JP2014200478A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impact a player by displaying an image that cannot be expressed by an existing display part and has high emphasis effect without changing any lines of sight.SOLUTION: When a screen sheet 64 is in a transparent state, a player enjoys an image performance on a display part 106. In specific ready-to-win, the ready-to-win state is reported, the screen sheet 64 is made milky white, and laser beams are outputted from an output part 68 to scan the screen sheet 64 to display an image. A laser image is displayed nearer for an image under display on the display part 106, thus allowing the player to enjoy a performance as a three-dimensional image, and an impactful image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with notifying means for giving visual information to a player as the game progresses.

  Conventionally, in game machines, particularly pachinko machines, a special symbol lottery (winning lottery) is made by fetching a random number for winning lottery at the timing of detecting a pachinko ball that won a winning prize opening (special symbol starting prize winning port), As a result of this special symbol lottery, the winning prize opening is opened a predetermined number of times for a predetermined period (one opening and closing is one round, and generally continues for 10 to 16 rounds in total). There is a pachinko machine that has a function (a big role processing) that makes it advantageous for the player to enhance.

  In this type of pachinko machine, as an effect to notify the player of the result of the special symbol lottery, it is displayed on a display unit (usually a liquid crystal display screen) installed at the center of the gauge board of the pachinko machine using the effect symbol. .

  This display unit is composed of a plurality of rows (for example, 3 rows) of symbol variation pattern screens (there is also a background screen), and the winning or defeating is notified by the arrangement of the rendering symbols when stopping after the varying symbol variation pattern rendering. It is supposed to be. By seeing the symbol variation screen, the player is amazed whether it is a hit or miss, so that the player can have a sense of expectation.

  In addition, in the case of notification of the winning or the loss, in particular, when reaching a reach, there is a case where an effect that makes the winning expectation occur. If the reach is the three-column symbol variation pattern, there is a possibility that if the two-column symbols stop changing (temporarily stopped) while the one-column symbol variation state is left, the remaining symbols will be won by stopping. (For example, if two rows that are stopped or temporarily stopped have the same symbol), the player has the expectation of winning in this reach, so a relatively flashy performance is performed to meet the expectation. To do.

  By the way, the effect by the display unit is limited to planar expression, and thus the emphasis is decreasing. Therefore, in recent years, a large-sized movable member (gimmick) is often used and operated in synchronization with the effect image by the display unit. However, since the operation of the movable member is patterned, there is a possibility of being bored empirically.

  In Patent Document 1, instead of an LCD, a screen is opposed to a glass plate, and an image is guided and projected through a plurality of mirrors from a liquid crystal projector installed on the back side of the game board toward the back of the screen.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, instead of the LCD, the screen is opposed to a glass plate, and an image is guided and controlled from the liquid crystal projector installed at the bottom to the back of the screen via a reflecting mirror.

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, a screen is arranged instead of a display unit such as an LCD currently used in an actual machine, and an image is displayed by a projector. This is a measure to occupy the large display part and the pachinko ball must be detoured. Therefore, an image with higher emphasis than a display unit such as an LCD is not expected.

  Here, Patent Document 3 discloses a gaming machine in which two decorative symbol display devices are arranged so as to overlap in the player's line of sight.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-196689 JP 2005-160849 A JP 2009-273836 A

  However, Patent Document 3 shows a configuration that allows display on two different decorative symbol display devices using one VDP, and the emphasis (impact) on the effect using two decorative symbol display devices. There is no mention.

  In consideration of the above-described facts, the present invention provides a gaming machine capable of displaying a highly emphasized image that cannot be expressed by an existing display unit without changing the line of sight and giving a visual impact to the player. Is the purpose.

  The present invention is provided in the area of the game board, provided with an image display unit for displaying a first image for transmitting visual information to the player through a transparent plate, and provided so as to face the transparent plate. A screen sheet that changes into at least a transparent state and an opaque state depending on the state, and a second image for outputting and scanning a light beam toward the screen sheet to convey visual information to the player on the screen sheet The light beam output unit for display and the display of the first image on the image display are controlled, and on the condition that the screen sheet is in an opaque state, the second image on the screen sheet is displayed. Image display control means for controlling display.

  According to the present invention, normal visual information is transmitted via the first image. When the first image is displayed, for example, when the gaming state becomes a specific state, the display of the second image is used as an effect that is difficult to emphasize and express in the display of the first image.

  That is, when the display of the second image is confirmed, first, the screen sheet is changed from the transparent state to the opaque state. As a result, the first image is hidden by the opaque screen sheet.

  Thereafter, the second image is displayed by outputting and scanning a light beam (for example, laser light) from the light beam output unit toward the screen. Since the second image uses a light beam and is a scanned image, an image with higher emphasis than the first image can be displayed, which can have a visual impact on the player. it can.

  In the present invention, when the screen sheet is turned on or off, the screen sheet can be switched to a transparent state that is assimilar to the transparent plate material, or at least a milky white state that has a transmittance that cannot be grasped visually. It is characterized by being.

  The first image can be reliably viewed in the transparent state, and can function as a screen for displaying the second image in the milky white state.

  In the present invention, the area of the screen sheet is divided into a plurality of areas, and for each of the divided areas, a transparent state that is a transmittance that is assimilated with the transparent plate material when the power is turned on or off, or at least It is characterized in that it can be switched to a milky whitening state where the transmittance is such that the outline cannot be grasped visually.

  Since each sectioned area can be made transparent or milky white, it is possible to produce a synchronous effect such as displaying the first image in the transparent area and displaying the second image in the milky area. Become.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the plurality of screen sheets are laid on the same plane of the transparent plate material, and a necessary and sufficient area for displaying the second image is secured.

  The screen sheet is not limited to a single sheet, and a necessary and sufficient area for displaying the second image can be secured by laying on the same plane of the transparent plate.

  In the present invention, the image data of the second image is corrected for trapezoidal distortion based on the optical axis of the light beam output from the light beam output unit and the tilt angle with respect to the normal line of the screen sheet. It is a feature.

  Even if the light beam is output obliquely, the display area of the second image can be rectangular or square.

  As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect of displaying a highly emphasized image that cannot be expressed by an existing display unit without changing the line of sight and giving a visual impact to the player. Have.

It is a perspective view (screen sheet transparent state) of the pachinko machine concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view (screen sheet opaque state) of the pachinko machine concerning this embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the pachinko machine which concerns on this Embodiment. (A) is a schematic block diagram of the laser beam output unit according to the present embodiment, and (B) is a perspective view of an XY scanner which is one of the components of the laser beam output unit. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the display part provided in the game board, and a screen sheet, (A) Screen sheet transparent state (display part image display), (B) Screen opacification state, (C) Screen image display Indicates the state. It is a front view of the game board concerning this embodiment. It is a control system block of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is a side view showing the relative positional relationship between the laser light output unit and the screen sheet according to the present embodiment, (B) is a front view of a real image on the screen sheet when image data is not subjected to distortion correction, ( C) is a front view of a real image on the screen sheet when the image data is corrected for trapezoidal distortion. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the presentation control by a laser beam image in a laser image output control part. It is a modification when the screen sheet is divided, (A) shows a case where the power on / off control area is divided, and (B) shows a case where the screen sheet itself is divided.

(Configuration of the pachinko machine itself)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an underlay 12 serving as a decorative panel is attached to the lower front portion of the pachinko machine 10.

  In addition, a glass frame 16 equipped with a pair of (two) glass plates 14A and 14B (see FIG. 3) arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval is arranged on the upper part of the undergarment 12 of the pachinko machine 10. The glass frame 16 is attached so that it can be opened and closed with the left end portion pivotally supported. A removable game board 18 (see FIG. 6) is set on the back side of the glass frame 16, and the game board 18 faces the glass plates 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B while being closed by the glass frame 16. It is like that. The glass plates 14A and 14B are collectively referred to as the glass plate 14.

  Further, a screen sheet 64 that is a part of the laser image display device 62 is attached to the back surface side of the glass plate 14A among the glass plates 14A and 14B. The screen sheet 64 is a liquid crystal film material, and the transmittance changes (transparent / milky white (opaque) in the present embodiment) by turning the power on and off. The laser image display device 62 including the screen sheet 64 will be described in detail separately.

  Speakers 60 </ b> L and 60 </ b> R are built in the upper corners of the glass frame 16, and sound is output simultaneously with illumination.

  In addition, electrical decoration devices 51 and 52 are attached to the left and right side portions and the upper portion of the glass frame 16. The illumination devices 51 and 52 have a structure in which a three-dimensionally protruding lens cover is attached to a base portion (not shown).

  An electric wiring board is provided on the base part of the electric decoration devices 51 and 52, and a light source (part of the light source 137 shown in FIG. 7) as an electric component is attached to the electric wiring board.

  For this reason, when the light source is turned on in the space closed by the lens cover, a light effect is performed on the player due to light refraction by the lens cover.

  Here, an upper part of the glass frame 16, that is, an electrical decoration device 52 provided between the speaker 60 </ b> L and the speaker 60 </ b> R, a laser light output unit that becomes a part of the laser image display device 62 together with the screen sheet 64. 66 is attached.

  The laser light output unit 66 is provided inside the housing of the electrical decoration device 52, and the laser light output unit 68 is disposed on the lower surface of the electrical decoration device 52. The output unit 68 is covered with a cover member 68A in a state where a necessary minimum region where laser light is output is exposed.

  The laser light output unit 66 will be described in detail separately. Laser light is a typical example of a light beam and is not limited to this, and may be an LED beam or the like. In this embodiment, a case where laser light is applied as a light beam will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a dish unit 24 is disposed below the glass frame 16. A keyhole 27 is provided at the right end of the plate unit 24 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The dish unit 24 is provided with an upper dish part 28. The upper dish portion 28 is provided with a ball removal button 36A. By operating this ball removal button 36A, the game balls PB stored in the upper dish portion 28 can be guided to the lower dish portion 29. It has become. Further, a ball lending button 42 and a return button 44 are provided on the right end of the upper plate portion 28 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The lower dish part 29 is provided with a ball removal button 36B. By operating the ball removal button 36B, the game balls PB stored in the lower dish part 29 are discharged to the outside (for example, so-called “dollar box”). Can be done.

  A grip unit 26 (sometimes referred to as a “shooting handle 26”) for adjusting the firing force (flying distance) of the hit ball is attached to the lower right portion of the plate unit 24 in FIGS.

  Further, the upper plate portion 28 in the plate unit 24 is provided with an operation portion 50 that can be pressed or rotated by the player. The operation unit 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.

(Configuration of laser image display device 62)
As shown in FIG. 3, the screen sheet 64 is affixed to the side of the glass plate 14A on the player side facing the glass plate 14B on the game board 18 side of the pair of glass plates 14A and 14B. In addition, you may affix on the facing side with the glass plate 14A in the glass plate 14B.

  Further, the screen sheet 64 is disposed between the glass plates 14A and 14B, and the upper end is attached along one upper end of the glass plates 14A and 14B of the screen sheet 64, while the weight is continuously provided along the lower end. Alternatively, the screen sheet 64 may be held flat by attaching with a gap.

  As a result, the work of attaching the screen sheet 64 to one of the glass plates 14A and 14B in a flat shape is omitted, and when the pachinko machine 10 is collected, the material unit can be easily separated. Reduction in workability during attachment and disassembly can be suppressed.

  In this case, when the glass plates 14A and 14B are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval as in the present embodiment, the thickness dimension of the weight is used to prevent the screen sheet 64 from swinging in the depth direction. It is preferable to make the surface contact with the glass plates 14A and 14B with a negative dimensional tolerance with respect to the predetermined interval dimension. For example, the contact surfaces of the weights with the glass plates 14A and 14B may be made of a member having a small friction coefficient (nonwoven fabric or the like) and fall while sliding with its own weight.

  Further, in the case where the screen sheet 64 held in a state of being tensioned by the weight of the weight as described above is disposed on the surface of the glass plate 14B facing the game board 18, the weight is placed between the glass plate 14B and the game board 18. It is necessary to devise so that it cannot swing between. For example, as the weight, it is possible to apply a roller that has a circumferential surface that can be in close contact with the glass 14B and that descends while rotating in close contact with the glass plate 14B with its own weight.

  Moreover, instead of sticking the upper end of the screen sheet 64 described above to the glass plates 14A and 14B, tension is applied in a direction that is predetermined with respect to the peripheral edge portion and the corner portion and is opposite, for example, in the diagonal direction if the corner portion. You may comprise so that it may provide. Thereby, the screen sheets 64 are arranged in a planar shape.

  Furthermore, in addition to the glass plates 14A and 14B, a third glass plate having the function of a screen sheet having the same shape as the glass plates 14A and 14B may be provided.

  On the other hand, in the configuration in which the screen sheet 64 is provided on the side facing the player and the side facing the game board 18 in the glass plate 14A, the screen sheet 64 may be damaged by an external force. It is preferable to avoid the installation of the screen sheet 64 on the screen.

  The screen sheet 64 is formed to have an outer shape (dimension) smaller than the outer shape of the center actor 105 described later in FIGS. 1 and 2, and to avoid a flow-down path of a game ball launched to the game board 18. A relative position with respect to the game board 18 is determined. For this reason, even if the screen sheet 64 becomes milky white (opaque), the line of sight following the trend of the game ball PB flowing on the game board 18 is not blocked.

  Note that the outer shape (the outer shape and the relative position smaller than the center accessory 105) is not limited as long as the screen sheet 64 can be partially milky white (opaque). For example, it is good also as an external shape equivalent to the external shape of the glass plate 14A. "Outer shape equivalent to the outer shape of the glass plate 14A" means that when the glass plate 14A is fitted in the glass frame 16, the peripheral edge of the screen sheet 64 coincides with the peripheral edge of the glass frame 16 from the player's line of sight. The outer shape including an error allowed in advance on the basis of the existing state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a power harness 70 is connected to the screen sheet 64, and a part thereof is wired along the glass plate 14A to which the screen sheet 64 is not attached. Although part of the power harness 70 may be opaque, it is assumed that at least one game ball PB flowing on the game board 18 is disposed in an area where it is not completely hidden. Further, the power harness 70 is disposed on the right side (in the player's line of sight) toward the front of the screen sheet 64 and is disposed in an area where the flow trajectory of the game ball is relatively small, depending on the game specifications. Is desirable.

  When the power is turned on or off via the power harness 70, the screen sheet 64 becomes transparent or milky white (opaque). More specifically, when the power is turned off, it is transparent as shown in FIG. 1, and when the power is turned on, it becomes milky white (opaque) as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment (FIGS. 2 and 5, etc.), when milky white (opaque) is expressed, gray (halftone) is used.

  When the screen sheet 64 is transparent, the screen sheet 64 is assimilated with the glass plate 14 </ b> A and does not obstruct the player's line of sight, so that the entire game board 18 can be seen.

  On the other hand, when the screen sheet 64 is milky white (opaque), the screen sheet 64 is in a state where the game board 18 cannot be seen from a part of the glass plate 14A. This invisible area is an area facing a center role 105 (described later) of the game board 18, in which the player visually recognizes the flying ball of the game ball, and the game ball along the surface of the game board 18. It is not hindered to visually recognize the flow-down state.

  On the screen sheet 64, the laser light output from the laser light output unit 66 described above is output, and an image is displayed.

(Laser light output unit)
As shown in FIG. 4A, the laser light output unit 66 includes a laser tube 72, an acoustooptic device 74, an XY scanner 76, and a scanning control unit 77 for controlling them.

  As the laser tube 72, a gas laser, a semiconductor laser, a DPSS laser, or the like can be applied. The acoustooptic element 74 has a role of blocking (modulating) unnecessary laser output. In particular, in the case of a gas laser, it is difficult to control the output at high speed, so the acoustooptic element 74 is provided as an external unit. Is preferred. On the other hand, the acousto-optic element 74 is not essential in a directly modulated semiconductor laser or the like.

  The XY scanner 76 has a function of scanning laser light in the X direction and the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the XY scanner 76, an X-direction deflector 78 and a Y-direction deflector 80 are arranged such that the axes of the deflection axes 82X and 82Y are orthogonal to each other. Mirrors 84X and 84Y are attached to the deflection shafts 82X and 82Y, respectively.

  In the XY scanner 76, first, input laser light is input to the mirror 84X of the X-direction deflector 78, and is appropriately scanned in the X direction, and the scanned light is input to the mirror 84Y of the Y-direction deflector 80, where appropriate Y It is scanned in the direction and output from an output unit 68 provided on the lower surface of the electrical decoration device 52. This output destination is the screen sheet 64.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5C, the laser beam scanned by the XY scanner 76 is output from the lower surface (output unit 68) of the illumination device 52 located above the glass frame 16. The image is displayed by being scanned on the screen sheet 64.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the scanning control unit 77 of the laser light output unit 66 is connected to a laser image display control unit 86 connected to an effect control unit 152 to be described later, and the screen is adjusted in accordance with the progress of the game. Power on / off control for the sheet 64 and laser light output control by the laser light output unit 66 are executed, and an image is displayed.

(Game board configuration)
FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the game board 18 applicable to the present embodiment. The configuration of the game board 18 is an example applied under a game specification for controlling image display by a laser image display device (laser light output unit 66, screen sheet 64) 62, and the present invention relates to the game. The configuration of the board 18 is not limited.

  The game board 18 shown in FIG. 6 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. A transparent acrylic plate or the like may be used instead of the veneer plate. 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. 7) can be moved by its own weight fall, and this area is a game. This is a gaming area where

  In the game area of the game board 18, nails 19 (partially added with reference numerals) are scattered and driven, and a windmill 21 is attached. In addition, a center accessory 105 is arranged almost in the center of the game area. The center accessory 105 includes movable accessory devices 105A and 105B that operate mechanically, and a display unit 106 that displays images such as various effects. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the movable accessory devices 105A and 105B are projected to the front of the display unit 106 as an operation for giving a player a sense of expectation of winning based on a result of a special symbol lottery described later. In addition, operation effects such as widening or narrowing the display surface of the display unit 106 are performed. On the other hand, an LCD display, an LED display, or the like can be applied to the display unit 106, but it is not particularly limited to the display form.

  In the display unit 106, for example, a symbol variation pattern effect for informing the result of the special symbol lottery is executed. As an example, if the symbol pattern of 3 columns is individually changed, and the symbol pattern when 2 of the symbol columns are stopped changing, the symbol becomes the same symbol. When the final row stops and becomes the same symbol as the already stopped two rows of symbols, the winning is notified, and when it becomes a different symbol, a loss is notified.

  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 19 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 changes irregularly by the inclined surface, the protrusion, etc., and finally returns to the game board 18 from the lower side. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a special symbol start winning opening (A) 130 is arranged at the lower part of the center accessory 105. The special symbol start winning opening (A) 130 is open at the top so that it can always win.

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

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a passing gate 118 having a normal symbol lottery starting function is arranged on the right side of the center accessory 105 in FIG.

  A special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 is disposed below the passing gate 118. The upper opening of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 is normally closed by the nail 19.

  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. 7) disposed on the back side of the game board 18.

  The electric tulip 136 is opened when the normal symbol lottery is won. When the electric tulip 136 is in the open state, the game ball PB can be received into the winning opening of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, and the gaming ball PB can be won.

  At the lower part of the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, an attacker 112 dedicated to the jackpot for the special symbol lottery is arranged near the lower end of the game area.

  The attacker 112 is provided with an opening / closing door 116. The open / close door 116 is opened or closed by energization / non-energization of the attacker solenoid 148 (see FIG. 7). 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.

  Here, when the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning opening (A) 130 or the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, the special symbol lottery is executed.

  In the special symbol lottery, when the “big hit” is won, the opening / closing door 116 of the attacker 112 is opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, and this is repeated a predetermined number of times (a predetermined round). Such a game state that is clearly advantageous to the player is referred to as “special game”, “big game processing”, etc., and is distinguished from the normal game state.

  Note that the winning (“big hit”), which is the lottery result of the special symbol lottery, is mainly notified in the symbol variation display effect of the display unit 106, and in the case of the symbol variation display effect or during the major role processing, the lottery is performed. The notification of the result is on standby (holding / storing), and the notification is made sequentially. In addition to the symbol variation display effect, a character such as an anthropomorphic animal is displayed, and a visual effect is given to give the player a sense of expectation by implying that they have won the special symbol lottery. In this case, the player's interest is increased by sound effects.

  Here, in the normal game state, the player rotates the grip unit 26 to adjust the firing strength to strike the left side toward the center accessory 105 (so-called “left-handed state”). On the other hand, in the special game state, the player operates the grip unit 26 to rotate and hits the attacker 112 toward the center object 105 toward the right side in FIG. Status "). In addition, there may be a specific gaming state (for example, a “right-handed state” of a normal game for a certain period after a special game (main role processing)).

  When the game ball PB passes through the passing gate 118 in a specific gaming state, the normal symbol lottery is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the electric tulip 136 is released. In the specific gaming state, since the electric tulip is opened for a long period of time, the probability of winning the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 increases as compared to gaming states other than the specific gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, the specific game state is “short-time game state with electric tulip 136 support” (sometimes referred to as “short-time with electric support”, “short-time with electric support”, etc.), and with non-electric support. While the base value during the time reduction is about 20, the base value during the time reduction with the electric support is set to be about 100. The base value is the ratio of the number of prize balls paid out with respect to the number of shot balls. For example, when 100 game balls PB are fired and there are 20 prize balls paid out, the base value is “20”. When a ball is paid out, the base is called “100”. The reason why each base value is set to “about” is that the numerical value is a theoretical numerical value, and an error occurs with respect to the theoretical numerical value in an actual game. In the average value of a long game period, it converges to the base value set in each.

  The game board 18 has a plurality of general prize openings 120 (in the present embodiment) on the left side of the special symbol start winning opening (A) 130 (lower left of the game board 18) below the center role 105. The accessory device 107 provided with the two general winning openings 120A and 120B) is disposed. The number of the general winning openings 120 is not limited to two. For example, the number may be determined by a design calculation such as a basic base and a winning rate.

  In the present embodiment, a maximum of four per special symbol start winning opening (in this embodiment, two of special symbol start winning opening (A) 130 and special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 are shown. Since the number of special symbol start winning holes is 8, it is possible to hold (memory for the start winning of the game ball PB). The number of reserved balls is not limited.

  The number of reserved balls is mainly determined by a special symbol memory display unit which is a part of the game progress guide lamp unit 109 having a special symbol display unit (located at the lower right when the center accessory 105 shown in FIG. 6 is viewed from the front). Informed.

(Control system configuration)
Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured with a main control unit 150 as the center. 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 indicating the progress of the game (start winning signal, jackpot signal, symbol determination number signal, etc.) 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) 130. 130S, special figure B start opening sensor 134S for detecting a winning ball to the special symbol starting winning opening (B) 134, an attacker sensor 112S for detecting a winning ball to the attacker 112 that is released in the case of "big hit", a general winning opening General winning sensors 120AS and 120BS for detecting winning balls to 120A and 120B are connected.

  In addition, the main control unit 150 has an output system that opens and closes a guide lamp unit 109 for notifying game information and a game state by lighting a lamp, 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 for the purpose.

  The operation control unit 50 is connected to the effect control unit 152 as an input system. In addition, the effect control unit 152 includes, as an output system, a light source 137 for illumination effects provided on various game parts of the pachinko machine 10 (including the light sources of the illumination device 51 and the detachable illumination device 52), and a speaker 60L. , 60R are connected.

  The effect control unit 152 is connected to the laser image display control unit 86. The laser image display control unit 86 is connected to the screen sheet 64 and the laser light output unit 66 of the laser laser image display device 62, respectively. The laser image display control unit 86 performs on / off (transparent, milky white (opaque)) control on the screen sheet 64. Further, the laser image display control unit 86 instructs the scanning control unit 77 to display an image based on the image data to the laser light output unit 66. The scanning control unit 77 controls the operations of the laser tube 72, the acoustooptic device 74, and the XY scanner 76 and outputs laser light toward the screen sheet 64.

  Furthermore, the display unit 106 is connected to the effect control unit 152 via the symbol control unit 156.

  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 operates the launch device 165 by operating the grip unit 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) by the player, and according to the start of launching the game ball PB and the operation amount of the grip unit 26. Control the firing intensity.

  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.

(Image processing in the laser image display controller 86)
The laser image display controller 86 receives image data to be displayed on the screen sheet 64 from the effect controller 152. In the effect control unit 152, for example, the laser image display time is set as a reach reach time determined in advance.

  Reach means that in the symbol variation in the display unit 106, the remaining one symbol is fluctuating, and the other symbols that are stopped (temporarily stopped) become the same symbol. Since the defeat is finalized, the player can expect to win.

  As one of the effects in a state where the expectation increases, the effect control unit 152 executes laser image display on the screen sheet 64.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the reach state is notified on the display unit 106 (reach “7” in FIG. 5A), the power of the screen sheet 64 facing the display unit 106 is displayed. Is turned on to make the screen sheet 64 milky white (opaque) (see FIG. 5B), and the screen sheet 64 turned milky white (opaque) from the output unit 68 provided on the lower surface of the electrical decoration device 52. A laser beam is output toward the screen, and the laser beam scans on the screen sheet 64. As a result, an image by laser light is displayed on the screen sheet 64 (see FIG. 5C).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, the relative positional relationship between the output unit 68 and the screen sheet 64 is such that the optical axis of the laser beam output from the output unit 68 is not perpendicular to the screen sheet 64. In other words, it is output with an inclination angle θ1 to θ2.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8B, a shape (for example, a 9:16 or 3: 4 rectangle with a field angle of 9:16 or 3: 4, hereinafter referred to as “desired shape”) is displayed as image data. If it remains, so-called trapezoidal distortion occurs, and the real image does not have a desired shape.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, based on the correction value derived from the inclination angles θ1 to θ2, the magnification image of the image data is distorted in advance, so that the resulting real image has a desired shape. Although FIG. 5 shows correction of distortion in the vertical direction, if there is distortion in the horizontal direction, the same distortion correction may be performed.

  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, the ball is shot upward by the launching device 165 one by one. 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 by hitting a game nail or a windmill. 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.

(Game specifications according to this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a game based on so-called “left-handed” is the basic (ordinary game). That is, the special symbol start winning opening (A) is adjusted while abutting against an obstacle such as a windmill or a nail by adjusting the firing strength of the game ball PB so as to pass through the left side of the game board 18 with the display unit 106 as a boundary. When the game ball PB is guided to 130 and winning, a special symbol lottery is executed.

  In the special symbol lottery, the player is notified of the lottery result by the symbol variation pattern effect executed on the display unit 106. The symbol variation pattern effect is executed by selecting a symbol variation pattern type from the symbol variation pattern selection table based on an instruction signal from the main control unit 150 or the like.

  When the special symbol lottery is won, the opening / closing door 116 of the attacker 112 is opened a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time, and a big game process is executed to dramatically increase the winning of the game ball PB from the normal game state.

  Apart from the normal game, the big game process is a so-called “right-handed” game.

  That is, by adjusting the firing strength of the game ball PB so as to pass through the right side of the game board 18 with the display unit 106 as a boundary, the game ball PB is guided to the attacker 112 while abutting against an obstacle such as a windmill or a nail. To go.

  Next, when the big character process is completed, there are a case where the left-handing is returned and a case where the right-handing is continued. When the right strike is continued, the game ball PB is led to the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134. At this time, it is in a short-time state, and when the game ball PB passes the passing gate 118, the normal symbol lottery is executed in the short-time state, and if the winning (for example, winning probability 1 / 1.1) is achieved, the electric tulip 136 is frequently The special symbol start winning opening (B) 134 can be won (normal game for a specific period). When the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning opening (B) 134, the special symbol lottery is executed in the same manner as the special symbol start winning opening (A) 130.

  Here, the program for executing the game specifications is stored in a storage unit (for example, ROM) of the main control unit 150, and the program is executed.

  Further, the effect control unit 152 includes display control of the display unit 106 through the symbol control unit 156, and an effect through hearing and vision is executed. The payout control unit 154 executes payout control of the game ball PB.

  Here, in the effect control unit 152, in addition to the symbol variation pattern effect executed by the display unit 106, the light emitting light sources of the illumination devices 51 and 52 are synchronized with various game states in the progress of the game. Is applied to control the lighting of the light source 137, and the visual effect is enhanced.

(Production using the laser image display device 62)
Here, when a game progresses based on the game specifications as described above, when a predetermined specific condition is satisfied, a laser image is displayed using the laser image display device 62 provided in the electrical decoration device 52. Is executed.

  The laser image is displayed by scanning the laser beam on the screen sheet 64 attached to the glass plate 14. The screen sheet 64 is a special film using liquid crystal, and becomes milky white (opaque) when the power is turned on and becomes transparent when the power is turned off.

  That is, the screen sheet 64 is kept in a transparent state by turning off the power during normal times, that is, when the laser image is not displayed. Thereby, the entire area within the glass frame 16 including the area of the screen sheet 64 is in a transparent state, and the entire game board 18 can be looked over.

  At this normal time, the player can enjoy the image effect on the display unit 106 simultaneously with the trend of the game ball PB on the game board 18. The effect by the laser image in the present embodiment is executed in conjunction with the image effect of the display unit 106 in order to give a further impact (impact feeling) in addition to the image effect by the display unit 106.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the display unit 106 reaches a specific reach (reach with the symbol “7” in FIG. 5A), the reach state is notified, The screen sheet 64 is turned on. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the screen sheet 64 becomes milky white (opaque) (in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 etc., milky white is expressed in gray halftone).

  Since the game board 18 facing the area of the screen sheet 68 is the center accessory 105, the visual field for viewing the trend of the game ball PB flowing on the game board 18 is not obstructed. Further, the power harness 70 that supplies power to the screen sheet 64 does not cover all of the single game ball PB.

  When the laser light is output from the output unit 68 of the laser light output unit 66 simultaneously with the screen sheet 64 becoming milky white (opaque) or around a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. Are scanned on the screen sheet 64, and an image is displayed.

  From the viewpoint of the player, since the laser image is displayed closer to the image displayed on the display unit 106, it is possible to enjoy the effect as a three-dimensional image and an impact image.

  In the case of the present embodiment, an image is not expressed by gradation control of the screen sheet 64, but the screen sheet 64 is applied as a background (screen) for displaying a laser beam image, and thus differs from the display unit 106. A texture image can be displayed. In addition, since the image is displayed with light stronger than the light output from the display unit 106, which is laser light, an image with a high degree of emphasis (with an impact) can be provided. Note that the strong light means that the numerical value based on at least one of the light amount, the luminance, the brightness, and the like is higher than the light of the display unit 106.

  The flow of laser image display control in the laser image display control unit 86 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 200, it is determined whether or not an effect instruction has been received from the effect control unit 152. If a negative determination is made, this routine ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 200, the process proceeds to step 202, and image data or image data ID is acquired from the effect control unit 152. That is, the image data may be acquired directly, or the image data is stored in advance in a memory provided in the laser beam image display device 62, and an identification code (image data ID) to be selected is acquired. Also good.

  In the next step 204, the acquired image data is expanded, and then the process proceeds to step 206, where the tilt angles θ1 to θ2 between the optical axis of the laser beam from the output unit 68 stored in advance and the screen sheet 64 are stored. Based on, trapezoidal distortion correction processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step 208.

  That is, in step 208, as shown in FIG. 8, it is predicted that a trapezoidal distortion will occur in advance, and the magnification image of the image data is corrected (conversion to FIGS. 8B to 8C). Generate image data.

  In the next step 210, it is determined whether or not it is a performance execution time. This is because an effect from the laser beam is executed in synchronization with the display control of the display unit 106 in accordance with an instruction from the effect control unit 152.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 210, the process proceeds to step 212, the screen sheet 64 is turned on, and the color is milky white (opaque).

  In the next step 214, laser image display processing is executed and an image is displayed on the screen sheet 64.

  When the laser image display process in step 214 is completed, the process proceeds to step 216, the power of the screen sheet 64 is turned off, and the routine is ended as transparent.

(Protection of leakage light from the laser beam output)
In the present embodiment, the laser light output unit 66 of the laser light image display device 62 is provided in the electric decoration device 52 located above the glass frame 16, and the output unit 68 is installed on the lower surface of the electric decoration device 52. The laser beam is output to the screen sheet 64 by an optical axis inclined at least on the back side from a perpendicular (a line extending downward and parallel to the glass plate 14). For this reason, even if the player stares at the game board 18 through the glass plate 14, the laser beam does not reach the player's eyes directly.

  Further, even if the player tries to look at the output unit 68 with his face close to the glass plate 14, the output unit 68 is exposed by the cover member 68A only in a necessary region directed to the glass plate 14. Therefore, the leaked light does not enter the player's eyes.

  In the present embodiment, the output unit 68 is installed on the lower surface of the electrical decoration device 52, and laser light is emitted by an optical axis that is inclined at least on the back side with respect to a perpendicular (a line that goes downward and parallel to the glass plate 14). Is output to the screen sheet 64. However, if the arrangement position of the output unit 68 is limited, the laser beam finally output from the output unit 68 is guided to the screen sheet through the mirror. May be. In this case, since the single mirror has a smaller outer shape than the casing constituting the output unit 68, it is easy to conceal the screen so that the reflection surface of the mirror cannot be seen directly even if the player looks into it.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the image effect by the display unit 106 according to the progress of the game, when a specific condition is satisfied (for example, when the reach is the symbol “7”), Instead of the image effect on the display unit 106 or to continue with the image effect on the display unit 106, the screen sheet 64 is milky white to display (project) an image by laser light.

  The image by the laser light has a higher degree of emphasis than the image display of the display unit 106 and the image is displayed with strong light, so that the player's preference can be enhanced. Further, since the screen sheet 64 is in front of the display unit 106 when viewed from the player, a so-called 3D image (stereoscopic image) element can be added by switching the display.

  In addition, although the image effect on the screen sheet 64 is switched to the image effect on the display unit 106, the image effect may be performed by using the display unit 106 and the screen sheet 64 together.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the milky white (opaque) / transparent switching area of the screen sheet 64 is divided if it can be divided (divided areas 64A, 64B,...) And cannot be divided. If there is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the small screen sheets 65A, 65B... 65I divided into 1 / N (N is a positive integer) are arranged and selected for the required screen area. In particular, it is possible to enhance the production effect more than the production of one screen sheet 64 by making it milky white (opaque) or transparent. Note that the number of divisions is not limited in either case of FIG. 10A or FIG.

  Further, the screen sheet 64 of the present embodiment is configured to change in two stages of milky white (opaque) and transparent when the power is turned on / off. However, the screen sheet 64 is adjusted according to the power supply voltage (or current) to be input, including cost performance If the transmittance of the screen sheet 64 can be changed with (for example, 8 bits (256) gradation), the screen sheet 64 can be applied as an electronic curtain mainly composed of the display unit 106.

  Furthermore, as a development of the division of the screen sheet 64 as shown in FIG. 10A, by combining it with a screen sheet having a number of pixels (several hundred M to several G pixels) that can display an image, An image can be displayed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, one screen sheet 64 is attached to the back surface of the player-side glass plate 14, but a screen sheet may be further attached to the surface of the glass plate 14 on the game board 18 side. . By combining the image display on the two screen sheets and the display on the display unit 106, for example, a more three-dimensional image is displayed such that a part of the image gradually approaches the player. can do.

  Further, in the gaming board 18 of the present embodiment, when the movable accessory devices 105A and 105B (see FIG. 6) operate to close the display surface of the display unit 106, the movable accessory devices 105A and 105B. The surface may be a display surface for displaying an image by outputting laser light. When the screen sheet 64 affixed to the glass plate 14 is mainly used as the display surface, it is preferable to use a subscreen as a sub-screen.

  In the present embodiment, the laser light output unit 66 is positioned above the glass frame 16 in consideration of the installation position of the output unit 68 for the purpose of protecting the player's eyes due to the leakage light of the laser light. Although it is provided in the lighting device 52 and its output unit 68 is arranged on the lower surface of the lighting device 52, the laser beam or the light beam instead of the laser beam does not adversely affect human eyes, and the player's eyes Is not limited to the attachment position, and is fixed to the floor in pairs with the left and right electrical decoration devices 51 of the glass frame 16 and the pachinko machine 10. The laser light output unit 66 may be arranged on a chair, a game room ceiling, or the like.

PB Game Ball 10 Pachinko Machine 12 Underlay 14A, 14B Glass Plate 16 Glass Frame 18 Game Board 19 Nail 21 Windmill 24 Dish Unit 26 Grip Unit (Launch Handle) "
27 Key hole 28 Upper plate portion 29 Lower plate portion 42 Ball lending button 44 Return button 36A Ball release button 36B Ball release button 50 Operation unit 51, 52 Illumination device 60L, 60R Speaker 62 Laser image display device 64 Screen sheet 66 Laser light output Unit 68 Output unit 70 Power harness 72 Laser tube 74 Acousto-optic element 76 XY scanner 77 Scan control unit 78 X direction deflector 80 Y direction deflector 82X, 82Y Deflection axis 84X, 84Y Mirror 86 Laser image display control unit (image Display control means)
102 Outer rail 104 Inner rail 105 Center accessory 105S Stage 105A, 105B Movable accessory device 106 Display unit (image display unit)
107 Accessory device 109 Guide lamp unit 112 Attacker 112S Attacker sensor 116 Opening / closing door 118 Passing gate 118S Passing gate sensor 120A, 120B General winning port 120AS, 120BS General winning sensor 124 Out port 130 Special symbol start winning port (A)
130S Special Figure A Start Port Sensor 134 Special Design Start Award Port (B)
134S Special Figure B Start Port Sensor 136 Electric Tulip 137 Light Source 138 Electric Chu Solenoid 148 Attacker Solenoid 150 Main Control Unit 152 Production Control Unit (Image Display Control Unit)
154 Discharge control unit 165 Launcher 190 External terminal for panel

Claims (5)

An image display unit that is provided in the area of the game board and displays a first image for transmitting visual information to the player through a transparent plate;
A screen sheet provided so as to face the transparent plate material, and changes to at least a transparent state and an opaque state depending on an energized state;
A light beam output unit that outputs and scans a light beam toward the screen sheet, and displays a second image for conveying visual information to the player on the screen sheet;
Image display control means for controlling the display of the first image on the image display and for controlling the display of the second image on the screen sheet on condition that the screen sheet is in an opaque state. When,
A gaming machine having.   When the screen sheet is turned on or off, the screen sheet can be switched to a transparent state that is assimilated with the transparent plate material, or at least a milky white state that has a transmittance that cannot be grasped by visual inspection. The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The area of the screen sheet is divided into a plurality of areas, and for each of the divided areas, a transparent state that is assimilated with the transparent plate material when the power is turned on or off, or at least the outline cannot be grasped visually. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine can be switched to a milky whitening state having a degree of transmittance.   The said screen sheet is laid on the same plane of the said transparent board | plate material, The area | region sufficient to display the said 2nd image is ensured, The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Gaming machine.   2. The trapezoidal distortion correction is performed on the image data of the second image based on an optical axis of a light beam output from the light beam output unit and an inclination angle with respect to a normal line of the screen sheet. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 5.