20 is continued, the electric tulip process is terminated. If the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S809), the game control unit 110 closes the electric tulip 20 (step S810), ends the operation control during the auxiliary game, and ends the electric tulip process (step S811). ).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the game state determination process (step S111 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a long hit (step S901). Here, “long hitting” means that the gaming machine 1 is in the big prize opening open gaming state when the long hitting is set. If long hit is being made (YES in step S901), since the current state of the gaming machine 1 is the right hit game state, the right hit game signal SG1 is set (step S902). On the other hand, if it is not long hit (NO in step S901), it is next determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a time-short game (step S903). The term “short-time gaming” here means that the gaming machine 1 is in the short-time gaming state (one of the first short-time gaming state and the second short-time gaming state). If the time-short game is in progress (YES in step S903), since the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the right-handed gaming state, the right-handed gaming signal SG1 is set (step S902). On the other hand, if it is not in the short-time game (NO in step S903), the game state determination process is terminated without setting the right hit game signal SG1.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the output process (step S112 in FIG. 11). In this process, various data and commands are output from the main control board 100 to the sub control board 200. First, if the variation start command is set, the game control unit 110 transmits the command to the effect control board 130 to start the variation display of the decorative symbol on the image display 8 and various types of variations associated with the special symbol variation display. The start of the production operation is instructed (step S1001). If the change start command is not set, the transmission process in step S1001 is not performed. Next, if a change stop command is set, an instruction is sent to the effect control board 130 to stop the change display of the decorative symbols on the image display 8 and to inform the player of the result of the big hit lottery. This is performed (step S1002). If the change stop command is not set, the transmission process in step S1002 is not performed. Next, if the jackpot start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the start of the effect operation in the big prize opening game at the time of the jackpot is instructed (step S1003). If the jackpot start command is not set, the transmission process in step S1003 is not performed. Next, if the jackpot end command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the effect operation of the big prize opening game at the time of the jackpot is ended (step S1004). If the jackpot end command is not set, the transmission process in step S1004 is not performed. Next, if the small hit start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the start of the effect operation in the big prize opening game at the small hit is instructed (step S1005). If the small hit start command is not set, the transmission process in step S1005 is not performed. Next, if the small hit end command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the large winning opening release game effect operation at the time of the small hit is ended (step S1006). If the small hit end command is not set, the transmission process in step S1006 is not performed. Next, if the right hit game signal SG1 is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130 (step S1007). If the right hit game signal SG1 is not set, the transmission process in step S1007 is not performed. Finally, if other various commands are set, each part is controlled by transmitting it to the effect control board 130 and the payout control board 120 (step S1008). At this time, a prize ball command associated with the game balls entering into various winning holes is transmitted to the payout control board 120. Thus, the output process ends.

  As described above, when the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment wins “long win” in the jackpot lottery, the winning game opening game is a right-handed hitting game route on the route F1 formed on the right side of the game board surface. Since the game state is entered, the right hit game signal SG1 is output from the main control board 100 to the effect control board 130. In addition, when the gaming machine 1 shifts to the short-time game after the big prize opening game, the short-time game is in a right-handed game state in which a game ball is launched on the route F1 formed on the right side of the game board surface. A right hit game signal SG1 is output from the control board 100 to the effect control board 130.

  Next, an example of detailed operation in the effect control board 130 will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing main operations performed by the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 in the first embodiment. For example, the CPU 131 repeatedly executes processing based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 26 at regular intervals. When this process is started, the CPU 131 determines whether any command is received from the game control unit 110 provided in the main control board 100 (step S1101). If any command is received from the game control unit 110 (YES in step S1101), the CPU 131 functions as the command processing unit 138, executes a command reception process (step S1102), and proceeds to step S1103. On the other hand, if no command is received from the game control unit 110 (NO in step S1101), the command reception process is skipped and the process proceeds to step S1103. Next, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the right hit game signal SG1 has been received from the game control unit 110 (step S1103). When the right hit game signal SG1 has not been received (NO in step S1103), the CPU 131 functions as the right hit operation state release unit 136 and executes a right hit operation state release process (step S1104). On the other hand, when the right hit game signal SG1 is received from the game control unit 110 (YES in step S1103), the CPU 131 functions as the right hit game state notifying unit 137 and executes the right hit game state notifying process (step S1105). To do. Thus, the main operation in the effect control board 130 is completed.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the right-handed operation state release processing (step S1104 in FIG. 26). When the right hit operation state canceling unit 136 has not received the right hit game signal SG1 from the game control unit 110, the right hit operation state canceling unit 136 determines whether or not the right hit operation signal SG2 has been received from the right hit detection unit 162 (step S1141). ). If the right strike operation signal SG2 has been received (YES in step S1141), it is next determined whether or not the contact signal SG3 has been received from the contact detection unit 163 (step S1142). If the contact signal SG3 has not been received (NO in step S1142), the value of the right-handed operation state release count M is incremented by 1 (step S1143), and then the right-handed operation state release count M is preset. It is determined whether or not the maximum value Mmax has been reached (step S1144). If the right-handed operation state release count M has reached the maximum value Mmax (YES in step S1144), the right-handed operation state is released (step S1145), and the right-handed operation state release process is completed. . If the right-handed operation state release count M has not reached the maximum value Mmax (NO in step S1144), the right-handed operation state release processing is terminated without releasing the right-handed operation state.

  Steps S1141 to S1145 are performed when the handle lever 49 is rotated to a substantially maximum angular rotation position when the game is not in the right-handed game state and the player is not operating the handle lever 49. It is repeatedly executed a plurality of times until the operation state release count M reaches the maximum value Mmax, and when the right-handed operation state release count M reaches the maximum value Mmax, the right-handed operation state release processing is executed. For this reason, even when the handle lever 49 is not rotated to the right and the handle lever 49 has been rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position, and the player has not operated the handle lever 49, the player can immediately perform a right stroke operation. The state release process is not executed, but the right-handed operation state release process is executed when the state continues for a predetermined time.

  Here, in the right-handed operation state release process, as described above, the effect control board 130 drives the handle motor 47 for a certain period of time, so that the holding arm 71 or the holding bar holding the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state. 73 is a process of releasing the holding state of the handle lever 49 by applying vibration to 73 and releasing the holding rod 73 from the holding portion 71b of the holding arm 71 by the vibration force. When the holding rod 73 is detached from the holding arm 71, the handle lever 49 is returned to the original initial position by the urging force of the return spring 49c or the like.

  As described above, the handle motor 47 rotates the rotary reflector 42 to make the light source appear to rotate in the jackpot finalizing effect. The LEDs 44a and 46a provided inside the operation handle 4 are controlled so as not to light up.

  On the other hand, when the right stroke operation signal SG2 is not received (NO in step S1141), or when the right stroke operation signal SG2 is received and the contact signal SG3 is received (YES in step S1142), The right-handed operation state is not released, and it is determined whether or not the right-handed operation state release count M is 0 (step S1146). If the right-handed operation state release count M is not 0 (NO in step S1146), the right-handed operation state release count M is reset (step S1147), and the right-handed operation state release process ends. On the other hand, if the right stroke operation state cancellation count M is 0 (YES in step S1146), the right stroke operation state cancellation processing is terminated without resetting the right stroke operation state cancellation count M.

  In other words, when not in the right-handed game state, if the handle lever 49 is not rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position, there is no need to execute the right-handed operation state canceling process, so the right-handed operation state cancel count M is reset. The Further, when the player is not in the right-handed game state, even if the handle lever 49 is rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position, the player can operate the handle lever 49 as long as it is actually operated by the player. In order to reduce the burden on the hand and arm of the player, it is necessary to continue the holding state of the handle lever 49 in the right-handed game state, so the right-handed operation state release count M is executed without executing the right-handed operation state releasing process. Is reset.

  A situation in which the result of step S1142 in FIG. 27 is NO, that is, a situation in which the player is in the right-handed operation state even though the player is not in the right-handed gaming state and the player is not in contact with the handle lever 49. A case may be considered in which a player finishes a game with the gaming machine 1 while holding the handle lever 49 in the state of a right stroke operation. In such a case, if another player starts playing with the gaming machine 1, the game ball will be hit right even though it is not in the right-handed game state, and the game ball is wasted. It will end up. Therefore, if the right-handed operation state release process described above is automatically performed when the player is not operating the handle lever 49, a time when another player starts a game with the gaming machine 1. Thus, the right-handed operation state is released and the handle lever 49 is returned to the initial position, so that the player does not waste the game ball.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the right-handed gaming state notification process (step S1105 in FIG. 26). When the right hit game state notifying unit 137 receives the right hit game signal SG1 from the game control unit 110, the right hit game state notifying unit 137 determines whether or not the right hit operation signal SG2 is received from the right hit detection unit 162 (step). 1151). When the right hit operation signal SG2 is received (YES in step S1151), the right hit gaming state notification command is not set, and the right hit gaming state notification process is ended. If the right hit operation signal SG2 has not been received (NO in step S1151), it is next determined whether or not right hit gaming state notification is being executed (step S1152). If the right-handed gaming state notification is being executed (YES in step S1152), the command for executing the right-handed gaming state notification is not set, and the right-handed gaming state notification process is terminated. If the right-handed gaming state notification is not being executed (NO in step S1152), a command for executing the right-handed gaming state notification is set (step S1153), and the right-handed gaming state notification process is terminated. The command set in step S1153 is output to the image control board 140 or the like at a predetermined timing to notify the player that the player is in the right-handed gaming state. Thereby, the player can grasp that the player is in the right-handed game state, and performs an operation of rotating the handle lever 49 by a substantially maximum angle.

  For example, when a beginner player or the like plays a game on the gaming machine 1 that may be in a right-handed gaming state as in the present embodiment, the fact is recognized even though the player is in a right-handed gaming state. It can happen that you can't. Therefore, some players may not be able to perform a right-handed operation in a scene where a right-handed operation is required to obtain a prize ball, which is undesirable for a player who cannot obtain a prize ball that should be obtained. sell. Therefore, if such a right-handed gaming state notification process is performed, the player is notified that the right-handed gaming state is necessary when the right-handed gaming state is entered. The person can recognize that the right-handed operation is necessary, and thus can fully obtain the prize ball that should be obtained.

  When the handle lever 49 is rotated to a substantially maximum angle in the right-handed game state, the above-described sandwiching arm 71 and the sandwiching rod 73 are engaged with each other, and the sandwiching arm 71 holds the sandwiching rod 73. It will be held in a state of being rotated at a substantially maximum angle, and a large urging force by the return spring 49c or the like will not act on the player's hand or arm, and the burden on the player can be reduced. it can. Therefore, even when the right hit game state continues for a long time, the player can enjoy the game comfortably without increasing the feeling of fatigue of the wrist or arm.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, when winning per “long probation with high probability”, the right-handed gaming state will continue not only during the winning game opening game, but also after the winning game opening game, Since the right hit game state continues until the next jackpot winning, the right hit game state may be prolonged, and a great effect can be expected in terms of suppressing the player's feeling of fatigue.

  In the present embodiment, the holding arm 71 serving as the second locking member is provided on the fixing plate 70 fixed to the base portion 50, and the holding bar 73 serving as the first locking member is provided on the handle lever 49. The example has been described, but conversely, a sandwiching arm 71 serving as a second locking member may be provided on the handle lever 49, and a sandwiching rod 73 serving as a first locking member may be provided on the fixed plate 70. .

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a second embodiment) will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following two points. First, the first difference is that the specific configuration of the holding means for holding the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state is different. Further, the second difference is that when the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state even though it is not in the right-handed game state, the holding state of the handle lever 49 is released in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the player or the staff of the hall is notified that the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second embodiment relating to these differences will be described in detail. In the second embodiment, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the handle lamp 59 of the operation handle 4 and the holding means of the handle lever 49 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 29, members similar to those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. An engagement member (first locking member) 78 that protrudes toward the fixed plate 76 is provided inside the handle lever 49 of the second embodiment, and the handle lever 49 is rotated about the maximum angle. By engaging the engaging member 78 with an engaging piece (second locking member) 77 provided on the fixed plate 76, the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state.

  The fixed plate 76 has the same shape as the fixed plate 70 described in the first embodiment, and a guide long hole 76b is formed on an arc of a circle that is a concentric circle of the fixed plate 76 and has a predetermined radius. Yes. The guide long hole 76b is provided with a hole having a predetermined length for the engagement member 78 to move in a state of passing through the fixed plate 76. An engagement member 78 is disposed in the guide long hole 76b so that the engagement member 78 moves along the formation direction of the guide long hole 70b when the handle lever 49 is rotated. It is configured. The length of the guide long hole 76b defines the operating angle range of the handle lever 49. For example, when the handle lever 49 is in the initial position, the engaging member 78 is positioned at one end of the guide long hole 76b. When the lever 49 rotates to a substantially maximum angle, the engaging member 78 comes to be positioned at the other end of the guide long hole 76b. Further, on the player side surface of the fixed plate 76, an engagement piece 77 is provided in the vicinity of the other end of the guide long hole 76b to which the engagement material 78 reaches when the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle. A fixing portion 76 a for installation on the surface of the fixing plate 76 is provided. The base end portion of the engagement piece 77 is attached to the fixing portion 76a.

  FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the engaging piece 77 that is the second locking member, the fixing portion 76a, and the engaging material 78 that is the first locking member. FIG. 30A is an enlarged view of the engagement piece 77. The engaging piece 77 is made of, for example, an elastically deformable thin metal plate, and includes an arm portion 77b and a base portion 77d as shown in FIG. 30A by bending a thin plate having a predetermined shape. It becomes the composition. On the tip side of the arm portion 77b, a convex portion 77a formed by bending in a mountain shape is provided, and the flat plate portion between the base portion 77d and the convex portion 77a is bent and elastically deformed. It is configured to be easy. A plurality of mounting holes 77c are formed in the base portion 77d. The plurality of attachment holes 77c are formed at a predetermined interval so as to correspond to the fixing portion 76a.

  FIG. 30B is an enlarged view of the fixing portion 76a. The fixing portion 76 a is provided in a state standing from the fixing plate 76. For example, the fixing portion 76 a may be formed separately from the fixing plate 76 and joined to the fixing plate 76, or may be integrally formed with the fixing plate 76. As shown in FIG. 30, the fixing portion 76a is provided so as to correspond to the plurality of mounting holes 77c provided in the base portion 77d of the engaging piece 77, and in the illustrated example, two fixing portions 76a are provided. The fixing portions 76a include a column portion 76e, a constricted portion 76d, and a diameter-expanded head portion 76c in order from the joint portion with the fixing plate 76. The column portion 76 e has a substantially cylindrical shape, and one end thereof is in contact with the fixed plate 76. The diameter of the column portion 76e is larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 77c. The diameter of the constricted portion 76d is approximately the same as the diameter of the mounting hole 77c. The enlarged-diameter head 76c has a disk shape, and the diameter of the enlarged-diameter head 76c is slightly larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 77c. The fixing portion 76a is formed of a flexible material that deforms when a strong force is applied, but hardly deforms with a weak force.

  The engaging piece 77 is fixed to the fixing portion 76a by fitting an attachment hole 77c formed in the base portion 77d into the constricted portion 76d of the fixing portion 76a. Specifically, the enlarged diameter head 76c is deformed by being strongly pressed against the attachment hole 77c, and the attachment hole 77c is deformed until the diameter of the enlarged diameter head 76c is less than the diameter of the attachment hole 77c. It will be in the state where it passed through the part 76c and was fitted in the constricted part 76d. At this time, the enlarged-diameter head 76c is restored from the deformed state due to its flexibility, and its diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the attachment hole 77c. Cannot pass through. Therefore, the engagement piece 77 cannot be easily detached from the fixing portion 76a, and as a result, the engagement piece 77 is fixed to the fixing portion 76a.

  In addition, the aspect which attaches the engagement piece 77 to the fixing | fixed part 76a is not necessarily restricted to this, For example, you may fix by performing screwing etc. with respect to the some attachment hole 77c.

  Thus, since the engagement piece 77 is fixed to the fixing portion 76a at a plurality of positions, the arm portion 77b can be held at a predetermined position and posture with respect to the guide long hole 76b. It is possible to suppress position fluctuation of the portion 77b.

  FIG. 30C is an enlarged view of the engaging member 78. For example, the engaging member 78 may be formed by cutting a prismatic member, or may be formed by joining a plurality of members. The engaging member 78 includes a guide portion 78b configured as an inclined surface having a shape obtained by scraping one corner of a prismatic member, and a concave portion 78a formed in the vicinity of the guide portion 78b. The concave portion 78 a has a shape corresponding to a mountain-shaped convex portion 77 a formed on the arm portion 77 b of the engaging piece 77, and meshes with the convex portion 77 a of the engaging piece 77. The guide part 78b is for guiding the convex part 77a of the engagement piece 77 to the concave part 78a.

  The shapes of the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78 are not limited to those described above.

  Next, FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B are schematic views for explaining an engagement method of the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78. 31 (a) and 31 (b) both show a combination of the fixed plate 76 with the engagement piece 77 attached, the handle lever 49, and the base 50 in the player direction. FIG. As shown in FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B, an operating body 79, a micro switch 80, and an actuator portion 80a are provided inside the handle lever 49. The operating body 79 is fixed to the handle lever 49 and moves in the rotation direction as the handle lever 49 rotates. On the other hand, the micro switch 80 is fixed to the base unit 50 and includes an actuator unit 80a. On the contrary, the operation body 79 may be fixed to the base 50 and the micro switch 80 may be fixed to the handle lever 49.

  FIG. 31A is a diagram showing a state in which the handle lever 49 is in the initial position. The engaging member 78 is erected with respect to the handle lever 49 in a state where the above-described concave portion 78a faces outward in the rotational direction. In addition, the guide portion 78 b is formed at a position outside the right end of the engaging member 78. In the state of FIG. 31A, the engaging member 78 is located at the left end of the guide long hole 76b. The engaging piece 77 is fixed by a fixing portion 76a so that the arm portion 77b is positioned at the right end of the upper side portion of the guide elongated hole 76b. It is attached in the state of facing. Further, the operating body 79 is located at a predetermined distance from the micro switch 80, and the micro switch 80 is in an off state.

  FIG. 31B is a view showing a state in which the handle lever 49 is rotated by the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base unit 50, that is, the handle lever 49 is operated to the right. Since the engaging member 78 is fixed to the handle lever 49, when the handle lever 49 rotates clockwise, the engaging member 78 moves from the left end to the right end of the guide long hole 76b. In particular, the engagement member 78 is attached so as to be positioned at the right end of the guide long hole 76b in a state where the handle lever 49 is rotated by the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base portion 50. 78 engages with the engagement piece 77, and the handle lever 49 is held.

  At this time, the operating body 79 comes into contact with the actuator portion 80a with the handle lever 49 rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base portion 50, and the actuator portion 80a is moved to a height at which the microswitch 80 is turned on. In this state, the microswitch 80 is turned on.

  FIG. 32 shows an operation state until the engagement member 78 and the engagement piece 77 are engaged with each other when the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise by the maximum angle with respect to the base portion 50, that is, in a right-handed operation state. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78 until it hold | maintains.

  FIG. 32A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the engagement piece 77 and the engagement member 78 in a state where the handle lever 49 is rotated in the vicinity of the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base portion 50. In this state, the engaging member 78 is positioned in the vicinity of the right end of the guide long hole 76b, and a guide portion 78b configured as an inclined surface is in contact with one inclined surface of the convex portion 77a. Here, when the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base portion 50, the engaging member 78 moves in the direction of arrow A5, the guide portion 78b elastically deforms the arm portion 77b, and the convex portion 77a is moved. Push up in the direction of arrow A6. FIG. 32B shows the positional relationship between the engagement piece 77 and the engagement member 78 in a state where the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base portion 50 from the state of FIG. FIG. The guide part 78b pushes up the convex part 77a to such an extent that it can pass, and tries to enter the arm part 77b. Accordingly, the concave portion 78a moves toward the convex portion 77a pushed up on the guide portion 78b. The push-up of the convex portion 77a is realized by elastically deforming the engagement piece 77 by the force in the direction of arrow A6 applied to the engagement piece 77 by the engagement material 78, but mainly the arm portion 77b. It is largely due to curvature. At this time, a restoring force is generated in the arm portion 77b of the engagement piece 77 to return from the elastically deformed state to the original state. That is, a force in the direction of the arrow A8 is applied to the engaging member 78 to return to the shape shown in FIG. When the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base portion 50 from this state, the engaging member 78 moves in the direction of the arrow A7, and the convex portion 77a slides down the slope constituting the concave portion 78a. Try to move in the direction of arrow A8. FIG. 32C shows a state in which the handle lever 49 is further rotated clockwise with respect to the base member from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78 in the state rotated to the maximum angle clockwise. The guide portion 78b enters the arm portion 77b, and accordingly, the concave portion 78a reaches the position of the convex portion 77a, and the arm portion 77b returns from the elastically deformed state, so that the convex portion 77a moves in the direction of the arrow A8. And engages with the concave portion 78a. At this time, the convex portion 77a is almost returned to the position shown in FIG. 32 (a), and the arm portion 77b is similarly returned to the position shown in FIG. 32 (a).

  Here, the engaging member 78 including the concave portion 78a is fixed to the handle lever 49, and the engaging piece 77 including the convex portion 77a is fixed to the base portion 50. Therefore, the concave portion 78a is convex. When engaged with the portion 77 a, the handle lever 49 is held at that position with respect to the base portion 50. The positional relationship between the handle lever 49 and the base 50 corresponding to the state in which the concave portion 78a is engaged with the convex portion 77a, that is, the state in which the engaging member 78 is at the right end of the guide long hole 76b, is described above. Thus, since the handle lever 49 is at a position that is rotated approximately at the maximum angle clockwise relative to the base portion 50, the handle lever 49 is eventually rotated at the approximately maximum angle clockwise relative to the base portion 50. That is, it is held in the right-handed operation state.

  If it is desired to release the holding in the right-handed operation state, the handle lever 49 may be rotated slightly counterclockwise from the right-handed operation state. Then, the engagement material 78 again causes elastic deformation in the arm portion 77b and pushes up the convex portion 77a, so that the engagement state between the convex portion 77a and the concave portion 78a is released, and FIG. It moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A 7 and is disengaged from the engagement piece 77. As a result, the holding state of the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state is released. Further, the release of the holding in the right-handed operation state is performed by applying the engaging material so as to apply a force in the direction in which the convex portion 77a is pushed up (the direction of arrow A6 in FIG. 32A) without manually rotating the handle lever 49. It is also realized by release means that can move 78. For example, the holding in the right-handed operation state can also be released by vibrating the operation handle 4 with a motor.

  As described above, the return spring 49c is attached to the handle lever 49, and if the player rotates the handle lever 49 clockwise from the initial position, the biasing force of the return spring 49c works toward the initial position. , It puts a burden on the wrist and arm of the player. In the second embodiment, depending on the arrangement mode of various members arranged on the surface of the game board 10, two game states (the right-handed game), that is, a short-time game state and a big winning opening open game state at the time of setting a long win. In this state, a right-handed operation is required. However, since the spring has an elastic force proportional to the displacement, the handle lever 49 is rotated to the right by a right-handed operation, that is, approximately the maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base unit 50. Holding in such a state places a heavy burden on the wrists and arms of the player. Therefore, if the gaming machine 1 is provided with holding means for holding the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state as described above, even if the gaming machine 1 is in a gaming state that requires right-handed operation, the handle lever 49 is moved by the holding means. Since the player is held in the right-handed operation state, the player can perform the right-handed operation without applying force, and the burden on the player's wrist and arm when playing on the gaming machine 1 is reduced. It will be.

  The holding means of the present embodiment is also configured to hold the handle lever 49 in its rotational position by engaging the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78 with each other only when the handle lever 49 rotates at a substantially maximum angle. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the structure is simple, and there is an advantage that the holding means can be configured at low cost.

  FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing an interconnection relationship among the operation handle 4, the effect control board 130, the main control board 100, the image control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 33, the main control board 100 includes a game control unit 110 that comprehensively controls the overall operation of the gaming machine 1. The effect control board 130 includes a right hit state processing unit 135 and a command processing unit 138. The right hit state processing unit 135 further includes a right hit operation state notifying unit 139 and a right hit game state notifying unit 137. I have. The touch sensor 53, the micro switch 80, and the game control unit 110 are connected to the right-handed state processing unit 135, and the effect control board 130 is connected to the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. The overall control mechanism in the gaming machine 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 9).

  If the gaming machine 1 is in one of two states, that is, a short-time gaming state or a big winning opening open gaming state at the time of setting a long hit, that is, a right-handed gaming state, A right hit game signal SG <b> 1 indicating the right hit game state is output to the processing unit 135. When the operating body 79 is turned on when the operating body 79 presses the actuator unit 80a to a predetermined height, that is, in the right-handed operation state, the microswitch 80 outputs a right-handed operation signal SG2 indicating the right-handed state. The data is output to the processing unit 135. When a human body such as a player's hand is touching the handle lever 49, the touch sensor 53 outputs a contact signal SG3 indicating that to the right hit state processing unit 135.

  If the right hit game signal SG1, the right hit operation signal SG2, and the contact signal SG3 are in a predetermined input state, the right hit operation state notification unit 139 is operated to the right even though the gaming machine 1 is not in the right hit game state. A command is set to notify the player, the employee of the hall, and the like (hereinafter, this is called right-handed operation state notification). Based on this command, the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 execute a right-handed operation state notification to a player, a hall employee, or the like. The right-handed operation state notification is, for example, displayed on the image display 8 that the gaming machine 1 is not in the right-handed gaming state, but is turned on in a predetermined manner. It is performed by extinguishing or playing a predetermined sound from the speaker 5.

  The right hit game state notifying unit 137 sets a command for notifying the player of the right hit game state when the right hit game signal SG1 and the right hit operation signal SG2 are in a predetermined input state. Based on this command, the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 execute a right-handed gaming state notification to the player. Note that the right-handed gaming state notification is, for example, displayed on the image display 8 that the right-handed operation is not performed even though the gaming machine 1 is in the right-handed gaming state, or the frame lamp 6 is displayed in a predetermined manner. This is done by extinguishing the lighting or by playing a predetermined sound from the speaker 5.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the main operation by the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 in the second embodiment. For example, the CPU 131 repeatedly executes processing based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 34 at regular intervals. When this process is started, the CPU 131 determines whether any command is received from the game control unit 110 provided in the main control board 100 (step S1201). If any command has been received from the game control unit 110 (YES in step S1201), the CPU 131 functions as the command processing unit 138, executes command reception processing (step S1202), and proceeds to step S1203. On the other hand, if no command is received from the game control unit 110 (NO in step S1201), the command reception process is skipped and the process proceeds to step S1203. Next, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the right hit game signal SG1 has been received from the game control unit 110 (step S1203). When the right hit game signal SG1 has not been received (NO in step S1203), the CPU 131 functions as the right hit operation state notifying unit 139 and executes the right hit operation state notifying process (step S1204). On the other hand, when the right hit game signal SG1 is received from the game control unit 110 (YES in step S1203), the CPU 131 functions as the right hit game state notifying unit 137 and executes the right hit game state notifying process (step S1205). To do. Thus, the main operation in the effect control board 130 is completed.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing details of the right-handed operation state notifying process (step S1204 in FIG. 34). When the right hit operation state notification unit 139 has not received the right hit operation signal SG1 from the game control unit 110, the right hit operation state notification unit 139 determines whether or not the right hit operation signal SG2 has been received from the micro switch 80 (step S1241). If the right strike operation signal SG2 has been received (YES in step S1241), it is next determined whether or not the contact signal SG3 has been received from the touch sensor 53 (step S1242). If the contact signal SG3 has not been received (NO in step S1242), the value of the right-handed operation state notification count N is incremented by 1 (step S1243), and then the right-handed operation state notification count N is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the maximum value Nmax is exceeded (step S1244). Here, when the right-handed operation state notification count N is less than the maximum value Nmax (NO in step S1244), the right-handed operation state notification command is not set and the right-handed operation state notification process is terminated. On the other hand, when the right-handed operation state notification count N exceeds the maximum value Nmax (YES in step S1244), it is next determined whether right-handed operation state notification is being executed (step S1245). If the right-handed operation state notification is being executed (YES in step S1245), the right-handed operation state notification process is terminated without setting the right-handed operation state notification command. If the right-handed operation state notification is not being executed (NO in step S1245), a right-handed operation state notification command is set (step S1246), and the right-handed operation state notification process is terminated.

  Steps S1241 to S1246 are performed when the handle lever 49 is rotated to the substantially maximum angle rotation position and the player is not operating the handle lever 49 when the player is not operating in the right-handed game state. It is repeatedly executed a plurality of times until the operation state notification count N reaches the maximum value Nmax, and when the right-handed operation state notification count N reaches the maximum value Nmax, a right-handed operation state notification command is set. For this reason, even if the handle lever 49 is rotated to the substantially maximum angle rotation position and the player is not operating the handle lever 49 when not in the right-handed game state, that fact is immediately indicated. Notifying is performed, but notifying is performed when the state continues for a predetermined time. However, the present invention is not limited to such processing. For example, when the player is not in the right-handed game state, the handle lever 49 is in a state of being rotated to a substantially maximum angle rotation position, and the player operates the handle lever 49. If it is not in the state, it may be notified immediately.

  Then, the command set in step S1246 is output to the image control board 140 or the like at a predetermined timing, and the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state for the player or the employee. Informed. As a result, the player or employee can grasp that the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state, and performs an operation of returning the handle lever 49 to the original initial position.

  On the other hand, when the right stroke operation signal SG2 is not received (NO in step S1241), or when the right stroke operation signal SG2 is received and the contact signal SG3 is received (YES in step S1242), The right-handed operation state is not released, and it is determined whether or not the right-handed operation state notification count N is 0 (step S1247). If the right-handed operation state notification count N is not 0 (NO in step S1247), the right-handed operation state notification count N is reset (step S1248), and the right-handed operation state notification process ends. On the other hand, if the right-handed operation state notification count N is 0 (YES in step S1247), the right-handed operation state notification process is terminated without resetting the right-handed operation state notification count N.

  That is, when not in the right-handed game state, if the handle lever 49 is not rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position, there is no need to notify the right-handed operation state, so the right-handed operation state notification count N is reset. Is done. Further, when the player is not in the right-handed game state, even if the handle lever 49 is rotated to the substantially maximum rotational position, the player can operate the handle lever 49 as long as it is actually operated by the player. In order to reduce the burden on the hand and arm of the player, it is necessary to continue the holding state of the handle lever 49 in the right-handed gaming state. Is reset.

  A situation in which the result of step S1242 in FIG. 35 is NO, that is, a situation in which the player is in the right-handed operation state even though the player is not in the right-handed gaming state and the player is not in contact with the handle lever 49. For example, there may be a case where a player finishes a game with a gaming machine while holding the handle lever 49 in the right-handed operation state. In such a case, if another player starts playing with the gaming machine, the game ball will be hit right even though it is not in the right-handed game state, and the game ball will be consumed wastefully. It will be. Therefore, if such a right-handed operation state notification process is performed so that, for example, the image display 8 is informed that the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state, another player can see that When the game machine starts playing, it is noticed that the handle lever 49 is held in the right-handed operation state, and the handle lever 49 is returned to the initial position, so that the player does not waste the game ball. . If the employee notices, the handle lever 49 can be returned to the initial position before another player starts playing with the gaming machine.

  Note that the details of the right-handed gaming state notifying process (step S1205) in FIG. 34 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 28 shown in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, when the handle lever 49 is rotated to a substantially maximum angle in the right-handed game state, the engagement piece 77 and the engagement material 78 described above are engaged with each other and the engagement piece 77 is engaged. Since the engaging member 78 is held, the handle lever 49 is held in a state where the handle lever 49 is rotated at a substantially maximum angle, and a large biasing force by the return spring 49c acts on the player's hand and arm. There is nothing, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Therefore, even when the right hit game state continues for a long time, the player can enjoy the game comfortably without increasing the feeling of fatigue of the wrist or arm.

  In particular, even in this embodiment, when winning a “per-length with a high probability of shortening”, the right-handed gaming state will continue not only during the winning game opening game, but also after the winning game opening game, Since the right hit game state continues until the next jackpot winning, there is a possibility that the right hit game state may be prolonged, and a great effect can be expected in terms of suppressing the player's feeling of fatigue.

  In this embodiment, the engagement piece 77 serving as the second locking member is provided on the fixing plate 70 fixed to the base portion 50, and the engagement material 78 serving as the first locking member is provided on the handle lever 49. In contrast to this, the engagement piece 77 serving as the second locking member is provided on the handle lever 49, and the engaging material 78 serving as the first locking member is provided on the fixed plate 70. It is good also as a structure.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration example in which the convex portion 77a is provided in the arm portion 77b of the engagement piece 77 and the concave portion 78a and the guide portion 78b are provided in the engagement material 78 has been described. In addition, the engaging member 78 is provided with a mountain-shaped convex portion 77a, and a guide portion 78b and a valley-shaped concave portion 78a are sequentially provided from the distal end side with respect to the arm portion 77b of the engaging piece 77. It is also good.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although several embodiment regarding this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable. Some variations are given below.

  In the first embodiment, a right-handed operation state notifying means is not provided. For example, a right-handed operation state notifying unit is provided in the right-handed state processing unit 135 as in the second embodiment. The notification unit may notify the right-handed operation state. Also, for example, if the right-handed operation state is not released even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the right-handed operation state notifying unit notifies the right-handed operation state, the right-handed operation state releasing unit 136 The operation state may be canceled.

  In the first embodiment, the right-handed operation state is released by the handle motor 47. That is, although the handle motor 47 is used as the release means, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a release motor different from the handle motor 47 may be attached to the operation handle 4 and driven to vibrate the operation handle 4 to release, or the release motor is driven to operate the handle lever 49. The release may be performed by rotating counterclockwise.

  In the first embodiment, as particularly shown in FIG. 10, the right-handed detection unit 162 receives the signal from the operation angle sensor 54 and outputs the right-handed operation signal SG2 to the effect control board 130, and the touch sensor 53. Is received by the contact detection unit 163 and outputs a contact signal SG3 to the effect control board 130. The effect control board 130 is in a right-handed operation state and a contact state based on the right-handed operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3. Is configured to detect. However, the configuration is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a signal is directly output from the touch sensor 53 and the operation angle sensor 54 to the effect control board 130 without passing through the right strike detection unit 162 and the contact detection unit 163 to the right. The batting operation state and the contact state may be detected. Further, instead of the operation angle sensor 54, a micro switch is provided on the operation handle 4 so as to be turned on when the handle lever 49 is rotated by a maximum angle clockwise with respect to the base portion 50. The signal from the touch sensor 53 may be directly output to the effect control board 130.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, whether or not to release the right-handed operation state during the right-handed operation state cancellation processing is based on the two signals of the right-handed operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3. Although it is determined, this may be only the right-handed operation signal SG2, for example. That is, if the right hit operation signal SG2 is received, the count processing and the right hit operation state may be canceled regardless of whether or not the player and the handle lever 49 are in contact with each other. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the right-handed operation state is canceled when the count value reaches a certain value. For example, the right-handed operation signal SG2 is received and the contact signal SG3 is not received. Then, the right-handed operation state may be canceled immediately without counting.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, in the right-handed gaming state notification process, whether or not to notify the right-handed gaming state is determined based only on the right-handed operation signal SG2, but this is not limitative. Instead, the determination may be made based on the right strike operation signal SG2 and, for example, the contact signal SG3 from the contact detection unit 163. In other words, the right hit gaming state may be notified when the right hit operation signal SG2 is not received and the contact signal SG3 is received.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the touch sensor 53 outputs a right-handed operation signal SG2 to the effect control board 130, and the microswitch 80 outputs a contact signal SG3 to the effect control board 130, thereby providing effect control. Although the board | substrate 130 illustrated the case where a right strike operation state and a contact state were detected based on the right strike operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3, it is not restricted to this, For example, the firing control board 160 is a right strike detection part and a contact detection part. The right-handed detection unit receives the signal from the operation angle sensor 54 and outputs the right-handed operation signal SG2 to the effect control board 130, and the contact detection unit receives the signal from the touch sensor 53 and performs the effect control. The contact signal SG3 is output to the substrate 130, and the effect control substrate 130 determines the right-handed operation state based on the right-handed operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3. It may be configured to detect a touch state.

  In the second embodiment, the right-handed operation state releasing means is not provided. For example, the right-handed state processing unit 135 includes a right-handed operation state releasing unit connected to the handle motor 47 as in the first embodiment. It is also possible to release the right-handed operation state by driving the handle motor 47 by this right-handed operation state releasing unit. Further, a release means different from the handle motor 47 may be provided. Further, the right-handed operation state releasing unit has not yet released the right-handed operation state even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the right-handed operation state notification process shown in FIG. If so, the right-handed operation state may be canceled.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, in the right-handed operation state notification process, whether or not the right-handed operation state is notified is determined based on the two signals of the right-handed operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3. Although it is determined, this may be only the right-handed operation signal SG2, for example. That is, if the right strike operation signal SG2 is received, the count process and the right strike operation state notification may be performed regardless of whether or not the player's hand is in contact with the handle lever 49. In the second embodiment, the right-handed operation state is notified when the count value exceeds a certain value. For example, the right-handed operation signal SG2 is received and the contact signal SG3 is not received. If so, the right-handed operation state may be immediately notified without counting.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the board surface configuration of the game board is the one shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. A panel configuration provided one at a location may be used. Further, a board surface configuration in which only the through gate is provided on the right side of the game board may be used, and the game machine may be in the right-handed game state only during the short-time game.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 33, the configuration example in which the right-handed state processing unit 135 is provided on the effect control board 130 has been described. This may be provided in the main control board 100. In this case, for example, a right-handed operation signal SG2 is output to the main control board 100, a contact signal SG3 is output to the main control board 100, and the main control board 100 performs a right-handed operation based on the right-handed operation signal SG2 and the contact signal SG3. Detect state and contact state. With such a configuration, it is possible to notify the right-handed operation state and the right-handed gaming state to the computer in the hall, and it is possible to grasp the gaming state and the operating state of each gaming machine on the hall side.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, it is determined whether or not a long hit is being made and whether or not a short-time game is being performed. The case where the process which sets a right hit game signal based on based on was performed was illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, these determinations and processes may be performed in the stop process of FIG. In this case, in the stop process, after setting the gaming state corresponding to the jackpot type, the type of the set gaming state is determined, and then the process of setting the right hit gaming signal is performed. Become.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 4 Operation handle 10 Game board 47 Handle motor (release means)
49 Handle lever (handle)
50 Base 49c Return spring (biasing means)
53 Touch sensor (contact detection means)
54 Operating angle sensor (Right-handed detection means)
71 Clamping arm (holding means, second locking member)
73 Holding rod (holding means, first locking member)
77 Engagement piece (holding means, second locking member)
78 Engaging material (holding means, first locking member)
80 Micro switch (Right-handed detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Game control part 135 Right hit state process part 136 Right hit operation state cancellation | release part 137 Right hit game state alerting | reporting part 139 Right hit operation state notifying part 162 Right hit detection part 163 Contact detection part

Claims (8)

It has a handle portion that can be rotated within a predetermined angle range from the initial position, and when the player rotates the handle portion, the game ball is placed on the game board surface with the hitting force according to the operation angle. A gaming machine that launches and allows a player to play a game in a state in which the handle is rotated to a substantially maximum rotational position in a specific gaming state,
A base portion that rotatably supports the handle portion;
Biasing means for biasing the handle portion from an arbitrary rotational position toward the initial position;
Holding means for holding the handle portion in a state of being rotated at a substantially maximum angle;
With
The holding means includes a first locking member provided on one of the handle portion and the base portion, and a second locking member that is elastically deformed provided on the other, the handle portion being When rotating with respect to the base portion, the first locking member elastically deforms the second locking member in the vicinity of the substantially maximum angle rotation position, and the handle portion reaches the substantially maximum angle rotation position. The game is characterized in that the first locking member and the second locking member are engaged with each other to hold the handle portion when the second locking member returns from the elastically deformed state in the state. Machine. A right-hand hitting detection means for detecting that the handle portion is rotated at a substantially maximum angle;
An informing means for informing a detection result by the right-hand hit detection means;
The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: A release means for releasing the state in which the handle portion is held by the holding means;
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the release means is driven under a predetermined condition to release the state in which the handle portion is held at a substantially maximum angular rotation position.   The releasing means applies vibration to the first locking member or the second locking member to release the engagement state between the first locking member and the second locking member. The gaming machine according to claim 3.   5. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the release means is driven on condition that at least the specific gaming state is not set. Contact detection means for detecting contact between the handle portion and the human body,
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the release means is further driven on condition that the handle portion and the human body are not in contact with each other. The second locking member includes a pair of arm members that sandwich the first locking member, and the arm member is provided with a holding portion that holds the first locking member on a base end side. It is a configuration in which a constriction portion is provided on the distal end portion side to restrict entry of the first locking member into the holding portion and withdrawal from the holding portion,
The holding means contacts the first locking member and the constricted portion when the handle portion rotates to a substantially maximum angle rotation position, and further rotates, whereby the first locking member becomes the second engagement member. The stopper member is elastically deformed to enter the holding portion, and the holding portion holds the first locking member in a state where the handle portion reaches the substantially maximum angle rotation position, thereby holding the handle portion. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a game machine. One of the first locking member and the second locking member has a convex portion, and the other has a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion, and a guide for guiding the convex portion to the concave portion. And
The holding means is configured such that when the handle portion rotates to a substantially maximum angle rotation position, the convex portion and the guide portion come into contact with each other and further rotate, whereby the first locking member becomes the second locking member. The convex portion is guided to the concave portion, and the convex portion and the concave portion are engaged with each other in a state where the handle portion has reached a substantially maximum angle rotation position. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handle portion is held.

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