JP4358758B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a ball game machine.

  In general, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine is provided with a launching device that launches a game ball by a handle operation, and the game ball fired by this launching device passes through a specific winning opening (start winning prize opening). In response to this, the change of the special symbol displayed on the display device (electronic winning / losing lottery) is started. When the winning / losing lottery is won, a combination of predetermined special symbols is displayed on the display device, and a jackpot gaming state advantageous to the player is generated. In the jackpot gaming state, the special winning opening (big winning opening) opens and closes to accept gaming balls, so that the player can acquire many winning balls.

JP-A-11-164947 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-117088

  By the way, the display device of the conventional ball and ball game machine rotates and stops the type in which the special symbol is changed and stopped on the display screen fixed to the game board, and the rotary drum on which the special symbol is printed on the outer peripheral surface. There are two main types. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to change and stop display of special symbols due to a novel aspect, the game becomes monotonous, and the player's interest may be lost as the game progresses .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to expand the range of game playability and prevent the player's interest from being lost. It is to provide a gaming machine.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ball game machine that launches and plays a game ball on the surface of a game board, wherein the control means, the transmission means, the display device, the display panel, and the drive Means. The control means outputs a display control signal. The transmission means is fixed to the game board and transmits a display control signal output from the control means. The display device has a plate shape that is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the board surface of the game board, and a display unit and a mirror surface unit provided on the front side and the back side of the plate-like body, respectively. And receiving means and display control means. The receiving unit receives the display control signal transmitted from the transmitting unit. The display control means displays the identification information on the display unit according to the display control signal received by the receiving means. The display device has a visibility state in which the display unit faces the front of the board surface according to the rotation angle around the rotation axis so that the player in front can see the display unit, and the display unit is other than the front of the board surface. It changes to the invisible state where the player in front of the direction cannot see the display unit. The display panel is provided at a position where the display device is visible to the player by being reflected by the mirror surface when the display device is within a predetermined rotation range included in the invisible state. The driving means rotationally drives the display device.

  In the above configuration, the display device is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the board surface, the drive means rotates the display device, and the display control means outputs the display control signal output from the control means. In response to this, identification information is displayed on the display unit of the display device. By rotating the display device, the rotation angle of the display device changes. That is, the display unit of the display device changes to a state where it can be visually recognized, a state where it is difficult to visually recognize, or a state where it cannot be visually recognized. And when the rotation angle of the display device is changing, the visibility of the display unit can be changed and the display content of the display unit can be changed by variably displaying the identification information on the display unit of the display device. . Therefore, it is possible to perform novel effects that are not found in conventional ball game machines, surprising effects, effects that synchronize or harmonize the display contents of the display device with the rotational movement of the display device, etc. It is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

  Further, the transmission unit and the reception unit may transmit and receive the display control signal in a non-contact state.

  In the above configuration, since the display control signal is transmitted and received without contact between the transmission unit and the reception unit, the transmission unit and the reception unit do not hinder the rotational movement of the display device. For this reason, the display device can continuously rotate in the same direction. Accordingly, it is possible to produce an effect in which the rotational movement of the display device that can be continuously rotated in the same direction and the display content of the display unit of the display device are synchronized or harmonized, and the range of game play is expanded. be able to.

  Further, the transmission unit and the reception unit may transmit and receive the display control signal by optical communication.

  In the above configuration, since the transmission unit and the reception unit transmit and receive the display control signal through optical communication, no noise is generated during the transmission and reception. Therefore, the display device can be rotated and identification information can be displayed on the display unit of the display device without adversely affecting other devices.

  The control means may output a display drive control signal, and the drive means may rotationally drive the display device in accordance with the display drive control signal.

  In the above configuration, the driving means rotates the display device in accordance with the display drive control signal output from the control means.

  According to the ball game machine according to the present invention, the range of game play can be expanded, and the player's interest can be prevented from being lost.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a gaming machine (for example, a ball) that is installed in a place such as a game machine-installed store and that allows a player to play a game based on supply of gaming media (for example, a gaming ball or medal). The structure and operation of a gaming machine or a spinning machine) will be described.

[First Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a prepaid card purchased by a player from a game machine-installed store is paid into a prepaid card unit (hereinafter referred to as a CR unit) 1 by paying a value such as cash. Thus, the configuration and operation of a gaming machine in which a player plays a game in the form of borrowing a game ball used for the game will be described. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine is electronic when a borrowed game ball is received in a predetermined winning opening (start chucker, starting winning opening) 2 and enters a winning state. If the result of the lottery is selected and the result of the lottery is a win, the game ball is easy to win the special winning opening (large winning opening) 3 so that the gaming state is advantageous to the player from the normal gaming state. This is a bullet ball game machine (hereinafter referred to as a game machine). However, the present invention is not limited to the gaming machine of the present embodiment. For example, in the Law on the Optimization of Customs Business and the Law on the Suitability of Business (Fair Management Optimization Act) and the Law Enforcement Regulations, the pachinko game It can also be applied to those classified as a machine or a revolving game machine.

[Outline of gaming machine structure]
The gaming machine of this embodiment has an outer frame (wooden frame) 4, a main body member (main body) 5, an opening frame door 6, a game board 7, a door 8 with a ball tray, a ball tray 9, and a rotating type as external structures. An operation handle (ball launching handle) 10, a ball lending-related operation unit 11, a stored ball discharge operation button 12 for the ball tray 9, and the like are provided on the front side thereof. In addition, this gaming machine has, as an internal structure, a main control device 13, a sub-control device 14, a game ball payout device 15, a ball lending signal control device 16, a movable object control device 17, a collection passage member 18, a storage tank 19, A passage member (prize ball opening) 20 used when paying out game balls, and a power supply device 21, a firing control device 22, a firing drive device 23, and the like are provided on the rear surface side.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 13, the configuration of the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described in detail in the order of an external structure, an internal structure, a game area configuration, and an electrical configuration.

[External structure]
First, the external structure of the gaming machine of this embodiment will be described.

  The outer frame 4 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.

  The main body member 5 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 4 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 4 via a hinge portion 26. Moreover, the main body member 5 is formed in a frame shape and has a space portion inside.

  The opening frame door 6 has a lock function 25 and is attached to the front surface of the main body member 5 on the front side of the gaming machine so as to be openable and closable via a hinge portion 26, and is configured in a frame shape. This is a door member having an opening 27 inside thereof. The opening frame door 6 is provided with a transparent plate member 28 made of glass or resin so as to face the opening 27, and an electric decoration 29 and a speaker 30 are attached in the vicinity of the opening 27. Yes.

  The game board 7 has a game area 31 on its board surface 52 and is detachably attached to the main body member 5 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space of the main body member 5. The game area 31 can be observed from the opening 27 after the game board 7 is mounted on the main body member 5.

The door 8 with a ball tray is a door member attached to the lower side of the main body member 5 on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. In the present embodiment, the following members are attached to the door 8 with a ball tray.
(1) A ball tray 9 in which a plurality of game balls can be stored and a passage for guiding the game balls to the firing drive device 23 is provided.
(2) A rotary operation handle provided with a game ball launch stop button 10a for launching a game ball guided to the launch drive device 23 to a game area 31 provided on the board surface 52 of the game board 7. 10.
(3) A ball lending-related operation unit 11 including buttons for instructing a prepaid card reading process and a lending process related to a game ball borrowed by a player (hereinafter referred to as a lending ball).
(4) A stored ball discharge operation button 12 for the ball receiving tray 9 for allowing the player to discharge the game balls stored in the ball receiving tray 9 to a game ball collecting container (common name, dollar box).

[Internal structure]
Next, the internal structure of the gaming machine of this embodiment will be described.

  The main control device 13 functions as a control means according to the present invention, and is provided via the main body member 5 or the game board 7 or a support member provided to these. The main control device 13 performs electric game control processing and generates main processing information.

  The sub-control device 14 is provided via the main body member 5 or the game board 7 or a support member provided to them, and performs control to execute a predetermined output mode process according to the processing information generated by the main control device 13. Device. In addition, although mentioned later in detail, the sub control apparatus 14 has the symbol control apparatus 14a which is a display control means, the lamp control apparatus 14b, the audio | voice control apparatus 14c, and the payout control apparatus 14d.

  The game ball payout device 15 is a device provided with a drive source for paying out a predetermined number of game balls as a game profit (hereinafter referred to as a prize ball) in accordance with the establishment of a predetermined winning condition.

  The ball lending signal control device 16 controls the prepaid card reading processing relationship and the lending lending processing relationship.

  The movable object control device 17 has a plurality of movable objects (for example, a movable piece 44, a movable door 45, a prize area allocation object 53, etc.) arranged in the game area 31 according to the processing information generated by the main control apparatus 13. The variable display device 34 or the like, which is a display device, is a device for operating the device, and is individually provided corresponding to a plurality of movable objects. The movable object control device 17 of the present embodiment includes a movable piece drive device 17a, a movable door drive device 17b, a winning area distribution drive device 17c, and a display body rotation drive device 17d that is a drive means.

  The collection passage member 18 is a passage for collecting the game balls that have been launched into the game area 31 provided on the board surface 52 of the game board 7 by the rotary operation handle 10 to the back side of the game board 7 (common name, collective basket). ).

  The passage member 20 used when paying out the game ball is a member that serves as a passage for guiding a winning ball or a rental ball to the ball tray 9.

  The power supply device 21 is a device that supplies power to each control device in the gaming machine in response to power being turned on.

  When an operation for launching a game ball to the game area 31 is performed via the rotary operation handle 10, the launch control device 22 launches 100 play balls in one minute. And the like, and the launching intensity of the game ball is adjusted in accordance with the amount of rotation of the rotary operation handle 10.

  The launch drive device 23 is a device that activates the launch drive unit for the game ball in accordance with launch control by the launch control device 22 and launches the game ball into the game area 31.

[Composition of game area]
Next, the configuration of the game area 31 of the gaming machine of this embodiment will be described.

  The game area 31 is partitioned and formed so as to be substantially circular by a guide rail 32 and a game ball regulation rail 33 for sliding the game ball, and regulates the movement range of the game ball launched by the rotary operation handle 10. It is an area. The game ball regulating rail 33 is configured to be continuously connected to the guide rail 32 and is disposed on the board surface 52 of the game board 7.

  Further, in the game area 31, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display device 35, a predetermined winning port (general winning port) 37, predetermined passing ports (through chuckers) 38 and 46, an out port 39, and a game nail (not shown). ), A windmill 40, a specific reservation number display lamp 41, a passage reservation number display lamp 42, an effect display lamp 43, a central structure 61, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the central structure 61 includes a structure main body 62, a front plate member 63, a front decorative plate member 64, a decorative plate 65, and three sets of variable display portions 84.

  The structure main body 62 includes a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 66 and a rear wall portion 67 that closes one end side (rear end side) of the side wall portion 66.

  A mounting hole (not shown) slightly larger than the structure main body 62 is formed in the game board 7. The structure body 62 is fixed to the game board 7 in a state where the structure body 62 is inserted into the mounting hole from the front. In this state, the board surface 52 of the game board 7 and the front end of the side wall 66 are substantially parallel.

  The front plate member 63 is a transparent member made of glass or resin, and its peripheral portion is detachably fixed to the front end side of the inner surface of the side wall portion 66. The front decorative plate member 64 has an arc-shaped lower end portion and a linear upper end portion, and the front and lower end portions of the front decorative plate member 64 are the rear surface portion and the side wall portion 66 of the front plate member 63. It is arrange | positioned and fixed so that it may contact | abut with the inner surface of this, and the back side of this front decoration board member 64 may be hidden.

  The decorative plate 65 has a substantially plate shape and includes a photodiode 68 as a transmitting means, and a peripheral portion thereof is detachably fixed to a substantially middle portion of the inner surface of the side wall portion 66. Three substantially rectangular openings 73 are formed in a substantially central portion of the decorative plate 65 so as to be arranged substantially evenly in correspondence with the variable display portions 84. The photodiode 68 is a light emitting element that emits light when an electric current flows, and is detachably fixed to the upper center side of the opening 73 on the rear surface of the decorative plate 65.

  Each variable display section 84 includes a pair of rotating shafts 69, a pair of brushes 70, a pair of bearings 71, a display body rotation driving device 17d, and a display body 74. Each brush 70 has a substantially circular opening, and supplies power by contacting the inner side of the opening so as to rub against the peripheral edge of the rotating shaft 69. Each bearing 71 supports the rotating shaft 69 rotatably. The display body rotation driving device 17d is configured by a driving member such as a stepping motor, has an output shaft (not shown), and rotates the output shaft in accordance with a display drive control signal output from the CPU 13a of the main control device 13. To drive. Each rotating shaft 69 is detachably fixed by being inserted into a fixing hole 72 substantially at the center of a side surface portion 78 of a frame member 85 of the display body 74 described later. Each rotating shaft 69 is inserted into the opening of the brush 70 and the opening of the bearing 71, and the end of the rotating shaft 69 that is not inserted into the fixing hole 72 is joined to the output shaft of the display body rotation driving device 17d. The

  The variable display portion 84 having the above configuration has the rear surface of the decorative plate 65 in a state in which the rotation shaft 69 is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the board surface 52 and the center of the opening 73 and the center of the display body 74 overlap each other when viewed from the front. The pair of brushes 70, the pair of bearings 71, and the display body rotation driving device 17 d are detachably fixed to the rear surface of the decorative plate 65. In such a state, the display body 74 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 69, and the display body 74 does not contact the opening 73. The pair of brushes 70 and the power supply device 21 are electrically connected by wiring (not shown), and the photodiode 68 and the display body rotation driving device 17d and the main controller 13 are electrically connected by wiring (not shown). Has been.

  The display body 74 includes a variable display device (special symbol display device) 34, a phototransistor 75 as a receiving means, a control board 77 as a display control means, a frame member 85, and a rear plate member 86. The frame member 85 has a substantially rectangular frame shape, and a substantially circular fixing hole 72 is formed at the approximate center of the side surface portion 78 thereof. The frame member 85 has a substantially rectangular cutout at the center rear end side of the upper surface 79, and a phototransistor 75 is provided in the cutout. The phototransistor 75 is a light receiving element that causes a current to flow when light is detected. The variable display device 34 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, includes a display portion 76 on the front surface thereof, and a peripheral portion thereof is detachably fixed to the front end side of the inner surface of the frame member 85. The rear plate member 86 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and the front surface thereof is detachably fixed to the rear end side of the frame member 85. The variable display device 34, the frame member 85, and the rear plate member 86 include a substrate storage portion. 87 is defined. The control board 77 is disposed and fixed on the variable display device 34 side of the board housing portion 87. The control board 77 is connected to the phototransistor 75, the variable display device 34, and the rotating shaft 69 by wiring (not shown), operates by the power supplied from the rotating shaft 69, and is variably displayed by a display control signal from the phototransistor 75. The device 34 is controlled. Note that the photodiode 68 and the phototransistor 75 transmit and receive a display control signal by optical communication when they are substantially opposed and in a non-contact state.

  Here, when the display body rotation driving device 17d rotationally drives the output shaft, since the driving force of the output shaft is applied to the rotation shaft 69 and the display body 74, the display body rotation driving device 17d causes the rotation shaft 69 and the display body 74 to move. Rotation drive. That is, the display body rotation driving device 17d rotationally drives the variable display device 34 of the display body 74. In this state, the player can visually recognize the manner in which the variable display device 34 of the display body 74 rotates in the center of the opening 73.

  The variable display device 34 has identification information in accordance with a result of an electronic winning lottery executed in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, winning a game ball into a predetermined winning opening). The display control device stops display after variably displaying the identification display information (for example, a symbol, a character, a background image, etc.). The variable display device 34 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, or an EL (ElectroLuminescence) display device.

  The LED display device 35 is a device that displays various information to the player using LEDs. For example, a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a game ball passes through a predetermined passage, etc.). In accordance with the result of the electronic winning lottery executed according to the above, the identification lighting information as identification information is variably displayed by the LED and then stopped and displayed.

  The predetermined winning opening 37 is a structure provided with a plurality of openings 73 at appropriate positions in the game area 31 and receiving openings 73 for receiving falling game balls. Note that the specific prize opening 2 and the special prize opening 3 are also included in the predetermined prize opening 37.

  Here, the specific winning opening 2 is one of a plurality of winning openings, and includes an electric movable piece 44 for expanding and reducing the opening range of the winning opening, and the game ball wins the winning opening. In response to this, the variable display device variably displays the identification display information, and is a winning opening for allowing the player to acquire a prize ball. The special winning opening 3 is any of a plurality of winning openings, and includes an electric movable door 45 that generates an open state in which the winning opening is exposed and a closed state in which the winning opening is closed. Is a winning opening that allows a player to acquire more prize balls than other winning openings in response to winning a winning opening. Hereinafter, a plurality of predetermined winning ports 37 other than the specific winning port 2 and the special winning port 3 are referred to as other winning ports 37.

  The predetermined passages 38 and 46 are structures provided with a predetermined number at appropriate positions in the game area 31 and gates through which the falling game balls pass.

  The out port 39 is a game ball collection opening provided at a position where the game balls that have not entered any of the predetermined winning ports 37 are converged.

  The game nail is driven into an appropriate position on the board surface 52 of the game board 7 in order to make the movement direction of the game ball irregular by contacting with the game ball or to regulate the movement direction of the game ball. It is a rod-shaped member.

  The windmill 40 is a rotating member that can rotate by contact with a game ball.

  The specific number-of-holds display lamp 41 is a light-emitting device that notifies the on-hold state relating to the start of variable display after winning a prize to the specific winning opening 2 by turning on or off.

  The passing hold number display lamp 42 is a light emitting device that notifies the holding state relating to the start of variable display after the passage to the predetermined passage port 38 is turned on or off.

  The effect display lamp 43 is a light-emitting device that has various lighting modes according to changes in the gaming state after the power is turned on.

[Electrical configuration]
Next, the electrical configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment will be described.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment has, as an electrical configuration, a CR unit 1, a main control device 13, a sub control device 14, a ball lending signal control device 16, a movable object control device 17, a power supply device 21, and a launch control device 22. , A firing drive device 23, a detection sensor 47, a centralized management device 48, and the like. The configurations of the CR unit 1, the ball lending signal control device 16, the movable object control device 17, the power supply device 21, the launch control device 22, and the launch drive device 23 are as described above, and hence the description thereof is omitted below. To do.

  The main controller 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13b for storing a predetermined control program (computer program), and a generated process. It consists of a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13c that temporarily stores information and deletes the stored information, a frequency generation circuit unit 13d that generates a periodic signal, and the like, and performs main information processing in the gaming machine. This is a device that performs processing and generates processing information to be input to the sub-control device 14.

  The sub-control device 14 includes a symbol control device 14a, a lamp control device 14b, a voice control device 14c, and a payout control device 14d, and performs predetermined output mode processing according to the processing information generated by the main control device 13. The sub-control device 14 may be configured as a device for each output mode process, or may be configured by combining a plurality of output mode processes. Each control device constituting the sub-control device 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM so that the processing can be executed independently according to the processing information.

  Here, the symbol control device 14a controls the variable display device 34 or the LED display device 35 via the video display processor (VDP) 50 according to the display control signal generated by the main control device 13, It is a device that performs control to stop display after the identification lighting information or the identification display information is variably displayed. In the present embodiment, among the symbol control device 14 a and the VDP 50, those related to the control of the variable display device 34 are provided on the control board 77 of the variable display device 34. As shown in FIG. 12, the display control signal output from the main controller 13 is converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal by the photodiode 68 and transmitted, and the optical signal is received by the phototransistor 75 to be electrically converted from the optical signal. The signal is converted into a signal, and the electric signal is input to the control board 77. The symbol control device 14a of the control board 77 controls the variable display device 34 via the VDP 50 in accordance with the input display control signal, and performs control to stop display after the identification display information is variably displayed.

  The lamp control device 14b is used for effects provided in the electrical decorations 29 (including effect notification lamps, payout lamps, trouble lamps) and the game area 31 of the opening frame door 6 according to the processing information generated by the main control device 13. It is a device that controls lighting of the display lamp (electric decoration) 43, the specific hold number display lamp 41, the passing hold number display lamp 42, or the like. The information represented by the specific hold number display lamp 41 or the passing hold number display lamp 42 may be notified as identification display information by the variable display device 34.

  The voice control device 14c is a device that controls the voice generation device 51 such as the speaker 30 and the sound processor according to the processing information generated by the main control device 13 to generate voice.

  The payout control device 14d is a device that performs control for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls by the game ball payout device 15 in accordance with the processing information generated by the main control device 13. Further, the payout control device 14d refers to the data information stored in the prepaid card read into the CR unit 1 via the ball lending signal control device 16 according to the processing information generated by the main control device 13, and determines a predetermined value. It is a device that performs control to pay out a number of rented balls and counts and manages the number of lent out balls.

  The detection sensor 47 includes a specific winning ball detection sensor 47a, a special winning ball detection sensor 47b, a winning specific area detection sensor 47c, a passing ball detection sensor 47d, other winning ball detection sensors 47e, and a game ball payout detection sensor 47f. The Each detection sensor includes a specific winning port 2, a special winning port 3, a winning specific region (for example, a region on the right side from the approximate center of the special winning port 3), predetermined passing ports 38 and 46, other winning ports 37, and It is provided in the vicinity of the prize ball opening 20 and detects whether or not a game ball passes at each place.

  The centralized management device 48 is a device that manages processing information generated by the main control device 13 outside the gaming machine.

  The display body rotation driving device 17d is a device that rotationally drives the variable display device 34 in accordance with a display drive control signal generated by the main control device 13.

[Game machine operation]
Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described by dividing it into the operations of the main control device 13, the sub control device 14, and the movable object control device 17.

[Operation of main controller]
First, the operation of the main controller 13 that performs main game control will be described.

  The power supply device 21 supplies power to the electrical control device of the gaming machine in response to power being turned on. Then, when the power is supplied, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 checks the following necessary confirmation items as an initial setting, and checks whether or not the gaming machine is in an appropriate activated state.

  Specifically, first, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 determines whether or not a switch (not shown) for clearing processing information stored in the RAM 13c is in an on state. When the switch is on, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 deletes the processing information stored in the RAM 13c such as prize ball information and game history information as unnecessary residual data, and stores predetermined processing information in the RAM 13c. It is checked whether or not it can be stored normally. If the check result indicates that the data can be stored normally, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 permits the shift to the main routine process and notifies the sub control device 14 of the start of the main control activation. Process information etc. are generated.

  On the other hand, if the switch is not on, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 determines whether or not the backup flag is set. If the backup flag is set, the same check and Permits transition to main routine processing. On the contrary, when the backup flag is not set, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 determines whether or not the processing information (the contents of the storage area) stored in the RAM 13c is broken and stores it in the RAM 13c. When it is determined that the processed information is not “broken”, the same check as described above and permission to shift to the main routine are performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the processing information stored in the RAM 13c is “broken”, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 generates an unforeseen power failure, failure, processing error, etc. before the power is turned on. It is determined that the error has occurred, and after the error cancellation recovery process is performed, control is performed to start the process from the point of power-off when the error occurred.

  Here, the main routine processing in the present embodiment is executed by a control program (computer program) stored in advance in the ROM 13b provided in the main control device 13. Then, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 performs, as main routine processing, random number update processing, input detection reception processing, input management processing, abnormality monitoring processing, special symbol control processing, normal symbol control processing, lamp management processing, and preparation ball payout processing. External information management processing and output management processing are performed.

  The main routine processing is to generate a periodic timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds) by frequency division setting based on a periodic signal generated by the frequency generation circuit unit 13d, and to match the generated timing pulse. The CPU 13a is a basic routine that repeatedly executes a control execution process including reading and updating of each of the processes, writing and storing, or deletion of the memory.

  Hereinafter, each process of the main routine process will be described in detail.

"Random number update process"
The random number update process is a process of setting a lottery game process and a random number generation range composed of a group of a plurality of predetermined numerical groups for each individual type, and generating a random number based on this setting. The random number in the present embodiment is a random number generation program in which a random number generation range corresponding to each lottery game process is set (for example, the random number generation range for determination of success / failure is 0 to 699, the random number generation range for determining the variation pattern is 0 to 39, the display symbol determination random number generation range is 0 to 11 etc.), and means a numerical value when the numerical value is updated by +1 within the random number generation range according to the timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds). . The random number update process is not limited to a software process by a control program stored in the ROM 13b of the main control device 13, but a random number update process based on a random number generation unit that is a physical device provided outside. This random number may be taken into the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 to perform a random number extraction control process.

"Input detection reception process"
The input detection reception process includes a specific winning ball detection sensor 47a, a special winning ball detection sensor 47b, a winning specific area detection sensor 47c, a passing ball detection sensor 47d, other winning ball detection sensors 47e, a game ball payout detection sensor 47f, and an error. This is a process of monitoring whether there is input information generated by the detection sensor 47g according to a timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds) and receiving the input information from the sensor.

"Input management process"
The input management process analyzes the input information received by the input detection reception process, and, for example, according to the analysis result such as from which detection sensor the input signal is, Performs processing such as counting management of the number of game balls, time management from the time of reception related to winning detection until control processing based on the winning is started, abnormality monitoring processing, special symbol control processing, and normal symbol control processing described later In the lamp management process and the prize ball payout process, the process result can be used as appropriate.

"Abnormality monitoring process"
The abnormality monitoring process includes error processing information in the input management process, such as a capacity over error when the game ball is stored in the ball tray 9, a ball clogging error when the game ball flows, a defect error when executing the control process, and the like. Is generated according to a timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds), and when error processing information is generated, notification processing information of an output mode corresponding to the error processing information is generated. It is processing to do. Further, in this abnormality monitoring process, when the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 receives the process information for canceling the error state by the input management process, the CPU 13a also generates notification process information on the output mode of the error cancellation.

  Then, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 transmits the generated notification processing information to the sub-control device 14 side, and stores the notification processing information as an error notification output mode in the abnormality monitoring processing (for example, RAM 13c). To remember. Note that the notification process information stored for transmission to the sub-control device 14 side means, for example, a “preceding command number” meaning an abnormality monitoring process in a normal gaming state and an error output mode of notification to be executed. It consists of a combination with the “following command number”. Hereinafter, the processing information generated in the main routine processing is a combination of a “preceding command number” meaning what processing in what gaming state and a “following command number” meaning a predetermined output mode to be executed (hereinafter, Simply referred to as a number or a command number).

"Special symbol control process"
In the special symbol control process, an electronic winning / losing lottery is performed in response to receiving input information from the specific winning ball detection sensor 47a provided in the vicinity of the specific winning opening 2, and in the case of winning, a normal game This is a process for making it easy for a game ball to win a special winning opening 3 so that a game state advantageous to the player (a big hit game state) is obtained. In this special symbol control process, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 also performs a process related to display control of identification display information (hereinafter referred to as a special symbol) by the variable display device 34.

  Here, the special symbol is a plurality of pieces of identification information (for example, three symbols of left, middle, and right) that variably display the result of the success / failure lottery based on the winning of the game ball in the specific winning port 2. When the lottery result is a win, a plurality of identification information is displayed in a display mode stopped in a predetermined combination (for example, a state in which all three symbols of left, middle, and right are aligned with the same symbol) Thereby, it is notified that the game state (big hit game state) advantageous to the player has been shifted. In such a gaming state, a state in which more prize balls can be acquired in a shorter time than in the normal gaming state occurs continuously. On the other hand, if the lottery result is out of place, a plurality of pieces of identification information are stopped in a display mode other than a predetermined combination (for example, at least one of the three symbols of left, middle, and right is different from the other). Thus, it is notified that the normal gaming state is continuing.

  Moreover, the variable display in the special symbol is a mode in which a plurality of different special symbols (for example, 12 types) set in advance are periodically displayed at a predetermined speed in a plurality of display areas (for example, This is a display method performed by three variable display devices 34) of left, middle, and right. Hereinafter, the effect in the variable display and the background fluctuation (including character display) accompanying the variable display is referred to as a notification effect.

  In this special symbol control process, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 receives the winning of the game ball in the specific winning opening 2 as an opportunity, and determines whether or not the lottery is based on a comparison of predetermined numerical values by random number extraction and the lottery result. In order to perform such display control, a random number for determining whether or not to shift to an advantageous gaming state for determining whether or not to win (lottery) and a variable display according to the determination result of whether or not the variable display device 34 is used. A random number for determining a variation pattern for providing a notification effect that becomes a rotation mode according to the determination result of the success / failure in the notification effect / variable display device 34 and a stop display corresponding to the determination result of the success / failure in the variable display device 34 as well. And a random number for determining a special symbol for the above-described aspect is generated by random number update processing. Then, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 individually reads the generated random numbers and stores them in the storage means as acquired random numbers.

  Further, in this special symbol control process, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 stores the condition on the condition that the preceding control process such as the notification effect process by the special symbol control has not already been performed at the time of obtaining the random number. The determination is made by comparing the acquired random number with a comparison value for success / failure preset in the table as a numerical distribution data group, and the result information is stored in the storage means.

  Next, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 stores the variation pattern comparison numerical value for winning or losing that has been classified and stored in advance in the table on the basis of the success / failure, and the stored obtained random number for determining the variation pattern. Then, by comparing and comparing according to the success / failure information stored in the storage means, the variation pattern determination determination is performed, and the variation pattern information (variation pattern number which is a display control signal) to be used as a result is a hit or miss Rotation mode information (rotation mode number as a display drive control signal) is stored in the storage means.

  Further, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 compares special symbols in a stop display mode (for example, left / middle / right alignment mode) that is preliminarily classified and stored in the table based on whether or not it is correct. The special symbol determination is performed by comparing the stored numerical value and the stored random number for determining the special symbol with the stored determination information according to the variation pattern information to be used for hitting or losing. Each of the plurality of special symbols obtained from the result is individually stopped and displayed, and special symbol information (left, middle and right special symbol numbers) for hitting or losing is stored in the storage means.

  Here, comparing and comparing according to a table having a numerical value for fluctuation pattern comparison or a special symbol comparison numerical value and an acquired random number corresponding thereto, This is the process of finding a match by determining the match of the combination with the acquired random number corresponding to, and if it is not, determining the match of the combination of the comparison numerical value for removal and the corresponding acquired random number. . Then, the variation pattern number and rotation mode number for hitting or coming off according to the match, or a plurality of special symbol numbers for hitting or coming off are stored in the storage means.

  In addition, at the time of acquisition of the random number by the random number generating means, it is said that “the determination of success / failure is made on the condition that the advance control process such as the notification effect process by the special symbol control is not performed”, but the trigger condition is arbitrarily set The design can be changed.

By the special symbol control process described so far, the following information is generated as the processing information obtained after winning a prize at the specific winning opening 2.
(1) A variation pattern number for winning or losing.
(2) A plurality of special symbol numbers for winning or losing that temporarily stop display (including fine motion display) for a predetermined variable display area.
(3) A fixed stop instruction number for making a stop display mode for a plurality of special symbols that are temporarily stopped.
(4) A jackpot transition instruction number in the case of winning in the determination of success / failure.
(5) Rotation mode number for hit or miss.

  Then, when transmitting the variation pattern number and the plurality of special symbol numbers to the sub-control device 14 side through an output management process described later, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 sets the control processing execution time corresponding to the determined variation pattern. Set the timer to update the timer that performs the count calculation process. It should be noted that the fixed stop instruction number, the jackpot transition instruction number and the rotation mode number in the case of winning / failing determination are transmitted via the output management process at a timing corresponding to the elapse of the control process execution time by the timer.

  Therefore, whether or not to shift to a game state advantageous to the player is determined by, for example, a lottery game process for determination of success / failure, and “special use” associated with 0 to 697 “exclusion numbers” for normal use. In the random number update process, a “number” and a “random number generation range” consisting of a total of 700 including a “special value” associated as a more profitable hit than the normal use are set in correspondence with each other. The numerical value updated at the timing according to the winning time of the game ball to the specific winning opening 2 described above is read out and acquired as a random number, and whether or not the acquired random number is “special numerical value” or “special numerical value” is determined. Determined by the results. That is, when the winning determination is a 1/350 lottery probability triggered by the winning, the condition for shifting is satisfied.

  In addition, when the combination of the special symbols (for example, the left, middle, and right special symbols are of the same type) is used for the stop and display mode to shift to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, one step before that The undecided display is referred to as a so-called reach effect. The contents of various other notification effects including such reach effect are as follows: (a) the result of the hit / decision determination, and (b) the aforementioned It is determined based on the obtained random number for determining the variation pattern and the special symbol for reading out according to the winning timing of the game ball with respect to the specific winning opening 2. In other words, the variable display device 34 via the symbol control device 14a can perform variable display at random.

  Here, an example of the reach effect in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, (a) the same special symbol (for example, “7”) is stopped and displayed on the display unit 76 of the left and middle variable display devices 34, and the sand image is displayed so as to hide the special symbols on the right variable display device 34. Is displayed. Then, (b) the variable display device 34 on the right is driven to rotate and tilts forward, and an image in which the sand is slightly removed is displayed on the display unit 76. In addition, (c) the right variable display device 34 is rotated and tilted backward, and an image from which more sand is removed than in (b) is displayed on the display unit 76. Each time the right variable display device 34 is swung back and forth, the sand displayed on the display unit 76 decreases. (D) When the result of the determination is successful, the rotational movement of the right variable display device 34 is stopped and a special symbol (for example, “7”) is displayed on the right variable display device 34. In such a reach effect, the CPU 13a of the main control device transmits the variation pattern number (display control signal) and the special symbol number to the symbol control device 14a, and sends the rotation mode number (display drive control signal) to the display body rotation drive device 17d. Send. In this reach production, the right variable display device 34 is swung back and forth to display an image in which sand is removed, but the right variable display device 34 is continuously rotated in the same direction. Then, an image in which the sand is removed may be displayed.

  In the case where a preceding control process such as a notification effect process by special symbol control has been performed at the time of acquisition of a random number by the random number generating means, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 until the control process ends. In order to store the acquired random number related to the special symbol control as the read result or the processing information for executing the display mode in the storage unit and notify the storage, the specific hold number display lamp 41 is stored every time the random number is stored. Lighting command information to be transmitted to the sub-control device 14 (lamp control device 14b) is generated.

  Then, based on the timer that is updated by the count calculation that is set to manage the transition of the variation display time of the variation pattern that is variably displayed, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 notifies the stop display mode notification time. At the same time, unnecessary acquired random numbers or processing information stored in the storage means are deleted, and when the fixed stop instruction number is transmitted, the specific hold number display lamp 41 is turned off one by one. That is, the sub-control device 14 (lamp control device 14b) uses the fixed stop instruction number as the turn-off command processing information when the specific hold number display lamp 41 is turned on.

  In this embodiment, when the acquired random number or processing information is stored in the storage means, an upper limit number (for example, 5) of the acquired random number or processing information to be stored is determined in advance, and the prior control processing is performed. When the total storage number including the storage of the acquired random number or processing information is the upper limit, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 stores it as an invalid condition even if the condition for generating the acquired random number or processing information is satisfied No special symbol control is performed.

  Also, in this special symbol control process, the result of determination of whether or not to shift to the advantageous gaming state (big hit gaming state) is a hit, and in order to notify the winning result, a predetermined combination of the special symbols is predetermined. When executing the displayed stop display mode, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 performs the following processing. That is, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 responds to the win in order to shift to the advantageous gaming state (a) the movable door 45 provided to be closed with respect to the special prize winning port 3. Either open state (b) the predetermined state (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed, or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are awarded to the special winning opening 3 The movable door 45 is controlled to be closed on the condition that the above condition is satisfied, and (c) any of the game balls won in the opened state passes through the winning specific area provided in the special winning opening 3. On the condition that the winning specific area detection sensor 47c has detected, the movable door 45 is continuously opened, and (d) the movable door 45 is opened and closed with the transition of the same condition as described above. The predetermined upper limit number (for example, 16 times) is Generating processing information for instructing to repeat until done.

  Further, at the time of the validity determination by comparing the acquisition random number for the success and the table of comparison values for the success / failure, the acquired random number is “corresponding to a predetermined special value (for example, corresponding to the transition to the hit probability increasing fluctuation state”). If it is determined that the winning is based on “the numerical value)”, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 uses, for example, a winning probability of 1/350 to 1/75 for the table used after the advantageous gaming state ends. The reference table is changed to a table with a high probability of winning, and then the number of variable displays based on winning in the specific winning port 2 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10,000 times) or special When a condition determined to be a winning related to symbol control is satisfied, processing information for instructing to return to the table before the change is generated. A gaming state controlled by such processing information is referred to as a privilege gaming state.

  Further, as another embodiment in the privilege gaming state, when a table in which a variation display time related to one variation pattern is set with a shorter variation pattern compared to that in the normal gaming state is provided, and it is determined that it is a hit by a special random number The CPU 13a of the main control device 13 changes the reference table to the table, until the number of variable displays based on winning in the specific winning opening 2 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10,000 times), or special If a condition determined to be a win related to symbol control is satisfied, processing information for instructing to return to the table before the change may be generated. That is, in the present invention, the form of the privilege gaming state is not concerned.

"Normal design control processing"
The normal symbol control process is a process for making the game state advantageous to the player, and electronic determination of lottery in response to receiving input information from the passing ball detection sensor 47d provided in the vicinity of the predetermined passing port 38. In the case of winning, the movable pieces 44 provided on both sides of the entrance of the specific winning port 2 are expanded to expand the opening range thereof, and the launched game ball can easily enter the specific winning port 2 . In this normal symbol control process, the LED display device 35 also performs a process of controlling display of identification information called a normal symbol.

  Here, the normal symbol is a predetermined number of pieces of identification information for variably displaying or blinking the result of the success / failure lottery according to the input information from the passing ball detection sensor 47d (for example, “O · −” → winning symbol, “ − · × ”→ off symbol). When the lottery result is a win, a predetermined number of pieces of identification information are displayed in a specific combination that is stopped in a predetermined combination (for example, “O · −”), and thereby a gaming state advantageous for the player (for example, , Small hit) is notified. In such a gaming state, compared to the normal gaming state, a state in which a launched game ball is likely to win a prize occurs once or continuously. On the other hand, when the lottery result is out, the predetermined number of pieces of identification information becomes a display mode (eg, “− · ×”) that is stopped in a combination other than a predetermined specific combination, and thus the normal gaming state continues. Is informed. In the present invention, instead of the LED display device 35 that controls the display of identification information, the variable display device 34 or a drum-type or dot-matrix type display device may be used, regardless of the display method.

"Lamp management process"
The lamp management process monitors whether or not there is processing information relating to lamp lighting, such as winning process information generated in the input management process, in accordance with a timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds). This is a process for generating light emission processing information that is an output mode corresponding to the processing information when there is processing information related to the processing information. Then, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 transmits the generated light emission processing information to the sub-control device 14 side, and stores the light emission processing information in the storage means so as to be executed as a lighting notification output mode in the lamp management processing. .

"Preparation ball payout processing"
In the preparation ball payout process, there is processing information related to prize ball payout such as winning process information generated in the input management process, or processing information related to ball payout is generated from the ball lending signal control device 16. This is a process of generating payout operation information that is an output mode corresponding to the payout processing information when there is processing information relating to the payout or ball payout. . Then, the CPU 13a of the main control device 13 transmits the generated payout operation information to the sub-control device 14 side, and stores the payout operation information in the storage means to be executed as an output mode of the payout operation in the preparation ball payout process. To do. Further, in this process, when the payout operation information is generated, the operation time related to the game ball payout control and the number of times for each operation of paying out one game ball are counted by a predetermined counting means. The total value is set by the CPU 13a of the main controller 13, and execution management of the payout operation is performed. The preparation ball is a game ball prepared in advance for paying out a prize ball or paying out a ball.

"External information management process"
The external information management process determines whether the storage information stored in the storage means generated for transmission to the sub-control device 14 side is storage information necessary when managing outside the gaming machine, This is processing for transmitting stored information to be managed according to the determination result to the centralized management device 48 side.

"Output management process"
The output management process is an output for transmitting processing information generated by the abnormality monitoring process, the special symbol control process, the normal symbol control process, the lamp management process, and the preparation ball payout process to the sub-control device 14 side. This is a process of editing the data and transmitting the output edited storage information together with a strobe (STB) signal for notifying the output timing of the processing information.

[Operation of sub-control unit]
Next, the operation of the sub control device 14 will be described.

  The sub-control device 14 performs an initial setting at the start of activation upon power-on, and performs a check process for necessary confirmation items. If the check processing result is normal, the shift to the main routine processing in the sub-control device 14 is permitted, and main control activation start information, which is stored information transmitted from the CPU 13a of the main control device 13, is received. .

  The main routine process of the sub-control device 14 is a main control program stored in advance in the ROM provided in each of the symbol control device 14a, the lamp control device 14b, the voice control device 14c, and the payout control device 14d. In accordance with a periodic timing pulse (for example, 4 milliseconds) generated by the frequency derivation circuit unit 13d, a basic routine for repeatedly executing a control execution process including read update, write storage, or deletion of the storage That is. Hereinafter, an example of basic processing in the main routine processing of the sub-control device 14 will be described.

  First, the sub-control device 14 monitors whether or not the processing information transmitted in the output management processing has been received according to the timing pulse, and if it is being received, the sub-control device 14 stores it in the storage means (for example, RAM). Remember. Next, the sub-control device 14 performs analysis processing on the received processing information, and in any gaming state, any of abnormality monitoring processing, special symbol control processing, normal symbol control processing, lamp management processing, and ball payout processing It is determined which processing information (preceding command) and what kind of output mode the processing information (subsequent command number) is executed.

  Then, the sub-control device 14 sets a flag according to the result of the analysis process, sets a timer for counting based on the control process execution time according to the output mode, and stores a predetermined control program A control process for reading out and executing a control program for an output mode corresponding to the result of the analysis process from (for example, ROM) is performed.

  Hereinafter, operations of the symbol control device 14a, the lamp control device 14b, the voice control device 14c, and the payout control device 14d when processing information is received will be described in order.

"Operation of the design controller"
Multiple special patterns for winning or losing that the processing information makes a variation pattern number for winning or losing in the normal game state for special symbol control and a temporary stop display (including fine movement display) for a predetermined variable display area When it is a symbol number (for example, left, middle, and right), the symbol control device 14a classifies and stores in advance a notification effect classification table based on whether or not it is in a normal gaming state for special symbol control. Then, by collating and comparing the fluctuation pattern numbers, a notification effect classification table for winning or losing is determined.

  Then, the symbol control device 14a reads out from the random number generating means for updating the effect selection random number provided in the symbol control device 14a based on the determined notification effect classification table in response to the reception of the variation pattern number. The notification effect data for winning or the notification effect data for losing is set by comparison with the acquired random number stored in the storage means.

  In addition, the symbol control device 14a is configured so that a special symbol classification table for a normal gaming state in which a plurality of types of special symbols for performing a stop display on a predetermined variable display area are programmed, and the plurality of special symbol numbers individually. By the comparison by collation, each of a plurality of special symbol data for stopping or losing the stop display on the variable display device 34 is set. Note that the special symbol for stop display stored in the special symbol classification table may include a temporary stop. Thereafter, the symbol control device 14a performs display control of variable display and stop display according to the set notification effect data and a plurality of special symbol data in the variable display device 34 via the VDP 50.

  In addition, the symbol control device 14a relates to display control by the timer of the main control device 13 or the sub control device 14 that performs update by counting according to transmission or reception of the variation pattern number and a plurality of special symbol numbers. A stop display mode (for example, left / middle / right alignment) for a plurality of special symbols for which display control of variable display has been performed in accordance with a fixed stop instruction number transmitted or received based on the timing of processing execution time Aspect) is performed.

  Further, when the jackpot transition instruction number is received at the time of receiving the fixed stop instruction number, the symbol control device 14a sets the game effect notification effect data advantageous to the player, and the stop display mode After that, display control for jackpot. When the received information is information in a gaming state or a privilege gaming state advantageous for a player for special symbol control, the symbol control device 14a performs the notification effect classification table or the special symbol control related to the special symbol control. The reference table is changed to the symbol classification table, and notification effect data for hit or miss for variable display and stop display performed in the advantageous game state or privilege game state, and a plurality of special symbol data for hit or miss Set.

  When the received information is stored information in a state that is advantageous for a player for special symbol control or in a privileged game state, the symbol control device 14a performs the blinking effect classification related to normal symbol control. Change the table referred to by the table or the special symbol classification table, blinking effect data for hitting or losing to be displayed in the advantageous gaming state or privilege gaming state, and a plurality of specials for winning or losing Set symbol data.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the process of the information regarding the variable display apparatus 34 among the processes of the said symbol control apparatus 14a is performed in the control board 77 of the variable display apparatus 34. FIG.

“Operation of the lamp controller”
When the received information is a variation pattern number for winning or losing in the special game state for special symbol control or a jackpot shift instruction number, the lamp control device 14b emits light in the normal game state for special symbol control. Based on the data table, light emission data corresponding to the variation pattern number or jackpot shift instruction number is set, and the light emission data set in at least one of the electrical decoration 43 related to the panel surface 52 and the electrical decoration 29 related to the frame door is set. A lamp lighting process is performed so as to obtain a corresponding light emission mode.

  If the received information is stored information (light emission processing information) in a gaming state or privilege gaming state advantageous for a player for special symbol control, the lamp control device 14b Referring to the light emission data table in the privilege game state, light emission data that has a light emission mode different from that for the normal game state is set.

  Further, when the received information is stored information (lighting command processing information) in the normal gaming state for special symbol control or the advantageous gaming state or privilege gaming state for lighting the specific hold number display lamp 41 In this case, the lamp control device 14b turns on the specific number-of-holds display lamp 41 one by one, and from the fixed stop instruction number transmitted in accordance with the timing of the stop display mode notification time based on the timer of the main control device 13. In response to receiving the information, the specific hold number display lamps 41 are turned off one by one.

  When the received information is a variation pattern number for winning or losing in the normal game state for normal symbol control, or a small hit transition instruction number, the lamp control device 14b has the normal game state for normal symbol control. The light emission data corresponding to the variation pattern number or the jackpot shift instruction number is read out from the light emission data table and set, and the light emission data set in at least one of the electrical decoration 43 related to the panel surface 52 and the electrical decoration 29 related to the frame door The lamp lighting process is performed so as to obtain a light emission mode according to the above.

  When the received information is stored information (light emission processing information) in a state that is a game advantageous for a player for normal symbol control or a privilege game state, the lamp control device 14b determines that the advantageous game With reference to the light emission data table in the state or the privilege gaming state, the light emission data that sets the light emission mode different from that for the normal gaming state is set.

  Further, the received information is stored information (lighting command processing information) for the normal game state for normal symbol control, the state that becomes the advantageous game, or the privilege game state for lighting the passage hold number display lamp 42. If there is, the lamp control device 14b turns on the passage holding number display lamp 42 one by one, and the fixed stop transmitted in accordance with the timing of the stop display mode notification time based on the timer of the main control device 13. In response to the reception of the information including the instruction number, the passage hold number display lamps 42 are turned off one by one.

  Furthermore, when the received information is other storage information such as processing information related to an error in a predetermined gaming state or processing information related to a preparation ball payout, the lamp control device 14b stores the stored information in a reference light emission data table. Light emission data to be a light emission mode according to information is set.

"Operation of voice control device"
When the received information is a variation pattern number for winning or losing in the normal gaming state of special symbol control, or a jackpot shift instruction number, the voice control device 14c uses the voice data table in the normal gaming state for special symbol control. From the speaker 30 provided on at least one of the members such as the board surface 52 relation and the frame door relation, the voice data corresponding to the variation pattern number or jackpot shift instruction number is set. Sound is generated through the sound generator 51 so as to be in a sound mode.

  When the received information is stored information in special symbol control for a gaming state or a privilege gaming state advantageous to the player, the voice control device 14c performs voice in the advantageous gaming state or the privilege gaming state. With reference to the data table, audio data having an audio mode different from the normal gaming state is set.

  If the received information is stored information of a variation pattern number for winning or losing in the normal gaming state for normal symbol control, or a small hit transition instruction number, the voice control device 14c is for normal symbol control. From the sound data table in the normal gaming state, set the sound data according to the variation pattern number or the small hit transition instruction number, from the speaker provided on at least any member such as the board surface 52 relationship and the frame door relationship, A sound is generated through the sound generator 51 so as to have a sound mode corresponding to the set sound data.

  When the received information is stored information in the normal symbol control for the game advantageous state or the bonus game state for the player, the voice control device 14c adds the stored information to the voice data table to be referenced. The audio data corresponding to the audio mode is set.

  Furthermore, when the received information is other storage information such as processing information related to an error in a predetermined gaming state or processing information related to a preparation ball payout, the voice control device 14c stores the stored information in a reference voice data table. Audio data that is an audio mode according to information is set.

"Operation of payout control device"
The received information is the prize ball processing information from the special winning ball detection sensor 47a in the special game state for special symbol control or the special winning ball detection sensor 47b in the game state advantageous for the player for special symbol control. If the information is stored information such as prize ball processing information, the payout control device 14d pays out based on a payout data table for operating the game ball payout device 15 to obtain the number of prize balls according to the stored information. Data is set, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the player so as to obtain a prize ball according to the setting.

  In the case where the received information is stored information that becomes the winning ball processing information from the specific winning ball detection sensor 47a in a gaming state or a bonus gaming state advantageous to the player for special symbol control, the payout control device 14d operates the game ball payout device 15 to change to a payout data table in which the number of prize balls is either increased or decreased as compared with that in the normal game state, and based on the changed payout data table The payout data is set, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the player so that the prize ball is increased or decreased according to the setting.

  Further, when a predetermined number of balls are paid out by referring to the data information of the prepaid card read by the CR unit 1 by a button operation via the ball lending signal control device 16, the payout control device 14d sets the payout data based on the payout data table for receiving the referenced data information and setting the number of rented balls according to the data information, and a predetermined number so as to be a prize ball according to the setting Pay out the game balls to the player.

[Operation of movable object control device]
Next, the operation of the movable object control device 17 will be described separately for the operations of the movable piece drive device 17a, the movable door drive device 17b, the winning area distribution drive device 17c, and the display body rotation drive device 17d.

"Operation of movable piece drive"
In the processing by the main control device 13, the movable piece driving device 17a reduces the opening range of the specific winning opening 2 in response to generating the small hit transition instruction number in the normal gaming state for normal symbol control. The pair of movable pieces 44 are enlarged for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds), and then reduced again, with respect to a drive unit such as a solenoid provided in the movable piece driving device 17a. 12V) is applied to generate a command for instructing to execute the enlargement execution process a predetermined number of times (for example, once).

  Further, in the processing by the main control device 13, when the small hit transition instruction number in the gaming state or the privilege gaming state advantageous for the player for the normal symbol control is generated, the movable piece driving device 17a receives the specific winning award. The movable piece driving device 17a is provided so that the pair of movable pieces 44 whose opening range is reduced with respect to the mouth 2 is enlarged from 0.2 seconds to 1.7 seconds and then enlarged and reduced again. A command for transmitting a predetermined voltage to a drive unit such as a solenoid and instructing to perform the enlargement execution process from once to twice, for example, is generated.

"Operation of movable door drive"
In the processing by the main control device 13, the movable door drive device 17b is provided in the movable door drive device 17b in response to generating a jackpot transition instruction number in the normal game state or the special game state for special symbol control. A predetermined voltage is transmitted to a drive unit such as a solenoid. Then, the movable door driving device 17b operates the movable door 45 that is closed with respect to the special prize opening 3 to be in an open state, and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses after the opening. Alternatively, if any condition for winning a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is awarded to the special winning opening 3, a command for instructing to execute the closing process is generated again.

  Further, on the condition that any of the game balls won during the opening state passes through the winning specific area provided in the special winning opening 3 and is detected by the winning specific area detecting sensor 47c, The movable door driving device 17b drives the solenoid or the like so that the movable door 45 is closed again and the opening and closing of the movable door 45 is repeated until a predetermined upper limit is reached when the same condition as described above is satisfied. A command for instructing application of a predetermined voltage to the unit is generated.

  If a jackpot transition instruction number in a gaming state advantageous for a player for special symbol control is generated during execution of the opening / closing process in the movable door driving device 17b, the jackpot until the opening / closing process ends. The control process based on the generation of the transition instruction number is not performed, and is put on hold.

"Operation of winning area distribution drive device"
In the processing by the main control device 13, the winning area allocation driving device 17 c generates the winning area distribution 53 in the special winning opening 3 in response to generating a command for opening the special winning opening 3. A predetermined voltage (for example, 12 V) is applied to a driven object such as a solenoid provided in the slidable motor to generate a command to be moved in the open state so as to achieve a seesaw motion corresponding to the specific winning area allocation.

"Operation of display rotation drive device"
In the processing by the main controller 13, in response to generating a rotation mode number (display drive control signal) for rotationally driving the variable display device 34, the display body rotation drive device 17d is connected to the display body rotation drive device 17d. A predetermined voltage (for example, 12V) is applied to a driving member such as a stepping motor provided in the, and a command for moving the rotary member in synchronization with the display content of the variable display device 34 is generated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the variable display device 34 is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 69 substantially parallel to the board surface 52, and the display body rotation driving device 17 d is provided with the variable display device 34. The symbol control device 14a of the control board 77 displays the identification information on the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 via the VDP 50 in accordance with the display control signal output from the CPU 13a of the main control device 13. By rotating the variable display device 34, the rotation angle of the variable display device 34 changes, and the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 can be visually recognized, difficult to visually recognize, or invisible. Can change. Then, when the rotation angle of the variable display device 34 is changing, the identification information is variably displayed on the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34, thereby changing the visibility of the display unit 76 and displaying the display unit 76. The contents can also be changed. Therefore, a novel effect, an unexpected effect, and a display content of the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 and a rotary motion of the variable display device 34 are synchronized or harmonized with each other. It is possible to perform effects and prevent the player's interest from being lost.

  In addition, since the display control signal is transmitted and received without contact between the photodiode 68 and the phototransistor 75, the photodiode 68 and the phototransistor 75 do not hinder the rotational movement of the variable display device 34. For this reason, the variable display device 34 can continuously rotate in the same direction. Accordingly, it is possible to produce an effect in which the rotational movement of the variable display device 34 that can be continuously rotated in the same direction and the display content of the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 are synchronized or harmonized. The range of sex can be expanded.

  Further, since the photodiode 68 and the phototransistor 75 transmit and receive display control signals through optical communication, no noise is generated during the transmission and reception. Therefore, the variable display device 34 can be rotated and the identification information can be displayed on the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 without adversely affecting other devices.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 69 is arranged substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the board surface 52 of the game board 7, but if it is substantially parallel to the board surface 52 of the game board 7, the rotation axis 69 The axial direction of 69 need not be horizontal.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the three variable display devices 34 are provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 69, but the number of variable display devices 34 may be other than three.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a plurality of display panels 80 are provided on the rear wall 67 of the structure main body 62 of the first embodiment. For this reason, the detailed description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the plurality of display panels 80 have a substantially rectangular plate shape, include a display unit 81, and the rear wall of the structure main body 62 so as to overlap the variable display device 34 when viewed from the front. In the center of the part 67, it is provided substantially evenly. The display unit 81 is provided on the front surface of the display panel 80. When the decorative board 65 and the variable display device 34 are substantially parallel, the plurality of display panels 80 are covered with the variable display device 34 and are not visible to the player. The plurality of display panels 80 and the main control device 13 are electrically connected by wiring not shown.

  The display panel 80 is used as identification information according to a result of electronic determination of lottery executed in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied (for example, winning a game ball into a predetermined winning opening). The display control device stops and displays the identification display information (for example, symbols, characters, background images, etc.). The display panel 80 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, or an EL (ElectroLuminescence) display device. The display panel 80 is controlled by the symbol control device 14a that has received the display control signal.

  In the above configuration, when the variable display device 34 is rotationally driven and the decorative plate 65 and the variable display device 34 are in a state other than parallel, the player can visually recognize the display panel 80 at the back from the opening 73. . As a result, the closer the variable display device 34 is to the horizontal state, that is, the more difficult it is to visually recognize the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34, the easier it is to visually recognize the display unit 81 of the display panel 80. Therefore, when the variable display device 34 is driven to rotate, the display content of the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 and the display content of the display unit 81 of the display panel 80 can be tuned or harmonized. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the opening 73 of the decorative plate 65 of the first embodiment is formed wider in the downward direction, the display panel 80 is provided below the inner surface of the opening 83 of the decorative plate 65, and a mirror surface is provided on the rear surface of the rear plate member 86. A portion 82 is provided. For this reason, the detailed description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the decorative plate 65 has three substantially rectangular openings 83 formed substantially uniformly at the center of the decorative plate 65 in a lower direction than the openings 73 of the first embodiment. .

  In the plurality of display panels 80, the front decorative plate member 64 has the front surface of the display panel 80 and the lower surface of the display panel 80 so that the display unit 76 faces upward and is substantially parallel to the lower part of the inner surface of the opening 83. It is detachably fixed to the rear surface and the lower part of the inner surface of the opening 83 of the decorative plate 65. The player cannot directly view the display panel 80 hidden by the front decorative board member 64. The plurality of display panels 80 and the main control device 13 are electrically connected by wiring not shown.

  On the rear surface of the rear plate member 86, a mirror surface portion 82 that reflects light is provided.

  In the above configuration, when the variable display device 34 is driven to rotate and the mirror surface portion 82 is in the front downward direction, the player can change the display content displayed on the display panel 80 by reflecting the mirror surface portion 82. It can be visually recognized. Accordingly, when the variable display device 34 is driven to rotate, the display content of the display unit 76 of the variable display device 34 and the display content of the display unit 81 of the display panel 80 reflected by the mirror surface unit 82 are synchronized or harmonized. Can be performed.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the discussion and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is an external perspective view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a front perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic front view of the central structure of the gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic sectional side view of the center structure along the A-A 'line of FIG. It is a schematic sectional side view of the center structure along the B-B 'line of FIG. It is a schematic top view of the variable display part seen from the C direction of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical connection of a brush. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution which performs optical communication of the gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic front view of the variable display apparatus 34 which shows an example of the reach | attainment effect by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic front view of the central structure used as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional side view of the center structure along the A-A 'line of FIG. It is a schematic front view of the central structure used as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional side view of the central structure along the A-A 'line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

7 ... Game board, 13 ... Main control device (control means), 13a ... CPU, 13b ... ROM, 13c ... RAM, 14 ... Sub-control device, 14a ... Design control device (display control means), 17d ... Display body rotation drive Device (drive means), 31 ... gaming area, 34 ... variable display device (display device), 35 ... LED display device, 50 ... video display processor (VDP, display control means), 52 ... board surface, 61 ... central structure 62, structure body, 63 ... front plate member, 64 ... front decorative plate member, 65 ... decorative plate, 66 ... side wall portion, 67 ... rear wall portion, 68 ... photodiode (transmitting means), 69 ... rotation Shaft 70 ... Brush 71 ... Bearing 72 ... Fixing hole 73 ... Opening part 74 ... Display body 75 ... Phototransistor (reception means) 76 ... Display part 77 ... Control board (display control means) 78 ... side part, 9 ... upper surface portion, 80 ... display panel, 81 ... display unit, 82 ... mirror section, 83 ... opening, 84 ... variable display unit, 85 ... frame member, 86 ... rear plate member, 87 ... substrate housing section

Claims (4)

A ball game machine that launches a game ball on the board of the game board and plays.
Control means for outputting a display control signal;
Transmitting means fixed to the game board and transmitting a display control signal output from the control means;
It is a plate shape provided rotatably around a rotation axis substantially parallel to the board surface of the game board, the display unit and the mirror surface unit provided respectively on the front side and the back side of the plate-like body , receiving means for receiving the display control signal transmitted from the transmitting unit, and a display control means for displaying the identification information on the display unit in accordance with a display control signal which the receiving means has received, have a, the rotary shaft According to the rotation angle around the center, the display unit faces the front side of the board surface and the player can view the display unit, and the display unit faces other than the front side of the board surface. A display device that changes to an invisible state in which a player in front cannot view the display unit;
A display panel provided at a position where the player is visible by being reflected by the mirror surface when the display device is within a predetermined rotation range included in the invisible state;
A bullet ball game machine comprising drive means for rotationally driving the display device. The ball game machine according to claim 1,
The bullet ball game machine, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit transmit and receive the display control signal in a non-contact state. A ball game machine according to claim 2,
The bullet ball game machine, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit transmit and receive the display control signal by optical communication. A ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means outputs a display drive control signal,
The bullet ball game machine, wherein the driving means rotationally drives the display device in accordance with the display drive control signal.

Images