JP5115868B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs an effect operation in accordance with the timing at which a game ball is received in a variable winning device.

  As this type of gaming machine, like a pachinko machine, a gaming ball that is launched in a gaming area is played in an accessory, and the gaming ball is guided to a specific winning opening (hereinafter expressed as “V winning”). ), A gaming machine having a form in which the thrill is seasoned with the player is displayed (see Patent Document 1).

  In such a known gaming machine, when the game ball is won at the start winning opening provided in the game area by the presence of the nail provided in the game area, The blade member (referred to as “winning device”) performs an opening / closing operation. In a known gaming machine, when a game ball is taken into a winning device when the blade member performs an opening / closing operation, the gaming ball rolls in the winning device, and the gaming ball wins a V to obtain a special gaming state. It becomes the composition which shifts to. Further, in this winning device, a specific winning opening guide for guiding the received game ball to the specific winning opening is formed, and a rotating body in which the specific winning opening guide is formed rotates. It has become.

  In this known gaming machine, it is predicted whether or not it is easy to win a V according to the positional relationship between the game ball received by the winning device and the specific winning opening guide portion in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the blade member. If the expectation of winning the V prize is high, the player's willingness to play is increased by performing a predictive effect such as “pretty good”. In order to perform such a predictive performance, it is necessary to grasp the position of the specific winning opening guide section, and therefore an origin signal indicating the rotation state of the rotating body in which the specific winning opening guide section is formed is obtained. Need to get.

  For this reason, in known gaming machines, the motor index sensor periodically outputs the origin signal to the main control board as described in FIG. 14 and the paragraphs 0056 and 0060 of the known technical document, and the main control board Each time an origin signal is received from the motor index sensor, the origin signal is output to the sub-control board. That is, the main control board periodically outputs the origin signal to the sub control board.

JP 2004-174238 A (page 12, FIG. 14)

  However, in a known gaming machine, if the main control board periodically outputs an origin signal to the sub-control board, an unfair game that abuses the execution timing of the rendering operation based on such an origin signal. It is also conceivable that Specifically, when the sub control board periodically executes the rendering operation based on the origin signal periodically output from the main control board to the sub control board in this manner, Since a person who intends to cheat (hereinafter referred to as “illegal player”) may misuse the periodicity of the execution timing of the performance operation and aim for a big hit, There is a risk of playing unfair games compared to those who did not notice. In this way, when the big hit is targeted by exploiting the periodicity of the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the origin signal which is an internal signal, the probability of a big hit will be significantly higher than the probability of a big hit in a normal game. There is a fear.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preventing an unfair game that abuses the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the internal signal.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention comprises a variable winning device that opens and closes a movable member triggered by the fact that a game ball has won a start winning opening during a normal game, and that can accept the game ball. In the gaming machine that shifts to a special gaming state in which a special profit is provided to a player when a game ball received in the variable prize device in accordance with an opening / closing operation further passes through a specific prize opening, the movable member A detector for detecting that a game ball has been received in the variable winning device in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the player and outputting a winning signal; and a variable winning device provided in the variable winning device. A specific prize opening guide for guiding the played game balls to the specific prize opening is formed, and the destination of the game ball is moved to the specific prize opening by periodically moving the specific prize opening guide. Is a reference member indicating that the reference member that can identify the position of the distribution member that distributes to any of the other general winning openings and the position of the specific winning opening guide portion that moves periodically is detected. Reference point detecting means for outputting a point detection signal, and controlling the game operation, and the special game state is triggered by the fact that the game ball is guided to the specific prize opening according to the movement of the specific prize opening guide unit. A game control board to be transferred and an effect control board for controlling the effect operation according to the progress of the game, the game control board is triggered by the fact that the winning signal is output, with respect to the effect control board, A position information signal including the position information related to the position of the specific winning opening guide portion from the reference point specified based on the reference point detection signal is transmitted to the effect control board, and the effect control Plate, in response to a reception of the position information signal is intended to execute the effect operation in accordance with the positional relationship between the game ball with the specific winning opening guide portion at the time when the winning signal is output.

  In a generally known gaming machine, when a specific winning opening guide section that guides to a specific winning opening that shifts to a big hit by passing a game ball moves at a constant cycle, the game ball is started and won according to the moving cycle. It is known that when the movable member is opened and closed and the game ball is received in the variable prize device, the game ball easily passes through the specific prize opening in the variable prize device.

  In other words, in this variable prize winning device, when the timing for the game ball to reach the movable body according to the periodic movement of the specific prize opening, the relative position between the game ball and the specific prize opening guide at this timing is determined. Depending on the relationship, the game ball distribution destination (specific winning opening or general winning opening) is roughly determined. Of course, it is in the category of normal games as long as the player attempts to make such a timing visually, but if the presentation operation of the gaming machine has periodicity, a game ball is launched in synchronization with this presentation operation. The act of trying to win the jackpot is considered to correspond to an unfair game compared to a player who did not notice the periodicity of the performance operation.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the position information signal is output from the game control board to the effect control board at random timing, and the effect control board that receives the position information signal outputs a winning signal at random timing. An effect operation is executed in accordance with the positional relationship between the game ball and the specific winning opening guide at the time point.

  Here, even if a player who intends to cheat (hereinafter referred to as “illegal player”) continues to fire the game ball at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with this performance operation, the performance operation itself is the output of the winning signal. Therefore, it is not possible to allow the game ball to be received in the variable winning device by timing the game ball being guided to the specific winning port by the specific winning port guide unit in the variable winning device. Can be.

  As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, it is impossible to draw a game ball to a specific winning opening by exploiting the execution timing of the rendering operation, and thus an unauthorized player can obtain an unfair advantage. become unable. On the other hand, since it is no longer necessary for the hall operator to give an unfair player a profit that should not be given, it is possible to prevent damage due to such unfair games.

Further, if the player is a well-prepared illegal player, the position information signal, which is an internal signal of the game control board, is acquired by taking out the signal line or physically cutting it, and the output timing of the position information signal is abused. It is also conceivable to play a game ball until the game.
Here, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if an unauthorized player can steal the transmission timing of the positional information signal, which is an internal signal, from the signal line, the transmission timing of the positional information signal without periodicity is used as a reference. Cannot continue to fire the game ball repeatedly periodically. Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, it is impossible to accurately aim at the specific winning opening guide section that moves periodically, and to accept the game ball in the variable winning device at a predetermined timing. Even if the technique is used, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being guided to the specific winning opening. As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, it is not possible to guide the game ball to the specific winning opening by exploiting the transmission timing of the position information signal, so that an unauthorized player can play an illegal game. become unable.

(Solution 2)
In the above solution 1, it is desirable that the game control board controls the operation of the sorting member.

  First, when the game control board controls the operation of the sorting member, the behavior of the sorting member is synchronized with the internal signal of the game control board. This behavior of the allocating member is provided to the player in that the game ball received in the variable winning device in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the movable member can be guided to the specific winning port by the specific winning port guide unit. Related to profits.

  Here, if the game control board is configured to transmit the reference point detection signal to the effect control board every time it receives a reference point detection signal periodically output from the reference point detection means, this game control The means will periodically output a reference point detection signal to the effect control board according to the periodicity of the distribution member.

  Since the behavior of this allocating member is related to the position of the specific winning opening guide formed on this allocating member, at first glance, a person with an unintentional intention may be notified by an internal signal on the game control board. It is also possible to make the variable winning device accept the game ball by misusing the output timing of a certain reference point detection signal and firing the game ball in accordance with the timing so that the game ball is guided to the specific winning opening guide section. It is done.

  However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, although the control of the game control board is deeply related to the behavior of the distributing member, the position information transmitted from the game control board to the effect control board instead of the reference point detection signal In the first place, the signal is no longer periodic. For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if a person who intends to cheat observes the display timing of the effect executed based on this position information signal and attempts to accept the game ball by the variable winning device, the specific winning The game guide cannot be guided to the specific winning opening by the mouth guide unit.

(Solution 3)
In the above solution 1 or 2, the specific winning from the reference point at the time when the winning signal is output based on the difference between the timing at which the winning signal is output and the output timing of the reference point detection signal. It is desirable to provide position information generating means for calculating the position of the mouth guide and generating the position information as the calculation result.

  According to such a configuration, when the production control board acquires the position information generated based on the timing difference from the game control board, the game ball arrives at the sorting member based on the position information. It is predicted whether or not the game ball is guided to the specific winning opening guide section, and based on the prediction result, the game ball at the time of arrival and the positional relationship between the specific winning opening guide section that moves periodically are determined. The production operation can be controlled. For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if it is configured to execute such an effect operation based on position information, the execution timing of the effect operation based on the position information signal transmitted from the game control board to the effect control board is set. It is possible to suppress the unfair game that has been abused and to guide the game ball to the specific winning opening with an extremely high probability so that it is not possible to win a jackpot.

(Solution 4)
In the solving means 3, it is preferable that the position information generating means executes a calculation operation related to the position of the specific winning opening guide portion from the reference point on the game control board.

  According to such a configuration, in the game control board that executes the calculation operation related to the position of the specific winning opening guide portion from the reference point, the processing load due to the calculation operation is slightly increased, but the calculation is completed when the calculation is completed. A position information signal including the position information as a result is transmitted to the effect control board at a random timing of outputting a winning signal. For this reason, the game control board does not transmit the position information signal every time the reference point detection signal is output, even if the processing load is slightly increased by the execution of the calculation operation, and transmits the corresponding position information signal. The number of times to do is small. Therefore, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the action of the solving means 3 can suppress unfair gaming that misuses the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the position information signal, and the number of times the position information signal is transmitted in this way. Therefore, the game operation can be normally controlled without affecting the control of the game operation as a whole.

(Solution 5)
In any one of the solving means 1 to 4, it is preferable that the game control board regulates transmission of the position information signal when the game control board is in the special game state.

  According to such a configuration, the game control board does not need to transmit a position information signal in the special game state, so that the processing load in the special game state can be reduced, and a game operation with a larger load can be performed. Will be able to control. Furthermore, since the game control board does not transmit the position information signal to the effect control board in the special game state in this way, the effect control board that should have received the position information signal is in this special game state. There is no need to bother to analyze and judge the position information signal, which is a useless signal not directly related to the player's profit.

(Solution 6)
In any one of the solving means 1 to 5, it is preferable that the variable winning device includes a path for guiding the game ball received in the variable winning device to the vicinity of the sorting member.

  According to such a configuration, the game ball normally received in the variable winning device rolls on the path in the variable winning device, and it takes a certain amount of time to allocate the sorting member or the specific winning port guide portion thereof. Will reach. At this time, the game ball does not always move in a fixed manner, and sometimes rolls relatively slowly, and sometimes rolls relatively smoothly.

  In this case, if the player is an unauthorized player who abuses the transmission timing of the position information signal, the average time from receiving the game ball into the variable winning device until reaching the specific winning opening guide section It is also conceivable that a certain amount of arrival time (hereinafter referred to as “average arrival time”) is taken into account to some extent, and the launch timing of the game ball is manipulated to aim at the big hit with an unreasonably high probability.

  However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if the average arrival time of the game ball is taken into account, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the position information signal is not constant. The game ball received in the device and received in the variable winning device cannot be led to a specific winning opening via the route to win a big hit.

(Solution 7)
In the gaming machine according to any one of the solving means 1 to 5, the variable prize apparatus guides the game ball in which the game ball is received in the variable prize apparatus in the direction of the specific prize opening guide unit, A plurality of paths having different arrival times reaching the specific prize opening guide after a game ball is received in the variable winning device, and a game ball received in the variable winning device in the plurality of routes. It is desirable to include a ball path changing member that is sent out to either one.

  According to such a configuration, normally, the game ball received in the variable winning device is delivered to one of the plurality of paths by the ball path changing member. The behavior of this game ball is to stimulate the player's willingness to play by causing the player to determine which route the game ball is sent to depending on the movement of the ball path changing member. It is hard to predict. Thus, the game ball sent out to the route reaches the sorting member after taking a certain amount of time. At this time, the game ball does not always move in a fixed manner, and sometimes rolls relatively slowly, and sometimes rolls relatively smoothly.

  In this case, although the arrival time is different for each of a plurality of routes, if the player tries to cheat, for example, aim only at a specific route, and the average of the game balls corresponding to that route It is also possible to aim for a big hit with an unreasonably high probability that is not normal by manipulating the launch timing of the game ball in consideration of the arrival time. However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if the average arrival time of game balls is calculated for a specific route, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the position information signal is not constant in the first place. A game ball is received in the variable winning device, and the game ball received in the variable winning device is guided to a specific winning opening through the ball path changing member or one of a plurality of paths to win a big hit. I can't do that.

(Solution 8)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 7, the game machine further includes a ball dropping unit that is disposed above the sorting member and drops a game ball from a terminal position of one of the plurality of paths, The distribution member temporarily receives a game ball that has dropped from the ball drop unit, and a general game port guide unit that guides the game ball to the general game port, and rolls the game ball that has been received. It is desirable to include a stage that leads to the specific winning opening guide section or the general winning opening guide section.

  According to such a configuration, normally, the game ball received in the variable winning device is sent out to any one of a plurality of paths according to the operation state of the ball path changing member. The behavior of the game sphere intensifies the player's willingness to play the game by causing the player to try to determine which route the game ball is sent out depending on the operation of the ball path changing member. The game ball that has fallen onto the stage from the ball dropping part at the end of one of the paths is then guided to the specific prize opening guide part or the general prize opening guide part while rolling on the stage. Yes. In this way, the game ball that has dropped from the ball dropping unit onto the stage reaches the specific prize opening guide unit or the like over a certain period of time. At this time, the game ball does not always move regularly, rolls in an unpredictable direction on the stage, rolls slowly on the stage in some cases, and rolls fast on the stage in some cases. There are things to do.

  The ball path changing member of the solving means 7 swings in a pattern determined to some extent in the control, although it is difficult for the player to know the delivery destination of the game ball due to its operation state and to add unexpectedness to the game. It has a configuration. In addition, for a game ball that has dropped onto the stage from the ball drop part, it may be possible to roughly estimate the guidance time until the game ball is guided to the specific prize opening guide part to some extent based on the player's experience.

  Then, a person who intends to cheat as much as possible senses this swing pattern and further predicts the guidance time. Then, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the position information signal is misused to synchronize with the swing pattern and the guide time. It can be considered that the timing of launching the sphere is planned. In this way, when the game ball is fired at a timing so that the game ball is received in the variable winning device, at a glance, it is possible to roughly predict the game ball destination by the ball path changing member and the guidance time of the game ball on the stage. It seems to end up.

However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, even if the average arrival time of the game sphere is estimated while considering the swinging state of the ball path changing member and the guidance time of the game sphere on the stage, the presentation operation based on the position information signal in the first place. Since the execution timing of the game is not constant, this is used to allow the game ball to be received in the variable winning device, and the game ball received in the variable winning device is led to a specific winning port via the stage to win a big hit Can no longer be allocated.
Note that the following means may be adopted as a solution means.
A gaming machine,
Main control means for controlling gaming operations in the gaming machine;
A game board including a game area for game balls to flow down;
A game ball sensor for detecting that a game ball has passed through a predetermined area in the game area ;
A ball distribution member that rotates at a constant speed, and is arranged so that a game ball that has passed through the predetermined area can reach the ball distribution member, and the game ball that has reached the ball distribution member The destination is divided into a specific winning opening and another destination different from the specific winning opening, and the destination of the game ball may be different depending on the timing when the game ball reaches the ball sorting member. A ball sorting member configured as described above,
A rotational position sensor that outputs a signal when the rotational position of the ball distribution member passes a predetermined rotational position;
Display means capable of displaying images;
Sub-control means for realizing effect display by controlling the display means in accordance with an instruction from the main control means, according to the rotational position of the ball sorting member at the time when the game ball sensor detects a game ball Sub-control means capable of realizing a position-based effect display which is a different effect display;
With
The rotational position sensor is
Connected to the main control means without being connected to the sub-control means,
In response to the rotation position of the ball distribution member periodically passing through the predetermined rotation position, the signal is periodically transmitted to the main control means,
The main control means includes
In addition to the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal, the rotational position at which rotational position information, which is information representing the difference between the two timings, is calculated by using the timing at which the gaming ball sensor detects the gaming ball. Information calculation means;
The rotation position information is supplied to the sub-control means at an unspecified timing when a game ball flowing down the game area of the game board is detected by the game ball sensor , so that the rotation position information is the sub-control. The timing for supplying to the means is not the periodic timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal, but the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal based on the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal. Adjustment supply means;
Including
The sub-control means realizes the position-based effect display without periodicity according to the rotational position information supplied at the timing that can be changed randomly.
Gaming machine.

  The gaming machine of the present invention gives a game a difficulty until reaching a big hit, provides a special gaming state only to a player who has overcome this difficulty, and provides a large profit, and a game related to a game leading to a big hit It is possible to increase the interest of the player and increase the operation of the gaming machine.

It is a front view of a pachinko machine. It is a front view of a center character. It is a perspective view in case a game ball passes through a low-probability route in the center character. It is the top view which showed a mode that the game ball was guided to the ball | bowl stationary member and went to the distribution member in the vicinity of the terminal of a low probability path | route. It is a perspective view in case a game ball passes through a high probability path within the center bonus. It is the top view which showed the destination (4 ways) of the game ball which fell on the stage through the high probability path | route. It is a figure showing the movement of the game ball which entered the general winning opening guide part of a ball distribution member. It is the perspective view which showed the relationship between a ball distribution member and a specific area switch. It is the figure which showed roughly the control structure of the pachinko machine. It is an image figure which shows an example of the effect display in the case of a big hit chance. It is a control flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the control processing in a main control board. It is a control flowchart which shows the example of control in a sub control board. It is a timing chart which shows the example of transmission timings, such as a rotation position command.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings.
(1. Overview of Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 1 belongs to a so-called “feather” type.

  The pachinko machine 1 is roughly composed of a frame 2 and a game board 4, and the game board 4 is detachably installed inside the frame 2. A substantially circular game area is formed on the front surface (board surface) of the game board 4, and the model of the pachinko machine 1 is characterized by the board surface configuration here.

  In the game area, a center accessory 6 that is extremely eye-catching is arranged at substantially the center thereof, and this center accessory 6 functions as a winning device. In addition to the normal winning openings 8 and 10 arranged on the left and right of the center accessory 6, a pair of left and right one-time starting openings 12 are arranged at a lower position thereof, and one two-time starting opening 14 is arranged at a central position. . In addition, various ornamental bodies, decorative lamps, windmills, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided in the game area, but well-known components can be applied to these components. Therefore, the individual description is omitted here.

  One frame body 2 is provided with a large number of decorative lamps 2a on the front surface (glass frame), and these decorative lamps 2a are used for the purpose of producing effects by light-emitting decoration according to the progress of the game. Although not shown in FIG. 1, speakers are arranged inside the frame body 2, and these speakers are used for applications that produce effects by sound output according to the progress of the game.

  On the front side of the frame body 2, an upper plate 16 and a lower plate 18 are formed at positions below the game board 4, and these serve as a receiving tray for game balls. In addition, a launch handle 20 is disposed at the lower right corner of the front surface of the frame body 2, and the player can launch the game ball with a desired strength by twisting the launch handle 20. . In addition, in this embodiment, a push-type effect button 22 is disposed at the left position of the upper plate 16, and the effect button 22 can be appropriately pushed by the player.

(2. Winning device)
FIG. 2 specifically shows the center accessory 6 described above. The center accessory 6 has a pair of left and right movable pieces (movable members) 24. These movable pieces 24 are open in the left-right direction as indicated by solid lines in the drawing and are indicated by two-dot chain lines. It can be displaced between the closed position and the inner side. When these movable pieces 24 are in the open position, the big winning opening 26 of the center accessory 6 is opened. A big prize opening solenoid (not shown) is disposed behind the center accessory 6, and the pair of left and right movable pieces 24 are driven by the big prize opening solenoid.

(2-1. Grand Prize Winner)
Normally, when the center accessory 6 is not operated, the movable piece 24 is in the closed position as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, and therefore the special winning opening 26 is closed. . On the other hand, when a prize is given to the above-mentioned one-time start port 12 or two-time start port 14 during the game, the center accessory 6 is actuated as a trigger. Thereby, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the pair of movable pieces 24 move to the open position, and the big prize opening 26 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, about 0.4 seconds), and the game ball Allow winnings. The opening / closing operation of the movable piece 24 is performed by the number of opening / closing times (one or two times) respectively assigned to the once-starting port 12 and the twice-starting port 14. It should be noted that the opening time of the big winning opening 26 when winning the first starting port 12 may be different from the opening time of the large winning opening 26 when winning the starting port 14 twice.

  In the center accessory 6, a big winning port count switch 28 is arranged corresponding to each of the left and right big winning ports 26. A game ball that has won a prize at each big prize opening 26 is detected by the corresponding big prize opening count switch 28, that is, the number of winning prizes is counted.

  Further, a ball gathering passage 30 is formed in the center accessory 6 so as to connect between the left and right big winning openings 26, and the game balls received from the respective big winning openings 26 pass through the ball gathering passage 30. Rolls and gathers to the center position. In the vicinity of the center of the ball gathering passage 30, a ball inlet 32 opened in the back direction of the center accessory 6 is formed, and the game balls rolling on the ball gathering passage 30 and gathered at the central position are ball entrance 32. Pass through the center object 6 in the back direction.

(2-2. Ball path changing member)
A ball path changing member (seesaw-like member) 34 is disposed in the center accessory 6 at a position deeper than the ball approaching passage 30, and the game ball that has rolled through the ball inlet 32 is as follows. The ball path changing member 34 is received here. The ball path changing member 34 has a ball guide surface 34a extending in the left-right direction, and the game ball can be guided in the left-right direction on the ball guide surface 34a (FIG. 3). Further, the ball path changing member 34 can swing left and right as viewed from the front, and the swing at this time is visually recognized as if it is seesaw motion from the viewpoint of the player.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2, the ball path changing member 34 is tilted to the left (lower left), and in this state, the game ball rolls on the ball guide surface 34a and is guided to the left. Although not shown, conversely, when the ball path changing member 34 changes to the right side (downward), the game ball rolls on the ball guide surface 34a and is guided to the right.

(2-3. First and second passage routes)
As shown by broken lines in FIG. 2, a low probability path 36 and a high probability path 38 are formed in the center accessory 6 on the left and right sides of the spherical path changing member 34, respectively. These two paths 36 and 38 are arranged so as to be connected to the left and right ends of the ball path changing member 34, respectively. A game ball that rolls on the ball guide surface 34a to the left or right is a low probability path. 36 or a high probability route 38 to be sent.

  The low probability path 36 and the high probability path 38 extend in the left-right direction from the spherical path changing member 34, and are bent downward along both side edges of the center accessory 6. On the other hand, a liquid crystal display 40 is arranged in the center of the center accessory 6, and the two paths 36 and 38 extend from the upper edge of the liquid crystal display 40 so as to surround both sides thereof.

  Among these, the low probability path 36 is bent to the near side at a position below the liquid crystal display 40, and then extends to the right along the front end of the lower edge portion of the center accessory 6. The other high probability path 38 is bent leftward at a position below the liquid crystal display 40 and then extends along the lower edge of the liquid crystal display 40 to the vicinity of the center thereof. Further, a high probability path passing switch (production effect detection switch) 39 is arranged in the middle of the high probability path 38 in the center object 6, and a game ball passing through the high probability path 38 is a high probability path passing switch 39. Is detected.

(2-4. Ball stopping member)
A character body 42 is installed in the center accessory 6 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 40. This character body imitates a person who sweeps and cleans with a spear in his / her hand, and moves the head left and right while swinging the spear left and right by the action of a solenoid and an internal link mechanism (both not shown). It can move like shaking.

  In this embodiment, the character body 42 is arranged so that the tip (lower end) of the kite held by the character body 42 faces the vicinity of the end of the low probability path 36, and this kite-shaped member is exerted on the movement of the game ball. The ball stopping member 44 can be functioned. Specifically, when the position of the ball retaining member 44 is changed by the movement of the character body 42 as described above, the action on the game ball passing through the low probability path 36 differs depending on the position (left or right) at that time. It will be. The operation of the ball retaining member 44 will be further described later.

(2-5. Ball sorting member)
A rotating ball distributing member 46 is disposed in the center accessory 6 at a position below the liquid crystal display 40, and this ball distributing member 46 flows in the direction of the game ball in the center accessory 6. In view of this, it is positioned downstream of the low probability path 36 and the high probability path 38 described above. Although the outer shape is not clearly shown in FIG. 2, the ball sorting member 46 is formed of a disk-shaped rotating body having a thickness, and is rotated in one direction by a motor (ball sorting unit motor) (not shown).

  The ball distribution member 46 receives the game balls that have passed through the low probability path 36 or the high probability path 38, and determines the destinations of the specific prize opening (here, one aspect of the specific area) and the general prize opening. It works to distribute to either one. FIG. 2 does not show the specific winning opening and the general winning opening.

  Further, two ball discharge passages 48 and 50 are formed in the center accessory 6 below the ball sorting member 46, and one (here, the left side) of the ball discharge passages 48 has a specific area. A switch (specific winning opening detection switch) 52 is installed. The game ball that has entered the specific winning opening in the center accessory 6 (passed through the specific area) is detected by the specific area switch 52 and then released. The game ball that has entered the general winning opening is released as it is through the right ball release passage 50.

(3. Action of game balls)
Next, an operation mode (rolling / guidance / distribution) of the game ball in the center accessory 6 during the actual game will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows this in a three-dimensional manner in a state where each part (upper and front side) of the center accessory 6 is partially cut or broken. When the game ball received in the center accessory 6 is guided to the left by the ball path changing member 34, the game ball is guided through the low probability path 36 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Will be.

  When the game ball guided through the low probability path 36 flows down to the lower edge of the center accessory 6, it rolls across the front side of the ball sorting member 46 and wraps around the back side. When the game ball reaches a position near the terminal end of the low probability path 36, the rolling direction is influenced by the ball stopping member 44.

  FIG. 4 specifically shows the inside of the center accessory 6. A plurality (eight in this example) of U-shaped notches are formed on the periphery of the ball sorting member 46 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of these cutouts can accept one game ball, one of which is a specific winning opening guide 46a, and the other (seven) cutouts are all general winning opening guide 46b. ing.

  The specific winning opening guide 46a has a notch deeper toward the center than the other general winning opening guide 46b, and is distinguished from the general winning opening guide 46b in terms of form. In addition, a decorative border is provided around the specific winning opening guide 46a so as to visually distinguish it, and the alphabet "V" is designed at a position near the center of the ball sorting member 46. Decorated body.

  The ball stopping member 44 can reciprocate so as to advance and retreat from the side (in this example, the right side) with respect to the low probability path 36. The center accessory 6 is equipped with a ball stop solenoid (hereinafter simply referred to as “solenoid”) 54, and this solenoid 54 is connected via a link mechanism (not shown). The ball stopping member 44 can be actuated (advanced / retracted). In the present embodiment, when the solenoid 54 is not energized (de-energized), the ball retaining member 44 is inoperative, and at this time, it is held in a state of being advanced with respect to the low probability path 36.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the ball retaining member 44 is not in operation, the tip portion thereof enters the low probability path 36 from the right side. In this state, the game ball that has passed through the low probability path 36 comes into contact with the tip of the ball retaining member 44 in the vicinity of the end thereof, and at this time, as shown by the arrow in the figure, it faces the ball distribution member 46. And is guided to roll.

  Each of the winning opening guide portions 46a and 46b is opened in the radial direction from the periphery of the ball sorting member 46, and therefore has a relative relationship capable of receiving a rolling game ball. On the other hand, since the ball sorting member 46 is rotated in a certain direction (clockwise as viewed from above) in the normal gaming state, etc., all the eight winning opening guides 46a and 46b have a probability of 1/8 each. A game ball may enter.

  Next, when the solenoid 54 is energized, the ball retaining member 44 is activated, and the tip portion thereof is retracted outward from the low probability path 36. In this case, the game ball passing through the low probability path 36 passes through the side of the ball sorting member 46 as it is without coming into contact with the ball retaining member 44 in the vicinity of the terminal end. The above-described general winning opening 56 is formed at the terminal position of the low probability path 36, and the game ball that has reached this point enters the general winning opening 56 and is released through the above-described ball discharge passage 50 as it is.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where a game ball is guided through the high probability path 38 in the center accessory 6. As described above, a ball path changing portion solenoid (not shown) attached to the ball path changing member 34 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “solenoid”) is disposed in the center accessory 6. In a state where the solenoid is not energized (de-energized), the ball path changing member 34 is tilted to the left when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, this state is described as a stopped state of the ball path changing member 34. .

  On the other hand, when the solenoid 58 is energized, one end portion (left end portion in this example) of the ball path changing member 34 is pulled up via a mechanism element (not shown), so that the ball path changing member 34 moves to the right side as described above. It will be in a fallen state (operating state).

  Here, when the game ball rolls at the timing when the ball path changing member 34 is actuated, the game ball is guided leftward and sent to the high probability path 38. In FIG. 5, each part (upper part and front side) of the center accessory 6 is shown in a partially cut or broken state.

  Below the liquid crystal display 40, the downstream portion of the high probability path 38 extends so as to protrude above the ball sorting member 46, and a ball dropping portion 38a is formed at the terminal position. The ball dropping part 38a has a hole formed at the lower end thereof, and the game ball can be dropped through the hole. The ball dropping part 38 a is located just above the center (not necessarily the exact center) of the ball sorting member 46, and the game ball dropped from the hole falls onto the ball sorting member 46. .

  The hole at the lower end of the ball dropping portion 38a is formed to have a size that allows only one game ball to pass through, but a funnel-shaped (or tapered, mortar-shaped) smooth guide surface is formed above it. Has been. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, when the game ball that has rolled on the high probability path 38 reaches the ball dropping portion 38a, it turns along the funnel-shaped guide surface, and gradually gains momentum. Drops into the hole at the bottom while weakening. At this time, the time required for the game ball to fall from the ball drop portion 38a is not always constant, and it becomes non-uniform depending on the rolling state of the game ball (the momentum and the entry path when entering the ball drop portion 38a). Even if it is a product of, the individual difference etc. of a product will arise. Or even if it restricts to the same pachinko machine 1, since it will be influenced by the inclination of the stand at that time, installation situation, secular change, etc., the time required for the game ball to fall through the ball drop part 38a (movement time) ) Is hardly constant. Note that such a function of the ball dropping portion 38a corresponds to a so-called “one-hole cloon”.

  FIG. 6 shows the behavior of the game ball on the ball sorting member 46. A slightly larger stage 46c is formed at the center of the upper surface of the ball sorting member 46, and the game ball dropped from the ball dropping portion 38a as described above lands at the substantially center on the stage 46c. The periphery of the stage 46c is surrounded by four partition walls 46d, but a passage through which a game ball can pass is secured at a break portion between the partition walls 46d.

  On the other hand, the stage 46c has a shape whose upper surface is raised to a middle height. For this reason, there is a possibility that the game ball falling on the stage 46c rolls in four directions through each cut portion as shown by the arrows in FIG. At this time, since one of the breaks is connected to the specific winning opening guide section 46a, the game ball dropped on the stage 46c can enter the specific winning opening guide section 46a with a probability of 1/4.

  FIG. 7 shows a ball sorting operation when a game ball enters the general winning opening guide 46b. As described above, the general winning opening guide 46b is a relatively shallow notch as viewed from the periphery of the ball sorting member 46, and its depth is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. The game ball that has entered is transferred in the circumferential direction along with the rotation of the ball sorting member 46 while being pressed against the wall surface surrounding the ball sorting member 46 ((a) in FIG. 7).

  Although only a part is shown in FIG. 7, the specific winning opening 60 that is one aspect of the specific area in the present embodiment is formed below the ball sorting member 46, and the specific winning opening 60 is a ball. It is located on the inner side with a distance from the wall surface surrounding the sorting member 46. For this reason, even if the game ball is positioned above the specific winning opening 60 in the state of entering the general winning opening guide 46b, it cannot fall into the specific winning opening 60 from there, and passes through it. Will be transferred.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the game ball circulates around as the ball distribution member 46 rotates, to the rear of the general winning opening 50 (clockwise at 2 o'clock). When transferred, the game ball is discharged from the general winning opening guide 46b. The released game ball rolls on the guide surface 62 and falls into the general winning opening 50.

  On the other hand, the specific winning opening guide 46a is a relatively deep notch, and the depth thereof is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the game ball. Furthermore, a ball stopper 46e is formed along the periphery of the ball sorting member 46 in the specific winning opening guide 46a, and the game ball that has entered the specific winning opening guide 46a is located deeper than the ball stopper 46e. Held in. Therefore, the game ball that has entered the specific winning opening guide 46a is transferred in the rotational direction while being located slightly away from the peripheral wall surface surrounding the ball sorting member 46, that is, slightly closer to the inside of the ball sorting member 46. It will be.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the game ball that has entered the specific winning opening guide 46a is transferred. As described above, the game ball that has entered the specific winning opening guide 46a is positioned on the inner side from the peripheral wall surface surrounding the ball sorting member 46 ((a) in FIG. 8). If the game ball is positioned above the ball, it can fall into the specific winning opening 60, that is, pass through the specific area. Further, the fall of the game ball to the specific winning opening 60 (hereinafter referred to as “V winning”) is detected by the specific area switch 52 described above. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, words such as “special prize opening”, “V prize winning”, etc. are used, but this means that some kind of privilege is generated when the game ball falls to the special prize opening 60. Anything that reminds you.

  As described above, when the ball distribution member 46 receives the game ball, the ball distribution member 46 rotates in a state where the ball is received in the specific prize opening guide part 46a or the general prize opening guide part 46b, thereby specifying the destination of the game ball in the specific prize opening. 60 and the general winning opening 50. The distribution destination is determined depending on whether the game ball enters the specific winning opening guide 46a or the general winning opening guide 46b. Which guide the game ball enters is determined when the game ball is received. It depends on the posture of the ball sorting member 46.

  When the game ball has passed through the low probability path 36, the ball sorting member 46 receives the game ball from the outer peripheral direction. In this case, there is a possibility that the game ball may enter all of the eight guide portions 46a and 46b, but in reality, any of the eight guide portions at the timing when the game ball rolls from the vicinity of the end of the low probability path 36. Depending on whether 46a and 46b are opposed to the game ball, the destination is naturally determined.

  Therefore, if the ball sorting member 46 takes an attitude in which the specific winning opening guide 46a is opposed to the gaming ball when the game ball is received, the gaming ball can enter the specific winning opening guide 46a as it is. After that, the destination is distributed to the specific winning opening 60.

  On the other hand, if the ball sorting member 46 is in a posture to make the general winning opening guide 46b relatively to the gaming ball when the game ball is received, the gaming ball enters the general winning opening guide 46b, and thereafter The destination can be sorted to the general winning opening 50.

  At this time, since there is one specific winning opening guide 46a out of all eight, as a result, when a game ball is guided through the low probability path 36, the probability of winning a V in the future is 1/8. . However, this probability is based on the premise that the game ball is guided to the ball stopping member 44. If the ball stopping member 44 is retracted as described above, it is not received by the ball sorting member 46. The general winning opening 50 may be entered as it is. In the present embodiment, no special benefits are prepared based on the fact that a game ball enters the general winning opening 50, but when a ball entering the big winning opening 26 is detected in the previous stage. A prize ball has been paid.

  The same can be considered when the game ball is guided through the high probability route 38. In this case, since the ball distribution member 46 receives the game ball on the stage 46c, it is assigned to one of the specific prize opening guide part 46a or the three general prize opening guide parts 46b as described above. A game ball may enter. However, since the game ball tends to roll in a direction in which the downward inclination of the stage 46c is larger, the stage 46c is designed to have a certain inclination (for example, having a downward inclination on the front side, etc.) in the design of the ball sorting member 46 Is given, the game ball is distributed based on the inclination.

  Therefore, considering the above inclination, if the ball distribution member 46 receives the game ball on the stage 46c and the posture for positioning the specific winning opening guide 46a is on the near side, the game ball is Since it is possible to enter the specific winning opening guide 46a according to the inclination, the destination is distributed to the specific winning opening 60 thereafter.

  On the other hand, if the ball distribution member 46 receives the game ball on the stage 46c, the game ball is positioned as a general prize opening if the other three general prize opening guide portions 46b are positioned on the front side. After entering the guide part 46b, the destination is distributed to the general winning opening 50.

  Therefore, when a game ball is guided through the high probability path 38, the probability of winning a V in the future is reduced to a quarter, and as a result, the probability of V winning is higher than in the case of being guided through the low probability path 36. It can be said that.

(5. Configuration of control system)
Next, a configuration for controlling the game operation and the rendering operation by the pachinko machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows a part of the configuration related to the electronic devices of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 has a main control board (main board) 68 for controlling game operations and a sub-control board 70 (production control board) for controlling various performance operations. In addition to being connected through wiring (signal lines), electronic devices are connected to each substrate. All of these boards are arranged on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 and are usually not visible to the player.

  Further, a payout control board 72 is connected to the main control board 68, and this payout control board 72 controls the operation of a prize ball apparatus (not shown). A discharge control board 74 is further connected to the payout control board 72, and this discharge control board 74 controls the operation of a not-shown launch motor.

  Note that the pachinko machine 1 is also equipped with a power supply unit board, an interface board (in the case of a CR machine), and the like.

(5-1. Main control board)
The main control board 68 includes electronic components such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, and input / output interface (not shown). The main control board 68 is connected to the above-mentioned large winning opening count switch 28 and the specific area switch 52, and also includes sensors such as a once starting opening switch 76, a twice starting opening switch 78, and other winning opening switches 80. It is connected. Of these, the once and twice start port switches 76 and 78 detect that the corresponding one and two start ports 12 and 14 have been won, respectively, and a detection signal (“start winning port count switch”). Signal ") is output to the main control board 68. In addition, the acceptance of game balls to the normal winning holes 8 and 10 and the center bonus 6 as a variable winning device is detected by other winning hole switches 80 (detectors) installed corresponding to each, The detection signal (referred to as “big prize opening count switch signal”) is output to the main control board 68.

  On the other hand, the operation of the driving elements such as the above-mentioned large winning opening solenoid 82, the ball path changing portion solenoid 58 and the ball stopping portion solenoid 54 is controlled based on the driving signal from the main control board 68. Yes.

  Further, a ball allocating unit motor 84 is provided in the center accessory 6, and the sphere allocating unit motor 84 can rotate the sphere distributing member 46 based on a command signal from the main control board 68. it can. The ball sorting motor 84 is a stepping motor that rotates the ball sorting member 46 mounted on the rotating shaft once in, for example, 240 steps. The ball sorting motor 84 is driven at 4 ms, for example, by assigning one interrupt process to one step, and rotates the ball sorting member 46 at a constant speed of 960 ms per rotation. A motor index sensor 86 (reference point detection means) is attached to the ball distribution motor 84, and an index signal is input from the motor index sensor 86 to the main control board 68.

  This index signal (origin signal) is an origin signal output from the motor index sensor 86 when the origin as a reference point determined in advance in the ball sorter motor 87 passes the motor index sensor 86. The main control board 68 includes, for example, an 8-bit shift register, and this shift register stores, as a history, whether or not the main control board 68 has detected an index signal every 4 ms, for example. In this embodiment, this history is referred to as “detection history (photo history)”.

  This detection history is represented by binary data of, for example, 8 bits stored in the MSB from the LSB of the shift register. The value of each bit is shifted in the shift register every 4 ms, for example, and whether or not an index signal has been detected most recently is stored in the LSB.

  In the present embodiment, “1” is stored in the LSB of the shift register when the main control board 68 detects the index signal, and “0” is stored in the LSB of the shift register when the index signal is not detected. It has become. Further, in the present embodiment, the main control board 68 detects, for example, that bits set to “1” in the shift register are consecutive (for example, “00000110”) so that the index signal is not erroneously detected due to the influence of noise. It is assumed that the index signal is detected as a trigger.

  Here, in the main control board 68, the CPU as the position information generating means executes a calculation operation related to the rotational position of the specific winning opening guide 46a from the origin. This position information generating means corresponds to a function of a program that operates under the control of the CPU of the main control board 68, for example.

  As described above, when the position information generating means performs such a calculation operation on the main control board 68, the CPU of the main control board 68 executes a calculation operation regarding the rotational position of the specific winning opening guide 46a from the origin. However, when the calculation is completed, the rotation position command including the rotation position information as the calculation result is sent to a random timing (output into the center prize 6) of the output of the big prize opening count switch signal. Is transmitted to the sub-control board 70 at the timing of receiving the game ball).

  For this reason, the main control board 68 does not transmit the rotation position command every time the index signal is output, even if the load is slightly increased by the execution of this calculation operation. Less is enough. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an unfair game that misuses the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the rotational position command, and to reduce the number of transmissions of the rotational position command in this way. As a whole, the game operation can be controlled normally without affecting the control of the game operation.

  Here, as an example of the calculation processing by the position information generating means, first, the time point at which the game ball is received in the center accessory 6 is specified based on the output timing of the big prize opening count switch signal. Further, the position information generating means generates a specific winning opening from the reference point at the time when the large winning opening count switch signal is output based on the difference between the output timing of the large winning opening count switch signal and the output timing of the index signal. The rotational position of the guide part 46a is calculated, and rotational position information as a result of the calculation is generated.

  Further, the method for generating the rotational position information will be described more specifically as follows. First, the CPU of the main control board 68 starts counting up a predetermined rotational position counter, triggered by detecting an index signal (detecting the origin of the ball sorting member 46). The rotational position counter is incremented by 1 for every predetermined interrupt period of 4 ms, for example, and when it is detected that the big prize winning count switch signal is output, the count value is held.

  Here, the ball sorter motor 84 is driven and controlled to excite one pulse every 4 ms, for example, so that the ball sorter 46 rotates once by 240 pulses. Drive control is performed so that the ball sorting member 46 rotates in one round of 960 ms. For this reason, the count value of the rotational position counter is represented by 240 numerical values represented by 0 to 239, for example.

  The count value of the rotational position counter is started after the ball sorting member 46 passes through the origin, and the count is stopped (held) when the big winning opening count switch signal is output. Thus, the rotational position (orientation) of the ball sorting member 46 when the game ball passes through the special winning opening count switch 28 is shown. Then, the main control board 68 (the position information generating means thereof) determines the ratio of the count value at the time of the stop to the maximum count value (240) of the rotation position counter and the angle (360 degrees) of one rotation of the ball sorting member 46. ), The orientation of the ball sorting member 46 from the origin can be calculated as angle information. In this way, rotational position information expressed as an angle is generated.

  Then, the main control board 68 outputs a rotation position command (position information signal) including the rotation position information generated in this way, for example, when a big winning opening count switch signal is output (the game ball is in the center accessory 6). In this case, transmission is made to the sub-control board 70.

  In the present embodiment, as rotational position information, for example, angle information related to the rotational angle (direction) of the specific winning opening guide 46a from the origin will be described as an example. As the rotational position information, for example, when the ball sorting motor 84 (ball sorting member 46) is rotated once by a predetermined number of steps from the origin, the direction of the ball sorting member 46 is changed. Alternatively, it may be expressed by the number of steps to drive the ball sorting motor 84.

  As a specific example of this rotational position information, in order to cause the ball sorting member 46 to make one turn (one rotation) from the origin, for example, in the ball sorter motor 84 having specifications that require 240 steps, the origin is set at a fixed position. For example, when expressed in hexadecimal, the fixed position (rotational position advanced by 0 step) can be expressed as “00 (0 degree)”, and the rotational position advanced 60 steps from the origin is, for example, “3C (90 degrees). The rotational position advanced 120 steps from the origin can be represented as “78 (180 degrees)”, for example, and the rotational position advanced 180 steps from the origin can be represented as “B4 (270 degrees)”, for example. Can do.

  Here, the rotation position command (position information signal) includes, for example, a status value and a mode value. This status value represents rotational position information, and this mode value is an identifier indicating that the command includes rotational position information. Here, when the detection position of the ball sorting member 46 by the special winning opening count switch 28 is, for example, 90 degrees, the rotation position command indicating the detection position is represented by 2 bytes of “703C”, for example. Here, “70” represents a mode value indicating a rotational position command, and “3C” represents a rotational position. That is, in this rotational position command, the first half byte represents the mode value and the second half byte represents the status value. In this case, the rotational position information based on the detected position is directly substituted as a status value at the second byte, for example, and a rotational position command is generated by a simple calculation.

(5-2. Sub-control board)
Further, as the effect element, the speaker 88, the effect lamp / LED 90 and the like are connected to the sub-control board 70. While the game by the pachinko machine 1 is in progress, the CPU of the sub-control board 70 (hereinafter referred to as “sub-CPU”) controls the effect operation based on the command signal transmitted from the main control board 68, and makes a certain effect pattern. Therefore, the production by the sound output or the light emitting decoration is controlled.

  As an effect element using an image, the liquid crystal display 40 is connected to the sub-control board 70 via the liquid crystal control board 92, and a drawing command for the liquid crystal display 40 is output from the sub-control board 70. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, when a game ball is sent to the high probability path 38 in the center object 6, the high probability path passage switch 39 is provided on the sub-control board 70 in order to perform an effect with a particularly high priority. It is connected. When the sub-control board 70 receives the detection signal from the high probability path passing switch 39, the sub-control board 70 performs a special effect display in preference to the normal display image.

  The sub-control board 70 as an effect control board controls, as this special effect display, for example, an effect operation according to the positional relationship between the game ball and the specific winning opening guide 46a at the time when it is received in the center accessory 6. To do. Specifically, when the sub control board 70 first receives the rotational position command from the main control board 68, the sub control board 70 recognizes that the rotational position information is included in the rotational position command from the mode value included in the rotational position command. To do.

  Further, the sub-control board 70 acquires rotational position information from the status value included in the rotational position command, and based on this rotational position information, specifies from the origin in the ball sorting unit motor 84 (the ball sorting member 46). The rotational position (orientation) of the winning opening guide 46a can be specified. The sub-control board 70 identifies the rotational position of the specific winning opening guide 46a at the time when the game ball is received in the center accessory 6 (at the time of output of the big winning opening count switch signal), and the specific winning opening guide When it is determined that the effect display should be executed in accordance with the rotation position of the unit 46a, the specification according to the positional relationship between the game ball and the specific prize opening guide unit 46a when the game ball is received in the center accessory 6 Control the production of

  Here, as a specific example of the specific performance, when the game ball accepted in the center bonus 6 is likely to be guided to the specific winning opening guide 46a, that is, the gaming ball is guided to the specific winning opening 60 and the big hit If it is predicted that the game state is likely to shift to the special game state, for example, an effect of displaying an animation of dropping a huge red game ball as shown in FIG. 10 on the liquid crystal display 40 (hereinafter referred to as “red ball display effect”). (Hereinafter referred to as a “hit chance”) that the game ball is likely to be guided to the specific winning opening 60 in this way. On the other hand, when it is predicted that the game ball is not likely to be guided to the specific winning opening 60, for example, an effect of displaying an animation of dropping a huge silver game ball on the liquid crystal display 40 (hereinafter referred to as "silver ball display effect"). Output).

  In the present embodiment, when the game ball passes the winning prize counter switch 28, the rotational position information of the ball sorting unit motor 84 (rotary body) is “78 (120 steps)” to “B4 (180 steps)”. If it is, it is assumed that there is a high possibility that the game ball is guided to the specific winning opening guide 46a in the center bonus item 6. When the rotational position information is such a big hit chance, for example, the red ball display effect is executed as a specific effect according to the prediction with a probability of 1/2.

(6. Control processing in the main control board)
FIG. 11 is a control flowchart showing an example of a control processing procedure in the main control board 68. This control process is a part of the timer interrupt process executed every 4 ms, for example.
First, the motor index sensor 86 detects the origin of the ball sorting motor 84 that rotates the ball sorting member 46, and periodically outputs an index signal as a detection result to the main control board 68. Yes. The main control board 68 determines whether or not an index signal has been received, for example, every 4 ms. For example, when an index signal is received, the LSB of a shift register (not shown) is set to “1” to receive the index signal. If not, “0” is set to the LSB of the shift register. In this way, the detection history of the shift register of the main control board 68 is updated (step S1).

  Next, in step S2, the CPU of the main control board 68 determines whether or not the rotational position of the ball sorting member 46 is a fixed position (for example, the origin) based on this detection history. Specifically, the CPU of the main control board 68 determines whether “1” is continuous in the detection history expressed by 8 bits stored in the shift register. In other words, the CPU of the main control board 68 continues with “1” in the detection history of the shift register, and whether or not an index signal has been received (that is, whether or not the rotational position of the ball sorting member 46 is a fixed position). Or).

  At this time, the CPU of the main control board 68 counts up (updates) the rotational position counter when the rotational position of the ball sorting member 46 is not a fixed position (step S4). On the other hand, the CPU of the main control board 68 clears the rotation position counter and initializes it to 0, for example, when the rotation position of the ball sorting member 46 is a fixed position (step S3).

  Next, in step S5, the CPU of the main control board 68 determines whether or not the game ball has been received in the center accessory 6 and a special winning prize count switch signal has been output. In the present embodiment, the fact that this special winning opening count switch signal is output is referred to as “effect generation condition”. If the CPU of the main control board 68 satisfies this effect occurrence condition, the game ball is received in the center accessory 6 based on the difference between the output timing of the special winning opening count switch signal and the output timing of the index signal. The position of the specific winning opening guide 46a from the reference point at this point is calculated, and rotational position information is generated as a result of this calculation.

  Here, when this production | generation condition is not satisfy | filled, a process is complete | finished, and when this production | generation condition is satisfy | filled, it progresses to step S6. In this step S6, the CPU of the main control board 68 creates a rotational position command using the information type, for example, an identifier indicating rotational position information as a mode value and the generated rotational position information as a status value, The created rotational position command is output to the sub-control board 70 in response to the output of the special winning a prize mouth count switch signal.

(7. Control processing on sub-control board)
FIG. 12 is a control flowchart showing a control example in the sub-control board 70. The sub control board 70 preferentially executes a process for receiving a command from the main control board 68.

  First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the sub control board 70 has received a command from the main control board 68, and the process ends if no command has been received. On the other hand, if the sub control board 70 has received a command from the main control board 68, the process proceeds to step S12.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as the mode value, the mode value that should change the effect according to the rotational position information set as the status value, and the mode value that does not need to change the effect according to the rotational position information, There are two types. In step S12, the CPU of the sub-control board 70 determines whether or not the acquired mode value is a mode value that changes the effect according to the rotational position information.

  Here, in the sub control board 70, effect data for executing an effect corresponding to the mode value and effect data for executing an effect corresponding to the mode value and the status value are prepared in advance. Here, examples of the effects corresponding to the mode value and the status value include the “red sphere display effects” and the “silver sphere display effects”.

  First, when it is determined in step S12 that the mode value is not a mode value that changes the production according to the rotational position information, the CPU of the sub control board 70 selects the production data corresponding to the current mode value (step S14). . On the other hand, if it is a mode value that changes the effect according to the rotational position information in step S12, the sub CPU selects a predetermined effect from a plurality of prepared effects based on the mode value and the status value. (Step S13).

  Here, when the rotation position information as the status value is “78” to “3B”, for example, “red sphere display effect” is obtained, and when the rotation position information is other than that, “silver sphere display effect” is obtained. Shall. Whether or not these effects are executed is determined with a probability of 1/2 when the effect conditions are satisfied. Since it is determined whether or not these effects are big hit chances according to the rotational position information, if the big hit chances, the sub-control board 70 selects the “red ball display effect”, but on the other hand, there is no big hit chance In this case, the sub-control board 70 selects “silver ball display effect”. Then, the sub control board 70 starts control of the effect operation based on the effect data based on the selected effect (step S15).

  The sub-control board 70 controls an effect operation based on such effect data, and as the effect operation, for example, a sound is output to the speaker 88, or the effect lamp / LED 90 is turned on, turned off, or blinked. At the same time, the sub-control board 70 transmits an effect display command for controlling the display operation to the liquid crystal control board 92. The liquid crystal control board 92 displays various effects on the liquid crystal display 40 based on the effect display commands received from the sub control board 70. Specific examples of the effect display include the red ball display effect and the silver ball display effect.

(8. Details of control processing)
Next, the contents of the control process performed by the main control board 68 and the sub control board 70 will be described. In the following description, the control content related to the operation of the center accessory 6 is mainly taken up. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, as a main subject for executing each control, the execution subject of the control process by the main control board 68 is “main CPU”, and the execution subject of the control process by the sub control board 70 is “sub-subject”. Sometimes referred to as “CPU”.

(9. Timing chart for transmission of rotation position command)
FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of transmission timing of a rotational position command and the like in the present embodiment. 13A shows an example of the transmission timing of the index signal from the index sensor 86 to the main control board 68, and FIG. 13B shows a count example (for example, 0 to 0) by the rotation position counter controlled by the main CPU. 239). FIG. 13C shows a big prize port count switch signal output from the big prize port count switch 28, and FIG. 13D shows an effect display command from the sub control board 70 to the liquid crystal control board 92. The transmission timing is shown. FIG. 13E shows an example of the transmission timing of the rotational position command from the main control board 68 to the sub control board 70.

  During a game in the pachinko machine 1, as shown in FIG. 13A, the motor index sensor 86 detects the origin of the ball sorter motor 84, and the index signal as the detection signal is periodically sent to the main control board. 68 is output. On the other hand, on the main control board 68, the main CPU measures the rotation position of the ball sorting member 46 from the time when the output of the index signal by the index sensor 86 rises (the rotational movement distance of the specific winning opening guide 46a). This main CPU functions as a position counter, and the main CPU repeats the rotation position of the ball sorting member 46 from the rising edge of the output of the index signal as shown in FIG. Measuring. Note that the function of measuring the rotational position of the ball sorting member 46 specifies the rotational position of the ball sorting member 46 from the time required for one rotation of the ball sorting member 46. For example, a function by a predetermined timer may be substituted.

  Here, it is assumed that the pachinko machine 1 is being played by a player. First, when a game ball launched into the game area wins the start port 12 once, the start port switch 76 outputs a start winning port count switch signal to the main control board 68. The main control board 68 starts driving the special winning opening solenoid 82 in response to the output of the starting winning opening count switch signal. By the operation of the special prize opening solenoid 82, the main control board 68 executes the opening / closing operation of the movable piece (movable member) 24 provided on the left and right pair of the center accessory 6 once. In addition, when the game ball wins twice at the start port 14, the start winning port count switch signal is output in the same manner, and the main control board 68 controls the big winning port solenoid 82 in the same manner to control the center accessory 6. The opening and closing operation of the movable piece 24 provided in the left and right pair is executed twice.

  During this opening / closing operation, the movable piece 24 captures the surrounding game ball, or when the movable piece 24 is opened, the game ball jumps into the big prize opening 26, so that the game ball enters the center accessory 6. When accepted, the special winning opening count switch 28 detects a game ball and outputs a special winning prize count switch signal as a winning signal to the main control board 68.

  Here, the grand prize opening count switch signal is output by the big prize opening count switch 28 because the game ball moving around in the game area wins the start prize opening provided in the game area, so When the movable piece 24 (movable member) provided on the left and right pair opens and closes, it is an extremely rare and random timing that happens to be when the game ball is received in the center accessory 6. As shown in (C), the output timing of the winning prize count switch signal has no periodicity and is random. The rotation position command transmitted based on such a randomly transmitted special winning opening count switch signal has a random transmission timing as shown by a solid line in FIG. Here, the sub-control board 70 determines whether or not the received command is a rotational position command according to the mode value included in the rotational position command. In the present embodiment, the mode value representing this rotational position command is represented by “70”, and when it is not necessary to receive this rotational position command, the sub-control is made that the mode value is “70”. The rotational position command received by the determination by the substrate 70 is ignored.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C, when the generation timing of the big prize count switch signal is calculated to be about time K1 based on the measurement result of the rotational position counter. The effect display command is transmitted as shown in FIG. The effect display command is also transmitted when the generation timing of the special winning prize count switch signal is calculated to be about time K2 based on the measurement result of the rotational position counter. Here, whether or not to change the current effect operation according to the times K1 and K2 based on the measurement result of the rotation position counter is determined by the liquid crystal control board 92 that has received the effect display command from the sub-control board 70. When it is determined that the effect operation should be changed on the liquid crystal control board 92, for example, “red ball display effect” or “silver ball display effect” according to the status value (rotation position information) included in the rotation position command. ”Is executed. It should be noted that whether or not the presentation operation should be changed may be determined by the sub control board 70 instead of the liquid crystal control board 92. If the presentation operation is to be changed, the sub control is performed. The board 70 transmits an effect display command corresponding to the effect operation to be changed to the liquid crystal control board 92.

  On the other hand, the main control board 68 that has received a winning signal such as the start winning opening count switch signal or the big winning opening count switch signal as described above pays out a predetermined number of game balls to the payout control board 72. A prize ball signal is output. The payout control board 72 controls a predetermined prize ball payout device (not shown) based on the prize ball signal from the main control board 68, and the prize ball payout device has a number of games corresponding to the prize ball signal. Executes the ball dispensing operation.

  In addition, the game ball won in the big winning opening 26 is guided to the vicinity of the ball sorting member 46 via the low probability path 36 and the high probability path 38 in the center accessory 6. The ball distribution member 46 is provided with a specific winning opening guide 46a and a general winning opening guide 46b. The specific winning opening guide 46a and the general winning opening guide 46b temporarily hold a game ball, After that, it is configured to guide to the specific winning opening 60 and the general winning opening 50, respectively.

  The ball sorting member 46 is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction by driving the ball sorting unit motor 84, and the formed special winning opening guide 46a and the general winning opening guide 46b are moved in this predetermined direction. It is configured to rotate. The game ball guided to the vicinity of the ball distribution member 46 is guided to the general winning opening guide 46b by the rotation position of the rotating ball distributing member 46 and enters the general winning opening, or a specific winning opening. It is guided by the guide part 46a and passes through the specific winning opening 60.

  When the game ball is guided to the general winning opening guide section 46b, it is discharged through the ball discharge path 50, and when the gaming ball is guided to the specific winning opening guide section 46a, the rotation of the ball sorting member 46 is rotated. The game ball is guided to the specific winning opening 60 and passes through the specific winning opening 60. A specific area switch 52 is installed in the specific winning opening 60, and when the specific area switch 52 detects the winning of a game ball, the main control board 68 changes from a normal gaming state, which is a normal gaming state, to a special gaming state. It is made to shift to the special game state that is.

  In this special game state, for example, for a maximum of 15 rounds, the opening and closing operation of the movable pieces 24 provided on the left and right pair of the center role 6 is repeated to allow the game ball to be received in the center role 6 and this received game ball. This is a gaming state in which prize balls corresponding to the number of players are made to the player. In this way, the player can enjoy many benefits in such a special gaming state.

  Here, in this special game state, it is desirable that the main control board 68 regulates the transmission of the rotational position command. With such a configuration, the main control board 68 does not need to transmit a rotational position command in the special gaming state, so the processing load in the special gaming state can be reduced, and a gaming operation with a larger load can be performed. Will be able to control. In addition, since the main control board 68 does not transmit the rotational position command to the sub control board 70 in the special gaming state in this way, the special control board 70 that should have received this rotational position command has received this special command. In the gaming state, there is no need to bother to analyze and determine the rotational position command, which is a useless signal not directly related to the player's profit.

(10. Reference to usefulness of this embodiment)
In a generally known pachinko machine, when a specific winning port guide 46a that guides to a specific winning port 60 that shifts to a big hit by passing a game ball moves at a constant cycle, the game ball is started according to the moving cycle. It is known that when the movable piece 24 is opened and closed and the game ball is received in the center bonus 6, the game ball easily passes through the specific winning opening 60 in the center bonus 6. ing.

  That is, in this center accessory 6, when the timing at which the game ball reaches the ball sorting member 46 in accordance with the periodic movement of the specific prize opening 60, the game ball and the specific prize opening guide 46a at this timing is obtained. The game ball distribution destination (the specific winning port 60 or the general winning port 50) is roughly determined by the relative positional relationship between the game balls. Of course, it is in the category of normal games as long as the player attempts to take such a timing visually, but when the performance operation of the pachinko machine 1 has periodicity, the game ball is synchronized with this performance operation. The act of launching and trying to win a jackpot is considered to be equivalent to an unfair game compared to a player who did not notice the periodicity of the performance operation.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation position command is output from the main control board 68 to the sub control board 70 at random timing, and the sub control board 70 that has received this rotation position command receives the winning signal at random timing. The effect operation according to the positional relationship between the game ball and the specific winning opening guide 46a at the time when is output is executed.

  Here, even if a player who intends to cheat (hereinafter referred to as “illegal player”) continues to fire the game ball at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with this performance operation, the performance operation itself is counted as a big prize mouth count. Since it is executed at a random timing of the output of the switch signal, the game ball is guided to the center prize 6 at the timing at which the game ball is guided to the specific prize opening 60 by the specific prize opening guide 46a in the center prize 6. 6 can not be accepted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the execution timing of the rendering operation is misused so that the game ball cannot be guided to the specific winning opening 60 and the jackpot can be won, so that the unauthorized player cannot obtain an unauthorized profit. . On the other hand, since it is no longer necessary for the hall operator to give an unfair player a profit that should not be given, it is possible to prevent damage due to such unfair games.

  Considering a more carefully prepared case, for example, a player who has an unauthorized intention (hereinafter referred to as “illegal player”) intentionally connects a signal line connecting the main control board 68 and the sub-control board 70. A specific case is assumed in which an illegal act of stealing the transmission timing of the rotational position command, which is an internal signal, is taken out from this signal line by taking it out or physically disconnecting it.

  As such a fraudulent act, first of all, stealing the eyes of a hall employee, for example, the output terminal of a circuit that generates a signal in synchronization with the timing generated at a regular cycle, a predetermined command signal line or, for example, It is connected to a control line such as a data write (write) line or its selection (select) line. Next, if the signal cycle on these command lines or control lines is short, an illegal signal with a reduced frequency is generated by dividing the signal, and conversely if the signal cycle is long, The signal is adopted as an illegal signal as it is.

  The unauthorized player then connects the illegal signal generated or adopted in this way, for example, by cutting the main line of the decorative lamp into a lighting signal and connecting the so-called sensory sensor based on the timing of the lighting signal of the decorative lamp. It is used to fire a game ball to the game area at a predetermined timing. As another method, the unauthorized player can receive the wireless signal by outputting the unauthorized signal thus adopted to the outside of the pachinko machine as a wireless signal using a predetermined wireless output device, for example. The launch of the game ball is directly controlled using the sensory device.

  Here, even in the case where a fraudulent act is performed by adopting the rotational position command as the fraudulent signal, in this embodiment, the transmission timing itself of the rotational position command is random. The game ball cannot be repeatedly fired periodically with reference to the transmission timing of the rotational position command. Accordingly, the specific winning opening guide 46a of the periodically rotating ball distribution member 46 cannot be accurately aimed at and the center accessory 6 cannot accept the game ball. The game ball cannot be guided to 60.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to misuse the transmission timing of the rotational position command transmitted from the main control board 68 to the sub control board 70 to guide the game ball to the specific winning opening 60 and to win a big hit. As a result, the illegal player cannot play an unfair game.

  In this embodiment, since the main control board 68 controls the operation of the ball sorting member 46, the behavior of the ball sorting member 46 is synchronized with the internal signal of the main control board 68. The behavior of the ball distribution member 46 is that the game ball received in the center accessory 6 in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the movable piece 24 can be guided to the specific winning port 60 by the specific winning port guide 46a. Related to the benefits provided to the person.

  Here, if the main control board 68 is configured to transmit the index signal to the sub-control board 70 every time it receives an index signal periodically output from the index sensor 86, the main control board 68 The index signal is periodically output to the sub-control board 70 according to the periodicity of the ball distribution member 46.

  However, in the present embodiment, although the control of the main control board 68 is deeply related to the behavior of the ball sorting member 46, it is transmitted from the main control board 68 to the sub control board 70 instead of the index signal. The rotational position command is no longer periodic in the first place. For this reason, in this embodiment, even if the person who intends fraud looks at the display timing of the effect performed based on this rotation position command and attempts to accept the game ball by the center bonus 6, The guide ball 46a cannot guide the game ball.

  In the present embodiment, the main control board 68 transmits a rotation position command to the sub control board 70 in response to the output of the big prize count switch signal, thereby causing the sub control board 70 to perform the rendering operation. ing. For this reason, in this embodiment, since the big prize opening count switch signal is generated without periodicity, the stage operation is not periodic, and the player synchronizes with the stage operation to guide the specific prize opening in the center bonus item 6. It becomes impossible for the center accessory 6 to accept the game ball so that the game ball is guided to the specific winning opening 60 by the portion 46a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the center accessory 6 as a variable winning device guides a game ball won in the large winning opening 26 such as the low probability path 36 or the high probability path 38 to the vicinity of the ball sorting member 46. The configuration includes the route. When such a configuration is adopted, normally, a game ball received in the center accessory 6 rolls on a route such as the low probability route 36 in the center accessory 6 and takes a certain amount of time. It will reach the ball distribution member 46 or its specific winning opening guide 46a. At this time, the game ball does not always move in a fixed manner, and sometimes rolls relatively slowly, and sometimes rolls relatively smoothly.

  In this case, if the player attempts to cheat by misusing the transmission timing of the rotation position command, the average from the time when the game ball is received in the center accessory 6 until it reaches the specific winning opening guide 46a It is also conceivable that the target arrival time (hereinafter referred to as “average arrival time”) is taken into account to some extent, and the timing at which the game balls are fired is manipulated to aim at the big hit with an unreasonably high probability.

  However, in this embodiment, even if an unauthorized player puts the average arrival time of game balls into account, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the rotation position command is not constant. The game ball received in the center combination 6 and guided in the center combination 6 can be guided to the specific winning opening 60 via the paths 34 and 38 and the jackpot cannot be won.

  The center accessory 6 includes not only the high-probability path 38 and the low-probability path 36 but also a ball sorting member 46 as already described. The high probability path 38 and the low probability path 36 guide the game ball received in the center bonus 6 to the specific prize opening guide 46a, and after the game ball is received in the center bonus 6, the specific prize opening. A plurality of routes having different arrival times for reaching the guide unit 46a. On the other hand, the ball sorting member 46 is configured to send the game ball received in the center accessory 6 to either the high probability path 38 or the low probability path 36.

  According to such a configuration, normally, a game ball received in the center accessory 6 is sent out to one of a plurality of routes in the center accessory 6 by the ball path changing member 34. The behavior of the game ball is not only inspiring the player to play the game ball to which route the game ball is sent out depending on the operation of the ball path changing member 34, but also the behavior of the game ball. Is hard to predict. In this way, the game balls sent to the paths 34 and 38 reach the ball sorting member 46 over a certain period of time. At this time, the game ball does not always move in a fixed manner, and sometimes rolls relatively slowly, and sometimes rolls relatively smoothly.

  In this case, although the arrival time is different for each of the plurality of routes 34 and 38, if the player is trying to cheat, for example, aim only at one of the specific routes 34 and 38, It is also possible to aim for a big hit with an unreasonably high probability by calculating the average arrival time of the game balls viewed on the paths 34 and 38 and operating the launch timing of the game balls. However, according to the present embodiment, even if the average arrival time of game balls is calculated for a specific route 34 and the like, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the rotational position command is not constant in the first place, and this is misused. Then, the game ball is received in the center accessory 6, and the game ball received in the center accessory 6 is passed through the ball path changing member 34 or one of the plurality of paths 34, 38 to receive a specific prize. It becomes impossible to lead to the mouth 60 and win a jackpot.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a ball dropping portion 38a for dropping a game ball from the end position of the high probability path 38 is provided above the ball sorting member 46, and the ball sorting member 46 is further provided with a general prize opening guide. And a stage 46c that temporarily receives the game ball dropped from the ball drop unit 38a and guides the received game ball to the specific winning port guide unit 46a or the general winning port guide unit 46b while rolling. It is desirable to have a configuration.

  According to such a configuration, normally, the game ball received in the center accessory 6 is delivered to one of the plurality of paths 34 and 38 according to the swinging state of the ball path changing member 34. . The behavior of the game sphere stimulates the player's willingness to play the game by causing the player to try to determine which path 34, 38 the game ball is sent out depending on the swing of the ball path changing member 34. . The game ball that has fallen onto the stage 46c from the ball dropping portion 38a at the terminal position of the high probability path 38 is then rolled on the stage 46c and led to the specific winning opening guide portion 46a or the general winning opening guide portion 46b. It has come to be.

  Thus, the game ball dropped on the stage 46a from the ball dropping unit 38a reaches the specific winning opening guide unit 46a and the like over a certain period of time. At this time, the game ball does not always move in a fixed manner, rolls in an unpredictable direction on the stage 46a, rolls slowly on the stage 46a in some cases, and on the stage 46a in other cases. May roll faster.

  The ball path changing member 34 swings in a pattern determined to some extent in terms of its control, although it is difficult for the player to know the delivery destination of the game ball due to its swinging state, and this can add unexpectedness to the game. In addition, with respect to a game ball that has dropped onto the stage 46a from the ball drop unit 38a, it may be possible to roughly estimate the guidance time until the game ball is guided to the specific prize opening guide unit 46a to some extent based on the player's experience.

  Then, a person who intends to cheat as much as possible senses this swing pattern and further predicts the guidance time. Then, the execution timing of the rendering operation based on the rotation position command is misused to synchronize with the swing pattern and the guide time. It can be considered that the timing of launching the sphere is planned. As described above, when the game ball is fired at the center role 6 and the game ball is received, at first glance, the game ball destination by the ball path changing member 34 and the guidance time of the game ball on the stage 46a are also obtained. It seems to be able to predict roughly.

  However, in this embodiment, even if the average arrival time of the game balls is estimated while taking into consideration the swinging state of the ball path changing member 34 and the guidance time of the game balls on the stage 46a, the transmission timing of the rotational position command is essentially the same. Since it is not constant, this is exploited to allow the game ball to be received in the center game 6 and the game ball received in the center game 6 is led to the specific winning opening 60 via the stage 46a to win a big hit. Can no longer be allocated.

(11. Reference to other embodiments)
The above is the description of one embodiment, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In the following, other embodiments will be described with some examples.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the sorting member that periodically moves the specific winning opening guide 46a that guides the game ball to the specific winning opening 60, rotation like the ball sorting member 46 (and the ball sorting unit motor 84). Although the body is illustrated, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the present embodiment is also applied to a movable body that periodically moves the specific winning opening guide 46a, for example, along a straight line or along a predetermined curve in one direction. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a predetermined event that should be the timing at which the main control board 68 transmits the rotational position command to the sub-control board 70, the generation of a big winning mouth count switch signal as a winning signal is cited. However, it is not limited to this. That is, in this embodiment, as an event that occurs irregularly, for example, the generation of a start winning port count switch signal, or a combination of these, the generation of either a big winning port count switch signal or a starting winning port count switch signal, or a game It is also possible to employ the generation of a detection signal that is detected when a ball has won any of the normal winning openings 8 and 10.

  In the above embodiment, the ball sorting motor 84 that rotates the ball sorting member 46 is electrically connected to the main control board 68 and driven by the control of the main control board 68. Instead, the ball distributing unit motor 84 may be electrically connected to the sub-control board 70 and driven by the control of the sub-control board 70.

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
6 Center character (variable winning device)
12 1 time start port 14 2 times start port 24 Movable piece (movable member)
26 Grand Prize Port 28 Grand Prize Port Count Switch (Detector)
46 Ball distribution member (rotating body, distribution member)
68 Main control board (game control board)
70 Sub-control board (production control board)
76 1 time start port switch 78 2 times start port switch 84 Ball distributor motor (rotating body)
86 Motor index sensor (reference point detection means)

Claims (3)

A gaming machine,
Main control means for controlling gaming operations in the gaming machine;
A game board including a game area for game balls to flow down;
A game ball sensor for detecting that a game ball has passed through a predetermined area in the game area ;
A ball distribution member that rotates at a constant speed, and is arranged so that a game ball that has passed through the predetermined area can reach the ball distribution member, and the game ball that has reached the ball distribution member The destination is divided into a specific winning opening and another destination different from the specific winning opening, and the destination of the game ball may be different depending on the timing when the game ball reaches the ball sorting member. A ball sorting member configured as described above,
A rotational position sensor that outputs a signal when the rotational position of the ball distributing member passes a predetermined rotational position;
Display means capable of displaying images;
Sub-control means for realizing effect display by controlling the display means in accordance with an instruction from the main control means, according to the rotational position of the ball sorting member at the time when the game ball sensor detects a game ball Sub-control means capable of realizing a position-based effect display which is a different effect display;
With
The rotational position sensor is
Connected to the main control means without being connected to the sub-control means,
In response to the rotation position of the ball distribution member periodically passing through the predetermined rotation position, the signal is periodically transmitted to the main control means,
The main control means includes
In addition to the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal, the rotational position at which rotational position information, which is information representing the difference between the two timings, is calculated by using the timing at which the gaming ball sensor detects the gaming ball. Information calculation means;
The rotation position information is supplied to the sub-control means at an unspecified timing when a game ball flowing down the game area of the game board is detected by the game ball sensor , so that the rotation position information is the sub-control. The timing for supplying to the means is not the periodic timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal, but the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal based on the timing at which the rotational position sensor outputs a signal. Adjustment supply means;
Including
The sub-control means realizes the position-based effect display without periodicity according to the rotational position information supplied at the timing that can be changed randomly.
Gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The sub-control unit can realize an effect display different from the case where the timing difference is outside the predetermined range when the timing difference represented by the rotational position information is within the predetermined range. is there,
Gaming machine. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A path for guiding a game ball that has passed through the predetermined area to the ball sorting member, and a time from when the game ball passes through the predetermined area until the game ball reaches the ball sorting member Have multiple paths different from each other,
Gaming machine.

Images