JP2015196059A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suitably enhancing attention level to a game.SOLUTION: A game board unit 80 of a Pachinko machine is provided with a right side variable winning device 83 in which game balls flowing down a game area PE can enter. The right side variable winning device 83 is provided with a first ball entrance port and a second ball entrance port that is more advantageous to players than the first ball entrance port, and a distribution mechanism disposed between the two ball entrance ports. The distribution mechanism has a movable body capable of changing to a first state in which game balls passed through a right side big winning port 83a are more likely to be guided to the first ball entrance port than to the second ball entrance port and to a second state in which the game balls are more likely to be guided to the second ball entrance port than to the first ball entrance port; the movable body, when the balls reach the movable body, changes to the first state or the second state by receiving the balls. The distribution mechanism has a structure to be kept as it is rather than to change to the other state when a ball reaches the movable body in a state either in the first state or the second state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Some gaming machines, such as pachinko gaming machines, include a game board in which a game area in which game balls flow down is formed. Based on the player's operation, the game ball is launched toward the game area, and when the launched game ball enters the entrance area provided in the game area, the player is given benefits such as paying out the game ball Is granted to.

  In gaming machines in which the provision of benefits depends on the movement of game balls in this way, game parts such as nails and windmills are arranged in the game area to distribute the flow paths of the game balls, In some cases, the degree of attention to the movement of the game ball, and hence the degree of attention to the game, is increased by diversifying the movement of the game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-071059 A

  However, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to increase the attention to the game by the movement of the game ball.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can suitably increase the degree of attention to a game.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
A game board in which a game area is formed;
A ball entry device capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The entrance device is
A first pitching portion and a second pitching portion that is more advantageous to the player than the first pitching portion;
A first state in which the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion of the entrance device is easier to guide to the first entrance portion than the second entrance portion, and the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion is the first entrance ball. A guide means that can be switched to a second state that is easier to guide to the second entrance than the part,
The guide means is configured to receive the game ball and switch to the first state and the second state when the game ball reaches the guide means.

  The degree of attention to the game can be suitably increased.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. (A) The elements on larger scale of FIG. 5 which show a right side variable prize apparatus, (b) The schematic which shows the internal structure of a right side variable prize apparatus, (c) It is the AA partial fragmentary sectional view of FIG.8 (b). (A) The elements on larger scale of FIG.8 (b) which show the mode of switching of a channel | path, (b) The perspective view which shows a distribution mechanism. (A) Schematic view of the stage portion as viewed from above, (b) Schematic diagram showing how the sorting mechanism is in the first state, (c) Shows how the sorting mechanism is in the second state. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the distribution aspect of a game ball. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the various counters used for a success or failure lottery. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a success / failure table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a distribution table. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed in MPU of a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows the normal process performed by MPU of a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a game state transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows a variable winning apparatus opening / closing process. It is a flowchart which shows a high probability mode transfer determination process. (A) The flowchart which shows the state switching process performed in MPU of a main controller, (b)-(c) It is the schematic which shows the mode of forced switching. It is a flowchart which shows the game state transfer process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a variable winning apparatus opening / closing process. It is a flowchart which shows a round continuation determination process. (A) Schematic which shows the distribution mechanism in 3rd Embodiment, (b) It is the schematic which shows the distribution aspect. It is the schematic which shows the motion of a distribution mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the distribution mechanism in 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the motion of a distribution mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the distribution aspect of a game ball. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a distribution mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a distribution mechanism.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 in an exploded manner. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main part 12 attached to the outer frame 11.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting plate members to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the island facility of the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility. In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential configuration, and the outer frame 11 may be provided on the island facility of the game arcade.

  The game machine main part 12 is supported by the outer frame 11 in an openable and closable state. Specifically, the upper support bracket 17 is fixed to a connection portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11, and further, a lower portion is connected to the connection portion between the lower frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11. Side support fittings 18 are provided. The upper support bracket 17 and the lower support bracket 18 form a support mechanism. The support mechanism causes the gaming machine main unit 12 to turn the left side of the pachinko machine 10 in the front view with respect to the outer frame 11. In addition, the right side can be turned forward of the pachinko machine 10 with the turning tip side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine main part 12 includes an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack arranged behind the inner frame 13. Unit 15. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main part 12 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11.

  The front door frame 14 is attached to the inner frame 13 so that the front door frame 14 can be rotated forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in a front view of the pachinko machine 10. 15 is attached to the inner frame 13 so that it can be rotated rearward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation front end side in the front view of the pachinko machine 10.

  The front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a synthetic resin frame body 20 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11, and covers substantially the entire front side of the inner frame 13. A substantially elliptical window portion 21 is formed in the central portion of the frame body 20 so that a substantially entire game area PE, which will be described later, can be viewed from the front. The window portion 21 is formed by the glass unit 30. The front door frame 14 is covered from the back side.

  A glass unit installation portion is formed in the frame 20 so as to surround the window portion 21. The glass unit installation portion is provided on the back side of the frame body 20 and is recessed toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the window portion 21 is formed at the bottom thereof. The glass unit 30 is restricted from being displaced in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by being fitted into the glass unit installation portion.

  The glass unit 30 includes glass panels 31 and 32 having transparency, and a glass holder 33 that holds the glass panels 31 and 32. The glass holder 33 has an annular frame portion formed along the window portion 21, and the glass panels 31 and 32 are accommodated in a region surrounded by the frame portion, and the glass panels 31 and 32 play games. The region PE is double-covered from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window portion 21. For example, an annular illumination part 24 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window part 21. In the annular illumination unit 24, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the gaming state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. In addition, an error display lamp unit 25 is provided at the center of the annular illumination unit 24 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10 so as to be lit when a predetermined error occurs. A prize ball lamp unit 26 is provided. In addition, a speaker unit 27 is provided at a position close to the central error display lamp unit 25 to output a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state.

  Below the window portion 21 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 28 and a lower bulging portion 29 bulging toward the front side are arranged in parallel. An upper pan 28a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 28, and a lower pan 29a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 29. The upper plate 28a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device, which will be described later, and guiding the game balls to a game ball launching mechanism, which will be described later, while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 29a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 28a.

  A game ball launching handle 41 is provided at a position aligned with the lower bulging portion 29 so as to protrude toward the front side. By operating the game ball launch handle 41, a game ball is launched from a game ball launch mechanism described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a passage forming unit 50 is attached to the back surface of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 50 is formed of a synthetic resin, and is formed with a front door side upper plate passage that leads to the upper plate 28a and a front door side lower plate passage that leads to the lower plate 29a. In the passage forming unit 50, a receiving portion 53 that protrudes rearward and opens upward is formed at an upper corner portion thereof, and the receiving portion 53 is divided into left and right portions by a partition wall 54, whereby the front door side upper plate is formed. An entrance portion of the passage and an entrance portion of the front door side lower dish passage are partitioned. The upstream side of the front door side upper dish passage and the front door side lower dish path are connected to a game ball distributing section which will be described later, and the game balls that have entered the front door side upper dish path are guided to the upper plate 28a, The game balls that have entered the dish passage are guided to the lower dish 29a.

  Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner frame 13. In FIG. 3 as well, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted as in FIG.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 70 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. Support metal fittings 71 and 72 are attached to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 3) on the front surface of the resin base 70. In addition, on the rotation base end side on the back surface of the front door frame 14, projection shafts are provided corresponding to the support fittings 71 and 72. Although illustration is omitted, shaft holes are formed in the support fittings 71 and 72, and the projection shaft of the front door frame 14 is inserted into these shaft holes, so that the front door frame 14 is attached to the inner frame 13. It is rotatably supported. That is, these support fittings 71 and 72 and the projection shaft constitute an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13.

  A locking device 75 is provided on the front surface of the inner frame 13. The locking device 75 has a plurality of front door flange members 76 extending toward the front door frame 14. Corresponding to these front door saddle members 76, a plurality of scissor receiving members 63 extending toward the inner frame 13 are provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14 (see FIG. 2). When the front door collar member 76 is hooked on the collar receiving member 63, the front door frame 14 is locked in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking device 75 includes an inner frame collar member 77 extending rearward of the inner frame 13. These inner frame hook members 77 are hooked on the hook receiving member 19 of the outer frame 11, so that the gaming machine main part 12 is locked in a closed state with respect to the outer frame 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a cylinder lock 78 for performing an unlocking operation of the locking device is installed at the lower right corner of the resin base 70. The cylinder lock 78 is integrated with the locking device, and the tip portion (key hole portion) is exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10 through a hole provided in the front door frame 14. Turning the key inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 78 to the right releases the locking of the front door frame 14 with respect to the inner frame 13, and turning the key to the left releases the locking of the inner frame 13 with respect to the outer frame 11. .

  A game board housing portion 73 for housing the game board unit 80 is formed at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the resin base 70. The game board housing portion 73 is recessed behind the pachinko machine 10 to define a housing space for housing the game board unit 80, and the game board unit 80 attached to the resin base 70 is fitted in the housing space. It has become. Particularly in the present embodiment, the game board unit 80 is detachably attached to the resin base 70, thereby facilitating maintenance work and the like.

  The game board unit 80 includes a game board 80a made of synthetic resin and a back block 80b (see FIG. 5) provided behind the game board unit 80a, and the front surface of the game board unit 80 passes through an open portion of the game board housing portion 73. It is exposed on the front side. A game area PE in which game balls flow down is formed on the exposed portion, that is, on the front surface of the game board 80a. As already described, the game area PE is covered with the glass panel 32. In the glass panel 32, the gap between the front surface of the game board 80a is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, that is, the game balls flowing down the game area PE are not lined up and down in the same place of the game area PE. Are arranged as follows. Thereby, the ball blockage in the game area PE is suppressed. Note that the game board 80a is not limited to being made of synthetic resin, and may be made of wood.

  Hereinafter, the game board unit 80 (particularly, various configurations arranged in the game area PE) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board unit 80.

  A plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the game board 80a constituting the game board unit 80 are formed. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 81, variable winning devices 82 and 83, operating ports 84 and 85, a through gate 86, a main display unit 87, a variable display unit 88, and the like. When game balls enter the general winning port 81, the variable winning devices 82 and 83, and the operation ports 84 and 85, the game balls are detected by a detection sensor described later, and a predetermined number of award balls are paid out based on the detection result. Are given to the player. In addition, an out port 89 is provided at the bottom of the game board unit 80, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area PE through the out port 89. In the following description, in order to clearly distinguish the game ball from entering the out port 89, the general winning port 81, the variable winning devices 82 and 83, the operation ports 84 and 85, and the game ball entering the through gate 86 are described. The ball is also expressed as a prize.

  In addition, a large number of nails 90 are planted on the game board 80a to disperse and adjust the flow path of the game ball as appropriate, and various members (functions) such as a windmill are arranged. The flow path of the game ball is differentiated by various configurations such as the nails 90 and the windmills, and is adjusted so that a winning in the above-described general winning opening 81 and the like occurs with an appropriate probability.

  The variable display unit 88 is arranged in the center of the game board unit 80, and the operation ports 84, 85 and the like are arranged around the variable display unit 88. The operation ports 84 and 85 are a lower operation port 84 (hereinafter referred to as a lower operation port 84) disposed below the variable display unit 88 and a right side disposed on the right side of the variable display unit 88. And the right operating port (lottery trigger entrance part) 85 has an opening / closing type entrance assist device (entrance assisting means) or An electric accessory 91 as an opening / closing member (opening / closing means) is provided. The electric accessory 91 includes a pair of left and right movable pieces 91a and a solenoid-type drive unit that drives the movable piece 91a, and an open state (auxiliary) that enables or facilitates entry into the right operation port 85. State) and a closed state (non-auxiliary state) in which the same ball cannot be entered. Note that the closed state of the electric accessory 91 is not necessarily impossible to win, and may be in a state where winning is permitted, but winning is difficult compared to the open state.

  The through gate 86 is arranged above the right working port 85. When the winning combination is a lottery triggered by the passage of the game ball through the through gate 86, the electric accessory 91 is held for a predetermined time. Open state.

  When a ball enters the lower operation port 84, three game balls are paid out. When a ball enters the right operation port 85, four game balls are paid out. However, the number of game balls to be paid out is not limited to the above. For example, in order to increase the advantage of the right working port 85 with respect to the lower working port 84, the number of payouts related to the right working port 85 may be set larger than the number of payouts related to the lower working port 84.

  Similarly to the lower operation port 84 and the right operation port 85, the variable prize winning devices (special entry device or special entry means) 82 and 83 are individually arranged below and to the right of the variable display unit 88. For the sake of convenience, the variable winning device 82 disposed below the variable display unit 88 (specifically, below the lower operating port 84) will be referred to as a “lower variable winning device 82” and to the right of the variable display unit 88 (specifically, the right The variable winning device 83 disposed below the operating port 85 is referred to as a “right variable winning device 83”.

  The lower variable winning device 82 includes a large winning opening 82a leading to the back side of the game board unit 80, and an opening / closing door 82b as an opening / closing member (opening / closing means) for opening / closing the large winning opening 82a. The open / close door 82b can be switched between an open state (assist state) in which a game ball can be entered and a closed state (non-assist state) in which the game ball cannot be entered. The open / close door 82b is connected to a variable prize driving unit 82c (specifically, a solenoid) provided on the back side of the game board unit 80, and the open / close door 82b is kept closed in a normal state. In the internal lottery, when the winning / opening execution mode (opening / closing execution state) is won, the open state is switched. Note that the closed state of the lower variable winning device 82 is not necessarily impossible to win, and may be in a state where winning is permitted, but winning is difficult compared to the open state.

  Here, the opening / closing execution mode is a mode to be shifted to when a big win is won. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 82 in the opening / closing execution mode, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings is defined as one round, and a plurality of rounds (for example, 10 rounds or 15 rounds) are performed. Some are set so that the opening of the open / close door 82b as the upper limit is repeated.

  As with the lower variable prize-winning device 82, the right variable prize-winning device 83 serves as a right big prize-winning port 83a that leads to the back side of the game board unit 80 and an opening / closing member (opening / closing means) that opens and closes the right-side big prize-winning port. And an open / close door 83b. The open / close door 83b can be switched between an open state (assist state) in which a game ball can be entered and a closed state (non-assistant state) in which the enter ball cannot be entered. The opening / closing door 83b is connected to a variable winning drive unit 83c (specifically, a solenoid), and the opening / closing door is maintained in a closed state in a normal state, and the interior based on the entrance to the right operation port 85 is provided. When a 15R jackpot (special winning), which will be described later, is won in the lottery, the open round is switched to a specific round (specifically, the final round). Note that the closed state of the lower variable winning device 82 is not necessarily impossible to win, and may be in a state where winning is permitted, but winning is difficult compared to the open state.

  Next, the variable display unit 88 will be described. The variable display unit 88 is provided with a symbol display device 96 for variably displaying symbols with a winning at the operation ports 84 and 85 as a trigger. The variable display unit 88 is provided with a center frame 97 so as to surround the symbol display device 96. At the lower part of the center frame 97, a first holding ramp portion 98 corresponding to the lower operating port 84 and a second holding ramp portion 99 corresponding to the right operating port 85 are provided. In the present embodiment, the number of times that the game ball has passed through each of the operation ports 84 and 85 is held up to a maximum of 4 times. The reserved number corresponding to 85 is displayed individually.

  The symbol display device 96 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. In the symbol display device 96, for example, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, a special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot) occurs. The arrangement of the symbol rows and the manner of the variable display are arbitrary. For example, the symbols may be displayed side by side in the upper, middle, and lower directions, and the symbols may be displayed in a variable manner by scrolling in the horizontal direction.

  The operation ports 84 and 85 are arranged at positions close to the variable display unit 88. Since a big win can be generated with a winning at the operating ports 84 and 85 as a trigger, the player pays attention to whether or not to win the operating ports 84 and 85, and to determine whether or not a big win will occur. It is considered that attention is paid to the display device 96. Providing the operation ports 84 and 85 closer to the variable display unit 88 is a device for concentrating the portion that the player wants to pay attention to around the variable display unit 88.

  The main display unit 87 is arranged on the opposite side of the variable display unit 88 with respect to the right variable winning device 83. The main display unit 87 is disposed along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE, and protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 from the front surface of the game board 80a. The front surface of the main display unit 87 is opposed to the glass unit 30 (specifically, the rear glass panel 32) that allows the game area PE to be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and further to the rear glass panel 32. The distance between them is narrower than that of one game ball. This prevents the game ball from dropping in front of the front surface of the main display unit 87.

  Here, the main display unit 87 will be described supplementarily.

  In the main display unit 87, a main display portion D on which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed is provided at a portion facing the glass unit 30. The main display unit D displays a lower working port display unit that displays a lottery result based on winning in the lower working port 84, and a right working port that displays a lottery result performed based on winning in the right working port 85. Display unit.

  In the lower working port display section, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the lower working port 84 as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the lower working port 84 is performed. The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the lower operating port 84 is the winning result corresponding to the shift to the opening / closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the lower operating port display unit, and the predetermined result is the stop result. After the pattern is displayed, the mode is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode.

  The display unit for the right working port displays a variation of the picture triggered by the winning of the right working port 85, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the right working port 85 is performed. The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the right working port 85 is a winning result corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the display unit for the right working port, and a predetermined pattern is displayed as the stop result. After being displayed, the opening / closing execution mode is shifted according to the result.

  Here, on the basis of winning in any one of the operation ports 84 and 85, the variable display is started on the corresponding display unit, a predetermined stop result is displayed, and the above-mentioned variable display is stopped until 1 of the game times. Equivalent to times. However, the number of game times is not limited to the above contents. For example, a single display area is provided, and even if a winning to any of the operation ports 84 and 85 occurs, the single game area In the configuration in which the variable display is performed in the display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and the above-mentioned variable display is stopped once in a state where a predetermined stop result is displayed. And

  The main display unit D of the main display unit 87 is provided with a through gate display unit for displaying a lottery result based on winning through the through gate 86 in addition to both display units. In the through-gate display unit, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the through-gate 86 as a trigger, and the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through-gate 86 is clearly shown as a result of stopping the variation display. Is done. If the result of the internal lottery based on winning through the through gate 86 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the open state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the through gate display unit, and the change display is displayed. After being stopped, the state shifts to the electric power open state. In the electric combination open state, the electric combination 91 provided in the right operation port 85 is opened in a predetermined manner.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 86 is retained up to 4 times, but the number of suspension is displayed on the main display portion D of the main display unit 87. A display unit for the number of hold to be provided is provided.

  About each of these display parts, while being visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 30 of the front door frame 14, visibility is avoided by preventing the game balls from moving in front of these display parts. It is secured.

  Referring again to FIG. 3, below the game board housing portion 73 (game board unit 80) in the resin base 70, a game for launching a game ball to the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball launch handle 41. A ball launching mechanism 110 is provided. The game ball launching mechanism 110 includes a solenoid 111 that launches a game ball placed at a predetermined launch standby position, a launch rail 112 that defines the launch direction of the game ball launched by the solenoid 111, and a game at the launch standby position. A ball feeding device 113 for supplying a ball and a base plate 114 on which the various configurations 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is fixed to the resin base 70 so that it is attached to the inner frame 13. On the other hand, it is integrated.

  The firing rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an inclined state so as to be inclined upward toward the game board unit 80 side. A ball stopper that holds the game ball supplied from the ball feeding device 113 at the above-described firing standby position is disposed at a position closer to the downstream end portion (that is, the lower end portion) of the firing rail 112. The solenoid 111 is arranged at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

  The solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power source / launch control device described later. Based on the output of the electrical signal from the power supply / launch control device, the output shaft of the solenoid 111 reciprocates in the expansion / contraction direction, so that the game ball placed at the launch standby position is on the game board unit 80 side, in detail. It is launched toward the guide rail 100 mounted on the game board unit 80.

  The guide rail 100 forms a game area PE together with the game area partition member 108 so that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. In addition, the guide rail 100 includes an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 arranged so as to face each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a single guide passage 103 is defined by both the rails 101 and 102. Is formed. The guide passage 103 has an inlet portion that is open to the tip end side (obliquely downward) of the firing rail 112 and an outlet portion that is located above the game area PE. The game ball fired based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the firing rail 112 → guide rail 100 (entrance portion → exit portion). In the game board unit 80, on the front side of the exit portion, specifically, in the vicinity of the front end of the inner rail 101, a reversal prevention member 106 for preventing the reversal of the game ball reaching the game area PE into the guide passage 103 is attached. Thus, it is possible to prevent the subsequent launch of the game ball from being hindered by the game ball that has reached the game area PE first.

  Each of the rails 101 and 102 constituting the guide rail 100 has an arc shape centered at a substantially central portion of the game area PE. For this reason, the game ball passing through the guide passage 103 is likely to move (slide or roll) along the outer rail 102, that is, in contact with the outer rail 102 due to the centrifugal force generated by itself.

  The guide rail 100 and the firing rail 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the firing rail 112 face each other with the lower end edge of the game board unit 80 interposed therebetween. That is, both the rails 100 and 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the firing rail 112 are shifted to the left and right in the vicinity of the lower end edge of the game board unit 80. As a result, a gap of a predetermined interval is formed between the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the firing rail 112 while bringing both rails 100 and 112 close to the lower end edge of the game board unit 80.

  A foul ball passage 55 (see FIG. 2) is disposed below the gap formed in this way. The foul ball passage 55 is integrally formed with the passage formation unit 50 of the front door frame 14. If the game balls launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 do not reach the game area PE and return as foul balls in the guide passage 103, the foul balls enter the foul ball passage 55 through the gap. It becomes. The foul ball passage 55 communicates with the front door side lower tray passage 52, and the game balls that have entered the foul ball passage 55 are discharged to the lower tray 29a shown in FIG. This suppresses interference between the foul ball and the next game ball to be launched.

  On the left side of the firing rail 112 in the resin base 70 (specifically, the side supporting the front door frame 14), a passage forming member 131 is disposed in a through-hole penetrating the resin base 70 in the front-rear direction. The passage forming member 131 is screwed to the resin base 70 and has a main body side upper dish path 132 and a main body side lower dish path 133. The upstream side of the main body side upper dish passage 132 and the main body side lower dish passage 133 communicates with a game ball distributing section described later. Further, the receiving portion 53 of the passage forming unit 50 attached to the front door frame 14 enters below the passage forming member 131, and the front door side upper plate passage 51 is below the main body side upper plate passage 132. The front door side upper dish path 51 is disposed below the main body side lower dish path 133 (see FIG. 2).

  In the resin base 70, below the passage forming member 131, a shutter 134 that restricts the flow of game balls from the main body side upper dish passage 132 and the main body side lower dish passage 133 is provided. The shutter 134 is supported by the resin base 70 in a state where the shutter 134 can be switched between a blocking position where the outlet portions of both passages are narrowed to prevent the gaming ball from flowing out and an allowable position where the gaming ball is allowed to flow out. The resin base 70 is provided with a biasing member that biases the shutter 134 toward the blocking position. When the front door frame 14 is opened with respect to the inner frame 13, the shutter is driven by the biasing force of the biasing member. 134 is configured to remain in the blocking position. Thereby, when the front door frame 14 is opened in a state where the game balls are stored in the main body side upper tray passage 132 or the main body side lower tray passage 133, the inconvenience that the stored balls spill out is avoided. . In contrast, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the shutter 134 is pushed back to the allowable position against the urging force by the receiving portion 53 provided in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14. In this state, the main body side upper tray passage 132 and the front door side upper tray passage 51 communicate with the main body side lower tray passage 133 and the front door side lower tray passage 52, respectively, and the movement of the game ball is allowed. Become.

  Next, the back configuration of the inner frame 13 (the resin base 70 and the game board unit 80) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the inner frame 13.

  A bearing fitting 136 is attached to the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 5) on the back surface of the resin base 70. A bearing portion 137 is formed on the bearing bracket 136 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the inner frame 13 by these bearing portions 137.

  A central opening 74 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the resin base 70 and opens to the back side of the resin base 70 is formed at the bottom of the game board housing portion 73 in the resin base 70. The central opening 74 is a game. The game board unit 80 housed in the board housing part 73 is covered from the front side of the inner frame 13. Various components such as a control device are mounted on the back block 80 b of the game board unit 80, and these various components are exposed to the back side of the inner frame 13 through the central opening 74.

  The back block 80b of the game board unit 80 is fixed with a base body 141 as a pedestal on which various components such as the variable display unit 88 are mounted on the game board 80a. The base body 141 has a substantially box shape opened to the game board unit 80 side, and covers almost the entire rear surface of the game board 80a. A part of the base body 141 protrudes to the back side of the resin base 70 through the central opening 74 of the resin base 70, and the symbol display device 96 described above and the symbol display device 96 are driven with respect to the protruding portion. And a display control device for mounting. The symbol display device 96 and the display control device are arranged so that the symbol display device is on the front side and the display control device is on the rear side in the front-rear direction (thickness direction of the resin base 70).

  Further, a notification / production control device unit 142 is mounted on the back block 80b so as to be positioned behind the display control device. The notification / effect control device unit 142 includes a notification / effect control device 143 and a mounting base, and the notification / effect control device 143 is mounted on the mounting base.

  The notification / production control device 143 includes a notification / production control board that controls voice, lamp display, and control of the display control device in accordance with instructions from a main control device, which will be described later. It is accommodated in a substrate box 145 made of, for example.

  A main controller unit 160 is provided below the notification / effect controller unit 142 so as to cover the base body 141 from behind. The main controller unit 160 includes a synthetic resin mounting base 161 fixed to the back surface of the game board unit 80 and a main control unit 162 mounted on the mounting base 161. The main controller 162 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that controls the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power source, and the main control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is configured to be accommodated in a substrate box 163 made of, for example.

  The board box 163 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (back case body) that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be unsealed by a box sealing portion 164 as sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of box sealing portions are provided on the short side portion of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used for sealing processing.

  Any structure can be applied to the box sealing part as long as the box base and the box cover are connected to each other so that they cannot be opened, but by inserting a locking pin into the locking hole that forms the box sealing part, The box cover is connected to the box cover so that it cannot be opened. The sealing process by the box sealing part prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation quickly and easily even if unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the sealing process again even after it has been performed. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting a locking pin into at least one locking hole among the plurality of box sealing portions. When the substrate box 163 is opened, such as when a failure occurs in the accommodated main control board or when the main control board is inspected, a connecting portion between the box sealing portion into which the locking pin is inserted and the substrate box 163 main body. Disconnect. As a result, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 163 are separated, and the internal main control substrate can be taken out. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, a locking pin is inserted into another locking hole. If the history of opening the substrate box 163 is left in the substrate box 163, it can be easily found that the unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 163.

  The board box 163 and the mounting base 161 are connected to each other by a pedestal seal portion so that they cannot be opened. Specifically, the pedestal sealing part has a locking hole part and a locking pin like the box sealing part 164, and is attached to the board box 163 by inserting the locking pin into the locking hole part. The base 161 is connected to the base 161 inseparably. This makes it easier to grasp the fact that the substrate box 163 has been illegally removed.

  A portion of the base body 141 facing the back of the game board 80a corresponds to the game board openings of the general prize opening 81, the variable prize winning devices 82 and 83, the lower operation opening 84, and the right operation opening 85 and downstream. A collection passage that collects at one location on the side is formed. Thereby, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 81 etc. are gathered below the game board unit 80 through the collection passage. That is, the base body 141 is provided with a function of collecting game balls won in various winning ports.

  A discharge passage, which will be described later, is arranged below the game board unit 80, and the game balls gathered below the game board unit 80 by the collection passage are led out into the discharge passage. The out port 89 is also connected to the discharge passage in the same manner, and the game balls that have not won any winning port are led out to the discharge passage through the out port 89.

  In addition, in the collection passage, a winning port switch for detecting a game ball won in the general winning port 81 on the front side of the game board unit 80, a count switch for detecting a game ball won in the lower variable winning device 82, and an operation An operating port switch for detecting a game ball that has entered the mouths 84 and 85 is mounted, and a winning detection mechanism is constituted by these various switches. Furthermore, gate switches for detecting game balls passing through the through gate 86 are provided on both the left and right sides of the variable display unit 88 in the base body 141. These various switches are electrically connected to the main control device 162, and the detection information by each switch is output to the main control device 162.

  Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the back pack unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the inner frame 13 is covered from behind by the back pack unit 15. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 201, and a payout mechanism unit 202, a discharge passage board, and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the back pack 201.

  The back pack 201 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and as shown in FIG. 7, a base portion 211 to which the payout mechanism portion 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 212 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. And have. The protective cover portion 212 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 88 (see FIG. 6).

  The base part 211 is provided with an external terminal board at the upper right part thereof. Various output terminals are provided on the external terminal plate, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. Further, the base portion 211 is provided with a pair of upper and lower latch pins 214 at the right end when viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10, and the latch pins 214 are inserted through the bearing portions 137 provided on the inner frame 13. The back pack unit 15 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the inner frame 13. The base portion 211 is formed with a plurality of insertion portions through which the fixing levers provided in the inner frame 13 are inserted, and comes into contact with the base portion 211 from behind in a state where the fixing levers are inserted into the insertion portions. Thus, the back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13.

  In the base portion 211, a payout mechanism portion 202 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 212. The payout mechanism 202 is provided with a tank 221 that is arranged at the top of the back pack 201 and that opens upward, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 221. The A tank rail 222 that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected to the lower side of the tank 221, and a case rail 223 that extends in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 222. A payout device 224 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 223. The game balls paid out from the payout device 224 are supplied to a game ball distribution unit 225 fixed to the base portion 211 of the back pack 201 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 224. The game ball distribution unit 225 has a function of distributing the game balls paid out from the payout device 224 to either the upper plate 28a or the lower plate 29a.

  At the lower end portion of the base portion 211, the discharge passage board and the control device collective unit 204 are attached so as to sandwich the lower end portion in the front and rear direction. In the discharge passage board, a discharge passage opened rearward is formed on a surface facing the control device assembly unit 204, and an open portion of the discharge passage is closed by the control device assembly unit 204. The discharge passage is formed so as to discharge the game ball to the island facility or the like of the game hall, and the game ball led to the discharge passage from the recovery passage described above passes through the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. Discharged.

  The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base 241, and a payout control device 242 and a power supply / launch control device 243 are mounted on the mounting base 241. The payout control device 242 and the power supply / launch control device 243 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 242 is behind the pachinko machine 10.

  In the payout control device 242, a payout control board for controlling the payout device 224 is accommodated in the board box 244, and a state return switch 245 provided on the payout control board projects out of the board box 244. For example, when the state return switch 245 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout device 224, the ball jam is eliminated.

  The power source / launch control device 243 includes a power source / launch control board housed in the board box 246, and a predetermined power source required for various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board. Control of the launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the firing handle 41 is performed.

  The board boxes 244 and 246 are formed of a synthetic resin having transparency so that the built-in boards can be viewed from the outside of the board boxes 244 and 246. In the payout control board and the power / fire control board, one plate surface is a mounting surface for various elements, and the other plate surface is a solder surface. And, by placing the mounting surface facing the back of the gaming machine (soldering surface facing the inner frame 13 side (front of the gaming machine)), there is an abnormality in each control board during maintenance etc. It is the structure which can confirm easily visually whether it has generate | occur | produced.

  Further, the power supply / launch control device 243 is provided with a power switch 247 for performing power ON / OFF operations. This pachinko machine 10 has a function of storing and holding various data. For example, when the power is turned off in a normal procedure at the end of a game hall, the state before the turn-off is stored and held. In addition, even if a power failure occurs, the state at the time of the power failure is maintained, and when returning from the power failure, the state at the time of the power failure can be restored.

  Here, the main controller 162 is provided with a reset switch 166. When the power is turned on while pressing the reset switch 166, the RAM data is initialized.

<Right variable winning device 83>
Here, the right variable winning device 83 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a front view of the right variable prize winning device 83 partially enlarged from FIG. 4, FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the right variable prize winning device 83, and FIG. It is an AA partial fragmentary sectional view of Drawing 8 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), an opening 92 is formed in a portion on the right side of the variable display unit 88 in the game board 80a. The opening 92 penetrates in the thickness direction of the game board 80a, and the right variable winning device 83 is fitted into the opening 92 from the front of the gaming machine. In the state where the right variable winning device 83 is arranged in this way, the opening 92 is covered by the right variable winning device 83.

  The right variable winning device 83 includes a housing 301 in which a game ball flow-down area and an arrangement area for an accessory are defined. The housing 301 constitutes the outline of the right variable winning device 83 and is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material. As a result, the inner area (specific area SE described later in detail) of the right variable winning device 83 can be visually recognized through the housing 301 from the front of the gaming machine.

  The right big prize opening 83a is formed in the upper part of the housing 301, and the open / close door 83b is arranged so as to cover the right big prize opening 83a from the front of the gaming machine. The housing 301 is provided with a variable prize driving portion 83c (specifically, a solenoid) as a power source for driving the open / close door 83b. The variable winning drive unit 83 c is connected to the main control device 162 and operates based on a drive signal from the main control device 162. That is, the opening and closing of the right variable winning device 83 is controlled by the main controller 162.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the right big winning opening 83a has a horizontally long shape extending left and right, and an inflow passage 302 extending to the back side is formed at one end thereof. The housing 301 is formed with a ball passage 303 that communicates with the outlet portion of the inflow passage 302, and the game ball that has flowed into the right big winning opening 83a passes through the ball passage 303 to a collection passage provided in the back block 80b. It is guided.

  The ball passage 303 is bifurcated at a midway position. A winning detection sensor 304 (specifically a magnetic sensor) for detecting a game ball flowing into the right large winning opening 83a is disposed in the upstream passage 305 upstream of the branch position.

  The winning detection sensor 304 is electrically connected to the main control device 162, and a detection signal (detection information) from the winning detection sensor 304 is output to the main control device 162. In the main control device 162, it is possible to grasp the presence / absence of a winning at the right large winning opening 83a, the number of winnings, and the like based on the detection signal.

  At the branch portion of the ball passage 303, a passage switching member 311 for switching the inflow destination of the game ball won at the right large winning opening 83a to the first downstream passage 306 / second downstream passage 307 and the passage switching member 311 are driven. A path switching drive unit 312 is provided. The passage switching drive unit 312 is connected to the main controller 162 and operates based on a drive signal from the main controller 162. Thereby, the flow path (guidance path) of the game ball in the ball passage 303 is changed.

  The housing 301 is provided with a specific region SE in which a lottery that affects the subsequent game progress, specifically, a lottery (continuous lottery) for shifting to a high probability mode, which will be described later, is performed. The game ball that has flowed into the second downstream passage 307 is guided to the specific area SE and is discharged out of the right variable winning device 83 through the specific area SE. On the other hand, the game ball that has flowed into the first downstream passage 306 is not guided to the specific area SE, that is, discharged outside the right variable winning device 83 without being subject to the lottery.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball guided to the specific area SE via the second downstream side passage 307 is limited by switching the passage based on establishment of a predetermined condition. Yes. Here, with reference to FIG.8 (b) and FIG.9 (a), the structure which concerns on this restriction | limiting function is supplementarily demonstrated.

  The ball passage 303 has a passage width and the like so that a plurality of game balls cannot pass through the same place at the same time. The upstream passage 305 extends in a direction intersecting with the inflow passage 302. Specifically, the inflow passage 302 extends in the front-rear direction, whereas the upstream-side passage 305 extends up and down (in the vertical direction). For this reason, the game ball that has flowed into the right large winning opening 83 a hits the wall surface of the upstream passage 305 through the inflow passage 302 and changes its flow direction. Thus, the momentum is weakened by hitting the wall surface, and thereafter, the upstream passage 305 falls due to its own weight.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of game balls detected by the winning detection sensor 304 reaches a specific number (the upper limit number “10” in the present embodiment), the passage is switched as a trigger. However, the switching is completed after the game ball is detected and before the branch position is reached. As described above, the winning detection sensor 304 is disposed in the middle of the upstream passage 305. For this reason, the passing speed of the game ball when passing the winning detection sensor 304 (specifically, its detection area) is substantially constant, and the period from passing through the winning detection sensor 304 to reaching the branch position is also substantially constant. It becomes. Considering the arrival timing of such game balls, the passage switching timing (operation timing of the passage switching member 311) is set.

  The first downstream passage 306 is formed so that the inlet portion of the first downstream passage 306 is located on the extension of the upstream passage 305. On the other hand, the second downstream passage 307 extends in a direction intersecting with the upstream passage 305. When the number of game balls detected by the winning detection sensor 304 is less than a specific number, the passage switching member 311 is waiting at an open position where the entrance portion of the first downstream passage 306 is not blocked, and the winning is achieved. When the number of game balls detected by the detection sensor 304 reaches a specific number, the passage switching member 311 moves from the retracted position to the first downstream passage 306 at a timing immediately before the game ball reaches the branch position. It moves to the closed position that closes the entrance part. As a result, the game ball that has fallen through the upstream side passage 305 reaches the passage switching member 311 and is prevented from flowing into the first downstream side passage 306.

  Since the upper surface of the passage switching member 311 is inclined downward toward the second downstream passage 307, the game ball that has reached the passage switching member 311 is guided to the second downstream passage 307 along this inclination. It becomes. As described above, since the falling speed is constant, the period required for the game ball to move from the passage switching member 311 to the second downstream passage 307 is also substantially constant. At the timing when this period has elapsed, the passage switching member 311 returns from the closed position to the open position.

  According to the above configuration, a specific game ball is guided to the second downstream side passage 307, and other game balls are guided to the first downstream side passage 306, and the game ball is unintentionally supplied to the second downstream side passage 307. Inflow can be suitably restricted.

  In the present embodiment, a specific game ball is limited by stabilizing the moving speed of the game ball upstream of the branch position and limiting the guide period to the second downstream passage 307 by the passage switching member 311. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, as long as only a specific game ball can be guided to the second downstream passage 307. For example, a ball feeding means (for example, a rotating body formed with a recess into which a game ball is inserted) that can guide the game ball in either the first downstream side passage 306 or the second downstream side passage 307 is provided at the branch position. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which drive control of the ball feeding means is performed so that only the game ball is guided to the second downstream side passage 307.

<Specific area SE>
The game ball that has flowed into the second downstream passage 307 is guided to the specific area SE. Here, the specific area SE is composed of three areas (first area E1 to third area E3) where the game ball flows down (passes) by its own weight. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8B, various configurations provided in the specific area SE will be described based on the roles given to the areas E <b> 1 to E <b> 3.

  A first entrance 321 and a second entrance 322 formed in the bottom 301a of the housing 301 are present in the third region E3 located on the most downstream side. The first entrance 321 and the second entrance 322 are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. Specifically, the first entrance 321 is provided so as to follow the right wall portion 301b of the housing 301, and the second entrance 322 is provided so as to follow the left wall portion 301c.

  The bottom portion 301a of the housing 301 has an inclined portion that goes down to the first entrance 321 (on the right wall portion 301b side) and an inclined portion that goes down to the second entrance port 322 (on the left wall portion 301c side) with the central portion of the bottom portion 301a as a boundary The part is formed. The game ball that has flowed into the specific area SE reaches the bottom 301a and enters either the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322.

  At the bottom 301 a of the housing 301, there are a first discharge passage 323 for discharging game balls that have entered the first entrance 321 and a second discharge passage 324 for discharging game balls that have entered the second entrance 322. Is provided. The game ball guided to the specific area SE is discharged from the right variable winning device 83 through either the first discharge passage 323 or the second discharge passage 324.

  In the discharge passages 323 and 324, ball detection sensors 325 and 326 are disposed. The ball detection sensors 325 and 326 are connected to the main controller 162, and the main controller 162 receives the game balls based on the detection information (detection signals) from the ball detection sensors 325 and 326. It is the structure which grasps | ascertains in which of 321 and the 2nd entrance 322 entered.

  Although details will be described later, the first entrance 321 in the present embodiment is set to be more advantageous to the player than the second entrance 322, and the entrance to the first entrance 321 is made. When a ball is generated, the subsequent game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player.

  In the second area E2 upstream of the third area E3, a distribution mechanism 330 that distributes the game balls to either the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322 is provided. Here, the distribution mechanism 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 9B.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the distribution mechanism 330 includes a long plate-like movable body 331 extending in the direction in which the entrances 321 and 322 are arranged in parallel (left and right direction), and a base body 335 that supports the movable body 331. And have. The base body 335 is provided with a shaft portion 336 so as to extend in a direction intersecting (specifically, orthogonal) with the parallel arrangement direction, and this shaft portion 336 is engaged with a bearing hole 332 formed in the movable body 331. doing. Thereby, the movable body 331 is rotatable about the central axis of the shaft portion 336 (see FIG. 8C).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the base body 335 has a first stopper 337 that prevents further rotation by abutting from below when the movable body 331 rotates clockwise and falls to the right. A second stopper 338 is provided that prevents further rotation by abutting from below when the movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise and descends to the left. That is, the rotation range of the movable body 331 is defined by the first stopper 337 and the second stopper 338.

  In this range, one plate surface of the movable body 331 is always directed upward. This plate surface is a ball receiving surface 333 that receives a game ball moved from the first region E1 to the second region E2. The posture of the movable body 331 changes depending on the impact when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 and the weight of the game ball when the game ball is placed on the ball receiving surface 333.

  Between the left and right end portions of the movable body 331 and the side wall portions 301b and 301c of the housing 301, a gap through which the game ball can pass, specifically a gap slightly larger than the diameter size of the game ball is secured. The game ball that has reached the second region E2 passes through this gap and moves to the third region E3.

  The rotation center axis CL of the movable body 331 overlaps the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331. That is, the rotation center axis line CL passes through the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331. For this reason, the movable body 331 is prevented from rotating by its own weight from a predetermined rotation position. That is, as described above, the game ball supplied from the first region E1 is a main factor that changes the posture of the movable body 331, and the movable body 331 changes its posture according to its own weight regardless of the game ball. It has been avoided.

  Thus, the posture of the movable body 331 changes depending on which position on the ball receiving surface 333 the game ball reaches. Therefore, in consideration of such circumstances, at which position on the ball receiving surface 333 the game ball reaches the first area E1 when the game ball moves from the first area E1 to the second area E2. The stage portion 340 is formed as means for preventing the game balls from being unambiguously determined, that is, means for diversifying the arrival positions of the game balls. Here, with reference to FIG.8 (b), FIG.8 (c), and Fig.10 (a), the stage part 340 which exists in 1st area | region E1 is demonstrated. FIG. 10A is a schematic view of the stage unit 340 as viewed from above.

  As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the stage unit 340 is disposed at a position above the distribution mechanism 330 and behind the distribution mechanism 330. As shown in FIG. 8B, the stage portion 340 extends to the left and right so as to straddle both side wall portions 301 b and 301 c of the housing 301, and has a larger lateral width than the distribution mechanism 330. The upper surface 341 of the stage portion 340 has a curved shape that is recessed toward the central axis CL, and is formed to be bilaterally symmetric with respect to the central axis CL.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the outlet portion of the second downstream passage 307 described above is arranged close to one end of the upper surface 341 of the stage portion 340, and the game ball that has flowed out of the second downstream passage. Swings right and left on the upper surface 341 of the stage portion 340. In view of this function, the upper surface 341 of the stage unit 340 can also be referred to as a rolling surface 341 for rolling the game ball.

  Here, the rolling surface 341 is set such that the width dimension in the depth direction is sufficiently larger than the diameter dimension of the game ball (approximately 1.5 times in the present embodiment), and from the back side of the gaming machine to the front side. It is slightly inclined downward (see FIG. 8C). The game ball swinging left and right on the rolling surface 341 gradually moves forward along the inclination of the rolling surface 341 while repeatedly swinging left and right.

  As already described, the rolling surface 341 extends to the left and right sides of the movable body 331 (specifically, the ball receiving surface 333) of the distribution mechanism 330. Standing portions 343 and 344 that stand upward are formed in the extended portion (see FIG. 8B). These upright portions 343 and 344 are formed along the front end edge of the rolling surface 341 and function as blocking means for blocking the forward movement (outflow) of the game ball. Thereby, when the game ball falls from the stage unit 340, the game ball is restricted from reaching the entrances 321 and 322 without passing through the movable body 331 of the distribution mechanism 330. In the following description, a portion of the stage portion 340 where the outflow of game balls is allowed, that is, a portion sandwiched between the left and right standing portions 343 and 344 is referred to as an outflow portion 345.

  The rolling surface 341 is formed with a guide groove 342 that guides the game ball to the second area E2. The guide groove 342 is open upward and forward, and extends rearward from the front end edge (outflow portion 345) of the rolling surface 341. Of the game balls that flow out from the stage unit 340, those that move along the guide groove 342 are restricted from moving in the left-right direction, so that the movement in the left-right direction is suppressed. The total length of the guide groove 342 is set to be smaller than the radius dimension of the game ball. This is a contrivance to prevent the game ball that has reached the stage portion 340 from being suddenly caught in the guide groove 342 before swinging.

  The guide groove 342 is disposed at a center position ML that is the bottom of the rolling surface 341 in the left-right direction, a position that is closer to the right standing part 343, and a position that is closer to the left standing part 344, respectively.

  When a game ball flows out of the stage portion 340 along the guide groove 342a disposed near the right standing portion 343, the game ball is a first entry regardless of the posture of the movable body 331 of the distribution mechanism 330. Guided to mouth 321. On the other hand, when the game ball flows out from the stage portion 340 along the guide groove 342c arranged near the left standing portion 344, the game ball is second in spite of the posture of the movable body 331 of the distribution mechanism 330. Guided to the entrance 322. When a game ball flows out from the stage portion 340 along the guide groove 342b arranged in the center, the guide destination of the game ball (first entrance 321 / second entrance 322) is a distribution mechanism. It depends on the posture of the movable body 331 of 330.

  However, in the present embodiment, there is a guide groove non-arrangement region between the guide grooves 342a to 342c, and therefore, as illustrated in FIG. A game ball flowing out of the vehicle does not necessarily pass through the guide groove 342. Here, with reference to FIG. 10, the relationship between the attitude of the sorting mechanism 330, the outflow position of the game ball, and the guidance destination of the game ball will be described. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the distribution mechanism 330, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are schematic views showing a distribution mode by the distribution mechanism 330.

  First, the structure of the distribution mechanism 330 will be supplementarily described. As shown in FIG. 10A, the movable body 331 has a long plate shape in which the width dimension and the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction are constant, and the ratio of the left and right weight balance with respect to the rotation center axis line CL is as follows. 1: 1. Thereby, as described above, a configuration in which the rotation center axis CL extending back and forth through the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 passes is realized. In such a configuration, as long as no external force is applied to the movable body 331, it is possible to suitably suppress the movable body 331 from changing its posture spontaneously. Note that a cushioning member with low resilience is attached to the surfaces of the stoppers 337 and 338 in the present embodiment, and the rebound of the movable body 331 when the movable body 331 collides with the stopper is suppressed.

  In addition, about the suppression means which suppresses the bounce of the movable body 331, it is not limited to a low resilience cushion member. For example, the rebound can be suppressed by attracting the movable body 331 by a magnetic force such as a magnet. However, in the configuration in which the movable body 331 is attracted by a magnetic force or the like, it is preferable that the attracting force be suppressed to such an extent that the attracted state is released by the impact caused by the collision of the game balls or the weight of the game balls.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is configured so that the suction force by the suppressing means is equal in either the right-down or left-down state, but a difference in strength is given to this suction force. May be. Thereby, it is possible to cause a bias in the tilt direction of the movable body 331. For example, by setting the suction force in the case of falling to the right to be stronger than the suction force in the case of falling to the left, it becomes easier to continue the right-down state that is advantageous for the player.

  In the state where the movable body 331 is tilted to the right as shown in FIG. 10B (hereinafter referred to as the first state), the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 is more than the second entrance 322. The possibility of being guided to the first entrance 321 increases. This is mainly due to the following two reasons. That is, the game ball that has dropped toward the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 is bounced back by receiving a rightward reaction force when it collides with the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the game ball is shifted to the right from the collision position. In addition, since the movable body 331 (the ball receiving surface 333) is inclined so as to be lowered to the right, the game ball placed on the ball receiving surface 333 flows downward diagonally to the right.

  In view of these events, in the first state, the game ball that has fallen toward the left side of the rotation center axis line CL is not limited to the game ball that has fallen toward the right side of the rotation center axis line CL. A thing closer to the moving center axis CL is also guided to the first entrance 321.

  More specifically, of the three guide grooves 342a to 342c, a game ball that has fallen to the movable body 331 through the left guide groove 342c pushes down the left portion of the movable body 331 to the second entrance 322. In contrast, the game ball that has dropped onto the movable body 331 via the right guide groove 342a and the central guide groove 342b is guided to the first entrance 321.

  In a state where the movable body 331 is tilted leftward as shown in FIG. 10C (hereinafter referred to as the second state), the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 is more than the first entrance 321. The possibility of being guided to the second entrance 322 increases. This is mainly due to the following two reasons. In other words, the game ball that has dropped toward the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 bounces off by receiving a counter-force leftward when it collides with the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the game ball is shifted to the left from the collision position. In addition, since the movable body 331 (the ball receiving surface 333) is inclined so as to be lowered to the left, the game balls placed on the ball receiving surface 333 flow downward and obliquely downward.

  In view of these events, in the second state, the game ball that has fallen toward the right side of the rotation center axis line CL is not limited to the game ball that has fallen toward the left side of the rotation center axis line CL. A thing close to the moving center axis line CL is also guided to the second entrance 322.

  More specifically, of the three guide grooves 342a to 342c, a game ball that has dropped onto the movable body 331 through the right guide groove 342a pushes down the right portion of the movable body 331 and enters the first entrance 321. In contrast, the game ball that has dropped onto the movable body 331 through the left guide groove 342c and the central guide groove 342b is guided to the first entrance 321.

  As described above, there is a difference in the guidance mode of the game ball in the first state and the second state. In the present embodiment, in the first state, the probability of entering the first entrance 321 is 60%, the probability of entering the second entrance 322 is 40%, and in the second state, The probability of entering the first entrance 321 is 40%, and the probability of entering the second entrance 322 is 60%. That is, the degree of bias of the probability of entering in the first state is equal to the degree of bias of the probability of entering in the second state.

  When the game ball is guided to the first entrance 321 in the first state, the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333. Thus, the movable body 331 is pressed against the first stopper 337 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the first state even after the guidance of the game ball is finished (FIG. 10B → FIG. 10 ( b)). For this reason, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is also easily guided to the first entrance 321.

  When the game ball is guided to the second entrance 322 in the first state, the movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise when the game ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333. Thereby, the attitude | position of the movable body 331 changes so that it may become lower left. Here, when the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333, the movable body 331 is pressed against the second stopper 338 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the second state after the guidance of the game ball is finished. (See FIG. 10 (b) → FIG. 10 (c)). For this reason, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is easily guided to the second entrance 322.

  On the other hand, when the game ball is guided to the second entrance 322 in the second state, the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333. Thereby, the movable body 331 is pressed against the second stopper 338 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the second state even after the guidance of the game ball is finished (FIG. 10 (c) → FIG. 10 ( c)). For this reason, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is easily guided to the second entrance 322.

  When the game ball is guided to the first entrance 321 in the second state, the movable body 331 rotates clockwise when the game ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333. Thereby, the attitude | position of the movable body 331 changes so that it may fall to the right. Here, when the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333, the movable body 331 is pressed against the first stopper 337 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the first state after the guidance of the game ball is completed. (See FIG. 10 (b) → FIG. 10 (c)). For this reason, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is also easily guided to the first entrance 321.

  As described in detail above, after the entrance to the first entrance 321 occurs, the next game ball is easily guided to the first entrance 321, and the entrance to the first entrance 321 again. After the entrance to the second entrance 322 occurs, the next game ball is easily guided to the second entrance 322, and the entrance to the second entrance 322 again You will be prompted.

  In this embodiment, the stage 340 is configured to swing the game ball. For this reason, when the game ball falls from the stage unit 340, it does not necessarily fall vertically, and there may be a case where the game ball falls diagonally while having a moving component in the left-right direction. Thereby, even if the falling point and the arrival position (collision position) to the ball receiving surface 333 are the same, the distribution mode of the game balls may be different. Hereinafter, the distribution mode of the game balls will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. FIG. 11 illustrates the case where the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is in the first state, but the event shown in FIG. It occurs even in two states.

  First, a supplementary explanation will be given of the movement of the game ball and the operating principle of the movable body 331.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the game ball falls straight when viewed from the rotation center axis CL direction, the game ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333. The direction of the reaction force is almost the same. However, when the game ball collides on the left side of the rotation center axis CL, the magnitude of the reaction force increases as the collision position approaches the rotation center axis CL and decreases as the distance increases. Specifically, the closer the collision position is to the rotation center axis CL, the smaller the momentum transferred from the game ball to the movable body 331 due to the collision, and the farther the fall position is from the rotation center axis CL, the more the game ball is moved from the game ball to the movable body 331. The momentum to move to increases.

  As a result, the amount of movement of the game ball in the right direction increases as the collision position approaches the rotation center axis CL, and decreases as the distance from the rotation center axis decreases (L1> L2). The rotation speed of the movable body 331 decreases as the collision position approaches the rotation center axis CL, and increases as the distance from the rotation center axis decreases.

  In the example of FIG. 11A, when the game ball rebounds, it reaches the right side of the rotation center axis CL. Although the movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise due to the collision of the game balls, since the momentum transferred to the movable body 331 due to the collision decreases, the change in the posture of the movable body 331 (the amount of rotation) remains small. As shown in FIG. 11 (a1) → FIG. 11 (a2), when the game ball bounced back and the movable body 331 hit again, the game ball moves more than the force by which the game ball is pushed to the left by the movable body 331. The force to push down the right part of the body 331 exceeds. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 (a2) → FIG. 11 (a3), the right part of the movable body 331 is pushed downward by the weight of the game ball, and the movable body 331 returns to the position where it abuts against the first stopper 337. The game ball that has flowed down along the ball receiving surface 333 is guided to the first entrance 321.

  Also in the example of FIG. 11B, when the game ball rebounds, it reaches the right side of the rotation center axis CL. Since the momentum transferred to the movable body 331 with the collision of the game balls increases, the change in the posture (rotation amount) of the movable body 331 also increases. When the game ball bounced back and the movable body 331 hit again as shown in FIG. 11 (b1) → FIG. 11 (b2), the movable body 331 is in a left-down state, and the game ball is moved to the movable body 331. Not enough to push down the right side of the. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 (b2) → FIG. 11 (b3), the game ball is pushed back to the left side of the rotation center axis CL along the inclination of the ball receiving surface 333. Then, the left part of the movable body 331 is pushed downward by the game ball, and the movable body 331 is rotated to a position where it abuts against the second stopper 338, and the game ball flowing down along the ball receiving surface 333 is the second incoming ball. Guided to mouth 322.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D, the difference in the behavior of the game balls due to the difference in the collision direction of the game balls and the difference in the distribution results will be described. In addition, in FIG.11 (b), (c), (d), the case where the collision position of the game ball with respect to the movable body 331 is the same is illustrated.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 11C, the collision position of the game ball is the same as in FIG. 11B, but the collision direction is tilted to the left side, that is, the game ball that has flowed out of the stage unit 340 is left. It collides with the ball receiving surface 333 while having a moving component in the direction.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11C1, the difference between the direction of the ball receiving surface 333 and the reflection direction is reduced by increasing the incident angle of the game ball to the ball receiving surface 333. Since the momentum of movement from the game ball to the movable body 331 due to the collision increases, the amount of movement of the game ball to the right side decreases, and the rotational speed of the movable body 331 increases.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (c1) → FIG. 11 (c2), when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 again, the position is on the left side of the rotation center axis CL, and the movable body 331 is lowered to the left. Thus, unlike the case of FIG. 11B, the expectation degree that the game ball is guided toward the first entrance 321 is very low in view. That is, in the example of FIG. 11B, the game ball moves to the right side of the rotation center axis line CL, so that the game ball is expected to be guided toward the first entrance 321 in terms of appearance. Can see the player's expectations. That is, even if the collision position is the same, it is difficult to see the result because the behavior of the subsequent game ball is different.

  Next, referring to FIG. 11D, when the collision position of the game ball is the same as in FIG. 11B, but the collision direction is tilted to the right side, that is, the game ball that has flowed out of the stage unit 340 is A case where the ball strikes the ball receiving surface 333 while having a rightward moving component will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (d1), the angle of incidence of the game ball on the ball receiving surface 333 is reduced, so that the difference between the direction of the ball receiving surface 333 and the reflection direction is also increased. Since the momentum transferred from the game ball to the movable body 331 due to the collision is reduced, the movement amount of the game ball to the right side is increased, and the rotational speed of the movable body 331 is decreased.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (d1) → FIG. 11 (d2), when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 again, the position is on the right side of the rotation center axis CL, and the movable body 331 is lowered to the right. Thus, unlike the cases of FIGS. 11B and 11C, the game ball is guided toward the first entrance 321. That is, in the example of FIGS. 11B and 11C, the game ball is guided to the second entrance 322, whereas in the example of FIG. 11D, the game ball is moved to the first entrance 321. You will be guided. That is, even at the same collision position, it is difficult to find out the guidance destination only by looking at the collision position because the guidance destinations of the subsequent game balls are different.

  As described above in detail, according to the combination of the stage unit 340 and the movable body 331, it is possible to suppress the relationship between the collision position and the subsequent behavior of the game ball from being determined uniquely as the guidance destination of the game ball. In this way, by diversifying the movement of the game ball, it is possible to suitably improve the player's attention to the movement of the game ball.

<Electric configuration of pachinko machine 10>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  An MPU 602 is mounted on a main control board 601 provided in the main controller 162. The MPU 602 includes a ROM 603 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 602 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 603 is executed. It is an element incorporating a RAM 604, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like. Note that a part of the functions of the MPU 602, for example, the function of the ROM 603 and the function of the RAM 604 may be included as another element.

  The MPU 602 is provided with an input port and an output port. On the input side of the MPU 602, a power failure monitoring board 605 provided in the main controller 162, a payout controller 242 and various detection sensors (for example, a ball detection sensor and a position detection sensor) are connected. The power failure monitoring board 605 is connected to a power source / emission control device 243, and power is supplied to the MPU 602 via the power failure monitoring board 605.

  As an example of a winning detection sensor that constitutes the sensor group, a general winning opening 81, a lower variable winning device 82, a right variable winning device 83, a lower operating port 84, a right operating port 85, a through gate 86, etc. A plurality of detection sensors provided in the ball portion (payout-corresponding ball entering portion) are connected, and the MPU 602 of the main controller 162 performs a winning determination (ball entering determination) to each ball entering portion. The MPU 602 executes a lottery such as a big win based on winnings to the lower operating port 84 and the right operating port 85, and executes a support generating lottery based on winnings to the through gate 86.

  An upstream detection sensor 304 and downstream detection sensors 315, 325, and 326 are connected as detection sensors provided in the right variable winning device 83. The upstream detection sensor 304 grasps the number of game balls won in the right variable winning device 83. Also, based on the number of winnings obtained based on the detection information from the upstream detection sensor 304 and the number of winnings obtained based on the detection information from the downstream detection sensors 315, 325, 326 (for example, comparison) And monitoring whether there is any game ball remaining in the right variable winning device 83.

  In addition, about the said various sensors connected to the main controller 162, the presence or absence of a disconnection is confirmed by the main controller 162 when power is turned on in the gaming machine, and if it is determined that there is a possibility of disconnection, A notification to that effect is executed.

  On the output side of the MPU 602, a power failure monitoring board 605, a payout control device 242 and a notification / production control device 143 (specifically, a notification / production control board 651) are connected. For example, a payout ball command is output to the payout control device 242 based on a winning determination result to the winning corresponding winning portion. In this case, the command information storage area 625 of the ROM 603 is referred to when a prize ball command is output. When the winning to the general winning opening 81 is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and when the winning to the variable winning devices 82 and 83 is specified, 15 When a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of the game balls is output and a winning to the lower operation port 84 is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of three game balls is output and the right operation port When a winning to 85 is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to paying out four gaming balls is output.

  Various commands such as a change command, a type command, a change end command, an opening command, and an ending command are output to the notification / production control device 143. In this case, the command information storage area 625 of the ROM 603 is referred to when these various commands are output.

  Further, on the output side of the MPU 602, a lower variable winning device 82 (variable winning driving unit 82c), a right variable winning device 83 (variable winning driving unit 83c, passage switching driving unit 312 and state switching driving unit 334), The reset switch 166, the drive unit for the electric accessory 91, and the main display unit 87 are connected. The main control board 601 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 602 executes drive control of various drive units through the driver circuits.

  In the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 602 performs drive control of the variable winning drive units 82c and 83c so that the opening / closing door 82b of the lower variable winning device 82 and the opening / closing door 83b of the right variable winning device 83 are opened and closed. In addition, in the case where the winning combination of the electric accessory 91 is won, the MPU 602 performs drive control of the drive unit for the electric accessory 91 so that the electric accessory 91 is opened and closed. In each game round, the MPU 602 executes light emission control of the main display portion D.

  The power failure monitoring board 605 relays between the main control board 601 and the power / fire control device 243, and monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power / fire control device 243. The payout control device 242 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 224 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 162.

  The power / launch control device 243 is connected to, for example, a commercial power source (external power source) in a game hall or the like. Based on external power supplied from the commercial power supply, necessary operating power is generated for each of the main control board 601, the payout control device 242, and the like, and the generated operating power is supplied through a predetermined power path. To do. The power supply / launch control device 243 is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 110, and the game ball launch mechanism 110 (specifically, the solenoid 111) is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

  The notification / production control device 143 drives and controls the various lamp units 24 to 26 and the speaker unit 27 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands input from the main control device 162, and controls the display control device 725. It is something to control.

  The notification / production control board 651 controls the various lamp units 24 to 26, the speaker unit 27, and the display control device 725 based on various commands input from the main control device 162. The MPU, which is an arithmetic unit, includes a ROM that stores a control program executed by the MPU, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM that is used as a work memory.

  The display control device 725 executes display control of the symbol display device 96 based on the command input from the notification / effect control device 143. In this case, the notification / production control device 143 determines the symbol variation display time on the symbol display device 96 and the type of symbol combination to be finally stopped and displayed, based on various commands input from the main control device 162. At the same time, the presence / absence of reach and the contents of reach production are determined.

<About various counters>
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

  The MPU 602 uses various counter information in the game to perform jackpot occurrence lottery, setting the display of the main display unit D, setting the outline of the symbol display of the symbol display device 96, and more specifically, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a hit random number counter C1 used for lottery generation of the big hit, a hit type counter C2 used for determining the big hit type, and a random number initial value counter used for setting an initial value of the hit random number counter C1 The CINI and the variation type counter CS for determining the variation display time in the operation port display unit of the main display unit D and the symbol display device 96 are used. Furthermore, the electric accessory release counter C3 used for the lottery to determine whether or not the electric accessory 91 of the right working port 85 is in the electric utility open state is used.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, and CS is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 631 set in a predetermined area of the RAM 604. The RAM 604 is provided with a reserved ball storage area 632 including a first result display area reservation area Ra, a second result display area reservation area Rb, an execution area AE, and a total reservation number storage area. In the reserved ball storage area 632, values such as the winning random number counter C1 and the winning type counter C2 are stored in time series in accordance with the winning history of the game balls to the lower operating port 84 or the right operating port 85. It has become so.

  For details of each counter, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured such that, for example, 1 is sequentially added within a range of 0 to 599, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 599), it returns to 0. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The big hit random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 632 of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the lower operation port 84 or the right operation port 85. More specifically, the game result is stored in the first result display holding area Ra of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the lower operation port 84, and the second result display unit of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the right operation port 85. Stored in the reserved area Rb.

  The value of the random number for winning the big hit is stored as a success / failure table (availability information group) in a success / failure table storage area 621 as a success / failure information group storage means in the ROM 603. Here, the contents of the success / failure table will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 14, as the success / failure table, the success / failure table for low probability mode (low probability success / failure information group) in FIG. 14 (a) and the success / failure for high probability mode in FIG. 14 (b). A table (high probability success / failure information group) is set. That is, in the present pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set as the lottery mode in the winning lottery means.

  In the gaming state in which the winning / failing table for the low probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the value of the random number for winning the jackpot (that is, the winning information) is “7” and “307”. That is, among the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 of “0 to 599”, “7” and “307” correspond to the jackpot result. On the other hand, in the gaming state in which the winning / failing table for the high probability mode is referred to in the lottery, as shown in FIG. 14B, the value of the random number for winning the big hit (that is, the winning information) is “7”. ”,“ 36 ”...“ 572 ”,“ 598 ”. That is, among the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 of “0 to 599”, “7”, “36”... “572”, “598” correspond to the jackpot result. In each lottery mode, the lottery result is a result other than the random number value which is a big win.

  If the winning probability in the high probability mode is higher than that in the low probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers to be won are arbitrary.

  Next, the win type counter C2 will be described. The hit type counter C2 is incremented by 1 within the range of 0 to 29, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The hit type counter C2 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 632 of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the lower operation port 84 or the right operation port 85. More specifically, the game result is stored in the first result display holding area Ra of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the lower operation port 84, and the second result display unit of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the right operation port 85. Stored in the reserved area Rb.

  The game result distribution destination for the win type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in a distribution table storage area 622 as a distribution information group storage unit in the ROM 603. Here, the contents of the distribution table will be described.

  Two types of sorting tables are set in correspondence with the respective operation ports 84 and 85 individually. That is, when the winning to the lower working port 84 occurs, the lower working port sorting table (lower working port sorting information group) referred to when the winning occurs, and when the winning to the right working port 85 occurs. The right working port sorting table (right working port sorting information group) is set individually. The jackpot type is determined with reference to these distribution tables.

  As the types of jackpot results, a 15R jackpot result (special hit result) in which the lottery to the high probability mode is executed and a 10R jackpot result (normal hit result) in which the lottery to the high probability mode is not executed are set. ing. In the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 15R jackpot result, the lower variable winning device 82 is opened and closed 14 times and the right variable winning device 83 is opened and closed once from the start to the end of the opening / closing execution mode. On the other hand, in the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 10R jackpot result, the lower variable winning device 82 is opened and closed 10 times from the start to the end of the opening / closing execution mode. One opening of the variable winning devices 82 and 83 is performed until a predetermined period (specifically, 30 sec) elapses or until the number of winning prizes to the variable winning devices 82 and 83 reaches a predetermined number (specifically, ten). Will continue.

  In this pachinko machine 10, the distribution mode to the 15R jackpot result and the 10R jackpot result in the case of the jackpot result is the case where the winning winning is based on the winning to the lower operating port 84 and the right operating port 85. It is different from the case of winning a win based on the winning.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, in the distribution table for the lower working port, the value of the random number that results in the 15R jackpot result is 15 values “0 to 14”, and the value of the random number that results in the 10R jackpot result The number is “15-29”. On the other hand, in the distribution table for the right working port, the number of random numbers resulting in the 15R jackpot result is 30 from “0 to 29”. In other words, when winning the jackpot by winning the lower operating port 84, it is distributed to the 15R jackpot result with a probability of 50%, and when winning the jackpot or special winning by winning the right operating port 85, 100% Will be distributed to the 15R jackpot result.

  The variation type counter CS is, for example, incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 198, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU 602 to determine the variation display time in the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit of the main display unit 87 and the symbol variation display time in the symbol display device 96. . The variation type counter CS is updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when the variation pattern is determined at the start of variation display in the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit and at the time of symbol variation start by the symbol display device 96.

  The electric accessory release counter C3 is, for example, configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 249 and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The electric accessory release counter C <b> 3 is periodically updated, and is stored in the electric accessory reservation area 633 of the RAM 604 at the timing when a game ball wins the through gate 86. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not the electric accessory 91 is controlled to be in an open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory release counter C3. For example, if C3 = 0 to 199, the electric accessory 91 is controlled to the open state, and if C3 = 200 to 249, the electric accessory 91 is not controlled to the open state.

  As described above, the MPU 602 determines the variation display time in the lower working port display unit DL and the right working port display unit DR using at least the buffer value of the variation type counter CS. The variable display time table storage area of the ROM 603 is used. In addition, the MPU 602 determines the stop result in the lower working port display unit DL and the right working port display unit DR using the value of the hit random number counter C1 and the value of the hit type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. However, the stop result table storage area 624 of the ROM 603 is used for the determination.

<Various processes executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601>
Next, each control process executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601 will be described. The processing of the MPU 602 is roughly classified into a normal processing that is started when the power is turned on and a timer interrupt processing that is started by periodically interrupting the normal processing. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt processing is first described. Thereafter, the normal process will be described. The MPU 602 is activated by inputting a power interruption signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) in addition to the timer interrupt process and the normal process, and a power interruption flag storage area (power interruption information storage in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604). NMI interrupt processing for storing a power interruption flag (power interruption information) in the means) is executed, but a detailed description of the processing is omitted.

<Timer interrupt processing>
First, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is started periodically (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec) by the MPU 602 of the main controller 162.

  First, in step S101, reading processing of various switches and the various detection sensors is executed. That is, the state of various switches and various detection sensors connected to the main control device 162 is read, and the state of the switches is determined and the detection information (for example, winning detection information) is stored.

  Thereafter, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In subsequent step S103, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2 and the electric accessory release counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the electric accessory release counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604. After that, in step S104, a winning process for the working port accompanying winning of the working ports 84 and 85 is executed.

  In the winning process for the operating opening, first, it is determined from the detection state of the detection sensor for the lower operating opening 84 whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the lower operating opening 84 (start winning prize). If it is determined that the game ball has won the lower operating port 84, a prize ball command for causing the payout control device 242 to pay out three game balls is set.

  Thereafter, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the management control device on the game hall side that the game ball has won the lower operation port 84, and it is stored in the reserved number storage area of the lower operation port reservation area Ra. Is read and the number of reserved starting memories stored in the reserved area Ra for the lower working port is set (hereinafter also referred to as the reserved memory number for the lower operating port).

  The lighting process of the first hold lamp unit 98 is executed in correspondence with the changed start hold storage number. Specifically, among the four LEDs arranged side by side in the first holding lamp unit 98, the number of LEDs corresponding to the current winning number is turned on. For example, when the number of holds is increased from “2” to “3” due to the current winning, the third LED from the lower side is turned on in addition to the two left-side LEDs that have already been lit. Thereafter, an information acquisition process for storing each value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2 is performed, and the main winning process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the game ball has not won the lower working port 84, the detection state of the detection sensor for the right working port 85 indicates whether or not the game ball has won (start winning) the right working port 85. Judgment by When it is determined that the game ball has won the right operation port 85, a prize ball command for causing the payout control device 242 to pay out four game balls is set.

  Thereafter, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the management control device on the game hall side that the game ball has won the right operation port 85, and the signal is stored in the reserved number storage area of the right operation port reservation area Rb. Is read and the number of reserved start memory stored in the right working port holding area Rb is set (hereinafter also referred to as the right working port reserved memory number).

  The lighting process of the second hold lamp unit 99 is executed in correspondence with the changed start hold storage number. Specifically, among the four LEDs arranged side by side in the second holding lamp unit 99, the number of LEDs corresponding to the current winning number is turned on. For example, when the number of holds is increased from “2” to “3” due to the current winning, the third LED from the lower side is turned on in addition to the two left-side LEDs that have already been lit. Thereafter, the same process as the information acquisition process described above is performed, and the main winning process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the game ball has not won in either of the operating ports 84 and 85, the main winning process is terminated as it is. Note that the winning ball command set in the winning process for the working port is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in the external output process S201 of the normal process described later.

  Thereafter, in step S105, a through winning process for winning through the through gate 86 is executed. In step S106, a winning process for the lower variable winning apparatus 82 is performed. In step S107, a winning process for the right variable winning apparatus 83 is performed. After executing the processing, this timer interrupt processing is terminated.

  The variable prize-winning devices 82 and 83 in the present embodiment are normally in a closed state that disables entry, and are switched to an open state that allows entry when a big hit occurs. A period in which a ball is assumed to be generated by switching from a closed state to an open state to a closed state is set in advance, and a game ball is paid out (prize ball) for a ball entered during the same period. It is configured not to pay out game balls for incoming balls outside the period. That is, in the right variable winning device 83, an effective period for determining whether or not a winning ball is possible is set.

  In the winning process for each variable winning device, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball payout (prize ball) based on winning in the variable winning devices 82 and 83 (large winning openings 82a and 83a) is valid. judge. If it is during the valid period, the presence / absence of a winning is determined based on the result of the winning determination based on the detection signal from the detection sensor (the determination result in step S101). When it is determined that the game ball has won the variable winning devices 82 and 83, a prize ball command for causing the payout device 224 to pay out 10 game balls is set. Note that the winning ball command set in the winning process for the variable winning apparatus is transmitted to the payout control apparatus 242 in the external output process S201 of the normal process described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not during the effective period, or when it is determined that no winning has occurred even during the effective period, the winning process of the right variable pitching unit is terminated.

  Here, with regard to the winning process for the right variable winning device 83, whether or not a winning at the first entrance 321 has occurred with reference to the result of the winning determination based on the detection signal from the first detection sensor 425 is determined. Further, it is determined whether or not a winning at the second entrance 322 has occurred by referring to the result of entering the ball based on the detection signal from the second detection sensor 426. Then, it is determined whether or not the entry into the first downstream passage 306 has occurred with reference to the entry determination result based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 315.

<Normal processing>
Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is activated when the power is turned on, and the main process of the game is executed in the normal process. As an outline, the processing of steps S201 to S207 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S209 and S210 is executed with the remaining time.

  In the normal process, in step S201, output data such as a command set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence / absence of a prize ball command is determined, and if a prize ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 242. In addition, if a command for an effect such as a command corresponding to an effect for game times such as a change start command, a type command, a change end command, or a command corresponding to an effect for an opening / closing execution mode is set, it is notified. Transmit to the production control device 143. Further, the output setting for the external output terminal board is performed according to the information set in the external output buffer of the RAM 604.

  In the subsequent step S202, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the update value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In subsequent step S203, a game number control process for advancing the game of each game time is executed. In the game times control process, determination of success / failure such as jackpot or the like is performed, setting of a variable display of the symbol by the symbol display device 96, display control of the display unit for the operation port in the main display unit 87, and the like are performed.

  Thereafter, in step S204, a game state transition process for shifting the game state is executed. Although details will be described later, the gaming state shifts to an opening / closing execution mode, a high probability mode, a high frequency support mode, and the like by this gaming state transition processing. A detailed description of the game times control process and the game state transition process will be described later.

  In step S <b> 205, a power combination support process for controlling the driving of the electric component 91 provided in the right operation port 85 is executed. In this electric power support process, in this electric power support process, the electric utility item 91 is set in the open state using the numerical information acquired from the electric charge release counter C3 stored in the electric charge holding area 633 of the RAM 604. Whether or not to perform the electrification opening lottery is performed, and when the electrification opening state win is achieved, the opening / closing process of the electric accessory 91 is executed. In addition, display control of the through-gate display unit in the main display unit 87 is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electric role release lottery.

  Here, as already described, the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode are set as the modes of support by the electric accessory 91, and a transition to one of the support modes is performed in the gaming state transition process. Is called. In this case, the high frequency support mode is set when the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604, and the low frequency support mode is set when the flag is not set.

  In the electric power support process, it is determined whether or not the high frequency support mode is set by determining whether or not the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604. In the case of the high frequency support mode, when the electrified open state is won, the number of times that the electric utility item 91 is in the open state is set larger than in the case of the low frequency support mode. Set a longer opening time. In the high-frequency support mode, when the electrified open state is selected and the open state of the electric utility item 91 occurs multiple times, the next open state is started after one open state is completed. The closing time until is set to be shorter than one opening time.

  Incidentally, when the mode is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode, even if the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604, the support mode is forcibly set to the low frequency support mode.

  In a succeeding step S206, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, a predetermined operation is performed on the condition that a launch permission signal output from the power source / fire control device 243 is input based on the launch operation being performed on the game ball launch handle 41. The solenoid 111 of the game ball launching mechanism 110 is excited once in a firing period (for example, 0.6 sec). Thereby, the game ball is launched toward the game area.

  In a succeeding step S207, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is set in the RAM 604. The power failure flag is a flag that is set when the occurrence of a power failure is confirmed in the power failure monitoring board 605 and a power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring board 605 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 602 and is erased in the next main processing.

  If the power failure flag is not set, the last process of the plurality of processes that are repeatedly executed is completed, so whether or not the next normal process execution timing has been reached in step S208, that is, the previous normal process It is determined whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing. That is, in step S209, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S210, the variation type counter CS is updated.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S206 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) can be updated at random. Similarly, The variation type counter CS can also be updated at random.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the power failure flag has been set, the power interruption has occurred, so the power interruption processing from step S211 is executed. That is, in step S211, the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited, and then the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S212. After the access to the RAM 604 is prohibited in step S213, the power supply is completely shut down and processed. Continue infinite loop until no longer runs.

<Game times control processing>
Here, a supplementary description will be given of the game times control processing in step S203. In the game times control process, it is first determined whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in effect. Specifically, it is determined whether the opening / closing execution mode flag (opening / closing execution state information) is stored (stored) in the opening / closing execution mode flag storage area (opening / closing execution state information storage means) in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. To do. The opening / closing execution mode flag is stored when the gaming state is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode in the gaming state transition process described later, and is erased when the opening / closing execution mode is ended in the gaming state transition process.

  If it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the game turn control process is terminated without executing any of the game turn start process and the game turn progress process. That is, in the open / close execution mode, the game times are not started regardless of whether or not a winning for the operation ports 84 and 85 has occurred.

  When not in the opening / closing execution mode, it is determined whether or not any one of the lower operation port display unit and the right operation port display unit of the main display unit 87 is in a variable display, that is, the game is executed for one game. It is determined whether it is in the middle. This determination is based on whether or not the variable display flag (variable display information) is stored (stored) in the variable display flag storage area (variable display information storage unit) in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. This is done by judging. The variable display flag is stored when the variable display is started for one of the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit, and is erased when the variable display ends.

  If the working port display unit is not in a variable display, the process proceeds to a game turn starting process. In the game turn starting process, first, the total number-of-holds storage area of the hold-ball storage area 632 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the common number of hold information, which is the number of pieces of hold information stored on hold, is “0”. The case where the common reserved memory number is “0” means that the start reserved memory number is “0” for both the lower operating port 84 and the right operating port 85. Therefore, the game times control process is finished as it is.

  On the other hand, if the number of common holds is not “0”, a data setting process for setting for variable display based on the data stored in the lower working port holding area Ra or the right working port holding area Rb is performed. Run.

  In the data setting process, it is first determined whether or not the right working port reserved storage number stored in the right working port reserved area Rb is “0”. When the number of stored memory for the right working port is “0”, the data setting process for the lower working port is executed. When the number of stored memory for the right working port is not “0”, the data setting for the right working port is set. Execute the process.

  Here, the case where the data setting process is executed is a case where the common pending number CRN is 1 or more as described above. In this case, in the data setting process, it is determined whether or not the right working port reserved storage number is “0”. If it is not “0”, that is, the right working port display section has the variable display holding information. When stored, the data stored in the right working port holding area Rb is set for variable display regardless of whether or not the number of reserved memory for the lower working port is 1 or more. Has been. As a result, when the holding information is stored in both the lower working port holding area Ra and the right working port holding area Rb, the information is stored in the right working port holding area Rb corresponding to the right working port 85. The held information will be given priority.

  In the data setting process of the lower working port 84, first, the lower working port reserved memory number for the lower working port reserved area Ra is decremented by 1, and then the common reserved number is decremented by one. Thereafter, the data stored in the first area of the lower working port holding area Ra is moved to the execution area AE, and the process of shifting the data stored in the storage area of the lower working port holding area Ra is executed.

  This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the first to fourth areas to the lower area side, and clears the data in the first area, and the second area → the first area, the first area, Data in each area is shifted, such as 3 area → second area, fourth area → third area, and so on. Then, one LED of the first holding lamp unit 98 that is lit is extinguished. In this turn-off process, contrary to the turn-on process, the LEDs of the first holding lamp unit 98 are turned off sequentially from the right side.

  When the second result display unit flag (second result display unit information) is stored in the second result display unit flag storage area (second result display unit information storage unit) provided in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 If it is not stored, it is erased. The second result display portion flag is information for specifying whether the start of the current variation display is the lower working port display portion or the right working port display portion. Thereafter, the data setting process is terminated.

  In the data setting process for the second result display section, first, the right working port reserved memory number of the right working port reserved area Rb is decremented by 1, and the common reserved number is decremented by 1. Thereafter, the data stored in the first area of the right working port holding area Rb is moved to the execution area AE.

  Thereafter, a process of shifting the data stored in the storage area of the right working port holding area Rb is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the first to fourth areas to the lower area side, and clears the data in the first area, and the second area → the first area, the first area, Data in each area is shifted, such as 3 area → second area, fourth area → third area, and so on. Then, one LED of the second holding lamp unit 99 that is lit is extinguished. In this turn-off process, contrary to the turn-on process, the LEDs of the second holding lamp unit 99 are turned off sequentially from the right side.

  After the turn-off process is performed, the second result display section flag (second result display section) is stored in the second result display section flag storage area (second result display section information storage means) provided in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If the (information) is not stored, the second result display section flag is stored, and if stored, the state is maintained.

  After performing the data setting process described in detail above, after executing the change start process for starting the change display in the main display unit 87 (main display unit) and the change display in the symbol display device 96, this game number control The process ends.

  In the fluctuation start process, first, the success / failure determination process is executed. In the success / failure determination process, it is determined whether the success / failure lottery mode is a high probability mode. In the case of the high probability mode, with reference to the high probability mode success / failure table among the tables stored in the success / failure table storage area 621, the information for the success / failure determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, It is determined whether or not the numerical information related to the jackpot random number counter C1 matches the high-probability jackpot numerical information, and if it does not match the jackpot numerical information, does it match the special outlier numerical information? Determine whether or not. In the case of the low probability mode, the numerical value relating to the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE with reference to the low probability mode success / failure table among the tables stored in the success / failure table storage area 621. It is determined whether or not the information matches the low probability jackpot numerical information. If the information does not match the jackpot numerical information, it is determined whether or not the information matches the special outlier numerical information. It is determined whether or not the result of the determination process is a jackpot winning result. If the result is a big win, a distribution determination process is executed.

  In the distribution determination process, information for distribution determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, numerical information related to the big hit type counter C2 is grasped. Then, with reference to the sorting table stored in the sorting table storage area 622, it is specified which jackpot result corresponds to the numerical information related to the grasped jackpot type counter C2. Specifically, it specifies which jackpot result corresponds to the 10R jackpot result or the 15R jackpot result.

  Based on the jackpot result determined in this manner, a stop result setting process for the jackpot result is executed. Specifically, in the game times related to the start of the current fluctuation, the pattern of the pattern that is finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit (specifically, the display unit for the right working port and the display unit for the lower working port) of the main display unit 87. Information is specified from the stop result table for jackpot results stored in advance in the ROM 603, and the specified information is stored in the RAM 604. In the stop result table for the jackpot result, the type of pattern that is stopped and displayed on the main display unit is set differently for each type of jackpot result, and the pattern corresponding to the specified type of jackpot result Is stored in the RAM 604.

  The information on the type of the picture to be stopped and displayed is determined according to the value of the jackpot type counter C2. In this case, as described above, the pattern modes may be set in a one-to-one correspondence with each game result, and a plurality of types of pattern modes may be set for each game result.

  Subsequently, a process of setting a flag according to the identified type of jackpot result in the RAM 604 is executed. Specifically, the 10R jackpot flag is set when the 10R jackpot result is specified, and the 15R jackpot flag is set when the 15R jackpot result is specified. In the following description, whether or not the various jackpot results are determined is determined by determining whether or not a flag corresponding to the RAM 604 is set.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the result is not the big win, the stop result setting process for the losing result is executed. Specifically, the stop result table for the detachment result stored in advance in the ROM 603 includes information on the pattern form that is finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit of the main display unit 87 in the game round relating to the start of the current variation. And the specified information is stored in the RAM 604. The information on the pattern mode selected in this case is different from the information on the pattern mode selected in the case of the jackpot result.

  As described above, the display content of the result is set to be different depending on whether or not the jackpot has occurred and its type. Thereby, when the game round is ended, the manager of the game hall performs the variable display related to the game round among the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit of the main display unit. By looking at the thing, it is possible to monitor what the game result of the game times is.

  In particular, the display unit for the lower working port and the display unit for the right working port provided in the main display unit are display units that are directly controlled to be displayed by the main control device 162, so that the sub display control device 725 performs display control. Compared to a display unit (symbol display device 96) that intervenes, the display reliability is high.

  However, as described above, for the main display unit, multiple display units such as the display unit for the lower working port and the display unit for the right working port are aggregated, and it is understood which part shows what content. It has become difficult to do. Furthermore, since it is smaller than the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 and is arranged near the edge of the game area PE, its visibility is also lower than that of the display screen 96a. For this reason, it is assumed that the player's attention tends to be directed to the display screen 96a. Therefore, as described above, even if the display contents are temporarily different between the main display unit and the display screen 96a, it is preferable to appropriately suppress the player from noticing such a difference compared to the hall manager. it can.

  After the stop result setting process described above is executed, a display continuation time (display continuation period) setting process is executed. In this process, the value of the variation type counter CS stored in the variation type counter buffer in the lottery counter buffer of the RAM 604 is acquired. Further, it is determined whether or not a reach display is generated in the symbol display device 96 in the current game round. Specifically, it is determined that the reach display is generated when the game times related to the start of the current variation is a jackpot result. Even if it is not a jackpot result, if the numerical information stored in the execution area AE is numerical information corresponding to the occurrence of reach, it is determined that reach display occurs.

  When it is determined that reach display occurs, display duration information corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS is acquired by referring to the reach generation display duration table stored in the ROM 603 and displayed. The duration information is set in a display duration counter provided in various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reach display does not occur, the display duration information corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS is acquired with reference to the reach non-occurrence display duration table stored in the ROM 603. The display duration information is set in the display duration counter. Incidentally, the display duration that can be acquired with reference to the reach non-occurrence display duration table is different from the display duration that can be acquired with reference to the reach occurrence display duration table.

  Note that the display duration information when no reach occurs is set so that the display duration is shortened as the number of common pending storage numbers increases. In the situation where the support mode is the high frequency support mode, the non-reach mode is selected so that a shorter display duration is selected compared to the case where the number of the hold information is the same as in the situation where the low frequency support mode. The generation display duration table is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the display duration time does not vary according to the number of common reserved memories and the support mode may be used, and the above relationship may be reversed. Furthermore, the above-described configuration may be applied to the display continuation time when reach occurs. In addition, in the case of various jackpot results, a display duration table may be individually set for each of the case of outreach and the case of a non-reach outbreak result. In this case, the display duration time is allocated according to each game result.

  After executing the display duration setting process, the change command and the type command are set. The change command includes display duration information. Here, the display duration obtained by referring to the display non-occurrence display duration table as described above is different from the display duration obtained by referring to the display occurrence time table for reach occurrence. Even if the information on the presence or absence of reach is not included in the command, the notification / production control device 143, which is the sub-side control device, can identify the presence or absence of reach from the display duration information. . In this regard, it can be said that the change command includes information indicating whether or not reach has occurred. Note that the change command may include information that directly indicates whether or not reach has occurred.

  The type command includes game result information. That is, the type command includes 10R jackpot result information, 15R jackpot result information, and missed result information as game result information.

  The variation command and the type command set in this way are transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 17). Based on the received change start command and type command, the notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production in the game time and controls various devices so that the content of the decided production is executed. The contents of the effect include a symbol variation display mode on the symbol display device 96, and the determined symbol variation display mode is displayed as a display content command from the notification / effect control device 143 to the display control device 725. Is output. The display control device 725 controls display of the symbol display device 96 based on the display content command received from the notification / production control device 143 so that the symbol change display corresponding to each game time is performed. Details of processing in the display control device 725 upon receipt of these commands will be described later.

  After the above processing is executed, the variable display of the pattern is started on the main display unit. Thereafter, after executing the external output canceling process, the fluctuation starting process is ended.

  Returning to the description of the game times control process, when the main display unit (specifically, the display unit for the operation port) is in a variable display, the process for proceeding with the game times is executed. In the game time progression process, it is determined whether or not the current game time variation display time has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the display continuation period counter (variable display time information) provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604 is “0”. The value of the variable display time information is set in the variable display time setting process as described above. The set value of the variable display time information is decremented by 1 every time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16) is started.

  If the variable display time has not elapsed, the variable display process is executed. In the variation display process, the display mode in the main display unit (specifically, the lower working port display unit or the right working port display unit) is changed. Specifically, in the variable display process, the operation port is set so that the LED of the display unit for the operation port related to the current game turn is turned on and off at a predetermined cycle, and the emission color is changed. Display control (light emission control of each display LED). Then, this game times control process is complete | finished.

  If the display continuation time has elapsed, a variation end process is executed. In the change end process, the information stored in the RAM 604 in the change start process executed when starting the currently executed game round is specified, and the pattern corresponding to the information is displayed on the display for the operation port of the main display unit. The main display unit 87 is controlled to be displayed on the screen.

  Thereafter, after setting the change end command, the game times control process is ended. The variation end command set in this way is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 through normal processing (FIG. 17). The notification / production control device 143 executes a process for ending the production in the game times based on the reception of the change end command. Further, the change end command is transmitted to the display control device 725 via the notification / production control device 143, and the display control device 725 receives the change end command to thereby combine the final stop symbols in the game times. Is finally displayed (final stop display) on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96. In addition, it is good also as a structure which terminates the effect for game rotations independently by the alerting / production control device 143 or the display control device 725 without transmitting the change end command.

<Game state transition processing>
Next, the gaming state transition process of step S204 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the open / close execution mode is in effect. If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S302, and it is determined whether or not it is the timing when the change display of the pattern on the lower operation port display unit or the right operation port display unit in one game time is finished. If it is not the timing when the variable display is finished, the gaming state transition process is finished as it is.

  If it is the timing when the variable display is finished, it is determined in step S303 whether or not the game result of the current game time corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether any of the 10R jackpot flag or the 15R jackpot flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If none of the above flags is stored, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is. The 10R jackpot flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 when the 10R jackpot result is obtained by the lottery in the game times control process, and the 15R jackpot flag is obtained when the 15R jackpot result is the lottery in the game times control process. These flags are stored in various flag storage areas 635.

  If any of the above flags is stored, start processing of the opening / closing execution mode is executed in step S304. In this process, an opening standby time (starting standby period) is set for waiting without opening the variable winning devices 82 and 83 for opening in the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, in the waiting time counter area provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604, the waiting time information for the opening stored in advance in the ROM 603 corresponding to the opening of the variable winning devices 82 and 83 is provided. Set time information. The value of the waiting time information set here is decremented by 1 every time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16) is executed.

  After executing the process of step S304, an opening command is set in step S306. The set opening command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 17). This opening command includes information indicating whether the opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the 10R jackpot result or the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 15R jackpot result.

  The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the content of the decided production is executed. The contents of the effect include a display mode in the symbol display device 96, and the determined display mode is output from the notification / effect control device 143 to the display control device 725 as a display content command. In the display control device 725, based on the opening command received from the main control device 162 and the display content command received from the notification / production control device 143, a display corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode, for example, a display corresponding to the 10R jackpot result Display control of the symbol display device 96 is performed so that a moving image display of a character or the like as the content and a symbol variation display as the display content corresponding to the 15R jackpot result are performed.

  In a succeeding step S306, it is determined whether or not the current opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the 15R jackpot result. If an affirmative determination is made in step S306, a lottery flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604 in step S307. Based on the fact that the lottery flag is stored, the right variable winning device 83 executes the lottery for shifting to the high probability mode. In a succeeding step S308, “15” is set in the open number counter OC provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604. The number-of-opening counter OC functions as means for grasping the number of times that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are opened.

  Returning to the description of step S306, if a negative determination is made in step S306, that is, if the current opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the 10R jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S309. In step S 309, “10” is set in the open number counter OC provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604. When the 10R jackpot result is reached, the lottery for shifting to the high probability mode using the right variable winning device 83 is not executed.

  After performing the process of step S308 or step S309, the external signal setting process is executed in the subsequent step S310, and the gaming state transition process is terminated. In the external signal setting process, it is determined whether or not either the 10R jackpot flag or the 15R jackpot flag is stored in the RAM 604. If either flag is stored, the signal output from the jackpot signal output terminal is performed. The state is a jackpot signal output state. When the jackpot signal output terminal is connected to the management control device on the gaming hall side, a jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the management control device indicates that the opening / closing execution mode has occurred in the pachinko machine 10. I can grasp it.

  In the present embodiment, in the case of the high probability mode, the high frequency support mode continues until the next jackpot occurrence. As already described, when the hold information related to the right operation port 85 is preferentially digested over the hold information related to the lower operation port 84, and when the jackpot is won at the right operation port 85 Is a 15R jackpot result corresponding to the continuous lottery in the high probability mode. That is, the high probability mode is configured to easily loop.

  Returning to the description of step S301 again, if it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S311. In step S311, it is determined whether or not the opening standby time has elapsed. If the opening standby time has not elapsed, the gaming state transition process is terminated. If the waiting time for the opening has elapsed, variable winning device opening / closing processing is executed in step S312. Here, the variable winning device opening / closing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Variable winning device opening and closing process>
First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open. If the lower variable winning device 82 and the right variable winning device 83 are not open, it is determined in step S402 whether or not the value of the open number counter OC is “0”, and in the following step S403, the open timer counter TC is determined. It is determined whether the value of “0” is “0”.

  If the value of the open number counter OC is “0” or if the value of the open timer counter TC is not “0”, the variable winning device opening / closing process is ended as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the release number counter OC is not “0” and the value of the release timer counter TC is “0”, the process proceeds to step S404, and it is determined whether or not a lottery round is in progress. If it is determined that the lottery round is in progress, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the lottery is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, it is determined whether or not the value of the opening number counter OC is “1”. If a negative determination is made in step S404, the lower variable winning device 82 is released in step S405. Specifically, in order to open the lower variable winning device 82, the driving unit 82c for the variable winning device is set in a driving state. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S404, the right variable winning device 83 is released in step S407. Specifically, the drive unit 83c for the variable prize device is set to the drive state to open the right variable prize device 83.

  After executing the processing of steps S406 and S407, “15000” (corresponding to 30 sec) is set in the open timer counter TC in step S408, and “10” is set in the winning counter PC in the subsequent step S409.

  In subsequent step S410, an opening command is set, and the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated. This release command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). This release command includes information on which variable winning device 82, 83 is supported. In the notification / production control device 143, when the right variable prize winning device 83 is opened based on the received release command, the content of the production corresponding to that is determined, and the content of the decided production is executed. Control various devices.

  Returning to the description of step S401, if it is determined in step S401 that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open, it is determined in step S411 whether or not the value of the open timer counter TC is “0”. . The value of the opening timer counter TC is decremented by “1” every time the variable winning device opening / closing process is executed.

  If the value of the release timer counter TC is not “0”, it is determined based on the detection signal from the detection sensor whether or not a game ball has won the variable winning devices 82 and 83 in step S412. In the right variable winning device 83, the determination is performed based on the detection signal from the upstream detection sensor 304.

  If it is determined in step S412 that a winning has occurred, a winning command output process is executed in subsequent step S413. The winning command is output to the payout control device 242, and the payout control device 242 receives the command to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. The winning command is also output to the notification / production control device 143. In the notification / production control device 143, the display production during the opening / closing execution mode executed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 is changed based on the winning command. For example, when 10 winnings are generated during the 15th round, a message urging attention to the distribution mechanism 330 is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  After executing the command output process in step S413, the process proceeds to step S414. In step S414, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1, and in the following step S415, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is “0”. finish.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S415, an affirmative determination is made in step S411, or a negative determination is made in step S412, the process proceeds to step S416 and the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are closed. Specifically, when the lower variable winning device 82 is opened, the output of the drive signal to the driving unit 82c for the lower variable winning device 82 is stopped, and the lower variable winning device being opened is stopped. 82 is closed. When the right variable winning device 83 is opened, the output of the drive signal to the drive unit 83c for the right variable winning device 83 is stopped, and the opened right variable winning device 83 is closed.

  After executing the process of step S416, the process proceeds to step S417 to update the release number counter OC. Specifically, the value of the release number counter OC is decremented by “1”.

  In a succeeding step S418, it is determined whether or not the value of the release number counter OC is “0”. If it is determined that the value of the opening number counter OC is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S419, and an interval period setting process is performed. Specifically, “1500” (corresponding to 3 sec) is set in the open timer counter TC. Thereafter, a closing command is set in step S420, and the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated.

  The closing command set in step S420 is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). The close command includes information about which round has ended. The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production based on the received closing command, and controls various devices so that the content of the decided production is executed. For example, at the end of the 14th round, a message indicating that the right variable winning device 83 is released (message indicating that the chance time has been entered) is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  If it is determined in step S418 that the value of the opening number counter OC is “0”, it is determined in step S421 whether a lottery flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. . If it is determined that the lottery flag is stored, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated without executing the following ending process.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S421, after setting an ending command in step S423, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated. The set ending command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 19). The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received ending command, and controls various devices such that the content of the decided production is executed.

  The contents of the effect include a display mode in the symbol display device 96, and the determined display mode is output from the notification / effect control device 143 to the display control device 725 as a display content command. In the display control device 725, based on the display content command received from the notification / production control device 143, display corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode, for example, moving image display such as a character as display content corresponding to the jackpot is performed. The display control of the symbol display device 96 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the display mode of the ending is different between the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 15R jackpot result and the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 10R jackpot result, and the opening / closing execution mode is 10R jackpot for the processing of step S422. It is executed when the result is supported. In the 15R jackpot result, the display mode of the ending changes based on the result of the lottery in the final round. The determination of this display mode will be described later.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 18 again, after the variable winning device opening / closing process of step S312 is completed, the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, it is determined whether the lottery round is in progress (the 15th round in the present embodiment). If an affirmative determination is made in step S313, the process proceeds to step S314, the high probability mode transition determination process is executed, and then the gaming state transition process ends. Here, the high probability mode transition determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<High probability mode transition determination processing>
In the high probability mode transition determination process, it is first determined in step S501 whether transition determination is in progress. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a migration determination validation flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. The transition determination validation flag is a flag that is stored when a specific number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls has entered the right variable winning device 83.

  If a negative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is “0”. If a negative determination is made in step S502, the high probability mode transition determination process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, a passage switching process is performed. Specifically, a drive signal is output to the path switching drive unit 312 to switch the inflow destination of the game ball from the first downstream path 306 to the second downstream path 307. As a result, the game ball is guided to the specific area SE of the right variable winning device 83.

  After executing the process of step S503, the process proceeds to step S504, where the above-described transition determination validation flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604, and the high probability mode transition determination process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of step S501, if an affirmative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to a lottery process after step S505. In the lottery process, first, in step S505, it is determined whether or not the entrance to the first entrance 321 has occurred. If an affirmative determination is made in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, and the ending command for determining the high probability mode is set. This command is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in normal processing (see FIG. 17). Each of these control devices 143 and 725 controls the symbol display device 96 and the like so as to perform an ending display indicating that the transition (continuation) to the high probability mode is confirmed based on this command.

  After executing the process of step S506, the high probability mode transition flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 in step S507. Thereby, the gaming state after the opening / closing execution mode ends becomes the high probability mode.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S505, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, it is determined whether or not the entrance to the second entrance 322 has occurred. If a negative determination is made in step S508, that is, if no entry has occurred in any of the first entry slot 321 and the second entry slot 322 (when lottery is being performed), the present high probability The mode transition determination process ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S508, that is, if a ball enters the second ball slot 322, the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, an ending command for determining the low probability mode is set. This command is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in normal processing (see FIG. 17). Each of these control devices 143 and 725 controls the symbol display device 96 and the like so as to perform an ending display indicating that the transition to the low probability mode (promotion failure or demotion) is confirmed based on this command.

  After executing the processes of steps S507 and S509, the process proceeds to step S510. In step S510, the migration determination validation flag stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604 is deleted. Thereafter, in step S511, the lottery flag is deleted, and the high probability mode transition determination process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 18 again, if a negative determination is made in step S313, that is, if it is determined that the lottery round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S315. In step S315, it is determined whether or not the value of the release number counter OC is “0”. If a negative determination is made in step S315, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S315, the process proceeds to step S316 to determine whether or not a lottery flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. If an affirmative determination is made in step S316, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S316, the process proceeds to step S317. In step S317, it is determined whether the waiting time for ending has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S317, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S317, the process proceeds to step S318. In step S318, a transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode is executed.

  In the transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode, first, the 10R jackpot flag or 15R jackpot flag stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 is erased. Thereafter, when the high probability mode transition flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604, the high frequency support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635, and the transition process is terminated. As a result, the gaming state shifts to a gaming state in which the success / failure lottery mode is the high probability mode and the support mode is the high frequency support mode. On the other hand, if the high probability mode shift flag is not stored, the shift processing is terminated without storing the high frequency support flag in the various flag storage areas 635. As a result, the gaming state shifts to a gaming state in which the success / failure lottery mode is the low probability mode and the support mode is the low frequency support mode.

  In the present embodiment described in detail above, after shifting to the high probability mode, 15R jackpot → high probability mode → 15R jackpot can be chained, and it is possible to acquire a collective round. However, once it falls to the low probability mode, it is necessary to win the 15R jackpot first to return to the high probability mode and then win the lottery to shift to the high probability mode. By providing a plurality of hurdles in this manner, the low probability mode is likely to loop after the low probability mode is reached. Thereby, sharpness is given to the game.

  Such progress of the game greatly depends on the state of the distribution mechanism 330. The distribution mechanism 330 is basically configured to change its state upon receiving a game ball, and it is difficult to access the right variable winning device 83 from the outside from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Depending on the business form of the game hall or the like, there may be a situation where it is desired to forcibly change the distribution mechanism 330. However, it is not preferable to allow physical access to improve crime prevention.

<Forcible switching of distribution mechanism 330>
In the present embodiment, in view of such circumstances, the hall manager or the like can forcibly change the state of the sorting mechanism 330 (movable body 331) while suppressing a decrease in crime prevention. . Hereinafter, the configuration relating to this forced switching will be described with reference to FIG.

  A state switching process is set as part of the process executed when the power is turned on. In the state switching process, it is determined whether or not a reset signal is input from the reset switch 166 of the main controller 162. Then, the forced switching process is executed on condition that the reset switch 166 is operated when the power is turned on.

  Specifically, the distribution mechanism 330 is provided with a state switching drive unit 334 (specifically, a solenoid) that operates when a drive signal is input from the main controller 162. When a drive signal is output to the state switching drive unit 334 by the forced switching process, the movable body 331 is forcibly switched from the second state to the first state. More specifically, the state switching drive unit 334 is disposed at a position directly below the left part of the movable body 331 (a position that does not prevent the game balls from being distributed to the first entrance 321 / the second entrance 322). Has been. When the drive signal is input to the state switching drive unit 334, the left part of the movable body 331 is pushed up from below.

  The amount of displacement of the movable body 331 by the state switching drive unit 334 is set to be an amount sufficient for the movable body 331 to switch from the second state to the first state. As a result, regardless of the position of the movable body 331, the movable body 331 is forcibly switched to the first state.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to respond to a wide range of needs such as game halls while suppressing a decrease in crime prevention.

  According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  The game balls that have entered the right variable winning device 83 enter the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322 through the sorting mechanism 330. The movable body 331 of the distribution mechanism 330 is switched between the first state and the second state upon receiving a game ball (specifically, by a force received by the game ball from the game ball or the like). In other words, the guidance mode of the subsequent game ball changes depending on the game ball guided earlier. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the influence of the first game ball reaches the subsequent game ball, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the previous and next game balls and to cause a flow in the game It becomes. Thereby, it can contribute to the improvement of the attention degree to a game.

  The inside of the right variable winning device 83 (specific area SE) is configured such that the player can visually check the state of the movable body 331 and the behavior of the game ball. According to such a configuration, for example, the player can be prompted to determine whether or not to play a game with reference to the state of the movable body 331, and the strategy of the game can be preferably improved.

  When the movable body 331 reaches the movable body 331 in a situation where the movable body 331 is in one of the first state and the second state, the movable body 331 is maintained as it is rather than switching to the other. Thus, the state of the movable body 331 is prevented from frequently changing each time the game ball arrives. Thereby, after becoming a state advantageous to a player, it will become easy to be maintained in that state, and after becoming unfavorable, it will be easy to be maintained in that state. As a result, it is possible to give an advantage / disadvantage to the game and to suitably suppress the game from becoming monotonous.

  In addition, by giving such sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relevance between the enjoyment of pursuing the movement of the original game ball and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game Can contribute to improvement.

  The movable body 331 enters the first state when the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 moves toward the first entrance 321, and moves to the second entrance 322. It is comprised so that it may become. For this reason, when the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 first enters the first entrance 321, the next game ball that has reached the movable body 331 can easily enter the first entrance 321. Thus, a chain of the first state → the entrance to the first entrance 321 → the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 first enters the second entrance 322, the next game ball that has reached the movable body 331 can easily enter the second entrance 322. The chain of the second state → the entrance to the second entrance 322 → the second state occurs. In this way, by giving sharpness to the flow of the game (advantage / disadvantage), it is possible to suitably suppress the game from becoming monotonous.

  The movable body 331 is a seesaw type, and in the first state, a guide passage is formed to be inclined toward the first entrance 321 by tilting toward the first entrance 321. In the second state, the second entrance is formed. A guide passage that descends to the second entrance 322 is formed by inclining toward 322. According to such a configuration, the game ball moves along the guide path formed by the movable body 331, thereby extending the period during which the game ball acts on the movable body 331 (the period during which the weight of the game ball is added). And a state switching function and a state maintenance function can be exhibited suitably. Note that this configuration is also advantageous in suppressing disturbance (for example, shaking) of the posture of the movable body 331.

  A stage portion 340 is provided upstream of the distribution mechanism 330, and the position where the game ball reaches is closer to the first entrance 321 than the center of rotation of the movable body 331 on the ball receiving surface 333 and the rotation center. Is configured to fall toward a predetermined range including a position close to the second entrance 322. In this way, by diversifying the falling positions of the game balls, it is possible to prevent the end of the game ball from being easily predicted and to attract attention to the behavior of the game balls and the movable body 331 after the fall. be able to.

  Further, the momentum of the game ball can be transmitted to the movable body 331 without waste due to the fall of the game ball → the collision with the ball receiving surface 333, and the mechanism for operating the movable body 331 can be simplified.

  For the movable body 331, a rotation center axis CL is set so as to pass through the center of gravity GP. Thereby, it is suppressed that force required when rotating the movable body 331 becomes large unnecessarily. This is advantageous in bringing the stage unit 340 and the movable body 331 (the ball receiving surface 333) closer to each other, and is expected to have an effect of making it easier to follow the movement of the game ball with the eyes by suppressing the separation of points of interest. it can.

  The stage unit 340 has a rolling surface 341 on which a game ball that has reached the stage unit 340 can swing in the direction in which both the entrances 321 and 322 are arranged in parallel. The rolling surface 341 is a ball of the movable body 331. It is inclined downward toward the receiving surface 333 side. According to this configuration, the game ball that has reached the stage portion 340 swings on the rolling surface 341 in the parallel direction and then falls toward the ball receiving surface 333. Here, according to the above configuration, the game ball can fall not only in the vertical direction but also in the oblique direction. Even when the game ball falls to the same position, the behavior of the subsequent game ball varies depending on the direction of the fall, and the movement of the game ball can be diversified. This makes it difficult to predict the guidance mode by the distribution mechanism 330 at the timing before the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 333 (specifically, the timing when it flows out of the stage unit 340). This is a preferable configuration in order to prevent the attention to the game from being quickly reduced before the guidance is actually performed.

  When the entrance to the first entrance 321 occurs in the previous opening / closing execution mode, the winning probability of winning the jackpot is increased and it is easy to shift to the opening / closing execution mode, and the first opening / closing execution mode also includes the first. The degree of expectation for entering the entrance 321 increases. On the other hand, if the entrance to the second entrance 322 occurs in the previous opening / closing execution mode, the winning probability of winning the jackpot does not increase, and the second entrance entrance 322 also in the next opening / closing execution mode. The expectation of entering is reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that a game becomes monotonous and can give a game sharpness.

  In the right variable winning device 83, the number of game balls reaching the specific area SE is regulated. In a configuration in which the subsequent development greatly depends on whether or not the game ball enters the first entrance 321, it is difficult to grasp the movement of the game ball when a large amount of game balls reach the specific area SE. This tends to be a hindrance in enhancing the degree of attention by strengthening the relationship between the movement of the game ball and the movement of the movable body 331. Thus, if the number of game balls reaching the specific area SE is restricted as described above, such inconvenience can be avoided.

  In particular, there is a limit (upper limit) on the number of balls entered into the right variable prize winning device 83 and a period during which the ball is allowed, and among the game balls entered in the right variable prize winning device 83, the game balls that triggered the reaching of the upper limit are selected. If it is configured to send to the specific area SE, the above-mentioned sorting lottery execution condition is that the number of balls entered reaches the upper limit. For this reason, the player plays the game while expecting the number of entered balls to reach the upper limit within the period. Therefore, the monotonization of the round game can be suitably suppressed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the lottery function by the right variable winning device 83 is applied to the lottery for shifting to the high probability mode. However, the lottery function is not limited to this. For example, by applying the lottery function of the right variable prize-winning device 83 to the round continuous lottery in the open / close execution mode, it is possible to suppress the monotonousness of the round game and to appropriately exert the effect of improving the attention to the game. It becomes. Hereinafter, the flow of the gaming machine in the present embodiment will be described based on the relationship with the game state transition process executed by the main controller 162. Note that the structure of the right variable winning device 83 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description is cited.

  First, the outline and types of jackpots in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, after the number of rounds digested after shifting to the opening / closing execution mode reaches a predetermined number (guaranteed number), a round lottery is performed in each round game. That is, the minimum guaranteed number of rounds and the upper limit number of rounds are defined, and the number of rounds can be changed between them.

  As the types of jackpot results, type 1 jackpot results and type 2 jackpot results with different minimum guaranteed round numbers are set. The first type jackpot result has a minimum guaranteed number of rounds of 10 and an upper limit of 15 rounds (the maximum number of extended rounds is 5). The type 2 jackpot result has a minimum guaranteed number of rounds of 5R and an upper limit number of rounds of 10 (the maximum number of extended rounds is 5).

  Note that it is not always necessary to share the maximum number of extended rounds based on the first type jackpot result and the maximum number of extended rounds based on the second type jackpot result, and both may have different configurations. For example, it is possible to set a common upper limit number of rounds and set a difference in the maximum number of extended rounds.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22, the gaming state transition processing in the present embodiment will be described.

  First, in step S701, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in effect. If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S702, and it is determined whether or not it is the timing when the change display of the pattern on the lower operation port display unit or the right operation port display unit of one game is completed. If it is not the timing when the variable display is finished, the gaming state transition process is finished as it is.

  If it is the timing when the variable display is finished, it is determined in step S703 whether or not the game result of the current game time corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not any of the first type big hit flag and the second type big hit flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If none of the above flags is stored, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is. The first type jackpot flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 when the first type jackpot result is obtained by lottery in the game times control process, and the second type jackpot flag is stored in the second kind by lottery in the game times control process. These flags are stored in various flag storage areas 635 when a big hit result is obtained.

  If any of the above flags is stored, an opening / closing execution mode start process is executed in step S704. In this process, an opening standby time (starting standby period) is set for waiting without opening the variable winning devices 82 and 83 for opening in the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, in the waiting time counter area provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604, the waiting time information for the opening stored in advance in the ROM 603 corresponding to the opening of the variable winning devices 82 and 83 is provided. Set time information. The value of the waiting time information set here is decremented by 1 every time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16) is executed.

  After executing the processing in step S704, an opening command is set in step S706. The set opening command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 17). This opening command includes information indicating whether the opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the 10R jackpot result or the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the 15R jackpot result.

  The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the content of the decided production is executed. The contents of the effect include a display mode in the symbol display device 96, and the determined display mode is output from the notification / effect control device 143 to the display control device 725 as a display content command. In the display control device 725, based on the opening command received from the main control device 162 and the display content command received from the notification / production control device 143, a display corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode, for example, a display corresponding to the 10R jackpot result Display control of the symbol display device 96 is performed so that a moving image display of a character or the like as the content and a symbol variation display as the display content corresponding to the 15R jackpot result are performed.

  In a succeeding step S706, it is determined whether or not the current opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the first type jackpot result. If an affirmative determination is made in step S706, “15” is set in the open number counter OC provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604 in step S707. The number-of-opening counter OC functions as means for grasping the number of times that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are opened.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S706, that is, if the current opening / closing execution mode corresponds to the second type jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, “10” is set in the release number counter OC.

  After performing the process of step S707 or step S708, the external signal setting process is executed in the subsequent step S709, and the gaming state transition process is terminated. In the external signal setting process, it is determined whether or not either the first type jackpot flag or the second type jackpot flag is stored in the RAM 604, and if either flag is stored, the jackpot signal output is performed. The signal output state of the terminal is a jackpot signal output state. When the jackpot signal output terminal is connected to the management control device on the gaming hall side, a jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the management control device indicates that the opening / closing execution mode has occurred in the pachinko machine 10. I can grasp it.

  Returning to the description of step S701 again, if it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S710. In step S710, it is determined whether the waiting time for opening has elapsed. If the opening standby time has not elapsed, the gaming state transition process is terminated. If the waiting time for opening has elapsed, variable winning device opening / closing processing is executed in step S711. Here, the variable winning device opening / closing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Variable winning device opening and closing process>
In the variable winning device opening / closing process, it is first determined in step S801 whether or not the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open. If the lower variable winning device 82 and the right variable winning device 83 are not open, it is determined in step S802 whether or not the value of the open number counter OC is “0”, and in the subsequent step S803, the open timer counter TC is determined. It is determined whether the value of “0” is “0”.

  If the value of the open number counter OC is “0” or if the value of the open timer counter TC is not “0”, the variable winning device opening / closing process is ended as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the release number counter OC is not “0” and the value of the release timer counter TC is “0”, the process proceeds to step S804, and it is determined whether the lottery round is in progress. If it is determined that the lottery round is in progress, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the lottery is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not the value of the opening number counter OC is “5” to “2”. If a negative determination is made in step S805, the lower variable winning device 82 is opened in step S806.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S805 that the value of the opening number counter OC is “5” to “2”, the process proceeds to step S807. In step S807, it is determined whether or not the value of the release number counter OC is “5”. If an affirmative determination is made in step S807, a lottery round flag is set in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604, and the right variable winning device 83 is released in a subsequent step S810. Specifically, in order to open the lower variable winning device 82, the driving unit 82c for the variable winning device is set in a driving state.

  If a negative determination is made in step S807, that is, if the value of the opening number counter OC is any one of “4” to “2”, the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, it is determined whether or not the round continuation flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If a negative determination is made in step S808, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S808, each process of steps S809 and S810 is executed. Specifically, the drive unit 83c for the variable prize device is set to the drive state to open the right variable prize device 83.

  As already described, in the present embodiment, when the result is the first type jackpot result, the round game for 10 rounds is guaranteed, and for this guaranteed round, the opening / closing object is the lower variable winning device 82. Become. That is, when the value of the opening number counter is decremented by 1 from “15” and becomes “5”, the opening / closing object is switched from the lower variable winning device 82 to the right variable winning device 83. Then, by continuing to win a continuous lottery to be described later, the round game progresses, and the value of the opening number counter becomes “0”, so that the opening object is returned from the right variable winning device 83 to the lower variable winning device 82. It becomes.

  On the other hand, in the case of the type 2 jackpot result, the round game for 5 rounds is guaranteed, and the opening / closing object is the lower variable winning device 82 for this guaranteed round. That is, when the value of the opening number counter is decremented by one from “10” and becomes “5”, the opening / closing object is switched from the lower variable winning device 82 to the right variable winning device 83. Then, by continuing to win a continuous lottery to be described later, the round game progresses, and the value of the opening number counter becomes “0”, so that the opening object is returned from the right variable winning device 83 to the lower variable winning device 82. It becomes.

  After executing the processing of steps S806 and S810, “15000” (corresponding to 30 sec) is set in the open timer counter TC in step S811, and “10” is set in the winning counter PC in subsequent step S812.

  Thereafter, in step S813, an opening command is set, and this variable winning device opening / closing process ends. This release command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). This release command includes information on which variable winning device 82, 83 is supported. In the notification / production control device 143, when the right variable prize winning device 83 is opened based on the received release command, the content of the production corresponding to that is determined, and the content of the decided production is executed. Control various devices.

  Returning to the description of step S801, if it is determined in step S801 that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open, it is determined in step S814 whether or not the value of the open timer counter TC is “0”. . The value of the opening timer counter TC is decremented by “1” every time the variable winning device opening / closing process is executed.

  If the value of the opening timer counter TC is not “0”, it is determined based on the detection signal from the detection sensor whether or not a game ball has won the variable winning devices 82 and 83 in step S815. In the right variable winning device 83, the determination is performed based on the detection signal from the upstream detection sensor 304.

  If it is determined in step S815 that a winning has occurred, a winning command output process is executed in subsequent step S816. The winning command is output to the payout control device 242, and the payout control device 242 receives the command to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. The winning command is also output to the notification / production control device 143. In the notification / production control device 143, the display production during the opening / closing execution mode executed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 is changed based on the winning command. For example, when 10 winnings are generated during the 15th round, a message urging attention to the distribution mechanism 330 is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  After executing the command output process in step S816, the process proceeds to step S817. In step S817, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S818, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is “0”. finish.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S818, an affirmative determination is made in step S814, or a negative determination is made in step S815, the process proceeds to step S819 and the closing process of the variable winning devices 82 and 83 is performed. Specifically, when the lower variable winning device 82 is opened, the output of the drive signal to the driving unit 82c for the lower variable winning device 82 is stopped, and the lower variable winning device being opened is stopped. 82 is closed. When the right variable winning device 83 is opened, the output of the drive signal to the drive unit 83c for the right variable winning device 83 is stopped, and the opened right variable winning device 83 is closed.

  After executing the process of step S819, the process proceeds to step S820, and an update process of the open number counter OC is performed. Specifically, the value of the release number counter OC is decremented by “1”.

  In a succeeding step S821, it is determined whether or not the value of the release number counter OC is “0”. If it is determined that the value of the open number counter OC is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S822, whether the value of the open number counter OC is “4” to “1”, that is, whether it is a continuous lottery round. Determine whether. If a negative determination is made in step S822, the process proceeds to step S823 to perform an interval period setting process. Specifically, “1500” (corresponding to 3 sec) is set in the open timer counter TC.

  After executing the process of step S823, or when an affirmative determination is made in step S822, a close command is set in step S824, and the variable winning device opening / closing process ends.

  The closing command set in step S824 is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). The close command includes information about which round has ended. The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production based on the received closing command, and controls various devices so that the content of the decided production is executed. For example, at the end of the guarantee round, a message indicating that the right variable winning device 83 is opened (message indicating that the chance time has been entered) is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  If it is determined in step S821 that the value of the number-of-opens counter OC is “0”, after setting an ending command in step S825, the variable winning device opening / closing process is terminated. The set ending command is transmitted to the notification / production control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 19). The notification / production control device 143 determines the content of the production corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received ending command, and controls various devices such that the content of the decided production is executed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 22 again, after the variable winning device opening / closing process of step S711 is completed, the process proceeds to step S712. In step S712, it is determined whether the continuous lottery round is in progress. If an affirmative determination is made in step S712, the process proceeds to step S713 to execute the round continuation determination process, and then the gaming state transition process is terminated. Here, the round continuation determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Round continuation determination process>
In the round continuation determination process, it is first determined in step S901 whether the round continuation determination is being performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a continuation determination validation flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. The continuation determination validation flag is a flag that is stored when a specific number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls has entered the right variable winning device 83.

  If a negative determination is made in step S901, the process proceeds to step S902. In step S902, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is “0”. If a negative determination is made in step S902, the high probability mode transition determination process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S902, the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S903, a path switching process is performed. Specifically, a drive signal is output to the path switching drive unit 312 to switch the inflow destination of the game ball from the first downstream path 306 to the second downstream path 307. As a result, the game ball is guided to the specific area SE of the right variable winning device 83. After executing the process of step S903, the process proceeds to step S904, the above-described continuation determination validation flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604, and the high probability mode transition determination process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of step S901, when an affirmative determination is made in step S901, that is, when it is determined that there is a continuation determination validation flag, the process proceeds to a lottery process after step S905. In the lottery process, first, in step S905, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the first ball slot 321. If an affirmative determination is made in step S905, the process advances to step S906 to set a round continuation confirmation command. This command is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). Each of these control devices 143 and 725 controls the symbol display device 96 and the like so as to perform a display and the like indicating that the round continuation is confirmed based on this command.

  After executing the process of step S906, the round continuation flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 in step S907. Due to the presence of the round continuation flag, the round game is continued in the opening / closing execution mode.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S908. In step S908, it is determined whether or not the entrance to the second entrance 322 has occurred. If a negative determination is made in step S908, that is, if no entry has occurred in any of the first entry slot 321 and the second entry slot 322 (when lottery is being performed), the current round is continued. The determination process ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S908, that is, if a ball enters the second ball slot 322, the process proceeds to step S909. In step S909, a round non-continuation confirmation command is set. This command is output to the notification / production control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). Each of these control devices 143 and 725 controls the symbol display device 96 and the like so as to perform an ending display indicating that the round game has ended based on this command. After executing the processing in step S909, the round continuation flag is deleted in step S910.

  After executing the processes of steps S907 and S910, the process proceeds to step S911. In step S911, the continuation determination validation flag stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604 is deleted. Thereafter, in step S912, the lottery round flag is deleted, and the process for determining whether to continue the round is completed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 22 again, if a negative determination is made in step S712, that is, if it is determined that the lottery round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S714. In step S714, it is determined whether or not the round continuation flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If an affirmative determination is made in step S714, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S714, the process proceeds to step S715. In step S715, it is determined whether the ending waiting time has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S715, the gaming state transition process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S715, the process proceeds to step S716. In step S716, a transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode is executed, and the gaming state transition process is terminated.

  In a gaming machine of a type that transitions to a round gaming state (for example, a gaming state in which the entry device switches to a specific state and a non-specific state where entry is more difficult than the specific state), the round game is The game can become monotonous by being digested indifferently. In this regard, if the number of continuations of the round is changed according to the distribution mode of the game balls in the right variable winning device 83, it is possible to suitably suppress the round game from becoming monotonous.

  Further, according to the distribution mechanism 330 of the right variable winning device 83, it is possible to generate a bias in the number of round games that can be obtained. For example, if the first round game has entered the first entrance 321, the round game is continued, and the next round game is expected to enter the first entrance 321. The degree will increase. That is, when the round game is continued, a bonus is given to the player. On the other hand, when the entrance to the second entrance 322 occurs in the previous round game, the round game state ends. Thereby, it can suppress that a round game becomes monotonous and can give a sharpness to a game.

  In this embodiment, the lower variable prize-winning device 82 is targeted for opening and closing in the guaranteed round, but the right variable prize-winning device 83 can also be targeted for opening and closing in the guaranteed round. In this case, the lower variable winning device 82 may be omitted.

  When the right variable winning device 83 is to be opened and closed in all rounds, the flow path of the game balls may be the first downstream passage 306 so that the game balls do not flow into the specific area SE in the guarantee round. The game ball may be allowed to flow into the specific area SE in all rounds.

  In the latter case, by setting the movable body 431 to the first state before the end of the guarantee round, it is possible to increase the possibility of continuing the round after the end of the guarantee round. In this case, for example, when the second state is switched to the first state during the guarantee round, the tenth (game ball guided to the specific area SE) is intentionally placed on the right side to prevent the return to the second state. There is a possibility that the game can be advantageously advanced by refraining from the operation of launching the game ball so as not to enter the variable winning device 83, and the strategy in the round game can be improved.

<Third Embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the movable body 331 is in either the first state or the second state, and the support position (specifically, the shaft portion 336) of the movable body 331 and the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 are the same. Although the relationship is not changed, the present embodiment is characterized in that the positional relationship between the support position of the movable body 331 and the center of gravity GP is changed in accordance with the switching between the first state and the second state. It is said. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 25, the distribution mechanism 430 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 25A is a schematic diagram showing the distribution mechanism 430, and FIG. 25B is a schematic diagram showing a distribution mode by the distribution mechanism 430. In addition, since it is the same as that of the said embodiment about various structures other than the distribution mechanism 430, description is used.

  As shown in FIG. 25A, the distribution mechanism 430 includes a movable body 431 and a base body 435 that rotatably supports the movable body 431, similarly to the distribution mechanism 330 described in the above embodiment. It has. The bearing hole 432 formed in the movable body 431 has a long hole shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the central axis direction of the shaft portion 436 formed in the base body 435. The movable body 431 is configured such that the engagement position of the bearing hole 432 can change in the longitudinal direction of the bearing hole 432 while maintaining the engagement state with the shaft portion 436.

  As shown in FIG. 25A, in the first state where the movable body 431 is lowered to the right, the movable body 431 is biased toward the first entrance 321 side (right side). More specifically, the end (left end) on the second entrance 322 side of the bearing hole 432 and the shaft portion 436 contact each other to prevent further deviation. In this state, the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 is reduced. It is located closer to the first entrance 321 (right side) than the shaft 436.

  The movable body 431 is in a state of being biased in the clockwise direction by its own weight due to the shift of the center of gravity GP. Thereby, the force required for switching from the first state to the second state is larger than that in the above embodiment. Specifically, when the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 433, the ratio of the first specific region S that remains in the first state becomes larger than that in the above embodiment, and the second specific state that switches to the second state. The ratio of the area | region F is smaller than the said 1st Embodiment. When the game ball reaches the movable body 431 (the ball receiving surface 433), it becomes easy to be maintained in the first state, so that the advantageous degree of the first state becomes more remarkable.

  As shown in FIG. 25 (b), in the second state where the movable body 431 is lowered to the left, the movable body 431 is biased toward the second entrance 322 side (left side). Specifically, the end (right end) on the first entrance 321 side of the bearing hole 432 and the shaft portion 436 contact each other to prevent further deviation. In this state, the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 is reduced. It is located closer to the second entrance 322 (left side) than the shaft 436.

  The movable body 431 is biased counterclockwise by its own weight due to the shift of the center of gravity GP. Thereby, the force required for switching from the second state to the first state is larger than that in the above embodiment. Specifically, the ratio of the first specific region S that switches to the first state when the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 433 is smaller than that in the above embodiment, and the second specific state that remains in the second state. The ratio of the area | region F is larger than the said 1st Embodiment. When the game ball reaches the movable body 431 (the ball receiving surface 433), it is easily maintained in the second state, so that the disadvantage degree of the second state becomes more prominent.

  The bearing hole 432 is formed to be a target with the center of gravity GP interposed therebetween. For this reason, the first specific area S in the first state and the second specific area F in the second state are equivalent, and the first state is the same as in the above embodiment. / There is no bias in the second state.

  Here, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 26, the state change of the movable body 431 due to a collision of a game ball or the like will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 26A, when the game ball collides with the left end portion of the ball receiving surface 433 under the condition where the movable body 431 is in the first state, the movable body 431 rotates counterclockwise. . As a result, the movable body 431 changes from the right-down state (see solid line) supported by the shaft portion 436 and the first stopper 437 to the left-down state supported by the shaft portion 436 and the second stopper 438 (two-dot chain line). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 26B, the movable body 431 that has been lowered to the left moves to the left by its own weight while being supported by the shaft portion 436 and the second stopper 438. Then, when the shaft portion 436 comes into contact with the right end portion of the bearing hole 432, further movement is prevented, and the switching to the second state is completed (see the two-dot chain line).

  As shown in FIG. 26 (c), when the game ball collides with the right end portion of the ball receiving surface 433 in a state where the movable body 431 is in the second state, the movable body 431 rotates clockwise. As a result, the movable body 431 changes from the left-down state supported by the shaft part 436 and the second stopper 438 (see the solid line) to the right-down state supported by the shaft part 436 and the first stopper 437 (two-dot chain line). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 26 (d), the movable body 431 that has been lowered to the right moves to the right by its own weight while being supported by the shaft portion 436 and the first stopper 437. Then, when the shaft portion 436 comes into contact with the left end portion of the bearing hole 432, further movement is prevented, and switching to the first state is completed (see the two-dot chain line).

  As described above, by using the change in the posture of the movable body 431 and the weight of the movable body 431, the movable body 431 is moved to the first entrance 321 side and the second entrance 322 side. The degree of bias between the first state and the second state can be increased. In addition, when the function of rotating and supporting the movable body 431 and the function of moving the center of gravity are exhibited, it is possible to prevent the structure relating to the distribution mechanism 430 from becoming excessively complicated.

  In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the position of the movable body 431 changes in accordance with the change in the posture of the movable body 431, the first state can be achieved even if the period during which the game ball affects the movable body 431 (contact period) is short. / The switching function of the second state is suitably secured.

<Fourth embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the movable body 331 is switched between the first state and the second state, but it is not always necessary to distinguish between advantageous / disadvantaged in two stages. One of the features of the distribution mechanism 530 described in this embodiment is that switching is possible in multiple stages. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 27, the distribution mechanism 530 and the configuration related thereto in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 27A is a perspective view showing the distribution mechanism 530 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 27B is a longitudinal sectional view of the distribution mechanism 530. In addition, in the following description, description is used about a common point with the said embodiment, and it demonstrates centering around difference with the distribution mechanism 330 shown in the said embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 27 (a), the bottom portion 501a of the housing 501 constituting the right variable prize winning device 83Y has an upper step portion 508 and a lower step portion 509 that are formed so as to cause a difference in height (in a step shape). ing. The lower step 509 and the upper step 508 are arranged side by side, and a second entrance 522 is formed at the end of the lower step 509 on the upper step 508 side.

  A block-shaped movable body 531 is placed on the upper surface of the lower step portion 509. As shown in FIG. 27 (b), the movable body 531 is provided with a guide passage forming portion 534 that guides the game ball to the first entrance 521. The guide passage forming portion 534 has an inlet portion 534 a formed on the upper surface of the movable body 531. The guide passage forming portion 534 extends in the vertical direction, and its lower end protrudes downward from the lower step portion 509 through a long hole 509 a formed in the lower step portion 509.

  An exit portion 534b that guides the game ball to the first entrance 521 is formed at the protruding portion (lower end portion). The first entrance 521 is disposed below the lower step portion 509, and the housing 501 is formed with a guide portion that guides the game ball flowing out from the guide passage forming portion 534 to the first entrance 521.

  The movable body 531 is slidable along the upper surface of the lower step portion 509. However, the upper surface of the lower step portion 509 has a planar shape perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the movable body 531 is restricted from moving by its own weight.

  The moving direction and moving range of the movable body 531 are defined by the long hole 509 a and the guide passage forming portion 534. Specifically, the long hole 509 a is formed in a portion of the lower step 509 facing the bottom of the movable body 531, and extends to the side away from the second entrance 522. When the guide passage forming portion 534 hits the end of the elongated hole 509a on the second entrance 522 side, further movement toward the second entrance 522 is prevented. Thus, in the state most biased toward the second entrance 522, the overlap between the guide passage forming portion 534 and the second entrance 522 is avoided. On the other hand, when the guide passage forming portion 534 hits the end of the elongated hole 509a opposite to the second entrance 522, further separation from the second entrance 522 is avoided.

  The movable body 531 described in this embodiment is also provided with a function of distributing game balls that have reached the movable body 531 to the first entrance 521 / the second entrance 522, as in the above embodiment. . Here, a configuration related to the distribution function will be described.

  A stage portion 540 is provided above the upper step portion 508, and the game ball that has flowed out from the rolling surface 541 of the stage portion 540 reaches the upper step portion 508. The upper stage 508 is inclined downward toward the second entrance 522 (lower stage 509), and the game ball that has reached the upper stage 508 flows down toward the second entrance 522 along the inclination.

  The game ball flowing down along the upper stage portion 508 enters the first entrance 521 or the second entrance 522 via the movable body 531. The upper surface of the movable body 531 is a ball receiving surface on which a game ball that has flowed out from the upper stage portion 508 hits, and is inclined downward toward the second entrance 522 side.

  The ball receiving surface is roughly divided into a downstream inclined surface 532 positioned downstream of the inlet portion 534a of the guide passage forming portion 534 and an upstream inclined surface 533 positioned upstream of the inlet portion 534a. Yes. Of the game balls from the upper stage 508, those that have reached the upstream inclined surface 533 are guided along the upstream inclined surface 533 to the inlet portion 534a. The game ball that has entered the entrance portion 534a is guided to the first entrance 521 via the guide passage forming portion 534. Of the game balls from the upper stage 508, those directly entering the entrance portion 534a are also guided to the first entrance 521 through the same route.

  On the other hand, of the game balls from the upper stage portion 508 that hit the downstream inclined surface 532 bounces back to the side opposite to the entrance portion 534a (the second entrance 522 side), and the entrance to the entrance portion 534a. Inflow is avoided. The game ball bounced off the downstream inclined surface 532 hits the vertical wall formed on the bottom portion 501a and is guided to the second entrance 522.

  In the present embodiment, the outflow speed from the upper stage portion 508 varies depending on the position where the upper stage portion 508 is reached. For example, a game ball that has reached the upstream portion of the upper step portion 508, vigorously flows out of the upper step portion 508, reaches the upstream inclined surface 533 of the movable body 531, and reaches a downstream portion of the upper step portion 508. In the state where the momentum is not sufficiently applied, the fluid flows out from the upper step portion 508 and reaches the downstream inclined surface 532 of the movable body 531. Details of the game ball distribution mode will be described later.

  The movable body 531 is allowed to move away from the second entrance 522 (hereinafter referred to as the first direction) and to move toward the second entrance 522 (hereinafter referred to as the second direction). Has been. Here, a configuration relating to the movement of the movable body 531 will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing an operation mode of the movable body 531.

  As shown in FIG. 27B, the downstream inclined surface 532 constituting the upper surface of the movable body 531 is formed so as to be more inclined than the upstream inclined surface 533. Specifically, the angle with respect to the upper surface of the lower step portion 509 is set to be larger than 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 28A → FIG. 28B, when the game ball dropped from the upper stage portion 508 collides with the downstream inclined surface 532, a force in the second direction is applied to the movable body 531. . In other words, when the amount of movement of the game ball moves to the movable body 531, the game ball is de-energized, while the movable body 531 moves to the side away from the second entrance 522.

  Specifically, the force applied to the downstream inclined surface 532 in accordance with the collision of the game ball is divided into a force pressing the movable body 531 against the lower step portion 509 and a force along the upper surface of the lower step portion 509. Since the inclination angle of the surface 532 is set larger than 45 degrees, the latter is larger than the former. Thereby, the momentum transferred to the movable body 531 due to the collision is efficiently converted into a driving force for moving the movable body 531 in the first direction, and the movement of the movable body 531 is ensured.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (b), the angle with respect to the upper surface of the lower step portion 509 of the upstream inclined surface 533 is smaller than 45 degrees, and more specifically, it is suppressed to an angle (for example, 5 degrees) that guarantees the flow of the game ball. It has been. When a game ball from the upper stage portion 508 collides with the upstream side inclined surface 533, the force applied to the upstream side inclined surface 533 along with the collision is such that the movable body 531 is pressed against the lower stage portion 509 and the lower stage portion 509 Differentiated into forces along the top surface. Since the inclination angle of the upstream inclined surface 533 is set sufficiently small, the former is larger than the latter. In this case, the momentum transferred from the game ball to the movable body 531 decreases, and the game ball goes back up the upstream inclined surface 533. By suppressing the movement of the momentum in this way, even when the game ball collides with the upstream inclined surface 533, the movable body 531 is suppressed from moving in the first direction. That is, even if the game ball collides with the upstream inclined surface 533, the amount of movement of the movable body 531 due to the collision is substantially zero.

  Here, while the guide passage forming portion 534 extends in the vertical direction, the exit portion 534b is opened in a direction intersecting the passage direction, specifically in a lateral direction. A guide inclined surface 535 that guides the game ball toward the outlet portion 534b is formed in the downstream portion of the guide passage forming portion 534. As shown in FIG. 28C → FIG. 28D, the game ball that has entered the inlet portion 534a of the guide passage forming portion 534 falls along the guide passage forming portion 534 and collides with the guide inclined surface 535. As a result, the direction changes and heads toward the exit portion 534b.

  The guiding inclined surface 535 has a component facing the first direction, and an angle with respect to the vertical direction (lower step portion 509) is about 45 degrees. When the game ball dropped along the guide passage forming portion 534 collides with the guiding inclined surface 535, a force in the second direction is applied to the movable body 531. In other words, when the momentum of the game ball moves to the movable body 531, the game ball is de-energized, while the movable body 531 moves in the second direction.

  Specifically, the force applied to the guiding inclined surface 535 in accordance with the collision of the game ball is divided into a force for pressing the movable body 531 against the lower step portion 509 and a force along the upper surface of the lower step portion 509. Since the inclination angle of 532 is set larger than 45 degrees, the latter is larger than the former. Thereby, the momentum transferred to the movable body 531 due to the collision is efficiently converted into a driving force for moving the movable body 531 in the second direction, and the movement of the movable body 531 is ensured.

  Thus, the moving direction of the movable body 531 changes depending on which part of the movable body 531 the game ball reaches. At this time, the amount of movement of the movable body 531 due to one collision of the game balls is suppressed to a little over half of the entire movement range. In other words, although a change in favorable / disadvantageous state can occur by one collision, at least a plurality of game balls are required to switch from the most disadvantageous state to the most advantageous state or from the most advantageous state to the most disadvantageous state. A collision needs to occur. In other words, unlike the above-described embodiment, there are a plurality of levels for a state advantageous to the player, and a plurality of levels for a state disadvantageous to the player.

  Next, a game ball distribution mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29A is a schematic view showing a state in which the distribution mechanism 530 (movable body 531) is most advantageous for the player (corresponding to the first state), and FIG. 29B is a distribution mechanism 530 (movable). It is the schematic which shows the state (equivalent to the said 2nd state) where the body 531) is the most disadvantageous for a player.

  As already described, when a game ball moves from the stage unit 540 to the upper stage unit 508, depending on where the game ball falls in the upper stage unit 508, when the game ball flows out of the upper stage unit 508, A difference occurs in the moving speed. That is, if it falls to the upstream side, it will be easy to fly far away when it moves away from the upper stage part 508 by dropping, and if it falls to the downstream side, it will become slow from the upper stage part 508. When you leave, it becomes difficult to reach far.

  As shown in FIG. 29 (a), when the movable body 531 is in the most advantageous state for the player, the first specification is maintained as it is when the game ball reaches the movable body 531. The ratio of the area S is larger than the ratio of the second specific area F whose state changes. Once an advantageous state is reached, the advantageous state is likely to loop thereafter.

  When the game ball that has reached the movable body 531 in the state of FIG. 29A flows into the second entrance 522 via the downstream inclined surface 532, the movable body 531 moves in the first direction. . The amount of movement of the movable body 531 at this time differs depending on the position in the second specific area F where the game ball has fallen.

  Even when it falls to the position closest to the first specific area S in the second specific area F, that is, when the flow velocity of the game ball reaches the maximum, the movable body 531 is the most disadvantageous for one machine. There is no state. In addition, even when the vehicle falls to the most downstream position in the second specific area F, that is, when the flow velocity of the game ball is minimized, the movable body 531 moves beyond half of the entire movement range. To do. That is, although the advantageous state is switched to the unfavorable state, the disadvantage degree depends on the behavior of the game ball.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29B, when the movable body 531 is in the most unfavorable state for the player, when the game ball reaches the movable body 531, the second state is maintained. The ratio of one specific area S is smaller than the ratio of the second specific area F whose state changes. Once in an unfavorable state, it tends to be maintained in an advantageous state thereafter.

  When the game ball that has reached the movable body 531 in the state of FIG. 29B flows into the first entrance 521 via the upstream inclined surface 533, the movable body 531 moves in the second direction. . The amount of movement of the movable body 531 at this time does not differ depending on which position in the first specific area S the game ball has fallen.

  As already described, the amount of movement of the movable body 531 in the first direction is defined by the passage length of the guide passage forming portion 534 and the inclination angle of the guide inclined surface 535. Although this movement amount exceeds half of the entire movement range of the movable body 531, it does not reach the most advantageous state. That is, the amount of movement obtained when a ball enters the first ball inlet 521 is less dependent on which position in the first specific area S the game ball has fallen.

  As described above, when switching from an advantageous state to an unfavorable state, the game ball is supplied to a critical position in the upper stage 508 by differentiating the degree according to the arrival position of the game ball, It is possible to suppress a decrease in the willingness to play by providing a certain amount of relief while being in an unfavorable state.

  On the other hand, when switching from an unfavorable state to an advantageous state, a certain amount of movement is caused by the occurrence of a ball entering the first ball slot 521 regardless of the position of the upper ball 508 where the game ball has dropped. By being secured, it is possible to suppress giving an impression that the player could not obtain sufficient benefits.

  In particular, by setting a level for each of an advantageous state and an unfavorable state, it is possible to realize further diversification of the game and contribute to the improvement of interest. Even in such a configuration, the movable body 531 is disadvantageous to the player by entering the second entrance 522, and the movable body 531 is brought to the player by entering the first entrance 521. The advantageous / disadvantageous switching function is secured by being in an advantageous state. Thereby, the effect of giving sharpness to the game shown in the above embodiment is secured.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of each embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows. Incidentally, the configurations of the following different modes may be applied individually to the configurations of the above embodiments, or may be applied in combination with each other.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the first entrance 321 as the “first entrance” and the second entrance 322 as the “second entrance” are left and right in the front view of the gaming machine. However, it is only necessary to have a configuration corresponding to the “first incoming ball portion” and the “second incoming ball portion” in which at least a difference between advantages and disadvantages is set, and the arrangement thereof is arbitrary. . For example, it is possible to arrange the first entrance and the second entrance in the front-rear direction.

  However, in order to facilitate visual confirmation of the movable body 331 and the game ball constituting the “guidance means” and improve the visibility when switching the state of the movable body 331 using the weight of the game ball, Rather than arranging the game machines in the depth direction, it is preferable to arrange the game machines (specifically, the front surface) in the direction of surface expansion.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the degree of bias toward the advantageous side and the degree of bias toward the disadvantageous side are made equal, but it is not always necessary to make both equal. That is, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one of the switching from the first state to the second state and the switching from the second state to the first state is biased so as to be easier (harder) than the other. .

  For example, there is provided variable resistance generating means (for example, a return) that generates a resistance that prevents the switching at the time of switching from the first state to the second state and does not prevent the switching at the time of switching from the second state to the first state. Thus, an unbalanced type gaming machine that places importance on the first state can be configured.

  (3) The technical idea of making the advantageous state and the disadvantageous state multistage as shown in the fourth embodiment is not realized only in the sliding movable body 531. For example, the same technical idea can be applied to the rotary movable body 331 shown in the first embodiment. In other words, in the first embodiment, even if the game ball reaches the advantageous side in the first state, it is not advantageous to the game ball. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the advantage increases stepwise according to the number of game balls that have reached. A specific example will be described below with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  In the distribution mechanism 330A shown in FIG. 30A, the case where the movable body 331 is in a right-down state advantageous to the player is illustrated. The movable body 331 can be switched between a first inclined state indicated by a one-dot chain line, a second inclined state indicated by a two-dot chain line, and a third inclined state indicated by a solid line. The third inclined state is the same as the first state shown in the first embodiment.

  In the second inclined state, the convex portion 339bA formed on the base body 335A is caught in the concave portion formed on the side surface portion of the movable body 331, so that the state is maintained. Similarly, in the first inclined state, the concave portion of the movable body 331 is maintained in that state by being caught by the convex portion 339aA formed in the base body 335A. The convex portions 339aA and 339bA are elastically deformable, and are configured to release the above-described catch when a predetermined force is applied to the movable body 331.

  When the movable body 331 is in the second state, when the game ball collides with a portion of the movable body 331 that is on the right side of the rotation center, the movable body 331 is rotated by the collision. As a result, the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA of the movable body 331 are hooked and become the first inclined state. In this state, when the game ball further collides with a portion on the right side of the rotation center, the collision between the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA is released by the collision, and the movable body 331 rotates clockwise. And it will be in a 2nd inclination state by the recessed part and convex part 339bA of the movable body 331 being hooked. In this state, when the game ball further collides with a portion on the right side of the rotation center, the catch between the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA is released, and the movable body 331 rotates clockwise. Since the rotation of the movable body 331 is blocked by the first stopper 337, the movable body 331 is in the third inclined state. That is, at least three game balls collide with a portion on the right side of the center of rotation in the movable body 331 until the second state is switched to the first inclined state → the second inclined state → the third inclined state. (It is necessary to enter the first entrance 321).

  On the other hand, in the case of returning from the third inclined state to the second state, it is necessary for the three game balls to collide with a portion on the left side of the rotation center in the movable body 331. However, in this case, the posture of the movable body 331 changes in the order of the third inclined state → the second inclined state → the first inclined state, but the game ball that has collided has no relation to the collision position and the first entrance 321. Will be guided to.

  According to such a configuration, once an advantageous state is obtained, the state is easily maintained, and even when the state is disadvantageous, the state is easily maintained. Thereby, the sharpness of the game mentioned above can be strengthened.

  Note that it is not always necessary that the advantageous side and the disadvantageous side have the same configuration, and a plurality of stages may be set only on the advantageous side. However, in such a configuration, since the bias toward the advantageous side is increased, it is preferable to separately provide a configuration for returning to the original state. For example, instead of using a game ball as a power source, it is also possible to use an actuator provided separately. When the high probability mode falls to the low probability mode, the actuator may be operated to return the movable body to a predetermined state (for example, the first inclined state, the second inclined state, or the second state). The predetermined position can be determined by lottery (for example, lottery triggered by entering the operation port, the first entrance, the second entrance, etc.) from among a plurality of set positions. .

  (4) In the first embodiment and the like, the movable body 331 constituting the “guide means” is formed in a flat plate shape, and the left and right weight balance of the movable body 331 is 1: 1 with respect to the rotation center. And the width dimension on the right side of the rotation center axis line CL and the width dimension on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL on the ball receiving surface 333 are the same. Although the entrance probability and the entrance probability to the second entrance 322 are configured to be the same, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. By providing a difference between the width dimension on the right side of the rotation center axis CL on the ball receiving surface 333 and the width dimension on the left side of the rotation center axis CL, the probability of occurrence of entering the first entrance 321 is increased. You may make the entrance probability to the 2nd entrance 322 different.

  For example, as shown in the distribution mechanism 330B of FIG. 30B, if the thickness of the movable body 331B is made different between the left and right, the left and right weight balance changes and the position of the center of gravity GP changes. Thereby, the width dimension on the right side of the rotation center axis line CL and the width dimension on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL on the ball receiving surface 333 are equalized with the force required for switching to the first state and the second state. It is possible to give a difference to.

  In FIG. 30B, the thickness dimension H1, of the movable body 331 is such that the position of the rotation center axis CL (position of the center of gravity GP) is located on the left side with respect to the center position ML of the stage portion 340. H2 was differentiated on the left and right. As a result, the first state is more likely to be compared with the second state, but the reverse is the opposite, and the second state is more likely to be compared with the first state. May be.

  (5) The center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 does not have to be positioned on the rotation center axis CL. In this case, it is preferable to provide a separate means for maintaining the movable body 331 in the first state and the second state. For example, as shown in the distribution mechanism 330C in FIG. 30C, the structure may be maintained in the first state and the second state by holding means such as a magnet. In addition, about the movable body 331C shown in FIG.30 (c), at least the part which contact | connects the 1st stopper 337C and the 2nd stopper 338C is comprised with the magnetic body.

  In the first state shown in FIG. 30 (c1), the force applied to the movable body 331 due to the game ball colliding with the second specific region F exceeds the magnetic force of the first magnet 337aC embedded in the first stopper 337C. Thus, the first state is switched to the second state. In the second state shown in FIG. 30 (c2), the force applied to the movable body 331 due to the game ball colliding with the first specific region S exceeds the magnetic force of the second magnet 338aC embedded in the second stopper 338C. Thus, the second state is switched to the first state.

  When the center of gravity GP and the rotation center axis line CL are shifted, the shape of the movable body 331C may be changed as shown in the above modification, or the movable body 331C as shown in FIG. 30 (c). A weight WT may be added to.

  (6) In each of the above-described embodiments, the game ball dropping position with respect to the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 is diversified by the stage unit 340 as the “ball passage unit”, but the game ball falling position can be diversified. In this case, a so-called croon or the like in which a plurality of through holes are formed in a plate-shaped (dish-shaped) rotating body may be used. However, it is possible to suitably suppress the monotonous movement of the game ball by adopting a configuration in which the falling direction of the game ball is varied and the subsequent behavior changes depending on the drop direction even at the same collision position. In view of the above, it is preferable that the game ball is configured to be able to fall with its movement while swinging as shown in the above embodiment.

  (7) In each of the above embodiments, the game ball is dropped from the stage unit 340 as the “ball passage unit” and collides with the movable body 331 as the “guide means”, and the kinetic energy of the game ball is used. The movable body 331 is configured to rotate, but it is sufficient that the movable body 331 has a configuration in which the state is changed by receiving a game ball (using the weight of the game ball). In other words, the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 can be rotated by the weight (potential energy) of the game ball by placing it on the movable body 331.

  (8) In the first to third embodiments, the bearing hole 332 is provided in the movable body 331 and the shaft portion 336 is provided in the base body 335 as “support means”. Thus, it is also possible to reverse the arrangement object of the bearing hole and the shaft portion.

  In particular, in order to embody the technical idea shown in the third embodiment, it is preferable that the bearing hole 336D formed in the base body 335D extends horizontally. As a result, as shown in FIG. 31 (a) → FIG. 31 (b) and FIG. 31 (c) → FIG. 31 (d), the movable body 331D uses its own weight to change its position as the posture of the movable body 331D changes. The structure to change will be implement | achieved suitably.

  (9) In the third embodiment, the relationship between the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 and the support position by the base body 435 as the “support means” by moving the movable body 431 as the “ball receiving portion”. However, if the positional relationship between the center of gravity and the support position is changed, the moving object can be a base body. However, in such a configuration, it becomes difficult to use the force caused by the collision of the game ball for the movement of the base body while securing the support function. Such a configuration tends to be complicated. Further, when the distance between the movable body 431 (ball receiving surface 433) and the stage unit 340 is increased in order to compensate for the power loss described above, the durability of the sorting mechanism 330 is improved and the visibility of the game ball is improved. It becomes difficult to realize. For the above reasons, it is preferable that the “ball receiving portion”, not the “support means”, be movable.

  (10) As shown in the fourth embodiment, the movable body 531 as the “ball receiving portion” is not limited to the above-described configuration when the movable body 531 is slidable. For example, when the idea is applied to the first embodiment, the bottom 301a of the housing 301 is flattened, and the movable body is arranged on the top thereof so as to be slidable left and right. On the upper surface (ball receiving surface) of the movable body, a first inclined surface that descends toward the first entrance, with a portion that is an intermediate position in the juxtaposed direction of the first entrance and the second entrance, A second inclined surface is provided to the second entrance, and the game ball is guided to the first entrance when the game ball collides with the first slope, and the same is obtained when the game ball collides with the second entrance. The game ball is guided to the second entrance. And if it is set as the structure which displaces to the opposite side to the reflection direction of a game ball when a game ball collides with each inclined surface, the bias mentioned above can be produced with a simple structure.

  (11) In the second embodiment, the configuration is such that rounds are continued, but a configuration in which the number of rounds to be continued may be stocked. Specifically, a lottery round is set up to a predetermined number of rounds, and after the predetermined number of rounds are finished, the remaining round games are executed according to the number of winnings to the first entrance 321 in the lottery round. It is also possible. For example, in the case of a maximum of 10R, the first to fifth rounds shall be lottery rounds, and if the number of game balls won to the first entrance 321 in these lottery rounds is M + M rounds Is also possible.

  In addition, it is not always necessary to have a one-to-one correspondence between the number of winnings at the first entrance 321 and the number of rounds to be added, and a plurality of rounds are added by entering the first entrance 321. It is good also as a structure to be. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the number of rounds added by entering the second entrance 322 is reduced. When combining these two modifications, the number of rounds added by entering the first entrance 321 is M1, and the number of rounds reduced by entering the second entrance 322 is M2, M1 > M2 can contribute to further enhancement of interest.

  (12) In each of the above embodiments, the game ball guided to the specific area SE is restricted by the passage switching member 311 constituting the “restricting means”. However, the game ball won in the right variable prize winning device 83 Of these, the configuration for guiding only a specific game ball to the specific area SE is arbitrary.

  For example, a movable stopper is provided in the middle of the first downstream passage 306, and N−1 games (9 in the above embodiment), which is one less than the prescribed number N in the first downstream passage 306, are provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a guide passage through which the following (tenth) game balls move to the second downstream passage 307 is formed by collecting the balls. According to such a configuration, since the passage is formed using the winning game balls, it is possible to suitably suppress the passage switching timing from becoming severe.

  (13) In each of the above-described embodiments, the Nth (last) game ball is guided to the specific area SE when the number of winnings to the right variable winning device 83 reaches the specified number N. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for guiding the first game ball.

  If there is a limit (upper limit) on the number of balls entered into the right variable winning device 83 and the period during which the balls are allowed to enter, the first game ball that has entered the right variable winning device 83 is sent to the specific area SE. By adopting the configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the loss of the chance of the lottery for the first entrance 321 / second entrance 322 due to the occurrence of so-called puncture or the like.

  (14) In each of the above-described embodiments, a game is given to a player when one game ball enters the first entrance 321. However, this is changed as follows. Also good. That is, a plurality (preferably odd numbers) of the game balls won in the right variable prize winning device 83 are guided to the specific area SE, and among the game balls that have reached the specific area SE, the games that have entered the first entrance 321 It is good also as a structure which determines whether the privilege provision is possible based on the number of balls and the number of game balls that have entered the second entrance 322 (for example, by comparison).

  For example, the configuration may be such that the specification is given when the number of entrances to the first entrance 321 exceeds the number of entrances to the second entrance 322. In such a configuration, when the number of balls entered into the first entrance 321 exceeds the number of entrances into the second entrance 322, the game ball is intentionally launched toward the right variable prize winning device 83. By stopping, a new gameability is added that declines the privilege that should be originally obtained in the round and advances the subsequent game advantageously.

  (15) Using the first entrance 321 as the “first entrance” and the second entrance 322 as the “second entrance”, the lottery for the high probability mode and the round continuation is performed. Although it was set as the structure, it is sufficient for these entrances 321 and 322 to set a difference between superiority and inferiority.

  For example, a first specific number of prize balls are paid out when a ball enters the first ball slot 321 and a second specific number when a ball enters the second ball slot 322. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the prize balls are paid out. In this case, the number of game balls that can be acquired by the player increases as the number of balls entering the first entrance 321 increases.

  In such a configuration, instead of a configuration in which a specific game ball is allowed to reach the specific area SE, for example, all the game balls that have entered the right variable winning device 83 reach the specific area SE. By doing so, it can contribute to the improvement of the interest of the game.

  (16) Switching means for switching the movable body 331 to one of a first state, a second state, and a state (intermediate state) between both states when a predetermined condition such as the end of the opening / closing execution mode is satisfied It is also possible to provide. For example, it may be configured to return to the intermediate state triggered by the fall from the high probability mode to the low probability mode. Thereby, continuation of a game can be encouraged suitably.

  (17) In the second embodiment, when the game is shifted to the lottery round, the release target is switched from the lower variable winning device 82 to the right variable winning device 83. However, the right side is also used in rounds other than the lottery round. It is also possible to make the variable winning device 83 open.

  In this case, in each round other than the lottery round, all the game balls won in the right variable prize winning device 83 may be discharged from the right variable prize winning device 83 via the first downstream passage 306, or the lottery round In each of the other rounds, a part or all of the game balls won in the right variable winning device 83 may be discharged from the right variable winning device 83 via the first downstream passage 306.

  When the latter modification is adopted, the lottery relating to the first entrance 321 and the second entrance 322 may be invalidated except in the lottery round. According to such a configuration, for example, when the game is already in an advantageous state in the round before the shift to the lottery round (the fourth round in the above embodiment), the number of winnings of the game ball reaches the upper limit. By stopping before and shifting to the next lottery round in that state, there is a possibility that more benefits can be enjoyed. In other words, there is a possibility that a large profit can be acquired first by missing the immediate profit. Thereby, the strategy of a game can be improved and it can contribute to the further interest improvement.

  (18) In each of the above embodiments, the movable body 331 is forcibly set to the first state by turning on the power switch 247 while pressing the reset switch 166. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. When the reset switch 166 is operated, the movable body 331 can be forcibly set to the first state regardless of the ON / OFF switching of the power source. Similarly, regardless of the operation of the reset switch 166, the movable body 331 may be forcibly set to the first state when the power switch is turned on.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the state switching drive unit is arranged on the right side and the state switching drive unit operates to forcibly enter the second state. In this case, the trigger may be any of the ON operation of the power switch 247, the operation of the reset switch 166, and the operation of both the switches 166 and 247.

  The “driving unit” for forcibly switching the state of the movable body 331 is not necessarily a solenoid, and may be a motor connected to a rotating shaft.

  (19) In the above embodiment, the right variable prize winning device 83 is employed as the “ball entering device”, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also considering the operation | movement entrance unit provided with the 2 operation | movement entrance parts which have a common entrance part as an entrance device. In other words, the game ball that has entered the entrance portion can be guided to one of the detection parts applied to each of the actuated balls by the guiding means. For example, it is possible to cause a bias in the advantageous / disadvantageous flow by setting one of the working balls to be more advantageous than the other working ball in lottery or the like.

  (20) In each of the above-described embodiments, the front surface portion 301e constituting the housing 301 of the right variable prize winning device 83 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the specific region SE (specifically, each of the entrances 421, 422, vibrations) The minute mechanism 430, the stage unit 440, etc.) are visible from the front of the gaming machine, but the specific area SE does not necessarily need to be visible.

  (21) In a configuration in which game balls are supplied to the distribution mechanism 330 through the outflow portion 345 formed in the stage portion 340, a plurality of guide grooves 342 are formed on the rolling surface 341, thereby causing unevenness in the outflow location. It was set as the structure made to do. That is, the game ball is allowed to flow out from between the guide grooves 342 while promoting the flow of the game balls through the guide grooves 342. This can be modified as follows. In other words, the outflow portion of the game ball can be limited by dividing (dividing) the outflow portion 345 into a plurality of portions by a partition portion (wall portion or the like). For example, a partition portion may be provided between the guide grooves 342a to 342c so that the game balls cannot flow out from other than the guide grooves 342a to 342c.

  (22) Forced switching of the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) to the first state and the second state when the power switch 247 of the pachinko machine 10 is operated and when the reset switch 166 is operated Aspects may be different. For example, when the power switch 247 is turned on, the sorting mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state, and when the reset switch 166 is turned on, the sorting mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state. A configuration with two states may be adopted. When the power switch 247 is turned on, the sorting mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state, and when the reset switch 166 is turned on, the sorting mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state. It is good also as a structure made into 1 state.

  As a means for forcibly switching the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) between the first state and the second state, an access path (for example, a work opening) that allows an operator such as a hall manager to access the distribution mechanism 330. Etc.) may be secured. By directly operating the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) via the access path, the distribution mechanism 330 can be switched according to the situation or the like. Thereby, it can contribute to improvement of a worker's convenience etc. Note that it is sufficient to have at least one of the two functions of the forced switching function based on the electrical configuration described above and the forced switching function based on the assumption that the distribution mechanism 330 is directly touched. In order to realize the above, it is preferable to adopt a configuration having both of these two functions.

  (23) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above-described embodiments, such as pachinko machines that release a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or games in a specific area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that generates a big hit when a ball enters, a pachinko machine equipped with another accessory, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and the like.

<Invention Group Extracted from Each Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

  The following feature group is “A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is provided with a game board in which a game area where a game ball flows down is formed. A game ball is played based on a player's launch operation. When the launched game ball enters a ball-entry unit provided in the game area, a privilege such as payout of the game ball is given to the player based on the game ball.

  In gaming machines in which the provision of benefits depends on the movement of game balls in this way, game parts such as nails and windmills are arranged in the game area to distribute the flow paths of the game balls, In some cases, the degree of attention to the movement of the game ball, and hence the degree of attention to the game, is increased by diversifying the movement of the game (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As for the background art, “However, there is still room for improvement in the structure in order to improve the degree of attention to the game by the movement of the game ball”. .

Features 1. A game board (game board 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
A ball entry device (right variable prize winning device 83) capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The entrance device is
A first entrance (first entrance 321) and a second entrance (second entrance 322) that is more advantageous to the player than the first entrance;
A first state in which the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion of the entrance device is easier to guide to the first entrance portion than the second entrance portion, and the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion is the first entrance ball. A guide means (for example, a distribution mechanism 330) that can be switched to a second state that is easier to guide to the second entrance than the part.
The gaming machine is configured to receive the game ball and switch to the first state and the second state when the game ball reaches the guide unit.

  According to the feature 1, the game ball entering the ball entry device enters the first ball entry part or the second ball entry part through the guide means. The guide means switches to the first state / second state upon receiving the game ball (specifically, by the force hit by the game ball and received from the game ball). In other words, the guidance mode of the subsequent game ball changes depending on the game ball guided earlier. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the influence of the first game ball reaches the subsequent game ball, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the previous and next game balls and to cause a flow in the game It becomes. Thereby, it can contribute to the improvement of the attention degree to a game.

  The “guidance means” may be configured so that the player can visually confirm the state. With such a configuration, for example, the player can be prompted to determine whether or not to play a game by referring to the state of the guide means, and the strategy of the game can be improved suitably.

  Feature 2. The guide means is maintained in a state in which a game ball reaches the guide means when the guide means is in one of the first state and the second state, rather than switching to the other state. The gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be easily played.

  According to the feature 2, it can suppress that the state of a guidance means changes frequently whenever a game ball reaches | attains. Thereby, a state advantageous to the player is continued, or a state disadvantageous to the player is continued, so that the flow of the game can be given clarity. Therefore, it can suppress suitably that a game becomes monotonous.

  In addition, by giving such sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relevance between the enjoyment of pursuing the movement of the original game ball and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game Can contribute to improvement.

  In addition, this feature is that “the guide means is more effective than the first state when the game ball reaches the guide means when the guide means is in the first state. When the game ball arrives at the guide means in a situation where the guide means is in the second state, it is likely to remain in the second state rather than switching to the first state. It may be a gaming machine according to Feature 1, which has a configuration. According to this configuration, it becomes easy to maintain that state after becoming advantageous to the player, and it is easy to maintain that state even after becoming unfavorable. As a result, it is possible to give an advantage / disadvantage to the game, and the monotonization of the game can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature 3. The guide means enters the first state when a game ball that has reached the guide means moves toward the first entrance, and the game ball that has reached the guide means faces the second entrance. 3. The gaming machine according to Feature 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in the second state by moving in a moving manner.

  According to the above configuration, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the first entrance portion, the game ball that has reached the guide means next easily enters the first entrance portion. The chain of the first state → the entrance to the first entrance part → the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the second entrance portion, the game ball that has reached the guide means next easily enters the second entrance portion, and the second state → Entering the second entrance part → A second state chain occurs. In this way, by giving sharpness to the flow of the game (advantage / disadvantage), it is possible to suitably suppress the game from becoming monotonous.

  Feature 4. The guide means is switched to either the first state or the second state by being pushed by a game ball that has reached the guide means and changing the position or posture of the guide means. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 3.

  If the configuration is such that the position or posture of the guide means changes when pushed by the game ball reaching the guide means, the game ball is directly involved in the change in state of the guide means. As described above, by using the weight of the game ball or the like, it is possible to prevent the configuration from becoming excessively complicated in order to enjoy the effect shown in the feature 1.

  In particular, in a configuration in which a function of forming a guide passage is added to the guide means, it is preferable that the guide means and the game ball to be guided are visible. With such a configuration, it is easy to follow the movement of the game ball with the eyes, and the above-described effect of improving attention can be suitably exhibited.

Feature 5. The guide means is disposed between the first and second ball entrance parts,
In the first state, the guide means forms a guide passage that descends to the first ball-entry portion by tilting toward the first ball-entry portion, and in the second state, 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a guide passage that descends toward the second entrance portion is formed by tilting toward the second entrance.

  By moving the game ball along the guide path formed by the guide means, the period during which the game ball acts on the guide means (the period during which the weight of the game ball is added) is lengthened, and the state switching function and state A maintenance function can be exhibited suitably. In addition, the said structure is advantageous also in suppressing disorder (for example, shaking) of the attitude | position of a guide means.

Feature 6 The guiding means includes
A ball receiving portion (movable body 331) having a receiving surface (ball receiving surface 333) for receiving the game ball reaching the guide means, and forming the guide passage by the receiving surface;
Support means (base body 335) for rotatably supporting the ball receiving portion,
The ball receiving portion and the support means are arranged such that the center of gravity of the guide means is more than the first support portion by the support means due to a change in the attitude of the guide means accompanying the switching from the second state to the first state. Either the guide means or the support means is displaced so as to be on the entrance side, and the center of gravity position of the guide means is changed by the change in the attitude of the guide means accompanying the switching from the first state to the second state. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein any one of the guide means and the support means is displaced so as to be closer to the second ball entry portion than the support portion.

  By changing the relative position between the center of gravity and the support portion by switching the state of the guide means, the function of maintaining the first state / second state (bias generation function) using the weight of the guide means, that is, the above-described chain function Can be suitably exhibited.

Feature 7. A shaft portion (for example, a shaft portion 336) provided on one of the ball receiving portion and the support means, and a bearing portion (for example, movable) provided on the other of the ball receiving portion and the support means and engaged with the shaft portion. The ball receiving portion is supported by the support means by the engagement between the bearing portion and the shaft portion,
The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the bearing portion has a bearing hole (bearing hole 332) extending in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the shaft portion.

  According to the feature 7, with a simple configuration, it is possible to suitably exhibit the rotation / support function and the gravity center moving function of the guide means (ball receiving portion).

  Feature 8 The bearing hole is provided in the ball receiving portion, and the ball receiving portion is formed so as to straddle the center of gravity of the ball receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft portion. The gaming machine according to Feature 7.

  In the configuration in which the guide means has a ball receiving portion, by providing a bearing hole in the ball receiving portion on which the game ball directly acts, the support function of the ball receiving portion by the support means is ensured, and the first state / second state is secured. Switching can be performed smoothly. In this case, by forming the bearing portion so as to straddle the center of gravity of the ball receiving portion, the weight of the ball receiving portion can be used well for the occurrence of the above-described bias.

  For example, in order to change the positional relationship between the gravity center position of the ball receiving portion and the support portion, the support means can be movable. However, with such a configuration, it becomes difficult to use the position / kinetic energy of the game ball as a power source for switching without waste, and it becomes difficult to ensure durability. The former can be dealt with by increasing the falling distance of the game ball, but this hinders the improvement of durability. Therefore, “the position of the center of gravity of the guide means is closer to the first entrance part than the support portion by the support means due to the change in the attitude of the guide means accompanying the switching from the second state to the first state. The guide means is displaced to a position where the center of gravity of the guide means changes from the support portion to the second entrance portion side by a change in the posture of the guide means accompanying the switching from the first state to the second state. If the configuration is such that the guide means is displaced, the occurrence of these various inconveniences can be suitably suppressed.

Feature 9 The ball entry device has a ball passage portion (stage portion 340) provided between the entrance portion (right large winning opening 83a) of the ball entry device and the guide means,
The ball passage portion is located above the guide means, and the game ball that has reached the ball passage portion is closer to the first ball entrance portion than the rotation center portion of the guide means in the ball receiving portion. It is formed so as to fall toward a predetermined range including the position and the position closer to the second entrance part than the rotation center part,
The ball entry device is configured such that a game ball passing through the ball passage portion, the ball receiving portion, and a game ball reaching the ball receiving portion can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to any one of features 6 to 8.

  By diversifying the drop position, it is possible to suppress the end of the game ball from being easily predicted at the time of the fall of the game ball, and to draw attention to the behavior of the game ball and the guide means after the fall.

  Moreover, the momentum of the game ball can be transmitted to the guide means without waste due to the fall of the game ball → the collision with the ball receiving portion, and the mechanism for operating the guide means can be simplified.

  In particular, in the combination with the feature 8, it is not necessary to unnecessarily increase the falling distance of the game ball, and the ball passing portion and the guide means (ball receiving portion) can be brought close to each other. In this way, it is easy to follow the movement of the game ball with the eyes by suppressing the separation of the parts to be noted.

Feature 10 The ball passage portion has a concave surface portion (rolling surface 341) in which a game ball that has reached the ball passage portion can swing in the juxtaposition direction of the both incoming ball portions,
The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the concave surface portion is inclined downward toward the guide means.

  According to the above configuration, the game ball that has reached the ball passage portion swings on the concave surface portion of the ball passage portion, and then falls toward the guide means (ball receiving portion). Here, according to the configuration shown in this feature, the game ball can fall not only in the vertical direction but also in the oblique direction. Even when the game ball falls to the same position, the behavior of the subsequent game ball varies depending on the direction of the fall, and the movement of the game ball can be diversified. Thereby, it is difficult to predict the guidance mode by the guidance means at the timing before the game ball reaches the guidance means (specifically, the timing when the game ball flows out from the ball passage portion). This is a preferable configuration in order to prevent the attention to the game from being quickly reduced before the guidance is actually performed.

Feature 11. A starting entrance part (actuating port 84, 85) provided on the gaming board and capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area;
Information acquisition means (a function for executing a winning process in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for acquiring special information based on the game ball entering the start pitching section;
Grant determination means (function for executing a lottery process in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for determining whether the special information acquired by the information acquisition means corresponds to predetermined grant information;
Special game state transition means (game state in MPU 602 of main control device 162) that shifts the game state to a special game state advantageous to the player based on the result of the grant determination by the grant determination means Function to execute the migration process)
The ball entry device is configured to allow entry of game balls based on the transition to the special game state,
A first gaming state and a second gaming state in which the result of the grant determination by the grant determining means is more likely to be the grant correspondence result than the first gaming state,
The gaming state is changed to the first gaming state based on the gaming ball that has entered the ball entry device entering the first ball entry unit, and the game ball that has entered the ball entry device is directed to the second ball entry unit. 11. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 10, further comprising means for changing the gaming state to the second gaming state based on entering the ball.

  By applying the technical idea shown in the feature 1 or the like to the above configuration, it is possible to generate a bias in the gaming state in an advantageous state and a disadvantageous state. For example, when a ball enters the first ball game part in the previous special game state, it becomes easy to shift to the next special game state, and even in the next special game state, the first ball game part is entered. When the expectation of entering the ball increases and a ball enters the second ball-in part in the previous special game state, it becomes difficult to shift to the next special game state, and in the next special game state However, the expectation degree of entering the second entrance portion is lowered. Thereby, it can suppress that a game becomes monotonous and can give a game sharpness.

  In particular, giving this sharpness from a structural aspect makes it possible to reinforce the relevance between the enjoyment of following the movement of a game machine's original game ball and the flow of the game, and attracting attention to the game. It can improve suitably.

Feature 12. A starting entrance part (actuating port 84, 85) provided on the gaming board and capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area;
Information acquisition means (a function for executing a winning process in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for acquiring special information based on the game ball entering the start pitching section;
Grant determination means (function for executing a lottery process in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for determining whether the special information acquired by the information acquisition means corresponds to predetermined grant information;
Based on the result of the grant determination by the grant determination means, the game state transition means (the game state transition in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162) for shifting to a round game state that is more advantageous to the player than usual Function to execute processing)
The entrance device is configured to allow entry of game balls based on the transition to the round game state,
In the situation where the game is in the round game state, when a ball enters the first ball entry part, a means for continuing the round game, and when a ball enters the second ball entry part The game machine according to any one of features 1 to 10, further comprising means for ending the round game.

  In a gaming machine of a type that transitions to a round gaming state (for example, a gaming state in which the entry device switches to a specific state and a non-specific state where entry is more difficult than the specific state), the round game is The game can become monotonous by being digested indifferently. In this regard, by applying the technical idea shown in the feature 1 or the like to the above configuration, it is possible to generate a bias in the number of round games that can be acquired. For example, when the first round game is entered into the first ball game part, the round game is continued, and in the next round game, the expected degree of entry to the first ball game part is also expected. Will increase. That is, when the round game is continued, a bonus is given to the player. On the other hand, when the entrance to the second entrance part has occurred in the previous round game, the round game state ends. Thereby, it can suppress that a round game becomes monotonous and can give a sharpness to a game.

  In addition, in a configuration that gives such sharpness from a structural aspect, for example, by configuring so that “the ball receiving portion and the game ball that has reached the ball receiving portion can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine” It becomes possible to strengthen the relevance between the enjoyment of following the movement of the original game ball with the eye and the flow of the game, and it is possible to suitably improve the degree of attention to the game.

Feature 13. The ball entry device is configured so that the ball receiving portion and the game ball that has reached the ball receiving portion can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine,
Further, the pitching device is provided between the entrance portion of the pitching device and the guiding means, and restricting means (path switching member 311 or main control device) for regulating the number of game balls reaching the guiding means. 162. The gaming machine according to Feature 11 or 12, wherein the gaming machine has 162 MPUs 602).

  As shown in the feature 11 and the like, in a configuration in which the subsequent development greatly depends on whether or not the game ball enters the first entrance part, a large amount of game balls reach the guide means, It becomes difficult to grasp the movement. This tends to be a hindrance in enhancing the degree of attention by strengthening the relationship between the movement of the game ball and the movement of the guide means. Therefore, if the number of game balls that reach the guide means is restricted as shown in this feature, such inconvenience can be avoided.

  In addition, when there is a limit (upper limit) on the number of balls entered into the pitching device and the period during which the pitching is allowed, the first game ball that has entered the pitching device is sent to the guide means. By this, it can suppress suitably that the opportunity of distribution lottery concerning the 1st entrance part / 2nd entrance part by loss of what is called puncture etc. is lost.

  Similarly, if there is a limit (upper limit) on the number of entrances to the entrance device and the period during which entry is permitted, the game balls that have reached the upper limit among the game balls that have entered the entrance device are displayed. If it is set as the structure sent to a guidance means, it will be the execution conditions of the above-mentioned distribution lottery that the number of entering balls reaches an upper limit. For this reason, the player plays the game while expecting the number of entered balls to reach the upper limit within the period. Therefore, monotonization of the game can be suitably suppressed.

Feature 14. A game board (game board 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
A ball entry device (right variable prize winning device 83) capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The entrance device is
A first entrance (first entrance 321) and a second entrance (second entrance 322) that is more advantageous to the player than the first entrance;
A first state in which the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion of the entrance device is easier to guide to the first entrance portion than the second entrance portion, and the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion is the first entrance ball. A guide means (for example, a distribution mechanism 330) that can be switched to a second state that is easier to guide to the second entrance than the part.
When the entrance to the first entrance portion occurs, the guide means enters the first state by the movement of the game ball associated therewith, and when the entrance to the second entrance portion occurs. A gaming machine configured to be in a second state by a movement of a game ball associated therewith.

  According to the above configuration, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the first entrance portion, the game ball that has reached the guide means next easily enters the first entrance portion. The chain of the first state → the entrance to the first entrance part → the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the second entrance portion, the game ball that has reached the guide means next easily enters the second entrance portion, and the second state → Second incoming part → Second state chain occurs. In this way, by giving sharpness to the flow of the game (advantage / disadvantage), it is possible to suitably suppress the game from becoming monotonous.

Feature 15. A game board (game board 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
A ball entry device (right variable prize winning device 83) capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The entrance device is
A first entrance (first entrance 321) and a second entrance (second entrance 322) that is more advantageous to the player than the first entrance;
A first state in which the game ball has a rolling surface (ball receiving surface 333) on which the game ball rolls, the rolling surface inclines toward the first ball entrance portion, and the rolling surface is the second ball entrance portion. A movable body (for example, movable body 331) that can be switched to the second state inclined toward the
The movable body is configured to switch between the first state and the second state by receiving and turning the game ball when the game ball reaches the rolling surface. A gaming machine.

  According to the feature 15, the game ball that has entered the ball entry device enters the first ball entry part or the second ball entry part via the movable body (rolling surface). The movable body receives the game ball (specifically, due to the force that the game ball hits and receives from the game ball, etc.) and switches to the first state / second state. In other words, the guidance mode of the subsequent game ball changes depending on the game ball guided earlier. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the influence of the first game ball reaches the subsequent game ball, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the previous and next game balls and to cause a flow in the game It becomes. Thereby, it can contribute to the improvement of the attention degree to a game.

  The “movable body” may be configured so that the player can visually confirm the state. With such a configuration, for example, the player can be prompted to determine whether or not to play a game by referring to the state of the guide means, and the strategy of the game can be improved suitably.

  Feature 16. 16. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the rolling surface extends so as to straddle a rotation center portion of the movable body.

  According to the feature 16, it is possible to prevent the operation area of the movable body from becoming unnecessarily large while securing the switching function shown in the feature 15. Thereby, size reduction of a ball entry device can be promoted and restrictions concerning arrangement of the ball entry device can be suppressed. For example, an intermediate portion of the movable body (a portion between both end portions of the movable body in the rotation direction) may be pivotally supported.

Feature 17. A supply unit that is located above the movable body and that supplies the game ball to the movable body by dropping the game ball that has flowed into the ball entering device toward the rolling surface;
The movable body is pivotally supported so that a rotation center axis of the movable body extends in a direction intersecting with a falling direction of the game ball from the supply unit. Game machines.

  According to the feature 17, the weight of the game ball can be suitably applied as a power source that changes the posture of the movable body.

  Feature 18. When the movable body reaches the movable body when the movable body is in one of the first state and the second state, the movable body is maintained as it is rather than switching to the other state. The gaming machine according to any one of features 15 to 17, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be easily played.

  According to the feature 18, it can suppress that the state of a movable body changes frequently whenever a game ball reaches | attains. Thereby, a state advantageous to the player is continued, or a state disadvantageous to the player is continued, so that the flow of the game can be given clarity. Therefore, it can suppress suitably that a game becomes monotonous.

  In addition, by giving such sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relevance between the enjoyment of pursuing the movement of the original game ball and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game Can contribute to improvement.

  The feature is that “the movable body has the first state rather than switching to the second state when a game ball reaches the movable body in a state where the movable body is in the first state. When the game ball reaches the movable body in a state where the movable body is in the second state, the second state is more likely to remain than the first state. The gaming machine according to any one of features 15 to 17 characterized by having a configuration. " According to this configuration, it becomes easy to maintain that state after becoming advantageous to the player, and it is easy to maintain that state even after becoming unfavorable. As a result, it is possible to give an advantage / disadvantage to the game, and the monotonization of the game can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature 19. The movable body is in the first state when the game ball that has reached the movable body moves toward the first entrance, and the game ball that has reached the movable body is directed toward the second entrance. The gaming machine according to any one of the features 15 to 18, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in the second state by moving in a moving manner.

  According to the above configuration, when a game ball that has reached the movable body first enters the first ball entry section, the game ball that has reached the movable body next easily enters the first ball entry section. The chain of the first state → the entrance to the first entrance part → the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the movable body first enters the second entrance portion, the game ball that has reached the movable body next easily enters the second entrance portion, and the second state → Entering the second entrance part → A second state chain occurs. In this way, by giving sharpness to the flow of the game (advantage / disadvantage), it is possible to suitably suppress the game from becoming monotonous.

  The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which the above features can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operating means (game ball launching handle 41) operated by the player, game ball launching means (solenoid 111 of the game ball launching mechanism 110) for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operating means, A ball passage (guide rail 100) for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and each game component (such as a nail 90) arranged in the game region, and a predetermined passing portion of each game component A gaming machine that gives a privilege to a player when a game ball passes through (the operation ports 84, 85, etc.).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 80 ... Game board unit, 80a ... Game board, 83 ... Right-side variable winning device as a ball entry device, 162 ... Main control device, 301 ... Housing, 303 ... Ball passage, 304 ... Detection Sensor, 306 ... 1st downstream side passage, 307 ... 2nd downstream side passage, 311 ... Passage switching member, 312 ... Drive part for passage switching, 321 ... 1st entrance port as 1st entrance part, 322 ... 1st 2nd entrance as a 2 entrance part, 330 ... Distributing mechanism as a guide means, 331 ... Movable part as a ball receiving part, 332 ... Bearing hole, 333 ... Ball receiving surface, 335 ... As a support means Base body, 336 ... shaft portion, 337 ... first stopper, 338 ... second stopper, 340 ... stage portion, 341 ... rolling surface, 602 ... MPU, CL ... rotation center axis, GP ... center of gravity, PE ... game area , SE ... specific territory .

Claims (8)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A ball entry device capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The entrance device is
A first pitching portion and a second pitching portion that is more advantageous to the player than the first pitching portion;
A first state in which the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion of the entrance device is easier to guide to the first entrance portion than the second entrance portion, and the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion is the first entrance ball. A guide means that can be switched to a second state that is easier to guide to the second entrance than the part,
The gaming machine is configured to receive the game ball and switch to the first state and the second state when the game ball reaches the guide unit.   The guide means is maintained in a state in which a game ball reaches the guide means when the guide means is in one of the first state and the second state, rather than switching to the other state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is easily configured.   The guide means enters the first state when a game ball that has reached the guide means moves toward the first entrance, and the game ball that has reached the guide means faces the second entrance. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in the second state by moving in a row.   The guide means is switched to either the first state or the second state by being pushed by a game ball that has reached the guide means and changing the position or posture of the guide means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The guide means is disposed between the first and second ball entrance parts,
In the first state, the guide means forms a guide passage that descends to the first ball-entry portion by tilting toward the first ball-entry portion, and in the second state, The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a guide passage that descends toward the second entrance portion is formed by tilting toward the second entrance. The guiding means includes
A ball receiving portion having a receiving surface for receiving the game ball reaching the guide means, and forming the guide passage by the receiving surface;
Supporting means for rotatably supporting the ball receiving portion,
The ball receiving portion and the support means are arranged such that the center of gravity of the guide means is more than the first support portion by the support means due to a change in the attitude of the guide means accompanying the switching from the second state to the first state. Either the guide means or the support means is displaced so as to be on the entrance side, and the center of gravity position of the guide means is changed by the change in the attitude of the guide means accompanying the switching from the first state to the second state. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein any one of the guide means and the support means is displaced so as to be closer to the second ball-entering portion side than the support portion. A shaft portion provided on one of the ball receiving portion and the supporting means; and a bearing portion provided on the other of the ball receiving portion and the supporting means and engaged with the shaft portion; The ball receiving portion is supported by the support means by engaging with the shaft portion,
The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the bearing portion has a bearing hole extending in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the shaft portion.   The bearing hole is provided in the ball receiving portion, and the ball receiving portion is formed so as to straddle the center of gravity of the ball receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft portion. The gaming machine according to claim 7.

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