JP2015000227A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Pachinko game machine which can enhance interest of a game.SOLUTION: Since low-speed shooting processing in which the number of shot game balls per unit time is less than a prescribed upper limit number of shot balls when a game ball shooting stop state is converted to a shooting state is executed, in starting a game, for example, by fewer game balls than normal being shot by the low-speed shooting processing, it is possible to perform rotary operation of a shooting handle while confirming shooting strength of the game balls; since it is easy to adjust the strength to a desired shooting strength, emotions of a player for profit acquisition can effectively be boosted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine provided with a ball launcher that launches a game ball supplied from a ball tray.

  In general pachinko gaming machines, a player turns a launch handle provided at the lower front of the machine base to drive a ball launcher to launch a game ball. The launch intensity by the ball launcher can be adjusted according to the operation angle of the turning operation (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, the upper limit number of shots that can be continuously fired per unit time during the turning operation of the launching handle is preset, and the turning operation can be performed without interrupting the turning operation of the launching handle. As long as it continues, the ball launcher continuously launches the game balls at regular intervals so as to satisfy the definition of the upper limit number of shots.

JP 2012-115395 A

  By the way, in a general pachinko gaming machine, the turning operation of the launching handle is a direct action by the player, and the player can actively adjust the launching intensity of the game ball. Diversity in game progress is generated by the player's own operation, and the fun of the game is improved. However, at present, it is only possible to change the strength of the launch, and there is a limit to the effect of improving the diversity. For these reasons, there has been a demand for a configuration that can provide a new change in the launch of game balls in order to effectively improve the interest of the game.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko gaming machine that can improve the interest of a game by providing a new change in the launch of a game ball.

  The present invention relates to a ball launcher including a launcher that strikes a game ball supplied from a ball tray to a launch position on a launch rail, and a drive device that drives the launcher to strike, and a game per unit time. In a pachinko gaming machine comprising a launch control means for driving and controlling a ball launcher so that the upper limit launch number capable of launching a ball is preset and firing the upper limit launch number, the ball launcher is The game ball has a function of changing the number of game balls to be fired, and detects the launch of the game ball by the ball launch device, and determines the launch state or the launch stop state of the game ball based on the detection The launch control means includes a detection means, and when the launch state detection means converts from the launch stop state to the launch state, the number of game ball launches per unit time is less than the upper limit launch number. Sphere The slow firing process of the elevation device drive control is provided with a firing number change processing executed a predetermined period of time it is a pachinko game machine according to claim.

  Here, the ball launching device can be realized as a device that can change the number of game balls to be fired per unit time by adopting a configuration having a function capable of changing the firing interval for continuously firing game balls. The launch control means can control to change the number of game balls fired per unit time by performing control to change the launch interval. Further, the low-speed launch process can be realized by a process for driving and controlling the ball launcher so that the launch interval for continuously launching the game balls is longer than the launch interval when firing the upper limit firing number. The interval may be constant, or may be an interval that changes step by step. Furthermore, the predetermined period for executing the low-speed firing process may be a preset period or a period determined in association with other requirements. In the former case, it can be either a case where one period is set or a case where a period is selected from a plurality of periods. In the present invention, normally, the ball launcher is driven and controlled at a fixed interval so as to fire the upper limit number of shots per unit time. It is processing. That is, according to the present invention, the firing control means includes at least a normal firing process and a low speed firing process.

  In such a configuration, when the number of game balls fired per unit time that is normally limited to the upper limit number of shots is changed from a game ball launch stop state to a launch state, by executing a low speed launch process, Since the number exceeds the upper limit number of shots, a new change that does not exist in the conventional configuration described above can be generated in the game ball launch mode. Since the game ball is fired by the player's operation, the number of game balls fired per unit time is reduced, which causes an unprecedented change in the progress of the game. For example, when a player sits in front of the machine and starts playing, a low-speed launch process is executed, so that the game balls are continuously fired at a slower interval than usual. The firing handle can be rotated while confirming the above, and it is easy to adjust to a desired firing strength. As a result, models that require a right or left strike have the advantage of being able to adjust the firing intensity to make a right or left strike relatively easily, and to easily obtain profits efficiently. Thus, by easily adjusting the launch intensity of the game ball, it is possible to produce an unprecedented interest and effectively improve the interest of the game.

  On the other hand, even when the player temporarily suspends the launch of the game ball in the middle of the game, the low speed launch process is executed when the launch is resumed. In this low-speed firing process, the number of game balls fired is smaller than usual, so the probability of winning per unit time is relatively low, and the amount of profit that can be earned is reduced, making it difficult to earn profit. End up. For this reason, it is easy to cause the player to be conscious of avoiding the execution of the low-speed launch process, and accordingly, it is possible to suppress the launch stop action of stopping the launch of the game ball. And the fall of the operating rate of the machine stand by the launch stop act can be suppressed, and the disadvantage of the game hall caused by the reduced operating rate can be reduced.

  In the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention described above, the number-of-shots change process is a game ball launch that is fired per unit time when the low-speed launch process that has been started in accordance with the conversion from the launch stop state to the launch state is completed The high-speed launch process for driving and controlling the ball launcher so that the number is greater than the upper limit launch number is provided for a predetermined period, and the period for executing the high-speed launch process and the execution period of the low-speed launch process are added. A configuration is proposed in which the execution periods of the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are determined so that the average number of game balls fired per unit time in the combined total variation period does not exceed the upper limit number of fires.

  In such a configuration, the number of game balls fired per unit time may be reduced or increased by executing low-speed launch processing and high-speed launch processing in order when the launch stop state is changed to the launch state. Since it fluctuates, a new change that does not exist in the conventional configuration is generated in the launching mode of the game ball, and the interest of the game can be further improved. Furthermore, in this configuration, each execution is performed so that the average number of game balls fired per unit time in the total fluctuation period that is the sum of the execution period of the low-speed launch process and the execution period of the high-speed launch process does not exceed the upper limit launch number. A period is set. Here, the average number of game balls fired is the total number of fire balls added during the execution period of the low speed launch process and the number of game balls fired during the execution period of the high speed fire process, and the total variation It can be determined based on the period. In this way, when the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are executed, the total number of shots is the same as the case where the game balls are continuously fired with the maximum number of shots in the same period as the total variation period in which each launch process is executed. The number of fires is not exceeded. Therefore, it is possible to fire substantially the same number of shots when the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are executed and when the game ball is launched according to the upper limit number of shots. In other words, even when a game ball is fired by the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process, it is possible to maintain the same level of operation rate as when the game ball is fired according to the upper limit firing number.

  Here, for pachinko machines that are actually used, a regulation of “100 or less per minute” is set for the number of game balls to be fired. If this configuration is applied, the upper limit number of fires per minute (per unit time) is set to 100, and the average game per unit time that is fired in the total variation period in which the low speed fire process and the high speed fire process are executed. Since it is possible to prevent the number of balls launched from exceeding 100 (upper limit number of shots), it is possible to demonstrate the above-described operational effect of the present invention to improve the fun of the game while satisfying the above rules.

  In the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention described above, the firing state detection means includes a process for obtaining the time required for the firing stop state, and the number-of-fired change process is based on the time obtained by the firing state detection means. Thus, a configuration is proposed in which the execution period of the low-speed firing process is determined.

  In such a configuration, the above-described operational effects of the present invention can be exhibited largely or smallly depending on the length of the execution period of the low-speed firing process determined according to the time required for the firing stop state. Here, the execution period of the low-speed firing process may be lengthened in proportion to the time required for the firing stop state, or may be shortened in inverse proportion to the time. Also, different execution periods may be selected and determined according to whether the time is before or after a predetermined threshold. Further, another condition may be set, and different execution periods may be selected and determined according to whether or not the condition is satisfied.

  In the present invention, as described above, when the game ball is changed from being stopped to being launched, the low-speed firing process is executed for a predetermined period. It is possible to produce a fresh interest that has never existed before, and to improve the fun of the game effectively. For example, when starting a game, by performing a low-speed launch process, it is possible to rotate the launch handle while checking the launch strength of the game ball, and it is easy to adjust to the desired launch strength, It is possible to effectively increase the player's feelings for profits.

1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the open state of the front frame 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball launcher 31. FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board 10. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit which controls a game. It is a flowchart which shows a discharge state detection process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball | bowl launching mode by a normal launch process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball | bowl launching mode by the low-speed launch process and high-speed launch process which are performed when changing from a 2nd launch stop state to a launch state in the priority state of a slow launch process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball | bowl launching mode by the low-speed launch process and high-speed launch process which are performed when it converts into a launch state from a 1st launch stop state in the priority state of a slow launch process. It is a flowchart which shows a discharge signal output control process. It is a flowchart which shows an output conversion process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball | bowl launching mode by the high-speed launch process and low-speed launch process which are performed when changing from a 2nd launch stop state to a launch state in the priority state of a high-speed launch process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball | bowl launching mode by the high-speed launch process and low-speed launch process which are performed when changing from a 1st launch stop state to a launch state in the priority state of a high-speed launch process.

A pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 fixed to a game island facility (not shown), and a gaming machine main body 3 that covers a front opening of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine body 3 includes a front frame 5 in which a game board 10 (see FIG. 3) is attached to a substantially circular opening at the upper center, and one side edge of the front frame 5 is connected to the outer frame via the hinge member 4. It is pivotally attached to 2 so that opening and closing is possible. Further, a front door 6 having a glass (not shown) covering the game board 10 is pivotally attached to the front frame 5 so as to be opened and closed. In addition, an upper ball tray 7 and a lower ball tray 8 are vertically arranged at the lower part of the front frame 5, and a launching handle 9 is projected on the right side of the lower ball tray 8.

  The upper ball tray 7 has a discharge outlet (not shown) through which the prize balls and rental balls are paid out on the left side of the upper ball tray 7 and an inlet (not shown) through which the game ball flows into the inner right end. ing. On the back side of the inflow port, a ball supply device 32 for supplying game balls flowing in from the inflow port one by one to a ball launching device 31 described later is disposed (see FIG. 2). The ball supply device 32 includes a ball feed solenoid (not shown) for sending out game balls one by one, and intermittently drives the ball feed solenoid to the ball launching device 31 one by one. Supply. Note that the ball supply device 32 can be of a conventionally known configuration, and therefore the details thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a ball launcher 31 is disposed inside the gaming machine main body 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball launching device 31 includes a launching rod 33 for hitting the game ball supplied from the ball supply device 32, a launching solenoid 34 for driving the launching rod 33, and a game ball that has been hit. A guide rail 35 and the like are provided, and these are arranged on a metal launch mechanism plate 36. A launch position P for placing the game ball supplied from the ball supply device 32 is set at the lower portion of the launch rail 35, and the launch rod 33 hits the game ball at the launch position P. The game ball is fired to a game area 12 to be described later. The ball launching device 31 and the ball supply device 32 operate in an alternating manner, whereby game balls can be launched in a row. Here, the ball launching device 31 and the ball supply device 32 are connected to a launch control board 68 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and an operation for launching a game ball by the operation of the launch handle 9 by the player. Is to do.

  The launching handle 9 is provided with a launching lever 38 (see FIG. 1) that can be rotated on the outer periphery of a base member (not shown) that is fixed to the gaming machine body 3, and inside the base member. A spring (not shown) that biases the firing lever 38 to a steady angle position is provided, and the player can rotate the firing lever 38 against the spring biasing force. Further, a rotation angle detection sensor 39 (see FIG. 5) for detecting a rotation angle of the emission lever 38 from the normal angle position is disposed inside the emission handle 9. The rotation angle detection sensor 39 is connected to a launch control board 68 that controls the operation of the ball launch device 31 and the ball supply device 32 described above. The rotation angle detection sensor 39 increases or decreases the output voltage according to the rotation angle of the firing lever 38, and includes a variable resistor or an electronic volume.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a guide rail 11 is attached to the front surface of the above-described game board 10, and a substantially circular game area 12 and a game ball launched from the above-described ball launcher 31 by the guide rail 11. And a guide passage 20 that guides the game area 12 to the game area 12. The launch rail 35 of the above-described ball launcher 31 is disposed so as to face the lower entrance of the guide passage 20, and a game ball launched from the ball launcher 31 passes through the guide passage 20 to play a game. Enter region 12.

  In the center of the game area 12, a center case 13 incorporating various game members such as an image display 14 is disposed. The image display 14 includes a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, and various display images are displayed on the display screen. At the bottom of the center case 13, a special start memory number display device (not shown) for informing the number of start symbols of the special symbol start memory (start memory number), and the number of start symbols of the normal symbol start memory (start memory) And a normal start memory number display device (not shown) for informing the number). Furthermore, a special symbol display device 15 made up of a plurality of LEDs is disposed in the upper right part of the center case 13. This special symbol display device 15 displays a special symbol according to the lighting mode of the LED. As will be described later, each of the LEDs blinks and the special symbol becomes a fluctuating state according to a predetermined trigger. When the is lit, the special symbol is stopped. Then, the winning or losing is determined according to the stop symbol mode in which the special symbol is stopped and displayed, and the special game operation described later is executed in the case of winning.

  A normal start gate 19 is provided on the left side of the center case 13. When the game ball passes through the normal start gate 19, a switch (not shown) provided in the normal start gate 19 detects the game ball and outputs a ball detection signal. Based on this ball detection signal, the center case The normal symbol display device 16 composed of a plurality of LEDs provided on the lower right side of 13 blinks and stops in a predetermined lighting mode.

  Also, below the center case 13, an ordinary electric accessory 23 having a start port 21 through which game balls can flow is disposed. The ordinary electric accessory 23 includes a pair of opening and closing blade pieces (not shown) for opening and closing the starting opening 21 and a solenoid (not shown) for opening and closing the opening and closing blade pieces. The opening / closing blade piece is controlled so that the start port 21 is in an open state when the normal symbol display device 16 is in the closed state and the hit state is determined by the normal symbol stop symbol mode. A switch (not shown) for detecting a game ball is arranged inside the start port 21. When the game ball flowing into the start port 21 is detected, the LED of the special symbol display device 15 blinks. Start. Further, a ball detection signal is output by detecting this game ball, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on this ball detection signal.

  Furthermore, a special electric accessory 26 having a big prize opening 25 is disposed immediately below the ordinary electric accessory 23 and immediately above the out port 28. The special electric accessory 26 includes a horizontally-long rectangular opening / closing piece 27. The opening / closing piece 27 is controlled to be opened and closed by a built-in special electric accessory solenoid, whereby the special winning opening 25 is converted into an open state and a closed state. In addition, a switch (not shown) for detecting a winning game ball is provided inside the special electric accessory 26. Further, a ball detection signal is output by detecting this game ball, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on this ball detection signal.

  Further, when a game ball wins a general winning device 29 arranged on both sides of the ordinary electric accessory 23, a switch (not shown) built in the general winning device 29 outputs a ball detection signal, and this ball detection is performed. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the signal.

Next, a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
In the control circuit, a main control board 60, an effect control board 62, a payout control board 64, and a launch control board 68 are disposed. The main control board 60 is constituted by a microcomputer and controls the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in an integrated manner.

  The main control board 60 includes a central control CPU for main control that executes arithmetic processing according to input signals from various switches and outputs predetermined command signals, a storage device ROM that stores control programs used for arithmetic processing, A storage device RAM that can read and write necessary data at any time via an address bus (not shown) that unilaterally transmits information for designating an address for reading and writing data, and a data bus (not shown) that exchanges data It is connected and constitutes a board circuit of the main control board 60. The storage device ROM stores various tables for determining a winning determination, a change / stop mode of a symbol, an effect mode, and the like with reference to a control program and lottery data. On the other hand, the storage device RAM is provided with a storage area for temporarily storing sphere detection signals from various sphere detection switches, a register area constituting various timers, random number counters, count counters, and a work area. It has been.

  The board circuit of the main control board 60 is provided with a clock device (not shown) for outputting a predetermined clock pulse, and is connected to the main control central control unit CPU. The central control unit CPU for main control performs arithmetic processing in time series by clock pulses at regular intervals, and sequentially executes a series of processing operations. In addition, a timer TM that counts clock pulses output by the clock device and measures time is also connected.

  The central control unit CPU for main control and each central control unit CPU installed on each control board 62 to 68, which will be described later, include an arithmetic unit coupled with an arithmetic unit (ALU) for processing predetermined data, and the arithmetic unit It consists of a register for storing data input / output to / from the apparatus and a read instruction, a decoder for decoding the instruction, and the like. The main control central control unit CPU outputs data signals or command signals generated in a predetermined format to the four control boards 62, 63, 64, 68, and these control boards 62, 63, 64, 68. The central control unit CPU executes predetermined control according to this data and the like.

  The board circuit of the main control board 60 is provided with an input port (not shown) and an output port (not shown) through which the main control central control unit CPU performs data communication with peripheral devices. The command signal from the main control board 60 is output to the input ports of the effect control board 62, the symbol control board 63, the payout control board 64, and the launch control board 68. The input port of the main control board 60 is connected to the normal start gate 19, the ordinary electric accessory 23, the special electric accessory 26, the general winning device 29, and the like via the panel relay board 61. Then, the main control board 60 checks the game ball detection state of each switch built in each predetermined time (for example, every 2 ms), and when there is a signal input, the signal is waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping circuit and the center. The information is input to the control device CPU and the information is stored in the storage device RAM. The main control board 60 is connected to a solenoid or a motor incorporated in the ordinary electric accessory 23, the special electric accessory 26, or the like via a panel relay board 61. When the CPU selects a predetermined condition, these solenoids and motors are driven.

  The effect control board 62 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the overall effects executed in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In this circuit board, there is a storage device ROM in which fixed data relating to the production is stored, a storage device RAM in which necessary data can be read and written, an input port and an output port. Connected and configured. An output port of the effect control board 62 is connected to an image control board 65 that controls the image display 14, a sound source control board 66 that controls a speaker, and a light source control board 67 that controls an effect by an LED lamp. Then, when the command signal from the main control board 60 is input to the input port, the effect control board 62 performs arithmetic processing in the effect control central control unit CPU and executes the effect mode instructed by the command signal. The command signal is transmitted to the image control board 65, the sound source control board 66, and the light source control board 67.

  The image control board 65 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the effect image displayed on the image display 14. The image control board 65 performs an arithmetic process on the data signal or command signal input from the effect control board 62, and the effect image is displayed on the image display 14 by the display driver according to the image pattern and data for displaying a predetermined effect image. Is displayed.

  The sound source control board 66 is provided with a board circuit for controlling sound effects generated from the speakers. The sound source control board 66 performs an arithmetic process on the data signal or command signal input from the effect control board 62, and causes a sound generator to output sound effects according to predetermined sound data.

  The light source control board 67 is provided with a board circuit for controlling an effect lamp arranged in the gaming machine main body 3. The light source control board 67 performs arithmetic processing on the data signal or command signal input from the effect control board 62, and lights and blinks various effect lamps by the light source operation board in accordance with predetermined light data.

  The above-mentioned symbol control board 63 is a board for controlling the special symbol display device 15, the normal symbol display device 16, the special start memory number display device (not shown), and the normal start memory number display device (not shown). A circuit is provided. The symbol control board 63 computes a data signal or a command signal input from the main control board 60 via the input port, and lights the LEDs of each device by the symbol operation board according to predetermined light data. Blink.

  The payout control board 64 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the payout of game balls. The payout control board 64 performs a calculation process on the data signal or command signal input from the main control board 60, drives and controls the solenoid of the ball payout device according to predetermined data, and pays out a predetermined number of game balls. Execute. The payout control board 64 is connected to a prepaid card unit for reading and writing a prepaid card via a CR connection board, and exchanges remaining ball data and the like of game balls.

  The launch control board 68 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the ball launch device 31 and the ball supply device 32. This board circuit is configured by connecting a central control board CPU, a storage device ROM, a storage device RAM, an input port, and an output port. The rotation angle detection sensor 39 is connected to this input port, and a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing lever 38 of the firing handle 9 is input from the rotation angle detection sensor 39. The output port is connected to the ball launch device 31 (launch solenoid 34) and the ball supply device 32 (ball feed solenoid), and the launch control board 68 is connected to the ball according to the input signal from the rotation angle detection sensor 39. Drive control of the launching device 31 and the ball supply device 32 is performed. Such control by the launch control board 68 relates to the main part of the present invention, and details will be described later.

Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the existing pachinko gaming machine, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
A game ball is launched into the game area 12 by the ball launcher 31 in accordance with the turning operation of the launch handle 9 (launch lever 38). When the game ball rolling down the game area 12 flows into the starting port 21 of the ordinary electric accessory 23, each random number counter (such as a big hit counter) for special symbols is extracted, and these extracted counter values are collected together as a special. A special start memory for the symbol is generated. When this special start memory is digested, the special symbol display device 15 blinks the LED and the special symbol starts to fluctuate. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation, any of the LEDs is turned on and the special symbol fluctuates and stops. To display and confirm the stop symbol form. In this way, a series of symbol generation processes from the start of variation of the special symbol to the fixed stop is executed by digesting the special start memory. If the stop symbol form of the special symbol determined in this symbol generation process is a predetermined hit stop symbol aspect, the winning is determined and a special game operation for opening and closing the big prize opening 25 is executed. The special game operation is an operation for executing a predetermined number of open / close rounds that the grand prize opening 25 opens and closes. During this execution, 100 or more prizes can be expected at the big prize opening 25, and the player acquires a large number of prize balls. Is possible.

  Here, the special symbol start memory (hereinafter referred to as special start memory) generated in accordance with the game ball winning at the start port 21 is stored in the storage device until the symbol generation process is started by digestion of the special start memory. It is stored and held in a special start storage area set in the RAM. Then, the number of undigested special start memories stored and held in the special start storage area is notified by the lighting number of the special start memory number display device (not shown). In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of special start memories is four, and no new special start memory is generated when the number is four.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
In the gaming board 10 described above, a launch ball detection switch 42 (see FIG. 5) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the guide passage 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the guide rail 11 that forms the guide passage 20. Yes. The launch ball detection switch 42 is connected to the launch control board 68 and outputs a launch ball detection signal to the launch control board 68 every time a game ball is detected. The launch control board 68 inputs this ball detection signal, thereby confirming that a game ball has been launched from the ball launcher 31 toward the game area 12.

  The launch control board 68 performs a process of measuring the time taken to input the next launch ball detection signal when the launch ball detection signal is input by the launch state detection process of FIG. In this process, time measurement is started in response to the input of the shot ball detection signal, and when the shot ball detection signal is input next, the time measurement is stopped and a new time measurement is started. In this way, time measurement is repeated each time the shot ball detection signal is sequentially input. Here, when the game ball is stopped, the time measurement continues because no new ball detection signal is input. During the time measurement, when the predetermined determination timing (for example, every 0.5 second interval) is reached, the elapsed time from the start of measurement to the determination timing is examined, and the elapsed time is set in advance. Determine whether it is greater or less than the threshold time value. When this determination result is less than or equal to the first threshold time value, the game ball is in a fired state, and when it is greater than the first threshold time value, the game ball is in a first fire stop state. In the present embodiment, the first threshold time value is set to “15 seconds”, and if the elapsed time that has elapsed while the game ball is stopped from firing exceeds 15 seconds, it is determined that the first firing is stopped. (First stop flag to be described later = 1). That is, in this embodiment, the game ball launching state is maintained because the interval at which the ball detection signal is input is continuous within 15 seconds.

  Furthermore, in the firing state detection process, a second threshold time value larger than the first threshold time value is set, and if the elapsed time from the start of time measurement exceeds the first threshold time value, It is determined whether the elapsed time is larger or smaller than the second threshold time value at a determination timing (for example, every 0.5 second interval). When the elapsed time becomes larger than the second threshold time value by this determination, the second firing stop state is set (second stop flag to be described later = 1). Here, in this embodiment, if the second threshold time value is set to “3 minutes” and the elapsed time when the game ball is stopped is between 15 seconds and 3 minutes, When it is determined as the first firing stop state and exceeds 3 minutes, it is determined as the second firing stop state. When the second firing stop state is reached, the time measurement is stopped, and the time measurement is restarted by inputting the next shot ball detection signal.

  As described above, the launch control means 68 performs time measurement every time the launch ball detection signal is input from the launch ball detection switch 42 by the above-described launch state detection process, and the launch state of the game ball according to the elapsed time, the first The one firing stop state or the second launch stop state is determined. In this embodiment, the launch ball detection switch 42 and the launch control board 68 constitute a launch state detection means according to the present invention.

  On the other hand, the above-described launch control board 68 controls the ball launch device 31 and the ball supply device 32 in a coordinated manner in response to a signal input from the rotation angle detection sensor 39 of the launch handle 9 to control the game ball. Continuous fire control. The rotation angle detection sensor 39 of the firing handle 9 continues to output a pulse signal of an output voltage corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing lever 38 to the firing control board 68 during the turning operation of the firing lever 38. The firing control board 68 calculates the rotational angle position of the firing lever 38 based on the pulse signal (output voltage indicated by the signal) when the pulse signal is input from the rotational angle detection sensor 39, and The current angular position of the firing lever 38 is updated, and the drive voltage of the firing solenoid 34 is determined according to the value of the angular position (signal generation process in FIG. 10). Then, a voltage signal based on the determined drive voltage is intermittently output to the ball emitting device 31. That is, the launch control board 68 transmits the voltage signal in a pulsed manner at a predetermined interval while the pulse signal is input from the rotation angle detection sensor 39.

  In the ball launcher 31, each time a voltage signal is input from the launch control board 68, the launch solenoid 34 is driven according to the voltage intensity to launch a game ball. Here, the launch solenoid 34 is composed of a rotary solenoid, and operates the launch rod 33 with a strength corresponding to the voltage intensity of the voltage signal. In this way, the voltage intensity of the voltage signal changes in accordance with the rotation angle of the launch lever 38 of the launch handle 9, thereby adjusting the launch intensity of the game ball that is hit by the launcher 33. That is, the player can turn the launch lever 38 of the launch handle 9 to change the turning angle, thereby changing the launch intensity of the game ball. Furthermore, since a voltage signal is intermittently input from the launch control board 68, the launch solenoid 34 is intermittently driven according to the interval at which the voltage signal is input to launch a game ball. Here, since the firing solenoid 34 is driven every time a voltage signal is input, the launch interval of the game balls is defined by the interval at which the voltage signal is input (the output interval of the voltage signal by the launch control board 68). That is, when the player turns the launch lever 38 of the launch handle 9, the game balls are continuously fired at a predetermined interval regardless of the turning angle.

  The output interval of the voltage signal intermittently output from the launch control board 68 to the launch solenoid 34 defines the launch interval of the game balls, and this determines the number of game balls that can be fired within a predetermined time. . In other words, the number of game balls that can be fired per unit time can be determined by the game ball launch interval (voltage signal output interval). Here, in a general pachinko gaming machine 1, the number of game balls that can be fired per unit time is defined by rules, and the prescribed number of fired balls is “100 or less per minute”. In this embodiment, the number of game balls that can be fired per unit time is always “100 or less per minute” so that this is maintained at any time during the game ball launch. Thus, the output interval of the voltage signal output from the firing control board 68 is set to a constant interval of 0.6 seconds, and the output interval is maintained (normal firing process in FIG. 11). That is, as shown in FIG. 7, by continuously controlling the output of the voltage signal at intervals of 0.6 seconds, the ball launcher 31 launches game balls at intervals of 0.6 seconds, and “100 per minute” Fire a game ball. The “upper number of shots per unit time” according to the present invention is realized by the number of game balls launched of “100 balls per minute”.

  Furthermore, the firing control board 68 outputs a predetermined voltage signal to a ball feed solenoid (not shown) of the ball supply device 32 in accordance with outputting a voltage signal to the firing solenoid 34. The voltage signal output to the ball feed solenoid is a signal based on the driving voltage of the ball feed solenoid. The ball feed solenoid is actuated once by a single signal, and a single game ball is sent to the launch rail 35 of the ball launcher 31. Supply to the upper launch position P (see FIG. 3). By intermittently outputting such a voltage signal in accordance with the output interval to the firing solenoid 34, the ball feeding solenoid is driven at a timing in accordance with the driving of the firing solenoid 34 to supply game balls one by one. As described above, the launch control board 68 executes the control of launching the game balls one after another by driving the ball launch device 31 and the ball supply device 32 in a coordinated manner.

  Since the ball launching device 31 drives the firing solenoid 34 in accordance with the interval of the voltage signal input from the launch control board 68 as described above, the launch solenoid 34 is changed by changing the interval at which this voltage signal is input. The driving interval changes. That is, the ball launching device 31 has a function of changing the interval at which the game balls are fired, and with this function, the number of game ball shots per unit time can be changed as will be described later.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the control process (normal launch process in FIG. 11) is performed in a normal state by firing “100 balls per minute” with a game ball launch interval of 0.6 seconds. And a low-speed launch process in which the game ball launch interval is longer than the normal launch process, and a high-speed launch process in which the game ball launch interval is shorter than the normal launch process (see FIG. 11).

  The low-speed launch process is a process in which the output interval of the voltage signal output to the ball launcher 31 is set longer than the output interval (0.6 second interval) of the normal launch process described above. The number of game balls to be fired is less than the upper limit number of fires (100 per minute). In this embodiment, the output interval of the voltage signal by the low-speed firing process is set to 0.75 seconds (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and 80 game balls can be fired per minute. Thereby, in the low-speed launch process, the number of game balls fired per unit time becomes smaller than the normal launch process (upper limit launch number). The high-speed launch process is a process for setting the output interval of the voltage signal to be output to the ball launcher 31 to be shorter than the output interval (0.6 second interval) of the normal launch process described above. The number of game balls fired per hit is larger than the upper limit number of fires (100 per minute). In this embodiment, the output interval of the voltage signal by the high-speed launch process is set to 0.5 seconds (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and 120 game balls can be launched per minute. As a result, in the high-speed launch process, the number of game balls fired per unit time is larger than the normal launch process (upper limit launch number). The number of game balls that can be fired per unit time indicates the maximum number of shots that can be fired when game balls are continuously fired per unit time.

  The low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are executed in a predetermined order when the above-described launch stop state (first launch stop state or second launch stop state) is converted to the launch state of the game ball. (See FIGS. 8, 9, 12, and 13). That is, when a signal is input from the rotation angle detection sensor 39 of the firing handle 9 in the first firing stopped state or the second firing stopped state, the low speed firing process and the high speed firing process are executed in a predetermined order. As a result, when the launch of the game ball is started (resumed) in a state where the launch of the game ball has been stopped, the game ball is launched at a launch interval different from the normal launch process.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the first or second firing stop state is converted to the firing state, it is possible to select which of the low-speed firing processing and the high-speed firing processing has priority. . Specifically, a changeover switch 41 (see FIG. 5) for selecting the priority of the low speed shooting process or the high speed shooting process is provided on the back side of the gaming machine main body 3 so that it can be operated by an attendant at the game hall. ing. Further, the changeover switch 41 can select not to execute the low-speed firing process and the high-speed firing process. That is, the game hall staff can select “priority of low-speed launch processing”, “priority of high-speed launch processing”, or “only normal launch processing” by operating the changeover switch 41. Then, if “priority of low-speed firing process” is selected by the changeover switch 41, when the first or second firing stop state is converted to the firing state, the low-speed firing process and the high-speed firing process are executed in this order. (See FIGS. 8 and 9). If “priority of high-speed launch process” is selected, when the first or second launch stop state is changed to the launch state, the high-speed launch process and the low-speed launch process are executed in this order (FIGS. 12 and 13). reference). Also, if you select “Normal launch process only”, the execution of the normal launch process will be maintained even when the first or second launch stop state is changed to the launch state. Is not executed (see FIG. 7).

  The changeover switch 41 is connected to a launch control board 68 (see FIG. 5), and the launch control board 68 is in accordance with a signal input from the changeover switch 41, so that a low speed launch process, a high speed launch process, and a normal launch process are performed. Select and execute control.

  Periods for executing these low-speed firing processes and high-speed firing processes are set. Low-speed processing time is set as the low-speed firing process execution period, and high-speed processing time is set as the high-speed launch processing execution period. Has been. The low speed processing time and the high speed processing time are set according to the state (first or second firing stop state) before conversion to the firing state and the selection by the changeover switch 41 described above. In the present embodiment, when “priority of low-speed firing process” is selected by the changeover switch 41, the low-speed process is performed as shown in FIG. The time and the high-speed processing time are each set to 30 seconds. Further, when “priority of low-speed firing process” is selected and the second firing stop state is before the conversion to the firing state, the low-speed processing time and the high-speed processing time are 3 as shown in FIG. Set to 15 seconds. Further, when “priority of high-speed launch processing” is selected by the changeover switch 41, if the first launch stop state is before the conversion to the launch state, the high-speed processing time and the low-speed launch processing as shown in FIG. Is set to 15 seconds, and when the second firing is stopped before the conversion, the high-speed processing time and the low-speed processing time are respectively set to 30 seconds as shown in FIG. In any case, the processing time of the next firing process is determined in accordance with the processing time of the firing process executed first.

  Here, when the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time are set to 15 seconds as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, 20 are fired by the low speed firing process, and 30 are fired by the high speed firing process. The As a result, 50 game balls are fired in the total variation period (30 seconds) obtained by adding the low-speed processing time (low-speed launch processing execution period) and the high-speed processing time (high-speed launch processing execution period). Corresponds to “100 balls per minute” being fired. Further, when the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time are set to 30 seconds as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, 40 pieces are fired by the low speed firing process and 60 pieces are fired by the high speed firing process. 100 game balls are fired in the total variation period (1 minute). Thus, in both cases where the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time are set to 15 seconds or 30 seconds, respectively, the average number of game balls fired per unit time in the total variation period becomes “100 per minute” The upper limit number of fires in the normal firing process is not exceeded.

  Even when the low-speed firing process or the high-speed firing process is being executed, the above-described firing state detection process is executed. If the time required for restarting even if the game ball is interrupted during the low-speed launch process or the high-speed launch process is 15 seconds (first threshold time value) or less, the launch state is maintained. The interrupted low-speed firing process or high-speed firing process is resumed from the point of interruption. In this case, processing is performed so that the time elapsed during the interruption is not included in the low-speed processing time and the high-speed processing time. That is, the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time are determined by accumulating the time before and after the interruption. As a result, the number of game balls to be fired when the low-speed firing process is executed once in the gaming ball firing state is determined, and similarly, the high-speed output processing is performed once in the high-speed processing time. The number of game balls to be fired when executed is determined. On the other hand, if the game ball is stopped from firing and the time when the firing is stopped exceeds 15 seconds (first threshold time value), the first or second firing stop state (first stop flag = 1 or second stop) Since flag = 1), the next time the game ball is restarted, the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are newly executed in a predetermined order.

The firing signal output control process of FIG. 10 and the output conversion process of FIG. 11 for executing the above-described low-speed firing process and high-speed firing process will be described according to the flow of the game.
When the attendant of the game hall operates the changeover switch 41 disposed on the back side of the gaming machine main body 3 so as to select “priority of low-speed launch processing”, the low-speed priority flag = 1 is set accordingly. This low speed priority flag = 1 is held unless the changeover switch 41 is operated. Since the changeover switch 41 is disposed on the back side of the gaming machine main body 3, the player cannot operate it, and a staff member of the game hall can operate it after closing the store or before opening the store.

  When the amusement hall is opened, when the machine is powered on, various initial setting processes are executed to enter an initial state. Accordingly, in the firing signal output control process, the second stop flag = 1 is set to the second firing stop state. When a game is first played in the pachinko machine 1 after the game hall is opened, since the second stop flag = 1 and the low speed priority flag = 1, the game ball is first fired (conversion Low-speed firing processing is executed with flag = 1) and low-speed flag = 1. That is, when the player rotates the launch lever 38 of the launch handle 9, a pulse signal of an output voltage corresponding to the pivot angle is output from the pivot angle detection sensor 39 to the launch control board 68. In response to the input of the pulse signal, the firing control board 68 sets the firing flag = 1 and performs a signal generation process for generating a voltage signal having a voltage intensity corresponding to the pulse signal. Then, the second stop flag = 1 sets the conversion flag = 1, the low speed priority flag = 1 sets the low speed flag = 1, and the voltage signal generated by the signal generation process is sent to the firing solenoid 34 by 0.75 seconds by the low speed discharge process. Output intermittently at intervals. Here, according to the low speed priority flag = 1 and the second stop flag = 1, 15 seconds are set as the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time, respectively, and the time digestion of the low speed processing time is started. Further, a signal to be transmitted to the ball feeding solenoid of the ball supply device 32 is generated by the signal generation process, and the signal is intermittently output by the low-speed firing process.

  The launch solenoid 34 of the ball launcher 31 drives the launcher 33 in accordance with the voltage intensity of the voltage signal every time a voltage signal is input, and 0.75 game balls per ball with the launch intensity corresponding to the voltage intensity. The pressure is continuously fired at intervals of seconds (see FIG. 8). As described above, during the period in which the low-speed firing process is executed, the game balls are continuously fired at a rate of firing “80 per minute”. Thereafter, when the above time digestion of the low-speed processing time is completed (15 seconds have elapsed), since the low-speed priority flag = 1, the voltage generated by the signal generation processing with the low-speed flag = 0 and the high-speed flag = 1. A high-speed firing process for outputting a signal to the firing solenoid 34 at intervals of 0.5 seconds is executed. With the start of this high speed firing process, time digestion of the high speed processing time (15 seconds) set at the start of the low speed firing process is started as described above. Further, in this high-speed firing process, a predetermined signal is also output to the ball supply device 32 in accordance with the output of this voltage signal. During the period during which this high-speed launch process is being executed, the launch solenoid 34 of the ball launcher 31 drives the launcher 33 at 0.5 second intervals every time a voltage signal is input, and continuously strikes and fires the game ball. Therefore, the game balls are continuously fired at a rate of firing “120 per minute” (see FIG. 8). Thereafter, when the digestion of the high-speed processing time expires (after 15 seconds have elapsed), the normal firing process is performed in which the high-speed flag = 0 and the voltage signal generated by the signal generation process is output at intervals of 0.6 seconds.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the normal firing process intermittently outputs the voltage signal generated by the signal generation process at intervals of 0.6 seconds, and outputs a predetermined signal to the ball supply device 32 in accordance with this output. . In the ball launching device 31, each time a voltage signal is input from the normal launching process, the launching ball 33 is driven to hit the game ball, so that the game ball is continuously fired at intervals of 0.6 seconds. . Thereby, the upper limit number of firings per unit time of “100 per minute” is maintained. The state in which the normal firing process is executed is a so-called normal state.

When the player stops the turning operation of the firing handle 9 in the normal state during execution of the normal firing process, the pulse signal input from the turning angle detection sensor 39 is stopped, so that the firing flag = 0. Along with this, the launch solenoid 34 (and the ball feed solenoid) is stopped driving, and the launch of the game ball is stopped. Furthermore, in the launch state detection process of FIG. 6, since the input of the launch ball detection signal from the launch ball detection switch 42 is stopped, the time measurement started from the time when the launch ball detection signal was input immediately before is continued. And as above-mentioned, every time it becomes a predetermined determination timing, the elapsed time during time measurement is investigated, and it compares with the 1st threshold time value (15 seconds) or the 2nd threshold time value (30 seconds). Here, when the turning operation of the firing handle 9 is resumed before the elapsed time reaches 15 seconds (first threshold time value) (first stop flag = 0 and second stop flag = 0), the conversion flag = 0 and launch flag = 1 (see FIG. 10), the game ball is launched by the normal launch process (see FIG. 11).
On the other hand, when the elapsed time exceeds 15 seconds (the above-mentioned first threshold time value), the first stop flag = 1 is set and time measurement is continued. Further, when this elapsed time exceeds 3 minutes (the above-mentioned second threshold time value), the time measurement is completed with the first stop flag = 0 and the second stop flag = 1. Here, when the elapsed time exceeds 15 seconds and is within 3 minutes, when the turning operation of the firing handle 9 is resumed, the conversion flag = 1 and the first stop flag = 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the low-speed priority flag = 1 and the low-speed flag = 1 are executed as shown in FIG. In this case, since the first stop flag = 1, 30 seconds are set for the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time, respectively, and time digestion is started. Thereafter, when the time digestion of the low-speed processing time is completed (30 seconds have elapsed), the above-described high-speed firing process is executed with the low-speed flag = 0 and the high-speed flag = 1, and the time digestion of the high-speed processing time (30 seconds) is started. To do. Thereafter, when the high-speed processing time expires (30 seconds have elapsed), the normal firing processing is executed with the high-speed flag = 0 and the first stop flag = 0, and the normal state is restored. In this way, when the game ball is restarted with the first stop flag = 1 (first fire stop state), the low-speed launch process of continuously launching the game ball at intervals of 0.75 seconds as shown in FIG. Is executed for 30 seconds, and then a high-speed firing process of continuously firing at intervals of 0.5 seconds is executed for 30 seconds. In addition, when the turning operation of the launch handle 9 is executed after the elapsed time exceeds 3 minutes, the second stop flag = 1 (second launch stop state), so that after the game hall is opened As in the case where the game is played first, the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are sequentially executed (see FIG. 8).

  Furthermore, during the execution of the low speed shooting process or the high speed shooting process (low speed flag = 1 or high speed flag = 1), the player stops the rotation operation of the shooting lever 38, thereby causing a pulse signal from the rotation angle detection sensor 39. 10 is stopped, the firing flag = 0, so that the variable output interruption process in FIG. 10 interrupts the low-speed processing time or the high-speed processing time and stores the remaining processing time, and the interruption flag = Set to 1. Then, by the firing state detection process of FIG. 6, as described above, the time measurement is continued and the elapsed time is checked at every predetermined determination timing. When the elapsed time is within the first threshold time value (15 seconds) and the game ball is restarted, the interruption flag = 1 (first stop flag = 0 and second stop flag = 0). Then, by the variable output restart process, time digestion is restarted from the point of interruption based on the stored remaining processing time, and the firing flag = 1 is set. Then, the low-speed firing process or the high-speed firing process executed before the interruption is resumed (see FIG. 11). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold time value (15 seconds) in the state of the interruption flag = 1, the first stop flag = 1, the interruption flag = 0, the low speed flag = 0 and high speed flag = 0. Further, the stored remaining time is reset. Thereafter, when the elapsed time exceeds the second threshold time value (3 minutes), the first stop flag = 0 and the second stop flag = 1. As described above, when the game ball is restarted in the state of the first stop flag = 1 or the second stop flag = 1, since the interrupt flag = 0 as shown in FIG. 10, the conversion flag = 1 and With the firing flag = 1, the low-speed firing process and the high-speed firing process are executed according to the respective processing times in the same manner as described above (see FIG. 11).

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, when “priority of low-speed firing process” is selected by the changeover switch 41, the low-speed firing process is performed when the first or second firing stop state is changed to the firing state. And the high-speed firing process are sequentially executed, for example, when the player sits in front of the machine and starts playing, the low-speed firing process is mostly executed. In a state where the low-speed firing process is executed, the game ball firing interval is relatively long, so that the player can easily obtain a desired firing strength while adjusting the operation angle of the firing handle 9. When so-called right-handed or left-handed, it is possible to make a right-handed or left-handed relatively easily by adjusting the above-described firing strength, and the game desired by the player can easily proceed. Furthermore, if the launch intensity can be adjusted during execution of the low-speed launch process, it is easy to win a lot of game balls that are launched by the next high-speed launch process at the winning opening and the start opening, so it is easy to efficiently obtain profits. The following advantages arise. In this way, when the game is started, freshness and fun that have not been possible in the past can be generated, so that the interest of the game can be effectively improved. On the other hand, even when the player performs a launch stop action that temporarily stops the launch of the game ball in the middle of the game, the low speed launch process is executed when the launch is resumed. In general, when a player performs an action to stop firing during a game, the aim is to suppress the generation of waste balls and aim for winning at the start opening or big prize opening by restarting the launch. By executing the firing process, the winning probability per unit time becomes relatively low, and it becomes difficult to obtain a desired profit. In this way, by executing the low-speed launch process when resuming the launch of the game ball, it is possible to give penal implications for the launch stop act, so the launch stop act can be suppressed, and the launch stop act It is possible to suppress a decrease in the operating rate due to. In the special game operation described above, since the open state and the closed state of the grand prize opening are repeatedly executed, it is easy to perform a game ball launch stop action in the closed state. In this case, even if the game ball is restarted, the low-speed launch process is performed, so that it is possible to suppress the launch stop action in the closed state. Here, since the closed state is generally shorter than 15 seconds, the first firing stopped state is almost always caused by the firing stopping action in the closed state. Therefore, by setting the execution period of the low-speed firing process to a relatively long time (30 seconds), the penal implications can be emphasized, and the above-described operational effects can be further improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, the average number of firings per unit time in the total variation period obtained by adding the execution period of the low-speed firing process (low-speed processing time) and the execution period of the high-speed firing process (high-speed processing time) is the upper limit firing. Since it does not exceed the number, the requirement of 100 per minute can be satisfied.

  The launch control board 68 that executes the normal launch process, the slow launch process, and the fast launch process described above constitutes the launch control means according to the present invention, and executes the slow output process and the fast output process. The firing number variation process according to the present invention is realized by the firing signal output control process and the output conversion process.

Next, a case where the above-described changeover switch 41 is selected and operated to “priority of high-speed firing process” will be described according to the flow of the game.
When an attendant at the game hall operates the changeover switch 41 disposed on the back side of the gaming machine main body 3 to “priority of high-speed launch processing”, the high-speed priority flag = 1 is set. In this case, the low speed priority flag = 0.

  When a game is first played in the pachinko gaming machine 1 after the game hall is opened, the second stop flag is set to 1 by the gaming state detection process as described above. It is assumed that the conversion flag = 1 and the firing flag = 1. In the output conversion process of FIG. 11, the high-speed launch process is executed with the high-speed priority flag = 1 and the high-speed flag = 1. That is, when the firing control board 68 receives the pulse signal output from the turning angle detection sensor 39 by the turning operation of the launching handle 9, a voltage signal is generated by the signal generating process, and by the high-speed launching process as shown in FIG. The voltage signal is output intermittently at intervals of 0.5 seconds. Further, a predetermined signal is also output to the sphere supply device 32. In the output conversion process of FIG. 11, the second stop flag = 1 sets 30 seconds for the high-speed processing time and the low-speed processing time, respectively, and starts time digestion of the high-speed processing time.

  As described above, during the period in which the high-speed firing process is performed, the game balls are continuously fired at a rate of firing “120 per minute” (see FIG. 12). Thereafter, when the above-described high-speed processing time has expired (30 seconds have elapsed), since the high-speed priority flag = 1, the voltage generated by the signal generation processing with the high-speed flag = 0 and the low-speed flag = 1. A low-speed firing process is performed in which a signal is output to the firing solenoid 34 at intervals of 0.75 seconds. Then, the time digestion of the low speed processing time (30 seconds) is started. Thereafter, when the time digestion of the low speed processing time expires (30 seconds elapses), the low speed flag = 0 is set and the normal firing process is resumed.

  In this normal state, when the player stops the launch of the game ball, the launch flag = 0 is set by the launch signal output control process of FIG. 10, and the time measurement is continued by the launch state detection process of FIG. Thereafter, when the elapsed time during the time measurement exceeds 15 seconds (first threshold time value), the first stop flag = 1 is set. If the player resumes the launch of the game ball before the elapsed time exceeds 3 minutes (second threshold time value), the conversion flag = 1 and the launch flag = 1 are set by the first stop flag = 1. In the output conversion process of FIG. 11, the above-described high-speed firing process is executed with the high-speed priority flag = 1 and the high-speed flag = 1. In this case, since the first stop flag = 1, 15 seconds are set as the high-speed processing time and the low-speed processing time, respectively, and time digestion of the high-speed processing time is started. Thereafter, when the time consumption of the high-speed processing time expires (15 seconds have elapsed), the low-speed firing process is executed with the high-speed priority flag = 1 and the high-speed flag = 0 and the low-speed flag = 1. Along with this, time digestion of the low-speed processing time is started, and when the low-speed processing time expires thereafter (15 seconds have elapsed), the low-speed flag = 0 is set and the normal firing process is resumed. As described above, when the game ball is restarted with the first stop flag = 1 (first launch stop state), the high-speed launch process is performed to continuously launch the game ball at intervals of 0.5 seconds as shown in FIG. Is executed for 15 seconds, and then a low-speed firing process for continuously firing at intervals of 0.75 seconds is executed for 15 seconds.

  When the elapsed time by the above-described launch state detection process is restarted within 15 seconds, the normal launch process is executed with the launch flag = 1. When the game ball is restarted after the elapsed time exceeds 3 minutes, since the second stop flag = 1 (second launch stop state), the game is first played after the opening of the above-described game hall. Similarly to the case where it is performed, the high-speed firing process and the low-speed firing process are sequentially executed (see FIG. 12).

  Further, if the game ball is stopped during the high-speed launch process or the low-speed launch process (high-speed flag = 1 or low-speed flag = 1), as described above, the variable output interruption process in FIG. 10 is executed. The interruption flag = 1. When the elapsed time measured by the firing state detection process in FIG. 6 is restarted within 15 seconds, the fluctuation output restart process is executed, and the high-speed launch process executed before the interruption is executed. Resume the slow firing process. On the other hand, when the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold time value or the second threshold time value in the state of the interruption flag = 1, the first stop is made with the interruption flag = 0, the high speed flag = 0, and the low speed flag = 0. Flag = 1 or second stop flag = 1. When the game ball is restarted, the high-speed launch process and the low-speed launch process are executed in accordance with the respective processing times as described above.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, when “priority of high-speed launch processing” is selected by the changeover switch 41, the high-speed launch processing is performed when the first or second launch stop state is changed to the launch state. And the low-speed firing process are sequentially executed, for example, when the player sits in front of the machine and starts playing, the high-speed firing process is mostly executed. By executing the high-speed firing process in this manner, a larger number of game balls are fired than in the normal state in which the normal launch process is performed. Or the impact sound that occurs when it hits the glass plate is intense. By virtue of this intense firing sound and bumping sound, it is possible to effectively stimulate the player's positive emotions when the game is started and to excite the game. In this way, when the game is started, it is possible to produce an unprecedented fresh interest, so that it is possible to effectively improve the interest of the game. At the start of such a game, since the second firing stop state described above is almost the case, the execution period of high-speed firing processing (high-speed processing time) is set to a relatively long time (30 seconds). The above-described effects can be further improved. On the other hand, even when the player has intentionally stopped the launching of the game ball, the high-speed launch process is executed when the game ball is restarted. When restarting the game ball after it has been interrupted, the player is required to adjust the operation angle of the firing handle 9 in order to obtain a desired firing strength. However, while adjusting the operation angle of the firing handle 9, many game balls are fired by the high-speed firing process, and then the low-speed firing process is performed. It is difficult to launch a game ball with a launch intensity of. For this reason, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to perform an operation that the player feels when resuming after stopping the launch of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to achieve the effect of causing the player to suppress the act of stopping the release of the game ball. Further, when the first or second launch stop state is changed to the launch state, it is possible to increase the operating rate of the machine base that has been lowered in the launch stop state by performing the fast launch process.

  Even when “priority of high-speed firing process” is selected by the changeover switch 41, the execution period of the high-speed firing process (high-speed processing time) and the execution period of the low-speed firing process (low-speed processing time) are added. Further, since the average number of shots per unit time in the total variation period does not exceed the upper limit number of shots, the regulation of 100 shots per minute can be satisfied.

  In the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the output intervals of the voltage signals set for the low-speed firing process and the high-speed launch process can be set as appropriate without being limited to this embodiment. Here, the output interval of the voltage signal is not only set as a constant value as in the embodiment, but can also be set so that the output interval is gradually shortened or lengthened. In the case of the former constant value, it can be realized by setting different output intervals for the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process. In the latter case, the number of game balls fired is increased by gradually increasing the output interval. Can be realized by a low-speed launch process and a high-speed launch process including a process content that gradually decreases the output interval and a process content that gradually shortens the output interval and gradually increases the number of game balls. Furthermore, a plurality of output intervals may be set in advance, and any one may be selected and used as appropriate. Moreover, even if it exists in the execution period (low-speed processing time) of a low-speed launch process, and the execution period (high-speed process time) of a high-speed launch process, it can set suitably not only in an Example. Note that it is required to appropriately set the low speed processing time and the high speed processing time so that the average number of game balls fired per unit time in the total variation period does not exceed the upper limit number of fired balls.

  In the embodiment described above, the low-speed launch process and the high-speed launch process are sequentially executed once when the first or second launch stop state is changed to the launch state. The number of executions of the process can be set as appropriate. For example, both can be executed a plurality of times, or one can be executed once and the other can be executed twice. In particular, in “Priority of low-speed launch processing”, low-speed launch processing, high-speed launch processing, and low-speed launch processing are executed in this order, and the execution period of the first low-speed launch process and the execution period of the fast launch process are added. The average number of game balls fired per unit time in each period in both the previous total fluctuation period and the total fluctuation period after adding the execution period of the high-speed launch process and the execution period of the second low-speed launch process It is preferable that does not exceed the upper limit firing number.

  In the above-described embodiment, the change-over switch 41 that can be operated by the attendant of the game hall is provided on the back side of the gaming machine main body 3, and the change-over switch 41 selects “priority of low-speed launch processing” and “high-speed launch processing”. In other configurations, the configuration is such that the low-speed firing process is prioritized without the changeover switch 41 and the high-speed firing process is prioritized. You can also.

  In this invention, it is not limited to the Example mentioned above, About the structure other than the above-mentioned Example, it can change and implement suitably within the range of the meaning of this invention.

1 Pachinko machine 7 Upper ball tray (ball tray)
14 Image display 31 Ball launcher 33 Launcher 34 Launch solenoid (drive device)
35 launch rail

Claims (3)

A ball launcher comprising: a launcher for hitting a game ball supplied from a ball tray to a launch position on the launcher rail; and a driving device for driving the launcher to strike.
In a pachinko gaming machine provided with a launch control means for driving and controlling a ball launcher so that the upper limit firing number that can launch a game ball per unit time is preset, and the upper limit firing number is fired,
The ball launcher has a function capable of changing the number of game ball shots per unit time,
A launching state detecting means for detecting the launching of the game ball by the ball launching device and determining the launching state or launching stop state of the game ball based on the detection;
The firing control means includes
A low-speed launch process that drives and controls the ball launcher so that the number of game balls fired per unit time is less than the upper limit launch number when the launch state detection means converts from the launch stop state to the launch state. A pachinko gaming machine comprising a firing number changing process for executing a predetermined period of time. The firing number change process
Drive control of the ball launcher so that the number of game balls fired per unit time is greater than the upper limit fired number when the low-speed launch process that has started execution with the conversion from the launch stop state to the launch state expires It has processing contents to execute a high-speed firing process for a predetermined period,
The slow launch process and the fast launch process are performed so that the average number of game balls fired per unit time in the total variation period, which is the sum of the period for executing the fast launch process and the execution period of the slow launch process, does not exceed the upper limit launch number. The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein each execution period is defined. The firing state detection means includes a process for acquiring the time required for the firing stop state,
The firing number changing process is configured to determine an execution period of the low-speed firing process based on the time acquired by the firing state detection unit. Pachinko machine.

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