JP2020078691A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of excellently increasing the degree of attention to a game.SOLUTION: A game board unit 80 of a Pachinko machine is provided with a right side variable prize device 83 which game balls flowing in a game area PE can enter. The right side variable prize device 83 is provided with a first ball entry port, a second ball entry port more advantageous to a player than the first ball entry port, and a distribution mechanism placed between both ball entry ports. The distribution mechanism has a movable body which can be switched to a first state in which game balls passing a right big winning port 83a are more easily guided to the first ball entry port than the second ball entry port and a second state in which the game balls are more easily guided to the second ball entry port than the first ball entry part. The movable body is switched to the first state and the second state by receiving game balls and rotating when the game balls have reached the movable body. The distribution mechanism is more likely to be maintained in the state as it is than is switched to the other when game balls reach the movable body in either the first state or the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Some gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines are equipped with a gaming board in which a gaming area in which gaming balls flow down is formed. Based on the operation of the player, the game ball is launched toward the game area, and when the launched game ball enters the ball entry section provided in the game area, the player is given a benefit such as payout of the game ball. Is given to.

  In the gaming machine in which the award is given according to the movement of the game ball in this way, by arranging the game parts such as nails and windmills in the game area, the flow path of the game ball is dispersed, and the game ball is distributed. There is one in which the degree of attention to the movement of the game ball, and eventually the degree of attention to the game, is increased by diversifying the movements of the game balls (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2003-071059, A

  However, there is still room for improvement in the structure in order to improve the degree of attention to the game by the movement of the game ball.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-illustrated circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately increasing the degree of attention to a game.

The present invention is
A game board with a game area formed,
A ball-entering device capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The ball entrance device is
A first ball entering section and a second ball entering section which is more advantageous to the player than the first ball entering section;
A movable body having a rolling surface on which a game ball rolls,
Support means for rotatably supporting the movable body,
Located on the upper side of the movable body, having a supply unit that supplies the game ball to the movable body by dropping the game ball that has flowed into the ball entrance device toward the rolling surface,
The movable body is located between the first ball entering portion and the second ball entering portion in the alignment direction of the first ball entering portion and the second ball entering portion, and the game ball dropped from the supply portion is A first state in which the rolling surface inclines downward toward the first ball entry portion and a second surface in which the rolling surface inclines downward toward the second ball entry portion by receiving and turning It is configured to switch to the state,
The second state is a state in which the movable body is arranged in the first rotation position and a state in which the movable body is moved to the second rotation position in which the inclination toward the second ball entry portion side is larger than the first rotation position. Including the state that the body is placed,
A means for stopping the movable body at the first rotation position by being caught by the movable body when the movable body rotates to the first rotation position,
The rolling surface extends to the first ball-in side and the second ball-in side by straddling a supporting portion of the supporting means.
In the case where the movable body is stopped at the first rotation position, when the game ball falls on a predetermined portion on the rolling surface that is closer to the second ball entry portion side than the support portion on the rolling surface. Receives the game ball and rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position side, and from the support portion on the rolling surface under the situation where the game ball is stopped at the first rotation position. Also, when a game ball falls to a predetermined portion on the side of the first ball entering portion, the game ball is received and rotated to the side opposite to the second rotation position side.

  It is possible to favorably increase the degree of attention to the game.

It is a front view showing a pachinko machine in a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main composition of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a front view showing a configuration of a game board unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 5 which shows (a) right side variable winning a prize device, (b) The schematic which shows the internal structure of a right side variable winning a prize device, (c) The sectional view on the AA line of FIG.8(b). FIG. 9A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8B showing how the passages are switched, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing a distribution mechanism. (A) A schematic view of the stage section seen from above, (b) A schematic view showing the distribution mechanism in the first state, (c) A view showing the distribution mechanism in the second state. It is a schematic diagram. It is the schematic which shows the distribution mode of the game ball. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the contents of various counters used for win/win lottery. It is an explanatory view for explaining a hit/miss table. It is an explanatory view for explaining a distribution table. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed by MPU of a main control apparatus. It is a flow chart which shows the normal processing performed by MPU of the main control unit. It is a flowchart showing a game state transition process. It is a flow chart showing a variable winning device opening and closing process. It is a flow chart which shows high probability mode shift judgment processing. (A) A flowchart showing a state switching process executed by the MPU of the main control device, and (b) to (c) a schematic diagram showing a state of forced switching. It is a flow chart which shows a game state shift processing in a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart showing a variable winning device opening and closing process. It is a flowchart which shows a round continuation determination process. (A) Schematic which shows the distribution mechanism in 3rd Embodiment, (b) Schematic which shows a distribution mode. It is a schematic diagram showing movement of a distribution mechanism. It is a schematic diagram showing a distribution mechanism in a 4th embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing movement of a distribution mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the distribution mode of the game ball. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a distribution mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a distribution mechanism.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 forming an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10 and a gaming machine main portion 12 attached to the outer frame 11.

  The outer frame 11 is formed by connecting plate members to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the island facility of the game arcade by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility. It should be noted that the outer frame 11 is not an essential component of the pachinko machine 10 and may be a configuration in which the outer frame 11 is attached to the island facility of the game arcade.

  The main frame 12 of the gaming machine is supported by the outer frame 11 in an openable and closable state. Specifically, the upper support metal fitting 17 is fixed to the connecting portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11, and is further connected to the connecting portion between the lower frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11. Side support fittings 18 are provided. A support mechanism is configured by the upper support metal fitting 17 and the lower support metal fitting 18, and the main body 12 of the gaming machine rotates the left side in a front view of the pachinko machine 10 with respect to the outer frame 11 by the support mechanism. The right side of the pachinko machine 10 can be turned forward with respect to the right side.

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

  The front door frame 14 is attached to the inner frame 13 such that the left side of the pachinko machine 10 is a rotation base end side and the right side of the pachinko machine 10 is a rotation front end side in a front view of the pachinko machine 10. 15 is attached to the inner frame 13 such that the left side of the pachinko machine 10 when viewed from the front is a rotation base end side and the right side is a rotation front end side so as to be rotatable rearward.

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

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

  The glass unit 30 includes transparent glass panels 31 and 32 and a glass holder 33 that holds the glass panels 31 and 32. The glass holder 33 has an annular frame portion formed along the window portion 21, the glass panels 31 and 32 are housed in the area surrounded by the frame portion, and the game is performed by the glass panels 31 and 32. The area PE is configured to be doubly covered from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, a light emitting means such as various lamps is provided around the window 21. For example, an annular illumination portion 24 having a built-in light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window portion 21. In the annular illumination portion 24, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the game state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. Further, at the center of the annular illumination portion 24 and at the uppermost portion of the pachinko machine 10, there is provided an error display lamp portion 25 which is turned on at the time of a predetermined error, and on both left and right sides of the window portion 21 are turned on during the payout of prize balls. The prize ball lamp unit 26 is provided. Further, a speaker unit 27 for outputting a sound effect or the like according to the game state is provided at a position near the central error display lamp unit 25.

  Below the window portion 21 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulge portion 28 and a lower bulge portion 29 which bulge toward the front side are vertically arranged side by side. An upper plate 28a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 28, and a lower plate 29a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 29. The upper plate 28a has a function of temporarily storing the game balls dispensed from a dispenser, which will be described later, and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism side, which will be described later, while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower plate 29a has a function of storing the game balls that have become redundant in the upper plate 28a.

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

  As shown in FIG. 2, a passage forming unit 50 is attached to the back surface of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 50 is made of synthetic resin, and is formed with a front door side upper tray passage communicating with the upper tray 28a and a front door side lower tray passage communicating with the lower tray 29a. In the passage forming unit 50, a receiving portion 53 that projects rearward and is opened upward is formed in an upper corner portion of the passage forming unit 50. By partitioning the receiving portion 53 into right and left by a partition wall 54, a front door side upper plate is formed. The entrance portion of the passage and the entrance portion of the lower plate passage on the front door side are defined. The front door side upper plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage are connected to the game ball distribution section described later on the upstream side, and the game balls that have entered the front door side upper plate passage are guided to the upper plate 28a to lower the front door side. The game ball entering the dish passage is guided to the lower dish 29a.

  Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner frame 13. Note that, also in FIG. 3, as in FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 70 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. Supporting metal fittings 71, 72 are attached to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the front surface of the resin base 70 on the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 3). A protrusion shaft is provided on the rear side of the front door frame 14 on the rotation base end side so as to correspond to the support fittings 71 and 72. Although not shown in the drawings, shaft holes are formed in the support fittings 71 and 72, and the projection shafts of the front door frame 14 are inserted into these shaft holes, so that the front door frame 14 is inserted into the inner frame 13. It is rotatably supported. That is, the support fittings 71, 72 and the protrusion shaft form an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13.

  A locking device 75 is provided on the front surface of the inner frame 13. The locking device 75 has a plurality of front door hook members 76 extending toward the front door frame 14. Corresponding to the front door hook members 76, a plurality of hook receiving members 63 extending toward the inner frame 13 are provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14 (see FIG. 2 ). When the front door hook member 76 is hooked on the hook receiving member 63, the front door frame 14 is locked in the closed state. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the locking device 75 has an inner frame hook member 77 extending rearward of the inner frame 13. The inner frame hook member 77 is hooked on the hook receiving member 19 of the outer frame 11 to lock the gaming machine main portion 12 in a closed state with respect to the outer frame 11.

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

  A game board accommodating portion 73 for accommodating the game board unit 80 is formed in a substantially central portion of the front surface of the resin base 70. The game board housing portion 73 is recessed in the rear of the pachinko machine 10 to define a housing space for housing the game board unit 80, and the game board unit 80 attached to the resin base 70 is fitted in the housing space. Has become. In the present embodiment, in particular, the game board unit 80 is detachably attached to the resin base 70 to facilitate maintenance work and the like.

  The game board unit 80 includes a game board 80a made of synthetic resin and a back block 80b (see FIG. 5) provided behind the game board 80a, and the front surface of the game board unit 80 is opened through the opening portion of the game board housing portion 73 to form the resin base 70. Is exposed on the front side of. On this exposed portion, that is, on the front surface of the game board 80a, a game area PE in which the game balls flow down is formed. As described above, the game area PE is covered by the glass panel 32. The glass panel 32 has a gap with the front surface of the game board 80a slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, that is, the game balls flowing down the game area PE do not line up at the same position in the game area PE. Are arranged as follows. Thereby, the ball clogging in the game area PE is suppressed. The game board 80a is not limited to the synthetic resin, and can be made of wood.

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

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

  Further, in the game board 80a, a large number of nails 90 are planted in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the flow path of the game balls, and various members (features) such as a wind turbine are arranged. The various paths such as the nail 90 and the windmill are used to differentiate the flow path of the game ball, and the above-described general winning opening 81 and the like are adjusted so that the winning is generated with an appropriate probability.

  The variable display unit 88 is arranged in the center of the game board unit 80, and operation ports 84, 85 and the like are arranged around the variable display unit 88. The operating ports 84 and 85 are a lower operating port 84 (hereinafter referred to as a lower operating port 84) disposed below the variable display unit 88 and a right side disposed to the right of the variable display unit 88. And the right operation port 85 (hereinafter referred to as the right operation port 85). An electric accessory 91 is provided as an opening/closing member (opening/closing means). The electric accessory 91 includes a pair of left and right movable pieces 91a and a solenoid-type driving portion that drives the movable pieces 91a, and an open state in which the ball can enter the right operation port 85 or becomes easy (auxiliary state) State) and a closed state (non-assisted state) where the same ball cannot be entered. The closed state of the electric accessory 91 does not necessarily have to be impossible to win, and may be a state in which winning is permitted but winning is difficult as compared with the open state.

  Above the right operation port 85, the above-mentioned through gate 86 is arranged, and when the winning is selected in the lottery triggered by the passage of the game ball through the through gate 86, the electric accessory 91 is kept for a predetermined time. It will be open.

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

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

  The lower variable winning a prize device 82 is provided with a big winning opening 82a leading to the back side of the game board unit 80 and an opening/closing door 82b as an opening/closing member (opening/closing means) for opening/closing the big winning opening 82a. The opening/closing door 82b can be switched between an open state (auxiliary state) in which a game ball can enter and a closed state (non-auxiliary state) in which the game ball cannot enter. In addition, the opening and closing door 82b is connected to a variable winning a prize drive section 82c (more specifically, a solenoid) provided on the back side of the game board unit 80, and the opening and closing door 82b is normally maintained in a closed state, In the internal lottery, when the shift to the open/close execution mode (open/close execution state) is won, the open state can be switched. Regarding the closed state of the lower variable winning a prize device 82, it is not always necessary that the winning is impossible, and the winning may be permitted, but the winning may be difficult as compared with the open state.

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

  The right variable winning device 83, like the lower variable winning device 82, functions as a right big winning opening 83a that leads to the back side of the game board unit 80 and an opening/closing member (opening/closing means) that opens and closes the right big winning opening. An opening/closing door 83b is provided. The opening/closing door 83b can be switched between an open state (auxiliary state) in which a game ball can enter and a closed state (non-auxiliary state) in which the game ball cannot enter. Further, the opening/closing door 83b is connected to a variable winning award driving unit 83c (specifically, a solenoid), and in a normal state, the opening/closing door is maintained in a closed state, and an inside based on a ball entering the right operation port 85 is maintained. When the 15R jackpot (special prize) described later is won in the lottery, it can be switched to the open state in a specific round (more specifically, the final round). Regarding the closed state of the lower variable winning a prize device 82, it is not always necessary that the winning is impossible, and the winning may be permitted, but the winning may be difficult as compared with the open state.

  Next, the variable display unit 88 will be described. The variable display unit 88 is provided with a symbol display device 96 that variably displays the symbols triggered by winning in the operating ports 84, 85. Further, the variable display unit 88 is provided with a center frame 97 so as to surround the symbol display device 96. At the lower part of the center frame 97, a first holding lamp portion 98 corresponding to the lower working opening 84 and a second holding lamp portion 99 corresponding to the right working opening 85 are provided. In the present embodiment, the number of times the game ball has passed through the respective operating ports 84, 85 is reserved up to a maximum of four times, but the respective operating ports 84, 85 are turned on by turning on the holding lamps 98, 99. The number of holdings corresponding to 85 is individually displayed.

  The symbol display device 96 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. On the symbol display device 96, symbols are displayed side by side, for example, left, center, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed by scrolling vertically. Then, when a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the preset activated line, a special game state (hereinafter, referred to as a big hit) is generated. The arrangement of the symbol rows and the manner of the variable display are arbitrary, and for example, the symbols may be displayed side by side in the upper, middle, and lower sides, and these symbols may be variably displayed by scrolling in the left-right direction.

  The operation ports 84 and 85 are arranged at positions close to the variable display unit 88. Since the jackpot can be generated by triggering the winning of the working openings 84 and 85, the player pays attention to whether or not the winning is made in the working openings 84 and 85, and also to grasp whether or not the jackpot is generated. It is considered that attention is paid to the display device 96. Providing the operation ports 84 and 85 near the variable display unit 88 is a device for concentrating the places the player wants to pay attention to around the variable display unit 88.

  The main display unit 87 is arranged on the opposite side of the right variable winning device 83 with the variable display unit 88 interposed therebetween. The main display unit 87 is arranged along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE, and projects from the front surface of the game board 80a to the front of the pachinko machine 10. The front surface of the main display unit 87 faces the glass unit 30 (specifically, the rear glass panel 32) that allows the gaming area PE to be viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and is further connected to the rear glass panel 32. The distance between them is smaller than that of one game ball. This prevents the game ball from falling in front of the front surface of the main display unit 87.

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

  The main display unit 87 is provided at a portion facing the glass unit 30 in the main display unit 87, in which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed. The main display portion D includes a lower working opening display portion that displays a lottery result based on a winning of the lower working opening 84, and a right working opening that displays a lottery result of a winning based on a winning of the right working opening 85. And a display section for use.

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

  In the display portion for the right operation port, the variable display of the pattern is performed with the winning in the right operation port 85 as a trigger, and as a result of the stop of the variable display, the internal lottery performed based on the prize in the right operation port 85 is displayed. The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of the right operation port 85 is the winning result corresponding to the opening/closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the right operation port display unit, and the predetermined pattern is displayed as the stop result. After being displayed, the opening/closing execution mode is entered according to the result.

  Here, based on the winning of any one of the operating ports 84, 85, the variable display is started on the corresponding display portion, a predetermined stop result is displayed, and the variable display is stopped until 1 of the game time. Equivalent to times. However, one game play is not limited to the above-mentioned contents, and for example, a single display area is provided, and even if a winning is generated in any of the operation openings 84 and 85, the single play area is generated. In the configuration in which the variable display is performed in the display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and the variable display is stopped once with a predetermined stop result being displayed once in the game. And

  In addition to the both display units, the main display unit D of the main display unit 87 is provided with a through-gate display unit for displaying a lottery result based on a winning of the through-gate 86. In the display section for the through gate, the variable display of the pattern is performed with the winning of the through gate 86 as a trigger, and the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through gate 86 is clearly shown as the stop result of the variable display. To be done. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of the through-gate 86 is the winning result corresponding to the transition to the electric role open state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the through-gate display unit and a variable display is displayed. After it is stopped, it shifts to the electric power release state. In the electric role open state, the electric accessory 91 provided in the right operation port 85 is opened in a predetermined manner.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the number of times the game ball has passed through the through gate 86 is reserved up to 4 times, but the main display unit D of the main display unit 87 displays the reserved number. A display section for holding number is provided.

  Each of these display parts is visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 30 of the front door frame 14, and the visibility is improved by avoiding the movement of the game ball in front of these display parts. Secured.

  To describe again using FIG. 3, below the game board housing portion 73 (game board unit 80) in the resin base 70, a game in which a game ball is launched into the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball launching handle 41. A ball firing mechanism 110 is provided. The game ball launching mechanism 110 is a solenoid 111 for launching a game ball located at a predetermined launch standby position, a launch rail 112 for defining the launch direction of the game ball launched by the solenoid 111, and a game at the launch standby position. A ball feeding device 113 for supplying spheres and a base plate 114 on which the various configurations 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is fixed to the resin base 70 so that the inner frame 13 is fixed to the inner frame 13. It is integrated with the other.

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

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

  The guide rail 100 forms the game area PE together with the game area partitioning member 108 so that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. In addition, the guide rail 100 is composed of an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 which are arranged so as to face each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and one guide passage 103 is defined by these both rails 101 and 102. Has been formed. The guide passage 103 has an inlet portion opened to the tip side (obliquely downward) of the launch rail 112 and an outlet portion located above the game area PE. The game ball launched based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the launch rail 112→the guide rail 100 (entrance portion→exit portion). In addition, in the game board unit 80, on the front side of the exit portion, specifically, near the tip of the inner rail 101, a reversion preventing member 106 for preventing reversion of the game ball reaching the game area PE into the guide passage 103 is attached. Therefore, it is prevented that the launch of the succeeding game ball is hindered by the game ball reaching the game area PE in advance.

  Each of the rails 101 and 102 that form the guide rail 100 has an arc shape centered on a substantially central portion of the game area PE. Therefore, the game ball passing through the guide passage 103 is easily moved (sliding or rolling) along the outer rail 102, that is, while being in contact with the outer rail 102 by the centrifugal force generated in itself.

  The guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the launch rail 112 face each other diagonally across the lower end edge of the game board unit 80. In other words, the rails 100 and 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the launch rail 112 are laterally displaced near the lower end edge of the game board unit 80. As a result, both rails 100, 112 are brought close to the lower end edge of the game board unit 80, and a gap of a predetermined interval is formed between the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112.

  A foul ball passage 55 (see FIG. 2) is arranged below the gap formed in this way. The foul ball passage 55 is integrally formed with the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14. If the game balls fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 do not reach the game area PE and return in the guide passage 103 as foul balls, those foul balls enter the foul ball passage 55 through the gap. Becomes The foul ball passage 55 communicates with the lower door passage 52 on the front door side, and the game balls that have entered the foul ball passage 55 are discharged to the lower dish 29a shown in FIG. As a result, interference between the foul ball and the game ball to be subsequently launched is suppressed.

  On the left side of the firing rail 112 (more specifically, on the side supporting the front door frame 14) in the resin base 70, a passage forming member 131 is provided in a through hole that penetrates the resin base 70 in the front-rear direction. The passage forming member 131 is screwed to the resin base 70 and has a main body side upper tray passage 132 and a main body side lower tray passage 133. The upstream sides of the main body side upper tray passage 132 and the main body side lower tray passage 133 communicate with a game ball distribution unit described later. Further, the receiving portion 53 of the passage forming unit 50 attached to the front door frame 14 is inserted below the passage forming member 131, and the front door side upper tray passage 51 is provided below the main body side upper tray passage 132. The front door side upper tray passage 51 is arranged below the main body side lower tray passage 133 (see FIG. 2 ).

  Below the passage forming member 131 in the resin base 70, a shutter 134 for restricting the outflow of the game balls from the main body side upper tray passage 132 and the main body side lower tray passage 133 is provided. The shutter 134 is supported by the resin base 70 in a switchable state between a blocking position that narrows the outlet portions of both passages and blocks the outflow of the game balls and an allowable position that allows the outflow of the game balls. A biasing member that biases the shutter 134 toward the blocking position is attached to the resin base 70, and when the front door frame 14 is opened with respect to the inner frame 13, the shutter is biased by the biasing member. The configuration is such that 134 remains in the blocking position. As a result, when the front door frame 14 is opened in the state where the game balls are stored in the main body side upper tray passage 132 or the main body side lower tray passage 133, the disadvantage that the storage balls will spill out is avoided. .. On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the shutter 134 is pushed back to the permissible position by the receiving portion 53 provided in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14 against the biasing force. In this state, the main body side upper tray passage 132 and the front door side upper tray passage 51 are communicated with the main body side lower tray passage 133 and the front door side lower tray passage 52, respectively, and the movement of the game ball is allowed. Become.

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

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

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

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

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

  The notification/effect control device 143 is provided with a notification/effect control board that controls voice or lamp display and the display controller according to an instruction from a main controller (described later), and the notification/effect control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is housed in a substrate box 145 made of, for example, etc.

  Below the notification/effect control device unit 142, a main control device unit 160 is provided so as to cover the base body 141 from the rear side. The main controller unit 160 has a mounting base 161 made of synthetic resin fixed to the back surface of the game board unit 80, and a main control unit 162 mounted on the mounting base 161. The main controller 162 has a main control board having a function of controlling the main game (main control circuit) and a function of monitoring the power supply (power failure monitoring circuit), and the main control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is configured to be housed in a substrate box 163 composed of, for example.

  The board box 163 includes a box base (front case body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a box cover (back case body) that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected in an unopenable manner by a box sealing portion 164 serving as a sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of box sealing parts are provided on the short side part of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used for the sealing process.

  Any configuration can be applied to the box sealing part as long as the box base and the box cover are connected in an unopenable manner.However, by inserting a locking pin into the locking hole that forms the box sealing part, The box cover and the box cover cannot be opened. The sealing process by the box sealing unit prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing and makes it possible to detect such a situation quickly and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the sealing process again after the process. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking pin into at least one locking hole of the plurality of box sealing parts. When the board box 163 is unsealed, for example, when the stored main control board is defective or when the main control board is inspected, a connecting portion between the box sealing portion in which the locking pin is inserted and the board box 163 main body. Disconnect. As a result, the box base and the box cover of the board box 163 are separated, and the main control board inside can be taken out. After that, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking pin is inserted into another locking hole. If a history indicating that the board box 163 has been opened is left in the board box 163, it can be easily found by looking at the board box 163 that an illegal opening has been made.

  The board box 163 and the mounting base 161 are connected in an unopenable manner by a base sealing portion. Specifically, the pedestal sealing portion has a locking hole portion and a locking pin similarly to the box sealing portion 164, and the locking pin is inserted into the locking hole portion so that the pedestal sealing portion is attached to the board box 163. The base 161 is inseparably connected. This makes it easier to understand the fact that the board box 163 has been removed illegally.

  In the portion of the base body 141 facing the back surface of the game board 80a, corresponding to the game board openings of the general winning opening 81, the variable winning devices 82 and 83, the lower working opening 84, and the right working opening 85 and downstream. A collection passage is formed at one location on the side. As a result, the game balls that have won the general winning opening 81 and the like are all collected under the game board unit 80 via the collection passage. That is, the base body 141 is provided with a function of collecting game balls that have won the various winning openings.

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

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

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

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

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

  An external terminal plate is provided on the upper right portion of the base portion 211. Various output terminals are provided on the external terminal board, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. Further, the base portion 211 is provided with a pair of upper and lower engaging pins 214 at the right end when viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10, and by inserting the engaging pins 214 into the bearing portion 137 provided in the inner frame 13. The back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13. The base portion 211 is formed with a plurality of insertion portions through which the fixing levers provided in the inner frame 13 are inserted, and the fixing levers are brought into contact with the base portion 211 from the rear side while being inserted into the insertion portions. Thus, the back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13.

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

  At the lower end of the base portion 211, the discharge passage board and the control device assembly unit 204 are attached so that the lower end is sandwiched in the front and rear. The discharge passage board is formed with a discharge passage opened rearward on a surface facing the control device gathering unit 204, and an opening portion of the discharge passage is closed by the control device gathering unit 204. The discharge passage is formed so as to discharge the game balls to the island facility or the like of the game hall, and the game balls led to the discharge passage from the above-mentioned recovery passage and the like pass through the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. Is discharged.

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

  In the payout control device 242, a payout control board for controlling the payout device 224 is housed in the board box 244, and a state return switch 245 provided on the payout control board projects outside the board box 244. For example, when the state return switch 245 is pressed when a dispensing error such as a ball clogging in the dispensing device 224 occurs, the ball clogging can be eliminated.

  The power source/launch control device 243 has a power source/launch control substrate housed in a substrate box 246. The substrate generates a predetermined power source required by various control devices and outputs the power source/launch control substrate. The control of the launch of the game ball is performed in accordance with the operation of the firing handle 41.

  The board boxes 244 and 246 are made of transparent synthetic resin so that the built-in boards can be viewed from the outside of the board boxes 244 and 246. In the payout control board and the power supply/launch control board, one plate surface serves as a mounting surface for various elements and the other plate surface serves as a solder surface. Then, by disposing the mounting surface so as to face the rear of the gaming machine (so that the solder surface faces the inner frame 13 side (front of the gaming machine)), an abnormality may occur in each control board during maintenance or the like. It is configured so that it can be easily checked visually whether it has occurred.

  Further, the power supply/launch control device 243 is provided with a power supply switch 247 for performing ON and OFF operations of the power supply. The pachinko machine 10 has a function of storing and holding various data. For example, if the power is shut off in a normal procedure, for example, at the end of business hours at the game hall, the state before the shutoff is stored and retained. In addition, even if a power failure occurs, the state at the time of power failure can be retained, and at the time of recovery from the power failure, the state at the time of power failure can be restored.

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

<Right-sided variable winning device 83>
Here, the right variable winning device 83 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a front view of the right side variable winning a prize device 83 partially showing FIG. 4, FIG. 8B is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the right side variable award winning device 83, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

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

  The right side variable winning a prize device 83 has a housing 301 in which a flow-down area of game balls and an area for arranging characters and the like are defined. The housing 301 constitutes an outer shell of the right variable winning device 83, and is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. As a result, the internal area of the right-side variable winning device 83 (specific area SE described later in detail) can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine through the housing 301.

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

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the right special winning opening 83a has a laterally long shape extending in the left-right direction, and an inflow passage 302 extending in the inner side is formed at one end thereof. In the housing 301, a ball passage 303 communicating with the outlet portion of the inflow passage 302 is formed, and the game balls that have flowed into the right special winning opening 83a pass through the ball passage 303 to the recovery passage provided in the back block 80b. Will be guided.

  The ball passage 303 is bifurcated at an intermediate position. A prize detection sensor 304 (more specifically, a magnetic sensor) that detects a game ball that has flown into the right-side large winning opening 83a is disposed in the upstream passage 305 that is located upstream of the branch position.

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

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

  The housing 301 is provided with a specific area SE in which a lottery that influences the subsequent game progress, specifically, a lottery for shifting to a high-probability mode described later (continuous lottery) is performed. The game ball that has flowed into the second downstream passage 307 is guided to the specific area SE and is discharged to the outside of the right variable winning device 83 via the specific area SE. On the other hand, the game balls that have flowed into the first downstream passage 306 are discharged to the outside of the right variable winning device 83 without being guided to the specific area SE, that is, without being subject to the lottery.

  In the present embodiment, by switching the passages based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, the game balls to be guided to the specific area SE via the second downstream passage 307 are limited. There is. Here, the configuration related to this restriction function will be supplementarily described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 9A.

  The ball passage 303 has a passage width and the like defined so that a plurality of game balls cannot pass through the same place at the same time. The upstream passage 305 extends in a direction intersecting with the inflow passage 302. Specifically, the inflow passage 302 extends in the front-rear direction, whereas the upstream passage 305 extends vertically (in the vertical direction). Therefore, the game ball that has flown into the right special winning opening 83a hits the wall surface of the upstream side passage 305 through the inflow passage 302, and the downward flow direction changes. In this way, the momentum is weakened by hitting the wall surface, and thereafter, the upstream passage 305 is dropped by its own weight.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of game balls detected by the prize detection sensor 304 reaches a specific number (the upper limit number “10” in the present embodiment), the passage is switched with this as a trigger. However, the switching is completed by the time the game ball is detected and the branch position is reached. As described above, the winning detection sensor 304 is arranged in the middle of the upstream passage 305. Therefore, the passing speed of the game ball when passing through the prize detection sensor 304 (specifically, its detection area) is substantially constant, and the period from when the game ball passes the prize detection sensor 304 to when it reaches the branch position is also substantially constant. Becomes The passage switching timing (operation timing of the passage switching member 311) is set in consideration of such a game ball arrival timing.

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

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

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

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the moving speed of the game ball is stabilized at the upstream of the branch position, and the guide period to the second downstream passage 307 by the passage switching member 311 is limited, whereby a specific game ball is provided. Although it is configured to guide only the second downstream passage 307, it is sufficient if only a specific game ball can be guided to the second downstream passage 307, and the configuration is not limited to the above. For example, at the branch position, a ball feeding means (for example, a rotating body in which a concave portion into which the game ball is formed) capable of guiding the game ball to either the first downstream passage 306/the second downstream passage 307 is provided, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the drive control of the ball feeding means is performed so that only the game balls are guided to the second downstream passage 307.

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

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

  In the bottom portion 301a of the housing 301, an inclined portion descending to the first entrance 321 (right wall portion 301b side) and a second entrance 322 (left wall portion 301c side) at the center of the bottom portion 301a. And a section are formed. The game ball that has flown into the specific area SE reaches the bottom portion 301a and enters the first ball entrance 321 or the second ball entrance 322.

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

  Ball entry detection sensors 325 and 326 are disposed in the discharge passages 323 and 324. The ball detection sensors 325, 326 are connected to the main controller 162, and the main controller 162 has the game ball as the first ball entrance based on the detection information (detection signal) from these ball detection sensors 325, 326. It is configured to grasp which of the 321 and the second entrance 322 the ball has entered.

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 9, a first stopper 337 is provided on the base body 335 to prevent further rotation by abutting the movable body 331 from below when the movable body 331 rotates clockwise and descends to the right. When the movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise and moves to the left, a second stopper 338 is provided, which abuts from below to prevent further rotation. That is, the rotation range of the movable body 331 is defined by the first stopper 337 and the second stopper 338.

  In this range, one plate surface of the movable body 331 always faces upward. This plate surface serves as a ball receiving surface 333 for receiving the game ball transferred from the first area E1 to the second area E2. The movable body 331 changes its posture depending on the impact when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 and the weight of the game ball when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333.

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

  The rotation center axis line CL of the movable body 331 overlaps with the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331. That is, the rotation center axis line CL passes through the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331. Therefore, the movable body 331 is prevented from rotating from a predetermined rotating position by its own weight. That is, as described above, the game ball supplied from the first area E1 is the main factor that changes the attitude of the movable body 331, and the movable body 331 changes its attitude by its own weight regardless of the game ball. Things have been avoided.

  In this way, the attitude of the movable body 331 changes depending on which position on the ball receiving surface 333 the game ball reaches. Therefore, in consideration of such circumstances, when the game ball moves from the first region E1 to the second region E2, which position on the ball receiving surface 333 the game ball reaches in the first region E1. The stage section 340 is formed as a means for preventing unambiguous determination, that is, a means for diversifying the arrival position of the game ball. Here, the stage section 340 existing in the first region E1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 10A. FIG. 10A is a schematic view of the stage unit 340 viewed from above.

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

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the exit portion of the second downstream side passage 307 described above is arranged closer to one end side of the upper surface 341 of the stage portion 340, and the game ball flows out from the second downstream side passage. Will swing left and right on the upper surface 341 of the stage section 340. In view of this function, the upper surface 341 of the stage portion 340 can be referred to as a rolling surface 341 for rolling the game ball.

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

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

  On the rolling surface 341, a guide groove 342 for guiding the game ball to the second area E2 is formed. The guide groove 342 is opened upward and forward, and extends rearward from the front end edge (outflow portion 345) of the rolling surface 341. Among the game balls flowing out from the stage section 340, those moving along the guide groove 342 are restricted from moving in the left-right direction, so that blurring in the left-right direction in the downflow direction is suppressed. The total length of the guide groove 342 is set smaller than the radius of the game ball. This is a device to prevent the game ball reaching the stage portion 340 from being suddenly caught in the guide groove 342 before swinging.

  The guide grooves 342 are arranged at a central position ML that is the bottom of the rolling surface 341 in the left-right direction, a position that is closer to the right standing portion 343, and a position that is closer to the left standing portion 344.

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

  However, in the present embodiment, since there is a guide groove non-arrangement region between each of the guide grooves 342a to 342c, as shown in FIG. 9B, the outflow portion 345 is illustrated. The game ball flowing out from does not always go through the guide groove 342. Here, with reference to FIG. 10, the relationship between the posture of the distribution mechanism 330, the outflow position of the game ball, and the guide destination of the game ball will be described. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the distribution mechanism 330, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are schematic diagrams showing distribution modes by the distribution mechanism 330.

  First, the structure of the distribution mechanism 330 will be supplementarily described. As shown in FIG. 10A, the movable body 331 has an elongated plate shape with a constant width and thickness in the front-rear direction, and the ratio of the left and right weight balances with respect to the rotation center axis line CL is a standard. It is 1:1. Thereby, as described above, the configuration in which the rotation center axis line CL extending in the front-rear direction passes through the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 is realized. With such a configuration, it is possible to preferably suppress the movable body 331 from spontaneously changing its posture unless some external force is applied to the movable body 331. In addition, a cushion member having a low resilience is attached to the surfaces of the stoppers 337 and 338 in the present embodiment, and the rebound of the movable body 331 when the movable body 331 collides with the stopper is suppressed.

  The suppressing means for suppressing the rebound of the movable body 331 is not limited to the low-resilience cushion member. For example, the rebound can be suppressed by attracting the movable body 331 by the magnetic force of a magnet or the like. However, in the configuration in which the movable body 331 is attracted by magnetic force or the like, it is preferable to suppress the attraction force to such an extent that the attraction state is released due to the impact caused by the collision of the game ball or the weight of the game ball.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the suction force by the suppressing means is configured to be the same in any of the state of falling to the right and the direction of falling to the left, but a difference in strength is given to this suction force. May be. As a result, a bias can be generated in the tilt direction of the movable body 331. For example, by setting the attraction force in the case of falling to the right to be stronger than the attraction force in the case of decreasing to the left, the state of falling to the right, which is advantageous to the player, can be easily continued.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, in a state in which the movable body 331 is inclined so as to descend to the right (hereinafter, referred to as the first state), the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 is more than the second ball inlet 322. The possibility of being guided to the first entrance 321 increases. This is mainly due to the following two reasons. That is, the game ball that has dropped toward the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 receives the reaction force to the right when it collides with the ball receiving surface 333, and bounces back. As a result, the game ball shifts from the collision position to the right. Further, since the movable body 331 (ball receiving surface 333) is inclined so as to descend to the right, the game ball placed on the ball receiving surface 333 flows downward obliquely to the right.

  In view of these phenomena, in the first state, the game ball that has dropped toward the right side of the rotation center axis line CL, while the game ball that has dropped toward the left side of the rotation center axis line CL A part closer to the center axis CL of the movement is also guided to the first entrance 321.

  More specifically, among the three guide grooves 342a to 342c, the game ball that has dropped to the movable body 331 via the left guide groove 342c pushes down the left portion of the movable body 331 to the second ball inlet 322. On the other hand, the game ball dropped to the movable body 331 through the guide groove 342a on the right side and the guide groove 342b on the center is guided to the first ball inlet 321.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, in a state in which the movable body 331 is tilted so as to descend to the left (hereinafter, referred to as the second state), the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 is more than the first entrance 321. The possibility of being guided to the second entrance 322 increases. This is mainly due to the following two reasons. That is, the game ball that has dropped toward the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 will bounce back by receiving a leftward reaction force when it collides with the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the game ball is displaced to the left from the collision position. In addition, since the movable body 331 (ball receiving surface 333) is inclined so as to descend to the left, the game balls placed on the ball receiving surface 333 flow downward obliquely to the left.

  In view of these phenomena, in the second state, the game ball that has dropped toward the left side of the rotation center axis line CL, while the game ball that has dropped toward the right side of the rotation center axis line CL Those near the movement center axis line CL are also guided to the second entrance 322.

  More specifically, among the above three guide grooves 342a to 342c, the game ball that has dropped to the movable body 331 via the right guide groove 342a pushes down the right portion of the movable body 331 to the first ball inlet 321. On the other hand, the game ball dropped to the movable body 331 through the left guide groove 342c and the central guide groove 342b is guided to the first entrance 321.

  In this way, in the first state and the second state, the game balls have a difference in the guide mode. In the present embodiment, the probability of entering the first entrance 321 is 60% in the first state, and the probability of entering the second entrance 322 is 40%, and in the second state The probability of entering the first entrance 321 is 40%, and the probability of entering the second entrance 322 is 60%. That is, the degree of deviation of the probability of entering the ball in the first state is equal to the degree of deviation of the probability of entering the ball in the second state.

  When the game ball is guided to the first ball inlet 321 in the first state, the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the movable body 331 is pressed against the first stopper 337 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the first state even after the guide of the game ball is completed (FIG. 10(b)→FIG. 10( See b)). Therefore, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next can be easily guided to the first ball entrance 321.

  When the game ball is guided to the second ball inlet 322 in the first state, the movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise as the game ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the posture of the movable body 331 changes so as to move downward to the left. Here, when the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333, the movable body 331 is pressed against the second stopper 338 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the second state after the guide of the game ball is completed. This is the case (see FIG. 10(b)→FIG. 10(c)). Therefore, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is easily guided to the second ball entrance 322.

  On the other hand, when the game ball is guided to the second entrance 322 in the second state, the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the movable body 331 is pressed against the second stopper 338 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the second state even after the guide of the game ball is completed (FIG. 10(c)→FIG. 10( See c)). Therefore, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is easily guided to the second ball entrance 322.

  When the game ball is guided to the first ball inlet 321 in the second state, the movable body 331 rotates clockwise by the game ball colliding with the ball receiving surface 333. As a result, the posture of the movable body 331 changes so as to descend to the right. Here, when the game ball moves along the ball receiving surface 333, the movable body 331 is pressed against the first stopper 337 by the weight of the game ball, and is maintained in the first state after the guide of the game ball is completed. This is the case (see FIG. 10(b)→FIG. 10(c)). Therefore, the game ball that has reached the distribution mechanism 330 next is also easily guided to the first ball inlet 321.

  As described above in detail, after the occurrence of the ball entering the first ball entrance 321, the next game ball is easily guided to the first ball entrance 321 and the ball entering the first ball entrance 321 again. Will be promoted, and after the occurrence of the ball entering the second ball entrance 322, the next game ball is easily guided to the second ball entrance 322, and the ball entering the second ball entrance 322 again. You will be prompted.

  In the present embodiment, the stage 340 is configured to swing the game ball. Therefore, when the game sphere falls from the stage section 340, it does not necessarily fall vertically, but it may fall obliquely while having a horizontal movement component. Thereby, even if the drop point and the arrival position (collision position) to the ball receiving surface 333 are the same, the distribution mode of the game balls may be different. Hereinafter, the distribution mode of the game balls will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 11 illustrates the case where the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is in the first state, the event shown in FIG. 11 does not occur only in the first state and is not limited to the first state. It occurs even in two states.

  First, the movement of the game ball and the operating principle of the movable body 331 will be supplementarily described.

  As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), when the game ball falls straight when viewed from the direction of the rotation center axis CL, the game ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333 and is generated. The direction of the reaction force is almost the same. However, with respect to the magnitude of the reaction force, when the game ball collides on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL, the collision position becomes larger as the collision position is closer to the rotation center axis line CL and becomes smaller as the distance becomes farther. More specifically, the closer the collision position is to the rotation center axis line CL, the smaller the momentum transferred from the game ball to the movable body 331 by the collision, and the farther the fall position is from the rotation center axis line CL, the more the collision from the game ball to the movable body 331. The momentum to move to becomes large.

  As a result, the amount of movement of the game ball to the right increases as the collision position approaches the rotation center axis line CL, and decreases as it moves away from the rotation center axis line (L1>L2). The rotation speed of the movable body 331 becomes smaller as the collision position is closer to the rotation center axis line CL, and becomes larger as the collision position is farther from the rotation center axis line.

  In the example of FIG. 11A, when the game ball bounces, it reaches the right side of the rotation center axis line CL. The movable body 331 rotates counterclockwise due to the collision of the game ball, but the amount of movement transferred to the movable body 331 due to the collision decreases, so that the change in the posture of the movable body 331 (the amount of rotation) remains small. As shown in FIG. 11(a1)→FIG. 11(a2), when the bouncing game ball and the movable body 331 hit again, the movable body 331 moves the game ball more than the force pushing the game ball to the left side. The force to push down the right part of the body 331 exceeds. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(a2)→FIG. 11(a3), the right portion of the movable body 331 is pushed downward by the weight of the game ball and the movable body 331 returns to the position where it abuts the first stopper 337. Then, the game ball flowing down along the ball receiving surface 333 is guided to the first ball inlet 321.

  Also in the example of FIG. 11B, when the game ball bounces, it reaches the right side of the rotation center axis line CL. Since the momentum transferred to the movable body 331 increases with the collision of the game ball, the change in the posture of the movable body 331 (rotation amount) also increases. As shown in FIG. 11(b1)→FIG. 11(b2), when the bouncing game ball and the movable body 331 hit again, the movable body 331 is in a state of descending to the left, and the game ball is the movable body 331. Has not reached a sufficient position to push down on the right side of. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(b2)→FIG. 11(b3), the game ball is pushed back to the left side of the rotation center axis line CL along the inclination of the ball receiving surface 333. Then, the left part of the movable body 331 is pushed downward by the game ball, and the movable body 331 is rotated to a position where it abuts on the second stopper 338, and the game ball flowing down along the ball receiving surface 333 is the second ball. Guided to the mouth 322.

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

  Here, in the example of FIG. 11(c), the collision position of the game ball is the same as that of FIG. 11(b), but when the collision direction is tilted to the left, that is, the game ball flowing out from the stage section 340 is left. It collides with the ball receiving surface 333 while having a moving component in the direction.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11(c1), the angle of incidence of the game ball on the ball receiving surface 333 increases, and the difference between the direction of the ball receiving surface 333 and the reflection direction also decreases. Since the amount of movement from the game ball to the movable body 331 increases due to the collision, the amount of movement of the game ball to the right decreases and the rotation speed of the movable body 331 increases.

  As shown in FIG. 11(c1)→FIG. 11(c2), when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 again, its position is on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL, and the movable body 331 descends to the left. Therefore, unlike the case of FIG. 11B, the expectation that the game ball is guided toward the first entrance 321 is extremely low in appearance. That is, in the example of FIG. 11B, the game ball moves to the right side of the rotation center axis line CL, so that the appearance of the game ball is likely to be guided toward the first entrance 321. Can be seen, and can fuel the expectations of the player. That is, even at the same collision position, it becomes difficult to see the result because the behavior of the game ball after that is different.

  Next, referring to FIG. 11(d), although the collision position of the game ball is the same as that of FIG. 11(b), when the collision direction is inclined to the right, that is, the game ball flowing out from the stage section 340 is A case will be described where the ball collides with the ball receiving surface 333 while having a rightward moving component.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11(d1), the angle of incidence of the game ball on the ball receiving surface 333 decreases, and the difference between the direction of the ball receiving surface 333 and the reflection direction also increases. Since the amount of motion transferred from the game ball to the movable body 331 by the collision becomes small, the amount of movement of the game ball to the right becomes large and the rotation speed of the movable body 331 becomes small.

  As shown in FIG. 11(d1)→FIG. 11(d2), when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface 333 again, its position is on the right side of the rotation center axis line CL, and the movable body 331 descends to the right. As it is, unlike the case of FIGS. 11B and 11C, the game ball is guided toward the first entrance 321. That is, in the example of FIGS. 11B and 11C, the game ball is guided to the second entrance 322, whereas in the example of FIG. 11D, the game ball is introduced to the first entrance 321. You will be guided. In other words, even at the same collision position, since the guide destinations of the game balls after that are different, it becomes difficult to see the guide destination only by looking at the collision position.

  As described above in detail, the combination of the stage portion 340 and the movable body 331 can prevent the relationship between the collision position of the guide destination of the game ball and the subsequent behavior of the game ball from being uniquely determined. In this way, by diversifying the movement of the game ball, it is possible to suitably improve the degree of attention of the player to the movement of the game ball.

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

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

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

  As an example of a ball detection sensor that constitutes the above-mentioned sensor group, a winning-corresponding winning combination such as a general winning opening 81, a lower variable winning device 82, a right variable winning device 83, a lower working opening 84, a right working opening 85 and a through gate 86. A plurality of detection sensors provided in the ball portion (payout corresponding ball portion) are connected, and the MPU 602 of the main control unit 162 determines a prize for each ball portion (ball determination). The MPU 602 executes a lottery such as a big hit based on the winning of the lower operating port 84 and the right operating port 85, and also executes a support generating lottery based on the winning of the through gate 86.

  As the detection sensors provided in the right-side variable winning device 83, the upstream detection sensor 304 and the downstream detection sensors 315, 325, 326 are connected. The upstream detection sensor 304 grasps the number of game balls that have won the right variable winning device 83. In addition, based on the number of winnings recognized based on the detection information from the upstream detection sensor 304 and the number of winnings recognized based on the detection information from the downstream detection sensors 315, 325, 326 (for example, comparing ), it is monitored whether or not the game ball remains in the right side variable winning device 83.

  Regarding the various sensors connected to the main control device 162, the main control device 162 confirms the presence or absence of disconnection when the power is turned on in the game machine, and if it is determined that there is a possibility of disconnection, Notification to that effect is executed.

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

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

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

  In the opening/closing execution mode, the MPU 602 controls the driving of the variable winning drive units 82c and 83c so that the opening/closing door 82b of the lower variable winning device 82 and the opening/closing door 83b of the right variable winning device 83 are opened and closed. When the electric accessory 91 is in the open state, the MPU 602 executes drive control of the drive unit for the electric accessory 91 so that the electric accessory 91 is opened and closed. Further, at each game time, the MPU 602 executes light emission control of the main display portion D.

  The power failure monitoring board 605 relays the main control board 601 and the power supply/launch control device 243, and also monitors the voltage of DC stable 24V which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply/launch control device 243. The payout control device 242 controls the payout device 224 to pay out prize balls or loan balls based on a prize ball command input from the main control device 162.

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

  The notification/effect control device 143 drives and controls the various lamp parts 24 to 26 and the speaker part 27 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands input from the main control device 162, and also controls the display control device 725. To control.

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

  In the display control device 725, the display control of the symbol display device 96 is executed based on the command input from the notification/effect control device 143. In this case, in the notification/effect control device 143, based on various commands input from the main control device 162, the variable display time of the symbol on the symbol display device 96 and the type of symbol combination to be finally stopped and displayed are determined. At the same time, the presence/absence of the reach occurrence and the content of the reach effect are determined.

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

  The MPU 602 uses various counter information at the time of playing a game, and performs jackpot occurrence lottery, setting of display on the main display portion D, setting of outline of symbol display on the symbol display device 96, and specifically, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a winning random number counter C1 used for lottery of big hit occurrence, a hit type counter C2 used when determining a kind of big hit, and a random number initial value counter used for setting an initial value of the hit random number counter C1. The CINI and the fluctuation type counter CS that determines the fluctuation display time on the working port display section of the main display section D and the symbol display device 96 are used. Furthermore, the electric accessory opening counter C3 used for the lottery for determining whether or not the electric accessory 91 of the right operation port 85 is opened is used.

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

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

  The value of the random number that is a big hit is stored as a win/loss table (win/win information group) in the win/win table storage area 621 as the win/win information group storage unit in the ROM 603. Here, the contents of the hit/miss table will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 14, as the hit/miss table, the hit/miss table for low probability mode (low probability hit/miss information group) of FIG. 14A and the hit/miss for high probability mode of FIG. 14B. A table (high probability probability information group) is set. That is, the pachinko machine 10 is set to the low-probability mode (low-probability state) and the high-probability mode (high-probability state) as the lottery modes in the win/loss lottery means.

  In the gaming state in which the win/loss table for the low probability mode is referred to in the above-mentioned lottery, as shown in FIG. 14A, the value of the random number (that is, the winning information) for the jackpot win is “7” and It is two of "307". That is, among the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 of "0 to 599", "7" and "307" correspond to the jackpot result. On the other hand, in the game state in which the high probability mode win/loss table is referred to in the lottery, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the value of the random number that becomes the jackpot win (that is, win information) is "7. , “36”... “572”, “598”. That is, among the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 of "0 to 599", "7", "36"... "572", "598" correspond to the jackpot result. In each lottery mode, the lottery result is a result other than the value of the random number that is a big hit.

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

  Next, the hit type counter C2 will be described. The hit type counter C2 is configured to be sequentially incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 29, and after reaching the maximum value, returns to 0. The hit type counter C2 is regularly updated and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 632 of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the lower working opening 84 or the right working opening 85. More specifically, the game ball is stored in the first result display reserve area Ra of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the lower working port 84, and the second result display unit of the RAM 604 is stored at the timing when the game ball wins the right working port 85. It is stored in the reservation area Rb.

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

  As the distribution table, two types are set so as to correspond to the respective operation ports 84 and 85 individually. That is, the distribution table for the lower working opening (the distribution information group for the lower working opening) that is referred to when the winning is generated in the lower working opening 84, and the case when the winning is generated in the right working opening 85 The distribution table for the right working opening (the distribution information group for the right working opening) is set individually. The type of jackpot is determined by referring to these distribution tables.

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

  In this pachinko machine 10, when the jackpot result is obtained, the 15R jackpot result and the 10R jackpot result are distributed to the right operating port 85 when the winning is achieved based on the winning of the lower operating port 84. It is different when the winning is won based on the prize.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, in the distribution table for the lower working opening, the values of the random numbers that result in the 15R jackpot are 15 from "0 to 14," and the values of the random numbers that result in the 10R jackpot. Is 15 from "15 to 29". On the other hand, in the distribution table for the right operation port, the values of the random numbers that result in the 15R jackpot are 30 "0 to 29". In other words, if you win the jackpot due to winning in the lower working opening 84, there is a 50% chance of being distributed to the 15R jackpot result, and if you win in the big winning or special winning due to winning in the right working opening 85, you get 100%. With the probability of, it will be distributed to the 15R jackpot results.

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

  The electric accessory release counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 249, for example, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The electric accessory release counter C3 is regularly updated, and is stored in the electric reserve holding area 633 of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 86. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the electric accessory 91 in the open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory opening counter C3. For example, if C3=0 to 199, the electric accessory 91 is controlled to the open state, and if C3=200 to 249, the electric accessory 91 is not controlled to the open state.

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

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

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

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

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

  In a succeeding step S103, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the electric auditors opening counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the electric accessory release counter C3 are each incremented by 1, and when the counter values reach their maximum values, they are cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 604. After that, in step S104, the winning process for the operating ports 84 and 85 is executed.

  In the winning process for the working port, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won (starting winning) the lower working port 84 based on the detection state of the detection sensor for the lower working port 84. When it is determined that the game ball has won the lower working opening 84, a prize ball command for paying out three game balls is set in the payout control device 242.

  After that, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the management control device on the game hall side that the game ball has won the lower working opening 84, and is stored in the reserved number storage area of the lower working opening holding area Ra. The value stored in the lower working opening holding area Ra is read out to set the number of starting pending storages held in the lower working opening holding area Ra (hereinafter, also referred to as the lower working opening holding storage number).

  The lighting process of the first hold lamp unit 98 is executed in correspondence with the changed number of stored start-up holdings. Specifically, among the four LEDs arranged side by side in the first holding lamp section 98, the number of LEDs corresponding to the current winning number is turned on. For example, when the number of holdings is added to “2”→“3” by the winning this time, the third LED from the lower side is turned on in addition to the two left-side LEDs that have been turned on. After that, an information acquisition process for storing the respective values of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2 is performed, and the present winning process is ended.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the game ball has not won the lower working opening 84, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the right working opening 85 (start winning) by the detection state of the detection sensor for the right working opening 85. Determined by When it is determined that the game ball has won the right operation opening 85, the payout controller 242 sets a prize ball command for paying out four game balls.

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

  The lighting process of the second hold lamp unit 99 is executed in correspondence with the number of stored start-up holdings thus changed. Specifically, among the four LEDs arranged side by side in the second holding lamp section 99, the number of LEDs corresponding to the current winning number is turned on. For example, when the number of holdings is added to “2”→“3” by the winning this time, the third LED from the lower side is turned on in addition to the two left-side LEDs that have been turned on. After that, the same processing as the information acquisition processing described above is performed, and the main winning processing is ended.

  On the other hand, if the game ball has not won in either of the operation ports 84 and 85, the main winning process is ended as it is. The prize ball command set in the winning process for the main working opening is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in an external output process S201 of a normal process described later.

  After that, in step S105, a through winning process associated with winning in the through gate 86 is executed, in step S106 a winning process for the lower variable winning device 82, and in step S107 a winning process for the right variable winning device 83. After executing the processing, the timer interrupt processing is ended.

  The variable winning devices 82 and 83 according to the present embodiment are normally in a closed state where a ball cannot be entered, and are switched to an open state where a ball is allowed when a big hit occurs. A period in which a ball is expected to be generated by switching from the closed state to the open state to the closed state is set in advance, and the game ball is paid out (prize ball) for the ball entered within the same period. The game balls are not paid out for entering balls outside the period. That is, in the right-side variable winning device 83, an effective period for determining whether to win a prize ball is set.

  In the winning process for each variable winning device, first, it is determined whether or not the payout (prize ball) of the game balls based on the winning of the variable winning devices 82, 83 (big winning holes 82a, 83a) is valid. judge. If it is in the valid period, the presence or absence of a prize is determined based on the result of the determination of winning (the determination result in step S101) based on the detection signal from the detection sensor. When it is determined that the game balls have won the variable winning devices 82, 83, the payout device 224 sets a prize ball command for paying out 10 game balls. The prize ball command set in the winning process for the variable winning device is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in an external output process S201 of a normal process described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning period is not within the valid period, and when it is determined that no winning has occurred even during the valid period, the winning process of the right-side variable winning portion is ended as it is.

  Here, with respect to the winning process for the right-side variable winning device 83, it is particularly referred to whether or not a winning to the first winning opening 321 has occurred with reference to a result of a winning determination based on a detection signal from the first detection sensor 425. Further, it is determined whether or not a prize has been awarded to the second entrance 322 by referring to the result of the entrance determination based on the detection signal from the second detection sensor 426. Then, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the first downstream passage 306 by referring to the ball entry determination result based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 315.

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

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

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

  In a succeeding step S203, a game time control process for advancing the game of each game time is executed. In this game time control process, a win/win determination such as a big hit and a distribution determination are performed, setting of variable display of symbols by the symbol display device 96, display control of a display portion for the working port in the main display unit 87, and the like are performed.

  Then, in step S204, a game state transition process for transitioning the game state is executed. Although the details will be described later, the game state shift process shifts the game state to the open/close execution mode, the high probability mode, the high frequency support mode, or the like. The detailed description of the game number control process and the game state transition process will be described later.

  In step S205, electric power support processing for driving and controlling the electric accessory 91 provided in the right operation port 85 is executed. In this electric power support support process, the electric power accessory 91 is opened using the numerical information acquired from the electric accessory open counter C3 stored in the electric power reserve area 633 of the RAM 604. Whether or not to perform the electric role release lottery is performed, and when the electric role open state wins, the opening/closing process of the electric accessory 91 is executed. Further, the display control of the display portion for the through gate in the main display unit 87 is performed so as to teach the result of the lottery release lottery.

  Here, as described above, the low frequency support mode and the high frequency support mode are set as the modes of support by the electric accessory 91, and a transition to any one of the support modes is performed in the game state transition processing. Be seen. In this case, the high frequency support mode is set when the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604, and the low frequency support mode is set when the high frequency support flag is not set.

  In the electric power combination support process, it is determined whether or not the high frequency support mode is set by determining whether or not the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604. Then, in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times the electric accessory 91 is in the open state is set to be larger when the electric role is released, than in the low-frequency support mode. Set the opening time longer. Further, in the high-frequency support mode, when the power combination open state is elected and the open state of the electric accessory 91 occurs a plurality of times, one open state ends and the next open state starts. The closing time up to is set to be shorter than the opening time for one time.

  By the way, when the open/close execution mode is entered, the support mode is forcibly set to the low frequency support mode even if the high frequency support flag is set in the RAM 604.

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

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

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

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

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the power failure flag is set, it means that the power supply has been cut off, and therefore, the processing at the time of power failure after step S211 is executed. That is, in step S211, the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited, after that, the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S212, and the access to the RAM 604 is prohibited in step S213, and then the power is completely cut off to perform the processing. Continue infinite loop until can no longer be executed.

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

  In the opening/closing execution mode, the game time control process is ended without executing any of the game time start process and the game time progress process. In other words, in the opening/closing execution mode, the game game is not started regardless of whether or not a prize has been paid to the operating ports 84, 85.

  When not in the open/close execution mode, whether or not one of the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit of the main display unit 87 is being displayed in a variable manner, that is, execution of one game game. It is determined whether it is in the middle. It is to be noted that this determination is made as to whether or not the variable display flag (variation display information) is stored (stored) in the variable display flag storage area (variation display information storage means) in the various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. It is done by judging. The variable display flag is stored when the variable display is started for one of the lower operation port display unit and the right operation port display unit, and is erased when the variable display ends.

  If the operating port display unit is not displaying fluctuations, the process proceeds to the game time start process. In the game number starting process, first, the total reserved number storage area of the reserved ball storage area 632 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the common reserved memory number, which is the number of reserved information stored in reserve, is “0”. The case where the common pending storage number is "0" means that the starting pending storage number is "0" for both the lower working port 84 and the right working port 85. Therefore, the game time control processing is ended as it is.

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

  In the data setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the number of right operation port reserved storages stored in the right operation port reservation area Rb is “0”. If the number of reserved memories for the right working port is "0", the data setting process for the lower working port is executed, and if the number of reserved memories for the right working port is not "0", data setting for the right working port is performed. Execute the process.

  Here, the case where the data setting process is executed is the case where the common pending number CRN is 1 or more, as already described. In this case, in the data setting process, it is determined whether or not the number of holding memories for the right working opening is “0”, and if it is not “0”, that is, the holding information for the variable display is displayed on the right working opening display unit. If stored, the data stored in the right working port holding area Rb is set for variable display regardless of whether or not the lower working port holding storage number is 1 or more. Has been done. As a result, when the holding information is stored in both the lower working port holding area Ra and the right working port holding area Rb, it is stored in the right working port holding area Rb corresponding to the right working port 85. Pending information that has been given priority.

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

  This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the first to fourth areas to the lower area side, and clears the data in the first area, and at the same time, the second area→the first area, The data in each area is shifted in the order of 3 area→2nd area, 4th area→3rd area, and so on. Then, one LED of the first holding lamp unit 98 that is lit is turned off. In the turning-off process, contrary to the turning-on process, the LEDs of the first holding lamp section 98 are turned off sequentially from the right side.

  When the second result display section flag (second result display section information) is stored in the second result display section flag storage area (second result display section information storage means) provided in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. Erases it and keeps its state if it is not remembered. The second result display unit flag is information for specifying whether the start of the variable display this time is the lower operation port display unit or the right operation port display unit. After that, this data setting process ends.

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

  Then, the process of shifting the data stored in the storage area of the right operation port holding area Rb is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the first to fourth areas to the lower area side, and clears the data in the first area, and also the second area→the first area, The data in each area is shifted in the order of 3 area→2nd area, 4th area→3rd area, and so on. Then, one LED of the second hold lamp section 99 that is lit is turned off. In the turning-off process, the LEDs of the second holding lamp section 99 are turned off in order from the right side, contrary to the turning-on process.

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

  After performing the data setting process described in detail above, after performing the variation start process for starting the variation display on the main display unit 87 (main display section) and the variation display on the symbol display device 96, the present game time control The process ends.

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

  In the distribution determination process, information for distribution determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, numerical information related to the jackpot type counter C2 is grasped. Then, the sorting table stored in the sorting table storage area 622 is referred to, and which jackpot result the numerical information relating to the jackpot type counter C2 thus grasped corresponds to is specified. Specifically, which of the 10R jackpot result and the 15R jackpot result corresponds to which jackpot result is specified.

  Based on the jackpot result thus determined, the stop result setting process for the jackpot result is executed. Specifically, in the game time related to the start of fluctuations of this time, the main display section of the main display unit 87 (specifically, the display section for the right operation port, the display section for the lower operation port) is finally stopped and displayed. Information is specified from the jackpot result stop result table stored in advance in the ROM 603, and the specified information is stored in the RAM 604. In this jackpot result stop result table, the types of the patterns of the symbols stopped and displayed on the main display unit are set to be different for each jackpot result type, and the patterns corresponding to the specified jackpot result types are set. The information of the mode is stored in the RAM 604.

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

  Then, the process which sets the flag according to the kind of the specified jackpot result in RAM604 is performed. Specifically, the 10R jackpot flag is set when the 10R jackpot result is specified, and the 15R jackpot flag is set when the 15R jackpot result is specified. In the following description, it is determined whether or not the various jackpot results are obtained by determining whether or not the flag corresponding to the RAM 604 is set.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the result is not the jackpot, the stop result setting process for the out-of-range result is executed. Specifically, the stop result table for the disengagement result, which is stored in advance in the ROM 603, is the information about the mode of the picture to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit of the main display unit 87 in the game time related to the fluctuation start this time. And the specified information is stored in the RAM 604. The information on the pattern mode selected in this case is different from the information on the pattern mode selected in the case of the jackpot result.

  As described above, as the content of the result display, different display content is set depending on whether or not a big hit occurs and its type. Thereby, when the game time is over, the manager of the game hall is performing the variable display related to the game time on the lower working port display unit and the right working port display unit of the main display unit. By looking at an object, it is possible to monitor what the game result of the game time is.

  In particular, since the lower operation port display unit and the right operation port display unit provided in the main display unit are display units directly subject to display control by the main control unit 162, the sub display control unit 725 controls the display control. The display reliability is higher than that of the intervening display unit (symbol display device 96).

  However, as mentioned above, with regard to the main display part, a plurality of display parts such as a lower working port display part and a right working port display part are integrated, and it is possible to understand which part shows what. It has become difficult to do. Furthermore, since it is smaller than the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 and is arranged near the end of the game area PE, its visibility is also lower than that of the display screen 96a. Therefore, it is assumed that the player's attention is likely to face the display screen 96a. Therefore, as described above, even if the display contents are temporarily different between the main display unit and the display screen 96a, it is possible to preferably prevent the player from being aware of such a difference as compared with the hall manager. it can.

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

  When it is determined that the reach display occurs, the reach generation display continuation time table stored in the ROM 603 is referred to obtain the display continuation time information corresponding to the value of the fluctuation type counter CS this time, and the display thereof is displayed. The duration information is set in the display duration counter provided in various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reach display does not occur, the display duration time table for reach non-occurrence stored in the ROM 603 is referred to obtain the display duration information corresponding to the value of the fluctuation type counter CS this time. Then, the display duration information is set in the display duration counter. By the way, the display duration that can be obtained by referring to the reach non-occurrence display duration table is different from the display duration that can be obtained by referring to the reach occurrence display duration table.

  It should be noted that the display continuation time information when the reach is not generated is set such that the display continuation time becomes shorter as the number of common pending memories increases. In addition, when the support mode is the high-frequency support mode, compared to the case where the support frequency is the low-frequency support mode, the reach non-reach time is selected so that a shorter display duration is selected as compared with the case where the number of hold information is the same. An occurrence display duration table is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may be such that the display duration does not change depending on the number of common pending storages and the support mode, and the above relationship may be reversed. Further, the above configuration may be applied to the display continuation time when the reach occurs. In addition, a display continuation time table may be set individually for each of various jackpot results, the case of out-reach, and the case of out-of-reach without outreach. In this case, the display continuation time is distributed according to each game result.

  After the display continuation time setting process is executed, the variation command and the type command are set. The variation command includes information on the display duration time. As described above, the display duration obtained by referring to the reach non-occurrence display duration table is different from the display duration obtained by referring to the reach occurrence display duration table. Even if the information about whether or not the reach has occurred is not included in the command for use, it is possible to specify whether or not the reach has occurred from the information of the display duration time in the notification/effect control device 143 which is the sub-side control device. .. In this respect, it can be said that the variation command includes information indicating whether or not reach has occurred. It should be noted that the variation command may include information directly indicating whether or not the reach has occurred.

  Further, the type command includes information on the game result. That is, the type command includes 10R jackpot result information, 15R jackpot result information, and miss result information as game result information.

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

  After the above processing is executed, the variable display of the pattern is started on the main display section. After that, after executing the external output cancellation processing, the fluctuation start processing is ended.

  Returning to the explanation of the game time control processing, if the main display portion (specifically, the operating port display portion) is being variably displayed, the game time proceeding processing is executed. In the game time progression process, it is determined whether or not the variation display time of the current game time has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the display continuation period counter (variable display time information) provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604 has become “0”. The value of the variable display time information is set in the variable display time setting process as described above. The value of the set variable display time information is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16) is started.

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

  If the display continuation time has elapsed, the fluctuation ending process is executed. In the fluctuation ending process, the information stored in the RAM 604 in the fluctuation starting process executed when starting the currently executed game time is specified, and the mode of the pattern corresponding to the information is displayed for the working port of the main display unit. Display control of the main display unit 87 is performed so that the main display unit 87 is displayed.

  Then, after setting the variation end command, the present game number control process is ended. The fluctuation end command set in this way is transmitted to the notification/effect control device 143 in the normal process (FIG. 17). The notification/effect control device 143 executes a process for ending the effect in the game time based on the reception of the variation end command. Further, the variation end command is transmitted to the display control device 725 via the notification/effect control device 143, and the display control device 725 receives the variation end command to combine the final stop symbols in the game times. Is fixedly displayed (final stop display) on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96. Note that the notification/effect control device 143 or the display control device 725 may be configured to end the effect for game use independently without transmitting the fluctuation end command.

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

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

  If it is the timing at which the variable display ends, it is determined in step S303 whether or not the game result of this game time corresponds to the shift to the open/close execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not either the 10R jackpot flag or the 15R jackpot flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. If none of the above flags are stored, the game state transition processing is ended. The 10R jackpot flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 when the 10R jackpot result is obtained by the lottery in the game time control process, and the 15R jackpot flag is the 15R jackpot result by the lottery in the game time control process. Are flags stored in various flag storage areas 635.

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

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

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

  In a succeeding step S306, it is determined whether or not the opening/closing execution mode this time corresponds to the 15R jackpot result. When a positive determination is made in step S306, the lottery flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 in step S307. Based on the fact that the lottery flag is stored, the right variable winning device 83 is used to perform the lottery for shifting to the high-probability mode. In a succeeding step S308, "15" is set to the open number counter OC provided in the various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604. The number-of-opens counter OC functions as a means for grasping the number of times the variable winning devices 82 and 83 have been opened.

  Returning to the description of step S306, if a negative determination is made in step S306, that is, if the opening/closing execution mode this time corresponds to the 10R jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S309. In step S309, "10" is set to the open number counter OC provided in each counter area 634 of the RAM 604. When the 10R jackpot result is obtained, the lottery for shifting to the high-probability mode using the right variable winning device 83 is not executed.

  After performing the processing of step S308 or step S309, external signal setting processing is executed in the following step S310, and this game state transition processing is ended. In the external signal setting process, it is determined whether or not either the 10R jackpot flag or the 15R jackpot flag is stored in the RAM 604, and if either flag is stored, the signal output from the jackpot signal output terminal is output. The state is the jackpot signal output state. When the jackpot signal output terminal is connected to the management control device on the game hall side, the jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the pachinko machine 10 in the management control device has an open/close execution mode. You can figure it out.

  In the present embodiment, when the high-probability mode is set, the high-frequency support mode continues until the next big hit occurs. As described above, the holding information on the right operating port 85 is preferentially consumed over the holding information on the lower operating port 84, and when the jackpot is won at the right operating port 85. Is a 15R jackpot result that corresponds to the continuous lottery in the high probability mode without exception. That is, the high-probability mode is configured to easily loop.

  Returning to the description of step S301 again, if it is determined that the open/close execution mode is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S311. In step S311, it is determined whether or not the waiting time for opening has elapsed. If the waiting time for the opening has not elapsed, the game state transition processing is ended as it is. When the waiting time for opening has elapsed, the variable winning a prize opening/closing process is executed in step S312. Here, the variable winning device opening/closing processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Variable winning device opening/closing processing>
First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open. When the lower variable winning device 82 and the right variable winning device 83 are not open, it is determined in step S402 whether or not the value of the open number counter OC is "0", and in the subsequent step S403, the open timer counter TC. Is determined to be "0".

  When the value of the opening number counter OC is “0” or when the value of the opening timer counter TC is not “0”, this variable winning device opening/closing process is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the value of the opening number counter OC is not "0" and the value of the opening timer counter TC is "0", the process proceeds to step S404, and it is determined whether or not the lottery round is being performed. When it is determined that it is during the lottery round, this variable winning device opening/closing processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the lottery round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, it is determined whether or not the value of the open counter OC is "1". When a negative determination is made in step S404, a process for opening the lower variable winning a prize device 82 is executed in step S405. Specifically, the drive unit 82c for the variable winning device is driven to open the lower variable winning device 82. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S404, the right variable winning device 83 is opened in step S407. Specifically, the drive unit 83c for the variable winning device is driven to open the right variable winning device 83.

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

  In the subsequent step S410, an opening command is set and the variable winning a prize winning device opening/closing process is ended. This release command is transmitted to the notification/effect control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). This opening command includes information as to which variable winning apparatus 82, 83 is supported. In the notification/effect control device 143, based on the received opening command, when the right variable winning device 83 is opened, the contents of the effect corresponding thereto are determined, and the contents of the decided effect are executed. Controls various devices.

  Returning to the description of step S401, if it is determined in step S401 that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open, it is determined in step S411 whether the value of the open timer counter TC is "0". .. The value of the open timer counter TC is decremented by "1" each time this variable winning device opening/closing process is executed.

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

  If it is determined in step S412 that a prize has been generated, a winning command output process is executed in the following step S413. The winning command is output to the payout control device 242, and the payout control device 242 receives the command to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. The winning command is also output to the notification/effect control device 143. The notification/effect control device 143 is configured to change the display effect in the opening/closing execution mode executed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 based on the winning command. For example, when ten prizes are generated during the fifteenth round, a message urging attention to the distribution mechanism 330 is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  After executing the command output processing in step S413, the process proceeds to step S414. In step S414, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1, and in the following step S415, it is determined whether the value of the winning counter PC is "0". If it is not "0", this variable winning device opening/closing process is directly executed. finish.

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

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

  In a succeeding step S418, it is determined whether or not the value of the open number counter OC is "0". When it is determined that the value of the open counter OC is not "0", the process proceeds to step S419 and the interval period setting process is performed. Specifically, the open timer counter TC is set to "1500" (corresponding to 3 seconds). After that, in step S420, a closing command is set, and this variable prize winning device opening/closing process is ended.

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

  When it is determined in step S418 that the value of the opening number counter OC is "0", it is determined in step S421 whether or not the lottery flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. .. When it is determined that the lottery flag is stored, the variable winning device opening/closing process is directly ended without executing the following ending process.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S421, the ending command is set in step S423, and then the present variable winning device opening/closing process is ended. The ending command thus set is transmitted to the notification/effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 19). The notification/effect control device 143 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the opening/closing execution mode based on the received ending command, and controls various devices so that the determined effect content is executed.

  The contents of this effect include the display mode on the symbol display device 96, and the determined display mode is output from the notification/effect control device 143 to the display control device 725 as a display content command. In the display control device 725, based on the display content command received from the notification/effect control device 143, a display corresponding to the opening/closing execution mode this time, for example, a moving image display of a character or the like as the display content corresponding to the jackpot is performed. The pattern display device 96 is controlled to be displayed.

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

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. 18 again, after ending the variable prize winning device opening/closing process of step S312, the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, it is determined whether or not it is during the lottery round (the 15th round in the present embodiment). When an affirmative determination is made in step S313, the process proceeds to step S314, high probability mode transition determination processing is executed, and then this game state transition processing ends. Here, the high-probability mode transition determination processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

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

  If a negative decision is made in step S501, the operation proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is "0". When a negative determination is made in step S502, the high probability mode transition determination processing is directly ended. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S502, the operation proceeds to step S503.

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

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

  Returning to the description of step S501, if an affirmative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to the lottery process in step S505 and subsequent steps. In the lottery process, first, in step S505, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the first ball entrance 321. If an affirmative decision is made in step S505, the operation proceeds to step S506 to set a high probability mode ending command. This command is output to the notification/effect control device 143 and the display control device 725 in the normal process (see FIG. 17). In each of these control devices 143 and 725, based on this command, the symbol display device 96 and the like are controlled so as to perform an ending display indicating that the transition (continuation) to the high probability mode has been confirmed.

  After executing the processing of step S506, the high-probability mode transition flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 in step S507. As a result, the game state after the end of the opening/closing execution mode becomes the high probability mode.

  On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S505, the operation proceeds to step S508. In step S508, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the second ball entrance 322. If a negative determination is made in step S508, that is, if there is no entry into either the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322 (if a lottery is in progress), the high probability as it is. The mode transition determination process ends.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S508, that is, when a ball has entered the second ball entrance 322, the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the ending command for determining the low probability mode is set. This command is output to the notification/effect control device 143 and the display control device 725 in the normal process (see FIG. 17). Based on this command, each of these control devices 143 and 725 controls the symbol display device 96 and the like so as to perform an ending display indicating that the transition (promotion failure or demotion) to the low probability mode has been confirmed.

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

  Returning to the description of FIG. 18 again, if a negative determination is made in step S313, that is, if it is determined that the lottery round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S315. In step S315, it is determined whether or not the value of the open counter OC is "0". When a negative determination is made in step S315, this game state transition processing is ended as it is.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S315, the process proceeds to step S316, and it is determined whether or not the lottery flag is stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604. If an affirmative decision is made in step S316, then this game state transition processing is ended.

  On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S316, the operation proceeds to step S317. In step S317, it is determined whether the waiting time for ending has elapsed. When a negative determination is made in step S317, this game state transition processing is ended as it is. If an affirmative decision is made in step S317, the operation proceeds to step S318. In step S318, a transition process at the end of the open/close execution mode is executed.

  In the transition processing at the end of the opening/closing execution mode, first, the 10R jackpot flag or the 15R jackpot flag stored in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604 is erased. After that, when the high probability mode transition flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604, the high frequency support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635, and the present transition processing ends. As a result, the game state shifts to a game state in which the win/loss lottery mode is the high-probability mode and the support mode is the high-frequency support mode. On the other hand, when the high probability mode transition flag is not stored, this transition processing is terminated without storing the high frequency support flag in the various flag storage area 635. As a result, the gaming state shifts to a gaming state in which the win/loss lottery mode is the low-probability mode and the support mode is the low-frequency support mode.

  In the present embodiment described in detail above, after once shifting to the high-probability mode, the 15R jackpot→the high-probability mode→15R jackpot are chained to obtain a solid decoy. However, once the player has fallen to the low-probability mode, it is necessary to win the 15R jackpot to return to the high-probability mode first, and then to win the transition lottery to the high-probability mode. By providing a plurality of hurdles in this way, the low-probability mode easily loops after the low-probability mode is set. This gives the game a distinctive touch.

  Such progress of the game is greatly influenced by the state of the distribution mechanism 330. The distribution mechanism 330 is basically configured to receive a game ball and change its state, and it is difficult to access the right variable winning device 83 from the outside from the viewpoint of preventing fraud. Depending on the business mode of the game hall and the like, a situation may arise in which it is desirable to forcibly change the distribution mechanism 330, but enabling physical access is not preferable in terms of improving crime prevention.

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

  The state switching process is set as part of the process executed when the power is turned on. In the state switching process, it is determined whether the reset signal is input from the reset switch 166 of the main controller 162. Then, the forced switching process is executed on condition that the reset switch 166 is operated when the power is turned on.

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

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

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

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

  The game ball that has entered the right variable winning device 83 will enter the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322 through the distribution mechanism 330. The movable body 331 of the distribution mechanism 330 receives the game ball (specifically, by the force or the like received from the game ball) and switches to the first state/second state. In other words, the guide mode of the later game ball changes depending on the game ball that was guided first. In this way, by configuring the influence of the game ball that arrived first to the game ball that follows, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the game ball before and after, which can cause a flow in the game. Becomes As a result, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of attention to the game.

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

  When the game ball reaches the movable body 331 under the condition that the movable body 331 is in one of the first state and the second state, the movable body 331 is maintained as it is rather than being switched to the other state. The configuration of the movable body 331 is prevented from frequently changing each time the game ball arrives. This makes it easier for the player to be kept in that state after becoming advantageous, and more likely to be kept in that state even after being disadvantageous. As a result, it is possible to give a distinct advantage or disadvantage to the game, and it is possible to suitably prevent the game from becoming monotonous.

  Also, by giving such a sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relationship between the enjoyment of following the movement of the game ball originally by the game machine and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game. Can contribute to improvement.

  The movable body 331 is in the first state when the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 moves toward the first ball entrance 321 and is in the second state when it moves toward the second ball entrance 322. Is configured to be. Therefore, when the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 first enters the first ball inlet 321, the game ball that next reaches the movable body 331 also easily enters the first ball inlet 321. Then, a chain of the first state→the first ball entering the first entrance 321→the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that reaches the movable body 331 first enters the second ball inlet 322, the game ball that next reaches the movable body 331 also easily enters the second ball inlet 322. , A second state→a ball entering the second ball inlet 322→a second state chain occurs. In this way, by giving the flow of the game (advantage/disadvantage) sharply, it is possible to preferably suppress the monotonization of the game.

  The movable body 331 is a seesaw type, and in the first state, is inclined toward the first ball inlet 321 to form a guide passage down to the first ball inlet 321. In the second state, the second ball inlet 321 is formed. By being inclined toward 322, a guide passage down to the second entrance 322 is formed. According to such a configuration, by moving the game ball along the guide passage formed by the movable body 331, the period in which the game ball acts on the movable body 331 (the period in which the weight of the game ball is added) is lengthened. As a result, the state switching function and the state maintaining function can be suitably exerted. Note that this configuration is also advantageous in suppressing disturbance (for example, shaking) of the posture of the movable body 331.

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

  Further, the drop of the game ball → the collision with the ball receiving surface 333 can transmit the force of the drop of the game ball to the movable body 331 without waste, and the mechanism for operating the movable body 331 can be simplified.

  The rotation center axis line CL of the movable body 331 is set so as to pass through the center of gravity GP thereof. As a result, it is possible to prevent the force necessary for rotating the movable body 331 from being unnecessarily increased. This is advantageous in bringing the stage section 340 and the movable body 331 (ball receiving surface 333) close to each other, and by suppressing the separation of the spots to be noticed, it is expected that the movement of the game ball can be easily followed by eyes. it can.

  The stage portion 340 has a rolling surface 341 on which the game ball reaching the stage portion 340 can swing in the direction in which the two ball inlets 321 and 322 are arranged in parallel, and the rolling surface 341 is a ball of the movable body 331. It is inclined downward to the receiving surface 333 side. According to this configuration, the game ball that has reached the stage portion 340 swings on the rolling surface 341 in the above-described arranging direction, and then drops toward the ball receiving surface 333. Here, according to the above configuration, the game ball can fall not only in the vertical direction but also in the diagonal direction. Even if the game ball falls to the same position, the behavior of the game ball thereafter varies depending on the direction of the drop, and the movement of the game ball can be diversified. This makes it difficult to predict the guide mode by the distribution mechanism 330 at the timing before the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 333 (specifically, the timing at which the game ball flows out from the stage portion 340). This is a preferable configuration in order to prevent the player's attention from being lowered immediately before the actual guidance is given.

  When a ball enters the first ball entrance 321 in the opening/closing execution mode, the probability of winning the jackpot increases, and the opening/closing execution mode easily shifts. The degree of expectation of entering the entrance 321 increases. On the other hand, when a ball has entered the second entrance 322 in the previous opening/closing execution mode, the winning probability of the jackpot does not increase, and also in the next opening/closing execution mode, the second entrance 322 enters the opening. The expectation of entering the ball is reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous and give the game a distinctive touch.

  In the right variable winning device 83, the number of game balls reaching the specific area SE is regulated. In the configuration in which the subsequent development largely depends on whether or not the game ball enters the first ball inlet 321, it becomes difficult to grasp the movement of the game ball when a large amount of the game balls reach the specific area SE. This tends to become an obstacle in strengthening the relationship between the movement of the game ball and the movement of the movable body 331 to improve the degree of attention. Therefore, if the number of game balls reaching the specific area SE is regulated as described above, the occurrence of such an inconvenience can be avoided.

  In particular, there is a limit (upper limit) to the number of balls to enter the right variable winning a prize device 83 and the period in which the balls are allowed to enter, and among the game balls that enter the right variable winning a prize device 83, the game ball that triggers reaching the upper limit is selected. If it is configured to be sent to the specific area SE, reaching the upper limit of the number of entered balls is a condition for executing the above-mentioned sorting lottery. Therefore, the player will play the game while expecting the number of entered balls to reach the upper limit within the period. Therefore, the monotonization of the round game can be appropriately suppressed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the lottery function of the right-side variable winning device 83 is applied to the high-probability mode transition lottery, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by applying the lottery function of the right-side variable winning device 83 to the round continuous lottery in the opening/closing execution mode, it is possible to suppress the monotony of the round game and suitably exert the effect of increasing the attention degree to the game. Becomes Hereinafter, the flow of the gaming machine in the present embodiment will be described based on the relationship with the gaming state transition processing executed by the main controller 162. The structure of the right-side variable winning device 83 is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is cited.

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

  As the types of jackpot results, a type 1 jackpot result and a type 2 jackpot result having different minimum guaranteed round numbers are set. As for the result of the first-class jackpot, the minimum guaranteed round number is 10 and the maximum round number is 15 (the maximum extension round number is 5). As for the result of type 2 jackpot, the minimum guaranteed number of rounds is 5R, and the maximum number of rounds is 10 (the maximum number of extended rounds is 5).

  The maximum extension round number based on the first-class jackpot result and the maximum extension round number based on the second-class jackpot result do not necessarily have to be common, and both may have different configurations. For example, it is possible to set a common upper limit number of rounds and set a difference in the maximum number of extension rounds.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22, a game state transition process in the present embodiment will be described.

  First, in step S701, it is determined whether the open/close execution mode is in effect. If it is not in the opening/closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S702, and it is determined whether or not it is the timing at which the variable display of the pattern on the lower working port display unit or the right working port display unit of one game time ends. If it is not the timing when the variable display is finished, the game state transition processing is finished as it is.

  If it is the timing at which the variable display ends, it is determined in step S703 whether or not the game result of the current game time corresponds to the shift to the open/close execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not any of the first-type jackpot flag and the second-type jackpot flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. If none of the above flags are stored, the game state transition processing is ended. The first-class jackpot flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 when the first-class jackpot result is obtained by the lottery in the game time control processing, and the second-class jackpot flag is the second kind by the lottery in the game time control processing. It is a flag stored in various flag storage areas 635 when a jackpot result is obtained.

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

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

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

  In a succeeding step S706, it is determined whether or not the opening/closing execution mode this time corresponds to the first-class jackpot result. When an affirmative determination is made in step S706, "15" is set in the open number counter OC provided in various counter areas 634 of the RAM 604 in step S707. The number-of-opens counter OC functions as a means for grasping the number of times the variable winning devices 82 and 83 have been opened.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S706, that is, if the current open/close execution mode corresponds to the second-class jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, "10" is set in the open counter OC.

  After performing the processing of step S707 or step S708, the external signal setting processing is executed in the following step S709, and the game state transition processing is ended. In the external signal setting process, it is determined whether or not the first-type big hit flag or the second-type big hit flag is stored in the RAM 604. If either of the flags is stored, the big hit signal output is performed. The signal output state of the terminal is the jackpot signal output state. When the jackpot signal output terminal is connected to the management control device on the game hall side, the jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the pachinko machine 10 in the management control device has an open/close execution mode. You can figure it out.

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

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

  When the value of the opening number counter OC is “0” or when the value of the opening timer counter TC is not “0”, this variable winning device opening/closing process is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the value of the opening number counter OC is not "0" and the value of the opening timer counter TC is "0", the process proceeds to step S804, and it is determined whether or not the lottery round is being performed. When it is determined that it is during the lottery round, this variable winning device opening/closing processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the lottery round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not the value of the open counter OC is "5" to "2". When a negative determination is made in step S805, a process for opening the lower variable winning a prize device 82 is executed in step S806.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S805 that the value of the open counter OC is "5" to "2", the process proceeds to step S807. In step S807, it is determined whether or not the value of the open counter OC is "5". When an affirmative determination is made in step S807, a lottery round flag is set in various flag storage areas 635 of the RAM 604, and in the subsequent step S810, the opening process of the right variable winning device 83 is executed. Specifically, the drive unit 82c for the variable winning device is driven to open the lower variable winning device 82.

  When a negative determination is made in step S807, that is, when the value of the opening number counter OC is any of "4" to "2", the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, it is determined whether the round continuation flag is stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604. When a negative determination is made in step S808, this variable winning device opening/closing processing is ended as it is. When an affirmative determination is made in step S808, the processes of steps S809 and S810 are executed. Specifically, the drive unit 83c for the variable winning device is driven to open the right variable winning device 83.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of the first-class jackpot result, a round game for 10 rounds is guaranteed, and in this guaranteed round, the opening and closing target is the lower variable winning a prize device 82. Become. That is, when the value of the open counter is subtracted from "15" by 1 and becomes "5", the opening/closing target is switched from the lower variable prize winning device 82 to the right variable prize winning device 83. Then, by continuing to win the continuous lottery described later, the round game proceeds, and the value of the opening number counter becomes "0", so that the opening target is returned from the right variable winning device 83 to the lower variable winning device 82. Becomes

  On the other hand, in the case of the second-class jackpot result, a round game for five rounds is guaranteed, and in this guaranteed round, the opening/closing target is the lower variable winning a prize device 82. In other words, when the value of the number-of-opens counter is subtracted from “10” by 1 and becomes “5”, the opening/closing target is switched from the lower variable winning a prize device 82 to the right variable award winning device 83. Then, by continuing to win the continuous lottery described later, the round game proceeds, and the value of the opening number counter becomes "0", so that the opening target is returned from the right variable winning device 83 to the lower variable winning device 82. Becomes

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

  Then, in step S813, an opening command is set, and this variable winning device opening/closing processing is ended. This release command is transmitted to the notification/effect control device 143 and the display control device 725 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 17). This opening command includes information as to which variable winning apparatus 82, 83 is supported. Based on the received opening command, the notification/effect control device 143 determines the contents of the effect corresponding to the right variable winning device 83 to be opened, and executes the decided effect contents. Control various equipment.

  Returning to the description of step S801, if it is determined in step S801 that the variable winning devices 82 and 83 are open, it is determined in step S814 whether the value of the opening timer counter TC is "0". .. The value of the open timer counter TC is decremented by "1" each time this variable winning device opening/closing process is executed.

  If the value of the open timer counter TC is not "0", it is determined in step S815 based on the detection signal from the detection sensor whether or not the game ball is won in the variable winning device 82, 83. The right variable winning device 83 makes the determination based on the detection signal from the upstream detection sensor 304.

  If it is determined in step S815 that a prize has been generated, a winning command output process is executed in the following step S816. The winning command is output to the payout control device 242, and the payout control device 242 receives the command to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. The winning command is also output to the notification/effect control device 143. The notification/effect control device 143 is configured to change the display effect in the opening/closing execution mode executed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96 based on the winning command. For example, when ten prizes are generated during the fifteenth round, a message urging attention to the distribution mechanism 330 is displayed on the display screen 96a of the symbol display device 96.

  After the command output process is executed in step S816, the process proceeds to step S817. In step S817, the value of the payout counter PC is decremented by 1. Then, in step S818, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout counter PC is "0". finish.

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

  After executing the process of step S819, the process advances to step S820 to update the open counter OC. Specifically, the value of the open number counter OC is decremented by "1".

  In a succeeding step S821, it is determined whether or not the value of the open number counter OC is "0". When it is determined that the value of the opening number counter OC is not "0", the process proceeds to step S822 and whether the value of the opening number counter OC is "4" to "1", that is, whether it is the continuous lottery round. To determine. If a negative determination is made in step S822, the flow advances to step S823 to perform interval period setting processing. Specifically, the open timer counter TC is set to "1500" (corresponding to 3 seconds).

  After executing the process of step S823 or when making an affirmative decision in step S822, a closing command is set in step S824, and the present variable winning device opening/closing process is ended.

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

  When it is determined in step S821 that the value of the open number counter OC is "0", the ending command is set in step S825, and then the present variable winning device opening/closing process is ended. The ending command thus set is transmitted to the notification/effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 19). The notification/effect control device 143 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the opening/closing execution mode based on the received ending command, and controls various devices so that the determined effect content is executed.

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. 22 again, after ending the variable prize winning device opening/closing process of step S711, the process proceeds to step S712. In step S712, it is determined whether or not the continuous lottery round is in progress. When an affirmative determination is made in step S712, the process proceeds to step S713, the round continuation determination process is executed, and then the game state transition process is ended. Here, the round continuation determination processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

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

  If a negative decision is made in step S901, the operation proceeds to step S902. In step S902, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is "0". When a negative determination is made in step S902, the high probability mode transition determination processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S902, the operation proceeds to step S903.

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

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

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

  On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S905, the operation proceeds to step S908. In step S908, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the second ball entrance 322. If a negative determination is made in step S908, that is, if there is no entry in either the first entrance 321 or the second entrance 322 (if a lottery is in progress), this round continues as it is. The determination process ends.

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

  After performing the processes of steps S907 and S910, the process proceeds to step S911. In step S911, the continuation determination validation flag stored in the various flag storage area 635 of the RAM 604 is erased. After that, in step S912, the lottery round flag is erased, and the present round continuation determination process ends.

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

  On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S714, the operation proceeds to step S715. In step S715, it is determined whether the waiting time for ending has elapsed. When a negative determination is made in step S715, the game state transition processing is ended as it is. If an affirmative decision is made in step S715, the operation proceeds to step S716. In step S716, the transition process at the end of the open/close execution mode is executed, and the game state transition process ends.

  In a type of gaming machine that shifts to a round gaming state (for example, a gaming state in which a ball entry device switches to a specific state and a non-specific state where entry is more difficult than the specific state multiple times), a round game The game can become monotonous by being digested in a casual manner. In this regard, if the number of continued rounds is changed according to the distribution mode of the game balls in the right-sided variable winning device 83, it is possible to preferably prevent the round game from becoming monotonous.

  In addition, according to the distribution mechanism 330 of the right-side variable winning device 83, it is possible to generate a bias in the number of continued round games that can be acquired. For example, when a ball has entered the first ball entrance 321 in the previous round game, the round game is continued, and it is expected that the ball will enter the first ball entrance 321 in the next round game. The degree will increase. In other words, when the round game continues, a large amount of privilege is given to the player. On the other hand, when a ball has entered the second ball inlet 322 in the previous round game, the round game state ends. As a result, the round game can be prevented from becoming monotonous, and the game can be sharpened.

  In the present embodiment, the lower variable winning a prize device 82 is opened and closed in the guarantee round, but the right variable winning a prize device 83 can also be opened and closed in the guarantee round. In this case, the lower variable winning device 82 may be omitted.

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

  In the latter case, the possibility of continuing the round after the end of the guarantee round can be increased by setting the movable body 431 in the first state by the end of the guarantee round. In this case, for example, when switching from the second state to the first state during the guarantee round, the tenth ball (game ball guided to the specific area SE) is dared to prevent the return to the second state. By refraining from the operation of launching the game ball so as not to enter the variable winning device 83, there is a possibility that the game can be advantageously advanced, and the strategy in the round game can be improved.

<Third Embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the support position (specifically, the shaft portion 336) of the movable body 331 and the center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 regardless of which state the movable body 331 is in the first state/the second state. Although the relationship has not changed, the present embodiment is characterized in that the positional relationship between the support position of the movable body 331 and the center of gravity GP changes with the switching between the first state and the second state. I am trying. The distribution mechanism 430 in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 25A is a schematic diagram showing the distribution mechanism 430, and FIG. 25B is a schematic diagram showing a distribution mode by the distribution mechanism 430. Note that various configurations other than the distribution mechanism 430 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description is cited.

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

  In the first state in which the movable body 431 descends to the right as shown in FIG. 25A, the movable body 431 is biased toward the first entrance port 321 side (right side). More specifically, the end (left end) of the bearing hole 432 on the side of the second ball inlet 322 is in contact with the shaft 436 to prevent further deviation, and in this state, the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 is It is located closer to the first entrance 321 side (right side) than the shaft portion 436.

  The movable body 431 is biased in the clockwise direction by its own weight due to the displacement of the center of gravity GP. As a result, the force required to switch from the first state to the second state is larger than that in the above embodiment. Specifically, when the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 433, the ratio of the first specific region S that remains in the first state becomes larger than that in the above-described embodiment, and the second specific that switches to the second state. The ratio of the area F is smaller than that in the first embodiment. When the game ball reaches the movable body 431 (ball receiving surface 433), it becomes easier to maintain the first state, and the advantage degree of the first state becomes more remarkable.

  As shown in FIG. 25B, in the second state in which the movable body 431 is moving downward to the left, the movable body 431 is biased toward the second ball entrance 322 side (left side). More specifically, the end portion (right end portion) of the bearing hole 432 on the side of the first ball inlet 321 and the shaft portion 436 abut against each other to prevent further deviation, and in this state, the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 is It is located closer to the second entrance 322 side (left side) than the shaft portion 436.

  The movable body 431 is biased in the counterclockwise direction by its own weight due to the displacement of the center of gravity GP. As a result, the force required to switch from the second state to the first state is larger than that in the above embodiment. Specifically, when the game ball reaches the ball receiving surface 433, the ratio of the first specific region S that switches to the first state is smaller than that in the above-described embodiment, and the second state remains in the second state. The ratio of the area F is larger than that in the first embodiment. When the game ball reaches the movable body 431 (ball receiving surface 433), it is easy to be maintained in the second state, so that the disadvantage degree in the second state becomes more remarkable.

  The bearing hole 432 is formed so as to sandwich the center of gravity GP. Therefore, the first specific region S in the first state and the second specific region F in the second state are equivalent to each other, and the first state is similar to the above-described embodiment. / There is no bias in the second state.

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

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

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

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

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

  In this way, by utilizing the change in the posture of the movable body 431 and the own weight of the movable body 431, the movable body 431 is moved to the first entrance port 321 side and the second entrance port 322 side. The degree of deviation between the first state and the second state can be increased. Further, in exhibiting the rotation/support function and the center-of-gravity movement function of the movable body 431, it is possible to prevent the structure related to the distribution mechanism 430 from becoming excessively complicated due to the functions.

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

<Fourth Embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the movable body 331 is switched between the two states of the first state and the second state, but it is not always necessary to distinguish advantages/disadvantages in two stages. One of the features of the distribution mechanism 530 shown in the present embodiment is that it can be switched in multiple stages. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 27, the distribution mechanism 530 and the configuration related thereto according to the present embodiment will be described. 27A is a perspective view showing the distribution mechanism 530 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 27B is a vertical sectional view of the distribution mechanism 530. In the following description, the common points with the above embodiment will be referred to, and the description will focus on the differences from the distribution mechanism 330 shown in the above embodiment.

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

  A block-shaped movable body 531 is placed on the upper surface of the lower step portion 509. As shown in FIG. 27B, the movable body 531 is provided with a guide passage forming portion 534 for guiding the game ball to the first ball inlet 521. The guide passage forming portion 534 has an inlet portion 534a formed on the upper surface of the movable body 531. The guide passage forming portion 534 extends in the vertical direction, and the lower end portion thereof protrudes below the lower step portion 509 through a long hole 509 a formed in the lower step portion 509.

  An outlet portion 534b that guides the game ball to the first ball inlet 521 is formed in this protruding portion (lower end portion). The first ball inlet 521 is arranged below the lower step 509, and the housing 501 is provided with a guide portion for guiding the game ball flowing out from the guide passage forming portion 534 to the first ball inlet 521.

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

  The moving direction and the moving range of the movable body 531 are defined by the elongated hole 509a and the guide passage forming portion 534. Specifically, the elongated hole 509a is formed in a portion of the lower step portion 509 that faces the bottom portion of the movable body 531 and extends toward the side away from the second entrance 522. The guide passage forming portion 534 hits the end of the elongated hole 509a on the side of the second ball entrance 522 to prevent further movement toward the second ball entrance 522. In this way, in the state of being most biased to the side of the second ball entrance 522, overlapping of the guide passage forming portion 534 and the second ball entrance 522 is avoided. On the other hand, the guide passage forming portion 534 hits the end of the elongated hole 509a on the opposite side of the second ball entrance 522, so that further separation from the second ball entrance 522 is avoided.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the movable body 531 shown in this embodiment is also provided with a function of allocating the game balls that have reached the movable body 531 to the first entrance 521 and the second entrance 522. .. Here, a configuration related to the distribution function will be described.

  A stage unit 540 is provided above the upper stage unit 508, and the game balls flowing out from the rolling surface 541 of the stage unit 540 reach the upper stage unit 508. The upper step portion 508 is inclined downward to the second entrance 522 (lower step portion 509) side, and the game ball reaching the upper step portion 508 flows down to the second entrance opening 522 side along the inclination.

  The game ball flowing down along the upper step portion 508 will enter the first entrance 521 or the second entrance 522 via the movable body 531. The upper surface of the movable body 531 is a ball receiving surface on which the game balls flowing out from the upper step portion 508 hit, and is inclined downward to the second ball entrance 522 side.

  The ball receiving surface is roughly divided into a downstream inclined surface 532 located downstream of the inlet portion 534a of the guide passage forming portion 534 and an upstream inclined surface 533 located upstream of the inlet portion 534a. There is. Of the game balls from the upper step portion 508, those that have reached the upstream side inclined surface 533 will be guided to the inlet portion 534a along the upstream side inclined surface 533. The game ball that has entered the entrance portion 534a is guided to the first entrance 521 via the guide passage formation portion 534. It should be noted that, of the game balls from the upper step portion 508, those that have directly entered the entrance portion 534a are also guided to the first entrance 521 through the same route.

  On the other hand, among the game balls from the upper step portion 508, those that hit the downstream side inclined surface 532 will bounce back to the side opposite to the entrance portion 534a (the side of the second entrance 522), and to the entrance portion 534a. Inflow is avoided. The game ball that has rebounded to the downstream side inclined surface 532 hits the vertical wall formed on the bottom portion 501a and is guided to the second ball inlet 522.

  In the present embodiment, the outflow speed from the upper step portion 508 changes depending on the arrival position at the upper step portion 508. For example, for a game ball that has reached the upstream portion of the upper step 508, the game ball that has reached the upstream inclined surface 533 of the movable body 531 by vigorously flowing out of the upper step portion 508 and has reached the downstream portion of the upper step portion 508. Will flow out from the upper step 508 without sufficient momentum, and will reach the downstream inclined surface 532 of the movable body 531. The details of the distribution mode of the game balls will be described later.

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

  As shown in FIG. 27B, the downstream side inclined surface 532 forming the upper surface of the movable body 531 is formed to be more inclined than the upstream side inclined surface 533. Specifically, the angle with respect to the upper surface of the lower step portion 509 is set to be larger than 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 28(a)→FIG. 28(b), when a game ball dropped from the upper step portion 508 collides with the downstream side inclined surface 532, a force in the second direction is applied to the movable body 531. .. In other words, the momentum of the game ball moves to the movable body 531 so that the game ball is deenergized, while the movable body 531 moves to the side away from the second ball entrance 522.

  Specifically, the force applied to the downstream side inclined surface 532 due to the collision of the game ball is divided into a force for pressing the movable body 531 against the lower step portion 509 and a force along the upper surface of the lower step portion 509, but the downstream side inclination Since the inclination angle of the surface 532 is set to be larger than 45 degrees, the latter is larger than the former. Accordingly, the momentum transferred to the movable body 531 due to the collision is efficiently converted into the motive force that moves the movable body 531 in the first direction, and the movement of the movable body 531 is secured.

  As shown in FIG. 28B, the angle with respect to the upper surface of the lower step portion 509 of the upstream side inclined surface 533 is smaller than 45 degrees, and more specifically, it is suppressed to an angle (for example, 5 degrees) at which the flow of the game ball is secured. Has been. When the game ball from the upper step portion 508 collides with the upstream side inclined surface 533, the force applied to the upstream side inclined surface 533 with the collision is the force for pressing the movable body 531 against the lower step portion 509 and the lower step portion 509. It is divided into a force along the upper surface. Since the inclination angle of the upstream inclined surface 533 is set sufficiently small, the former becomes larger than the latter. In this case, the amount of movement from the game ball to the movable body 531 decreases, and the game ball goes back up the upstream side inclined surface 533. By suppressing the shift of the momentum in this way, even if the game ball collides with the upstream side inclined surface 533, the movable body 531 is suppressed from moving in the first direction. That is, even if the game ball collides with the upstream inclined surface 533, the amount of movement of the movable body 531 due to the collision becomes almost zero.

  Here, the guide passage forming portion 534 extends in the vertical direction, and an outlet portion 534b thereof is opened in a direction intersecting with the passage direction, specifically, in a lateral direction. Then, in the downstream portion of the guide passage forming portion 534, a guide inclined surface 535 for guiding the game ball toward the outlet portion 534b is formed. As shown in FIG. 28(c)→FIG. 28(d), the game ball that has entered the inlet portion 534a of the guide passage forming portion 534 falls along the guide passage forming portion 534 and collides with the guide inclined surface 535. And the direction is changed to the exit portion 534b.

  The guide inclined surface 535 has a component that faces the first direction, and the angle with respect to the vertical direction (lower step portion 509) is about 45 degrees. When the game ball that has fallen along the guide passage forming portion 534 collides with the guide inclined surface 535, a force in the second direction is applied to the movable body 531. In other words, the momentum of the game ball moves to the movable body 531 so that the game ball is deenergized, while the movable body 531 moves in the second direction.

  Specifically, the force applied to the guide inclined surface 535 due to the collision of the game ball is divided into a force for pressing the movable body 531 against the lower step portion 509 and a force along the upper surface of the lower step portion 509, but the downstream side inclined surface. Since the inclination angle of 532 is set to be larger than 45 degrees, the latter is larger than the former. Accordingly, the momentum transferred to the movable body 531 due to the collision is efficiently converted into the motive force that moves the movable body 531 in the second direction, and the movement of the movable body 531 is secured.

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

  Next, the distribution mode of the game balls will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29A is a schematic diagram showing the distribution mechanism 530 (movable body 531) in the most advantageous state for the player (corresponding to the first state), and FIG. 29B is the distribution mechanism 530 (movable). It is a schematic diagram showing the state where body 531) is the most unfavorable to a player (equivalent to the above-mentioned 2nd state).

  As described above, when the game ball moves from the stage part 540 to the upper stage part 508, the game ball when it flows out from the upper stage part 508 depends on where the game ball falls in the upper stage part 508. There is a difference in moving speed. In other words, if it falls on the upstream side, the flow-down speed becomes faster, so that it becomes easier to fly far when it is separated from the upper stage portion 508, and if it falls on the downstream side, the flow-down velocity becomes slower, so that When you leave, it becomes difficult to reach far.

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

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

  The movable body 531 is the most unfavorable to one machine even when the movable body 531 is dropped to a position closest to the first specific area S side in the second specific area F, that is, even when the flow velocity of the game ball is maximized. It is never in a state. Further, even when the movable body 531 is dropped to the most downstream position in the second specific area F, that is, even when the flow velocity of the game ball is minimized, the movable body 531 moves beyond half of the entire movement range. To do. That is, although the advantageous state is switched to the disadvantageous state, the degree of the disadvantage depends on the behavior of the game ball.

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

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

  As described above, the amount of movement of the movable body 531 in the first direction is defined by the passage length of the guide passage forming portion 534 and the inclination angle of the guide inclined surface 535. Although the amount of movement exceeds half of the total movement range of the movable body 531, it does not reach the most advantageous state. That is, the amount of movement obtained when a ball enters the first ball entrance 521 is less likely to depend on where in the first specific area S the game ball has fallen.

  As described above, in the case of switching from the advantageous state to the disadvantageous state, by differentiating the degree depending on the arrival position of the game ball, when the game ball is supplied to the critical position in the upper stage portion 508, It is possible to suppress a decline in game motivation by providing some relief while being in a disadvantageous state.

  On the other hand, when switching from an unfavorable state to an advantageous state, regardless of the position of the upper tier 508 where the game ball has fallen, a certain amount of movement occurs due to the occurrence of a ball entering the first ball entrance 521. By being secured, it is possible to suppress giving the player the impression that he or she has not obtained a sufficient benefit.

  In particular, by setting the level in each of the advantageous state and the disadvantageous state, it is possible to realize further diversification of the game and contribute to the interest. Even with such a configuration, the movable body 531 is disadvantageous to the player due to the ball entering the second ball inlet 522, and the movable body 531 is presented to the player by the ball entering the first ball inlet 521. The advantageous state is secured by the advantageous state. As a result, the effect of giving the game a distinctiveness shown in the above-described embodiment is secured.

<Other Embodiments>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in each of the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Incidentally, the configuration of another embodiment described below may be applied to the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments individually or in combination with each other.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the first entrance 321 as the “first entrance” and the second entrance 322 as the “second entrance” are left and right when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. Are arranged side by side, but it is sufficient that they have a configuration corresponding to at least a "first entrance ball portion" and a "second entrance ball portion" in which a difference of advantage/disadvantage is set, and the arrangement is arbitrary. .. For example, the first entrance and the second entrance may be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

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

  (2) In the above embodiment, the degree of bias toward the advantageous side and the degree of bias toward the disadvantage side are equal, but they need not be equal. That is, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which one of the switching from the first state to the second state and the switching from the second state to the first state is biased so as to be easier (difficult) than the other. ..

  For example, a variable resistance generating means (for example, a return device) is provided that generates a resistance that prevents the switching when switching from the first state to the second state and does not prevent the switching when switching from the second state to the first state. As a result, it is possible to configure a biased type gaming machine that places importance on the first state.

  (3) The technical idea of providing the advantageous state and the disadvantageous state in multiple stages as shown in the fourth embodiment is not limited to the slide type movable body 531. For example, the same technical idea can be applied to the rotary movable body 331 shown in the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, even if the game ball reaches the advantageous side in the first state, it is not advantageous any more. However, this is changed to the advantageous side. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the degree of advantage gradually increases in accordance with the number of game balls that have reached. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to the schematic view of FIG.

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

  In the second tilted state, the convex portion 339bA formed on the base body 335A is caught in the concave portion formed on the side surface portion of the movable body 331 and is maintained in that state. Similarly, in the first tilted state, the concave portion of the movable body 331 is retained in that state by being caught by the convex portion 339aA formed on the base body 335A. The protrusions 339aA and 339bA are elastically deformable, and the above-mentioned catching is released by applying a predetermined force to the movable body 331.

  When the movable body 331 is in the second state, when the game ball collides with a portion of the movable body 331 on the right side of the rotation center, the movable body 331 rotates due to the collision. As a result, the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA of the movable body 331 are caught and brought into the first inclined state. In this state, when the game ball further collides with the portion on the right side of the rotation center, the collision between the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA is released, and the movable body 331 rotates clockwise. Then, the concave portion of the movable body 331 and the convex portion 339bA are hooked, so that the second inclined state is established. In this state, the game ball further collides with the part on the right side of the center of rotation, whereby the concave portion and the convex portion 339aA are released from being caught, and the movable body 331 rotates clockwise. The rotation of the movable body 331 is blocked by the first stopper 337, so that the movable body 331 enters the third tilted state. In other words, at least three game balls collide with a portion on the right side of the rotation center of the movable body 331, for example, before switching from the second state to the first inclined state→the second inclined state→the third inclined state. It is necessary to do (enter the first entrance 321).

  On the other hand, when returning from the third tilted state to the second state, it is necessary that the three game balls collide with the movable body 331 on the left side of the rotation center. However, in this case, the posture of the movable body 331 changes in the order of the third tilted state→the second tilted state→the first tilted state, but the game ball that has collided has the first entrance 321 regardless of the collision position. Will be guided to.

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

  The advantageous side and the disadvantageous side do not necessarily have to have the same configuration, and a plurality of stages may be set only on the advantageous side. However, in such a configuration, since the weight on the advantageous side becomes large, it is preferable to separately provide a configuration for returning to the original state. For example, instead of using a game ball as a power source, an actuator provided separately can be used. When falling from the high probability mode to the low probability mode, the actuator may be operated to return the movable body to a predetermined state (for example, the first tilted state, the second tilted state, the second state). It is also possible to determine the predetermined position by a lottery (for example, a lottery triggered by entering the working opening, the first entrance, the second entrance, etc.) from among a plurality of set positions. ..

  (4) In the above-described first embodiment and the like, the movable body 331 that constitutes the “guide means” is formed in a flat plate shape, and the left and right weight balance of the movable body 331 is set to 1:1 based on the rotation center. And the width dimension on the right side of the rotation center axis line CL on the ball receiving surface 333 and the width dimension on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL are the same. Although the probability of occurrence of a ball and the probability of occurrence of a ball entering the second entrance 322 are the same, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. By providing a difference between the width dimension on the right side of the rotation center axis line CL on the ball receiving surface 333 and the width dimension on the left side of the rotation center axis line CL, the probability of occurrence of a ball entering the first ball entrance 321 can be determined. The probability of occurrence of a ball entering the second ball entrance 322 may be different.

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

  Note that, in FIG. 30B, the thickness dimension H1 of the movable body 331 is set so that the position of the rotation center axis line CL (the position of the center of gravity GP) is located on the left side with respect to the central position ML of the stage portion 340. H2 was left and right different. As a result, the probability of becoming the first state is higher than that of the second state, but it is reversed so that the probability of becoming the second state is higher than that of the first state. You may.

  (5) The center of gravity GP of the movable body 331 does not need to be located on the rotation center axis line CL. In this case, a separate means for maintaining the movable body 331 in the first state and the second state may be provided. For example, as shown in the distribution mechanism 330C in FIG. 30C, a holding unit such as a magnet may be used to maintain the first state and the second state. In addition, in the movable body 331C shown in FIG. 30C, at least a portion contacting the first stopper 337C and the second stopper 338C is made of a magnetic body.

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

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

  (6) In each of the above embodiments, the drop position of the game ball on the ball receiving surface 333 of the movable body 331 is diversified by the stage unit 340 as the “ball passing unit”, but the drop position of the game ball can be diversified. In that case, a so-called clune or the like in which a plurality of through holes are formed in a plate-shaped (dish-shaped) rotating body may be used. However, by changing the falling direction of the game ball and changing the subsequent behavior according to the falling direction even at the same collision position, it is possible to suitably suppress the movement of the game ball from becoming monotonous. In view of the above, it is preferable that the game ball be configured to swing while swinging as shown in the above-described embodiment and to be dropped with the movement.

  (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the game ball is dropped from the stage unit 340 as the “ball passing unit” and collides with the movable body 331 as the “guide means”, and the kinetic energy of the game ball is used. Although the movable body 331 is configured to rotate, the movable body 331 only needs to have a configuration that receives a game ball and changes its state (using the weight of the game ball). In other words, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the game ball that has reached the movable body 331 is mounted on the movable body 331 and is rotated by the weight (positional energy) of the game ball.

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

  Particularly, in order to embody the technical idea shown in the third embodiment, it is preferable that the bearing hole 336D formed in the base body 335D extends horizontally. As a result, as shown in FIG. 31(a)→FIG. 31(b) and FIG. 31(c)→FIG. 31(d), the movable body 331D uses its own weight to change its position due to the change in the posture of the movable body 331D. The changing configuration is preferably realized.

  (9) In the third embodiment described above, the movable body 431 as the “ball receiving portion” moves, so that the relationship between the center of gravity GP of the movable body 431 and the support position of the base body 435 as the “supporting means”. However, if the positional relationship between the center of gravity and the support position is changed, the movement target may be the base body. However, with such a configuration, it becomes difficult to utilize the force generated by the collision of the game balls to move the base body while ensuring the support function. The configuration concerned tends to be complicated. In addition, when the distance between the movable body 431 (ball receiving surface 433) and the stage portion 340 is increased in order to compensate for the power loss described above, the durability of the distribution mechanism 330 and the visibility of the game balls are improved. Will be difficult to achieve. For the above reasons, it is preferable to make the "ball receiving portion" movable rather than the "supporting means".

  (10) As shown in the above fourth embodiment, the movable body 531 as the “ball receiving portion” is not limited to the above configuration in terms of sliding type. For example, when the idea is applied to the first embodiment, the bottom portion 301a of the housing 301 is flat, and the movable body is arranged on the bottom portion 301a so as to be slidable left and right. On the upper surface (ball receiving surface) of the movable body, a first inclined surface that descends toward the first ball entrance side, with a portion that is an intermediate position in the direction in which the first ball entrance and the second ball entrance are arranged in parallel, A second inclined surface that descends toward the second entrance is provided, and when the game ball collides with the first inclined surface, the game ball is guided to the first entrance, and the second inclined surface collides with the second inclined surface. The game ball is configured to be guided to the second entrance. If the game ball collides with each inclined surface and is displaced to the opposite side to the reflection direction of the game ball, the above-mentioned bias can be generated with a simple structure.

  (11) In the second embodiment, the configuration is such that the rounds are continued, but the number of continuing rounds may be stocked. Specifically, up to a predetermined number of rounds is set as a lottery round, and after the predetermined number of rounds is finished, the remaining round game is executed according to the number of winnings in the first entrance 321 in the lottery round. It is also possible. For example, when the maximum is 10R, the first to fifth rounds are set as lottery rounds, and when the number of game balls winning the first entrance 321 in these lottery rounds is M, it is set to 5+M rounds. Is also possible.

  It is not always necessary that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the number of winnings to the first entrance 321 and the number of rounds to be added, and a plurality of rounds are added by entering the first entrance 321. May be configured. It is also possible to reduce the number of rounds added by entering the second entrance 322. When these two modified examples are combined, the number of rounds added by entering the first entrance 321 is M1, and the number of rounds reduced by entering the second entrance 322 is M2, M1. >M2 can contribute to further interest.

  (12) In each of the above-described embodiments, the passage switching member 311 that constitutes the “restriction means” limits the game balls guided to the specific area SE. However, the game balls won in the right-side variable winning device 83 The configuration for guiding only a specific game ball to the specific area SE is arbitrary.

  For example, a movable stopper is provided at an intermediate position of the first downstream side passage 306, and the first downstream side passage 306 has one less N-1 (nine in the above embodiment) games. It is also possible to form a guide passage by which the following (10th) game ball moves to the second downstream side passage 307 by the accumulation of the balls. According to such a configuration, since the passage is formed by using the winning game balls, it is possible to preferably suppress the passage switching timing from becoming severe.

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

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

  (14) In each of the above-described embodiments, the player is provided with a privilege by entering one game ball into the first ball inlet 321. However, this is changed as follows. Good. That is, a plurality (preferably an odd number) of the game balls that have won the right side variable winning device 83 are guided to the specific area SE, and the game that has entered the first ball entrance 321 among the game balls that have reached these specific areas SE. It may be configured to determine whether or not to grant the privilege based on the number of balls and the number of game balls entering the second entrance 322 (for example, by comparison).

  For example, the identification may be given when the number of balls entered into the first ball entrance 321 exceeds the number of balls entered into the second ball entrance 322. In such a configuration, when the number of balls entering the first ball entrance 321 exceeds the number of balls entering the second ball entrance 322, the player intentionally shoots the game ball toward the right-side variable winning device 83. By stopping, the new amusement feature of refusing the privilege originally obtained in the round and advancing later games is added.

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

  For example, a first specific number of prize balls are paid out when a ball has entered the first ball entrance 321 and a second specific number has been paid when a ball has entered the second ball entrance 322. It is also possible that the award balls are paid out. In this case, since the number of balls entering the first ball inlet 321 increases, the number of game balls that the player can obtain increases.

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

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

  (17) In the above-described second embodiment, when the lottery round is entered, the opening target is switched from the lower variable winning device 82 to the right variable winning device 83. It is also possible to set the variable winning device 83 as an opening target.

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

  When adopting the latter modified example, the lottery relating to the first entrance 321 and the second entrance 322 may be invalidated except in the lottery round. According to such a configuration, for example, in the case where it is already in an advantageous state in the round before the transition to the lottery round (the fourth round in the above-mentioned embodiment), the number of winning the game ball hits reaches the upper limit. There is a possibility that more benefits can be enjoyed by stopping before and moving on to the next lottery round in that state. In other words, by intentionally overlooking the immediate profit, there is a possibility that a large profit can be obtained first. As a result, it is possible to enhance the strategic nature of the game and contribute to further interest.

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

  It is also possible to arrange the state switching drive unit on the right side and forcibly enter the second state by operating the state switching drive unit. In this case, the trigger may be any one of the ON operation of the power switch 247, the operation of the reset switch 166, and the operation of the both switches 166 and 247.

  The "driving unit" for forcibly switching the state of the movable body 331 does not necessarily have to be a solenoid, but may be a motor or the like connected to the rotating shaft.

  (19) In the above embodiment, the right-side variable winning device 83 is adopted as the “ball entering device”, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an actuation ball unit provided with two actuation ball parts having a common entrance part may be used as the ball entrance device. In other words, the game sphere that has entered the entrance portion can be configured to be guided to one of the detection sites on each actuation sphere by the guide means. For example, by setting one of the actuating ball portions to be more advantageous than the other of the actuating ball portions by distribution lottery or the like, it is possible to cause a bias in the advantageous/disadvantageous flow.

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

  (21) With the configuration in which the game balls are supplied to the distribution mechanism 330 through the outflow portion 345 formed in the stage portion 340, by forming a plurality of guide grooves 342 on the rolling surface 341, a deviation occurs at the outflow location. It was configured to let. That is, it is configured to allow the outflow of the game balls from between the guide grooves 342 while promoting the outflow of the game balls through the guide grooves 342. This can be modified as follows. That is, it is also possible to limit the outflow location of the game ball by dividing (dividing) the outflow section 345 into a plurality of sections by the partition section (wall section or the like). For example, a partition may be provided between the guide grooves 342a to 342c to prevent the game balls from flowing out from other than the guide grooves 342a to 342c.

  (22) Depending on whether the power switch 247 of the pachinko machine 10 is operated or the reset switch 166 is operated, forced distribution of the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) to the first state and the second state is performed. The modes may be different. For example, when the power switch 247 is turned on, the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state, and when the reset switch 166 is turned on, the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state. It may be configured to have two states. When the power switch 247 is turned on, the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state, and when the reset switch 166 is turned on, the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) is set to the first state. The configuration may be one state.

  As a means for forcibly switching the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) between the first state and the second state, a worker such as a hall manager can access the distribution mechanism 330 through an access path (for example, a work opening). Etc.) may be secured. By directly operating the distribution mechanism 330 (movable body 331) via the access path, the distribution mechanism 330 can be switched according to the situation or the like. As a result, it is possible to contribute to improving the convenience of the operator. It should be noted that it suffices to have at least one of the two functions of the above-mentioned forced switching function by the electrical configuration and the forced switching function on the assumption that the distribution mechanism 330 is directly touched, but the convenience is improved. In order to realize the above, it is preferable to have a configuration having both of these two functions.

  (23) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above embodiments, such as a pachinko machine in which an electric accessory opens a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or a special area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine in which a right is generated when a ball enters and a big hit, a pachinko machine provided with another accessory, an arrangement ball machine, a game machine such as a sparrow ball.

<Regarding invention groups extracted from the above embodiments>
The features of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below, showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiment are appropriately shown in parentheses, etc., but are not limited to the specific configurations shown in parentheses, etc.

  The following feature group is "Some gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines are equipped with a game board in which a game area into which a game ball flows down is formed. The game ball is played based on a player's firing operation. When the game ball is fired toward the area and the fired game ball enters the ball entering portion provided in the game area, benefits such as payout of the game ball are given to the player based on the game ball.

  In the gaming machine in which the award is given according to the movement of the game ball in this way, by arranging the game parts such as nails and windmills in the game area, the flow path of the game ball is dispersed, and the game ball is distributed. There is one in which the degree of attention to the movement of the game ball, and eventually the degree of attention to the game, is increased by diversifying the movements of the game balls (for example, see Patent Document 1). With respect to the background art, "However, there is still room for improvement in the structure in order to improve the degree of attention to the game by the movement of the game ball." ..

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

  According to the feature 1, the game ball that has entered the ball entering device enters the first ball entering portion or the second ball entering portion via the guide means. The guide means receives the game ball (specifically, by the force received by the game ball and the like) and switches between the first state and the second state. In other words, the guide mode of the later game ball changes depending on the game ball that was guided first. In this way, by configuring the influence of the game ball that arrived first to the game ball that follows, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the game ball before and after, which can cause a flow in the game. Becomes As a result, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of attention to the game.

  The "guidance means" may be configured so that the player can visually check the state. With such a configuration, for example, the player can be urged to refer to the state of the guide means to determine whether or not to play the game, and the strategy of the game can be suitably improved.

  Features 2. When the game ball arrives at the guide means under the situation where the guide means is in one of the first state and the second state, the guide means is maintained as it is rather than being switched to the other. The gaming machine according to feature 1, which is configured to be easily operated.

  According to feature 2, it is possible to prevent the state of the guide means from frequently changing each time the game ball arrives. As a result, the state advantageous to the player is continued or the state unfavorable to the player is continued, so that the flow of the game can be sharpened. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the game from becoming monotonous.

  Also, by giving such a sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relationship between the enjoyment of following the movement of the game ball originally by the game machine and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game. Can contribute to improvement.

  In addition, this feature is "the guide means is the first state rather than switching to the second state when a game ball arrives at the guide means in a state where the guide means is in the first state. When the game ball reaches the guide means under the situation where the guide means is in the second state, the guide state tends to remain in the second state rather than switch to the first state. The gaming machine according to feature 1, which has a configuration." According to this structure, after being in the advantageous state for the player, the state is easily maintained, and even after being in the disadvantageous state, the state is easily maintained. As a result, it is possible to give the advantage/disadvantage to the game, and it is possible to suitably suppress the monotony of the game.

  Features 3. The guide means is in the first state when the game ball reaching the guide means moves toward the first ball entering portion, and the game ball reaching the guide means faces the second ball entering portion. The gaming machine according to the feature 1 or the feature 2, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in the second state by being moved.

  According to the above configuration, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the first ball entering portion, the game ball that next reaches the guide means also easily enters the first ball entering portion. A chain of the first state→the first ball entering the first ball entering section→the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the second ball entering portion, the game ball that next arrives at the guide means also easily enters the second ball entering portion, and the second state -> Entering into the 2nd entry part -> Chain of the 2nd state occurs. In this way, by giving the flow of the game (advantage/disadvantage) sharply, it is possible to preferably suppress the monotonization of the game.

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

  If the position or the posture of the guide unit means is changed by being pushed by the game ball that has reached the guide means, the game ball is directly involved in the state change of the guide means. As described above, by utilizing the weight of the game ball and the like, it is possible to prevent the configuration from becoming excessively complicated in enjoying the effect shown in the feature 1.

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

Features 5. The guide means is arranged between the first ball-entering part and the second ball-inner part,
In the first state, the guide means forms a guide passage that descends toward the first ball entry portion by tilting toward the first ball entry portion, and in the second state, forms a guide path in the second ball entry portion. The gaming machine according to Feature 4, wherein a guide passage that descends to the second ball entering portion is formed by inclining toward.

  By moving the game ball along the guide passage formed by the guide means, the period during which the game ball acts on the guide means (the period when the weight of the game ball is added) is lengthened, and the state switching function or state The maintenance function can be suitably exerted. Note that the above configuration is also advantageous in suppressing disturbance (for example, shaking) of the posture of the guide means.

Features 6. The guide means is
A ball receiving portion (movable body 331) having a receiving surface (ball receiving surface 333) for receiving the game ball that has reached the guide means, and forming the guide passage by the receiving surface.
A supporting means (base body 335) for rotatably supporting the ball receiving portion,
In the ball receiving portion and the supporting means, the position of the center of gravity of the guiding means is higher than that of the supporting portion by the supporting means due to the change in the posture of the guiding means accompanying the switching from the second state to the first state. Any one of the guide means and the support means is displaced so as to be on the ball entrance side, and the position of the center of gravity of the guide means is changed by the change of the posture of the guide means accompanying the switching from the first state to the second state. 6. The gaming machine according to feature 5, wherein any one of the guide means and the support means is configured to be displaced so as to be closer to the second ball entering portion side than the support portion.

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

Features 7. A shaft portion (for example, shaft portion 336) provided on one of the ball receiving portion and the support means, and a bearing portion (for example, movable) provided on the other of the ball receiving portion and the support means and engaged with the shaft portion. A body portion 331), and the ball receiving portion is supported by the supporting means by engaging the bearing portion and the shaft portion,
7. The gaming machine according to Feature 6, wherein the bearing portion has a bearing hole (bearing hole 332) extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft portion.

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

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

  In the configuration in which the guide means has the ball receiving portion, by providing a bearing hole in the ball receiving portion on which the game balls directly act, while ensuring the support function of the ball receiving portion by the supporting means, the first state/second state It becomes possible to switch smoothly. In this case, by forming the bearing portion so as to straddle the center of gravity of the ball receiving portion, the self-weight of the ball receiving portion can be effectively used to generate the above-described bias.

  Note that, for example, in order to change the positional relationship between the center of gravity of the ball receiving portion and the supporting portion, the supporting means may be movable. However, in such a configuration, it becomes difficult to use the position/kinetic energy of the game ball that is the power source for switching without waste, and it becomes difficult to ensure durability. The former can be dealt with by increasing the fall distance of the game ball, but this hinders improvement in durability. Therefore, "the position of the center of gravity of the guide means is closer to the first ball entry portion side than the support portion of the support means due to the change of the posture of the guide means accompanying the switching from the second state to the first state. The guide means is displaced, and the position of the center of gravity of the guide means is closer to the second ball entrance side than the support portion due to a change in the posture of the guide means accompanying the switching from the first state to the second state. If such a configuration is adopted that the guide means is displaced so that the above-mentioned various inconveniences can be suitably suppressed.

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

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

  In addition, due to the drop of the game ball → the collision with the ball receiving portion, the force of the drop of the game ball can be transmitted to the guide means without waste, and the mechanism for operating the guide means can be simplified.

  In addition, especially in combination with the feature 8, it is not necessary to unnecessarily increase the fall distance of the game ball, and the ball passing portion and the guide means (ball receiving portion) can be brought close to each other. In this way, by suppressing the separation of the points of interest, it becomes easier to follow the movement of the game ball.

Feature 10. The ball passing portion has a concave surface portion (rolling surface 341) on which the game ball reaching the ball passing portion can swing in the direction in which the two ball-in portions are arranged in parallel,
10. The gaming machine according to feature 9, wherein the concave portion is inclined downward toward the guide means.

  According to the above configuration, the game ball that has reached the ball passing portion swings on the concave surface portion of the ball passing portion, and then drops toward the guide means (ball receiving portion). Here, according to the configuration shown in this feature, the game ball can fall not only in the vertical direction but also in the diagonal direction. Even if the game ball falls to the same position, the behavior of the game ball thereafter varies depending on the direction of the drop, and the movement of the game ball can be diversified. This makes it difficult to predict the guide mode by the guide means at the timing before the game ball reaches the guide means (specifically, the timing at which the game ball flows out from the ball passage portion). This is a preferable configuration in order to prevent the player's attention from being lowered immediately before the actual guidance is given.

Feature 11. A starting ball entering portion (actuating ports 84, 85) which is provided on the game board and into which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter
Information acquisition means for acquiring special information based on the fact that a game ball has entered the starting ball entering section (a function for executing a winning process in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162),
Granting determination means (a function of executing a lottery process in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162) that determines whether or not the special information acquired by the information acquiring means corresponds to predetermined granting information,
Based on the result of the grant determination made by the grant determination means being the grant corresponding result, the special game state transition means (the game state in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162) for shifting the game state to the special game state advantageous to the player. Function to execute the migration process)
The ball entrance device is configured to allow the entry of game balls based on the transition to the special game state,
A first game state and a second game state in which the result of the grant determination by the grant determination means is more likely to be the grant corresponding result than the first game state are provided,
The game state entered into the ball entering device is set to the first game state based on the ball entering the first ball entering part, and the game ball entering the ball entering device enters the second ball entering part. 11. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 10, further comprising means for changing a game state to the second game state based on entering a ball.

  By applying the technical idea shown in the feature 1 or the like to the above configuration, it is possible to generate a bias in a gaming state in an advantageous state and an unfavorable state. For example, when a ball enters the first ball entering section in the previous special game state, it is easy to shift to the next special game state, and also in the first special ball entering the first ball entering section. When the expectation of entering the ball increases, and a ball enters the second entering part in the previous special game state, it becomes difficult to shift to the next special game state, and in the next special game state However, the degree of expectation of entering the second ball is reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous and give the game a distinctive touch.

  In particular, by giving such a sharpness from the structural side, it becomes possible to strengthen the relationship between the pleasure of following the movement of the game ball originally by the game machine and the flow of the game, and increase the degree of attention to the game. It can be improved suitably.

Feature 12. A starting ball entering portion (actuating ports 84, 85) which is provided on the game board and into which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter
Information acquisition means for acquiring special information based on the fact that a game ball has entered the starting ball entering section (a function for executing a winning process in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162),
Granting determination means (a function of executing a lottery process in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162) that determines whether or not the special information acquired by the information acquiring means corresponds to predetermined granting information,
Based on the result of the grant determination by the grant determination means being a grant corresponding result, a gaming status shifting means for shifting to a round gaming status that is more advantageous to the player than usual (gaming status shifting in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162). Function to execute processing),
The ball entry device is configured to allow entry of game balls based on the transition to the round game state,
A means for continuing the round game when a ball enters the first ball entering section, and a ball entering the second ball entering section under the condition of the round game state 11. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 10, characterized in that the gaming machine is provided with means for ending the round game.

  In a type of gaming machine that shifts to a round gaming state (for example, a gaming state in which a ball entry device switches to a specific state and a non-specific state where entry is more difficult than the specific state multiple times), a round game The game can become monotonous by being digested in a casual manner. In this respect, by applying the technical idea shown in the feature 1 or the like to the above configuration, it is possible to generate a bias in the number of continued round games that can be acquired. For example, if the first round of ball entry occurs in the first round, the round is continued, and the expectation of entering the first round in the next round is also high. Will increase. In other words, when the round game continues, a large amount of privilege is given to the player. On the other hand, if a ball has entered the second ball entering section in the previous round game, the round game state ends. As a result, the round game can be prevented from becoming monotonous, and the game can be sharpened.

  In addition, in a configuration that gives such a sharpness from a structural side, for example, by configuring so that "the ball receiving portion and the game ball reaching the ball receiving portion can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine", It is possible to strengthen the relationship between the enjoyment of following the original movement of the game ball with the eyes and the flow of the game, and it is possible to suitably improve the degree of attention to the game.

Feature 13. The ball entering device is configured so that the ball receiving portion and the game ball reaching the ball receiving portion can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine,
Further, the ball entrance device is provided between the entrance portion of the ball entrance device and the guide means, and restricts means for restricting the number of game balls reaching the guide means (the passage switching member 311 and the main controller). 13. The gaming machine according to the feature 11 or the feature 12, having 162 MPUs 602).

  As shown in the feature 11, etc., in the configuration in which the subsequent development greatly depends on whether or not the game ball enters the first ball entering portion, a large amount of game balls reach the guide means It becomes difficult to grasp the movement. This tends to be an obstacle to enhancing the attention by strengthening the relationship between the movement of the game ball and the movement of the guide means. Therefore, if the number of game balls reaching the guide means is regulated as shown in this feature, the occurrence of such an inconvenience can be avoided.

  If there is a limit (upper limit) to the number of balls to enter the ball entrance device and the period during which the ball is allowed to enter, the first game ball entered in the ball entrance device is sent to the guide means. As a result, it is possible to preferably prevent the opportunity for the sorting lottery related to the first ball entering portion/the second ball entering portion from being lost due to occurrence of a so-called puncture or the like.

  Similarly, if there is a limit (upper limit) to the number of balls to enter the ball entering device and the period in which the ball is allowed to enter, the game ball that has triggered the reaching of the upper limit among the game balls entering the ball entering device is selected. If it is configured to be sent to the guide means, it is a condition for executing the above-mentioned sorting lottery that the number of entered balls reaches the upper limit. Therefore, the player will play the game while expecting the number of entered balls to reach the upper limit within the period. Therefore, the monotony of the game can be suitably suppressed.

Feature 14. A game board (game board 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
And a ball-entering device (right-side variable winning device 83) capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The ball entrance device is
A first ball entrance section (first ball entrance 321) and a second ball entrance section (second ball entrance 322) which is more advantageous to the player than the first ball entrance section;
A first state in which it is easier to guide the game ball that has passed through the entrance portion of the ball entrance device to the first ball entrance portion than the second ball entrance portion, and the game ball that has passed the entrance portion is the first ball entrance. A guide unit (for example, a distribution mechanism 330) that can be switched to a second state in which it is easier to guide to the second ball entering portion than
The guiding means, when a ball entering the first ball entering portion occurs, the game ball accompanying it moves to the first state, and when a ball entering the second ball entering portion occurs. The gaming machine is characterized in that the gaming ball is moved to the second state by the movement thereof.

  According to the above configuration, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the first ball entering portion, the game ball that next reaches the guide means also easily enters the first ball entering portion. A chain of the first state→the first ball entering the first ball entering section→the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the guide means first enters the second ball entering portion, the game ball that next arrives at the guide means also easily enters the second ball entering portion, and the second state →The second ball entering section→The second state chain occurs. In this way, by giving the flow of the game (advantage/disadvantage) sharply, it is possible to preferably suppress the monotonization of the game.

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

  According to the feature 15, the game ball that has entered the ball entering device enters the first ball entering portion or the second ball entering portion via the movable body (rolling surface). The movable body receives the game ball (specifically, by the force received by the game ball and the like) and switches to the first state/second state. In other words, the guide mode of the later game ball changes depending on the game ball that was guided first. In this way, by configuring the influence of the game ball that arrived first to the game ball that follows, it is possible to add relevance to the movement of the game ball before and after, which can cause a flow in the game. Becomes As a result, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of attention to the game.

  The "movable body" may be configured so that the player can visually check its state. With such a configuration, for example, the player can be urged to refer to the state of the guide means to determine whether or not to play the game, and the strategy of the game can be suitably improved.

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

  According to the feature 16, it is possible to prevent the operation area of the movable body from being unnecessarily increased while ensuring the switching function shown in the feature 15. As a result, it is possible to promote downsizing of the ball entrance device and suppress restrictions on the arrangement of the ball entrance device. For example, an intermediate portion of the movable body (a portion between both ends of the movable body in the rotation direction) may be pivotally supported.

Feature 17. Located on the upper side of the movable body, including a supply unit for supplying the game ball to the movable body by dropping the game ball flowing into the ball entrance device toward the rolling surface,
The feature 15 or feature 16 is characterized in that the movable body is axially supported so that a rotation center axis of the movable body extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which a game ball drops from the supply portion. Game machine.

  According to the feature 17, the weight of the game ball or the like can be suitably applied as a power source for changing the posture of the movable body.

  Feature 18. When the game ball reaches the movable body under the situation where the movable body is in one of the first state and the second state, the movable body is maintained in the same state as it is, rather than being switched to the other state. 18. The gaming machine according to any one of features 15 to 17, which is configured to be easily played.

  According to the feature 18, it is possible to prevent the state of the movable body from frequently changing each time the game ball arrives. As a result, the state advantageous to the player is continued or the state unfavorable to the player is continued, so that the flow of the game can be sharpened. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the game from becoming monotonous.

  Also, by giving such a sharpness from the structural aspect, it becomes possible to strengthen the relationship between the enjoyment of following the movement of the game ball originally by the game machine and the flow of the game, and the degree of attention to the game. Can contribute to improvement.

  In addition, the feature is that, when the game ball reaches the movable body under the condition that the movable body is in the first state, the movable body is in the first state rather than being switched to the second state. When the game ball reaches the movable body under the condition that the movable body is in the second state, the movable body tends to remain in the second state rather than switch to the first state. The gaming machine according to any one of features 15 to 17 characterized in that it is configured." According to this structure, after being in the advantageous state for the player, the state is easily maintained, and even after being in the disadvantageous state, the state is easily maintained. As a result, it is possible to give the advantage/disadvantage to the game, and it is possible to suitably suppress the monotony of the game.

  Feature 19. The movable body is in the first state when the game ball reaching the movable body moves toward the first ball entering portion, and the game ball reaching the movable body faces the second ball entering portion. The gaming machine according to any one of features 15 to 18, characterized in that the gaming machine is configured to be in the second state by being moved.

  According to the above configuration, when the game ball that reaches the movable body first enters the first ball entering portion, the game ball that next reaches the movable body also easily enters the first ball entering portion. A chain of the first state→the first ball entering the first ball entering section→the first state occurs. On the other hand, when the game ball that reaches the movable body first enters the second ball entering portion, the game ball that next reaches the movable body also easily enters the second ball entering portion, and the second state -> Entering into the 2nd entry part -> Chain of the 2nd state occurs. In this way, by giving the flow of the game (advantage/disadvantage) sharply, it is possible to preferably suppress the monotonization of the game.

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

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

  10... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 80... Game board unit, 80a... Game board, 83... Right variable winning device as a ball entering device, 162... Main control device, 301... Housing, 303... Ball passage, 304... Detection Sensor, 306... First downstream side passage, 307... Second downstream side passage, 311... Passage switching member, 312... Passage switching drive section, 321... First entrance port as first entrance part, 322... 2nd ball entrance as a ball entrance section, 330... Sorting mechanism as guide means, 331... Movable body as a ball receiving section, 332... Bearing hole, 333... Ball receiving surface, 335... As supporting means Base body, 336... Shaft portion, 337... First stopper, 338... Second stopper, 340... Stage portion, 341... Rolling surface, 602... MPU, CL... Rotation center axis line, GP... Center of gravity, PE... Game area , SE... Specific area.

Claims (1)

A game board with a game area formed,
A ball-entering device capable of entering a game ball flowing down the game area,
The ball entrance device is
A first ball entering section and a second ball entering section which is more advantageous to the player than the first ball entering section;
A movable body having a rolling surface on which a game ball rolls,
Support means for rotatably supporting the movable body,
Located on the upper side of the movable body, having a supply unit that supplies the game ball to the movable body by dropping the game ball that has flowed into the ball entrance device toward the rolling surface,
The movable body is located between the first ball entering portion and the second ball entering portion in the alignment direction of the first ball entering portion and the second ball entering portion, and the game ball dropped from the supply portion is A first state in which the rolling surface inclines downward toward the first ball entrance portion and a second surface in which the rolling surface inclines downward toward the second ball entrance portion by receiving and rotating It is configured to switch to the state,
The second state is a state in which the movable body is arranged in the first rotation position and a state in which the movable body is moved to the second rotation position in which the inclination toward the second ball entry portion side is larger than the first rotation position. Including the state that the body is placed,
A means for stopping the movable body at the first rotation position by being caught by the movable body when the movable body rotates to the first rotation position,
The rolling surface extends to the first ball entering portion side and the second ball entering portion side, straddling a supporting portion by the supporting means,
In the case where the movable body is stopped at the first rotation position, when the game ball falls on a predetermined portion on the rolling surface that is closer to the second ball entry portion side than the support portion in the rolling surface. Receives the game ball and rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position side, and from the support portion on the rolling surface under the situation where the game ball is stopped at the first rotation position. Also, when a game ball falls to a predetermined portion on the side of the first ball entering portion, the game ball is received to rotate to the side opposite to the second rotation position side. ..

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