JP4756279B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and, for example, relates to a seven-ball machine that also has the characteristics of a wing, a right object that also has the characteristics of a wing, or a ball game machine such as an arrangement ball that also has the characteristics of a wing.

  For example, a ball game machine is open to (1) an outer frame installed at an installation site (such as an installation site installed in an island facility of a pachinko hall) and (2) one side along the left-right direction of the outer frame. A main body frame (also referred to as a middle frame) that is mounted in an operable state, and (3) “the front part (surface part) in the direction of the player (front)” by the holding part of the main body frame. (4) a transparent board (usually composed of a glass plate) that covers the front surface of the game board, and is held on the front surface of the main body frame. A front door member (which may be referred to as a glass door frame or a front frame) mounted in a state where an opening operation is possible is provided on the part side.

  On the front part of the game board, normally, two “metal rails (that is, an outer rail and an inner rail)” are “abutting one side edge and being curved in a substantially arc shape, It is arranged in a state of projecting forward. In other words, on the front part of the game board, (A) an outside is configured by arranging a long metal strip with a substantially arc shape (C-shape) with the opening facing downward or sideward. (B) an inner rail configured by arranging a long metal strip in an arcuate shape (C shape) with the opening facing upward inside the location where the outer rail is disposed Is disposed.

  In the front portion of the game board, a portion where the outer rail and the inner rail are substantially surrounded by a substantially circular shape, a substantially elliptical shape, an oval shape, or the like is referred to as a game region. In addition, a large number of obstacle nails are provided in the game area, and an out port is provided at the bottom of the game area. In the game area, various entrance devices and the like are arranged in addition to the entrance gate at a position above the lowermost portion.

  Among such pitching devices, for example, there is a so-called “wing-type pitching device”. That is, (a) a game area that rolls in a game area is provided with a ball entrance that allows a game ball to enter, and a normal area portion that is provided in a state in which a game ball can enter, and a state in which a game ball can enter An example of a pitching device including a device main body provided with a special region portion and (b) an opening / closing member for opening and closing the pitching entrance can be given.

  As an opening / closing member constituting the ball entry device, an “opening / closing blade” type opening / closing member and the like can be exemplified. The opening / closing member is pivotally supported at the lower end portion, and can be changed in posture between an upright posture in which the upper end portion is directed substantially vertically upward and a tilting posture in which the upper end portion is directed obliquely upward. The opening / closing member is normally in the “standing posture”, but when the opening operation execution condition is satisfied, the tilting posture is performed for a certain time (a short time such as 0.3 seconds or 0.4 seconds) according to a predetermined operation pattern. It becomes. It should be noted that in some gaming machines equipped with this type of ball entry device, (1) this “release operation execution condition” is caused by the game ball entering the start ball entry device arranged in the game area. (2) The game state of the gaming machine is set to the small hit state based on the game ball entering the start ball entering device, and this “opening operation execution condition” is established. Etc. exist.

  When the opening / closing member is in the standing posture, the entrance is closed so that “entering the game ball into the apparatus main body” is impossible. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member is tilted, the entrance is opened so that “the game ball can enter the apparatus body” and the guide surface of the opening / closing member (in the opening / closing member, In the posture, the side surface portion (facing the entrance) is inclined upward in the direction away from the entrance. For this reason, the game ball flowing down (rolling) in the game area can pass through the entrance and enter the apparatus body while being guided by the guide surface.

  In addition, a guidance device (guidance device portion) for guiding the game ball that has entered through the entrance into one of the normal region portion and the special region portion is disposed in the device main body. Then, when the game ball that has entered the device body passes through the special area part, "the game machine in which the state of the gaming machine changes to an advantageous state for the player compared to when it passes through the normal area part" or " There is a “gaming machine” that creates the possibility of changing to a state advantageous to the player. Specifically, when the gaming ball passes through the special area when the gaming state of the gaming machine is in the normal gaming state, the gaming state of the gaming machine is a jackpot gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state (that is, A gaming machine that changes to a special gaming state is known. In addition, if the gaming ball passes through the special area when the gaming state of the gaming machine is in the normal gaming state, the gaming state of the gaming machine is changed to a big hit gaming state (special gaming state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. A game that allows the big hit game state (special game state) to continue if the game ball passes through the special area when the game state of the gaming machine is in the big hit game state (special game state) The machine is also known.

  For a player who plays a game with such a gaming machine, it is of great concern whether or not the game ball that has entered the apparatus body is guided to the special area. Therefore, in this type of gaming machine, it has been attempted to improve the gaming interest by improving the structure of the guidance device. For example, (a) a rotating body (Kroon) for guiding a game ball to one of the normal area part and the special area part, and (b) a game ball that has entered the apparatus main body from the entrance is passed. And a path portion (so-called “low probability route”) in which the vicinity of the end is brought close to the rotating body (Kroon), and the end portion is connected to the normal area portion, and (c) is arranged as desired near the end of the path portion. There has been proposed a gaming machine that includes a movable object (a “broom-shaped movable object” held by a character) in a guidance device (see Patent Document 1, hereinafter referred to as “conventional example”).

In this conventional example, by starting energization of the “solenoid for driving the movable object”, the tip of the movable object is retracted from the path portion, and by stopping energization of this solenoid, the tip of the movable object The part enters the path part. For this reason, the game ball passing through the path portion when the solenoid is energized passes through the side of the distal end portion of the movable object and is guided to the normal region portion. On the other hand, the game ball passing through the path portion when the solenoid is not energized collides with the tip of the movable object and changes its passing direction. Then, after being guided to the rotating body (clun) side, the rotating body (clun) is guided to the normal region portion or the special region portion.
JP-A-2005-270586

  This conventional gaming machine has the following problems. In other words, in this conventional example, a “moving object is used to perform the“ distribution of the area where the game ball reaches ”. It is only done by "whether or not". In other words, in this conventional example, by adding a single movable object to the guidance device, “a passing route (hereinafter referred to as“ special route ”) in which a game ball passing through the route portion may be guided to a special region portion. .) ”And“ passage route (hereinafter referred to as “normal route”) in which game balls passing through the route portion are not likely to be guided to the special region portion ”are formed one by one. It is only intended. Therefore, this conventional gaming machine has a problem that the behavior of the game ball in the ball entering device is monotonous and lacks “visually interesting”.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to give the player “appearance of appearance” and give the player a sufficient sense of expectation. It is to provide a gaming machine that can.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A special area and a normal area through which game balls can pass;
Arranged on the upstream side of the special area part and the normal area part, while passing the game ball received from the upstream side through the ball receiving part toward the downstream side, to one of the special area part and the normal area part A guiding device section for guiding;
And a pitching device having
A gaming machine capable of giving a gaming privilege to a player due to a game ball passing through the special area part,
The guiding device section is provided with a plurality of rows of arrangement portions from the upstream side toward the downstream side, the ball receiving portion is provided at the arrangement portion of the most upstream row, and downstream of the arrangement portion of the most downstream row. On the side, a special communication port that communicates with the special region part and a normal communication port that communicates with the normal region part are juxtaposed in the width direction of the guidance device unit,
A guide passage member having a guide passage that discharges a game ball that has entered from the upstream side from a ball discharge portion that is opened in the downstream direction and guides the game ball that has entered from the upstream side in the downstream direction at each placement site is further downstream. While being arranged so that the number of arrangement along the width direction of the guidance device portion is increased in the arrangement site on the row side,
A gaming machine in which the ball discharge unit is the induction passage member is operated to reciprocate while drawing an arcuate path substantially along the width direction of the guide device portion,
The ball discharge part reciprocates while drawing a substantially arc-shaped path along the width direction of the guide device part by rotating the guide path member with respect to an axis along the vertical direction,
The width direction of the guidance device section is directed to the left and right, and as for the arrangement site constituting the guidance device unit, the arrangement site on the upstream row side is located rearward and the arrangement site on the downstream row side is located forward. It is configured in a stepped shape,
One or a plurality of guide passage members arranged on the left and right are arranged on the arrangement portion of the uppermost stream row, and a plurality of guide passage members arranged on the left and right are arranged on the other arrangement portions,
In an arrangement part adjacent along the passing direction of the game balls, guidance of the arrangement part located on the downstream line side is obliquely forward and left of the rotation axis of the guide passage member of the arrangement part located on the upstream line side. The pivot axis of the passage member is arranged,
Each guide passage member can be rotated to guide the game ball released from the guide passage portion of each guide passage member diagonally left front of the rotation axis of each guide passage member, and Alternatively, a state in which the guide passage member can be guided diagonally right forward of the rotation axis of the guide passage member is realized .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game balls received in the guidance device section have passed through a “passage route configured using a plurality of guidance passage members (a plurality of guidance passages) arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side”. The special area portion or the normal area portion can be reached later. That is, since the “a plurality of guide passage members (a plurality of guide passages) to be movable” cooperate to form a passage route, a gaming machine having “appearance of appearance” can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the gaming machine of the first aspect of the invention, since “the configuration in which the number of guide passages that can be passed (selectable) increases as the game ball in the guidance device portion reaches the downstream side” is adopted, A sufficient expectation can be given to the player. That is, since the number of guide passages increases in the arrangement part on the downstream row side, the area part (special area part, normal area part) where the game ball received in the guide device part finally arrives is difficult for the player to understand. Become.

In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the “plurality of guide passage members in a movable state” cooperate to form a “passage route exceeding the total number of guide passage members” in the guide device portion. For this reason, immediately after the game ball enters the guidance device portion, it is difficult to predict the region portion (the special region portion and the normal region portion) to which the game ball is guided. In addition, even if the game ball is guided to the “disposition site closer to the most downstream row”, the “region where the game ball is finally guided (special region) until the game ball is actually guided to the most downstream row” Part, normal area part) "becomes difficult to understand. For this reason, the player can expect to see the gaming machine (ball-entering device) “until the end (that is, until the area where the game ball is guided) is known”. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine that has “appealing appearance” and can give a sufficient expectation to the player.
According to the invention of claim 1, a large number of guide passage members can be arranged in an efficient and ordered state in the guide device section. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, each arrangement site can be arranged as if it were a “lattice”. Further, according to the invention of claim 1, since each arrangement portion is arranged like a “lattice” in this way, the player can “overlook” the guidance passage members arranged in the guidance device section. . Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the effect of production can be enhanced.

  Unless otherwise specified in the application documents, “upstream side” means “upstream side along the passing direction of game balls”, and “downstream side” means “downstream side along the passing direction of game balls”. . Further, “the arrangement part of the most upstream line” means “the arrangement part located on the most upstream side in the passing direction of the game ball among the arrangement parts provided in the guidance device part”, and “the most downstream part” The “arranged part of the row” refers to “an arranged part located on the most downstream side in the passing direction of the game ball among the arranged parts provided in the guidance device”.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified in the application documents, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction close to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” , The rear of the gaming machine as a reference (that is, the direction away from the player). Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. In addition, the “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, etc. of the door-shaped members such as the main body frame, front door member (front frame), upper plate member, lower plate member, etc. This is based on the case of use, that is, the case of being closed.

  The invention of each claim includes, for example, (a) a seven machine having the characteristics of a blade (hereinafter referred to as a “wing-type seven machine”, details will be described later), and (b) a blade (hereinafter, “ "Pure wings", details will be described later), (c) Rights that have the characteristics of wings (hereinafter referred to as "wings type rights", details will be described later), (d) Arrangement balls having the characteristics of feathers (hereinafter referred to as “feather-type arrangement balls”, details will be described later) can be suitably applied (see the invention of claim 2). However, the application object of the invention of each claim is not limited to these gaming machines, and can be applied to, for example, a seven machine (hereinafter referred to as a “pure seven machine”) that does not have the feature of a feather. In the following description, the generic term “game machine having the characteristics of a feather (that is, a feather-type seven machine, a pure feather, a feather-type arrangement ball, and a pure seven machine)” is a “wing-type game”. Machine ".

  The “gaming privilege” of the invention of each claim includes: (a) a privilege including changing the gaming state of a gaming machine from a normal gaming state to a special gaming state; and (b) a gaming state being a special gaming state. In a gaming machine that has been transferred to, a privilege that allows the gaming state of the gaming machine to be continued in a special gaming state, (c) a privilege that includes award ball payout, and (d) a determination on gaming Benefits of acquiring random values for performing (hit determination described later, determination of whether or not a normal symbol is successful), (e) predetermined rendering means (movable object, electrical decoration device) arranged in the gaming machine Etc.) can be exemplified by a privilege or the like having a predetermined production operation.

  In the invention of each claim, the mode of “each arrangement site” can be variously selected. For example, it may be an arrangement space portion (a space portion for arranging the guide passage member) (hereinafter, “ It may be a non-space portion (arrangement surface or the like) for arrangement (hereinafter referred to as “the latter configuration aspect”). Further, as the configuration mode of “each arrangement site”, “the former configuration mode” and “the latter configuration mode” may be mixed.

  In the arrangement site adopting the “former configuration mode”, for example, a location where the game ball rolls can be configured only by the “guide path”. When the “former configuration mode” is adopted in the “all arrangement parts”, for example, the game balls received in the guidance device part through the ball receiving part are guided by the guide path members (guide paths) arranged in the respective installation parts. ) Is used to reach a special communication port (special area part) or a normal communication port (normal area part). Moreover, in the arrangement | positioning site | part employ | adopted "the former structural aspect", an empty space may be provided between the guide passage members adjacent in the width direction of a guidance device, for example. In this case, the game ball may fall into this empty space. The “falling game ball” may be uniformly guided to the normal area portion, or may be uniformly guided to the special area portion.

  In the arrangement site adopting the “latter configuration mode”, for example, “location where the game ball rolls” is referred to as “guide passage” and “surface positioned around the guide passage member (hereinafter referred to as“ peripheral surface ”). .) ”. In this case, for example, a game ball received by the guidance device unit through the ball receiving unit passes through a route configured by using a guidance path member (guidance path) and a peripheral surface disposed at each placement site. Reach the special contact (special area) or the normal contact (normal area).

  In the invention of each claim, the number of “arrangement sites” is not particularly limited as long as it is plural. In addition, each “arrangement site” may be provided substantially horizontally, or may be provided in a state having at least one of unevenness, inclination, and curvature. Furthermore, the arrangement | positioning aspect of "arrangement site | part" can be selected variously, for example, the aspect arrange | positioned back and forth (in other words, the aspect where the width direction of an arrangement | positioning site | part is turned right and left), the aspect arranged side by side (In other words, the aspect in which the width direction of the arrangement part is directed forward and backward), the aspect in which the arrangement part is arranged in front of and behind (in other words, the oblique direction in which the width direction of the arrangement part is substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the arrangement part. For example, an aspect directed in the front-rear direction or the like. In addition, each “arrangement site” may be arranged in a “step shape descending to the lower row side” (see the invention of claim 3), or may be arranged in a “gradient shape going down to the lower row side”. The “arrangement sites” may be arranged in a substantially horizontal plane that is substantially horizontal.

  Each “arrangement site” may be substantially linear along the width direction, or may have various shapes such as a substantially arc shape and a substantially wave shape. Further, in the invention of each claim, it is not intended to exclude a mode in which “the game ball passing through the guidance device portion” “extrudes” outside the guidance device portion (especially the side along the width direction of the guidance device portion). Absent. In this case, “the protruding game ball” may be uniformly guided to the normal area portion, or may be uniformly guided to the special area portion.

Operation mode of the "induction passage member" in the invention of each claim manner to rotate relative to the pivot axis of induced conductive path member along the vertical direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "diffraction dynamics like". ). Then, according to "round dynamic like" induces passage member is pivoted so that the spherical discharge portion reciprocates along a width direction of the guiding apparatus portion while drawing a substantially arcuate path. When the “rotation mode” is adopted, the direction of the rotation axis of the guide passage member is not limited to “vertical vertical direction”, and may be, for example, “oblique vertical direction”.

In the inventions of the claims, the “path length when reciprocating along the width direction of the guide device portion” may be made equal in all “guide passage members ” constituting the “guide device portion”. , Some “guide passage members” or all “guide passage members” may be different. For example, when the “rotation mode” is adopted, in all “guide passage members” constituting the “guidance device portion”, the “direction of the guidance device portion in the width direction ( In other words, the “rotation amount (rotation angle)” when reciprocating along the target portion of the guide passage member in the width direction) may be equalized, or several “guide passages” may be used. It may be different in “member” or all “guide passage members”. Further, as the rotation amount (rotation angle), the following amount (rotation range) may be an acute angle, a right angle or an obtuse angle, an angle selected from 180 degrees to 360 degrees, or 360 The angle may be greater than or equal to degrees. Note that if the amount of rotation (rotation angle) increases, there is a possibility that it will “out” outside the guiding device. In this case, “the protruding game ball” is uniformly guided to the normal area as described above. It is good also as being guided to a special field part uniformly. Furthermore, when the “rotation mode” is adopted, the “rotation amount in the left-right rotation direction (rotation angle) with respect to the front as a reference (rotation angle)” is uniform (for example, the same rotation amount constituted by acute angles in the left-right rotation direction). Or a bias may be caused.

In the invention of each claim, the driving mode of the “guide passage member” can be variously selected. For example, all the "induction passage member" constituting the "induction device portion", or some "induction passage member" may be driven (rotation) using the power of the invention in each claim. That is, the “guide passage member” may be driven by using drive means (actuators such as motors and solenoids) and drive control means for controlling the drive of the drive means (hereinafter referred to as “drive-type guide passages”). Sometimes referred to as a member.) In addition, when the gaming machine of the invention of each claim includes a plurality of “drive-type guide passage members”, drive means may be provided for each “drive-type guide passage member”, There may be provided a “common driving means” for driving “driving guide passage members” or several “driving guide passage members”. In the aspect in which the “common drive means” is provided, a “transmission member” for transmitting a driving force is interposed between the “common drive means” and the target “drive-type guide passage member”. be able to. According to the aspect in which the “transmission member” is interposed, it is possible to realize “operating the plurality of guide passage members (guide passage members to which the driving force is transmitted by the transmission members) in harmony” with simple control.

Also, all of the "induction passage member" constituting a "guidance device" of the invention the claims, or some of the "induction passage member" may be operated (Kaidodo operation) without using the power . For example, the guide path member may be supported in a rotatable state, and the guide path member may be rotated by an external force (reaction force) applied to the guide path member by a game ball passing through the guide path member (guide path). .

  When "all" or "some" constituting the "guidance device part" of the invention of each claim is a "drive-type guide passage member", all "drive-type guide passage members" become "disordered" It may be driven, or all the “drive-type guide passage members” or a part of them may be driven while matching the timing (hereinafter, referred to as “harmonic drive-type guide passage members”). . In any case, the rotation speed (rotation period) and the rotation angle of all “drive-type guide passage members” may be constant, or among all “drive-type guide passage members” At least one of these may have a different "one of the rotation speed (rotation period) and rotation angle".

  Here, as a specific example (hereinafter referred to as “specific example 1”) of a gaming machine provided with “harmonic drive type guide passage members” in the arrangement portions adjacent to the passing direction of the game ball (that is, the upstream and downstream directions). The following can be illustrated. In other words, the “harmonic drive type guide passage member” disposed in the portion adjacent to the passing direction of the game ball has a guide passage in which a ball discharge portion is provided at the passage end portion while drawing a substantially straight path. In addition, it is assumed that the ball discharge portion moves in an arc shape by rotating left and right within a range of a rotation angle of 180 degrees or less (particularly acute angle). In this case, when a predetermined “harmonic drive type guide passage member” arranged at the arrangement part on the upper row side rotates to “a limit position in one of the left and right rotation directions”, the lower row side The “one harmonic drive type guide passage member” in the arrangement site also rotates to “a limit position in one of the left and right rotation directions”. At this time, the guide path of the “predetermined harmonic drive type guide path member” and the guide path of the “one harmonic drive type guide path member” may be arranged on substantially the same line. In this case, when a predetermined “harmonic drive type guide passage member” arranged in the arrangement portion on the upper row side rotates to the “limit position in the other rotation direction of the left and right”, the lower row The “other harmonic drive type guide passage member” in the arrangement portion on the side also rotates to the “limit position in the other of the left and right rotation directions”. At this time, the “predetermined harmonic drive type guide passage member” The guide passage of the “member” and the guide passage of the “other harmonic drive type guide passage member” may be arranged on substantially the same line.

  The ball entry device according to the invention of each claim is a ball entry device (a ball entry device with a prize ball, that is, a ball entry device with a prize ball) that causes a game machine to execute a prize ball operation when a game ball enters the ball entry device. Or a winning device (a winning device without a winning ball) that does not cause the gaming machine to perform a winning ball operation. In addition, the entrance device according to the invention of each claim may include a plurality (particularly, two) entrances, or may include only one entrance.

  In the invention of each claim, the special connection port and the special region portion may be separated or integrated. Similarly, the normal communication port and the normal area may be separated from each other or may be integrated. Further, in the invention of each claim, the special communication port and the normal communication port may be fixedly provided on the “downstream side of the arrangement portion of the most downstream row” or may be variably provided. For example, in the “specific part” on the “downstream side of the arrangement part of the most downstream row”, the first outlet and the second outlet are used as outlets for discharging game balls that have reached the specific part. And are provided. One of the first discharge port and the second discharge port is always a “special communication port”, and the other one of the first discharge port and the second discharge port is always a “normal communication port”. Good (hereinafter referred to as “fixed mode”). In addition, the first discharge port is a “special communication port” and the second discharge port is a “normal communication port”, and the second discharge port is a “special communication port” and the first discharge port. A state where the exit is set as a “normal communication port” may be alternatively executed (hereinafter referred to as “variable mode”).

  In any case of the “fixed mode” and the “variable mode”, at least one of the first discharge port and the second discharge port may be plural, and the first discharge port and Both of the second outlets may be singular. For example, a mode in which the number of first discharge ports is one, the number of second discharge ports is two, and the second discharge ports are arranged on both sides of the first discharge port can be exemplified.

  Examples of the “variable aspect” include the following aspects. For example, in the case where the special region portion is disposed downstream of the first discharge port and the normal region portion is disposed downstream of the second discharge port, the second region is disposed between the first discharge port and the special region portion. One course selection member is arranged, and the second course selection member is arranged between the second discharge port and the normal area portion. Here, the first course selection member keeps the course of the game ball flowing in from the first outlet, the first state (the first state that maintains the course toward the special area portion), the first Alternatively, the second state of changing the course of the game ball flowing from 1 through the discharge port (the second state of changing to the path toward the normal area) is alternatively executed. In addition, the second course selection member includes a first state that maintains the course of the game ball flowing in from the second discharge port (a first state that maintains a course toward the normal region), and a second state Alternatively, a second state of changing the course of the game ball flowing in from the discharge port (a second state of changing to the path toward the special area) is executed. And the state of the 1st course selection member and the 2nd course selection member is changed simultaneously from "the 1st state to the 2nd state", or changing from "the 2nd state to the 1st state" The “variable mode” can be realized. The change of the state of the first route selection member and the second route selection member may be performed periodically, for example, by random number lottery or the like.

  As other specific examples of the “variable aspects”, the following aspects can be exemplified. That is, the first region portion is provided downstream of the first discharge port, the first detection means is disposed in the first region portion, the second region portion is provided downstream of the second discharge port, and the second region portion is provided. The second detection means is disposed in the second region. In addition, the gaming machine according to the invention of each claim includes a “detection selection unit” that selects one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit as the detection unit. For example, it is provided with “a detection selection unit that treats only a detection signal transmitted from one of the detection units as valid”, and a selected (validated) detection unit is provided. The arranged area part (first area part or second area part) is designated as “special area part”, and the area part provided with the detection means that is not selected (not activated) is designated as “normal”. It is referred to as “region part”. The selection of the detection means by the “detection selection means” may be performed periodically, for example, by random number lottery or the like.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The entrance device is
An entrance where a game ball flowing down the game area can enter,
An opening / closing member that is disposed in a state in which the entrance is closed and an opening operation execution condition is established, and that performs an opening operation that opens the entrance for a predetermined time according to a predetermined operation pattern;
It is characterized by providing.

  The invention of claim 2 shows an application example to a feather type game machine. That is, in a feather-type game machine, if the timing when the opening / closing member is opened and the timing when the game ball reaches the vicinity of the entrance is not well matched, the game ball will not enter the entrance device. In general, the frequency of game balls entering the ball entering device is not high. For this reason, even if a game ball is finally entered into the ball entry device, if the result of the game is found too easily, there is a possibility that the game interest of the player may be reduced.

  On the other hand, according to the invention of claim 2, "a plurality of guide passage parts (a plurality of guide passages) to be movable" are configured in cooperation with a route through which a game ball passes in the pitching device. Therefore, the game result is not easily determined. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to enhance the gaming interests in the feather-type gaming machine.

  The gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention may include special game execution means. Then, the special game transition means shifts the gaming state of the gaming machine from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state (that is, the big hit gaming state) due to the passing of the game ball through the special area portion. This “transition to the special gaming state (big hit gaming state)” shows a specific example of “granting a gaming privilege”.

  The driving mode of the “opening / closing member” of the invention of claim 2 is, for example, a closed state in which the entrance is closed so that a game ball cannot be entered, and a game ball can be entered. The drive mode which changes the state of an opening-and-closing member between the open state which opens a ball entrance can be illustrated. Further, the “opening / closing member” of the invention of claim 2 is an “opening / closing blade” type opening / closing member (that is, a standing posture in which the lower end side is pivotally supported and the upper end portion is directed substantially vertically upward, and the upper end portion is In addition to the tilting posture directed obliquely upward and downward, the “translation type” opening and closing member can also be exemplified. This "translation system" opening / closing member is arranged in a pair of left and right with respect to the center of the entrance (center along the left-right direction), and translates so as to be separated from each other along the lateral direction. The entrance can be closed by opening the entrance and translating so as to be close to or in contact with each other along the lateral direction.

  The “opening operation execution condition” of the invention of claim 2 is a condition for the opening / closing member to perform the opening operation. For example, (1) “Another ball entering device arranged in the game area (in each claim) An entry device that is different from the entry device shown, for example, each time a game ball enters a start entry device), (2) the gaming state of the gaming machine is Examples include a mode that is established when a determination unit that constitutes a gaming machine makes a determination based on a game ball entering a ball device (starting ball input device) and the determination result is a small hit. . In the following description, one aspect of the “other ball entering device” may be referred to as an “opening / closing operation starting ball entering device”. Note that “the operation pattern of the opening / closing member that performs the opening operation” includes (a) an operation pattern that performs only a single opening operation (one opening operation), and (b) an operation pattern that performs a plurality of opening operations. Can be illustrated.

  The gaming machine of the invention of claim 2 includes (a) detection means for detecting a game ball passing through the special area portion, and (b) within a predetermined effective time, Special game transition means (that is, jackpot game transition means) for transitioning the gaming state of the gaming machine from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state (that is, jackpot gaming state) on the condition that it is detected that `` has passed '' You may have.

  Here, the “effective time” is a period that is set for the purpose of preventing fraud, etc. in a feather-type game machine (particularly, a feather-type seven machine and a pure feather). Even if it is detected that “the game ball has passed through the special area portion”, the special game transition means does not shift the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state. The “starting time” of the “effective time” can be variously selected, and examples thereof include “at the start of the opening / closing member opening operation”. Moreover, the length of the effective time can be exemplified by “several seconds”. For example, it is a time of 10 seconds or less (excluding zero seconds), and in particular, a time selected from 5 to 10 seconds can be exemplified. In this specific example, when the opening / closing member opening operation is performed according to the “operation pattern for opening a plurality of times”, a mode in which this “effective time” is started at “the point in time when the earliest opening is performed” can be exemplified. . In addition, in the case where “a plurality of game balls continuously enter the ball entry device and these plurality of game balls pass continuously through the special area within the effective time period”, etc. In general, “passing through the following special area portion” does not become “an opportunity to shift the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state” (that is, ignored by the special gaming transition means). This is because “a condition for the special game transition means to shift the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state” is established by “detection of the earliest game ball by the detection means”.

  In the invention of claim 2, the game ball that has entered the ball entry device is not guided to the special region portion or the normal region portion unless it passes through the “movable guide passage members that are movable”. There is a possibility that the “staying time of the game ball in the entrance device” becomes longer. For this reason, in the invention of claim 2, it is preferable to define the “effective time”.

  Here, the following inventions can be exemplified as inventions related to claim 2 (hereinafter referred to as “related inventions”).

That is, the gaming machine according to the related invention is the gaming machine according to claim 2,
Detecting means for detecting a game ball passing through the special area part;
A time measuring means for starting time measurement when the opening and closing member to be executed according to the operation pattern starts an opening operation;
The gaming state of the gaming machine is based on the condition that when the time measuring means measures a time within a predetermined effective time, the detecting means detects that a game ball has passed through the special area portion. Special game transition means for transitioning to a special game state;
It is characterized by providing.

The gaming machine according to the first invention disclosed in the present specification for reference (hereinafter referred to as reference invention 1) is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the arrangement parts adjacent along the passing direction of the game balls, the arrangement part located on the upstream line side is arranged at a position located above the arrangement part located on the downstream line side, and on the downstream line side A part of the disposition site located at is located immediately below the disposition site located on the upstream row side.

In the reference invention 1 , since a part of the arrangement part is arranged immediately below the arrangement part of the immediately upstream row, the depth of the guidance device part (the depth along the passing direction of the game ball) can be reduced. Therefore, according to the reference invention 1, it is possible to reduce the size of the guidance device portion while providing a plurality of arrangement portions (guidance passage members arranged in a plurality of stages).

Second invention that reference to disclosed herein gaming machine according to (hereinafter, referred to as the Reference Invention 2.), The invention of claim 1, either Kano invention of the invention and the Reference Invention 1 of claim 2 In the gaming machine according to
Each placement site;
A location located between adjacent locations along the passing direction of the game ball;
At least one of them is provided with a restricting means for restricting the arrival direction of the game ball emitted from the guide passage member.

The “regulatory means” of Reference Invention 2 includes: (1) a passing route configured using the guide passage members when the game balls are transferred between the guide passage members arranged along the passing direction of the game balls. From the regulation means for preventing the game balls from “extinging out”, and (2) when passing the game balls between the guide passage members arranged along the passing direction of the game balls, When a game ball protrudes from the passing route configured by using, a restricting means for causing the game ball to collide and returning to the passing route using the rebound at that time can be exemplified. Further, (3) if there is a gap or a space portion (a gap or space portion that causes the game ball to drop downward) between the guide passage members arranged in the width direction in each arrangement site, the gap or You may cover the space part and provide the floor surface (regulation surface) which rolls the game ball which fell between the guidance passage members in the downstream direction. Moreover, these restricting means can be comprised in a plate-shaped body, a protrusion part, etc., for example. Furthermore, these restricting means can be constituted by a transparent state (transparent plate-like body, transparent protrusion, etc.).

A gaming machine according to a third invention (hereinafter referred to as reference invention 3) disclosed by reference in the present specification is the invention of claim 1 , invention of claim 2, reference invention 1 and reference invention 2 . In a gaming machine according to any invention ,
Other arrangement parts excluding the arrangement part of the uppermost stream,
A site where the special communication port and the normal communication port are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the arrangement site of the most downstream row;
The special contact,
The normal contact point;
Any of the above is provided with a ball intake portion for taking in a game ball that reaches from the upstream side of the guidance device portion,
The entrance device includes
A first arrival path for allowing a game ball entering the ball entry device to reach the ball receiving unit;
A second arrival path for allowing a game ball entering the ball entry device to reach the ball intake unit;
A selection device for selecting which of the first arrival passage and the second arrival passage to enter the game ball entering the entry device;
Is provided.

According to the gaming machine of Reference Invention 3 , the “passage (route) until the game ball reaches the guidance device part after the game ball has entered the entrance device” is the first arrival passage using the selection device. And the second reaching passage. That is, it is possible to select “a second arrival path where the game result is obtained early” and “a first arrival path where the game result is obtained slowly”. Therefore, the game can be sharpened.

In the reference invention 3 , a difference may be generated in the probability that the “game ball is guided to the special area portion” between the first arrival path and the second arrival path. For example, the “second arrival path” is set to “a high probability route where the game ball is likely to be guided to the special area part”, and the “first arrival path” is set to “the game ball is guided to the special area part”. A specific example of “low probability route with low possibility” can be illustrated. In particular, when a mode in which a “ball entry portion is provided at the special connection port” is adopted, it is determined that “the game ball is guided to the special area portion” when the game ball enters the second arrival path. . In addition, the “first arrival path” is set to “a high probability route where the game ball is likely to be guided to the special area part”, and the “second arrival path” is set to “the game ball is guided to the special area part”. A specific example of “low probability route with low possibility” can also be illustrated. In particular, if a mode in which the “normal ball entrance is provided” is adopted, the “game ball is guided to the special area” when the game ball enters the second arrival path is completely eliminated. Become.

  As described above, in the specific example in which the “high probability route” and the “low probability route” are provided, the “arrival path selected by the selection device” may be biased in consideration of the gaming state of the gaming machine and the like. . For example, when the gaming state of the gaming machine is in a high probability state or in a short time state, the selection device may be driven so that only the second arrival path is selected.

  Here, the “probability variation (or sometimes referred to as“ probability variation ”) state” means that a so-called “probability variation symbol (that is, one aspect of jackpot symbol)” is displayed on the symbol display means (variable display means). This is a gaming state (game mode) that occurs due to being played. Then, when the gaming machine shifts to the probability variation mode, the probability that the success / failure determination result of “big hit” will be made by the success / failure determination unit varies with a high probability. That is, when the gaming machine is in the high probability mode, the probability that a big hit will occur is high until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, until a special symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times or until the next big hit occurs). Set to probability. In addition, the “short time state” means (1) shortening the symbol variation time of a special symbol, (2) shortening the symbol variation time of a normal symbol, and (3) stopping the normal symbol indicating winning. This is a privilege that includes at least one of increasing the probability, (4) extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory performing the opening of the determination start winning device, and the like. This time reduction mode may be given by itself or may be given in a state of being added to another privilege. For example, as described above, the time reduction mode may be executed after execution of the probability variation mode after the end of the special game, or the time reduction mode may be executed without changing the probability after the end of the special game. . However, in the aspect of executing the short time mode after executing the probability variation mode, the gaming machine may execute the same gaming state as that in the “short time mode” even during the execution of the probability variation mode. That is, even during execution of the probability variation mode, the symbol variation time of the special symbol or the symbol variation time of the normal symbol may be shortened.

  When the invention of each claim and related inventions (hereinafter, these inventions are collectively referred to as “the present inventions”) are applied to the above-described “feather-type seven machine”, for example, the following configuration is provided. It will be. In other words, the “wing-type seven machine” includes (a) a ball entry device according to any of the claims, (b) a start winning device, and (c) a gaming state of the gaming machine in a normal gaming state. From the normal gaming state to the small hit gaming state (predetermined on the opening / closing member). A determination means for determining whether or not to shift to the state in which the opening / closing operation is executed in a mode (hereinafter referred to as “small hit determination”), A symbol display means (for example, constituted by an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display device, etc.), (e) a winning device, and (f) To change the gaming state of the machine to the special gaming state And special game shifting unit can be exemplified by a gaming machine comprising a. In the following description, “big hit determination” and “small hit determination” may be collectively referred to as “win / fail determination”.

  On the assumption that the “ball game type seven machine” detects that a game ball has won the “starter winning device arranged in the game area” (hereinafter referred to as “starter winning”). The execution condition of “determining whether or not to win” is satisfied. When the execution condition of this “correction determination” is satisfied, and further, the display execution condition of “design indicating determination result (determination result pattern)” is satisfied, the effect display is first executed in the symbol display means. This effect display is performed by, for example, driving (blinking, lighting, etc.) the LED lamp or “circulating and displaying a plurality of identification symbols (that is, special symbols) sequentially (that is, fluctuations). Then, after performing the effect display for a predetermined fluctuation time, the symbol display means confirms (stops display) the determination result symbol.

  When the determination result symbol is a jackpot symbol (a symbol indicating that the determination result is a big hit) and when the predetermined condition is satisfied (when the start condition for the jackpot game has not already been satisfied), the above-mentioned special When the game ball passes through the area, the special game transition means shifts the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state while the execution permission condition for the big hit game (special game) is established. Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the “hit gaming state (special gaming state)”, the opening / closing member (hereinafter referred to as “opening / closing door”) constituting the winning device is given a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”). Thus, for example, “unit operation” is performed 14 to 16 times).

  By the way, some of the “wings type seven machines” are equipped with a large winning device (a winning device used during a big hit) in addition to the winning device (hereinafter, referred to as “independent type”). There are devices in which the device is also used as a prize-winning device (hereinafter referred to as “combined type”). In the case of the independent type, when the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the “big hit gaming state (special gaming state)”, the opening / closing door of the big winning device is opened, and the big winning device in the closed state is opened. (In the case of an attacker type), it becomes possible to win a game ball in the big winning opening. Or the space | interval between the upper end parts of a pair of wing piece part is expanded (in the case of a tulip type), and thereby it becomes easy to win a game ball to the big winning opening. Further, in the case of the combined type, the state of the opening / closing member is maintained in the open state, and thereby, it is possible to win the game ball in the big winning opening. In the “winged goods type seven machine”, the “normal game state” refers to a “game state in which the open condition of the special prize opening is continuously not satisfied and the closed state of the special prize opening is continued”. In addition, in the Seven machines, the “hit game state” means that the allowance condition for opening the big prize opening is intermittently established for a predetermined number of times, and “the gaming state in which the opening state of the big prize opening is realized intermittently”. ".

  Regardless of the type of the winning device (independent type or combined type), after changing the winning device to the open state, whether a predetermined number of game balls will be won in this winning device (big winning opening) , Once the predetermined time has passed, once the closing operation (in the case of the attacker type, the closing operation of the door, in the tulip type, the operation of reducing the interval between the upper ends of the pair of wing pieces, In the combined use type, an operation of closing the entrance is performed to close the grand prize winning device, and “one unit operation (so-called one round)” is completed. That is, the unit operation is completed, in which the grand prize winning device is changed from the closed state to the open state and returned to the closed state again. When this “unit action” is repeated a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”), the gaming state of the gaming machine is returned from the “big hit gaming state” to the “normal gaming state”.

  In the gaming machine of each of the present inventions, it is desirable that the gaming machine be an “independent type” in order to ensure smoother processing of the game ball. In other words, during a big hit game, a large number of game balls usually enter the big winning device, so if the “shared type” is used, it may be difficult to smoothly process the game balls. That is, in each of the pitching devices according to the claims, since “a configuration in which a pitched game ball passes through a plurality of guide passage members” is employed, when this pitching device is used as a big winning device, the pitching device This is because there is a possibility that a large number of game balls may enter the (large winning device) and smooth processing of the game balls may not be performed.

  In the gaming machine according to each of the present inventions, when the “independent type” is adopted, the above-described “inhibiting means for prohibiting establishment of the opening operation execution condition” may be provided during the execution of the big hit game (special game). In this case, during the execution of the big hit game (special game), even if the game ball enters the above-mentioned “start winning device”, the entrance is kept closed.

  The “judgment execution condition” of the “wing type 7 machine” is based on the premise that, for example, a winning of a game ball (that is, a start winning) is detected in a “start winning device” arranged in the game area. To establish. This detection is usually performed by “determination start detection means (determination start detection switch)” provided in the “start winning device”. The “display execution condition” is satisfied when the display time of the determination result symbol comes on the premise that a start winning will be generated. This “display execution condition” may be established corresponding to all start winnings that may occur in the gaming machine of the present invention, but is normally established under a predetermined restriction. That is, when there is an upper limit number of reserves, the “display execution condition” is not satisfied even if a start win is generated in a state where the hold number reaches the upper limit (that is, the start win is not determined). ignore.).

  That is, (1) The “symbol display means” is not executing “various displays” due to other preceding start winnings and there is no starting memory related to other preceding starting winnings. In the case where a new winning is generated, the “display execution condition” relating to the “new starting start-up” is satisfied. However, (2) In a case where a “starting prize” is newly generated in a state where “various display” due to other preceding starting prizes is being executed or there is a starting memory related to other preceding starting prizes, Only when the number of reserves at the time of the start winning has not reached the upper limit number, the data relating to the “newly generated start winning” (data relating to the determination result, etc.) is handled as the hold storage (holding data). Then, when the “various display” based on the other reserved storage preceding the “holding storage” is completed and the execution timing of the “various display” based on the “holding storage” has come, Regarding “holding storage”, the “display execution condition” is satisfied. Here, the “various displays” resulting from the start winning (start memorizing) is a display related to the determination result made in conjunction with the “start winning,” and is an “effect display (for example, variable display). ”Or“ determined display of a determination result symbol resulting from another start winning ”or the like.

  In addition, in the “wings type seven machine”, a privilege (hereinafter referred to as “other privilege”) other than “the privilege by shifting the gaming state of the gaming machine to the big hit gaming state” can be given to the player. It may be anything. Examples of the “other benefits” include the above-mentioned “privileges whose content is to change the state of the gaming machine to a short-time state”.

  When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned “pure feathers”, for example, the following configuration is provided. In other words, the “pure feathers” include (a) a ball entry device according to any of the claims, and (b) a ball entry device different from the ball entry device (that is, the aforementioned “opening / closing operation”). And a game machine equipped with a starting and entering device "). In this “pure wings”, when the opening / closing member (opening / closing blade) is not opening / closing (that is, when the entrance is closed), the “opening / closing operation starting entrance device” is a game ball. When the ball enters the ball, the opening / closing member performs a normal opening / closing operation (used to mean an opening / closing operation performed in a short time such as 0.3 seconds or 0.4 seconds). When the game ball passes through the aforementioned “special area”, the special game transition means shifts the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state. That is, while the special game execution permission condition is established, the gaming state of the gaming machine is shifted from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state (that is, the big hit gaming state).

  In this special game (state), the opening and closing member is opened and closed at a regular interval (meaning an opening operation during a special game, for example, the opening and closing member moves to the open state for a long time such as 0.8 seconds, and then The opening / closing member maintains the closed state for 0.8 seconds as one special opening / closing operation), and the opening / closing member executes the special opening / closing operation until the set number of repetitions (for example, 18 times). Or if there is more than a set number (for example, 10) of balls (entering a ball-balling device), or if a game ball passes through the special area, the round award ball game for one round is completed. To do. If at least one game ball passes through the special area portion during the round prize ball game, the special game continuation condition is satisfied, and the same round prize ball game is executed again. The round prize ball game is repeatedly executed until the special game end condition is satisfied. Here, the condition for permitting execution of the special game is that the number of round award winning ball games (number of rounds) reaches the upper limit (for example, 15 rounds), or the continuation condition is satisfied during the execution of the ended round award ball game. Failure to do so will result in failure.

  When each invention of the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned “feather-type right property”, for example, the following configuration is provided. That is, as the “feather-type right item”, a ball entry device according to any claim and a ball entry device different from the ball entry device (hereinafter referred to as “a prize-winning device for a right item”). And a game using the “ball-entering device according to any claim” as a winning device for acquiring a right. In the “feather-type right item”, when a specific condition is satisfied, the state of the opening / closing member of the winning device for winning the right (the ball-entering device according to any claim) is a closed state in which the ball entrance is closed. To an open state in which the entrance is opened. And while the state of the opening / closing member is in the open state, a predetermined number (for example, one ball) of game balls is placed in the special area part (special area part according to the invention of each claim) in the winning device for acquiring rights. By making it pass, "game value right" is acquired. With this right, the “big prize winning device for right goods” generates a big hit gaming state (special gaming state) in which opening and closing is repeated.

  When each invention of the present invention is applied to the above-described “wings type arrangement ball (combined game machine)”, for example, the following configuration is provided. In other words, the game board includes (a) a ball entry device according to any claim, (b) a ball entry region group including a plurality of ball entry regions into which game balls can enter, and (c) individual entry A winning information display means for displaying winning information according to a game ball entering the ball area; and (d) a variable display device (symbol display means) capable of executing a change display and a stop display of a predetermined identification symbol. Can be exemplified.

  In this gaming machine, a predetermined number (for example, 15 or 16) of game balls is fired to perform one unit game, and a winning mode is determined from a combination of winning information displayed on the winning information display means in this one unit game. And a prize game value determined according to the prize mode is given. In other words, in this “wings type arrangement ball”, when the game balls that have been launched enter the individual entry areas constituting the entry area group, the winning symbols corresponding to the individual entry areas are displayed as the winning information. The display means is configured to light up and display. When a prescribed number of game balls are fired, a “combination of winning symbols” is displayed according to the combination of the entered ball areas. If the “combined displayed winning symbol combination” is a predetermined symbol combination, a score is awarded, and a winning ball corresponding to the score is paid out to the player.

  In such an arrangement ball machine (feather-type arrangement ball), a variable display device that variably stops and displays a plurality of identification symbols is provided, and the identification symbols that are stopped and displayed on the variable display device are specified in advance. Some of them are configured so that a score can be easily obtained in the case of The ball entry device according to any claim is applied to such an arrangement ball machine as follows.

  That is, when the identification symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device is a specific symbol, the state of the opening and closing member constituting the ball entry device according to any one of claims 7 from the closed state of closing the ball entrance, When the game entrance is changed to an open state where the entrance is opened and a game ball enters the entrance device, or when a predetermined number of unit games are finished without entering the entrance, the state of the opening / closing member is returned to the closed state. It is. Then, when the game ball that has entered the ball entry device according to any of the claims passes through the special area portion, the special game transition means (that is, the big hit game transfer means) wins the gaming state of the gaming machine. A gaming state (special gaming state) is set (control to a big hit gaming state). That is, the gaming state of the gaming machine is changed from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state while the execution permission condition for the special game is established.

  In an arrangement ball machine (a feather type arrangement ball), each entry area constituting the entry area group is divided into a “normal entry area” and a “difficult entry ball” according to the difficulty of entering a game ball. “Region”. In other words, a large number of obstacle nails are arranged above the entrance area group, which makes it relatively easy for a game ball to enter directly, and a game ball directly It is distinguished from “difficult entry area” where entry is relatively difficult. Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine becomes a special gaming state, for example, when the accessory operating port is opened under a predetermined condition and the gaming ball is inserted into the opened accessory operating port, the “difficult to enter ball region” A plurality of winning symbols including a winning symbol corresponding to is continuously lit and displayed so that a score can be easily established.

  A game machine in which the invention of each claim and related inventions are applied to the above-mentioned “pure seven machine” and the following configuration can be exemplified. In other words, this “pure seven machine” includes (a) a ball entry device according to any of the claimed inventions, (b) a start winning device, and (c) a big hit from the normal game state to the game state of the game machine. A determination means for determining whether or not to shift to a gaming state (that is, a special gaming state) (a jackpot determination); and (d) a symbol display means for confirming display of a determination result symbol indicating the result of this determination (for example, , LED lamps, liquid crystal display devices, etc.), (e) a big winning device, and (f) a bonus game (that is, a special game) while the execution permission conditions are established, A gaming machine comprising special game transition means for shifting to a state can be exemplified.

  With this “pure seven machine”, the execution condition of “hit determination” is established on the premise that it is detected that a game ball has won (start prize) in the “start prize device arranged in the game area”. To do. When the execution condition of the “big hit determination” is satisfied and the display execution condition of the “symbol indicating the determination result (determination result pattern)” is satisfied, first, the effect display is performed on the symbol display means (variable display means). Is executed. This effect display is performed by, for example, driving (blinking, lighting, etc.) the LED lamp or “circulating and displaying a plurality of identification symbols (that is, special symbols) sequentially (that is, fluctuations). Then, after performing the effect display for a predetermined fluctuation time, the symbol display means confirms (stops display) the determination result symbol.

  When the determination result symbol is a big hit symbol (a symbol indicating that the determination result is a big hit), the special game transition means is in the gaming state of the gaming machine while the execution permission condition for the big hit game (special game) is established. To the special gaming state. Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the “hit gaming state (special gaming state)”, the opening / closing member (hereinafter referred to as “opening / closing door”) constituting the winning device is given a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”). Thus, for example, 14 to 16 times) “unit motion” is performed.In this “pure seven machine”, a game ball that has entered the ball entry device according to the invention of any claim is When passing through the special area portion, the privilege granting means constituting the “pure seven machine” grants a predetermined privilege (for example, a privilege such as paying out a prize ball) to the player.

  In this "pure seven machine", (a) the ball entry device according to the invention of any claim and (b) the start winning device coexist, (a) the invention of any claim The pitching device according to the above can also be used as a start winning device. That is, when a game ball that has entered the ball entry device according to any of the claims of the invention passes through the special area part, the privilege granting means that constitutes the “pure seven machine” gives the “privilege that the start prize is established”. It is good also as giving to a player. In other words, in this case, the execution condition of the “hit determination” is established on the assumption that the predetermined detecting means detects that the game ball has passed the special area portion.

  As described above, according to the invention of each claim, there is obtained a gaming machine that is “appealing in appearance” and can give a sufficient expectation to the player.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments showing the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, specific examples in which the invention of each claim is applied to a “wing type seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H attached to the outer frame 2.

  Among these, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer frame 2 is fixed to the installation site S1 provided in the island facility S of the pachinko hall and supports the gaming machine main body H. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21. . Among these, the outer frame main body 21 includes a pair of horizontal plates 21a on the top and bottom and a pair of standing plates 21b on the left and right (see FIG. 1). The horizontal plates 21a are vertically arranged with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction and are elongated in the left-right direction. Moreover, the coexistence installation board 21b is standingly arranged by predetermined spacing on either side, and is long in the up-down direction.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably attached to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIG. 1) on the left end side of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, the middle frame 3, the front frame (glass door frame) 4, the upper plate member 5, The lower plate member 6, the game board 10 (see FIG. 4), the back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 26), and the like are the main parts.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the middle frame 3 is fitted inside the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the middle frame 3. The locking device 7 is used to lock the middle frame 3 to the outer frame 2 and to lock the front frame 4 and the upper plate member 5 to the middle frame 3.

  The entire middle frame 3 is made of plastic, and as shown in FIG. The middle frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3A in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the middle frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c. The protrusion 3c protrudes from a portion of the back surface of the frame main body 3b that is inside the peripheral edge of the frame main body 3b and outside the window 3A. And the site | part (henceforth "window part periphery part which is located in the wall part 3A inside the protrusion part 3c, and the window part 3A among the back surface parts of the frame main-body part 3b, and is located inside the wall part 3d. And 3e are substantially orthogonal to each other.

  In addition, holding tools 3f are mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c, on the left and upper sides of the window portion 3A and on the right and left sides of the window portion 3A. The holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a rotatable state. When the holding tool 3f rotates about its rotating axis, the holding end 3i is disposed behind the window peripheral portion 3e. A state (see FIG. 3) and a released state in which the protruding end 3i side is retracted from the rear of the window peripheral portion 3e can be realized. Then, with the holding tool 3f in the released state, the game board 10 is fitted to the protrusion 3c with the front face facing forward, and the peripheral side of the front face of the game board 10 is brought into contact with the window periphery 3e. Let Thereafter, the holding tool 3f is set in the holding state, and the holding tool 3f in the holding state is brought into contact with the rear surface portion of the game board 10 so that the game board 10 is held by the middle frame 3.

  Thus, when the middle frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 configured on the front surface portion 10 a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the middle frame 3 through the window 3 </ b> A. . Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 25) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 so as to cover the back surface portion. Although illustration is omitted, positioning with respect to the middle frame 3 of the game board 10 is performed by using a protrusion provided on one of the game board 10 and the middle frame 3 with a fitting portion (hole or recess) provided on the other. ). Details of the back mechanism panel 102 will be described later.

  The front frame 4 constitutes a specific example of a glass door frame, and is arranged on the front side of the middle frame 3 and supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be openable and closable as shown in FIG. The front frame 4 includes a door frame main body 41, a glass plate 43, and a holding member (not shown) for holding (attaching) the glass plate 43 to the door frame main body 41. The holding member can also be provided integrally with the door frame main body 41.

  The door frame main body 41 is mainly composed of a lens-shaped plastic and has a circular opening 41a. The opening 41 a is provided in a state of penetrating the front surface portion and the rear surface portion of the door frame main body 41. When the front frame 4 is in a closed state, the board surface (game area 11) of the game board 10 disposed on the back side (back) of the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front (player side). Is to do. That is, the opening 41a is formed in a substantially circumferential shape corresponding to the shape of the game area 11 (see FIG. 4) formed in the game board 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the front frame 4, various LED boards 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, and 4h are built in the peripheral portion of the opening 41a. Each of the LED boards 4b to 4h includes a printed wiring board and a plurality of LED lamps mounted on the printed wiring board. The LED lamps constituting these LED boards 4b to 4h are in accordance with the purpose (the purpose of enhancing the gaming effect, the purpose of informing the prize ball, the purpose of informing that an error has occurred in the gaming machine 1), Turns on and off, or flashes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, speakers SP <b> 1 and SP <b> 2 (see FIG. 24) are built in on the left and right sides of the upper end side of the front frame 4, respectively. In the gaming machine 1, speakers SP3 and SP4 (see FIG. 24) are also incorporated in both the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22. For this reason, in this gaming machine 1, the speakers SP1 to SP4 are arranged at the four corners of the front portion to constitute a “4-way speaker system”. In this gaming machine 1, sound effects and other sounds (sounds) corresponding to the gaming state are generated using these speakers SP1 to SP4.

  Of the front portion of the gaming machine main body H, a portion below the front frame 3 includes an upper plate member 5 and a lower plate member 6. That is, the upper plate member 5 is disposed below the front frame 3, and the lower plate member 6 is disposed below the upper plate member 5. Further, the upper plate member 5 includes a discharge port 5 b for discharging game balls inside the gaming machine 1 to the upper plate member 5.

  A ball rental display board 410 (see FIG. 23) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 24) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and a “ball rental operation unit 5c” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. ”And an operation switch SW. The outer portion of the upper plate member 5 is also mainly made of lens-shaped plastic, and the LED substrate 4i is also built in the upper plate member 5 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a discharge port 6 a for discharging a game ball from the inside of the gaming machine 1 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate member 6. An ashtray 6 b is provided at the left end of the lower plate member 6, and a firing handle 9 is provided at the right end of the lower plate member 6. Further, a ball hole (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate member 6. The ball hole is normally closed, but is opened when the game ball stored in the lower plate member 6 is discharged from the gaming machine 1.

  The firing handle 9 is connected to a launcher unit (not shown). A touch switch 9a for detecting that the player is touching the handle is attached to the launch handle 9, and in the vicinity thereof, a launch stop switch 9b for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is provided. It is installed. The locking device 7 described above has a substantially rectangular shape with a keyhole when viewed from the front, and is used for locking when the front frame 4 is closed. Further, a prepaid card unit is provided on the left end side of the gaming machine 1 (not shown).

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the game board 10 is held by the middle frame 3 (see FIG. 1), and its back side is covered by a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 26) described later. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both formed using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board 10. In the front portion of the game board 10, a portion constituted by a substantially circular peripheral wall formed by the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 constitutes a game area 11. In addition, in the present Example, although the aspect which comprises the outer edge part of the game area | region 11 using two rails (the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13) was illustrated, for example, one rail (C-shaped) The outer edge portion of the game area 11 can also be configured using a single rail).

  In the game board 10, a portion located in the game area 11 includes a central device 20, two normal symbol operation gates (normal symbol operation ports) 16 A and 16 B, and three start winning devices 17, 18 and 19. The lower device 30, four general winning devices 40, 41, 43, and 44, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 46, and the like are disposed. The central device 20 constitutes a specific example of the ball entry device according to the invention of claim 2. In addition, the central symbol 20 is integrated with a reserved symbol display device 50, a first display device 60, and a second display device 70.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the central device 20 includes a base member (decorative plate) 21, a storage box (see FIG. 6) 22, an arrival path selection device 23, and a first arrival path member 24A. And a second reaching passage member 24B, a guiding device 80, and a pair of left and right opening / closing members 27A and 27B.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the base member 21 is configured by a frame-like body that is attached to the approximate center of the front surface portion of the game board 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a large mounting hole 10 d is provided in a substantially central portion of the game board 10. The base member 21 is attached to a portion located on the periphery of the mounting hole 10d on the front surface portion of the game board 10. Further, the storage box 22 is in a state of projecting rearward of the base member 21 with the opening 22a facing forward (in the direction of the player) and the front end portion being inserted through the mounting hole 10d. And the inner edge part of the base member 21 comprises the window part 21a for making the inside of the storage box 22 visible.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a peripheral wall member 21 b is mounted on the front surface portion of the base member 21 so as to protrude forward. The peripheral wall member 21b has a substantially frame shape that substantially surrounds the window portion 21a, and includes a main body wall portion 21c, a left side flange portion 21d, a right side flange portion 21e, and a top wall portion 21f.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the main body wall 21c surrounds the left and right left and right edges of the window 21a while drawing a substantially U-shaped path (in front view). Further, the left ridge 21d is disposed in the left region at the upper edge of the window 21a while being inclined downward in the left direction, and the right ridge 21e is inclined downward in the right direction, It arrange | positions in the area | region of the right side in the upper edge part of the window part 21a. However, the right end portion of the left heel portion 21d and the left end portion of the right heel portion 21e are a space portion (hereinafter referred to as a “first space portion”) having a predetermined width (about 3 to 5 times the diameter of the game ball). .) Opposing across 21g.

  A space portion (hereinafter referred to as a “second space portion”) 21h into which a game ball can enter is provided between the left end portion of the left heel portion 21d and the left end portion of the main body wall portion 21c. A space portion (hereinafter referred to as “third space portion”) 21 i into which a game ball can enter is also provided between the right end portion of the portion 21 e and the right end portion of the main body wall portion 21 c. In the storage box 22, (a) a game ball taken from the left side of the central device 20 is guided in the central device 20, and is placed in the game area 11 at a position located above the start winning device 17 described later. The “first warp passage 28a” to be returned, and (b) the game ball taken from the right side of the central device 20 is guided in the central device 20, and the game area is located above the start winning device 17 described later. 11 and a “second warp passage 28 b” to be returned to the vehicle 11. The second space 21h is connected to the inlet of the first warp passage 28a, and the third space 21i is connected to the inlet of the second warp passage 28b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the top wall portion 21f is disposed above the first space portion 21g while drawing a substantially inverted U-shaped (front view) path. A space portion (hereinafter referred to as “a width of about 2 to 4 times the diameter of the game ball”) between the lower end portion on the left side of the top wall portion 21f and the right end portion of the left flange portion 21d. 21k) is provided, and a predetermined width (approximately 2 of the diameter of the game ball) is also provided between the lower end portion on the right side of the top wall portion 21f and the left end portion of the right flange portion 21e. A space portion (hereinafter referred to as a “fifth space portion”) 21 m is provided. The fourth space portion 21k and the fifth space portion 21m constitute specific examples of the entrances 29A and 29B, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the left opening / closing member 27A is constituted by a substantially blade-shaped member, and the lower end portion thereof is pivotally supported by the base member 21 in the fourth space portion 21k, and this fourth space. The entrance 29A constituted by the portion 21k is opened and closed. In other words, the opening / closing member 27A can be rotated about the rotation axis on the lower end side, and “in a standing position to close the entrance 29A while being in an upright state” and “inclined to the left upward slope”. Thus, the posture can be changed between “opening posture in which the entrance 29A is opened”. When the opening / closing member 27A is in the closed position, the entrance 29A is closed, and a game ball flowing down the game area 11 cannot enter the central device 20 through the entrance 29A. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 27A is in the open posture, the entrance 29A is opened, and it is possible to enter the central device 20 through the entrance 29A, and the right side surface of the opening / closing member 27A is the entrance 29A. In order to guide the game ball to the entrance 29A, a guide surface is formed.

  The right opening / closing member 27B is configured by a substantially blade-shaped member that is mirror-symmetrical with the left opening / closing member 27A, and a lower end portion thereof is pivotally supported by the base member 21 in the fifth space portion 21m. The entrance 29B configured by the space portion 21m is opened and closed. That is, the opening / closing member 27B can be rotated about the rotation axis on the lower end side thereof, and “in a standing position, the entrance 29B is closed while closing the entrance 29B” and “inclined in a right upward inclination”. Thus, the posture can be changed between the “opening posture of opening the entrance 29B”. When the opening / closing member 27B is in the closed position, the entrance 29B is closed, and the game balls flowing down the game area 11 cannot enter the central device 20 through the entrance 29B. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 27B is in the open posture, the entrance 29B is opened, and it is possible to enter the central device 20 through the entrance 29B, and the left side surface of the opening / closing member 27B is the entrance 29A. In order to guide the game ball to the entrance 29B, a guide surface is formed.

  Both the open / close members 27A and 27B are connected to an open / close solenoid 27c (see FIG. 23) via a predetermined link mechanism (not shown). Then, by driving this open / close solenoid 27c, both open / close members 27A and 27B perform an open / close operation. For example, when the open / close solenoid 27c is energized, the open / close members 27A and 27B are in the open posture, and when the energization to the open / close solenoid 27c is stopped, the open / close members 27A and 27B are in the closed posture. The main control unit 200A described later constitutes an “opening / closing operation control means for controlling the operation of the opening / closing solenoid 27c”. The opening / closing member 27A, 27B, the opening / closing solenoid 27c, and a link mechanism (not shown) interposed therebetween constitute a entrance opening / closing device for opening / closing the entrances 29A, 29B. .

  The arrival path selection device 23 constitutes a specific example of the selection device, and the arrival path through which the game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrance 29B enters the “first arrival path member 24A first And the “second approach overpass constituted by the second reach passage member 24 </ b> B”. In other words, the game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrance 29B is made into one of the first arrival path member 24A and the second arrival path member 24B by the arrival path selection device 23. Be guided. The structure and the induction mode of the arrival path selection device 23 can be variously selected. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a guide plate 23a, a cam 23b, a transmission member (stamper) 23c, and an induction motor 23d (see FIG. 23). The main control unit 200A described later constitutes “guidance operation control means for controlling the operation of the induction motor 23d”.

  The guide plate 23a is supported by the front surface of the base member 21 so as to be rotatable in the first space 21g, and is visible to the player. In other words, the guide plate 23a is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotation axis 23e at the intermediate portion along the left-right direction. However, in this guide plate 23a, the weight 231a is attached to the left end side so that the center of gravity of the guide plate 23a is located on the left side of the rotation axis 23e. For this reason, it is easy for the guide plate 23a to behave in such a manner as to incline in the left direction. Further, the upper surface portion 23f of the guide plate 23a receives a game ball that enters the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B and falls from above and rolls it to the left end portion or the right end portion. Is configured.

  The transmission member (stamper) 23c is configured by using a shaft body in which a shaft center is directed up and down and a protruding portion 23g is projected at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and is supported so as to be movable up and down using bearing portions 23h and 23i. . However, a restricting portion (restricting surface) 23j is disposed below the transmitting member 23c, and the lowering range of the transmitting member 23c is a range until the lower end portion 23u of the transmitting member 23c contacts the restricting portion (restricting surface) 23j. Is done.

  The cam 23b is mounted on the shaft portion 23k of the induction motor 23d so as to be integrally rotatable, and a projection (tuppet) 23m projects from one place on the outer peripheral portion. During one rotation of the cam 23b, the projection 23m is engaged with the projection 23g from below, and the projection (tuppet) 23m jumps up the projection 23g and thus the entire transmission member 23c. Can be raised.

  However, the length of the transmission member 23c (length along the vertical direction) is determined as follows. That is, (A) When the protrusion 23m is not engaged with the protrusion 23g, the upper end 23w is inclined to the left while the lower end 23u is in contact with the restriction (regulation surface) 23j. (Hereinafter, referred to as “normally guiding posture”) can support the guide plate 23a, and (B) when the protrusion 23m engages the protrusion 23g and is flipped up, the upper end 23w The guide plate 23a is pushed up so that the guide plate 23a is inclined in the right direction (hereinafter referred to as “special guide posture”), and has a possible length.

  When the orientation of the guide plate 23a is the “normal guide posture”, the “game ball A1 entering the central device 20 and falling onto the upper surface portion 23f of the guide plate 23a” through the entrances 29A and 29B is It is guided to the first reaching passage member 24A and then received by the guiding device 80 {see FIG. 7 (a)}. On the other hand, when the posture of the guide plate 23a is the “special guide posture”, the “game ball A2 falling on the upper surface portion 23f of the guide plate 23a” is guided to the second arrival path member 24B, and thereafter Accepted by the second guidance device 26 {see FIG. 7 (b)}. As will be described later, “in the case where the game ball is guided to the second arrival path member 24B” is compared with “in the case where the game ball is guided to the first arrival path member 24A”. There is a high possibility that a “game result advantageous to the player” will be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, “the probability that a game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B is guided to the second arrival path member 24B (hereinafter referred to as“ second guidance probability ”). "Is compared to" probability that a game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B is guided to the first arrival path member 24A (hereinafter referred to as "first guidance probability"). Is set to be low. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 23k and the cam 23b of the induction motor 23d are always rotating at a constant speed (regardless of the gaming state of the gaming machine). However, every time the cam 23b makes one revolution, the time for which the posture of the guide plate 23a is set to the “special guide posture” (the time during which the protrusion 23g jumps up the protrusion 23m) This is because the time becomes shorter than the time of “posture”.

  However, the method for making the “second guidance probability” higher than the “first guidance probability” is not limited to this. For example, when the opening / closing members 27A and 27B are in the closed position, the posture of the guide plate 23a is maintained at the “normal guide posture”, and the postures of the opening and closing members 27A and 27B become the open posture and at the same time the posture of the guide plate 23a. Is set as a “special guidance posture”, and this “special guidance posture” is completed in a short time (for example, a time that is half or less of the opening time of the opening and closing members 27A and 27B, particularly 0.5 to 1.5 seconds) ( The main control unit 200A, which will be described later, controls the driving of the aforementioned entrance opening / closing device and the arrival path selection device 23 (hereinafter referred to as “second method”). .).

  In the second method, for example, the protrusions (tuppets) 23m are projected at a plurality of locations (for example, 3 to 6 locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction) on the outer periphery of the cam 23b, and the opening and closing members 27A and 27B are At the same time that the posture becomes the open posture, the induction motor (particularly the stepping motor) 23d may be operated to push up the projection 23g with any projection 23p. In the second method, each time the entrance opening / closing device performs an opening operation (an operation for opening the entrances 29A and 29B), the arrival path selection device 23 changes the posture of the guide plate 23a to “ It is not necessarily required to operate so as to be “special guidance posture”. For example, every time the main control unit 200A determines that the entrance opening / closing device performs an opening operation (an operation for opening the entrances 29A and 29B), the main control unit 200A causes the guide plate 23a to It may be determined whether or not the movement is performed so that the posture is the special guidance posture. In addition, although illustration is omitted, a winning detection switch 20s (see FIG. 23) is provided in “the portion located between the arrival path selection device 23 and the entrances 29A and 29B” in the central device 20. It is arranged. Therefore, the “game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B” is detected by the winning detection switch 20s before reaching the arrival path selecting device 23.

  The first reaching passage member 24A is a member for forming a “first reaching passage”, and is disposed in the storage box 22 as shown in FIG. The first reaching passage member 24A is for causing “the game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B” to enter the “rear center of the guide device 80”. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first reaching passage member 24 </ b> A is configured by using a cylindrical body (a ridge) having a plurality of bent portions, and the starting end portion 241 </ b> A is located on the upper central left side of the central device 20. The intermediate portion is disposed on the left side of the central device 20 and the terminal portion 243A is disposed in the center of the rear portion of the guidance device 80. A guide passage member 82 (Y1) that constitutes a “ball receiving portion 80A” is disposed in the center of the rear portion of the guide device 80 (described later).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface portion of the start end portion 241A of the first reaching passage member 24A is notched (opened upward), and the entrance for allowing the game ball to enter the first reaching passage member 24A. Is configured. That is, the start end portion 241A is located immediately below the left end portion side of the guide plate 23a, and the left end side of the guide plate 23a in the normal guide posture can enter. The terminal portion 243A is opened to the right side, and constitutes a discharge port for discharging the game ball in the first reaching passage member 24A toward the “rear center of the guide device 80”.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball that has rolled on the upper surface portion 23f of the guide plate 23a in the normal guidance posture first enters the first arrival path member 24A through the start end portion 241A (advance entrance). Then, after passing through the first reaching passage member 24A and being led in the order of the left part of the central device 20 and the lower central part of the central device 20, the rear center part of the guiding device 80 (through the terminal part 243A ( It is discharged toward the ball receiving portion 80A).

  The second reaching passage member 24B is a member for forming a “second reaching passage”, and is disposed in the storage box 22 as shown in FIG. The second reaching passage member 24B is for causing “the game ball that has entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B” to enter the “right side of the guide device 80”. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second reaching passage member 24 </ b> B is also configured by using a cylindrical body (樋) having a plurality of bent portions, and the starting end portion 241 </ b> B is located on the upper central right side of the central device 20. The intermediate portion is disposed on the right side of the central device 20 and the terminal portion 243B is disposed on the right side of the guidance device 80. In addition, a guide passage member 82 (Y3) for constituting a “ball intake portion 80B” is disposed on the right side portion of the guide device 80 (described later).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface portion of the start end portion 241B of the second reaching passage member 24B is notched (opened upward), and the entrance for allowing the game ball to enter the second reaching passage member 24B. Is configured. That is, the start end 241B is located immediately below the right end portion side of the guide plate 23a, and the right end side of the guide plate 23a in the special guide posture can enter. Further, the terminal portion 243A is opened to the left side and constitutes a discharge port for discharging the game ball in the second reaching passage member 24B toward the “left side portion of the guide device 80”.

  In this embodiment, the game ball that has rolled on the upper surface portion 23f of the guide plate 23a in the special guide posture first enters the second arrival path member 24B through the start end portion 241B (advance entrance). Then, after passing through the first reaching passage member 24B and being guided in the order of the right side portion of the central device 20 and the lower center portion of the central device 20, the right side portion of the guiding device 80 (through the terminal portion 243B ( It is discharged toward the ball intake 80B).

  The guidance device 80 constitutes a specific example of the guidance device section, and is arranged in the storage box 22 as shown in FIG. A first arrival path member 24A and a second arrival path member 24B are disposed on the upstream side of the guidance device 80, and a normal region TR (see FIG. 9) and a special region are disposed on the downstream side of the guidance device 80. A region SR is provided. As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the guide device 80 includes a base portion 81, six guide passage members 82, a first motor 83, and a first transmission member 85 (FIGS. 10, 11, and FIG. 14), a second motor 84, and a second transmission member 86 (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 15).

  As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the base portion 81 is fixed to the top plate portion 81a, the leg portion 81b, the motor mounting portion 81c, the first rear wall portion 811d, and the second rear wall portion 812d. And a decorative portion 81e. Among these, the top plate portion 81a is configured by a plate-like body having a substantially rectangular planar shape, and a concave portion 81g (see FIG. 11) for accommodating the first transmission member 85 (described later) in a slidable state. It has. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13A, six supporting protrusions 81h protrude upward from the top surface of the top plate 81a. Each of the supporting protrusions 81h is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape whose axis is directed in the vertical vertical direction, and is fixed to the top plate portion 81a by fixing the lower end portion with a screw W, so that the guide passage member 82 ( (See below) are rotatably supported {see FIG. 13 (a)}. Each support protrusion 81h and the shaft center of the screw W for fixing each support protrusion 81h are concentric with the rotation axis of the guide passage member 82 rotatably supported by each support protrusion 81h. The Further, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13A, the portion of the top plate 81a located around the “five support protrusions 81h” is substantially arc-shaped (the axis of the target support protrusion 81h). A through hole 81i is provided that has an opening shape of a substantially arc shape with the center of curvature as the center and penetrates the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate portion 81a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, six sets of supporting protrusions 81h and guide passage members 82 are arranged in three rows on the top surface portion side of the top plate portion 81a. That is, the last row is “located near the rear edge of the top plate portion 81a (the back side when viewed from the player), and the front row is positioned near the front edge of the top plate portion 81a (the front side when viewed from the player). In addition, the remaining one row (hereinafter referred to as “intermediate row”) is located in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the top plate portion 81a. In the last row, a pair of “supporting protrusions 81h and a guide passage member 82” is disposed in “substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the top plate portion 81a”, and in the “intermediate row”, the left-right direction of the top plate portion 81a. Two sets of “supporting protrusions 81h and guide passage members 82” are arranged side by side. Further, three sets of “supporting protrusions 81h and guide passage members 82” are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the front row.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, one of the two support protrusions 81h located in the “intermediate row” is located “front left obliquely as viewed from the player” of the support protrusion 81h in the last row, The other of the two sets of support protrusions 81h is located “slightly in front of the player as viewed from the player” of the last row of support protrusions 81h. Further, the upper end portions of the two supporting protrusions 81h located in the “intermediate row” and the height of the guide passage member 82 supported by them (distance from the upper surface portion of the top plate portion 81a) are the support in the last row. The height is lower than the upper end of the projection 81h and the height of the guide passage member 82 supported by the upper end (the distance from the upper surface of the top plate 81a) (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 13B).

  As shown in FIG. 12, one of the three supporting protrusions 81h located in the foremost row is located on one end side (left end side when viewed from the player) is composed of two pieces in the “intermediate row”. The other end side of the three support protrusions 81h disposed in the “front side of the left” of one of the support protrusions 81h (left support protrusion 81h when viewed from the player). One located on the (right end side when viewed from the player) is the “right side” of the other supporting projection 81h located on the “intermediate row” (right supporting projection 81h when viewed from the player). It is disposed “obliquely in front”. Furthermore, one of the three support protrusions 81h located in the foremost row is disposed at the center “front of the intermediate portion in the left-right direction” of the two support protrusions 81h located in the “intermediate row”. Has been. Further, the upper ends of the three support protrusions 81h located in the foremost row and the height of the guide passage member 82 supported by them (distance from the upper surface portion of the top plate portion 81a) are located in the “intermediate row”. The upper end portions of the two supporting projections 81h and the height of the guide passage member 82 supported by them (the distance from the upper surface portion of the top plate portion 81a) are set {FIGS. 8 and 13 (b). )}.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 13B, in this embodiment, “three rows of arrangement portions H1 are used by using“ a space above the top surface of the top plate 81a ”. , H2, H3 ”are set (provided). That is, these arrangement parts H1, H2, and H3 are provided in three rows from the front to the rear of the top part 81a, and the height positions of the respective installation parts H1, H2, and H3 (on the top plate part 81a). The distance from the upper surface portion) is “the height position of the upper end portion of the support protrusion 81h”. Therefore, from the rear side (upstream side along the passing direction of the game ball) by the arrangement portions H1, H2, and H3 arranged in three rows, from the “front side (downstream side along the passing direction of the game ball)”. There is a two-step lowering of its height. Further, in the “three rows of arrangement portions H1, H2, and H3”, the number of “upper end portions of the supporting protrusions 81h and the guide passage members 82 supported by the same” is the front row side (that is, the downstream row). It increases by one toward the arrangement site of the side.

  Further, in the following description, among “the arrangement portions H1, H2, H3 arranged in three rows”, the one arranged in the last row (that is, the most upstream row) is referred to as “first arrangement portion H1”. And the one arranged in the foremost row (that is, the most downstream row) is called “third arrangement portion H3”, and the one arranged in the middle row is called “second arrangement portion H2”. Sometimes. Further, in the present embodiment, the “first arrangement part H1” and the “second arrangement part H2” are adjacent in this order in the “game ball passing direction (upstream / downstream direction)” and the “second arrangement part H2”. The “arrangement part H2” and the “third arrangement part H3” are adjacent in this order in the “game ball passing direction (upstream / downstream direction)”. The rear end side of the rear part is buried under the front end part side of the arrangement site located on the upstream side. For this reason, in this embodiment, “three rows of arrangement portions H1, H2, and H3” are provided in a “step shape”, but the front-rear width is made compact (see FIG. 13B).

  In the following description, the support protrusions 81h arranged in the last row are referred to as “first support protrusions T1” and are added to the last row as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. The arranged guide path member 82 may be referred to as “first guide path member Y1”. Further, the support protrusions 81h arranged in the “intermediate row” are “second support protrusion T2” and “third support protrusion T3” in “order from left to right as viewed from the player”. The guide passage members 82 arranged in the “intermediate row” are “second guide passage member Y2” and “third guide passage member Y3” in order from left to right as viewed from the player. Sometimes called. Further, the support protrusions 81h arranged in the foremost row are arranged in the "order from the left to the right as viewed from the player" as "fourth support protrusion T4", "fifth support protrusion T5", " No. 6 support projection T6 ", and the guide passage members 82 arranged in the" front row "are" fourth guide passage member Y4 "," first in order from left to right as viewed from the player " 5 ”and“ sixth guide passage member Y6 ”.

  In the following description, the screws W for fixing the supporting protrusions 81h to the top plate portion 81a may be distinguished as follows. That is, the symbol “W2” is attached to the screw W for fixing the “second supporting projection T2”, the symbol “W3” is attached to the screw W for fixing the “third supporting projection T3”, and the “fourth” "W4" is attached to the screw W for fixing the "supporting protrusion T4", "W5" is attached to the screw W for fixing the "fifth supporting protrusion T5", and "sixth supporting protrusion" Each screw W may be distinguished by attaching a symbol “W6” to each screw W for fixing “T6”. Further, the “first guide passage member Y1” is a portion that receives the game ball that has reached from the upstream side through the first arrival passage member 24A into the guide device 80, and constitutes a specific example of the “ball receiving portion 80A”. The “third guide passage member Y3” is a portion that receives (takes in) the game ball reached from the upstream side through the second reach passage member 24B into the guide device 80, and a specific example of the “ball intake portion 80B” Constitute.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the guidance device 80, a “communication port arrangement part M” is provided downstream of the arrangement part H3 (third arrangement part H3) in the foremost row (that is, the most downstream line). It has been. The “height position of the communication port arrangement portion M” is arranged in front of the “arrangement portion H3” while being lowered in a stepped manner from the “height position of the arrangement portion H3” {FIG. 13 (b)}. Further, the communication port arrangement part M receives a rolling ball M1 from the upstream side (arrangement part H3) and rolls the game ball, and a special communication port MS opened at the rolling surface M1. And two normal communication ports MTL and MTR that open at the rolling surface M1.

  That is, the special communication port MS is a front surface of the guide passage member 82 (fifth guide passage member Y5) located in the center of the "frontmost row (most downstream row) arrangement portion H3 (third arrangement portion H3)". It is arranged in the front. One normal communication port MTL is “the guide passage member 82 (fourth guide passage member Y4) located at the left end in the arrangement portion H3 (third arrangement portion H3) in the foremost row (the most downstream row)”. The other normal communication port MTR is disposed in front of the guide passage member 82 (sixth passage located at the right end in the foremost row (the most downstream row) arrangement portion H3 (third arrangement portion H3). It is arranged in front of the guide passage member Y6) ”. That is, the “left side normal contact port MTL” and the “right side normal contact port MTR” are arranged on both sides of the special contact port MS. The special region portion SR is communicated to the downstream side of the special connection port MS, and the normal region portion TR is communicated to the downstream side of both the normal communication ports MTL and MTR. Furthermore, each part of the rolling surface M1 is inclined downward toward one of the special connection port MS and each of the normal connection ports MTL, MTR. The game ball falling from the part H3 "directly enters the special contact port MS and each of the normal contact ports MTL, MTR or rolls on the rolling surface M1, and then indirectly the special contact port. It is supposed to enter either the MS or each of the normal communication ports MTL and MTR.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the leg portion 81 b is provided so as to protrude downward from the “left and right side edge portions” in the lower surface of the top plate portion 81 a. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the motor mounting portion 81 c includes a main body portion 811 c configured using a substantially long plate-shaped body, and an mounting allowance 812 c raised upward from the left and right ends of the main body portion 811 c. In addition, the upper end portion of the mounting allowance 812c is screwed to the lower surface of the top plate portion 81a to be mounted on the rear side of the lower surface of the top plate portion 81a. For this reason, the main body portion 811c is arranged in a state of being separated from the lower surface of the top plate portion 81a by a predetermined distance.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first rear wall portion 811d is raised upward from “the portion located on the left side when viewed from the player at the rear edge portion of the top plate portion 81a”, and the second rear wall portion. The portion 812d is raised upward from a position on the diagonally back side of the second arrangement site H2 as viewed from the player on the upper surface portion of the top plate portion 81a. The first rear wall portion The height of 811d is set higher than the height of the second rear wall portion 812d, and the first rear wall portion 811d supports the "region of the first arrival path member 24A on the end portion 243A side". The second rear wall portion 812d is in a state of supporting the “part of the terminal portion 243B of the second reaching passage member 24B”. As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal portion 243A of the first reaching passage member 24A is arranged above the left end portion (as viewed from the player) of the “first arrangement portion H1”. The game ball is allowed to drop to the “first arrangement site H1”, and the terminal portion 243A of the second arrival path member 24B is located on the right end side (viewed by the player) of the “second arrangement site H2”. The game ball can be dropped onto the “second arrangement portion H2”.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed decorative portion 81e is a member that enhances the “designability” of the guiding device 80 while concealing the supporting protrusion 81h and constitutes a specific example of the “regulating means”. The fixed decorative portion 81e has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape (see the broken line in FIG. 9), and the “six cylindrical portions 811e” individually enclosing the supporting projections 81h are combined in a substantially “lattice” shape. It has a configuration. That is, the six cylindrical body portions 811e are arranged in three rows on the top surface portion side of the top plate portion 81a, like the supporting protrusions 81h. The “last row support protrusion 81h” is accommodated substantially concentrically inside the cylindrical body portion 811e located in the last row, and the lower surface portion of the guide passage member 82 supported by the support protrusion 81h. The side is inserted (see FIG. 9).

  One of the two cylindrical body portions 811e positioned in the “intermediate row” is configured such that the “intermediate row support protrusion 81h” is accommodated substantially concentrically and the two guide passage members 82 positioned in the “intermediate row”. One of the lower surface portions is allowed to enter. Similarly, the other of the two cylindrical body portions 811e positioned in the “intermediate row” has two guide passages positioned in the “intermediate row” while the “intermediate row support protrusion 81h” is accommodated substantially concentrically. The other lower surface portion side of the member 82 is allowed to enter. In addition, among the three cylindrical body portions 811e located in the “front row”, the supporting projections 81h located in the “front row” are stored in a substantially concentric manner, and “ Of the three guide passage members 82 located in the “front row”, the lower surface portion side of the corresponding ones is inserted (see FIG. 9).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the planar shape of the fixed decorative portion 81 e is a substantially “equilateral triangle” arranged on the “back side (back side as viewed from the player)”, but the right and left side edges The smell is provided with a fall prevention wall 812e extending upward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a restricting protrusion 813e protrudes from the approximate center of the front surface portion of the cylindrical body portion 811e provided with the last row and the intermediate row. The upper surface of the restricting protrusion 813e is a mountain-shaped surface that is inclined to the left and right. When a game ball collides, the game ball rebounds to the left and right (rebounds toward the guide passage member 82 on the lower row side). Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the guide passage member 82 includes a passage member main body 82a, a movable decorative portion 82b that protrudes upward from the upper surface portion of the passage member main body 82a, and a lower surface portion of the passage member main body 82a. And a projecting projection 82c that projects. Further, the passage member main body 82 has a substantially disc shape, and the axial center position of the lower surface portion thereof is supported by the supporting protrusion 81h. As a result, the passage member main body 82a can be rotated while its axis is concentrically aligned with the axis of the support projection 81h (axis of the screw W).

  A guide passage 82d is provided on the upper surface of the passage member main body 82a. The guide passage 82d is configured using a recess (groove portion) that draws a linear path along the diameter direction of the passage member main body 82a. Further, the groove shape (cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the path direction) of the guide passage 82d is a substantially “U-shape” that opens upward, and the depth at which the lower half of the game ball (diameter about 11 mm) can be accommodated. In addition, both end portions and the upper surface portion thereof are defined as “open portions where game balls can go in and out”.

  A specific example of the ball discharge portion 82e is configured while one end portion of the guide passage 82d faces the downstream direction of the guide device 80 (that is, the player's direction). As shown in FIG. 9, a guide protrusion 82f is formed at a portion near the other end of the guide passage 82d. The upper end surface of the guide projection 82f is an inclined surface that is inclined downward in the direction of one end portion of the guide passage 82d (the direction of the ball discharge portion 82e). In this embodiment, the bottom surface (rolling surface) of the guide passage 82d is configured as a “substantially horizontal surface”, but the bottom surface (rolling surface) of the guide passage 82d is “in the direction of the ball discharge portion 82e”. It can also be configured as an “inclined surface that is inclined downward”.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the movable decorative portion 82b is formed in a “doll shape” and can be rotated integrally with the passage member main body 82a. The movable decorative portion 82b includes a trunk portion 821b, a head portion 822b, and a leg portion 823b. And it is made into the state which straddles the width direction of the guidance channel | path 82d by the leg part 823b branched into two forks toward a lower end part.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the transmission protrusion 82c is formed in a substantially rod shape, and hangs downward from a portion of the lower surface portion of the passage member main body 82a located near the periphery (position eccentric from the axial center position). It is provided in the state to do. The transmission protrusion 82c is used to transmit the driving force of the first motor 83 or the second motor 84 to the passage member main body 82a. However, in the present embodiment, since the “first guide passage member Y1” is configured to rotate without using a drive source, the transmission projection 82c does not function. That is, the first guide passage member Y1 is supported in a freely rotatable state by the “first support protrusion T1”. Then, an external force applied to the first guide path member Y1 by the game ball passing through the guide path 82d of the first guide path member Y1 (for example, the axis of the first support protrusion T1 in the inner wall surface of the guide path 82d) The first guide passage member Y1 is rotated by an external force applied to a position deviated from the center position.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 14, in “the other guide passage member 82 except the guide passage member 82 (first guide passage member Y1) in the last row (the most upstream row)”, the transmission protrusion 82c. The lower end portion (denoted as K2 to K6 in FIG. 14) passes through a corresponding through hole 81i (that is, a substantially arc-shaped through hole 81i whose center of curvature is the axis of the target support projection 81h). It reaches below the top plate portion 81a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, these lower end portions K <b> 2 to K <b> 6 are engaged with a first transmission member 85 (described later) or a second transmission member 86 (described later). . 14 and 15, the screws W (W2 to W6) for fixing the support protrusion 81h are shown. As described above, the axis of the screws W (W2 to W6) is supported. This coincides with the axis of the projection 81h and the axis of the guide passage member 82 in a corresponding relationship.

  The first motor 83 is a “stepping motor” for rotating the “frontmost (most downstream) central guide passage member 82 (fifth guide passage member Y5)”, as shown in FIG. The motor is mounted at the approximate center of the motor mounting portion 81c. The rotating shaft 83a of the first motor 83 is connected to the first transmission member 85 via the first transmission arm 83b. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the first transmission arm 83b is attached to an arm main body 831b configured in a substantially crank shape and to one end of the arm main body 831b in a rotatable state while being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. And a cylindrical portion 835b. The other end portion of the arm main body 831b is attached so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft 83a.

  The second motor 84 includes a “front guide row member 82 on both sides (the most downstream row) (a fourth guide passage member Y4 and a sixth guide passage member Y6)” and “an intermediate guide both guide passage members. 82 (second guide passage member Y2, third guide passage member Y3) "is a" stepping motor "for rotating, as shown in FIG. 11, the left end side (from the player) of the motor mounting portion 81c It is attached to the left end side). The rotation shaft 84a of the second motor 84 is connected to the second transmission member 86 via the second transmission arm 84b. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the second transmission arm 84b is also attached to the arm body 841b configured in a substantially crank shape and to one end of the arm body 841b in a rotatable state while being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. And a cylindrical portion 845b. And the other end part of the arm main body 841b is mounted | worn in the state which can rotate integrally with respect to the rotating shaft 84b.

  The first motor 83 and the second motor 84 constitute specific examples of drive means, and a main control unit 200A described later is a specific example of “drive control means” for controlling the drive (operation) of these drive means. Configure. In the present embodiment, the last row (most upstream row) guide passage member 82 (first guide passage member Y1) "operates without using the driving means. The member 82 may be driven using the first motor 83 or the second motor 84, or may be driven using other driving means (such as a motor).

  The first transmission member 85 is a member for transmitting the driving force of the first motor 83 to the “guide passage member 82 (fifth guide passage member Y5) in the center of the foremost row”. As shown in FIG. 14, the first transmission member 85 includes a member main body 85a configured in a substantially plate-like body and a pair of protrusions 85b protruding from the lower surface portion of the member main body 85a. Among these, the member main body 85a is housed in the aforementioned “recessed portion 81g (recessed portion 81g of the top plate portion 81a)” and is slidable in the front-rear direction of the top plate portion 81a. That is, the long hole 85c is provided in the front-rear direction at a substantially central portion of the member main body 85a. Then, it is slidably attached to the lower surface portion of the top plate portion 81a using a washer 85f having a diameter larger than the short width of the long hole 85c and a screw 85e. More specifically, the shaft portion of the two screws 85e is inserted into the long hole 85c and screwed into the lower surface portion of the top plate portion 81a, and the washer 85f is attached to the member main body 85a (long hole 85c by the head of the screw 85e. Is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 81a of the member main body 85a.

  In addition, an engaging portion 85g configured using an oval hole in the left-right direction is provided in a portion near the front end edge of the member main body 85a. The lower end portion K5 of the transmission protrusion 82c constituting the “frontmost row (most downstream row) center guide passage member 82 (fifth guide passage member Y5)” is inserted into the engaging portion 85g. The short width of the engaging portion 85g is slightly larger than the diameter of the lower end portion K5 (size that can be inserted in a sliding state) and is much larger than the diameter of the lower end portion K5 of the engaging portion 85g. (2 to 3 times). For this reason, the relative movement in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the engaging portion 85g is allowed between the lower end K5 and the engaging portion 85g, but in the short direction (front-rear direction) of the engaging portion 85g. The relative movement is not allowed.

  The pair of protrusions 85b protrude downward at a position near the rear end edge of the lower surface portion of the member main body 85a. These protrusions 85b are rectangular plates and are parallel to the front and rear. The short width of the space formed between the protrusions 85b is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 835b described above (size that can be inserted in a sliding state), and the long width of the space is a cylinder. It is much larger (2 to 3 times) than the diameter of the shape portion 835b. For this reason, relative movement in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the space portion is allowed between the pair of protrusions 85b and the cylindrical portion 835b, but in the short direction (front-rear direction) of the space portion. The relative movement is not allowed.

  In this embodiment, when the rotation shaft 83a of the first motor 83 rotates by a predetermined amount in the “leftward direction when viewed from above (rightward when viewed from below the bottom surface)”, the first transmission arm 83b is also “viewed from above”. To the left ”by a predetermined amount. At this time, since the first transmission arm 83b (cylindrical portion 835b) presses the rear one of the pair of protrusions 85b (in the direction of arrow B1 in FIGS. 14 and 16), The first transmission member 85 slides backward. And the lower end part K5 of the transmission protrusion 82c which comprises the 5th guidance path member Y5 is pressed back by the inner wall part (part which orient | assigns back) of the engaging part 85g. Here, in the fifth guide passage member Y5, the “fifth guide passage member” is set on the “right side when viewed from the player” with reference to the rotational axis (matching the axis of the screw W indicated by the symbol W5). A transmission protrusion 82c ”that constitutes Y5 is disposed. Therefore, the fifth guide passage member Y5 rotates by a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction by pressing the lower end K5 of the transmission protrusion 82c backward. For this reason, in the guide passage 82d provided in the fifth guide passage member Y5, the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is directed from the “front-facing state” to the “left side of the player”. Is changed to "state".

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the rotation shaft 83a of the first motor 83 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the “right direction when viewed from above (left direction when viewed from below the bottom surface)”, the first transmission arm 83b is also “upward Rotate a predetermined amount in the “right direction when viewed from the top”. At this time, the first transmission arm 83b (cylindrical portion 835b) presses the “front one of the pair of protrusions 85b” forward (in the direction of arrow F1 in FIGS. 14 and 16). The first transmission member 85 slides forward. Then, the lower end portion K5 of the transmission projection 82c constituting the fifth guide passage member Y5 is pressed forward by the inner wall portion (portion directed forward) of the engaging portion 85g. Accordingly, the fifth guide passage member Y5 rotates by a predetermined angle in the left rotation direction. For this reason, in the guide passage 82d provided in the fifth guide passage member Y5, the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is directed from the “front-facing state” to the “right side of the player”. Is changed to "state".

  The second transmission member 86 uses the driving force of the second motor 84 as “the front guide row (most downstream row) on both sides of the guide passage members 82 (fourth guide passage member Y4, sixth guide passage member Y6)”. And “the two guide passage members 82 (second guide passage member Y2, third guide passage member Y3) in the middle row”. As shown in FIG. 15, the second transmission member 86 includes a member main body 86a configured in a substantially plate-like body and a pair of protrusions 86b protruding from the lower surface portion of the member main body 86a. Among these, the member main body 86a is mounted on the lower surface portion of the top plate portion 81a below the above-described “member main body 85a housed in the recessed portion 81g” so as to cross the member main body 85a left and right. The top plate portion 81a is slidable in the left-right direction (see FIG. 11). That is, as shown in FIG. 15, elongated holes 86c and 86c are provided on the left and right ends of the member main body 86a so that the longitudinal direction is directed to the left and right. And it mounts | wears with the state which can be slid on the lower surface part of the top-plate part 81a using the washer 86f provided with a diameter larger than the short width of these long holes 86c, and the screw | thread 86e. More specifically, the shaft portion of one screw 86e is screwed into the lower surface portion of the top plate portion 81a while being inserted into each long hole 86c, and the washer 86f is attached to the member main body 86a (long hole by the head portion of the screw 86e. The peripheral surface of 86c is pressed onto the lower surface portion of the top plate portion 81a of the member main body 86a.

  Further, the member main body 86a has “two engaging portions 853g and 854g” configured using “holes penetrating the upper and lower surface portions of the member main body 86a”, and “cuts opened at the end surface and the upper and lower surface portions of the member main body 85a. “Two engaging portions 852g and 856g” configured using “notches” are provided. These engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g are all elongated in the front-rear direction, and “the lower end portion of the target transmission protrusion 82c (K2, K3, K4, K6)” is inserted. The In addition, the short widths of these engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g are slightly larger than the diameter of the “lower end portion (K2, K3, K4, K6) of the target transmission protrusion 82c” (sliding) The longitudinal width is much larger (2 to 3 times) than the diameter of the “lower end of the target transmission protrusion 82c (K2, K3, K4, K6)”. Yes. Therefore, the engagement portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g are between the “lower end portion (K2, K3, K4, and K6) of the target transmission protrusion 82c” and the engagement portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g. The relative movement in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) is allowed, but the relative movement in the short direction (left-right direction) of the engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, 856g is not allowed.

  Here, the “target transmission protrusions 82c” of the respective engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g will be described. That is, the member main body 85a has two engaging portions 852g and 854g on the left side with respect to the player, and two engaging portions 853g and 856g on the right side with respect to the player. Further, the lower end portion K2 of the transmission projection 82c constituting the second guide passage member Y2 is inserted into the engaging portion 852g, and the transmission projection 82c constituting the third guide passage member Y3 is inserted into the engagement portion 853g. The lower end K3 is inserted. Further, the lower end portion K4 of the transmission projection 82c constituting the fourth guide passage member Y4 is inserted into the engaging portion 854g, and the transmission projection 82c constituting the sixth guide passage member Y6 is inserted into the engagement portion 856g. The lower end K6 is inserted.

  In the second guide passage member Y2, the rotation axis (the axis of the second support projection T2, that is, the axis of the screw W2 that fixes the second support projection T2) is located behind the rotation axis. The lower end K2 constituting the transmission projection 82c and the engagement portion 852g to be engaged are arranged, and the rotation axis of the fourth guide path member Y4 (the axis of the fourth support projection T4) is also provided. That is, the lower end K4 constituting the transmission projection 82c and the engagement portion 854g to be engaged are arranged behind the axis W of the screw W4 that fixes the fourth support projection T4. On the other hand, in the third guide passage member Y3, in front of the rotation axis (the axis of the third support projection T3, that is, the axis of the screw W3 fixing the third support projection T3) The lower end portion K3 constituting the transmission projection 82c and the engagement portion 853g to be engaged are arranged, and the sixth guide path member Y6 also has its rotation axis (the axis of the sixth support projection T6). In other words, the lower end portion K6 constituting the transmission projection 82c and the engagement portion 856g to be engaged are arranged in front of the screw W6 axis that fixes the sixth support projection T6.

  In other words, in the “guide passage members Y2 and Y4 on the left side with respect to the player”, the transmission projections 82c and 82c are arranged behind the rotation axis of the guide passage members Y2 and Y4. In the right guide passage members Y3 and Y6 ", the transmission projections 82c and 82c are arranged in front of the rotation axis of the guide passage members Y3 and Y6. Therefore, when the second transmission member 86 slides left and right, the “left guide passage members Y2 and Y4 with respect to the player” and the “right guide passage members Y3 and Y6 with respect to the player” are different. A rotational force in the direction is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the pair of protrusions 86b protrudes downward at a position near the rear end edge of the left end of the lower surface portion of the member main body 86a. These protrusions 85b are rectangular plates and are parallel to the left and right. The short width of the space formed between the protrusions 86b is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 845b described above (size that can be inserted in a sliding state), and the long width of the space is a cylinder. The diameter is much larger (2 to 3 times) than the diameter of the shape portion 845b. For this reason, relative movement in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the space portion is allowed between the pair of protrusions 86b and the cylindrical portion 845b, but in the short direction (left-right direction) of the space portion. The relative movement is not allowed.

  In this embodiment, when the rotation shaft 84a of the second motor 84 rotates by a predetermined amount in the “left direction as viewed from above (right direction when viewed from below the bottom surface)”, the second transmission arm 84b is also “viewed from above”. To the left ”by a predetermined amount. At this time, the second transmission arm 84b (cylindrical portion 845b) presses the “right one of the pair of protrusions 86b” in the right direction (the direction of the arrow R1 in FIGS. 15 and 16). The second transmission member 86 slides in the right direction. Then, each of the engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g presses the “target transmission protrusion 82c” in the right direction. For this reason, the “left guide passage members Y2 and Y4 with respect to the player” rotate “rightward when viewed from above”, and the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is “oriented frontward”. The state is changed from “state” to “state toward the left side of the player”. At the same time, the “right guide passage members Y3, Y6 with respect to the player” rotate “leftward when viewed from above”, and the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is “the state of being directed to the front”. To “a state in which the player is directed to the right side”. Therefore, “the left guide passage members Y2 and Y4 with respect to the player” and “the right guide passage members Y3 and Y6 with respect to the player” are in the “state facing away from the player”.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the rotation shaft 84a of the second motor 84 rotates by a predetermined amount in the “right direction when viewed from above”, the second transmission arm 84b also has a predetermined amount in the “right direction when viewed from above”. Rotate. At this time, the second transmission arm 84b (cylindrical portion 835b) presses the “left one of the pair of protrusions 86b” in the left direction (the direction of the arrow L1 in FIGS. 15 and 16). The second transmission member 86 slides in the left direction. Then, the respective engaging portions 852g, 853g, 854g, and 856g press the “target transmission protrusion 82c” leftward. Therefore, the “left guide passage members Y2 and Y4 with respect to the player” rotate “leftward when viewed from above”, and the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is “oriented frontward”. The state is changed from “state” to “state directed to the right side of the player”. At the same time, the “right guide passage members Y3, Y6 with respect to the player” rotate “rightward when viewed from above”, and the state of the ball discharge portion 82e and the movable decorative portion 82b is “the state of being directed to the front”. To "a state oriented toward the left side of the player". For this reason, the “left guide passage members Y2, Y4 with respect to the player” and the “right guide passage members Y3, Y6 with reference to the player” are in the “facing player direction”. State) ”.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, a plurality of guide passage members are provided via a transmission member (second transmission member 86) capable of reciprocating the driving force generated by a single driving means (second motor 84). A configuration for transmitting to (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) is adopted. In addition, in the guide passage members (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6), portions (lower end portions K2, K3, K4, K6) where the driving force is applied from the transmission member (second transmission member 86), The part is referred to as a position eccentric with respect to the position of the rotation axis of the guide passage member (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) (position of the axes of the screws W2, W3, W4, W6). Further, some of the guide passage members (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) have different positional relationships between the “load portion” and the “rotation axis”.

  That is, “virtual line P1 passing through the rotation axis of each guide passage member (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) in the direction in which the transmission member (second transmission member 86) operates (left-right direction), In consideration of “P2”, in the present embodiment, “guide passage member (Y2, Y4) having a load portion on one side (rear)” and “the other side (front) with reference to the virtual lines P1 and P2. ) And a guide passage member (Y3, Y6) "in which a load site is present. For this reason, it is possible to rotate the plurality of guide passage members (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) in different directions while using a single drive means (second motor 84). For example, when the transmission member (second transmission member 86) is operated in the “direction of the arrow RT in the drawing”, “the guide passage having a load portion on one side (rear side) with reference to the virtual lines P1 and P2. The member (Y2, Y4) "rotates in the" direction of the arrow n in the drawing ", and the guide passage member (Y3, Y6) having the" load portion on the other side (front) with respect to the virtual lines P1, P2 " ) "Rotates in the direction of rotation opposite to the guide passage members (Y2, Y4) (in the direction of arrow m in the figure). Further, when the transmission member (second transmission member 86) is operated in the direction opposite to the arrow RT in the figure, the guide passage members (Y2, Y4) rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow m in the figure to guide The passage members (Y3, Y6) rotate in the “direction of arrow n in the drawing”.

  In the present embodiment, the first motor 83 and the second motor 84 are driven under the control of the main control unit 200A (drive control means). As described above, when the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 rotate in the “right direction when viewed from above”, the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 rotates “leftward when viewed from above”. When the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 reach the rotation limit position in the right rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 18, the guide passage 82d of the second guide passage member Y2 Since the guide passage 82d of the fourth guide passage member Y4 and the normal communication port MTL on the left side as viewed from the player are arranged on the substantially same line, the ball discharge portion 82e of the guide passage 82d of the second guide passage member Y2 is arranged. There is a high possibility that the game ball released from the vehicle enters the guide passage 82d of the fourth guide passage member Y4 and is guided to the normal region TR (normal contact port MTL).

  Further, at the same time that the second guide passage member Y2 and the like reach the rotation limit position in the right rotation direction, the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 are in the rotation limit position in the left rotation direction. To reach. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18, the guide passage 82d of the third guide passage member Y3, the guide passage 82d of the sixth guide passage member Y6, and the normal communication port MTR on the right side when viewed from the player are substantially omitted. Since they are arranged on the same line, the game balls released from the ball discharge portion 82e of the guide passage 82d of the third guide passage member Y3 enter the guide passage 82d of the sixth guide passage member Y6, and further, the normal region portion TR ( The possibility of being guided to the normal contact MTR) increases.

  Further, when the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 rotate in the “left direction as viewed from above”, the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 become “upward”. Rotate "right" as seen from the top. When the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 reach the rotation limit position in the right rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 19, the guide passage 82d of the second guide passage member Y2 Since the ball discharge portion 82e is directed to the upper side of the fifth guide passage member Y5, there is a high possibility that the game ball released from the second guide passage member Y2 reaches the fifth guide passage member Y5. Become. Then, when the game ball is released from the guide passage 82d of the fifth guide passage member Y5, the ball discharge portion 82e is “in a state where it happens to be directed above the special connection port MS (a state in which the front is directed)”. If there is, there is a high possibility that the game ball is guided to the special area SR (special contact port MS). At this time, since the ball discharge portion 82e of the fourth guide passage member Y4 is directed above the special connection port MS, the game balls discharged from the fourth guide passage member Y4 are in the special region portion SR. Is more likely to be induced.

  Further, at the same time as the second guide passage member Y2 and the like reach the rotation limit position in the left rotation direction, the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 reach the rotation limit position in the right rotation direction. To reach. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, since the ball discharge portion 82e of the guide passage 82d of the fourth guide passage member Y4 is directed above the fifth guide passage member Y5, the fourth guide passage member The game ball released from Y4 is more likely to reach the fifth guide passage member Y5. Then, when the game ball is released from the guide passage 82d of the fifth guide passage member Y5, the ball discharge portion 82e is “in a state where it happens to be directed above the special connection port MS (a state in which the front is directed)”. If there is, there is a high possibility that the game ball is guided to the special area SR (special contact port MS). At this time, since the ball discharge portion 82e of the sixth guide passage member Y6 is directed above the special connection port MS, the game ball released from the sixth guide passage member Y6 is in the special region portion SR. Is more likely to be induced.

  In the guiding device 80 of the present embodiment, the following “passing route” is formed using six guiding members (Y1 to Y6). That is, the game ball entering the ball receiving portion 80A (first guide passage member Y1) passes through (a) “the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 and the normal contact port on the left side. A passage route to the MTL ”, (b)“ a passage route that passes through the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 and reaches the special connection port MS ”, and (c)“ second guide ”. Passing route passing through the passage member Y2 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 and reaching the normal communication port MTL on the left side ”, (d)“ the second guide passage member Y2 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 Passing route to pass through the special communication port MS ”and (e)“ Passing route through the second guide passage member Y2 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 to the right normal communication port MTR ” And (f) “passing through the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6” (G) “passage route passing through the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 to the special contact port MS” (h) ) “Passing route passing through the third guide passage member Y3 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 to the normal communication port MTL on the left side” and (i) “Third guide passage member Y3 and the fifth guide A passage route passing through the passage member Y5 to the special connection port MS, and (j) “passing through the third guide passage member Y3 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 to the right normal connection port MTR”. There is a possibility of passing through any of “route”.

  In addition, a game ball that enters the ball intake portion 80B (third guide passage member Y3) is (k “passage route that passes through the sixth guide passage member Y6 and reaches the right normal communication port MTR”), ( l) “passage route passing through the sixth guide passage member Y6 to the special connection port MS” and (m) “passage route passing through the fifth guide passage member Y5 to the left normal contact port MTL” (N) “passage route passing through the fifth guide passage member Y5 and reaching the special connection port MS”, and (o) “passing through the fifth guide passage member Y5 and the normal contact port MTR on the right side” In this embodiment, first, six guiding members (Y1 to Y6) are used to make a total of “15 kinds of passing routes”. Can be formed.

  However, when the game ball reaching the connection port arrangement site M is strong, there is a possibility of passing through a route other than the “15 ways of route”. That is, the game ball entering the ball receiving portion 80A (first guide passage member Y1) passes through the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth guide passage member Y4 (p), and the normal contact port MTL on the left side. (Q) the second guide passage member Y2 and the fourth route that flow through the rolling contact surface M1 and enter the special contact port MS without flowing into the left normal contact port MTL. After passing through the guide passage member Y4 and flowing down in the direction of the left normal communication port MTL, the rolling surface M1 is rolled without entering the left normal communication port MTL and enters the right normal communication port MTR. (R) after passing through the third guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 and flowing down in the direction of the right normal connection port MTR, without entering the right normal connection port MTR A passing route that rolls on the rolling surface M1 and enters the special contact port MS, (s) No. After passing through the guide passage member Y3 and the sixth guide passage member Y6 and flowing down in the direction of the right normal communication port MTR, the rolling surface M1 is rolled without entering the right normal communication port MTR. There is also a possibility of passing through any of the passage routes entering the normal contact port MTL on the left side. In addition, the game ball that enters the ball intake portion 80B (the third guide passage member Y3) passes through the sixth guide passage member Y6 and flows down in the direction of the right normal communication port MTR, and then the right side. (U) Passing route that enters the special contact port MS by rolling on the rolling surface M1 without entering the normal contact port MTR, (u) passes through the sixth guide passage member Y6, and passes through the right normal contact port MTR. After flowing down in the direction, there is a possibility of passing through any of the passage routes that roll on the rolling surface M1 and enter the left normal contact port MTL without entering the right normal contact port MTR. .

  In this embodiment, any of the guide passage members Y1 to Y6 has a rotation amount in the left rotation direction (a rotation amount in the left rotation direction based on the case where the ball discharge portion 82e is directed to the front) and a right rotation. The amount of rotation in the direction (the amount of rotation in the right rotation direction with reference to the case where the ball discharge portion 82e is directed to the front) is equal (for example, a rotation angle of 30 degrees). When the guide passage members Y1 to Y6 rotate left and right, the ball discharge portions 82e reciprocate left and right while drawing a “substantially arcuate path” along the width direction of the arrangement portions H1 to H3 (game). Reciprocate left and right as seen from the player in front of the machine). However, in the invention of each claim, the amount of rotation in the left rotation direction and the amount of rotation in the right rotation direction are different in all the guide passage members Y1 to Y6 or some of the guide passage members constituting the guide device 80. However (including the case where any rotation amount is set to “zero”).

  Returning to FIG. 4, the normal symbol operation gates (ordinary symbol operation ports) 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B are disposed in a portion located below the central device 20 in the game area 11. Further, the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switches 16s and 16s (see FIG. 23) are disposed on the normal symbol operation gates (normal symbol operation ports) 16A and 16B. When the “normal symbol variation start condition (that is, the normal symbol variation start condition)” is satisfied on the premise that the game ball passes through the normal symbol actuating gate passage detection switch 16s, the first display device 60 The normal symbol variation display (specifically, the blinking display of the normal symbol lamp device) is started. Then, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the start of normal symbol fluctuation, the normal symbol is confirmed (lit or extinguished). When the normal symbol hit display (lighted display) is performed, the normal electric accessory 17d (described later) is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the start winning device 17 is arranged in the gaming area 11 immediately below the central portion of the central device 20, and the starting winning device 18 is arranged diagonally to the left of the central device 20 in the gaming area 11. The start winning device 19 is disposed diagonally to the left of the central device 20 in the game area 11. Among these, an ordinary electric accessory 17 d is arranged at the entrance side portion of the start winning device 17. The ordinary electric accessory 17d is a so-called tulip type and is formed so that a pair of wing pieces are opened and closed on the left and right. That is, a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 23) for operating the pair of blade pieces is provided. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the open state, and the pair of wing pieces are erected so that the game ball is less likely to enter. It becomes. The other start winning devices 18 and 19 are normal type winning devices that cannot change the possibility of winning.

  Inside each of the start winning devices 17, 18, 19 are provided start winning detection switches 17s, 18s, 19s (see FIG. 23) for detecting the passage of the game ball. However, the game balls won in all the start winning devices 17, 18 and 19 are led to the same passage (not shown), and a common “start winning detection switch” arranged in the middle of the passage is provided. It may be arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower device 30 is disposed below the start winning device 17. The lower device 30 is composed of a variable winning device (large winning device) 31. The variable winning device 31 includes an attachment plate portion 31k attached to the front surface portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate portion 31k is provided with an opening having a substantially band shape in a substantially central portion in a state of passing through the front and back, and the opening constitutes a big prize opening 31a. Further, behind the mounting plate portion 31k, there is provided a “large winning opening winning passage (not shown)” for allowing a game ball to be won from the large winning opening 31a to pass therethrough.

  The variable winning device (large winning device) 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the large winning port 31a, and a large winning port solenoid plate 31c for driving the opening / closing plate 31b (see FIG. 23). And a winning ball detection switch 31 s (see FIG. 23) provided in the middle of the path of the big winning opening winning path or in the path terminal section. In this variable winning device (large winning device) 31, when the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning port 31a. Is impossible. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b tilts forward with its lower end as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guides the game ball which reached | attained the variable winning apparatus (large winning apparatus) 31 to the large winning opening 31a is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the reserved symbol display device 50 is integrated with the lower end side of the top wall portion 21 f, and the special symbol reserved display unit 51 disposed on the left side and the normal symbol reserved display unit 52 disposed on the right side. And. Among these, the special symbol hold display unit 51 is configured by using two LEDs 51a and 51b as shown in FIG. 19A, and displays the so-called “number of hold for special symbols” with the upper limit being four. Is. That is, “the number of game balls that have been won in the start winning devices 17, 18, 19 but have not yet been digested (ie, the number of reserves)” is displayed as the upper limit number of 4 and the undigested game balls are digested. Each time, the “number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserved balls)” is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” related to the special symbol is won in the start winning devices 17, 18, and 19, but the special symbol display unit 51 described later determines whether or not the pass is associated with the passage. The game ball in which the display of the result (determination display of the determination result symbol) and the change display preceding this are not made. In the present embodiment, “the judgment executed by the main controller 200A on the condition that the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gates (normal symbol operating ports) 16A and 16B, that is, the normal electric accessory 17d is used. The determination of whether or not to be in the open state is referred to as “winning lottery”. Further, “determination executed by the main control unit 200A on the condition that the game ball wins the start winning device 17”, that is, whether or not the variable winning device (large winning device) 31 is allowed to be opened. Judgment ”, that is,“ whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine should be changed from a normal gaming state in which the variable winning device 31 is maintained in a closed state to a special gaming state in which the variable winning device 31 is opened and closed (a jackpot gaming state). The “determination” is referred to as “determining whether or not it is correct”.

  As shown in FIG. 20 (a), the normal symbol hold display section 52 is configured by using two LEDs 52a and 52b, and displays the so-called “number of hold for normal symbols” with an upper limit of four. . That is, “the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operating gates (normal symbol operating ports) 16A and 16B but have not yet been digested (ie, the number of reserved balls)” is displayed as an upper limit number of four and undigested Each time the game balls are digested, the “number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)” is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” related to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate (normal symbol operation port) 16A, 16B, but in the normal symbol display section 52 described later, This indicates a game ball that is not displayed as a result of winning / failing lottery associated with passing (determined display of a lottery result symbol) and fluctuating display preceding this (in this embodiment, blinking display using an LED).

  The special symbol hold display unit 51 and the normal symbol hold display unit 52 display the number of holds in the same manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 20B, turning off the two LEDs indicates that the “holding number” is “zero”. Further, by turning on one LED and turning off one LED, the “holding number” is “1”. Further, by turning on two LEDs, it is shown that the “holding number” is “2”. Further, by blinking one LED and turning on one LED, the “holding number” is “3”. Furthermore, by blinking two LEDs, it is shown that the “holding number” is “4”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first display device 60 is integrated with the right collar 21 e. As shown in FIG. 21A, the first display device 60 includes a game state display unit 62, a special symbol display unit 63, and a normal symbol display unit 65. Among these, the game state display part 62 is comprised using one LED, and is used in order to display the present game state of the gaming machine 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 21B, by turning off one LED, it is displayed that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the normal gaming state”. Further, by “lighting red” the LED, it is displayed that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in a big hit for three rounds (described later)”. Furthermore, by “lighting green” the LED, it is displayed that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in a big hit for 8 rounds (described later)”, and “lighting blue”. In this case, the message that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a big hit for 16 rounds (described later)” is displayed.

  The normal symbol display unit 65 is configured by using one LED, and as described above, the “display of the result of the lottery determination with the normal symbol operation gates (normal symbol operation ports) 16A, 16B” is displayed in a variable manner (this In the embodiment, the process is executed through a blinking display using an LED. That is, when the execution time of the “variation display that precedes the display of the result relating to the lottery determination” comes, the normal symbol display unit 65 starts blinking display. Then, when the execution time of “display the result regarding the success / failure lottery” has arrived (in other words, when the normal symbol change time ends), the normal symbol display unit 65 is used to confirm the display of the “result regarding the success / failure lottery”. The Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), when the LED is turned on, it is confirmed that the “result regarding the determination of success / failure” is a win (the result of the lottery for the normal symbol is a win). Then, by turning off the LED, it is confirmed that the “result regarding the lottery determination” is out of place (the result of the lottery determination regarding the normal symbol is a win). In addition, when the “result regarding the success / failure lottery” is a win (the result of the success / failure lottery regarding the normal symbol is a hit), as described above, the ordinary electric accessory 17d (described later) is kept for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) It is driven to open.

  In this embodiment, as described above, when the LED is turned on or off, a normal symbol confirmation display is shown, and when the LED is blinking, a normal symbol variation display is shown. That is, a normal symbol is displayed using a lighting display, a light-off display, and a blinking display by the lamp device. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to display a normal symbol or a special symbol described later using numerals (for example, numerals 1 to 9), alphabetic characters, graphics, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, the special symbol display unit 63 is configured by using “four LEDs 63a to 63d” arranged in a substantially arc shape. The display of the result of the success / failure determination accompanying the winning of the game ball (hereinafter referred to as “start winning”) ”is executed through the variable display (in the present embodiment, lighting display using a plurality of LEDs). That is, when the execution time of the “variation display preceding the display of the result regarding the determination of success / failure” comes, the special symbol display unit 63 displays “four LEDs 63a to 63d” as shown in FIG. Sequentially turn it on cyclically. When this variable display (hereinafter referred to as “circular display using the LEDs 63a to 63d”) is executed and the execution time of “display of the result related to the determination on whether or not the special symbol is reached” comes, the special symbol display unit 63 displays the special symbol. Confirmation display is executed.

  Here, the display mode of the fixed display of the special symbol will be described with reference to FIG. First, when all the LEDs 63a to 63d are turned off, it is indicated that “the result of the determination is wrong”. In addition, by setting one LED (for example, 63b) to a lighting state and the remaining three LEDs (for example, 63a, 63c, and 63d) to a non-lighting state, “the result of the determination of success / failure is a small hit (described later). .) ”. Further, two LEDs (for example, 63a and 63b) are turned on, and the remaining two LEDs (for example, 63c and 63d) are turned off. It will be described later). Further, by turning on three LEDs (for example, 63a to 63c) and turning off the remaining one LED (for example, 63d), “the result of the determination of success / failure is 8 round big hit (to be described later) .) ”And all the LEDs 63a to 63d are turned on, indicating that“ the result of the determination of success / failure is out of 16 round big hits (described later) ”.

  The second display device 70 is configured using a liquid crystal display device, and is mounted behind the storage box 22 (see FIG. 6). The display screen 71 is visible from the front through a display window (not shown) provided on the back surface of the storage box 22. The display screen 71 of the second display device 70 is used in a variable state, and various symbols can be displayed using the whole or a part thereof. On this display screen 71, it is possible to display various effect symbols (such as a symbol display, a reach effect, a development effect, a character display, etc., which are displayed in an effective manner, such as a final display displayed on the special symbol display unit 63). is there.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the two general winning devices 40 and 41 are arranged in the game region 11 at a position located on the left side of the central device 20, and the remaining two general winning devices 43 and 44 are The central device 20 is disposed on the right side of the central device 20. In each of the general winning devices 40, 41, 43, and 44, winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, and 44s (see FIG. 23) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wind turbine 46 is disposed at four locations surrounding the central device 20. A number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each board component described above. An out port 18 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again. On the other hand, the foul ball preventing member 15 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 13.

  In the gaming machine 1, the operation switch SW is disposed on the upper plate member 5 as described above. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, even if this operation switch SW is operated, the game effect cannot be changed. However, in each invention, the operation switch SW is changed to the game effect. It may be used for giving. For example, it may be used to change the display performed on the display screen 71 of the second display device 70.

e. Next, the back structure of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 is a structure in which various devices are mounted on a large back mechanism board 102, and the back mechanism board 102 is pivotally supported by a pair of hinges 103 so that it can be opened and closed on the middle frame 3. Has been.

  A main control board case in which a prize ball tank 105 for storing game balls, a prize ball payout device 109 for paying out prize balls, and a main control board 200 constituting the main control unit 200A are stored in the back mechanism board 102. A launcher control board case 130 in which a launch control board 260 for controlling the launcher unit is stored, a payout control board case 118 in which a payout control board 240 for controlling the prize ball payout device 109 is stored, and a main control board The relay terminal board etc. which relay 200 and various switches are mounted.

  The award ball tank 105 is provided with a tank switch at the bottom, and can detect a broken ball. The prize ball tank 105 and the prize ball payout device 109 are connected by a tank rail 106. Further, in FIG. 26, a ball removal lever is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106, and a refilling ball breakage detection switch is provided on the downstream side of the tank rail 106. In addition, a game ball distribution unit is provided downstream of the prize ball payout device 109. In FIG. 26, in order to avoid the illustration from being complicated, the display of the sorting unit is omitted.

  Various substrates such as the main control board case, the relay terminal board, and the payout control board case 118 are detachably mounted on a metal plate (not shown) that is rotatably suspended on the back mechanism board 102.

  On the upper right end of the back mechanism panel 102 are external connection terminals for a gaming machine frame such as a fuse box, power switch, power terminal board 132 and jackpot, launcher control, ball break, door open, prize ball, ball lending, etc. The provided relay terminal board is provided. A ram clear switch 132a for generating a ram clear signal is connected to the power terminal board 132. A power cable for receiving external power supply is also provided on the relay terminal plate. Further, a connection cable extends upward from the payout control board case 118 and is connected to a ball lending device provided with a power cable. Further, a ball passage member for a lower plate member is provided at a substantially lower end portion of the back mechanism panel 102.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). That is, a main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and that controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not it is related to a big hit, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) It has.

  The sub-control unit is configured using (a) the effect control board 220, and “design display”, “lamp light emission”, “sound effect”, “movement of movable object”, “effect display device 23” An effect control unit 220A for controlling various effects of the game using “effect display” and the like, and (b) an effect display control board 222, and an effect design (pseudo design) in the second display device 70 And an effect display control unit 222A that controls display control of a display control unit 240A, and (c) a payout control unit 240A that is configured using the payout control board 240 and that controls the operation of paying out a rented or winning ball, (D) A launch control unit 260A configured using the launch control board 260 and controlling the launch of the game ball is provided. The sub-control unit includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140 and a first control unit 200A connected to the main control unit 200A via the primary sub-control unit. Secondary sub-control units (222A, 260A) exist.

  The control boards (200, 220, 222, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) are executed by a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and the CPU. ROM in which various programs and data are stored, RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, and the CPU performs calculations Various peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus, such as an oscillator that outputs a clock, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates interrupt signals. Yes. Note that the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 23 to 25 represents the direction of inputting or outputting data or signals. In FIG. 23, only the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown. The PIO mounted on the main control board 200 and further the CPU mounted on another control board. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted.

  The main controller 200A (main control board 200) includes a normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, a winning detection switch 20s, a starting winning detection switches 17s, 18s, 19s, and a winning ball detection switches 31s, 40s, 41s, 43s. , 44s, etc., and determining whether or not the basic progress of the game and the winning ball are relevant, the effect control unit 200A (effect control board 220) and the payout control part 240A (payout control board) 240), various commands to be described later are output to the launch control unit 260A (launch control board 260) and the like. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) outputs a signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the big prize opening solenoid 31c, the hold display device 50, the first display device 60, the open / close solenoid 27c, etc. These operations are directly controlled.

  When the production control unit 220A (production control board 220) receives various commands from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the command and produces a game according to the result. That is, an effect display control board 222 that drives the second display device (liquid crystal display device) 70 and an amplifier board 224 that drives the speaker SP are connected.

  The production control unit 220A (production control board 220) produces a game effect by outputting a drive signal to the decoration drive board 226 that drives the various LED lamps 4b to 4f and the like. The operation signal from the operation switch SW is input to the effect control unit 220A (effect control board 220) via the effect button board 228. The detailed input / output relationship of the effect control unit 220A (effect control board 220) will be described later.

  The payout control unit 240A (the payout control board 240) performs various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the ball lending switch 5e or the return switch 5f provided on the upper plate part 5, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 242 to the ball lending device via the relay terminal board. This ball lending device pays out a ball while exchanging data with the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240).

  When the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A (payout control board 240) receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m, thereby winning a prize ball. Is paid out. The paid-out prize balls are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and input to the payout control unit 240A (the payout control board 240). Further, the number of prize balls that have been paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main control unit 200A (main control board 200).

  A signal from the tank switch 104 provided in the prize ball tank 105 and a signal from an external tank switch 124 provided in an external tank (not shown) in which the game balls supplied to the prize ball tank 105 are stored are also paid out control unit 240A ( It is input to the payout control board 240). For this reason, the payout control unit 240A (the payout control board 240) can notify the abnormality by the error LEDs 4g and 4h described above before it becomes impossible to pay out the winning ball due to the ball running out.

  A signal from the lower pan full switch 6s provided in the lower pan 6 is also input to the payout controller 240A (payout control board 240). For this reason, even when the lower tray portion 6 is filled with game balls, the payout control portion 240A (the payout control board 240) pays out the winning ball in response to the signal detected by the lower pan full switch 6s. It is possible to temporarily stop.

  In addition, a signal from the front frame switch 4s that detects that the front frame 4 is in an open state is also input to the dispensing control unit 240A (dispensing control board 240). For this reason, when the front frame 4 is opened for some reason, it is possible to stop operations such as paying out a prize ball or lending a game ball. In addition, the payout control unit 240A (the payout control board 240 is a main control part 200A (under the control from the main control board 200, a signal for permitting the launch of a game ball (launch permission signal)) The launch controller 260A (launch control board 260) receives the launch permission signal and performs various controls for launching the game ball as will be described later. Yes.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the effect control unit 220A (effect control board 220) will be described. As described above, the effect control unit 220A (the effect control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228.

  As described above, when the production control unit 220A (production control board 220) receives various production commands from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it interprets the contents of the command and (a) Specific display contents on the display device (liquid crystal display device) 70, (b) sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) lighting or blinking of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f. The specific aspect of is determined. Next, the drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the second display device (liquid crystal display device) 70 is output to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable stop state. . At this time, some data such as the character symbols and background symbols to be displayed are stored in the second display device (liquid crystal display device) 70 or the effect display ROM 27r built in the effect display control board 222. Use the data.

  In addition, sound effects are output from the speakers SP1 to SP4 by outputting an audio signal to the amplifier board 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation stop display. In addition, by supplying signals to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals for various LEDs, lamps 4b to 4f, etc. from the decorative drive board 226, the lighting and blinking operations of various LEDs and lamps are controlled. To do. Further, when the player operates the operation switch SW provided on the front side of the upper plate part 5, this operation signal is supplied to the effect control unit 220A (the effect control board 220). Then, the production control unit 220A (production control board 220) may reflect the operation result in various production contents including the second display device (liquid crystal display device) 70 based on the supplied operation signal. It is configured to be possible.

(3) Main points of the game Next, the main points of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  When the execution time of “display of result of determination of success / failure accompanying start winning” comes, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), the special symbol display unit 63 executes the variable display. Then, when the execution time of “display of the result related to the determination on whether or not the special symbol is reached” comes to an end, the special symbol display unit 63 executes the final display of the special symbol.

  When the special symbol confirmation display indicates that “the result of the determination is wrong”, the gaming state of the gaming machine is maintained in the normal state, and the big winning opening 31a and the entrances 29A and 29B. Is left closed.

  Further, when the special symbol confirmation display indicates that “the result of the determination of success / failure is a big hit”, the special game transition means (main control unit 200A) shifts the state of the gaming machine to the special game state. As a result, a “big hit game” is executed in which the special winning opening 31a is opened a predetermined number of times. In other words, when the big hit game is started, the “unit drive” is performed a predetermined number of times on the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member). In this “unit drive”, the position of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member) is changed from the position of closing the big prize opening 31a (hereinafter referred to as “closed position”) to the position of opening the big prize opening 31a (hereinafter, “ The position of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member) is changed to the closing position after the opening position is maintained for a first time (for example, a time selected from 20 seconds to 30 seconds). It is constituted by “opening / closing operation of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member)”.

  When this “unit drive” is executed a predetermined number of times with a predetermined interval time in between, the special game transition means (main control unit 200A) returns the gaming machine state from the special gaming state to the normal gaming state. In the present embodiment, as the big hits, the contents are “big hit with the contents of opening the big winning opening 31 a three times (three round big hit)” and “opening the big winning opening 31 a eight times. "Big hit (8 rounds big hit)" and "Big hit with the content of opening the big winning opening 31a 16 times (16 rounds big hit)" can be executed.

  Further, when the special symbol confirmation display indicates that “the result of the determination is a small hit”, the release operation execution condition is satisfied, and the small hit game is executed. In this small hit game, the opening / closing members 27A and 27B execute the opening operation according to a predetermined operation pattern. This operation pattern includes the content of “performing the opening / closing members 27A and 27B to be in the open posture for a short time (for example, 0.4 seconds) once or three times”. Thus, the entrances 29A and 29B are opened for a short time (for example, 0.4 seconds) (see FIG. 40). At this time, a game ball enters the central device 20, and when this game ball passes through the normal region TR, it becomes “disengaged”, and the special game transition means (main control unit 200A) is in the state of the gaming machine. Is maintained in the normal gaming state.

  On the other hand, when a game ball enters the central device 20 and further passes through the special area SR, the special game transition means (main control unit 200A) changes the state of the game machine. Transition to the special game state. There are “3 round jackpots”, “8 round jackpots”, and “16 round jackpots” as well, but in the jackpot game that shifts from the small hit game, “from the normal game state as it is, The game is executed in a state where the number of rounds (the number of times the big winning opening 31a is opened) is reduced by one as compared with the “hit game executed by shifting to the special game state”. In other words, when a jackpot game related to “3 round jackpot” is executed, the big prize opening 31a is opened twice, and when a jackpot game related to “8 round jackpot” is executed, the big prize opening 31a is opened seven times, When a jackpot game related to "16 rounds jackpot" is executed, the big winning opening 31a is opened 15 times.

(4) Content of control of gaming machine In the following, the content of control performed by the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment in order to realize the above-described game will be described in detail.

a. Game Control Process FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 for controlling the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, in the game control process, a prize ball related process (S50), a timer update process (S70), a process related to a normal symbol (S100, S150), and a process related to a normal electric accessory 17d (S190). , S200), processing related to special symbols (S300, S320), processing related to small hit games (S390, S400), processing related to big hit games (S430, S450), etc. are repeatedly executed. . The time required for one round of processing is about 4 msec. Therefore, these various types of processing are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. The game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 will be described below according to the flowchart.

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (award ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S50). In this process, among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, switches related to game ball winning (start winning winning detection switches 17s, 18s, 19s, winning switches, 20s, 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s). , 31s, etc.), it is detected whether or not a game ball has entered. When a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a process for outputting a prize ball number designation command to the payout control board 240 is performed.

  When the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command output from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command, and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the payout device 109 according to the result. Thus, a process of actually paying out the prize ball is performed.

  Next, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs timer update processing (S70). In this timer update process, the CPU 201 determines that “the opening time of the blade when a small hit occurs”, “the open time of the big winning opening when a big hit occurs”, “the effective time of the V winning opening (effective time timer t1) ) ”And the like to update a timer for measuring various times related to the game. Here, the valid time timer t1 constitutes a specific example of the “time measuring means” of the related invention.

b. Normal design related processing:
Following the prize ball related process (S50), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a process of determining whether or not to perform a normal symbol game process, that is, whether or not to perform a normal symbol variation stop display (S100). . FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing (ordinary symbol game start determination processing) performed to determine whether or not to start the normal symbol game processing. In determining whether or not to start the normal symbol game process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gates 16A and 16B (S102).

  When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gates 16A and 16B, the passage can be detected by the gate switches 16s and 16s incorporated in the gate. If the game ball has passed through any of the gates (S102: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols held is 4 or more (S104). If the number of reservations has not reached 4 (S104: no), the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is stored is stored, and one is added to the number of reservations for the normal symbol (S106). As will be described later, the determination of whether or not the normal symbol is true is performed based on the normal symbol appropriateness determination random number thus stored. On the other hand, when the number of holdings of the normal symbol has reached 4 (S104: no), the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct is not acquired. As a result, it is possible to store up to four normal symbol success / failure determination random numbers.

  When the processing related to the holding of the normal symbol is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory 17d is in operation (S108). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, among the three start winning devices 17, 18, and 19, the central tulip type start winning device 17 corresponds to the ordinary electric accessory 17d. During operation, the tulip-type start winning device 17 is in an open state. The normal electric accessory 17d is an accessory that operates as a result of performing a normal symbol game. Accordingly, if the normal electric accessory 17d is in operation (S108: yes), it is not necessary to start the normal symbol game again, so it is determined that the normal symbol game does not start (that is, S100: no). On the other hand, when the normal electric accessory 17d is not in operation (S108: no), it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S108: yes).

  In step S100 of the game control process shown in FIG. 28, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game is started as described above. When it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S100: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is started (S150). On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game is not started (S100: no), the normal symbol game process is skipped.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first half of the normal symbol game process performed in the game control process. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the flow of the latter half of the normal symbol game process performed in the game control process. When the normal symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is changing (S152). The normal symbol change display is performed by the normal symbol display unit 65. The fluctuation display of the normal symbol display unit 29 is performed under the control of the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. Therefore, the CPU 201 can easily determine whether or not the normal symbol is changing.

  If it is determined that the normal symbol is not fluctuating (S152: no), either the normal symbol has not yet fluctuated, or it has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the fluctuating display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the normal symbol stop display time (S154). If it is determined that it is not during the normal symbol stop display time (S154: no), that is, if the normal symbol is not variably displayed and the normal symbol stop symbol is not being displayed, the normal symbol is suspended. It is determined whether or not the number is “0” (S156). If the number of reservations is not “0”, that is, if there is a remaining normal symbol (S156: no), whether or not the normal symbol is determined is determined (S158). The normal symbol success / failure determination is performed by determining whether or not the normal symbol success / failure determination random number (see S106 in FIG. 29) stored when the normal symbol is held matches a predetermined hit value. . If the stored normal symbol success / failure random number matches the winning value, it is determined that the normal symbol is hit, and if it does not match, it is determined that the normal symbol is out of the normal symbol.

  After determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct in this way, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts a process of setting the variation time of the normal symbol (S160). The normal symbol variation time is set to about 30 seconds in a normal gaming state, but is shortened to about 2 seconds when the later-described variation time reduction function is activated. Therefore, in S160, it is confirmed whether or not the variation time shortening function is operating, and processing for setting the variation time of the normal symbol is performed according to the result. Next, the normal symbol variation display is started (S162), and after subtracting 1 from the normal symbol holding number (S164), the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is resumed.

  On the other hand, when the number of normal symbols held is determined to be 0 (S156: yes), the normal symbol success / failure determination processing (S158), the normal symbol variation time setting processing (S160), the normal symbol variation display, etc. Without performing it, the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing (S152: yes), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol variation time set in S160 has elapsed prior to the start of the variation of the normal symbol (S166). . If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S160: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol variation time has elapsed (S166: yes), after the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (S168), the player can confirm the stopped and displayed normal symbol. The stop display time for the normal symbol is set (S170). Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol stop display time has elapsed (S172). If the stop display time has not elapsed (S172: no), the normal symbol game processing is terminated as shown in FIG. Return to the game control process. When returning to the game control process in this way, when the normal symbol game process of FIG. 30 is performed again, it is determined that the normal symbol is being stopped (S152: no, S154: yes), and the normal symbol is displayed. It is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S172). If it is determined that the stop display time of the normal symbol has elapsed while repeating these determinations (S172: yes), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol that has been stopped and displayed is “winning symbol”. (S174 in FIG. 31).

  Then, when the normal symbol that is stopped and displayed is not a winning symbol (S174: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state is a winning symbol (S174: yes), the start winning device 17 is opened for a predetermined time as described above, but before the starting winning device 17 is opened, It is determined whether or not the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is in operation (S176). Here, as described above, the ordinary electric accessory 17d is the tulip-type start winning device 17 in this embodiment. When the ordinary electric accessory 17d is operated, the start winning device 17 is in an open state for a predetermined time. Become. When the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is activated, the opening time of the start winning device 17 is extended to a predetermined time. Further, the opening time extension function is activated when the big hit game ends, as will be described later. Corresponding to this, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a winning symbol, whether or not the opening time extension function is in operation is set to set the operating time of the start port (ordinary electric accessory 17d) 17. Judge.

  When it is determined that the opening time extension function is in operation (S176: yes), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is set to the extended operation time when the opening time extension function is in operation. On the other hand, when the opening time extension function is not in operation (S176: no), the normal operation time when the opening time extension function is not in operation is set (S180). Then, after the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is started (S182), the ordinary symbol game process shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the normal electric accessory 17d operating time (that is, the opening time of the start winning device 17) in a normal state where the opening time extending function is not operating is set to about 0.5 seconds. . When the opening time extension function is activated, the operation time is extended to about 4.5 seconds. Here, the number of openings (number of operations) of the start winning device 17 may be one time or a plurality of times as long as it does not exceed the set operation time (opening time). If the operation time (opening time) of the start winning device 17 when the extended function is activated is 4.5 seconds, even if the opening time in one opening operation of the start winning device 17 is 4.5 seconds, One opening time may be 1.5 seconds and the opening operation may be performed three times.

c. Processing related to ordinary electric accessories:
As described above, in the normal symbol game process, the normal symbol variation display is performed. As a result, when the winning symbol is stopped and displayed, the operation of the normal electric accessory 17d is started. Therefore, in the game control process shown in FIG. 28, when returning from the normal symbol game process, a series of processes (ordinary electric role) performed to stop the operation of the normal electric accessory 17d operated during the normal symbol game process. Processing related to the object 17d) is started.

  In the processing related to the ordinary electric accessory 17d, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory 17d is in operation (S190). If the ordinary electric combination 17d is not in operation (S190: no), the process of stopping the operation of the stopped ordinary electric combination 17d is unnecessary, and therefore the ordinary electric combination described later is not required. The object stop process (S200) is skipped. On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory 17d is in operation (S190: yes), the ordinary electric accessory stopping process as shown below is started (S200).

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ordinary electric accessory stopping process. When the ordinary electric accessory stopping process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory operating time has elapsed (S202). As described above, when the ordinary electric accessory 17d is activated, the start winning device 17 is opened for a predetermined time. However, the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (opening time of the start winning device 17) is the ordinary electric accessory. Prior to starting the operation of the object 17d, it is set in advance in the normal symbol game process (see S178 and S180 in FIG. 31). Therefore, when the ordinary electric accessory stopping process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory operating time set at the start of the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d has elapsed. If it is determined that the operating time has been reached (S202: yes), after stopping the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated, and the game control of FIG. Return to processing.

  On the other hand, if the operating time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d has not elapsed (S202: no), it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls have entered the ordinary electric accessory 17d (S204). Even when it is determined that the specified number of balls have been entered (S204: yes), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped and the ordinary electric accessory stopping process shown in FIG. S206), the process returns to the game control process of FIG. That is, it is determined that the normal electric accessory 17d has elapsed in the normal electric accessory operating time (S202: yes) or that the specified number of game balls have entered the normal electric accessory 17d. If it is detected (S204: yes), the operation is stopped (S206). When the ordinary electric accessory 17d stops operating in this way, the opening state of the start winning device 17 returns to the normal state. On the other hand, when the operating time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d has not reached the predetermined time (S202: no), and the number of game balls that have entered the ordinary electric accessory 17d has not reached the specified number (S204). : No), with the ordinary electric accessory 17d being operated, the ordinary electric accessory stopping process shown in FIG. 32 is ended, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

d. Special Symbol Related Process In the game control process, when returning from the ordinary electric accessory stop process, a process related to the special symbol is started. In this process, after determining whether or not a predetermined condition for performing a special symbol game process described later is satisfied, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the special symbol game process is started.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing (special symbol game start determination processing) performed to determine whether or not to start special symbol game processing. In determining whether or not to start the special symbol game process, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered one of the three start winning devices 17, 18, and 19 (S302). As described above, the start winning devices 17, 18, and 19 s are provided inside the start winning devices 17, 18, and 19 for detecting the winning of the game ball. Can be detected.

  If the game ball has passed through any of the start winning detection switches 17s, 18s, 19s (S302: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 4 or more (S304). If the number of reservations does not reach 4 (S304: no), the special symbol success / failure determination random number is stored, and “1” is added to the number of reservations of the special symbol (S306). As will be described later, whether or not a special symbol is determined is determined based on the special symbol determination random number stored in this way. End up. Therefore, the process of acquiring the special symbol success / failure determination random number is equivalent to determining whether the special symbol is successful or not by lottery. From this, the main control board 200 corresponds to the “lottery means” of the present invention for the process of acquiring the special symbol success / failure determination random number in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, when the number of reserved special symbols has reached 4 (S304: no), the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is appropriate is not acquired. As a result, it is possible to store up to four special symbol success / failure determination random numbers, similar to the above-described normal symbol success / failure determination random numbers.

  When the process related to the special symbol hold is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the big hit game or the small hit game is being played (S308). The special game process to be described later is a process for starting the big hit game or the small hit game according to the win symbol when the special symbol is displayed in a variably displayed state and stopped at a predetermined hit symbol. If a big hit game or a small hit game is currently being played, there is no need to repeatedly start a big hit game or a small hit game. Therefore, when the processing related to the special symbol hold is finished, it is determined whether or not the big hit game or the small hit game is being played (S308). If there is no big hit game or small hit game (S308: no), it will be described later. It is determined that the special symbol game process is started (that is, S300: yes). On the other hand, if the game is already in the big hit game or the small hit game (S308: yes), it is determined that the special symbol game process is not started (that is, S300: no).

  34 and 35 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game process. When the special symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S322). As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the central device 20 is provided with the special symbol display unit 63 so that the special symbol can be variably displayed.

  If the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is not changing (S322: no), it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol (S324). That is, for a period of time after the change display of the special symbol is finished, there is a time for the player to stop display so that the player can check which symbol the special symbol is stopped. It is judged whether it is in the middle. When it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the stop display time for displaying the special symbol is also elapsed (S324: no), the number of special symbols on hold is “0”. It is determined whether or not (S326). As described above, the special symbol holding number is set when the game ball enters any of the start winning devices 17, 18, and 19, and can be set until the upper limit value “4” is reached. If the number of special symbol hold is “0” (S326: yes), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the number of special symbol reservation is not “0”, in other words, if there is a special symbol reservation remaining (S326: no), the special symbol determination is started (S330).

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining whether or not a special symbol is appropriate. As shown in the figure, when the special symbol success / failure determination process is started, first, a process of reading a special symbol success / failure determination random number is performed (S3300). The special symbol success / failure determination random number is a special symbol if it is determined that the game ball has entered any of the start winning devices 17, 18, and 19 in the special symbol game start determination process described above with reference to FIG. It is a random number acquired up to four until the number of symbols held reaches four. In the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 37, first, a process of reading one special symbol success / failure determination random number stored in advance is performed.

  Then, based on the read special symbol success / failure determination random number, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit (S3302). The ROM mounted on the main control board 200 stores a success / failure determination table in which the value of the special symbol success / failure determination random number and the determination result of the success / failure are associated with each other. By referring to it, it is possible to determine whether or not it is a big hit.

  FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a success / failure determination table in which special symbol success / failure determination random numbers are associated with the determination results. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the special symbol determination random number can take a range from “0” to “1023”, and for the read special symbol determination random number “0” to “2”, the determination result is “ “Big hit” is set, “Small hit” is set as a result of the determination of success / failure for the special symbol determination random numbers “3” to “1015”, and other random number ranges (that is, “1016” to “1016” 1023 ") is set as a result of the determination of whether or not it is" out ". In S3302 of the special symbol success / failure determination process of FIG. 37, it is determined whether or not the read randomness for determination is within a range of “0” to “2”, and if it is within this range, the determination result is “big hit”. (S3302: yes), if it is not within this range, it is determined that it is not a “big hit” (S3302: no).

  If it is determined that the result of the determination is a big hit (S3302: yes), a big hit symbol determination random number is acquired so as to determine a big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 63 or a mode of the big hit game. (S3304). In this embodiment, the jackpot symbol determination random number is a 1-byte random number that can take a range of “0” to “805”.

  Next, based on the acquired jackpot symbol determination random number, processing is performed to determine the jackpot symbol, the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the number of short-time games played after the jackpot game is over (S3306). FIG. 39 is a description conceptually showing a jackpot game mode determination table referred to for determining the jackpot symbol, the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the number of short-time games after the jackpot game ends based on the jackpot symbol determination random number. FIG. As shown in the figure, in the jackpot game mode determination table, a jackpot symbol, a jackpot game round number, and a short-time game count are set in association with the jackpot symbol determination random number. That is, among the ranges that can be taken by the big hit symbol determination random number, for the random numbers in the range of “0” to “126”, “a symbol configured by lighting two LEDs” is set as the big hit symbol. In addition, the number of jackpot game rounds is set to three rounds, and the number of short games played after the jackpot game is set to 50. In addition, for the jackpot symbol determination random number in the range of “127” to “200”, “symbol made by lighting three LEDs” is set as the jackpot symbol, and the jackpot game round The number is set to 8 rounds, and the number of short games played after the end of the big hit game is set to 100. Furthermore, for the jackpot symbol determination random number in the range of “201” to “805”, “symbol configured by lighting four LEDs” is set as the jackpot symbol, and the jackpot game round The number is set to 16 rounds, and the number of short games played after the end of the big hit game is set to 100. In S3306 of the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 37, when it is determined that the special symbol's success / failure determination result is a big hit (S3302: yes), the jackpot gaming state determination table is referred to as described above. Thus, the process of determining the big hit symbol of the special symbol to be stopped and displayed, the number of rounds during the big hit game, and the number of short-time games to be performed after the big hit game ends. Note that the number of short-time games corresponds to the number of times the special symbol fluctuates after the big hit game ends (the number of times the special symbol is determined to be successful).

  In the above, the process performed when it is determined that the determination result is a “hit” based on the determination random number read at the start of the special symbol determination process (S3302: yes) has been described. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special symbol winning / failing determination result is not “big hit” (S3302: no), it is determined whether or not it is “small winning” based on the winning determination table shown in FIG. (S3308). If it is determined that the determination result is a small hit (S3308: yes), then a small hit symbol determination random number is acquired (S3310). In other words, as described above, in the case of a big hit, the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is a big hit is the same as the case where the big hit symbol determination random number is acquired in order to determine the mode of the big hit symbol or the big hit game. When it is determined that there is a small hit symbol determination random number for determining a small hit symbol, a small hit game mode, or the like. In the present embodiment, the small hit symbol determination random number is also a 1-byte random number that can take the range of “0” to “805” in the same manner as the big hit symbol determination random number described above.

  Then, based on the acquired small hit symbol determination random number, processing for determining the small hit symbol, the opening time and the number of openings in the small hit game is performed (S3312). That is, as shown in FIG. 40, since the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with eight types of small hit symbols, any small hit symbol in the small hit symbols to be described later is started. It is necessary to decide whether to stop displaying special symbols. The small hit game is performed by opening the pair of opening / closing members 27A and 27B outward and opening the entrances 29A and 29B. However, the number of times the entrances 29A and 29B are opened during the small hit game. Since it can be changed in several stages, these need to be determined in advance. Therefore, when it is determined that the determination result of the special symbol is a small hit (S3308: yes), a small hit symbol determination random number is acquired to determine these (S3310). This is a specific example.

  The process of determining the small hit symbol, the opening time and the number of openings in the small hit game based on the small hit symbol determination random number thus obtained (S3312) is performed with reference to the small hit game mode determination table. The “operation pattern” of the opening / closing members 27A and 27B is shown by the “opening time and the number of times of opening” shown in FIG.

  FIG. 40 is a concept of a small hit game mode determination table that is referred to in order to determine the small hit symbol, the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable entrance 102 in the small hit game based on the small hit symbol determination random number. It is explanatory drawing shown in figure. As shown in the drawing, in the small hit game mode determination table, a small hit symbol, an opening time at the small hit game, the number of times of opening, and the like are set in association with the small hit symbol determination random number. For example, for the small hit symbol determination random number in the range of “0” to “31”, the “small hit symbol executed by turning on the first LED (63a) in red” is set. The opening time for hitting games is set to 0.4 seconds, and the number of times of opening is set to 1. Similarly, for the small hit symbol determination random number in the range of “32” to “63”, “small hit to be executed by lighting the second LED (63b) in red” is set. The opening time at the time is set to 0.4 seconds, and the opening frequency is set to 1 time. In this way, by referring to the small hitting game determination table shown in FIG. 40, the small hitting symbol, the opening time and the number of times of opening in the small hitting game can be determined from the small hitting symbol determination random number. In S3312 of FIG. 37, processing for determining the small hit symbol and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the entrances 29A and 29B in the small hit game is performed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 27, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the game ball passes the special area SR (see FIG. 9) during the small hit game, after the small hit game ends. Subsequently, the big hit game is started. Therefore, in the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 37, when the mode of the small hit game is determined, the mode of the big hit game is also determined in preparation for the case where the big hit game is started from the small hit game. (S3314).

  In the special symbol success / failure determination processing of the present embodiment, the mode of the big hit game performed after the small hit game is determined based on the small hit symbol determination random number. That is, in the small hit game determination table described above with reference to FIG. 40, the big hit game mode is also set in association with the small hit symbol determination random number, and the table is referred to from the small hit symbol determination random number. Thus, the big hit game mode can be determined immediately.

  According to the big hit mode determined in this way, the number of rounds and the number of short-time games) are determined as in the big hit mode determined using the big hit game mode determination table shown in FIG. After all, in S3314 of the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 37, the number of rounds at the time of the big hit game, the number of short games at the start of the big hit game, etc., in case the big hit game is started via the small hit game, etc. Is determined based on the small hit symbol determination random number.

  As described above, when the determination result of the special symbol is a big hit (S3302: yes), the big hit symbol, the big hit game mode, etc. are determined (S3306). (S3308: yes), after determining the jackpot symbol, the jackpot game mode, the jackpot game mode performed via the jackpot game (S3312, S3314), the special symbol propriety determination process shown in FIG. Returning to the special symbol game process of FIG. In addition, when the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is correct is not a small hit (S3308: no), it is determined that the result of determining whether or not the result is correct is out. Therefore, after obtaining the out symbol determination random number and determining the out symbol (S3316), the special symbol success / failure determination processing of FIG. 37 is terminated and the processing returns to the special symbol game processing of FIG. In this embodiment, as is clear from the success / failure determination table of FIG. 38, the probability of “small hit” is set very high in the determination of special symbol success / failure. For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a normal game is progressed based on the gameability of the “feather”.

  As shown in FIG. 34, in the special symbol game processing, when returning from the special symbol success / failure determination processing (S330), the special symbol variation pattern setting processing is started (S334). The special symbol variation pattern is a pattern regarding how the special symbol is varied. In this embodiment, the special symbol variation pattern is displayed in accordance with the special symbol variation pattern (the special symbol variation display time). ) Is set.

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a flow of special symbol variation pattern setting processing performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. In the special symbol variation pattern setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the determination result of special symbol is a small hit (S3340). As shown in FIG. 34, during the special symbol game process, a special symbol success / failure determination process (S330) is performed prior to the special symbol variation pattern setting process. Either “small hit” or “off” is determined. In S3340 of the special symbol variation pattern setting process, in response to this result, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the special symbol is a small hit.

  If it is determined that it is not a small hit (S3340: no), a special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is set to 20 seconds is selected (S3342). As described above, whether or not the special symbol is successful is one of “big hit”, “small hit”, and “off”, and it is determined that there is no “small hit” here. The pattern variation pattern is a variation pattern for “big hit” or “out”. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special symbol win / fail determination result is a small hit (S3340: yes), after selecting the special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is set to 1 second (S3344). ), The special symbol variation pattern setting process shown in FIG. 41 is terminated, and the process returns to the special symbol game process of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 34, in the special symbol game process, when returning from the special symbol variation pattern setting process (S334), a command for designating the special symbol variation pattern set in the variation pattern setting process (S334). After outputting the (variation pattern designation command) to the sub-control board 220 (S336), the special symbol winning / decreasing mode (ie, big hit, small hit, A command (whether or not mode is specified) is specified toward the sub-control board 220 (S338). Then, the special symbol variation display is started (S340), and after subtracting 1 from the special symbol hold number (S342), the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is resumed.

  The detailed process performed in the special symbol game process when the special symbol is not variably displayed (that is, in the case of S322: no in FIG. 38) has been described above. On the other hand, when the special symbol game process of FIG. 34 is started while the special symbol is changing, it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the determination of S322 performed first (S322: yes). In this case, whether or not the special symbol is already determined is determined (S330), the special symbol variation pattern (that is, the special symbol variation time) is set (S334), and the special symbol variation is started. To do. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S344). If the special symbol variation time has not yet elapsed (S344: no), the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 34 is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S344: yes), a command (special symbol stop command) indicating that the special symbol is stopped and displayed is output to the sub-control board 220. After (S345), the special symbol that is variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 63 is stopped and displayed (S346). The special symbol that is stopped and displayed at this time is the special symbol that has been determined using the big hit symbol determination random number, the small hit symbol determination random number, or the off symbol determination random number during the special symbol validity determination process described above with reference to FIG. It is a design. Next, a time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (stop display time) is set (S348), and it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has passed (S350). If the stop display time has not elapsed (S350: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350: yes), it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped is a jackpot symbol (S352 in FIG. 38). And when it is judged that it is a jackpot symbol (S352: yes), the jackpot game mode (number of rounds at the time of jackpot game) determined in advance in the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. After the setting (S354), a command for specifying the set jackpot game mode (a jackpot game mode specifying command) is output to the sub-control board 220 (S355). Next, after outputting a command indicating the start of a jackpot game (a jackpot game start command) to the sub-control board 220 (S356), the jackpot game is started by operating the condition device and the accessory continuous action device (S357). ). Here, the condition device is a device that serves as a condition for operating an accessory continuous operation device, which will be described later, and when the condition device is operated, the big prize opening 31a is in an open state. In addition, the accessory continuous operation device is a device that reopens the once closed special winning opening 31a. Thus, the big hit game mentioned later is started by operating the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the time-shortening function and the opening time extending function of the ordinary electric accessory do not work during the big hit game. Here, the time reduction function is a function for shortening the time for which the normal symbol display unit 65 displays the normal symbol variably. The opening time extension function is a function of extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory (start winning device 17). When the time reduction function is activated, the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is also activated. ing. Therefore, in S357 of FIG. 35, when the big hit game is started and the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a short time (S358). If the time is shorter (S358: yes), the operation of the time reduction function and the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped (S360, S362). On the other hand, if the current gaming state is not in the time saving state (S358: no), it can be determined that neither the time saving function nor the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is in operation, so the process of stopping the operation of these functions , The special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 is left as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  The processing in the case where the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 63 is a jackpot symbol (S352: yes) has been described, but when the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is not a jackpot symbol (S352). : No), it is determined whether or not it is a small hit symbol (S364). If it is a small winning symbol (S364: yes), the small winning game mode (opening time of the entrances 29A and 29B) previously determined in the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. And the number of times of opening) are set (S366), the special electric accessory is activated to start a so-called small hit game (S368), and the process proceeds to S370. On the other hand, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 63 is not the small hit symbol (S364: no), the process skips to the process of S370.

  Here, when the small hit game is started, as shown in FIG. 36 (a), (1) “processing for operating the special electric accessory (processing for driving the opening / closing solenoid 27c)” and (2) “valid time” The process of setting the timer t1 ”is performed. Here, the “special electric accessory” means that the pair of opening / closing members 27A and 27B are driven (that is, the opening / closing solenoid 27c is NO / OF once or a plurality of times), and the entrances 29A and 29B are entered. Is a device that opens the aperture in a predetermined manner. The “effective time timer t1” is a timer for managing the “effective time” described above, and is provided in a predetermined area of the “RAM 202 constituting the main control board 200” as shown in FIG. It has been. The “effective time timer t1” starts counting at the same time as the small hit game is started (that is, at the same time as the opening / closing solenoid 27c is turned on and the entrances 29A and 29B are opened).

  In this embodiment, the “valid time” is set to “8 seconds” (the valid time timer t1 is set until 8 seconds have elapsed after the entrances 29A and 29B are opened). In the small hit game of the present embodiment, as described above, as the “operation pattern of the opening operation of the opening / closing members 27A, 27B”, in addition to the operation pattern in which the opening operation of the opening / closing members 27A, 27B is performed once, a plurality of In the latter case, the “valid time timer t1” is set to “when the first entrances 29A and 29B are opened”. Start counting.

  In the process of S370, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a short time (S370). If it is determined that the current time is not in a short time (S370: no), the special symbols shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 are left as they are. Exiting the game process, the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time is short (S370: yes), after counting the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the time reduction (S372), it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations has reached a predetermined number (S372). S374). As will be described later, the time-saving game (game played with the time-shortening function activated) is started after the end of the big hit game, and continues for a preset number of times for each big hit game (see FIGS. 39 and 40). . Therefore, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device 28 is not a big hit symbol (S352: no), it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a short time (S370). If there is (S370: yes), it is determined whether or not the predetermined number of times (the number of time-short games) has been reached as the number of times of the short-time game. If it is determined that the predetermined number of short-time games has been reached (S374: yes), the operation of the time-shortening function is stopped (S360), and then the operation of the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is also stopped. After that (S362), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 is exited, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the variation number of the special symbol has not yet reached the predetermined short time game number (S374: no), the special symbol game process is exited while maintaining the short time state, and the game control process of FIG. 28 is resumed. .

d. Process related to small hit game As shown in FIG. 28, in the game control process, when returning from the special symbol game process, the process related to the small hit game is started. That is, it is determined whether or not the small hit game has been started in the special symbol game process performed previously (S390). If it is determined that the small hit game is currently being played (S390: yes) Then, the small hit game process described below is started (S400). On the other hand, when it is determined that the small hit game is not started in the special symbol game process (S390: no), the small hit game process is unnecessary and is skipped.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the flow of a small hit game process executed in order for the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment to perform a small hit game. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIG.

  When the small hit game processing is started, first, it is determined whether or not the small winning game winning opening is open (S4001). As described above, the small hit game in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is performed by opening the entrances 29A and 29B and opening the entrances 29A and 29B. 29B is a winning hole for small hit games. Accordingly, in S402, it is determined whether or not the entrances 29A and 29B are in an open state. Immediately after the small hit game is started, the entrances 29A and 29B are not yet opened, so it is determined “no” in S4001, and it is determined whether or not the end condition for the small hit game is satisfied. (S4012). Here, as an end condition of the small hit game, it is set that the entrances 29A and 29B are opened a predetermined number of times, and this predetermined number of openings is a special symbol that is performed prior to the start of the small hit game. In the determination process (see FIG. 37), the small hit game mode is previously determined together with the opening time.

  Naturally, immediately after the small hit game is started, it is determined that the end condition for the small hit game is not satisfied (S4012: no), and subsequently, the small winning game prize winning hole (here, the entrance 29A) 29B) is determined whether or not the closing time has elapsed (S4410). Immediately after the start of the small hit game, since the small winning game prize winning opening has been closed until then, it is determined that the closing time has passed (S4410: yes), and the small hit game is reached. 42 are opened (S4412), the small hit game process shown in FIG. 42 is terminated, and the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is resumed.

  After opening the entrances 29A and 29B in this way, the next small hit game processing (S400) is started, and at the first judgment, the small hit game winning entrance (entrance entrances 29A and 29B) is open. (S4001: yes). Therefore, this time, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small winning game winning opening has passed (S4004). The opening time of the small winning game winning opening is determined in advance as the small winning game mode together with the number of opening in the special symbol success / failure determination processing (see FIG. 37) performed prior to the start of the small winning game. Since it is determined that the opening time has not passed immediately after opening the winning hole for winning games (entrance holes 29A, 29B) (S4004: no), the small winning game process of FIG. 42 is ended as it is. Then, the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Then, when the small hit game processing (S400) is started again, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small hit game winning opening has passed (S4004), and if it has not elapsed (S4004: no), The game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process. While such processing is repeated, the opening time of the winning opening for the small hit game processing elapses. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the elapsed time has passed (S4004: yes), the winning hole for the small hit game is closed (S4006).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied (S4012). If the number of times of opening the small winning game winning opening has not reached the predetermined number (S4012: no), after confirming that the closing time of the small winning game winning opening has elapsed (S4410: yes), The small winning game winning opening is opened (S4412), the small winning game process of FIG. 42 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As the processing is repeated in this way, it is determined that the number of times of opening of the small hit game winning opening (the winning holes 29A and 29B) has reached a predetermined number (that is, the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied) ( S4012: yes), the small hit game is terminated (S4014).

  When the small hit game ends (S4014), it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the special area SR during the small hit game (S4016). As shown in FIG. 9, a passage detection switch 8t is provided on the downstream side of the special area SR, and if the game ball passes through the special area SR, it can be detected using the passage detection switch 8t. it can. When it is determined that the game ball has passed through the special area SR during the small hit game after the end of the small hit game (S4016: yes), the "pass through the special area SR is within the effective time. It is determined whether or not it has passed (S4018). This “whether or not it is an effective time” is determined using the above-mentioned effective time timer t1. As described above, this effective time ends in “8 seconds” after the entrances 29A and 29B are opened (after the open / close solenoid 27c is in the ON state).

  (A) When it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the special region portion SR (S4016: no), and (b) the game ball has passed through the special region portion SR, but the passage is outside the valid time. If there is (S4016: Yes, S4018; no), the big hit game is not performed, so the big hit game processing in FIG. Return to control processing.

  On the other hand, when a positive determination is made in the process of S4018 (S4018; yes), a big hit game mode is set (S4020). The big hit mode set here is the big hit game mode determined together with the small hit game mode in the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. 41. The number of games is set. When the jackpot game mode is set in this way, “output of the jackpot game mode designation command (S4022)” and “output of the jackpot game start command (S4024)” are performed, and after the jackpot game is started according to the set jackpot game mode ( S4420), the small hit game process of FIG. 42 is terminated.

e. As shown in FIG. 28, in the game control process, when returning from the small hit game process, the process related to the big hit game is started. That is, there are cases where the big hit game is started in the special symbol game process described above and the case where the big hit game is started in the above-described small hit game process. Therefore, after the special symbol game process (S320) and the small hit game process (S400) are finished, it is determined whether or not the big hit game is started (S430). When it is determined that the big hit game is started in either the special symbol game process or the small hit game process (S430: yes), the big hit game process described below is started (S400). On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit game is not started in either the special symbol game process or the small hit game process (S430: no), the big hit game process is unnecessary and is skipped.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the flow of the jackpot game process that is executed in order for the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment to play the jackpot game. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIG. In the big hit game process of the present embodiment, the big hit game can be realized by a process substantially similar to the small hit game process described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, in the following, the big hit game process will be briefly described while focusing on the differences from the above-described small hit game process.

  When the jackpot game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the jackpot for the jackpot game is open (S452). In the small hit game process described above, the winning holes for the small hit game are only the entrance holes 29A and 29B. However, in the big hit game process, the big hit game mode determined in the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. Depending on the situation, there are cases where the grand prize opening 31a is opened and cases where the ball entrances 29A and 29B are opened. Corresponding to this, in S452, it is determined whether or not the winning opening that is determined to be opened during the big hit game is open. As a matter of course, immediately after the big hit game is started, the big hit game winning opening is not yet opened (S452: no), and it is determined whether or not the big hit game end condition is satisfied (S458). Similarly to the case of the small hit game described above, the condition for ending the big hit game is determined in advance as the number of rounds to be performed at the time of the big hit game in the special symbol success / failure determination process (see FIG. 34). Immediately after starting the big hit game, the end condition of the big hit game is not satisfied (S458: no). Therefore, it is determined whether or not the closing time of the jackpot game winning slot has passed. If the closing time has passed (S460: yes), the number of rounds to start (here, the first round) is designated. After the command to be executed (round number designation command) is output to the sub-control board 220 (S462), the jackpot game winning opening is opened to start the round (S464), and the jackpot game processing shown in FIG. Returning to the game control process of FIG.

  As a result of opening the jackpot game winning opening in this way, when the jackpot gaming process (S450) is started next, it is determined that the jackpot gaming winning opening is open (S452: yes). Therefore, this time, it is determined whether or not the end condition of one round is satisfied (whether or not the opening time of the jackpot game winning opening has elapsed, or whether or not a prescribed number of game balls have entered) ( S454). If the opening end condition for the big win game winning opening is not satisfied (S454: no), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 43 is temporarily exited and the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is resumed. Thereafter, the process returns to the big hit game processing again, and whether or not the big win game winning opening is open (S452), and if it is open (S452: yes), it is determined whether or not the open end condition is satisfied (S454). ). By repeating such processing, when it is confirmed that the opening end condition of the jackpot gaming prize opening is finally satisfied (the one-round closing condition is satisfied) (S454: yes), the jackpot gaming prize opening is closed. (S456).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game end condition is satisfied (that is, whether or not the prescribed number of rounds has been consumed) (S458). If the jackpot game end condition is not satisfied (S458: no), it is confirmed that the closing time of the jackpot game winning slot has passed (S460: yes), and what number of rounds starts. After a command for designating (round number designation command) is output to the sub-control board 220 (S462), the jackpot game winning opening is opened again to start a new round (S464), and the jackpot game of FIG. The process ends, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As the process is repeated, it is determined that the condition for ending the big hit game is finally satisfied (S458: yes), so a command indicating that the big hit game is ended (a big hit game end command) is sent to the sub-control board 220. After the output (S466), the big hit game is terminated (S468).

  A game ball that has entered from the big winning opening 31a during the big hit game is detected by a big winning opening switch 31s provided inside the big winning opening 31a. Then, each time the prize ball related process (S50) of the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is started, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of entered game balls is paid out as a prize ball. Each time the prize ball related process (S50) of the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is started, game balls corresponding to the number of entered game balls are paid out as prize balls.

  In the big hit game processing, when the big hit game is finished in this way, it is determined whether or not the short time game is started (S470). Here, the short-time game is a game played in a state in which the function for shortening the fluctuation time of normal symbols is activated. In the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. 34, when the big hit game mode is determined, the number of short-time games is also determined. As shown in FIG. 39 or FIG. 40, depending on the big hit game mode, there is a case where the time-short game is not performed after the big hit game is finished (that is, when the number of time-short games is 0). Therefore, in the jackpot game process of FIG. 43, when the jackpot game is ended (S468), it is determined whether or not the short-time game is started (S470). If it is determined that a short-time game is to be performed (S470: yes), the normal symbol variation time shortening function is activated (S472) and the opening time extending function of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is started ( S474), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 43 is ended, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As a result, until the number of times that the special symbol is displayed in a variable stop state reaches the number of short-time games, the game is performed in a state where the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened and the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is extended. It will be. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time-saving game is not performed (that is, when the time-saving number determined in the big hit game mode is 0) (S470: no), the normal symbol variation time reduction function or Without activating the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 17d, the big hit game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

(5) Effects of the embodiment According to this gaming machine 1, the game balls in the guidance device 80 are “a passage route configured using a plurality of guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side”. To reach the special area SR or the normal area TR. That is, since the “a plurality of guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) to be movable” cooperate to form a passage route, it is possible to obtain the gaming machine 1 having “appearance of appearance”.

  In addition, since “a configuration in which the number of guide passages 82d that can be passed (selectable) increases as the game ball reaches the downstream side in the guidance device 80” is adopted, the player has a sufficient sense of expectation. Can be given. That is, since the number of the guide passages 82d increases in the arrangement part (H2 or H3) on the further downstream row side, the “region part (special region part SR, normal area part where the game ball received by the guide device 80 is guided” is guided. TR) ”becomes difficult for the player to understand. For this reason, the player can look at the gaming machine 1 (the central device 20) “until the end (that is, until the area portion where the game ball is guided) is known”.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a single motor (second motor 84) is used by using the first transmission member 85, but a harmonious operation by a plurality of guide passage members Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y6. Can be executed. That is, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a driving means for each of the “plurality of guide passage members Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6”, and a single motor (second motor 84) may be used. Moreover, the plurality of guide passage members Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y6 are divided into two groups having different rotation directions. According to this embodiment, a single motor (second motor 84) can be simplified. By controlling in this way, a harmonious operation by the plurality of guide passage members Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y6 can be executed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced by these, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate.

  That is, as the first modification, the last row (the most upstream row) “first guide passage member Y1” can be rotated by using a driving means (motor or the like). In this case, the first motor 83 or the second motor 84 may be used as the driving means. That is, an engaging portion that engages with the transmission protrusion 82c of the first guide passage member Y1 is added to the first transmission member 85, and the driving force of the first motor 83 is set to “first guide passage member Y1”. (That is, the first guide passage member Y1 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 may be interlocked) or engaged with the transmission protrusion 82c of the first guide passage member Y1. The engaging portion to be added may be added to the second transmission member 86, and the driving force of the second motor 84 may be transmitted to the “first guide passage member Y1” (that is, the first guide passage member Y1 is transmitted). It may be interlocked with the second guide passage member Y2 or the like). Alternatively, a third motor other than the first motor 83 and the second motor 84 is added, and the driving force of the third motor is applied directly or a predetermined number (1) to the first guide path member Y1. It may be transmitted indirectly through a transmission member. In the first modification, for example, the drive control means for controlling the drive of “all the drive means constituting the guidance device 80” can be configured by the main control unit 200A.

  Moreover, the aspect which provides a drive means for exclusive use for each guide path member (Y1-Y6) arrange | positioned at the guidance apparatus 80 as the modification 2 can be illustrated. Also in the second modification, for example, the drive control means for controlling the drive of “all the drive means (dedicated drive means provided for each of the guide passage members Y1 to Y6)” is configured by the main controller 200A. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the embodiments and modifications, the cooperation (harmonicity) of the operation of the “guidance passage members (Y1 to Y6) disposed in the guidance device 80” can be reduced intentionally. That is, in all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) arranged in the guide device 80, or in some guide passage members selected from all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6), the rotation speed, the rotation cycle, and the rotation At least one of the quantities may be different (hereinafter referred to as “application example”). For example, the rotation speed and the rotation cycle of the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) may be different for each of the arrangement sites H1 to H3. In the case of this application example (more specifically, in the case of application specific examples 1 to 6 shown below, etc.), all the drive means constituting the guidance device 80 (the drive means is single depending on the mode of the transmission member). Drive control means for controlling the drive of the main control unit 200A.

  In the case of this application example (more specifically, in the case of application specific examples 1 to 6 shown below), it becomes more difficult for the player to predict the guidance destination (passage route) of the game ball, Interest is further enhanced. More specifically, in the first modification, the “first guide passage member Y1 and the fifth guide passage member Y5” are interlocked via the first transmission member 85, and the first guide passage member Y1 and the fifth guide passage are connected. The rotational speed of the member Y5 can be made smaller than the rotational speed of the other guide passage members (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) (hereinafter referred to as “application specific example 1”), or conversely increased (below). "Application specific example 2"). In the first modification, the “first guide passage member Y1 and the fifth guide passage member Y5” are interlocked via the first transmission member 85, and “along the width direction of the guide device 80 of the ball discharge portion 82e”. The “reciprocating period” is longer in the first guide passage member Y1 and the fifth guide passage member Y5 than in the other guide passage members (Y2, Y3, Y4, Y6) (hereinafter referred to as “application specific example 3”). ), And can be shortened (hereinafter referred to as “application specific example 4”).

  Further, in all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) disposed in the guide device 80 or in some guide passage members selected from all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6), the rotation speed, the rotation cycle, and the rotation At least one of the quantities may change (hereinafter referred to as “application specific example 5”). Examples of the change in this case include changes that occur over time, changes that occur according to the result of lottery (for example, lottery performed by the main control unit 200A), and the like. Further, in all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) arranged in the guide device 80 or in some guide passage members selected from all the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6), the operation is temporarily stopped. (Hereinafter referred to as “application example 6”).

  Further, as in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 44, a mode in which the ball discharge portion 82e reciprocates linearly along the width direction of the guidance device 80 can be exemplified. In the third modification, the route line of the guide passage 82d formed in the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) is fixed in the front-rear direction, and the direction in which the ball discharge portion 82e is directed is fixed in a certain direction (front front).

  In this state, the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) are reciprocated along the width direction of the respective arrangement portions H1 to H3. In the third modification, a space H11 is formed between the guide passage members (Y1 to Y6) adjacent to the left and right (width direction of the guide device 80) in each of the arrangement portions H1 to H3. Then, the game balls that have fallen into the space portion H11 may be uniformly guided to the normal region portion TR.

  Furthermore, in the invention of each claim, the guide member 82 may perform an additional operation. That is, the guide member 82 may perform an operation other than the “operation for reciprocating the ball discharge portion 82e in a substantially arc shape or a substantially linear shape in the width direction of the arrangement portions H1 to H3”. That is, the guide member 82 may move up and down as in Modification 4 of FIG.

  Moreover, in the invention of each claim, the axis of each arrangement site (the axis extending in the width direction) is not limited to a straight line. For example, as in Modification 5 of FIG. 45B, the axis lines (axis lines extending in the width direction) of the respective arrangement portions H1 and H2 may be substantially arcuate.

  Moreover, in the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, “an aspect in which the validity / invalidity of the V prize is judged based on the valid time” is exemplified. That is, in the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment, “whether or not the detection of the game ball by the passage detection switch 8t (the passage detection switch 8t for detecting the game ball guided to the special area SR) is validated” is determined. However, in addition to this mode, the “mode of modified example 6” shown in FIGS. 46 to 48 can also be illustrated.

  This modified example 6 is a mode of determining “validity of V winning / invalidity” by “managing the number of game balls that have entered the central apparatus 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B”. This modified example 2 is different from FIG. 5 except that FIG. 46 is used, FIG. 47 (a) and (b) are used instead of FIG. 36, and FIG. 48 is used instead of FIG. This is the same as the gaming machine of the first embodiment.

  In the sixth modification, as shown in FIG. 46, the central device 20 includes entrance detection switches 8p and 8q for detecting a game ball entering the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B. ing. Although not shown, the ball detection switches 8p and 8q are connected to the main control board 200 (main control unit 200A) via a predetermined intermediate terminal plate. For this reason, the detection signals detected by the entrance detection switches 8p and 8q can be transmitted to the main control board 200 (main control unit 200A).

  In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 47 (b), in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 constituting the main control board 200, a “winning ball count counter C1”, a “normal count counter C2”, and a “special count” are displayed. Counter C3 "is provided. Then, in the gaming machine of the first modification, when the small hit game is started, as shown in FIG. 47 (a), (1) “processing for operating the special electric accessory (processing for driving the opening / closing solenoid 27c)” (2) “Process for setting winning ball count counter C1”, (3) “Process for setting normal count counter C2”, (4) “Process for setting special count counter C3”, etc. .

  In this modified example 6, after the small hit game is started, the number of game balls that have entered the central device 20 through the entrances 29A and 29B, that is, the number of game balls detected by the entrance detection switches 8p and 8q, It is stored in the winning ball counter C1. That is, when the small hit game is started and the opening and closing members 27A and 27B are performing the opening operation (when the entrances 29A and 29B are in the open state), the number of game balls entering the central device 20 is as follows. Is stored in the winning ball counter C1.

  Further, after the start of the small hit game, the number of game balls that have passed through the normal region TR (the number of game balls detected by the passage detection switch 8n) is stored in the normal count counter C2. Further, after the start of the small hit game, the number of game balls that have passed through the special area SR (the number of game balls detected by the passage detection switch 8t) is stored in the special counter C3.

  Further, the small hit game processing of the modified example 6 is performed according to FIG. In other words, the small hit game process of the first modification is the same as the small hit game process of the first embodiment, except that the process of “S4019” is performed instead of the process of “S4018”.

  In the small hit game processing of the modified example 1, after the small hit game is ended, “when it is determined that the game ball has passed the special area SR during the small hit game (S4016: yes)”, the embodiment Similar to 1, the “judgment of the validity of passage through the special area SR” is made (S4019). That is, it is determined whether or not “the sum of the value of the normal count counter C2 and the value of the special count counter C3 is a passage through the special area SR that has occurred in a state that is equal to or smaller than the value of the winning ball count counter C1”. (S4019). If the determination in S4019 is affirmative (S4019; Yes), “Set the jackpot game mode (S4020)”, “Output the command for specifying the jackpot game mode (S4022)”, “Output the jackpot game start command ( After performing “S4024)” and “Start of big hit game (S4420)”, the small hit game processing is terminated.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining an outer frame, a gaming machine main body, and the like in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows a center apparatus in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a top view which shows the principal part of a center apparatus in the gaming machine which concerns on the Example of this invention (however, illustration of a movable decoration part is abbreviate | omitted). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a selection member in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of a guidance apparatus in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a top view (illustration of a movable decoration part is abbreviate | omitted) which shows the principal part of a guidance apparatus in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the principal part of a guidance apparatus in the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (vertical cross-sectional view which passes both the long holes 86c) of the principal part of a guidance device. It is a top view for demonstrating a top-plate part, a protrusion for support, etc. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating a guide passage member etc., (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing for demonstrating an arrangement | positioning site | part. FIG. 11 is a bottom view for explaining the first transmission member and the like (a state where the motor mounting portion, the motor, the first transmission member and the like are removed from FIG. 10). FIG. 11 is a bottom view for explaining a second transmission member and the like (a state in which a motor mounting portion, a motor, and the like are removed from FIG. 10). (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a 1st motor, a 2nd motor, etc. FIG. It is explanatory drawing about the function etc. of a 2nd transmission member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a guide passage member (illustration of a movable decoration part is abbreviate | omitted). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a guide passage member (illustration of a movable decoration part is abbreviate | omitted). (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pending | holding display apparatus in each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a 1st display apparatus in each Example of this invention. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of a 1st display apparatus in each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a rear view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the rough flow of the game performed with the game machine of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the game control process performed in order that the main control board of the game performed with the game machine of a present Example may control progress of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in order to judge whether the normal symbol game process is started. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the first half part of a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the second half part of a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a normal electric accessory stop process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in order to judge whether the special symbol game process is started. It is the flowchart which showed the first half part of the special symbol game process. It is the flowchart which showed the second half part of the special symbol game process. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detail of the process of S368 shown to the flowchart of FIG. 35, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a part of RAM202 shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process which performs the decision | availability determination of a special symbol. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the success / failure determination table which matched the special symbol success / failure determination random number and the success / failure determination result. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the jackpot game mode determination table referred in order to determine a jackpot symbol, the mode of jackpot game, etc. in the special symbol success / failure determination processing. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the small hitting game mode determination table referred in order to determine the small hitting symbol and the mode of a small hitting game in the special symbol win / fail determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the special symbol fluctuation pattern setting process performed with the game machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the small hit game process performed in order that the gaming machine of a present Example may perform a small hit game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the big hit game process performed in order that the gaming machine of a present Example may play a big hit game. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modification example 3; (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 4, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 5. FIG. In the gaming machine of modification 6, it is a front view showing a central device. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detail of the process of S368 shown to the flowchart of FIG. 35, when FIG. 35 is applied to the modification 6, (b) is FIG. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a RAM 202 shown in FIG. 23 when applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the small hit game process performed in order for a modification 6 game machine to perform a small hit game.

Explanation of symbols

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
10; Game board 11; Game area,
20; Central device (ball entry device),
23; passage selection device (selection device),
24A; first arrival path member (member constituting the first arrival path),
24B; second arrival path member (member constituting the second arrival path),
80; guidance device (guidance device part),
27A, 27B; opening and closing members,
29A, 29B; entrance,
82; a guide passage member,
82d; guide passage,
82e; ball discharge part,
H1-H3; arrangement site,
SR: Special Area Department,
TR: normal region,
MR: Special contact,
MTL, MTR;

Claims (2)

A special area and a normal area through which game balls can pass;
Arranged on the upstream side of the special area part and the normal area part, while passing the game ball received from the upstream side through the ball receiving part toward the downstream side, to one of the special area part and the normal area part A guiding device section for guiding;
And a pitching device having
A gaming machine capable of giving a gaming privilege to a player due to a game ball passing through the special area part,
The guiding device section is provided with a plurality of rows of arrangement portions from the upstream side toward the downstream side, the ball receiving portion is provided at the arrangement portion of the most upstream row, and downstream of the arrangement portion of the most downstream row. On the side, a special communication port that communicates with the special region part and a normal communication port that communicates with the normal region part are juxtaposed in the width direction of the guidance device unit,
A guide passage member having a guide passage that discharges a game ball that has entered from the upstream side from a ball discharge portion that is opened in the downstream direction and guides the game ball that has entered from the upstream side in the downstream direction at each placement site is further downstream. While being arranged so that the number of arrangement along the width direction of the guidance device portion is increased in the arrangement site on the row side,
A gaming machine in which the ball discharge unit is the induction passage member is operated to reciprocate while drawing an arcuate path substantially along the width direction of the guide device portion,
The ball discharge part reciprocates while drawing a substantially arc-shaped path along the width direction of the guide device part by rotating the guide path member with respect to an axis along the vertical direction,
The width direction of the guidance device section is directed to the left and right, and as for the arrangement site constituting the guidance device unit, the arrangement site on the upstream row side is located rearward and the arrangement site on the downstream row side is located forward. It is configured in a stepped shape,
One or a plurality of guide passage members arranged on the left and right are arranged on the arrangement portion of the uppermost stream row, and a plurality of guide passage members arranged on the left and right are arranged on the other arrangement portions,
In an arrangement part adjacent along the passing direction of the game balls, guidance of the arrangement part located on the downstream line side is obliquely forward and left of the rotation axis of the guide passage member of the arrangement part located on the upstream line side. The pivot axis of the passage member is arranged,
Each guide passage member can be rotated to guide the game ball released from the guide passage portion of each guide passage member diagonally left front of the rotation axis of each guide passage member, and A gaming machine that alternatively realizes a state in which it can be guided diagonally right forward of the rotation axis of the guide passage member . The entrance device is
An entrance where a game ball flowing down the game area can enter,
An opening / closing member that is disposed in a state in which the entrance is closed and an opening operation execution condition is established, and that performs an opening operation that opens the entrance for a predetermined time according to a predetermined operation pattern;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images