JP4514110B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable winning device having a movable member that can be converted between a closed state and an open state, and a winning space in which a game ball received by the movable member flows and a specific region and a general winning region are provided. When the start condition is satisfied, an auxiliary game is performed to convert the movable member to an open state for a predetermined time, and a game ball received in the auxiliary game wins the specific area, which is more advantageous to the player than the auxiliary game. The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a game control means capable of executing a special game.

Conventionally, in order to change pachinko games and enhance the fun of games, gaming machines equipped with various variable winning devices have been proposed.
In such a variable prize winning device, an armor member projects from the upper surface of the component board attached to the game area of the game board, and a partition member projects from the lower surface, and the left and right end portions of the armor member A movable member is pivotally attached to the lower side of the armor, and a so-called specific area (special prize opening) and a general prize area (general prize opening) are formed in a portion surrounded by the armor member, the left and right movable members, and the partition member. There is something added.
This type of gaming machine is called a so-called “feather”. Examples of this type of conventional gaming machine include those described in the following patent documents.

JP 2000-334103 A

In the case of the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, when there is a winning at the start winning opening, the movable member of the variable winning device is released for a short period of time (preliminary game state is generated) and the winning in a specific area is activated. Until the predetermined time has elapsed, the occurrence of the preliminary game state based on the winning of the other game balls at the start winning opening is invalidated, and the ball is changed in the predetermined time. When the prize is not entered, the invalidation state is canceled and control for enabling the occurrence of the preliminary game state is performed. As a result, even when the game ball does not enter the variable winning device when the movable member is opened, the winning at the start winning opening becomes effective without leaving too much time, thereby reducing the player's discomfort. ing.
That is, during the period in which the winning to the specific area is validated (during the V valid period), the winning to the start winning opening is invalidated and the remaining balls in the variable winning device are monitored to confirm that there is no remaining balls. The invalid state of starting the preliminary game state is canceled as a condition.

This will be explained in order including the background of the prior art for the following reason.
(A) Since the game ball received from the movable member flows down the game space inside the variable winning device and wins a specific area (special prize opening), the time from when the movable member is closed Even later, it wins a specific area with a time difference.
(B) For this reason, even after the movable member is closed, the control is performed for a predetermined period of time so as to extend the effective time so as not to waste the winning of the game ball to the specific area.
(C) However, since all of the game balls that have been won to the start winning opening have been made effective as the starting conditions for the preliminary game state, the movable member is Therefore, it was in a state where it was easy to win in a specific area (V winning was easy).
(D) Because of this, there is a moment when the occurrence frequency of jackpots becomes extremely high, so it has been difficult for amusement stores to tighten the nails and make it difficult to win a start.
(E) However, this has become a less interesting gaming machine that is difficult to start winning.

(F) Therefore, it is conceivable to invalidate the next starting prize until the extended effective time after the preliminary gaming state is started, and the prize in the specific area is kept relatively low.
(G) However, until the extended validity period elapses, the next starting prize will be invalidated. For the player, if a certain time has passed without any expectation, In other words, a new inconvenience occurred that the feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction of the player increased.
(H) In particular, there was a problem that the operating rate of the gaming machine was lowered by so-called stoppage during the invalid period of the start prize.
(I) Therefore, the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 quickly validates the start winning when the game ball does not enter the variable winning device when the movable member is opened.
That is, if there is no remaining ball in the variable winning device, the start winning is made valid and the invalid state of starting the preliminary game state is canceled.
In this way, it was intended to solve the inconvenience that the feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction of the player increased.

By the way, while recent gaming machines lower the winning rate (V winning rate) to a specific area, the starting winnings are increased as much as possible so that the player can play by accepting the game balls in the variable winning device (large winning port). It has a simple configuration.
In addition, the route to a specific area (special prize opening: V prize opening) will be complicated, so that it will take time for the ball to flow down and enhance the player's interest, including entertaining the process. ing.
For this reason, there are many cases where there are remaining balls in the variable winning device, and the start winning is frequently invalidated, and there is a problem that the player's dissatisfaction increases.

This will be explained as follows in the background.
(J) In other words, while lowering the V winning rate to ensure a decrease in profits on the store side, the player increased the number of winning prizes so that the player could enjoy the game. Even in the gaming machine described in the patent literature, there are frequent opportunities for the start prize to be invalidated.
(K) Because the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 only enables the start winning immediately when the ball does not enter when the movable member is opened, the remaining balls in the variable winning device It couldn't cope with the increase.
(L) In order to solve this problem, for example, the structure in the variable winning device (large winning opening) is simplified so that the remaining time of the remaining balls is reduced so that the start winning is invalidated. However, the game performance of the gaming machine deteriorates (it is not possible to enjoy the above-described process of flowing down the ball), resulting in a new problem that the customer is separated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve game performance while eliminating a player's dissatisfaction even if there is a remaining ball and the start winning is not invalidated.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable member that can be converted between a closed state and an open state, and a game ball received by the movable member flows into the specific region and the general winning region. A variable prize device having a prize space provided;
A special game that is more advantageous to the player than the auxiliary game by performing an auxiliary game in which the movable member is converted to an open state for a predetermined time when the start condition is satisfied, and a game ball received in the auxiliary game wins the specific area Game control means capable of executing
In a gaming machine equipped with
The variable winning device is:
Path switching that divides the winning space into a first winning space and a second winning space and switches the path of the received game ball to one of a path passing through the first winning space and a path passing through the second winning space. Comprising a member,
The first prize space is
First inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the first winning space;
A first specific area where the special game is generated by winning a game ball;
First outflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing out of the first winning space;
With
The second prize space is
Second inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the second winning space;
A second specific area where the special game is generated by winning a game ball;
Second outflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing out of the second winning space;
With
The game control means includes
First remaining ball monitoring means for monitoring presence or absence of remaining game balls in the first winning space based on detection signals from the first inflow ball detecting means and the first outflow ball detecting means;
Second remaining ball monitoring means for monitoring presence or absence of remaining game balls in the second winning space based on detection signals from the second inflow ball detecting means and the second outflow ball detecting means;
Path switching member control means for controlling the path switching member;
With
The path switching member control means includes
If the game ball remains in one of the first prize space or the second prize space when the start condition is satisfied, the game ball flows into the other prize space through the path switching member. It is characterized by switching to do.

The invention according to claim 2 that depends on claim 1 is characterized in that the path switching member is:
Normally, the received game ball is urged by the urging member so as to flow into the first winning space,
The path switching member control means includes
If the game ball remains in the first prize space when the start condition is satisfied, the path switching member is switched so that the game ball flows into the second prize space, and after the auxiliary game is completed. The game balls are switched so as to flow into the first winning space.

The invention according to claim 3, which is dependent on claim 2, is characterized in that the variable winning device is:
The winning percentage of the game balls flowing into the second winning space into the second specific area is higher than the winning percentage of the gaming balls flowing into the first winning space into the first specific area. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, even when there is a remaining ball, the start winning is not invalidated, and the player can fully enjoy the flow-down process until the game ball reaches the specific area or the general winning area in the variable winning device. Can improve the player's feeling of dissatisfaction.
That is, even if the number of remaining balls is increased by increasing the number of starting balls so that the player can enjoy the game while lowering the V-winning rate to ensure the profit reduction on the store side, in the present invention, the starting prize is increased. Can be eliminated, and the player's dissatisfaction can be resolved.
In particular, it is not necessary to simplify the structure in the variable winning device, reduce the remaining time of the remaining balls, and reduce the invalidation of the start winning. Therefore, it is possible to improve the game performance of the gaming machine and prevent the customer from leaving.

Each claim has the following specific effects.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the game ball remains in one winning space after the auxiliary game ends and the starting condition is satisfied, the auxiliary ball is guided to the other winning space to perform the auxiliary game. Even if there is a ball, the starting prize will not be invalidated.
In addition, the remaining ball of the previous auxiliary game and the game ball of the current auxiliary game are guided to different winning spaces, so the auxiliary game is performed when the game ball remains, and the frequency of occurrence of special games is extremely high. It will not be expensive. Therefore, the game can be enjoyed for the player while ensuring the profit balance between the store side and the player side.
According to the invention described in claim 2, since the game ball received in the first winning space is usually allowed to flow, there is an effect that the player can easily understand.
According to the invention described in claim 3, since the winning rate of the game balls that have flowed into the second winning space into the second specific area is higher than the first winning space, it is determined which winning space the gaming ball enters. It has the effect of increasing the excitement of the game and excitement.

Hereinafter, an example in which the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described.
First, the first embodiment will be described.
A. Configuration of Game Board FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board of a pachinko machine (game machine). In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a game board, and a game area 3 is formed on the game board 1 by surrounding a substantially circular area on the front surface with a guide rail 2.
A variable winning device 11 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the game board 1, and three starting winning ports (starting ports) 12, 13, 14 are arranged below the variable winning device 11. The variable winning device 11 includes an armor portion 11a, a mounting base 20 (see FIG. 2, the same applies to other members), a surrounding partition member 21, a pair of movable members 22a and 22b that can be converted into a closed state and an open state, and movable It has a winning space 23 and a path switching member 24 into which game balls received by the members 22a and 22b flow. The winning space 23 is divided into an upper space 25, a first winning space 26, and a second winning space 27. The detailed configuration of the variable winning device 11 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Start sensors 31, 32, and 33 are provided at the start winning ports 12, 13, and 14, respectively, and the start sensors 31, 32, and 33 detect game balls that have won the start winning ports 12, 13, and 14, respectively. In addition, when a game ball wins the start winning opening 12, 13, 14, five prize balls are discharged.
When a ball wins any of the start winning ports 12, 13, and 14, the start condition is satisfied, and when the start condition is satisfied, the pair of movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 is in an open state in which the ball can be easily received. The opening time is set to 1.8 seconds. This operation corresponds to performing an auxiliary game for converting the movable members 22a and 22b to the open state for a predetermined time. That is, the starting condition is a condition for performing an auxiliary game for converting the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 into an open state.
Therefore, the auxiliary game of the movable members 22a and 22b is performed when the start condition is satisfied, that is, the variable winning device 11 converts the movable members 22a and 22b to an open state for a predetermined time when the start condition is satisfied. Auxiliary games will be performed.

The game area 3 of the game board 1 is additionally provided with general winning ports 41 and 42, and a plurality of ball direction changing members (not shown) called windmills are rotatably installed at appropriate positions in the game area 3. In addition, many obstacle nails (not shown) are planted. An out ball collection port (not shown) is formed at the center lower portion of the game area 3.
The balls that have won the general winning holes 41 and 42 of the game board 1 are respectively detected by the winning hole sensors 51a to 51b (see FIG. 3). When the game board 1 has n general winning ports, n winning port sensors are arranged. Further, when a game ball is won in the general winning openings 41 and 42, ten prize balls are discharged.
Decorative side lamps / LEDs (hereinafter referred to as decorative lamps / LEDs) 43 and 44 are arranged on both sides of the variable winning device 11 along the inside of the rail 2. For example, in addition to blinking when the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 are opened, it blinks so as to increase the player's motivation during a big hit.
On the other hand, big hit lamps 45 and 46 that are turned on when a big hit occurs are arranged at peripheral positions along the guide rail 2 around the game board 1. Each lamp 45, 45 is mounted in the cover.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the variable winning device 11.
In FIG. 2, as described above, the winning space 23 as the game ball passing region is formed in the variable winning device 11, and the winning space 23 extends from the upstream side to the upper space 25, the first winning space 26, and the second winning space 27. It is divided.
These spaces 25, 26, and 27 are formed so as to be partitioned by a space forming member 28 disposed inside the variable winning device 11, and the space forming member 28 is fixed to the mounting base 20.
The first winning space 26 and the second winning space 27 are located below the upper space 25 and are divided into left and right. A path switching member 24 is provided on the lower side of the upper space 25, and the path switching member 24 is received in the upper space 25 by opening the movable members 22 a and 22 b of the variable winning device 11 (shown by broken lines). It has a function of switching the path of the game ball to one of a path passing through the first winning space 26 and a path passing through the second winning space 27. The path switching member 24 is rotatably supported by a shaft 24a, and the shaft 20a is fixed to the mounting base 20.

In the state of FIG. 2, the path switching member 24 is in a position indicated by a solid line, and this shows a case where the path of the game ball is switched to a path passing through the first winning space 26. On the other hand, when the path switching member 24 is converted to the position indicated by the broken line, the path of the game ball is switched to the path passing through the second winning space 27.
If the game ball remains in one of the first winning space 26 and the second winning space 27 when the start condition is satisfied, the path switching member 24 is set to the other winning switch. Switching control is performed so that a game ball flows into the space.
Here, the path switching member 24 is normally urged by a spring (biasing member) in a state where the received game ball flows into the first winning space 26 (the state shown in FIG. 2). Therefore, normally, the path of the game ball received in the upper space 25 is normally switched to a path that passes through the first winning space 26.
However, if the game control device 100 described later determines that the game ball remains in the first winning space 26 when the starting condition is satisfied, the path switching solenoid 82 described below is energized to generate the biasing force of the spring. As the route switching member 24 rotates to the position of the broken line in FIG. 2, the route switching member 24 is switched so that the game ball flows into the second winning space 27, and after the auxiliary game is finished, the first winning prize is again made. The game ball is switched to flow into the space 26 (in this case, the energization to the path switching solenoid 82 is stopped and returned to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 by the biasing force of the spring), and the state is maintained. It is configured to be.

The first winning space 26 includes a first count sensor (first inflow ball detecting means) 61 that detects a game ball flowing into the first winning space 26, and a first specific area in which a special game is generated by winning a game ball. 62, a first special winning sensor 63 for detecting a winning of a ball in the first specific area 62, a first general winning area 64, and a first remaining ball for detecting a game ball flowing out of the first winning space 26. A discharge sensor (first outflow ball detecting means) 65 and a first V guide member 66 imitating a doll (represented by A) are provided.
The first count sensor 61 is provided on the upstream side of the first winning space 26, and the first V guide member 66, the first special winning sensor 63, and the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side thereof. .
Both downstream sides of the first V guide member 66 are first general winning areas 64, and a portion immediately below the feet of the first V guide member 66 imitating a doll is a first specific area 62. One special prize sensor 63 is provided. When the game ball enters the first specific area 62, it passes through the first special prize sensor 63, thereby determining a prize (V prize) in the first specific area 62.

In addition, even when the game balls enter the first specific area 62, all cases where the game balls enter the first winning space 26 after being distributed by the path switching member 24 of the variable winning device 11 are detected by the first count sensor 61. However, if the game ball enters the first specific area 62, it passes through the first special prize sensor 63, and otherwise (if it does not pass through the first special prize sensor 63), it simply passes the first count sensor 61 to the game. Since the ball only passes, it is a general prize in that case. That is, when a game ball passes through the first general winning area 64, it becomes a general winning.
The first count sensor 61 constitutes first inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the first winning space 26 among the game balls received into the variable winning device 11.

The first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 is disposed on the most downstream side (exit side) of the first winning space 26 and detects a game ball flowing out from the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11. When a game ball enters the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11, the first specific area first passes through the first count sensor 61, passes through the first winning space 26 around the first V guide member 66, etc. 62 or the first general winning area 64 and eventually passes through the first remaining ball discharging sensor 65 and is discharged (outflowed) out of the variable winning device 11. At this time, a sphere that has passed through the first count sensor 61 but has not yet passed through the first remaining sphere discharge sensor 65 (because it takes time to flow down the sphere) is monitored as a remaining sphere. The game balls remaining in the variable winning device 11 are referred to as remaining balls.
Therefore, the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 is provided on the exit side of the first winning space 26 and detects the game ball that flows out from the first winning space 26 (the game ball that flows out from the variable winning device 11). Outflow ball detection means is configured.

The first V induction member 66 is driven by a first V induction motor 67 (see FIG. 3), and the first V induction motor 67 moves the doll head 66a (corresponding to the induction portion) of the first V induction member 66 to the doll's neck. The fulcrum is driven to swing back and forth by a predetermined angle (here, just back and forth like swinging).
In addition, a space (specific area guiding recess) recessed toward the rear side is formed on the top of the doll's head 66a in the first V guiding member 66, and when the sphere enters the recessed specific area guiding recess, It passes through the back side, passes through the crotch, and enters the first specific area 62 as it is. Accordingly, the flow path of the game ball that has entered the first winning space 26 is changed by the movement of the head 66a of the first V guide member 66, and the specific area guide recess that is recessed to the rear side just above the doll head 66a. Is passed through the back side of the doll, passes through the crotch, enters the first specific area 62 as it is, and is detected by the first special prize sensor 63.
On the other hand, when the path of the game ball is not guided to the specific area guiding recess recessed on the rear side at the top of the doll's head 66a by the movement of the head of the first V guiding member 66, the first general winning area 64 is set. After passing, it passes through the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 and is discharged out of the variable winning device 11 (outside the first winning space 26).

The variable winning device 11 performs an auxiliary game for converting the movable members 22a and 22b to an open state for a predetermined time by the establishment of the start condition described above, and after the game balls received in the auxiliary game are distributed by the path switching member 24, The movable members 22a and 22b are converted into the open state for a longer time than the auxiliary game by entering the first winning space 26 and then entering the first specific area 62 (winning) and being detected by the first special winning sensor 63. A special game to play is generated.
A special game in an advantageous manner over an auxiliary game is a big hit game, in which the movable members 22a and 22b perform an opening / closing operation that is repeated 18 times, with 1.8 seconds being opened and closed once. One cycle is repeated for 15 cycles. In addition, when winning of 10 game balls is recognized in the variable winning device 11 during the opening / closing operation of the movable members 22a and 22b in one cycle, the movable members 22a and 22b are closed at that time. That is, the special game has more opening and closing times of the movable members 22a and 22b than the auxiliary game, and is advantageous to the player over the auxiliary game due to the configuration that the opening time of one opening and closing operation of the movable members 22a and 22b is longer. In a different manner. When a winning ball is won in the variable winning device 11 and a game ball is detected by the first count sensor 61, 15 prize balls are discharged.
Here, as another embodiment, the movable members 22a and 22b do not perform an opening / closing operation that repeats the opening / closing for 1.8 seconds once, but instead of performing the opening / closing operation 18 times. It is also possible to perform such a control that is opened for 30 seconds.
Further, a variable winning device (attacker) dedicated to big hits, which is different from the variable winning device 11, may be provided, and the big winning dedicated variable winning device may be opened in the case of a big hit. By doing so, since the game is performed separately for the variable winning device 11 that performs the auxiliary game and the variable winning device dedicated to the jackpot, there is an effect that the power increases and the game becomes more interesting.

On the other hand, the second winning space 27 has the same configuration, and a special game is achieved by winning a game ball and a second count sensor (second inflow ball detecting means) 71 for detecting a gaming ball flowing into the second winning space 27. Is generated, a second special prize sensor 73 for detecting a winning of a ball in the second specific area 72, a second general prize area 74, and a game ball flowing out of the second prize space 27 A second remaining ball discharge sensor (second outflow ball detection means) 75 for detecting the second sphere, and a second V guide member 76 imitating a doll (represented by B).
The second count sensor 71 is provided on the upstream side of the second winning space 27, and the second V guide member 76, the second special winning sensor 73, and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side thereof. .
The downstream sides of the second V guide member 76 are second general winning areas 74, and the vicinity of the feet of the second V guide member 76 imitating a doll is a second specific area 72. Two special winning sensors 73 are provided. When the game ball enters the second specific area 72, it passes through the second special prize sensor 73, thereby determining a prize (V prize) in the second specific area 72.

In addition, even when the game balls enter the second specific area 72, all the cases where the game balls enter the second winning space 27 after being distributed by the path switching member 24 of the variable winning device 11 are detected by the second count sensor 71. However, if the game ball enters the second specific area 72, it passes through the second special prize sensor 73, and otherwise (if it does not pass through the second special prize sensor 73), it simply passes the second count sensor 71 to the game. Since the ball only passes, it is a general prize in that case. That is, when the game ball passes through the second general winning area 74, it becomes a general winning.
The second count sensor 71 constitutes second inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the second winning space 27 among the game balls received into the variable winning device 11.

The second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 is arranged on the most downstream side (exit side) of the second winning space 27 and detects a game ball flowing out from the second winning space 27 of the variable winning device 11. When a game ball enters the second winning space 27 of the variable winning device 11, first passes through the second count sensor 71, passes through the second winning space 27 such as around the second V guide member 76, and the second specific area. 72 or the second general winning area 74 and eventually passes through the second remaining ball discharging sensor 75 and is discharged (outflowed) out of the variable winning device 11. At this time, a sphere that has passed through the second count sensor 71 but has not yet passed through the second remaining sphere discharge sensor 75 (because it takes time to flow down the sphere) is monitored as a remaining sphere. The game balls remaining in the variable winning device 11 are also referred to as remaining balls.
Accordingly, the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 is provided on the exit side of the second winning space 27 and detects the game ball flowing out from the second winning space 27 (the game ball flowing out from the variable winning device 11). Outflow ball detection means is configured.

The second V induction member 76 is driven by a second V induction motor 77 (see FIG. 3), and the second V induction motor 77 uses the doll's head 76a (corresponding to the induction portion) of the second V induction member 76 to move the doll's neck. The fulcrum is driven to swing back and forth by a predetermined angle (here, just back and forth like swinging).
Note that a space (specific area guiding recess) recessed toward the rear side is formed on the top of the doll's head 76a in the second V guiding member 76, and when the sphere enters the recessed specific area guiding recess, It passes through the back side, passes through the crotch, and enters the second specific area 72 as it is. Therefore, the flow path of the game ball that has entered the second winning space 27 is changed by the movement of the head portion 76a of the second V guide member 76, and the specific area guiding recess that is recessed to the rear side just above the doll head portion 76a. , It passes through the back side of the doll, passes through the crotch, enters the second specific area 72 as it is, and is detected by the second special prize sensor 73.
On the other hand, when the path of the game ball is not guided to the specific area guiding recess recessed on the rear side at the upper part of the doll head 76a by the movement of the head of the second V guide member 76, the second general winning area 74 is set. After passing, it passes through the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 and is discharged out of the variable winning device 11 (outside the second winning space 27).

  In addition, the variable winning device 11 performs an auxiliary game for converting the movable members 22a and 22b to an open state for a predetermined time when the above-described start condition is satisfied, and the game balls received in the auxiliary game are distributed by the path switching member 24. Similarly, when the second special winning space 27 is entered and then the second specific area 72 is entered (winned) and detected by the second special winning sensor 73, the movable members 22a and 22b are longer than the auxiliary game. A special game for converting to the time open state is generated. The contents of the special game are the same as when the game ball enters the first special prize sensor 63.

Here, the variable prize winning device 11 wins the winning percentage of the game balls that have flowed into the first winning space 26 into the first specific area 63 and the winning percentage of the game balls that have flowed into the second winning space 27 into the second specific area 73. The rate is set to be the same. This is because the first winning space 26 and the second winning space 27 are symmetrical and have the same internal structure. The V winning percentage is determined by whether or not a game ball enters a space (specific area guiding recess) recessed on the rear side of the upper portion of the doll head 66a (or 76a). In this case, the doll head 66a ( Alternatively, if the swing period of 76a) is set to be the same in both winning spaces, the V winning rate will be the same in terms of structure, and thus such a structure is obtained.
In the case of the first embodiment, the big hit game is performed using only the first winning space 26.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first winning space 26 and the second winning space 27 may be alternately performed for each jackpot. Further, the first winning space 26 and the second winning space 27 may be alternately used for each big hit cycle.

On the other hand, as a mode different from the above, the V winning rate of the second winning space 27 may be increased. Such a configuration is as follows.
The variable winning device 11 has a winning rate to the second specific area 73 of the game balls that have flowed into the second winning space 27, rather than the winning rate to the first specific area 63 of the game balls that have flowed into the first winning space 26. Configure to be high. That is, a configuration in which a big hit is more likely to occur when the ball flows into the second winning space 27 is adopted.
This is because the second V induction motor 77 is driven to swing back and forth by a predetermined angle with the doll head 76a of the second V induction member 76 as a fulcrum. In addition to moving slowly compared to the second V guide member 66, and further incorporating intermittent drive control that stops the swinging of the head 76a for a certain period of time, it is recessed on the rear side of the upper portion of the doll's head 76a. The configuration is such that the game ball easily passes through the space (specific area guiding recess) during the period when the head 76a is not swung, and easily enters the second specific area 72 as it is. If it does so, it will become easy to generate | occur | produce a big hit if the ball | bowl flows into the 2nd winning space 27. FIG.
Thus, providing a difference in the V winning rate for the big hit according to the winning space has an effect of increasing the interest of the game.
Note that the above is an example, and the V winning percentage may be different with a different configuration. For example, it is good to provide a difference in the V winning rate with a structure such as changing the shape of each winning space or providing a difference in the winning path to the specific area and the ease of entering the specific area.

B. Control System Next, a control system of the pachinko machine of this example will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a game control device, and the game control device 100 performs overall control of the game (including control of game progress and direct or indirect control of each controlled device for that purpose). A gaming microcomputer 101 (manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip), an oscillator 102 (clock generation circuit), an input / output interface 103, and a one-chip microcomputer for controlling an accessory necessary for a game, etc. The gaming microcomputer 101 further includes a CPU 104, a ROM 105, and a RAM 106.

  Here, the RAM 106 of the gaming microcomputer 101 resumes the area for storing prize ball data (for example, data of 5 prize balls, 10 prize balls, and 15 prize balls) and the game state when the power is cut off. There are provided an area for storing backup data (data such as all registers and stack pointers) and a storage area for storing and storing various data separately.

The input / output interface 103 of the game control apparatus 100 includes start sensors 31, 32, 33, winning mouth sensors 51 a to 51 b, a first count sensor 61, a first special winning sensor 63, a first remaining ball discharge sensor 65, a second Detection signals from the count sensor 71, the second special winning sensor 73, and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 are input.
Further, from the input / output interface 103, an open / close solenoid 81 for driving the movable members 22a, 22b of the variable prize apparatus 11, a path switching solenoid 82 for driving the path switching member 24, and a first V induction motor 67 for driving the first V induction member 66. In addition, a control signal is output to the second V induction motor 77 that drives the second V induction member 76, and an external output terminal for transmitting board external information (for example, a big hit signal) to the management device of the amusement store 83, a control signal is output to the discharge emission control device 111 and the effect control device 112. Note that the game control device 100 is arranged as a main control device, and the discharge and emission control device 111 and the effect control device 112 are arranged as sub-control devices.

Note that the first V induction motor 67 drives the first V induction member 66, but this drive is always performed (performed at any time such as a normal game, an auxiliary game, or a big hit). Similarly, the second V induction motor 77 always drives the second V induction member 76.
The discharge and emission control device 111 includes start sensors 31, 32, 33, winning hole sensors 51 a to 51 b, first count sensor 61, first special winning sensor 63, and second count sensor provided for each winning hole of the game board 1. 71, when a winning of a game ball is detected by the second special winning sensor 73, information on the number of winning balls (award ball data) set in advance corresponding to the winning value of the winning opening is transmitted from the gaming control device 100. Therefore, based on this information, the discharging device 113 is controlled to discharge the winning ball according to the winning ball data.
In addition, the discharge and firing control device 111 permits launching of the game ball when the player touches the launch knob and performs a launch operation of the ball based on the detection signals from the launch stop switch 114 and the touch sensor 115. A firing signal is output to the device 116 to control the launch of the sphere.

The effect control device 112 drives the speaker 117 to control output of sound effects and the like, and performs effect control to decorate by lighting or blinking the decoration lamps / LEDs 43 and 44 and the big hit lamps 45 and 46 on the game board 1. .
In the case of this example, a power supply device 118 is provided. The power supply device 118 is a unit composed of a circuit board that supplies predetermined power to each control device, a solenoid, and the like, and includes a backup power source 119. The backup power source 119 supplies backup power to the RAM (not shown) of the discharge and emission control device 111 in addition to supplying backup power to the RAM 106 of the game control device 100.
Due to the operation of the backup power source 119, the RAM 106 of the game control device 100 and the RAM of the discharge / emission control device 111 store and retain all data during a predetermined backup guarantee period even when the power is shut off (including a power failure). It is possible.

  The pachinko machine of this example is not equipped with a so-called safe unit (a unit that collects all winning balls in one place and detects them one by one and holds them until the winning ball payout is completed) As described above, since the winning detection is performed for each winning opening, it is necessary to store information on undiscarded winning balls in software, and for this reason, such a backup power supply is supplied. ing. In addition, in order to continuously resume a game that has been interrupted due to a power failure, etc., it is necessary to store and retain information for reproducing the game state at the time of power shut-off, etc. The backup power is supplied to at least the RAM 106 of the game control device 100 (in this case, the RAM of the discharge / discharge control device 111).

Here, the game control apparatus 100 implements the functions of a game control unit, a first remaining ball monitoring unit, a second remaining ball monitoring unit, and a path switching member control unit by executing a program to be described later.
That is, the game control device 100 performs an auxiliary game for converting the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable prize apparatus 11 to an open state for a predetermined time when the start condition is established, and the game ball received in the auxiliary game is the first specific area 62, Function of game control means for executing a big hit game (that is, a special game advantageous to the player over the auxiliary game) by converting the movable members 22a and 22b into the open state for a longer time than the auxiliary game by winning the second specific area 72 Is realized.

Further, based on detection signals from the first count sensor 61 (winning ball detection means) and the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 (outflow ball detection means), the game balls in the first winning space 26 in the variable winning device 11 are displayed. A function of first remaining sphere monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of the remaining is realized.
Similarly, based on detection signals from the second count sensor 71 (winning ball detection means) and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 (outflow ball detection means), the game balls in the second winning space 27 in the variable winning device 11 The function of the second remaining sphere monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of the remaining is realized.
If the game ball remains in one of the first prize space 26 and the second prize space 27 when the start condition is satisfied, the path switching member 24 is placed in the other prize space. The function of the path switching member control means for controlling the path switching member 24 is realized so as to switch so as to flow in.
The game control means includes a first remaining ball monitoring means, a second remaining ball monitoring means, and a path switching member control means.

C. Next, before describing the control flow of the game control device 100, an outline of the game performed in the pachinko machine of this example will be described.
(A) Ordinary game First, when a game ball hit into the game area via the guide rail 2 wins one of the general winning ports 41 and 42, the winning is detected by any of the winning port sensors 51a to 51b. Then, ten game balls are discharged as prize balls according to the winning.
As for the discharge of the winning ball, the game control device 100 transmits information on the number of winning balls set in advance corresponding to the winning value of the winning opening (prize ball data) to the discharging and firing control device 111. The discharging device 113 discharges the prize ball based on this, and this is the same control for the prize ball discharge described later.
In addition, when the player does not enter any of the general winning ports 41 and 42, the game balls that have been thrown into the game area are collected through the out ball collection port.
As described above, in a normal game, the above-described game is repeatedly performed.

(B) Auxiliary game While playing a game, when a game ball eventually wins any of the start winning openings 12, 13, and 14, it is detected by any of the start sensors 31, 32, and 33, and 5 prize balls are discharged. In addition, the starting condition is established, and the pair of movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 is converted into an open state in which it is easy to accept the ball for 1.8 seconds, and the auxiliary game is performed. At this time, the path switching member 24 is normally urged by the spring (the urging member) so that the received game ball flows into the first winning space 26, so that it is normally received in the upper space 25. The path of the game ball is switched to the path passing through the first winning space 26, and the gaming ball enters the first winning space 26.
However, if the game ball remains in one of the first prize space 26 or the second prize space 27 when the start condition is satisfied, the path switching member 24 is placed in the other prize space. Is switched so as to flow in, and an auxiliary game is played.

(C) Residual ball monitoring When the movable members 22a and 22b are opened in the auxiliary game and the game ball is received in the variable winning device 11, the game ball first enters the winning space 25 and is distributed by the path switching member 24. After that, after entering into the first winning space 26 and being detected by the first count sensor 61, it further flows down by its own weight, passes through the space around the first V guide member 66, etc. After passing through the 1 general winning area 64, it passes through the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 and is discharged out of the variable winning apparatus 11.
At this time, whether or not there is a sphere that has passed through the first count sensor 61 but has not yet passed through the first remaining sphere discharge sensor 65 is monitored (that is, the presence or absence of the sphere is present). Then, it is determined that there is a remaining sphere.

When the game ball does not remain in the variable winning device 11, the path switching member 24 is not switched so that the game ball flows into the other winning space, and the current switching position of the path switching member 24 is maintained.
On the other hand, when the game ball remains, the path switching member 24 is switched so that the game ball flows into the other winning space. For example, when the path switching member 24 has been switched to the first winning space 26, when a remaining ball is detected in the first winning space 26, the game ball flows into the other second winning space 27. The path switching member 24 is switched.
When there is no remaining sphere, the normal switching position is restored.

(D) Big hit game When the movable members 22a and 22b are opened in the auxiliary game and the game ball is received in the variable winning device 11, the game ball first enters the winning space 25 and is distributed by the path switching member 24. Normally, after entering the first winning space 26 and being detected by the first count sensor 61, it further flows down by its own weight and flows down the space such as the periphery of the first V guide member 66. Since the head 66a always swings back and forth, many game balls pass through the periphery of the first V guide member 66 to the first general winning area 64 and rarely reach a big hit.

On the other hand, when entering the recessed specific area guiding recess on the rear side of the head 66a of the first V guiding member 66, it passes through the back side of the doll, passes through the crotch and enters the first specified area 62 as it is, When it is detected by one special winning sensor 63, a big hit occurs. In the big hit game, the movable members 22a and 22b are opened and closed for 1.8 seconds, and the opening and closing operation is repeated 18 times, and this is further repeated 15 cycles. In addition, when winning of 10 game balls is recognized in the variable winning device 11 during the opening / closing operation of the movable members 22a and 22b in one cycle, the movable members 22a and 22b are closed at that time.
In this case, the jackpot game is advantageous to the player because the movable members 22a and 22b are opened and closed more frequently than the auxiliary game. Such a big hit game enables the player to obtain a lot of balls.
The big hit game is played using the first winning space 26 by switching the route switching member 24 to the first winning space 26.

D. Operation of Control System Next, the control of the pachinko machine performed by the above-described control system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
(A) Main routine of game control apparatus First, the main routine of the game control apparatus 100 will be described. This process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the game control apparatus 100 is activated, initialization processing is performed in step S1, normality determination processing of the ROM 105 in the gaming microcomputer 101, work area initialization in the RAM 106, I / O register setting, system internal register setting processing The flag is initialized. In step S1, the activation process ends.

(B) Timer Interrupt Processing of Game Control Device Next, timer interrupt processing of the game control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process. This timer interruption process is started by timer activation, and is executed, for example, every 1 msec.
In this timer interrupt process, first, a register saving or interrupt prohibition process is executed as necessary in step S11, and then an input process is executed in step S12. In this input process, the above-described sensors (starting sensors 31, 32, 33, winning hole sensors 51a to 51b, first count sensor 61, first special winning sensor 63, first remaining ball discharge sensor 65, second count). The detection signals of the sensor 71, the second special winning sensor 73, and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 are read out.Specifically, the output value of each sensor is determined for each timer interruption period, and the output at the same level. When the value continues for a specified number of times (for example, twice), the level of this output value is read as a deterministic value of the detection signal of each sensor, which means that any sensor or switch is on. When read, a flag (input flag) indicating it is set.

Next, output processing is performed in step S13. In this case, output data is set to an output port and output. For example, external information output, motor output, solenoid output, gaming machine error status signal, etc. are set to the output port and output.
Next, in step S14, processing (command transmission processing) for transmitting control information (command) to each set control device (discharge emission control device 111, effect control device 112) is executed. Here, for example, transmission of a command for production and editing and transmission of a command for discharge are executed. Thereby, the effect control device 112 appropriately performs the game state effect by the sound effect.

Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not there is an illegal flag. This is to monitor whether there is an illegal remaining ball in the variable winning device 11 and if so, an illegal flag is set (see the special game monitoring process shown in FIG. 10 described later), and this is discriminated. .
An illegal remaining ball is a signal indicating that a ball has won in the first specific area 62 (or the second specific area 72) of the variable winning device 11 when it is not a big hit, and the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 is nevertheless. This is a case where a sphere is not detected by the second remaining sphere discharge sensor 75. For example, an unauthorized person opens the glass frame of the pachinko machine and intentionally passes the ball only in the first specific area 62 (or the second specific area 72) to make the first special prize sensor 63 (or the second special prize). In this case, the sensor 73) is turned on and no sphere flows until the first remaining sphere discharge sensor 65 (or the second remaining sphere discharge sensor 75).
When the first special prize sensor 63 (or the second special prize sensor 73) is turned on electronically instead of actually passing the ball through the first specific area 62 (or the second specific area 72). Is also considered illegal. In addition, even if there is a remaining ball, the unauthorized person intentionally passes the ball only in the first specific area 62 (or the second specific area 72) and the first special prize sensor 63 (or the second special prize sensor 73). Even if is turned on, it is determined to be illegal.

If there is an illegal flag, the process branches to step S16 to perform illegal processing. In the fraud processing, devices related to the game board are turned off, including the variable winning device 11, and a frame lamp (not shown) is blinked to notify the surroundings of the occurrence of fraud. As a result, the attendant at the amusement store takes an urgent action. If there is an illegal flag, an external management device is also notified through an output port by a gaming machine error status signal or the like.
When the countermeasures against fraud are completed, the pachinko machine is turned off and reset as necessary. After step S16, the process jumps to step S19.

On the other hand, when there is no illegal flag in step S15, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, switch monitoring processing (sensor input monitoring processing) is executed. This monitors the input flag set as described above, and executes processing such as preparing for the execution of an auxiliary game when the input flag of the start winning opening 12, 13, 14 is set, for example. is there.
It should be noted that here, in addition to the above, the winning mouth sensors 51a to 51b, the first count sensor 61, the first special winning sensor 63, the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65, the second count sensor 71, the second special winning sensor 73, the second remaining Each input flag of the ball discharge sensor 75 is also monitored, and if the input flag is set, a corresponding process (for example, counting a winning ball) is executed.

Next, a game process is performed in step S18. This is to control auxiliary games and special games related to the variable winning device 11. That is, when the game ball wins any of the start winning openings 12, 13, and 14, the variable winning device 11 performs the auxiliary game, and the auxiliary game plays the V game (the first specific area 62 (or When winning in the second specific area 72), a big hit game is performed (details will be described later in a subroutine).
Next, external information editing processing is performed in step S19. Here, the external terminal information (for example, a big hit signal) transmitted from the gaming microcomputer 101 to the external management device via the external output terminal 83 is edited.
Thereafter, in order to resume the main routine in step S20, the saved register is restored, the interrupt is permitted, and the process is interrupted (returned).

FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the switch monitoring process performed in step S17 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, a start port switch monitoring process is performed in step S31. This is to monitor the winnings at the start winning openings 12, 13, and 14 to determine whether or not an auxiliary game can be performed, and to set an auxiliary game flag. Details will be described later in a subroutine. To do.
Next, a count sensor monitoring process is performed in step S32. This is a process of monitoring a winning to the first count sensor 61 and the second count sensor 71 and updating a winning counter, and the details will be described later in a subroutine.
Next, a remaining ball discharge sensor monitoring process is performed in step S33. This is a process of monitoring the winnings to the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 and updating the remaining ball counters A and B. Details will be described later in a subroutine. After step S33, the process returns.
The remaining ball counter A counts remaining balls in the first winning space 26, and the remaining ball counter B counts remaining balls in the second winning space 27 (details will be described later in a subroutine).

FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the start port switch monitoring process performed in step S31 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S41, it is determined whether or not there is a winning at the start winning opening 12, 13, or 14, that is, whether or not there is a starting winning. If there is no start prize, the process returns. If there is a start prize, it is determined in step S42 whether or not there is a special game flag. The special game flag is a flag that is set when a big hit occurs (details will be described later in a subroutine: see FIG. 10). If there is a special game flag, it is determined that it is a big hit and the routine is terminated and the process returns.
If there is no special game flag, it is determined in step S43 whether there is an auxiliary game flag. The auxiliary game flag is set when there is no remaining ball in the variable winning device 11 and the conditions for performing the auxiliary game are met (see step S46). If there is an auxiliary game flag, it is determined that there is no need to newly set an auxiliary game flag because conditions for the auxiliary game are met, and the process returns. On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary game flag, the process proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, it is determined whether or not a first remaining sphere counter (hereinafter referred to as a remaining sphere counter A in the drawing) is greater than “0”. Since the first remaining ball counter counts the remaining balls in the first winning space 26 in the variable winning device 11, if the determination result in step S44 is YES, there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26. And the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S44 is NO, it is determined that there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26, and the process proceeds to step S46.
In step S45, it is determined whether or not a second remaining sphere counter (hereinafter referred to as a remaining sphere counter B in the drawing) is greater than “0”. Since the second remaining ball counter counts the remaining balls in the second winning space 27 in the variable winning device 11, if the determination result in step S45 is YES, there is a remaining ball in the second winning space 27. It judges and returns. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S45 is NO, it is determined that there is no remaining ball in the second winning space 27, and the process proceeds to step S46.
In step S46, an auxiliary game flag is set, and then the process returns.

Therefore, if there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26 and there is also a remaining ball in the second winning space 27, the auxiliary game flag is not set. The auxiliary game flag is set in the following cases.
(1) When there is no remaining sphere in the first winning space 26 (2) Even when there is a remaining sphere in the first winning space 26, there is no remaining sphere in the second winning space 27. In the auxiliary game stage, the path of the game ball received by the variable prize apparatus 11 is switched to the path through the first winning space 26 by the path switching member 24. Therefore, when there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26, This is because an auxiliary game is permitted by setting an auxiliary game flag. However, even if there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26, if the path switching member 24 switches to a route passing through the second winning space 27, the game ball received by the variable winning device 11 in the second winning space 27. In this case as well, the auxiliary game flag is set to allow the auxiliary game.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the count sensor monitoring process performed in step S32 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the first count sensor 61 (hereinafter referred to as count sensor A in the drawing) is on. If not, there is no winning in the first winning space 26. And jump to step S55. On the other hand, if the first count sensor 61 is on, it is determined that there is a winning in the first winning space 26, and a first remaining ball counter (hereinafter referred to as a remaining ball counter A in the drawing) is set in step S52. Increment by 1]. The first remaining ball counter counts the balls remaining in the first winning space 26.
As described above, the first remaining ball counter is incremented when there is a ball that has not passed through the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 even though the ball has passed through the first count sensor 61. This is because the number is counted. When the sphere passes through the first remaining sphere discharge sensor 65, the first remaining sphere counter is decremented by [1] as will be described later.

After step S52, it is then determined in step S53 whether or not there is a special game flag. The special game flag is a flag that is set when a big hit occurs. If there is no special game flag, the process jumps to step S55. If there is a special game flag, it is determined that it is a big hit and the winning counter is incremented by [1] in step S54. The winning counter is for counting winnings to the variable winning device 11. Thereby, the number of winnings to the variable winning device 11 is grasped. After step S54, the process proceeds to step S55.
In step S55, it is determined whether or not the second count sensor 71 (hereinafter referred to as count sensor B in the drawing) is on. If not, it is determined that there is no winning in the second winning space 27. And return. On the other hand, if the second count sensor 71 is on, it is determined that there is a winning in the second winning space 27, and a second remaining ball counter (hereinafter referred to as a remaining ball counter B in the drawing) is set in step S56. 1] Increment and return. The second remaining ball counter counts the balls remaining in the second winning space 27.
As described above, the second remaining ball counter is incremented when there is a ball that passes through the second count sensor 71 but does not pass through the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 yet. This is because the number is counted. When the sphere passes through the second remaining sphere discharge sensor 75, the second remaining sphere counter is decremented by [1].

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the remaining ball discharge sensor monitoring process performed in step S33 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 (hereinafter referred to as the remaining ball discharge sensor A in the drawing) is turned on. It is determined that there is a remaining ball in the one winning space 26, and the process jumps to step S63. On the other hand, if the first remaining ball discharge sensor 65 is turned on, it is determined that the number in the first winning space 26 has been discharged to the outside, and the process proceeds to step S62, and the first remaining ball counter (residual ball counter A). Is decremented by [1]. In this way, the presence or absence of a remaining ball in the first winning space 26 is monitored. After step S62, the process proceeds to step S63.
In step S63, it is determined whether or not the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 (hereinafter referred to as “residual ball discharge sensor B” in the drawing) is turned on. If not, the second winning space of the variable winning device 11 is not yet turned on. It is determined that there is a remaining sphere in 27 and the process returns.
On the other hand, if the second remaining ball discharge sensor 75 is turned on, it is determined that the number in the second winning space 27 has been discharged to the outside, and the process proceeds to step S64, where the second remaining ball counter (residual ball counter B). Is decremented by [1] and returns. In this way, the presence or absence of a remaining ball in the second winning space 27 is monitored.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the game process performed in step S18 of FIG.
When the subroutine is started, it is first determined in step S71 that the process number branches. Since the next processing destinations 1 to 3 (processing numbers) are indicated in steps S72 to S74 described later, branch determination is made accordingly. If the process number determined in step S71 is “1”, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, an auxiliary game process is performed. This is to control the auxiliary game for opening and closing the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11, and details will be described later in a subroutine.
If the process number determined in step S71 is “2”, the process proceeds to step S73. In step S73, an auxiliary game end process is performed. This is a control for ending the auxiliary game, and details will be described later in a subroutine.
If the process number determined in step S71 is “3”, the process proceeds to step S74. In step S74, special game processing is performed. This is to control the big hit game by the variable winning device 11, and details will be described later in a subroutine.

After any of step S72 to step S74, the process proceeds to step S75.
In step S75, the first V induction motor 67 is driven. Thereby, the doll's head 66a in the first V guide member 66 swings back and forth by a predetermined angle with the neck as a fulcrum. This swing is always performed during the game (that is, while the power of the pachinko machine is on), and the flow path of the game ball can be changed by the movement of the head 66a.
Next, similarly, the second V induction motor 77 is driven in step S76. As a result, the doll head 76a of the second V guide member 76 swings back and forth by a predetermined angle with the neck as a fulcrum. This swing is always performed during the game, and the flow path of the game ball can be changed by the movement of the head 76a.

The first V induction motor 67 does not always swing the head portion 66a of the first V induction member 66 and the second V induction motor 77 swings the head portion 76a of the second V induction member 76. It may be performed only in the state (for example, only when a start winning prize is awarded or a big hit game). If it does in that way, since each head 76a, 77a of the 1st V guidance member 66 and the 2nd V guidance member 76 rocks only at the time of an auxiliary game or a big hit game, a change can be given to a game.
Next, special game monitoring processing is performed in step S77. This is to monitor whether or not fraud has been performed as in the case where a ball is won in the first specific area 62 or the second specific area 72 of the variable winning device 11 in spite of not being a big hit. Will be described later in a subroutine.
In step S78, the remaining sphere fraud monitoring process is performed. This is to monitor whether or not there is an illegal remaining ball in the variable winning device 11, and the details will be described later in a subroutine. After step S78, the process returns.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of auxiliary game processing performed in step S72 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S81, it is determined whether or not an auxiliary game flag is set. The auxiliary game flag is set when conditions for performing the auxiliary game are met (see step S46). Return if the auxiliary game flag is not set. If the auxiliary game flag is set, the process proceeds to step S82 to determine whether or not there is an auxiliary game release flag. The auxiliary game release flag is a set of the auxiliary game release time (1.8 seconds) and a set of release solenoid ON information (that is, a set of information for turning on the open / close solenoid 81 that drives the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11). ) Is set (see step S87).
If there is an auxiliary game release flag in step S82, the process jumps to step S88. This jumps because the auxiliary game release flag is already set. On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary game release flag, the process proceeds to step S83 and subsequent steps.

In step S83, it is determined whether or not the first remaining sphere counter (residual sphere counter A) is greater than [0]. If YES, it is determined that there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11, and the process branches to step S84 to set the on information of the path switching solenoid 82. This is because the game ball remains in the first winning space 26, and the path switching solenoid 82 is turned on (energized) to switch the path switching member 24 so that the game ball flows into the other second winning space 27. It is a set for. As a result, the path is changed so that the game ball received by the variable winning device 11 flows into the second winning space 26 by the path switching member 24. After step S84, the process proceeds to step S85.
On the other hand, if the first remaining ball counter (remaining ball counter A) is [0], it is determined that there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26, and the process proceeds to step S85. In step S85, an auxiliary game release time is set. This is the time for opening the movable members 22a and 22b in the auxiliary game, and is set to 1.8 seconds here.

Next, open solenoid-on information is set in step S86. That is, information for turning on the open / close solenoid 81 that drives the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 is set. Next, in step S87, the auxiliary game release flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S88 to determine whether or not the auxiliary game release time has expired. If the time has not expired, the routine is terminated and the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S82 that the auxiliary game release flag is set, the process immediately jumps to step S88. Therefore, the branch of step S82 is distributed to YES / NO depending on whether or not the auxiliary game release flag is set.
When the routine is repeated and the auxiliary game release time is up, the process branches from step S88 to YES and proceeds to step S89. In step S89, open solenoid-off information is set. Since the movable members 22a and 22b are opened for 1.8 seconds in the auxiliary game, the open solenoid-off information is set to deenergize the open / close solenoid 81 in order to close the movable members 22a and 22b. is there.
Next, in step S90, the auxiliary game release flag is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S91. In step S91, the process number is set to “2” and the process returns. Therefore, next time, the process branches to the auxiliary game end process.

In this way, when the auxiliary game is started, if the game ball remains in the first winning space 26, the path switching member 24 is switched so that the gaming ball flows into the other second winning space 27. Is done. Thereby, the game ball received by the variable winning device 11 flows into the second winning space 26 by the path switching member 24.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if a game ball remains in the first winning space 26 during an auxiliary game, the starting winning ball is not invalidated, and the gaming ball reaches the first specific area 62 in the variable winning device 11. The game process can be improved by making the player fully enjoy the process of flowing down.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of auxiliary game end processing performed in step S73 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S101, it is determined whether or not there is an auxiliary game end flag. The auxiliary game end flag is set after a time of 0.3 seconds has elapsed after the open / close solenoid 81 is de-energized to close the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable prize apparatus 11 (step). (See S102). If there is an auxiliary game end flag, the process jumps to step S104.
On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary game end flag in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102 and the auxiliary game end time is set to 0.3 seconds. The auxiliary game end time is for elapse of 0.3 seconds after the opening / closing solenoid 81 is de-energized to close the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11, and this is a movable member. This is because it takes time until the winning game ball reaches the first count sensor 61 just before closing 22a and 22b, and the winning game ball passes when the movable members 22a and 22b are closed. It is for taking time to do. That is, the latter requires time to switch the path switching member 24. Note that the time of 0.3 seconds set here is shorter than the valid period for the conventional V prize, so the player does not feel dissatisfied.

After step S102, an auxiliary game end flag is set in step S103. Therefore, the auxiliary game end flag is set only for 0.3 seconds after the opening / closing solenoid 81 for closing the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable prize apparatus 11 is de-energized. Next, the process proceeds to step S104. In addition, as described above, the process proceeds to step S104 even when YES is determined in step S101.
In step S104, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary game end time set to 0.3 seconds has expired. If the time has not expired, the routine is repeated. When the auxiliary game end time is up due to repetition of the routine, the routine proceeds to step S105, and the route switching solenoid-off information is set. This is to set the route switching solenoid off information in order to de-energize the route switching solenoid 82 so that the route switching member 24 is switched again and returned to the normal position since the auxiliary game has ended.
Next, the auxiliary game end flag is cleared in step S106, and the auxiliary game flag is cleared in step S107. In step S108, the process number is set to “1” and the process returns. Therefore, the next time, the process branches again to the auxiliary game process.

  As described above, when the auxiliary game is finished, the time until the game ball that has won a prize at the time of closing the movable members 22a and 22b after waiting for the elapse of 0.3 seconds to reach the first count sensor 61 is considered. In addition, since the time until the winning game ball passes through the path switching member 24 just before the movable members 22a and 22b are closed, the game can be performed smoothly. Then, when the game ball remains in the first winning space 26, the path switching member 24 is switched, the gaming ball flows into the other second winning space 27, the auxiliary game is performed, and the auxiliary game ends. Again, the path switching member 24 returns to the normal position, and the game is played in such a manner that the game ball is received in the first winning space 26. For this reason as well, in this embodiment, even if a game ball remains in the first winning space 26 during an auxiliary game, the starting winning ball is not invalidated, and the game ball is placed in the first specific area in the variable winning device 11. It is possible to improve the game performance by making the player fully enjoy the flow down to 62.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of special game monitoring processing performed in step S77 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S111, it is determined whether or not there is a special game flag. If there is a special game flag, it is determined that the game is a big hit and the current routine is terminated. In this case, it is determined that there is no need for fraud monitoring.
On the other hand, if there is no special game flag in step S111, the process proceeds to step S112 to determine whether or not the first special prize sensor 63 (hereinafter referred to as special prize sensor A in the drawing) is on. This is to monitor the V prize (winning to the first specific area 62) in the auxiliary game. In addition, if it monitors here, it is not necessary to provide V effective time. If the first special winning sensor 63 is on, the process proceeds to step S113, where it is determined whether or not the first remaining ball counter (residual ball counter A) is greater than “0”. If the determination result in step S113 is NO, the remaining ball counter = “0” even though a winning to the first specific area 62 is detected, and there is no remaining ball in the variable winning device 11. A winning in the first specific area 62 is detected. Accordingly, at this time, it is determined that the fraud has occurred, the fraud flag is set in step S114, and the routine is terminated.

If there is an unauthorized flag, the unauthorized process is performed as described in the previous step S16. In the fraud processing, the game board related devices turn off the devices other than the variable prize device 11 and blink the frame lamp to notify the surroundings of the occurrence of the fraud. It is also notified to an external management device through an output port by a gaming machine error status signal or the like.
As described above, when there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11 at the time of winning in the first specific area 62, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Therefore, a legitimate V prize and an illegal V prize in the game are determined. And can be dealt with illegally and effectively. For example, fraud such as opening the glass frame and winning a game ball in the first specific area 62 can be effectively prevented.

The above corresponds to the fraud processing in the first winning space 26, but fraud determination is also performed for the second winning space 27. In this case, if the first special winning sensor 63 is not turned on in step S112, the process branches to step S115. In this case, it is determined that there is no V prize in at least the first prize space 26. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an illegal V prize in the second prize space 27.
Therefore, in step S115, it is determined whether the second special prize sensor 73 (hereinafter referred to as special prize sensor B in the drawing) is on. This is to monitor the V prize (winning to the second specific area 72) in the auxiliary game. If the second special prize sensor 73 is not turned on, the process returns because it is not necessary to determine whether the V prize is illegal.

On the other hand, if the second special winning sensor 73 is on, the process proceeds to step S116, where it is determined whether or not the second remaining ball counter (residual ball counter B) is greater than “0”. If the determination result in step S116 is NO, the remaining ball counter = “0” even though the winning in the second specific area 72 is detected, and there is no remaining ball in the variable winning device 11. A winning in the second specific area 72 is detected. Accordingly, at this time, it is determined that the fraud has occurred, the fraud flag is set in step S117, and the routine is terminated. Therefore, fraudulent processing is performed at this time as well. In the fraudulent processing, the clerk takes necessary measures by flashing the frame lamp and informing the surroundings of the occurrence of fraud. It is also notified to an external management device through the output port.
As described above, when there is no remaining ball in the second winning space 27 of the variable winning device 11 at the time of winning the second specific area 72, it is determined that there is an abnormality. It is possible to distinguish from winning, and it is possible to deal with illegally and effectively. For example, fraud such as opening the glass frame and winning a game ball in the second specific area 72 can be effectively prevented.

If there is no fraud and it is normal, the process proceeds to step S111, step S112, and step S113, and the determination result in step S113 is YES. This is a case where V is won in the first winning space 26 and there are still remaining balls in the first winning space 26. Next, the process proceeds to step S118, and it is determined whether or not there is an auxiliary game flag. If there is an auxiliary game flag, release solenoid-off information is set in step S119. Since the movable members 22a and 22b are opened for 1.8 seconds in the auxiliary game, release solenoid-off information is set to close the movable members 22a and 22b.
Next, the auxiliary game flag is cleared in step S120, the auxiliary game release flag is also cleared in step S121, and the route switching solenoid off information is set in step S122, and the process proceeds to step S123. This is a series of processes for ending the auxiliary game, and setting the path switching solenoid off information in order to de-energize the path switching solenoid 82 in order to switch the path switching member 24 again and return to the normal position. It is.
On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary game flag in step S118, the process jumps to step S123. In step S123, a special game flag is set. The special game flag is not fraudulent and is a flag that is set when a big hit has occurred. Therefore, if the special game flag is set in step S123, it is determined that a big hit has occurred normally, and in step S124, the process number is set to “3” and the process returns. Therefore, the next time, the process branches to a special game process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the remaining sphere fraud monitoring process performed in step S78 of FIG.
In the subroutine, first, in step S131, it is determined whether or not there is a special game flag. As described above, the special game flag is a flag that is set when a big hit occurs. Therefore, if there is a special game flag in step S131, it is determined that a big hit has occurred, and the routine returns because there is no need to monitor the remaining ball for fraud.
On the other hand, if there is no special game flag in step S131, it is determined that no big hit has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S132 to determine whether or not the first remaining ball counter (residual ball counter A) is greater than [0]. . If YES, it is determined that there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26, and it is determined whether or not there is a remaining ball monitoring flag A in step S133. The remaining ball monitoring flag A is a flag that is set when 8 seconds is set as the time for monitoring the remaining balls in the first winning space 26 (see step S135). That is, it is set when the first winning space 26 is in the monitoring period.

  If there is no remaining ball monitoring flag A in step S133, the remaining ball monitoring time A, which is the time for monitoring the remaining balls in the first winning space 26, is set in step S134. As the remaining sphere monitoring time A, 8 seconds is set. This is because 8 seconds is usually sufficient for the remaining ball to flow out of the first winning space 26. That is, in a normal game, it is almost impossible that the remaining balls exist in the first winning space 26 for more than 8 seconds, and it can be determined that the ball is illegal or abnormally clogged. Next, the remaining sphere monitoring flag A is set in step S135. This flag indicates a state in which the remaining balls in the first winning space 26 are monitored. That is, the remaining ball monitoring flag A is set when entering the monitoring mode for determining whether there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26 and whether it is abnormal or normal. This is a flag indicating that the process to be monitored is performed.

After step S135, the process proceeds to step S136. On the other hand, if the remaining sphere monitoring flag A is already present in step S133, the process jumps to step S136.
In step S136, it is determined whether or not the remaining sphere monitoring time A (8 seconds) has expired. If the remaining ball monitoring time A has not expired, the process jumps to step S139, and then the process of monitoring the remaining balls in the second winning space 27 is performed. If the remaining ball monitoring time A is up, an illegal flag is set in step S137, the remaining ball monitoring flag A is cleared in step S138, and the process proceeds to step S139. Therefore, even if the remaining balls in the first winning space 26 are monitored for only 8 seconds in the state where there is no special game flag, if there is a remaining ball, it is determined that it is illegal and the fraud flag is set.

The fraud here is a case where the player intentionally stops the game ball in the first winning space 26 and performs an illegal act such as increasing the winning rate to the first specific area 62. For example, a player pulls a glass frame of a pachinko machine so that the game ball is stopped between the glass and the variable winning device 11 and the course of the game ball flowing down is brought into contact with the stopped ball and changed intentionally. Thus, there is an injustice such that the first specific area 62 of the first winning space 26 is awarded. There is also an injustice in which the stopped ball is directly awarded to the first specific area 62.
If the fraud flag corresponding to the first winning space 26 is set, the fraud processing is performed in the previous step S16 as in the case described above, and the game board related devices turn off the devices other than the variable winning device 11, and the frame Since the lamp blinks to notify the surroundings of the occurrence of fraud, the staff of the game store urgently takes necessary measures, and is further notified to the external management device through the output port by a gaming machine error status signal etc. .

For example, a player pulls a glass frame of a pachinko machine to stop the game ball between the glass and the variable winning device 11 and intentionally change the course of the game ball flowing down by contacting the stopped ball. In the case where a fraud intended to win the first specific area 62 is performed, a staff member immediately rushes to the site to stop the fraud and stop the damage. In addition, even when the customer intends to directly win the ball that has stopped at the first specific area 62, the clerk can be rushed to the site to stop the fraud.
Further, since the player can be warned by such a fraud processing routine, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from cheating in advance.
In addition, even when a ball is jammed in the first prize space 26 of the variable prize winning device 11, an illegal flag may be set. In this case, the clerk immediately rushes to deal with the ball clogging. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish from fraud. In addition, the occurrence of ball clogging or the like is notified by setting the fraud flag, so that the ball clogging can be quickly resolved.
If the remaining balls are discharged from the first winning space 26 without exceeding 8 seconds, the determination result of step S132 is NO during execution of the loop of step S131, step S132, step S133, and step S136. (Remaining sphere counter A = “0”), it is determined that there is no remaining sphere, and the fraud flag is not set.

  Next, in the processing after step S139, processing for monitoring fraud in the second winning space 27 is similarly performed. First, in step S139, it is determined whether or not the second remaining sphere counter (residual sphere counter B) is greater than [0]. If YES, it is determined that there is a remaining ball in the second winning space 27, and it is determined whether or not there is a remaining ball monitoring flag B in step S140. The remaining ball monitoring flag B is a flag that is set when 8 seconds is set as the time for monitoring the remaining balls in the second winning space 27 (see step S142). That is, it is set when the second winning space 27 is in the monitoring period. If there is no remaining ball monitoring flag B in step S140, the remaining ball monitoring time B, which is the time for monitoring the remaining balls in the second winning space 27, is set in step S141. As the remaining sphere monitoring time B, 8 seconds is set. This is because if there are 8 seconds, it is usually sufficient time for the remaining balls to flow out of the second winning space 27. Next, the remaining sphere monitoring flag B is set in step S142. This flag indicates a state in which the remaining balls in the second winning space 27 are monitored.

After step S142, the process proceeds to step S143. On the other hand, if the remaining sphere monitoring flag B is already present in step S140, the process jumps to step S143.
In step S143, it is determined whether or not the remaining sphere monitoring time B (8 seconds) has expired. If the remaining ball monitoring time B is not up, the routine returns and the routine is repeated. When the remaining sphere monitoring time B is increased by repeating the routine, an illegal flag is set in step S144, the remaining sphere monitoring flag B is cleared in step S145, and the process returns. Therefore, even if the remaining balls in the second winning space 27 are monitored for 8 seconds in the state where there is no special game flag, if there is a remaining ball, it is determined that the ball is illegal and the fraud flag is set.
Similarly, when the fraud flag corresponding to the second winning space 27 is set, fraud processing is performed in the previous step S16, informing the occurrence of fraud, and an attendant at the amusement store rushes to take necessary measures. Furthermore, it is also notified to an external management device through an output port by a gaming machine error status signal or the like.
If the second remaining ball counter is [0] in step S139, it is determined that there is no remaining ball in the second winning space 27, the process jumps to step S145, the remaining ball monitoring flag B is cleared, and the process returns. This is a case where the remaining spheres flow out within 8 seconds by repeating the routine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of special game processing performed in step S74 of FIG.
When the subroutine is started, first, in step S151, it is determined whether or not there is a special prize release flag. Since there is no special prize release flag in the first routine after winning V, the process branches to NO and proceeds to step S152. In step S152, it is determined whether or not the remaining sphere counter A is greater than “0”. If yes, return and repeat routine. When there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11, the remaining ball counter A = “0”, and the process branches to step S154 to set the special prize release flag.
As described above, when the V prize is won by the variable winning device 11, the special prize release flag is set after the remaining balls have disappeared in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11. In other words, the big hit game is started after the remaining balls are exhausted.

  Next, a special prize release time is set in step S155. This sets 2.8 seconds (opening 1.8 seconds, closing 1.0 seconds) × 18 times as the opening time of the movable members 22a and 22b of the variable winning device 11 during the big hit. The opening time in this case (1.8 seconds) is more advantageous. In step S156, the winning counter is set to [0]. The winning counter is for counting the number of winnings to the variable winning device 11 during the big hit. Next, a closing flag is set in step S157. The reason why the closing flag is set here is to start the big hit game from now on, so as to set the closing state as the initial system of the movable members 22a and 22b. Next, a closing time is set in step S158. The reason for setting the closing time is to set in advance the time during which the movable members 22a and 22b are closed (the time during which the movable members 22a and 22b are closed) in order to perform the opening / closing operation of the movable members 22a and 22b. After step S158, the process returns.

In the routine after the next time, when the determination result of step S151 is YES, the process branches to step S159 to perform the opening / closing solenoid opening / closing process. In the big hit game, the movable members 22a and 22b are controlled to be opened and closed under an operating condition of 2.8 seconds × 18 times, and the detailed processing is performed. The details will be described later in a subroutine.
Next, in step S160, it is determined whether or not a special prize sensor (here, one of the first special prize sensor 63 and the second special prize sensor 73, and so on) is on. This is to monitor the big win game because the process shifts to the next cycle on condition of V winning. If the special prize sensor is on, the special prize flag is set in step S161, and the process jumps to step S164.

On the other hand, if the special prize sensor is not turned on in step S160, the process proceeds to step S162 to determine whether or not the special prize release time is up. As described above, the special prize release time is set to the time for the movable members 22a and 22b to be released only 2.8 seconds × 18 times, so here it is determined whether or not 2.8 seconds × 18 times have passed. . If not, it is determined in step S163 whether or not the winning counter is smaller than “10”. If the winning counter is less than “10”, the process returns and the routine is repeated. Then, by repeating the routine, if the special award release time is up or the winning counter is "10" or more, the process proceeds to step S164 in any case.
Therefore, if there is a V prize during the big hit game, the special prize release time is timed up, or the prize counter is “10” or more, it is determined that the condition for closing the movable members 22a and 22b is satisfied, and the next. Move on to the cycle.

In step S164, opening / closing solenoid-off information is set. This is set to close the movable members 22a and 22b because the condition for closing the movable members 22a and 22b is established in the big hit game.
Next, the open flag is cleared in step S165, and the close flag is cleared in step S166 to prepare for the next opening / closing operation. Next, in step S167, it is determined whether or not the remaining sphere counter A is greater than “0”. If yes, return and repeat routine. Then, by repeating the routine, if there is no remaining ball in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11, the remaining ball counter A = “0”, and the process branches to step S168 to determine whether there is a special prize release flag. Is determined.
The reason why the remaining balls are determined in this way is that the game proceeds to the next cycle after the remaining balls disappear in the first winning space 26 of the variable winning device 11 during the big hit game. If the remaining sphere does not become “0” even after a predetermined time (8 seconds) has elapsed, as described above, it is determined to be illegal and a corresponding notification is made.
For example, even when the game ball stays in the first winning space 26 (injustice such as clogging or intentionally stopping the ball), the predetermined time (8 seconds) is monitored. You may make it judge that it is unauthorized when the time passes.

If there is a special winning flag in step S168, it is determined that a big hit game is in progress, and it is determined in step S169 whether or not the current cycle number is smaller than "15". If the current cycle number is smaller than “15”, the process proceeds to step S170, the cycle number is incremented by “1”, the special prize flag is cleared in step S171, and the special prize release flag is cleared in step S172, and the process returns. To do. Therefore, in this case, preparations for shifting to the next cycle are made.
On the other hand, if there is no special prize flag in step S168, it is determined that the big hit game cycle cannot be continued because there is no V prize, and if the current cycle number is “15” in step S169, the upper limit of the cycle is also reached. If it is determined that the jackpot game has ended, the process branches to step S173, and processing corresponding to the subsequent jackpot end is sequentially performed.
First, in step S173, the number of cycles is returned to “0”, the special prize release flag is cleared in step S174, the special prize flag is cleared in step S175, the special game flag is cleared in step S176, and the big hit game is ended. In step S177, the process number is set to “1” and the process returns. Therefore, next time, the auxiliary game process is started.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the opening / closing solenoid opening / closing process performed in step S159 of FIG.
When the subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S181 whether or not there is an open flag. Since there is no release flag after the big hit game is started, the process proceeds to step S182 to determine whether or not there is a close flag. Since there is a closing flag after the big hit game is started, the process branches to step S183 to determine whether or not the closing time (1.0 second) of the movable members 22a and 22b is up. If the closing time is up after the start of the big hit game, the release flag is set in step S184, the opening time (1.8 seconds) of the movable members 22a and 22b is set in step S185, and the open / close solenoid is turned on in step S186. Information is set, and in step S187, the closing flag is cleared and the process returns. Thus, immediately after the start of the big hit game, the processing of step S184 to step S187 is sequentially executed to prepare for the big hit game.

In the next routine, YES is determined in step S181, and it is determined in step S182 that there is no closing flag, and the routine is terminated and the process returns. If it is determined in step S181 that there is an open flag in subsequent routines, the process branches to step S188. In step S188, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the movable members 22a and 22b is up. In the big hit game, if the opening time of the movable members 22a and 22b has not timed up, the routine returns and repeats the routine. In step S191, the opening / closing solenoid-off information is set, and in step S192, the release flag is cleared and the process returns.
As described above, during the big hit game, the processes related to the closing of the movable members 22a and 22b are performed by sequentially executing the processes of steps S189 to S192.
If the closing time is not up in step S183 during the big hit game, the process branches to NO and returns to repeat the routine. Then, when the closing time is up, the process returns to step S184.

Thus, in the first embodiment, when an auxiliary game is played by the variable winning device 11 in response to the start winning, the path switching member 24 always passes the path of the game ball through the first winning space 26. Therefore, the game ball flows into the first winning space 26. On the other hand, if the starting condition is satisfied when the game ball remains in one winning space after the auxiliary game ends, the auxiliary ball is guided to the other winning space and the auxiliary ball is played. Even if there is, there is an effect that the starting prize is not invalidated.
This is because the start winning is not invalidated even if there is a remaining ball in the variable winning device 11, and the game ball is in the first specific area 62 or second in the first winning space 26 or the second winning space 27 in the variable winning device 11. The player can fully enjoy the flow down to the specific area 72, the first general winning area 64, or the second general winning area 74, thereby improving the game performance and eliminating the dissatisfaction of the player. Means that you can.

In addition, if there is a remaining ball of the previous auxiliary game, the game ball of this auxiliary game is guided to another winning space, so when the gaming ball remains as before, it continues in the same winning space. Thus, it is possible to solve the problem that the frequency of occurrence of the special game becomes extremely high due to the auxiliary game. Therefore, it is possible to make it possible for the player to enjoy the game while ensuring the profit reduction on the store side.
In other words, even if the number of remaining balls is increased by increasing the number of winning prizes so that the player can enjoy the game while ensuring the profit balance between the store side and the player side by lowering the V winning rate, In this embodiment, since the game ball is guided to another winning space, the start winning is not invalidated and the player's dissatisfaction can be eliminated.
In particular, it is not necessary to take measures such as simplifying the structure of the variable winning device 11 to reduce the remaining time of the remaining spheres and thereby reducing the invalidation of the start winning. Therefore, it is possible to improve the game performance of the gaming machine and prevent the customer from leaving.
In the first embodiment, the path of the game ball is normally switched to the first winning space 26 side by the path switching member 24, and when there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26, the path switching solenoid 82 2 is switched to flow into the winning space 27. Therefore, since the game ball received into the first winning space 26 is normally allowed to flow, there is an effect that the player can easily understand.

In the first embodiment, the path switching member 24 is normally biased by a spring so as to switch the path of the game ball to the first winning space 26 side, and there is a remaining ball in the first winning space 26. In this case, the path switching solenoid 82 is switched so as to flow into the second winning space 27. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the path switching member 24 is operated by a motor so that the remaining balls are in one winning space. In some cases, a configuration may be adopted in which switching is performed alternately so as to flow into the other winning space.
In addition, the big hit cycle game is controlled so as to immediately shift to the next cycle when the V prize is won as in the so-called second type game. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the first type game, the V prize is won. However, the control may be such that the game is shifted to the next cycle game after waiting for 10 or until a predetermined time elapses.
Further, without winning V as a condition, the game may be shifted to the next cycle game after 10 winnings or a predetermined time has passed.
Further, another variable winning device for jackpot may be provided, and the variable winning device for jackpot may be controlled to be opened as described above.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 14 and 15 show a second embodiment, which is an example in which the structure of the path switching member is particularly changed.
FIG. 14 is a front view showing the accessory device of the game board. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 200 denotes a variable winning device as an accessory device. The variable winning device 200 includes an armor portion 201, a mounting base 202, a surrounding partition member 203, a pair of movable members 204a and 204b that can be converted into a closed state and an open state, and a game ball received by the movable members 204a and 204b. An inward winning space 205 and a path switching member 206 are provided. The winning space 205 is divided into a game ball distribution space 207, a first winning space 208, and a second winning space 209.
These spaces 207, 208, and 209 are formed so as to be partitioned by a space forming member 210 disposed inside the variable winning device 200, and the space forming member 28 is fixed to the mounting base 202.

The game ball distribution space 207 is located above the first winning space 208 and the second winning space 209, and the path of the received game ball is a route passing through the first winning space 208 and a route passing through the second winning space 209. A path switching member 206 for switching to either one is provided.
In addition, the first winning space 208 and the second winning space 209 are located below the game ball distribution space 207 and are divided into left and right. The game ball distribution space 207 is provided with the path switching member 206 described above, and the path switching member 206 is configured such that the movable members 204a and 204b of the variable winning device 200 are opened (indicated by broken lines) and the game ball distribution is performed. It has a function of switching the path of the game ball received in the space 207 to one of a path passing through the first winning space 208 and a path passing through the second winning space 209.
The path switching member 206 is rotatably supported by a shaft 206a, and the shaft 206a is fixed to the mounting base 202.

Also in the second embodiment, a game control means (for example, a game microcomputer similar to that shown in FIG. 3) is provided, and when the ball wins a start winning opening (not shown) under the control of the game control means, the start condition When the starting condition is satisfied, the pair of movable members 204a and 204b of the variable winning device 200 is displaced (converted) into an open state in which the ball can be easily received, and the open time is set to 1.8 seconds. Is the same as in the first embodiment. This operation corresponds to performing an auxiliary game. Also in the second embodiment, it is possible to execute a special game in which the movable members 204a and 204b are converted to an open state for a longer time than the auxiliary game when the game ball received in the auxiliary game wins a specific area. .
During the big hit, the first count sensor 221 and the second count sensor 231 count the number of winnings to the variable winning device 200, and there is a V prize if either the first specific area 222 or the second specific area 232 is won. As a result, the jackpot cycle continues.

The internal configurations of the first winning space 208 and the second winning space 209 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
That is, the first winning space 208 includes a first count sensor (first inflow ball detecting means) 221 that detects a game ball flowing into the first winning space 208, and a first identification in which a special game is generated by winning a game ball. A first special winning sensor 223 that detects a winning of a ball in the area 222 and the first specific area 222, a first general winning area 224, and a first remaining ball that detects a game ball flowing out of the first winning space 208 A discharge sensor (first outflow ball detecting means) 225 and a first V guide member 226 that imitates a doll (represented by A) are provided.
On the other hand, the second winning space 209 has the same configuration, and the second count sensor (second inflow ball detecting means) 231, the second specific area 232, the second special winning sensor 233, and the second general winning area 234. And a second remaining ball discharge sensor (second outflow ball detection means) 235 and a second V guide member 236 imitating a doll (represented by B).

The path switching member 206 has a first state in which the game balls received in the game ball distribution space 207 with the movable members 204a and 204b opened and flowed into the first winning space 208, and the received game balls in the second winning space 209. And is attached to a shaft 206a. The path switching member 206 can be maintained in either the first state or the second state by its weight balance.
Specifically, the path switching member 206 is formed in a substantially inverted Y shape, and the shaft 206a is disposed between the first partition wall 241 and the second partition wall 242 with the approximate center as the shaft 206a. Thus, it is attached to the attachment base 202 so as to be rotatable. Here, the first partition wall 241 and the second partition wall 242 partition the game ball distribution space 207 between the left and right movable members 204a and 204b, the first winning space 208, and the second winning space 209. Is.

The path switching member 206 is positioned below the shaft 206a and the first action portion 206b on which the game ball flowing into the first winning space 208 acts, and is also positioned below the shaft 206a and the second winning space. The second action portion 206c on which the game ball flowing into the 209 acts, and the second game portion 206c positioned above the shaft 206a and guiding the received game ball to the first prize space 208 side or the second prize space 209 side are guided. The upper switching portion 206d having a predetermined weight for maintaining the route switching member 206 in the first state or the second state.
In addition, the upper distribution part 206d is heavier than the combined weight of both the first action part 206b and the second action part 206c, and is normally restricted from rotating in the first state and the second state. The upper distribution part 206d is in the upper space position.

As described above, the game ball is acted on. The game ball that has flowed into the variable winning device 200 first encounters the path switching member 206 in the game ball distribution space 207. At this time, the game ball contacts with the path switching member 206. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper allocating portion 206d is normally positioned upward due to the weight balance of the path switching member 206. Since it takes the form of flowing down downward in contact with the portion 206c, this is expressed by the description of the action of the game ball. FIG. 14 shows a state where the game ball is acting on the second action portion 206c.
In other words, the game ball that has flowed into the variable winning device 200 is received by the game ball distribution space 207, where the game surface of the first action portion 206b of the path switching member 206 acts, and the first prize space 208. It flows down while contacting the first partition wall 241 that guides the game ball to the (first space), the action surface on which the game ball of the second action part 206c acts, and the second winning space 209 (second space) When the game ball that flows down is in contact with the second partition wall 242 that guides the game ball to the second action wall 242 and no longer comes into contact with the action surface, the upper distribution part 206d from one side with the vertical line passing through the shaft 206a as a boundary. It is configured to operate so as to move to the other side.
Therefore, when the movable members 204a and 204b are opened and the game ball is received in the game ball distribution space 207, the path switching member 206 comes into contact with the path switching member 206 and the weight of the game ball is increased. As a result, the weight balance of the path switching member 206 varies, and the path switching member 206 changes from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state.

In the above configuration, the following operation is performed in the second embodiment.
When the starting condition is satisfied, an auxiliary game is performed in which the pair of movable members 204a and 204b of the variable winning device 200 is converted into an open state in which the ball can be easily received. At this time, when the game ball is received by the variable winning device 200, it first flows into the game ball distribution space 207. Since the path switching member 206 is provided in the game ball distribution space 207, the game ball comes into contact with the path switching member 206. In this case, the path switching member 206 is such that the upper allocating portion 206d is normally positioned in either the first state or the second state due to its weight balance, so that the game ball is the first action portion 206b or the second action portion. It contacts any of 206c and flows down.
For example, FIG. 14 shows a state (first state) in which the upper distribution unit 206d is located on the first winning space 208 side with a vertical line passing through the shaft 206a as a boundary. Now, when a game ball flows into the game ball distribution space 207 in this state, the upward distribution portion 206d is tilted toward the first winning space 208, so that the game ball that has flowed into the game ball distribution space 207 moves upward. It is guided to the space of the second action part 206c so as to be distributed by the dividing part 206d, acts in contact with the second action part 206c, and rotates the path switching member 206 clockwise around the axis 206a. Try to let them.

  Then, when the path switching member 206 further rotates clockwise with the axis 206a as a fulcrum due to the weight of the game ball, the upper allocating portion 206d becomes the second prize from the first prize space 208 side with a vertical line passing through the axis 206a as a boundary. Although it will move to the space 209 side (this state is actually the state of FIG.15 (b)), the state up to that is not drawn in FIG. Then, a gap is formed between the second action part 206c and the second partition wall 242. At this time, the upper allocating part 206d is located on the second winning space 209 side from the vertical line passing through the shaft 206a. The path switching member 206 enters the second state due to the weight balance, is guided to the second winning space 209, and a game according to the movement of the second V guide member 236 is performed. Details of this will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the behavior of the game ball in the second winning space 209 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 shows a flow of actions performed subsequent to FIG.
From the state of FIG. 14, when the path switching member 206 rotates further clockwise with the shaft 206a as a fulcrum due to the weight of the game ball, the state then shifts to the state shown in FIG. A gap is formed between the second partition wall 242 and the upper allocating portion 206d is still positioned on the first winning space 208 side from the vertical line passing through the shaft 206a. It flows down in the game ball distribution space 207 along the partition wall 242.
Next, as shown in FIG. 15B, the game ball further flows down in the game ball distribution space 207 along the gap between the second action portion 206c and the second partition wall 242. At this time, the game ball Due to the weight, the path switching member 206 still rotates clockwise around the shaft 206a. At this time, the path switching member 206 further rotates clockwise with the shaft 206a as a fulcrum due to the weight of the game ball acting on the second action portion 206c, and the upper allocating portion 206d borders the vertical line passing through the shaft 206a. Then, the first prize space 208 side moves to the second prize space 209 side to enter the second state (the state shown in FIG. 15B). For this reason, the game ball continues to flow downward and eventually reaches immediately before the second count sensor 231 (in the state of FIG. 15B).

Then, the path switching member 206 continues to rotate clockwise due to inertia with the shaft 206a as a fulcrum, and eventually the game ball passes through the second count sensor 231 as shown in FIG. 209. At this time, even when the game ball flowing down does not come into contact with the action surface of the second action part 206c, the upper switching part 206d of the path switching member 206 is heavy, so if it exceeds the vertical line passing through the axis 206a, it is rotated by gravity. As shown in FIG. 15C, the upper allocating portion 206d is located on the second winning space 209 side from the vertical line passing through the shaft 206a and maintains the second state.
Exactly in this second state, when the game ball is received again by the variable winning device 200, it flows into the game ball distribution space 207, but the game ball distribution space 207 is provided with a path switching member 206. Therefore, the game ball comes into contact with the path switching member 206, and this time, since the upper distribution part 206d of the path switching member 206 is located in the second state, the game ball is reversed to the first action part. It will come down in contact with 206b. The subsequent operation is an operation in which the path switching member 206 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 206a in a direction opposite to the above case, and the game ball is eventually guided toward the first winning space 208 and flows in. Is done.
As described above, since the path switching member 206 is provided, the game balls are alternately guided to the first winning space 208 or the second winning space 209. For example, when a game ball flows into the first winning space 208 and there is a remaining ball, the next gaming ball is guided to the second winning space 209. Therefore, if the starting condition is satisfied when the game ball remains in one winning space, the game ball is distributed to the other winning space and the auxiliary game is played. Has the effect that does not become invalid.

During the jackpot, the game balls are continuously received in the game ball distribution space 207, so that each time the game balls are received, the path switching member 206 changes from one state to the other state, and in most cases Game balls alternately flow into the first winning space 208 and the second winning space 209. Therefore, the player can enjoy the behavior of the game ball in both spaces.
As a modification of the second embodiment, the following configuration may be used.
In the second embodiment, the first remaining sphere discharge sensor 225 and the second remaining sphere discharge sensor 235 are provided so as to monitor the remaining sphere and perform an illegal check (first embodiment). The first remaining ball discharge sensor 225 and the second remaining ball discharge sensor 235 may be omitted. This is advantageous in terms of cost.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 shows a third embodiment, which is an example in which the structure of the movable member is particularly changed.
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 300 denotes a variable winning device as an accessory device. The variable winning device 300 differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the movable members 301a and 301b and the state maintaining members 303 and 304. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given.

  The movable members 301a and 301b are attached to the mounting base 202 symmetrically so as to be rotatable about the rotation shafts 305a and 305b, respectively, and further maintain the state with these rotation shafts 305a and 305b as fulcrums. 303 and 304 are attached to rotation shafts 305a and 305b so as to be rotatable. That is, the state maintaining members 303 and 304 are integrally connected to the movable members 301a and 301b, respectively, and both can rotate about the rotation shafts 305a and 305b. Therefore, the state maintaining members 303 and 304 move in conjunction with the movable members 301a and 301b, respectively. That is, when the rotation shafts 305a and 305b are driven by one drive source, the movable members 301a and 301b and the path switching member 206 operate in conjunction with each other. In other words, the movable members 301a and 301b and the path switching member 206 can be operated with one drive source.

  The state maintaining members 303 and 304 are formed in a substantially L shape, and are attached to the rotation shafts 305a and 305b in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, when the state maintaining members 303 and 304 move, the positional relationship shown in FIG. 16 is maintained in relation to the movable members 301a and 301b, and the state maintaining members 303 and 304 move in conjunction with the movable members 301a and 301b. The state maintaining members 303 and 304 include engaging portions 303a and 304a that can be engaged with the path switching member 206 when the movable members 301a and 301b are in the open state and the path switching member 206 is in the first state or the second state. Each has. The path switching member 206 is provided with engaged portions 206e and 206f that can be engaged with the engaging portions 303a and 304a.

In the third embodiment, when the movable members 301a and 301b are opened to accept the game balls and flow into the game ball distribution space 207, the path switching member 206 is in the open state of the movable members 301a and 301b. During this, either state is maintained and conversion is not performed. For example, FIG. 16A shows a state in which a game ball flows into the game ball distribution space 207 and is in contact with the path switching member 206. At this time, the engaged portion 206f of the path switching member 206 maintains the state. Since the rotation is prevented by contacting the engaging portion 304a of the member 304, the path switching member 206 does not rotate, and even if a plurality of game balls contact the path switching member 206 in succession, A plurality of game balls are held as they are. And when movable member 301a, 301b is open | released, this state (Fig.16 (a)) is maintained.
When the movable members 301a and 301b are converted to the closed positions, the state maintaining members 303 and 304 are moved in conjunction with the movable members 301a and 301b as shown in FIG. The engagement portion 206f is separated from the engagement portion 304a of the state maintaining member 304, and the path switching member 206 is allowed to rotate. As a result, the game ball flows into the second prize space 209 and a game is performed in the second prize space 209. In this case, even if a plurality of game balls are held by the path switching member 206, all the game balls flow into the second winning space 209.

Thus, since the state maintaining members 303 and 304 move in conjunction with the movable members 301a and 301b, the path switching member 206 converts to another state after the movable members 301a and 301b convert from the open state to the closed state. . In other words, even if the movable members 301a and 301b receive the game balls, the state maintaining members 303 and 304 maintain one of the states while the movable members 301a and 301b are in the open state and do not convert them. After 301b converts from the open state to the closed state, the path switching member 206 is converted to another state.
In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the starting condition is satisfied, when the movable members 301a and 301b are opened, the state maintaining members 303 and 304 maintain one of the states, so that even if there is a remaining ball, the starting winning is not invalidated. effective.
Also, if the path switching member 206 is converted from the first state to the second state (or vice versa) even when the movable members 301a and 301b are in the open state, for example, when two game balls are received, separate winnings are made. Although it may flow into the space, such a problem can be reliably prevented in the third embodiment.
The operation of the movable members 301a and 301b and the operation of the path switching member 206 can be reliably associated with each other, and an effect that the start winning is not invalidated can be obtained.
Since the movable members 301a and 301b and the path switching member 206 are operated by one drive source, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and there can be various modifications and applications as follows.
(A) The operation time of each member in the variable prize apparatus is not limited to the example in the above embodiment, and may be determined appropriately according to the type of game machine and the game content.
(B) Also, the size and positional relationship of each member in the variable winning device may be appropriately determined within the scope of the object of the present invention, and is not limited to the embodiment.

  In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a front view of a game board. It is a figure which shows a variable winning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the control system of a pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of a game control apparatus. It is a flowchart of a switch monitoring process and a special figure start port switch monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows a count sensor monitoring process and a remaining ball discharge | emission sensor monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows game processing. It is a flowchart which shows auxiliary game processing. It is a flowchart which shows an auxiliary | assistant game completion process. It is a flowchart which shows a special game monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows a remaining ball fraud monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows special game processing. It is a flowchart which shows an open / close solenoid opening / closing process. It is a figure which shows a variable winning apparatus. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of a variable winning apparatus. It is a figure which shows a variable winning apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 11,200,300 Variable winning device 12,13,14 Start winning opening 24,206 Path switching member 26,208 First winning space 27,209 Second winning space 61,221 First count sensor (first inflow) Sphere detection means)
62, 222 1st specific area 63, 223 1st special prize sensor 64, 224 1st general prize area 65, 225 1st remaining ball discharge sensor (1st outflow ball detection means)
71, 231 Second count sensor (second inflow ball detecting means)
72, 232 Second specific area 73, 233 Second special prize sensor 74, 234 Second general prize area 75, 235 Second remaining ball discharge sensor (second outflow ball detecting means)
100 Game control device (game control means, first remaining ball monitoring means, second remaining ball monitoring means, route switching member control means)
207 Game ball allocation space 303, 304 State maintaining member

Claims (3)

A variable winning device having a movable member convertible between a closed state and an open state, and a winning space in which a game ball received by the movable member flows and a specific area and a general winning area are provided;
A special game that is more advantageous to the player than the auxiliary game by performing an auxiliary game in which the movable member is converted to an open state for a predetermined time when the start condition is satisfied, and a game ball received in the auxiliary game wins the specific area Game control means capable of executing
In a gaming machine equipped with
The variable winning device is:
Path switching that divides the winning space into a first winning space and a second winning space and switches the path of the received game ball to one of a path passing through the first winning space and a path passing through the second winning space. Comprising a member,
The first prize space is
First inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the first winning space;
A first specific area where the special game is generated by winning a game ball;
First outflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing out of the first winning space;
With
The second prize space is
Second inflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing into the second winning space;
A second specific area where the special game is generated by winning a game ball;
Second outflow ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing out of the second winning space;
With
The game control means includes
First remaining ball monitoring means for monitoring presence or absence of remaining game balls in the first winning space based on detection signals from the first inflow ball detecting means and the first outflow ball detecting means;
Second remaining ball monitoring means for monitoring presence or absence of remaining game balls in the second winning space based on detection signals from the second inflow ball detecting means and the second outflow ball detecting means;
Path switching member control means for controlling the path switching member;
With
The path switching member control means includes
If the game ball remains in one of the first prize space and the second prize space when the start condition is satisfied, the game ball flows into the other prize space through the path switching member. A gaming machine characterized by switching to perform. The path switching member is
Normally, the received game ball is urged by the urging member so as to flow into the first winning space,
The path switching member control means includes
If the game ball remains in the first prize space when the start condition is satisfied, the path switching member is switched so that the game ball flows into the second prize space, and after the auxiliary game is completed. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed so that a gaming ball flows into the first winning space. The variable winning device is:
The winning percentage of the game balls flowing into the second winning space into the second specific area is higher than the winning percentage of the gaming balls flowing into the first winning space into the first specific area. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein

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