JP4861356B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a ball game machine or a slot machine that generates a big hit state by a lottery process resulting from a gaming operation, and more particularly to a gaming machine that utilizes a single switch member for a plurality of uses.

  A ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start port provided on the game board, a symbol display unit for displaying a series of symbol variation modes such as stopping a plurality of display symbols after varying a predetermined time, and an opening / closing plate It is configured with a grand prize opening that opens and closes. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passing of the game ball, the game ball is in a winning state and the symbol display unit changes the display symbol for a predetermined time. After that, when the symbol stops in a predetermined manner such as 7-7-7, a big hit state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a profit state advantageous to the player.

  The symbol display unit is usually composed of a liquid crystal display and executes various symbol effect operations including a reach effect and a notice effect. The reach effect is a symbol effect that keeps the player in a big hit state in one step and excites the player, and is executed in synchronization with the lamp effect and the sound effect. In addition, the notice effect is a symbol effect in which a certain character suddenly appears in the middle of the changing motion of the symbol to notify the subsequent invitation of the big hit state, and is often accompanied by an audio effect.

By the way, the invention which makes a player participate in progress of such production operation is also proposed (patent document 1). In the invention of Patent Document 1, for example, when a player operates a push switch at the time of a reach effect, the effect symbol in the temporarily stopped state is changed in response to this operation.
JP 2004-242748 A

  The above invention is effective in enriching the game effects in this type of gaming machine, but has a problem in that the number of switches to be arranged in the gaming machine increases.

  That is, for example, in a ball game machine that has entered a big hit state, when moving the game ball in the lower plate storing game balls overflowing from the upper plate to the outside of the game machine, Since it is necessary to move the game ball on the upper plate to the lower plate and further to the outside of the gaming machine, a lever or button for that purpose is indispensable. It is complicated. In addition, for the player, it is more convenient in terms of game progress to arrange a large number of buttons than to arrange a large number of buttons at various places.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above demands, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of enriching game effects without increasing the number of operation members.

To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a spruce lottery process whether to generate an advantageous gaming state to the player with respect to the payout of game media, effect of effect contents corresponding to the lottery result of the spruce lottery process A game machine that notifies the player of the lottery result of the success / failure lottery process after executing the operation, and a control command received from the main control unit that is responsible for the game control operation centrally. An effect control unit that executes an effect operation based on the operation button , and an operation button is arranged at a position where the player can operate, and a signal from the operation button blocks the movement path of the paid-out game medium It is configured to be transmitted to the effect control unit as an occlusion release signal for instructing an opening operation of the image or as an effect instruction signal for instructing a button effect operation, and the effect control unit can accept the effect instruction signal The first means for determining whether or not the effect period is in effect, and the button effect that excites the game operation when receiving the signal from the operation button when the first means determines that the effect instruction signal can be received. Whether or not the signal from the operation button is continued for a grace period under a predetermined condition when the second means for controlling the operation to be executable and the first means determines that the production instruction signal cannot be received. If the signal from the operation button is interrupted during the determination time of the third means and the third means, the signal is ignored, while if the signal from the operation button is continued for a grace period, the solenoid or the motor And a fourth means for starting the movement of the game medium by opening the blocking member based on the operation .

In any case, in the present invention, it is preferable that the button effect state does not appear automatically or based on the player's selection in a game state advantageous to the player. This is because in a gaming state advantageous to the player, such as a big hit state, a large number of gaming media are paid out, so that the movement of the gaming media is indispensable. Note that the selection of the player is realized by, for example, a button operation based on a demonstration screen displayed on the display device before the game starts or during the game interruption.

On the other hand, the gaming state advantageous to the player is classified into a multi-stage big hit state with different advantageous levels , and the button effect operation is controlled to be executable only in the big hit state where the advantageous level is not the highest. It is also suitable. In such an embodiment, a game effect that promotes an advantageous level in response to an ON operation of an operation member by a player is possible.

  According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to enrich game effects without increasing the number of operation members.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine GM according to the present embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine GM includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 3 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It consists of A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the front side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be opened and closed.

  The front plate 7 is provided with an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch, and a lower plate for storing game balls discharged from the upper plate 8 in response to a player's switch operation at the lower portion of the front frame 4. 9 and a firing handle 10 are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10. A discharge hole that is controlled to open and close by energization of a discharge solenoid SL that electromagnetically drives the advance / retreat rod is provided between the upper plate 8 and the lower plate 9.

  An elliptical push button 11 with a built-in lamp is provided at the approximate center of the upper plate 8. The push button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the push button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The push button 11 is a rebound type, and serves as both a ball removal button and a production button, and normally functions as a ball removal button.

  When the push button 11 is turned on while functioning as a ball removal button, the discharge hole is opened by energization of the discharge solenoid SL, and the game ball accumulated in the upper plate 8 moves to the lower plate 9. On the other hand, during the effect button effective period in which the button chance state is set, the built-in lamp is turned on to notify that it functions as an effect button. When the push button 11 is turned on in this button chance state, a game effect that shifts to a game state advantageous to the player may be started after an appropriate effect lottery is executed.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a remaining amount display unit 12a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a predetermined amount of game balls A ball lending switch 12b for instructing ball lending and a return switch 12c for instructing the return of the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 13 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a liquid crystal color display DISP is provided at the approximate center of the game area 5a inside. The lottery result display section 14 by 7 segment LED and the two LED lamps 19 are arranged at the upper part.

  The liquid crystal display DISP is a part that functions as an effect symbol display unit that variably displays an effect symbol (for example, a three-digit effect symbol “7, 7, 7”) directly related to the special symbol related to the big hit state, and a background image And various characters are also displayed in animation. On the other hand, the lottery result display unit 14 functions as a special symbol display unit. After the blinking operation is performed in synchronization with the variation display operation of the liquid crystal display DISP, the lottery processing is performed in accordance with the stop operation of the liquid crystal display DISP. The result of success / failure is displayed deterministically.

  In this embodiment, the big hit state is divided into a probable big hit and a normal big hit, but the liquid crystal display DISP informs whether the probable big hit, normal big hit or lost by the arrangement of the production symbols in the stopped state. On the other hand, the lottery result display unit 14 notifies this by a predetermined stop pattern. Specifically, the liquid crystal display DISP has “7, 7, 7”, “6, 6, 6”, “2, 5, 2”, etc., depending on whether it is probable big hit, normal big hit or lost. The lottery result display unit 14 displays stop symbols of “77”, “66”, and “-” in the case where two 7-segment LEDs are provided, for example, when the effect symbols are stopped and displayed. The probability variation jackpot means a jackpot state in which a game in which the winning probability of the jackpot is increased (a game in the probability variation state) is started after the special gaming state similar to the case of the normal jackpot is completed.

  On the other hand, the two LED lamps 19 are portions that normally function as symbol display units. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the display content fluctuates for a predetermined time. The success / failure state determined on the basis of the random number for lottery drawn at the time of passing is displayed. In this embodiment, when both of the two LED lamps are turned on and stopped, a hit state is obtained, and when one or two of the LED lamps are stopped in an unlit state, a lost state is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a design starting port 15, a big winning port 16, four normal winning ports 17, and a gate 18 that is a left and right passing port are arranged at appropriate positions in the game area 5 a of the game board 5. . Each of the winning holes 15 to 17 and the gate 18 has a detection switch inside, so that the passage of the game ball can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol start opening 15 is enlarged and reduced by an electric tulip having a pair of opening and closing claws, and is opened and closed when a hit display is made in a stopped state after the LED lamp 19 which is a normal symbol display portion changes. The nail is enlarged for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15, the display symbols on the liquid crystal display DISP as the effect symbol display portion and the lottery result display portion 14 as the special symbol display portion change for a predetermined time, and It stops at the stop symbol determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball.

  The big prize opening 16 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but the symbols after the change stop of the production symbol display portion DISP are arranged such as “6, 6, 6”, “7, 7, 7”, etc. When it is an effect symbol ("66" or "77" is displayed on the lottery result display unit 14), a special game state called "big hit" is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. Such an opening / closing operation is continued as a big hit round, for example, up to 16 times, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM that realizes the above-described operations. As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine GM includes a power supply board 20 that receives AC 24V and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, etc., a main control board 21 that plays a central role in game control operations, and a main control board. An effect control board 22 that executes a lamp effect and a sound effect based on the control command CMD received from the control board 21; a liquid crystal control board 23 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD ′ received from the effect control board 22; Based on a control command CMD "received from the main control board 21, a payout control board 24 for controlling the payout motor M to pay out the game ball, and a launch control board 25 for firing the game ball in response to the player's operation, , It is structured around.

  However, in this embodiment, the control command CMD output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the effect control board 22 via the command relay board 26 and the effect interface board 27. The control command CMD ′ output from the effect control board 22 is transmitted to the liquid crystal control board 23 via the effect interface board 27, and the control command CMD ″ output from the main control board 21 is the main board relay board. It is transmitted to the payout control board 24 via 28.

  The main control board 21, the effect control board 22, the liquid crystal control board 23, and the payout control board 24 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Accordingly, the circuits mounted on the control boards 21 to 24 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as a function. In this specification, the main control unit 21, the effect control unit 22, and the liquid crystal control unit 23 are used. , And the payout control unit 24. All or part of the effect control unit 22, the liquid crystal control unit 23, and the payout control unit 24 is a sub-control unit.

  By the way, the pachinko machine GM is roughly divided into a frame side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board side member GM2 fixed to the back of the game board 5. The frame side member GM1 includes a front frame 3 on which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached, and a wooden outer frame 1 on the outside thereof. Is fixedly installed. On the other hand, the board side member GM2 is replaced in response to the model change, and a new board side member GM2 is attached to the frame side member GM1 instead of the original board side member. All except the frame side member 1 is the panel side member GM2.

  As shown in the broken line frame in FIG. 3, the frame-side member GM1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 24, a launch control board 25, and a frame relay board 32, and these circuit boards are Each is fixed in place on the front frame 3. On the other hand, on the back of the game board 5, a main control board 21, an effect control board 22, and a liquid crystal control board 23 are fixed together with a liquid crystal display DISP and other circuit boards.

  And the frame side member GM1 and the board | substrate side member GM2 are electrically connected by the connection connectors T1-T4 concentratedly arranged in one place. In this embodiment, the connection connectors T <b> 1 to T <b> 4 are concentrated on the lower left side of the game board 5 when viewed from the back. Then, with the glass door 6 open, the left end of the game board 5 is locked to the front frame 3 from the front side of the front frame 3 to secure a rotation fulcrum, and the game board 5 is rotated around the secured rotation fulcrum. By doing so, the game board 5 is fitted inside the front frame 3. When the game board 5 is fitted, all the connection connectors T1 to T4 are connected, and the connection between the frame side member GM1 and the board side member GM2 is completed, and the pachinko machine GM is operable. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 28 through the connection connector T2, and is connected to the power supply relay board 30 through the connection connector T3. The main board relay board 28 outputs the system reset signal SYS, the RAM clear signal CLR, the voltage drop signal ABN, the backup power supply BU, DC12V, and DC32V received from the power board 20 to the main controller 21 as they are. Similarly, the power relay board 30 also outputs the system reset signal SYS received from the power board 20 and the AC and DC power supply voltages to the effect interface board 27 as they are. The production interface board 27 outputs the received system reset signal SYS to the production control unit 22 and the liquid crystal control unit 23 as they are.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 24 is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without going through the relay board, and the system reset signal SYS, the RAM clear signal CLR, the voltage drop signal ABN, the backup, which are received by the main control unit 21. The power supply BU is directly received together with other power supply voltages.

  Here, the system reset signal SYS output from the power supply board 20 is a signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V is supplied to the power supply board 20, and the one-chip microcomputer or other IC element of each of the control units 21 to 24 by this signal. The power is reset. The RAM clear signal CLR received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal that determines whether or not to initialize all areas of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of each control unit 21 and 24. Thus, it has a value corresponding to the ON / OFF state of the initialization switch operated by the attendant.

  The voltage drop signal ABN received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V has started to drop. By receiving this voltage drop signal ABN, each control unit In 21 and 24, necessary end processing is started prior to a power failure or business end. The backup power source BU is a DC 5V DC power source that retains data in the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 even after the AC power source 24V is cut off due to business termination or power failure. Therefore, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 can resume the game operation before power-off after power-on (power backup function). This pachinko machine is designed to retain the stored contents of the RAM of each one-chip microcomputer for at least several days.

  On the other hand, the effect control unit 22 and the liquid crystal control unit 23 are not provided with the power supply backup function described above. However, as described above, the system reset signal SYS is commonly supplied to the effect control unit 22 and the liquid crystal control unit 23 via the power relay board 30 and the effect interface board 27. A power supply reset operation is realized at a timing substantially synchronized with the control units 21 and 24.

  As illustrated, the main control unit 21 transmits a control command CMD "to the payout control unit 25 via the main board relay board 28, while the payout control unit 25 receives a prize ball indicating a payout operation of the game ball. A count signal and a status signal CON relating to an abnormality in the payout operation are received, and the status signal CON includes, for example, a replenishment out signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal.

  The main control unit 21 is connected to each game component of the game board 5 via the game board relay board 29. And while receiving the switch signal of the detection switch built in each winning opening 16-18 on a game board, solenoids, such as an electric tulip, are driven. The main control unit 21 is also connected to the symbol display board 33 via the game board relay board 29 to drive the LED group as a light emitter.

  The LED group that is lighted and driven in the main control unit 21 includes a 7-segment LED that constitutes the lottery result display unit 14 and two LED lamps that constitute the normal symbol display unit 19. In addition, since the display mode on the lottery result display unit 14 can be enriched and it can be applied to a gaming machine provided with two symbol start ports, two 7-segment LEDs are arranged in this embodiment. In addition, the main control unit 21 also directly displays an LED for displaying the number of lottery holds, the number of jackpot rounds, and the like that are in a standby state when a game ball passes through the gate 18 or the symbol start port 15 continuously. The lighting is controlled.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the switch signal SG from the push button 11 is supplied to the effect control board 22 via the frame relay boards 32 and 31 and the effect interface board 27. A discharge solenoid SL is connected to the frame relay board 32, and a discharge hole for connecting the upper plate 8 and the lower plate 9 is opened by energizing the discharge solenoid SL. As shown in FIG. 4A, the drive current for energizing the solenoid is supplied from the effect control board 22 via the effect interface board 27 and the frame relay board 31.

  Corresponding to the above configuration, the effect control unit 22 includes the output port OUT, the latch circuit LT that holds the output data of the output port OUT, and the drive current for energizing the solenoid controlled by the output data of the latch circuit LT. Is provided, and an input port IN that receives the switch signal SG in a pull-up state. The input port IN and the output port OUT are built in the one-chip microcomputer 50 of the effect control unit 22.

  FIGS. 4B to 4C are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the discharge solenoid SL. The closing plate 40 that opens and closes the discharge hole HO is composed of a disc-shaped tip portion 40a and a rod-shaped connecting portion 40b. And the base end of the connection part 40b is connected with the front-end | tip of the advance / retreat rod 41 which protrudes according to electricity supply of the discharge solenoid SL so that rotation is possible. Further, since the fixed shaft AX passes through the connecting portion 40b, the connecting portion 40b is pivotally supported so as to rotate about the fixed shaft AX.

  Therefore, when the discharge solenoid SL is in a non-energized state (FIG. 4B), the discharge hole HO of the game ball is completely closed by the front end portion 40a of the closing plate. On the other hand, when the discharge solenoid SL is energized (FIG. 4C), the forward / backward rod 41 protrudes, so that the closing plate 40 rotates around the fixed axis AX, and as a result, the discharge hole HO is in the open state. Become.

  Next, the operation content of the one-chip microcomputer 50 of the effect control board 22 will be described. The operation of the effect control unit 22 includes a main process (FIG. 5A) that is started when the CPU is reset and a reception interrupt process that is started when the control command CMD is received from the main control unit 21 (FIG. 5). (B)).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the CPU is reset, after the one-chip microcomputer 50 is initialized (ST1), the suitability of the check data (management data) is checked (ST2). Here, the check data is an operation result (check sum value) of the addition operation executed on a predetermined area of the RAM area in step ST12. For example, when the power of the CPU is reset, the check data naturally does not match, so the entire area of the RAM is cleared (ST4).

  On the other hand, in the case of CPU reset by the watchdog timer, the check data may match. This is a case where the program is in a runaway state, but no unreasonable data is written in the work area of the RAM. Therefore, in such a case, backup restoration processing is executed so that the interrupted control operation can be resumed without any problem (ST3). In the backup restoration process, for example, the presently performed effect operation (audio effect or lamp effect) and other control operations are initialized so that they can be restarted from an appropriate separation position.

  Thereafter, an initialization process is executed for the sound reproduction LSI mounted on the effect control board 22 (ST5). Next, steps ST6 to ST12 are repeated in an infinite loop. First, after setting the CPU to an interrupt enabled state (ST6), an interrupt waiting process is executed (ST7). The interrupt waiting process is a process for confirming completion of a timer interrupt process (not shown) started every 4 ms. In this interrupt waiting process, as shown in FIG. 5C, first, a clear pulse is transmitted to the watchdog timer mounted on the effect control board 22 to prevent the CPU from being forcibly reset (ST31). Next, while updating the random number used in the effect lottery or the like (ST32), it waits for the completion of the timer interrupt process (ST33). In a timer interrupt process (not shown), a confirmation flag is set when a timer interrupt is received. Therefore, in step ST33, the confirmation flag is repeatedly checked. When the confirmation flag setting state is confirmed, the confirmation flag is reset and the subroutine processing is terminated (ST34).

  When the interrupt waiting process (ST7) is completed in this way, the control command CMD acquired in the reception interrupt process (FIG. 5B) is analyzed, and an initial process for subsequent processes is executed (ST8). . This control command analysis process (ST8) includes an effect lottery process based on the control command CMD and a transmission process of the control command CMD 'to the liquid crystal control unit. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the reception interrupt process, the received control command is stored in the command storage area (ST20 to ST21).

  When the control command analysis process (ST8) is completed, the scenario is advanced for the sound effect and the lamp effect started by the control command (ST9), and the sound data output process corresponding to the advanced scenario is executed (ST10).

  Subsequently, a button handling process relating to the push button 11 is executed (ST11), and thereafter, an addition operation is executed on a predetermined area of the RAM area, the checksum value as the operation result is stored, and the process returns to step ST6 (step ST6). ST12).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the button handling process (ST11). First, it is determined whether or not the present is in the effect button valid period (ST40). Here, the effect button effective period is a time zone in which the push button 11 functions as an effect button, and typically means that the gaming state is a button chance state. In the button chance state, a special effect lottery process is executed in response to the ON operation of the push button 11 functioning as an effect button (ST41), and after various effect operations according to the lottery result, It is trying to excite the game action.

  On the other hand, when the effect button is not valid, the push button 11 functions as a ball removal button. Then, the switch signal SG of the push button 11 is acquired from the input port IN, and the ON / OFF state of the push button 11 serving as a ball removal button is determined (ST42). If the push button 11 is in the ON state, the value of the ball removal flag EJT is determined (ST43). The ball removal flag EJT is “0” in the initial state, and remains “0” until it is set to “1” in the process of step ST49.

  Therefore, if the ball removal flag EJT = 0, it is next determined whether or not the current game is a big hit game (ST44). The production control unit 22 always grasps the transition of the gaming state based on the control command CMD received from the main control unit 21.

  Then, when it is determined that the current game is a big hit game based on the received control command CMD, the processes of steps ST45 to ST48 are skipped. On the other hand, if the current game is not a big hit game, then the value of the clock flag MEA is determined (ST45). The timekeeping flag MEA is “0” in the initial state, and remains “0” until it is set to “1” in the process of step ST46.

  Therefore, if the timekeeping flag MEA = 0, the timekeeping flag MEA is set to 1 and the initial value is set to the value of the timekeeping timer TIME in order to start the timekeeping operation in response to the push button 11 being turned on. Set and finish the process (ST46). This is because the push button 11 is exposed on the front side of the gaming machine, there is a possibility that something touches accidentally, in such a case, so that the unintentional ball removal operation of the player is not started, This is to ensure a predetermined grace period. Therefore, for example, an initial value 250 is set in the timekeeping timer TIME so as to secure a grace period of 1 second. The reason why the initial value is set to 250 in order to secure the grace period of 1 second is that the process of step ST11 is executed every 4 ms.

  By the way, in the determination of step ST45, when it is determined that the timekeeping flag MEA = 1, the value of the timekeeping timer TIME set in the process of step ST46 is decremented (ST47). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the time count timer TIME after decrement has reached “0” (ST48). If TIME ≠ 0, the process is finished as it is. On the other hand, when TIME = 0 is reached after a predetermined grace period, the timekeeping flag MEA is set to “0”, the ball removal flag EJT is set to “1” (ST49), and the discharge solenoid SL is set. Is driven ON (ST50).

  In the process of step ST50, specifically, the H level control data is output to the output port OUT, and the drive current flows out from the driver DR. As a result, since the discharge solenoid SL is energized, the discharge hole HO is opened as shown in FIG. 4C, and a ball removing operation in which the game ball moves from the upper plate 8 to the lower plate 9 is started. The The H level control data output from the output port OUT is held in the latch circuit LT, so that the ball removal operation is maintained thereafter. In the case of a big hit, the game ball is moved from the upper plate 8 to the lower plate 9, and the game ball is guided to the launching device. This makes it possible to perform ball removal while firing.

  Thereafter, the determination process of step ST42 is executed every 4 mS. Therefore, if the player releases the hand from the push switch 11, the push button 11 may be in the OFF state based on the value of the switch signal SG. It is detected (ST42). Then, the value of the ball removal flag EJT is determined (ST51). If the ball removal flag is EJT = 1, the value of the ball removal flag EJT is returned to “0” (ST52), and the discharge solenoid SL is driven OFF. (ST53).

  In the process of step ST53, specifically, L level control data is output to the output port OUT, and the outflow of the drive current from the driver DR is stopped. As a result, the discharge solenoid SL is in a non-energized state, and the discharge hole HO is closed as shown in FIG. Since the L-level control data output from the output port OUT is held in the latch circuit LT, thereafter, the process corresponding to ST40 → ST42 → ST51 is performed, and nothing is performed immediately, and the button corresponding process (ST11). Will end.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the button effect process (ST41) executed only during the effect button effective period. Here, a case where a ball removal effect lottery is executed as a special effect lottery is shown. The ball removal effect is a game effect in which the discharge hole HO is suddenly opened in spite of the ON operation of the heel push button 11 that functions as the effect button. This is a performance that gives notice with high probability.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIG. 7. First, the value of the ball removal flag EJT is determined (ST60). If the ball removal flag is EJT = 0 (ST61), the effect of whether or not to execute the ball removal effect is determined. A lottery is executed (ST62). When the ball removal effect is not selected, the process proceeds to another button effect process. When the ball winning effect is selected, the ball removal flag EJT is set to “1” and the initial value is set to the timing timer TIME. Set (ST64).

  The initial value set in the process of step ST64 defines the duration of the ball removal effect, and, for example, an initial value 250 corresponding to 1 second, 2 seconds, and 5 seconds, depending on the winning aspect of the effect lottery. , 500, 1250 are set. In addition, it is preferable to set the duration of the ball removal effect longer as the possibility of an internal big hit state increases. In this way, when setting of appropriate initial values is completed (ST64), the discharge solenoid SL is driven ON (energization control), and the process is terminated (ST65).

  Thereafter, the button effect process (ST41) is executed every 4 mS, and the value of the timer TIME is decremented (ST66). If TIME ≠ 0, the process is finished as it is. If TIME = 0, the ball removal flag EJT is returned to “0” (ST68), and the discharge solenoid SL is driven OFF to finish the process. (ST69).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described concretely, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, it is not always necessary to use the discharge solenoid SL. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also preferable to use a stepping motor MT. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the rotation axis AX of the stepping motor MT that is rotationally driven by the three-phase drive pulses Φ <b> 1 to Φ <b> 3 that are out of phase is fixed to the peripheral portion of the disc-shaped closing plate 40. Therefore, when the rotation axis AX of the stepping motor MT is rotated 90 ° clockwise, the discharge hole HO opens about 2/3 (FIG. 8B), and when the rotation shaft AX is rotated 180 ° clockwise, the discharge hole HO is fully opened. (FIG. 8C). Further, when the clockwise rotation is performed by 180 °, the discharge hole HO is completely closed (FIG. 8A).

  In such an embodiment, it is possible not only to close or open the discharge port HO, but also to create a variety of open states such as a half-open state, and to realize extremely diverse ball removal effects in combination with the open time. Can do.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the ball removing operation is started uniformly in response to the operation of the push button 11 in the big hit state, but it is not limited to such an operation. For example, in the big hit state, the button effect may be executed exceptionally. In such a case, for example, the chance time of the probable change promotion is set. Note that the probability change promotion means that the game that has been in the normal big hit state shifts to the probability change big hit state after a chance time.

  Although the embodiment has been described so far in which the discharge hole HO provided between the upper plate 8 and the lower plate 9 is appropriately opened and closed, the lower plate 9 and the game can be replaced with or in addition to this configuration. It is also preferable that the discharge passage communicating with the outside of the machine is appropriately opened and closed in response to the operation of the operation member. In this case, the game balls discharged from the lower plate 9 are stored in a storage container also called a dollar box. Further, the present invention is not limited to a ball game machine, and can be suitably applied to a slot machine or the like.

  By the way, in any embodiment, it is preferable that the function of the button operation is explained during the demonstration operation and the player can appropriately select the function and operation mode of the button operation. By comprising in this way, even if a single operation member demonstrates a several function, it is avoided that a player is confused.

  For example, with respect to the ball removal process, when the button is turned on for a predetermined time, the previous embodiment in which the discharge solenoid continues to be turned on until the button is turned off is appropriately selected based on the player's selection. It is also suitable to change to. Specifically, an operation in which the ON operation of the discharge solenoid is continued until the second button ON operation is performed when the discharge solenoid starts the ON operation by the first button ON operation can be exemplified. Further, when the discharge solenoid starts to be turned on by the first button ON operation, this may be continued for a predetermined time, and thereafter the ball discharging process may be automatically ended. By adopting such an embodiment, it is possible to automatically execute the ball removal process even if the player does not keep pressing the operation button. Therefore, it is also preferable to execute the above-described ball removal process as an initial function of the gaming machine without waiting for the player's selection.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown in an embodiment. It is the front view which illustrated in detail the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. The connection relationship among a production control unit, a discharge solenoid, and a push button is illustrated. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement content of an effect control part. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a part of FIG. 5 in detail. It is a flowchart explaining a part of FIG. 6 in detail. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment using a stepping motor.

Explanation of symbols

GM gaming machine 11 operation member

Claims (7)

After performing a lottery process for determining whether or not to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player with respect to paying out game media, and performing an effect operation of the contents corresponding to the lottery result of the success / failure lottery process, A gaming machine for notifying a player of a lottery result,
Provided with a main control unit that plays a central role in game control operations, and an effect control unit that executes effect operations based on control commands received from the main control unit, and arranges operation buttons at positions where the player can operate In addition, the signal from the operation button is used as the closing control signal for instructing the opening operation of the blocking member that blocks the movement path of the paid-out game medium, or as the effect instruction signal for instructing the button effect operation. Configured to be transmitted to
The production control unit
A first means for determining whether or not the production instruction signal is valid for an acceptable period;
When the first means determines that it is possible to receive the effect instruction signal, when receiving a signal from the operation button, the second means for controlling the button effect operation to excite the game operation,
A third means for determining whether or not a signal from the operation button is continued for a grace period under a predetermined condition when the first means determines that the production instruction signal cannot be received;
If the signal from the operation button is interrupted during the determination time of the third means, the signal is ignored, while if the signal from the operation button is continued for a grace period, the blocking member is activated based on the operation of the solenoid or the motor. A fourth means for opening and starting the movement of the game medium;
A gaming machine characterized by having a structure . The effect control unit is configured to grasp the gaming state based on the control command, and when the gaming state is advantageous to the player, the fourth means functions without passing through the determination process by the third means. the gaming machine according to claim 1 are. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the button effect operation by the second means includes an effect accompanied by an opening operation of the blocking member . 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein , in the production operation accompanied by the opening operation of the blocking member, the jackpot is internally predicted with a high probability based on the duration of the opening operation of the blocking member. . The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blocking member is controlled to be opened in a plurality of stages of opening between a completely closed state and a fully opened state of the moving passage . The gaming state advantageous to the player is divided into a multi-stage jackpot state with different advantageous levels,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the button effect operation is controlled to be executable only in a big hit state where the advantage level is not the highest. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a button effect operation is prevented from appearing automatically or based on a player's selection in a gaming state advantageous to the player.