JP4593184B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a variable winning device.

  Conventionally, a variable winning device that can be converted into a first state (closed state) that is disadvantageous for the player and a second state (open state) that is advantageous for the player in the game area, and a start winning opening that allows the game ball to win A starting game for converting the variable winning device to the second state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) based on the winning of the game ball at the starting winning port, and the variable winning device as a result of the starting game. When a game ball that has won a prize flows into an internal special prize area, a big hit state is generated, and the variable prize device is converted to the second state based on a predetermined rule (18 operations or 10 prizes). Thus, there are known gaming machines that make it possible to obtain a large number of winnings.

In such a gaming machine, a guidance device for guiding the winning game ball so as to easily flow into the special winning area is provided inside the variable winning device (winning space), leading to the winning space of the variable winning device. If the game ball is guided by the guidance device in a timely manner, it flows into the special winning area with a high probability.
The induction device is operated by an electric drive source such as a motor or a solenoid, and the operation is started after a predetermined time has elapsed since the game ball has won the start winning opening, and can be operated for a predetermined time. It is common. Therefore, when the game ball won in the variable prize winning device has the operation timing of the guidance device, it flows into the special prize winning region with a high probability. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
JP 2000-334103 A

  However, since the conventional guidance device is operated by the action of the electric drive source as described above and the timing thereof is also controlled to be constant, the probability that the game ball flows into the special winning area is the second state. It is often determined at which timing in the second state the variable winning device converted into is, and it is difficult to realize an influential aspect of high interest. That is, in such a gaming machine, a game ball that flows irregularly in the winning space will flow into the special winning area with intention, or it will be the last part of whether to win the special winning area The purpose is to enjoy whether or not the game balls that have flowed down will eventually win the special prize area, or whether or not the game balls that flow down will flow into the special prize area. It is difficult to realize.

  Furthermore, in a conventional gaming machine, when a start game is executed and a game ball is won in the variable winning device, and then the game ball flows into the special prize area, The game ball consumed by launching until the result is derived) is wasted, so the player temporarily stops firing during this time, so-called stop-stop, and the inflow mode of the winning game ball May watch over. If such a stoppage is made, the operating rate of the gaming machine will decrease, and the profit of the gaming store will decrease.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the interest when a game ball flows down in a winning space of a variable winning device, and to prevent a hitting in a gaming machine equipped with a variable winning device.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1
A winning space that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and where a game ball accepted by the conversion to the second state flows down, and flows down the winning space The game area is provided with a variable prize device having a general prize area and a special prize area into which game balls flow in,
When a game ball launched into the game area wins a start winning opening, the start game for converting the variable winning device into the second state is executed a predetermined number of times, and is accepted by the conversion to the second state. In a gaming machine that generates a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player when the game ball flows into the special winning area,
The variable winning device includes a game ball guiding means capable of guiding the game ball flowing down the winning space so that the game ball can easily flow into the special winning area by conversion to an operating state.
The game ball guiding means includes
The factor for converting to the operating state is set to a game ball that flows outside the game area and outside the variable winning device,
The game ball that flows down the game area is received, and the game ball can collide with the game ball flowing down the prize space through an opening formed in a required portion of the prize space forming member that forms the prize space. It is characterized by including a game ball appearing means that faces the space .

Here, the “start winning gate” is a so-called start gate that a game ball passes and generates only the start right of the start game, in addition to the so-called winning port where the game ball wins and generates a prize ball. Is included.
The “predetermined number of times” is, for example, once or twice, and the number of times is determined depending on the type of the start winning opening that has been won.
In addition, the “special game state” is a “state in which the game ball is converted to the second state so that it can be easily won in the variable winning device than in the case of the start game”, as in the conventional so-called hit state of the wings. Specifically, it is “a state in which more variable winning devices are converted to the second state than in the case of the starting game” or “a state in which time varying winning devices are converted to the second state longer than in the case of the starting game”.
Further, the “special game state” may be a state in which a separate variable winning device (for example, an attacker-type variable winning device) is provided, and the variable winning device is opened for a certain period of time (same as a conventional seven machine). . This special game state allows the player to obtain a lot of game balls as prize balls.

In this way, the conversion factor for the operation state of the game ball guiding means is set to the game ball that is launched into the game area and flows down the outside of the variable prize winning device. It is possible to realize an inflow aspect that is more interesting than the guidance device that performs this.
In other words, since the game ball guiding means is operated at irregular timing by the game ball flowing down the game area, unlike the guidance device controlled at a fixed timing by the operation of the electric drive source, the variable winning device for the game ball Regardless of the timing of winning a prize, there is a possibility that the game balls flowing down the prize space may be guided to the special prize area, and the player's expectation can be maintained until the game balls reach the prize area.
In other words, the player pays attention not only to the flow mode of the game balls in the variable winning device, but also to the flow mode of the game balls outside the winning space, realizing a highly entertaining game ball flow mode inside and outside the winning space. it can.
In addition, since the presence of a game ball in the game area is a condition for the game ball guiding means to be converted into an operating state, it is necessary to continue to fire the game ball into the game area. Since the rate is increased, even after the game ball has won the variable winning device, the player does not stop and can prevent the profit of the game store from being lowered.

The game ball guiding means receives the game ball flowing down the game area, and enters the winning space so that the game ball can collide with the game ball flowing down the winning space from an opening formed in a required portion of the winning space forming member. By including the game ball appearing means to be exposed, it is possible to realize an unprecedented and highly interesting guidance mode and to prevent the hitting.
For example, the game ball display means is for causing a game ball to appear in the winning space from the opening, and the game ball flowing down in the winning space collides with the displayed game ball, so that a special prize is awarded. It is guided in the area direction. In other words, by using the game ball flowing down the outside of the variable winning device, the game ball can be guided in the winning space with the game ball itself, and an unprecedented and highly interesting guidance mode can be realized. Can do.
In addition, the game ball appearance means for guiding the game ball in the direction of the special prize area uses the game ball flowing down the game area, so that for the player, the game ball is released even after the game ball has won the prize space. It is more advantageous to continue to do so, and stoppage can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein a gaming ball inflow portion is provided at a predetermined portion of the gaming area and into which a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area can flow,
A game ball flow path through which the game ball flowing from the game ball inflow portion flows down from the game ball inflow portion;
A game ball outflow which is disposed downstream of the game ball flow path and is separated from the game ball inflow portion in the game area, and discharges the game ball flowing down the game ball flow path to the game area again. And
Comprising a warp means composed of
Based on the operation of the electric drive source, there is provided a transport means for holding the game ball received on the upstream side of the game ball flow path and transporting it to the downstream side, and the game ball being transported by the transport means from the opening. The game ball appearing means is configured by facing the winning space.

  As described above, the game ball appearing means is configured such that the game ball being transported by the transport means provided in the game ball flow path of the warp means faces the winning space from the opening, so that the warp means flows down. Since the game ball to be used can be used as the game ball guiding means, the game ball can be guided efficiently and reliably.

A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the second aspect , wherein the game ball inflow portion is disposed in a game area on a side of the variable winning device, and the game ball outflow portion is disposed on the game ball outflow portion. It is arranged in a game area below the variable winning device, and the start prize opening is arranged in the game area below the game ball outflow portion.

As described above, the start winning opening is arranged below the game ball outflow portion, so that the winning rate of the game ball to the starting winning opening can be increased by the warp means, and the game flowing down the warp means. By using the sphere, it is possible to reliably perform the guidance of the game sphere in the winning space.

According to the present invention, since the conversion factor of the game ball guiding means to the operating state is set to the game ball that is launched into the game area and flows down the variable winning device, It is possible to realize an inflow aspect that is more interesting than the guidance device that operates according to the above.
In addition, the presence of a game ball in the game area is a condition for converting the game ball guiding means into an operating state, so that the player will not stop and prevent the profit of the game store from being reduced. it can.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Here, a pachinko gaming machine as a suitable example of the gaming machine according to the present invention, in particular, a pachinko gaming machine of a type belonging to a so-called feather object will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a game board 1 surrounded by a guide rail 2 and having a game area 1a on the front side where a game ball is launched to play a game.
A machine frame that is an outer frame of a pachinko gaming machine and is fixed to an island facility, a glass frame that covers the front surface of the game area 1a, an upper plate that is provided below the game area 1a and accommodates game balls, and a lower plate In addition, an operation panel having an operation handle for a player to perform a launch operation is not shown.

  In the lower part of the game area 1a surrounded by the guide rails 2 of the game board 1, a pair of first start winning ports 4, 4 (first starting ports) are provided so as to be separated from each other left and right. A second start winning port 5 (second start port) is provided at the center between the ports 4 and 4. The first start winning ports 4, 4 are provided with first start winning port sensors 4a, 4a (shown in FIG. 5) for detecting game balls that have won the first start winning ports 4, 4. . Further, the second start winning opening 5 is provided with a second start winning opening sensor 5a (shown in FIG. 5) for detecting a game ball that has entered the second start winning opening 5. Further, in the center of the game area 1a, a variable winning device 3 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG.

  In addition, the game area 1a is provided with a hitting direction changing member called a windmill, a number of obstacle nails 10,... (Partially shown in FIG. 2), a general winning opening 6,. Among these, each of the general winning ports 6,... Is provided with a general winning port sensor 6a (shown in FIG. 5) for detecting a game ball that has entered the general winning ports 6,.

  The variable winning device 3 is attached to a mounting opening (not shown) formed in the game board 1 from the front side of the game board 1, and a winning space that is open on the front side and extends rearward of the game board 1. A winning space forming member 47 for forming 46 is provided. Further, the front side of the variable prize apparatus 3 is in a state of projecting to the vicinity of the glass plate that covers the front surface of the game board 1, and the game ball is placed in the variable prize apparatus 3 except when the movable member 40 described later is opened. Is prevented from entering.

As shown in FIG. 2, an upper structural member (armor member) 41 is provided on the upper portion of the winning space 46 so as to protrude forward from the surface of the game board 1, and functions as a decoration device on the upper portion of the variable winning device 3. In addition, the game ball flowing down from above the variable winning device 3 is prevented from entering the winning space 46 and is guided in the left-right direction. An information display 42 is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper structural member 41, and a plurality of pieces of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) can be displayed. This information display 42 displays a demonstration screen, a display when the game ball wins the start winning holes 4 and 5, a display when the game ball wins the special winning area 56 (when a special game occurs), and a special game state. Various displays such as the inside display are made.
The information display 42 may include an LED or a display such as a liquid crystal, EL, or CRT.

  In the left and right side portions on the lower side of the upper structural member 41, inlets 43, 43 serving as winning ports of the variable winning device 3 are provided. The inlets 43, 43 are provided at the left and right inlets 43, 43, respectively. Movable members 40, 40 for opening and closing are respectively provided. The movable members 40, 40 have a rotation center at the lower end thereof, and can be turned left and right by an open / close solenoid (movable member SOL 40a, shown in FIG. 5) controlled by a game control device 20 described later. It has become. In a state where the movable members 40, 40 are substantially vertical, the movable members 40, 40 block the inlets 43, 43, so that the prize winning device 3 cannot be won. That is, this state is a first state that is disadvantageous to the player. On the other hand, in a state where the left and right movable members 40, 40 are rotated in the direction away from the variable winning device 3 with the lower end portion as the center, the movable members 40, 40 open in a reverse “C” shape. As a result, the inflow ports 43 and 43 are opened, and a winning to the variable winning device 3 is possible. That is, this state is a second state that is advantageous to the player. When neither the starting game state nor the special game state is set (in the normal game state and the special game standby state), the movable members 40, 40 are kept closed (first state).

  The movable members 40, 40 are movable member SOL 40a (shown in FIG. 5) in a start game based on the establishment of a start condition (here, a winning of a game ball to the first start winning port 4 or the second starting winning port 5). ) Is converted to the second state in a predetermined manner, and a chance to win a prize winning device 3 is obtained. That is, based on the fact that the game ball won in the first start winning opening 4 is detected by the first start winning opening sensor 4a, the movable members 40, 40 are opened (converted to the second state), and a predetermined time has elapsed. A predetermined mode of opening operation is performed once (in this case, after 0.5 seconds have elapsed). Similarly, based on the fact that the game ball won in the second start winning opening 5 is detected by the second start winning opening sensor 5a, the movable members 40, 40 are opened in a predetermined manner (here, the opening time 0.8). The second opening operation) is performed twice with a closing operation for a predetermined time (in this case, 0.8 seconds).

The inflow ports 43, 43 are formed in inflow chambers 39, 39 separated by partition walls 38, 38, and count sensors 44, 44 for detecting a winning game ball are provided at the bottoms of the inflow chambers 39, 39. Is provided. The count sensors 44 and 44 have a detection unit through which a game ball can pass, and output a detection signal when the game ball passes through the detection unit. Then, by counting this detection signal with a game control device 20 to be described later, the number of game balls won in the variable winning device 3 can be counted.
Further, based on this detection signal, a predetermined number (for example, ten) prize balls are discharged from the discharge device.

  The winning space forming member 47 is provided with an upper shelf 45 that divides the winning space 46 in the vertical direction, and the game balls flowing down from the inflow chambers 39 and 39 reach the upper shelf 45. Further, the upper shelf 45 does not completely divide the winning space 46 vertically, and a game ball is placed between the rear end of the upper shelf 45 and the back plate 37 constituting the rear surface of the winning space 46. There is a gap that allows the flow down. Further, the upper shelf 45 (the upper surface thereof) is inclined slightly downward from the front to the rear, and the game balls that have flowed onto the upper shelf 45 flow down to the rear side of the upper shelf 45, and It flows down from the end to the lower part of the winning space 46.

Further, a back wall 49 is formed substantially vertically between the rear end portion of the upper shelf 45 and the rear end portion of the flow-down shelf 48 that is provided below the upper shelf 45 and serves as the bottom of the winning space 46. The rear end portion of the lower part of the winning space between the upper shelf 45 and the flow-down shelf 48 is separated from the front side. The game ball that has flowed backward on the upper shelf 45 flows from the rear end of the upper shelf 45 to the rear side of the back wall 49.
And in the center part of the right and left of the back wall 49, the outlet 50 which guide | induces a game ball from the back side to the front side is formed. Further, the bottom part behind the back wall 49 of the winning space 46 is a slope where the center part where the outlet 50 is located is lower and the left and right end parts are higher, and the left and right center parts are inclined downward to the front side, A game ball that has flowed down from the upper shelf 45 to the rear side of the back wall 49 is guided to the outlet 50.

Then, the game ball that has flowed down from the upper shelf 45 to the rear side of the back wall 49 flows out from the outlet 50 of the back wall 49 to the left and right central portions on the rear portion of the flow down shelf 48.
The flow down rack 48 is inclined downward from the rear to the front, and the game balls that have flowed out onto the flow down rack 48 flow down from the back to the front.
In addition, a circular opening is formed at the center of the flow-down shelf 48, and an accessory device 51 is disposed in the opening. In this example, the accessory device 51 is a disc-shaped turntable 52, and six pieces standing on the outer periphery of the turntable 52 at regular intervals from the rotation center of the turntable 52 at intervals of 60 degrees. , Obstruction pins 53,..., A accessory motor 54 that rotates the turntable 52 (shown in FIG. 5), and a motor that detects the rotation angle of the accessory motor 54 (that is, the rotation angle of the turntable 52). A position detection sensor 51a (shown in FIG. 5).

  The turntable 52 is disposed in a circular opening formed at a substantially central portion of the flow-down shelf 48, and is rotatable with the opening substantially closed. Further, the upper surface of the turntable 52 is disposed in substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the flow-down shelf 48. Further, the rotation axis of the turntable 52 is inclined at substantially the same angle as the inclination of the flow-down shelf 48, and the upper surface of the turntable 52 is always inclined downward from the rear to the front as in the case of the flow-down shelf 48 even when rotated. Become.

  In the accessory device 51, a game ball can pass between the adjacent obstacle pins 53,. In addition, the outlet 50 of the back wall 49 is disposed at the left and right central portions of the variable winning device 3, and the accessory device 51 is also disposed at the left and right central portions of the variable winning device 3, in front of the front edge of the flow down shelf 48. A special prize area 56 to be described later is also arranged in the left and right central portions of the variable prize winning device 3. Accordingly, the game ball that has flowed down from the outlet 50 passes through the accessory device 51 and flows into the special winning area 56, except when it sways from side to side.

  In the accessory device 51, since the rotating turntable 52 is provided with a plurality of obstacle pins 53, the game balls that have flowed out from the outlet 50 flow down on the flow-down shelf 48, and on the turntable 52. When it arrives, the course of the game ball is slightly changed by the rotation of the turntable 52, and when the game ball comes into contact with the obstacle pins 53,... There is a possibility.

  Basically, if the game ball flowing down passes without touching the obstacle pin 53 as described above, the probability of winning the special prize area 56 is increased, but the game ball comes into contact with the obstacle pin 53. There is a slight probability of winning in the special winning area 56. In other words, the accessory device 51 distributes the game ball into a state in which it is difficult to easily enter the special winning area 56 based on the inflow direction and inflow speed of the game ball and the inflow timing, and is difficult to enter. When the game balls are assigned to the state, the inflow of the game balls to the special winning area 56 is inhibited, and when the game balls are distributed to the special winning area 56, the game balls are guided to the special winning area 56.

  Basically, when the uppermost position of the oblique turntable 52 is set to 0 degree, the six obstacle pins 53,... Provided every 60 degrees are 30 degrees, 90 degrees, 150 degrees. , 210 degrees, 270 degrees, 330 degrees (or a position slightly shifted from this position) to the special winning area 56 in front of the lower end from the outlet 50 at the upper end of the flow-down shelf 48 On the line along the slope of the falling shelf 48, there is no obstacle pin 53, and the inflow rate (passing rate) of the game ball to the special winning area 56 is the highest.

  The turntable 52 rotates at a relatively high speed during the normal gaming state, and is changed to a low-speed rotation for a predetermined time from the start of the start game (start winning prize). In a state where the turntable 52 is rotating at high speed, the period during which the game ball can pass through the accessory device 51 without colliding with the obstacle pins 53, is limited to a short period. Moreover, even if it passes between the obstacle pins 53,... And enters the accessory device 51 on the upstream side, the flow direction is changed by the rotation of the turntable 52 while flowing on the turntable 52, There is a possibility of colliding with the obstacle pins 53 on the downstream side, and it becomes difficult to win the special winning area 56. On the contrary, in the state where the turntable 52 is rotating at a low speed, in particular, if the state of the turntable 52 at this time is in a state where the inflow rate into the special winning area 56 is high as described above, to some extent Since this state continues for a long period of time, the possibility of winning a special prize area 56 increases. In other words, in the starting game, it is highly possible that the player who wins early will win the special winning area 56 with a relatively high probability, which is advantageous to the player. Further, since the turntable 52 rotates counterclockwise during the start game, the game ball colliding with the accessory device 51 (the obstacle pin 53,...) Can easily flow down the left side of the accessory device 51, and the game The possibility that the sphere comes into contact with a flow direction changing member 58 described later is increased.

  In the accessory device 51, the turntable 52 has a high passing rate to the special winning area 56 as described above, and the position of the obstacle pin is deviated from this state, and the special winning area 56 from the outlet 50. The obstacle pin may be arranged so as to surely hit the game ball on the previous line, and the state where the passing rate to the special winning area 56 is low may be controlled and operated. In other words, the turntable 52 is not simply rotated to repeat a high pass rate and a low pass rate. For example, the turntable 52 is stopped in a high pass rate or the turn table 52 is turned low. It is also possible to perform control such as repeatedly stopping the table 52. For this purpose, a motor position detection sensor 51a is provided so that the position of the failure pin 53 can be controlled.

In addition, the turntable 52 and the obstacle pin 53 of the accessory device 51 of this embodiment prevent the game ball from entering the special winning area 56 most easily when the game ball naturally flows down. For example, when the game ball naturally flows down, it is difficult for the game ball to flow into the special prize area 56, and when the game ball comes into contact with the accessory device 51, the game ball is likely to flow into the special prize area 56. You may make it become.
In addition, the accessory device 51 is not limited to the above-described one, but is used to change the ease of winning a game ball in a special winning area with a variable winning device for a pachinko gaming machine called a so-called feather object. It can be used.

In addition, the front of the leading edge of the flow-down shelf 48, that is, the lower end portion of the front portion of the variable winning device 3 is a winning area of the winning space 46 in the variable winning device 3. The winning area is formed to extend to the left and right at the lower end of the front portion of the variable winning device 3, and the central portion is the above-described special winning area 56, and the left and right winning areas (special The remaining winning areas other than the winning area 56 are designated as general winning areas 55 and 55. Accordingly, the game balls that have flowed down on the flow-down shelf 48 flow into the special winning area 56 or the general winning areas 55, 55 in the winning area.
The passing rate of the game balls to the special winning area 56 is based on the fact that the area is narrower than the general winning areas 55 and 55 and the operation of the accessory device 51, and the passing ratio of the gaming balls to the general winning areas 55 and 55. It is lower than that.
The special prize area 56 is provided with the special prize sensor 56a that detects that a game ball has passed through the special prize area 56.

When a game ball wins a special winning area 56, a special gaming state is generated.
In the special game state, the movable members 40 and 40 are opened and closed to perform the operation to intermittently enter the second state, and the movable members 40 and 40 are opened and closed a predetermined number of times (for example, 18 times) A cycle game in which opening / closing operation of the movable members 40, 40 until one of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is achieved is defined as one round and this is repeated a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 times). Done.
Accordingly, winning in the variable winning device 3 is facilitated, and it is possible to obtain a lot of game balls as award balls for the player.
Here, the number of rounds that can be repeated may be determined by lottery (for example, any one of 1, 7, and 15) when winning in the special prize area 56 in the starting game. On condition that the special winning area 56 is won, the maximum number of rounds (for example, 15 times) may be limited to the next round.
Further, by combining the above-described conditions, it is possible to advance to the next round if the special winning area 56 is won during the round up to the maximum number of rounds that can be repeated.
At this time, the game control device 20 to be described later controls the accessory device 51 by the accessory motor 54 and the motor position detection sensor 51a, so that the game ball is likely to win the special winning area 56, or conversely. It is also possible to adjust the number of rounds that can be continued in a difficult state.

A game ball collecting member 36 that collects game balls that flow into the general prize areas 55 and 55 or the special prize area 56 is formed below the prize area.
The game ball collecting member 36 is a substantially funnel-shaped member as viewed from the front, and the game balls that have passed through the general winning areas 55 and 55 and the special winning area 56 are collected and discharged to the back side of the game board 1. All the game balls are guided to the above-described confirmation sensor 62 and passed therethrough.
The confirmation sensor 62 detects the passage of the game ball and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal is counted by the game control device 20 to be described later, whereby the game ball discharged from the variable winning device 3 is counted. The number can be counted.
It should be noted that a confirmation sensor may be provided for each general winning area 55 and all the game balls to be discharged may be confirmed by using the special winning sensor 56a as the confirmation sensor.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a flow direction changing member 58 forming a game ball guiding means 57 is provided on one side wall of the winning space forming member 47 along the front-rear direction of the winning space forming member 47. It has been. The cross-section on the front side of the flow direction changing member 58 has a fan shape with a circular arc at the bottom, and the depth is substantially the same as the front surface of the game board 1 from the front end portion of the winning space forming member 47. It extends from the front end of the flow-down shelf 48 to a position that is at least one game ball behind and widens the collision surface with the game ball. Further, the lower end portion thereof is at a height capable of contacting the game ball B flowing down the upper surface of the flow down shelf 48, and the upper end portion is a circuit provided in the winning space forming member 47 along the front-rear direction of the game board 1. The moving shaft 59 is pivotally supported so as to be swingable.

  The surface on the winning space 46 side of the flow direction changing member 58 is a flow direction changing portion 60 that can convert the flow direction of the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 into the special winning area 56 direction. In addition, a game ball 1 flowing down the game area 1a collides with the face on the game area 1a side, which is the face facing this face, more specifically, the face on the front end side facing the game area 1a, and the flow direction changes. This is an operation causing portion 61 for operating (swinging) the member 58.

  From the above, the game ball guiding means 57 is swingably provided at a required portion of the winning space forming member 47 that divides the winning space 46 and the gaming region 1a in the variable winning device 3, and faces the winning space 46. Is made up of the flow direction changing member 58 having the action causing portion 61 on the side facing the game area 1a.

Here, the operation of the flow direction changing member 58 constituting the game ball guiding means 57 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 3 shows that the game ball B won by the start game from the inlets 43 and 43 to the variable prize winning device 3 and flowed down the upper shelf 45 and discharged from the outlet 50 onto the downstream shelf 48 is counterclockwise as described above. It is in a state where it collides with the accessory device 51 rotating in the direction and flows down the left side of the accessory device 51. When the game ball B exists in the winning space 46 as described above, it is a start winning invalid period as will be described later, so that no starting game is performed even if there is a new start winning. It has become.

  The flow direction changing member 58 has a center of gravity set so that the flow direction changing portion 60 is flush with the inner surface of the winning space forming member 47 in the non-actuated state, and the flowing direction of the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 Are not changed in the special winning area 56 or difficult to change. In such a state, even if the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 as shown in FIG. 3 abuts the flow direction changing unit 60, the flow direction is not changed or is changed to some extent. is there. At this time, if the game ball B does not exist in the game area 1a, there is no possibility that the flow direction changing member 58 operates, and the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 as shown in FIG. High probability of inflow.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 is guided in the special winning area 56 direction by the flowing-down direction changing member 58 that is in the activated state. As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball B flowing down the game area 1a outside the winning space 46 collides with the motion-causing portion 61 of the flow direction changing member 58 as shown in FIG. The member 58 enters an operating state in which the member 58 swings left and right around the upper rotation shaft 59 (shown in FIG. 2). In other words, the game ball B flowing down the outside of the variable winning device 3 is a factor for the game ball guiding means 57 to be converted into an operating state. Such a game ball B may be a game ball B launched before the game ball B wins the variable winning device 3 (before starting the start game), but in the case of a game ball B launched after winning a prize. There are many. This is because it takes a relatively long time from the game ball B winning the variable winning device 3 until it reaches the flow-down shelf 48, whereas the game area 1a on the side of the variable winning device 3 is launched. This is because it does not take a long time to reach.

  When the flow direction changing member 58 is in the activated state, the game ball B that flows down the left side of the winning space 46 as shown in FIG. 3 and has a high probability of flowing into the general winning area 55 flows down as shown in FIG. When the flow direction changing portion 60 of the swinging flow direction changing member 58 hits the vicinity of the direction changing member 58 and collides with the game ball B, the game ball B is changed in the flow direction toward the center of the winning space 46. It becomes. In other words, the game ball B is guided toward the special prize area 56 and easily flows into the special prize area 56.

Note that the period during which the game ball B may be changed in the flow direction by the flow direction changing unit 60 is during the flow down the side of the flow direction changing unit 60 and is not instantaneous. In addition, since the flow direction changing member 58 swings several times due to one game ball collision, the game ball B in the winning space 46 can be guided for a long period. Furthermore, since the flow direction changing member 58 extends rearward from the surface of the game board 1, there is a wide collision surface with the game ball B, and there is a range in which the game ball B may be changed in the flow direction. It is getting wider.
In addition, during the special game state, the flow direction of the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 may be changed in the same way as the starting game, so that the inflow to the special winning area 56 is cycled as described above. When the continuation condition is set, the cycle game continuation rate can be increased.

  From the above, the winning space 46 can be converted into the first state that is disadvantageous to the player and the second state that is advantageous to the player, and the game ball B received by the conversion to the second state flows down. The game area 1a includes a variable prize apparatus 3 having a general prize area 55 and a special prize area 56 into which the game ball B flowing down the prize space 46 flows, and the game ball B launched into the game area 1a When winning at the start winning opening, the starting game for converting the variable winning device 3 to the second state is executed a predetermined number of times, and the game ball B received by the conversion to the second state flows into the special winning area 56 In such a case, in the gaming machine that generates a special gaming state advantageous to the player, the variable winning device 3 converts the gaming ball flowing down the winning space 46 into an operating state by converting the gaming ball into an operating state. A game ball guiding means 57 that can be guided so as to easily flow into the separate winning area 56, and that causes the gaming ball guiding means 57 to be converted into an operating state, flows outside the variable winning device 3 and flows down the gaming area 1a. It will be set to the sphere.

  The game ball guiding means 57 is provided facing the winning space 46, and a flow direction changing unit 60 capable of converting the flow direction of the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 into the special winning area 56, and a game area. An action-causing part provided to face the la, and for causing the flow direction changing unit 60 to operate. When the game ball flowing down the game area 1a collides with the action causing part 61, the flow direction changing unit 60 Thus, the flow direction of the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 is changed from a non-operating state that does not change or difficult to change to a changeable operating state.

  The swing range of the flow direction changing member 58 is as shown in FIG. 3, from the position where the flow direction changing portion 60 is substantially flush with the inner surface of the winning space forming member 47, as shown in FIG. The operation causing portion 61 is located up to a position that is substantially flush with the outer surface of the winning space forming member 47. That is, the game ball flowing down in the winning space 46 flows out to the game area 1a from the portion where the flow direction changing member 58 is provided, or conversely, the gaming ball flowing down the game area 1a flows into the winning space 46. The rocking restriction member restricts the rocking to the outside so as not to occur.

  According to such a game ball guiding means 57, it is possible to realize an inflow mode that is more interesting than a guiding device that is operated by an electric drive source. In addition, since the presence of a game ball in the game area 1a is a condition for converting the game ball guiding means 57 into an operating state, it is possible to continue firing the game ball into the game area 1a within the winning space 46. Since the guidance rate of the game ball is increased, the player does not stop and can prevent the profit of the game store from being lowered.

  In addition, the flow direction change member 58 is provided in the winning space forming member 47 that forms the side wall, so that the flow direction of the game ball that is unlikely to win the special winning area 56 that flows down the side portion of the flow down shelf 48 is reduced. Can be changed in the direction of the special winning area 56. Thereby, even if the game ball is less likely to win the special prize area 56, the player can have a sense of expectation and the interest of the game can be improved.

Next, the control system of the gaming machine will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the control system of the gaming machine, a game control device 20 as a main control device for controlling the progress of the game, a speaker 31, a decoration lamp / LED 32, information display under the control of the game control device 20 A sub-control device 30 for controlling the device 42 and the like.

The game control device 20 includes a game microcomputer 21 having a CPU 21a, a RAM 21b, a ROM 21c, an input / output interface 23, a clock (oscillator) 22, and the like.
The CPU 21a includes a control unit and a calculation unit, performs calculation control, and performs control processes such as a start winning process and a start game process described later.
The RAM 21b includes a storage area for temporarily storing various data and a work area for the CPU 21a. Further, various counter storage areas such as a winning counter for counting the number of game balls in the variable winning device 3 and an SOL counter for setting the number of opening and closing of the movable members 40 and 40 are provided.
In the ROM 21c, game control programs and control data are written.

The clock 22 outputs a pulse signal for synchronization of various processes and a timer.
In addition, the input / output interface 23 is connected to a first start winning port sensor 4a, 4a, a second starting winning port sensor 5a, a general winning port sensor 6a, a motor position detection sensor 51a, via a low-pass filter and a buffer gate (not shown). A special winning sensor 56a, count sensors 44 and 44, a confirmation sensor 62, and the like are connected, and various signals are input from these.

  These various signals are relayed by the input / output interface 23 and output to the CPU 21a. Further, various control signals output from the CPU 21a are input to the input / output interface 23, and these control signals are relayed by the input / output interface 23, and the movable member 40 is connected via an output port and a driver (not shown). , 40 open / close solenoids (movable member SOL 40 a), the accessory motor 54, the sub-control device 30, and the discharge / firing control device 24.

  The CPU 21a of the game control device 20 performs a start game process for opening and closing the movable members 40 and 40 based on, for example, an input of a game ball detection signal from the first start prize port sensor 4a. When a game ball detection signal is input from the special winning sensor 56a after the game ball detection signal is input from the count sensors 44, 44, a special game state is generated. .

Further, the CPU 21 a of the game control device 20 sends an effect command (effect data including control information) to the sub-control device 30 to cause the speaker 31, the decoration lamp / LED 32, and the information display 42 to perform the effect.
Further, the CPU 21a of the game control device 20 receives the detection signal of the winning ball from the first starting winning port sensors 4a, 4a, the second starting winning port sensor 5a, the general winning port sensor 6a, and the count sensors 44, 44. In addition, based on these detection signals, prize ball data is sent to the ejection / emission control device 24, and control is performed to eject a required number of prize balls to the ejection device (not shown).

  The sub-control device 30 includes an arithmetic processing CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls the gaming machine based on the effect command received from the game control device 20 (under the control of the game control device 20). . Examples of what the sub-control device 30 performs control include sound effects output from the speaker 31, decoration lamp / LED 32, and display content of the information display 42.

The discharge / launch control device 24 discharges a required number of game balls (prize balls, rental balls) based on a prize ball control command from the game control device 20 or a ball rental control command from a ball lending machine (not shown). And control of launching a game ball.
In addition, the gaming machine includes a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to each control device and the like.

Next, game control by the above-described game control device 20 in the gaming machine as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the game control in the game control device 20, a series of control processes including a start winning process and a start game process described below are sequentially performed every 1 msec.

First, the start winning process will be described with reference to FIG.
In this process, it is first determined whether or not the start winning valid flag is ON (step S1). The start winning validity flag indicates whether or not the start winning process can be executed, and is set to ON when the gaming machine is turned on. When this start winning flag is ON, the start winning process can be executed, and it is subsequently determined whether or not there is a first start winning (step S2). When the start winning flag is OFF (for example, when the start game is being executed), the start winning process cannot be executed, so the start winning process is terminated here. At this time, when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 4 and the second start winning opening 5, the starting game is not executed and only the payout is paid out.

In the determination of the presence / absence of the first start prize (step S2), if there is a first start prize, that is, the game ball is won at the first start prize port 4, and the game ball from the first start prize port sensor 4a is received. When the detection signal is input, a process of setting 2 to the SOL counter is performed (step S3). The SOL counter performs a process of subtracting 1 each time the solenoid (movable member SOL 40a) that opens and closes the movable members 40 and 40 is turned ON or OFF. The fact that 2 is set in the SOL counter is movable. The members 40 and 40 are set to open and close once. Then, after the SOL counter setting process (step S3), a process (step S6) for turning off the start winning validity flag is performed.
In the determination of the presence / absence of the first start prize (step S2), if there is no first start prize, the presence / absence of the second start prize is determined (step S4).

In the determination of the presence / absence of the second start prize (step S4), if there is a second start prize, that is, a game ball is won at the second start prize slot 5, and a game ball is detected from the second start prize port sensor 5a. When a signal is input, a process of setting 4 to the SOL counter is performed (step S5). As a result, the movable member 40, 40 is set to open and close twice. After the SOL counter setting process (step S4), a process (step S6) for turning off the start winning valid flag is performed.
In the determination of the presence / absence of the second start prize (step S4), if there is no second start prize, the start prize process is terminated.

  After the SOL counter setting process (steps S3 and S5) is performed, the process for turning off the start prize valid flag (step S6) is performed. The winning process is not executed. That is, the period in which the start prize valid flag is OFF is the start prize invalid period, and the game control device 20 is the start prize invalidating means. Thereafter, a process for turning on the start game flag is performed (step S7), and the start winning process is terminated. The start game flag indicates whether or not the start game can be executed. When the start game flag is ON, a start game process described later is performed, and the start game is executed.

  From the above, there is provided a start winning invalidation means for invalidating the winning of the game ball to the next starting winning opening for a predetermined period after the winning the game ball has won to the starting winning opening with respect to the execution of the starting game. It becomes.

The start winning invalid period is provided in order to prevent the winning rate in the special winning area 56 from becoming too high.
As described above, the accessory device 51 that adjusts the winning rate to the special winning area 56 is changed from the high speed rotation to the low speed rotation for a predetermined time from the start of the start game, and the game ball won early has a relatively high probability. The special prize area 56 can be won. Thus, for example, a game ball that remains on the upper shelf 45 and has passed for a predetermined time despite winning a prize in the starting game is in a state in which the accessory device 51 is changed to high-speed rotation thereafter. Since it sometimes reaches the flow down rack 48, the winning probability to the special winning area 56 is lowered. Here, if no start winning invalid period is provided, for example, when consecutive start winnings occur, the game balls remaining on the upper shelf 45 are converted to low speed rotation at the start of the next start game. There is a possibility that it will be distributed by the object device 51 and won in the special winning area 56 with high probability. In other words, there is a possibility that a game ball that should have a low winning probability in the special winning area 56 will win the special winning area 56 with a high probability, and the winning rate in the special winning area 56 will be too high. is there.

  On the other hand, by providing a start prize invalid period, when there is a game ball in the prize space 46, it can be invalidated even if there is a start prize. Since the remaining game balls are not distributed in the next start game, it is possible to prevent the winning rate in the special winning area 56 from becoming too high.

Next, the starting game process will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, it is determined whether or not the start game flag is ON (step S8). If it is not ON, the start game process is terminated. When the start game flag is ON, the opening / closing process of the movable members 40, 40 based on the setting value of the SOL counter set in the setting process of the SOL counter (steps S3, S5) is performed (step S9).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the count sensors 44, 44 are ON (step S10). That is, here, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the variable winning device 3 by opening and closing the movable members 40 and 40. If the count sensor 44 is not ON, that is, if the game ball is not won in the variable winning device 3, the process proceeds to a determination (step S12) as to whether or not the special prize sensor 56a is ON. When the count sensors 44, 44 are ON, that is, when a game ball is won in the variable winning device 3, the special winning sensor 56a is added after performing a process of incrementing the winning counter (step S11). The process proceeds to determination (step S12) whether or not it is ON.

  In the determination of whether or not the special prize sensor 56a is ON (step S12), it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the special prize area 56 and the special prize sensor 56a has detected the game ball. If the special winning sensor 56a is not ON, that is, if the game ball has not won in the special winning area 56, the process proceeds to the determination of whether or not the confirmation sensor is ON (step S14). If the special prize sensor 56a is ON, that is, if a game ball is won in the special prize area 56, the process of setting the special prize flag to ON (step S13) is performed, and then the confirmation sensor 62 is turned on. It progresses to determination (step S14) of whether it is.

In the determination of whether or not the confirmation sensor 62 is ON (step S14), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball ejected from the variable winning device 3. When the confirmation sensor 62 is not ON, that is, when there is no game ball to be discharged and the confirmation sensor 62 does not detect the game ball, it is determined whether or not the SOL counter is 0 (step S16). move on. If the confirmation sensor 62 is ON, that is, if there is a discharged game ball and the confirmation sensor 62 detects a game ball, after performing a process of subtracting 1 from the winning counter (step S15), the SOL counter Proceed to the determination of whether or not is 0 (step S16).
In other words, when the count sensors 44, 44 are ON, a process of adding 1 to the winning counter (step S11) is performed, and when the confirmation sensor 62 is ON, a process of subtracting 1 from the winning counter (step S15). ), The number of game balls in the variable winning device 3 (winning space 46) can be counted by the winning counter.

In the determination of whether or not the SOL counter shown in FIG. 8 is 0 (step S16), the setting value of the SOL counter set in the SOL counter setting process (steps S3 and S5) has become 0, that is, It is determined whether or not all the opening / closing operations of the movable members 40, 40 corresponding to the start winning are completed. If the SOL counter is not 0, the current start game process is terminated here. At this time, since the start game process is terminated without performing the process of turning on the start prize valid flag (step S25) and the process of turning off the start game flag (step S24), the start prize valid flag is OFF and the start game The flag is ON. Thus, in the next control process, the start game process is performed again without performing the start winning process described above. In the next start game process, the opening / closing process (step S9) of the movable members 40, 40 based on the SOL counter is performed.
In the determination of whether or not the SOL counter is 0 (step S16), if the SOL counter is 0, the process proceeds to determination of whether or not the count monitoring period has elapsed (step S17).

Here, the count monitoring period is a period for monitoring the detection of the game ball by the count sensors 44, 44. The game ball that has won a prize from the opening of the movable members 40, 40 causes the count sensors 44, 44 to be detected. It is set to a time sufficient for passing (for example, 1.5 seconds).
If a game ball is not detected by the count sensors 44, 44 during the count monitoring period, it is assumed that no game ball has been won during the period when the movable members 40, 40 are open, and the subsequent processing is performed. Done. That is, when there is a game ball that is received by the variable winning device 3 by the opening of the movable members 40, 40 and is not yet detected by the count sensors 44, 44, the process proceeds to the processing relating to the subsequent winning counter. It is preventing.
In the determination of whether or not the count monitoring period has elapsed (step S17), if the count monitoring period has not elapsed, the start game process is terminated. If the count monitoring period has elapsed, the process proceeds to determination of whether or not the winning counter is 1 or more (step S18).

In the determination of whether or not the winning counter is 1 or more (step S18), if the winning counter is not 1 or more, that is, if the winning counter is 0 and there is no game ball in the variable winning device 3, After performing the process of turning on the start winning valid flag (step S25), the process of turning off the start game flag (step S24) is performed, and the start game process is terminated.
If the winning counter is 1 or more, that is, if there is a game ball in the variable winning device 3, the process proceeds to the determination (step S19) as to whether or not the specified time has elapsed.

Here, the prescribed time is defined as the maximum time from when a game ball is won to the variable winning device 3 until it is discharged, and sufficient time for the winning game ball to be discharged ( For example, about 3 or 4 seconds) is set. In the determination of whether or not the specified time has passed (step S19), if the specified time has passed, a process for turning on the abnormality flag is performed (step S20), and the start game process is terminated. That is, if the game ball has won the variable winning device 3 but has not been discharged even after the specified time has elapsed, there is a possibility that an abnormality such as a ball clogging has occurred in the variable winning device 3. Therefore, the abnormality flag is turned ON to shift to an abnormal state. At this time, you may make it alert | report outside that it is an abnormal state by a suitable alerting | reporting means. This abnormality flag is turned off when the winning counter is 0, that is, when the confirmation sensor 62 is turned on (for example, by releasing ball clogging).
In the determination of whether or not the specified time has elapsed (step S19), if the specified time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to determination of whether or not the winning counter is 0 (step S21).

  Note that even when the abnormality flag is turned ON and the start game process is completed, the start game flag remains ON. Therefore, in this starting game, when the special winning area 56 is won and the special winning flag is turned on, the starting game process is performed again after the abnormality is cleared and the abnormal flag is turned off. The winning in the winning area 56 is not invalidated.

In the determination of whether or not the winning counter is 0 (step S21), if the winning counter is not 0, the start game process is terminated.
If the winning counter is 0, the process proceeds to the determination (step S22) as to whether or not the special winning flag is ON. The special winning flag is set when a special winning area 56 is won (steps S12 and S13).
In the determination of whether or not the special prize flag is ON (step S22), if the special prize flag is not ON, processing for turning on the start prize valid flag is performed (step S25), and the start game flag is turned OFF. After performing the process (step S24), the start game process is terminated.
If the special prize flag is ON, the special game flag is turned ON (step S23), the start game flag is turned OFF (step S24), and then the start game process is terminated. .
It should be noted that, based on the fact that the special game flag is ON, in the special game process that will not be described here, the process for generating the special game state described above is performed.

Next, the start game controlled as described above will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart in the case where there is no winning in the variable winning device 3 in the starting game.

  When there is a start winning in the first start winning opening 4, as shown in FIG. 6, a process for setting 2 in the SOL counter is performed (step S3), and an opening / closing process based on the SOL counter shown in FIG. 7 (step S9). As shown in FIG. 9, an operation of opening the movable members 40, 40 for 0.5 seconds is executed, and the starting game is started. Further, as described above, after the process for turning off the start winning valid flag (step S6) shown in FIG. 6 is executed, the process for turning on the start winning valid flag in FIG. 8 (step S25) is executed. The period until the start prize is a start prize invalid period in which the start prize process is not executed. Even if there is a new start prize during the start prize invalid period, the start prize process and the start game process for the start prize are not performed, and the operation of the movable members 40 and 40 shown in FIG. No part of the start game is executed.

  If there is no game ball detection signal from the count sensors 44, 44 from when the movable members 40, 40 are released to the end of the count monitoring period (when the winning counter is 0), the variable winning device Assuming that the game ball has not won 3, the start winning invalidation period ends with the end of the count monitoring period. Thereby, even if there is no winning in the variable winning device 3, the invalid period is not set wastefully, and the starting winning invalid period can be shortened efficiently (for example, 2 seconds). Despite this, the start game is not executed and the player can be prevented from being dissatisfied.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart in the case where a winning is won in the variable winning device 3 in the starting game. As described above, when there is a start prize at the first start prize opening 4, the start game for opening the movable members 40, 40 is started, and the start prize valid flag is turned OFF to enter the start prize invalid period. In this case as well, the start game (the portion indicated by the dotted line in the chart showing the operation of the movable member) for the start winning that was within the start winning invalid period is not executed.

  In addition, during a predetermined period from the opening of the movable members 40, 40, a game ball detection signal from the count sensors 44, 44 is monitored as a count monitoring period. During this period, there is a winning game ball, and the count sensors 44, 44 When there is a game ball detection signal from, a process of adding 1 to the winning counter is performed as shown in FIG. 7 (step S11). Then, when the winning game ball is discharged from the variable winning device 3, the game ball detection signal is output from the confirmation sensor 62 by passing through the confirmation sensor 62, and as shown in FIG. A process of subtracting 1 (step S15) is performed. As a result, the winning counter for counting the number of game balls in the variable winning device 3 is set to 0, and as shown in FIG. 8, the process of turning on the starting winning valid flag (step S25) is executed, and the starting winning is invalidated. The period ends. That is, in this case, the start winning invalid period is from when the start winning is received until the confirmation sensor 62 detects the discharge of the game ball from the variable winning device 3.

  Thus, by separating the conditions for canceling the start-up prize invalid period between the case where the variable prize apparatus 3 has won and the case where there is no prize, the game ball wins the variable prize apparatus 3 by executing the start game. If not, the start winning invalidation period can be shortened and the possibility that the next start winning will become invalid becomes low, so the player stops in the start winning invalid period when there is no winning to the variable winning device 3 Can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the flow direction changing member 58 that integrally includes both the flow direction changing portion 60 and the operation causing portion 61 is provided on the side portion of the variable winning device 3 so as to be swingable. Although the game ball guiding means 57 is operated by the game ball flowing down the side of the winning device 3, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, an action causing member having an action causing portion 61 is provided on the side or upper portion of the variable prize winning device 3 or in a game area 1a at a position away from the variable prize winning device 3, and the action causing member is provided via a link member. The operation direction can be transmitted to the flow direction changing member 58 (having the flow direction changing portion 60) in the winning space 46, and the flowing direction is changed by using a game ball that flows relatively away from the winning space 46. The member 58 may be operated.
In addition, the flow direction changing member 58 is provided only on the left side of the variable winning device 3, but a similar flow direction changing member 58 may be provided on the right side, and other specific details such as a detailed structure are also provided. Of course, it can be changed appropriately.

  The gaming machine as described above can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and the winning game balls received by the conversion to the second state flow down. The game area 1a includes a variable winning device 3 having a space 46 and a general prize area 55 and a special prize area 56 into which game balls flowing down the prize space 46 flow, and the game balls launched into the game area 1a When the winning prize opening (first start winning opening 4 and second start winning opening 5) wins, the start game for converting the variable winning apparatus 3 to the second state is executed a predetermined number of times, and the second state In the gaming machine in which a special game state advantageous to the player is generated when the game ball accepted by the conversion into the special prize area 56 flows into the special prize area 56, the variable prize apparatus 3 is configured to have the prize space 46. A game ball guiding means 57 capable of guiding the game ball flowing down so that the game ball can easily flow into the special prize area 56 by conversion into the activated state, and the game ball guiding means 57 is in the activated state. The game ball that flows outside the game area 1a outside the variable winning device is set as a factor for converting to a game.

Therefore, the conversion factor of the game ball guiding means 57 into the operating state is set to the game ball that is launched into the game area 1a and flows down the variable winning device 3, so that the electric drive source can It is possible to realize an inflow aspect that is more interesting than the operating guidance device.
In other words, the game ball guiding means 57 is operated at irregular timing by the game ball flowing down the game area 1a, so that the variation of the game ball is different from the guidance device controlled at a constant timing by the operation of the electric drive source. Regardless of the timing of winning the winning apparatus 3, the game balls flowing down the winning space 46 may be guided to the special winning area 56, and the player's expectation is maintained until the gaming balls reach the winning area. be able to.
That is, the player pays attention not only to the flow mode of the game balls in the variable winning device 3 but also the flow mode of the game balls outside the winning space 46. Aspects can be realized.
In addition, since the presence of a game ball in the game area 1a is a condition for the game ball guiding means 57 to be converted into an activated state, it is possible to continue firing the game ball into the game area 1a within the winning space 46. Since the guidance rate of the game ball is increased, the player does not stop even after the game ball has won the variable winning device 3, and the profit of the game store can be prevented from decreasing.

  In addition, there is provided start winning invalidation means for invalidating the winning of the game ball to the start winning port for a predetermined period after the game ball has won the starting winning port with respect to execution of the start game.

Therefore, it is provided with a start winning invalidation means for invalidating the winning of the game ball to the start winning opening for a predetermined period after the game ball has won the starting winning opening with respect to the execution of the starting game. It is possible to prevent the rate of inflow into the special prize area 56 from becoming too high due to continuous winning of game balls at the start prize opening in a short period.
In addition, even if such an ineffective period is provided, if the stop is made, there is no game ball to be launched into the game area 1a, and the game ball guiding means 57 is not operated, which is disadvantageous for the player. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent the above-described stop by the player.

  The game ball guiding means 57 is provided facing the winning space 46, and a flow direction changing unit 60 capable of converting the flow direction of the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 into the special winning area 56 direction. And an action causing part 61 for operating the flow direction changing part 60 provided to face the game area 1a, and a game ball flowing down the game area 1a collides with the action causing part 61. Accordingly, the flow direction changing unit 60 is configured to convert the flow direction of the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 from a non-operating state that does not change or difficult to change into a changeable operating state.

Therefore, when the game ball flowing down the game area 1a collides with the action causing unit 61, the flow direction changing unit 60 converts the flow direction of the game ball flowing down the winning space 46 into a changeable state. It is possible to operate the game ball guiding means 57 reliably by using the collision of the game balls flowing down the area 1a (game balls flowing down the outside of the variable winning device 3), and the guidance is performed in an unprecedented manner. The means can be activated.
In particular, when a game ball wins the variable winning device 3 due to the start winning, it is possible to operate the game ball guiding means 57 using the game ball subsequently launched into the game area 1a. Even after the game ball has won the winning device 3, the player continues to fire, and the rate of inflow of the game ball into the special winning area 56 will increase. It is possible to reliably prevent the stoppage after winning the winning device 3).

  The game ball guiding means 57 is swingably provided at a required portion of a winning space forming member 47 that divides the winning space 46 and the gaming region 1a in the variable winning device 3, and faces the winning space 46. The flow direction change member 60 is the flow direction change member 60, while the flow direction change member 58 is the movement origin portion 61 on the side facing the game area 1 a.

Accordingly, the game ball guiding means 57 is swingably provided in a required portion of the winning space forming member 47, and the side facing the winning space 46 is the flow direction changing portion 60, and the side facing the gaming area 1a is the action causing portion 61. By configuring the flow direction changing member 58, the collision force of the game ball flowing down the game area 1a can be used efficiently and reliably for the operation of the game ball guiding means 57.
Further, since it can be provided on the side portion of the variable prize winning device 3, the game ball guidance is performed using the game ball that cannot flow into the variable prize winning device 3 and flows down the game area 1a on the side portion of the variable prize winning device 3. The means 57 can be activated, and even if the game ball does not win the variable prize apparatus 3 in the start game, the game ball may possibly be involved in the operation of the game ball guiding means 57. The game can be played efficiently with respect to the game ball, and the player's expectation can be greatly enhanced.
In addition, since the game ball guiding means 57 can be operated even with a game ball launched into the game area 1a after the game ball has won the variable winning device 3, it is possible to prevent the stop after the start winning.
Furthermore, since the flow direction changing member 58 guides the game ball by swinging, it is possible to generate a plurality of guide states by swinging several times even if one game ball collides, and the guidance rate is increased. It can be increased efficiently.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The gaming machine described here basically has the same configuration as that of the gaming machine of the first embodiment, and hereinafter, differences from the gaming machine of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the gaming machine of the present embodiment is different from the gaming machine of the first embodiment in that it includes warp means 63.
The warp means 63 is arranged such that a tubular game ball flow path 64 is embedded in the surface of the game board 1, and a game ball that flows in from a game ball inflow portion 65 that is an entrance of the game ball flow path 64. B is made to flow down along the game ball flow down path 64 and is discharged from the game ball outflow portion 66 which is an exit. The game ball inflow portion 65 is provided in the game area 1 a adjacent to the winning space forming member 47 that forms the side surface of the variable winning device 3, and the game ball outflow portion 66 is provided above the second start winning port 5. It has been.

  A game ball appearing as a game ball guiding means 57 for changing the flow direction of the game ball B flowing down in the winning space 46 at the lower part of the side surface of the variable winning device 3 and in contact with the game ball flow path 64 Means 67 are provided. As shown in FIG. 13A, the game ball appearing means 67 includes an opening 68 that allows the game ball B in the game ball flow path 64 to appear in the winning space 46, and the game ball flow path 64. A game ball holding member 70 for allowing the game ball B to flow down to face the opening 68 is provided.

  The opening 68 is a portion where the winning space forming member 47 forming the side surface of the variable winning device 3 and the flow-down shelf 48 are in contact with each other, and the portion of the warp means 63 that is in contact with the game ball flow-down channel 64 It is provided so as to communicate with the space 46. The size of the opening 68 is such that when the game ball appears in the winning space 46, the game ball B can appear so that it can contact the game ball B in the winning space 46. Further, the game ball B flowing down through the winning space 46 from the opening 68 does not flow out into the game area 1a, and conversely, the game ball B flowing down through the game area 1a does not flow into the winning space 46. The opening 68 is sized so that the game ball B cannot pass through.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the game ball holding member 70 is arranged such that the plate surface is perpendicular and horizontal to the game board 1, and the game ball B passing through the game ball flow path 64 is placed on the upper surface. It is possible to move along the front-rear direction of the game board 1 based on the operation of the electric drive source. As the movement range of the game ball holding member 70, for example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the game ball B protrudes into the game ball flow path 64, receives the game ball passing therethrough, and receives the game ball B. From the position where the player can face the winning space 46 through the opening 68 to the position where it is stored in the game board 1 and completely retracted from the game ball flow path 64. Then, the game ball B placed on the game ball holding member 70 at the position retracted from the game ball flow path 64 is caused to fall into the game ball flow path 64. Further, for example, a depression or a protrusion may be provided on the upper surface of the game ball holding member 70 to make it easier to hold the game ball B.

In the warp means 63 and the game ball appearing means 67 configured as described above, when the game ball B flowing down along the game ball flow path 64 reaches the position where the game ball holding member 70 is provided. If the game ball holding member 70 protrudes toward the game ball flow path 64, the game ball B is placed on the game ball holding member 70.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the game ball B appears in the winning space 46 from the opening 68 formed in the variable winning device 3. At this time, when the winning ball 3 is won by the start game and the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 comes into contact with the game ball B emerging from the opening 68, the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 becomes the winning space. The flow direction is changed in the center direction of 46. That is, the game ball B is guided toward the special prize area 56 and easily flows into the special prize area 56.
Then, when the game ball holding member 70 moves backward and retreats from the game ball flow path 64, the placed game ball B falls into the game ball flow path 64, and again along the game ball flow path 64. It flows down and is discharged from the game ball outflow portion 66 provided above the second start winning opening 5.

Thus, after the game ball B has won the variable winning device 3, the game ball B is fired and the warp means 63 wins the game ball B. The game ball flowing down the winning space 46 is in the special prize area 56. Since the probability of being guided to increases, the player will not stop.
Furthermore, since the game ball B that has passed through the warp means 63 is discharged from above the second start winning opening 5, winning the warp means 63 increases the probability of winning the second start winning opening 5, and the player Can improve the interest of

  From the above, in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, the game ball guiding means 57 receives the game ball B flowing down the game area 1a and forms the prize space 46 to form a prize space forming member 47. The game ball revealing means 67 is provided for allowing the game ball B to face the winning space 46 so as to collide with the gaming ball B flowing down the winning space 46 from the opening 68 provided in the required portion.

Therefore, the game ball guiding means 57 receives the game ball flowing down the game area 1a and flows the game ball B down the winning space 46 from the opening 68 formed in the required portion of the winning space forming member 47. By including the game ball appearing means 67 that faces the winning space 46 so as to be able to collide with B, the game ball B that flows down the outside of the variable winning device 3 is used so that the game ball itself is inside the winning space 46. The game ball B can be guided, and an unprecedented and interesting guiding mode can be realized, and stoppage can be prevented.
For example, the game ball appearing means 67 causes the game ball B to appear in the winning space 46 from the opening 68, and the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 is transferred to the appearing game ball B. By colliding, it is guided toward the special winning area 56. In other words, the game ball B flowing down the outside of the variable winning device 3 can be used to guide the game ball B in the winning space 46 with the game ball itself. Can be realized.
Further, the game ball appearance means 67 for guiding the game ball B in the direction of the special prize area 56 uses the game ball B flowing down the game area 1a, so that the game ball B wins the prize space 46 for the player. Even after the game ball B has been fired, it is advantageous to continue to fire the game ball B, and the hitting can be prevented.

  Further, the game ball inflow portion 65 is disposed in the game area 1a on the side of the variable prize apparatus 3, and the game ball outflow portion 66 is disposed in the game area 1a at the bottom of the variable prize apparatus, The start winning opening is arranged in the game area 1 a below the game ball outflow portion 66.

  Therefore, by arranging the start winning opening at the lower part of the game ball outflow portion 66, the warp means 63 can increase the winning rate of the game ball B to the start winning opening, and the warp means 63 flows down. The game ball B in the winning space 46 can be reliably guided by using the game ball B to be played.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The gaming machine described here basically has the same configuration as that of the gaming machine of the second embodiment, and hereinafter, differences from the gaming machine of the second embodiment will be mainly described. The gaming machine of the present embodiment is different from the gaming machine of the second embodiment in the configuration of the gaming ball appearing means 67 that constitutes the gaming ball guiding means 57.

  The transport means 69 is rotatable along the game board 1 about a rotation axis perpendicular to the game board 1 and is a notch in which approximately half of the game ball B is accommodated as the game ball holding portion 71 along the outer periphery thereof. Is a gear type in which a plurality of are formed. The transport means 69 is embedded in the game board 1 and is housed in a case 72 whose front side is substantially flush with the front face of the game board 1 so that the game ball B does not flow in from other than the game ball flow path 64. In addition, the game ball B held by the game ball holding unit 71 is prevented from falling to the front side. The game ball flow path 64 is divided into an upstream side and a downstream side with this transport means 69 as a boundary, and the transport means 69 flows down along the game ball flow path 64 and moves the game ball B reaching the transport means 69. The game ball B is transported downstream by being held by the game ball holding unit 71 and rotating clockwise at a predetermined speed.

  The game ball B held and transported by the game ball holding portion of the transport means 69 appears in the winning space 46 as shown in FIG. 13C from the opening 68 formed in the variable winning device 3 on the way. It is supposed to be. At this time, when the winning ball 3 is won by the start game and the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 comes into contact with the game ball B emerging from the opening 68, the game ball B flowing down the winning space 46 becomes the winning space. The flow direction is changed in the center direction of 46. That is, the game ball B is guided toward the special prize area 56 and easily flows into the special prize area 56.

  Thereafter, the game ball is conveyed clockwise by the conveying means 69, and when the game ball holding portion 71 is directed downward, the game ball B falls into the game ball flow path 64 and again enters the game ball flow path 64. It flows down along and is discharged from the game ball outflow portion 66 provided above the second start winning opening 5. As a result, the player can be prevented from stopping as in the second embodiment, and the interest of the player can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in order to lengthen the period during which the game ball B faces the winning space 46, it is desirable to rotate the transport means 69 as low as possible. Further, the transfer means 69 may be rotated at a high speed in the normal game state, and converted to a low speed rotation while the start game is being executed. In this way, the period during which the game ball B faces the winning space 46 during the start game can be lengthened, and the game ball B that has flowed into the warp means 63 can be quickly discharged again into the game area 1a in the normal game state. it can.

  Further, the timing of re-discharge of the game ball B from the warp means 63 is delayed by converting the transport means 69 to low-speed rotation at the start game. Due to this delay, the game ball B can be discharged to the upper part of the second start prize opening 5 after the start game being executed at that time is completed, and it is prevented that the start prize is won during the start game. it can. In other words, it is possible to avoid starting winnings during the starting winning invalid period, and to reduce the number of winnings that are invalid for the execution of the starting game even though winning at the starting winning opening, which makes the player dissatisfied. There is also a special effect that you can prevent what you think.

  From the above, in the gaming machine of the third embodiment, a gaming ball inflow portion 65 that is disposed in a predetermined part of the gaming area 1a and into which the gaming ball B flowing down the gaming area 1a can flow, and the gaming ball A game ball inflow path 64 through which the game ball B flowing in from the game ball inflow section 65 flows down, and a game ball inflow section 65 in the game area 1a downstream of the game ball inflow path 64. Is provided at a remote location, and includes a game ball outflow portion 66 that discharges the game ball B flowing down the game ball flow path 64 to the game area 1a again, and has a warp means 63, and an electric drive source Based on the operation, a transport means 69 for holding the game ball B received on the upstream side of the game ball flow path 64 and transporting it to the downstream side is provided, and the game ball B being transported by the transport means 69 is won from the opening 68. By facing the space 46, the game And thus constituted a revealing means 67.

  Therefore, the game ball appearing means 67 is configured so that the game ball B being transported by the transport means 69 provided in the game ball flow path 64 of the warp means 63 is exposed to the winning space 46 from the opening 68. Since the game ball flowing down the warp unit 63 can be used as the game ball guiding unit 57, the game ball B can be guided efficiently and reliably.

  In the second and third embodiments described above, the game ball appearing means 67 that forms the game ball guiding means 57 is provided only on the left side of the variable winning device 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a game ball appearing means 67 that forms the same game ball guiding means 57 may be provided on the right side. Of course, other specific detailed structures and the like can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine as shown in the above embodiment as a gaming machine, for example, other pachinko gaming machines, arrange ball gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines, etc. It can be applied to all gaming machines that use this game ball.

  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 which shows the game board of the game machine which shows the structure of one embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is the front view which expanded the vicinity of the variable prize apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state before a game ball guidance means operate | moves. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the game ball guidance means operated. It is a block diagram which shows a part of control system. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the start winning process in control of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the starting game process in control of a gaming machine. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a start game process in the control of the gaming machine continuously from FIG. 7. In the starting game, in order to explain the relationship between the start winning with the passage of time in the gaming machine when there is no winning in the variable winning device, the operating state of the movable member, the input from the count sensor and the confirmation sensor, the start winning invalid period It is a timing chart. In the starting game, for explaining the relationship between the start winning with the lapse of time in the gaming machine when the variable winning device has won, the operating state of the movable member, the input from the count sensor and the confirmation sensor, and the start winning invalid period It is a timing chart. It is a front view which shows the variable prize apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the variable prize apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the game ball appearing means in the variable winning device shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, wherein FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the variable winning device showing a state in which a game ball appears from an opening, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a game ball appears from an opening in the game machine of the embodiment, and (c) a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the game ball appears from the opening in the gaming machine of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 1a Game area 3 Variable prize-winning apparatus 4 1st start prize opening (start prize opening)
5 Second starting prize opening (starting prize opening)
20 Game control device (start winning invalidation means)
40 movable member 46 winning space 47 winning space forming member 55 general winning area 56 special winning area 57 game ball guiding means 58 flow direction changing member 60 flow direction changing part 61 action cause part 63 warp means 64 game ball flow down path 65 game ball inflow Part 66 Game ball outflow part 67 Game ball appearance means 68 Opening part 69 Conveying means B Game ball

Claims (3)

A winning space that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player, and where a game ball accepted by the conversion to the second state flows down, and flows down the winning space The game area is provided with a variable prize device having a general prize area and a special prize area into which game balls flow in,
When a game ball launched into the game area wins a start winning opening, the start game for converting the variable winning device into the second state is executed a predetermined number of times, and is accepted by the conversion to the second state. In a gaming machine that generates a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player when the game ball flows into the special winning area,
The variation winning device, to the game ball flowing down the winning space, e Bei the inducible game ball guiding means so as to facilitate the game ball enters into the special winning region by the conversion to the working state,
The game ball guiding means includes
The factor for converting to the operating state is set to a game ball that flows outside the game area and outside the variable winning device,
The game ball that flows down the game area is received, and the game ball can collide with the game ball flowing down the prize space through an opening formed in a required portion of the prize space forming member that forms the prize space. A game machine characterized by including a game ball appearing means that faces a space. A game ball inflow portion that is disposed at a predetermined portion of the game area and into which a game ball flowing down the game area can flow;
A game ball flow path through which the game ball flowing from the game ball inflow portion flows down from the game ball inflow portion;
A game ball outflow which is disposed downstream of the game ball flow path and is separated from the game ball inflow portion in the game area, and discharges the game ball flowing down the game ball flow path to the game area again. And
Comprising a warp means composed of
Based on the operation of the electric drive source, there is provided a transport means for holding the game ball received on the upstream side of the game ball flow path and transporting it to the downstream side, and the game ball being transported by the transport means from the opening. by to face the winning space, gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized by being configured the game balls revealing means. As well as disposing the game ball inlet to the game area of the side of the fluctuation winning device, the game ball outlet portion arranged in the game area below the said variation winning device, the lower the recreation sphere outlet section The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein the start winning opening is arranged in a game area.

Images