JP3957465B2

JP3957465B2 - Bullet ball machine

Info

Publication number: JP3957465B2
Application number: JP2001090618A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雅和市川; 匡雄遠藤
Original assignee: 株式会社藤商事
Priority date: 2001-03-27
Filing date: 2001-03-27
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-27
Also published as: JP2002282430A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、アレンジボール機、雀球遊技機等の弾球遊技機に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
組み合わせ遊技機、例えばアレンジボール機は、単位遊技毎に発射手段により遊技盤の遊技領域へと所定数、例えば１６個の遊技球を打ち込み、その遊技球を遊技領域の下部に配列された複数個の入賞口の何れかに入賞させながら、所定の休止時間をおいて単位遊技を繰り返し行う。
【０００３】
この種のアレンジボール機では、従来、発射手段の発射モータにステッピングモータを使用し、発射制御基板側のパルス発生手段から発射モータへと駆動パルスを送ると共に、遊技盤側の遊技動作の制御を行う主制御基板に、発射手段の発射モータの作動を検出する作動検出手段と、発射手段により発射された遊技球を検出する発射球検出手段と、発射後に遊技領域へと達せずに下皿等に回収される戻り球を検出する戻り球検出手段とを接続し、この主制御基板のＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等の制御手段側で発射球検出手段と戻り球検出手段との検出信号により、遊技領域に達した遊技球の有効発射球数を演算して、有効発射球数が１６個となるように発射制御基板を介して発射手段を制御している。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来は、主制御基板側のＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等の制御手段により、有効発射球数を１６個に制限する制御方式を採用しているため、主制御基板側の負担が非常に大きく、ハード的にもソフト的にも非効率的である。
【０００５】
本発明は、このような問題点に鑑み、主制御基板側での負担を軽減でき、発射手段を効率的に制御できる弾球遊技機を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、遊技機本体１に着脱自在に装着された遊技盤４の裏側に設けられ且つ該遊技盤４側の遊技動作を制御する主制御基板４７を備え、前記遊技機本体１側に、前記遊技盤４の遊技領域１５へ遊技球を発射する発射手段９と、該発射手段９を制御する発射制御基板５２とを備えた弾球遊技機において、前記主制御基板４７は前記遊技盤４が前記遊技領域１５へと所定数の遊技球を発射して遊技を行う組み合わせ遊技機用の場合には発射球数を所定数に制限するコマンドを、前記遊技盤４が前記遊技領域１５への遊技球の発射球数を制限せずに遊技を行うパチンコ機用の場合には発射球数を制限しないコマンドを夫々前記発射制御基板５２へと送信し、前記発射制御基板５２は遊技球の発射球数を所定数に制御するように前記発射手段９を制御する組み合わせ遊技機用の第１発射制御手段６６と、遊技球の発射球数を制限せずに連続発射可能に前記発射手段９を制御するパチンコ機用の第２発射制御手段６７と、前記主制御基板４７からの前記コマンドに基づいて、前記遊技盤４が組み合わせ遊技機用の場合には前記第１発射制御手段６６を、前記遊技盤４がパチンコ機用の場合には前記第２発射制御手段６７を夫々選択する発射形式選択手段６８とを備え、前記第１発射制御手段６６は前記発射手段９により発射された遊技球のうち前記遊技領域１５に達した有効発射球数を演算する有効発射球数演算機能と、前記有効発射球数に基づいて前記発射手段９の遊技球の発射球数を制限する発射球数制限機能とを備えたものである。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の各実施形態を図面に基づいて詳述する。図１〜図７は本発明をアレンジボール機に採用した第１の実施形態を例示し、図１において、１は遊技機本体で、外枠２と、この外枠２に開閉自在に枢着された前枠３を有する。前枠３には、遊技盤４が裏側から着脱自在に装着され、この遊技盤４の前側にガラス扉５と前面板６とが開閉自在に配置されている。前面板６には、発射用の遊技球を貯留する上皿７が装着されている。前枠３の下部には、余剰球を貯留する下皿８と、発射手段９の発射ハンドル１０とが夫々設けられている。
【０００８】
発射手段９は、発射レール１１と、上皿７から発射レール１１上に１個づつ供給される遊技球を打撃する打撃槌１２と、遊技者が発射ハンドル１０を操作したときに打撃槌１２を駆動する発射モータ１３とを備え、単位遊技毎に所定数（例えば１６個）の遊技球を遊技盤４の遊技領域１５（図２参照）へと発射させるようになっている。なお、発射モータ１３には、ステッピングモータが使用されている。
【０００９】
発射ハンドル１０には、遊技者の把持を検出する接触検出手段６１（図６参照）が設けられている。発射レール１１の近傍には、発射手段９から発射する遊技球を検出する発射球検出手段６２が設けられ、また発射モータ１３側には、その作動を検出する作動検出手段６３（図６参照）が設けられている。前枠３には、遊技領域１５に達せずにガイドレール１４の途中等から戻る戻り球を下皿８へと回収する戻り球通路３７が遊技盤４の下側に設けられ、その戻り球通路３７に、戻り球を検出する戻り球検出手段６４が設けられている。
【００１０】
遊技盤４の前面には、図２に示すように、ガイドレール１４が環状に装着されると共に、このガイドレール１４の内側の遊技領域１５の下部に入賞口手段１６が配置され、また入賞口手段１６の上側に遊技情報表示手段１７、作動口手段１８、得点増加手段１９、遊技図柄始動手段２０、作動手段２１，２２、普通入賞手段２３，２４等の各遊技部品が配置されている。
【００１１】
入賞口手段１６は、図３に示すように、遊技盤４の開口部２５に裏側から着脱自在に装着された入賞ケース２６と、この入賞ケース２６に横一列状等に形成され且つ前側から入賞した遊技球を遊技盤４の裏側へと誘導する複数個、例えば１６個の入賞口２７と、各入賞口２７に入賞した遊技球を検出する複数個、例えば１６個の入賞検出手段２８とを備え、遊技盤４に沿って落下する遊技球が何れかの入賞口２７に入賞して、入賞検出手段２８がその遊技球を検出するようになっている。
【００１２】
なお、入賞口手段１６は前側のカバー３３により覆われており、このカバー３３には、図２に示すように、各入賞口２７に対応して一端側から他端側へと連続する番号１〜１６等の符号が表示されている。また入賞口手段１６の上側近傍には、入賞口２７によって遊技球が入賞し易い箇所と入賞し難い箇所とができるように、多数の遊技釘２８ａが設けられている。
【００１３】
遊技情報表示手段１７は複数種類の遊技情報を表示するためのもので、図４に示すように、表示ケース２９と、この表示ケース２９に設けられた液晶表示部３０とを有する液晶表示手段により構成され、遊技盤４の遊技領域１５の略中央部に装着されている。表示ケース２９には、液晶表示部３０側を遊技球が通過しないように、前側に突出する庇部３１が上部側に設けられている。液晶表示部３０は正面視略矩形状であって、その表示領域３２に遊技図柄表示手段３４と入賞表示手段３５と得点表示手段３６とが区分して設けられている。
【００１４】
遊技図柄表示手段３４は遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃを変動表示するためのもので、表示領域３２の上部側に配置された１個又は複数個、例えば３個の図柄表示部３８ａ〜３８ｃを有し、その各図柄表示部３８ａ〜３８ｃに各遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃを表示するようになっている。遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃには、数字図柄、アルファベット図柄、キャラクター、その他の図柄を使用可能であり、この実施形態では０〜９までの１０種類の数字図柄が使用されている。そして、各遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃは、遊技図柄始動手段２０が遊技球を検出することを条件に、その１０種類の数字図柄の中で順次スクロール等により変動するようになっている。なお、図４の図柄表示部３８ａ〜３８ｃの波線矢印は、遊技図柄３９ｂの変動中を示す。
【００１５】
入賞表示手段３５は、遊技球が入賞した入賞口２７を表示するためのもので、入賞口手段１６の各入賞口２７に対応する１６個（複数個）の入賞表示部４０を有し、表示領域３２の遊技図柄表示手段３４の下側に配置されている。各入賞表示部４０には、入賞口手段１６の一端側から他端側への入賞口２７の順番に対応して１〜１６の番号、その他の符号又は図柄が付されており、遊技球が入賞口２７に入賞したときに、その入賞口２７に対応する入賞表示部４０の表示態様を変化させて入賞表示を行うようになっている。
【００１６】
各入賞表示部４０は、上下方向及び左右方向に所定間隔で４個づつ配置されており、上下方向、左右方向及び斜め方向に並ぶ４個の入賞表示部４０を１組として入賞役を構成し、その１組の入賞表示部４０が入賞表示状態となったときに入賞役が成立するようになっている。
【００１７】
得点表示手段３６は、遊技中に獲得した得点を表示するためのもので、入賞表示手段３５の４個１組の入賞表示部４０が入賞表示状態となって入賞役が成立したときに、その入賞役の成立の難易度に応じて付与される得点を数字等で表示するようになっている。
【００１８】
作動口手段１８は、遊技図柄表示手段３４の変動後の遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃが特定態様（全てが「７・７・７」等のように同種図柄となる等の特定図柄の組み合わせ）となった場合に所定時間開放する開閉式であって、図５に示すように、作動口４２が形成された作動口ケース４３と、その作動口４２を開閉する開閉部材４４とを有し、また作動口４２の内部に左右方向に複数個（例えば３個）の通路４５が形成され、その一部が特別領域４６となっている。特別領域４６には、遊技球の通過を検出する通過検出手段６５が設けられている。
【００１９】
得点増加手段１９は、遊技球が入賞したときに得点を増加させるためのもので、特別遊技状態が発生した場合に作動手段２１，２２が遊技球を検出することを条件に所定時間開放する開閉体１９ａを備え、この得点増加手段１９に遊技球が入賞したときに、その遊技中に獲得した得点を増加（例えば２倍）させるようになっている。
【００２０】
なお、作動口手段１８、得点増加手段１９、普通入賞手段２３，２４は、遊技盤４の前側で入賞した遊技球を遊技盤４の裏側に誘導するように構成され、これらに遊技球が入賞したときに、それに対応する１個又は複数個の入賞口２７への遊技球の入賞と同等に取り扱われるようになっている。
【００２１】
図６はアレンジボール機の制御系のブロック図である。この制御系は、図６に示すように基板の単機能化を図るべく複数種類の制御機能別に分けられ、その各制御機能別に主制御基板４７、表示制御基板４８、払い出し制御基板４９、音声制御基板５０、ランプ制御基板５１、発射制御基板５２に分けて装着されている。なお、主制御基板４７、表示制御基板４８、音声制御基板５０、ランプ制御基板５１が遊技盤４の裏側に設けられ、払い出し制御基板４９、発射制御基板５２が前枠３の裏側に設けられる等、各基板４７〜５２は、遊技機本体１の裏側に装着されている。
【００２２】
主制御基板４７は、主として遊技盤４側の遊技動作の制御を行うためのものであり、後述のように乱数抽選により遊技者に有利な第１状態（特別遊技状態）と不利な第２状態（非特別遊技状態）とに選択的に制御可能に構成されている。この主制御基板４７は、演算処理を行うＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等により構成された入賞処理手段５３、乱数発生手段５４、遊技状態判定手段５５、特別遊技状態発生手段５６、精算処理手段５７、遊技制御手段５８、コマンド送信手段５９等を備えている。
【００２３】
入賞処理手段５３は、入賞口手段１６の入賞口２７等に遊技球が入賞したときに入賞検出手段２８からの入賞信号に基づいて所定の入賞処理を行うためのもので、遊技球の入賞が確定する毎に各入賞口２７に対応する入賞表示手段３５の入賞表示部４０に入賞表示を行わせる機能と、上下方向、左右方向及び斜め方向に並ぶ４個の入賞表示部４０が入賞表示状態となる入賞役の成否を判定する機能とを有する。
【００２４】
乱数発生手段５４は、遊技状態決定用乱数、その他の所定の乱数を繰り返し発生するようになっている。遊技状態判定手段５５は、乱数発生手段５４からの抽選乱数値に基づいて特別遊技状態とするか否かを判定するためのもので、遊技図柄始動手段２０が遊技球を検出することを条件に乱数発生手段５４の遊技状態決定乱数の発生乱数値を抽選して、その抽選乱数値が特別遊技判定乱数値のときに特別遊技状態とする旨を判定するようになっている。なお、遊技状態判定手段５５が特別遊技状態と判定したときには、遊技図柄表示手段３４の変動後の遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃが「７・７・７」等の特定態様で停止した後に、作動口手段１８の開閉部材４４が所定時間開放するようになっている。
【００２５】
特別遊技状態発生手段５６は、通過検出手段６５が特別領域４６を通過する遊技球を検出したときに、その検出を条件に遊技者に有利な特別遊技状態を発生させ、その後に最大所定遊技数（例えば１４回等の複数回）の遊技結果が得られるまで特別遊技状態を継続的に発生させるようになっている。なお、特別遊技状態発生手段５６は、特別遊技状態の発生後に遊技球が特別領域４６を通過したときに、その特別遊技状態を終了させるようになっている。
【００２６】
特別遊技状態では作動手段２１，２２が有効になり、この作動手段２１，２２に遊技球が入賞すれば得点増加手段１９が開放して、この得点増加手段１９に遊技球が入賞することを条件に、その単位遊技で獲得した得点を増加（例えば２倍）させるようになっている。
【００２７】
精算処理手段５７は、発射手段９により遊技領域１５へと所定数（例えば１６個）の遊技球を順次発射して単位遊技が成立する毎に所定の精算処理を行うためのもので、入賞処理手段５３が入賞役の成立と判定したときに、その入賞役の成立の難易度に応じて得点を付与する機能、特別遊技状態の発生中に得点増加手段１９に遊技球が入賞したときに、当該遊技での得点を２倍に増加させる機能等を備えている。なお、単位遊技当たりの得点は、最高１０点までである。
【００２８】
遊技制御手段５８は、遊技領域１５へと所定数（例えば１６個）の遊技球を発射することによって成立する単位遊技毎の遊技動作を制御するためのもので、遊技を開始可能なときに所定数の遊技球の発射を指示する機能と、発射制御基板５２側から所定数の遊技球を発射し終えた旨の発射結果に関連するコマンド（発射終了コマンド）の有無、及び所定数（例えば１６個）の遊技球が入賞口手段１６の入賞口２７等に入賞したか否かにより、次回の遊技に移行できるか否かを判定する機能と、精算処理手段５７の精算処理後に所定の休止時間をおいて次の遊技を開始可能にする機能とを備えている。
【００２９】
コマンド送信手段５９は、各制御基板４８〜５２にコマンドを一方向通信により送信するためのもので、遊技制御手段５８の制御に基づいて発射制御基板５２側に発射球数コマンド（又は所定数発射コマンド）を送信する機能、遊技状態判定手段５５の判定結果に基づいて表示制御基板４８側に遊技図柄コマンドを送信する機能、精算処理手段５７の得点に基づいて表示制御基板４８側に得点表示コマンドを送信する機能、入賞処理手段５３の入賞処理に基づいて表示制御基板４８側に入賞表示コマンドを送信する機能、精算処理手段５７の得点に基づいて払い出し制御基板４９に賞球の払い出しコマンドを送信する機能、特別遊技状態の発生等の遊技状態に基づいて音声制御基板５０側に音声コマンドを送信する機能、特別遊技状態の発生等の遊技状態に基づいてランプ制御基板５１側にランプ表示コマンドを送信する機能等を有する。
【００３０】
なお、主制御基板４７から発射制御基板５２に送信する発射開始コマンドには、遊技盤４がアレンジボール機用の場合の発射球数を所定数に制限する発射球数コマンド（又は所定数発射コマンド）と、遊技盤４がパチンコ機の場合の発射球数を制限しない連続発射コマンドとがあり、遊技盤４の種類に応じてコマンド送信手段５９がその何れかを送信するようになっている。
【００３１】
表示制御基板４８は、演算処理を行うＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等により構成された遊技図柄制御手段手段７６、入賞表示制御手段７７、得点表示制御手段６０等を備えている。
【００３２】
遊技図柄制御手段手段７６は、遊技状態判定手段５５の判定結果に応じて遊技図柄表示手段３４の遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃの変動制御を行うためのもので、遊技図柄始動手段２０の遊技球の検出により遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃが変動を開始し、遊技状態判定手段５５の判定結果が特別遊技判定のときに「７・７・７」等の特定態様で、非特別遊技判定のときに非特定態様で夫々停止すべく、所定時間変動後の遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃを判定結果に基づいて特定態様又は非特定態様で停止させるようになっている。
【００３３】
入賞表示制御手段７７は、入賞表示手段３５の入賞表示の制御を行うためのもので、遊技球が何れかの入賞口２７に入賞して入賞表示コマンドがあったときに、その入賞口２７に対応する入賞表示手段３５の入賞表示部４０の表示態様を変化させて入賞を表示させるようになっている。得点表示制御手段６０は、得点表示手段３６の得点の表示制御を行うためのもので、得点表示コマンドがあったときに、得点表示手段３６にそのコマンドに応じた得点を表示させるようになっている。
【００３４】
払い出し制御基板４９は、主制御基板４７側から払い出しコマンドがあったときに払い出し手段７４を作動させて、所定数の賞球を払い出させるようになっている。払い出し手段７４は、各単位遊技において得点が付与されたときに、遊技者に対して得点１点につき所定数の遊技球を賞球として上皿７へと払い出すためのものであり、前枠３の裏側に装着されている。
【００３５】
ランプ制御基板５１は、主制御基板４７側からのランプ表示コマンドがあったときに、前枠３、遊技盤４等の遊技機本体１の前面側の表示ランプ７３を発光又は点滅発光させるようになっている。音声制御基板５０は、主制御基板４７側からの音声コマンドがあったときに、音声発生手段７５から所定の音声を発生させるようになっている。また各制御基板４８〜５１は、主制御基板４７の遊技制御手段５８に対して受信確認信号、動作中信号等の所定の信号をコマンドで送信可能に構成されている。
【００３６】
発射制御基板５２は、図７に示すように、発射モータ１３の駆動パルスを発生するパルス発生手段７８と、遊技球の発射球数を所定数に制限するように発射手段９を制御するアレンジボール機用の第１発射制御手段６６と、遊技球の発射球数を制限せずに連続発射可能に発射手段９を制御するパチンコ機用の第２発射制御手段６７と、発射球数コマンド又は連続発射コマンドに基づいて両発射制御手段６６，６７の何れかを択一的に選択する選択する発射形式選択手段６８とを備え、この発射制御基板５２に作動検出手段６３、発射球検出手段６２、戻り球検出手段６４が夫々接続されている。なお、パルス発生手段７８、第１発射制御手段６６、第２発射制御手段６７、発射形式選択手段６８は、演算処理を行うＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等により構成されている。
【００３７】
発射形式選択手段６８は、主制御基板４７からのコマンドに基づいて、遊技盤４がアレンジボール機のときに発射球数コマンド（又は所定発射コマンド）により第１発射制御手段６６を、遊技盤４がパチンコ機のときに連続発射コマンドにより第２発射制御手段６７を夫々選択するようになっている。なお、発射手段９及び発射制御基板５２は、遊技球の発射形式が異なるアレンジボール機とパチンコ機とに兼用可能である。
【００３８】
第２発射制御手段６７は、例えば１分間当たりの遊技球の発射球数が１００個を越えないように、所定の発射間隔で遊技球を発射させるべくパルス発生手段７８の駆動パルスに従って発射手段９の発射モータ１３を連続的に制御するように構成されている。
【００３９】
第１発射制御手段６６は、例えば１分間当たりの遊技球の発射球数が１００個を越えないように、所定の発射間隔で遊技球を発射させるべくパルス発生手段７８の駆動パルスに従って発射手段９の発射モータ１３を制御する発射制御部６９と、遊技領域１５に達した遊技球の有効発射球数を演算する有効発射球数演算部７０と、この有効発射球数演算部７０の有効発射球数演算機能によって演算された有効発射球数に基づいて、発射手段９の遊技球の発射球数を所定数に制限する発射制限部７１と、主制御基板４７に遊技球の発射結果に関連するコマンドを送信するコマンド送信部７２とを備えている。
【００４０】
発射制御部６９は、主制御基板４７から発射球数コマンドがあり、接触検出手段６１が遊技者の発射ハンドル１０の把持を検出することを条件に、パルス発生手段７８の駆動パルスに従って発射モータ１３を制御し、有効発射球数に関係なく発射手段９が所定数（１６個）の遊技球を発射したときに一旦発射手段９を停止させて、その後に再度発射手段９を作動させるようになっている。
【００４１】
有効発射球数演算部７０は、発射球検出手段６２の検出信号を加算カウントし、戻り球検出手段６４の検出信号を減算カウントして、これらの検出信号により、遊技領域１５に達した遊技球の有効発射球数を演算する有効発射球数演算機能を備えている。発射制限部７１は、発射球数コマンドにより指定された遊技球の発射球数と、有効発射球数演算部７０で演算された有効発射球数とを比較して両者が一致したときに、発射手段９による遊技球の発射を発射制御部６９を介して制限する発射球数制限機能を備えている。
【００４２】
コマンド送信部７２は、発射手段９が遊技球を発射可能な状態であり、且つ発射球数制限機能によって発射手段９の遊技球の発射を制限している状態、即ち発発射球数コマンドにより指定された発射球数と、有効発射球数演算部７０で演算された有効発射球数とが一致したときに、発射制御部６９又は発射制限部７１の制御に基づいて発射終了コマンドを送信するようになっている。
【００４３】
次に上記構成のアレンジボール機における動作を説明する。アレンジボール機の場合には、入賞表示手段３５等が初期状態である等の単位遊技を開始可能な所定の条件を満たしておれば、遊技制御手段５８からの信号に基づいてコマンド送信手段５９が遊技の開始に先立って発射球数コマンドを発射制御基板５２へと送信する。
【００４４】
発射制御基板５２では、コマンド送信手段５９からの発射球数コマンドを解析して、発射形式選択手段６８がその発射球数コマンドの解析結果に従って第１発射制御手段６６を選択する。これによって第１発射制御手段６６が有効に機能する。
【００４５】
そこで、遊技者が発射ハンドル１０を把持して操作すれば、第１発射制御手段６６の発射制御部６９の制御により発射手段９の発射モータ１３が作動し、上皿７から発射レール１１上に供給される遊技球を打撃槌１２により打撃して、その遊技球をガイドレール１４を経て遊技領域１５へと順次打ち込んで行く。
【００４６】
そして、発射手段９が遊技球を順次発射する毎に、発射球検出手段６２がその遊技球を検出し、有効発射球数演算部７０がその検出信号を加算カウントする。発射された遊技球は、通常はガイドレール１４を経て遊技領域１５へと打ち込まれた後、その遊技領域１５の入賞口手段１６の何れかの入賞口２７に入賞するか、又は普通入賞手段２３，２４等に入賞してから、遊技盤４の裏側へと案内されて行く。
【００４７】
またガイドレール１４の途中等で失速した遊技球があれば、その遊技球は戻り球となって戻り球通路３７を経て下皿８へと回収される。そして、戻り球が戻り球通路３７を通過すると、その戻り球を戻り球検出手段６４が検出し、有効発射球数演算部７０がその検出信号を減算カウントする。
【００４８】
このように発射手段９が遊技球を発射する毎に、有効発射球数演算部７０が発射球検出手段６２の検出信号と戻り球検出手段６４の検出信号とを加減算カウントして、遊技領域１５に達した有効発射球数を演算する。そして、発射制限部７１がその有効発射球数と発射球数コマンドにより指定された発射球数とを比較する。
【００４９】
発射手段９が１６個の遊技球を発射すると、発射制御部６９の制御により発射手段９が一旦停止する。このとき１６個の遊技球が全て遊技領域１５に達しており、途中で失速して戻り球通路３７に戻る戻り球が全くなければ、有効発射球数演算部７０で演算された有効発射球数と発射球数コマンドにより指定された発射球数とが一致するため、発射制限部７１の有効発射球数制限機能が働き、その状態で発射手段９による遊技球の発射が終了する。
【００５０】
また戻り球があれば、発射制御部６９の制御により発射手段９の発射モータ１３が再度作動して、有効発射球数が発射球数コマンドにより指定された発射球数と一致するまで発射手段９が遊技球の発射を継続する。そして、有効発射球数が１６個になれば、発射制御基板５２のコマンド送信部７２が主制御基板４７へと発射終了コマンドを送信する。
【００５１】
遊技球が入賞口２７に順次入賞すると、その入賞検出手段２８がその遊技球を検出して入賞処理手段５３が入賞処理を行い、入賞表示制御手段７７の制御により、各遊技球が入賞口２７に入賞する毎にそれに対応する入賞表示部４０が順次遊技球の入賞を表示する。
【００５２】
例えば、入賞口手段１６の入賞口２７のうち、左側の１番目から４番目までの入賞口２７に遊技球が入賞すると、入賞表示手段３５の上側の４個の入賞表示部４０が入賞を表示して入賞役が成立する。そして、４個目の遊技球が入賞した時点で入賞処理手段５３が入賞役の成立を判定し、精算処理手段５７が得点を付与する。
【００５３】
一方、精算処理手段５７により得点が付与されると、得点表示制御手段６０の制御により得点表示手段３６が「１点」等の得点を表示すると共に、払い出し制御基板４９の制御により払い出し手段７４が作動して、その得点に応じて賞球を上皿７へと払い出す。
【００５４】
遊技図柄始動手段２０に遊技球が入賞すると、遊技状態判定手段５５が乱数発生手段５４の発生乱数値を抽選して、その抽選乱数値から特別遊技状態とするか否かを判定し、その判定結果に基づいて遊技図柄制御手段手段７６の制御により遊技図柄表示手段３４の遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃが変動を開始する。遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃは、変動開始から所定時間経過した後、遊技状態判定手段５５の判定結果に基づいて、その判定結果が特別遊技判定のときに特定態様となり、非特別遊技判定のときに非特定態様となるように、遊技図柄制御手段手段７６の制御により所定時間変動して、所定種類の特定態様又は非特定態様で停止する。
【００５５】
遊技図柄３９ａ〜３９ｃが特定態様で停止し確定すると、作動口手段１８の開閉部材４４が開放して、上方から落下する遊技球を作動口４２へと誘導する。そして、作動口４２に入賞した遊技球が特別領域４６を通過すると、通過検出手段６５がその遊技球の通過を検出し、特別遊技状態発生手段５６が作動して所定遊技数に亘って継続的に特別遊技状態が発生する。
【００５６】
特別遊技状態が発生すると、その特別遊技状態の発生中は作動手段２１，２２が有効になり、この作動手段２１，２２に遊技球が入賞すれば、得点増加手段１９が所定時間開放する。そして、得点増加手段１９に遊技球が入賞すると、精算処理手段５７がその単位遊技中に獲得した得点を２倍に増加させる処理を行い、得点表示手段３６の得点が２倍になり、払い出し手段７４がその得点に応じて賞球を払い出す。
【００５７】
発射制御基板５２から発射終了コマンドがあり、入賞口手段１６の入賞検出手段２８等が所定数の遊技球を検出すると、遊技制御手段５８が次の遊技に移行可能と判定して、精算処理手段５７の精算処理後に入賞表示手段３５を初期状態に戻し、これによって当該単位遊技が終了する。そして、遊技制御手段５８の制御により、所定の休止時間をおいて次の遊技を開始可能な状態となるので、遊技者が発射ハンドル１０を操作しておれば、同様にして次の遊技を自動的に開始する。
【００５８】
この実施形態では、発射制御基板５２側に有効発射球数演算部７０と発射制限部７１とを備え、その有効発射球数演算部７０が発射球検出手段６２の検出信号と戻り球検出手段６４の検出信号とにより、発射手段９により発射された遊技球のうち遊技領域１５に達した有効発射球数を演算し、発射制限部７１が有効発射球数演算部７０で演算された有効発射球数に基づいて発射手段９の遊技球の発射球数を制限するように構成しているので、従来に比較して主制御基板４７側での負担を軽減でき、発射手段９を効率的に制御できる。このため発射制御基板５２のＣＰＵ化も容易にできる。
【００５９】
図８は本発明の第２の実施形態を例示する。この実施形態は、第１の実施形態の第２発射制御手段６７、発射形式選択手段６８を省略し、発射制御基板５２及び発射手段９をアレンジボール機用として構成したものである。このように発射制御基板５２及び発射手段９は、アレンジボール機に専用のものでも良い。
【００６０】
以上、本発明の各実施形態について詳述したが、この実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々の変更が可能である。例えば実施形態では、主制御基板４７のコマンド送信手段５９により発射球数コマンドを送信して、この発射球数コマンドがあれば、発射制御基板５２側が発射手段９を作動させるようにしている。しかし、発射開始コマンドに発射開始の機能を持たせずに、発射開始コマンドと発射球数コマンドとを別々に送信するようにしても良い。
【００６１】
発射制御基板５２のコマンド送信部７２から送信されるコマンドは、発射球数コマンドにより指定された発射球数と、有効発射球数演算部７０で演算された有効発射球数とが一致したとき、又は発射球数コマンドが未送信であるときに、遊技者が発射ハンドル１０を把持して操作している状態の場合に送信するようにしても良い。この場合、主制御基板４７がゲーム開始を把握し易い利点がある。
【００６２】
アレンジボール機に専用の発射制御基板５２の場合には、発射開始コマンドがあれば、発射制御基板５２側で発射球数を所定数に制御するように構成することも可能である。その場合には、主制御基板４７から発射制御基板５２へと発射球数コマンドを送信する必要はなく、遊技球の発射を開始可能であるコマンド、発射開始の契機となるコマンド、その他の遊技球の発射に関する何等かのコマンドを送信するだけでも良い。
【００６３】
また実施形態では、説明の便宜上、発射制御基板５２側にパルス発生手段７８、第１発射制御手段６６、第２発射制御手段６７、発射形式選択手段６８を設け、これらをＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等により構成しているが、発射制御基板５２には少なくとも有効発射球数演算機能と発射球数制限機能とがあれば十分である。
【００６４】
発射球検出手段６２は、発射手段９から発射する遊技球を検出できれば良く、発射前の遊技球を検出しても良いし、発射後の遊技球を検出しても良い。また遊技球を直接検出せずに、間接的に検出するようにしても良い。従って、発射球検出手段６２は、遊技球の発射を検出できるように設けておけば良い。
【００６５】
また実施形態では、乱数抽選により遊技者に有利な第１状態と不利な第２状態とに選択的に制御可能な主制御基板４７を備えた場合を例示しているが、主制御基板４７は、遊技盤４側の遊技動作を制御可能なものであれば良く、必ずしも主制御基板４７側に乱数抽選機能を備えておく必要はない。精算処理手段５７は、発射終了コマンドがあったときに、遊技制御手段５８からの信号により精算処理を開始するようにしても良い。
【００６６】
遊技情報表示手段１７の遊技図柄表示手段３４、入賞表示手段３５、得点表示手段３６は、別々に設けても良い。入賞表示手段３５は、その入賞表示部４０が入賞口２７と上下に対応するように、入賞口手段１６の下側近傍に横一列状に配置しても良い。
【００６７】
更に実施形態では、アレンジボール機について例示しているが、アレンジボール機の他、雀球遊技機等の各種の組み合わせ遊技機でも同様に実施できることはいうまでもない。またメダルを投入してゲームを開始可能にするメダル投入式、発射手段９と遊技盤４側との間で遊技球を循環させる循環式等でも良い。払い出し手段７４は、遊技球に代えてメダル等の遊技媒体を払い出すようにしても良い。
【００６８】
【発明の効果】
本発明では、主制御基板４７側での負担を軽減でき、発射手段９を効率的に制御できる利点がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態を示すアレンジボール機の正面図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す遊技盤の正面図である。
【図３】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す入賞口手段の断面図である。
【図４】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す遊技情報表示手段の説明図である。
【図５】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す作動口手段の斜視図である。
【図６】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す制御系のブロック図である。
【図７】本発明の第１の実施形態を示す発射制御基板側のブロック図である。
【図８】本発明の第２の実施形態を示す発射制御基板側のブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
４遊技盤
９発射手段
１５遊技領域
４７主制御基板
５２発射制御基板
６２発射球検出手段
６４戻り球検出手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as an arrange ball machine or a sparrow ball game machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A combination game machine, for example, an arrange ball machine, has a predetermined number, for example, 16 game balls shot into the game area of the game board by launching means for each unit game, and a plurality of the game balls arranged at the bottom of the game area The unit game is repeatedly performed with a predetermined pause time while winning in any of the winning awards.
[0003]
Conventionally, in this type of arrange ball machine, a stepping motor is used as the launch motor of the launch means, and a drive pulse is sent from the pulse generation means on the launch control board side to the launch motor, and the game operation on the game board side is controlled. An operation detection means for detecting the operation of the launch motor of the launch means, a launch ball detection means for detecting a game ball fired by the launch means, a lower plate, etc. without reaching the game area after launch A return ball detecting means for detecting the return ball collected is connected to the control means such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. of the main control board, and a game signal is generated by a detection signal from the launch ball detecting means and the return ball detecting means. The number of game balls that have reached the area is calculated, and the launching means is controlled via the launch control board so that the number of game balls that can be fired is 16.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, a control method that limits the number of effective firing balls to 16 by control means such as CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. on the main control board side has been adopted. Both software and software are inefficient.
[0005]
In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of reducing the burden on the main control board side and efficiently controlling the launching means.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention Provided on the back side of the gaming board 4 detachably attached to the gaming machine main body 1 and the Main control board 47 for controlling game operation on the game board 4 side On the gaming machine body 1 side, In a ball game machine comprising launching means 9 for launching a game ball to the game area 15 of the game board 4 and a launch control board 52 for controlling the launch means 9; In the case of a combination gaming machine in which the main control board 47 is used for a combination gaming machine in which the game board 4 launches a predetermined number of game balls into the game area 15 and plays a game, a command for limiting the number of shot balls to the predetermined number When the game board 4 is for a pachinko machine that plays a game without limiting the number of game balls to be launched into the game area 15, a command that does not limit the number of shot balls is transmitted to the launch control board 52, respectively. The launch control board 52 is First firing control means 66 for a combination gaming machine that controls the launching means 9 so as to control the number of game balls to be fired to a predetermined number, and continuous firing without limiting the number of game balls to be fired. Based on the command from the main control board 47, the second launch control means 67 for the pachinko machine that controls the launch means 9, and the first launch control means when the game board 4 is for a combination game machine 66. When the game board 4 is a pachinko machine, the first launch control means 66 includes a launch type selection means 68 for selecting the second launch control means 67, respectively. Of the game balls launched by the launching means 9, an effective firing ball number calculating function for computing the number of effective firing balls that have reached the game area 15, and the game balls of the launching means 9 based on the number of effective firing balls Launch ball number limiter to limit the number of shot balls Noh and It is equipped with.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 exemplify a first embodiment in which the present invention is adopted in an arrangement ball machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a gaming machine main body, and an outer frame 2 and pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 3 is provided. A game board 4 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the back side, and a glass door 5 and a front plate 6 are disposed on the front side of the game board 4 so as to be freely opened and closed. The front plate 6 is equipped with an upper plate 7 for storing a game ball for launch. A lower plate 8 for storing surplus spheres and a firing handle 10 for the launching means 9 are provided at the lower part of the front frame 3.
[0008]
The firing means 9 includes a firing rail 11, a striking rod 12 that strikes game balls supplied one by one from the upper plate 7 onto the firing rail 11, and a striking rod 12 when the player operates the firing handle 10. A driving motor 13 for driving is provided, and a predetermined number (for example, 16) of game balls is fired into the game area 15 (see FIG. 2) of the game board 4 for each unit game. Note that a stepping motor is used as the firing motor 13.
[0009]
The firing handle 10 is provided with contact detection means 61 (see FIG. 6) for detecting the grip of the player. In the vicinity of the launch rail 11, a launch ball detecting means 62 for detecting a game ball to be launched from the launch means 9 is provided, and on the launch motor 13 side, an action detecting means 63 for detecting the action thereof (see FIG. 6). Is provided. The front frame 3 is provided with a return ball passage 37 on the lower side of the game board 4 for collecting a return ball returning from the middle of the guide rail 14 and the like to the lower plate 8 without reaching the game area 15. 37 is provided with return sphere detection means 64 for detecting a return sphere.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 14 is annularly mounted on the front surface of the game board 4, and a winning opening means 16 is disposed at a lower portion of the game area 15 inside the guide rail 14. Above the means 16, game information display means 17, operating port means 18, score increasing means 19, game symbol starting means 20, operating means 21, 22 and normal winning means 23, 24, etc. are arranged.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 3, the winning opening means 16 includes a winning case 26 that is detachably attached to the opening 25 of the game board 4 from the back side, and is formed in a horizontal line on the winning case 26 and wins from the front side. A plurality of, for example, 16 winning holes 27 for guiding the game balls to the back side of the game board 4 and a plurality of, for example, 16 winning detecting means 28 for detecting the game balls won in each winning hole 27. The game ball falling along the game board 4 wins any one of the winning openings 27, and the winning detection means 28 detects the game ball.
[0012]
The winning opening means 16 is covered with a front cover 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 33 has a number 1 continuous from one end to the other end corresponding to each winning opening 27. Symbols such as ˜16 are displayed. In addition, a large number of game nails 28a are provided in the vicinity of the upper side of the winning opening means 16 so that a place where a game ball can be easily won by the winning opening 27 and a place where it is difficult to win a prize are formed.
[0013]
The game information display means 17 is for displaying a plurality of types of game information. As shown in FIG. 4, the game information display means 17 is a liquid crystal display means having a display case 29 and a liquid crystal display section 30 provided in the display case 29. It is comprised and is mounted | worn with the approximate center part of the game area | region 15 of the game board 4. FIG. The display case 29 is provided with a collar portion 31 projecting to the front side so that a game ball does not pass through the liquid crystal display unit 30 side. The liquid crystal display unit 30 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a game symbol display means 34, a winning display means 35 and a score display means 36 are provided in the display area 32.
[0014]
The game symbol display means 34 is for variably displaying the game symbols 39a to 39c, and has one or a plurality of, for example, three symbol display portions 38a to 38c arranged on the upper side of the display area 32. Each game symbol 39a-39c is displayed on each symbol display part 38a-38c. As the game symbols 39a to 39c, numeric symbols, alphabet symbols, characters, and other symbols can be used. In this embodiment, ten types of numeric symbols from 0 to 9 are used. Each of the game symbols 39a to 39c is changed by scrolling or the like sequentially in the ten types of numerical symbols on condition that the game symbol starting means 20 detects a game ball. In addition, the wavy arrow of the symbol display parts 38a-38c of FIG. 4 shows that the game symbol 39b is changing.
[0015]
The winning display means 35 is for displaying the winning opening 27 where the game ball has been won, and has 16 (plural) winning display sections 40 corresponding to each winning opening 27 of the winning opening means 16. It is arranged below the game symbol display means 34 in the area 32. Each winning display section 40 is assigned numbers 1 to 16 and other symbols or symbols corresponding to the order of the winning opening 27 from one end side to the other end side of the winning opening means 16. When the winning opening 27 is won, the winning display is performed by changing the display mode of the winning display section 40 corresponding to the winning opening 27.
[0016]
Each of the winning display units 40 is arranged four by four at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and constitutes a winning combination with the four winning display units 40 arranged in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction as one set. The winning combination is established when the set of winning display sections 40 is in the winning display state.
[0017]
The score display means 36 is for displaying the score obtained during the game. When the winning display section 40 of the winning display means 35 is in the winning display state and the winning combination is established, A score given in accordance with the difficulty level of winning a winning combination is displayed as a number or the like.
[0018]
The operating port means 18 has a specific form (combination of specific symbols such as all the symbols of the same type, such as “7, 7, 7”, etc.) after the variation of the game symbol display means 34. 5 is an open / close type that opens for a predetermined time, and as shown in FIG. 5, it has an operating port case 43 in which an operating port 42 is formed and an open / close member 44 that opens and closes the operating port 42. A plurality of (for example, three) passages 45 are formed in the mouth 42 in the left-right direction, and a part thereof is a special region 46. The special area 46 is provided with passage detection means 65 for detecting the passage of the game ball.
[0019]
The score increasing means 19 is for increasing the score when a game ball is won, and is opened and closed for a predetermined time on condition that the operating means 21 and 22 detect the game ball when a special game state occurs. A body 19a is provided, and when a game ball wins the score increasing means 19, the score acquired during the game is increased (for example, doubled).
[0020]
The operating port means 18, the score increasing means 19, and the normal winning means 23, 24 are configured to guide the game balls won on the front side of the game board 4 to the back side of the game board 4, and the game balls win the prizes. When this is done, it is handled in the same way as winning a game ball to one or a plurality of winning holes 27 corresponding thereto.
[0021]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control system of the arrange ball machine. As shown in FIG. 6, this control system is divided into a plurality of types of control functions in order to achieve a single function of the board. For each control function, the main control board 47, display control board 48, payout control board 49, voice control. The board 50, the lamp control board 51, and the launch control board 52 are mounted separately. The main control board 47, the display control board 48, the voice control board 50, the lamp control board 51 are provided on the back side of the game board 4, the payout control board 49, the launch control board 52 are provided on the back side of the front frame 3, etc. The substrates 47 to 52 are mounted on the back side of the gaming machine main body 1.
[0022]
The main control board 47 is mainly for controlling the game operation on the game board 4 side. As will be described later, the first state (special game state) advantageous to the player by random number lottery and the second state unfavorable (Non-special game state) is configured to be selectively controllable. The main control board 47 includes a winning processing means 53, a random number generating means 54, a gaming state determining means 55, a special gaming state generating means 56, a settlement processing means 57, a game, which are constituted by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like for performing arithmetic processing. Control means 58, command transmission means 59 and the like are provided.
[0023]
The winning processing means 53 is for performing a predetermined winning process based on a winning signal from the winning detecting means 28 when a gaming ball wins the winning opening 27 or the like of the winning opening means 16. Each time it is confirmed, the winning display section 40 of the winning display means 35 corresponding to each winning opening 27 displays a winning display, and four winning display sections 40 arranged in the up, down, left, and right directions are in the winning display state. And a function for determining success or failure of the winning combination.
[0024]
The random number generator 54 repeatedly generates a game state determination random number and other predetermined random numbers. The game state determination means 55 is for determining whether or not to enter the special game state based on the lottery random number value from the random number generation means 54, on condition that the game symbol starting means 20 detects a game ball. The random number generating means 54 draws a random number value of a game state determination random number, and determines that the special gaming state is set when the random number value is a special game determination random value. When the game state determination unit 55 determines that the game state is the special game state, the game port display unit 34 after the game symbols 39a to 39c after the change are stopped in a specific mode such as “7, 7, 7”, etc. 18 open / close members 44 are opened for a predetermined time.
[0025]
When the passage detection means 65 detects a game ball passing through the special area 46, the special game state generation means 56 generates a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition of the detection, and then the maximum predetermined number of games. The special game state is continuously generated until a game result (for example, a plurality of times such as 14 times) is obtained. The special game state generating means 56 ends the special game state when the game ball passes through the special area 46 after the special game state is generated.
[0026]
In the special game state, the operating means 21 and 22 are valid. If a game ball wins the operating means 21 and 22, the score increasing means 19 is released, and the game ball wins the score increasing means 19 In addition, the score obtained in the unit game is increased (for example, doubled).
[0027]
The settlement processing means 57 is for performing a predetermined settlement process each time a unit game is established by sequentially firing a predetermined number (for example, 16) of game balls to the game area 15 by the launching means 9. When the means 53 determines that a winning combination has been established, a function for giving a score according to the difficulty level of establishment of the winning combination, when a game ball has won the score increasing means 19 during the occurrence of a special gaming state, It has a function to double the score in the game. The score per unit game is up to 10 points.
[0028]
The game control means 58 is for controlling a game operation for each unit game established by firing a predetermined number (for example, 16) of game balls into the game area 15, and is predetermined when the game can be started. A function for instructing the launch of a number of game balls, the presence / absence of a command (launch end command) related to the result of firing that a predetermined number of game balls have been fired from the launch control board 52 side, and a predetermined number (for example, 16 A function of determining whether or not the game ball can be shifted to the next game depending on whether or not a game ball has won the winning slot 27 of the winning slot means 16, and a predetermined pause time after the settlement process of the settlement processing means 57 And a function that allows the next game to be started.
[0029]
The command transmission means 59 is for transmitting commands to the control boards 48 to 52 by one-way communication. Based on the control of the game control means 58, a command for firing ball number (or a predetermined number of shots) is sent to the firing control board 52 side. Command), a function for transmitting a game symbol command to the display control board 48 based on the determination result of the gaming state determination means 55, and a score display command for the display control board 48 based on the score of the settlement processing means 57 , A function of transmitting a winning display command to the display control board 48 based on the winning process of the winning processing means 53, and a payout command of the winning ball to the payout control board 49 based on the score of the settlement processing means 57 A function to transmit a voice command to the voice control board 50 based on a gaming state such as a function to play, a special gaming state, or a special gaming state Having a function for transmitting a lamp display command to the side lamp control board 51 based of the gaming state.
[0030]
The launch start command transmitted from the main control board 47 to the launch control board 52 includes a launch ball number command (or a predetermined number launch command) that limits the number of shot balls when the game board 4 is for an arrange ball machine to a predetermined number. ) And a continuous firing command that does not limit the number of shot balls when the game board 4 is a pachinko machine, and the command transmission means 59 transmits one of them depending on the type of the game board 4.
[0031]
The display control board 48 includes a game symbol control means 76, a winning display control means 77, a score display control means 60, etc. constituted by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like for performing arithmetic processing.
[0032]
The game symbol control means 76 is for performing fluctuation control of the game symbols 39a to 39c of the game symbol display means 34 in accordance with the determination result of the game state determination means 55. The game symbol start means 20 detects the game ball. The game symbols 39a to 39c start to fluctuate, and the determination result of the game state determination means 55 is a specific mode such as “7, 7 or 7” when the determination result is a special game determination, and a non-specific mode when a non-special game determination is made In order to stop each of the game symbols 39a to 39c after a predetermined time fluctuation, the game symbols 39a to 39c are stopped in a specific mode or a non-specific mode based on the determination result.
[0033]
The winning display control means 77 is for controlling the winning display of the winning display means 35. When a game ball wins a winning opening 27 and receives a winning display command, the winning display 27 is displayed. The winning display is displayed by changing the display mode of the winning display section 40 of the corresponding winning display means 35. The score display control means 60 is for controlling display of the score of the score display means 36, and when there is a score display command, the score display means 36 displays a score corresponding to the command. Yes.
[0034]
The payout control board 49 operates the payout means 74 to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls when a payout command is received from the main control board 47 side. The payout means 74 is for paying out a predetermined number of game balls to each player as a prize ball to the upper plate 7 when a score is awarded in each unit game. 3 is mounted on the back side.
[0035]
When there is a lamp display command from the main control board 47 side, the lamp control board 51 causes the display lamp 73 on the front side of the gaming machine main body 1 such as the front frame 3 and the game board 4 to emit light or blink. It has become. The voice control board 50 generates a predetermined voice from the voice generation means 75 when there is a voice command from the main control board 47 side. Each of the control boards 48 to 51 is configured to be able to transmit a predetermined signal such as a reception confirmation signal or an operating signal to the game control means 58 of the main control board 47 by a command.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 7, the firing control board 52 includes a pulse generating means 78 for generating a driving pulse for the firing motor 13 and an arranging ball for controlling the firing means 9 so as to limit the number of game balls to be fired to a predetermined number. First launch control means 66 for the machine, second launch control means 67 for the pachinko machine that controls the launch means 9 so as to enable continuous launch without limiting the number of game balls to be fired, and a launch ball number command or continuous And a firing type selection means 68 for selecting one of the two firing control means 66 and 67 based on the firing command, and the firing control board 52 is provided with an operation detecting means 63, a firing ball detecting means 62, Return ball detecting means 64 are connected to each other. Note that the pulse generating means 78, the first firing control means 66, the second firing control means 67, and the firing type selection means 68 are constituted by a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. that perform arithmetic processing.
[0037]
Based on a command from the main control board 47, the firing type selection means 68 uses the firing ball number command (or a predetermined firing command) to change the first firing control means 66 and the game board 4 when the game board 4 is an arrange ball machine. Is a pachinko machine, the second launch control means 67 is selected by a continuous launch command. The launching means 9 and the launch control board 52 can be used both as an arrange ball machine and a pachinko machine that have different game ball launch formats.
[0038]
For example, the second firing control means 67 is configured to launch the game means 9 according to the drive pulse of the pulse generation means 78 so as to fire the game balls at a predetermined firing interval so that the number of game balls fired per minute does not exceed 100. The firing motor 13 is continuously controlled.
[0039]
For example, the first firing control means 66 is configured to launch the game means 9 according to the drive pulse of the pulse generation means 78 so as to fire the game balls at a predetermined launch interval so that the number of game balls fired per minute does not exceed 100. A launch control unit 69 that controls the launch motor 13, an effective launch ball number computation unit 70 that computes the number of game balls that have reached the game area 15, and an effective launch ball of the effective launch ball number computation unit 70. Based on the number of effective shots calculated by the number calculation function, a launch limiter 71 for limiting the number of shots of the game ball of the launching unit 9 to a predetermined number, and the main control board 47 is related to the result of game ball launch. And a command transmission unit 72 for transmitting a command.
[0040]
The firing control unit 69 has a firing ball number command from the main control board 47, and the firing motor 13 according to the drive pulse of the pulse generating means 78 on condition that the contact detection means 61 detects the player's grip of the firing handle 10. The launching means 9 is temporarily stopped when the launching means 9 has fired a predetermined number (16) of game balls regardless of the number of effective firing balls, and then the launching means 9 is activated again. ing.
[0041]
The effective shot ball number calculation unit 70 adds and counts the detection signals of the shot ball detection means 62, subtracts and counts the detection signals of the return ball detection means 64, and the game balls that have reached the game area 15 by these detection signals. An effective firing ball number calculation function for calculating the number of effective firing balls is provided. The launch restriction unit 71 compares the number of game balls specified by the launch ball number command with the number of effective launch balls calculated by the effective launch ball number calculation unit 70, and when both match, A launch ball number limiting function for limiting the launch of the game ball by the means 9 via the launch control unit 69 is provided.
[0042]
The command transmission unit 72 is in a state in which the launching means 9 can launch a game ball and the launching ball number limiting function restricts the launching of the game ball of the launching means 9, that is, designated by the firing ball number command. When the number of fired balls and the number of effective fired balls calculated by the effective fired ball number calculating unit 70 coincide with each other, a firing end command is transmitted based on the control of the launch control unit 69 or the launch limit unit 71. It has become.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the arrangement ball machine having the above configuration will be described. In the case of an arrange ball machine, the command transmission means 59 is based on a signal from the game control means 58 as long as a predetermined condition for starting a unit game, such as the winning display means 35 is in an initial state, is satisfied. Prior to the start of the game, a shot ball number command is transmitted to the launch control board 52.
[0044]
In the firing control board 52, the shot ball number command from the command transmission means 59 is analyzed, and the firing type selection means 68 selects the first launch control means 66 according to the analysis result of the shot ball number command. As a result, the first firing control means 66 functions effectively.
[0045]
Therefore, if the player grasps and operates the firing handle 10, the firing motor 13 of the firing means 9 is operated by the control of the firing control unit 69 of the first firing control means 66, and is moved from the upper plate 7 onto the firing rail 11. The supplied game balls are hit with the hitting bar 12 and the game balls are sequentially driven into the game area 15 through the guide rail 14.
[0046]
Each time the launching means 9 sequentially fires game balls, the launch ball detecting means 62 detects the game balls, and the effective firing ball number calculation unit 70 adds and counts the detection signals. The launched game ball is usually driven into the game area 15 via the guide rail 14 and then wins a winning opening 27 of the winning opening means 16 in the game area 15 or a normal winning means 23. , 24, etc., are guided to the back side of the game board 4.
[0047]
If there is a game ball stalled in the middle of the guide rail 14 or the like, the game ball becomes a return ball and is collected to the lower plate 8 through the return ball passage 37. When the return sphere passes through the return sphere passage 37, the return sphere detection means 64 detects the return sphere, and the effective firing ball number calculation unit 70 subtracts and counts the detection signal.
[0048]
Thus, every time the launching means 9 launches a game ball, the effective firing ball number calculation unit 70 adds and subtracts the detection signal of the launch ball detection means 62 and the detection signal of the return ball detection means 64 to obtain the game area 15. The number of effective firing balls that reached is calculated. Then, the firing restriction unit 71 compares the number of effective firing balls with the number of firing balls designated by the firing ball number command.
[0049]
When the launching unit 9 launches 16 game balls, the launching unit 9 temporarily stops under the control of the launch control unit 69. At this time, if all 16 game balls have reached the game area 15 and there is no return ball that stalls in the middle and returns to the return ball passage 37, the number of effective shot balls calculated by the number of effective shot balls calculating unit 70. And the number of shot balls designated by the number of shot balls command coincide with each other, the function of limiting the number of effective shot balls of the launch limiter 71 works, and in this state, the launch of the game ball by the launch means 9 ends.
[0050]
If there is a return ball, the firing motor 13 of the launching unit 9 is actuated again by the control of the launch control unit 69 until the effective launching ball number matches the number of launching balls specified by the firing ball number command. Continues to launch game balls. When the number of effective firing balls reaches 16, the command transmission unit 72 of the firing control board 52 sends a firing end command to the main control board 47.
[0051]
When the game balls sequentially win the winning opening 27, the winning detection means 28 detects the gaming balls and the winning processing means 53 performs a winning process. Under the control of the winning display control means 77, each gaming ball is received by the winning opening 27. Each time a winning is won, the corresponding winning display section 40 sequentially displays the winning of the game ball.
[0052]
For example, when a game ball wins the first to fourth winning ports 27 on the left side of the winning ports 27 of the winning port means 16, the four winning display sections 40 on the upper side of the winning display means 35 display the winnings. The winning combination is established. Then, when the fourth game ball is won, the winning processing means 53 determines that the winning combination is established, and the settlement processing means 57 gives a score.
[0053]
On the other hand, when a score is given by the settlement processing means 57, the score display means 36 displays a score such as “1” by the control of the score display control means 60, and the payout means 74 is controlled by the payout control board 49. Operates and pays out a prize ball to the upper plate 7 according to the score.
[0054]
When a game ball wins the game symbol starting means 20, the gaming state determination means 55 draws a random number value generated by the random number generation means 54 and determines whether or not to enter a special gaming state from the lottery random number value. Based on the result, the game symbols 39a to 39c of the game symbol display means 34 start to change under the control of the game symbol control means 76. The gaming symbols 39a to 39c are based on the determination result of the gaming state determination means 55 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation, and the determination result is a specific mode when the special game determination is made, and the non-special game determination is not made. In order to be in a specific mode, the game symbol control means 76 changes for a predetermined time by the control and stops in a specific type of specific mode or non-specific mode.
[0055]
When the game symbols 39a to 39c are stopped and determined in a specific manner, the opening / closing member 44 of the operation port means 18 is opened, and the game ball falling from above is guided to the operation port 42. Then, when the game ball won in the operation port 42 passes through the special area 46, the passage detection means 65 detects the passage of the game ball, and the special game state generation means 56 operates to continuously continue for a predetermined number of games. A special gaming state occurs.
[0056]
When the special gaming state occurs, the operating means 21 and 22 are valid during the occurrence of the special gaming state. When a game ball wins the operating means 21 and 22, the score increasing means 19 is released for a predetermined time. Then, when a game ball wins the score increasing means 19, the settlement processing means 57 performs a process of increasing the score obtained during the unit game twice, and the score of the score display means 36 is doubled, and the payout means 74 pays out a prize ball according to the score.
[0057]
When there is a firing end command from the firing control board 52 and the winning detection means 28 of the winning opening means 16 detects a predetermined number of game balls, it is determined that the game control means 58 can shift to the next game, and the settlement processing means. After the payout process of 57, the winning display means 35 is returned to the initial state, and this unit game is ended. Then, the control of the game control means 58 makes it possible to start the next game after a predetermined pause time. Therefore, if the player operates the launch handle 10, the next game is automatically performed in the same manner. Start.
[0058]
In this embodiment, the firing control board 52 is provided with an effective firing ball number calculation unit 70 and a firing restriction unit 71, and the effective firing ball number calculation unit 70 detects the detection signal of the firing ball detection unit 62 and the return ball detection unit 64. Based on the detection signal, the number of effective firing balls that have reached the game area 15 among the game balls launched by the launching means 9 is calculated, and the effective firing ball calculated by the effective firing ball number computing unit 70 is calculated by the firing limiting unit 71. Since the number of game balls of the launching unit 9 is limited based on the number, the burden on the main control board 47 side can be reduced compared to the conventional case, and the launching unit 9 can be controlled efficiently. it can. Therefore, the launch control board 52 can be easily made into a CPU.
[0059]
FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the second launch control means 67 and the launch type selection means 68 of the first embodiment are omitted, and the launch control board 52 and the launch means 9 are configured for an arrange ball machine. Thus, the firing control board 52 and the launching means 9 may be dedicated to the arrange ball machine.
[0060]
As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, it is not limited to this embodiment, A various change is possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the embodiment, a command for sending the number of shot balls is transmitted by the command transmission means 59 of the main control board 47, and if there is a command for the number of shot balls, the launch control board 52 side operates the launch means 9. However, the launch start command and the shot ball count command may be transmitted separately without providing the launch start command with the launch start function.
[0061]
When the command transmitted from the command transmitter 72 of the launch control board 52 matches the number of fired balls specified by the number of fired balls command and the number of effective fired balls calculated by the number of effective fired balls 70, Alternatively, it may be transmitted when the player is holding and operating the firing handle 10 when the firing ball number command has not been sent. In this case, there is an advantage that the main control board 47 can easily grasp the start of the game.
[0062]
In the case of the launch control board 52 dedicated to the arrange ball machine, if there is a launch start command, the launch control board 52 can be configured to control the number of shot balls to a predetermined number. In that case, there is no need to send a firing ball number command from the main control board 47 to the firing control board 52, a command that can start launching a game ball, a command that triggers the start of launch, and other game balls You can just send some command about launching.
[0063]
In the embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the pulse generation means 78, the first emission control means 66, the second emission control means 67, and the emission type selection means 68 are provided on the emission control board 52 side, and these are provided as a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. However, it is sufficient that the firing control board 52 has at least an effective firing ball number calculation function and a firing ball number limiting function.
[0064]
The fire ball detecting means 62 only needs to be able to detect the game ball fired from the fire means 9 and may detect the game ball before launch or may detect the game ball after launch. Further, the game ball may be detected indirectly rather than directly. Accordingly, the fire ball detecting means 62 may be provided so as to detect the launch of the game ball.
[0065]
Further, in the embodiment, the case where the main control board 47 that can be selectively controlled in the first state advantageous to the player and the second state disadvantageous by random number lottery is illustrated, but the main control board 47 is As long as the game operation on the game board 4 side can be controlled, it is not always necessary to provide a random number lottery function on the main control board 47 side. The settlement processing unit 57 may start the settlement process by a signal from the game control unit 58 when there is a firing end command.
[0066]
The game symbol display means 34, the winning display means 35, and the score display means 36 of the game information display means 17 may be provided separately. The winning display means 35 may be arranged in a horizontal row in the vicinity of the lower side of the winning opening means 16 so that the winning display section 40 corresponds vertically to the winning opening 27.
[0067]
Furthermore, in the embodiment, an arrangement ball machine is illustrated, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to various combination game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine in addition to the arrange ball machine. Also, a medal insertion type that allows a game to be started by inserting medals, a circulation type that circulates game balls between the launching means 9 and the game board 4 side, or the like may be used. The payout means 74 may pay out game media such as medals in place of the game balls.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention The Lord There is an advantage that the burden on the control board 47 side can be reduced and the emission means 9 can be controlled efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an arrange ball machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a winning opening means showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of game information display means showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operating port means showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a launch control board side showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a launch control board side showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Game board
9 Launching means
15 Game area
47 Main control board
52 Launch Control Board
62 Firing ball detection means
64 Return ball detection means

Claims

Comprises a gaming machine main body (1) to detachably loaded game board and the game board provided on the back side of (4) (4) the main control board for controlling the game operation of the side (47), said game machine main body On the (1) side, a launching means (9) for launching a game ball to the game area (15) of the game board (4) and a launch control board (52) for controlling the launching means (9) are provided. In the ball game machine, the main control board (47) is fired when the game board (4) is used for a combination game machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are fired into the game area (15). If the game board (4) is used for a pachinko machine that plays a game without limiting the number of game balls to the game area (15), the command to limit the number of balls to a predetermined number is used. send to a command that does not limit the respective said firing control board (52), the firing control board (52) Continuous number firing ball game ball with the first firing control means for the combined gaming machine to control the firing means (9) to control a predetermined number (66), without limiting the number of shot ball for game ball Based on the command from the main control board (47) and the second launch control means (67) for the pachinko machine that controls the launch means (9) to be able to launch, the game board (4) is a combination game In the case of a machine, the first launch control means (66) is selected, and in the case where the game board (4) is a pachinko machine, the second launch control means (67) is selected. And the first firing control means (66) calculates the number of effective fired balls that has reached the game area (15) among the game balls fired by the launch means (9). Based on the function and the number of effective firing balls, the launching means ( Pinball game machine characterized by comprising a shot ball speed limiting function for limiting the shot ball number of game ball).

Prior to the start of the game, the main control board (47) transmits a command relating to the launch of the game ball to the launch control board (52), the launch ball number limiting function based on the command, 2. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of game balls fired by the launching means (9) is limited.

3. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein the command relates to the number of game balls fired.

A shot ball detecting means (62) for detecting a game ball to be launched from the launch means (9), and a game that has been collected without reaching the game area (15) among the game balls launched by the launch means (9) A return sphere detection means (64) for detecting a sphere, electrically connecting the firing ball detection means (62) and the return sphere detection means (64) to the launch control board (52); The number-of-balls calculating function is based on the game area (15) of the game balls launched from the launching means (9) based on detection signals from the launching ball detecting means (62) and the return ball detecting means (64). 4. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of effective firing balls reaching the above is calculated.

When the launch control board (52) is in a state in which a game ball can be launched and the launching function (9) restricts the launch of the game ball by the launch restriction function, the main control board. ball-shooting game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 you, characterized in that so as to transmit the associated commands to the projectile results for (47).

The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the firing control board (52) has a CPU for performing arithmetic processing .

The main control board (47) has a function of determining whether or not it is possible to shift to the next game depending on the presence or absence of a command related to the firing result transmitted from the firing control board (52). The bullet ball game machine according to claim 5 .