JP3888053B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine which can play a game using a game ball in a game area and has a special game area in the game area.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a pachinko machine equipped with a special symbol display device (variable display device) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and the like in a predetermined arrangement is known as a kind of gaming machine.
[0003]
In this type of pachinko machine, depending on the display pattern (stop pattern) when the variable display on the variable display device is stopped, after passing through the reach state, it becomes a “special game state” or reach state that is advantageous to the player. An “outgoing reach state” that does not become a special gaming state later, or an “outgoing state” that does not go through the reach state and does not become a special gaming state is generated. The stop symbols include a special game symbol (a jackpot symbol) for generating a special game state, a release reach symbol for generating a release reach, and a release symbol for generating a release state.
[0004]
In the pachinko machine as described above, the variable display device starts the variable display of the symbols on the condition that the game ball wins an operating opening provided below the variable display device. Also, a stop symbol corresponding to the game situation is selected from the special game symbol, the missed reach symbol, and the missed symbol, and the variable display is stopped at the selected stop symbol. And when it stops at a jackpot symbol, it is switched so that a special variation prize-winning device will be in a state advantageous to the player (a jackpot state). More specifically, the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls by opening a big prize opening provided at a lower portion of the operation opening or the like.
[0005]
By the way, the above-described variable display device has a display unit for displaying a symbol, and the display unit includes, for example, a liquid crystal screen or a dot matrix screen. Further, conventionally, a resin center frame is generally provided so as to surround the periphery of the display unit.
[0006]
In general, this center frame is composed of a ceiling part located on the upper part, left and right side parts and a lower part, and a ceiling surface for guiding the game ball to the left and right sides is provided on the ceiling part. An entrance for guiding the game ball to the lower part is provided. A stage is formed at the bottom. Furthermore, a game ball passage (also referred to as a warp route) that communicates the entrance and the stage is provided on both the left and right sides, and a decorative lens is provided.
[0007]
When a game ball enters the entrance, the game ball is guided toward the stage through the game ball passage. The game ball guided to the stage makes several reciprocating motions from side to side, then falls forward from the stage, and is discharged again onto the game board surface. At this time, one out of several game balls that have dropped from the stage wins an operating port provided directly below the stage. In other words, the player has the expectation that the game ball will win the operation port from the time when the game ball enters the entrance part until it falls off the stage and is guided toward the operation port. Watch the behavior.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the gaming machines as described above have room for improvement as described below. That is, in the stage, the central part is generally at the lowest position, and the game ball usually falls from the central part or the vicinity thereof. For this reason, all the game balls behaved in a similar manner from the time when they were guided to the stage until they dropped, and as a result, there was a risk of causing the player to feel bored. As a result, there is a risk that the interest will be reduced.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object thereof is a gaming machine in which a game ball can be played in a game area and a special game area is provided in the game area. The object is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress boredom and improve the interest.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine in which a game ball can be played using a game ball in the game area and a special game area is provided in the game area, An entrance that can guide a game ball to the special game area, an immovable stage that is provided in the special game area and allows a player to visually observe the behavior of the game ball, and the special game area A game ball passage that communicates between the entrance and the stage so as to guide the game ball that has entered the entrance to the stage from the side of the stage. Are provided with a concave portion and a convex portion having different heights, and a restricting portion for restricting further rolling of the game ball to the rear side is provided at the rear portion of the stage and guided to the stage. A game ball can roll along the concave portion and the convex portion from one side of the stage toward the other side, and the convex portion is provided at substantially the center of the stage. Is provided with a hole that is large enough to cause a ball to enter when rolling the convex part, and the top of the convex part is inclined downward with respect to the hole and the game ball moves the convex part. When rolling, a guide groove that can be guided to the hole is provided depending on the rolling speed, and a game ball that has entered the hole directly or through the guide groove is provided in the game area via the discharge guide port. The concave portion is provided on both sides of the convex portion, and the game ball that has not entered the hole is discharged forward from the lower inclined surface toward the front side of the concave portion. The entrance portion is a game ball that has entered the entrance portion, To have sufficient energy to serial concave and convex portions to be reciprocally rolling right and left, and its gist in that it comprises a sufficient height relative to the stage. In the invention according to claim 2, in the gaming machine according to claim 1, the special game area is configured by a center frame surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols. That is the gist.
[0011]
(Function)
According to the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, a game is played using a game ball in the game area.
[0012]
The game balls in the game area can be guided from the entrance to the special game area. The game ball guided from the entrance is guided to the stage provided in the special game area through the game ball passage. The stage is provided with concave and convex portions having different heights almost continuously, and the player visually recognizes and enjoys the behavior of the game ball rolling on the concave and convex portions.
[0013]
In the present invention, an opening is provided corresponding to the convex portion of the stage, and the game ball may pass through the opening provided corresponding to the convex portion. For this reason, when the game ball passes through the opening, the player can play the game with a sense of expectation that something favorable for him may occur. Therefore, in any case, compared with the prior art in which the game ball simply falls from the stage due to almost the same behavior, the player expects the game ball to pass through the opening, While playing games.
[0014]
In particular, in the present invention, the opening is provided in the convex portion. For this reason, unlike the concave portion where the game ball is easy to roll (easy to be guided), there are relatively few cases where the game ball rides on the convex portion and is guided to the opening. For this reason, a rare value arises in being guided to an opening part, and also interestingness increases.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is embodied as a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an operation port 3 and a prize winning port 4, and the game board 2 constitutes a game area. The operation port 3 includes a passage for the game ball 5, and a blade 6 is supported at the passage entrance so as to be opened and closed.
[0017]
A shutter 7 is provided in front of the special winning opening 4. The shutter 7 is actuated by a solenoid for a prize winning opening (not shown) provided on the side of the prize winning opening 4 to open and close the prize winning opening 4. Specifically, when the solenoid is in an excited state, the shutter 7 is tilted substantially horizontally, thereby opening the special winning opening 4. Further, when the solenoid is de-energized, the shutter 7 is in a substantially vertical state, whereby the special winning opening 4 is closed.
[0018]
A special symbol display device (hereinafter simply referred to as “display device”) 8 as a variable display device is incorporated in the center portion of the game board 2 (above the special winning opening 4). The display device 8 includes a display unit 8a including a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a plurality of (for example, three) symbol rows are displayed thereon. The symbol sequence is basically composed of a plurality of types of symbols. These symbols can be any one of a jackpot symbol, a miss reach symbol and a miss symbol as special game symbols.
[0019]
In the display unit 8 a of the display device 8, the symbol variation (rotational variation) of each symbol row is started based on the winning of the game ball 5 to the operation port 3. Also, one of the jackpot symbol, the missed reach symbol, and the missed symbol is selected and set as a stop symbol. The stop symbol is a symbol displayed when each symbol row stops symbol variation.
[0020]
The jackpot symbol is a symbol for generating a jackpot state that is advantageous to the player after a so-called reach state. Specifically, when all of the symbol row variations are stopped, the displayed symbol combination is a predetermined jackpot combination, that is, when the same type of symbols are lined up along the jackpot line. In some cases, the symbols are combined (for example, symbols “7”, “7”, and “7”). The symbol constituting this combination is the “big hit symbol”. When the jackpot combination is established, the special electric accessory is activated (the jackpot 4 is opened), and it is possible to obtain a jackpot state that is advantageous to the player, that is, to obtain more prize balls.
[0021]
In the display device 8, holding lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d made of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are incorporated above the display unit 8a. The hold lamps 9a to 9d are basically turned on every time the variable display based on winning in the operating port 3 is held, and are turned off when the variable display corresponding to the hold is executed. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a speaker (not shown) that generates sound effects as the game progresses.
[0022]
In addition to this, various lamps for enhancing the gaming effect are attached to a plurality of locations of the pachinko machine 1. These lamps are composed of, for example, a lamp windmill 11, an upper corner ornament 12, a lower corner ornament 13, and the like, and the lighting state (extinguishment, lighting, blinking, etc.) can be appropriately changed according to the progress of the game. In addition, the upper corner decoration 12 incorporates a ball break lamp, a winning lamp, and the like in order to notify the player of a ball break condition and a winning condition.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, various detection switches are attached to the game board 2 in order to detect the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 that changes according to the player's operation. With these detection switches, the winning of the game ball 5 to the operating port 3 and the winning to the big winning port 4 are detected. In the present embodiment, a control device is provided to drive and control the solenoid, the display device 8, the holding lamps 9a to 9d, the various lamps 11 to 13, the speaker, and the like based on the detection result of each detection switch. ing. The control device includes a read only memory (ROM), a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The ROM stores a predetermined control program and initial data in advance, and the CPU executes various arithmetic processes according to the ROM control program.
[0024]
Next, characteristic portions of the present embodiment will be described.
[0025]
The display device 8 described above has a center frame 21 provided so as to surround the display unit 8a in front of the display unit 8a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the center frame 21 constitutes a special game area, and includes a liquid crystal mounting plate 22 at the rear, a ceiling portion 23, left and right side portions 24, and a lower portion 25. Have. A ceiling ornament 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided at the center of the ceiling 23, and both sides serve as entrances 27 through which the game balls 5 can be guided. Shoulder ornament lenses 28 are provided on both sides of the entrance portion 27, and the game ball 5 hitting the ceiling portion 23 corresponding to the shoulder ornament lens 28 is guided to the left and right sides.
[0026]
Further, the upper surface of the lower portion 25 is a stage 29, and the player can visually recognize the behavior of the game ball 5 on the stage 29. Further, a game ball passage 31 that communicates between the entrance 27 and the stage 29 is formed in the left and right side portions 24. The game ball passage 31 is configured so as to be covered with a cover so that it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the game ball 5 being passed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the game ball 5 entering the entrance 27 passes through the game ball passage 31 (at this time, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the game ball 5) and onto the stage 29. It is guided.
[0027]
The stage 29 has continuously different heights, and a substantially central portion thereof is a mountain-shaped convex portion 32, and left and right sides thereof are concave portions 33. The concave portion 33 has a lower inclined surface toward the front side, and many game balls 5 are led out from here. On the other hand, a guide groove 34 that is lowered toward the rear side is formed at the top of the convex portion 32. An opening 35 through which the game ball 5 can pass is formed in the back of the guide groove 34. Further, a discharge guide portion 36 for discharging the game ball 5 forward is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 35 at the bottom of the recess 33.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, a casing 37 is provided at the rear of the opening 35 so that the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 is smoothly discharged from the discharge guide portion 36. That is, the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 is once guided into the casing 37 and guided from the bottom of the casing 37 to the discharge guide 36. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a guide projection 38 for guiding the game ball 5 to one side (to the left in FIG. 3) is protruded from the casing 37. In the unlikely event that the game ball 5 is clogged in the casing 37, the volume on the side that is not always guided is formed relatively large so that the game ball 5 can be easily taken out (the casing 37). The left and right shapes of the bottom wall, that is, the angles are different).
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge guide portion 36 is provided immediately above the operation port 3, and the game ball 5 discharged from the discharge guide portion 36 wins the operation port 3 with a relatively high probability. Constructed easily.
[0030]
A number of nails (not shown) are implanted in the game board 2. Accordingly, some of the game balls 5 that hit these nails may jump to the stage 29 without passing through the game ball passage 31.
[0031]
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
[0032]
According to the present embodiment, the game ball 5 driven into the upper part of the game board 2 may be guided from the entrance 27 to the center frame 21 by the player's operation. The game ball 5 guided from the entrance 27 is guided to the stage 29 through the game ball passage 31. The player visually recognizes and enjoys the behavior of the game ball 5 that rolls (reciprocates left and right) on the concave portion 33 and the convex portion 32 formed on the stage 29.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, an opening 35 is provided corresponding to the convex portion 32 of the stage 29, and the game ball 5 may pass through the opening 35 in some cases. For this reason, when the game ball 5 passes through the opening 35, the player can play a game with a sense of expectation that something favorable for him may occur. Therefore, in any case, the player expects the game ball 5 to pass through the opening 35 compared to the prior art in which the game ball simply falls from the stage by almost the same behavior. You can play a game while being crazy. As a result, it is possible to suppress a feeling of boredom caused by the game ball 5 exhibiting a similar behavior, and it is possible to dramatically improve the interest.
[0034]
In particular, in this embodiment, the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 is guided from the bottom of the casing 37 to the discharge guide portion 36, and the game ball 5 discharged from the discharge guide portion 36 has a relatively high probability. It is easy to win the operating port 3 with Therefore, the player can expect the game ball 5 to pass through the opening 35 and make the above-described effects more reliable.
[0035]
Further, in the present embodiment, the opening 35 is provided corresponding to the convex portion 32. For this reason, unlike the concave portion 33 in which the game ball 5 is easy to roll (easy to be guided), there are relatively few cases where the game ball 5 rides on the convex portion 32 and is guided to the opening portion 35. For this reason, a rare value arises in guiding the game ball 5 to the opening part 35, and also an interesting part increases.
[0036]
In addition, since the opening 35 is provided in the back of the convex portion 32, the game ball 5 can move in the depth direction. For this reason, the player can enjoy a three-dimensional game sensation and can further enhance the interest.
[0037]
In addition, the protrusion 32 is provided with a guide groove 34 for guiding the game ball 5 to the opening 35. Therefore, the player can grasp that the game ball 5 may be guided toward the opening 35 due to the presence of the guide groove 34. As a result, the suspicion for the player who rarely enters the opening 35 can be dispelled, and further improvement of interest can be achieved in this sense.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the game ball 5 passing through the game ball passage 31. Therefore, the player feels that the game ball 5 once entering the entrance 27 is hidden and then suddenly appears on the stage 29. Therefore, it is more interesting.
[0039]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stage 29 is provided with the convex portions 32 and the concave portions 33 having different heights continuously. For this reason, when the game ball 5 rolls on the stage 29, the speed of the game ball is increased or decreased. Therefore, the player can enjoy such unique behavior. Moreover, since no special apparatus is used to cause such a unique behavior, it is possible to avoid an increase in cost and difficulty in production.
[0040]
The present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and therefore may be implemented as follows, for example, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0041]
(A) In the above-described embodiment, the operation port 3 is configured to be able to win a prize. However, the operation port 3 may simply pass. Further, instead of the operation port 3, the game ball 5 that has passed through the opening 35 may be configured to easily win another winning port (for example, a general winning port).
[0042]
(B) In the above embodiment, the convex portion 32 is provided at the center of the stage 29 and the concave portions 33 are provided on both sides thereof. Is not to be done. For example, a stage in which a concave portion is formed in the central portion and convex portions are formed on both sides thereof may be used.
[0043]
(C) In the above embodiment, the center frame 21 that surrounds the periphery of the display unit 8a is used as a special game area, but an area that surrounds another accessory may be used as a special game area.
[0044]
(D) In the above embodiment, the guide groove 34 is formed in the convex portion 32. However, the guide groove 34 may be omitted.
[0045]
(E) In the above embodiment, the inclined surface is formed in the recess 33, but the inclined surface may not be provided.
[0046]
(F) It is good also as a structure which can visually recognize the game ball 5 passing the game ball channel | path 31. FIG. Or it is good also as a structure which cannot be visually recognized at all.
[0047]
(G) In the embodiment described above, the inlet portion 27 is formed at two locations, but may be provided at three or more locations, or may be provided only at one location. Moreover, it is good also as providing the variable inlet_port | entrance apparatus which can change the opening area of an inlet_port | entrance part.
[0048]
(H) In the above embodiment, the opening 35 is provided in the back of the convex portion 32. However, a hole may be provided directly in the convex portion 32 on the stage 29, and this may be used as the opening.
[0049]
(I) In the above embodiment, the display unit 8a is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD), but a CRT, a dot matrix, an LED (electroluminescence), a fluorescent display tube, or the like may be used.
[0050]
(J) The present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine of a different type from the above embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine without the display device 8. Further, the present invention can be applied to game machines such as sparrow balls and arrange balls in addition to pachinko machines.
[0051]
(K) It is good also as omitting the blade | wing 6 in the said embodiment.
[0052]
The technical idea which is not described in the claims and can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.
[0053]
(1) The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided at the back of the convex portion.
[0054]
(2) The gaming machine according to claim 1 and the appendix (1), wherein the convex portion is provided at substantially the center of the stage, and concave portions are provided on both sides thereof.
[0055]
(3) In the gaming machine according to claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) and (2), the convex portion is provided with a guide portion for guiding a game ball to the opening. To play.
[0056]
(4) In the gaming machine according to claim 1 and the additional notes (1) to (3), the recess is provided with a discharge portion for discharging the game ball to the game area again. A gaming machine.
[0057]
(5) In the gaming machine according to claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (4), the game area is provided with a winning opening that can give a predetermined game value to the player, and The gaming machine is characterized in that the winning opening is provided at a position where a game ball passing through the opening is likely to win.
[0058]
(6) In the gaming machine according to appendix (5), the game ball that has passed through the opening is discharged again to the game area at the lower portion of the stage immediately above the winning opening, and the winning is achieved. A gaming machine characterized in that a discharge guide port is provided for guiding to the mouth.
[0059]
(7) In the gaming machine according to claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (6), the game ball passage is configured such that a player cannot see or difficult to see the game ball being passed. A gaming machine characterized by that.
[0060]
(8) In the gaming machine according to claim 1 and the supplementary notes (1) to (7), the special game area is configured by a center frame surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols. A gaming machine characterized by that.
[0061]
(9) In the gaming machine according to appendix (8), the winning of a game ball in the winning opening serves as an opportunity to start the variable display of the symbol in the variable display device.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, a game can be performed using a game ball in the gaming area, and in the gaming machine in which a special gaming area is provided in the gaming area, a feeling of boredom is suppressed, There is an excellent effect that the interest can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a center frame and the like.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a center frame and the like.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 2 ... Game board which comprises a game area, 3 ... Operation opening, 4 ... Big prize opening, 5 ... Game ball as a game medium, 8 ... As a variable display device (special design) Display device, 8a ... display unit, 21 ... center frame, 27 ... inlet part, 29 ... stage, 31 ... game ball passage, 32 ... convex part, 33 ... concave part, 34 ... guide groove, 35 ... opening part, 36 ... discharge Guide section.

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine in which a game ball can be played using a game ball in the game area and a special game area is provided in the game area,
An entrance capable of guiding a game ball in the game area to the special game area;
An immovable stage provided in the special game area and allowing a player to visually recognize the behavior of the game ball;
A game ball passage that is provided in the special game area and communicates between the entrance and the stage so as to guide the game ball that has entered the entrance to the stage from the side of the stage;
The stage is provided with a concave portion and a convex portion having continuously different heights, and at the rear portion of the stage, a restriction portion for restricting the rolling of the game ball to the rear portion side is provided. The game ball guided to the stage is capable of rolling along the concave and convex portions from one side of the stage to the other side,
The convex portion is provided in the approximate center of the stage,
The top of the convex portion is provided with a hole having a size that allows a game ball to enter when rolling on the convex portion, and the top of the convex portion is inclined downward with respect to the hole. In addition, when the game ball rolls on the convex portion, a guide groove that can be guided to the hole is provided depending on the rolling speed, and the game ball that has entered the hole directly or through the guide groove is a discharge guide port. Configured to be led out directly above the winning opening provided in the gaming area via
The concave portions are provided on both sides of the convex portion, and a game ball that has not entered the hole is configured to be discharged forward from a lower inclined surface toward the front side of the concave portion,
The entrance portion has a sufficient height with respect to the stage so that a game ball that has entered the entrance portion has sufficient energy to be able to reciprocally roll left and right through the concave portion and the convex portion. A gaming machine characterized by   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the special game area is constituted by a center frame surrounding a variable display device capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of symbols.

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