JP2019208657A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preferably paying out game media acquired by a player.SOLUTION: Between two plates, a front plate 222 and a rear plate 223, which cover the front side of a game area, covering in a manner so that a player can see but cannot touch the game area, and which are disposed interposing a gap, a panel side passage portion 220A allowing game balls to pass therethrough is provided. An opening/closing door 805 performs a control of an output amount of game balls to the panel side passage portion 220A. Therefore, it is possible to pay out game balls by making the game balls pass through the gap only separated with one cover body which is positioned on the front side of the game area and which is facing the player. As a result, confirmation of the payout of game balls during games can be made easy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a ball game machine.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. Generally, the ball outlet of the ball tray is passed to a ball box or the like and stored. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-224362 A

  There is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the conventional configuration in which game media is supplied to a storage unit such as a ball tray or an IC card.

  In the gaming machine according to the present invention, for example, an object is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably paying out a gaming medium acquired by a player.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention
A game area where a game is played by a player's operation using a game medium;
Two transparent cover means that cover the front side of the gaming area so that the player can visually recognize the gaming area and cannot contact the gaming area, and is arranged with a gap in between;
A transparent cover side passage portion configured by at least part of a gap formed by the two transparent cover means and allowing a game medium to pass therethrough;
And an output amount control means for controlling the amount of game media output to the transparent cover side passage portion.

  With the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably paying out gaming media acquired by a player.

Front side perspective view of a pachinko machine as an example of a gaming machine Perspective view showing pachinko machine in open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in another open state A perspective view showing the pachinko machine in yet another open state Front view of pachinko machine Front view of the pachinko machine with the front block removed Front view of game board Rear perspective view of pachinko machine Rear view of pachinko machine Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine Flow chart showing an example of main control main processing Flow chart showing an example of main control interrupt processing Outline diagram showing payout route of game balls Rear view of pachinko machine showing payout path for game balls Front view of the game board with game balls supplied to the storage box Outline diagram showing supply of game balls to storage box Outline diagram showing discharge of game balls from storage box Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine in the second embodiment Front view of game board in the second embodiment Outline diagram showing payout path of game balls in the second embodiment Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine in the third embodiment Outline diagram showing payout path of game balls in the third embodiment Flow chart showing an example of the ball effect control process Outline diagram showing payout path of game balls in the fourth embodiment

  Regarding the embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, the pachinko machine 100 of the first embodiment as an example of a ball and ball gaming machine which is a kind of gaming machine will be described, and then a modified example and other types of gaming machines will be described. To do. First, regarding the first embodiment of the pachinko machine 100, a structural configuration, an electrical configuration, and various control processes will be described in order.

<Structural structure>
First, the structure of the structural part of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS. 1 to 4 are perspective views showing various states of the pachinko machine 100, FIG. 1 shows a closed state of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 2 shows that the front block 102 and the intermediate block 103 are integrated with the outer frame 101. 3 shows a state in which the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rear block 104 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103. Show. 5 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the front block 102 of the pachinko machine 100 is removed from the state of FIG. Various wirings are omitted in each figure, and a part of the configuration of the game board 400 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 6.

  The pachinko machine 100 includes, for example, an outer frame 101, a front block 102, an intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104, as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be displaceable.

  The outer frame 101 has a function as a main body support means for supporting the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 101 is a substantially quadrilateral frame in which a top plate portion 111, a bottom plate portion 112, a left side plate portion 113, and a right side plate portion 114 are assembled, and the pachinko machine 100 is installed. The game machine is installed in a game machine installation facility (island facility) provided in the game hall and is firmly fixed by a fixture (not shown). In the pachinko machine 100, the outer frame 101 is not an indispensable configuration, and the main body portion corresponding to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 excluding the outer frame 101 has the same inner shape as the outer frame 101 or the outer frame 101. It is good also as a structure with which the island facility was equipped with the support mechanism to support, and a part of locking mechanism which locks the main-body part.

  Intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided on one side of the outer frame 101 in the left-right direction (on the left side plate portion 113 side). The outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 are connected (coupled) by the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 rotates one end side (left side) in the left-right direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. The base end side is configured to be capable of rotating forward with the other end side (right side) serving as a rotating front end side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided separately at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outer frame 101. Each of the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 is configured such that, for example, a shaft portion provided in the intermediate block 103 is supported from below by a shaft support portion provided in the outer frame 101, and a shaft portion is provided in a shaft hole provided in the shaft support portion. It is comprised so that rotation is possible by setting it as the state inserted. In addition, the structure which can rotate the main-body part of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is not limited to the above structure, and a shaft hole is provided on the intermediate block 103 side and a shaft part is formed on the outer frame 101 side. Other configurations may be used.

  The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided with a function of releasing the connection state between the outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 by a predetermined removal operation, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is attached to the outer frame 101. Removably attached to it. For example, the connection state of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 is released by performing a predetermined removal operation of opening the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 by a predetermined amount or more and moving it upward. The Thereby, the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 can be removed from the outer frame 101.

  The front block 102 is disposed so as to overlap the front side with respect to the intermediate block 103, and the intermediate block 103 and the front block 102 are connected by front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 provided on the left side of the front view. The front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, support the front block 102 so as to be pivotable forward with respect to the intermediate block 103, and remove it by a predetermined removal operation. It is configured to be possible.

  The rear block 104 is arranged on the rear side with respect to the intermediate block 103, and the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 are arranged by rear block support mechanisms 136, 137 (see FIG. 8) provided on the left side in front view. It is connected. The rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 and the front block support mechanisms 131 and 132, and support the rear block 104 so that the rear block 104 can be rotated rearward with respect to the intermediate block 103. And, it is configured to be supported so as to be removable by a predetermined removal operation.

  The pachinko machine 100 also includes an intermediate block locking mechanism that restricts the opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 relative to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism that restricts the opening and closing of the front block 102 relative to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism, and a front block There is provided a lock operating mechanism that is operated to unlock and lock the block locking mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate block 103 is provided with a key cylinder 141 as a lock operating mechanism that is exposed to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening of the front block 102.

  As a predetermined operation on the key cylinder 141, when a right rotation operation is performed with an operation key (not shown), the movable portion 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is activated. As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion 142 provided on the outer frame 101 and the movable portion 143 as part of the intermediate block locking mechanism is released, and the intermediate block 103 is in an open / close permitted state with respect to the outer frame 101. Become.

  On the other hand, the movable portion 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is operated in response to a left rotation operation with a predetermined operation key on the key cylinder 141. As a result, the engaged portion 145 provided on the front block 102 as a part of the front block locking mechanism and the movable portion 144 are disengaged, and the front block 102 is in an open / close permitted state with respect to the intermediate block 103. Become.

  Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a rear block opening / closing regulating mechanism that regulates opening / closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. By this rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism, the rear block 104 can be switched with respect to the intermediate block 103 between a state where opening / closing is prohibited (open / close prohibited state) and a state where opening / closing is allowed (open / close permitted state) by a predetermined operation. It is said that.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism includes two opening / closing restriction portions 150 </ b> A and 150 </ b> B provided in the intermediate block 103 and one opening / closing restriction portion 150 </ b> C provided in the rear block 104. . The three opening / closing regulating portions 150A to 150C are provided with rotating pieces 151A to 151C that can be rotated. The rotating pieces 151A to 151C change the engagement state with the opening portion arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction in the closed state of the rear block 104 due to the rotation operation, and thereby the open / close prohibited posture corresponding to the open / close prohibited state And an open / close permission posture corresponding to the open / close permission state can be switched. When all the rotating pieces 151A to 151C are in the opening / closing allowable posture, the rotating pieces 151A to 151C can pass through the openings, and the rear block 104 is in an opening / closing allowable state with respect to the intermediate block 103. The open / close prohibited posture and the open / close allowable posture may be switched between the open / close prohibited state and the open / close permitted state by at least one of the positions and orientations of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C. Alternatively, it may be configured to move in a certain direction, or may be configured to operate by a combination of movement and rotation. Hereinafter, the same applies to the change in posture when the constituent members in each apparatus move between a plurality of postures.

  Among the three rotating pieces 151A to 151C, two rotating pieces 151A and 151B corresponding to a part of them are formed in the rear block 104 in the open / close prohibited state of the rear block 104 as shown in FIG. One rotating piece 151C exposed to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening and corresponding to the remaining portion is exposed to the front side of the intermediate block 103 as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is not possible to switch all the rotating pieces 151A to 151C to the opening / closing allowable posture only by an operation from one side such as the back side of the pachinko machine 100 or the front side of the intermediate block 103. Has been increased.

  Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a game ball movement restricting mechanism for restricting the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, for example, the game ball movement restriction mechanism is configured by a combination of a flow restriction piece 161 provided in the intermediate block 103 and a restriction changing unit 162 provided in the front block 102. The flow restricting piece 161 is biased by a coil spring (not shown) toward the front side where the front block 102 is located.

  In a state in which the front block 102 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 (a closed state of the front block 102), the flow-down restricting piece 161 is in a movement-permitted state that allows the game ball to flow down. The change unit 162 is pushed and pushed to the rear side of the intermediate block 103. The flow restricting piece 161 is arranged to be shifted rearward with respect to a guide passage (not shown) for guiding the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 in the movement-permitted state. Thereby, in the closed state of the front block 102, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is permitted.

  On the other hand, in the state where the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103 (open state of the front block 102), the pressure of the flow restricting piece 161 by the restriction changing unit 162 is released, and compared with the closed state of the front block 102. Accordingly, the movement restriction state in which the flow restriction piece 161 protrudes toward the front block 102 is set. The flow restriction piece 161 protrudes into the guide passage in the movement prohibited state, and prevents the game ball from flowing down to the downstream side. Thereby, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the previous block 102 is prohibited.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 100, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the intermediate block 103 is closed with respect to the outer frame 101 at the lower end portion on the rear side of the intermediate block 103 and on the rotation front end side (left side in the rear view). An open / close detection switch 108 for detecting whether or not the intermediate block 103 is provided is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. An open / close detection switch 109 for detecting whether or not the front block 102 is closed with respect to 103 is provided.

  Next, each structure of the front block 102, the intermediate block 103, and the back block 104 is demonstrated in order.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 forms a substantially entire front surface of the pachinko machine 100 and is a substantially rectangular member having a thickness in the front-rear direction, and decorates the front surface portion of the pachinko machine 100. It functions as a front decoration means. The front block 102 is mainly configured by a base frame 201 made of synthetic resin, and is configured by attaching a plurality of functional parts before and after the base frame 201. On the front side of the base frame 201, a front decorative body 210 that forms the front surface of the pachinko machine 100 surrounds the opening 210A along the outer edge of the opening 210A that is formed to include the front-view center portion of the front block 102. It is attached. In a state where the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 constituting the front block 102 are combined, the opening 210A is formed through the wide area excluding the outer periphery to which the front decorative body 210 is attached. The intermediate block 103 including the game board 400 located on the rear side of the front block 102 is configured to be visible to the player through the opening 210A.

  1 and 3, the front block 102 includes a central panel 220 provided on the back side of the base frame 201 so as to close the opening 210A, a main storage mechanism 230 for storing game balls, An auxiliary storage mechanism 240 that stores game balls and a launch operation device 250 that is operated by a player to launch game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front block 102 has an opening peripheral portion 211 that surrounds the periphery of the opening 210A as a part of the front decorative body 210, and projects forward on the lower side with respect to the opening 210A. An upper projecting portion 217, a lower projecting portion 218 located below the upper projecting portion 217 and projecting forward, and an upper projecting portion 217 and a lower projecting portion on the right side of the lower projecting portion 218. A flat portion 219 is formed which is configured by a substantially flat region located on the back side from 218 and on which the firing operation device 250 is disposed. The main storage mechanism 230 is disposed on the upper protrusion 217, and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is disposed on the lower protrusion 218.

  The center panel 220 has a function as a cover body that allows the rear side to be visually recognized while closing the opening 210 </ b> A formed penetrating in the front-rear direction in a state where the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 are combined. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the center panel 220 includes a panel frame 221 (see FIG. 3) attached from the rear side of the base frame 201, and a light transmitting property fitted on the front side of the panel frame 221. A transparent plate-like front plate 222 (see FIG. 1) and a light-transmitting transparent plate-like shape fitted substantially in parallel with the front plate 222 on the rear side of the panel frame 221 with a predetermined gap therebetween. And a rear plate 223 (see FIG. 3). The front plate 222 and the rear plate 223 may be made of glass, or at least one of them may be made of a transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate).

  The rear plate 223 is provided with a hole 223A penetrating in the front-rear direction. The hole portion 223A is a portion that continues a portion where the game board 400 is arranged and a space formed by a gap between the front plate 222 and the rear plate 223, and will be described in detail later.

  The main storage mechanism 230 has a function of storing game balls acquired as the game progresses and game balls lent out from the game hall. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the main storage mechanism 230 includes a main storage portion 231, a ball removal mechanism (not shown), and a ball removal operation member 232 that operates the ball removal mechanism. The main reservoir 231 has an inlet 231A through which game balls flow into the main reservoir 231 from the inside of the pachinko machine 100, and an outlet (not shown) through which the game balls flow out from the main reservoir 231 into the pachinko machine 100. ) And a discharge port (not shown) formed upstream of the outflow port. By releasing the discharge port, the game ball is released from the main storage unit 231 to the player side without being taken into the pachinko machine 100. The ball removal mechanism has a function of switching the discharge destination of the game ball between the outlet and the outlet.

  A game ball acquired according to the progress of the game and a game ball lent according to a lending operation to a lending operation device 292 described later mainly flow into the main storage unit 231 through the inflow port 231A. The main storage portion 231 is formed with an opening on the upper side, and a game ball owned by a player is manually inserted through this opening, or a game ball lent out at a game hall is supplied.

  The game balls that have flowed into the main reservoir 231 are sequentially guided to the side where the outflow port and the discharge port are formed (upper right side in FIG. 1) while being aligned in a line. When a ball removing operation (for example, a pressing operation) is not performed on the ball removing operation member 232, the game ball is guided to a launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) described later through an outlet. On the other hand, when the ball removal operation is performed on the ball removal operation member 232, the game ball is guided to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 1) through the discharge port.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 includes an auxiliary storage unit 241 having game ball inflow ports 241A and 241C (see FIG. 5) and a discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1), and a discharge port 241B. A ball removal mechanism 243 that opens and closes and a ball removal operation member 242 that operates the ball removal mechanism 243 are provided. A game ball or the like acquired as the game progresses mainly flows into the main storage mechanism 230, but flows into the auxiliary storage unit 241 through the inlet 241A if the main storage unit 231 is full. Further, even in response to the ball removal operation on the ball removal operation member 232, the game ball flows from the main storage portion 231 to the auxiliary storage portion 241 through the inflow port 241C.

  The bottom surface of the auxiliary storage unit 241 is inclined downward toward the discharge port 241B. When the discharge port 241B is opened by a ball removal operation (for example, a pressing operation) with respect to the ball removal operation member 242, all the game balls stored in the auxiliary storage unit 241 can be sequentially released to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. In addition, when the discharge port 241B is completely opened by the ball removal operation on the ball removal operation member 242, the release state is kept until a return operation (for example, a pressing operation again) is performed on the ball removal operation member 242. Maintained. A ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) for detecting whether or not game balls are excessively stored in the auxiliary storage unit 241 is provided at the back of the inflow port 241A.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the firing operation device 250 includes a pedestal 251 projecting forward from the flat portion 219 of the front decorative body 210, a rotatable firing handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251, A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 10) that detects the amount of rotation operation of the firing handle 252; a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 10) that detects that the player is in contact with the firing handle 252; It includes a firing stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) that invalidates the injection of the game ball accompanying the rotation operation by the player's operation. When the launch handle 252 is rotated by the player, a game ball is ejected from the launch device 330 (see FIG. 3) toward the game board 400 (see FIG. 3) with an intensity corresponding to the rotational operation amount. When the contact between the firing handle 252 and the player is not detected by the contact sensor 254, or when the firing operation is invalidated by the operation of the firing stop switch 255, the firing handle 252 is rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the launching device 330.

  In addition, frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 (see FIG. 10) are provided at the back of the front decorative body 210 in the front block 102. The frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 are arranged so as to overlap the opening peripheral portion 211 of the front decorative body 210 and are attached to the base frame 201. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening peripheral edge 211 includes an upper central edge 211A, an upper left edge 211B and an upper right edge 211C located on both the left and right sides of the upper central edge 211A, and an upper left edge. The left side edge portion 211D positioned below 211B and the right side edge portion 211E positioned below the upper right side edge portion 211C as light emitting portions, and frame light emission corresponding to each light emitting portion Devices 271 to 275 are installed.

  The frame light-emitting devices 271 to 275 include an upper center frame light-emitting device 271 corresponding to the upper central edge portion 211A, a left upper frame light-emitting device 272 corresponding to the left upper edge portion 211B, and an upper-right frame light emission corresponding to the upper right side edge portion 211C. The apparatus 273 includes a left frame light emitting device 274 corresponding to the left edge 211D, and a right frame light emitting device 275 (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the right edge 211E. Each of the frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 integrates and electrically connects a light emitting diode (LED) as one or a plurality of light emitting means, an electronic component such as a resistor for controlling the LED, and the electronic components. And a printed circuit board.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front block 102 is provided with, for example, an upper left acoustic output port 211F and an upper right acoustic output port 211G at the upper portion of the opening peripheral edge 211, and these upper left acoustic output ports 211F. In addition, an upper left acoustic device 281 and an upper right acoustic device 282 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) are provided corresponding to each of the upper right acoustic output ports 211G. The upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 are attached to the base frame 201 so as to be located behind (in the rear of) the opening peripheral edge 211 of the front decorative body 210.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with a game ball lending device 290, for example, on the upper right portion of the upper protrusion 217. The game ball lending device 290 includes a frequency display device 291 that displays a numerical value corresponding to the remaining amount of banknotes, cards, and the like placed in a card unit (not shown) arranged side by side in the pachinko machine 100, and a game ball lending A lending operation device 292 operated by the player when receiving the card, and a return operation device 293 operated by the player when returning the bills, cards, etc. inserted into the card unit. When a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in a valid state in which bills or cards are inserted into the card unit and numerical values corresponding to those amounts are displayed on the frequency display device 291, the lending operation is performed. In response, a predetermined number of game balls are lent out from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) of the rear block 104, and the display of the frequency display device 291 is updated as the game balls are lent out. On the other hand, when a return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, a card in which the equivalent of the banknote corresponding to the remaining amount or the remaining amount is recorded is returned from the card unit according to the returning operation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with an input operation device 260 capable of an input operation different from the shooting operation by the player. The input operation device 260 includes, for example, a push operation device 261 that can perform a push operation, a rotation operation device 262 that can perform a rotation operation, and a selection operation device 263 that can perform an up / down / left / right direction operation. With these operation devices 261 to 263, an effect selection operation for selecting an effect to be executed in the pachinko machine 100, an apparatus setting operation for setting the volume and light amount of each device for executing the effect of the pachinko machine 100, or a player It is possible to execute a production setting operation or the like that enables execution of the performance of the pachinko machine 100 according to the game before the previous time by inputting information, and these operations can be performed by the player or the game hall manager as necessary. It is said that. Note that an input operation unit (for example, an annular rotation operation unit in the rotation operation device 262) that the player contacts in the input operation device 260 is rotated, moved up and down by an input operation unit driving means such as a motor or a solenoid, or It is preferable that an operation such as vibration is executed by control of the pachinko machine 100 (for example, control of the sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10)), either before or after the input operation, or during the input operation, By operating the input portion at a plurality of timings, it is possible to diversify the effects accompanied by the input operation, such as actively prompting the input operation.

  Next, the intermediate block 103 will be described. The intermediate block 103 is a substantially rectangular member having substantially the same size as the front block 102, and the front block 102 and the rear block 104 are attached so that the main body of the pachinko machine 100 is integrated. have. The intermediate block 103 is configured by attaching a plurality of functional components including the game board 400 to the base frame 301.

  3 and 4, the intermediate block 103 includes a base frame 301 having an opening, a game board 400 (see FIG. 3) that is attached from the front side while covering the opening of the base frame 301, and a base frame A game board support mechanism that rotatably and detachably supports the game board 400 with respect to the 301, a game board fixing mechanism that fixes the position of the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, and a game ball on the game board 400. Based on a command from the launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) to be ejected, a main control device 370 (see FIG. 4) that is attached to the back side of the game board 400 and controls the progress of the game in an integrated manner. And a sub-control device 390 (see FIG. 4) for controlling game effects and state notifications.

  In the base frame 301, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide passage portion 301A in which a guide passage for guiding a game ball released from a payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) described later to the front block 102 is formed, A plurality of wirings (not shown) and an opening 301B where the signal relay device 311 is located are provided. The opening 301B has a shape penetrating in the front-rear direction below the game board 400, and a plurality of wires inserted into the opening 301B are various devices provided in the front block 102 (for example, frame light emitting devices 271 to 271). 275, an upper left acoustic device 281 and an upper right acoustic device 282) and devices (for example, the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390) provided on the back side of the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 The signal relay device 311 includes a wiring, and has a function as a relay board that relays a part of the wiring.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 400 includes a flat base 401 having a through-hole through which a game ball such as a discharge port 401A can pass back and forth, and an outer rail that curves smoothly from the lower left to the upper right of the base 401. 402, the inner rail 403 that curves smoothly from the lower right to the upper left of the base body 401, the return ball prevention mechanism 404 attached to the upper left end of the inner rail 403, and the upper right end of the outer rail 402 And a rebound preventing member 405 to be attached. The outer rail 402 guides a game ball launched from a launch device 330 described later into the game area. The return ball prevention mechanism 404 prevents the game ball once released into the game area from the launch passage 401B formed at a portion where the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 are opposed in parallel from returning to the launch passage 401B. The recoil prevention member 405 has a shock absorption property that prevents a significant recoil of the game ball that has passed the upper center of the game board 400 and directed to the right side through the upper center and returns to the left side again. For example, it is made of a material such as vibration damping rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a return ball passage portion 163 is formed in the lower portion on the back side of the front block 102. There is a gap between the guide member 335 that guides the game ball from the launcher 330 in the direction of the launch path 401B and the outer rail 402, and the launcher 330 was launched but launched without exceeding the return ball prevention mechanism 404. The game ball returning backward in the passage 401B is returned to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 5) from the inlet 241A (see FIG. 5) via the return ball passage portion 163 arranged below the gap.

  The game ball that has advanced beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 reaches the game area, and moves (flows down) while falling in the game area by its own weight. The game area is an area where a game is played by a player's launch operation using a game ball, and the game ball falls due to its own weight.

  The game area has a substantially circular outer peripheral shape, and is divided into a shape having a large area in the front-rear width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. The game area is generally divided into an outer peripheral portion by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403, the front side is substantially planar by the rear plate 223 of the central panel 220, and the rear side is substantially planar by the base body 401 of the game board 400. It is divided into. The entrance portion of the game area corresponds to a portion where the return ball prevention mechanism 404 is provided. Various structures provided in the game area will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launching device 330 sequentially sends out game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the launch position, and a ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 (FIG. 10). A launching mechanism 333 for injecting a game ball arranged at the launch position, a launching solenoid 334 for driving the launching mechanism 333 (see FIG. 10), and a game ball launched from the launching mechanism 333 on the game board 400. And a guide member 335 for guiding to the firing passage 401B. As described above, the launch device 330 operates in response to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250, and the drive control of the launch solenoid 334 changes in accordance with the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 to adjust the launch force.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main controller 370 includes a main control board 920 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 371 having a split structure that accommodates the main control board 920. The main control board 920 is housed in a light-transmitting board case 371 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace.

  Further, the main control device 370 is rotatably attached to the back side of the game board 400. Specifically, an attachment portion 372 is rotatably connected and fixed to the base 401 of the game board 400 on the back side, and the main controller 370 is attached to the attachment portion 372. As a result, not only the rear side (front side) of the main control device 370 but also the front side (back side) of the main control device 370 is operated on the game board 400 by rotating the mounting portion 372. It can be easily confirmed while attached. The main control device 370 may be connected to the attachment portion 372 so that it cannot be removed without leaving a trace, and the removal state of the main control device 370 may be easily managed.

  The sub-control device 390 includes a sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 391 having a split structure that accommodates the sub-control board 940. For example, the sub-control board 940 is housed in a translucent board case 391 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace, like the main control board 920. It is attached to the back side.

  Here, in the game board 400, various structures arranged in the game area will be described with reference mainly to FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of the game board 400.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 includes a base body 401, flow-down changing members such as nails 411 and windmills 412 that change the flow direction and flow speed of the game ball, and a center disposed at the center of the base body 401. A structure 420, a starting device (specifically, an upper middle starting winning device 431A and a lower middle starting winning device 431B) according to a first special symbol disposed below the central structure 420, a center A starting device (specifically, a right starting winning device 432) according to a second special symbol arranged on the lower right side with respect to the structure 420, and a big winning device 433 arranged below the right starting winning device 432 434 (specifically, the lower prize-winning device 433 and the upper prize-winning device 434), the starting device 436 related to the normal symbol arranged on the upper side (upstream side) of the right starting winning-winning device 432, and the game board 400 On the top right and above and below Winning device that the winning combination communicating actuating device 435 which is arranged above (upstream side) with respect to 433, regular winning device 439A arranged on both left and right sides of the lower side middle starting winning device 431 B, and a 439B.

  Further, the game board 400 is provided with a plurality of switches as detection means for detecting the passage of the game ball corresponding to the above-mentioned upper middle start winning device 431A and the like (see FIG. 10), and corresponds to each switch. The entry of a game ball into a predetermined area can be detected. For example, a middle start winning switch (upper middle start winning switch 441A) that detects a game ball that has entered the upper middle start winning device 431A, and a middle start winning switch (lower) that detects a game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431B. Side middle start winning switch 441B), right start winning switch 442 that detects a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432, lower large prize switch 443 that detects a game ball that has entered the lower large winning device 433, and a top large winning device. An upper prize switch 444 that detects a game ball that has entered 434, a combination operation switch 445 that detects a game ball that has entered the combination actuating device 435, a start switch 446 that detects a game ball that has entered the starter 436, and the bottom A non-specific passage switch 447 for detecting a game ball that has entered a non-specific passage (not shown) formed inside the grand prize winning device 433; A specific path switch 448 for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific path (not shown) formed inside the grand prize winning device 433, and a general prize switch 449A for detecting each of the game balls that have entered the general winning devices 439A and 439B. 449B and the like are installed on the game board 400.

  Further, the game board 400 is provided with various sensors for preventing fraud (see FIG. 10), and an abnormality occurring in the pachinko machine 100 can be detected. For example, a magnetic sensor 491, a vibration sensor 492, a radio wave sensor 493, and the like are installed on the game board 400. Further, the game board 400 is provided with an output effect device 800 that can execute an effect using a game ball. The description of the configuration and the like related to the output effect device 800 will be described later.

  The entrance portion of the game ball of the central structure 420 and the starter 436 constitutes a ball entrance, and the game ball that has entered each ball entrance is discharged into the game area. Games of each winning device, specifically, upper middle starting winning device 431A, lower middle starting winning device 431B, right starting winning device 432, lower large winning device 433, upper large winning device 434 and general winning devices 439A, 439B The entrance portion of the ball constitutes a winning opening, and the game ball that has entered each winning opening is guided through a through hole formed in the base 401 to a recovery / discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401. . In addition, the game balls that have not entered each winning device are guided to the collection / discharge passage through the discharge port 401A provided in the most downstream portion of the game area. The game balls guided to the collection discharge passage are discharged from the pachinko machine 100 to a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided in the game hall. When a game ball enters one of the winning devices, a predetermined number of gaming balls corresponding to the type of the winning device are paid out from the payout device 540 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Each winning device may be configured separately from other winning devices, or an apparatus in which two or more winning devices (for example, the upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle start winning device 431B) are integrated. The starting device such as the upper middle starting winning device 431A may not necessarily be a winning opening through which a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when a game ball enters. It is good also as a entrance where a ball | bowl is discharge | released again to a game area, without paying out.

  Each of the upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle start winning device 431B and the general winning device 439A and the general winning device 439B according to the first special symbol does not change the probability of entering the game ball into them, and enters The played game ball is guided to the back side of the base body 401. Further, the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol has a mechanism for changing the entrance probability of the game ball into the inside. The mechanism for changing the probability of entering the game ball need not be provided only in the starting device related to the second special symbol. Instead of or in addition to that, the starting device and the general winning device related to the first special symbol. It may be provided in any one or a plurality of 439A and 439B. In addition, the mechanism for changing the entrance probability of the game ball may be constituted by a drive means such as an electrically driven solenoid, and is represented by a mechanism that operates by the weight of the game ball that has entered the predetermined area. You may comprise by the mechanism which operate | moves mechanically.

  The right start prize winning device 432 according to the second special symbol includes a right entry restriction mechanism 452 that changes an entry probability of a game ball to the inside by a transition between an entry allowable attitude and an entry prohibited attitude, and a right entry restriction mechanism A right entry restricting solenoid 462 (see FIG. 10) for driving 452. The right entry restriction mechanism 452 includes two movable pieces that are driven by the right entry restriction solenoid 462. When the right entry restriction mechanism 452 is in the entry prohibition posture, the two movable pieces are the entrance (award opening). The game ball cannot enter the right start prize-winning device 432 by adopting an arrangement that narrows (or closes)), but when the right entry restricting mechanism 452 is in the approaching allowable posture, the two movable pieces are at their tips. The game ball can enter the right start winning device 432 by arranging the parts so that the interval between the parts is increased. The right entry restriction mechanism 452 enters the right when a game ball that has entered the starter 436 related to the normal symbol is won by a lottery based on detection by the start switch 446 (hereinafter also referred to as “normal symbol lottery”). In accordance with the drive by the restriction solenoid 462, the posture is allowed to enter the predetermined allowable number of times and for a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lower grand prize winning device 433 includes a lower entry restriction mechanism 453 for restricting the entry of a game ball into the inside by a transition between an allowable entry position and an prohibited entry attitude, and a lower entry restriction mechanism. The lower entry restriction solenoid 463 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 453 and the transition between the non-guidance posture and the guidance posture causes the game ball that has entered the lower prize winning device 433 to be a non-specific passage or a specific passage. A sorting mechanism (not shown) for sorting and a switching solenoid 465 (see FIG. 10) for switching the guidance destination of the game ball by changing the attitude of the sorting mechanism are provided. When the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 is in the entry prohibition posture, the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 closes the entrance (winning entrance), so that the game ball cannot enter the lower outstanding prize device 433. When the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 is in the approach permitting posture, the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 opens the entrance, so that the game ball can enter the lower prize-winning device 433. In addition, the game ball that has entered the lower prize-winning device 433 is guided to a non-specific path when the distribution mechanism is in a non-guided posture protruding forward, and is in a guided posture in which the distribution mechanism is immersed backward. It is guided to a specific passage. The specific passage, the non-specific passage, and the distribution mechanism are provided to diversify the game state transition, and when a game ball enters the specific passage, an advantageous game state is given to the player as a privilege. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper prize winning device 434 includes an upper entry restriction mechanism 454 that restricts the entry of a game ball into the inside by a transition between an entry allowable attitude and an entry prohibited attitude, and an upper entry restriction. An upper entry restriction solenoid 464 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 454 is provided. When the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 is in the entry prohibition posture, the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 closes the entrance (winning port) so that the game ball cannot enter the upper prize winning device 434, but the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 Is in the allowance for entering position, the upper entry restricting mechanism 454 opens the entrance to allow the game ball to enter the upper prize winning device 434.

  In addition, as an approach allowable posture and an entry prohibition posture as a mechanism for changing the probability of entering a game ball into the right entry restricting mechanism 452 or the like, each mechanism is configured to receive a winning opening (or a winning opening) of each device. In response to a change in posture of the operation member that switches between a special state in which a game ball can enter and a normal state in which the game ball cannot enter, at least one of the position and orientation of the operation member differs depending on each posture I need it. Further, as a mechanism for changing the entrance probability of a game ball such as the right entry restriction mechanism 452, it is not always necessary to set the game ball in an inaccessible state, and the game ball is allowed to enter even in the normal state. In the state, the posture of the operation member may be changed so that the game ball can enter more easily than the normal state.

  A game ball can enter the lower prize-winning apparatus 433 and the upper prize-winning apparatus 434 when winning a lottery. Specifically, a game ball that has entered the upper middle start prize device 431A or the lower middle start prize device 431B according to the first special symbol is detected by the upper middle start prize switch 441A or the lower middle start prize switch 441B. When a lottery based on the above (hereinafter also referred to as “first special symbol lottery”) is won, or a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442 When winning a lottery based on (hereinafter also referred to as “second special symbol lottery”), at least one of the lower entry restriction solenoid 463 and the upper entry restriction solenoid 464 is activated. By this operation, at least one of the lower approach restricting mechanism 453 and the upper approach restricting mechanism 454 takes the approach permitting posture for a predetermined time for a predetermined number of times. In addition, the distribution mechanism shifts to the guidance posture in accordance with the operation of the switching solenoid 465 after a predetermined time from the transition of the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 to the approach allowable posture, and further switches after the predetermined time from the transition to the guidance posture. The non-guided posture is returned in response to the stop of the solenoid 465.

  The combination operating device 435 is a device for setting conditions necessary for the lower prize winning device 433 and the upper prize winning device 434 to start operating. After winning the big win lottery, either the lower big prize device 433 or the upper big prize device 434 starts operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes. For this reason, when a player wins a big hit, the player can start a special gaming state at the timing he / she intends. Note that it is not always necessary that either the lower prize-winning device 433 or the upper prize-winning device 434 start the operation on condition that the game ball of the combination actuating device 435 passes, instead of or In addition, either the lower prize-winning device 433 or the upper prize-winning device 434 may be activated when a predetermined time elapses.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 is integrated with display devices 471 to 473 for displaying symbol change display and lottery results, and display devices 476 to 478 for displaying the number of times a game is held. A display device having a plurality of light emitting units is provided in a lower left portion corresponding to a part of the game board 400. The plurality of light emitting units are partitioned in advance into light emitting areas corresponding to each device, and the state of each device is displayed according to the light emitting state.

  Specifically, the first special symbol is variably displayed on the game board 400 in accordance with the first special symbol lottery, or the first special symbol is fixedly displayed with a stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. The special symbol display device 471 related to the special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed in a variable manner in accordance with the second special symbol lottery, or the second special symbol is displayed with the stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. Special symbol display device 472 related to the special symbol, special symbol hold display device 476 that displays the number of times the unit game is held according to the first special symbol, and special symbol hold that displays the number of times the unit game is held related to the second special symbol A display device 477 is provided. The right of the unit game related to the first special symbol and the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol are each reserved up to four times. Here, the unit game is a game for one time executed based on one start prize, and whether or not a lottery is executed based on one start prize and a lottery based on the determination A series of games including the start and end of variable display until the result is displayed.

  When the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the game ball that has entered the start winning device 431 is the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) or the lower middle start winning switch. Even if it is detected by 441B (see FIG. 10), the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol is not added. Similarly, when the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, it is assumed that the game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 is detected by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10). However, the unit game right related to the second special symbol is not added.

  Each of the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol is composed of a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). . Each of the display of the first special symbol and the display of the second special symbol is represented by a light emission pattern of the plurality of light emitting units (a combination of a light emission state including a light emission color (off, on, flashing)). The special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol have the number of times of holding depending on the combination of the light emission states (off, on, flashing) of the two single color light emitting units. indicate.

  In addition, the game board 400 includes a normal symbol display device 473 that displays a normal symbol in a variable manner or a normal symbol that is fixedly displayed in accordance with a lottery result according to the normal symbol. A normal symbol hold display device 478 for displaying the number of hold times of the right of the unit game is provided. The right to unit games related to normal symbols is reserved up to 4 times. When the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is held up to the maximum number of times, the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not added even if the game ball that has entered the starter 436 is detected by the start switch 446.

  The normal symbol display device 473 includes a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). A normal symbol is expressed by a light emission pattern of a plurality of light emitting units. Further, the normal symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of hold times by a combination of the light emission states (off, on, flashing) of the two single color light emitting units.

  In addition, the game board 400 is displayed so as to overlap the rear of the central structure 420, so that the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner or the decorative symbols are displayed in a unit game related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol. A decorative symbol display device 479 is provided. The variation display and confirmation display of the decorative symbols are controlled by the sub-control board 940, and are synchronized with the variation display and confirmation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control board 920. In the variation display of the decorative symbol, more complicated and various effects are executed than the variation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It should be noted that the variation display and final display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol and the variation display and final display of the decorative symbol always start to change at the same timing or stop display as the final display. It is not necessary, and the setting may be such that the change is started at substantially the same timing while providing a slight time difference at each timing, and the final display is performed at substantially the same timing.

  Further, the game board 400 includes a board surface light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board surface light emitting device 490 accompanies the progress of the game based on the control by the sub control board 940. Various light emission effects and state notifications by light emission are executed.

  Here, various game states and transitions between game states will be described. The normal game state (hereinafter abbreviated as “normal game state”) is a state in which the variable display time of the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is long (hereinafter also referred to as “non-short state”). Correspond.

  When a big win is won in the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the game ball enters the specific passage (the internal passage of the lower grand prize winning device 433) during the special game state that shifts based on the win. Depending on whether or not, the game state to be transferred after the special game state is different. If the game ball does not enter the specific passage during the special game state, the variation display time of the first special symbol lottery, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is shorter than the non-short-time state (hereinafter referred to as the “short-time state”). And a gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as a “low-probability state”) in which the winning probability of the jackpot in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is the same as the normal gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as “low probability state”). In the following, it is also referred to as “time saving gaming state”. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the specific passage during the special game state, the game is in a short-time state and the winning probability of the big hit in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is higher than the normal game state. The game state (hereinafter also referred to as “probability game state”), which is a “high probability state” (hereinafter, also referred to as “high probability state”).

  The short-time gaming state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times), but thereafter returns to the normal gaming state. In addition, the probability variation gaming state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), but thereafter returns to the normal gaming state.

  Note that the transition between the gaming state and the gaming state is not necessarily configured as described above. For example, the high probability state may be continued until the next big win, or the gaming state may be changed depending on other contents. At least one may be configured, a configuration in which a gaming state different from the above-described gaming states is further included, or a configuration in which the gaming state is shifted by a condition different from the above-described conditions may be employed.

  Next, the operation of the main devices of the game board 400 will be described in chronological order. In the main control board 920, winning random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, stop pattern random numbers and various variation pattern random numbers related to special symbols (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol) are generated, and various game states are generated. When a game ball that has entered one of the start winning devices 431A and 431B related to the first special symbol is detected by one of the medium start winning switches 441A and 441B (see FIG. 10), the start winning of the first special symbol is detected. It becomes. If the unit game right related to the first special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number of times at the start winning of the first special symbol, the winning random number, jackpot symbol random number and stop pattern random number related to the special symbol are acquired, It is stored in a predetermined area of the main control board 920 RAM.

  The unit game based on the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is not in the special game state, not the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, but the unit game related to the first special symbol. If the right is not reserved, it is started immediately after storing the random numbers. In addition, even when the game is not in a special game state, when the unit game right related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved during the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The unit game based on the current start winning is started after the end of the unit game relating to all the special symbols (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) held before the current winning. If each random number is acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol during the special gaming state, the unit game based on the random number is all of the units that were held before the current starting winning prize after the special gaming state. It starts after a unit game related to a special symbol.

  In addition, the unit game based on the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is started after the end of all the unit games related to the second special symbol. That is, when each random number is acquired based on the start winning of the second special symbol after the current start winning, the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is preferentially executed. The unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol does not necessarily have to be executed in preference to the unit game related to the first special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol in order of the start winning. The configuration may be such that unit advantage control is executed, or the two special symbols are not alternative but can be varied simultaneously.

  In the case of winning a jackpot in the first special symbol lottery based on the start winning of the first special symbol, the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot winning of the first special symbol lottery is further based on the acquired big hit symbol random number ( The type of jackpot symbol) is determined. The types of stop symbols correspond to the types of jackpots, for example, the number of rounds corresponding to the number of times the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 takes the entry allowable posture (for example, 6 rounds and 16 rounds), A plurality of types of jackpots are set corresponding to the type of gaming state such as a gaming state that shifts after the special gaming state (whether or not to shift to the probability variation gaming state), and a jackpot symbol is set for each type. In the first special symbol lottery, when a big win is not won, a lost symbol different from the big win symbol is set as a stop symbol.

  After the first special symbol lottery, based on the current gaming state, lottery result, stop pattern random number value, various variation pattern random number values, and the number of reserved unit rights related to the first special symbol, the first special symbol The design variation display time is determined, and the design variation pattern is selected. Thereafter, the first special symbol variation display on the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol and the decorative symbol variation display (variation effect) on the decoration symbol display device 479 are started, and the first special symbol variation is started. Variation display according to a certain pattern is continued over the display time, and variation display according to the variation pattern is continued over the variation display time in the decorative design. Thereafter, as the variable display time elapses, the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is fixedly displayed, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is fixedly displayed as a decorative symbol. The final display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for at least a predetermined time.

  When the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is a jackpot symbol, the gaming state shifts to the special gaming state after the final display of the first special symbol. In the special gaming state, the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 of the lower prize winning device 433 are allowed to enter the prescribed number of times in a predetermined order according to the type of the big hit. . When a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls are detected by the big winning switches 443 and 444 in each of the allowed entry postures in the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454, or a predetermined maximum When the allowable entry time (for example, 29.5 seconds) has elapsed, the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 shifts to the entry prohibition posture. Thereafter, after a predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed, either the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 returns to the entry allowable posture again. This entry restriction operation is repeated a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order corresponding to the type of jackpot.

  The lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 are configured such that only one of them takes an entry allowable posture during the special game state, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the start of the special game state (after the opening period) ) Will shift to the first allowed entry posture. In addition, the special gaming state ends after a predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed since the last return to the prohibition posture and a predetermined standby time has elapsed thereafter (after the ending period). After the end of the special gaming state, as described above, the state shifts to the short-time gaming state or the probability variation gaming state.

  In various gaming states, when a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442, the start special winning of the second special symbol is made. The control of the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol described above. That is, if the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number of times when starting the second special symbol, each random number related to the special symbol is acquired and the unit game based on the start winning is executed. Is done. Also, stop symbol determination according to the second special symbol lottery, decoration symbol variation pattern selection, variation display execution, game state transition control, etc. are executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol. Is done.

  When a game ball that has entered the starter 436 is detected by the start switch 446 in various gaming states, the winning random number for the normal symbol is acquired if the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number of times. Then, it is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is not in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started immediately after the storage. On the other hand, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started after the unit game based on the right of the unit game related to the already obtained normal symbol.

  In the unit game related to the normal symbol, it is determined whether or not the winning game is won based on the value of the winning random number, and when winning, a predetermined winning symbol is set as the stop symbol. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a predetermined lose symbol is set as the stop symbol. After the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol display device 473 starts the variable display of the normal symbol. In the non-time-short state, the variable pattern is continuously displayed over a predetermined variable display time, and in the time-short state. The variable display by a fixed pattern is continued over a predetermined variable display time shorter than the non-time-short state. As the predetermined time corresponding to the gaming state elapses, the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is fixedly displayed over a certain period of time.

  When the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is a winning symbol, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 of the right start winning device 432 shifts to the entry allowable posture at least once after the normal symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, when winning in a non-time-saving state (normal game state and special game state), the right start winning device 432 allows entry for a predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, approximately 0.1 seconds). In the case of winning in the time-short state (time-short game state and probability variable game state), the predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, approximately 4.8 seconds) is longer than that in the case where the right start winning device 432 is in the non-time-short state. ) Intermittently (for example, divided into three times) to allow the approach allowable posture. However, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is detected by the right start winning switch 442, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 shifts to the entry prohibition posture without waiting for the maximum entry allowable time to elapse. In addition, even if the number of times of transition to the permissible approach posture has not reached the predetermined number of times, the operation of the right start winning device 432 in the unit game related to the current normal symbol ends.

  Next, the playability of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In order to receive the second special symbol lottery, first, the normal symbol lottery must be won, and further, the game ball enters the right start prize winning device 432 in the permitted entry state of the right start winning device 432 based on the winning. Must. The winning probability of winning for the normal symbol in the normal gaming state is the same as the winning probability in the short-time gaming state, but the staying time (for example, approximately) 0.1 seconds) is set to be very short compared to the staying time in the short time state (for example, approximately 4.8 seconds), so the opportunity per unit time for receiving the second special symbol lottery in the normal gaming state Is much smaller than the opportunity per unit time for receiving the first special symbol drawing. On the other hand, in the short-time state such as the short-time gaming state or the probability variation gaming state, the opportunity per unit time for receiving the second special symbol lottery is significantly larger than the opportunity per unit time for receiving the first special symbol lottery. .

  Therefore, the player plays a game aiming at the transition to the probability-changing gaming state by winning the big hit in the first special symbol lottery and then allowing the game ball to enter the specific passage in the subsequent special gaming state. On the other hand, in the short-time gaming state and the probability variation gaming state, the game is played aiming to win a big win in the second special symbol lottery before each gaming state ends.

  Specifically, the game board 400 is provided with a central structure 420 in the center of the game area where the game balls flow down, and a game technique (left-handed game) in which the game balls flow down mainly from the left side of the central structure 420. Method) and a game method (right-handed game method) in which a game ball flows down mainly from the right side of the central structure 420 can be selectively performed. The player plays a game using the left-handed gaming method in the normal gaming state, and plays a game using the right-handed gaming method in the short-time gaming state and the probability-changing gaming state. Further, since the lower prize-winning device 433 and the upper prize-winning device 434 are arranged on the right side with respect to the central structure 420, the game is played by the right-handed game technique even in the special game state.

  Next, the rear block 104 will be described. 8 and 9 are a rear perspective view and a rear view showing the pachinko machine 100, respectively. In FIG. 8, the outer frame 101 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear block 104 is configured by attaching other members and devices to the base 501. By connecting the base body 501 and the intermediate block 103 by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137, the rear block 104 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the intermediate block 103.

  The rear block 104 has a game ball tank 510 serving as a ball storage unit for storing game balls, and rectifies the game balls (for example, in one row) continuously on the downstream side of the game ball tank 510 and aligns them in one row. A tank rail 520 as a ball alignment portion, a case rail 530 as a ball guiding portion for guiding a game ball flowing in from the tank rail 520 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball payout on the downstream side of the case rail 530 A payout device 540 that lends out game balls, and guidance as a ball guide unit that guides game balls that have flowed out of the payout device 540 downstream of the payout device 540 to a guide passage (not shown) formed in the base 501. A member 550, a payout control device 560 for controlling the payout of game balls and the lending of game balls by the payout device 540, and external power A function as a power supply means for converting and outputting power of a predetermined voltage required for various types of devices and the like, and a game ball ejection based on a launch operation on the launch operation device 250 are controlled in cooperation with the main control board 920. A power supply / launch control device 570 having a function as a launch control means, a payout control device 560, a game ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1), and a card unit (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 100 And a relay device 950 that relays signals between them.

  The base body 501 is integrally formed of resin (for example, ABS resin), and includes a base portion 502 corresponding to the front side portion and a protective cover portion 503 positioned behind the base portion 502. The upper portion of the base portion 502 is formed in a substantially frame shape along the outer shape of the rear block 104, and the lower portion is formed in a substantially flat shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. It has a function as a mounted part.

  The protective cover portion 503 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. The protective cover 503 is not shaped to cover the entire back surface of the intermediate block 103, but a part of the back surface of the intermediate block 103 that requires frequent inspection and confirmation, such as a part of the main controller 370, is attached to the back surface of the pachinko machine 100. It is set to a size that forms a window portion for exposure to the window. A large number of air holes 503 </ b> A having a function of improving the heat dissipation of heat generation in the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390 are formed on the back surface of the protective cover portion 503.

  The game ball tank 510 is a horizontally long box-shaped container that opens upward, and game balls supplied from a ball circulation device (not shown) of the island facility are sequentially supplied to one end side in the longitudinal direction. An opening (not shown) is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction different from the side where the game ball is supplied in the game ball tank 510. The bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction, and the game ball supplied to the game ball tank 510 moves to the opening side by its own weight. Further, the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is inclined in a direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as compared with the longitudinal direction, and guides the game ball to the side where the opening is provided (for example, the front side). . Further, a metal antistatic plate (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 so as to overlap the game ball tank 510, and the antistatic plate is connected to the ground potential so that the inside of the game ball tank 510 and The static electricity of the game ball on the downstream side is removed.

  The tank rail 520 is attached to the side where the opening of the game ball tank 510 is formed, and the game ball flows through the opening of the game ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 gradually increases in height as a passage forming member 521 that forms a passage for a substantially bowl-shaped gaming ball having a width through which game balls pass in a row, and an upper surface of the passage formed by the passage forming member 521. And a rectifying member 522 that rectifies the game balls flowing down the passage from the height of the top and bottom to the first level gradually. The passage formed by the tank rail 520 is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and guides the game ball to the side opposite to the game ball tank 510.

  The case rail 530 is formed in a vertically long shape so as to continue to the lower side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball from the tank rail 520 flows in. The case rail 530 continues downward while curving left and right so that game balls do not flow vigorously. In addition, a ball break detector 539 for detecting a ball break is provided in the middle portion of the ball path of the case rail 530. The ball breakage detection unit 539 includes a storage ball switch 591 (see FIG. 10). The storage ball switch 591 causes ball clogging or the like on the case rail 530 or the upstream side thereof, and a game ball is placed in the case rail 530. Detects out-of-ball condition that is not replenished normally.

  The payout device 540 includes a payout mechanism for sending out the game balls, a payout motor 542 (refer to FIG. 10, hereinafter, also referred to as “first payout motor 542”) as a drive means for driving the payout mechanism, and a payout count switch 592 ( 10, hereinafter referred to as “first payout counting switch 592”). In accordance with the operation of the first payout motor 542 based on the control by the payout control device 560, the game balls stored in the ball passage are released to the downstream side. The passage of the released game ball through the ball passage is detected by the first payout counting switch 592, whereby the payout control device 560 (the payout control board 930) counts the payout number of the game balls.

  Also, the payout device 540 includes a payout mechanism for sending out the game ball to the output effect device 800 (see FIG. 7), and a payout motor 842 (see FIG. 10, hereinafter referred to as “second payout motor” as drive means for driving the payout mechanism). 842 ”) and a payout count switch 892 (see FIG. 10, hereinafter, also referred to as“ second payout count switch 892 ”), and the operation of the second payout motor 842 based on the control by the payout control device 560. Accordingly, the game balls stored in the ball passage flow down toward the output effect device 800 provided on the downstream side. In the following, a portion (first payout motor 542, first payout count switch 592 and payout passage) constituting a conventional payout device 540 for paying out a game ball without going through the output effect device 800 is referred to as the first payout device 540A. A portion (second payout motor 842, second payout count switch 892 and payout passage) constituting the payout device 540 for paying out the game ball via the output effect device 800 is referred to as a second payout device 540B. The configuration for causing the game ball to flow down to the output effect device 800 by the control of the second payout motor 842 of the second payout device 540B will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the payout control device 560 and the power supply / launch control device 570 are attached so as to overlap the lower back surface of the base portion 502 of the base body 501 so as to be positioned at the lower back side of the rear block 104. It has been. The rear block 104 including the payout control device 560 and the power supply / launch control device 570 can be continuously used even when the game board 400 is replaced with another game board in a model change or the like.

  The payout control device 560 includes a payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10) and a board case that houses the payout control board 930, and the payout control board 930 does not leave any trace of opening, like the main control board 920. The substrate case is sealed so that it cannot be opened.

  The power / fire control device 570 includes a power / fire control board 900 (see FIG. 10) and a board case that houses the power / fire control board 900. The power / fire control board 900 is the same as the main control board 920. Are accommodated in a sealed substrate case.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the pachinko machine 100 includes control circuit devices such as a power supply / launch control board 900, a power supply monitoring board 910, a main control board 920, a payout control board 930, and a sub control board 940. In FIG. 10, a relay circuit device that only relays various signals is omitted. Hereinafter, these main control circuit devices will be individually described in detail.

  The power supply / launch control board 900 includes a power supply unit 901 that supplies power of a predetermined voltage to each part of the pachinko machine 100 via a power supply path (broken line in the figure), and a launching device according to the operation of the launching operation device 250. A launch control unit 902 that controls the driving of 330, and a signal relay unit 903 that relays an initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 and a ball overflow signal from the ball overflow switch 249.

  The power supply unit 901 takes in external power (for example, AC 24 volts) supplied from the outside and converts it into internal power (for example, DC 24 volts), and generates various types of power from the internal power. The power generated by the power supply unit 901 is power of driving voltage (for example, DC 12 volts) for driving devices such as various solenoids and various motors, drives various switches, and executes control processing. Power of control voltage (for example, DC 5 volts) for backup, power of backup voltage for holding the contents of the RAM of the main control board 920, and the like.

  The power supply unit 901 supplies various power generated from the internal power to the power supply monitoring board 910, the main control board 920, the payout control board 930, the sub control board 940, and the like. Specifically, internal power, driving voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage power are supplied to the power monitoring board 910. The main control board 920 is supplied with driving voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage power, and these powers are supplied via the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910. The payout control board 930 is supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power. The sub-control board 940 is supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power. The firing control unit 902 and the signal relay unit 903 are supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power.

  A power switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901. When the power switch 909 is in an off state, the external power capture is stopped. It is to be noted that the power switch 909 is turned off or a power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 via the power switch 909 is removed from an external power supply outlet (not shown). A state where the supply of power to the inside of the machine 100 is stopped and a state where the supply of external power itself is stopped are collectively referred to as a “power failure state”.

  The power supply unit 901 is configured to normally output the control voltage power over a predetermined period even after the transition to the power failure state. As a result, the main control board 920 can save the state and finish the control so that the current control state can be restored.

  The firing control unit 902 controls the driving of the ball feed solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 of the launching device 330 in cooperation with the main control board 920. The ball feed solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, it is detected that the player is touching the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1) based on a contact sensor signal from the contact sensor 254, and a launch stop switch 255 for stopping the launch is provided. On the condition that it is not operated, the firing control unit 902 outputs a firing permission signal in an on state to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 outputs a firing solenoid control signal and a ball feed solenoid control signal to the firing control unit 902 based on the firing permission signal and the firing abnormality signal. The firing control unit 902 activates the ball feed solenoid 332 based on the ball feed control signal in the on state, and activates the launch solenoid 334 based on the reception of the launch solenoid control signal in the on state and the resistance value of the variable resistor 253. Let As a result, the game balls are sequentially fired from the launching device 330 with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 253 (the rotational operation amount of the firing handle 252).

  The signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state initialization signal to the main control board 920 when the initialization switch 907 is pressed. In the main control board 920, the storage information stored in the RAM of the main control board 920 is initialized in response to the reception of the ON state initialization signal. The initialization switch 907 is not necessarily configured to output a signal to the main control board 920 via the signal relay unit 903. For example, the initialization switch 907 is directly mounted on the main control board 920. The initialization switch 907 may be accommodated in the substrate case 371, and thus illegal signal input targeting a section in which a signal is transmitted can be suppressed.

  Further, when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state ball overflow signal to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 outputs a low-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the ON state, and the payout control board 930 that has received the low-speed payout signal receives the rotation speed of the payout motor 542 (payout). The game ball payout speed from the device 540 is reduced. The main control board 920 outputs a high-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the off state, and the payout control board 930 that has received the high-speed payout signal controls the rotation speed of the payout motor 542. Make it faster.

  The power monitoring board 910 is a power monitoring section 911 that monitors the power supply status from the power / fire control board 900, and supplies power and transmits various signals between the power / fire control board 900 and the main control board 920. And a signal relay unit 912 for relaying. The power monitoring unit 911 also outputs a power failure signal to the main control board 920 in response to the transition to the power failure state, and monitors the voltage of 24 VDC which is the maximum voltage output from the power source unit 901. When the state where the voltage is less than 22 volts continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the state is a power failure, and an on-state power failure signal is output to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 recognizes the transition to the power failure state by receiving the power failure signal in the on state.

  The main control board 920 comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko machine 100. On the main control board 920, an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer is mounted. The MPU includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (not shown) storing various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily during execution of the control program. And a RAM (not shown) for storing and the like. In addition, various circuits such as a timer circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted on the main control board 920. Yes. The RAM of the main control board 920 is configured to be able to maintain (back up) internal data by supplying a backup voltage from the power / fire control board 900 even after the transition to the power failure state.

  The payout control board 930 controls a game ball payout operation by the payout apparatus 540 according to an instruction from the main control board 920 and a game ball lending operation by the payout apparatus 540 according to an operation of the game ball lending apparatus 290. As with the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 is an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), ROM (not shown), and RAM (not shown), a timer circuit. Various circuits such as (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted. The payout control board 930 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so as to be able to communicate information. For example, the main control board 920 and the relay device 950 can perform bidirectional information input / output communication. The open / close detection switches 108 and 109, the storage ball switch 591 and the payout counting switch 592 are connected so that only information input communication in only one direction is possible, and the payout motor 542 has information in only one direction. Only output communication is possible. Note that the RAM of the payout control board 930 may be configured to have a backup function that allows internal data to be maintained over a certain period in a power failure state, like the RAM of the main control board 920, or the RAM of the main control board 920. Unlike the case, the internal data may not be maintained in a power failure state.

  The sub control board 940 controls operations of various rendering devices, various light emitting devices, various acoustic devices, and the like based on instructions from the main control board 920. The sub-control board 940 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so as to be able to communicate information. The main control board 920, the input operation device 260, the decorative symbol display device 479, the guide passage switch 804, the ball exit A switch 806, an operating solenoid 805A, and the like are connected. The sub-control board 940 is connected to the main control board 920, the input operation device 260, and the like so as to be capable of information communication in both directions, and is connected to the decorative symbol display device 479, etc. so that only one-way information output communication is possible. ing.

<Various control processes>
Next, various control processes executed by the main control board 920 will be described. The control processing in the main control board 920 can be broadly divided into main processing that is started upon recovery from a power failure state, and periodic execution (in this embodiment, with a cycle of 2 ms (milliseconds)). Timer interrupt processing.

  First, the main process executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main process of the main control board 920 (abbreviated as “main control main process” in FIG. 11).

  In the main process of the main control board 920, first, a series of control start processes (program start process S1001 to random number initial setting process S1019) for starting up the main control board 920 and initializing various information are executed only once. After that, the interrupt prohibition processing S1020 for prohibiting the interrupt, the winning random number initial value counter (partial area of the RAM), the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter (partial area of the RAM) and the normal symbol related to the special symbol Random initial value update processing S1021 for updating the value of the winning random number initial value counter (part of the RAM) and the first variation type counter to the fourth variation type for determining the variation time, variation pattern, etc. Fluctuation counter update processing S1022 for updating the value of the counter (part of the RAM), and interrupt permission processing S for permitting interrupts 023 and is repeatedly executed. When a timer interrupt request is generated before the interrupt permission process S1023, the timer interrupt process is executed immediately after the interrupt permission process S1023.

  In a series of control start processes, a program start process S1001 for setting an initial value to a stack pointer (part of the RAM) for controlling the execution of a program, an interrupt mode setting process S1002 for setting an interrupt mode, and a payout control board A stand-by standby process S1003 that waits for a predetermined time until 930, the sub-control board 940, and the like stand up is executed.

  After start-up standby process S1003, determination process S1004 of the output state of the initialization signal from initialization switch 907 of power supply / emission control board 900, determination process S1005 of the value of power failure information (part of RAM), storage Information storage state determination processing S1007 is performed, and it is determined based on these determination results whether or not to save the stored information in the RAM. Here, the stored information is information necessary for returning to the state of the game before the power failure, and corresponds to a part of the RAM that has been updated according to the progress of the game before the power failure. The counter value related to the unit game in the middle, the counter value stored by the start winning, and the like are exemplified.

  The storage state of the stored information is determined as follows. First, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated (checksum calculation process S1006), and the current checksum value and a power failure monitoring process S1202 (see FIG. 12) accompanying the transition to the previous power failure state. It is determined whether or not the exclusive OR with the RAM determination value that is the 2's complement of the checksum value calculated in (0) is “0” (determination processing S1007), and thereby the current checksum value and It is determined whether or not the checksum value at the time of transition to the power failure state is the same.

  When the initialization signal is in the on state (S1004: Y), when the power failure information is not a predetermined power failure value indicating that the stored information is stored and terminated when the transition to the power failure state is completed (S1005: N), or saved If the information is not normally held (S1007: N), a RAM clear process S1008 for erasing the stored information in the RAM is executed. After it is determined that the stored information is normally held (S1007: Y), or after the RAM clear process S1008 is executed, hardware for initializing various devices connected to the main control board 920 A hardware initialization process S1009 is executed.

  After the hardware initialization process S1009, a determination process S1010 of whether or not the power failure information is a power failure value is executed. When the power failure information is a power failure value (S1010: N), a RAM recovery setting process S1011 for initial setting of various types of information including a return of stored information and a recovery command indicating completion of the setting are set (return command). Output processing S1012). By returning the stored information in the RAM return setting process S1011, the control state of the main control board 920 is returned to the control state immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state.

  On the other hand, when the power failure information is not a power failure value (S1010: Y), various types of information are initialized without returning the retained information (RAM initial setting processing S1013), and an initialization command indicating the completion of the setting is output. (Initialization command output processing S1014).

  In the RAM recovery setting process S1011 and the RAM initial setting process S1013, the power failure information is set to a predetermined energization value different from the power failure value, and various error states such as fraud detection errors immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state. Even if has occurred, all those error states are cleared. Further, either the return command or the initialization command is output from the main control board 920 to both the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940, and the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940 that have received the return command or the initialization command. In each of these, a predetermined initialization process is executed.

  After the initial setting of the RAM according to the situation at the time of start-up (determination process S1004 to initialization command output process S1014), if the condition device is operating at the time of transition to the previous power failure state, the special gaming state is set. Preparation for returning is performed (special gaming state return preparation processing S1015). Specifically, in the special game state return preparation process S1015, the operating states of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are determined, and a process corresponding to the game situation in the power failure state is executed in the sub-control board 940. The

  After the special game state return preparation process S1015, it is determined whether or not the time-short state flag is set to determine whether it is a time-short state or a non-time-short state (determination process S1016). In the case (S1016: Y), a time reduction command is output (time reduction command output processing S1017). On the other hand, if it is in the non-time-short state (S1016: N), a non-time-short command is output (non-time-short command output processing S1018). Thereafter, the value of the winning random number counter (part of the RAM) related to the special symbol is initialized (random number initial setting process S1019).

  Next, timer interrupt processing executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing (abbreviated as “main control interrupt processing” in the figure) executed by the main control board 920.

  In the timer interrupt process of the main control board 920, first, an interrupt start process S1201 for starting a timer interrupt is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the interrupt control register. As a result, interrupts other than this timer interrupt are prohibited. Thereafter, a power failure monitoring process S1202 to an external information output process S1221 related to substantial control such as game progress control of the pachinko machine 100 and monitoring of various sensors are sequentially executed. However, when the game progress is stopped based on various fraud detections (S1207: Y), the control signal output process S1208 to the external information output process S1221 are not executed. Finally, an interrupt permission process S1222 that permits the next timer interrupt is executed, and the current timer interrupt process ends. In the following, various main processes will be described individually.

  In the power failure monitoring process S1202, the value of the power failure information (part of the RAM) is updated based on the output state of the power failure signal output from the power monitoring unit 911 of the power monitoring board 910. Specifically, the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, and when the on state is detected at all three times, it is determined that the power failure state is present. If it is not determined in this determination that the power is out, the power outage information is maintained at the energization value.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the power failure monitoring process S1202 that the power is out, the following process is executed. First, the value of the power failure information is changed from the energization value set in the RAM recovery setting process S1011 or the RAM initial setting process S1013 (see FIG. 11) to a predetermined power failure value. Also, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated, and the 2's complement of the checksum value is set as the RAM determination value. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 enters an infinite loop that does not perform substantial control such as game progress or monitoring of various sensors, and the state of the RAM after the RAM determination value is set is held based on the backup power. The Since the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, each process of timer interruption is executed twice after the first reception of the power failure signal is detected.

  In the random number update process S1203, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is a value different from the specified maximum value (for example, “576”), the value is changed by “1” larger than the current value, and the special symbol is changed. When the value of the winning random number counter relating to is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). However, if the value after the change is the same as the cyclic initial value for the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is the same as the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol. The cyclic initial value is also set to the same value as the winning random number initial value counter.

  The jackpot symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are also updated in the same manner as the winning random number counter related to the special symbol. However, as the update range determined by the specified maximum value and specified minimum value of each counter, a unique value is set for each counter, and a plurality of counters are updated asynchronously. Is referred to an initial value counter unique to each counter. For example, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol have the same value range, and the big hit symbol random number counter and the big hit symbol random number initial value counter have the same value range, The winning random number counter related to the normal symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol have the same value range.

  In the random number initial value update process S1204, the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number initial value counter, and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, if the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol is different from the specified maximum value (for example, “576”), the value is changed to a value “1” larger than the current value, When the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the symbol is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The initial random number counter for the special symbol and the initial random number counter for the normal symbol are also the initial random numbers for the special symbol, except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are unique to those counters. It is updated in the same way as the value counter.

  In the variation counter update process S1205, the values of the first variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter for determining the variation time, variation pattern, and the like are updated. Specifically, when the value of the first variation type counter is a value different from a specified maximum value (for example, “187”), the value is changed to a value that is larger by “1” than the current value, and the first variation When the value of the type counter is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The second variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter are also updated in the same manner as the first variation type counter except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are values unique to those counters. Is done.

  Note that each winning random number counter, jackpot symbol random number counter, stop pattern selection counter and each variation type counter related to special symbols and normal symbols are not necessarily configured as described above, and at least a part of the counter is configured as another configuration. For example, it may be configured to update from a constant initial value without using an initial value counter, or may be configured by a random number generating IC without using a program and refer to a value as necessary. .

  In the game stop determination process S1206, when the fraud detection information is a fraud detection value, it is updated to the game stop value and various information for stopping the progress of the game is set. On the other hand, if the fraud detection information is not a fraud detection value or if it is already a game stop value, the game stop determination process S1206 ends without executing each process for stopping the game progress. The fraud detection information is set to a fraud detection value when occurrence of various frauds is detected in the fraud detection processing S1211. In the determination process S1207, whether or not the game is stopped is determined based on whether or not the fraud detection information is a game stop value.

  In the control signal output process S1208, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, and the normal symbol related A signal for controlling various notification devices such as the normal symbol display device 473 is output. Based on the control data stored in the output buffer, various actuators such as a ball feed solenoid 332, a firing solenoid 334, a right entry restriction solenoid 462, a lower entry restriction solenoid 463, an upper entry restriction solenoid 464, and a switching solenoid 465 are provided. A control signal is output.

  In the switch reading process S1209, the middle start winning switch 441A, 441B, the right starting winning switch 442, the lower large winning switch 443, the upper large winning switch 444, the combination operation switch 445, the starting switch 446, the non-specific passage switch 447, the specific The signal state from each of the passage switch 448 and the general winning switches 449A and 449B is read, and a change in the detection state of the game ball by various switches is detected.

  Specifically, in the switch reading process S1209, signal states from various switches are read into the input buffer (part of the RAM) twice at predetermined time intervals, and signals from the various switches are read. Each time, the signal state read for the first time (hereinafter abbreviated as “first signal state”) and the signal state read for the second time (hereinafter abbreviated as “second signal state”) Based on the detection state detected by the previous timer interrupt (hereinafter abbreviated as “previous detection state”), changes in the detection state of various switches are detected. For each switch, when the previous detection state is the off state, the first signal state is the on state, and when the second signal state is the on state, it is determined that the switch is on. Thus, a detection flag (a partial area of the RAM) corresponding to the type of switch is set. As described in the power failure monitoring process S1202, even if the power supply is stopped, each process of the timer interrupt is executed twice, so that the various switches are turned on immediately after the power supply is stopped. Even when it is started, detection flags of various switches can be set accurately.

  In the timer update process S1210, various timers (predetermined areas of the RAM) used for special symbol and normal symbol variation display, control of each gaming state, fraud monitoring, and the like are updated.

  In the fraud detection process S1211, an illegal act such as forcibly entering a game ball into various winning devices or forcibly operating various winning devices is detected. Specifically, the right start winning device 432, the lower grand prize winning device 433, and the upper grand prize winning device 434 are forced to move into the allowable approaching posture, and the game ball is guided to a specific passage of the lower major prize winning device 433 by vibration. , The right start winning device 432 by radio waves, the lower winning device 433 and the upper winning device 434 are forcibly triggered, the game balls are guided to various winning devices by magnetic attraction, the upper middle starting winning device 431A, There is a high possibility that an illegal act such as guiding a game ball at an abnormal timing to the lower middle start winning device 431B, the right start winning device 432, the lower large winning device 433, and the upper large winning device 434 is performed. Detect occurrence.

  In the winning detection response process S1212, control based on detection of a game ball by various switches provided in the game board 400 is executed. Specifically, when the middle start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) and the lower middle start winning switch 441B (see FIG. 10). The middle start winning counter (predetermined area of the RAM) and the first payout counter (predetermined area of the RAM) are updated. Further, when the right start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10), the first payout counter is updated. Further, when the lower prize winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the lower prize winning switch 443 (see FIG. 10), or when the game ball is detected by the upper prize winning switch 444 (see FIG. 10). If the upper prize winning switch detection flag is set on the basis, the big prize counter (predetermined area of the RAM) and the second payout counter (predetermined area of the RAM) are updated.

  In the launch control process S1213, launch related information for controlling the launch of the game ball by the launch device 330 is updated. Specifically, the operation flag of the ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 and the operation flag of the firing solenoid 334 that drives the firing mechanism 333 are updated.

  In the input signal monitoring process S1214, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 108 (see FIG. 10) via the payout control board 930, an intermediate block is provided for the outer frame 101 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). It is detected whether 103 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.2) is closed. Further, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 109 via the payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10), the front block 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) with respect to the intermediate block 103 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). 3) is detected.

  In the payout state monitoring process S1215, information indicating the payout control state output from the payout control board 930 is monitored, and various payout state commands corresponding to the payout control state are set as necessary. The sub-control board 940 that has received the payout state command causes the decorative symbol display device 479, the upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 to perform notification according to the type of the payout state command.

  In the payout signal output process S1216, various prize ball commands are set based on the values of the first payout counter and the second payout counter as necessary, and output to the payout control board 930. The first payout counter and the second payout counter are updated according to the setting of the prize ball command. For example, the first payout counter is incremented by 1 each time a game ball corresponding to one winning is detected, and decremented by 1 each time a winning ball command based on the winning is set. Each time the payout control board 930 executes control for paying out the number of game balls (for example, 3) corresponding to the winning (specifically, shortly before the payout is completed), the main control board 920 is awarded. In a situation where a ball command is requested and the payout of a prize ball is continuing, a further prize ball command is output from the main control board 920. The second payout counter is a counter that is updated in response to a winning (for example, 13) that has a different number of prize balls than the first payout counter, and outputs a prize ball command based on the value of the second payout counter. When the 930 is received, the payout control board 930 executes control for paying out a number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command.

  In the special symbol-related process S1217, control for holding the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol and control of the unit game related to the first special symbol are executed. Specifically, operation control of the special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol is executed in the hold control of the unit game right related to the first special symbol. In addition, in the control of the unit game related to the first special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol is executed, and if the big win is won in the first special symbol lottery, Operation control of 433 and the top prize winning device 434 is further executed.

  Further, in the special symbol related process S1217, the unit game right holding control related to the second special symbol and the unit game control related to the second special symbol are executed. Specifically, the operation control of the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol is executed in the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol. In addition, in the control of the unit game related to the second special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol is executed, and when the big win is won in the second special symbol lottery, Operation control of 433 and the top prize winning device 434 is further executed.

  In the normal symbol related process S1218, the unit game right holding control related to the normal symbol and the unit game control related to the normal symbol are executed. Specifically, the operation control of the normal symbol hold display device 478 is executed in the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol. Further, in the control of the unit game related to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol display device 473 related to the normal symbol is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the operation control of the right start winning device 432 is further executed. .

  In the display control processing S1219, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, the special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol in the special symbol related processing S1217, and Based on various information updated to control the operation of the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol, output data for specifically operating these devices is synthesized. The synthesized output data is output to each device in a control signal output process S1208 based on the next timer interrupt.

  In the motor control process S1220, operation control of various motors is executed. In the external information output process S1221, output data to be output to an external device such as a data display device (not shown) or a management device (not shown) electrically connected to the pachinko machine 100 is set.

  Next, the output effect device 800 of the pachinko machine 100 in the present embodiment (first embodiment) will be described with reference mainly to FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a shape viewed from the right side by cutting a central portion in the left-right direction of the pachinko machine 100 with a vertical cross section continuous in the front-rear direction, and a payout device 540 of the pachinko machine 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a plurality of payout passages through which game balls are paid out by. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 100 schematically showing a configuration relating to a payout path of game balls.

  The output effect device 800 is a device configured to be able to produce an effect using a game ball paid out by the second payout device 540B constituting the payout device 540. As shown in FIG. 479 is provided at a position overlapping the front side of the display screen. The output effect device 800 has a lower end of the game area where the game ball flows down (an area where the game ball may flow down due to being surrounded by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 in the game board 400) (arrangement position of the discharge port 401A) ) Higher and located closer to the center than the left and right ends of the gaming area (see FIG. 3).

  The output effect device 800 has a storage box 801 that is formed in a transparent rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole and can store game balls therein. The storage box 801 is arranged at a position protruding in front of and behind the through hole formed in the base 400A so as to overlap the base 400A of the game board 400 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the storage box 801 is arranged at a position overlapping the game area in the front-rear direction, and the game ball is stopped in a central part surrounded by the area where the game ball flows down, and from the stopped area toward the player A game ball is provided to be discharged. A part of the upper surface of the storage box 801 is opened, and the opening is connected to a transparent guide passage 802 extending from the left side of the storage box 801.

  As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the guide passage 802 constitutes a passage for a game ball that connects the payout device 540 and the storage box 801, and the game ball stored in the game ball tank 510 is discharged from the payout device 540 (the first one). It is possible to flow down to the storage box 801 of the output effect device 800 by the operation of the two payout devices 540B). The game balls supplied from the game ball tank 510 are guided to the storage box 801 through the guide passage 802 by the operation of the payout device 540 under the control of the payout control board 930.

  Here, the game balls paid out by the first payout device 540A of the payout device 540 are provided and stored at the player's hand without going through the output effect device 800, as shown in FIGS. It is set as the structure paid out to the main storage part 231 or the auxiliary storage part 241 which can contact the played game ball. Specifically, after flowing down the guide member 550, the guide passage 551 leading to the main reservoir 231 is flown down, or the guide passage 552 leading to the auxiliary reservoir 241 is flowed down, and then the main reservoir 231 or the auxiliary reservoir. It flows down to one of the parts 241. In the payout device 540, various settings can be made as to whether the first payout device 540A pays out the game ball or the second payout device 540B pays out the game ball. For example, it may be a setting corresponding to a gaming state such as whether or not it is a special gaming state after a big hit, whether or not it is a short-time gaming state, and whether or not an effect using the output effect device 800 is performed. The setting corresponding to the effect of the variable display executed by the display device 479 may be set, or the player may select the payout destination using the input operation device 260, and the payout corresponding to the winning opening will be made. The destinations to be paid out may be set differently, or the destinations to be paid out may be different by combining two or more of the above settings.

  The guide passage 802 is provided with a guide passage switch 804 connected to the sub control board 940. The guide passage switch 804 is provided so that the number of game balls that have passed through the guide passage 802 and entered the storage box 801 can be counted by the sub-control board 940. When the game ball passes through the guide path switch 804, the sub-control board 940 is provided. A signal (information) corresponding to the passage of the game ball is output to the sub-control board 940.

  A discharge path 803 that protrudes toward the front side is provided at the front center lower portion of the storage box 801. The bottom surface of the storage box 801 is inclined downward toward the lower central portion in the front, and is formed in a slightly inclined shape so as to be lowered toward the discharge path 803 as a whole, and the bottom surface of the discharge path 803 is also directed toward the front side. It is slightly inclined to go down. The game balls stored in the storage box 801 travel forward along the discharge path 803 by applying momentum along the inclination of the bottom surface, and then discharged so as to jump out of the discharge path 803.

  A central panel 220 that covers the entire game area and faces the player is provided on the front side of the discharge path 803. The central panel 220 has two transparent plates (a front plate 222 and a rear plate 223), and a panel-side passage portion 220A is formed by a gap between the two transparent plates. The panel-side passage portion 220A is formed wider than the diameter of the game ball so that the game ball can flow down. The panel-side passage portion 220A is preferably formed to have a front-rear width that is at least twice the diameter of the game ball.

  A part of the discharge path 803 is set to a length that allows entry into a hole 223 </ b> A formed in the rear plate 223. In a closed state where the front block 102 provided with the rear plate 223 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 provided with the game board 400, a part of the discharge path 803 is inside the hole 223A formed in the rear plate 223. It enters the state that entered. In this closed state, the position of the front end of the discharge path 803 is located between the rear plate 223 and the front plate 222, and the game ball traveling in the discharge path 803 passes through the inside of the hole 223A of the rear plate 223. Then, it is discharged to the panel side passage portion 220A.

  The discharge path 803 is provided with an opening / closing door 805 that can be switched between an open state in which the game ball can pass through the discharge path 803 and a closed state in which the game ball cannot pass. The opening / closing door 805 allows the game ball to pass by closing the entrance portion of the discharge path 803 with a plate-shaped portion and moving upward with respect to the closed state to open the entrance portion of the discharge path 803. Connected to an operating solenoid 805A (see FIG. 10) that is movably provided in the open state and operates under the control of the payout control board 930, the discharge path 803 is transitioned to the open state or the closed state.

  In the closed state where the discharge path 803 is closed by the open / close door 805, the game ball supplied from the game ball tank 510 to the storage box 801 is stored in the storage box 801. On the other hand, in the open state in which the discharge path 803 is opened by the open / close door 805, if a large number of game balls are stored in the storage box 801, a number of game balls corresponding to the time length of the open state are discharged. It is discharged from 803 toward the panel side passage 220A.

  Here, the discharge path 803 is provided on the front side with respect to the storage box 801, and a game ball passing through the discharge path 803 advances forward. For this reason, the game ball advances toward the front side where the player is located, and a three-dimensional effect is possible as if the game ball advances toward the player. The discharge path 803 may be sized so that the game balls advance toward the player one by one. However, in order to enable the presentation so that a large number of game balls advance toward the player, It is preferable that at least two or more game balls are arranged in a row, and it is preferable that two or more game balls are arranged in the vertical direction.

  A ball outlet switch 806 connected to the sub control board 940 is provided in front of the opening / closing door 805 of the discharge path 803. The game ball actually discharged from the discharge path 803 is detected by the sub-control board 940 when the game ball passes through a position where the ball outlet switch 806 is provided. Note that the discharge path 803 is preferably wider than the path for one game ball, and has a width that allows a plurality of game balls to be lined side by side and travel forward. In this case, the game balls are aligned. A plurality of rows of passages continuous in the front-rear direction may be formed so as to be able to proceed, and a ball outlet switch 806 may be provided for each passage to detect the passage of the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the bottom surface 220 </ b> B of the panel side passage portion 220 </ b> A into which the game ball discharged from the discharge path 803 enters is slightly inclined and is located at a position corresponding to the lowest lower end (near the center). Is formed with an opening 811 constituting an inlet of a supply path 812 continuous downward. The supply path 812 is provided as a part of the front block 102 and is a path through which the game ball can flow downward, and is connected to the auxiliary storage unit 241. Therefore, the game ball discharged from the storage box 801 is configured to be paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241 through the supply path 812. The supply path 812 is not limited to a configuration in which game balls are paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241, and may be configured to be connected to the main storage unit 231 and to pay out game balls to the main storage unit 231.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the effect will be described using the output effect device 800 and the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479. FIG. 15 is a front view of the game board 400 in a state where game balls are supplied to the storage box 801.

  As described above, the output effect device 800 is provided on the front side of the decorative symbol display device 479, but is formed of a transparent material as a whole. Therefore, in the non-reserved state where the game ball is not retained, The person can visually recognize the entire decorative symbol display device 479. In addition, the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479 is formed larger than the output effect device 800 in the front view seen from the player side, and does not overlap with the output effect device 800 in the front-rear direction (hereinafter, this is non-overlapping display). Called a region).

  In the non-reserved state where the game ball is not present in the storage box 801, the entire surface of the decorative symbol display device 479 is used so as to include a portion overlapping the rear side of the storage box 801 (hereinafter also referred to as “overlapping display area”). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a lottery symbol display portion 821A that displays a variation display of the decorative symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed in the overlapping display area.

  When the game ball is stored in the storage box 801, the entry of the game ball into the storage box 801 is detected by the guide path switch 804. When a game ball is discharged from the storage box 801, the discharge of the game ball is detected by the ball outlet switch 806. Both the guide passage switch 804 and the ball exit switch 806 are connected to the sub-control board 940, and the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801 by the sub-control board 940 is monitored, and the decorative design is corresponding to the quantity. Display control of the display device 479 is performed.

  In a storage state in which game balls are stored in the storage box 801, the visibility of the overlapping display area in the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479 may be hindered by the game balls stored in the storage box 801. The possibility of inhibition increases as the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801 increases. For this reason, in a situation where a predetermined amount (for example, 500 or more) of game balls are stored in the storage box 801, non-overlapping display different from the overlapping display area in the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479 is performed. The lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed in the area. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the lottery symbol display portion 821B is formed at the upper part of the display screen, and the variation display of the decorative symbol is displayed. Thereby, the player can enjoy the game without making it difficult for the player to visually recognize the lottery result.

  Next, an effect using the storage box 801 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram schematically showing supply of game balls to the storage box 801, and FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram schematically showing discharge of game balls from the storage box 801.

  The output effect device 800 of the first embodiment temporarily stores the game balls that the game balls enter and pay out to the lower prize-winning device 433 and the upper prize-winning device 434, and the player with respect to the input operation device 260 It is configured so that it can be discharged by the operation. When a special symbol lottery is won and a special game state is generated, a game ball is allowed to enter the entrance of the lower prize-winning device 433 or the upper prize-winning device 434. When detected by the big winning switches 443 and 444 (see FIG. 10), as many game balls as the number corresponding to the entry of the game balls are stored by the payout device 540 (second payout device 540B) as shown in FIG. It is paid out to the box 801.

  When an operation is performed on a part of the input operation device 260 (discharge operation unit 260A, see FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 17, a game ball is drawn from the storage box 801 from the storage box 801 as shown in FIG. Discharged. The operation of the discharge operation unit 260A can be configured as follows. For example, a cross button as the discharge operation unit 260A is operated, and in conjunction with the operation, a button “discharge game ball from storage box” is displayed on a part of the decorative symbol display device 479 so as to be selectable. After selecting, if the downward button is continuously pressed, game balls corresponding to the pressed time may be discharged. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the number of “targets” stored is displayed on the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479, and the value of the “target” can be selected by the player, exceeding the number of selected targets. It is also possible to select an “automatic payout button” for paying out the amount to the downstream side. Further, the “all payout button” for paying out all the stored game balls may be selectable, and when selected, all the game balls stored in the storage box 801 may be discharged. Further, a dedicated release switch may be provided as the discharge operation unit 260A, and the game ball may be discharged during the period when the release switch is operated.

  The sub-control board 940 is preferably configured to be capable of outputting a ball overflow signal that is output when the game ball cannot enter the output effect device 800 with respect to the main control board 920. . Various conditions can be set or combined as conditions for outputting the ball overflow signal. For example, when game balls are stored in the storage box 801 for a predetermined number of minutes or more, a ball overflow signal is output, and the game balls are paid out so as to prevent the game balls from entering the storage box 801 exceeding that number. The device 540 may be controlled. That is, the ball overflow signal of the storage box 801 on the output effect device 800 side is output from the main control board 920 to the payout control board 930, and the payout control board 930 controls the second payout motor 842 to obtain the necessary remaining number. You may make it control so that the game ball of a minute may not flow down to the storage box 801. FIG. In this case, the payout control board 930 may control the first payout motor 542 so as to pay out the remaining number of game balls to the main storage mechanism 230, or payout by the second payout device 540B. The payout may be stopped until it becomes possible.

  In this way, in the pachinko machine 100, as a position that is easy to see from the player who pays attention to the game balls flowing down the game area, as an output passage section in the center of the game area located in front of the player's face The game ball proceeds toward the player via the guide passage 802, the storage box 801, and the discharge path 803, and the player can acquire the game ball. Therefore, the number of game balls acquired by the player can be expressed not only by numbers and display screens but also by the senses through the sense that the actual game ball moves toward the player. . Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the amount of acquired game balls than to simply represent the number of game balls acquired by the game with numbers. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily experience a sense similar to that felt by accumulating a large number of ball boxes to acquire a large amount of game media even in a game hall using an IC card, In the decision of whether to continue or stop the game, it is possible to easily recognize the amount of game media acquired sensuously, and to expect to avoid the overwhelming situation such as excessive gaming. effective.

  In addition, a transparent storage box 801 is disposed so as to be positioned in front of the player's face, and the game ball is discharged so as to jump out from the discharge path 803 protruding from the front side of the storage box 801 toward the player. Thus, it is possible to make the player strongly aware that the game ball has been paid out, and to increase the enjoyment of the game.

  Further, by providing the storage box 801 with a function as a storage unit, it is easy for the player to be aware of the amount of game balls that have been paid out, and the game ball is stored in the storage box 801 at any timing according to the player's intention. Can be paid out from. For this reason, when managing game balls with a value recording medium such as a card, even if a large number of game balls are paid out, it becomes difficult to understand sensuously, and it is necessary to wipe out the unsatisfactory feeling that can not feel an uplifting feeling. It is possible to increase satisfaction and make it easy to prevent the player from getting into the game.

  In addition, the storage box 801 can be used as a dedicated storage unit corresponding to the entry of the game ball into the grand prize winning devices 433 and 434, and the effect is limited to the case where the discharge of the game ball from the storage box 801 is won a big hit It is possible to increase the enjoyment of the big hit for the player.

  Further, the front side of the game area is covered so that the player can visually recognize the game area and cannot be contacted, and the front plate 222 and the rear plate 223 as two transparent cover means arranged with a gap therebetween. Is provided with a panel-side passage portion 220A that allows a game ball to pass therethrough, and the amount of game balls output to the panel-side passage portion 220A is controlled by the open / close door 805. For this reason, the game medium can be passed through a gap that is located on the front side of the game area and separates one cover body facing the player, so that the amount of game medium to be paid out during the game can be reduced. Can be visually recognized, and a gaming machine in which the amount of game media paid out can be easily confirmed can be provided.

  Next, the pachinko machine 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100X in the second embodiment, FIG. 19 is a front view of the game board 400 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is the second embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the payout path | route of the game ball in.

  The pachinko machine 100X of the second embodiment is configured such that the game balls stored in the storage box 801 are paid out in accordance with the winnings by the control of the payout control board 930. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure same as the structure in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, attaches | subjects and demonstrates the same name, and demonstrates only a different part.

  In the pachinko machine 100X according to the second embodiment, the payout control board 930 includes an operation solenoid 805A for operating the open / close door 805 and a ball exit switch capable of detecting a ball discharged from the storage box 801, as shown in FIG. 806 is connected. The payout control board 930 performs control so that a number of game balls corresponding to the winning of game balls to the big winning devices 433 and 434 are discharged from the storage box 801 to the discharge path 803 corresponding to the downstream side.

  The inflow of game balls to the storage box 801 is performed by controlling the payout motor 842 and the payout counting switch 892 by the sub control board 940. That is, the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801 is determined by the operation of the second payout device 540B including the payout motor 842 and the payout counting switch 892. The control of the second payout device 540B is performed by the sub control board 940, and the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801 is increased or decreased as part of the effect.

  Under the storage box 801, as shown in FIG. 20, a guide path 807 for causing the game balls stored in the storage box 801 to flow down to a collection / discharge path different from the player side, and a guide path A lower opening / closing door 808 operable to switch whether or not the game ball in the storage box 801 is caused to flow down to 807 is provided. The lower opening / closing door 808 is provided with an opening / closing door 805 (hereinafter also referred to as a front opening / closing door 805) that opens and closes a ball outlet leading to the discharge path 803, near the portion that supports the ball in the storage box 801. When the lower opening / closing door 808 is opened with the 805 closed, all the game balls in the storage box 801 can be discharged through the guide passage 807. The lower opening / closing door 808 may be configured by another structure or provided at another position as long as the game ball in the storage box 801 can be discharged out of the machine.

  An operation solenoid 808A for operating the lower opening / closing door 808 is connected to the sub-control board 940 and controlled so that the game balls in the storage box 801 can be discharged as necessary. The sub-control board 940 controls the amount of game balls stored in the storage box 801, and the amount corresponding to the amount of game balls to be paid out and the expectation level to be paid out (possibility that a big hit will occur after a change is displayed). The game balls are stored and the player sees the game balls that are directly paid out, and then the player can execute an effect in which the game balls are paid out. As an effect, for example, when a game ball is stored in the storage box 801 during the fluctuation display and a big win is won, all or a part of the game ball stored in the storage box 801 is paid out to the player.

  An effect using the storage box 801 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 19, during the variation display corresponding to the special symbol lottery, when the remaining one symbol fluctuates and the other symbol constitutes a part of the jackpot symbol, the output effect An effect (storage ball effect) using the device 800 may be executed. The execution of the stored ball effect is executed as one of the effects selected by the sub control board 940. For example, when a game ball is stored in the storage box 801 of the output effect device 800, a big hit is made with a probability of 50%. Is set to In the case of a big hit, the effect may be executed with other settings, such as a game ball being stored in the output effect device 800.

  When the execution of the stored ball effect is determined, an amount of game balls corresponding to the number of game balls to be paid out by the big hit is stored. For example, when jackpots with different payout numbers are set for three different round numbers, 10 rounds, 4 rounds, and 2 rounds are set, and the payout numbers are about 1500, about 600, and about 300, respectively. In this case, 1500 game balls corresponding to the maximum number are stored in the storage box 801. As shown in FIG. 19, the stored number is displayed as “MAX1500” on the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479, and the maximum number to be paid out by jackpot is informed to the player. Visible.

  The sub-control board 940 supplies the game balls from the state where no game balls are in the storage box 801 in a single fluctuation display until the predetermined number of storages is reached, and executes the stored ball effect. For example, when any number of 300, 600, 1500 balls are stored and the winning combination is won by the change display, the game balls of the number of balls may be set to be paid out. You may make it pay at least one part after winning as a maximum amount of the game balls for the number of stored. Also, after the three symbols are gathered and the occurrence of the big hit is confirmed, the player will be shown how far the balls stored in the storage box 801 will increase, and up to one of 300, 600, 1500 The stored balls may be paid out in a special game state. It is not always necessary to supply a game ball and execute a stored ball effect from a state in which there is no game ball in the storage box 801 in a single fluctuation display until a certain number of storages is reached. The game balls are stored in the storage box 801 by other ways of increasing, such as gradually increasing the number of game balls in the variable display or increasing the number of game balls stored corresponding to the number of balls fired by the player. You may make it do.

  If the lottery result is a big win, the payout control board 930 moves the open / close door 805 to the open state in accordance with the entry of the game ball to the big winning devices 433 and 434, so that the number of games corresponding to the winning is obtained. The ball is paid out from the storage box 801 through the discharge path 803. As a result, the game ball corresponding to the winning is paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241 through the supply path 812. In the case where extra winnings occur and there are not enough game balls in the storage box 801, the discharge path is provided after controlling the sub control board 940 so that the shortage of game balls flows into the storage box 801. You may make it pay out through 803, or you may make it pay out a game ball | bowl with another path | route using 1st payout apparatus 540A. In addition, when there are not enough game balls to be paid out and the game balls remain in the storage box 801 even when the special game state ends, the lower open / close door 808 of the storage box 801 is opened to discharge the game balls. You may do it.

  As described above, as a reach effect, the game ball is stored in the storage box 801, and information corresponding to the lottery result is provided to the player, such as indicating the game ball that can be acquired by the big hit according to the amount of the stored game ball. Thus, it is easy to imagine the amount of game balls that can be acquired for the big hit of the player, and it is possible to perform an effect using the medium supplied in large numbers to the pachinko machine 100X, so that the player can enjoy the game. .

  Next, a pachinko machine 100Y according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pachinko machine 100Y in the third embodiment, and FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a payout path of game balls in the pachinko machine 100Y of the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the ball effect control process.

  In the pachinko machine 100Y according to the third embodiment, the game balls stored in the storage box 801 are moved and stored in the panel side passage portion 220A located on the downstream side as one of the effects, and the stored game balls are paid out. The control board 930 is configured to pay out corresponding to winning. In addition, about the structure same as the structure in 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the same name, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In the pachinko machine 100Y of the third embodiment, the payout control board 930 includes a payout motor 1542 constituting a payout device 1540 (hereinafter referred to as a third payout device 1540), and a payout count, as shown in FIGS. A switch 1592 is connected. The third payout device 1540 is a device capable of controlling whether the game ball stored in the panel side passage portion 220A flows down to the downstream side or maintains the stored state, and is configured in the same manner as the above-described payout device 540. ing. The payout control board 930 discharges game balls for the number corresponding to winning to the big winning devices 433 and 434 out of the game balls stored in the panel side passage part 220A to the auxiliary storage part 241 through the supply path 812. To control.

  A second payout device 540B is connected to the sub control board 940. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, a payout motor 842 and a payout count switch for controlling the number of game balls flowing into the storage box 801. 892 is connected. The sub-control board 940 includes an operation solenoid 805A and a ball exit switch 806 for controlling the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801 and flowing down to the panel side passage 220A located on the downstream side. Is connected.

  The sub-control board 940 operates the payout motor 842 to cause a necessary number of game balls to flow into the storage box 801. Further, the sub control board 940 drives and controls the operation solenoid 805A that operates the open / close door 805 at a necessary timing to cause the game balls stored in the storage box 801 to flow down to the panel side passage portion 220A.

  The game balls stored in the storage box 801 are discharged toward the player through the discharge path 803 as part of the performance, and the number of discharged balls is not a speed related to winning, but is earlier than the occurrence of winning. Then, it flows down to the panel side passage 220A on the downstream side in advance. For this reason, it is possible to perform an effect in which a large amount of game balls are discharged toward the player at once. The game balls that have traveled toward the panel-side passage portion 220A are temporarily stored in the panel-side passage portion 220A, and the stored game balls are played to the big winning devices 433 and 434 under the control of the payout control board 930. It is paid out according to the winning of the ball.

  Under the panel side passage portion 220A, as shown in FIG. 22, a guide passage 832 for causing the game balls stored in the panel side passage portion 220A to flow down to a collection discharge passage different from the player side. And a panel side opening / closing door 831 operable to switch whether or not the game ball in the panel side passage portion 220A is caused to flow down to the guide passage 832. The panel-side opening / closing door 831 is provided near the portion where the third payout device 1540 supports the game ball in the panel-side passage portion 220A. When the panel-side opening / closing door 831 is opened, the panel-side opening / closing door 831 passes through the guide passage 832. All game balls in the section 220A are configured to be discharged. The panel side opening / closing door 831 may be configured by another structure or provided at another position as long as the game ball in the panel side passage portion 220A can be discharged out of the machine.

  The operation solenoid 831A for operating the panel side opening / closing door 831 is connected to the sub control board 940, and is controlled so that the game ball in the panel side passage portion 220A can be discharged as necessary. Thereby, the sub control board 940 can control not only the storage box 801 but the amount by which the game ball is stored in the panel side passage portion 220A.

  As an effect using the storage box 801, the above-described stored ball effect can be executed, and the payout of the game ball after the execution of the effect is different from the above-described second embodiment. The ball effect control process as the control of the stored ball effect will be described with reference to FIG.

  The ball effect control process is part of the effect control executed on the sub-control board 940. First, it is determined whether or not the storage ball effect is a timing to be executed as a reach effect (S1301), and if it is the execution timing (S1301: Y), a storage box ball storage process (S1302) is performed. In the storage box ball storage process, as described above, the second payout device 540B is controlled to store game balls up to the number set in the storage box 801 as the execution of the effect. After the processing of S1302, it is determined whether or not a set number of game balls are stored in the storage box 801 (S1303), and if not stored (S1303: N), the processing of S1302 is repeated until stored. It should be noted that it is not always necessary to set the standby state so that other processing is not performed in determining whether the set number has been stored, and a flag indicating that the storage box ball storage processing (S1302) is being executed is set, and the subsequent processing is performed. The storage box ball storage process (S1302) may also be executed continuously, and the storage box opening process (S1312) described later is similarly executed in parallel with other processes. You may comprise as follows.

  When it is determined in the process of S1303 that game balls have been stored in the storage box 801 up to the set number (S1303: Y), or in the process of S1301, it is determined that it is not time to execute the reach effect by the stored ball effect In step S1311, it is determined whether it is the timing at which the big hit has occurred.

  If it is determined in the process of S1311 that a big hit has occurred (S1311: Y), the storage box 801 is opened so that the game ball passes through the discharge path 803 (S1312), and the number of rounds won as the lottery result is reached. The process is continued until the game balls corresponding to the corresponding number of balls move downstream. After the process of S1312, it is determined whether the number of game balls corresponding to the number of winning rounds have moved through the discharge path 803 (S1313). If not moved (S1313: N), the process of S1312 is performed until it moves. Continue.

  In the process of S1313, when it is determined that the game ball has moved to the corresponding number of balls (S1313: Y), if there is a remaining ball remaining in the storage box 801, a process of discharging through the recovery discharge passage is performed (S1314). All the game balls in the storage box 801 are lost.

  After the processing of S1314 or when it is determined that it is not the timing when the big hit has occurred in the processing of S1311, it is determined whether or not it is the timing when the big hit ends (S1321). : Y), a process of discharging the remaining sphere remaining in the panel side passage portion 220A to the recovery discharge passage (S1322). After the process of S1322 or when it is determined in S1321 that it is not the big hit end timing (S1321: N), the ball effect control process is ended.

  In this way, by performing the ball effect control process, the game balls are temporarily stored in the storage box 801, and the number of game balls corresponding to the lottery result is discharged from the storage box 801 to the player in a short time when the big win is won. An effect can be executed. Further, the discharged game balls can be temporarily stored in the panel side passage 220A, and can be paid out little by little under the control of the payout control board 930 at a speed corresponding to the occurrence of winning in the special game state. . In other words, as an effect that makes it possible to visually recognize the number of game balls to be paid out to the player, after a large amount of game media has flowed down to the downstream side temporarily, the downstream side corresponding to the progress of the subsequent game It is possible to pay out a small amount of the game ball that has flowed down.

  The effect in the ball effect control process is not necessarily limited to a configuration in which the game ball is stored in the storage box 801 disposed inside the game area and the game ball is discharged to the player in a short time, but other configurations It is good. For example, a storage box 801 may be provided at another position. For example, a storage box is provided in front of the game area, game balls are temporarily stored in the storage box, and the number of game balls corresponding to the lottery result You may make it pay | pay out to a player little by little after letting down flow down.

  In addition, it is not necessary to temporarily store the game ball in the panel side passage portion 220A that can be visually recognized by the player, and the player gradually stores the game ball in a position where the player cannot visually recognize the game ball. You may make it pay out.

  Further, the game balls stored in the panel side passage portion 220A need not be paid out by winning only the winning opening of the large winning devices 433 and 434, and other starting winning devices 431 and 432, or general winning devices You may make it pay | pay out the game ball stored by the panel side channel | path part 220A including a part or all of 439A, 439B.

  Next, a pachinko machine 100Z according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating a payout path of game balls in the pachinko machine 100Z according to the fourth embodiment.

  The pachinko machine 100Z of the fourth embodiment has a shape having an entry space portion 1223 in which a part of the center portion of the front plate 1222 of the center panel 1220 is recessed rearward with respect to the pachinko machine 100X of the first embodiment. The difference is that the player can put the hand into the entry space 1223 and the door 1805 can be directly opened and closed. Hereinafter, the description of the same configuration as that in the first embodiment will be omitted, the same name will be given, and only different parts will be described.

  The center panel 220 of the pachinko machine 100Z according to the fourth embodiment includes a front plate 1222 and a rear plate 1221 that are made of two plate-like resins that overlap transparently in front and rear. The front plate 1222 and the rear plate 1221 function as transparent cover means that covers the front side of the game area so that the game area where the game is played by the player's launch operation using the game ball can be visually recognized.

  The rear plate 1221 has an opening space 1223 having a shape that protrudes rearward in the front plate 1222 and is recessed to the rear side of the game area so that the front plate 1222 enters the opening. Is formed. The entry space portion 1223 is arranged in a range overlapping in front of the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479 when viewed from the front side (see FIG. 7). A game area where the ball can flow down is located.

  The entrance space 1223 is provided in a region in which the outer periphery is surrounded by a planar portion having a thickness in the front-rear direction on the front plate 1222 and the rear plate 1221. Further, the entry space portion 1223 is higher than the lower end of the game area, is located on the center side of the pachinko machine 100Z with respect to both sides in the left-right direction of the game area, and is set behind the game area in the game area and the front-rear direction. An entry space into which a part of the player's body can enter is formed up to a position overlapping the upper side of the storage box 801.

  In the entry space portion 1223, an opening / closing operation portion 1805A formed integrally with an upper portion of the opening / closing door 1805 is provided so as to protrude, and when the player operates the opening / closing operation portion 1805A, The game ball can be discharged manually. As a result, the user can insert a hand inside the game area and operate the close position where the game board 400 such as the central structure 420 is likely to be directly touched. It is possible to provide gameability capable of being involved in a game.

  Note that it is not always necessary to form a space where the player's hand can enter by the entry space portion 1223, and it may be configured by a small space where the player's fingers can enter, or a thin game such as a smartphone. A configuration may be adopted in which a part of the moving operation body that can be gripped by a person can enter, and the opening / closing operation unit 1805A is operated by the operation body or a finger. Further, the upper part of the opening / closing door 805 including the opening / closing operation part 1805A may be bent so that the opening / closing operation part 1805A can be pulled out from a position overlapping with the game area in the front-rear direction to a space in front of the game area. By making it possible to move in the front-rear direction, it is possible to easily set the movement amount while forming the entry space portion 1223 small.

  In this way, the front plate 1222 as the transparent cover means is an area surrounded by the flat portion of the front plate 222, is higher than the lower end of the game area, and is located at the center of the pachinko machine 100Z from both sides in the left and right direction of the game area. Is a space continuous from the front side of the game area to the position overlapping with the game area in the front-rear direction (or the position set to the rear side of the game area), and is a part of the player's body or the player's body An approach space portion 1223 is formed with an entry space in which at least a part of the movable moving body that can be moved by the operation can enter. For this reason, the player inserts a part of the player's body or operation body up to a portion very close to the game area while visually recognizing the game area, and performs a game ball discharge operation, a take-out operation, or a decoration for performance. Operations such as touching the body can be performed. Therefore, the part that can be operated by the player can be greatly expanded in the front-rear direction, and the part that can be operated by the player through the entry space portion 1223 can be suitably used as an operating device.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, For example, you may deform | transform and implement as described below. In this case, each configuration described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or a plurality of configurations described below may be combined and applied to the above embodiment.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the storage box 801 and the entry space portion 1223 have been described with respect to the configuration provided in the region surrounded by the flat portion of the front plate 222 in the front view. For example, at least one of the storage box 801 and the entry space portion 1223 may be positioned so as to be partially offset so as to be shifted to the right side. Further, it is not always necessary to configure the game area so that the game balls flow down the left and right sides of the storage box 801 and the entry space portion 1223, and the game area may be provided on one of the left and right sides.

  In the said embodiment, although center panel 220,1220 illustrated about the case where front and back two transparent plate-shaped members were integrated and comprised, you may integrate three or more transparent plate-shaped members, Or you may comprise a center panel with one transparent plate-shaped member. When the central panel is constituted by one transparent member, or when the central panel is constituted by two or more transparent plate-like members, a through-hole is formed in the plate-like member located on the front side of the discharge path 803 However, the player may touch the game ball that has advanced toward the player.

  In the above embodiment, the game balls stored in the storage box 801 through the supply path 812 are paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241, but it is not always necessary to pay out the same game balls. For example, the game balls stored in the storage box 801 may be circulated inside the pachinko machine 100 as a game ball for performance, or may be guided to the collection / discharge path, and the game ball tank 510 May be paid out by supplying another game ball to the main storage unit 231 or the auxiliary storage unit 241 by the payout device 540. Further, the game balls stored in the storage box 801 may be once guided to the rear side of the pachinko machine 100 through the recovery / discharge route and returned to the game ball tank 510. Even with this configuration, it is possible to make the player feel as if the game ball stored in the storage box 801 has been paid out, and the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, when a game ball is discharged from the storage box 801, the game ball is actually paid out, or the game ball to be paid out is stored in the storage box 801, so that the game ball is stored in the storage box 801. The storage and the payout to the player are related, but it is not always necessary to make them related. For example, when the execution of a specific reach state is selected as the effect of the variable display, a certain number of game balls are discharged from the storage box 801 and then the discharged game balls are collected. It may be configured to be executed as a part, or during a special game state generated by a jackpot, depending on the number of game balls stored in the storage box 801, the transition is made depending on whether the transition to the probability change game state is subsequently made. For example, the storage box 801 can be simply used for effects such as an effect suggesting a gaming state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the panel side passage portion 220A is used as the passage of the game ball and the game ball discharged from the storage box 801 is passed is exemplified. However, the panel side passage portion 220A is used as the effect area. Is also possible. For example, as a reach effect, game balls are discharged from the storage box 801 and temporarily stored in the panel side passage 220A. If the lottery result is unsuccessful, the game balls are collected. The game balls corresponding to the above may be paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241 or the main storage unit 231 and the excess game balls may be collected through the collection / discharge passage. The panel-side passage portion 220A faces the player only through the front plate 222, which is a single transparent plastic plate. By temporarily storing game balls in the panel-side passage portion 220A, a large number of game balls can be transferred to the player. It can be stored close to the position as one of the effects, stimulating the player's vision, and making the player more enjoyable.

  In the second embodiment, three types of payouts are set according to the three types of jackpots, but the number of payouts according to one, two, or four or more types of jackpots is set. Also good. The number of payouts can be set freely according to the setting probability of the gaming machine.

  In the second embodiment, surplus game balls are collected via the lower opening / closing door 808. However, they may be performed simultaneously or in reverse order (payout after collecting the surplus in advance). For example, when a ball detection switch is installed on the downstream side of the lower opening / closing door 808 and more game balls are stored in the storage box 801 than the lottery result, before or after the start of the special game state Immediately after that, the lower opening / closing door 808 is opened and the number of game balls passed through the guide passage 807 is counted. When the number of game balls corresponding to the lottery result is reduced, the lower opening / closing door 808 is closed. You may collect game balls.

  In the above embodiment, the storage box 801 has one of the rectangular parallelepiped shapes, but at least one of the size, shape, number, and position of the storage box may be varied.

  In the above embodiment, the payout of the game ball according to the entry of the game ball to the general winning device 439 or the start winning device 431 is performed directly from the game ball tank 510 to the main storage unit 231, and the game to the big winning device 434 is performed. The game balls are paid out according to the entry of the balls through the storage box 801, but the storage boxes are also used for paying out the game balls according to the entry of the game balls into the general winning device 439 and the start winning device 431. It may be performed via 801. For example, it is possible to provide a changeover switch so that a player can select a game ball to be paid out in preference to either the main storage unit 231 or the storage box 801, and the player has been discharged from the storage box 801. The game balls may be paid out preferentially to the main storage unit 231 instead of the auxiliary storage unit 241, and all the game balls pass through the storage box 801 as a configuration in which the payout device 540 does not have the first payout device 540A. It is good also as a structure paid out.

  In the above embodiment, the game ball discharged from the storage box 801 is guided to the supply path 812 via the panel side passage portion 220A. However, for example, the opening / closing operation is performed on the supply path 812 by the player's operation. It is good also as a structure which provides the opening / closing door which can be used, and uses the panel side channel | path part 220A as a storage means which stores the game ball which the player acquired. Thereby, when the main storage part 231 becomes full, it can be realized that the game ball is paid out as compared with the conventional method in which the frequency of the game ball is automatically added to the card.

  In the above-described embodiment, the payout number of game balls is paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241. However, the game balls may be collected and the frequency of the game balls may be added to the card. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the convenience of the player while making the player visually recognize that the game ball has been paid out and making the player entertain.

  In the above embodiment, the game ball once stored in the storage box 801 is guided to the supply path 812 after passing through the panel side passage portion 220A facing the player, but the storage box 801 is omitted, for example. Alternatively, the guide passage 802 may be directly connected to the panel side passage portion 220A. In this case, for example, an opening / closing door that can control the progress of the game ball is provided in the vicinity of the opening 811 of the supply path 812 so that the player can open and close the panel, and the player opens and closes the opening / closing door. The part 220A can be made to function as a storage means capable of storing game balls. Even in this case, the effect of the game ball traveling toward the player can be visually recognized, and a pachinko machine having the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the entry space 1223 is provided with an opening / closing operation part 1805A integrally formed on the upper part of the opening / closing door 1805. However, the entry space 1223 is provided with other operation parts. You may make it provide. For example, an opening may be provided on the upper side of the storage box 801 so as to be continuous with the entry space portion 1223 so that a player can contact the game ball in the storage box 801 through the opening. The shutter member may be provided so that the player can take out the ball in the storage box 801 by opening the opening by operating the shutter member only when the player acquires the game ball. In addition, a sheet-like member made of rubber or the like that can be deformed is provided in the opening so that the opening is closed, and the game ball in the storage box 801 can be enjoyed through the opening or the game ball in the storage box 801 can be moved. May be possible. Further, as a member that can be contacted through the opening, instead of the storage box 801 or in addition to the storage box 801, the decorative parts provided in the central structure 420 and the flow of game balls provided in the game area are affected. A part of the flow-down changing member such as a windmill may be configured to be able to contact or operate directly or indirectly through a deformable sheet-like member.

  (2) You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a type different from the said embodiment. For example, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine in which the big hit expectation value is increased until the big hit state is generated a plurality of times (for example, twice or three times) including the big hit. Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special gaming state on the condition that a ball wins a predetermined area after a big hit symbol is displayed. Moreover, you may implement in the enclosed pachinko machine with which a ball | bowl circulates. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball type pachinko machine and a sparrow ball. Further, the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine and may be applied to a slot machine, or may be applied to a game machine such as a parrot of a type in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated.

<Invention extracted from the above embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing problems and effects as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in each of the above embodiments is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses. In addition, the meanings and examples of terms described in each feature may be applied as the meanings and examples of terms described in other features described in the same wording.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. Generally, the ball outlet of the ball tray is passed to a ball box or the like and stored. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  There is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration in which the game medium is supplied to the conventional storage unit such as a ball tray or an IC card.

<Feature 10>
A game area where a game is performed by a player's operation using a game medium (a flow area of a game ball, a plurality of reels of a slot machine);
The game area is provided separately from the gaming area, is higher than the lower end of the gaming area, is located at the center side of the gaming machine from at least one side in the left-right direction of the gaming area, and is visible to the player, An output passage portion (a combination of a guide passage 802, a storage box 801, and a discharge passage 803) that can output game media to the front side of the game area from a predetermined position that overlaps in the front-rear direction or a predetermined position that is set behind the game area. Game ball passage), and
A game area side storage means (storage box 801) that is provided in the output passage portion and can store a game medium flowing down the output passage portion;
It is possible to switch between a flowable state (open state) in which the game medium stored by the game area side storage means flows down to a downstream side and a flow restriction state (closed state) in which downstream flow is restricted to be impossible. A gaming machine comprising flow control means (opening / closing doors 805, 1805).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 10, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably paying out the gaming media acquired by the player. That is, at a position that is easy to see from the player who pays attention to the game medium flowing down the game area, the game medium proceeds toward the player via the output passage portion, and the player can acquire the game medium. can do. Therefore, the number of game media acquired by the player can be expressed not only by numbers and display screens, but also by the sense that the actual game media moves toward the player and can be easily understood by visual sense. . Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the amount of game media acquired than simply representing the number of game media acquired by a game as a number.

<Feature 11>
In the gaming machine according to feature 10,
A discharge operation unit that can perform an operation of switching the flow-down control unit from the flow-down restricted state to a flow-down possible state and allows the game medium stored by the game area side storage unit to flow down to the downstream side by the player. A gaming machine comprising a discharge operation portion 260A and an opening / closing operation portion 1805A).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 11, the game area side storage means can be used as a storage unit for a game medium owned by the player, and the player can store the game medium at a position that is easily visible to the player. It is possible to make it easy to recognize the number of game media possessed, and to make an effect using the stored game media at a position where the player can easily recognize the effect.

<Feature 12>
In the gaming machine according to feature 10 or feature 11,
A transparent plate-like member provided at a position overlapping the front side of the output passage portion, wherein the player can visually recognize and cannot contact the game medium before being discharged from the gaming machine by operating the discharge operation portion A gaming machine comprising a transparent cover means (front plate 222) for covering.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 12, the gaming medium before being ejected from the gaming machine by operating the ejecting operation unit can be made inaccessible even if the player can easily see it. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that an illegal act is performed on the gaming machine through the gaming area side storage means, or that the player is injured or the gaming machine breaks down due to contact with the gaming area side storage means. it can.

<Feature 13>
13. The gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 12, wherein the game area side storage means is provided upstream of the game area side storage means and controls the number of game media flowing into the game area side storage means. The game machine is characterized by comprising upstream quantity control means (second payout device 540B) for outputting to the game machine.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 13, as the part of the game medium to be paid out, the number of game media passing through the output passage portion is controlled, or the number of game media stored in the game area side storage means is controlled. can do.

<Feature 14>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 13,
The lottery capable of switching the flow control means from the flow restricted state to the flowable state and causing the game media stored by the game area side storage means to flow downstream when a predetermined lottery result is derived. A gaming machine comprising a corresponding flow control means (payout control board 930).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 14, it is possible to pay out the game medium using the game area side storage means according to the lottery result, and the game area side storage means can be used, for example, a game paid out by winning. It can be used as a separate storage unit such as a storage unit that stores a medium.

<Feature 15>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 14,
At least a part of the output passage portion is constituted by a passage for allowing a game medium discharged from the game area side storage means to advance toward the player side.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 15, since the game medium can be directed toward the player, the player can be impressed by paying attention to the payout of the game medium.

<Feature 16>
In the gaming machine according to feature 15,
A gaming machine in which a game medium discharged from the game area side storage means collides with the transparent cover means and flows down by its own weight.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 16, the game medium can be directed so as to come to the player, and the game medium can be prevented from coming into contact with the player, and the game medium advances with respect to the player. Impressive game play.

<Feature 17>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 16,
The game area side storage means has a bottom surface that descends toward a discharge port that discharges the game medium to a region where the player can contact the game medium, and is discharged from the discharge port by urging by the inclination of the bottom surface. A game machine in which the game medium advances toward the player side.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 17, it is possible to direct the game medium to the player by urging using the inclination, and it is possible to entertain the player.

<Feature 18>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 17,
A storage means (auxiliary storage unit 241) for storing game media so that a player can contact;
A gaming machine comprising: a supply path (supply path 812) for supplying the game medium stored by the game area side storage means to the storage means.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 18, the game medium stored in the game area side storage means can be paid out to the player as it is.

<Feature 19>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 18,
A storage means (auxiliary storage unit 241) for storing game media so that a player can contact;
First control means (payout control board 930) for supplying the game medium stored by the game area side storage means to the storage means when a predetermined first result is derived in a predetermined lottery;
Transfer means for transferring the game medium stored by the game area side storage means to a position where the player cannot visually recognize when a predetermined second result different from the first result is derived in the predetermined lottery. (Guiding passage 807, lower opening / closing door 808).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 19, the game medium stored by the game area side storage means can be paid out to the player or collected as a game medium for performance.

<Feature 1A>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 19,
When a predetermined start condition is satisfied, a first result corresponding to a payout of a certain amount of game media (a big hit of 10 rounds) and a second result in which the amount of game media to be paid out is set smaller than the first result A lottery means for performing a lottery including (a big hit of two rounds) and a third result (non-winning) in which no game media is paid out;
A gaming machine comprising flow-down amount control means (payout control board 930) for controlling the game medium stored by the game area side storage means to flow downstream in different amounts according to the lottery result. .

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 1A, as the production, it is possible to flow a large amount of game media downstream, and the game media that has flowed downstream in accordance with the progress of the game is paid in small amounts. Can be made available.

<Feature 20>
A game area where a game is performed by a player's operation using a game medium (a flow area of a game ball, a plurality of reels of a slot machine);
Two transparent cover means (a front plate 222 and a rear plate 223) disposed so as to cover the front side of the game area so that the player can visually recognize the game area and cannot be contacted, and sandwiches the gap;
A transparent cover side passage portion (panel side passage portion 220A) configured by at least a part of a gap formed by the two transparent cover means and allowing a game medium to pass through;
An gaming machine comprising output amount control means (opening / closing door 805) for controlling the amount of game media output to the transparent cover side passage portion.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 20, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably paying out the gaming media acquired by the player. In other words, since the game medium can be passed through a gap that is located on the front side of the game area and separates one cover body that faces the player, the amount of game medium to be paid out during the game is given to the player. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be visually recognized and can easily check the amount of game media paid out.

<Feature 21>
In the gaming machine according to feature 20,
A flowable state (open state) in which the game medium that has entered the transparent cover side passage portion is allowed to flow downstream, and a flowable flow to the downstream side is restricted so that the game medium can be stored in the transparent cover side passage portion. A gaming machine comprising flow control means (opening / closing door 831) capable of switching a flow restriction state (closed state).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 21, it is possible to provide a game that utilizes the gap between the two transparent cover means as a part of the storage means.

<Feature 22>
In the gaming machine according to the feature 20 or the feature 21,
A position upstream of the output amount control means, higher than the lower end of the gaming area, and positioned at the center side of the gaming machine from at least one side in the left-right direction of the gaming area so as to be visible to the player. A gaming machine provided with a game area side storage means (storage box 801) provided and capable of storing game media.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 22, the game medium can be temporarily stored on the upstream side of the predetermined storage part constituted by the gap, and the quantity that the game medium can be paid out is determined by the player. It is possible to execute various effects, such as making it visually visible.

<Feature 23>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 22,
When a predetermined start condition is satisfied, the first result corresponding to the payout of a certain amount or more of game media, the second result in which the amount of payout of game media is set smaller than the first result, and the payout of game media Lottery means (main control board 920) for performing a lottery including the third result without
A game medium output unit (guidance path 807) for outputting the game medium stored in the game area side storage means to a direction side different from the player side;
A storage means (auxiliary storage unit 241) for storing game media so that a player can contact;
A supply path (supply path 812) for supplying the game medium stored by the game area side storage means to the storage means;
By controlling the number of game media guided to the game medium output unit and the number of game media guided to the supply path, the number of game media according to the result of the lottery by the lottery unit is directed to the storage unit. And a payout control means (payout control board 930).

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 23, by controlling the number of game media guided to the supply path and the game media output unit, the game media more than the number of game media actually paid out to the storage means are set in the gap. It can be passed, and the player can enjoy the feeling that a lot of game balls are paid out.

<Feature 24>
In the gaming machine according to feature 23,
A storage amount control means (sub-control board 940) for controlling the game area side storage means to store more game balls than the game balls to be paid out according to the first result;
The payout control means includes
A gaming machine, wherein a number of game balls corresponding to a result of the lottery by the lottery means are paid out to the storage means.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 24, it is possible to store a quantity of game media corresponding to the case where the number of payouts is the largest in the game area side storage means, and to determine the maximum amount of game balls to be paid out to the player through vision. It is possible to provide a game that is easy to recognize.

<Feature 25>
In the gaming machine according to Feature 24,
A gaming machine comprising an effect control means for executing an effect in which all game media stored in the game area side storage means are output to a player via the transparent cover side passage portion.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 25, it is possible to give the player an impression that a lot of game balls have been paid out, and to entertain the player.

<Feature 30>
Recognizable storage means (storage box 801) that enables storage of game media in a predetermined storage section that is visible to the player;
A flow that can be switched between a flowable state (open state) in which the game medium stored by the visually recognizable storage means flows down to a downstream side and a flow limited state (closed state) in which the flow to the downstream side is restricted to be impossible. Control means (opening / closing door 805);
Downstream storage means (panel-side passage portion 220A) capable of storing game media at a position where the player cannot contact downstream from the visually recognizable storage means;
A storage unit downstream side payout unit (third payout device 1540) for paying out game media stored in the downstream side storage unit in accordance with a game ball entering a predetermined winning unit is provided. A gaming machine.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 30, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably paying out gaming media acquired by the player. In other words, as an effect that makes it possible to visually recognize the number of game media to be paid out to the player, after a large amount of game media has flowed down to the downstream side temporarily, the downstream side corresponding to the progress of the subsequent game It is possible to pay out a small amount of the game medium that has flowed down. As a result, it is not a highly-gaming game machine that can acquire a large amount of game media in an extremely short time, and it has a gameability that makes it easy to enjoy a game for a long time, while also enhancing the player's sense of uplifting Machine can be provided.

<Feature 40>
Transparent cover means for covering a front side of the game area so that a game area (game ball flow area, a plurality of reels of a slot machine) where a game is performed by a player's operation using a game medium can be visually recognized;
An area at least part of the outer periphery of which is surrounded by the transparent cover means, which is higher than the lower end of the gaming area and located on the center side of the gaming machine from at least one side in the left-right direction of the gaming area, A space that continues from the front side to a predetermined position that overlaps with the gaming area in the front-rear direction or a predetermined position that is set to the rear side of the gaming area, and is movable by a part of the player's body or by the player's operation A gaming machine comprising: an entry space forming portion (entrance space portion 1223) that forms an entry space into which at least a part of the moving operation body can enter.

  Conventional game machines include, for example, a game area where game balls flow down, a launch operation device for a player to perform a launch operation below the game area, a storage unit for storing game balls, and a player operating Generally, an operation device capable of being used is provided (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-345899).

  In a conventional gaming machine, if a game area is set large, or a launch operation device or a storage unit necessary for a game is provided, a region for providing an operation device or the like that is not directly required for a game is narrowed, However, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration of these devices, such as placing the operation device at a position that is difficult to visually recognize.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 40, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably installing a device that can be operated by a player.

  Note that at least one feature described in the features 10 to 40 may be applied in combination with any one or a plurality of features. The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which the above-described features can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko machine: a launch operation means operated by a player, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on an operation of the launch operation means, a passage portion for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, A gaming machine that includes gaming parts arranged in a gaming area, and gives a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing part among the gaming parts.

  A spinning machine such as a slot machine: a player starts rotation of the circulating body based on the operation of the start operation means, stops rotation of the circulating body based on the operation of the stop operation means, and the player according to the pattern after the stop A gaming machine that grants bonuses.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for a gaming machine such as a ball game machine.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Game machine, 260A ... Discharge operation part, 800 ... Output production device, 801 ... Storage box, 802, 807, 832 ... Guidance passage, 803 ... Discharge passage, 804 ... Guidance passage switch, 805 ... Opening / closing door, 806 ... Ball Exit switch, 808 ... lower opening / closing door, 811 ... opening, 812 ... supply path, 821A, 821B ... lottery symbol display part, 823 ... target storage number display part, 824 ... current storage number display part, 825 ... target line, 831 ... Panel side opening / closing door, 1805A ... Opening / closing operation section

Claims (2)

A game area where a game is played by a player's operation using a game medium;
Two transparent cover means that cover the front side of the gaming area so that the player can visually recognize the gaming area and cannot contact the gaming area, and is arranged with a gap in between;
A transparent cover side passage portion configured by at least part of a gap formed by the two transparent cover means and allowing a game medium to pass therethrough;
An output amount control means for controlling an amount of game media output to the transparent cover side passage portion.   A flowable state in which the game medium that has entered the transparent cover side passage part is allowed to flow downstream, and a flow restriction state in which the game medium can be stored in the transparent cover side passage part by restricting the flow to the downstream side to be impossible. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a flow control unit capable of switching.