JP2022167443A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing game amusement in a game.SOLUTION: A game machine includes display means 114 and performance control means 502 for controlling the execution of a step-up performance in which a performance progresses step by step and controlling the display of the display means 114 in the step-up performance. In a predetermined step-up performance when the performance is executed up to a predetermined stage of three or more stages, when the time from the start of display of a first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage is determined as a first time, the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is the stage after the first stage and the stage before the last stage to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage is determined as a second time, and the time from the start of display of the last stage to the end of display of the last stage is determined as a third time, the first time is shorter than the second time, and the second time is shorter than the third time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 41

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko game machine, it is known to perform a step-up effect as an effect using an effect device such as a liquid crystal display (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2016-41325 A

By the way, gaming machines are required to improve the amusement of games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine capable of enhancing the interest of a game.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention
display means;
an effect control means for controlling the execution of a step-up effect in which the effect progresses step by step, and for controlling the display of the display means in the step-up effect,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the first time is shorter than the second time,
The second time is shorter than the third time.

In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is
display means;
an effect control means for controlling the execution of a step-up effect in which the effect progresses step by step, and for controlling the display of the display means in the step-up effect,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the second time is shorter than the first time and the third time;
The third time is longer than the first time and the second time.

By setting the time interval until promotion in the step-up performance as in the present invention, interest in the step-up performance can be attracted and the amusement of the game can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows an example of the game machine based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state by which the door was opened. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the game board from the front side. It is the schematic which looked at the game machine from the front side similarly. It is an exploded perspective view of the same door unit. Similarly, the handle is shown, (a) is a perspective view seen from the front side, and (b) is a perspective view seen from the rear side. Fig. 3 is a view of the handle unit viewed from the front side in the axial direction of the handle. It is the figure which looked at a part of door unit from the front side equally. It is the figure which looked at a part of door unit from the front side equally. It is a view of the same, showing a part of the door unit, viewed from the front side in the axial direction of the handle. Similarly, it is a perspective view of the handle as seen from the front side, with the face cover removed. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) showing the operation torque and the operation angle of the handle. It is a graph (1) which shows the operation torque of a steering wheel similarly. FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) showing the operating torque and operating angle of the handle. Fig. 2 is a graph (part 2) showing the operating torque of the steering wheel of the same; It is the perspective view which looked at the front frame and the inner frame from the front side equally. It is the figure which looked at the front frame and inner frame from the axial direction front side of a handle|steering-wheel equally. It is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the game board from the front side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the tray unit of the same; Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the tray unit from the back side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the downstream ball extracting unit of the same; It is a figure for demonstrating the closed state of a downstream ball extraction hole equally. It is a figure for demonstrating the open state of a downstream ball extraction hole equally. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the upstream ball removing unit of the same; It is a figure for demonstrating the closed state of an upstream ball extraction hole equally. It is a figure for demonstrating the open state of an upstream ball extraction hole equally. Similarly, it is a diagram for explaining the state of the upstream side ball extraction hole when the upstream side ball extraction button is operated a predetermined amount less than the diameter of the game ball. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the lower part of the gaming machine from the lower side. It is a front view showing an example of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the game board from the front side. FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 29; It is an exploded perspective view showing the same, an outer rail, a rail base, and a game board. It is a figure which shows an outer rail equally. It is the figure which looked at the rail base and the outer rail from the back side similarly, Comprising: It is the whole view and a partially enlarged view. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper right part of a rail base and an outer rail equally from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the left lower part of a rail base and an outer rail equally from the back side. Similarly, it is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between the game ball and the hole. It is a front view of the outer rail and the game board of the same, and is a view for explaining the positions of the holes of the outer rail. It is a block diagram showing an example of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and showing a schematic configuration of the gaming machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the display in the step-up production|presentation of a 1st example equally. It is a time chart concerning the display of the step-up production|presentation of a 1st example equally. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the display and the effect sound in the step-up effect|action of a 1st example equally. It is a time chart concerning the display of the step-up production|presentation of a 2nd example similarly.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, although a pachinko game machine, which is one of the game machines, will be described in the present embodiment, other game machines may be used. In the following explanation, "front and back" basically means that the player is "front" and the pachinko machine is "back" when the player is on the front side of the pachinko machine, and "up and down" means "up and down". means that the top side of the pachinko machine is "top" and the bottom side is "bottom", and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player is "left" and the right hand side is "right". It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can freely combine each configuration, arbitrarily modify each configuration, or omit each configuration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100, showing a state in which the door is opened.
The gaming machine 100 (pachinko gaming machine 100) uses game balls as game media, and a player borrows game balls from a game hall operator to play a game using the gaming machine 100. FIG. In the game on the gaming machine 100, each game ball is a medium having a game value, and the privilege (profit) that the player enjoys as a result of the game is, for example, a game ball acquired by the player. can be converted into a game value based on the number of

The gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape (a vertically long rectangular frame shape), and an inner frame 104 (middle frame) (middle door) attached to the outer frame 102 via a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed. ) and a front frame 300 (front door) attached to the inner frame 104 via a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed. Like the outer frame 102, the inner frame 104 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. The inner frame 104 holds a game board 108 (game board unit). Specifically, the game board unit is detachable from the inner frame 104 (inner frame assembly) with the front frame 300 opened forward.

A glass unit 110 (transmission plate) is attached to the front frame 300 . Specifically, a window is formed in the central portion of the front frame 300, and the glass unit 110 is attached to the window. The glass unit 110 is, for example, a combination of two transparent plates (glass plates) cut to match the shape of the window. Although the glass unit 110 is used in this embodiment, it may be made of resin.

Here, the structure provided with the front frame 300 (front door) and the inner frame 104 (middle door) is called a "body frame". The body frame is detachable (openable and closable) with respect to the outer frame 102 . When the body frame is closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the glass unit 110 face each other substantially in parallel with a predetermined gap (gap) therebetween. At this time, the game board 108 becomes visible from the front side of the game machine 100 through the glass unit 110 .

Note that the front frame 300 may refer only to a substantially rectangular frame member (a door base 310 to be described later), and includes the frame member and all members attached to the frame member (including design members and the like). You may refer to the whole unit united with.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 is provided with an effect device that performs effects during the progress of the game. As a production device, a production display device (display means) 114 made up of a liquid crystal display device, a production accessory device 116 made up of a movable device, an audio output device (sound output means) 118 made up of a speaker (see FIG. 3), and various lights. There are a production lighting device 120 consisting of lamps controlled in terms of mode and emission color, and a production operation device 208 (see FIG. 3) that receives an operation. The effect display device 114, the effect accessory device 116, the sound output device 118, the effect lighting device 120, and the effect operation device 208 execute a predetermined effect based on the control of the control board provided within the inner frame 104. .

The game board 108 is formed with a through hole 108a (see FIG. 2) penetrating in the thickness direction (the front-rear direction of the game machine 100). A performance display device 114 is provided on the back surface of the game board 108 . The effect display device 114 has an image display section (display area) for displaying an image. The image display section is arranged inside the inner frame 104 and exposed through the through hole 108a so that an image displayed on the image display section can be visually recognized from the front side.

The effect accessory device 116 is arranged in front of the effect display device 114 in the inner frame 104 and normally retreats to the back side of the game board 108. It is movable up to the front to give the player a sense of expectation for a big win.

The effect lighting device 120 is provided on the front frame 300 , and for example, a plurality of the lighting devices 120 are provided so as to surround the glass unit 110 . The effect lighting device 120 includes an LED or the like, and is controlled to be lit in various ways in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display device 114, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the audio output device 118 is provided on the outer frame 102 . The audio output device 118 outputs sounds, voices, BGM, etc. toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with images and the like displayed on the effect display device 114 . The lower outer frame 102 has a predetermined width, and the audio output device 118 (speaker) is a component of the outer frame 102 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the gaming machine 100 viewed from the front side (front). The effect operation device 208 (effect operation unit 208) includes a effect operation section configured to be able to receive an operation (predetermined operation) related to effect. When the effect operation section is operated, the effect content (display of the effect display device) is switched, or a predetermined effect is generated. A key portion 209 (cylinder) is provided on the right side of the gaming machine 100 viewed from the front side. When a predetermined key is inserted into the key portion 209 and rotated counterclockwise (twisted), the front frame 300 can be opened forward, and when rotated clockwise (twisted), the front frame 300 and the inner frame are opened. 104 (that is, the body frame) can be opened forward.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 108. As shown in FIG. The game board (game board) 108 is made of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin (such as acrylic). The game board 108 is provided with a substantially circular outer rail 114b and an arc-shaped inner rail 114a along the outer rail 114b. A game ball shot from a shooting mechanism (shooting device) (not shown) rises between the inner rail 114 a and the outer rail 114 b and is guided to the game area 116 . The game area 116 (board surface) is a space formed between the game board 108 and the glass unit 110, and is an area in which game balls can move (flow down, roll). A large number of game nails and pinwheels are provided on the game board 108, and the game balls guided to the game area 116 collide with the nails and pinwheels and move (flow down, roll) in irregular directions. I have to.

The outer rail 114b extends clockwise from below the game board 108 toward the upper left, and also extends clockwise from substantially the center in the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the game board 108 toward the upper right. there is The outer rail 114b extends curvedly from the bottom to the top of the game board 108 to surround the game area 116. As shown in FIG. That is, the area surrounded by the outer rails 114b serves as a game area 116 in which game balls move. In addition, the inner rail 114 a is provided on the left side of the game board 108 and inside the outer rail 114 b in the game area 116 .

The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of penetration of the game ball is different from each other according to the firing intensity of the shooting mechanism, and the game ball can be hit separately. The first game area 116a is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116b is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. located on the right side of the Since the outer rail 114b and the inner rail 114a are located on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball fired by the shooting mechanism with a shooting intensity less than a predetermined intensity enters the first game area 116a (left-handed area), A game ball shot with a shooting intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity by the shooting mechanism enters the second game area 116b (right hitting area). Hitting the game ball into the first game area 116a by operating the operating handle 340 is called hitting to the left, and hitting the game ball into the second game area 116b by operating the operating handle 340 means hitting to the right. It is said to execute.

In addition, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning opening 118 and a starting winning opening 120 (starting opening) into which game balls can enter. When game balls enter the general winning hole 118 and the starting winning hole 120, predetermined prize balls (game balls obtained by winning) are paid out to the player. Note that the number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more. Also, the number of prize balls to be paid out may be different for each of the general prize winning port 118 and the starting prize winning port 120, or the same number of prize balls may be set.

The start winning opening 120 is provided in the center of the lower side of the game area 116 (the center in the left-right direction). Although a detailed explanation is omitted, when a game ball enters the starting prize winning port 120, a big win lottery for determining whether or not to give a predetermined game profit is performed, and if a big win is won in the big win lottery, a big win game is played. executed. The big role game is composed of a plurality of round games, and the big prize opening is opened during each round game. The big winning opening is provided in the second game area 116b. Each round game ends when a predetermined time elapses from its start or when a preset upper limit number of game balls enter the big winning hole. When game balls enter the big winning hole, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player, so that the player can win a large amount of prize balls by executing the big win game.

An out port 122 (ejection port) is provided at the bottom of the game area 116 . A game ball that has not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the starting winning opening 120, and the big winning opening is discharged from the game area 116 to the back side of the game board 108 via the out opening 122. - 特許庁

The game area 116 also includes an upper passage 114c connecting the left-handed area 116a and the right-handed area 116b. The upper passage 114c is provided above the through hole 108a.

The gaming machine according to this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board and a sub-board. The functions of each board such as the main board and sub-boards are implemented by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of information storage medium), or RAM. It is realized by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in, for example.

The main board receives input signals from the input means (various sensors, etc.), performs various calculations for executing the game, and controls the operation of the output means (payout device, etc.) based on the calculation results.

The sub-board receives commands sent from the main board and input signals from a performance operation sensor that detects an operation to a performance operation device 208, which will be described later. is calculated, and the operation of the effect device is controlled based on the calculation result.

Next, details of the door unit 300 will be described. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the door unit 300. FIG. The door unit 300 includes a plate-shaped door base 310, a tray unit 320, a handle unit 330, and the like. A glass unit 110 (see FIG. 1) can be attached to the rear side of the door base 310 .

The saucer unit 320 has a shape protruding forward and includes a saucer. The receiving tray is formed so as to be able to store game balls lent to the player (rental balls) and game balls obtained by winning prizes (prize balls). The tray unit 320 is attached (assembled) below the front side of the door base 310 . The tray unit 320 is fixed to the door base 310 by screwing from the rear side of the door base 310 . A recess is provided in the center of the tray unit 320, and the effect operation unit 208 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to this recess.

The handle unit 330 includes a handle 340 protruding forward and a handle base 350 . Handle 340 is formed to be rotatable. When a shooting operation is performed by rotating the handle 340, the game is played from the shooting mechanism (shooting device) with strength (shooting force) (momentum) according to the rotation angle (operation angle) (rotation amount) (rotation operation amount) of the handle 340. A ball is to be launched. The handle unit 330 is attached (assembled) to the lower right portion of the door base 310 (the lower right portion of the front frame) (the lower right portion of the tray unit 320). The handle unit 330 is fixed to the door base 310 by screwing from the rear side of the door base 310 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the tray unit 320 and the handle unit 330 can be individually (separately) fixed to the door base 310 . Therefore, for example, the handle unit 330 can be removed from the door base 310 while the tray unit 320 is fixed to the door base 310, or the tray unit 320 can be removed from the door base 310 while the handle unit 330 is fixed to the door base 310. can be done. That is, it is possible to remove only one of the tray unit 320 and the handle unit 330 for inspection, replacement, and the like. As a result, work can be performed flexibly, and work efficiency can be improved. In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to attach and detach only the production unit 208 without removing the tray unit 320 from the door base 310 .

In the handle unit 330, a handle 340 and a handle base 350 are separately fixed to the door base 310 by screwing. Therefore, only the handle 340 can be removed from the door base 310 while the handle base 350 is fixed to the door base 310 . The handle 340 is a component that is replaced more frequently than the handle base 350 . By making only the handle 340 replaceable, the cost for replacement can be suppressed. The screws used for fixing the handle 340 and the screws used for fixing the handle base 350 may have different colors. For example, the screws used to fix the handle 340 are colored red. By changing the color of the screws in this way, the operator can easily understand which screws to remove, thereby preventing mistakes and improving work efficiency. Also, an identification letter such as “H” may be attached near the screw hole (screw hole) for the handle 340 .

When removing the parts from the door base 310 , first remove the tray unit 320 , then remove the handle 340 , and then remove the handle base 350 . Note that the handle 340 and the handle base 350 may be removed at the same time.

(Handle 340)
5(a) is a perspective view of the handle 340 as seen from the front side, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the handle 340 as seen from the rear side. The handle 340 includes a body portion 341, a handle ring 342 (handle), a firing stop button 343, a cover 344, and the like. The body portion 341 is fixed to the door base 310 as an attachment partner member, and rotatably supports the handle ring 342 . The handle ring 342 is rotatable around the body portion 341 within a predetermined rotation amount (predetermined operation angle) from the initial position to the maximum rotation position. The maximum rotation position is a position where the amount of rotation with respect to the initial position is maximum. The maximum rotation position is the position at the moment when a predetermined portion of the handle ring 342 abuts (contacts) the mechanical end (stopper). It does not include the position where the load (reaction force) suddenly increases due to pressure contact with the mechanical end. The shooting stop button 343 can be pressed, and is provided to stop the shooting of the game ball while the handle ring 342 is being rotated by a predetermined amount. A cover 344 (face cover) is provided to cover the front side of the handle ring 342 .

FIG. 6 is a view of the handle unit 330 viewed from the front side of the handle 340 in the axial direction. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the center (rotational axis) of the handle 340 is defined as the center P (rotational axis P). FIG. 6 shows the handle ring 342 in its initial position. The handle ring 342 is urged by an elastic member (ring spring, spring: not shown) in the counterclockwise direction with the center P as the rotation axis when viewed from the front. Therefore, when rotating the handle ring 342 clockwise from the initial position, it is necessary to operate (apply force) against the biasing force of the elastic member. Further, when the handle ring 342 is turned clockwise by a predetermined amount and the operation is released (when the force is stopped), the handle ring 342 returns to the initial position by the biasing force of the elastic member ( automatic recovery).

(Handle ring 342)
The handle ring 342 includes a ring portion 350 a , a first finger hook portion 351 , a second finger hook portion 352 and a third finger hook portion 353 . The first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular ring portion 350a so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the ring portion 350a along the circumferential direction. ing. The first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 have a substantially triangular shape (mountain shape) when viewed from the front. When the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 are viewed with their tips facing upward, the slope on the left side is steeper than the slope on the right side (a steep slope). ). The slope on the left side is steeper than the slope on the right side, making it easier to hook your fingers.

If the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 were not provided, it would be necessary to grip the outer peripheral surface of the ring portion 350a to rotate the ring portion 350a. When the 3-finger hook portion 353 is provided, a finger can be hooked to perform the rotation operation. Therefore, the player can more easily perform the rotation operation. As a result, the burden on the player can be reduced.

The door unit 300 is a component that may be handled as a single door unit 300 . In other words, it is a component for which work of attaching and detaching (exchanging) only the door unit 300 or work of transporting only the door unit 300 is performed. Therefore, a situation may arise in which only the door unit 300 is placed on a surface such as the floor, or in which only the door unit 300 is placed in a packaging member such as a box.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the door unit 300. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower edge of the door unit 300 (front frame 300) is a lower edge S1. The lower edge S1 constitutes the lower outermost shape of the front frame 300 . If all or part of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 protrude downward (lower) than the lower edge S1, when the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or the like, it may contact the floor. However, the handle ring 342 (handle 340) may be damaged.

(Initial position: downward)
FIG. 7 shows the handle ring 342 in its initial position. At the initial position, the tip of the first finger hook 351 faces the upper left. The tip of the second finger hook 352 faces upward. The tip portion of the third finger hook portion 353 faces the upper right side. In the present embodiment, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrude below the lower edge S1 of the front frame 300 at the initial position. Therefore, even when the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or the like, the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 do not come into contact with the floor or the like, and the handle ring 342 (handle 340) is not damaged. no. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

(Maximum rotation position: downward)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the door unit 300, showing a state where the handle ring 342 is at the maximum rotation position. The maximum rotation position is a position where the amount of rotation (the amount of operation) of the handle ring 342 from the initial position is maximum. At the maximum rotation position, the tip of the first finger hook 351 faces upward. The tip of the second finger hook 352 faces right. The tip of the third finger hook 353 faces downward. In this embodiment, the tip of the third finger hook 353 is closest to the lower edge S1 at the maximum rotation position.

In this embodiment, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrude below the lower edge S1 of the front frame 300 even at the maximum rotation position. Therefore, even when the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or the like with the handle ring 342 at the maximum rotation position, the first to third finger hook portions 351 to 353 come into contact with the floor or the like. Therefore, the handle ring 342 (handle 340) is not damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

In this embodiment, any of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 is positioned at the lower edge of the front frame 300 regardless of the rotational position of the handle ring 342 (any rotational position). It does not protrude below S1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the tip of the third finger hook 353 is closest to the lower edge S1 at the maximum rotation position. However, the point at which the tip of any of the finger hooks comes closest to the lower edge S1 does not have to be the maximum rotation position. In other words, if the position where the tip of any of the finger hooks comes closest to the lower edge S1 is defined as a predetermined rotational position, all the finger hooks should not protrude below the lower edge S1 at the predetermined rotational position. It should be

Return to FIG. A right edge of the door unit 300 (front frame 300) is defined as a right edge T1. The right edge T1 constitutes the outermost shape on the right side of the front frame 300 . If all or part of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 protrude to the right (rightward) from the right edge T1, when the front frame 300 is placed in a box or the like, the box and the There is a risk that the handle ring 342 (handle 340) will be damaged due to contact.

(Initial position: right side)
In this embodiment, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrudes to the right (rightward) from the right edge T1 of the front frame 300 at the initial position. Therefore, even when the front frame 300 is placed in a box or the like, the first to third finger hooking portions 351 to 353 do not come into contact with the box or the like, and the handle ring 342 (handle 340) is not damaged. no. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

(Maximum rotation position: right side)
As shown in FIG. 8, at the maximum rotation position, the tip of the second finger hook 352 is closest to the right edge T1. In this embodiment, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrudes to the right from the right edge T1 of the front frame 300 even at the maximum rotation position. Therefore, even if the front frame 300 is placed in a box or the like with the handle ring 342 at the maximum rotation position, the first to third finger hook portions 351 to 353 come into contact with the box or the like. Therefore, the handle ring 342 (handle 340) is not damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 are positioned further than the right edge T1 of the front frame 300 at any rotational position (any rotational position) of the handle ring 342. Does not protrude to the right. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the tip portion of the second finger hook portion 352 is closest to the right edge T1 at the maximum rotation position. However, the point at which the tip of any finger hook portion is closest to the right edge T1 does not have to be the maximum rotation position. In other words, if the position where the tip of any of the finger hooks is closest to the right edge T1 is defined as a predetermined rotational position, all the finger hooks should not protrude to the right of the right edge T1 at the predetermined rotational position. It should be

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the lower right portion of the front frame 300 viewed from the front side in the rotation axis direction of the handle 340 . (1) The length (distance) (dimension) D1 from the center P of the handle 340 to the tip of the first finger hook portion 351 is 53.4 mm. (2) The length D2 from the center P of the handle 340 to the tip of the second finger hook 352 is 45.6 mm. (3) The length D3 from the center P of the handle 340 to the tip of the third finger hook 353 is 39.3 mm. (4) The length E from the center P of the handle 340 to the outer peripheral surface of the handle ring 342 is 34.6 mm. That is, the radius E of the portion of the handle ring 342 where the finger hook is not provided is 34.6 mm. (5) The length F from the center P of the handle 340 to the lower edge S1 of the door unit 300 is 40.0 mm. (6) The length G from the center P of the handle 340 to the right edge T1 of the door unit 300 is 49.1 mm.

In this embodiment, the handle unit 330 is provided in the lower right portion of the front frame 300 , but the handle unit 330 may be provided in the lower right portion of the inner frame 104 . 15 is a right side view showing the handle unit 330 attached to the lower right portion of the inner frame 104. FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram of the lower right portion of the state viewed from the front side in the rotation axis direction of the handle 340. As shown in FIG. 15 and 16 can be said to show a state in which the front frame 300 and the inner frame 104 are integrated. Here, the lower edges of the front frame 300 and the inner frame 104 (that is, the body frame) are referred to as a lower edge S2. The lower edge S2 constitutes the lower outermost shape of the body frame. In other words, the lower edge S2 is the lower edge of either the front frame 300 or the inner frame 104 . Also, the edge on the right side of the body frame is defined as a right edge T2. The right edge T2 constitutes the outermost shape on the right side of the body frame. In other words, right edge T2 is the right edge of either front frame 300 or inner frame 104 .

At the initial position, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame. Further, at the maximum rotation position, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame. Also, no matter what rotational position the handle ring 342 is in, none of the first to third finger hook portions 351 to 353 of the handle ring 342 protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame. .
Therefore, even if the body frame is placed on the floor or the like, the finger hook portion does not come into contact with the floor or the like, and the handle is not damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.
When referring to the lower edge (lower edge) of the main body frame, the lower edge (bottom surface) of the saucer unit 320 (the saucer) is lower than the lower edge of the front frame 300 and the lower edge of the inner frame 104. is positioned below, the lower edge (bottom surface) of the receiving tray unit 320 may be the lower edge of the body frame.

At the initial position, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 projects rightward beyond the right edge T2 of the body frame. Further, at the maximum rotation position, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 projects rightward beyond the right edge T2 of the body frame. Further, no matter what rotational position the handle ring 342 is in, any of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 projects rightward beyond the right edge T2 of the body frame. do not have.
Therefore, even if the body frame is placed in a box or the like, the finger hooks do not come into contact with the box or the like, and the handle is not damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 16, D1, D2, D3, and E are the same as in FIG. 9, but the length F from the center P of the handle 340 to the lower edge S2 of the body frame is 45.0 mm. . Also, the length G from the center P of the handle 340 to the right edge T2 of the body frame is 51.1 mm.

In the above, the position of the lower edge of the inner frame 104 is positioned below (protrudes) from the position of the lower edge of the front frame 300, but the position of the lower edge of the front frame 300 and the position of the inner frame 104 The position of the lower edge may be substantially the same. Also, the position of the lower edge of the front frame 300 may be positioned below the position of the lower edge of the inner frame 104 .

The length D3 is smaller than the length F in both the state shown in FIG. 9 and the state shown in FIG. Therefore, even when rotated to the maximum rotation position (the state shown in FIG. 8), the third finger hook portion 353 does not protrude below the lower edges S1 and S2.

Length D2 is smaller than length G. Therefore, even when rotated to the maximum rotation position (the state shown in FIG. 8), the second finger hook portion 352 does not protrude to the right beyond the right edges T1 and T2.

On the other hand, the length D1 is longer than the length F. Therefore, if the handle ring 342 is rotated to a position where the first finger hooking portion 351 faces downward (a position where the tip portion of the first finger hooking portion 351 faces downward), the first finger hooking portion 351 is positioned at the lower edge. It protrudes below S1 and S2. However, in this embodiment, the handle ring 342 is prevented from rotating to the position where the first finger hook portion 351 is downward. Therefore, the first finger hook portion 351 does not protrude below the lower edges S1 and S2.

Also, the length D1 is longer than the length G. Therefore, if the handle ring 342 is rotated to a position where the first finger hooking portion 351 is on the right side (a position where the tip of the first finger hooking portion 351 faces the right side), the first finger hooking portion 351 is on the right edge. It protrudes to the right side of T1 and T2. However, in this embodiment, the handle ring 342 is prevented from rotating to the position where the first finger hook portion 351 is on the right side. Therefore, the first finger hook portion 351 does not protrude to the right beyond the right edges T1 and T2.

In this manner, the first finger hooking portion 351 is prevented from rotating to a position in which the tip faces downward (lower side) or to a position in which the tip faces to the right. Therefore, length D1 can be greater than lengths D2 and D3. By increasing the length D1, it is possible to obtain the effect of making it easier to hook a finger. In addition, in this embodiment, the length D1 is longer than the length D2, and the length D2 is longer than the length D3.

In this embodiment, the number of finger hooks provided on the handle ring 342 is three, but the number of finger hooks is not limited to this, and at least one finger hook may be provided. . Further, the finger hooking portion having the largest protrusion amount (maximum finger hooking portion) is not limited to the first finger hooking portion 351, and may be another finger hooking portion. The amount of protrusion is the amount of protrusion radially outward, and is, for example, the amount of protrusion of the finger hook from a portion of the handle ring 342 where the finger hook is not provided (ring portion 350a).

As described above, in the initial position and the maximum rotation position, the finger hook does not protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame and does not protrude to the right of the right edge T2 of the body frame. Further, at the initial position and the maximum rotation position, the finger hook does not protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame, and at the maximum rotation position, the finger hook having the largest amount of protrusion (maximum finger hook) , the position where the tip faces downward (directly below) (the position where the tip is closest to the lower edge S2 of the body frame). In other words, when the handle ring 342 rotates from the initial position to the maximum rotation position, the tip of the maximum finger hook moves on an arced rotational trajectory, but at the maximum rotation position, the tip of the maximum finger hook moves. is not located at the lowest point in the orbit of rotation of the tip. In that case, the maximum finger hook may be rotated to a position closest to the lower edge S2 of the main body frame, and beyond that position to a position away from the lower edge S2 of the main body frame. Further, at the initial position and the maximum rotation position, the finger hook does not protrude to the right from the right edge T2 of the body frame, and at the maximum rotation position, the finger hook having the largest amount of protrusion (maximum finger hook) , the position where the tip faces right (direct right) (the position where the tip is closest to the right edge T2 of the body frame). In other words, when the handle ring 342 rotates from the initial position to the maximum rotation position, the tip of the maximum finger hook moves on an arced rotational trajectory, but at the maximum rotation position, the tip of the maximum finger hook moves. is not located at the rightmost point on the tip's rotational trajectory. In that case, the maximum finger hook may be rotated to a position closest to the right edge T2 of the body frame, and beyond that position to a position away from the right edge T2 of the body frame.

The bottom surface (lower surface) of the tray unit 320 and the bottom surface (lower surface) of the handle unit 330 shown in FIG. It is This is referred to as the "slanted surface of the lower part of the front frame". When the front frame lower portion is provided with an inclined surface, the inclined surface of the front frame lower portion may come into contact with the floor or other surface when the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or other surface. That is, when the front frame 300 is placed on the floor, for example, the inclined surface of the lower portion of the front frame comes into contact with the floor, and the front frame 300 is slightly inclined forward with respect to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane (forward inclination). Posture). In this posture, the handle ring 342 (handle 340) is closer to the floor.

When the handle ring 342 is in the initial position, none of the first to third finger hook portions 351 to 353 of the handle ring 342 may protrude below the inclined surface of the lower portion of the front frame. In this case, even if the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or the like and the inclined surface of the lower part of the front frame contacts the floor or the like, the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 do not contact the floor or the like. Therefore, the handle ring 342 (handle 340) will not be damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

When the handle ring 342 is at the maximum rotation position, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 may protrude below the inclined surface of the lower portion of the front frame. . In this case, even if the front frame 300 is placed on the floor or the like while the handle ring 342 is at the maximum rotation position, and the inclined surface of the lower part of the front frame comes into contact with the floor or the like, the first finger hook portion 351 to third finger hooking portion 353 do not contact the floor or the like, and handle ring 342 (handle 340) is not damaged. Therefore, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

Further, at any rotational position (any rotational position) of the handle ring 342, all of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 of the handle ring 342 are below the inclined surface of the lower portion of the front frame. may not protrude into the

At a predetermined rotational position including the initial position and the maximum rotational position, at least a part of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 protrudes downward from the inclined surface of the lower portion of the front frame. good too. Even in that case, none of the first finger hooking portion 351 to the third finger hooking portion 353 should protrude below the lower edge S2 of the body frame. By configuring in this way, the risk of component damage can be reduced.

Next, the operating torque and operating angle of handle 340 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, a spring as an elastic member Z is arranged inside the handle 340 . The handle ring 342 can be operated (rotated) clockwise against the biasing force of the spring. When the handle ring 342 is turned by a predetermined amount (angle) and the operation is released, the handle ring 342 is automatically returned to the initial position by the biasing force (reaction force) of the spring.

(initial action)
Here, the operation torque required for starting (initial movement) (starting) (rotation from the initial position) of the rotation of the handle ring 342 is defined as a first operation torque (initial torque).
(left-handed)
At the time of left-handed hitting, the target position in the game area 116 at which the game ball that has passed through the ejection port 117 (see FIG. 2) lands is defined as the left-handed target position (target area). Note that the target area (target area) for left-handed hitting is an area called so-called bukkomi. The target area is an ideal area in which it is said that when the player is in a normal game state and hits a game ball aiming at that area, the rate of entry into various winning devices (award winning openings) is highest.
Also, the position (rotational position) of the handle ring 342 at which the game ball can land at the target position of the left-handed strike is defined as the left-handed reference position. Further, the operation torque required to rotate the handle ring 342 from the initial position to the left-handed reference position is defined as a second operation torque. An operation angle (operation angle) from the initial position of the handle ring 342 to the left-handed reference position is defined as a first operation angle.

(Right shot)
The position (rotational position) of the handle ring 342 during right-handed hitting is defined as a right-handed reference position (maximum rotational position). Further, the operation torque required for rotating the handle ring 342 from the initial position to the maximum rotation position is defined as the third operation torque. An operation angle (operation angle) from the initial position of the handle ring 342 to the maximum rotation position is defined as a second operation angle. The second operating angle is full stroke.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 11, in the gaming machine according to this embodiment, the first operation torque is 6.8 [N·mm]. Also, the second operation torque is 13.6 [N·mm]. Also, the third operation torque is 23.8 [N·mm]. In this embodiment, the second operation torque is larger than the first operation torque, and the third operation torque is larger than the second operation torque. In the handle shown as a comparative example, the first operating torque is 31 [N·mm], the second operating torque is 69 [N·mm], and the third operating torque is 152 [N·mm]. FIG. 12 graphically illustrates these relationships.

All of the first operation torque, the second operation torque, and the third operation torque are relatively small values. Therefore, the player can rotate the handle ring 342 with less force. That is, the player can feel that the operation of the handle ring 342 is light. As a result, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Further, when the handle ring 342 automatically returns, it abuts against a stopper (not shown) and stops rotating, but the first to third operation torques are all small values. Therefore, the impact applied to the stopper during automatic return is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress consumption (wear) of the stopper and reduce the risk of failure of the handle 340, which is a frequently operated component. That is, the durability of handle 340 can be improved.

Moreover, since the first to third operation torques are all small values, the frictional force acting between the handle ring 342 and the body portion 341 (see FIG. 5) can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wear due to the large frictional force, and to improve the durability of the parts.

Especially in this embodiment, the first operation torque is 6.8 [N·mm], which is lower than 10 [N·mm]. Since the first operation torque is small in this way, the force required for initial movement of the handle ring 342 is small, and the rotation of the handle ring 342 can be started with less force. If the biasing force (reaction force) of the spring is made smaller and the first operation torque is set to less than 6.8 [N mm], the force of friction acting between the handle ring 342 and the body portion 341 will cause , the handle ring 342 may not return to the initial position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first operation torque is set to the minimum torque that can automatically return to the initial position. Therefore, it is preferable to set the first operation torque to 6.8 [N·m] or more in order to make the initial movement lighter and enable the automatic return.

Also, in the present embodiment, the third operation torque is larger than the second operation torque, but the value of the third operation torque (23.8 [N·mm]) is the value of the second operation torque. It is equal to or less than the doubled value (27.2 [N·mm]). As in the comparative example, when the value of the third operation torque (152 [N mm]) is larger than the value obtained by doubling the value of the second operation torque (138 [N mm]), the left-handed The operation torque rises sharply between the reference position and the maximum rotation position (right-handed reference position). In that case, a larger force is required to rotate from the left-handed reference position to the maximum rotation position. In this embodiment, the value of the third operation torque is equal to or less than the value obtained by doubling the second operation torque, and the difference between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is small. to the maximum rotation position, the player feels that the difference between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is small. Therefore, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second operation torque is larger than the first operation torque, but the value of the second operation torque (13.6 [N·mm]) is the value of the first operation torque. It is equal to or less than the doubled value (13.6 [N·mm]). As in the comparative example, when the value of the second operation torque (69 [N mm]) is larger than the value obtained by doubling the first operation torque (62 [N mm]), the left The operating torque rises sharply before reaching the hitting reference position. In that case, a larger force is required to rotate from the initial position to the left-handed reference position. In the present embodiment, the value of the second operation torque is equal to or less than twice the value of the first operation torque, and the difference between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is small. The operation torque does not suddenly increase before reaching the left-handed reference position, and the player feels that the difference between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is small. Therefore, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the difference (displacement amount) between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is defined as an increase amount A. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the amount of increase A is 6.8 [N·mm]. Further, the difference (displacement amount) between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is defined as an increase amount B. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the amount of increase B is 10.2 [N·mm]. In this embodiment, the value obtained by doubling the increase A (13.6) is larger than the increase B (10.2) (2A>B). In other words, the amount of increase B is less than or equal to twice the amount of increase A. Therefore, even when comparing the amount of increase in operation torque from the initial position to the left-handed reference position with the amount of increase in operation torque from the left-handed reference position to the maximum rotation position, the latter increase The amount is not extremely large compared to the former amount of increase. Therefore, the difference between the amount of increase A and the amount of increase B is small, and the player does not feel that the right-handed hit is extremely heavy compared to the left-handed hit, so that the player is less likely to get tired and the burden on the player can be reduced. In addition, the player does not feel a sense of incongruity due to a large difference in operation torque between left-handed and right-handed players. As a result, the player can comfortably play the game.

On the other hand, in the comparative example, the amount of increase A is 38 [N·mm] and the amount of increase B is 83 [N·mm]. The amount of increase B is larger than the value obtained by multiplying the amount of increase A by two. Therefore, when comparing the amount of increase in operation torque from the initial position to the left-handed reference position with the amount of increase in operation torque from the left-handed reference position to the maximum rotation position, the latter increase is greater than the former. It is extremely large compared to the amount of increase. Therefore, the difference between the amount of increase A and the amount of increase B is large, and it is felt that right-handed hitting is extremely heavy compared to left-handed hitting. For this reason, the player easily gets tired and the burden on the player is heavy. In addition, the player may feel uncomfortable due to the large difference in operation torque between left-handed and right-handed players.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the initial torque is reduced and the torque curve of the operation torque is flattened. Since the initial torque is small and the amount of torque displacement (increase) is small, the player is less likely to get tired. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the initial torque is large, and the torque curve of the operation torque is quadratic. Since the initial torque is large and the amount of torque displacement (increase) is also large, the player is likely to get tired.

Return to FIG. In this embodiment, the first operation angle is 49°. Also, the second operation angle is 100°. Left-handed hitting and right-handed hitting are separated by an operation angle that is approximately half the full stroke (second operation angle). Therefore, it is easy for the player to intuitively recognize the boundary between left-handed and right-handed. Also, the second operation angle is 100°, which is smaller than, for example, when the second operation angle is 130°. As a result, the amount of rotation of the hand can be reduced when hitting to the right. Therefore, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Note that the first operation angle may be 45° to 60°. Also, the second operation angle may be 100° to 120°.

Also, the first operation angle is half or less of the second operation angle (full stroke). For this reason, left-handed hitting can be performed at an operating angle of less than half of the full stroke. In addition, it is designed not to hit to the right when the operating angle is less than half of the full stroke. This allows the player to clearly distinguish between left-handed and right-handed.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 13, the first operation torque is 27.2 [N·mm]. Also, the second operation torque is 54.4 [N·mm]. Also, the third operation torque is 95.2 [N·mm]. The second operation torque is greater than the first operation torque, and the third operation torque is greater than the second operation torque. In the handle shown as a comparative example, the first operating torque is 31 [N·mm], the second operating torque is 69 [N·mm], and the third operating torque is 152 [N·mm]. FIG. 14 graphically illustrates these relationships.

The values of the first operation torque, the second operation torque, and the third operation torque are smaller than those of the comparative example. Therefore, the player can rotate the handle ring 342 with less force. That is, the player can feel that the operation of the handle ring 342 is light. As a result, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Further, when the handle ring 342 automatically returns, it abuts against a stopper (not shown) and stops rotating, but the first to third operation torques are all small values. Therefore, the impact applied to the stopper during automatic return is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress consumption (wear) of the stopper and reduce the risk of failure of the handle 340, which is a frequently operated component. That is, the durability of handle 340 can be improved.

Further, since the first to third operation torques are smaller than those of the comparative example, it is possible to reduce the frictional force acting between the handle ring 342 and the body portion 341 (see FIG. 5). can. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wear due to the large frictional force, and to improve the durability of the parts.

Further, the first operation torque is 27.2 [N·mm], which is 6.8 [N·mm] or more, so that the handle ring 342 can be automatically returned while the initial movement is lightened. .

Also, the third operation torque is larger than the second operation torque, but the value of the third operation torque (95.2 [N·mm]) is double the value of the second operation torque (108 .8 [N·mm]) or less. As in the comparative example, when the value of the third operation torque (152 [N mm]) is larger than the value obtained by doubling the value of the second operation torque (138 [N mm]), the left-handed The operation torque rises sharply between the reference position and the maximum rotation position (right-handed reference position). In that case, a larger force is required to rotate from the left-handed reference position to the maximum rotation position. In this example, the value of the third operation torque is equal to or less than twice the value of the second operation torque, and the difference between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is small. The operation torque does not suddenly increase until reaching the maximum rotation position, and the player feels that the difference between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is small. Therefore, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced.

Also, the second operation torque is larger than the first operation torque, but the value of the second operation torque (54.4 [N mm]) is double the value of the first operation torque (54 .4 [N·mm]) or less. As in the comparative example, when the value of the second operation torque (69 [N mm]) is larger than the value obtained by doubling the first operation torque (62 [N mm]), the left The operating torque rises sharply before reaching the hitting reference position. In that case, a larger force is required to rotate from the initial position to the left-handed reference position. In this example, the value of the second operation torque is equal to or less than twice the first operation torque, and the difference between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is small. The operation torque does not suddenly increase until reaching the hitting reference position, and the player feels that the difference between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is small. Therefore, the player is less likely to get tired, and the burden on the player can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the difference (displacement amount) between the first operation torque and the second operation torque is defined as an increase amount A. As shown in FIG. The amount of increase A is 27.2 [N·mm]. Further, the difference (displacement amount) between the second operation torque and the third operation torque is defined as an increase amount B. As shown in FIG. The amount of increase B is 40.8 [N·mm]. In this embodiment, the value obtained by doubling the increase A (54.4) is larger than the increase B (40.8) (2A>B). In other words, the amount of increase B is less than or equal to twice the amount of increase A. Therefore, even when comparing the amount of increase in operation torque from the initial position to the left-handed reference position with the amount of increase in operation torque from the left-handed reference position to the maximum rotation position, the latter increase The amount is not extremely large compared to the former amount of increase. Therefore, the difference between the amount of increase A and the amount of increase B is small, and the player does not feel that the right-handed hit is extremely heavy compared to the left-handed hit, so that the player is less likely to get tired and the burden on the player can be reduced. In addition, the player does not feel a sense of incongruity due to a large difference in operation torque between left-handed and right-handed players. As a result, the player can comfortably play the game.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the torque curve of the operation torque is laid down. Since the amount of torque displacement (increase) is small, the player is less likely to get tired. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the torque curve of the operation torque has a quadratic curve. Since the amount of torque displacement (increase) is also large, the player is likely to get tired.

The first operating torque ranges from 6.8 [N·mm] shown in the first embodiment to 27.0 [N·mm] shown in the second embodiment.
It may be within the range of 2 [N·mm]. Also, the second operation torque may be within the range of 13.6 [N·mm] shown in the first embodiment to 54.4 [N·mm] shown in the second embodiment. Also, the third operation torque may be within the range of 23.8 [N·mm] shown in the first embodiment to 95.2 [N·mm] shown in the second embodiment. Also, the third operation torque (right-handed reference position) is preferably 100 [N·mm] or less.

(Second embodiment)
As a game machine, a pachinko game machine having a game board, a shooting device, and the like is known. In a pachinko machine, a game ball (game medium) is shot into a game area provided in front of a game board, and the game ball enters a prize winning opening provided in the game area. higher profits are awarded. A predetermined game machine represented by such a game machine is provided with a tray for storing game balls, and it is possible to discharge the game balls from the tray based on button operation. Conventional gaming machines have had the problem of poor operability for some operations. This embodiment provides a gaming machine that can be operated comfortably.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is one of game machines, will be described, but other game machines (for example, slot machines, medalless game machines, etc.) may be used. In the following explanation, "front and back" basically means that the player is "front" and the pachinko machine is "back" when the player is on the front side of the pachinko machine, and "up and down" means "up and down". means that the top side of the pachinko machine is "top" and the bottom side is "bottom", and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player is "left" and the right hand side is "right". It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can freely combine each configuration, arbitrarily modify each configuration, or omit each configuration.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. The gaming machine of the present embodiment performs a game using game balls (game media) rented from a gaming arcade. , a game board 6 that forms a game area 4 in which game balls move, a glass unit 8 that makes the game board 6 visible to the player but inaccessible to the player, and a front frame 10 to which the glass unit 8 is attached. ing.
Incidentally, the diameter of the game ball used in the gaming machine of this embodiment is approximately 11 mm.
The "receptacle unit 320, the receptacle" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "receptacle unit 100, the receptacle 16" in the second embodiment. Also, the "handle unit 330" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "grip unit 20" in the second embodiment. Although not shown in FIG. 17, the pachinko game machine 1 has an inner frame and a body frame having a front frame 10 and an inner frame. A body frame can be attached to the outer frame 2. - 特許庁The body frame has a grip unit 20 (handle) and a saucer unit 100 (the saucer 16).

A portion of the front frame 10 surrounding the glass unit 8 is made of a translucent material that transmits light. A plurality of front frame lamps (illumination devices) 12 for outputting are provided.

A design member (lighting device) 13 elongated in the left-right direction is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 10 . Further, the design member 13 is arranged so as to protrude forward so that its front surface is located forward of the game area 4 and the glass unit 8 . The design member 13 is provided with a logo representing the model name, etc., and the logo is illuminated by an LED board provided inside.

In addition, the front frame 10 is provided with a plurality of speakers 14 for outputting production sounds and the like for livening up the game.

A tray 16 for storing game balls is provided in the lower center of the front frame 10, and the game balls are paid out from the gaming machine to the player on the left side of the inner side surface (rear surface 16e) of the tray 16. A payout port 18 is provided for the purpose. A supply port 22 (see FIGS. 22 and 23) for supplying game balls from the tray 16 to the shooting device is provided on the right side of the inner side surface (rear surface 16e) of the tray 16. As shown in FIG.

A grip unit 20 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 10. When the player performs an operation to rotate the grip unit 20 clockwise toward the gaming machine, a grip unit (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is rotated clockwise. A shooting device is operated to shoot game balls into the game area 4.例文帳に追加The shooting device of this embodiment can shoot 99 game balls per minute (1.65 game balls per second).

A performance operation device 26 is provided on the near side of the edge of the tray 16, and when the player operates the performance operation device 26, the performance performed by the game machine changes.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 6 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the game board 6 is provided with a circular outer rail 28, and an area surrounded by the outer rail 28 serves as a game area 4 in which game balls move. In addition, at the left end of the game area 4, an inner rail 30 is provided in an arc shape along the outer rail 28. The outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30 are provided below the game board 6 (not shown). A game ball shot from a shooting device is guided to a game area 4. - 特許庁

In the central part of the game board 6, a liquid crystal display 32 for displaying a performance image or the like for livening up the game, and a performance unit 36 having a display frame 34 formed so as to surround the liquid crystal display 32 are provided. A design member 38 is provided on the display frame 34 . In this embodiment, the design member 38 is provided above the liquid crystal display 32, but the position of the design member 38 is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the front side of the liquid crystal display 32, and the game ball shot from the shooting device can pass through either the left side game area 4 or the right side game area 4 of the liquid crystal display 32. It is designed to fall. In the game area 4, a large number of game nails (not shown) are nailed so as to intersect the surface of the game board 6, so that the moving direction of the game balls moving in the game area 4 changes at random. .

In the left part of the display frame 34, an opening 40 is formed through which game balls falling in the game area 4 on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32 can pass. The liquid crystal display 32 passes through the passage 42 and falls onto a stage 44 provided below the liquid crystal display 32 . The upper surface of the stage 44 is a smoothly curved surface, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 to allow game balls to fall downward from the stage 44, and drop onto the stage 44 from the passage 42. After the game ball hits the stage 44 and reciprocates left and right, it falls downward from the vicinity of the central portion of the stage 44. - 特許庁

A first starting prize opening 46 is provided below the central portion of the stage 44 .
A passage gate 48 is provided in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32 . In addition, a second start winning opening 50 is provided below the passage gate 48 . This second start winning port 50 has a reduced state (state without assisting entry/non-assisted state) in which game balls are difficult to enter into the second start winning prize port 50 and an enlarged state (entry is assisted) in which game balls easily enter A normal accessory 52 is provided that includes an auxiliary member that can operate between (state and auxiliary state).

In the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32, a large winning opening 54 is provided below the second starting winning opening 50. - 特許庁A special accessory 56 having a movable member that closes the big winning opening 54 is provided in the big winning opening 54 . The special accessory 56 is configured to be operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the big winning opening 54 and an open state in which game balls can enter the big winning opening 54 (see FIG. 18). closed). The special accessory 56 is controlled to be open under a predetermined condition in a special game state which is started when a jackpot is won.

Below the big prize opening 54, a big prize passage 58 is provided downward. A normal entrance 62 is provided at the lower end of the big winning passage 58 . Further, a specific path 65 is provided below the big winning path 58 so as to branch downward from the middle of the big winning path 58 . This specific path 65 is provided with a specific accessory 66 having a movable member that closes the specific path 65 . The specific accessory 66 is configured to be operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the specific path 65 and an open state in which game balls can enter the specific path 65 (FIG. 18 shows a closed state ). The specific accessory 66 is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in the special game state. A specific entrance 68 is provided at the lower end of the specific passage 65 . In addition, at the bottom of the game area 4, an out port 69 is provided for collecting game balls that have fallen in the game area 4 without entering any of the winning openings into the inside of the game machine.

The game ball shooting device is configured so that the game ball shooting force is changed by adjusting the rotation amount of the grip unit (operating handle) 20 shown in FIG. 17, and the rotation amount of the grip unit 20 is small. In this case, the game ball is shot so that it falls in the game area 4 on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32, and when the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is large, the game ball falls in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. A game ball is launched so as to fall.

The player adjusts the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 according to the game situation, and the game ball falls through the left game area 4, or passes through the opening 40, the passage 42 and the stage 44, and enters the first starting winning opening. 46, the game ball is shot (left-handed), the game ball falls through the game area 4 on the right side, and the game ball passes through the passage gate 48, or into the second start winning opening 50. A game ball is shot so as to enter the game ball or to enter the big winning hole 54 (right-handed hitting).

At the lower right portion of the game board 6 and outside the game area 4, there is provided a state display section 70 that indicates various states of the game machine by lighting and extinguishing lamps and the like. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board and sub-boards. The functions of each board such as the main board and sub-boards are implemented by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of information storage medium), or RAM. It is realized by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in, for example.

The main board receives an input signal from an input means (first starting winning gate sensor, passing gate sensor, second starting winning gate sensor, big winning gate sensor, normal entrance sensor, specific path sensor, payout sensor, etc.). , various calculations for executing the game are performed, and based on the calculation results, the output means (status display drive device, normal accessory drive device, special accessory drive device, specific accessory drive device, payout device, etc.) Controls motion.

The sub board receives commands sent from the main board and input signals from the effect operation sensor that detects operations on the effect operation device 26, and performs various calculations for executing effects in accordance with the progress of the game. , and based on the calculation result, the operation of the production device (production display device, sound device, production drive device, etc.) is controlled.

A tray unit 100 is provided in the lower portion of the front frame 10 . 19 and 20, the tray unit 100 includes a tray member 110 forming a front surface 16a, a lower surface 16b and left and right side surfaces 16c and 16d of the tray 16, and a base member (plate member) forming a rear surface 16e of the tray 16. shaped member) 111, a downstream side ball extraction unit (first ball extraction unit) 112 and an upstream side ball extraction unit (second ball extraction unit) 113 for discharging game balls stored in the tray 16, and a tray 16 It has a first path 114 and a second path 115 through which game balls ejected from the tray pass, and a button arrangement portion 116 that constitutes the right portion of the upper surface of the receiving tray unit 100 and in which various buttons are arranged.
The button placement portion 116 is provided with a ball lending button (not shown), a return button 91, a direction key 92, a volume adjustment button 93, a light amount adjustment button 94, and the like (see FIG. 17). Here, the ball lending button is a button operated when lending a game ball. Also, the return button 91 is a button operated when the game ball owned by the player is discharged to the receiving tray 16 . Also, the direction key 92 is a button that is operated when making selections related to effects. A volume adjustment button 93 and a light amount adjustment button 94 are buttons operated when adjusting the volume or the light amount, respectively.

A game ball lent to a player (rental ball) or a game ball obtained by winning a prize (prize ball) is stored in the tray 16. - 特許庁That is, the game balls discharged from the payout port 18 are stored in the tray 16 . As shown in FIG. 20, the lower surface 16b of the receiving plate 16 is inclined downward from left to right. Further, the width of the receiving plate 16 in the front-rear direction becomes narrower from the left side to the right side (from the upper side to the lower side). The game balls discharged to the receiving tray 16 are arranged in a line and head toward the lower right portion of the receiving tray 16. - 特許庁In other words, an alignment passage 103 for aligning game balls in a row is formed in the lower right portion of the tray 16 . In addition, a downstream ball extraction hole 118 (first hole) is formed at the lower right end of the alignment passage 103 (receptacle 16) as a hole (ball extraction hole) through which game balls can be discharged from the reception tray 16. .

In addition, on the left side of the bottom surface 16b of the tray 16, an upstream ball removal hole 119 (second hole) is formed as a hole (ball removal hole) through which game balls can be discharged from the tray 16. Further, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is provided in front of the payout port 18 and at least partially overlaps with the payout port 18 in the front-rear direction.

The downstream ball removal hole 118 and the upstream ball removal hole 119 have an open state and a closed state, respectively. In the open state, the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are in an open state, and game balls can drop through the ball extraction holes 118 and 119. In the closed state, the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are blocked by the downstream ball extraction unit 112 or the upstream ball extraction unit 113, and the game balls fall through the ball extraction holes 118 and 119. becomes impossible.
It should be noted that the term "closed" as used herein does not only indicate the state in which the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are closed without gaps, but means the state in which the game balls cannot pass through.

The downstream ball removal unit 112 is provided corresponding to the downstream ball removal hole 118 . By operating the downstream side ball removal unit 112, the downstream side ball removal hole 118 can be switched between an open state and a closed state. Also, the upstream ball removal unit 113 is provided corresponding to the upstream ball removal hole 119 . By operating the upstream ball removal unit 113, the upstream ball removal hole 119 can be switched between an open state and a closed state.

As shown in FIG. 21, the downstream ball extractor unit 112 includes a downstream ball extractor button 120 (first button: first operation means), a link member 122, a slide member 124, and a downstream lid 125 ( A first lid (first opening/closing means), a pin 126 and a spring 128 are provided. In addition, portions of the base member 111 and the like to which the downstream ball extractor button 120, the link member 122, the slide member 124, the spring 128 and the like are attached (protrusions 200, 202, 202 and base member side hooks 204 and the like, which will be described later) It can be said that it constitutes part of the downstream ball removing unit 112 .

The downstream side ball extraction button 120 can be pressed by a player or the like. The downstream ball extraction button 120 includes a pressing portion 130 touched by a player or the like, a projecting portion 132 projecting downward (back side) of the pressing portion 130, and locking portions 134,134. Further, the pressing portion 130, the protruding portion 132, and the engaging portion 134 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The pressing portion 130 has a substantially rectangular box shape. Moreover, the protruding portion 132 has a prism shape and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the pressing portion 130 . The engaging portions 134 are provided at lower positions on the left and right side surfaces of the pressing portion 130 and have claws that protrude outward in the left-right direction.

The downstream ball-extracting button 120 is provided on the button arrangement portion 116 . Specifically, the downstream ball removal button 120 is arranged in the button placement portion 116 so that the pressing portion 130 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the button placement portion 116 when not operated (see FIG. 17). , see FIG. 20). Further, when the operation is not performed, the claw of the locking portion 134 is locked to the lower surface of the button placement portion 116, thereby restricting the upward movement of the pressing portion 130. As shown in FIG. Assuming that the position of the downstream ball-extracting button 120 (pressing portion 130) during non-operation is the initial position (first initial position), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 (pressing portion 130) moves downward from the initial position. It is possible to push to move.

The link member 122 includes a substantially cylindrical portion 140 , a first arm 142 , a second arm 144 and a reinforcing plate 146 . Cylindrical portion 140, first arm 142, second arm 144, and reinforcing plate 146 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The cylindrical portion 140 is in a state in which its axis is oriented in the front-rear direction. Also, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 are formed to extend radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . Also, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 are formed at positions separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 . Specifically, the base end of the first arm 142 is connected to the left portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . A distal end portion of the first arm 142 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 140 from the proximal end portion. A base end portion of the second arm 144 is connected to a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . A distal end portion of the second arm 144 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 140 from the proximal end portion. That is, the proximal end portion of the first arm 142 and the proximal end portion of the second arm 144 are separated from each other by a predetermined angle (for example, about 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 . is connected with Also, the distal end of the first arm 142 and the distal end of the second arm 144 are arranged at positions separated by a predetermined angle (for example, approximately 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 .

The tip of the first arm 142 is formed with a contact surface 150 with which the projecting portion 132 of the downstream ball removal button 120 contacts. Specifically, the distal end portion of the first arm 142 is cylindrical, and the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface (outer curved surface) of the distal end portion serves as a contact surface 150 with which the projecting portion 132 contacts. there is A pin insertion hole 152 into which the pin 126 is inserted is formed at the tip of the second arm 144 . The pin 126 has a round bar shape and is provided so as to protrude rearward from the tip of the second arm 144 .

A plate-shaped reinforcing plate 146 that connects the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 is provided between the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 . This reinforcing plate 146 reinforces the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 .

A cylindrical protruding portion 200 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the base member 111 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 140 (see FIGS. 22(a) and 23(a)). The link member 122 is rotatable in the circumferential direction around the cylindrical portion 140 (with the projecting portion 200 as an axis). In other words, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 rotate around the center axis of the cylindrical portion 140 .

The slide member 124 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped slide member main body 160 . A rectangular pin insertion hole 161 into which the pin 126 is inserted is formed at the right end of the slide member main body 160 . The width of the pin insertion hole 161 in the horizontal direction is substantially equal to the diameter of the pin 126 , and the width in the vertical direction is longer than the diameter of the pin 126 . The pin 126 is made to be almost immovable in the horizontal direction with respect to the pin insertion hole 161, and is allowed to move in the vertical direction.

Two holes 162 , 162 are formed in the slide member main body 160 so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Cylindrical protrusions 202, 202 protruding rearward from the back surface of the base member 111 are inserted into the two holes 162, 162, respectively (see FIGS. 22(a) and 23(a)). The holes 162, 162 are rectangular. Also, the holes 162, 162 have a vertical width substantially equal to the diameter of the projections 202, 202, and a horizontal width longer than the diameter of the projections 202, 202 (for example, larger than the diameter). longer than 11 mm). The holes 162, 162 (slide member 124) are made substantially immovable in the vertical direction with respect to the protrusions 202, 202 (base member 111), and are allowed to move in the horizontal direction. there is That is, the holes 162, 162 and the projecting portions 202, 202 form an operation direction limiting portion that limits the moving direction of the slide member 124 in the left-right direction.

A slide member side hook 164 on which the spring 128 is hooked is provided on the upper portion of the slide member main body 160 . The spring 128 is a tension spring and can be extended and contracted in the horizontal direction. Also, the spring 128 has circular hooks 128a and 128b at both left and right ends. A hook 128 b on the right end of the spring 128 is hooked on the slide member side hook 164 . A base member side hook 204 is provided on the back surface of the base member 111 to which the left end hook 128a of the spring 128 is hooked (see FIGS. 22(a) and 23(a)). A hook 128 a on the left end of the spring 128 is hooked on the hook 204 on the base member side.

A downstream lid 125 is provided at the left end of the slide member 124 (slide member main body 160). Further, the downstream lid 125 is provided so as to protrude leftward from the slide member 124 . Further, the downstream lid 125 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. Also, the downstream side lid 125 and the slide member 124 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The downstream lid 125 is a lid that opens and closes the downstream ball extraction hole 118 . The downstream side lid 125 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the left-right movement of the slide member 124 . The downstream side cover 125 closes the downstream ball removal hole 118 when positioned on the left side, and opens the downstream side ball removal hole 118 when positioned on the right side. In other words, the downstream lid 125 is movable between a closed position that closes the downstream ball hole 118 and an open position that opens the downstream ball hole 118 .

In the downstream side ball removing unit 112, the downstream side lid 125 moves in the horizontal direction as the downstream side ball removing button 120 moves in the vertical direction. That is, the downstream side lid 125 can be moved to open and close the downstream side ball removal hole 118 based on the player's operation of the downstream side ball removal button 120 .

The operation of the downstream ball extraction unit 112 will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. FIG. 22 shows a state in which the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the initial position when not operated, and the downstream side lid 125 is in the closed position. 22(a) is a diagram including the base member 111, and FIG. 22(b) is a diagram omitting the base member 111. As shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state in which the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the fully pushed position (maximum depression position) and the downstream side lid 125 is in the open position. 23(a) is a diagram including the base member 111, and FIG. 23(b) is a diagram omitting the base member 111. As shown in FIG.

First, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is at the initial position when not operated, the downstream side lid 125 is positioned at the closed position. That is, at this time, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is in a closed state. Then, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved downward from the initial position (when pressed by the player), the tip of the first arm 142 of the link member 122 moves to the projecting portion 132 of the downstream side ball removal button 120. is pushed downwards from above. Then, the first arm 142 rotates downward (counterclockwise) around the cylindrical portion 140 . At the same time, the second arm 144 rotates rightward (counterclockwise) about the cylindrical portion 140 . Further, when the second arm 144 rotates rightward, the pin 126 pulls the slide member 124 rightward while moving up and down inside the pin insertion hole 161 of the slide member 124 . Then, the slide member 124 moves rightward against the elastic force of the spring 128 . Along with this, the downstream lid 125 moves to the right. Then, the downstream side lid 125 is at the open position, and the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is opened.
When the downstream ball-removal button 120 is pushed down to the maximum, the holes 162, 162 of the slide member 124 and the protrusions 202, 202 of the base member 111 come into contact with each other, and the downstream ball-removal button 120 moves further downward. and rightward movement of the slide member 124 are restricted.

Also, when the player releases the downstream ball removal button 120, the elastic force of the spring 128 pulls the slide member main body 160 leftward. Along with this, the downstream lid 125 moves leftward. Further, the movement of the slide member main body 160 is transmitted to the downstream side ball removal button 120 via the pin 126 and the link member 122, and the downstream side ball removal button 120 returns to the initial position. That is, the downstream ball removal button 120 is arranged at the initial position by the elastic force of the spring 128 when not operated. In other words, the downstream ball extraction button 120 is biased upward.

In this way, the link member 122, the slide member 124, and the pin 126 convert the vertical movement of the downstream side ball extractor button 120 into the horizontal movement of the downstream side cover 125, so that the downstream side cover 125 moves in the horizontal direction. A link mechanism is formed to change the movement of the downstream ball ejecting button 120 to the vertical movement thereof.

Here, the distance L2 from the center of rotation of the link member 122 (the center axis of the cylindrical portion 140) to the pin 126 (the tip of the second arm 144) is the distance from the center of rotation of the link member 122 to the downstream ball removal button. 120 and the first arm 142 (tip of the first arm 142: contact surface 150) is more than twice the distance L1. Therefore, the second arm 144 moves to the right more than twice as much as the first arm 142 moves downward. That is, the downstream lid 125 moves to the right by twice or more the pressing amount of the downstream ball removal button 120 . That is, the link mechanism increases the amount of operation of the downstream ball removal button 120 and transmits it to the downstream lid 125 .

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 required to open the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 so that at least one game ball can pass through is set to less than the diameter. Specifically, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pressed about 4 mm from the initial position, the downstream side cover 125 moves rightward about 11 mm. In other words, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pressed down from the initial position by a predetermined amount (about 4 mm) less than the diameter of the game ball, the opening width W1 of the downstream side ball removal hole 118 (from the tip of the downstream side lid 125 to the tip) The distance to the edge of the opposing downstream side ball extraction hole 118) is 11 mm or more. In other words, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the operation amount of the downstream side ball removal button 120 required to open the downstream side ball removal hole 118 so that at least one game ball can pass through is , is set to be less than the radius of the game ball.

Further, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pushed down to the maximum, the opening width W1 of the downstream side ball removal hole 118 is about 14 mm. That is, when the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is pushed to the maximum, the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is opened by about +3 mm of the diameter of the game ball, and is less than twice the diameter of the game ball. In other words, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is designed so that two game balls cannot pass through it at the same time even if the downstream ball extraction button 120 is pushed down to the maximum.

In addition, the maximum amount (maximum operation amount) of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 that can be pressed is set to be equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter (approximately 6 mm)). In other words, when the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is pushed in by a predetermined amount equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter), it cannot be pushed in further. Specifically, the maximum amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is set to be equal to or more than the radius of the game ball and equal to or less than the diameter. In addition, it can be said that the diameter is set to approximately half the diameter of the downstream side ball removal button 120 . Here, about half the diameter means a range within about ±1.5 mm (about 4 mm to 7 mm) from half the diameter.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23(b), even when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the initial position when not operated, the tip of the downstream side lid 125 and the downstream side ball removal Between the edge of the hole 118, a gap of a predetermined width W2 less than the diameter of the game ball is formed in the operation direction (horizontal direction) of the downstream side lid 125. As shown in FIG. This makes it possible to drop the game ball from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 with a smaller amount of operation.

In addition, when the downstream side cover 125 closes the downstream side ball extraction hole 118, the game ball is guided from the lower right end of the tray 16 through the supply port 22 to the shooting device.

Next, the upstream ball removing unit 113 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 24, the upstream ball removing unit 113 includes an upstream lid 300 (second lid: second opening/closing means), a torsion spring 302, a cover member 304, and an upstream ball removing button 306 ( A second button (second operating means), a slide member 308, a latch 310, and a ball extraction base 312 (base member).

The upstream lid 300 includes a lid portion 320 that closes the upstream ball extraction hole 119 and a support portion 322 that supports the lid portion 320 (rotation of the lid portion 320). The lid portion 320 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape. Further, the lid portion 320 has a size capable of covering the upstream ball removal hole 119 from below. Further, the support portion 322 is formed to protrude forward from the edge on the front side of the lid portion 320 . Lid portion 320 and support portion 322 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The support portion 322 is formed with an insertion hole 324 into which a projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304, which will be described later, is inserted. Further, the support portion 322 is provided with a cylindrical guide projection portion 326 projecting downward.

The cover member 304 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. A game ball passage hole 330 through which a game ball passes is formed in the right rear portion of the cover member 304 . A cylindrical projecting portion 332 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 304 and in front of the game ball passage hole 330 .

Three arc-shaped rails 334 are formed on the upper surface of the cover member 304 . The three rails 334 are arc-shaped ridges, and the center of the arc is the protruding portion 332 (the central axis of the protruding portion 332).

Further, the cover member 304 is provided with a guide hole 336 through which the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted. Further, the guide hole 336 is an arc-shaped hole, and the center of the arc is the protruding portion 332 (the central axis of the protruding portion 332). The guide hole 336 is provided in front of the game ball passage hole 330 and to the right of the projecting portion 332 . The guide hole 336 has a width (the length of the arc in the radial direction) that substantially matches the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326, and a length (the length of the arc in the circumferential direction) that is the same as the guide hole 336. It is longer than the outer diameter of the projecting portion 326 .

A wall portion 338 that receives one arm of the torsion spring 302 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 304 . The wall portion 338 is formed extending in the left-right direction. Further, the wall portion 338 is provided on the front left side of the projecting portion 332 .

The upstream lid 300 is placed on the cover member 304 with the protrusion 332 of the cover member 304 inserted into the insertion hole 324 of the upstream lid 300 . In addition, the upstream lid 300 is rotatable about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332). Here, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted into the guide hole 336 of the cover member 304 . Therefore, the guide protrusion 326 can move within the lengthwise range of the guide hole 336 . That is, the guide protrusion 326 and the guide hole 336 form a movement range limiting portion that limits the movement range (movable range) of the upstream lid 300 .

Also, the torsion spring 302 is arranged between the cover member 304 and the upstream side lid 300 in a state in which the protruding portion 332 of the cover member 304 is passed through the inner side of the torsion spring 302 . The lower surface of the cover member 304 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion (not shown) having a hole communicating with the insertion hole 324 and protruding downward. The projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 is inserted inside the projecting portion, and the torsion spring 302 is arranged so as to surround the projecting portion. A fixing portion (not shown) for fixing one arm of the torsion spring 302 is provided on the lower surface of the cover member 304 . One arm of the torsion spring 302 is fixed to the fixing portion, and the other arm is pressed against the wall portion 338 of the cover member 304 . As a result, a force is applied from the torsion spring 302 to the upstream lid 300 in a direction to close the upstream ball extraction hole 119 .
A screw hole is provided in the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 . The upstream lid 300 is attached to the cover member 304 by screwing a screw 333 (see FIGS. 25 and 26) inserted through the insertion hole 324 of the upstream lid 300 into the screw hole.

In addition, the upstream lid 300 rotates so as to slide on the rails 334 of the cover member 304 when it rotates. Therefore, friction between the upstream lid 300 and the cover member 304 can be reduced, and the upstream lid 300 can be rotated with less force.

A ridge portion 340 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the cover member 304 .

In addition, screw insertion holes 342 through which screws 345 (see FIGS. 25 and 26) are inserted are formed in three corners (right front, right rear, and left rear corners) of the cover member 304, respectively. It is

The slide member 308 is arranged between the ball extraction base 312 and the cover member 304 in a state that it can move in the front-rear direction. The slide member 308 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. A button fixing portion 350 to which the upstream ball removal button 306 is fixed is formed on the front left portion of the slide member 30 . The upstream ball removal button 306 is fixed to the button fixing portion 350 by screwing.

A lock projection 352 projecting rearward is formed on the left rear portion of the slide member 308 . The lock projection 352 has a rod-shaped support portion extending rearward and a tip portion that spreads in the left-right direction at the tip of the support portion.

The right side portion of the slide member 308 is a frame portion 353 having a substantially square frame shape with a short width in the front-rear direction. A guide insertion hole 354 into which the guide projecting portion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted is formed in the frame-shaped portion 353 . The length in the front-rear direction of the guide insertion hole 354 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326, and the length in the left-right direction is longer than the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326. . That is, the guide protrusion 326 is made to be almost immovable in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide insertion hole 354, and is allowed to move in the left-right direction. Also, the front surface of the frame-shaped portion 353 serves as a contact surface 355 that contacts a front wall 372 of the ball extraction base 312, which will be described later.

The lower surface of the slide member 308 is provided with a projection (not shown) into which one end of the cylindrical spring 360 is inserted and a wall (not shown) against which one end of the spring 360 is pressed ( See projection 382 and wall portion 380 of ball extraction base 312, which will be described later).

A groove 356 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the upper surface of the slide member 308 . The groove 356 has a shape along the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 . A projection 358 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the slide member 308 .

The ball removing base 312 is arranged at the bottom of the upstream side ball removing unit 113 and constitutes the bottom of the upstream side ball removing unit 113 . The ball removing base 312 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. Further, the left front portion of the sphere extraction base 312 has a shape that is notched toward the rear, and a notch portion 370 is formed. The upstream ball extraction button 306 is pushed inside the notch 370 when pushed.

A wall portion (front wall 372 ) protruding upward is formed on the right side portion of the front edge of the ball removing base 312 (the portion other than the notch portion 370 ).

A game ball passing hole 374 through which a game ball passes is formed in the right rear portion of the ball extraction base 312 . The game ball passage hole 374 is provided below the game ball passage hole 330 of the cover member 304 , and has an inner diameter (hole shape) substantially matching the game ball passage hole 330 .
The inner diameters of the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 are smaller than the outer diameter of the lid portion 320 of the upstream lid 300 . When the upstream side lid 300 is closed, the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 are completely covered from above (see FIG. 25(b)).

A latch fixing portion 376 to which the latch 310 is fixed is provided on the left rear portion of the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 . Also, the latch 310 fixed to the latch fixing portion 376 is positioned behind the lock projection 352 of the slide member 308 .

A groove 378 for guiding the slide member 308 is provided in the central portion (between the game ball passage hole 374 and the latch fixing portion 376) in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312. As shown in FIG. The groove 378 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and has a shape along the convex portion 358 of the slide member 308 . A wall portion 380 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 is provided at the rear portion of the groove 378 . A projection 382 projecting forward is provided on the front surface of the wall portion 380 . This protrusion 382 is adapted to be inserted into one end of a cylindrical spring 360 . One end of the spring 360 is pressed against the wall portion 380 . Between the wall portion 380 and the wall portion provided on the lower surface of the slide member 308, a spring 360 is arranged so as to be able to extend and contract in the front-rear direction.

Screw holes 384 for screwing screws 345 are formed in three corners (right front, right rear, and left rear corners) of ball extraction base 312 .

The ball removing base 312 and the cover member 304 are fixed to each other by screwing the screw 345 inserted through the screw insertion hole 342 of the cover member 304 into the screw hole 384 of the ball removing base 312 . Here, the slide member 308 is sandwiched between the ball extraction base 312 and the cover member 304 . Also, the convex portion 358 of the slide member 308 is inserted into the groove 378 of the ball extraction base 312 and the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 is inserted into the groove 356 of the slide member 308 . The slide member 308 is guided by the groove 378 of the ball removing base 312 and the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 to move in the front-rear direction. Further, the frame-shaped portion 353 of the slide member 308 is arranged between the front wall 372 of the ball extraction base 312 and the game ball passage hole 374, and can move back and forth between them.

Further, the upstream lid 300 rotates in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 308 in the front-rear direction. The upstream lid 300 closes the upstream ball removal hole 119 when positioned on the right side, and opens the upstream ball removal hole 119 when positioned on the left side. In other words, the upstream lid 300 is movable between a closed position that closes the upstream ball hole 119 and an open position that opens the upstream ball hole 119 . That is, the upstream lid 300 serves as a lid for opening and closing the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . In other words, in the upstream ball extracting unit 113, the upstream lid 300 moves laterally as the upstream ball extracting button 306 moves forward and backward. That is, it is possible to move the upstream lid 300 to open and close the upstream ball removal hole 119 based on the player's operation of the upstream ball removal button 306 .

The operation of the upstream ball extraction unit 113 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG. Note that FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a state in which the upstream ball removal button 306 is in the initial position when not operated, and the upstream lid 300 is in the closed position. 25(a) is a diagram including the tray member 110 and the cover member 304, and FIG. 25(b) is a diagram with the tray member 110 and the cover member 304 omitted. 26 is a diagram showing a state where the upstream side ball removal button 306 is pushed in, the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310, and the upstream side lid 300 is in the open position. 26(a) is a diagram including the tray member 110 and the cover member 304, and FIG. 26(b) is a diagram with the tray member 110 and the cover member 304 omitted.

In the following, the state of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 when the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306 is not operated and the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 will be referred to as the initial state of the upstream ball-extracting button 306. and In other words, the initial state is a state in which the upstream ball removal button 306 protrudes forward (most). The position of the upstream ball removal button 306 in the initial state is assumed to be the initial position (second initial position).

First, when the upstream ball removal button 306 is in the initial position when not operated, the upstream lid 300 is in the closed position. In this state, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is closed by the upstream side lid 300 so that the game ball cannot be dropped from the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 .
In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a flange portion 390 is formed on the outer edge portion of the lid portion 320 of the upstream side lid 300 . The flange portion 390 is provided below the central portion of the lid portion 320 so as to protrude radially outward of the lid portion 320 . Further, the flange portion 390 is provided on the front portion (right side portion) of the lid portion 320 in the moving direction when the upstream lid 300 is closed. Further, the flange portion 390 is in a state of being inserted below the receiving plate 16 in a state in which the upstream side cover 300 closes the upstream side ball removal hole 119 (protrudes outward from the edge of the upstream side ball removal hole 119). ing). When the upstream ball removal button 306 is at the initial position, the upstream ball removal hole 119 is tightly closed by the upstream lid 300 in plan view (when viewed from above). . In other words, the upstream side cover 300 completely closes the upstream ball removal hole 119 so that members below the upstream ball removal hole 119 cannot be visually recognized. On the other hand, as described above, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is at the initial position, a gap is formed between the downstream side cover 125 and the downstream side ball removal hole 118 . However, a cover member 392 that covers the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is arranged above the downstream ball extraction hole 118 (see FIG. 20). Therefore, the cover member 392 prevents members below the downstream ball extraction hole 118 from being visible in a plan view. The cover member 392 has the function of aligning the game balls guided to the lower right end of the tray 16 in a line in the vertical direction.

When the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward from the initial position (pressed by the player), the slide member 308 integrated with the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward. Then, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 inserted into the guide insertion hole 354 of the slide member 308 is pushed rearward. Then, the upstream lid 300 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in plan view) about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332). In other words, the upstream lid 300 moves leftward. Then, the upstream side lid 300 is at the open position, and the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is opened.

Further, when the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward from the initial position by a predetermined amount or more, the lock projection 352 of the slide member 308 is pushed into the latch 310 . The latch 310 then closes and grips the tip of the lock projection 352 . As a result, the slide member 308 is held (latched) by the latch 310, and the upstream ball removal button 306 is pushed and fixed.

When the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is completely opened as shown in FIG. That is, in this state, the upstream side ball removal hole 119 and the upstream side cover 300 do not overlap at all in the vertical direction, and the upstream side cover 300 can be visually recognized from the upstream side ball removal hole 119 in plan view. It is in a state where it is not possible. Also, below the upstream ball extraction hole 119, the game ball passage hole 330 of the cover member 304 and the game ball passage hole 374 of the ball extraction base 312 are arranged. , is larger than the inner diameter of the upstream ball extraction hole 119, and the edges of the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 cannot be visually recognized from the upstream ball extraction hole 110 in plan view. In other words, in this state, a game ball that falls vertically (perpendicularly) from the upstream ball extraction hole 119 does not hit the edges of the upstream lid 300 and the game ball passage holes 330 and 374. ing.
A portion of the upstream lid 300 may protrude radially inward of the upstream ball removal hole 119 while the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310 . In addition, the part of the upstream lid 300 (in the open state) has an inclined surface or the like directed downward toward the radially inner side of the upstream ball extraction hole 119, so that a game can be played from the upstream ball extraction hole 119. It may have a role of assisting the falling of the ball.

Also, when the slide member 308 is pushed again in a state where the latch 310 is closed (a state in which the lock projection 352 is gripped), the latch 310 releases the lock projection 352 and allows the slide member 308 to move forward. . Here, in a state in which the slide member 308 is pushed in (a state in which the latch 310 grips the lock protrusion 352 or a state at the moment when the latch 310 releases the lock protrusion 352), the above-described The spring 360 is in a compressed state between the wall portion and the wall portion 380 provided on the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 . Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 360 acts to push back the slide member 308 forward. At this time, if the latch 310 grips the lock projection 352, the forward movement of the slide member 308 is regulated, and the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 are fixed in a pushed state. On the other hand, when the latch 310 releases the lock projection 352, the elastic force of the spring 360 pushes back the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 forward.

When the slide member 308 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring 360, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 inserted into the guide insertion hole 354 of the slide member is pulled back forward. Then, the upstream lid 300 rotates clockwise (clockwise in plan view) about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the center axis of the projecting portion 332). In other words, the upstream lid 300 moves rightward. Then, the upstream side lid 300 is in the closed position, and the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is blocked.

Further, as described above, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the torsion spring 302 applies a force to the upstream lid 300 in the direction of closing the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . That is, when the upstream lid 300 is open, the elastic force of the torsion spring acts to return the upstream lid 300 to the closed position. Also, this force is transmitted to the slide member 308 via the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 . That is, the elastic force of the torsion spring 302 acts in a direction to return the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 forward.

Therefore, when the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 when not operated, the elastic force of the spring 360 and the elastic force of the torsion spring 302 return the upstream lid 300 to the closed position. , the upstream ball extraction button 306 is returned to the initial position. In other words, the upstream ball removal button 306 is arranged at the initial position when it is not operated and the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 . In other words, the upstream ball extraction button 306 is biased forward.

Further, the distance L4 from the center of rotation of the upstream side lid 300 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304) to the center of the lid portion 320 is the distance from the center of rotation of the upstream side lid 300 to the guide projecting portion 326 (guide projecting portion). The contact portion between the portion 326 and the guide insertion hole 354 (the portion where the upstream side lid 300 is pushed by the slide member 308) is at least twice the distance L3. Therefore, when the slide member 308 moves rearward, the cover portion 320 rotates more than twice as long as the guide projection portion 326 rotates.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the amount of operation of the upstream ball extraction button 306 required to open the upstream ball extraction hole 119 so that at least one game ball can pass through is set to less than the diameter. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pressed about 4 mm from the initial position, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is opened so that at least one game ball B can pass through. . That is, when the upstream ball extraction button 306 is pressed down from the initial position by a predetermined amount less than the diameter of the game ball (about 4 mm), the opening width W3 of the upstream ball extraction hole 119 (from the tip of the upstream lid 300 to the tip) distance to the edge of the upstream ball extraction hole 119) is 11 mm or more. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the amount of operation of the upstream ball extraction button 306 required to open the upstream ball extraction hole 119 so that at least one game ball can pass through is Set to less than the radius of the sphere.

Further, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pushed to the maximum, the opening width W3 of the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is larger than twice the diameter of the game ball (22 mm). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pushed down to the maximum, the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310. In this state, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is released, the upstream The side ball removal button 306 (slide member 308) returns slightly (for example, about 3 mm) to the front side. However, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is closed in both the state in which the upstream ball extraction button 306 is pushed down to the maximum and the state in which the slide member 308 holds the latch 310. is fully open. And at this time, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 will be in a state in which at least two game balls can pass through at the same time. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is in a state in which three or more, more specifically four or more game balls can pass through at the same time. Also, at this time, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is arranged in a state in which the three game balls are arranged in the same straight line, and the three game balls cannot pass through at the same time. In other words, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (diameter) from edge to edge in any portion less than three times the diameter of the game ball. In other words, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (diameter) from edge to edge in two mutually intersecting (perpendicular) directions less than three times the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (diameter) from edge to edge in two mutually intersecting (perpendicular) directions greater than twice the diameter of the game ball.
In this way, since the diameter of the game ball is more than twice the diameter of the game ball, when two game balls try to pass through the upstream ball removal hole 119 at the same time, the upstream ball removal hole 119 It is possible to prevent it from getting caught and clogged. In addition, since the diameter of the game ball is less than three times the diameter of the game ball, such clogging of game balls can be prevented more reliably.

In addition, the maximum amount (maximum operation amount) that can be pushed down on the upstream ball extraction button 306 is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball (the length exceeding the diameter). In other words, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball removal button 306 is set larger than the maximum operation amount of the downstream side ball removal button 120 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is set to approximately 14.5 mm. That is, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is set to be equal to or more than the diameter of the game ball and less than twice the diameter (less than 1.5 times).

According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream ball extraction button 120 (first button: first operation means) is operated by an amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and the downstream ball extraction hole 118 (first hole) can be passed through the game ball, and the upstream ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means) is operated by an amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and the upstream ball removal hole 119 (second 2 hole) to allow the game ball to pass through, so the downstream ball removal button 120 or the upstream ball required to discharge the game ball from the downstream ball removal hole 118 or the upstream ball removal hole 119 It is possible to reduce the amount of operation on the pull-out button 306 . Therefore, it is possible to remove the ball from the tray 16 with a small amount of operation, and the burden of operation can be reduced.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the maximum value of the operation amount for the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter), and the maximum value for the operation amount for the upstream side ball extraction button 306. is greater than or equal to the diameter of the game ball (the length exceeds the diameter), and when the upstream ball removal button 306 is operated to the position where the operation amount for the upstream ball removal button 306 reaches the maximum value, the upstream ball removal hole 119 is , at least two game balls can pass through at the same time. Therefore, the downstream ball removal button 120 reaches the maximum operation amount with a small operation amount, so that the operation burden can be reduced. In addition, regarding the upstream side ball extraction button 306, by setting the maximum operation amount to the diameter of the game ball or more, it is possible to improve the discharge capacity of the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 when operated to the maximum operation amount. Further, since the maximum operation amount differs between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306 (associating the operation amount with the discharge capacity of the hole), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306 It becomes easy to distinguish from the upstream side ball removal button 306, and it becomes easy to grasp the operation feeling for both operation means having the same function. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as ejecting game balls from a place unintended by the player, or an erroneous operation such as ejecting a number of game balls not intended by the player. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream side ball extraction button 120 returns to the initial position when the player releases the hand, so the ball extraction from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is continued. In order to do so, the downstream side ball removal button 120 must be pressed continuously. However, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream side ball extraction button 120 reaches the maximum operation amount with a small amount of operation, so it is possible to keep pressing the downstream side ball extraction button 120 with a small burden. On the other hand, since the upstream ball extracting button 306 is held by the latch 310, ball extracting from the upstream ball extracting hole 119 can be continued without continuously pressing the upstream ball extracting button 306. can be done. By setting the maximum amount of operation of the upstream ball ejection button 306 to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball, it is possible to eject a large amount of game balls from the receiving tray 16 in a short time.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is smaller in size than the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . That is, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 has a smaller hole diameter (span) (the longest linear distance from edge to edge) than the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . In other words, the downstream ball removal hole 118 has a smaller hole area than the upstream ball removal hole 119 . Specifically, for example, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 has a size that allows two or more game balls to pass through at the same time, while the downstream ball extraction hole 118 allows two game balls to pass through at the same time. It is so large that it is impossible to do so.

In addition, the operation amount required to open the ball removal hole (downstream ball removal hole 118 or upstream ball removal hole 119) so that at least one game ball can pass through (the operation amount for one ball ), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 may be larger than the upstream ball-extracting button 306 . Specifically, for example, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved about 4 mm from the initial position, the game ball can pass through the downstream side ball removal hole 118, and the upstream side ball removal button 306 is moved about 3 mm from the initial position. When moved, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 may be in a state in which the game ball can pass. In other words, the operation amount for one ball may be different between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, and the difference between the operation amounts for one ball for both buttons is the maximum It is sufficient if it is smaller than the difference between the manipulated variables. According to such a configuration, the operation amount for one ball is different between the downstream ball extraction button 120 and the upstream ball extraction button 306 (the operation amount and the discharge capacity of the hole are associated with each other). ) makes it easier to distinguish between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, and makes it easier to grasp the operational feeling of both operating means having common functions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as ejecting game balls from a place unintended by the player, or an erroneous operation such as ejecting a number of game balls not intended by the player. Further, according to such a configuration, the amount of operation for one ball of the downstream ball-extracting button 120 becomes larger than the amount of operation for one ball of the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306, and The maximum operation amount of the pullout button 120 becomes smaller than the maximum operation amount of the upstream ball pullout button 306 .

It should be noted that the amount of operation of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 for one ball is smaller than the amount of operation of the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 for one ball, and the operation amount of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 for one ball The amount of operation load required to move the upstream ball-extracting button 306 is equal to the amount of operation of the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 for one ball, and the operation load required to move the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 is may be smaller than Specifically, for example, when the upstream side ball removal button 306 is moved about 3 mm from the initial position, the game ball can pass through the upstream side ball removal hole 119, and the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved about 4 mm from the initial position. When moved, the game ball can pass through the downstream ball extraction hole 118, and the operation load required to move the upstream ball extraction button 306 about 3 mm is set to 2 N, for example, and the downstream ball extraction button 120 is moved about 4 mm. The operating load required for this may be about 4N. In other words, when a load of the same magnitude is applied to the upstream side ball removal button 306 and the downstream side ball removal button 120 (within a range in which the operation amount for each does not reach the maximum operation amount), the upstream side ball removal hole 119 is opened. may be opened wider than the downstream ball extraction hole 118 . According to such a configuration, the upstream ball-removal button 306 can perform ball-removal with a smaller operation amount than the downstream-side ball-removal button 120, and can perform ball-removal with an operation load smaller than that of the downstream-side ball-removal button 120. becomes possible. Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 is in a full state (when a full-fill error occurs), ball removal is performed efficiently when quick ball removal is desired. It is possible to give a sensory motivation to prompt the operation of the upstream ball removal button 306 capable of executing the above.
Regardless of the magnitude of the operation amount for one ball between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, the operation amount for one ball for the upstream ball-extracting button 306 is The operation load required to move the ball-removal button 306 is made smaller than the operation load required to move the downstream-side ball-removal button 120 by the operation amount for one ball of the downstream-side ball-removal button 120. good too.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the ratio of the amount of operation for one ball (approximately 3 mm or approximately 4 mm) to the maximum amount of operation (approximately 14.5 mm) of the upstream ball removal button 306 is It is smaller than the ratio of the amount of operation for one ball (approximately 4 mm) to the maximum amount of operation (approximately 6 mm) of the pull-out button 120 . For this reason, it is possible to give a feeling that the game ball can be ejected more quickly by operating the upstream side ball ejection button 306 . Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 becomes full (when a full-fill error occurs), etc., when quick ball removal is desired, efficient ball removal is possible. It is possible to provide a sensory motivation to prompt the user to operate the executable upstream ball removal button 306 .

In addition, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is the maximum operation amount, it is impossible for two or more game balls to pass through the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 at the same time. When the operation of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is the maximum operation amount, it is a state in which two or more game balls can pass through the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 at the same time, and the upstream side ball The maximum amount of operation for the pullout button 306 is greater than the maximum amount of operation for the downstream ball pullout button 120 . Therefore, the relationship between the maximum amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 and the maximum amount of operation of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is linked to the game ball ejection efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to give a feeling that the game ball can be ejected more quickly by operating the upstream side ball ejection button 306.例文帳に追加Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 becomes full (when a full-fill error occurs), etc., when quick ball removal is desired, efficient ball removal is possible. It is possible to provide a sensory motivation to prompt the user to operate the executable upstream ball removal button 306 .

In addition, in the downstream side ball removing unit 112 or the upstream side ball removing unit 113, the lid (downstream side lid 125 or upstream side lid 300) is not limited to the mechanism described above, and various well-known transmission mechanisms can be employed as the mechanism for increasing the amount of movement of 300). In addition, the downstream ball removal button 120 (first operation means) or the upstream ball removal button 360 (second operation means) is not limited to a push button as described above, but is a slide type operation means (for example, left and right It may be a lever that slides in the direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the upstream ball removing unit 113 is fixed to the lower left portion of the plate member 110 by screwing. The upstream ball removal button 306 is arranged below the tray 16 . Further, as shown in FIG. 28 , the upstream ball removal button 306 is provided so as to protrude forward from an opening provided in the exterior component of the front frame 10 .

The upstream ball removal button 306 and the portion surrounding the upstream ball removal button 306 have different colors. That is, the peripheral member (exterior component) that forms the opening for exposing the upstream ball-extracting button 306 has a different color from the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is red, while the peripheral member is white.

Further, as described above, the downstream ball-extracting button 120 is provided in the button arrangement portion 116, but the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 and the button arrangement portion 116 have different colors. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the downstream ball removal button 120 is red, while the button arrangement portion 116 is black.

In this manner, the visibility of the buttons can be improved by making the colors of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 different from the colors of the peripheral members surrounding the buttons. Therefore, the player can easily find the button.

Further, the upstream ball-removal button 306 and the downstream ball-removal button 120 are made of resin material of the same color (similar color). Further, the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 are formed in one color throughout. Other buttons (ball lending button, return button 91, direction key 92, volume adjustment button 93, light amount adjustment button 94, etc.) arranged in the button arrangement portion 116 are all It is made of a resin material of a different color from the ball-removing button 120 . Therefore, it is easy to understand which button is the button for removing the ball, and the player can find the button more easily.
In addition to the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120, there may be no buttons molded of the same color resin material as these buttons. That is, the color may be used as a dedicated color for the button for ejecting the game ball from the receiving tray 16 . Buttons (other buttons) other than the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 may include exclusive colors, in which case the other buttons may include colors other than the exclusive colors. It is preferable to be

In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the pressing surface of the downstream side ball removal button 120 (first button: first operation means) (surface touched by the player when pressing the button: upper surface) (operation surface ) are formed (almost) flat. On the other hand, the pressing surface (surface touched by the player or the like when pressing the button: front surface) (operation surface) of the upstream ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means) is formed with irregularities. ing. In other words, the pressing surface of the upstream ball-removing button 306 has a more uneven shape than the pressing surface of the downstream-side ball-removing button 120 . The upstream ball removal button 306 is difficult to see because it is surrounded by exterior parts and is provided so as to protrude forward below the tray 16, but is provided with a relatively large number of irregularities. This makes it easier for the player to find the buttons. In addition, since the downstream ball removal button 120 is provided in the button placement portion 116 forming the upper surface of the receiving tray unit 100, it is easy to see. One thing is easier to identify.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the operation surface of the downstream side ball removal button 120 (first button: first operation means) is the same as the upstream side ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means). ) has a smaller area than the operation surface. Here, the operation surface means a surface where the player's touchable range does not change and the player's visible range does not change, regardless of the position of the operating means. In other words, the operation surface does not include a surface that is hidden by surrounding members when the operation means is operated. According to such a configuration, the size of the operation surface is related to the amount of operation of the operation means, so that it is easy to grasp the operation feeling for both operation means having the same function. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as discharging an unintended number of game balls by the player.

In addition, the game ball discharged from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is guided downward through the first passage 114 . Also, the game ball discharged from the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is guided downward through the second passage 115 . Also, the first passage 114 merges with the second passage 115 . Also, the second passage is connected to a hole 400 provided on the bottom surface of the gaming machine (see FIG. 28). A game ball ejected from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 or the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is ejected from the hole 400 to the outside of the gaming machine.

In addition, although the game machine of the present embodiment has one receiving tray 16, it may have a plurality of receiving trays. For example, a game machine having two trays, an upper tray (first tray) and a lower tray (second tray), is generally known. In this type of gaming machine, game balls lent to players (rental balls) and game balls obtained by winning prizes (prize balls) are stored in the upper tray. The lower tray is located below the upper tray. For example, when the upper tray is full (a state in which a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the upper tray), additional game balls are dispensed. is stored. In addition, game balls can be discharged toward the lower tray from the ball extraction hole provided in the upper tray. The configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment may be applied to this type of gaming machine. Specifically, for example, a ball removal hole similar to the downstream ball removal hole 118 may be provided in the upper plate, and the downstream ball removal unit 112 corresponding to the ball removal hole may be provided. In other words, the downstream ball removal hole 118 and the downstream ball removal unit 112 in this embodiment may be read as being provided for the upper plate. Further, for example, a ball removal hole similar to the upstream ball removal hole 119 may be provided in the lower plate, and an upstream ball removal unit 113 corresponding to the ball removal hole may be provided. In other words, the upstream ball removal hole 119 and the upstream ball removal unit 113 in this embodiment may be read as being provided for the lower plate.

The gaming machine according to this embodiment is
a first hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the saucer;
a second hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the receiving tray;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
the under-diameter manipulation amount for the second operating means is less than the under-diameter manipulation amount for the first operating means;
The operation load required to move the second operation means for the operation amount less than the diameter for the second operation means is the operation amount for the first operation means less than the diameter and the operation load required to move the second operation means It is characterized by being smaller than the operation load required to move the first operation means.

Also, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is
a first hole capable of discharging the game ball from the first receiving tray;
a second hole capable of discharging the game ball from the second receiving tray;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
the under-diameter manipulation amount for the second operating means is less than the under-diameter manipulation amount for the first operating means;
The operation load required to move the second operation means for the operation amount less than the diameter for the second operation means is the operation amount for the first operation means less than the diameter and the operation load required to move the second operation means It is characterized by being smaller than the operation load required to move the first operation means.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation of the first operating means or the second operating means required to eject the game ball from the first hole or the second hole. Therefore, it is possible to remove the ball from the tray with a small amount of operation, so that the burden of operation can be reduced. In addition, according to such a configuration, the second operating means is capable of removing the ball with an operation amount smaller than that of the first operating means, and the ball can be removed with an operation load smaller than that of the first operating means. It becomes possible. For this reason, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the tray and the tray becomes full (when a full tank error occurs), ball removal is performed efficiently when quick ball removal is desired. It is possible to give a sensory motivation to prompt the user to operate the possible second operating means. The game machine according to this embodiment can be operated comfortably.

(Third Embodiment)
As a game machine, a pachinko game machine having a game board, a shooting device, and the like is known. In a pachinko machine, a game ball (game medium) is shot into a game area provided in front of a game board, and the game ball enters a prize winning opening provided in the game area. higher profits are awarded. A predetermined game machine represented by such a game machine is provided with rails for guiding game balls. By the way, in gaming machines, there is a growing demand for larger design parts that decorate the game machines. There was a problem that the An object of the present embodiment is to provide a gaming machine capable of ensuring the visibility of game balls.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is one of game machines, will be described, but other game machines (for example, slot machines, etc.) may be used. In the following description, "front and back" basically means that the player is "front" and the gaming machine is "back" when the player is in front of the gaming machine, and "up and down" means that the game is played. The top side of the machine means "up" and the bottom side means "down", and "left and right" means the left hand side of the player playing and the right hand side means "right".
It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can freely combine each configuration, arbitrarily modify each configuration, or omit each configuration.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. The gaming machine of the present embodiment performs a game using game balls (game media) rented from a gaming arcade. , a game board 6 forming a game area 4 in which game balls move, a glass unit 8 making the game board 6 visible to the player but not accessible to the player, and a front frame 10 to which the glass unit 8 is attached. I have.
Although not shown in FIG. 29, the pachinko game machine 1 has an inner frame and a body frame having a front frame 10 and an inner frame. A body frame can be attached to the outer frame 2. - 特許庁In addition, the pachinko game machine 1 includes a tray unit having trays (upper tray 16 and lower tray 24). The body frame has a grip unit 20 (handle) and a tray unit.
The "receiving unit 320, receptacle" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into "receiving unit, receptacle" in the third embodiment. Also, the "handle unit 330" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "grip unit 20" in the third embodiment. Also, the "front frame 300 and outer frame 102" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "front frame 10 and outer frame 2" in the third embodiment. . Also, the "inner frame 104, body frame" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "inner frame, body frame" in the third embodiment. Also, the "game board 108" shown in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily transformed into the "game board 6" in the third embodiment. Further, although the details will be described later, in the present embodiment, a design portion (design member) 84 is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 10 . The design portion 84 shown in this embodiment can be added to the "front frame 300 and body frame" shown in the first embodiment. Further, it is possible to add the game ball passage 80 shown in this embodiment to the "game board 108" shown in the first embodiment.

A portion of the front frame 10 surrounding the glass unit 8 is made of a translucent material that transmits light. A plurality of front frame lamps 12 for outputting are provided. In addition, the front frame 10 is provided with a plurality of speakers 14 for outputting production sounds and the like for livening up the game.

An upper plate 16 for storing game balls is provided in the lower center of the front frame 10, and a left part of the inner side surface of the upper plate 16 is for paying out game balls from the game machine to the player. A payout port is provided. A grip unit 20 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 10. When the player performs an operation to rotate the grip unit 20 clockwise toward the gaming machine, a grip unit (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is rotated clockwise. A shooting device is operated to shoot game balls into the game area 4.例文帳に追加The shooting device of this embodiment can shoot 99 game balls per minute (1.65 game balls per second).

A supply port for supplying game balls from the upper plate 16 to the shooting device is provided on the right side of the inner side surface of the upper plate 16 . A lower tray 24 is provided below the upper tray 16 for storing surplus game balls when the upper tray 16 cannot store all the game balls.

A performance operation device 26 is provided on the near side of the edge of the upper tray 16, and when the player operates the performance operation device 26, the performance performed by the game machine changes. Specifically, the effect operating device 26 incorporates a push button switch and a rotary switch (jog dial), and can detect an operation of pressing the effect operating device 26 and an operation of rotating the effect operating device 26. It's becoming

30 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 6 shown in FIG. 29. FIG. As shown in FIG. 30, the game board 6 is provided with a circular outer rail 28, and an area surrounded by the outer rail 28 serves as a game area 4 in which game balls move. In addition, at the left end of the game area 4, an inner rail 30 is provided in an arc shape along the outer rail 28. The outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30 are provided below the game board 6 (not shown). A game ball shot from a shooting device is guided to a game area 4. - 特許庁

In the central part of the game board 6, a liquid crystal display 32 for displaying a performance image or the like for livening up the game, and a performance unit 36 having a display frame 34 formed so as to surround the liquid crystal display 32 are provided.

In this embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the front side of the liquid crystal display 32, and the game ball shot from the shooting device falls in the left game area 4 or the right game area 4 of the liquid crystal display 32. It is designed to In the game area 4, a large number of game nails (not shown) are nailed so as to intersect the surface of the game board 6, so that the moving direction of the game balls moving in the game area 4 changes at random. .

In the left part of the display frame 34, an opening 40 is formed through which game balls falling in the game area 4 on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32 can pass. The liquid crystal display 32 passes through the passage 42 and falls onto a stage 44 provided below the liquid crystal display 32 . The upper surface of the stage 44 is a smoothly curved surface, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 to allow game balls to fall downward from the stage 44, and drop onto the stage 44 from the passage 42. After the game ball hits the stage 44 and reciprocates left and right, it falls downward from the vicinity of the central portion of the stage 44. - 特許庁

A first starting prize opening 46 is provided below the central portion of the stage 44 .
A passage gate 48 is provided in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32 . In addition, a second start winning opening 50 is provided below the passage gate 48 . This second start winning port 50 has a reduced state (state without assisting entry/non-assisted state) in which game balls are difficult to enter into the second start winning prize port 50 and an enlarged state (entry is assisted) in which game balls easily enter A normal accessory 52 is provided that includes an auxiliary member that can operate between (state and auxiliary state).

In the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32, a large winning opening 54 is provided below the second starting winning opening 50. - 特許庁A special accessory 56 having a movable member that closes the big winning opening 54 is provided in the big winning opening 54 . The special accessory 56 is operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the big winning opening 54 and an open state in which game balls can enter the big winning opening 54 (see FIG. 30). closed). The special accessory 56 is controlled to be open under a predetermined condition in a special game state which is started when a jackpot is won.

Below the big prize opening 54, a big prize passage 58 is provided downward. A normal entrance 62 is provided at the lower end of the big winning passage 58 . Further, a specific path 65 is provided below the big winning path 58 so as to branch downward from the middle of the big winning path 58 . This specific path 65 is provided with a specific accessory 66 having a movable member that closes the specific path 65 . The specific accessory 66 is operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the specific path 65 and an open state in which game balls can enter the specific path 65 (FIG. 30 shows a closed state ). The specific accessory 66 is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in the special game state. A specific entrance 68 is provided at the lower end of the specific passage 65 . In addition, at the bottom of the game area 4, an out port 69 is provided for collecting game balls that have fallen in the game area 4 without entering any of the winning openings into the inside of the game machine.

The game ball shooting device is constructed so that the game ball shooting force can be changed by adjusting the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 shown in FIG. Game balls are shot so as to fall in the game area 4 on the left side of the display 32, and when the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is large, the game balls fall in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. A game ball is launched.

The player adjusts the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 according to the game situation, and the game ball falls through the left game area 4, or passes through the opening 40, the passage 42 and the stage 44, and enters the first starting winning opening. 46, the game ball is shot (left-handed), the game ball falls through the game area 4 on the right side, and the game ball passes through the passage gate 48, or into the second start winning opening 50. A game ball is shot so as to enter the game ball or to enter the big winning hole 54 (right-handed hitting).

At the lower right portion of the game board 6 and outside the game area 4, there is provided a state display section 70 that indicates various states of the game machine by lighting and extinguishing lamps and the like. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board and sub-boards. The functions of each board such as the main board and sub-boards are implemented by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of information storage medium), or RAM. It is realized by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in, for example.

The main board receives an input signal from an input means (first starting winning gate sensor, passing gate sensor, second starting winning gate sensor, big winning gate sensor, normal entrance sensor, specific path sensor, payout sensor, etc.). , various calculations for executing the game are performed, and based on the calculation results, the output means (status display drive device, normal accessory drive device, special accessory drive device, specific accessory drive device, payout device, etc.) Controls motion.

The sub board receives commands sent from the main board and input signals from the effect operation sensor that detects operations on the effect operation device 26, and performs various calculations for executing effects in accordance with the progress of the game. , and based on the calculation result, the operation of the production device (production display device, sound device, production drive device, etc.) is controlled.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, the game area 4 is divided into a left-handed area 4a located on the left side and a right-handed area 4b located on the right side. By changing the intensity, the game ball can be dropped in different areas.

A game ball passage 80 that connects the left-handed area 4a and the right-handed area 4b is provided at the upper end (upper portion) of the game area 4. As shown in FIG. A game ball fired from the shooting device with a predetermined firing strength or more passes through the game ball passage 80 and advances to the right hitting area 4b, while a game ball shot from the shooting device with less than the predetermined firing strength is a game ball. It is designed to proceed to the left-handed area 4a without passing through the passage 80. - 特許庁

The game ball passage 80 is formed by an outer rail 28 and a rail 81 provided below the outer rail 28 along the outer rail 28 . Also, the game ball passage 80 is formed including the upper end of the outer rail 28 . In addition, the width of the game ball passage 80 (interval between the outer rail 28 and the rail 81) is longer than the diameter of one game ball and shorter than the diameter of two game balls at the narrowest part. . In addition, the portion where the width of the game ball passage 80 is the narrowest is the top portion of the game ball passage 80, in other words, the portion formed by the upper end (top: vertex) of the outer rail 28 and the portion facing the upper end of the rail 81. In other words, it is a portion located at the upper end of the game area 4 .

29 and 31, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a substantially rectangular box-shaped design portion (design member) 84 elongated in the left-right direction is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 10. . In addition, the length of the design portion 84 in the left-right direction is more than half the length of the front frame 10 in the left-right direction. In addition, the design portion 84 is arranged so as to protrude forward so that its front surface is located forward of the game area 4 and the glass unit 8 .
In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the glass unit 8 has two transparent plates (glass plates) 8a and 8b arranged in the front-rear direction with their plate surfaces parallel to each other.

The design part 84 includes an LED board (not shown) for illumination provided inside thereof and an exterior member 85 covering it, and a space for housing the LED board is secured inside the exterior member 85. It is Further, a logo representing the model name, etc. is attached to a portion constituting the front surface of the design portion 84 of the exterior member 85, and the logo is illuminated by an LED board provided inside.
A speaker or the like may be provided inside the design portion 84 .

A lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is located at the lowest front portion. Also, the front portion is a plane 87 substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. A lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 has an inclined surface 88 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal surface on the rear side of the rear end of the flat surface 87 . The lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 has a shape in which the rear portion (the portion of the inclined surface 88) is directed upward toward the rear. That is, the design portion 84 has a front portion that protrudes downward more than a rear portion, and a protruding portion 90 is formed. Further, the rear end of the lower surface 86 (inclined surface 88 ) of the design portion 84 is in contact with or close to the glass unit 8 .
The shape of the rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 may be formed along the shape of the outer rail 28 . That is, the rear end of the lower surface 86 may be curved so as to be convex upward when viewed from the front. Further, in accordance with this, the shape of the lower surface 86 (inclined surface 88) may be a mortar shape that is concave upward.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the main part in the AA line cross section of FIG. 29, and is a cross section cut along a plane parallel to the vertical direction and the front-back direction passing through the upper end of the play area 4 (the top part: the upper end of the outer rail 28). is shown. The cross section shown in FIG. 31 also passes through the upper end (top) of the rail 81 and the upper end (top) of the rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 .

The rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is located below the upper end of the game area 4 in the portion corresponding to the upper end of the game area 4 (the front portion of the upper end of the game area 4). In other words, the rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is located below the upper end of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 (the guide surface 113 of the outer rail 28, which will be described later). The rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is located above the upper end of the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80 (the surface of the rail 81 with which the game ball contacts). In addition, the rear end of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is the game ball B positioned at the upper end of the game area 4 (the game ball in contact with the upper end of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80: the outer rail 28 (the guide surface 113) is located above the lower end of the game ball in contact with the top of the ball). More specifically, it is located above the center of the game ball B in this state (indicated by the dashed-dotted line C in FIG. 31).

Further, the projecting portion 90 projects downward from the center of the game ball B positioned at the upper end of the game area 4 . In other words, the lower end of the projecting portion 90 is located below the center of the game ball B in this state. More specifically, the lower end of the projecting portion 90 is located below the lower end of the game ball B in this state. In addition, the protruding portion 90 protrudes downward from the upper end of the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80. As shown in FIG.

As is clear from the above, the design portion 84 overlaps the game ball B positioned at the upper end of the game area 4 in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the game board 6 and the glass unit 8). It covers the entire game ball B in this state. In addition, the design part 84 has a part corresponding to the upper end of the game area 4 at the rear end of the lower surface 86 (the front part of the upper end of the game area 4) in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the game board 6 and the glass unit 8). It does not overlap at least the lower half of the game ball B positioned at the upper end of the game area 4, and does not cover at least the lower half of the game ball in that state. A rear portion of the lower surface 86 is an inclined surface 88 . Therefore, even when the game ball is positioned at the upper end of the game area 4, the player can easily visually recognize the game ball rolling in the game area 4.例文帳に追加Here, it is preferable that at least the lower half of the game ball in this state can be seen from a predetermined position, specifically from the player's eye point, without the player moving his or her face up, down, left, or right. A player's eye point means the position of the player's eyes when playing a game while sitting on a chair. Specifically, for example, the distance between the player's eyes and the glass unit 8 in the front-rear direction is between 30 and 50 cm, and the distance (height) between the player's eyes and the bottom surface of the gaming machine in the vertical direction is When it is between 40 and 60 cm, it is preferable that at least a portion (lower half) of the game ball in that state can be visually recognized. In other words, the game ball B (game ball B) located at the upper end of the game area 4 from a predetermined point at a distance of 30 to 50 cm from the glass unit 8 and a height of 40 to 60 cm from the bottom of the game machine It is preferable that the design part 84 does not overlap the straight line up to the part below the center of the sphere B). According to such a configuration, it is possible to secure the visibility of the game medium moving in the game area while enlarging the design portion 84 .

Next, the design part 84, the game ball passage 80, and the upper end of the game area 4 in a cross section cut along a plane parallel to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction passing through the upper end of the game area 4 (top: upper end of the outer rail 28) Various lengths related to the game ball B positioned at the position will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 31 , the upper surface 80a (first reference line BL1 described later) of the game ball passage 80 is located above the rear end 91 of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 in the cross section. Note that the rear end portion of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is hereinafter also referred to as a first design portion 91 . The first design portion 91 defines a horizontal line (straight line extending in a direction orthogonal to the game board surface) that passes through the upper end of the upper surface of the game ball passage 80 and extends in the short direction of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 as the first reference line BL1. In this case, it can be said that this is the rearmost part of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 where the vertical lines that intersect the first reference line BL1 can intersect. Further, the first design portion 91 extends in the short direction of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 through a portion of the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80 that is positioned directly below the upper end of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80. When a horizontal line (a straight line extending in a direction orthogonal to the game board surface) is used as the second reference line BL2, the vertical line intersecting the second reference line BL2 on the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 can intersect. It can also be said to be the rear part. Here, of the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80, the portion located immediately below the upper end of the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 may be the upper end of the lower surface 80b, or may not be the upper end of the lower surface 80b. good. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the cross section, the vertical interval L1 between the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 and the first design portion 91 is approximately 4 mm. That is, the interval L1 is less than the diameter (11 mm) of the game ball, more specifically less than the diameter. Note that the interval L1 can also be said to be the distance from the first reference line BL1 to the first design portion 91 (the distance on the vertical line).

In the cross section, the upper surface 80a (first reference line BL1) of the game ball passage 80 is located above the lower end 92 (rear end of the flat surface 87) of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84. Note that the lower end portion (rear end portion of the flat surface 87) of the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 is also referred to as a second design portion 92 below. The second design portion 92 can also be said to be the lowermost portion among the portions where the vertical lines that intersect the first reference line BL1 on the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 intersect. In addition, the second design portion 92 can also be said to be the lowest portion of the portion where the vertical lines that intersect the second reference line BL2 on the lower surface 86 of the design portion 84 intersect. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the cross section, the vertical interval L2 between the upper surface 80a of the game ball passage 80 and the second design portion 92 is approximately 40 mm. That is, the interval L2 is longer than the diameter of the game ball, more specifically, longer than the diameter. Note that the interval L2 can also be said to be the distance from the first reference line BL1 to the second design portion 92 (distance on the vertical line).

Further, in the cross section, the lower surface 80b (second reference line BL2) of the game ball passage 80 is located below the first design portion 91. As shown in FIG. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in the cross section, the space L3 in the vertical direction between the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80 and the first design portion 91 is about 14 mm. That is, the interval L3 is the radius of the game ball or more, more specifically the length exceeding the radius, more specifically the diameter or more (the length exceeding the diameter). Note that the interval L3 can also be said to be the distance from the second reference line BL2 to the first design portion 91 (distance on the vertical line).

Further, in the cross section, the lower surface 80b (second reference line BL2) of the game ball passage 80 is located above the second design portion 92. As shown in FIG. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in the cross section, the space L4 in the vertical direction between the lower surface 80b of the game ball passage 80 and the second design portion 92 is approximately 22 mm. That is, the interval L4 is longer than the diameter of the game ball, more specifically, longer than the diameter. Note that the interval L4 can also be said to be the distance from the second reference line BL2 to the second design portion 92 (distance on the vertical line).

As described above, by positioning the second design portion 92 below the upper surface 80a (first reference line BL1) of the game ball passage 80, the size of the design portion 84 can be increased. By locating below the lower surface 80b (second reference line BL2) of the design portion 84, the size of the design portion 84 can be further increased. In addition, while increasing the design portion 84 in this way, the distance L1 between the upper surface 80a (first reference line BL1) of the game ball passage 80 and the first design portion 91 is set to be equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter). As a result, when the game ball is hit hard (when the game ball rolls along the upper surface 80a), the visibility of the game ball can be ensured. In addition, while increasing the design portion 84 in this way, the distance L3 between the lower surface 80b (second reference line BL2) of the game ball passage 80 and the first design portion 91 is equal to or greater than the radius of the game ball (the length exceeding the radius). ), the visibility of the game ball can be ensured when the game ball is weakly launched (when the game ball rolls along the lower surface 80b).

Next, the configuration of the outer rail 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 37. FIG.
The outer rail 28 is supported by a rail base 100 as a support member that supports the outer rail 28 . By fixing the rail base 100 to the game board 6 , the outer rail 28 is attached to the game board 6 . The rail base 100 is fixed to the game board 6 by screwing, for example. In addition, the game board 6 is formed in a substantially square plate shape from transparent resin.

The outer rail 28 is an elongated thin plate member. In addition, hereinafter, for each length related to the outer rail 28, the length in the length direction (longitudinal direction) is called “length”, the length in the width direction (lateral direction) is called “width”, The length in the thickness direction (thickness) is called "thickness". In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the length L of the outer rail 28 is 900 mm or longer (at least 800 mm or longer). Further, the width W of the outer rail 28 is approximately 15 mm. Further, the plate thickness T of the outer rail 28 is approximately 0.6 mm. Further, in this embodiment, the outer rail 28 is made of metal, specifically stainless steel (eg, SUS430).

One end (starting end) of the outer rail 28 is formed with a bent portion 110 that is bent into a substantially L shape. A U-shaped portion (curved portion) 112 bent in a substantially U-shape is formed at the other end portion (end portion) of the outer rail 28 .

The bending radius R of the U-shaped portion 112 is approximately 6 mm. In other words, the distance between both ends of the U-shaped portion 112 (the distance between the opposing surfaces of the U-shaped portion 112) is approximately 12 mm. Also, the U-shaped portion 112 has a height H of about 12 mm in the thickness direction of the outer rail 28 .
The curvature of the U-shaped portion 112 is larger than the curvature of the curved surface 126, which will be described later, and is larger than the curvature of the guide surface 113 of the outer rail 28 attached to the rail base 100 (assembled as a game machine). is also getting bigger.

A guide surface 113 is formed on the outer rail 28 between the bent portion 110 and the U-shaped portion 112 . The guide surface 113 is a surface on which a game ball shot from the shooting device hits, and the game ball shot from the shooting device rolls along the guide surface 113 and is guided to the game area 4 .

A substantially rectangular hole 114 is formed in the outer rail 28 . Hole 114 is formed in U-shaped portion 112 of outer rail 28 (at a position corresponding to U-shaped portion 112). Also, the length of the hole 114 is longer than the length of the U-shaped portion 112 . In other words, the hole 114 is formed along the entire length of the U-shaped portion 112 (the direction along the U-shape). Specifically, hole 114 extends to corner 115 a formed between U-shaped portion 112 and guide surface 113 . In other words, the hole 114 is at least one (preferably both) corners 115a and 115b formed at both ends (boundary between the U-shaped portion 112 and other portions) of the U-shaped portion 112 in the length direction. ).
The hole 114 may be formed beyond at least one of the corners 115a and 115b. Note that the corners 115a and 115b are rounded.

The width Wa of the hole 114 is preferably 1/2 or less, more preferably 1/3 or less, of the width W of the outer rail 28 (U-shaped portion 112). The width Wa of the hole 114 is preferably 1/5 or more, more preferably 1/4 or more, of the width W of the outer rail 28 (U-shaped portion 112). By setting the width Wa of the hole 114 in this manner, the strength of the U-shaped portion 112 can be maintained high while increasing the flexibility of the U-shaped portion 112 . In this embodiment, the width Wa of the hole 114 is set to 4 mm.

Note that the hole 114 does not have to pass through the outer rail 28 in the thickness direction. In other words, the hole 114 portion should be formed thinner than other portions. Furthermore, in other words, the hole 114 may be a lightening portion that has been lightened in some way. That is, if the portion of the outer rail 28 where the hole 114 of the U-shaped portion 112 is formed has a smaller cross-sectional area in a cross section perpendicular to the plate surface than the portion where the guide surface 113 is formed. good.

A plurality of positioning holes 118 (five in this embodiment) are formed in the outer rail 28 . A projecting portion 128 to be described later is inserted into each hole 118 . The hole 118 has an oval shape with the length being at least twice the width. In this embodiment, the hole 118 has a length La of 5.2 mm and a width Wb of 2 mm.

Also, the holes 118 are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction. Also, the holes 118 are arranged off the center in the width direction (so as not to cross the center). Specifically, in the width direction of the outer rail 28, the distance Wc from the center of the hole 118 to the edge of the outer rail 28 is set to 2.7 mm. Also, the hole 118 is arranged at a position where a game ball rolling on the guide surface 113 does not hit it. More specifically, all the holes 118 are arranged at positions where game balls rolling on the guide surface 113 do not hit.

Also, the intervals between adjacent holes 118 are not constant but uneven. That is, there are portions where the intervals between adjacent holes 118 are relatively long and portions where the intervals are relatively short. Specifically, when the intervals between the adjacent holes 118 are G1, G2, G3, and G4 in order from the launching device side, in the present embodiment, the interval G1 is 104.6 mm, and the interval G2 is 104.6 mm. 123.1 mm, the interval G3 is 116.2 mm, and the interval G4 is 280.1 mm. That is, among the plurality of intervals G1 to G4, the interval G1 on the side closest to the launching device is the shortest. Further, among the plurality of intervals G1 to G4, the interval G4 on the farthest side from the launching device is the longest. Further, among the plurality of intervals G1 to G4, the longest interval (280.1 mm) is more than twice the shortest interval (104.6 mm). Further, among the plurality of continuous intervals G1 to G4, the second interval G2 is longer than the first interval G1 from the launch device side, and the third interval G3 is shorter than the second interval G2, The fourth interval G4 is longer than the third interval G3. That is, for a plurality of continuous intervals G1 to G4, the length relationship between adjacent intervals is alternate (long-short-long in this embodiment).

As for the length from the starting end of the outer rail 28 to each hole 118, the length to the first hole 118 counted from the starting end side is 13.3 mm, and the length to the second hole 118 is 117 mm. 9 mm, the length to the third hole 118 is 241.0 mm, the length to the fourth hole 118 is 357.2 mm, and the length to the fifth hole 118 is 637.3 mm. .

The holes 118 are all formed in the guide surface 113, and are not formed in the bent portion 110, the U-shaped portion 112, and the end portion (extended portion 120) of the U-shaped portion 112. Two circular holes 119 are formed in the guide surface 113 of the outer rail 28 in the same straight line as the plurality of holes 118 . These two holes 119 are holes used when processing the outer rail 28, and projections 128, which will be described later, are not inserted into the holes 119. As shown in FIG.

34 to 36 are diagrams showing the mounting state in which the outer rail 28 is mounted on the rail base 100. FIG. As shown in FIG. 34, the rail base 100 is made of a black resin material and has a substantially L shape. The rail base 100 also has a curved surface 126 formed in an arc shape. The curved surface 126 is formed so as to extend from the lower left side of the game board 6 (game area 4), through the upper left side, to the upper right side, and is formed in a shape that is open at the lower right side.

A plurality of (five in this embodiment) protrusions 128 are formed along the length direction of the curved surface 126 (see FIG. 32). The projecting portion 128 is arranged rearward of the center of the curved surface 126 in the front-rear direction. Each projection 128 is arranged at a position corresponding to each hole 118 of the outer rail 28 .

A wall portion 129 that protrudes toward the game area 4 from the curved surface 126 is formed along the curved surface 126 at the front edge of the curved surface 126 (see FIGS. 36 and 37).

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 36, the left lower portion (one end) of the rail base 100 is provided with a recess 130 having a substantially L-shaped cross section into which the bent portion 110 of the outer rail 28 is inserted. Further, the concave portion 130 is formed with an abutment surface (contact surface) 131 against which one end surface (the end surface on the starting end side) of the outer rail 28 in the length direction abuts.
In addition, the concave portion 130 is designed so that the portion other than the one end surface of the outer rail 28 in the length direction of the outer rail 28 does not come into contact with the concave portion 130 . Specifically, of the bent portion 110 of the outer rail 28, the relief portion 110a extending in the direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the guide surface 113 is designed so as not to hit the concave portion 130 (at least in the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 28). It has become.

34 and 35, the upper right portion (the other end) of the rail base 100 has an abutment surface (abutment surface) against which the other end surface (end surface on the terminal side) in the length direction of the outer rail 28 abuts. surface) 135 is formed. A housing portion 137 for housing the U-shaped portion 112 is formed in the upper right portion of the rail base 100 .

The accommodation portion 137 is provided adjacent to the upper right end of the curved surface 126 . The housing portion 137 has a space 137b formed by a wall portion 137a having a substantially U-shaped cross section. In addition, the space 137b is a space that spreads toward the outside of the game area 4 from the curved surface 126. As shown in FIG. The U-shaped portion 112 is accommodated in this space 137b. One end of the wall portion 137 a is connected to the upper right end of the curved surface 126 . The other end 137c of the wall portion 137a is arranged on the virtual extension line of the curved surface 126 (predetermined position when the curved surface 126 is extended according to its curvature). A rib 139 is formed at a position farther from the curved surface 126 than the other end 137c and on the opposite side of the outer rail 28 in the plate thickness direction. The extended portion 120 of the outer rail 28 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the other end 137 c and the rib 139 .

The bent portion 110 of the outer rail 28 is inserted into the recess 130 of the rail base 100 , and one end face is abutted against the abutment surface 131 . The other end surface of the outer rail 28 is abutted against the abutment surface 135 . When the outer rail 28 is attached to the rail base 100 , the outer rail 28 is stretched between the abutting surfaces 131 and 135 . That is, the length L of the outer rail 28 is set longer than the distance from the abutment surface 131 to the abutment surface 135 (the distance in the direction along the curved surface 126). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the length L of the outer rail 28 is set 3 mm longer than the distance. In other words, the outer rail 28 has an extra length of 3 mm with respect to the length of the portion where the outer rail 28 is installed (the distance from the abutment surface 131 to the abutment surface 135).

In the attached state, the excess length of the outer rail 28 is absorbed by the U-shaped portion 112 . That is, first, in the attached state, the outer rail 28 is arranged along the curved surface 126 of the rail base 100 . At this time, substantially the entire surface (rear surface) of the outer rail 28 opposite to the guide surface 113 is in contact with substantially the entire curved surface 126 . In other words, the guide surface 113 is a surface (substantially parallel surface) along the curved surface 126 . Further, the U-shaped portion 112 bends so that the distance between both ends of the U-shaped portion 112 (the distance between the corner portions 115a and 115b) is reduced, thereby absorbing the extra length of the outer rail 28. FIG. Then, the outer rail 28 is stretched between the abutment surfaces 131 and 135 .
34 and 35, the terminal end 28a of the outer rail 28 is shown penetrating the abutment surface 135, but in reality, the terminal end 28a abuts against the abutment surface 135 and stops. It does not penetrate the surface 135 . In other words, the portion penetrating the abutment surface 135 in FIGS. be done. Note that the U-shaped portion 112 does not come into contact with the wall portion 137a of the housing portion 137 even in the attached state (the state in which the extra length is absorbed and bent).

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the extra length of 3 mm of the outer rail 28 is set shorter than the distance between both ends of the U-shaped portion 112 (the distance between the facing surfaces of the U-shaped portion 112: about 12 mm). . More specifically, the extra length is set to a bending radius R (approximately 6 mm) or less of the U-shaped portion 112 (half or less of the interval between both ends of the U-shaped portion 112). Therefore, the excess length can be effectively absorbed by the U-shaped portion 112 .
The extra length of 3 mm as a reference value (design value) is set longer than the tolerance of the outer rail 28 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the tolerance of the length L of the outer rail 28 is set to ±0.8 mm. Therefore, even if the outer rail 28 is manufactured as short as possible (when the tolerance is −0.8 mm, which is the lower limit), the excess length of 0 mm or more (in this example, the extra length of 2.2 mm). A reference value for the extra length is set so that In other words, the length L of the outer rail 28 is set to a length that has an extra length even including the tolerance. Also, even if the outer rail 28 is manufactured with the maximum length (when the tolerance is +0.8 mm, which is the upper limit), the bending radius R of the U-shaped portion 112 or less (the bending radius of the U-shaped portion 112 at both ends The reference value of the extra length is set so that the extra length (3.8 mm in this example) is less than half the distance.

In addition, in the attached state, each of the plurality of protrusions 128 of the rail base 100 is inserted into each of the plurality of holes 118 of the outer rail 28 . Here, the length La of the hole 118 is set to a length that does not come into contact with the projecting portion 128 in the attached state. Moreover, the width Wb of the hole 118 is set to a length that allows contact with the projecting portion 128 in the attached state.

The projecting portion 128 restricts movement of the outer rail 28 in the width direction by contacting the hole 118 in the width direction of the outer rail 28 . That is, the protruding portion 128 serves as a restricting portion (restricting means) that restricts the movement of the outer rail 28 . The projecting portion 128 and the hole 118 function as a positioning portion (positioning means) that determines the position of the outer rail 28 in the width direction.
Note that the restricting portion may not have a shape like the projecting portion 128, and may be a pin or the like, for example. Specifically, for example, a split pin as a restricting portion is provided so as to pass through the hole 118 (so that the leg of the split pin straddles the hole 118), and both legs of the split pin are attached to the rail base 100 or the game board. The split pin may restrict the movement of the outer rail 28 by being fitted into the board 6 or the like.

On the other hand, in the attached state, the protruding portion 128 is prevented from contacting the hole 118 in the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 28, so that the outer rail 28 is not restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction. . In other words, the repulsive force of the outer rail 28, which is housed between the abutment surfaces 131 and 135 and is shortened in length, is applied to the abutment surfaces 131 and 135, and the projecting portion 128 (Mostly) don't participate. Thereby, the positioning of the outer rail 28 in the longitudinal direction can be stably performed by the abutment surfaces 131 and 135 . Furthermore, in the game machine of the present embodiment, the relief portion 110a of the bent portion 110 of the outer rail 28 does not hit the concave portion 130 in the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 28, so the length direction of the outer rail 28 can be more stably positioned by the contact surface 131 and the contact surface 135 .
If an external force other than the repulsive force from the abutment surfaces 131 and 135 is forcibly applied (for example, by human power) and the U-shaped portion 112 is forcibly contracted, in the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 28, The hole 118 and the relief portion 110a may be adapted to contact the rail base 100. As shown in FIG.

The length (height) of the projecting portion 128 in the plate thickness direction of the outer rail 28 is set to be equal to or less than the plate thickness of the outer rail 28 . That is, the protruding portion 128 does not protrude toward the game area 4 from the guide surface 113 of the outer rail 28 .

Further, even when the outer rail 28 moves to the front side of the game machine (the width direction of the outer rail 28) to the maximum extent with respect to the rail base 100, the front end face of the outer rail 28 does not touch the wall portion 129 of the rail base 100. They are designed not to come into contact with each other. In other words, the wall portion 129 does not have the function of restricting the movement of the outer rail 28 . On the other hand, the length (height) of the wall portion 129 in the plate thickness direction of the outer rail 28 is set to be greater than the plate thickness of the outer rail 28, so that the end face of the outer rail 28 cannot be seen by the player. have a function.
However, the wall portion 129 may restrict movement of the outer rail 28 .

Here, the relationship between the game ball B rolling along the outer rail 28 and the holes 118 and the like will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing the essential parts of the outer rail 28 and the rail base 100, showing a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the guide surface 113 and the curved surface 126. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 37, the hole 118 and the projecting portion 128 are formed at positions where the game ball B rolling along the outer rail 28 does not hit. More specifically, the hole 118 hits the game ball B even when the outer rail 28 moves to the maximum in the width direction (for example, even when it moves to the upper side in FIG. 37 to the maximum). It is formed in a position where there is no In other words, it can be said that the projecting portion 128 regulates the movement of the outer rail 28 in the width direction so that the hole 118 does not hit the game ball B. In FIG. 37, the projecting portion 128 projects toward the game area 4 from the guide surface 113. However, even if the projecting portion 128 is formed to project in this way, the amount of projection of the projecting portion 128 is is preferably set so that the projecting portion 128 does not hit the game ball B.

As shown in FIG. 37, the guide surface 113 (curved surface 126) is a slanting surface that faces toward the play area 4 (inwardly in the radial direction of the outer rail 28) toward the front in the width direction of the outer rail 28. ing. In other words, the guide surface 113 is an inclined surface that makes it difficult for the game ball to flow forward (to facilitate the flow along the rear side).

According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the rail 28 includes a U-shaped portion 112 bent in a substantially U-shape and a hole 114 formed at a position corresponding to the U-shaped portion 112. The hole 114 is the length of the entire U-shaped portion 112 in the direction along the U-shape of the U-shaped portion 112. Therefore, the U-shaped portion 112 absorbs variations in the length of the rail 28 that occur during manufacturing, and the rail 28 can be stably and accurately attached. Further, by forming the hole 114 at a position corresponding to the U-shaped portion 112, the U-shaped portion 112 can be made softer than the guide surface 113 portion, and the U-shaped portion 112 can be made softer than the guide surface 113 portion. It can be easily deformed. Therefore, when the rail 28 is attached to the rail base 100, the rail 28 can be accurately attached while the guide surface 113 is moderately stretched and excess force is released to the U-shaped portion 112. - 特許庁Therefore, the motion of the game ball rolling along the rail 28 can be stabilized, and a comfortable game can be provided.

In addition, by setting the length of the hole 114 to the length that extends over the entire U-shaped portion 112, it is possible to make the degree of application of force in the U-shaped portion 112 uniform. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the rail 28 from becoming distorted due to excessive force being applied to a part of the U-shaped portion 112, and the rail 28 can be attached more accurately. Also, it is possible to prevent the rail 28 from being damaged due to excessive force being applied to a part of the U-shaped portion 112 . Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the hole 114 extends to at least one of the corners 115a and 115b formed at both ends in the length direction of the U-shaped portion 112, the load is concentrated. The flexibility of the corners 115a and 115b, which are easily broken, can be increased, and the corners 115a and 115b can be prevented from breaking.

In addition, since the hole 114 has a length (4 mm) of 1/3 or less of the width W of the rail in the width direction of the rail 28, the rigidity of the U-shaped portion 112 can be set within an appropriate range. . In other words, the rigidity of the U-shaped portion 112 can be set to a certain level or higher, and it is possible to prevent the U-shaped portion 112 from excessively absorbing the force applied to the rail 28 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tension of the guide surface 113 from becoming too weak, and to stabilize the movement of the game ball.

In addition, a plurality of (five) holes 118 are formed in the guide surface 113 to enable positioning, and all of the holes 118 are formed in positions where game balls rolling along the guide surface do not hit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball from rolling over the hole 118 and vibrating. Therefore, the movement of the game ball can be made more stable.

As shown in FIG. 35, an elastic member 150 made of an elastic material (eg, rubber) is arranged at the end of the guide surface 113 on the side of the U-shaped portion 112 . In the vicinity of the U-shaped portion 112 , the outer rail 28 is sandwiched between the elastic member 150 and the curved surface 126 . The elastic member 150 has a collision surface 151 with which the game ball guided along the guide surface 113 to the terminal end side (right hitting area 4b) collides. The elastic member 150 is adapted to reduce the impact when the game ball collides with the member of the game machine.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38, all of the plurality of holes 118 (plurality of projecting portions 128) are located on the left side (shooting device side) of the upper end (upper vertex) P1 of the play area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). ). In addition, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) is greater on the lower side than on the upper side with the vertical center of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) as a boundary. In other words, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) is greater on the lower side than on the upper side with the left end (left vertex) P2 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) as a boundary. Specifically, for example, one or two holes 118 (projections 128) are provided above the center in the vertical direction of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). Three holes 118 (protrusions 128) are provided on the lower side.
The upper end (upper vertex) P1 and the left end (left vertex) P2 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) are not provided with holes 118 (projections 128).

Some of the plurality of holes 118 (plurality of projecting portions 128) may be provided on the right side of the upper end (upper vertex) P1 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). In this case, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) is preferably larger on the left side than on the right side of the center of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) in the horizontal direction. In other words, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) should be larger on the left side than on the right side of the upper end (upper vertex) P1 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). Specifically, for example, one hole 118 (protruding portion 128) is provided on the right side of the center in the horizontal direction of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113), and on the left side of the center in the horizontal direction. Three or four holes 118 (protrusions 128) may be provided. In addition, regarding the plurality of holes 118 (projections 128) provided on the left side of the horizontal center, the holes 118 (projections 128) arranged below the vertical center of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) 128) may be more than the holes 118 (protrusions 128) located on the upper side. For example, when four holes 118 are provided on the left side, three holes may be arranged on the lower side and one hole may be arranged on the upper side. In addition, regarding the plurality of holes 118 (projections 128) provided on the left side of the center in the horizontal direction, the holes 118 (projections 128) arranged above the center in the vertical direction of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) 128) may be larger than the holes 118 (projections 128) located on the lower side. For example, when three holes 118 are provided on the left side, two may be arranged on the upper side and one may be arranged on the lower side.
In addition, even if some holes 118 (projections 128) are provided on the right side of the upper end (upper vertex) of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113), the game area 4 It is preferable that the hole 118 (projection 128) does not exist at the upper end (upper vertex) and the left end (left vertex) of (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). A game ball traces a stable trajectory by eliminating holes 118 (protrusions 128) at the upper end (upper vertex) and left end (left vertex) of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). be able to.

Regarding the outer rail 28 (the guide surface 113), the range from the starting end (lower left end) to the left end (the leftmost portion: the 9 o'clock position in front view) P2 is defined as a first range H1, and from the left end to the upper end. (Uppermost part: 12 o'clock position in front view) When the range up to P1 is defined as a second range H2, and the range from the upper end P1 to the end (upper right end) is defined as a third range H3, The number of holes 118 (projections 128) in each range may have the following relationship.
That is, even if the number of holes 118 (projections 128) is greater in the second range H2 than in the third range H3 and greater in the first range H1 than in the second range H2, good. That is, the first range H1>second range H2>third range H3 may be satisfied. Further, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) may be greater than or equal to the second range H2 in the first range H1 and greater than or equal to the third range H3 in the second range H2. That is, first range H1≧second range H2≧third range H3. Further, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) may be greater in the second range H2 than in the third range H3, and the first range H1 may be greater than or equal to the second range H2. That is, the first range H1≧second range H2>third range H3 may be satisfied. Further, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) may be greater in the first range H1 than in the third range H3, and may be greater than or equal to the first range H1 in the second range H2. That is, second range H2≧first range H1>third range H3. Moreover, even if the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) is larger in the first range H1 than in the third range H3, and larger in the second range H2 than in the third range H3, good. That is, the first range H1 and the second range H2 may be greater than the third range H3. Further, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) may be greater than or equal to the third range H3 in the first range H1 and greater than or equal to the third range H3 in the second range H2. That is, the first range H1 and the second range H2≧the third range H3 may be satisfied. Further, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) may be greater than or equal to the second range H2 in the first range H1 and greater than or equal to the third range H3. That is, the first range H1≧the second range H2 and the third range H3 may be satisfied. The number of holes 118 (projections 128) in the smallest range of holes 118 (projections 128) may be zero.
Of the outer rail 28 (guide surface 113), the virtual straight line extending in the left-right direction passing through the left end of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) is defined as the X axis, and the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) 113) In the XY plane whose Y axis is an imaginary straight line extending vertically through the upper end, the portion located in the third quadrant is called the first range, and the portion located in the second quadrant is called the second range. , the portion located in the first quadrant can also be called the third range. In addition, of the outer rail 28 (guide surface 113), the virtual straight line extending in the horizontal direction passing through the center of the game area 4 is set as the X axis, and the virtual straight line extending in the vertical direction passing through the center of the game area 4 is set as the Y axis. In the plane, the portion located in the third quadrant can be called the first range, the portion located in the second quadrant can be called the second range, and the portion located in the first quadrant can be called the third range. .

Regarding the outer rail 28 (the guide surface 113), the range from the starting end (lower left end) to the left end (the leftmost portion: 9 o'clock position in a front view) P2 is defined as a fourth range, and from the left end P2 to the terminal end. When the range up to (upper right end) is defined as the fifth range, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) in each range may be related as follows.
That is, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) may be greater in the fourth range than in the fifth range, and the fourth range may be greater than or equal to the fifth range. That is, the fourth range>the fifth range or the fourth range≧the fifth range may be satisfied. Specifically, for example, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) in the fourth range may be three, and the number of holes 118 (projections 128) in the fifth range may be two.
The dimension in the length direction of the outer rail 28 is longer in the fifth range than in the fourth range. That is, even though the fourth area is shorter in dimension than the fifth area, more holes 118 are provided in the fourth area.

Regarding the outer rail 28 (the guide surface 113), the range from the starting end (lower left end) to the upper end (the uppermost portion: 12 o'clock position in front view) P1 is defined as a sixth range. When the range up to (upper right end) is defined as the seventh range, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) in each range may be related as follows.
That is, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) may be greater in the sixth range than in the seventh range, and the sixth range may be greater than or equal to the seventh range. That is, the sixth range>the seventh range or the sixth range≧the seventh range may be satisfied. Specifically, for example, the number of holes 118 (projections 128) in the sixth range may be five, and the number of holes 118 (projections 128) in the seventh range may be zero.

Regarding the outer rail 28 (guide surface 113), the range from the starting end (lower left end) to the middle (midpoint between the starting end and the terminal end: the center in the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 29) is defined as an eighth range. When the range up to the end (upper right end) is the ninth range, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) in each range may be related as follows.
That is, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) may be greater in the eighth range than in the ninth range, and the eighth range may be greater than or equal to the ninth range. That is, the eighth range>the ninth range or the eighth range≧the ninth range. Specifically, for example, the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) in the eighth range may be four, and the number of holes 118 (protrusions 128) in the ninth range may be one.

As described above, the number of holes 118 should be larger on the side closer to the launcher than on the side farther from the launcher. Specifically, it is preferable to use each arrangement described above. According to such a configuration, the number of holes 118 on the side of the launching device (the side of the first range H1) where the impact received from the game ball is large and the accuracy of the arrangement of the outer rail 28 is particularly required is increased. It is possible to reliably prevent displacement and vibration of the side outer rail 28 . In addition, according to such a configuration, the number of holes 118 on the end side (third range H3 side), which is less impacted by the game ball and has less influence on the game, is reduced, and the outer rail 28 is processed and the rail is reduced. Attachment to the base 100 can be facilitated.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 38, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the narrowest portion (outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30) is defined as the narrowest portion A, the outer rail 28 is provided with three holes 118 between the starting end and the narrowest portion A. It is preferable that at least two holes 118 are provided between the starting end and the narrowest portion A. The number of holes 118 in the outer rail 28 is greater in the range from the starting end to the narrowest portion A than in the range from the narrowest portion A to the exit of the guide passage 140 (the portion facing the upper end of the inner rail 30). The range from the starting end to the narrowest portion A may be greater than the range from the narrowest portion A to the exit of the guide passage 140 . Further, the number of holes 118 in the outer rail 28 may be greater in the range from the starting end to the narrowest portion A than in the range from the narrowest portion A to the upper end P1. may be greater than or equal to the range from the narrowest portion A to the upper end P1. Further, the number of holes 118 in the outer rail 28 may be greater in the range from the starting end to the narrowest portion A than in the range from the narrowest portion A to the terminal end. may be greater than or equal to the range from the narrowest part A to the terminal end. Thus, by increasing the number of holes 118 between the launcher and the narrowest portion A, twisting of the outer rail 28 between the launcher and the narrowest portion A is reliably prevented. be able to. Therefore, since the game ball can always be in a state along the rail before passing through the narrowest part A, the narrowest part A can be set narrowly, and the range of the game area 4 can be widened. (increase the dimension in the left-right direction). That is, the game ball shot from the shooting device collides with the outer rail 28 and bounces several times. Accuracy can be improved, and the game ball can pass through the narrowest part A after the second collision, so that the game ball can pass through the narrowest part A along the rail. Become.

In addition, in the game machine of the present embodiment, the gap G2 and the gap G3 are set to be substantially the same (the difference is within 20 mm, more specifically within 10 mm), and the gap between the holes 118 to the exit of the guide passage 140 is narrowed. As a result, the accuracy of ball flight to the exit of the guide passage 140 is particularly high (see FIGS. 33 and 38).

Note that the hole 118 does not have to have the shape shown in the present embodiment, and may have a notch or the like, for example. That is, the hole 118 may be a predetermined positioning portion that enables positioning of the outer rail 28 (positioning with respect to the game board 6 (rail base 100), positioning in the width direction of the outer rail 28). In other words, the hole 118 can also be said to be a predetermined guide portion that guides the mounting position with respect to the game board 6 . Also, even in the case of a notch or the like, the arrangement of the notch or the like may be the same as in the case of the hole 118 described above. Specifically, for example, all of the notches may be provided on the left side of the upper end (upper vertex) P1 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113). Also, in such a case, for example, when there are two notches, one notch is provided above the center in the vertical direction of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113), One notch may be provided below the center in the vertical direction.
In addition, even if several notches are provided in the outer rail 28 in this way, the upper end (upper vertex) P1 and the left end (left vertex) P2 of the game area 4 (outer rail 28: guide surface 113) should be free of notches.

The gaming machine according to this embodiment is
A design portion projecting forward above the game area;
a game ball passage through which game balls passing through the upper end of the game area are guided,
A horizontal line passing through the vertex of the upper surface of the game ball passage and extending in the short direction of the upper surface of the game ball passage is used as a reference line,
Among the portions where the vertical lines that intersect the reference line on the lower surface of the design portion, the rearmost portion is the first design portion,
Among the portions where the vertical lines that intersect the reference line on the lower surface of the design portion, the lowermost portion is the second design portion,
The first design portion is located below the reference line, and the distance from the reference line is equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball,
The second design portion is positioned below the reference line, and the distance from the reference line is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball.

According to such a configuration, the second design portion is located below the reference line and the distance from the reference line is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball, so the design portion can be enlarged. In addition, while increasing the size of the design part in this way, by setting the distance between the reference line and the first design part to be equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball, when the game ball is hit strongly (along the upper surface of the game ball passage) In the case where the game ball rolls over the ball), the visibility of the game ball can be ensured. The gaming machine according to the present embodiment can ensure the visibility of game balls.

The gaming machine according to this embodiment is
A design portion projecting forward above the game area;
a game ball passage through which game balls passing through the upper end of the game area are guided,
A horizontal line extending in the short direction of the upper surface of the game ball passage passing through a portion of the lower surface of the game ball passage located directly below the vertex of the upper surface of the game ball passage is used as a reference line,
Among the portions where the vertical lines that intersect the reference line on the lower surface of the design portion, the rearmost portion is the first design portion,
Among the portions where the vertical lines that intersect the reference line on the lower surface of the design portion, the lowermost portion is the second design portion,
The first design portion is located above the reference line, and the distance from the reference line is the radius of the game ball or more,
The second design portion is positioned below the reference line, and the distance from the reference line is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball.

According to such a configuration, the second design portion is located below the reference line and the distance from the reference line is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball, so the design portion can be enlarged. In addition, even though the design portion is enlarged in this way, by setting the distance between the reference line and the first design portion to be equal to or greater than the radius of the game ball, when the game ball is weakly launched (along the bottom surface of the game ball passage) In the case where the game ball rolls over the ball), the visibility of the game ball can be ensured. The gaming machine according to the present embodiment can ensure the visibility of game balls.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is one of game machines, will be described, but other game machines (for example, slot machines, medalless game machines, etc.) may be used.

The gaming machine of this embodiment has, for example, the same configuration as that of the gaming machine of the first embodiment. Therefore, description of the basic configuration of the gaming machine is omitted, and configurations similar to those of the gaming machine of the first embodiment may be assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted. . Note that the gaming machine of this embodiment may have a configuration according to embodiments other than the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 39, the sub-board (sub-control means) 500 in this embodiment has effect control means 502 and sub-memory 504 . The effect control means 502 receives commands sent from the main substrate (main control means) 501 and input signals from effect operation sensors that detect operations on the effect operation device (effect operation means) 208, and progresses the game. Various calculations are performed in order to execute effects that match the situation, and various controls related to the effects are performed based on the results of the calculations. In addition, the sub-memory 504 includes a ROM that stores a program related to effects and effect data used for effects, and a RAM that stores various information used in the programs related to effects and functions as a work area. there is The effect control means 502 controls various effect devices based on the programs and effect data stored in the sub-memory 504 .

The effect control means 502 controls the display of the effect display device (display means) 114 . The effect screen displayed on the effect display device 114 is composed of, for example, 30 frames (hereinafter referred to as frames) per second (so-called 30 fps frame rate). Therefore, in the case of an effect pattern having a length of one minute, for example, the effect screen consists of a total of 1800 frames of 60 seconds×30 frames.

In this embodiment, as the advance notice effect using the effect display device 114 or the like, a step-up effect with a predetermined degree of expectation that differs according to the number of stages of display among a plurality of stages is prepared. In other words, in the step-up effect, the display changes step by step, and a predetermined suggestion (notification) regarding the state of the gaming machine is made according to the step. And the production|presentation control means 502 controls execution of a step-up production|presentation. The step-up effect may suggest, for example, the result of a predetermined lottery, such as a major role lottery. In other words, the step-up effect may suggest the degree of expectation (the degree of advantage for the player) regarding the granting of a predetermined privilege (for example, a big win). Also, the step-up effect may not end in the middle stage, and may always progress to the highest stage.

In the following, the highest stage of the step-up effect is referred to as the N-th stage, the stage finally reached in each step-up effect is referred to as the n-th stage (1≤n≤N), and the predetermined stage of the step-up effect is referred to as the N-th stage. It may be expressed as m steps (1≤m≤n). In addition, in the step-up effect, the steps do not necessarily have to advance one by one in order from the first step to the n-th step, and the steps may advance by skipping intermediate steps.

When executing the step-up effect, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display related to each of the first stage to the n-th stage. For example, when stepping up to the third stage, the effect control means 502 first causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to the first stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to the second stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to the third stage.

At the m-th stage, an attained stage notification effect for notifying that the game has progressed to the m-th stage (that the current stage is the m-th stage) is performed. In the arrival stage notification effect, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display a display (reach stage notification display) for notifying that the game has progressed to the m-th stage. That is, the display of the m-th stage includes a display that notifies that the stage (m-th stage) has been reached. Specifically, the m-th level reachable level notification display may be a display of a predetermined display object corresponding to the m-th level. In addition, the m-th level arrival stage notification display may be a display corresponding to a predetermined scene when the step-up effect has a predetermined story.
Display objects include, for example, characters (including live-action figures), graphics, natural objects (rocks, trees, etc.), artificial objects (buildings, vehicles, etc.), characters (character strings), and other objects. is. Hereinafter, the part described as a character can be read as a display object (object), and the part described as a display object can be read as various display objects including the display objects exemplified here.
It should be noted that the reached stage notification display is not limited to the one illustrated here, and any display that allows the current stage to be grasped may be used. In other words, the m-th step arrival stage notification display may be a predetermined display corresponding to the m-th step (predetermined display that makes it possible to grasp that it is a display related to the m-th step).

The reaching stage notification effect (reaching stage notification display) when the m-th stage is the N-1th stage is also the effect (display) of the state waiting for whether to proceed to the next stage (m+1th stage). It can also be said to be a waiting production (promotion waiting display). Further, the promotion-waiting effect can be said to be an effect executed before the promotion effect described later. It should be noted that the display from the start of the reached stage notification display to the start of the confirmation display, which will be described later, can also be referred to as the promotion waiting display.

In addition, when the m-th stage is the n-th stage, the reached stage notification effect may include a confirmation effect. Here, the fixed effect is a effect for notifying that the final reaching stage in the step-up effect has become the n-th stage. In the finalized effect, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display a display (determined display) notifying that the final reaching stage in the step-up effect is the n-th stage. In other words, in the definite effect, an effect suggesting the end of the step-up effect is given.

For example, the following aspects can be considered as aspects of the fixed effect. Here, the mode of the fixed effect is divided into a success pattern and a failure pattern and exemplified. That is, the success pattern is, for example, when a still image is displayed as a predetermined display corresponding to the n-th stage as the reaching stage notification display, the still image starts to move (becomes a moving image). good. Also, the success pattern may be, for example, a predetermined display corresponding to the n-th stage as the reached stage notification display to be enlarged. Also, the success pattern may be, for example, a pattern that converts a still image into a moving image, or a pattern that enlarges the display, along with a predetermined effect sound (for example, a character's dialogue sound, etc.). Further, the failure pattern may be, for example, a display that fades out a predetermined display corresponding to the n-th stage as the reached stage notification display. Then, in one gaming machine, both or one of the success pattern and the failure pattern may be prepared as the fixed effect. In a gaming machine having a success pattern and a failure pattern, when the display of the n-th stage is performed and the fixed effect is performed, the failure pattern is performed more when the success pattern is performed. The predetermined degree of expectation suggested may be higher than the case, or vice versa. Also, both a success pattern and a failure pattern may occur for the same given stage, and a success pattern or a failure pattern may occur only at a particular stage (e.g., only a success pattern may occur at the highest stage). and the failure pattern does not occur). Also, in a gaming machine having a success pattern and a failure pattern, the reaching stage notification effect time may be shorter when the failure pattern is executed than when the success pattern is executed.

Further, in the m-th stage, a promotion effect may be performed in which a display is made toward the reached stage notification display related to the m-th stage. That is, in the m-th stage in the step-up effect, a period for switching the predetermined display (reaching stage notification display) corresponding to the (m-1)th stage to the predetermined display (reaching stage notification display) corresponding to the m-th stage may be provided. In other words, the display of the m-th stage is a predetermined display from the predetermined display corresponding to the m-1th stage (reaching stage notification display) to the predetermined display corresponding to the m-th stage (reaching stage notification display). (promotion display) may be included. Also, the promotion production can be said to be a production that suggests that the stage advances.
In addition, regarding the first stage, the promotion display is, for example, after the step-up effect is started (from the state before the step-up effect is started (stage 0)), the reached stage notification display of the first stage means to display until In addition, the first-stage promotion effect (promotion display) is also the effect (display) when the step-up effect is started, and is the effect (display) when the display related to the step-up effect appears. It can also be called an appearance effect (appearance display). Also, the appearance effect can be said to be an effect suggesting the start of the step-up effect.

It should be noted that even if the promotion is displayed, there may be a case where the next stage (the mth stage) is not reached. In other words, the promotion display may be a display suggesting whether or not the achievement level notification display of the m-th level is to be displayed. Furthermore, in other words, the promotion display may be a display suggesting whether or not to proceed to the mth stage. Further, the promotion display as the display of the m-th level may be the promotion display displayed when the achievement level notification display of the m-th level is displayed. In addition, there may be a case where the promotion display and the attainment level notification display are performed at the same time, for example, the attainment level notification display is started before the promotion display ends.

Various displays such as the attainment level notification display, the promotion display, and the confirmation display may be display of still images or display of moving images. In other words, each display object displayed on the effect display device 114 in the achievement stage notification display, promotion display, or confirmation display may be moving or stationary.

Step-up effects include, for example, a window step-up effect in which an image is displayed in a predetermined window (frame) at each stage, and an image is displayed on a predetermined surface of a cube (polyhedron such as a cube) at each stage and this cube is displayed. A cube step-up effect that rotates, etc., a character step-up effect that increases the number of characters displayed in each stage (or displays the corresponding character in each stage), and a predetermined full screen image (effect full-screen step-up effect for displaying an image to be displayed on the entire (substantially the entire) display area of the display device 114, dialogue step-up effect for displaying a predetermined character string such as a character's dialogue for each stage, and the like. Alternatively, it may be a step-up effect other than these.

In the case of the window step-up effect, the period of the attained stage notification effect of the m-th stage may be, for example, the period during which the image corresponding to the m-th stage is displayed on the window. In the case of a cube step-up effect, for example, the cube may be stopped with a predetermined surface facing the player, and an image corresponding to the m-th stage may be displayed on the predetermined surface. good. In the case of a character step-up effect, for example, the display position (coordinates in the display area) of the character corresponding to the m-th stage is determined, and the period until the character corresponding to the next stage appears. Further, in the case of the full-screen step-up effect, for example, it may be the period during which the full-screen image corresponding to the m-th stage is displayed. Also, in the case of a dialogue step-up presentation, for example, the period during which the character string corresponding to the m-th stage is displayed may be used.

During the m-th stage promotion effect period, for example, a predetermined image corresponding to the m-1th stage is switched to a predetermined image corresponding to the m-th stage (or a predetermined image corresponding to the m-th stage is added). ) may be a period for In other words, the period of the m-th level promotion effect may be a preparation period until the m-th level attainment level notification display is performed. In addition, the promotion effect (appearance effect) in the first stage and the promotion effect in the second and subsequent stages may be the same (similar or identical) display, or may be different types of display. may In addition, the promotion display is a predetermined area where a predetermined display corresponding to the nth stage is displayed as an achievement stage notification display (Achievement stage notification display area: window (frame) in window step-up effect, cube step-up Cubes in production, balloons in dialog step-up production, etc.) may be displays that change in a predetermined manner (for example, displays that are formed, displays that break, displays that rotate, displays that grow larger, displays that change color, etc.). . Further, the promotion display may be a display in which the attainment level notification display of the (m−1)th level is updated toward the attainment level notification display of the mth level.

It should be noted that the attainment stage notification display area and the attainment stage notification display (predetermined display object corresponding to each stage) may be made to have a larger display size as the stage progresses.

Next, the step-up effect will be described with reference to first to sixth examples. As for the step-up effect, the number of frames in each period (the size relationship of the number of frames, etc.) may be set as follows.

(first example)
The step-up effect of the first example is a window step-up effect.

In the step-up effect of the first example, four stages from the first stage to the fourth stage are prepared, and four stages of display are executed at maximum. Then, when the step-up effect is executed, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to each of the first stage to the fourth stage.

As shown in FIG. 40, in each step of the step-up effect of the first example, characters corresponding to each step are displayed on the effect display device 114 (FIGS. 40(b), (d), (f) reference). Specifically, each time the stage progresses, a character corresponding to the current stage is displayed on the effect display device 114 in addition to the characters displayed up to the previous stage. That is, in the first example, the display of the character corresponding to the m-th stage is the reached stage notification display of the m-th stage. In addition, in the reached stage notification display, the character is displayed in a stationary state. Note that "a state in which the character is stationary" means that the character itself does not perform any action, and includes a case in which the character sways up and down together with, for example, a window. Incidentally, the number of characters may be increased by one character (one person) each time the game advances to one stage, or may be increased by a plurality of characters. For example, up to the level before the highest level (N-1th level), one character increases, and from the level before the highest level (N-1th level) to the highest level (Nth level) When promoted, the number of characters may be increased (for example, the number of characters may be more than double the N-1 level).

Further, the reached stage notification display in the n-th stage (final stage) of the step-up effect of the first example includes a confirmation display (see FIG. 40(g)). The confirmation display of the first example is a display in which the character corresponding to the n-th stage moves and performs a predetermined action. Therefore, in the n-th stage, the character corresponding to the n-th stage is first displayed in a stationary state, and then the character corresponding to the n-th stage is displayed in motion. Note that after the character corresponding to the n-th stage moves, the character may become stationary again. That is, in the n-th stage, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the reaching stage notification display was started, the movement of the character becomes greater than before the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Of course, the character may not move at all before the predetermined period of time elapses, but may make some small movement (action) compared to after the predetermined period of time elapses. In addition, when the n-th stage (final stage) is the fourth stage (the highest stage), the character corresponding to the n-th stage is in a stationary state compared to the case where the n-th stage (final stage) is the third stage or less. It is also possible that the period of time is short (here, short includes the case where there is no such period). In addition, when progressing to the highest level, the fourth stage, the period during which the character is stationary in the fourth stage is It may be shorter than the period during which the character corresponding to that stage is in a stationary state (here, "short" includes the case where there is no relevant period at all).

Also, during execution of the confirmation display of the first example, the effect control means 502 causes the speaker 118 to output the voice of the character (speech sound). That is, in the n-th stage, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the reaching stage notification display is started, the character display begins to move and the character's voice is output. In other words, in the n-th stage, a predetermined effect sound related to the displayed object that starts to move in the final effect is output. In this example, the sound output at the n-th stage includes the sound of all the characters displayed at the n-th stage. The timing at which the character (display object) starts to move and the timing at which the output of the sound (effect sound) is started may or may not coincide. In this example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the character started to move, the character's voice is output. By providing such a predetermined period and making a profit, it is possible to improve the player's sense of expectation.

In addition, in each step of the step-up effect of the first example, the effect display device 114 displays a frame (window) in which a character corresponding to each step is displayed (FIG. 40(a)). ), (c), (e)). That is, in the first example, the display regarding the formation of the frame is the promotion display. It should be noted that the display of promotion from the second step onwards is a display in which the frame that was displayed in the previous step is broken and the frame is re-formed. On the other hand, the promotion display (appearance display) of the first stage does not include the display in which the frame displayed in the previous stage is broken, and is a display in which a frame is simply formed. A character is displayed inside the frame formed by the promotion display as an attainment level notification display.

FIG. 41(a) shows a time chart when the step-up effect of the first example progresses to the highest level, the fourth stage. When progressing to the fourth stage, the effect control means 502 first causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the first stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the second stage display. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the third stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the fourth stage.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the fourth stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the second stage is set as the first time, and the time from the start of the display of the second stage to the start of the third stage is set. The time from the start of the display of the third stage to the start of the display of the fourth stage is set to the third time, and the time from the start of the display of the fourth stage to the end of the display of the fourth stage is set to the fourth time. Then, the first time is shorter than the second time, the second time is shorter than the third time, and the third time is shorter than the fourth time. Specifically, the first time is the time for 25 frames. Also, the second time is a time for 32 frames. Also, the third time is a time for 35 frames. Also, the fourth time is the time for 24 frames +α.
In addition, in the step-up effect, the timing of ending the display of the m-th stage and the timing of starting the display of the (m+1)-th stage may coincide.

The display of the first stage includes promotion display (appearance display) and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the second stage includes a promotion display and an attainment level notification display. Further, the display of the third stage includes promotion display and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the fourth level includes promotion display and achievement level notification display.

The time for the promotion display in the first stage is the time for 15 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the first stage is the time for 10 frames. The time for the promotion display in the second stage is the time for 20 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the second stage is the time for 12 frames. The time for the promotion display in the third stage is the time for 19 frames. In addition, the time for the reaching stage notification display of the third stage is the time for 16 frames. Also, the time for the promotion display in the fourth stage is the time for 24 frames. Also, the time for the reaching stage notification display of the fourth stage is α. Here, α can be, for example, a time that makes the fourth time longer than the third time. In addition, α includes the period during which fixed display is performed. It should be noted that the reaching stage notification display of the fourth stage may be continued until a predetermined operation is performed by the player. In such a case, the duration of the reaching stage notification display when the predetermined operation is not performed is can be α. Here, the predetermined operation may be, for example, an operation on the effect operation device 208, or a predetermined operation means such as a start lever, a bet button, or a stop button in the slot machine, and an operation of inserting medals in the slot machine. etc.

When progressing up to the fourth stage, the character corresponding to each stage is displayed in a stationary state for the entire period of the reached stage notification display of the first to third stages. On the other hand, in the attained stage notification display of the fourth stage, a display is made in which the character corresponding to the fourth stage moves.

Next, FIG. 41(b) shows a time chart when the step-up effect of the first example progresses to the third stage. When proceeding to the third stage, the effect control means 502 first causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the first stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the second stage display. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 of the third stage to display.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the third stage, the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the second stage is the first time, and the time from the start of display of the second stage to the start of display of the third stage. The second time is the time from the start of the display of the third stage to the end of the display of the third stage. It's getting shorter. Specifically, the first time is the time for 25 frames. Also, the second time is a time for 32 frames. Also, the third time is the time for 35 frames +α.

The display of the first stage includes promotion display (appearance display) and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the second stage includes a promotion display and an attainment level notification display. Further, the display of the third stage includes promotion display and attainment level notification display.

The time for the promotion display in the first stage is the time for 15 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the first stage is the time for 10 frames. The time for the promotion display in the second stage is the time for 20 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the second stage is the time for 12 frames. The time for the promotion display in the third stage is the time for 19 frames. In addition, the time for the reaching stage notification display of the third stage is the time for 16 frames +α. This α is the same as in the case described above, and can be set to a time that makes the third time longer than the second time.

When progressing to the third stage, the character corresponding to each stage is displayed in a stationary state for the entire period of the reached stage notification display of the first stage to the second stage. On the other hand, in the attained stage notification display of the third stage, a display is made in which the character corresponding to the third stage moves. Here, the characters corresponding to the third stage are displayed in a stationary state over the entire period of the first 16 frames of the reached stage notification display of the third stage. Then, during the period α after 16 frames have passed, the character corresponding to the third stage is displayed in motion.

Next, FIG. 41(c) shows a time chart when the step-up effect of the first example progresses to the second stage. When proceeding to the second stage, the effect control means 502 first causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the first stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the second stage display.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the second stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the display of the second stage is set as the first time, and the time from the start of the display of the second stage to the end of the display of the second stage. Assuming that the time is the second time, the first time is shorter than the second time. Specifically, the first time is the time for 25 frames. Also, the second time is the time for 32 frames +α.

The display of the first stage includes promotion display (appearance display) and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the second stage includes a promotion display and an attainment level notification display.

The time for the promotion display in the first stage is the time for 15 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the first stage is the time for 10 frames. The time for the promotion display in the second stage is the time for 20 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the second stage is the time for 12 frames +α. This α is the same as in the case described above, and can be set to a time that makes the second time longer than the first time.

When progressing to the second stage, the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed in a stationary state for the entire period in the reached stage notification display of the first stage. On the other hand, in the reached stage notification display of the second stage, a display is made in which the character corresponding to the second stage moves. Here, the character corresponding to the second stage is displayed in a stationary state over the entire period of the first 12 frames of the reaching stage notification display of the second stage. Then, during the period α after 12 frames have passed, the character corresponding to the second stage is displayed in motion.

Next, FIG. 41(d) shows a time chart when the step-up effect of the first example progresses to the first stage. When proceeding to the first stage, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the first stage.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the first stage, if the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the first time, the first time is the time of 25 frames + α. there is

The display of the first stage includes promotion display (appearance display) and attainment level notification display.

The time for the promotion display in the first stage is the time for 15 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the first stage is the time for 10 frames +α. This α is the same as in the above case.

When progressing to the first stage, the characters corresponding to the first stage are displayed to move in the reaching stage notification display of the first stage. Here, the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed in a stationary state over the entire period of the first 10 frames of the reaching stage notification display of the first stage. Then, during the period α after 10 frames have passed, the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed in motion.

As described above, in the step-up effect of the first example, when the stage other than the highest stage is the final stage, the reached stage notification display of the stage is displayed with the character standing still. and a period α during which the character moves. On the other hand, if the stage does not become the final stage, the reaching stage notification display of the stage does not shift to the period α after the first half period in which the character is displayed in a stationary state in the final stage. , to end (move to the next stage of promotion display). That is, the end point of the first half period (the start point of the period α) is a branching point as to whether or not to shift to the display of the next stage. Note that the first half period can be said to be a period in which there is no character voice as a predetermined effect sound, and the period α can be said to be a period in which there is a character voice as a predetermined effect sound.

Next, the relationship between the sound data (effect sound) and various displays in the step-up effect of the first example will be described.

In this embodiment, the effect control means 502 outputs various sound effects from the speaker 118 by reproducing sound data as sound effect data. Various sound data are stored in the ROM of the sub-memory 504 as sound data storage means.

In this embodiment, as the sound data related to the step-up effect of the first example, sound data related to the promotion display and sound data related to the confirmation display are separately prepared. In addition, sound data relating to promotion display for each of the first to third stages are individually prepared. In addition, sound data relating to the confirmation display of each of the 1st to 4th stages are individually prepared. It should be noted that the sound data related to the promotion display and the sound data related to the confirmation display do not have to be prepared individually for each stage, and the same sound data may be used for a plurality of stages to output the effect sound. . For example, sound data related to the first step promotion display (appearance display) and sound data related to the second step or later promotion display are separately prepared, and for a plurality of steps after the second step, one Sound data may be reused (shared) for a plurality of stages. Further, for example, sound data relating to the finalized display of the fourth stage and sound data relating to the finalized display of the third stage and earlier are separately prepared, and for a plurality of stages prior to the third stage, one sound data is prepared. may be reused (shared) for a plurality of stages.

The sound of the sound data related to the promotion display (promotion sound) is the sound related to the formation of the frame (the effect sound related to the change of the achievement stage notification display area), and the display of the achievement stage notification display area is specified. A sound when changing (sound indicating that a predetermined change is being made) and a sound when the predetermined change in the display of the reaching stage notification display area is completed (indicating that the predetermined change has been completed) indicating sound) and are included. In this example, the sound when the predetermined change is made is a sound that expresses how the parts of the frame (window) move, for example, a sound effect that sounds like "shoon". . Also, the sound when the predetermined change is completed is the sound that expresses how the parts of the frame (window) are assembled and the frame is completed. there is Further, the sound when the predetermined change is performed continues to sound for the entire period during the predetermined change. Also, the maximum volume of the sound when the predetermined change is completed is higher than the maximum volume of the sound when the predetermined change is made. In addition, the sound of the sound data related to the promotion display has the highest volume at the part where it becomes "Don", and the sound of the sound data related to the promotion display starts outputting the sound when the predetermined change is completed. The maximum volume is reached immediately after the sound is played (when a “dong” sound is heard). Note that the sound when the predetermined change is made and the sound when the predetermined change is completed are different sounds for each stage, but they are the same kind of sound for each stage. . Further, the sound when the predetermined change is performed and the sound when the predetermined change is completed are different sounds. Note that the reaching stage notification display may be started in accordance with the timing when the predetermined change is completed. That is, the sound when the predetermined change is completed may be a dramatic sound (a dramatic sound indicating the start) that is output in conjunction with the start of the reaching stage notification display.

The sound of the sound data related to the confirmation display (confirmation sound) is a sound that informs that the final reaching stage in this step-up production has been reached (a production sound that suggests the end of the step-up production). In this example, for example, it is an effect sound such as "Dururururun". In this example, the sound data related to the promotion display is not prepared for the fourth stage. sound is output. Therefore, the sound data related to the confirmation display of the fourth stage includes the sound related to the formation of the frame (the sound when the display of the achievement stage notification display area is changing in a predetermined manner, and the sound of the achievement stage notification display area). A sound upon completion of a predetermined change in display) may also be included.

FIG. 42 shows the relationship between the display and the sound data when the step-up effect progresses to the second stage. As shown in FIG. 42, the effect control means 502 starts reproducing the sound data related to the m-th step promotion display (appearance display) in accordance with the start of the m-th step promotion display, and produces an effect based on the sound data. Start sound output. In other words, the timing at which the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the promotion display of the m-th stage is started is the start timing of the m-th step of the step-up effect (in other words, the timing of the start of the m-th step promotion effect (appearance effect)). start timing). That is, the "timing to start the display of the m-th stage" can be set to "the timing to start outputting the effect sound based on the sound data related to the promotion display of the m-th stage".

In addition, the effect control means 502, in accordance with the start of the attainment stage notification display of the m-th stage (here, except for the fourth stage), displays the sound data related to the m-th stage promotion display in the attainment stage notification display area. Start outputting a sound when a predetermined change in the display is completed. In other words, the effect sound "bang" is output in time with the start of the m-th level reached level notification display. In addition, the effect sound output based on the sound data related to the m-th stage promotion display becomes the maximum volume at the timing that matches the timing (sounds related to the first and second stage promotion displays in FIG. 42). See the portion where the amplitude is maximum near the 15th or 45th frame of the data waveform). In other words, the timing at which the loudest sound among the sounds output based on the sound data is output is the start timing of the reaching stage notification display of the m-th stage of the step-up effect (in other words, the start timing of the promotion waiting effect). It has become. That is, the ``start timing of the attainment level notification display of the m-th stage'' corresponds to the ``sound when the predetermined change in the display of the attainment level notification display area in the m-th stage is completed (the predetermined sound associated with the start of the attainment stage notification display. (or the timing at which the sound is the loudest)”.

In addition, the effect control means 502 starts reproducing the sound data related to the m-th stage confirmation display in accordance with the start of the m-th stage (here, excluding the fourth stage) confirmation display, Start outputting sound effects. In other words, the timing at which the output of the effect sound based on the sound data relating to the m-th stage confirmation display is started is the start timing of the m-th stage confirmation effect of the step-up effect. In other words, the “timing to start the m-th stage confirmation display” can be set to the “timing to start outputting the effect sound based on the sound data related to the confirmation display”. Note that the timing at which the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the confirmation display ends may be the end point of the period α described above.

In addition, the production control means 502 starts reproducing the sound data related to the confirmation display of the fourth stage in accordance with the start of the promotion display of the fourth stage, and starts outputting the production sound based on the sound data. In other words, the timing at which the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the final display of the Nth stage is started is the start timing of the Nth stage promotion effect of the step-up effect. This is because when the N-th step promotion effect is started, the transition to the highest level is confirmed, so the reproduction of the sound data related to the confirmation display is started along with the start of the N-th step promotion effect, and this step It can also be said that a sound is output to notify that the player has reached the final reaching stage in the up effect. Also, when promoting to the highest level, there is no need to insert a wait for promotion effect (because there is no branch to determine whether to proceed to a higher level), the sound associated with the promotion display to the Nth level (formation of the frame It can be said that one sound data includes the sound related to the current step-up effect) and the sound notifying that the step-up effect has reached the final stage. Then, the "timing to start the promotion display of the N-th stage" can be the "timing to start outputting the effect sound based on the sound data related to the confirmation display of the N-th stage".

It should be noted that the sound data related to the m-th step promotion display is data longer than the period from when the m-th step display is started until when the (m+1)-th step display is started. When the progress of the step-up effect is completed in the m-th stage and the confirmation display is executed, the confirmation display is made, and even after the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the confirmation display in the m-th stage is started. , to continue outputting the effect sound based on the sound data related to the promotion display of the m-th stage. On the other hand, when the progress of the step-up effect does not end at the m-th stage and proceeds to the m+1-th stage, the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the m-th stage promotion display is stopped, and the production sound related to the m-th stage promotion display is stopped. It is designed to output sound effects based on the sound data.

In addition, various effects sounds that start to be output in accordance with each display such as promotion display, achievement level notification display, confirmation display, etc. are effects sounds that continue to sound at least until the combined display ends. In other words, each sound data whose reproduction is started in accordance with each display such as promotion display, attainment level notification display, confirmation display, etc. is sound data capable of outputting some kind of sound at least until the combined display ends. there is That is, the length of each effect sound is proportional to the length of the display to which the output timing is matched. Therefore, the number of frames related to various displays described in the present embodiment (such as the size relationship of the number of frames) can be similarly applied to sound.

In the above description, outputting a sound "together" with the start of each display may mean that the start frame of the display and the start frame of the sound are completely the same. It doesn't have to be. In other words, "matching" means that the timing of starting each display etc. and the timing of starting output of sound etc. roughly match, and there is a correspondence relationship between the display and the sound from the player's point of view. It is sufficient if it is suitable to the extent that it can be understood.

It should be noted that each of the sound data exemplified here may be composed of a plurality of sound data, or each sound data may be further subdivided. In other words, for example, the timing at which the output of the effect sound based on the sound data related to the promotion display or the confirmation display is started is simply the promotion sound (sound such as "shoo") or the confirmation sound (such as "dururururun"). It can be read as the timing at which the output of sound) is started. In other words, as described above, the playback start timing of each sound data must be matched with the start timing of each effect (display) such as promotion effect (appearance effect), reaching stage notification effect, promotion waiting effect, confirmation effect, etc. It is also acceptable if the combination of the display on the effect display device 114 and the effect sound does not make the player feel uncomfortable.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the effect control means 502 uses image data (material image) as data related to various displays (by drawing (expanding) the image data in a predetermined frame buffer (VRAM)). A predetermined display is made on the display device 114 . Various image data are stored in the ROM of the sub-memory 504 as image data storage means.

In the present embodiment, as the image data related to the step-up effect of the first example, the image data related to the character corresponding to each stage, the image data related to the formation of the frame (the image data related to the change in the reaching stage notification display area ) and are provided. In addition, image data related to characters are individually prepared for each of the first to fourth stages. In addition, image data relating to frame formation are separately prepared for each of the first to fourth stages.

The image data related to the character may be moving image data or still image data. Further, the timing of starting the display based on the image data related to the m-th stage character may coincide with the start timing of the m-th stage reaching stage notification display. In other words, by starting to draw the image data in the frame buffer, the m-th stage reached stage notification display may be started. Further, the timing for starting the display based on the image data related to the character in the mth stage may coincide with the timing for starting the display in the mth stage. In other words, the display of the m-th stage may be started by starting to draw the image data in the frame buffer. Furthermore, in other words, the display of the m-th stage may be started by starting to draw predetermined image data related to the reached stage notification display in the frame buffer.

In this example, the image data related to the character has a first part (first half) and a second part (second half) following the first part, and the first part corresponds to the m-th stage. The second part relates to the display of a predetermined action of the character corresponding to the m-th stage (the character is displayed in a predetermined state). One piece of moving image data, which is the part where the action is depicted, is prepared for each stage. Then, in the m-th stage, the state in which the character is stationary is displayed among the arrival stage notification display based on the first part of the image data. If the m+1th stage is not reached (if the mth stage is the nth stage), the reproduction of the image data (drawing to the frame buffer) is continued, and the character is drawn based on the second part of the image data. A moving display, that is, a fixed display of the m-th stage is performed. On the other hand, when proceeding to the (m+1)th stage, the moving character display based on the second part is not performed, and the (m+1)th stage promotion display is performed based on the image data related to the (m+1)th stage promotion display.

The image data relating to the formation of the frame in the m-th stage is moving image data depicting how the frame is formed in the m-th stage, how the frame is broken in the (m-1)th stage, and the like. Also, the timing of starting the display based on the image data related to the formation of the m-th stage frame may coincide with the start timing of the m-th stage display (promoted display). In other words, the display of the m-th stage (promotion display) may be started by starting to draw the image data related to the change in the reached stage notification display area in the frame buffer.

Each configuration related to these sound data and image data can also be applied to the step-up effects of the second to sixth examples.

(Second example)
The step-up effect of the second example is a window step-up effect.

In the step-up effect of the second example, four stages from the first stage to the fourth stage are prepared, and four stages of display are executed at maximum. Then, when the step-up effect is executed, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to each of the first stage to the fourth stage.

In each step of the step-up effect of the second example, the display object corresponding to each step is displayed on the effect display device 114 . In the step-up production of the second example, the displayed objects corresponding to each of the first to third stages are characters (and a predetermined background), and the displayed objects corresponding to the fourth stage are character strings. ing. Then, in the step-up effect of the second example, the display of the display object displayed in the previous step is changed to the display of the display object corresponding to the current step each time the step progresses. That is, in the second example, the display of the display object corresponding to the m-th stage is the attained stage notification display of the m-th stage. In each stage, a character in a predetermined scene is displayed, and the display of the scene corresponding to the m-th stage can be said to be the reached stage notification display of the m-th stage. In addition, the character is displayed in a stationary state in the reached stage notification display of the first stage to the third stage. Note that "a state in which the character is stationary" means that the character itself does not perform any action, and includes a case in which the character sways up and down together with, for example, a window.

Further, the reaching stage notification display in the n-th stage (final stage) of the step-up effect of the second example includes the confirmation display. When the n-th stage is one of the first to third stages, the confirmation display is a display in which the character corresponding to the n-th stage moves and performs a predetermined action. Therefore, in the first to third stages as the nth stage, the character corresponding to the nth stage is first displayed in a stationary state, and then the character corresponding to the nth stage is displayed in motion. After the character corresponding to the n-th floor moves, the character may stop again. That is, in the 1st to 3rd stages as the n-th stage, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the arrival stage notification display was started, the movement of the character becomes greater than before the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Of course, the character may not move at all before the predetermined period of time elapses, but may perform some small movement (action) compared to after the predetermined period of time elapses. Further, when the n-th stage is the fourth stage (the highest stage), the fixed display is a display in which a predetermined character string appears gradually. That is, in the step-up effect of the second example, a predetermined person is not prepared as a corresponding character in the fourth stage (the highest stage), and a character string is displayed in the fourth stage. It's like

Also, during execution of the confirmation display of the second example, the effect control means 502 causes the speaker 118 to output the voice of the character (speech sound). That is, in the 1st to 3rd stages as the n-th stage, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the arrival stage notification display is started, the character display starts to move and the character's voice is output. Further, in the fourth stage as the nth stage, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the arrival stage notification display is started, a predetermined character string is displayed and a voice reading out the character string is output. It should be noted that the voices output in the first to third stages as the nth stage are the voices of the characters displayed in each stage. The voice for reading out the character string in the fourth stage as the nth stage is the voice of a predetermined character. Note that the timing at which the character starts to move in the first to third stages as the n-th stage may or may not coincide with the timing at which the voice output is started. Also, the timing at which the display of the character string is started in the fourth stage as the nth stage may or may not coincide with the timing at which the output of the voice is started. In the present embodiment, after the entire character string (all characters included in the character string) is displayed, the voice output is started.

In addition, in each step of the step-up effect of the second example, the effect display device 114 displays a rotating frame (window) in which a display object corresponding to each step is displayed. That is, in the second example, the display in which the frame rotates (the display until the frame moves and the frame is in a predetermined state) is the promoted display. In the first stage promotion display (appearance display), a small frame appears in the center of the screen, and this frame rotates to become larger. In addition, the promotion display from the second stage onwards is, for example, a display that gives a predetermined action to the frame, such as a display in which a predetermined bullet flies toward the frame and hits the frame to give a rotational force to the frame. (display that acts to switch the display of the display object corresponding to the previous stage to the display of the display object corresponding to the current stage) and the like. The scene (display object) corresponding to the current stage is displayed on one side of the rotating frame in the promotion display, and the scene (display object) corresponding to the previous stage is displayed on the other side. is displayed, and the rotation of the frame stops with the display of the scene (display object) corresponding to the current stage facing the player side, whereby the attained stage information is displayed. In the case of the display of the first stage, nothing may be displayed on the other side, or a scene corresponding to the first stage may be displayed on the other side.

FIG. 43 shows a time chart for the step-up effect of the second example in the case of progressing to the top fourth stage. In this step-up effect, the effect control means 502 first causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the first stage. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the second stage display. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 of the third stage to display. Next, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display of the fourth stage.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the fourth stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the second stage is set as the first time, and the time from the start of the display of the second stage to the start of the third stage is set. The time from the start of the display of the third stage to the start of the display of the fourth stage is set to the third time, and the time from the start of the display of the fourth stage to the end of the display of the fourth stage is set to the fourth time. Then, the first time is shorter than the second time, the second time is shorter than the third time, and the third time is shorter than the fourth time. Specifically, the first time is the time for 25 frames. Also, the second time is a time for 30 frames. Also, the third time is a time for 36 frames. Also, the fourth time is the time for 21 frames +α.

The display of the first stage includes promotion display (appearance display) and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the second stage includes a promotion display and an attainment level notification display. Further, the display of the third stage includes promotion display and attainment level notification display. In addition, the display of the fourth level includes promotion display and achievement level notification display.

The time for the promotion display in the first stage is the time for 5 frames. Also, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the first stage is the time for 20 frames. The time for the promotion display in the second stage is the time for 21 frames. In addition, the time for the arrival stage notification display in the second stage is the time for nine frames. The time for the promotion display in the third stage is the time for 21 frames. In addition, the time for the reaching stage notification display of the third stage is the time for 15 frames. Also, the time for the promotion display in the fourth stage is the time for 21 frames. Also, the time for the reaching stage notification display of the fourth stage is α. This α is the same as in the case described above, and can be set to a time that makes the fourth time longer than the third time.

When progressing up to the fourth stage, the character corresponding to each stage is displayed in a stationary state for the entire period of the reaching stage notification display of the first stage to the third stage. On the other hand, in the attained stage notification display of the fourth stage, a displayed object (character string) corresponding to the fourth stage is displayed to move.

The step-up effect of the second example can also be the same as the step-up effect of the first example when ending at any one of the first stage to the third stage. That is, for example, when ending at the first stage, the period of 20 frames of the arrival stage notification display of the first stage when progressing to the fourth stage (the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed in a stationary state) After the elapse of the period during which the character moves, the period α corresponding to the first stage may be shifted to. The same can be applied to the case of ending in the second stage or the third stage. That is, in the step-up effect of the second example, the reaching stage notification display of the first stage to the third stage can have a first half period in which the character is displayed in a stationary state and a period α in which the character moves. The end point of the first half period (the start point of the period α) may be a branching point for determining whether or not to proceed to the display of the next stage (whether or not to perform the next promotion display). Note that the first half period can be said to be a period in which there is no character voice as a predetermined effect sound, and the period α can be said to be a period in which there is a character voice as a predetermined effect sound.

(Third example)
The step-up effect of the third example is a cube step-up effect.

In the step-up effect of the third example, 5 stages of 1st stage to 5th stage are prepared, and a maximum of 5 stages of display is executed. Then, when the step-up effect is executed, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to each of the first stage to the fifth stage.

In each step of the step-up effect of the third example, the effect display device 114 displays a character corresponding to each step. Specifically, each time the stage progresses, the display of the character displayed in the previous stage is changed to the display of the character corresponding to the current stage. A character corresponding to each stage is displayed on one side of a cube (polyhedron) displayed in the display area. Then, in the predetermined stages after the second stage, the plane on which the character corresponding to the previous stage is displayed is hidden (becomes invisible), and the plane on which the character corresponding to the predetermined stage is displayed appears. An indication is made that the cube rotates (visible). In the first stage, the cube is simply rotated so that the surface on which the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed appears (visible). That is, the display in which the cube rotates so that the display of the character corresponding to the m-th stage appears is the promotion display (appearance display) as the display of the m-th stage. Then, in the m-th stage, the rotating cube with the promotion display stops with the surface on which the character corresponding to the m-th stage is displayed facing the player. As a result, the attained stage notification display (display of the character corresponding to the mth stage) is performed as the display of the mth stage. In addition, the character is in a stationary state at the arrival stage notification display (when the rotation of the cube stops). Note that "a state in which the character is stationary" means that the character itself does not perform any action, and includes, for example, a case in which the character rotates as the cube rotates.

Further, the reaching stage notification display in the n-th stage (final stage) of the step-up effect of the third example includes confirmation display. The confirmation display of the third example is a display in which the character corresponding to the n-th stage moves and speaks. Therefore, in the n-th stage, the character corresponding to the n-th stage is first displayed in a stationary state, and then the character corresponding to the n-th stage is displayed in motion (starting to speak). After the character corresponding to the n-th floor moves, the character may stop again.
In addition, in the confirmed display, for example, the character moves when the display of the character has a predetermined size. In other words, if the display size of the character corresponding to the n-th stage is smaller than the predetermined size when the rotation of the cube stops, the display of the character is enlarged and then the moving character is displayed. . Further, in the case where the display of the character is enlarged in this way, the display in which the display of the character is enlarged can also be part of the confirmed display.

Also, during execution of the confirmation display of the third example, the effect control means 502 causes the speaker 118 to output the voice of the character (speech sound). That is, in the n-th stage, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the reaching stage notification display is started, the character display begins to move and the character's voice is output. During execution of the confirmation display of the third example, the voice of the character (speech sound) is output from the speaker 118 in synchronization with the display of the character speaking. It should be noted that the display of the character speaking and the voice of the character do not have to match completely.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the first stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 128 frames. Also, from the start of the display of the first stage, until the cube stops and the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed (the display of the character faces the player side), and the enlargement of the display of the character starts. is the time for 53 frames. In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the display of the first stage (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 77 frames. It's becoming It should be noted that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is the time of 14 frames. there is

Note that even when the character display is smaller than the predetermined size, including the case where the character progresses to each stage described later, the step-up effect may end without the character display being enlarged. In this case, for example, for the step-up effect when progressing to the first stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage may be the time of 90 frames. In this case, the display of the character corresponding to the first stage is not enlarged even after the time of 53 frames has passed since the display of the first stage started. Then, the display of the first stage (step-up effect) is ended without enlarging the display of the character or outputting the voice of the character. By preparing a case where neither enlargement nor sound is output, the player can feel a sense of incongruity and enjoyment of the game can be improved.

In the step-up effect when progressing to the second stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the second stage is the time for 160 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the first stage to the start of display in the second stage is the time for 53 frames. Also, from the start of the display of the second stage, the cube stops, the character corresponding to the second stage is displayed (the display of the character faces the player side), and the enlargement of the display of the character starts. The time is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the second stage display (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 77 frames. It's becoming Note that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is 14 frames. there is

In the step-up effect when progressing to the third stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the third stage is the time for 190 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the first stage to the start of display in the second stage is the time for 53 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the second stage to the start of display in the third stage is the time for 30 frames. Also, from the start of the display of the third stage, the cube is stopped, the character corresponding to the third stage is displayed (the display of the character faces the player side), and the enlargement of the display of the character is started. The time is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the third stage display (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 77 frames. It's becoming Note that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is 14 frames. there is

In the step-up effect when progressing to the fourth stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the fourth stage is the time for 220 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the first stage to the start of display in the second stage is the time for 53 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the second stage to the start of display in the third stage is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the third stage to the start of display in the fourth stage is the time for 30 frames. Also, from the start of the display of the fourth stage, the cube is stopped, the character corresponding to the fourth stage is displayed (the display of the character faces the player side), and the enlargement of the display of the character is started. The time is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the fourth stage display (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 77 frames. It's becoming Note that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is 14 frames. there is

Regarding the step-up effect of the third example, even if the display of the face of the cube is gradually enlarged each time the promotion display is performed (each time the cube rotates), and the display of the character corresponding to each stage is gradually enlarged. good. That is, for example, when the step-up effect progresses to the third stage, the display of the character corresponding to the second stage is larger than the display corresponding to the character corresponding to the first stage, and the display of the character corresponding to the second stage is larger. The display of the character corresponding to the third stage (the display before being enlarged in the third stage) may be made larger than the character. In other words, the display of the character before enlargement in the n-th stage may become larger as the value of n increases. Also, the display of the character after enlargement in the n-th stage may be of the same size regardless of the value of n. In such a case, the enlargement ratio of the character display at the n-th stage differs depending on the value of n. The time until the expansion of the display of the character is completed may be a uniform time (time for 14 frames) as described above. By gradually enlarging the display of the character corresponding to each stage in this way, in the fifth stage (the highest stage), when the rotation of the cube stops, the display of the character changes to another stage. may be the same size as the size after enlargement for . In other words, for the highest stage, the display of the character corresponding to the n-th stage need not be enlarged.

A normal pattern (normal mode) and a special pattern (special mode) are prepared for the step-up effect of the third example. The number of frames in the case of progressing to each stage described above is the number of frames in the case of the normal pattern. In addition, in this step-up effect, an emphasis pattern, a long pattern, and a step-skipping pattern are prepared as special patterns. The normal pattern means that none of the emphasis pattern, the long pattern, and the step-skipping pattern are produced.

In the emphasized pattern, each side of the cube (peripheral portion (frame) of the surface where the character corresponding to each stage is displayed) is emphasized compared to the normal pattern. In the emphasis pattern of this example, each side of the cube has a specific color (for example, gold) that stands out more than the color (for example, white) for the normal pattern. In the case of the window step-up effect, the emphasis pattern may be such that the peripheral portion (frame) of the window has a specific color (for example, gold) that stands out more than the color (for example, white) of the normal pattern.

The long pattern has a longer time from the start to the end of the step-up effect than the normal pattern. In the long pattern of this example, the time from the completion of character display enlargement in the n-th stage to the end of the display in the n-th stage is longer than that of the normal pattern. In other words, in the long pattern, the period during which the n-th stage character is displayed is longer than in the normal pattern. In addition, in the long pattern, the n-th stage character's dialogue (time during which the voice is output) is longer than that in the normal pattern.

Unlike the normal pattern in which the steps are stepped up step by step from the first step to the n-th step, the step skipping pattern skips a predetermined number (one or more) of steps in the middle. Here, a step-skipping pattern for skipping steps from the p-th step (1≤p≤n) to the q-th step (p+2≤q≤n) will be described. In this example, when the stage is skipped, when the display of the p-th stage before skipping is finished, the display related to the step-up effect (display of the cube or the character displayed on the cube) (display of the p-th stage) After a period of a plurality of frames during which the step-up effect is not displayed, the step-up effect is displayed again (q-th stage display). Further, when the step-up display is restarted, the rotating cube is not displayed, and the character corresponding to the q-th step suddenly appears. Also, at this time, the display of the character corresponding to the q-th stage is made to appear after being enlarged, and the effect of gradually enlarging the character display is not performed. Incidentally, in the p-th stage, a success pattern or failure pattern confirmation effect may be performed. In addition, the timing at which the character corresponding to the q-th step appears in the step skip pattern (the number of frames from the start of the step-up effect or the end of the p-th step display to the timing) is usually It may be the same timing as the display of the character corresponding to the qth stage in the pattern. In addition, a plurality of patterns with different numbers of frames (length of period) may be prepared for a period of a plurality of frames in which the step-up effect is not displayed. In this example, the voice of the character corresponding to the p-th stage is not output in the p-th stage, but it may be output.

Note that the emphasis pattern, the long pattern, and the step-skipping pattern may be executed individually, or multiple patterns may be combined and executed. Also, each of the special patterns (emphasis pattern, long pattern, and step-skipping pattern) may display characters differently from those of the normal pattern. For example, the display of a character in the n-th stage of the special pattern is the same as the display of the character in the n-th stage of the normal pattern, but the character has a different pose, expression, or appearance. Characters may be displayed differently. Also, in the n-th stage of the special pattern and the n-th stage of the normal pattern, different lines (speech) may be output, which are spoken by the same character.

When the step-up effect when proceeding to the first stage is the emphasis pattern, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 128 frames. In addition, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the time when the cube is stopped, the character corresponding to the first stage is displayed, and the enlargement of the display of the character is started is 53 frames. there is In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the first stage display (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 77 frames. It's becoming Note that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is 14 frames. there is That is, when the emphasis pattern among the special patterns is executed alone, the step-up effect progresses in the same number of frames as the normal pattern.

When the step-up effect for progressing to the third stage is the emphasis pattern and the long pattern, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the third stage is the time of 339 frames. It's becoming In addition, the time from the start of display in the first stage to the start of display in the second stage is the time for 53 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the second stage to the start of display in the third stage is the time for 30 frames. Also, from the start of the display of the third stage, the cube is stopped, the character corresponding to the third stage is displayed (the display of the character faces the player side), and the enlargement of the display of the character is started. The time is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of enlargement of the display of the character to the end of the display of the third stage (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is 226 frames. It's becoming Note that the time from when the enlargement of the display of the character is started until the enlargement of the display of the character is completed (until the character reaches a predetermined size and is no longer enlarged) is 14 frames. there is

When the step-up effect in the case of progressing to the 5th stage is the emphasis pattern and the long pattern, the time from the start of the display of the 1st stage to the end of the display of the 5th stage is 494 frames. It's becoming In addition, the time from the start of display in the first stage to the start of display in the second stage is the time for 53 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the second stage to the start of display in the third stage is the time for 30 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the third stage to the start of display in the fourth stage is the time for 30 frames. Also, the time from the start of display in the fourth stage to the start of display in the fifth stage is the time for 30 frames. Also, the time from the start of the display of the fifth stage to the end of the display of the fifth stage (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is the time for 351 frames. In this step-up effect, the effect of enlarging the display of the character corresponding to the fifth stage is not performed. In other words, in this step-up effect, the display of the character corresponding to the fifth step is the same as the enlarged size in the other step-up effects at the time when the display is performed (when the rotation of the cube stops). is the size of

That is, when the step-up effect in the case of progressing to the fifth stage is the emphasis pattern and the long pattern, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the display of the second stage is set as the first time, The time from the start of the second level display to the start of the third level display is defined as the second time, the time from the start of the third level display to the start of the fourth level display is defined as the third time, and from the start of the fourth level display If the time until the start of display of the fifth stage is the fourth time, and the time from the start of the display of the fifth stage to the end of the display of the fifth stage is the fifth time, then the first time (time for the first stage) is Longer than the 2nd to 4th time (time for the intermediate stage), the 1st time is shorter than the 5th time (time for the final stage), the 5th time being the total time of the 1st to 4th time (the time from the start of the display of the 1st stage to the start of the display of the 5th stage), and the time difference between the 2nd time and the 3rd time or the 4th time (the time difference between the intermediate stages) Let A be the time difference between the second stage and the first stage (the time difference between the middle stage and the first stage), and let the time difference B be the time difference between the second stage and the fifth stage (the time difference between the middle stage and the final stage). Assuming that the time difference is C, the time difference A is smaller than the time difference B and the time difference C. Therefore, it is possible to speedily progress through the intermediate stages and show the final stage firmly.

The step-up effect when progressing to the fourth stage is a step-skipping pattern, and when the second and third stages are skipped and the first to fourth stages are progressed at once, the display is started from the first stage. , the time until the end of display in the fourth stage is the time for 247 frames. Also, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 90 frames. Also, the time from the end of the display of the first stage to the start of the display of the fourth stage is the time for 62 frames. In other words, the time from when the step-up effect display disappears to when it is displayed again is 62 frames. The time from the start of the display of the fourth stage to the end of the display of the fourth stage (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is the time of 95 frames. In this step-up effect, the effect of enlarging the display of the character corresponding to the fourth stage is not performed. In other words, in this step-up effect, when the character corresponding to the fourth stage is displayed, another step-up effect (for example, a normal pattern step-up effect when proceeding to the fourth step) ) is the same size as the size after enlargement.

The step-up effect when progressing to the fifth stage is a step-skipping pattern, and when the second to fourth stages are skipped and the first to fifth stages are progressed at once, the display starts from the first stage. , the time until the end of display in the fifth stage is the time for 235 frames. Also, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 90 frames. In addition, the time from the end of display in the first stage to the start of display in the fifth stage is the time for 51 frames. In other words, the time from when the step-up effect display disappears to when it is displayed again is 51 frames. Also, the time from the start of the display of the fifth stage to the end of the display of the fifth stage (until the display of the character disappears) (until the display of the cube disappears) is the time of 94 frames. In this step-up effect, the effect of enlarging the display of the character corresponding to the fifth stage is not performed. In other words, in this step-up effect, the display of the character corresponding to the fifth stage has the same size as the enlarged size in the other step-up effects at the time of the display.

That is, in the step-up effect of the step-skipping pattern, the time from the start of the display of the first step (p-th step) to the end of the display of the first step is the first time, and the time from the end of the display of the first step to the fifth step ( The time from the start of the display of the qth step) is the second time, the time from the start of the display of the fifth step to the end of the display of the fifth step is the third time, and the display of the fifth step from the start of the display of the first step to the display of the fifth step. The second time is shorter than the first time and the third time when the time until the end is the fourth time. Therefore, the second time does not become too long, and the p-th stage and the q-th stage are related to a series of step-up effects.

(Fourth example)
The step-up effect of the fourth example is a window step-up effect.

In the step-up effect of the fourth example, 6 stages of 1st stage to 6th stage are prepared, and 6 stages of display can be executed. Then, when the step-up effect is executed, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display related to each of the first stage to the sixth stage.

In each step of the step-up effect of the fourth example, the effect display device 114 displays a character (person) corresponding to each step. Also, in this example, the timing at which the character corresponding to each stage appears coincides with the timing at which the window (frame) appears. In this example, when changing the display of the character displayed in the previous stage to the display of the character corresponding to the current stage, the display of the effect display device 114 is once darkened, and then the current stage is displayed. The character corresponding to . is started to be displayed, and the period during which the character is temporarily darkened is the promotion display period, but such a period may not be included. In other words, the display of each stage of the step-up effect may or may not include the promotion display. Also, in the n-th stage (final stage) of the step-up effect of the fourth example, the confirmation display is executed. Specifically, in the n-th stage, first, the character corresponding to the n-th stage is displayed in a stationary state, and then the character corresponding to the n-th stage is displayed to move (perform a predetermined action). However, the display in which this character moves is the fixed display. After the character corresponding to the n-th floor moves, the character may stop again. In this example, when the character corresponding to the n-th stage begins to move, a flash effect is executed in which the display of the effect display device 114 emits white light.

When the step-up effect of the fourth example progresses to the sixth stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the display of the second stage is set as the first time, and the display of the third stage from the start of the display of the second stage to the display of the third stage. The second time is the time until the start, the third time is the time from the start of the display of the third stage to the start of the fourth level display, and the third time is the time from the start of the fourth level display to the start of the fifth level display. 4 hours, the time from the start of display of the 5th level to the start of display of the 6th level is defined as the 5th time, and the time from the start of the display of the 6th level to the end of the display of the 6th level is defined as the 6th time. The first hour is shorter than the second hour, the second hour is shorter than or equal to the third hour, the third hour is shorter than the fourth hour, the fourth hour is shorter than the fifth hour, and the fifth hour is shorter than the fifth hour. Less than 6 hours. Specifically, the first time is a time for eight frames. Also, the second time is a time for 12 frames. Also, the third time is a time for 12 frames. Also, the fourth time is a time for 20 frames. Also, the fifth time is a time for 28 frames. Also, the sixth time is a time for 80 frames. It should be noted that the time from the start of display of the sixth stage to the start of movement of the character corresponding to the sixth stage is the time for 24 frames.

That is, in the step effect of the fourth example, the higher the stage, the longer it takes to proceed to the next stage. The time to advance to the stage is the same.

(Fifth example)
The step-up effect of the fifth example is a character step-up effect. Also, the step-up effect of the fifth example has a predetermined story.

In the step-up effect of the first example, four stages of the first stage to the fourth stage are prepared, and four stages of display are executed at maximum. Then, when the step-up effect is executed, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to each of the first stage to the fourth stage.

In each step of the step-up effect of the fifth example, the display object corresponding to each step is displayed on the effect display device 114 . A display object corresponding to the first stage is a vehicle. A display object corresponding to the second stage is a first character. The character corresponding to the third stage is the second character. Characters corresponding to the fourth stage are the first character and the second character. That is, in this example, the display corresponding to the m-th stage is the reached stage notification display of the m-th stage, but a character corresponding to the second stage and a character corresponding to the third stage appear. The displayed display is the reached stage notification display of the fourth stage.

In addition, in the step-up effect of the fifth example, a predetermined story is developed according to stages, and a scene corresponding to each stage is displayed at each stage. Specifically, the display at the first stage is the display of the first scene (the scene in which the vehicle appears), and the display at the second stage is the display of the second scene (the scene in which the first character appears). ), the display of the third stage is the display of the third scene (the scene in which the second character appears), and the display of the fourth stage is the display of the fourth scene (the first scene). and a scene in which the second character appears).

When the step-up effect of the fifth example progresses to the fourth stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 71 frames. Also, the time from the start of the second stage display to the end of the second stage display is the time for 91 frames. Also, the time from the start of the display of the third stage to the end of the display of the third stage is the time for 150 frames. Also, the time from the start of display in the fourth stage to the end of display in the fourth stage is the time for 150 frames. In addition, the four frames before the end of the first display and the four frames after the start of the second display overlap, and during this overlapping period, the first display and the second display overlap. Is displayed. Also, the three frames before the end of the second display and the three frames after the start of the third display overlap, and during this overlapping period, the second display and the third display overlap. Is displayed. In addition, 10 frames before the end of the third display and 10 frames after the start of the fourth display overlap, and during this overlapping period, the third display and the fourth display overlap. Is displayed.

When the step-up effect of the fifth example progresses to the first stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the end of the display of the first stage is the time for 71 frames. The first stage display when the step-up effect ends in the first stage has the same length (71 frames) as the first stage display when proceeding to the second stage and beyond, and is in the same manner. is displayed.

When the step-up effect of the fifth example progresses to the second stage, the time from the start of the display of the second stage to the end of the display of the second stage is the time for 102 frames.

When the step-up effect of the fifth example progresses to the third stage, the time from the start of the display of the third stage to the end of the display of the third stage is the time for 162 frames.

(6th example)
The step-up effect of the sixth example is a cube step-up effect.

In the step-up effect of the sixth example, three stages of the first stage to the third stage are prepared, and three stages of display can be executed. When executing the step-up effect, the effect control means 502 causes the effect display device 114 to display the display relating to each of the first stage to the third stage.

In the step-up effect of the sixth example, the effect display device 114 displays that the cube rotates at high speed, and at each stage, there is a period during which the cube rotates at low speed. That is, in the m-th stage, the rotation speed of the cube is displayed at a predetermined speed or more (display that the change speed of the reaching stage notification display area is at a predetermined speed or more) and the rotation speed of the cube is at a predetermined speed or less (when stopped) ) (display in which the change speed of the attainment level notification display area is equal to or less than a predetermined speed (including the case where it does not change)) is performed. In other words, in this example, when the rotation of the cube starts to accelerate (when the rotation speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined speed), it can be said that the display of the m-th stage is started. In other words, the timing at which the rotation speed of the cube changes significantly is the start timing of the m-th stage display and the end timing of the (m−1)-th stage display. In addition, in the n-th stage, after the rotation speed of the cube becomes equal to or less than a predetermined speed, the fixed effect is executed. In this confirmation effect, a character corresponding to the n-th stage is displayed on a predetermined surface of the cube (the surface facing the player), and the dialogue sound of the character is output from the speaker 118 .

When the step-up effect of the sixth example progresses to the third stage, the time from the start of the display of the first stage to the start of the second stage display (or the time until the rotation speed of the cube becomes equal to or less than the predetermined speed in the first stage) time) is the time for 36 frames. Also, the time from the start of the second stage display to the start of the third stage display (or the time until the rotation speed of the cube drops below a predetermined level in the second stage) is the time for 36 frames. In addition, the time from the start of display in the third stage until the rotation speed of the cube becomes equal to or less than the predetermined speed in the third stage is the time for 36 frames. Also, the fixed effect time in the third stage is the time for 141 frames. That is, the time from the start of the third stage display to the end of the third stage display is the time for 177 frames.

When the step-up effect of the sixth example progresses to the second stage, the time from the start of the display of the second stage until the rotation speed of the cube becomes equal to or less than the predetermined speed in the second stage is the time for 36 frames. there is Also, the fixed effect time in the second stage is the time for 105 frames. That is, the time from the start of the second stage display to the end of the second stage display is the time for 141 frames.

(About slot machines)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine that uses game balls as game values has been described. is rotated, the spinning reels are stopped by a stop operation on a stop button, and winning can occur depending on the type of symbols or combination of symbols when the reels are stopped.

For example, when applying the configuration according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention to a slot machine, the step-up effect may be triggered by a predetermined operation such as a game start operation or a predetermined stop operation. In addition, the step-up effect is performed when a predetermined result is obtained in a predetermined lottery executed with the game start operation as a trigger (for example, when a predetermined role is won in an internal lottery that determines the suitability of the role). may be performed. In addition, when a specific role is won, the slot machine displays the mode of the stop operation (operation order, operation timing, etc.) that enables the winning of the specific role by displaying the navigation image on the effect display device 114 or by using the speaker. A slot machine may be provided with a so-called AT (assist time) that assists the winning of a specific combination by performing a navigation effect that notifies (suggests) by outputting a predetermined effect sound from 118 . Then, in the step-up effect, a predetermined degree of expectation regarding the navigation effect (for example, the degree of expectation of transition to a predetermined state (AT effect state) in which the execution of the navigation effect is possible and advantageous to the player, the degree of expectation of the transition to the navigation effect, may be suggested, such as the degree of expectation associated with an increase in the number of executions of Also, the step-up effect may be one that suggests the degree of expectation related to the winning of the bonus.

That is, regardless of whether the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine, the step-up effects can be set to the various aspects described above, and the configuration of the gaming machine can be as follows. can be

Display means (effect display device 114);
A production control means 502 that controls the execution of a step-up production in which the production progresses in stages and controls the display of the display means in the step-up production,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the first time is shorter than the second time,
The gaming machine, wherein the second time is shorter than the third time.

Display means (effect display device 114);
A production control means 502 that controls the execution of a step-up production in which the production progresses in stages and controls the display of the display means in the step-up production,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the second time is shorter than the first time and the third time;
The gaming machine, wherein the third time is longer than the first time and the second time.

In the step-up effect in which the effect changes step by step, the effect time becomes longer as the final step becomes a higher step (as the number of steps to be executed increases). Here, in the case where a plurality of stages of effects are performed, if promotion from each stage to the next stage is performed at equal intervals, the monotony will stand out, leading to a decrease in the enjoyment of the game. As in this configuration, by changing the time interval until promotion, it is possible to avoid monotony and improve the interest of the game.

It should be noted that the above relationship does not have to be established for all patterns of a specific step-up effect provided in one gaming machine, and there is a case where the above relationship is established for a predetermined step-up effect of a predetermined pattern. In addition, when the predetermined step-up effect continues up to three stages or more, the above relationship does not necessarily have to be established, and the above relationship may not be established depending on the final stage or the presence or absence of the predetermined effect. There may be.

In addition, for example, the time of promotion display (appearance display) of the first stage may be longer than the time of promotion display of a predetermined stage after the second stage, and all stages other than the final stage (or the highest stage) It may be longer than the promotion display time. Here, "other than the final stage (or the highest stage)" means that at least for stages other than the final stage (or the highest stage), the promotion display time should be less than or equal to the first stage. , and the promotion display time may be less than or equal to the first stage for the final stage (or the highest stage).

In addition, for a predetermined stage excluding the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage), the time for promotion display of the predetermined stage It may be less than an hour.

In addition, regarding the predetermined (lower) promotion display that occurs earlier and the predetermined (higher) promotion display that occurs later, the time for the promotion display that occurs first is less than or equal to the time for the promotion display that occurs later. It may be less than or equal to.

Also, the promotion display time may be the same for all stages other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage). Here, "other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage)" means that the promotion display time is the same for at least the stages other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage). It means that the promotion display time may be the same for one or both of the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage).

In addition, for a predetermined stage excluding the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage), the time for the reaching stage notification display (promotion waiting display) of the predetermined stage is changed to the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage) stage) may be less than or equal to the reaching stage notification display time.

Further, with respect to the predetermined (lower) reaching stage notification display that occurs earlier and the predetermined (higher) reaching stage notification display that occurs later, the time of the reaching stage notification display that occurs earlier is the same as the reaching stage that occurs later. It may be less than or equal to the time of the step notification display.

Also, the time for reaching stage notification display may be the same for all stages other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage). Here, "other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage)" means that the reached stage notification display time is the same for at least the stages other than the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage). It means that it is sufficient if it is, and the reaching stage notification display time may be the same for one or both of the first stage and the final stage (or the highest stage).

In addition, the time from the start of the confirmed display to the end of the step-up effect (time of the confirmed effect) is the time for each promotion display and the time for each attainment stage notification display for all stages lower than the nth stage. may be longer than any of the hours.

In addition, when another time B is made longer or shorter than a certain time A, the time difference between the time A and the time B may be about 6% to 10% of the time A, and will be 6% to 10% or more. You may do so. Note that the time A or the time B at this time may be a time of 2 seconds or less.

Regarding the relationship between a certain time A and another time B in this embodiment, "time A is longer than time B" can be read as "time A is longer than time B", and vice versa. It is possible. Further, regarding the relationship between a certain time A and another time B, "time A is shorter than time B" can be read as "time A is less than or equal to time B", and vice versa.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to freely combine each component of each embodiment, arbitrarily modify each component, or omit each component.

114 effect display device (display means)
502 production control means

Claims (2)

display means;
an effect control means for controlling the execution of a step-up effect in which the effect progresses step by step, and for controlling the display of the display means in the step-up effect,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the first time is shorter than the second time,
The gaming machine, wherein the second time is shorter than the third time. display means;
an effect control means for controlling the execution of a step-up effect in which the effect progresses step by step, and for controlling the display of the display means in the step-up effect,
Regarding the predetermined step-up effect when executed to a predetermined stage of three or more stages,
The first time is the time from the start of display of the first stage to the start of display of the next stage after the first stage,
A second time is the time from the start of display of a specific stage, which is a stage after the first stage and before the final stage, to the start of display of the next stage of the specific stage,
When the time from the start of the display of the last stage to the end of the display of the last stage is the third time,
the second time is shorter than the first time and the third time;
The gaming machine, wherein the third time is longer than the first time and the second time.

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