JP2977814B1 - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine of a type in which a player inserts a game body such as a medal with a variety of enjoyments regarding the insertion of the game body. SOLUTION: A game machine main body 2 provided with a plurality of pockets 12a to 12g and a medal passing space 11 through which a medal inserted from a slot 7 passes, and a medal passing space 11 is provided. Sensors for detecting the passing of medals for each of the pockets 12a to 12
A storage device such as a ROM for storing a plurality of types of medal insertion conditions defined in association with the passage or non-passage of medals for each of g is provided in the game machine. The CPU selects one of the input conditions and presents it to the player via the monitor 17. It is determined whether or not the player has inserted a medal so as to satisfy the presented insertion condition, and a predetermined reward is given when the insertion condition is satisfied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine of a type in which a player throws in a game such as a medal and plays it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As shown in -299587, a target for reciprocating left and right is provided at a lower portion of a substantially vertical medal falling space provided in the game machine main body, and a predetermined medal is input when a medal inserted from above the medal falling space passes the target. Some medals are supplied in a medal falling space. A pusher table that reciprocates in the horizontal direction is provided below the medal falling space, and the medals that have fallen on the upper surface thereof are scraped off the board with the movement of the pusher table. The medals stored on the board are pushed out by a pusher table, and some of the medals are pushed down from a medal drop opening due to a medal-throwing phenomenon of the medals accompanying the pushing operation, and are paid out to the player.

[0003]

In the above-described game machine, when a player grasps a knack, a medal easily enters, and the difficulty level of the game is relatively reduced and the player is easily bored.
Players unfamiliar with the game cannot enjoy medals if it is difficult to put them in. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-3839 discloses a system in which a plurality of winning ports randomly assigned numbers and a bingo display section in which the numbers assigned to the winning ports are arranged in a matrix are provided. When passing through the winning opening, the bin of the bingo display section with the same number as the winning opening number is lit, and when the lit square forms a predetermined line in the bingo display section, "Bingo" is displayed.
A game machine that pays out a predetermined number of medals is disclosed. According to this game machine, although the monotonicity of the game is eliminated as compared with the case of competing for whether a single medal has been entered or not, there is still room for diversification of the game content.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a game machine of a type in which a player inserts a game such as a medal, which can give the player a variety of pleasures with respect to the insertion of the game and attract the interest for a long time. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game object passing space (11) through which a game object inserted through the insertion port (7) passes, and the game object passing space has a plurality of check points (12a to 12g). ) Provided with a game machine body (2)
Detecting means (51) for detecting the passage of the game body to each of the plurality of check points; and the game body defined in association with the passage or non-passage of the game body to each of the plurality of check points Storage means (66) for storing a plurality of types of input conditions, selecting means (50) for selecting any one of the plurality of types of input conditions, and condition presenting means for presenting the selected input conditions to a player. (50, 58, 17) determining means for determining, based on a signal from the detecting means, whether or not the player has inserted the game body into the game body passing space so as to satisfy the presented insertion condition. (50),
The above-mentioned problem is solved by a game machine provided with a reward providing means (50, 26) for providing a predetermined reward when it is determined that the input condition is satisfied.

According to the present invention, by appropriately combining the passage and non-passage of the game body with respect to each of the plurality of check points (12a to 12g), various conditions can be set for the insertion of the game body. From the player's point of view, since various input conditions are presented from the game machine, there is a pleasure in achieving them one by one. Since various input conditions with different degrees of difficulty can be set, it is possible to satisfy a wide range of players from players unfamiliar with the game to players who are familiar with the game. In addition, the reward may be provided by a method of directly paying out the game to the player, or indirectly paying out the game to the player if performing an operation that is advantageous to the player in the game. May be given.

[0008] At least one of the plurality of types of insertion conditions may include, for example, a condition for passing a predetermined number of game bodies to at least one prize point selected from the plurality of check points (claim 2). And at least one prize point selected from the plurality of check points may include a condition for passing a predetermined number of game bodies within a predetermined time (claim 3), and among the plurality of check points, At least two check points may include a condition for passing the game body in a predetermined order (claim 4), and the predetermined number of game bodies may be passed without passing through any of the plurality of check points. Conditions for passing through the passage space may be included (claim 5). Further, a condition may be included that prohibits the passing of the game body at an out point selected from the plurality of check points (claim 6).

In the present invention, as described above, it is desirable to make the difficulty level different among the plurality of types of input conditions (claim 7). In this case, information about the ratio between the game value dropped by the player to the game machine and the game value returned to the player by the game machine as the reward is detected, and the selection means performs the input based on the detected information. Conditions may be selected (claim 8). For example, the selecting means may select an input condition having a higher degree of difficulty as the ratio of the reduced game value to the dropped game value is higher (claim 9). In this way, by changing the difficulty of the input condition according to the ratio of the game value, the so-called payout rate of the game machine can be appropriately adjusted. The play value is embodied as, for example, the amount of money or the number of medals.

[0010] Prerequisites are set in association with the passage or non-passage of the game body with respect to each of the plurality of check points, and when the player inserts the game body so as to satisfy the precondition, the selection means The selection of the input condition may be permitted, and when the precondition is not satisfied, the selection of the input condition by the selection unit may be prohibited (claim 10). In this case, a part of the plurality of check points is set as an out point, and the other check points are set as winning points.
The precondition may be determined to be satisfied when the game body has passed all the prize points without the game body passing out points (claim 11). Further, the selection means may include a case where none of the input conditions is selected. As described above, if further conditions are added before the selection of the input condition and the presentation thereof, the depth of the reward is generated, so that the player is not bored.

When a predetermined number of input conditions are satisfied among the plurality of types of input conditions, a further reward may be given separately from a reward when one input condition is satisfied (claim). Item 13). According to this, the expectation that a further reward will be given increases as each of the various input conditions is achieved one by one, so that the player can be more strongly attracted to the game machine.

In the above invention, the main body of the game machine reciprocates on the board surface so as to approach and separate from a board surface for storing the game bodies and a drop port for paying out the game bodies to a player. A pusher table,
The pusher table may have a scraper that scrapes the game body on the pusher table along with the movement away from the dropper on the pusher table on the board surface. The played game body may be led to the upper surface of the pusher table (claim 14). Further, a predetermined number of game bodies may be paid out on the pusher table as the reward when the insertion condition is satisfied (claim 15). The movement amount of the pusher table may be changed, and the movement amount of the pusher table toward the scraper may be temporarily increased as the further reward (claim 1).
6).

[0013]

1 to 3 show a medal game machine to which the present invention is applied. The game machine 1 has a housing 2 as a game machine body, and an opening 2a is provided on the front surface of the housing 2. Inside the opening 2a, a game space GS partitioned by the bottom wall 3, the back wall 4, and the side walls 5, 5 is provided. A transparent front wall 6 that closes the game space GS is provided in the opening 2a. Bottom wall 3
A pusher table 20 is provided on the upper surface of the pushbutton. On the upper surface of the bottom wall 3, a large number of medals as game bodies are placed in advance, whereby the upper surface of the bottom wall 3 functions as a board on which medals are stored.

Two medal insertion slots 7, 7 are provided above the opening 2a. A medal (not shown) inserted from the insertion slot 7 is guided to a medal passing space 11 provided between the rear wall 4 and the transparent cover 10 via a chute 8 (see FIG. 3). The medal passing space 11 is provided with seven pockets 12a... 12g into which medals can enter. Out of these pockets 12a to 12g, the one in the lower center is named out pocket 12g. The remaining pockets 12a to 12f are numbered, and from the upper left, the first pocket 12a, the second pocket 12b, the third pocket 12c, the fourth pocket 12d, the lower left pocket 5e, and the lower right pocket 6 It is named the second pocket 12f. However, in the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish each pocket, it is described as a pocket 12.

A medal that has entered one of the pockets 12 is guided from the pocket 12 to the front of the cover 10, and the medal discharge space 1 between the cover 10 and the transparent cover 13.
4 and falls on the upper surface of the pusher table 20.
Therefore, medals that have passed through any one of the pockets 12 do not continue to enter the other pockets 12. Each pocket 1
2 includes a pocket sensor 51 for detecting the entry of a medal.
And an illumination lamp 52 (see FIG. 7). Accordingly, each pocket 12 functions as a medal check point. Various processes, such as payout of medals, are performed when the medals enter the pockets 12, which will be described later in detail. The medals that have not entered any of the pockets 12 fall onto the pusher table 20 from the medal passing space 11.

At the upper end of the rear wall 4, there are provided a plurality of guide plates 15... The medal passing space 11 is provided with a number of pins 16... 16 for changing a medal falling path. The course of the medal changes irregularly due to the guide plate 15 and the pin 16, making it difficult to aim at a specific pocket 12. A monitor 17 using a liquid crystal panel is provided at the upper center of the rear wall 4 (see FIG. 2). Game space GS
An illumination lamp 18 for illuminating the rear wall 4 is provided at an upper end of the display unit, and a speaker unit 19 is provided above the illumination lamp 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pusher table 20 is placed on the bottom wall 3 via a roller 21 attached to its lower part, and is driven in the front-rear direction (right and left in FIGS. Direction). Guide walls 5b, 5b for guiding the pusher table 20 in the front-rear direction are provided below the side walls 5, 5, whereby play of the pusher table 20 in the left-right direction is regulated. The upper surface of the pusher table 20 is in contact with a scraper plate 22 attached to the lower end of the rear wall 4. Pusher table 2
When 0 is drawn behind the scraper plate 22, the medals accumulated on the upper surface of the pusher table 20 are restrained by the scraper plate 22, and a part thereof is scraped off the front end of the pusher table 20 onto the upper surface of the bottom wall 3. When the pusher table 20 is fed forward of the scraper plate 22, the medals stored on the upper surface of the bottom wall 3 are pushed forward by the front end wall 20a of the pusher table 20.

In front of the bottom wall 3, a medal drop port 23 is provided (see FIG. 3). By repeating the dropping of the medals onto the pusher table 20 and the reciprocating movement of the pusher table 20, the number of medals stored on the upper surface of the bottom wall 3 gradually increases, and the medals approach above the medal drop opening 23. put out. Then, the medals that cannot be supported by the bottom wall 3 are pushed down to the medal drop port 23 and paid out to the medal tray 24. Although not shown in the figure, a medal collecting port is provided on both sides of the medal falling port 23.
A part of the medals pushed out by the pusher table 20 falls into the medal collecting port and is collected by the hopper 26 via the chutes 25A and 25B (see FIG. 2). Hopper 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a well-known type in which medals are ejected one by one onto an escalator 27 by rotating motion of a built-in motor. The medals struck by the escalator 27 are guided via chutes 28 to medal payout ports 29 provided on the side walls 5, 5, and from the medal payout ports 29 to the pusher table 20.
(See FIG. 3). The medal collecting port is provided with a medal drop regulating member whose position can be adjusted. Depending on the position of the member, the ratio of the medals dropped from the medal dropping port 23 and the medals collected by the hopper 26 from the medal collecting port changes. It is desirable that the medal drop restricting member is driven by an actuator so that the ratio can be adjusted even during operation of the game machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, a driving device 30 includes a motor 31 mounted on the lower surface side of the bottom wall 3 and a rotary motion of an output shaft 31a of the motor 31.
And a conversion mechanism 32 for converting the reciprocating motion into a reciprocating motion. The conversion mechanism 32 has an arm 33. The arm 33 has a pair of arm members 34A and 34B, and the pusher table 2 according to the rotation direction of the first arm member 34A.
The drive amount of 0 is switched.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show details of the arm 33. FIG. 5A is a plan view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG.
Is a left side view. A substantially intermediate portion of the first arm member 34A and a rear end of the second arm member 34B are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about a pin 35. A hollow cylindrical socket 36 is attached to the lower surface of the first arm member 34A. The output shaft 31 is located at the center of the socket 36.
The socket 36 and the output shaft 31a are integrally rotatably connected by a set screw (not shown) attached to the screw hole 36a. A roller 37 is rotatably attached to the distal end of the second arm member 34B. On one side of the first arm member 34A, there is provided an engagement wall 38 which can be engaged with a side edge of the second arm member 34B.
8 is provided with a detection arm 39. The detection arm 39 extends in the radial direction of the socket 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pusher table 2
0, a partition wall 20c parallel to the rear end wall 20b is provided. A groove 20d is provided between the partition wall 20c and the rear end wall 20b, and the roller 37 is fitted into the groove 20d. Thereby, the roller 37 functions as a transmission unit and a slider for transmitting the rotational movement of the arm 33 to the pusher table 20 as a reciprocating movement in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5C, a downward bent portion 39 a is provided at the tip of the detection arm 39. An arm sensor 40 using a photo-interrupter-type optical sensor is provided on a turning path around the motor output shaft 31a of the bending portion 39a.
Is attached. When the arms 33 and 34 rotate, the bent portion 39a passes through the slit 40a of the sensor 40 once per rotation, and the sensor 40 outputs a signal indicating the detection of the rotation of the arm.

A lamp box 42 is mounted on the lower surface side of the bottom wall 3, and a bulb 4 as illumination means is provided inside the lamp box 42.
3 is attached. A light-transmitting panel 44 is provided on the bottom wall 3 on the upper surface of the lamp box 42. When the pusher table 20 retreats from the position in FIG. 4, that is, moves to the left in FIG. 4, the panel 44 covered by the pusher table 20 is exposed to the front of the front end wall 20a so that light from the lamp box 42 leaks upward. become.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the conversion mechanism 32.
When the first arm member 34A is driven to rotate clockwise (direction of arrow A) in FIG. 6A by the motor output shaft 31a, the rotation is performed via the pin 35 to the second arm member 34A.
B is also transmitted. Due to this rotational movement, the second arm member 34B is pressed against the engaging wall 38 and the arms 33, 3
4 turns integrally around the output shaft 31a. Thereby, the pusher table 20 engaged with the roller 37 is driven in the front-rear direction. At this time, the momentum of the pusher table 20 is twice as long as the arm length from the output shaft 31a to the center of the roller 37, that is, from the output shaft 31a to the pin 35.
If the distance from the pin 35 to the center of the roller 37 is L2, the distance is 2 (L2−L1).

On the other hand, when the first arm member 34A rotates counterclockwise (direction of arrow B) from the position shown in FIG.
The first arm member 34A independently rotates such that the second arm member 34B is separated from the engagement wall 38 (FIG. 6).
(B)) The engagement wall 38 of the first arm member 34A is
6 is engaged with the opposite side edge of the arm member 34B of FIG.
(C)). In this state, the arm length, that is, the distance from the output shaft 31a to the center of the roller 37 is (L1 + L
2), and if the first arm member 34A is turned in this state, the momentum of the pusher table 20 becomes 2 (L1
+ L2). The momentum at this time is 4L compared to the momentum when the output shaft 31a rotates clockwise in FIG.
One bigger. In the following, the first arm member 34A shown in FIG.
The rotation in the clockwise direction of (a) is called forward rotation and the rotation in the counterclockwise direction is called reverse rotation. The state in which the pusher table 20 is driven by the forward rotation of the first arm member 34A is referred to as the forward rotation of the driving device 30. The rotation mode and a state in which the pusher table 20 is driven by the reverse rotation of the first arm member 34A are called a reverse rotation mode of the driving device 30.

As apparent from FIG. 6A, the sensor 4
0 indicates that the first arm member 34A is
Is arranged so as to detect the detection arm 39 at a position inclined obliquely by a predetermined angle θ in a reverse direction with respect to a direction parallel to the direction of movement (the direction of the center line CL). That is, when the driving device 30 is operating in the normal rotation mode,
The sensor 40 is arranged so that the arm 39 is detected slightly earlier than the time when the roller 37 is extended forward. When the sensor 40 detects the arm 39, the rotation direction of the motor 31 is switched to switch the first arm member 34.
When A is reversed, the pusher table 20 stops in the vicinity of its forward end, and in this state, the first arm member 34A rotates as shown in FIGS.
Switches to the reverse mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the first arm member 34A is
After engaging with 4B, the pusher table 20 is driven farther rearward than in the forward rotation mode with the reverse rotation of the first arm member 34A.

As shown in FIG. 6C, a table detection plate 45 is attached to the rear end of the pusher table 20, and a table sensor using a photo interrupter type optical sensor is provided on the bottom wall 3 behind the table detection plate. 46 are attached. When the pusher table 20 is driven in the reverse rotation mode, the table detection plate 45 enters the slit 46a of the sensor 46 when the table 20 moves to near the rear end of the movement range as shown by the imaginary line in the drawing. Accordingly, a signal indicating detection of the table 20 is output from the sensor 46. At the time when the signal is output from the sensor 46, the table 20 is retracted to the rear of the scraper plate 22 over substantially the entire length.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a control system of the game machine 1. The game machine 1 has a CPU 50 mainly composed of a microprocessor unit. CPU5
0, a pocket sensor 51... 51, an arm sensor 40, a table sensor 46, a medal-in sensor 54, and a medal-out sensor 55 as input means of information necessary for performing various controls and calculations It is connected. As described above, the pocket sensor 51 detects the entry of a medal into each pocket 12, and
0 detects the rotation of the arm 33, and the table sensor 46 detects the backward movement of the pusher table 20 in the reverse rotation mode. Different identification numbers are assigned to the pocket sensors 51 so that the CPU 50 can identify which pocket 12 has a medal.

The medal-in sensor 54 has a medal slot 7,
7 (see FIG. 1) to monitor the presence or absence of insertion of medals, and output a predetermined detection signal each time the insertion is detected. The medal-out sensor 55 monitors the presence or absence of a medal falling from the medal drop opening 23, and outputs a predetermined detection signal each time the medal is detected. During operation of the game machine 1, the CPU 50 determines the number of inserted medals from the medal insertion slot 7 based on a signal from the medal-in sensor 54 and, based on detection signals from the medal-in sensor 54, the hopper sensor 55, and the arm sensor 40. The number of medals paid out to the player from the medal drop opening 23 is determined. The number of medals dropped into the medal drop port 23 can be roughly estimated from the number of medals supplied to the upper surface of the pusher table 20 and the number of reciprocations of the pusher table 20, and the former is detected by the medal-in sensor 54 and the hopper sensor 55. Signal, the latter being the arm sensor 40
Can be determined from the detection signal. Then, the CPU 50 calculates the payout rate (the ratio of the number of medals paid back to the player to the number of inserted medals) based on the number of inserted medals and the number of paid out medals determined as described above.

The CPU 50 includes, as control objects, pocket illuminators 52... 52, monitor 17, speaker unit 19, illumination unit 56, table drive motor 31 and hopper drive motor 57, bus 70 and respective drive circuits 58. Through 62. The lighting unit 56 includes, in addition to the above-described lighting lamp 18 (see FIG. 3), various lighting lamps that decorate each part of the game machine 1.
The hopper drive motor 57 generates a driving force for sending the medals of the hopper 26 to the escalator 27.

Further, a RAM 65 and a ROM 66 are connected to the CPU 50 via a bus 70 as storage means. The ROM 66 stores programs and data for executing the game.

Next, a game executed on the game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 show the CPU according to the program recorded in the ROM 66.
50 shows a procedure of a game management process executed by 50. In this process, the CPU 50 determines whether or not a medal has entered any of the pockets 12 based on a signal from the pocket sensor 51 (step S1). If the medal has not entered, the determination in step S1 is repeated. When the medal enters, the process proceeds to step S2, and the out pocket 12
It is determined whether a medal has entered g. If it is not an out-pocket, the process proceeds to step S3, and the number of the pocket 12 containing the medal is recorded in the RAM 65 as a winning history.
In a succeeding step S4, it is determined whether or not a medal has entered the six pockets 12 from the first pocket 12a to the sixth pocket 12f based on the record of the winning history in the RAM 65. If there is a pocket with no winning history, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the hopper 26 is driven and a predetermined number (about several) of medals are
0, and then returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S2 that a medal has entered the out-pocket 12g, the record of the winning history in the RAM 65 is cleared, and thereafter, the flow returns to step S1. As a result, the medals have not yet been entered in any of the first to sixth pockets 12a to 12f, and the game returns to the start, so to speak.

In step S4, the first to sixth pockets 12
When it is determined that medals have entered all of a to 12f, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the record of the winning history in the RAM 65 is cleared in preparation for the next game.
In the following step S11, the six pockets 12a to 12a
As a reward for inserting a medal into f, an operation for determining an event to be executed by the player is performed. That is, data defining a plurality of events having different degrees of difficulty is recorded in the ROM 66, and which of the events is to be executed by the player is determined in step S11.
Determined by In selecting an event, the payout rate of the game machine 1 is considered. For example, if the payout rate is lower than a predetermined reference value, an event with a lower difficulty level is selected, and if the payout rate is higher than the reference value, an event with a higher difficulty level is selected, so that the payout rate is higher. Is adjusted to approach the reference value. Note that the selection range in step S11 includes a so-called out-of-range that denies execution of an event.

After the event is determined, the process proceeds to step S12, and the manner in which the event is selected is displayed on the monitor 17. For example, the monitor 1 displays a slot reel on which a plurality of patterns corresponding to each of a plurality of selectable events are drawn.
7 is rotated on the screen 7 to display on the monitor 17 a state in which the reel stops at the position of the picture corresponding to the event determined in step S11.

In the following step S13, it is determined whether or not the lottery of the event has been excluded based on the calculation result of step S11. In the case of disengagement, a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper 26 to the upper surface of the pusher table 20 (step S14), and thereafter, the process returns to step S1. The number of payouts at this time is larger than that in step S5, and is set to, for example, about ten.

If it is determined in step S13 that the event is not a departure, then it is determined in step S11 whether a super JP (jackpot) chance has been selected (step S15). The super JP chance is prepared as a special event among the events, and the probability that the event is selected is set sufficiently smaller than the probability that another event is selected.

If it is determined in step S15 that the event is not a super JP chance, the progress of the event is notified to the player through the monitor 17 (step S20), and a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper 26 to the upper surface of the pusher table 20. (Step S21) Then, the process proceeds to Step S22 in FIG. The payout number at this time may be approximately the same as in step S14. In step S22, an event process is performed. In the event processing, the game machine 1 gives the player an instruction regarding the insertion of medals into the pocket 12, for example, giving an instruction to the player through the monitor 17 to put medals into the specific pocket 12. Then, when the player inserts a medal as instructed, the event succeeds, and when the medal cannot be inserted as instructed, the event fails. Specific examples of the event are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and details thereof will be described later.

When the event processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not the event is successful by referring to the record of the event processing written in the RAM 65. In the case of failure, the process returns to step S1 in FIG. If the event is determined to be successful in step S23, a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper 26 to the upper surface of the pusher table 20 (step S24). The payout number at this time is determined in step S14.
And more than that of S21, for example, about 30 sheets. In a succeeding step S25, 1 is added to the JP (jackpot) point stored in the RAM 65. Subsequently, in a step S26, it is determined whether or not the JP point is 7. The value of the JP point is notified to the player by the number of lights of the seven indicator lights 48... 48 (see FIG. 2) attached to the back wall 4.

When the JP point is 7, the JP point is reset to 0 in order to initialize the subsequent game (step S27), and the medals of the number set as jackpot payout are transferred from the hopper 26 to the pusher table. 20 is paid out on the upper surface (step S28). The payout number at this time may be set to, for example, about the same as step S24. In a succeeding step S29, the CPU 50 is notified of the jackpot payout for the table drive management processing of FIG. After this, FIG.
Return to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the JP point is less than 7, the process proceeds to step S27
Steps 29 are omitted, and the process returns to step S1 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S15 in FIG. 8 that the game is a super JP chance, the process proceeds to step S30 to execute a super chance game. While the event executed in step S22 gives the player a plurality of medal insertion opportunities, the super chance game executed in step S30 is positioned as a game having a one-shot advantage. For example, a player is required to put a medal in a specific pocket 12 at one time. In addition,
Instead of or in addition to this super chance game,
A state in which a predetermined number of medals (for example, 10 medals) are paid out every time a medal passes through the pocket 12 may be continued for a certain period of time.

When the super chance game has been completed, it is determined whether or not the game has succeeded (step S31). If the game has succeeded, a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper 26 to the upper surface of the pusher table 20 (step S32). The payout number at this time is set to, for example, about the same as step S24. When the payout of the medals is completed, step S25 in FIG.
Proceed to.

FIG. 10 shows a procedure of a table drive management process executed in parallel with the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9 while the game machine 1 is operating. This process is executed to manage the driving of the pusher table 20 by the driving device 30. First, in step S50, the motor 31 is driven so that the arm 33 rotates forward. In a succeeding step S51, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is notified in the step S29 in FIG. If there is no notification, step S5
Return to 0, and if there is a notification, go to step S52. In step S52, the bulb 4 built in the lamp box 42
3 is turned on. In response to this command, the drive circuit 60 turns on the bulb 43 continuously for a predetermined time, and thereafter, the bulb 4
3 is turned off.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the arm sensor 40 has detected the rotation of the arm 33 (step S53). When the rotation is detected, the rotation direction of the motor 31 is reversed to reverse the arm 33 (step S54). ). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the arm members 34A and 34B operate from the state shown in FIG. 6A to put the driving device 30 in the reverse rotation mode, and the pusher table 20 is in the normal state (normal rotation). Mode)). As a result, most of the medals accumulated on the upper surface of the pusher table 20 fall from the front end of the table 20. At this time,
Since the bulb 43 is illuminated, the panel 44 is gradually exposed in front of the table 20 as the table 20 retreats, and light leaks, so that a high effect of drawing the attention of the player or the like to the table 20 can be obtained.

In a succeeding step S55, it is determined whether or not the table sensor 46 has detected the retreating operation of the table 20, and when this is detected, the process returns to the step S50 to rotate the arm 33 forward. Thereby, the arm members 34A and 34B are arranged in the order shown in FIGS. 6C to 6B and 6A.
Operates, and the driving device 30 returns to the normal rotation mode. When the table 20 first moves forward after step S55, a large amount of medals that have fallen to the front end of the table 20 in the reverse rotation mode are pushed forward by the table 20. Therefore, compared with the case where the table 20 reciprocates in the normal rotation mode, a large amount of medals fall from the medal drop opening 23 and are paid out to the medal tray 24. Table 20
Is driven almost to the front end, the lighting of the bulb 43 by the drive circuit 60 ends.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show examples of event processing executed as a subroutine of step S22 in FIG. 9 described above.

FIG. 11 shows a first event process. In this event, at least one of the first to sixth pockets 12a to 12f is designated as a winning pocket, and a predetermined number (5 in this example) is stored in the winning pocket without placing a medal in the out pocket 12g. This is to instruct the player to insert a medal. In this process, first, various parameters for specifying the state of the event and (achievement status and the like) are initialized (step S100), and the contents of the event are introduced to the player via the monitor 17 (step S101). continue,
The illumination lights of the winning pocket (for example, the first pocket 12a) and the out pocket 12g are turned on to make the player recognize these pockets (step S102), and the event start is notified to the player through the monitor 17 (step S103). Thereafter, the monitor 17 displays an image that informs the player of the achievement status of the event, in this case, the number of winnings up to the present. For example, each time one medal is inserted into the first pocket 12a, the character moves on the screen, and an image is displayed such that the character reaches a predetermined goal when five medals are inserted.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the medal has entered any of the pockets 12a to 12g based on a signal from the pocket sensor 51 (step S104). When a medal is inserted, the process proceeds to step S105, and it is determined whether or not the pocket 12 in which the medal is inserted is the out pocket 12g. If it is not the out pocket 12g, the process proceeds to step S106, and it is determined whether or not the pocket 12 containing the medal is a pocket designated as a winning pocket (step S106). If it is not a winning pocket, the process returns to step S104. If it is a winning pocket, 1 is added to the number of winnings stored in the RAM 65 (step S107). Subsequently, the image displayed on the monitor 17 is updated based on the current number of winnings (step S108).

Further, it is determined whether or not the number of winnings has reached 5 (step S109).
Return to 104. When the number of winnings reaches 5, the event success is recorded in the RAM 65 (step S110), and an image indicating the event success is displayed on the monitor 17 (step S111). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that a medal has entered the out-pocket 12g, the event failure is recorded in the RAM 65 (step S112), and an image indicating the event failure is displayed on the monitor 17 (step S113). The event process ends at step S111 or S113, and proceeds to step S23 in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows the second event process. In this event, at least two of the first to sixth pockets 12a to 12f are designated as winning pockets, and a predetermined number (in this example, 60 seconds) is assigned to all of the winning pockets within a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds). This is to instruct the player to insert one (1) medal. In this process, first, various parameters for specifying the state of the event (such as the achievement status) are initialized (step S12).
0), the content of the event is introduced to the player via the monitor 17 (step S121). Subsequently, the illumination lamps of the winning pockets (for example, the first to fourth pockets 12a to 12d) are turned on to make the player recognize these pockets (step S122), and the event start is notified to the player through the monitor 17 (step S12).
3). Thereafter, the timer starts counting a predetermined time (step S124). Thereafter, the monitor 17 displays an image that informs the player of the achievement status of the event, in this case, whether or not a medal has entered each winning pocket.

Subsequently, it is determined from the signal from the pocket sensor 51 whether the medal has entered any of the pockets 12a to 12g (step S125). When a medal is inserted, the process proceeds to step S126, and it is determined whether or not the pocket 12 in which the medal is inserted is a pocket designated as a winning pocket. If it is a winning pocket, the number of the pocket is recorded in the winning history stored in the RAM 65 (step S12).
7). Subsequently, the image displayed on the monitor 17 is updated based on the current winning history (step S128). Further, based on the winning history stored in the RAM 65, it is determined whether or not medals have entered all the winning pockets (step S).
129). If all prize pockets have medals, the event success is recorded in the RAM 65 (step S13).
1) Subsequently, an image indicating the success of the event is displayed on the monitor 17 (step S132).

If it is determined in step S125 that there is no medal, if it is determined in step S126 that it is not a winning pocket, or if it is determined in step S129 that there is a winning pocket in which no medal has yet been entered, step S133 is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the time activated in step S124 is up. If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S125. If the time is up, the event failure is recorded in the RAM 65 (step S134), and an image indicating the event failure is displayed on the monitor 17 (step S135). Step S
The event process ends after 132 or S135, and the process proceeds to step S23 in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the arm 33 is not limited to the one whose length is switched according to the rotation direction of the motor, and may be one whose length is switched using an actuator such as a solenoid. As the transmission means, instead of the roller 37, a second
May be provided to be rotatably connected to each of the arm member and the pusher table. The drive amount of the pusher table in the direction approaching the medal dropper may be changed.

The condition for increasing the driving amount of the pusher table is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be variously changed. The event is not limited to the example described above, and can be variously changed. For example, among a plurality of pockets, an event for placing a predetermined number of medals only in one or more specific pockets 12, an event for placing one or more medals in all pockets 12, and an odd number of medals in all pockets 12 are provided. Event to put medals in a predetermined order for some or all pockets 12;
In the event that a predetermined number of medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot without inserting medals, the illumination lamps 52 attached to the pockets 12 are turned on in a random order and at short time intervals, and the medals are put in the last lit pocket. The event to be inserted, the lighting lamp 52 is turned on in a random order and at a long time interval, and the monitor 17 is instructed to the player as to which pocket to turn on, and the pocket which is actually turned on in the indicated order. An event for putting a medal into the game can be considered. In addition, an event in which the illumination lamp 52 is turned on alternately for a fixed time in order from the first pocket 12a to the sixth pocket 12f, and the player is requested to put a medal in the currently lit pocket 12.
An illumination lamp 52 attached to each pocket 12 is turned on in a random order for a certain period of time, and the player is requested to put a medal in the pocket 12 that is currently turned on. An event in which a quiz is set and a medal is required to be placed in the pocket 12 having the number corresponding to the answer may be considered. Data defining these events is recorded in the ROM 66 in advance and supplied to the game machine 1.

The driving device of the present invention is not limited to driving a pusher table, but may be used for driving various moving bodies provided on the board of a game machine. The game body is not limited to medals, and various things may be used.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of check points are provided in the passing space of a game body, and a plurality of types of input are made by appropriately combining the passage and non-passage of the game body with respect to the check points. Conditions are set, and one of these multiple types of input conditions is presented to the player, and it is distinguished whether or not a reward is granted depending on whether the player has achieved it. And give them the pleasure of achieving them one by one. Since various input conditions with different degrees of difficulty can be set, it is possible to satisfy a wide range of players from players unfamiliar with the game to players who are familiar with the game, and it is possible to attract the interest of those players for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view in which a part of the medal game machine of FIG. 1 is cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the medal game machine of FIG. 1 along the front-back direction.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view around a pusher table of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of an arm provided in the drive device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the driving device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system provided in the medal game machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a game management process executed by the CPU of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart following FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of a table drive management process executed by the CPU in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure in an example of event processing executed by the CPU in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure in another example of the event processing executed by the CPU in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 game machine 2 housing (game machine body) 7 medal insertion slot 11 medal passing space (game body passing space) 12a to 12g pocket (check point) 17 monitor (condition presenting means) 20 pusher table 22 scraper plate 23 medal drop port (Falling port of game body) 26 Hopper (reward giving means) 50 CPU (selecting means, condition presenting means, judging means, reward giving means) 51 Pocket sensor (detecting means) 52 Pocket illumination light 66 ROM (storage means)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Asai 7-3, Minatojima-Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Konami Corporation (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A63F 9/00 508

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A game machine main body having a game object passing space through which a game object inserted from an insertion slot passes, and a plurality of check points provided in the game object passing space; Detecting means for detecting the passage of the game body for each; storage means for storing a plurality of types of input conditions of the game body defined in association with the passage or non-passage of the game body for each of the plurality of check points, Selecting means for selecting any one of the plurality of types of input conditions; condition presenting means for presenting the selected input conditions to a player; and the game body so that the player satisfies the provided input conditions. A determination unit that determines whether or not the game device has been inserted into the game object passing space based on a signal from the detection device; and that the insertion condition has been satisfied. And a reward granting means for granting a predetermined reward when determined. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of types of insertion conditions includes a condition for passing a predetermined number of game bodies to at least one prize point selected from the plurality of check points. Item 2. The game machine according to Item 1. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of types of insertion conditions includes a condition for passing a predetermined number of game bodies to at least one prize point selected from the plurality of check points within a predetermined time. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of types of input conditions includes a condition that the game object passes through at least two of the plurality of check points in a predetermined order. The game machine according to claim 1. 5. At least one of the plurality of types of insertion conditions includes a condition that a predetermined number of game bodies pass through the game body passing space without passing through any of the plurality of check points. The game machine according to claim 1. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of types of insertion conditions includes a condition for prohibiting the passing of the game body at an out point selected from the plurality of check points. 5. The game machine according to any one of 4. 7. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein difficulty levels differ among the plurality of types of input conditions. 8. A game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine detects information on a ratio between a game value dropped on the game machine and a game value returned to the player by the game machine as the reward. The game machine according to claim 7, wherein the input condition is selected. 9. The game machine according to claim 8, wherein said selecting means selects an input condition having a higher degree of difficulty as a ratio of said returned game value to said dropped game value is higher. 10. A precondition is set in association with the passing or non-passing of the gaming body with respect to each of the plurality of check points, and when the player inserts the gaming body so as to satisfy the precondition, the selection is performed. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein selection of the input condition by means is permitted, and selection of the input condition by the selection means is prohibited when the precondition is not satisfied. 11. A part of the plurality of check points is set as an out point, and the other check points are set as a prize point. The game body passes all the prize points without the game body passing the out point. The game machine according to claim 10, wherein it is determined that the precondition is satisfied when the game is performed. 12. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the selection means includes a case where none of the input conditions is selected. 13. When a predetermined number of input conditions are satisfied among the plurality of types of input conditions, a further reward is provided separately from a reward when one input condition is satisfied. The game machine according to claim 1. 14. A board surface on which the game machine main body stores the game body, and a pusher table reciprocating on the board surface so as to approach and separate from a drop port for paying out the game body to a player. A scraper that scrapes the game body on the pusher table onto the board surface in accordance with the operation in the direction away from the drop port on the pusher table, and the game body that has passed through the game body passing space is The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is guided to an upper surface of the pusher table. 15. The game machine according to claim 14, wherein a predetermined number of game bodies are paid out on the pusher table as the reward when the insertion condition is satisfied. 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the amount of movement of the pusher table is changeable, and as the further reward, the amount of movement of the pusher table toward the scraper is temporarily increased. The game machine described.