JP2012200431A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure that a sphere capable of rotating around each diversified three-dimensional axis can position itself to a desired location quickly and accurately without the use of a three-dimensional coordinate position detection sensor, and for example, game information in accordance with the progression of the game is used for visual information.SOLUTION: The sphere 204 can be spontaneously raised in a vertical direction (Y axis direction) based on the principle of a getting-up little priest toy with permanent magnets 208A to 208D mounted, which rotatably support the same and also act as a weight, to the internal surface of a shell 204G of the sphere 204. Furthermore, the sphere 204 can be rotated and positioned to a given position around the Y axis by having electromagnets 224A to 224D selectively attract the permanent magnets 208A to 208D and by sequentially changing objects to be attracted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine for notifying game information according to the progress of the game with an effect when the game progresses under a predetermined game specification.

  Conventionally, gaming machines, such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines, are provided with an LCD display unit, and an effect image is displayed on the LCD display unit as the game progresses, thereby exciting the game. In addition, the LCD display section notifies important information in advance of the progress of the game, or notifies the result of the winning lottery in the symbol matching game, for example.

  For example, in a pachinko machine, a special symbol lottery is executed when a game ball wins a special symbol start winning opening provided on the game board surface. The LCD display section notifies the result of the special symbol lottery with effects.

  If you win this special symbol lottery, you can expect a lot of game balls to be won in a short time by releasing the blocked attacker (premium winning mouth) a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time in normal games. (Game). More specifically, when the attacker opens, it closes once after about 30 seconds from the opening. If a predetermined number (for example, 8 to 10 balls) is confirmed before 30 seconds have elapsed, the game is temporarily closed at that time. In the special symbol lottery, in addition to the winning / losing lottery, the number of times the attacker opens (the predetermined number of times) is determined. For example, if one predetermined number of times is 1R (round), 2R˜ 16R or the like is selected. The winning ball to the attacker gives the player an opportunity to acquire a prize ball in a relatively short time.

  By the way, in recent game machines, there are cases where a large accessory, an electrical decoration device, and a movable accessory equipped with an electrical decoration device are installed in addition to the LCD display unit in order to make the presentation attractive. is there.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a spherical display whose rotation is controlled around a display axis and a sun axis. This sphere display is aroused by the fact that the variable display / stop display of the symbol is rich in visual change, but the sphere display rotates and revolves while detecting the origin position and display position each time. Therefore, the structure and control become complicated.

  Patent Document 2 describes that a support member is brought into contact with the outside of a sphere, and the symbols are displayed in a variable / stopped manner while being rotated about two axes. The sphere can move with a great variety of visual changes.

JP 2006-296904 A JP 2005-130930 A

  However, in the cited document 2, the origin position and the symbol position are detected by reflecting light to the number of reflecting members corresponding to the number of symbols and receiving the light by the light receiving element. In addition, the control becomes complicated.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention enables quick and accurate positioning of a three-dimensional coordinate position to a desired position without using a detection sensor in a sphere that can be rotated around various three-dimensional axes. For example, it is an object to obtain a gaming machine that can use game information according to the progress of a game for visual notification.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine for notifying game information according to the progress of the game with a presentation when the game is advanced under a predetermined game specification. A support means for supporting a rotation around a three-dimensional axis having a set origin as an intersection, and being able to contact / separate the rotated member, and when contacting the rotated member, the three-dimensional Driving means for applying a rotational driving force around each axis, and a reference position set at a position other than the origin by balancing operation of the center of gravity of the rotated member itself when the driving means is separated from the rotated member Control the drive in a state where the drive means is in contact with the feedback means for naturally returning to a specific position of the coordinates of the two axes in the three-dimensional and the rotated member returned by the feedback means. The reference position is the rest of the target 3D It has a positioning means for positioning the coordinate position of one axis, the.

  According to the first invention, since the rotated member is supported by the supporting means so as to be rotatable around a three-dimensional axis, the driving force of the driving means causes, for example, all surfaces of the rotated member to be in a specific direction. (E.g. front).

  The rotation state of the rotated member can be specified by three-dimensional coordinates. In the feedback unit, when the driving unit is separated from the rotated member, the origin is obtained by the balancing operation of the center of gravity of the rotated member itself. The reference position set other than is naturally returned to a specific position of the two-axis coordinates in the three-dimensional. This is because the three-dimensional coordinates do not change even when the rotated member rotates.

  In the positioning means, the rotation of the rotated member returned by the feedback means is controlled while the driving means is in contact, and the reference position is positioned to the remaining one-axis coordinate position in the target three-dimensional. .

  Thus, since the rotated member can be positioned in the target three-dimensional position while rotating in the three-dimensional direction, the visual effect of the gaming machine as a whole can be improved by the three-dimensional effect.

  A second invention is a gaming machine for visually informing game information according to the progress of the game when the game progresses under a predetermined game specification, wherein the sphere and the sphere are connected to the sphere. The support means and the sphere are provided in a free state that can rotate around a three-dimensional axis with the center of the center as an intersection, and when the sphere is in the free state, a physical balance is obtained at least in the vertical direction. A weight member for determining the position of the center of gravity so as to be in a standing state, a rotation control means for rotating the erecting sphere so as to be positioned at a plurality of positions around an axis in the erecting direction, and the free state A driving means that is in contact with a part of the circumferential surface of the sphere and rotates the sphere about the three-dimensional axis regardless of the physical balance of the weight member; and the driving means is in contact with or separated from the sphere Moving hand that can move in the direction And, the has.

  According to the second invention, since the sphere is supported by the supporting means so as to be rotatable around a three-dimensional axis, when the driving means is in contact with the sphere by the moving means, the driving force of the driving means For example, all states can be directed to the front.

  Further, when the driving means is separated from the sphere by the moving means, in the free state, the center of gravity is located at a position where the weight member is flat with respect to the center of the sphere, so that the physical position is at least physically in the vertical direction. Is in an upright state.

  Further, the rotation control means rotates the sphere so that it can be positioned at a plurality of positions around the axis in the upright direction.

  By notifying the game information by the operation for the sphere as described above, the effect can be enhanced.

  2nd invention WHEREIN: When predetermined conditions are satisfied, it has further the effect control means which performs the effect according to progress of a game by rotation control of the said spherical body, The said effect control means is the said movement A first step of controlling the driving means to contact the sphere, a second step of controlling the driving means to rotate the sphere about the three-dimensional axis, after the predetermined time has elapsed, The rotation of the sphere due to the driving of the driving means is stopped, and the moving means is controlled to move the driving means away from the sphere, thereby bringing the sphere into an upright state by physical equilibrium as a free state. In this step, the rotation control means rotates the sphere about an upright axis and performs a fourth step of positioning at a predetermined position.

  The operation of the sphere is controlled by the effect control means. That is, the moving means is controlled to bring the driving means into contact with the sphere (first stroke), and then the driving means is controlled to rotate the sphere around the three-dimensional axis (second stroke). Next, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the rotation of the sphere by driving of the driving means is stopped, and the moving means is controlled to separate the driving means from the sphere, so that the sphere is brought into a free state and physically balanced. Thus, the rotation control means rotates the sphere about the axis in the erecting direction and positions it at a predetermined position (fourth stroke).

  Thereby, the operation | movement function of a sphere can be fully demonstrated and it can alert | report with the production of game information.

  2nd invention WHEREIN: The said rotation control means is arranged around the axis | shaft of the said erecting direction in the said spherical body, The several permanent magnet by which the surface orient | assigned to the outward direction was made into the north pole or the south pole, and the said plurality A plurality of electromagnets arranged in a non-contact manner so as to face each of the permanent magnets, and capable of converting the polarity of the facing surface into an N pole and an S pole, and the energization state and current direction of each electromagnet By controlling, the sphere is rotated and positioned around the axis in the erecting direction.

  The permanent magnet is arranged so that the surface directed outward is an N-pole or an S-pole, and the electromagnet is arranged so as to face these. By energizing the electromagnet and reversing the direction of the current as appropriate, the permanent magnet provided on the sphere can be moved, and if this continues, the sphere can be rotated.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of permanent magnets arranged around the axis in the upright direction of the sphere is set to have an arrangement characterized by an N pole and an S pole, so that the sphere is energized when the electromagnet is energized. It is characterized by being positioned at a specific position around the axis in the upright direction.

  By energizing the electromagnet after the sphere is in a free state, the electromagnets of different polarities and the permanent magnets are attracted in pairs, so positioning around the axis in the upright direction is possible, and the sphere is always in the tertiary It can be positioned at a reference position around the original axis.

  2nd invention WHEREIN: The said permanent magnet and the said electromagnet are provided X pieces, and the characteristic arrangement | positioning is set to X-1 N pole or S pole, and the other one is S pole or N pole. It is characterized by.

  For example, by setting the polarity different only in the 12 o'clock direction of the clock face, the 12 o'clock direction rotates so as to be attracted by a magnetic force when energized. Therefore, the reference position around the three-dimensional axis is always used. Can be positioned.

  In the second invention, the plurality of permanent magnets also function as the weight member.

  For this reason, the number of parts can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a three-dimensional coordinate position can be quickly and accurately positioned at a desired position without using a detection sensor in a sphere that can be rotated around various three-dimensional axes. For example, game information according to the progress of the game can be used for visual notification.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning this embodiment. It is a front view of the game board concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. (A) is a partially exploded perspective view of a sphere effect display unit, (B) is a plan view for specifying the position of the center of gravity. It is a perspective view of a spherical effect display part, (A) shows the separation state of a rotation provision part, (B) shows the contact state of a rotation provision part. It is a timing chart of the excitation to the electromagnet in an excitation control part. It is a control flowchart which shows an example of the effect using a spherical effect display part.

(Configuration of pachinko machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, a lower decoration 12 serving as a decorative panel is attached to the lower front portion of the pachinko machine 10.

  Further, a glass frame 16 equipped with a pair of glass plates 14 arranged in parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval in the depth direction is arranged on the upper part of the undergarment 12 of the pachinko machine 10. The left end is pivotally supported and attached so that it can be opened and closed. On the back side of the glass frame 16, a detachable / replaceable game board 18 is set, and the game board 18 faces the glass plate 14 while being closed by the glass frame 16.

  An integrated dish 24 is disposed below the glass frame 16. A key hole 27 is provided at the right end of the integrated dish 24 in FIG. 1, and the glass frame 16 is opened when the key is inserted into the key hole 27 and turned to one of the left and right sides, and the integrated dish 24 is opened when turned to the other side. To do. The glass frame 16 may be opened when the turning angle is shallow, and the integrated dish 24 may be opened when the glass frame 16 is further turned in the same direction.

  The integrated plate 24 is provided with an upper plate portion 28 and a lower plate portion 30. An upper dish ball removal lever 34 is provided at the peripheral edge portion 32 forming the upper dish part 28, and by operating the upper dish ball removal lever 34, the game balls stored in the upper dish part 28 are moved to the lower dish part 28. 30 can be sent out. Further, the lower dish portion 30 is provided with a lower dish ball removal button 36. By operating the lower dish ball removal button 36, the game balls PB stored in the lower dish portion 30 are externally (for example, so-called "" It can be discharged into a dollar box ").

  A ball lending button 42 and a return button 44 are provided at the right end of FIG.

  A grip unit (launching handle) 26 for adjusting the firing force (flying distance) of the hit ball is attached to the lower right portion of the integrated dish 24, and an ashtray 46 is attached to the lower left portion.

  A saucer speaker 60U is disposed on the right side of the lower dish portion 30 of the integrated dish 24 in FIG.

  Here, an operation button 50 that can be operated by the player is provided on the peripheral edge portion 32 of the upper plate portion 28 in the integrated plate 24. This operation button 50 can be intervened in the effect image by operating during the operation effective period during the game, and is set according to each game specification.

  Around the glass plate 14 in the glass frame 16, an upper effect section that turns on, turns off, and blinks in accordance with the progress of the game in an arch shape to produce visual effects such as lighting and auditory effects such as sound. 52 is arranged. The lower end portion of the upper effect portion 52 is connected to the upper end portion of the lower effect portion 54 arranged in a substantially U shape around the integrated dish 24.

  As a result, the effect unit 56 is formed by the upper effect unit 52 and the lower effect unit 54 so as to surround the game board 18.

  The effect unit 56 has a predetermined design so that both the upper effect unit 52 and the lower effect unit 54 are covered with a substrate (not shown) on which an illumination member (light emitting element such as an LED or a lamp) is attached, and the substrate. A formed lens cover 58 is attached.

  The lens cover 58 is cut into a concavo-convex shape so as to divide an area where the illumination member is lit, and lighting control of the illumination member is performed for each of the divided areas (hereinafter referred to as “lens portion” as necessary). The The lighting member basically has a set of LEDs that are lit in three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). It can be lit. In addition, a triple display 62 is provided at each upper corner of the glass frame, and is applied to gaming state notification (including error notification and the like).

  Further, glass frame speakers 60C, 60L and 60R are built in the center and both ends of the area corresponding to about 1/3 of the upper arc of the glass frame 16 in the upper effect section 52, and sound is output simultaneously with illumination. To do.

  Hereinafter, the saucer speaker 60U and the glass frame speakers 60C, 60L, and 60R are collectively referred to as “speaker 60”.

(Game board configuration)
The game board 18 shown in FIG. 2 has a resin sheet-like cell attached to a plywood board serving as a substrate, and the surface of the cell is a board surface. An arc-shaped outer rail is provided near the outer peripheral edge of the board surface. 102 and the inner rail 104 are attached. In the circular area surrounded by the outer rail 102 and the inner rail 104, the game ball PB launched and driven from the launching device 165 (see FIG. 3) can be moved by its own weight fall, and this area is a game. This is a gaming area where

  Nails (not shown) and windmills 21 are scattered in the game area of the game board 18. In addition, a center accessory 105 is arranged almost in the center of the game area. The center accessory 105 includes a liquid crystal display unit (LCD display unit) 106 serving as a main production unit and a sphere production display unit 200 serving as a sub-production unit.

  In the LCD display unit 106, for example, the symbol variation pattern effect is such that when the three symbol sequences change independently and finally the three symbol sequences stop at the same symbol, the winning of the special symbol lottery is notified. Is executed. Note that, among the three columns, the case where two columns stop at the same symbol first (temporary stop) and the remaining one column is changing is called “reach”.

  On the other hand, the sphere effect display unit 200 is provided in a diagonally right direction (“2 o'clock direction” in terms of a clock face) toward the LCD display unit 106, and has a spherical dome shape made of transparent synthetic resin. Covered with a cover 202.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 18 facing the back side of the cover 202 is provided with a through hole 18 </ b> A, and a part of the through hole 18 </ b> A is accommodated on the back side of the cover 202. A sphere 204 is arranged. On the surface of the sphere 204, a plurality of symbols (designs 204A to 204D shown in FIG. 5) are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the sphere 204 is upright in the top-and-bottom direction (the arrow Y direction in FIGS. 4 and 5) (the state shown in FIG. 2), and the axis around the top-and-bottom direction is the axis. The four symbols 204A to 204D are equally arranged. In FIG. 5, the arrow Y is a three-dimensional vertical axis, and the horizontal axis (see arrow X) and the depth direction axis (see arrow Z) are shown simultaneously.

  Note that the front view of FIG. 2, that is, the player's line of sight, shows a state in which a symbol 204A (for example, a so-called exclamation mark “!”) Is visible on the front. Further, when the symbol 204A is the front, the symbol 204B is provided at a position rotated 90 ° to the right around the vertical axis Y (for example, a star mark “☆”) and rotated 90 ° to the left. A symbol 204D (for example, a cross mark “x”) is provided at the position.

  In addition, the pattern 204C (refer FIG.4 and FIG.5) is provided to the back surface of the pattern 204A in the surface of the spherical body 204. FIG. The sphere 204 in the sphere effect display unit 200 rotates in a three-dimensional direction, and the detailed configuration thereof will be described later.

  A stage 105 </ b> S is formed on the lower side of the center accessory 105. A game ball PB received by rebounding with a nail or the like, or a game ball PB received guided by a warp path (not shown) is sent to the stage 105S.

  The stage 105S is formed with an inclined surface, a protrusion, etc., and the movement of the game ball PB is irregularly changed by the inclined surface, the protrusion, etc., and finally returned to the game area of the game board 18 from the lower side. It is like that.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a passing gate 118 having a normal symbol lottery starting function is disposed on the left side of the center accessory 105 in FIG.

  In addition, a special symbol start winning port (A) 129 and a special symbol start winning port (B) 134 are arranged in a column at the lower part of the center accessory 105.

  The special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 is open at the top so that it can always win a prize, while the special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 is closed at the upper opening of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134. ing.

  An electric tulip 136 is attached to the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134. The electric tulip 136 is configured to open and close by energization / non-energization of an electric chew solenoid 138 (see FIG. 3) disposed on the back side of the game board 18.

  Here, when the electric tulip 136 is in the open state, the pachinko ball PB can be received into the winning opening of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, and the pachinko ball PB can be won.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an attacker 112 is disposed at a lower part of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 and located near the lower end of the game area.

  The attacker 112 is provided with an opening / closing door 116. The opening / closing door 116 is opened or closed by energization / non-energization of the attacker solenoid 148 (see FIG. 3). That is, when the open / close door 116 is opened, the game ball PB dropped on the open / close door 116 is guided by the open / close door 116 and wins the attacker 112.

  Further, at the lowest position of the game area, there is provided an out port 124 through which the dislodged ball is discharged to the back side of the game board 18.

  Further, a plurality of general winning ports 120 (in the present embodiment, FIG. 2) are provided below the center role 105 and to the left and right of the special symbol starting winning port (A) 129 and the special symbol starting winning port (B) 134. , Two general winning ports 120A and 120B are provided on the left side of the attacker 112, and one general winning port 120C) is provided on the right side of the attacker 112. Note that the number of the general winning openings 120 is not limited to three, and the number may be determined by, for example, a design calculation such as a winning rate.

  In addition, a light emitting element 137 for lighting effects that produces a lighting effect by lighting on, turning off, and flashing according to the progress of the game on the center actor 105 and the peripheral edge of the board surface provided in the game area (see FIG. 3). Many are provided.

  Here, when the game ball PB wins in the special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 or the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, a special symbol lottery is executed. The door 116 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern, and this is repeated a predetermined number of times (predetermined rounds) (sometimes referred to as “special gaming state” or “big role processing”).

  Note that the winning / losing of the special symbol lottery is mainly notified in the symbol variation display effect of the LCD display unit 106, and during the symbol variation pattern effect or during the major role processing, the lottery result is suspended and sequentially We are going to inform you. In addition to the symbol variation display effect, an anthropomorphic character of an animal or the like is displayed, and a visual effect may be given to give the player a sense of expectation by implying that they have won the lottery. In that case, the player's interest is increased from the auditory sense by sound effects.

  In the present embodiment, a maximum of four for one special symbol start winning opening (in this embodiment, two of special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 and special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 are shown. Since it is a special symbol start winning slot, it will be 8). The number of reserved balls is not limited to this.

  The number of balls to be held is notified by a holding lamp which is arranged at the lower right in FIG. 2 in the center role 105 and is mainly a part of the game progress guide lamp unit 109 having a special figure display unit. A part of the display unit 106 is used for easy display to the player.

  5 and 6 show the detailed configuration of the sphere effect display unit 200. FIG.

  The sphere 204 is supported by four supports 206 so as to coincide with the center of curvature radius of the cover 202 (see FIG. 4). For this reason, when the sphere 204 rotates around the sphere core, a substantially identical gap is maintained between the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the sphere 204 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover 202. In other words, the configuration is such that the rotation of the sphere 204 does not interfere with the cover 202. The support 206 may be at least three (three-point support). The three-point support can stably support the sphere 204 even with a slight error. However, in the present embodiment, the four-point support is used in order to maintain a constant gap with the electromagnets 224A to 224D described later. Designed with high precision so that there is no rattling.

  The support body 206 includes a cylindrical base portion 206A, and a small-diameter ball 206B is accommodated so that a part thereof protrudes from the upper end opening. The ball 206B is supported by a bearing provided inside the base portion 206A, and rotates in almost all directions around the ball core in almost no resistance. Note that “substantially no resistance” means that the coefficient of friction cannot be physically reduced to zero, and is equivalent to the resistance force during rotation of the shaft when supported by a bearing such as a commercially available ball bearing. If it is specification of.

  The sphere 204 is made of a thin synthetic resin and does not ask whether it is transparent or opaque. For example, a ball made of celluloid can be applied to an outer shell 204G (also referred to as an outer shell) used for table tennis.

  Here, a total of four permanent magnets 208 </ b> A to 208 </ b> D are fixed inside the spherical body 204 on the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell 204 </ b> G that forms the spherical body 204. The total weight of the four permanent magnets 208A to 208D is heavier than the total weight of the outer shell 204G constituting the sphere 204, and the center of gravity is eccentric in the vicinity of the permanent magnets 208A to 208D. More specifically, the top and bottom of the sphere 204 is determined (point S shown in FIG. 5A is “heaven”, and point E is “ground”), and four permanent magnets around the axis Y in the top-and-bottom direction. 208A-208D are arranged equally. For this reason, the gravity center position of the sphere 204 is an intersection of the vertical axis Y surrounded by the four permanent magnets 208A to 208D and the outer shell 204G of the sphere 204 (see FIG. 5B). Therefore, the sphere 204 supported on the four supports 206 is in any state in a three-dimensional orientation in a free state that is not touched except for the four supports 206. With the weights of the four permanent magnets 208A to 208D, the center of gravity rotates to balance, and the vertical axis becomes upright. This is the principle of so-called “Ogaki Goshibo”.

  On the other hand, a rotation imparting unit 210 is disposed on the upper end of the sphere 204 in FIG. 5A (on the extension of the vertical axis Y). The rotation imparting unit 210 includes a fork 212 arranged as a support along the vertical axis Y, and a driving roller 214 is attached to the lower end of the fork 212. The driving roller 214 can be rotated by the driving force of the motor 216.

  The fork 212 has a cylinder structure and can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction. A coil spring 218 is attached to the outer periphery of the fork 212. For this reason, the fork 212 is held in an extended state by the urging force of the coil spring 218.

  The base (upper end) of the fork 212 is connected to the elevating arm 220. By driving the elevating arm 220, the fork 212 and the drive roller 214 are in contact with the outer shell 204G of the sphere 204 (FIG. 6). (See (A)), and the driving roller 214 can be moved between two positions (see FIG. 6B) where the driving roller 214 is separated from the outer shell 204G of the sphere 204.

  Further, the fork 212 can reciprocate by a predetermined angle around the vertical axis Y in accordance with the horizontal movement of the rotary arm 222.

  Here, when the fork 212 descends and the driving roller 214 contacts the outer shell 204G of the sphere 204, the fork 212 contracts against the urging force of the coil spring 218, and the contact pressure of the driving roller 214 on the sphere 204 is reduced. Adjusted (maintained substantially constant), and the driving roller 214 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 216, so that the spherical core (in this embodiment, the “spherical core” is the same position as the origin of the three axes in the three-dimensional direction. ) 204 can be rotated around the center.

  At the same time, the fork 212 reciprocates at a predetermined angle around the vertical axis Y, so that the sphere 204 rotates around the three axes in the three-dimensional direction (X axis, Y axis, Z axis). Will do.

  Further, the rotation of the motor 216 is stopped, the fork 212 is pulled up, and the drive roller 214 is separated from the sphere 204, whereby the rotation of the sphere 204 by the drive roller 214 is stopped. However, the orientation of the sphere 204 at this time is indefinite, but with the balance of the center of gravity (according to the principle of rising up), the sphere 204 naturally returns so that the vertical direction is upright. .

  Here, the direction of the symbols 204A to 204D is provided in accordance with the top and bottom direction of the sphere. As a result, when the sphere 204 is naturally returned and stationary due to the balance of the center of gravity, the symbols 204A to 204D The direction of the top and bottom is upright.

  It should be noted that the vertical axis Y of the sphere 204 is upright, indicating that two of the three three-dimensional axes with the sphere core (center) of the sphere 204 as the origin are in two-axis directions (left-right inclination (around the Z axis). ) And the inclination in the depth direction (rotation around the X axis)), the reference position (anywhere other than the sphere core) set in the sphere 204 is returned to a specific position. After that, if the position around the vertical axis Y (around the Y axis) is determined, a desired symbol among the symbols 204A to 204D can be positioned on the front surface (the surface facing the cover 202).

  The four permanent magnets 208A to 208D have a cylindrical shape, and the permanent magnets 208A to 208D have a relative position of 1: 1 corresponding to the four symbols 204A to 204D. The four permanent magnets 208A to 208D and the four symbols 204A to 204D do not need to be in the same direction around the Y axis. For example, when the design 204A is provided at the 360 ° original position (0 °) around the Y axis of the symbols 204A to 204D, the permanent magnet 208A corresponding to this design 204A is at the 360 ° original position around the Y axis. (0 °) is not necessary, and the offset angle α ° or the like may be set in advance.

  Here, the permanent magnets 208 </ b> A to 208 </ b> D have different polarities in a ratio of a surface directed to the outer shell 204 </ b> G (that is, a surface directed outward) of 3: 1. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, three S poles are directed outward and one N pole is directed outward. That is, the permanent magnets 208A to 208D have a relationship of S pole: N pole = 3: 1 (hereinafter, when referring to the polarity of the permanent magnet 208A, the polarity in parentheses in FIG. Polarity “N pole” of the surface facing the outside (surface facing the electromagnet 224A) will be referred to).

  On the other hand, electromagnets 224A to 224D are provided inside the support member 206 at positions facing the permanent magnets 208A to 208D, respectively.

  The electromagnets 224A to 224D include a cylindrical main body 226 and an excitation unit 228 provided at the tip of the main body 226 (note that the electromagnets 224A to 224D are all the same regarding the main body 226 and the excitation unit 228). (Because of the structure, only the electromagnet 224A is given a reference numeral).

  Each of the electromagnets 224A to 224D includes a coil (not shown) inside the main body 226, and when a current flows through the coil by energization from the excitation controller 230 (see FIG. 3), each of the electromagnets 224A to 224D. The exciter 228 is excited. In the excitation controller 230, currents in different directions can flow independently through the coils of the respective electromagnets 224A to 224D. As a result, the excitation unit 228 is independent of each of the electromagnets 224A to 224D. The polarity can be changed.

  Here, if each exciting part of the electromagnets 224A to 224D is S pole: N pole = 1: 3, the ratio of the permanent magnets 208A to 208D is opposite to that of the permanent magnet 208A to 208D, and one permanent magnet 208A (N pole) is obtained. Of the electromagnets 224A to 224D, one of the electromagnets 224A to 224D is magnetically attached to one excitation unit 228 excited to the S pole, and the other S pole permanent magnets 208B to 208D are excited to the N pole. While magnetically attached to the excitation unit 228, coupled with the repulsion between the same poles, the action of rotating the sphere 204 around the vertical axis (Y axis) works.

  Therefore, if the excitation unit 228 that excites the S pole is selected, positioning at a specific position around the vertical axis (Y axis) becomes possible. As an effect, by sequentially switching the electromagnets 224A to 224D excited to the S pole in a short period of time (the principle of a stepping motor), after rotating the sphere 204 around the vertical axis (Y axis), a specific position It is also possible to position them.

Thereby, the symbols 204A to 204D given to the sphere 204 can be selectively displayed (positioned at a position facing the cover 202).
(Control system configuration)
Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured with a main control unit 150 as a center, and the main control unit 150 includes an effect control unit 152 and a payout control unit 154. And are connected. The main control unit 150 stores a basic program relating to games, and the operation of each unit is controlled based on a command signal from the main control unit 150.

  Information (start winning signal, jackpot signal, symbol determination signal) indicating the progress of the game is transmitted from the main control unit 150 to the hall computer (not shown) via the board external terminal 190.

  The main control unit 150 includes, as an input system, a pass gate sensor 118S that detects a game ball PB passing through the pass gate 118, and a special figure A start port sensor that detects a winning ball to the special symbol start winning port (A) 129. 129S, a special figure B start opening sensor 134S for detecting a winning ball to the special figure B starting winning opening 134, an attacker sensor 112S for detecting a winning ball to the attacker 112 that is opened in a special gaming state, a general winning opening 120A, General winning sensors 120AS, 120BS, and 120CS for detecting winning balls to 120B and 120C are connected.

  In addition, the main control unit 150 includes, as an output system, a guide lamp unit 109 for notifying game information when the lamp is lit, an electric chew solenoid 138 for opening and closing the electric tulip 136, and an opening and closing door 116 for the attacker 112. An attacker solenoid 148 is connected.

  An operation button 50 is connected to the effect control unit 152 as an input system. In addition, to the effect control unit 152, a light emitting element 137 for lighting effects and speakers 60 (glass frame speakers 60L, 60C, 60R, saucer speaker 60U) provided in various game parts of the game board 18 are connected as an output system. Has been.

  Furthermore, the LCD display unit 106 is connected to the effect control unit 152 via the symbol control unit 156. In addition, a sphere effect control unit 232 is connected to the symbol control unit 156. The sphere effect control unit 232 is connected to the excitation control unit 230 and the drive system 234 of the rotation applying unit 210. The drive system 234 includes a motor 216 that rotates the drive roller 214, and includes a drive source that drives the fork to move up and down and horizontally.

  The payout control unit 154 is connected to a payout device 160 and a launch control unit 164, and the launch control unit 164 is connected to a launch device 165. The payout control unit 154 operates the payout device 160 provided in the pachinko machine 10 to control the payout and lending ball payout and stop operations and the number of payouts. In addition, the launch control unit 164 activates the launch device 165 by the operation of the grip unit 26 (see FIG. 1) by the player to start launch of the game ball PB and the launch force according to the operation amount of the grip unit 26. To control.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 transmits payout information to a hall computer (not shown) installed in the hall via the frame external terminal 191.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  In the game using the pachinko machine 10, when the player operates the grip unit 26 (see FIG. 1), the ball is shot upward by the launching device 165 (see FIG. 3) one by one. As shown in FIG. 2, the launched game ball PB is driven into the game area of the game board 18 along the outer rail 102 and falls in the game area while changing the direction of hitting the game nail or the windmill 21. Then, the game ball PB reaching the lower end of the game area without winning a prize is collected into the pachinko machine 10 from the out port 124.

  Further, when the game ball PB wins a special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 and a special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 provided in the game area, or passes through the passing gate 118, it is based on the respective game specifications. Processing (for example, special symbol lottery, normal symbol lottery, etc.) is executed, and image display effects (for example, symbol variation pattern effects, etc.) on the LCD display unit 106, sound effects using the speaker 60, and the like are executed. . Although not shown in the drawing, when a prize is awarded to the general winning opening 120, a predetermined prize ball (payout) is executed.

(Outline of game specifications)
First, the game control centered on the lottery process in the main control unit 150 will be described.

  When the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning opening (A) 129 or the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, it is determined whether or not it is an effective start winning prize. The effective start winning is a game where the reserved balls are not full (for example, four for one start opening) and the special symbol starting winning opening (A) 129 or the special symbol starting winning opening (B) 134 is played. Saying that the ball PB has won a prize, and thereby, a lottery right is obtained. In the invalid starting prize, the right to draw is not given, but a predetermined number (about 3 to 5) of prize balls may be paid out.

  If the start prize is an effective start prize, a random number is acquired, a pre-stored hit value is read, and both are compared to determine whether the special symbol lottery is win or miss.

  If the current gaming state is in jackpot processing or symbol variation pattern production, in order to put the special symbol lottery right on hold, the holding number is incremented by one (+1), and the current gaming state is jackpot processing When it is not in the middle or when the symbol variation pattern production is no longer being performed, the special symbol lottery process is executed by subtracting the number of holdings by one.

  Based on the winning / losing of the special symbol lottery, the symbol variation pattern effect time is set, and a command including the special symbol lottery result and the symbol variation pattern time is sent to the effect control unit 152.

  The effect control unit 152 controls output system devices such as the LCD display unit 106 and the speaker 60 to notify the result of the special symbol lottery using the set effect time. For example, on the LCD display unit 106, a symbol variation pattern effect is executed.

  After this notification, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a win, a special game state (a big win process) is executed. In the normal gaming state, the closed attacker 112 is always opened and closed by a predetermined number of rounds (5R, 10R, 15R). The opening time of the attacker 112 is a maximum of 30 seconds. The attacker 112 is closed when a predetermined number (for example, 8 to 10) of game balls are won during the opening, and a predetermined closing time is set. , Go to the next round (open). Thereby, the player can receive a lot of prize balls in a short time.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect (main effect) mainly composed of the symbol variation pattern effect by the LCD display unit 106 described above, information related to the game (for example, reach notice information, hit notice information, game) A sphere effect display unit 200 is provided for executing a sub-effect for notification of information (such as specifications).

  In this embodiment, the sphere effect display unit 200 selectively positions four types of information (symbols 204A to 204D) at positions facing the back side of the cover 202, and informs the player of the symbols 204A to 204D. The purpose is to show either.

  The feature of the sphere effect display unit 200 is that the sphere 204 rotates in a three-dimensional direction around the sphere core, and finally, the top of the symbols 204A to 204D is prepared, and any one of them is placed on the back surface of the cover 202. It is in the point to be positioned.

  This operation is achieved by executing the following actions in combination.

(Operation 1) Principle of spilling up (free state in Fig. 7)
Four permanent magnets 208A to 208D are attached to the back surface of the outer shell 204G of the sphere 204 at a position biased with respect to the sphere core, and the center of gravity of the sphere 204 is substantially equal to that of the four permanent magnets 208A to 208D. The center (point E in FIG. 5C). For this reason, if the sphere 204 is supported by the support member 206 and is in a free state, the spheroid 204 may spill even if the orientation of the sphere 204 is indefinite in the three-dimensional direction. The permanent magnets 208 </ b> A to 208 </ b> D rotate so as to be at the lowermost end, and at least two axes in the three-dimensional direction (shown in FIG. 5 (A), the inclination around the X axis and the inclination around the Z axis are specific In other words, the top and bottom of the sphere 204 is determined.

  If only the action 1 is considered, the permanent magnets 208 </ b> A to 208 </ b> D are not necessarily provided, and a “weight” may be simply provided.

(Operation 2) Principle of stepping motor (rotation effect in FIG. 7)
In the spherical body 204 whose top-and-bottom direction is determined, the permanent magnets 204A to 204D face the electromagnets 224A to 224D. In the present embodiment, the permanent magnet 208A has an N pole, and the other permanent magnets 208B to 208D have an S pole. Correspondingly, any one of the electromagnets 224A to 224D is an S pole, and the others are N poles. Let it be the pole.

  In this state, when the polarities of the electromagnets 224A to 224D are sequentially changed, the permanent magnets 208 to 208D follow the change in the polarities of the electromagnets 224A to 224D, so that the sphere 204 is a vertical axis (Y axis). Rotate around.

(Operation 3) Positioning (during positioning in FIG. 7)
The permanent magnets 208A to 208 and the symbols 204A to 204D have a correlation. In addition, since the four permanent magnets 208A to 208D correspond to the four symbols 204A to 204D on a 1: 1 basis, the electromagnets 224A to 224D are maintained with one S pole and three N poles. The sphere 204 can be positioned at four positions around the vertical axis (Y axis). Since these four positions are positions where any of the symbols 204A to 204D faces the back side of the cover 202, the symbols 204A to 204D can be selectively displayed by the excitation control of the electromagnets 224A to 224D.

  An example of the effect using the sphere effect display unit 200 having the above actions 1 to 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 300, it is determined whether or not it is an execution time. If a negative determination is made, this routine ends. If an affirmative determination is made in step 300, the process proceeds to step 302, the symbol to be finally displayed (the symbol positioned to face the back surface of the cover 202) is specified, and the process proceeds to step 304.

  In step 304, it is determined whether or not the production time has come. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 306, where the rotation imparting unit 210 is brought into contact with the sphere 204. That is, the state shown in FIG. 6A is changed to the state shown in FIG.

  Next, at step 308, the drive roller 214 is rotated and the fork 212 is rotated to execute rotation in the three-dimensional direction.

  In the next step 310, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of rotation in the three-dimensional direction. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 312 to end the rotation in the three-dimensional direction. Next, the process proceeds to step 314 and the rotation imparting unit 210 is separated from the sphere 204. That is, the state shown in FIG. 6B is changed to the state shown in FIG.

  In the next step 316, initial excitation is performed on the electromagnets 224 </ b> A to 224 </ b> D (in this case, any one may be set as the S pole), and then the process proceeds to step 318 to start excitation rotation. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the electromagnets 224 </ b> A to 224 </ b> D is sequentially set to the S pole (the other is the N pole), so that the permanent magnets 208 </ b> A to 208 </ b> D of the sphere 204 follow this and the sphere 204 rotates. .

  In the next step 320, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 322 to perform excitation for positioning, and this routine ends. As a result, any of the symbols 204A to 204D corresponding to the positioning excitation is positioned with the cover 202 facing the back side, and can be notified to the player.

  In addition, said effect is an example and the spherical body effect display part 200 which concerns on this Embodiment can respond to various effects using the effect | actions 1-3 mentioned above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical body 204 is rotatably supported, and the permanent magnets 208A to 208D that also serve as weights are attached to the inner side surface of the outer shell 204G of the spherical body 204. It is possible to erect naturally in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). Further, by selectively attracting the permanent magnets 208A to 208D by the electromagnets 224A to 224D and sequentially changing the object to be attracted, the sphere 204 can be rotated and positioned at a predetermined position around the Y axis.

10 Pachinko machine 18 Game board 105 Center actor 106 Liquid crystal display (LCD display)
112 Attacker 129 Special design starting prize opening (A)
134 Special design starting prize opening (B)
136 Electric Tulip 150 Main Control Unit 152 Effect Control Unit 154 Payout Control Unit 200 Sphere Effect Display Unit 202 Cover 204 Spheres 204A to 204D Symbol 206 Support (Supporting Means)
206A Base part 206B Ball 204G Outer shell 208A-208D Permanent magnet (feedback means)
210 Rotation imparting section 212 Fork 214 Drive roller 216 Motor (drive means)
218 Coil spring 220 Lift arm (return means)
222 Rotating arm 224A to 224D Electromagnet (positioning means)
226 Main body 228 Excitation part 230 Excitation control part (positioning means)
232 Sphere effect control unit 234 Drive system (drive means)

Claims (7)

A gaming machine for notifying the game information according to the progress of the game with the effect when the game progresses under a predetermined game specification,
Support means for supporting the member to be rotated so as to be rotatable around a three-dimensional axis having a preset origin as an intersection;
Driving means that is capable of contacting / separating the rotated member, and that applies a rotational driving force around each of the three-dimensional axes when contacting the rotated member;
When the drive means is separated from the rotated member, a reference position set other than the origin by a balancing operation of the center of gravity of the rotated member itself is set to a specific position of the two-axis coordinates in the three dimensions. A return means to return naturally,
The drive is controlled in a state where the drive means is in contact with the rotated member returned by the feedback means, and the reference position is positioned to the remaining one-axis coordinate position in the target three-dimensional. Positioning means;
A gaming machine having. A gaming machine for visually informing game information according to the progress of the game when progressing the game under a predetermined game specification,
A sphere,
Support means in a free state capable of rotating the sphere around a three-dimensional axis with the center of the sphere as an intersection;
A weight member that is provided on the sphere and determines the position of the center of gravity so that when the sphere is in the free state, the sphere is physically balanced at least in the vertical direction and is in an upright state;
A rotation control means for rotating the erect sphere so as to be positioned at a plurality of positions around an axis in the erect direction;
A drive means that is in contact with a part of the peripheral surface of the sphere in the free state and rotates the sphere about the three-dimensional axis regardless of the physical balance of the weight member;
Moving means capable of moving the driving means in a direction in contact with or away from the sphere;
A gaming machine having. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, it further has an effect control means for executing an effect according to the progress of the game by controlling the rotation of the sphere,
The production control means
A first step of controlling the moving means to bring the driving means into contact with the sphere;
A second step of controlling the driving means to rotate the sphere about the three-dimensional axis;
After the predetermined time has elapsed, the rotation of the sphere due to the driving of the driving means is stopped, and the driving means is separated from the sphere by controlling the moving means so that the sphere is in a free state and physically balanced. The third step of erecting by
A fourth step of rotating the sphere about an upright axis by the rotation control means and positioning the sphere at a predetermined position;
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein: The rotation control means is
A plurality of permanent magnets arranged around the axis in the erect direction in the sphere and having a surface directed outwardly as an N pole or an S pole;
A plurality of electromagnets arranged in a non-contact manner so as to face each of the plurality of permanent magnets and capable of converting the polarity of the facing surface into N and S poles;
The game according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the ball is rotated and positioned around an axis in the erecting direction by controlling a state of energization of each electromagnet and a direction of current. Machine.   A plurality of permanent magnets arranged around an axis in the upright direction of the sphere are set in an arrangement characterized by an N-pole and an S-pole, respectively, so that when the electromagnet is energized, an axis in the upright direction of the sphere 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the game machine is positioned at a specific position around.   The number of the permanent magnets and the electromagnets is X, and the characteristic arrangement is such that X-1 is an N pole or an S pole, and the remaining one is an S pole or an N pole. 5. The gaming machine according to 5.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets also function as the weight member.