JP6477192B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a ball and ball game machine.

  In the conventional gaming machine, the entry permission state which allows entry of the game ball when the predetermined condition is satisfied is taken, and the entry prohibition which prohibits entry of the game ball when the specified number of game balls enter in the entry permission state is prohibited A configuration is known that is provided with a variable winning device that takes a state, and if the game ball is launched with a strength different from that at the normal time, the gaming ball can smoothly enter the variable winning device.

JP 2014-004177

  In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, although the game balls exceeding the specified number may enter the entrance (variable winning opening) of the variable winning device, the number of occurrences thereof fluctuates excessively according to the operation of the player. Is not desirable and there is room for improvement in this regard.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the variation of the number of gaming balls entering the variable winning opening.

The gaming machine according to the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.
A launcher for launching game media with variable strength, a variable winning opening that is permitted to enter the game media based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, and is prohibited to enter based on the entry of a predetermined number of game media, A first flow-down area in which gaming media discharged in a predetermined first strength range from the discharge means flow down, and a second predetermined strength which is stronger than the strength of the first strength range from the discharge means and includes maximum strength A game machine including: a second flow-down area where game media fired in a strength range can flow down to the variable winning opening;
A game medium fired in a third strength range between the first strength range and the second strength range from the firing means is fired in the second strength range after firing of the game medium It is characterized in that it includes an inhibiting means for inhibiting game media from flowing down the second flow area.

  With the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the variation in the number of gaming balls entering the variable winning opening.

Front side perspective view of a pachinko machine as an example of a gaming machine A perspective view showing a pachinko machine in an open state A perspective view showing a pachinko machine in another open state The perspective view which shows a pachinko machine in still another open state Front view of a pachinko machine Front view showing the front block of the pachinko machine removed Front view of the game board Back side perspective view of pachinko machine Rear view of a pachinko machine Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine Flow chart showing an example of main control main processing Flow chart showing an example of main control interrupt processing Partially enlarged front view partially enlarged at the top of the game board Explanatory drawing showing an example of the behavior of the game ball in the upper part of the game board Explanatory drawing showing another example of the behavior of the game ball in the upper part of the game board Explanatory drawing showing the further another example of the behavior of the game ball in the upper part of the game board Partially enlarged front view of the game board according to the first modification Partially enlarged front view of the game board according to the second modification Partially enlarged front view of a game board according to a third modification Partially enlarged front view of a game board according to a fourth modification Partially enlarged front view of a game board according to a fifth modification Partially enlarged front view of a game board according to a sixth modification Partially enlarged front view of the game board according to the seventh modification

  The embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to a pachinko machine 100 as an example of a ball-and-ball game machine which is a type of gaming machine, and then a variation and other types of gaming machines will be described. First, a structural configuration, an electrical configuration, and various control processes of the embodiment of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in order.

<Structural configuration>
First, the configuration of the structural part of the pachinko machine 100 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. 1 to 4 are perspective views showing various states of the pachinko machine 100, FIG. 1 shows a closed state of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 2 shows an integral structure of the front block 102 and the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101. 3 shows the state in which the front block 102 is open to the intermediate block 103, and FIG. 4 shows the state in which the rear block 104 is open to the intermediate block 103. It shows. 5 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the front block 102 of the pachinko machine 100 is removed from the state of FIG. In addition, various wiring is abbreviate | omitted in each figure, and a part of structure of the game board 400 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.3 and FIG.6.

  The pachinko machine 100 includes, for example, an outer frame 101, a front block 102, an intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104, as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be displaceable.

  The outer frame 101 has a function as a main body support means for supporting the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 101 is a substantially quadrilateral frame in which the top plate portion 111, the bottom plate portion 112, the left side plate portion 113, and the right side plate portion 114 are assembled. The game machine is fitted into a game machine installation facility (island facility) provided in a game arcade, and is firmly fixed by fixtures (not shown). In the pachinko machine 100, the outer frame 101 is not an essential component, but has the same inner shape as the outer frame 101 or the outer frame 101, and corresponds to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 excluding the outer frame 101. It is good also as composition provided with a support mechanism to support and a part of locking mechanism which locks the main-body part in island facilities.

  Intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided on one side (the left side plate portion 113 side) in the left-right direction of the outer frame 101. The outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 are connected (connected) by the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, and the main part of the pachinko machine 100 pivots one end side (left side) in the left-right direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100 The proximal end side is configured to be pivotable forward with the other end side (right side) as the pivot distal end side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided separately at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outer frame 101. In each of the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, for example, the shaft portion provided on the intermediate block 103 is supported from the lower side by the shaft support portion provided on the outer frame 101, and the shaft portion provided on the shaft support portion Is configured to be pivotable by being inserted. In addition, the structure which makes the main-body part of the pachinko machine 100 containing the intermediate block 103 turnable is not only the said structure, but provides an axial hole in the intermediate block 103 side, forms an axial part in the outer frame 101 side, etc. It is good also as other composition.

  The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 have a function of releasing the connection between the outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 by a predetermined removal operation, and the main part of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is the outer frame 101. It is attached to be removable. For example, the connection state of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 is released by performing a predetermined removal operation of opening the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 by a predetermined amount or more and moving it upward by a predetermined amount. Ru. Thus, the main body of the pachinko machine 100 is removable from the outer frame 101.

  The front block 102 is disposed on the front side with respect to the middle block 103 so as to overlap, and the middle block 103 and the front block 102 are connected by front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 provided on the left in front view. The front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 are configured similarly to the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, support the front block 102 so as to be able to pivot forward with respect to the intermediate block 103, and remove it by a predetermined removal operation. It is configured to be possible.

  The rear block 104 is disposed on the rear side relative to the middle block 103 so as to overlap, and the middle block 103 and the rear block 104 are formed by rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 (see FIG. 8) provided on the left in front view. It is connected. The rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 and the front block support mechanisms 131 and 132, and support the rear block 104 so as to be able to pivot rearward with respect to the intermediate block 103. And, it is configured to be removably supported by a predetermined removal operation.

  In the pachinko machine 100, an intermediate block locking mechanism for restricting the opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism for restricting the opening and closing of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism and a front A lock operating mechanism is provided which is operated to unlock and lock the block locking mechanism. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate block 103 is provided with a key cylinder 141 as a lock operation mechanism exposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening of the front block 102.

  When the right rotation operation by the operation key (not shown) is performed as the predetermined operation on the key cylinder 141, the movable portion 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is operated. Thereby, the engagement between the engaged portion 142 and the movable portion 143 provided in the outer frame 101 as a part of the intermediate block locking mechanism is released, and the intermediate block 103 is allowed to open and close the outer frame 101. Become.

  On the other hand, in response to the left rotation operation by the predetermined operation key on the key cylinder 141, the movable portion 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is operated. As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion 145 provided on the front block 102 as a part of the front block locking mechanism and the movable portion 144 is released, and the front block 102 is allowed to open and close the intermediate block 103. Become.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism that restricts the opening / closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. After this, the rear block 104 can be switched between the state in which opening and closing is prohibited (opening and closing prohibited state) and the state in which opening and closing is permitted (opening and closing permitted state) by a predetermined operation. It is assumed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism is configured by two opening / closing restriction portions 150A, 150B provided in the intermediate block 103 and one opening / closing restriction portion 150C provided in the rear block 104. . The three open / close restricting portions 150A to 150C are provided with turning pieces 151A to 151C which can be rotated. The rotation pieces 151A to 151C change their engagement state with the opening portion arranged to overlap back and forth in the closed state of the rear block 104 by the rotation operation, whereby the open / close prohibited posture corresponding to the open / close prohibited state And the opening / closing permissible posture corresponding to the opening / closing permissible state can be switched. When all the pivoting pieces 151A to 151C are in the opening / closing permissible posture, the respective pivoting pieces 151A to 151C can pass through the openings, and the rear block 104 enters the opening / closing permissible state with respect to the intermediate block 103. In addition, as the opening and closing prohibited posture and the opening and closing permitted posture, the opening and closing prohibited state and the opening and closing permitted state may be switched by changing at least one of the position and the direction of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C, It may be configured to move in a fixed direction, or may be configured to operate by a combination of movement and rotation. Hereinafter, the same applies to the change in posture when the component in each device transitions between a plurality of postures.

  Of the three pivoting pieces 151A to 151C, two pivoting pieces 151A and 151B corresponding to a part of them are formed on the rear block 104 in the open / close prohibited state of the rear block 104 as shown in FIG. One pivoting piece 151C, which is exposed to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening and corresponds to the remaining part, is exposed to the front side of the intermediate block 103, as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is not possible to switch all the pivoting pieces 151A to 151C to the open / close allowable posture only by the operation from one side such as the back side of the pachinko machine 100 or the front side of the intermediate block 103, thereby preventing burglar Is elevated.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a game ball movement restriction mechanism for restricting movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the gaming ball movement restriction mechanism is configured by a combination of the flow-down restriction piece 161 provided in the middle block 103 and the restriction changing unit 162 provided in the front block 102, The downward flow restricting piece 161 is biased by a coil spring (not shown) to the front side where the front block 102 is located.

  When the front block 102 is closed with respect to the middle block 103 (the front block 102 is closed), the flow-down restricting piece 161 is allowed to move so as to allow the game ball to flow down, specifically, it is restricted The change unit 162 is pushed and pushed to the rear side of the intermediate block 103. The flow-down restricting piece 161 is disposed behind the guiding passage (not shown) for guiding the gaming ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 in the movement permitting state. Thereby, in the closed state of the front block 102, movement of the gaming ball from the middle block 103 to the front block 102 is permitted.

  On the other hand, when the front block 102 is open with respect to the intermediate block 103 (the open state of the front block 102), the pressing of the flow-down restricting piece 161 by the restriction changing portion 162 is released. As a result, the flow-down regulating piece 161 is in a movement prohibited state in which it projects toward the front block 102 side. The flow-down regulating piece 161 protrudes into the guiding passage in the movement inhibition state, and prevents the flow of the gaming ball to the downstream side. Thereby, movement of the gaming ball from the middle block 103 to the front block 102 is prohibited.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 100, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the middle block 103 is closed to the outer frame 101 at the lower end on the rear side of the middle block 103 and on the rotating tip side An open / close detection switch 108 is provided to detect whether or not the switch is closed, and as shown in FIG. 3, for example, at the lower end portion on the front side of the intermediate block 103 and on the rotating tip side (right side in front view) An open / close detection switch 109 is provided to detect whether the front block 102 is closed for 103.

  Next, each configuration of the front block 102, the intermediate block 103, and the rear block 104 will be described in order.

  The front block 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, forms a substantially entire front surface of the pachinko machine 100, is a substantially rectangular member having a thickness in the front-rear direction, and decorates the front surface portion of the pachinko machine 100. Function as a front decoration means. The front block 102 is mainly composed of a base frame 201 made of synthetic resin, and has a plurality of functional parts attached to the front and back of the base frame 201. A state in which the front decoration 210 forming the front of the pachinko machine 100 surrounds the opening 210A along the outer edge of the opening 210A formed including the front view central portion of the front block 102 on the front side of the base frame 201 Is attached. When the base frame 201 constituting the front block 102 and the front decorative body 210 are combined, the opening 210A is formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction over a wide range excluding the outer peripheral portion to which the front decorative body 210 is attached. Through this opening 210A, an intermediate block 103 including a game board 400 located behind the front block 102 is configured to be visible to the player.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 is provided with a central panel 220 provided on the back side of the base frame 201 so as to close the opening 210A, and a main storage mechanism 230 for storing gaming balls. An auxiliary storage mechanism 240 for storing game balls, and a discharge operation device 250 operated by a player to sequentially release the game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the game board 400 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front block 102 has an opening peripheral portion 211 surrounding the periphery of the opening 210A as a part of the front decoration 210, and a front side projecting downward from the opening 210A. Upper protrusion 217, a lower protrusion 218 located on the lower side with respect to the upper protrusion 217 and protruding forward, and an upper protrusion 217 and a lower protrusion on the right side of the lower protrusion 218 A flat portion 219 is formed of a substantially flat region located on the back side of the portion 218 and on which the firing operation device 250 is disposed. The main storage mechanism 230 is disposed in the upper protrusion 217, and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is disposed in the lower protrusion 218.

  The central panel 220 has a function as a cover that allows the rear side to be visible while closing the opening 210A formed through in the front-rear direction in a state where the base frame 201 and the front face decoration 210 are combined. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the central panel 220 has a panel frame 221 (see FIG. 3) attached from the rear side of the base frame 201 and a light transmitting property fitted to the front side of the panel frame 221. A front plate 222 (see FIG. 1), and a light transmissive rear plate 223 (see FIG. 3) fitted on the rear side of the panel frame 221 substantially parallel to the front plate 222 with a predetermined gap therebetween. There is.

  The main storage mechanism 230 has a function of storing game balls acquired in accordance with the progress of the game and game balls lent out from the game arcade. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the main storage mechanism 230 includes a storage portion 231, a ball removal mechanism (not shown), and a ball removal operation member 232 for operating the ball removal mechanism. The reservoir 231 includes an inlet 231A for introducing game balls from the interior of the pachinko machine 100 into the reservoir 231, and an outlet (not shown) for causing the game balls to flow out of the reservoir 231 into the interior of the pachinko machine 100; An outlet (not shown) formed upstream of the outlet is provided. The game ball is released from the storage section 231 to the player without being taken into the interior of the pachinko machine 100 by opening the discharge port. The ball releasing mechanism has a function of switching the discharge destination of the game ball between the outlet and the outlet.

  The game balls acquired according to the game progress and the game balls lent out according to the lending operation to the lending operation device 292 described later mainly flow into the storage section 231 through the inflow port 231A. In addition, the storage portion 231 is formed to open at the upper side, and through this opening portion, a game ball owned by the player is manually inserted, or a game ball to be lent out in the game arcade is supplied.

  The gaming balls having flowed into the storage section 231 are sequentially guided to the side where the outlet and the outlet are formed (upper right side in FIG. 1) while being aligned in a line. When the ball pulling operation (for example, the pressing operation) on the ball pulling operation member 232 is not performed, the gaming ball is guided to the launch device 330 (see FIG. 3) described later through the outlet. On the other hand, when the ball pulling operation is performed on the ball pulling operation member 232, the gaming ball is guided to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 1) through the discharge port.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 opens and closes the storage portion 241 having the game ball inlets 241A and 241C (see FIG. 5) and the outlet 241B (see FIG. 1) and the outlet 241B. And a ball removing operation member 242 for operating the ball removing mechanism 243. The game balls and the like acquired in accordance with the game progress mainly flow into the main storage mechanism 230, but if the storage section 231 is full, they flow into the storage section 241 through the inflow port 241A. Further, even in response to the ball pulling operation on the ball pulling operation member 232, the game ball flows from the storage unit 231 to the storage unit 241 through the inflow port 241C.

  The bottom surface of the reservoir 241 is inclined downward toward the outlet 241B. When the discharge port 241B is opened by the ball pulling operation (for example, pressing operation) on the ball pulling operation member 242, all the game balls stored in the storage unit 241 can be sequentially released to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. When the discharge port 241B is completely opened by the ball pulling operation on the ball pulling operation member 242, the release state is maintained until the return operation (for example, pressing operation again) on the ball pulling operation member 242 is performed. Maintained. A ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) is provided behind the inflow port 241A to detect whether or not the game balls are excessively stored in the storage portion 241.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the firing operation device 250 has a pedestal 251 projecting forward from the flat portion 219 of the front face decoration 210, and a rotatable firing handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251. A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 10) for detecting the amount of rotational operation of the launch handle 252, a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 10) for detecting that the player is in contact with the launch handle 252, and And a release stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) for disabling the ejection of the game ball accompanying the rotation operation by the operation of the player. When the launch handle 252 is rotated by the player, the game ball is ejected from the launch device 330 (see FIG. 3) toward the game board 400 (see FIG. 3) with an intensity corresponding to the amount of the rotation. When the contact sensor 254 does not detect the contact between the launch handle 252 and the player, or when the launch operation is disabled by the operation of the launch stop switch 255, the launch handle 252 is rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the launcher 330.

  Further, frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 (see FIG. 10) are provided at the back of the front decorative body 210 in the front block 102. The frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 are disposed on the back side of the opening peripheral edge portion 211 of the front decorative body 210 and attached to the base frame 201. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening peripheral edge portion 211 has an upper center edge 211A, an upper left edge 211B and an upper right edge 211C located on the left and right with respect to the upper center edge 211A, and an upper left edge It has left side edge 211D located lower side to 211B and right side edge 211E located lower side to upper right side edge 211C as a light emission part, and frame light emission corresponding to each light emission part Devices 271-275 are installed.

  The frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 include an upper center frame light emitting device 271 corresponding to the upper center edge 211A, an upper left frame light emitting device 272 corresponding to the upper left side edge 211B, and an upper right frame light corresponding to the upper right side edge 211C. A device 273, a left side frame light emitting device 274 corresponding to the left side edge 211D, and a right side frame light emitting device 275 (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the right side edge 211E. Each of the frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 integrates and electrically connects a light emitting diode (LED) as one or more light emitting means, an electronic component such as a resistor for controlling the LED, and the electronic component And a printed circuit board.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front block 102 is provided with, for example, an upper left acoustic output port 211F and an upper right acoustic output port 211G in the upper part of the opening peripheral portion 211, and the upper left acoustic output port 211F. An upper left audio device 281 and an upper right audio device 282 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) are provided corresponding to the upper right audio output ports 211G, respectively. The upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 are attached to the base frame 201 so as to be located at the back (rear) of the opening peripheral edge portion 211 of the front decorative body 210.

  Further, in the front block 102, as shown in FIG. 1, a game ball lending device 290 is provided, for example, on the upper surface right side portion of the upper side protruding portion 217. The gaming ball lending device 290 has a frequency display device 291 for displaying numerical values according to the remaining amount of bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (not shown) arranged side by side with the pachinko machine 100, and lending of gaming balls. And a return operation device 293 operated by the player when returning bills, cards and the like inserted in the card unit. When a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in a valid state in which bills, cards, etc. are inserted into the card unit and numerical values corresponding to those amounts are displayed on the frequency display device 291, In response, a predetermined number of gaming balls are lent out from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) of the rear block 104, and the display of the frequency display device 291 is updated as the gaming balls are lent. On the other hand, when a return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, a card on which the equivalent of the banknote corresponding to the balance and the balance are recorded is returned from the card unit according to the return operation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with an input operation device 260 which allows the player to perform an input operation different from the launch operation. The input operation device 260 includes, for example, a pressing operation device 261 capable of pushing operation, a rotation operation device 262 capable of rotating operation, and a selection operation device 263 capable of performing up / down / left / right direction operation. With regard to the player, the effect selection operation for selecting an effect to be executed in the pachinko machine 100, the device setting operation for setting the volume and the light amount of each device for executing the effects of the pachinko machine 100, or the player It is possible to execute effect setting operations and the like that can execute the effects of the pachinko machine 100 according to the previous game by inputting information, and the player or the game arcade manager can execute these operations as necessary. It is assumed. An input operation unit (for example, an annular rotation operation unit in the rotation operation device 262) which the player contacts in the input operation device 260 is rotated and vertically moved by the input operation unit driving means such as a motor and a solenoid. Or, it is preferable that an operation such as vibration can be performed by control of the pachinko machine 100 (for example, control of the sub control board 940 (see FIG. 10)), before or after the input operation, or during the input operation. By operating the input portion at one or more timings, various effects such as actively prompting the input operation can be made.

  Next, the intermediate block 103 will be described. The middle block 103 is a substantially rectangular member having substantially the same size as the front block 102, and the front block 102 and the rear block 104 are attached to make the main part of the pachinko machine 100 integrated. have. The intermediate block 103 is configured by attaching a plurality of functional components including the game board 400 to the base frame 301.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate block 103 has a base frame 301 having an opening, a game board 400 (see FIG. 3) attached from the front side while covering the opening of the base frame 301, and the base frame A game board supporting mechanism for rotatably and detachably supporting the game board 400 with respect to 301, a game board fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, and a game ball on the game board 400 Based on an instruction from a main control device 370 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the back side of the game board 400 and integrally controlling the progression of the game, and a command from the main control device 370. And an auxiliary control device 390 (see FIG. 4) for controlling game effects and status notification.

  In the base frame 301, as shown in FIG. 3, a guiding passage portion 301A in which a guiding passage for guiding gaming balls discharged from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) described later to the front block 102 is formed; A plurality of wires (not shown) and an opening 301 B in which the signal relay device 311 is located are provided. The openings 301B are shaped to penetrate in the front-rear direction below the gaming board 400, and a plurality of wirings inserted through the openings 301B are various devices provided in the front block 102 (for example, frame light emitting devices 271 to 271). 275, upper left audio device 281 and upper right audio device 282) for electrically connecting the devices provided on the back side of the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 (for example, the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390) The signal relay apparatus 311 includes a wire, and has a function as a relay board for relaying a part of the wire.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 400 has a flat base 401 having a through hole through which game balls such as the discharge port 401 can pass back and forth, and an outer rail smoothly curved from the lower left to the upper right of the base 401. 402, an inner rail 403 smoothly curved from the lower right to the upper left of the base 401, a return ball prevention mechanism 404 attached to the upper left end of the inner rail 403, and an upper right end of the outer rail 402 And an anti-recoil member 405 attached. The outer rail 402 is for guiding the game ball fired from the launch device 330 described later into the game area. The return ball prevention mechanism 404 prevents the game ball, which has been released into the game area from the firing passage 401B formed by the portion while the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 face in parallel, from returning to the shooting passage 401B. The anti-recoil member 405 has a shock absorbing property that prevents the game ball from recoiling so that the game ball heading to the right side over the upper center of the game board 400 returns to the left side through the upper center again. For example, it is formed of a material such as damping rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a return ball passage portion 163 is formed in the lower portion on the back side of the front block 102. There is a space between the outer rail 402 and the guiding member 335 for guiding the gaming ball from the launcher 330 toward the launch passage 401 B, and the shot launched from the launcher 330 does not exceed the return ball prevention mechanism 404 and fires. The game balls returned from the passage 401B are returned to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 5) from the inflow port 241A (see FIG. 5) through the return ball passage portion 163 disposed below the gap.

  The game ball advanced beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 reaches the game area, and moves (flows down) while falling by its own weight in the game area. The game area has a substantially circular outer peripheral shape, and is divided into a shape in which an area having a front and rear width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball is a major part. The game area is generally divided by the outer rails 402 and the inner rails 403, and the front side is substantially planar by the rear plate 223 of the central panel 220, and the rear side is generally planar by the base 401 of the game board 400. It is divided into The various structures provided in the game area will be described later.

  The launcher 330, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a ball feed mechanism 331 for sequentially delivering the gaming balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the launch position, and a ball feed solenoid 332 for driving the ball feed mechanism 331 (FIG. 10). (See Fig. 10), a launch mechanism 333 for launching game balls arranged at the launch position, a launch solenoid 334 (see FIG. 10) for driving the launch mechanism 333 and a game ball launched from the launch mechanism 333 of the game board 400. And a guiding member 335 for guiding to the firing passage 401B. The launch device 330 operates in response to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 as described above, and the drive control of the launch solenoid 334 changes in response to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 to adjust the launch force.

  As shown in FIG. 4, main controller 370 includes a main control substrate 920 (see FIG. 10) and a substrate case 371 having a split structure for accommodating main control substrate 920. The main control substrate 920 is accommodated inside the translucent substrate case 371 sealed so as not to be opened without leaving a trace.

  Further, main controller 370 is rotatably attached to the back side of game board 400. Specifically, the mounting portion 372 is rotatably connected to and fixed on the back side of the base 401 of the game board 400, and the main control device 370 is mounted on the mounting portion 372. Thus, not only the back side (front side) of the main control device 370 but also the front side (back side) of the main control device 370 by turning the attachment portion 372, the main control device 370 is connected to the game board 400. It can be easily checked with it attached. The main control device 370 may be connected to the attachment portion 372 so as not to be removable without leaving a trace, and the removal status of the main control device 370 may be easily managed.

  The sub control device 390 includes a sub control substrate 940 (see FIG. 10) and a substrate case 391 having a split structure for accommodating the sub control substrate 940. Similar to the main control substrate 920, for example, the sub control substrate 940 is accommodated in the translucent substrate case 391 sealed so as not to be opened without leaving a trace. It is attached to the back side.

  Here, various structures disposed in the game area in the game board 400 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of the game board 400. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 includes a base 401, a flow change member such as a nail 411 or a windmill 412 for changing the flow direction and the flow speed of the game ball, and a central portion disposed approximately at the center of the base 401. The structure 420, and the starting device according to the first special symbol disposed below the central structure 420 (specifically, the upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle start winning device 431B), and the center The starting device (specifically, the right start winning device 432) related to the second special symbol disposed on the lower right side with respect to the structure 420 and the big winning device 433 located below the right starting winning device 432. , 434 (specifically, the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434), and the starting device 436 related to the normal symbol disposed on the upper side (upstream side) of the right start winning device 432; Upper right, upper and lower Winning device that the winning combination communicating actuating device 435 which is arranged above (upstream side) with respect to 433, regular winning device 439A arranged on both left and right sides of the lower side middle starting winning device 431 B, and a 439B.

  Further, the game board 400 is provided with a plurality of switches as detection means for detecting passage of the game ball corresponding to the above-mentioned upper middle start winning device 431A etc. (see FIG. 10), corresponding to each switch The approach of the game ball to the predetermined area is made detectable. For example, a middle start winning switch (upper middle start winning switch 441A) for detecting gaming balls having entered the upper middle starting winning device 431A, a middle starting winning switch for detecting gaming balls having entered the lower middle starting winning device 431B (for example Medium start winning switch 441 B), right starting winning switch 442 for detecting gaming balls entering the right starting winning device 432, lower winning switch for detecting gaming balls entering the lower big winning device 433, upper winning devices Upper large winning switch 444 to detect the game ball entered 434, combination operation switch 445 to detect the game ball entered the combination operation device 435, start switch 446 to detect the game ball entered the start device 436, down Non-specific passage switch 447 for detecting gaming balls having entered a non-specific passage (not shown) formed inside the winning device 433, Specific passage switch 448 for detecting gaming balls having entered a specific passage (not shown) formed inside big winning device 433, general winning switch 449A for detecting gaming balls having entered general winning devices 439A, 439B, 449 B and the like are installed on the game board 400.

  The entrance portions of the game balls of the central structure 420 and the starter 436 constitute ball entrances, and the game balls entering each ball entrance are released into the game area. Each winning device, specifically, the upper middle starting winning device 431A, the lower middle starting winning device 431B, the right starting winning device 432, the lower winning device 433, the upper winning device 434 and the general winning devices 439A, 439B The ball entrance portion constitutes a winning opening, and the gaming balls having entered each winning opening are guided through the through holes formed in the base 401 to the collection / discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401. . In addition, the gaming balls which have not entered each winning device are guided to the collection and discharge passage through the discharge port 401A provided in the most downstream side portion of the game area. The game balls guided to the collection and discharge passage are discharged from the pachinko machine 100 to a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided in the game arcade. When the game ball enters one of the winning devices, a predetermined number of gaming balls corresponding to the type of the winning device are paid out from the payout device 540 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Note that each winning device may be configured separately from other winning devices, or a device in which two or more winning devices (for example, upper middle start winning device 431A and lower middle starting winning device 431B) are integrated. The winning device may be configured by the player, and the starting device such as the upper middle starting winning device 431A does not necessarily have to be a winning opening from which a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out when a game ball enters. The ball may be a ball opening to be released again to the game area without being paid out.

  The upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle starting winning device 431B according to the first special symbol, and the general winning device 439A and the general winning device 439B enter without changing the probability of entering the gaming ball into them. The game ball is guided to the back side of the base 401. In addition, the right start winning device 432 relating to the second special symbol has a mechanism for changing the entry probability of the gaming ball into its inside. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball only to the starting device according to the second special symbol, and instead or in addition to that, the starting device according to the first special symbol, general winning device You may provide in any or multiple of 439A and 439B. Further, the mechanism for changing the entry probability of the gaming ball may be constituted by a driving means such as an electrically driven solenoid or the like, and is represented by a mechanism operated by the weight of the gaming ball entering the predetermined area. It may be configured by a mechanism that operates mechanically.

  The right start winning device 432 relating to the second special symbol, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 to change the entry probability of the gaming ball into the inside by the transition between the entry permitted attitude and the entry prohibited attitude, and the right entry restriction mechanism And a right approach restricting solenoid 462 (see FIG. 10) for driving 452. The right entry restriction mechanism 452 includes two movable pieces driven by the right entry restriction solenoid 462, and when the right entry restriction mechanism 452 is in the entry prohibition posture, the two movable pieces enter the entrance (prize opening ) Can not enter the right start winning device 432 by the arrangement of narrowing (or closing)), but if the right entry restricting mechanism 452 is in the entry permitted posture, the two movable pieces have their tips By arranging such that the interval between the sections is expanded, the gaming ball can enter the right start winning device 432. The right entry restricting mechanism 452 enters the right when the gaming ball having entered the starting device 436 pertaining to the normal symbol is won in the drawing based on detection by the starting switch 446 (hereinafter also referred to as “normal symbol drawing”) In accordance with the drive by the regulating solenoid 462, it shifts to the approach permitted posture only a predetermined number of times and a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lower large winning prize apparatus 433 is a lower entry restricting mechanism 453 for restricting the entry of the game ball into the inside by the transition between the entry permitted attitude and the entry prohibited attitude, and the lower entry restriction. The game ball that has entered the lower prize device 433 by the transition between the non-induction attitude and the induction attitude, by changing the lower entry restriction solenoid 463 (see FIG. 10) that changes the attitude of the mechanism 453, to the nonspecific path or the specific path. A sorting mechanism (not shown) for sorting and a switching solenoid 465 (see FIG. 10) for switching the guiding destination of the gaming ball by changing the posture of the sorting mechanism are provided. If the lower entry control mechanism 453 of the lower large winning device 433 is in the entry prohibiting attitude, the gaming ball can not enter the lower large winning device 433 by the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 closing the entrance (winning opening). When the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 is in the entry permitted posture, the game ball can enter the lower prize device 433 by the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 opening the entrance. Also, if the gaming ball that has entered the lower prize winning device 433 is guided to a non-specified path when the sorting mechanism is in the non-inductive posture to project forward, and the sorting mechanism is in the guiding posture to immerse backward Are guided to a specific passage. The specified passage, the non-specified passage, and the distribution mechanism are provided to vary the transition of the game state, and when the game ball enters the specified passage, the player is given an advantageous game state as a bonus .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper large winning device 434 has an upper entry restriction mechanism 454, which restricts the entry of gaming balls into the inside by the transition between the entry permitted attitude and the entry prohibited attitude, and an upper entry restriction. An upper entry restriction solenoid 464 (see FIG. 10) is provided to change the posture of the mechanism 454. When the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 is in the entry prohibition attitude, the game ball can not enter the upper prize winning device 434 by the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 closing the entrance (winning opening), but the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 In the case where the entry permission position is, the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 opens the entrance so that the gaming ball can enter the upper prize device 434.

  In addition, as the entry permission posture and the entry prohibition posture as a mechanism which changes the entry probability of the game ball to the inside such as the right entry restriction mechanism 452, etc., each mechanism is configured to be a winning opening (or ball entry opening) of each device. Corresponding to the change in posture of the operating member switching between the special state in which the game ball can enter and the normal state in which the game ball can not enter, and at least one of the position and direction of the operating member differs according to each posture It is good if it is. In addition, as a mechanism to change the entry probability of the game ball such as the right entry restriction mechanism 452 etc, it is not necessary to make the state where the game ball can not enter into the normal state. In the state, the attitude of the operation member may be changed to a state in which the game ball is more easily entered than in the normal state.

  A game ball can enter into the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 when the lottery for the big hit is won. Specifically, the gaming ball having entered the upper middle start winning device 431A or lower middle starting winning device 431B according to the first special symbol is detected by the upper middle starting winning switch 441A or the lower middle starting winning switch 441B. If the player wins the lottery based on (hereinafter also referred to as "first special symbol lottery"), or the game ball entering the right start winning device 432 pertaining to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442 When a lottery based on (hereinafter also referred to as “second special symbol lottery”) is won, at least one of the lower entry restriction solenoid 463 and the upper entry restriction solenoid 464 is operated. By this operation, at least one of the lower access restricting mechanism 453 or the upper access restricting mechanism 454 takes an approach permitting position for a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined time. In addition, the distribution mechanism transitions to the induction attitude in response to the operation of the switching solenoid 465 after a predetermined time from the transition to the entry permitted attitude of the lower approach restriction mechanism 453, and further switches to the induction attitude after a predetermined time from transition to the induction attitude. In response to the stop of the solenoid 465, it returns to the non-inductive posture.

  The team operating device 435 is a device for setting the conditions required for the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 to start operation. After winning the jackpot lottery, either the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434 starts operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes. Therefore, the player can start the special game state at the timing intended by the player if the player wins the jackpot. It should be noted that it is not necessary that either the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434 start operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes, instead, or in place of that. In addition, either the lower prize device 433 or the upper prize device 434 may be activated upon lapse of a predetermined time.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, in the game board 400, display devices 471 to 473 for displaying variable display of symbols and lottery results and display devices 476 to 478 for displaying the number of holding times of a game are integrated. A display having a plurality of light emitting units is provided in the lower left portion corresponding to a part of the game board 400. The plurality of light emitting units are divided in advance into light emitting regions corresponding to the respective devices, and the state of each device is displayed by the light emitting state.

  Specifically, the first special symbol is variably displayed on the game board 400 in conjunction with the first special symbol lottery, or the first special symbol is fixedly displayed with a stop symbol according to the lottery result. The special symbol display device 471 according to the special symbol and the second special symbol lottery, the second special symbol is variably displayed, or the second special symbol is fixedly displayed with the stop symbol according to the lottery result Special symbol display device 472 pertaining to special symbols, special symbol hold display device 476 that displays the number of pending unit games pertaining to the first special symbol, and special symbol hold that displays the number of pending unit games pertaining to the second special symbol A display device 477 is provided. The right of unit game related to the first special symbol and the right of unit game related to the second special symbol are respectively reserved up to four times. Here, the unit game is a game for one game executed based on one start winning game, and a lottery based on the judgment of success or failure of the lottery carried out based on one start game winning A series of games including the start and end of the variable display until the result is displayed.

  In addition, when the right of the unit game pertaining to the first special symbol is suspended to the maximum number of times, the game ball entering the start winning device 431 is the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) or the lower middle start winning Even if it is detected by the switch 441B (see FIG. 10), the right of unit game related to the first special symbol is not added. Similarly, when the right to play a unit game relating to the second special symbol is suspended up to the maximum number of times, it is assumed that the game ball entering the right start winning device 432 is detected by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10). The right of the unit game concerning the second special symbol is not added.

  Each of the special symbol display device 471 according to the first special symbol and the special symbol display device 472 according to the second special symbol is composed of a plurality of light emitting units and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10) . Each of the display of the first special symbol and the display of the second special symbol is expressed by the light emission patterns (combination of light emission states (lights off, lights on and blinks) including light emission colors) of the plurality of light emitting parts. The special symbol hold display 476 pertaining to the first special symbol and the special symbol hold display 477 pertaining to the second special symbol are the number of times of holding by the combination of the light emitting states (lights off, lights on and flashes) of two single color light emitting parts indicate.

  In addition, the game board 400, according to the normal symbol lottery, to change the normal symbol display, and to display the normal symbol with a stop symbol according to the lottery result, etc A normal symbol holding display device 478 is provided to display the number of holdings of the unit game right. The right to unit game related to a regular symbol is suspended up to 4 times. It should be noted that even if the game ball entering the starting device 436 is detected by the start switch 446 when the unit game related to the normal symbol is held up to the maximum number of times, the unit game related to the normal symbol is not added .

  The normal symbol display device 473 is composed of a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). The normal pattern is expressed by the light emission patterns of the plurality of light emitting parts. Further, the normal symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of holding times by a combination of the light emission states (light off, light on, blink) of the two single color light emitting parts.

  In addition, on the game board 400, in a unit game related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol, the decorative symbol is variably displayed or the decorative symbol is finalized so as to overlap behind the central structure 420. A decorative symbol display device 479 is provided. The variation display and finalization display of the decorative symbol are controlled by the sub control board 940, and are substantially synchronized with the variation display and finalization display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control substrate 920. In the variable display of the decorative symbol, more complicated and various effects are executed than the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  In addition, the game board 400 includes a board light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board light emitting device 490 is associated with the game proceeding based on control by the sub control board 940. It performs state notification by various light emission effects and light emission.

  Here, transition between various gaming states and gaming states will be described. Normal gaming state (hereinafter also abbreviated as "normal gaming state"), the first special symbol, the second special symbol and the variation display time of the normal symbol is in a long state (hereinafter also referred to as "non-shorting state") It corresponds.

  When the player wins a big hit in the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the gaming ball enters a specific passage (the inner passage of the lower prize device 433) during the special gaming state transitioning based on the winning. Depending on whether it is or not, the gaming state to be shifted after the special gaming state is different. If the game ball has not entered the specific passage during the special gaming state, the first special symbol lottery, the second special symbol and the variation display time of the normal symbol is shorter than the non-short time state (hereinafter referred to as “time saving state The game state (also referred to as “the low probability state”) in which the jackpot probability in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is the same as the normal gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as “low probability state”) In the following, it will be transitioned to "time saving game state"). On the other hand, if the game ball enters the specific passage during the special gaming state, it is a time saving state, and the jackpot probability in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is higher than the normal gaming state The game state (hereinafter, also referred to as “probability change state”), which is also referred to as “high probability state”, is transitioned to.

  The time saving game state is maintained until the total number of unit games relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times), but after that, it returns to the normal game state. In addition, the probability variation gaming state is maintained until the total number of unit games pertaining to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), but thereafter returns to the normal gaming state.

  In addition, it is not necessary to necessarily set it as the above-mentioned composition about transition between a game state and a game state, for example, a high probability state is good also as a structure continued until the next big win, or other contents At least one may be configured, or may be configured to further include a gaming state different from each of the gaming states described above, or the gaming state may be transitioned depending on conditions different from the above-described conditions.

  Next, the operation of the main devices of the game board 400 will be described roughly in time series. In the main control board 920, a winning random number, a big hit random number, a stop pattern random number, and various variation pattern random numbers related to the special symbol (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol) are generated. The first special symbol starting winning combination is detected when the game ball entering one of the starting winning devices 431A and 431B according to the first special symbol is detected by any of the middle starting winning switches 441A and 441B (see FIG. 10). It becomes. When the right to unit game pertaining to the first special symbol is not held to the maximum number of times at the start winning of the first special symbol, the winning random number, the big hit symbol random number and the stop pattern random number pertaining to the special symbol are acquired, It is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920.

  The unit game by the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is not in the special game state, nor in the unit game according to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the unit game according to the first special symbol If the rights are not reserved, they will start immediately after the storage of their random numbers. In addition, even when not in the special game state, during the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol or when the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved After the unit game pertaining to all the special symbols (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) held before the current winning, a unit game based on the current starting winning is started. When each random number is acquired based on the start winning combination of the first special symbol during the special gaming state, the unit game by the random number is all that was suspended prior to the current starting winning after the special gaming state. It is started after the unit game concerning a special symbol.

  Moreover, the unit game by the random number acquired based on the starting winning combination of a 1st special symbol is started after the end of all the unit games concerning a 2nd special symbol. That is, when each random number is acquired based on the start winning of the second special symbol after the current start winning, the unit game based on the starting winning of the second special symbol is preferentially executed. The unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol does not necessarily need to be configured to be executed prior to the unit game pertaining to the first special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol in the order of starting winning The unit superior control according to the present invention may be executed, or two special symbols may be not simultaneously selected and may be simultaneously varied.

  When the big win is won in the first special symbol lottery based on the starting winning of the first special symbol, the stop symbol corresponding to the big hit of the first special symbol lottery based on the acquired big hit symbol random number The type of jackpot symbol is determined. The number of rounds (for example, 5 rounds and 16 rounds) corresponding to the number of times the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 takes the entry permitted posture corresponds to the type of the stop symbol and the type of the big hit, for example. A plurality of jackpot types are set according to the type of gaming state such as a gaming state (whether to shift to a probability variation gaming state) transitioning after a special gaming state, and a jackpot symbol is set for each type. If the first special symbol lottery has not won a big hit, a lost symbol different from the big hit symbol is set as the stop symbol.

  After the first special symbol lottery, the first special based on the current gaming state, the lottery result, the value of the stop pattern random number, the value of various variation pattern random numbers, and the number of pending unit game rights pertaining to the first special symbol The variation display time of the symbol is determined, and the variation pattern of the decorative symbol is selected. After that, the variation display of the first special symbol in the special symbol display device 471 according to the first special symbol and the variation display (variation effect) of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display device 479 are started. Over the display time, the variation display with a constant pattern is continued, and in the case of the decorative pattern, the variation display according to the variation pattern is continued over the variation display time. Thereafter, with the elapse of the variable display time, the stop symbol relating to the first special symbol is determined and displayed, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is determined and displayed as the decorative symbol. The final display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for at least a predetermined fixed time.

  If the stop symbol relating to the first special symbol is a big hit symbol, the gaming state shifts to the special gaming state after the final display of the first special symbol. In the special gaming state, the lower entry control mechanism 453 of the lower large winning device 433 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 of the upper large winning device 434 are allowed to enter a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order according to the type of the big hit. . When the predetermined number (for example, eight balls) of game balls are detected by the big winning switch 443, 444 during each entry permitted posture in the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 and the upper entry regulation mechanism 454, or the predetermined maximum When the entry permission time (for example, 29.5 seconds) has elapsed, the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 shifts to the entry prohibited attitude. After that, either the lower approach restriction mechanism 453 or the upper approach restriction mechanism 454 returns to the approach permitted posture again after the passage of the predetermined access prohibition time. The entry restricting operation is repeated a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order corresponding to the type of the big hit.

  The lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 are configured such that only one of them is allowed to enter during the special game state, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the start of the special game state (after the opening period One moves to the initial approach permission posture). Also, after the predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed since the final return to the entry prohibition posture, and after the predetermined standby time has passed thereafter (after the ending period), the special gaming state ends. After the end of the special gaming state, as described above, transition to the time saving gaming state or the probability variation gaming state.

  In various gaming states, when the game ball entering the right start winning device 432 relating to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442, the start winning of the second special symbol is obtained. The control of the unit game based on the start winning game of the second special symbol is executed in the same manner as the control relating to the first special symbol described above. That is, when the right to unit game pertaining to the second special symbol is not held to the maximum number of times at the start winning combination of the second special symbol, each random number pertaining to the special symbol is acquired, and the unit game based on this start winning is executed Be done. Also, the determination of the stop symbol according to the second special symbol lottery, the selection of the variation pattern of the decoration symbol, the execution of the variation display, the transition control of the gaming state, etc. are also executed similarly to the control according to the first special symbol Be done.

  In various gaming states, when the game ball entering the starting device 436 is detected by the start switch 446, if the right to unit game relating to the normal symbol is not held for the maximum number of times, the winning random number relating to the normal symbol is acquired And stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, if it is not in the unit game relating to the normal symbol, immediately after the storage, the unit game relating to the acquired normal symbol is started. On the other hand, if a unit game relating to a normal symbol is being performed, a unit game relating to the acquired normal symbol is started after the end of the unit game based on the right of the unit game relating to the acquired normal symbol.

  In a unit game relating to a normal symbol, it is determined whether or not it has been won based on the value of a winning random number, and if it is won, a predetermined hit symbol is set as a stop symbol. On the other hand, if the normal symbol lottery is not won, a predetermined lost symbol is set as the stop symbol. After the normal symbol lottery, the variable display of the normal symbol is started in the normal symbol display device 473, and in the non-time-short state, the variable display by the constant pattern is continued over the predetermined variable display time, and the time is short , The fluctuation display with a constant pattern is continued over a predetermined fluctuation display time shorter than the non-short time state. With the elapse of a predetermined time corresponding to the gaming state, the stop symbol relating to the normal symbol is displayed for a predetermined time.

  If the stop symbol relating to the normal symbol is a hit symbol, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 of the right start winning device 432 shifts to the entry permitted posture at least once after the confirmation display of the normal symbol. Specifically, when winning in the non-time saving state (normal gaming state and special gaming state), the right start winning device 432 has a predetermined maximum entry permitted time (for example, 0) a predetermined number of times (for example, once) In the case of winning in the time saving state (time saving gaming state and probability changing gaming state), the state is shifted to the entry permission state over .2 seconds), and the predetermined number of times (more than the case where the right start winning device 432 is non time saving state) For example, the transition to the approach permitted posture is intermittently performed over a predetermined maximum approach permitted time (e.g., 4.8 seconds) longer than the case of the non-short time state only twice). However, when a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of gaming balls are detected by the right start winning switch 442, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 shifts to the entry prohibited attitude without waiting for the maximum entry permitted time to elapse. Also, even if the number of transitions to the entry permitted position has not reached the predetermined number, the operation of the right start winning device 432 in the unit game according to the present normal symbol is ended.

  Next, the playability of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In order to receive the second special symbol lottery, it must first be elected in the normal symbol lottery, and further, the gaming ball enters the right starting winning device 432 in the entry permitted state of the right starting winning device 432 based on the winning. Must. The winning probability for hitting the normal symbol in the normal gaming state is the same as the winning probability in the short playing state, but the stay time (for example, about Since the 0.1 second × 1) is set extremely short compared to the staying time in the time saving state (for example, about 4.8 seconds × 3 times), in the normal gaming state, the second special symbol lottery is received The opportunity per unit time to be made is significantly smaller than the opportunity per unit time to receive the first special symbol lottery. Conversely, in the time saving state such as the time saving gaming state or the probability variation gaming state, the opportunity per unit time for receiving the second special symbol lottery is significantly larger than the opportunity per unit time for receiving the first special symbol lottery .

  Therefore, the player wins a big hit in the first special symbol lottery, and in the subsequent special gaming state, the player aims to shift to the probability changing gaming state by causing the gaming ball to enter the specific passage. On the other hand, in the time-saving gaming state and the probability variation gaming state, it is intended to play a game aiming to win a big hit in the second special symbol lottery before each gaming state ends.

  Specifically, in the game board 400, a central structure 420 is provided at the central portion of the game area where the game balls flow down, and the game method (left-handed game) mainly allows the game balls to flow down from the left side of the central structure 420 Method) and a game method (right-handed game method) in which the game balls are made to flow mainly from the right side of the central structure 420 can be selectively performed. In the normal gaming state, the player plays a game according to the left hitting gaming method, and in the time saving gaming state and the probability changing gaming state, it plays the game according to the right hitting gaming method. The lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 are also disposed on the right side of the central structure 420 and play a game by the right hitting game method even in the special gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball can be made to flow down through the left flow-down area 407 by striking the gaming ball with the strength to fly so as not to exceed the return ball prevention mechanism 404 but not the branch position P1. Thus, it can be expected that the game ball enters the upper middle start winning device 431A or the lower middle start winning device 431B. In addition, the game ball can be made to flow down through the right flow down area 408 by striking out the game ball with strength to fly beyond the branch position P2, and the game ball to the big prize device 433 or the big prize device 434 etc. It can be expected to enter. In the normal gaming state, the game ball enters the upper middle starting winning device 431A or the lower middle starting winning device 431B within the range of strength to fly so as to exceed the return ball preventing mechanism 404 but not to branch position P1. The amount of rotational operation of the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5) is adjusted so that the striking strength can be facilitated. In addition, in the special game state, the rotation operation amount of the firing handle 252 is fixed at the maximum rotation operation amount so that the launch strength of the game ball is maximized. In addition, the game ball shot with the strength to fly so as not to exceed the branch position P1 but to the branch position P2 flows down through the midstream area 409 and is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 425. .

  Next, the rear block 104 will be described. 8 and 9 are a rear side perspective view and a rear view showing the pachinko machine 100, respectively. In FIG. 8, the outer frame 101 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear block 104 is configured by attaching another member or device to the base 501. The rear block 104 is supported openably and closably relative to the intermediate block 103 by connecting the base 501 and the intermediate block 103 by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137.

  The rear block 104 rectifies the gaming balls continuously (for example, in one row) on the downstream side of the gaming ball tank 510 as the ball storage portion storing the gaming balls, and aligns them in one row. A tank rail 520 as a ball aligning portion, a case rail 530 as a ball guiding portion for guiding gaming balls introduced from the tank rail 520 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520, payout of gaming balls on the downstream side of the case rail 530 Payout device 540 that executes lending of gaming balls, and guidance as a ball guiding portion that guides gaming balls that flowed out from the payout device 540 on the downstream side of the payout device 540 to a guiding passage (not shown) formed on the base 501 A member 550, a payout control device 560 for controlling the payout of gaming balls by the payout device 540 and the lending of gaming balls, and external power It cooperates with the main control board 920 to control the injection of the game ball based on the function as a power supply unit that converts it into electric power of a predetermined voltage required by a device of the kind and outputs it and the firing operation for the launch operation device 250 A card unit (not shown) disposed on the side of the pachinko machine 100 with a power supply and launch control device 570 having a function as a launch control means, a payout control device 560 and the gaming ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1). And a relay device 950 for relaying the signal between them.

  The base 501 is integrally molded of a resin (for example, an ABS resin), and includes a base portion 502 corresponding to the front side portion and a protective cover portion 503 located rearward of the base portion 502. The upper portion of the base portion 502 is formed in a substantially frame shape along the outer shape of the rear block 104, and the lower portion is formed in a substantially flat shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. Function as a mounting portion to be mounted.

  The protective cover portion 503 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. In addition, the protective cover 503 is not shaped to cover the entire rear surface of the intermediate block 103, and a part of the rear surface of the intermediate block 103 that requires frequent inspection and confirmation, such as a part of the main control device 370 It is set to the size which forms the window for exposing to. On the back surface of the protective cover portion 503, a large number of vent holes 503A having a function of improving the heat dissipation property of the main controller 370 and the sub controller 390 are formed.

  The game ball tank 510 is a horizontally long box-shaped container opened upward, and game balls supplied from a ball circulation device (not shown) of the island facility are sequentially replenished at one end side in the longitudinal direction. An opening (not shown) is formed on one end side of the gaming ball tank 510 in the longitudinal direction different from the side to which the gaming ball is supplied. The bottom surface of the gaming ball tank 510 is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction, and the gaming ball supplied to the gaming ball tank 510 is moved to the opening side by its own weight. In addition, the bottom surface of the gaming ball tank 510 is inclined also in the direction (front and back direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction as compared to the longitudinal direction, leading the gaming ball to the side provided with the opening (for example, the front side) . In addition, a metal antistatic plate (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 so as to overlap the game ball tank 510, and the antistatic plate is connected to the ground potential to The static electricity of the gaming ball on the downstream side is removed.

  The tank rail 520 is attached to the side where the opening of the gaming ball tank 510 is formed, and the gaming ball flows in through the opening of the gaming ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 has a height gradually increasing as the upper surface of the passage formed by the passage forming member 521 and the passage forming member 521 forming the passage of the substantially bowl-shaped game ball having a width passing side by side in the row of gaming balls. A straightening member 522 is provided which has a lower top surface portion and straightens the gaming ball flowing down the passage from the height at which the gaming balls are vertically stacked to a height of one step. The passage formed by the tank rail 520 is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and guides the gaming ball to the opposite side to the gaming ball tank 510.

  The case rail 530 is vertically formed to be continuous with the lower side of the tank rail 520, and gaming balls from the tank rail 520 flow in. The case rail 530 is continuous downward while curving left and right so that the game ball does not flow vigorously. Further, a ball breakage detection switch 539 is attached to an intermediate portion of the ball passage in the case rail 530. The out-of-ball detection switch 539 detects a out-of-ball condition in which gaming balls are not properly replenished in the case rail 530 due to occurrence of clogging or the like on the case rail 530 or the upstream side thereof.

  The payout device 540 includes a delivery mechanism for delivering gaming balls, and a payout motor 542 (see FIG. 10) as drive means for driving the delivery mechanism. In response to the operation of the payout motor 542 based on the control by the payout control device 560, the gaming balls stored in the ball passage are discharged to the downstream side.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the payout control device 560 and the power supply and discharge control device 570 are mounted so as to overlap the lower back surface of the base portion 502 of the base 501 so as to be located at the lower back surface side of the rear block 104. It is done. The rear block 104 including the payout control device 560 and the power / fire control device 570 is continuously available even when the game board 400 is replaced with another game board due to model change or the like.

  The dispensing control device 560 includes a dispensing control substrate 930 (see FIG. 10) and a substrate case for accommodating the dispensing control substrate 930. The dispensing control substrate 930, like the main control substrate 920, leaves no trace of opening. Are housed inside the substrate case sealed so as not to be opened.

  The power and emission control device 570 includes a power and emission control substrate 900 (see FIG. 10) and a substrate case for accommodating the power and emission control substrate 900. The power and emission control substrate 900 is similar to the main control substrate 920. In the inside of the sealed substrate case.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the pachinko machine 100 includes control circuits such as a power / emission control board 900, a power monitoring board 910, a main control board 920, a payout control board 930, and a sub control board 940. In FIG. 10, a relay circuit device that only relays various signals is omitted. In the following, these main control circuit arrangements will be individually described in detail.

  The power / emission control board 900 supplies power of a predetermined voltage to each part of the pachinko machine 100 via a power supply path (broken line in the figure), and a launcher according to the operation of the launch operation device 250 And a signal relay unit 903 for relaying a setting display signal from the main control board 920, an initialization signal from the initialization switch 907, and a sphere overflow signal from the sphere overflow switch 249. Have.

  The power supply unit 901 takes in external power (for example, AC 24 volts) supplied from the outside, converts it into internal power (for example, 24 VDC), and generates various types of power from the internal power. The power generated by the power supply unit 901 is a drive voltage (for example, DC 12 volts) for driving devices such as various solenoids and various motors, and drives various switches or performs control processing. The power of the control voltage (for example, DC 5 volts) for reducing the power, the power of the backup voltage for holding the contents of the RAM of the main control board 920, and the like are included.

  The power supply unit 901 supplies various kinds of power generated from the internal power to the power supply monitoring board 910, the main control board 920, the payout control board 930, the sub control board 940, and the like. Specifically, the power supply monitoring substrate 910 is supplied with power of internal power, driving voltage, control voltage and backup voltage. Power for the drive voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage is supplied to the main control board 920, and the power is supplied via the power monitoring unit 911 of the power monitoring board 910. Power for driving voltage and control voltage is supplied to the payout control substrate 930. Power for drive voltage and control voltage is supplied to the sub control substrate 940. Power of a drive voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the emission control unit 902 and the signal relay unit 903.

  The power supply switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901, and when the power supply switch 909 is in the OFF state, the taking in of the external power is stopped. Note that the pachinko machine is turned off by turning off the power switch 909 or removing a power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 via the power switch 909 from an external power supply outlet (not shown). A state in which the supply of power to the inside of the machine 100 is stopped or a state in which the supply of external power itself is stopped is generically referred to as a “power failure state”. The power supply unit 901 is configured to normally output the power of the control voltage for a predetermined period even after the transition to the power failure state. As a result, the main control board 920 can save the state and end the control so that it can return to the current control state.

  The launch control unit 902 cooperates with the main control board 920 to control the driving of the ball feed solenoid 332 and the launch solenoid 334 of the launch device 330. The ball feeding solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 are permitted to operate when the predetermined conditions are satisfied. Specifically, the fact that the player is touching the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1) is detected based on the touch sensor signal from the touch sensor 254, and the launch stop switch 255 for stopping the launch is The release control unit 902 outputs an on-state release permission signal to the main control board 920 on the condition that it is not operated. The main control board 920 also outputs a firing solenoid control signal and a ball feeding solenoid control signal to the firing control unit 902 based on the firing permission signal and the firing abnormality signal. The launch control unit 902 operates the ball feed solenoid 332 based on the on-state ball feed control signal, and operates the launch solenoid 334 based on the reception of the on-state launch solenoid control signal and the resistance value of the variable resistor 253. Let As a result, the gaming balls are sequentially fired from the launcher 330 at a strength according to the resistance value of the variable resistor 253 (the amount of rotational operation of the launch handle 252).

  When the initialization switch 907 is pressed, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an initialization signal in an on state to the main control board 920. In the main control board 920, the stored information stored in the RAM of the main control board 920 is initialized in response to the reception of the initialization signal in the on state.

  Further, when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state ball overflow signal to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 outputs a low speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the on state, and the payout control board 930 having received the low speed payout signal The rotation speed (the payout speed of the gaming ball from the payout device 540) is reduced. Conversely, the high-speed payout signal is output to the payout control substrate 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the off state, and the payout control substrate 930 that has received the high-speed payout signal increases the rotational speed of the payout motor 542 It will be.

  The power supply monitoring board 910 monitors the power supply monitoring unit 911 that monitors the state of power supply from the power supply and emission control board 900, and supplies power and transfers various signals between the power supply and emission control board 900 and the main control board 920. And a signal relay unit 912 to be relayed. The power supply monitoring unit 911 also outputs a power failure signal to the main control board 920 in response to the transition to the power failure state, and monitors the voltage of the DC stable 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 901. If the state where the voltage is less than 22 volts continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the power is out, and an on-state power failure signal is output to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 recognizes the transition to the power failure state by receiving the power failure signal in the on state.

  The main control board 920 totally controls the operation of the pachinko machine 100. On the main control board 920, an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer is mounted. The MPU includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (not shown) storing various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily when the control program is executed. And the like (not shown) for storing, etc. On the main control board 920, various circuits such as a timer circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown) and a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted. There is. The RAM of the main control board 920 is configured to be able to maintain (back up) the internal data by the power supply of the backup voltage from the power / fire control board 900 even after transition to the power failure state.

  The payout control board 930 controls a payout operation of gaming balls by the payout device 540 in accordance with an instruction from the main control substrate 920 and a lending operation of gaming balls by the payout device 540 in accordance with the operation of the gaming ball lending device 290. Similar to the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 is an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown) and a RAM (not shown), a timer circuit Various circuits such as a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), and a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted. Unlike the RAM of the main control board 920, the RAM of the payout control board 930 is not configured to maintain internal data in a power failure state.

  The sub control board 940 controls operations of various rendering devices, various light emitting devices, various acoustic devices, and the like based on an instruction from the main control substrate 920. The sub control board 940 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting information communicably to other devices, and for example, the main control board 920 can be connected only for information input communication in only one direction. The input operation device 260 is connected bi-directionally to enable information communication, and the decorative symbol display device 479 or the like is connected so as to allow only one-way information output communication.

<Various control processing>
Next, various control processes performed by the main control board 920 will be described. The control processing in the main control board 920 can be roughly divided into a main processing that is started with the recovery from the power failure state, and periodically (in this embodiment, in a 2 ms (millisecond) cycle) the main processing is interrupted and executed And timer interrupt processing.

  First, the main processing performed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the main control board 920 (abbreviated as “main control main processing” in FIG. 11).

  In the main process of the main control board 920, first, a series of control start processes (program start process S1001 to random number initial setting process S1019) for starting up the main control board 920 and initializing various information are executed only once. After that, in the interrupt prohibition process S1020 to prohibit the interrupt, the winning random number initial value counter (a part of the area of RAM) and the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter (a part of the area of the RAM) and the ordinary symbols The random number initial value updating process S1021 for updating the value of the winning random number initial value counter (a part of the area of the RAM) and the first variation type counter to the fourth variation type for determining the variation time, variation pattern, etc. Variation counter update processing S1022 for updating the value of the counter (a partial area of the RAM) and interrupt permission processing S for permitting the interrupt 023 and is repeatedly executed. When a request for timer interrupt occurs before the interrupt permitting process S1023, the timer interrupt process is executed immediately after the interrupt permitting process S1023.

  In a series of control start processes, a program start process S1001 for setting an initial value in a stack pointer (a partial area of the RAM) that controls program execution, an interrupt mode setting process S1002 for setting an interrupt mode, and a payout control board A stand-by process S1003 is performed, which waits for a predetermined time until 930 and the sub control board 940 and the like rise.

  Determination processing S1004 of the output state of the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 of the power supply and emission control board 900 after the start-up waiting processing S1003, determination processing S1005 of the value of the power failure information (a part of the RAM), storage A determination process S1007 of the storage state of the information is performed, and it is determined based on the determination results whether or not the information in substantially the entire area of the RAM is to be erased.

  The storage state of the storage information is determined as follows. First, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated (checksum calculation process S1006), and the power failure monitoring process S1202 is performed with the current checksum value and transition to the previous power failure state (see FIG. 12). It is determined whether or not the exclusive OR with the RAM determination value, which is the 2's complement of the checksum value calculated in (a), is “0” (determination processing S1007). It is determined whether or not the checksum value at the time of transition to the power failure state is the same.

  When the initialization signal is in the on state (S1004: Y), when the power failure information is not a predetermined power failure value indicating that the stored information is saved and ended at the time of transition to the power failure state (S1005: N) If the information is not held normally (S1007: N), a RAM clear process S1008 is executed to erase information of substantially the entire area of the RAM. Hardware that initializes various devices connected to the main control board 920 after it is determined that the stored information is held normally (S1007: Y) or after the RAM clear processing S1008 is performed Wear initialization processing S1009 is executed.

  After the hardware initialization process S1009, a process S1010 of determining whether the power failure information is a power failure value is executed. When the power failure information is a power failure value (S1010: N), a RAM recovery setting process S1011 for initializing various information including recovery of stored information and a recovery command indicating the completion of the setting are set (recovery command Output process S1012). By the return of the held information in the RAM return setting process S1011, the control state of the main control board 920 returns to the control state immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state.

  On the other hand, when the power failure information is not a power failure value (S1010: Y), various information is initialized without returning the held information (RAM initialization processing S1013), and an initialization command indicating the completion of the setting is output (Initialization command output process S1014).

  In the RAM return setting process S1011 and the RAM initial setting process S1013, the power failure information is set to a predetermined conduction value different from the power failure value, and various error conditions such as a fraud detection error immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state. All these error conditions are cleared even if there is a In addition, either the return command or the initialization command is output from both main control board 920 to both the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940, and the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940 receive the return command or the initialization command. A predetermined initialization process is also performed in each of the above.

  If the condition device is activated at the time of transition to the previous power failure state after the initial setting of the RAM (judgment processing S1004 to initialization command output processing S1014) according to the situation at the time of startup, Preparation for returning is performed (special game state return preparation processing S1015). Specifically, in the special game state return preparation process S1015, the operating state of the condition device and the continuous game operating device is determined, and the processing corresponding to the game situation in the power failure state is executed in the sub control board 940 Ru.

  After the special game state return preparation processing S1015, it is determined whether the time saving state or the non-time saving state is determined by determining whether the time saving state flag is set (determination processing S1016), the time saving state In the case (S1016: Y), the time saving command is output (time reducing command output process S1017). On the other hand, when it is in the non-time-short state (S1016: N), a non-time-short command is output (non-time-short command output processing S1018). Thereafter, the value of the winning random number counter (a part of the area of the RAM) relating to the special symbol is initialized (random number initialization process S1019).

  Next, timer interrupt processing executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process (abbreviated as "main control interrupt process" in the figure) executed by the main control board 920.

  In the timer interrupt process of the main control board 920, first, an interrupt start process S1201 for starting a timer interrupt is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the interrupt control register. As a result, interrupts other than this timer interrupt are prohibited. Thereafter, a power failure monitoring process S1202 to an external information output process S1221 relating to the substantial control of the pachinko machine 100 are sequentially executed. However, when the game progress is stopped based on various types of fraud detection (S1207: Y), control signal output processing S1208 to external information output processing S1221 are not executed. Finally, the interrupt permitting process S1222 for permitting the next timer interrupt is executed, and the current timer interrupt process is completed. In the following, various major processes are individually described.

  In the power failure monitoring process S1202, the value of the power failure information (a part of the area of the RAM) is updated based on the output state of the power failure signal output from the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring substrate 910. Specifically, the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed over three times, and it is determined that the power is off when the on state is detected for all three times. If it is not determined in this determination that there is a power failure state, the power failure information is maintained at the energization value.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the power failure monitoring process S1202 that a power failure state has occurred, the following process is executed. First, the value of the power failure information is changed from the energization value set in the RAM restoration setting processing S1011 or the RAM initialization processing S1013 (see FIG. 11) to a predetermined power failure value. Further, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated, and the two's complement of the checksum value is set as the RAM determination value. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 enters an infinite loop in which substantially no processing is performed, and the state of the RAM after the RAM determination value is set is held based on the backup power. In addition, since the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed over three times, each processing of the timer interrupt is performed twice after the reception of the power failure signal is detected for the first time.

  In the random number updating process S1203, the winning random number counter relating to the special symbol, the jackpot symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter relating to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number counter relating to the special symbol is a value different from the prescribed maximum value (for example, "576"), it is changed to a value larger than the current value by "1" and the special symbol When the value of the winning random number counter pertaining to is the prescribed maximum value, the value is changed to the prescribed minimum value (“0”). However, if the value after change is the same value as the circulation initial value for the winning random number counter pertaining to the special symbol, the value of the winning random number counter pertaining to the special symbol is the same as the winning random number initial value counter pertaining to the special symbol The circulation initial value is also set to the same value as the winning random number initial value counter.

  The jackpot symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter pertaining to the normal symbol are also updated in the same manner as the winning random number counter pertaining to the special symbol. However, a unique value is set for each counter as the update range defined by the prescribed maximum value and the prescribed minimum value of each counter, and a plurality of counters are asynchronously updated, and the cyclic initial value for each counter is set. The value is referred to an initial value counter specific to each counter. For example, the winning random number counter pertaining to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter pertaining to the special symbol have the same range of values, and the big hit symbol random number counter and the big hit symbol random number initial value counter have the same range of values, The range of values is the same between the winning random number counter pertaining to the normal symbol and the winning random number initial value counter pertaining to the normal symbol.

  In the random number initial value updating process S1204, the winning random number initial value counter, the big hit symbol random number initial value counter, and the winning random number initial value counter according to the ordinary symbol according to the special symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number initial value counter pertaining to the special symbol is a value different from the prescribed maximum value (for example, "576"), the value is changed to a value larger than the current value by "1". When the value of the winning random number initial value counter relating to the symbol is the prescribed maximum value, it is changed to the prescribed minimum value (“0”). Also for the symbol random number initial value counter pertaining to the special symbol and the win random number initial value counter pertaining to the normal symbol, except that the prescribed maximum value and the prescribed minimum value are values unique to those counters, the win random number initial condition pertaining to the special symbol It is updated in the same way as the value counter.

  In the fluctuation counter updating process S1205, the values of the first fluctuation type counter to the fourth fluctuation type counter for determining the fluctuation time, the fluctuation pattern, and the like are updated. Specifically, when the value of the first variation type counter is a value different from the prescribed maximum value (for example, “187”), the value is changed to a value larger than the current value by “1”, and the first variation When the value of the type counter is the prescribed maximum value, it is changed to the prescribed minimum value (“0”). The second variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter are also updated in the same manner as the first variation type counter except that the prescribed maximum value and the prescribed minimum value are values unique to those counters. Be done.

  In the game stop determination process S1206, when the fraud detection information is a fraud detection value, the game stop value is updated, and various information for stopping the game progress is set. On the other hand, when the injustice detection information is not the injustice detection value or is already the game stop value, the game stop determination process S1206 is ended without executing the substantial process. The fraud detection information is set to a fraud detection value when occurrence of various frauds is detected in the fraud detection process S1211. Further, in the determination processing S1207, it is determined whether or not the game is being stopped depending on whether or not the fraud detection information is the game stop value.

  In control signal output processing S1208, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, relates to the special symbol display device 471 according to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 according to the second special symbol, and the ordinary symbol A signal for controlling various notification devices such as the normal symbol display device 473 is output. Also, based on control data stored in the output buffer, various actuators such as the ball feed solenoid 332, the firing solenoid 334, the right approach regulating solenoid 462, the lower approach regulating solenoid 463, the upper approach regulating solenoid 464, the switching solenoid 465, etc. A signal to control is output.

  In switch reading process S1209, the middle start winning switch 441A, 441B, right start winning switch 442, lower large winning switch 443, upper large winning switch 444, combination operation switch 445, start switch 446, non-specific path switch 447, specified The signal state from each of the passage switch 448 and the general winning switches 449A and 449B is read, and a change in the detection state of the gaming ball by the various switches is detected.

  Specifically, in the switch read process S1209, signal states from various switches are read twice into the input buffer (a part of the area of the RAM) at predetermined time intervals, and signals from various switches are read. Each time, the first signal state read (hereinafter abbreviated as "first signal state") and the second time signal state read (hereinafter abbreviated as "second signal state") A change in the detection state of the various switches is detected based on the detection state detected by the previous timer interrupt (abbreviated as "preceding detection state" hereinafter). Then, for each switch, when the previous detection state is in the off state, when the first signal state is in the on state and the second signal state is in the on state, it is determined to be the on state transition Then, a detection flag (a partial area of the RAM) corresponding to the type of switch is set. As described in the power failure monitoring process S1202, even if the power supply is stopped, each processing of the timer interrupt is executed twice, so that the on state of various switches is immediately after the power supply is stopped. Even when it is started, detection flags of various switches can be set accurately.

  In the timer update process S1210, various timers (a predetermined area of the RAM) used for variable display of special symbols and normal symbols, control of each gaming state, and fraud monitoring are updated.

  In the fraud detection process S1211, a fraudulent action is detected, such as forcing the game ball into the various winning devices or forcing the various winning devices. Specifically, movement of the right start winning device 432, the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 to the compulsory entry permitted posture, the induction of the gaming ball to the specific passage of the lower large winning device 433 by excitation. , Induction of forced malfunction of the right start winning device 432, the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 by radio waves, induction of gaming balls to various winning devices by magnetic adsorption, upper middle starting winning device 431A, In the situation where there is a high possibility that fraudulent action such as induction of game balls at abnormal timing to lower middle start winning device 431 B, right starting winning device 432, lower large winning device 433 and upper large winning device 434 Detect the occurrence.

  In the prize detection response process S1212, control based on detection of gaming balls by various switches provided on the gaming board 400 is executed. Specifically, when the medium start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) and the lower middle start winning switch 441B (see FIG. 10) The middle start winning counter (a predetermined area of the RAM) and the first payout counter (a predetermined area of the RAM) are updated. Further, when the right start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the gaming ball by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10), the first payout counter is updated. Also, when the lower large winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the gaming ball by the lower large winning switch 443 (see FIG. 10), or for the detection of the gaming ball by the upper large winning switch 444 (see FIG. 10) When the upper large winning switch detection flag is set on the basis, the large winning counter (a predetermined area of the RAM) and the second payout counter (a predetermined area of the RAM) are updated.

  In the launch control process S1213, launch related information for controlling the launch of the game ball by the launch device 330 is updated. Specifically, the activation flag of the ball feeding solenoid 332 that drives the ball feeding mechanism 331 and the activation flag of the firing solenoid 334 that drives the firing mechanism 333 are updated.

  In the input signal monitoring process S1214, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 108 (see FIG. 10) via the payout control substrate 930, an intermediate block is generated for the outer frame 101 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). It is detected whether 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is closed. Also, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 109 via the payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10), the front block 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) with respect to the intermediate block 103 (see FIGS. It is detected whether or not 3) is closed.

  In the payout state monitoring process S1215, information indicating the payout control state output from the payout control board 930 is monitored, and various payout state commands according to the payout control state are set as necessary. The sub control board 940 that has received the payout status command causes the decorative symbol display device 479, the upper left acoustic device 281, the upper right acoustic device 282, and the like to execute notification according to the type of the payout status command.

  In the payout signal output process S1216, various award ball commands are set based on the values of the first payout counter and the second payout counter as necessary, and are output to the payout control board 930. The first payout counter and the second payout counter are updated according to the setting of the winning ball command. For example, the first payout counter is incremented by one each time a gaming ball corresponding to one winning is detected, and is decremented by one each time a winning ball command based on the winning is set. In the payout control board 930, each time the control for paying out the number (for example, three) of game balls corresponding to the winning is executed (specifically, slightly before the payout is completed), the main control board 920 receives an award. In the situation where the ball command is requested and the payout of the winning balls continues, the further control of the winning ball command is outputted from the main control board 920. The second payout counter is a counter updated corresponding to the winning (for example, 13) having a different number of winning balls from the first payout counter, and the payout control board is based on the value of the second payout counter. If 930 is received, the payout control board 930 executes control to pay out the game balls for the number of minutes corresponding to the winning ball command.

  In special symbol related processing S1217, hold control of the right of the unit game concerning the first special symbol and control of the unit game concerning the first special symbol are executed. Specifically, in the hold control of the right of the unit game pertaining to the first special symbol, operation control of the special symbol hold display device 476 pertaining to the first special symbol is executed. In addition, in the control of the unit game concerning the first special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 471 pertaining to the first special symbol is executed, and when the big hit is won in the first special symbol lottery, the lower prize winning device The operation control of the 433 and the big winning device 434 is further executed.

  Further, in the special symbol related processing S1217, the hold control of the right of the unit game concerning the second special symbol and the control of the unit game concerning the second special symbol are executed. Specifically, in the hold control of the right of the unit game according to the second special symbol, operation control of the special symbol hold display device 477 according to the second special symbol is executed. In addition, in the control of the unit game concerning the second special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 472 pertaining to the second special symbol is executed, and when the big hit is won in the second special symbol lottery, the lower prize winning device The operation control of the 433 and the big winning device 434 is further executed.

  In normal symbol related processing S1218, hold control of the right of unit game related to the normal symbol and control of unit game related to the normal symbol are executed. Specifically, in the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol hold display device 478 is executed. In addition, in the control of the unit game concerning the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol display device 473 concerning the normal symbol is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the operation control of the right start winning device 432 is further executed .

  In display control processing S1219, special symbol display device 471 concerning the first special symbol in special symbol related processing S1217, special symbol display device 472 concerning the second special symbol, special symbol hold display device 476 concerning the first special symbol, and Based on various information updated to control the operation of the special symbol holding display device 477 and the like according to the second special symbol, output data for specifically operating those devices is synthesized. The synthesized output data is output to each device in control signal output processing S1208 based on the next timer interrupt.

  In motor control processing S1220, operation control of various motors is executed. In external information output processing S1221, output data to be output to an external device such as a data display device (not shown) electrically connected to the pachinko machine 100 or a management device (not shown) is set.

<Reduction of fluctuation in the number of winning>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, a configuration capable of suppressing an excessive change in the number of gaming balls entering the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434 due to the adjustment of the launch strength of the player explain. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged front view of the upper portion of the game board 400. As shown in FIG. 14 to 16 are explanatory views showing the behavior of the gaming ball in the upper part of the gaming board 400. FIG.

  In the game board 400, as shown in FIG. 7, a game area generally divided by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 is formed, and in the game area, various structures such as the central structure 420 and the like, and Various devices such as the big winning device 433 and the top big winning device 434 are provided. The flight of the game ball in the game area is determined by the launch strength when launched from the launch device 330 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) and the shape of the outer rail 402. Here, “flight of the game ball” means movement until the game ball beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 comes into contact with a member other than the outer rail 402. The launch strength of the gaming ball launched from the launch device 330 is proportional to the rotation operation amount of the launch handle 252 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) of the launch operation device 250, and the maximum rotation operation amount of the launch handle 252 is approximately 120 degrees. It is. When the firing handle 252 is rotated by the player, the gaming balls are fired from the launching device 330 at intervals of approximately 0.6 seconds. Even when the firing handle 252 is being rotated by the player, when the firing stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) is pressed, the launch of the game ball is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inclination of the arc-shaped portion (the inclination of the tangent of the outer rail 402 with respect to the left-right direction of the pachinko machine 100) that defines the upper boundary of the game area in the outer rail 402 is an arrangement of the return ball prevention mechanism 404. It is an upward slope of approximately 50 degrees in the vicinity thereof, and is a downward slope of approximately 45 degrees in the vicinity where the anti-recoil member 405 is disposed. The game ball launched from the launcher 330 with maximum strength flies along the arc-shaped portion of the outer rail 402. In the following, the trajectory of the gaming ball hit with the maximum strength is referred to as the "maximum trajectory".

  At the top of the central structure 420, as shown in FIG. 13, at the maximum height position of the central structure 420, a branch position P1 opposite to a portion where the inclination of the outer rail 402 is approximately 5 degrees rising to the right From the left, the left wall 421 is formed. The branch position P1 is the maximum width from the left end T1 of the game area based on the maximum width W (see FIG. 7) between the left end T1 (see FIG. 7) and the right end T2 (see FIG. 7) of the game area. The position is about 45% the width of W on the center side.

  The game ball hit with a strength (approximately 20% or more and less than 45% of the maximum strength) exceeding the return ball prevention mechanism 404 but not the branch position P1 is greater than the portion facing the branch position P1 in the outer rail 402 It breaks away from the maximum trajectory in the front and collides with the nail 411 and the left wall 421 and flows down the left flow-down region 407 formed on the left outer edge side of the central structure 420.

  In the upper part of the central structural body 420, a right-falling right wall portion 422 of about 40 degrees from the branch position P2 facing the part where the inclination of the outer rail 402 is 40 degrees downward to the right is formed. The branch position P2 is a position to the right of the left end T1 of the game area by about 80% of the maximum width W, based on the maximum width W of the game area. The game balls hit with a strength (75% or more of the maximum strength) exceeding the branch position P2 flow down the right flow area 408.

  Specifically, the gaming ball hit with the maximum strength flies along the maximum flight trajectory, collides with the anti-recoil member 405, and starts the flow down of the right flow down area 408. In addition, since the momentum of the gaming ball is substantially completely stopped by the collision against the anti-recoil member 405, the flow-down is started with the initial velocity substantially absent.

  In addition, a game ball hit in a predetermined strength range (more than 80% of the maximum strength and less than the maximum strength) weaker than the maximum strength takes a maximum trajectory at a slower speed than when hit at the maximum strength. It flies along the anti-recoil member 405 and starts to flow down in the right down flow area 408. After colliding with the anti-recoil member 405, it flows down the right down flow area 408 in substantially the same behavior as the game ball hit with the maximum strength. The time from the launch by the launcher 330 to the arrival at the anti-recoil member 405 is longer because the flight speed of the game ball is slower than when it is launched with the maximum strength, but the time difference is This is a very short time (e.g., approximately 0.05 seconds when struck at 80% of the maximum strength) as compared to the shortest firing interval (approximately 0.6 seconds) of the gaming ball from the device 330. Furthermore, the behavior after hitting the anti-recoil member 405 is almost the same as when hit at the maximum strength, so that the game ball hit in a range of 80% or more of the maximum strength and less than the maximum strength. The behavior is substantially the same as the game ball launched at maximum strength.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the gaming ball launched in a weaker predetermined strength range (range of 75% or more of maximum strength and less than 80% of maximum strength) deviates from the maximum trajectory on the way and is a right wall It collides with the part 422 and starts flowing down in the downstream flow region 408. However, the game ball that has collided with the right wall portion 422 recoils toward the recoil preventing member 405 and collides with the recoil preventing member 405, and then flies along the maximum flight path and recoils directly. In the same manner as in the case of collision with the preventing member 405, it flows down the right downstream region 408. In addition, since the flight speed of the game ball is slower than when hit with the maximum strength, the hit trajectory is hit with the maximum strength to hit the right wall 422 once and then hit the recoil preventing member 405. In order to be longer than that in the case where it takes longer, the time taken by the launcher 330 to reach the anti-recoil member 405 is longer than when it is launched at its maximum strength. However, the time difference is a very short time (e.g., about 0.07 seconds when struck at 75% of maximum strength) compared to the firing interval of the gaming balls from the launcher 330. Furthermore, since the behavior after collision with the anti-recoil member 405 is substantially the same as when striking at the maximum strength, the behavior is at least 75% of the maximum strength and less than 80% of the maximum strength. The behavior of the gaming ball is not significantly different from that of the gaming ball hit at maximum strength.

  Furthermore, in the upper part of the central structure 420, it curves downward from the right end (branch position P1) of the left wall 421 between the left wall 421 and the right wall 422, and the left end of the right wall 422 A middle wall portion 423 is formed down to the lower side of the branch position P2), and a step wall portion 424 is formed between the right end of the middle wall portion 423 and the left end of the right wall portion 422. Further, a discharge port 425 is formed at the right end of the middle wall portion 423 and on the left side of the stepped wall portion 424. A middle flow down area 409 is constituted by the middle wall portion 423, the step wall portion 424 and the discharge port 425.

  A game ball punched out in a predetermined strength range (45% or more of the maximum strength and less than 75% of the maximum strength) deviates from the maximum trajectory on the way and collides with the middle wall portion 423 or the step wall portion 424, The downflow in the midstream region 409 is started. The gaming balls that collided with the middle wall portion 423 are guided along the middle wall portion 423 to the discharge port 425. The inclination angle of the step wall portion 424 is substantially perpendicular to the tangent line in the vicinity of the right end of the middle wall portion 423, and the gaming ball flowing down along the middle wall portion 423 collides with the step wall portion 424. However, even if it returns along the middle wall part 423, it does not exceed the branch position P2. Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, even if recoil occurs due to a collision with the middle wall portion 423, the middle wall portion 423 has a shape in which the slope becomes steeper as it gets farther to the right from the branch position P1. Even if the game ball collides at any position of the middle wall portion 423, it recoils only at a thin angle with the middle wall portion 423 and recoils toward the discharge port 425. As a result, even if recoil occurs due to a collision against the middle wall portion 423, recoil that exceeds the branch position P2 substantially does not occur.

  On the other hand, the game ball which collided with the step wall portion 424 recoils to the middle wall portion 423 side and further collides with the middle wall portion 423 and the outer rail 402 or moves to the branch position P1 side along the middle wall portion 423 Do. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, as a result of moving to the branch position P1 side along the middle wall portion 423, it enters the maximum trajectory of the gaming ball (area between the broken line L1 and the outer rail 402) or branches Although the position P1 may be exceeded, the movement beyond the branch position P2 does not occur. In addition, the distance between the outer rail 402 and the middle wall portion 423 is longer than the diameter of the gaming ball at any position so that the gaming ball rolling along the bending portion 11 does not enter the maximum trajectory completely. ing. As a result, even if a collision between the following game ball and the preceding game ball occurs, it does not collide in a state where it is aligned in the flight direction of the following game ball, and each of those game balls is then It will not travel along the maximum trajectory.

  Here, the operation of the upper large winning device 434 and the lower large winning device 433 and the detection of the game ball entering them will be described.

  When a big hit is won by the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the mode of the special game state is determined, and the mode is shifted to the determined special game state. Specifically, it becomes a short game (6 rounds in the present embodiment) special gaming state with a small number of continuation rounds, or a long game (16 rounds in the present embodiment) with a large number of continuous rounds. In each round of the special gaming state, when the maximum entry permitted time (29.5 seconds in this form) has elapsed, or, a prescribed number (eight balls in this form) of game balls is the top winning switch 444 (see FIG. 10) The upper large winning device 434 and the lower large winning device 433 change from the entry permitted state to the entry prohibited state when they are detected by the lower large winning switch 443 (see FIGS. 10 and 14). In addition, normally, when a predetermined number of gaming balls are detected by the upper large winning switch 444 and the lower large winning switch 443, the entry permission state is changed to the entry prohibition state.

  The upper entry restriction mechanism 454 is inclined so that the upper end protrudes forward in the entry permission state of the upper winning device 434, and the entry of the game ball is possible through the entrance wider than the diameter of the game ball. It has become. The gaming ball having reached the top prize winning device 434 is guided backward by the top entry regulation mechanism 454 (see FIG. 7) and enters from the entrance. Inside the upper prize winning device 434, a back guide passage is formed at the center side slightly from the right end to guide the game ball to the back. In addition, a left inclined passage portion inclined downward to the right on the left side of the back guide passage portion and a right inclined passage portion inclined downward to the left on the right side of the back guide passage portion are formed. The upper prize switch 444 for detecting gaming balls entering the upper prize winning device 434 is provided in the back guide passage portion, and the gaming balls entering the upper prize winning device 434 are the left inclined passage portion and the left inclined passage. After being guided by the unit in the lateral direction toward the inner guide passage, and further guided by the inner guide passage, the upper prize switch 444 is detected. That is, there is a predetermined time (for example, about 0.2 seconds) between the game ball entering the upper winning device 434 and the detection by the upper winning switch 444. As a result, before the game balls corresponding to the end of the specified number are detected by the upper winning switch 444, a case may occur where another game ball enters the upper winning device 434. In the same manner, for the lower prize device 433, another gaming ball may enter the lower prize device 433 before the game ball corresponding to the end of the specified number is detected by the lower prize switch 443. It will be possible.

  Next, the operation and effects of the pachinko machine 100 described above will be described.

  In the pachinko machine 100, even if the game ball is launched with a range of strength (45% or more of the maximum strength) larger than the range of launch strength not to exceed the left wall portion 421 in the normal gaming state, A game ball hit with a part of the range (45% or more and less than 75% of the maximum strength) proceeds to the right flow area 408 where it may enter the lower prize device 433 or the upper prize device 434 do not do. That is, the range of launch strengths for smoothly advancing the game in the special gaming state in which the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 operate is not all the range other than the range of the launch strength in the normal gaming state, It is limited to a partial range beyond the branch position P2. In addition, even if the striking strength is changed within the limited range of strength (75% or more of the maximum strength), as described above, the behavior of the flow of the gaming ball continues to strike at the maximum strength, and a large change occurs. It is configured not to. By this, even if two game balls are hit one after another with low strength and high strength, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of flow-down through the right flow-down area 408 where the following game ball catches up with the preceding game ball As a result, it is possible to suppress the game balls from entering the lower large winning device 433 and the upper large winning device 434 substantially simultaneously. Therefore, the variation in the number of gaming balls entering the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434 can be suppressed, and fairness among players can be secured.

  As described above, after the game ball enters the lower prize device 433 or the upper prize device 434, it is detected by the lower prize switch 443 or the upper prize switch 444, and the lower prize device 433 or the upper prize is detected. If a predetermined time difference occurs before the winning device 434 changes to the entry prohibited state, and the number of gaming balls smaller by one than the prescribed number has already entered, the plurality of gaming balls are inferior. When reaching the winning device 433 or the large winning device 434 substantially at the same time, it is possible for the player to play the game, although a situation may occur in which both of the gaming balls enter the lower winning device 433 or the upper winning device 434. Even adjusting the launch intensity of the ball can not purposely promote the occurrence of such a situation.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 100, there is a case where the preceding gaming ball is positioned so as to enter into the maximum flight trajectory after leaving the maximum flight trajectory once (when flying to the step wall portion 424), and the following gaming balls are If it collides with the preceding game ball, not only the preceding game ball but also the following game ball will be guided to the discharge port 425. By this, by adjusting the launch strength of the game ball, the preceding game ball is made to flow down so that the subsequent game ball catches up, and the game ball is made to enter the lower big prize device 433 and the upper big prize device 434 substantially simultaneously. You can also penalize players who try to When attempting to launch such a game, it is possible not only to waste the preceding game ball and the subsequent game ball, but also to allow the game ball to enter the lower prize device 433 or the upper prize device 434. It is because it will be wasted.

  In addition, once the situation where the preceding game ball collides with the subsequent game ball occurs, those game balls will also stay in the middle falling area 409, and the game balls continuously hit by the subsequent game balls are It becomes more likely to collide with the game ball hit earlier than the game ball. This makes it easy to continue the situation where gaming balls launched later than the subsequent gaming balls can not substantially exceed the branch position P2 sequentially. When such a situation occurs, it is necessary to temporarily stop the launch of the gaming balls and wait until all the gaming balls staying in the middle falling area 409 are discharged from the discharge port 425. In addition, it becomes easy to happen that the game ball can not be made to enter the specified number in the current entry permitted state of the upper large winning device 434, and enters the specified number up to the specified number even in the next transition to the entry permitted state. It also tends to occur if it can not be done.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and may be modified and implemented as described below, for example. In this case, each configuration described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or a plurality of configurations described below may be combined and applied to the above embodiment.

  Hereinafter, various modifications will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 23 as appropriate. Each of FIG. 13 to FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged front view showing an upper portion of the game board 400 according to various modifications.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the middle wall portion 423 is smoothly curved so that the inclination angle increases with distance from the branch position P1, but the game ball is preferably guided to the discharge port 425 From the point of view, the configuration such as the middle wall portion 423 is not necessarily required. For example, it may be configured to form a curved portion that smoothly curves so that the inclination angle decreases with distance from the branch position P1, or may be configured to be inclined at a certain angle from the branch position P1.

  (2) In the above embodiment, although the inner wall portion 423 guides the game ball to the outlet 425 formed on the right end side, the outlet 425 is necessarily formed at the right end of the inner wall portion 423. There is no need for the middle wall portion 423 to guide the gaming ball to the right end side. For example, a discharge port is formed below the branch position P1 and an inner wall is formed to guide the game ball from the branch position P2 to the left side, and the game ball rolling on the middle wall is a branch position It is good also as composition formed in the level difference wall part controlled so that P2 side may not be exceeded. In addition, a discharge port is formed on the lower side between the branch position P1 and the branch position P2, and the game ball is guided to the right from the branch position P1 side, and the game ball is guided to the left from the branch position P2 side The middle wall portion may be formed, and a step wall portion may be formed which restricts the game balls rolling on the middle wall portion not to exceed the branch position P2 side.

  (3) In the above embodiment, when the game ball collides with the step wall portion 424, it may be recoiled to return to the maximum flight trajectory, but the game ball which has once deviated from the maximum flight trajectory is not always necessary. There is no need to return to the maximum flight trajectory. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a recoil preventing member 406 similar to the recoil preventing member 405 is further provided on the surface of the step wall portion 424, and the gaming ball once deviated from the maximum flight trajectory becomes the maximum flight trajectory. It is good also as composition which does not return. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, while forming an inner wall portion 426A similar to the inner wall portion 423, a substantially vertical wall portion 426B connecting the left end of the inner wall portion 426A and the branch position P1 is formed. The game ball may not enter the maximum trajectory even if the game ball is in contact at any position of the middle wall portion 426A. As described above, if the game ball which has once deviated from the maximum flight trajectory does not enter the maximum flight trajectory, even if the game ball is flowing down the middle flow-down area 409, the game is launched later than the game ball. It can prevent the influence on the flight of the ball. Thereby, for example, when the game ball has flowed down the middle falling area 409 against the intention of the player due to the adhesion of dirt on the game ball, the unstable operation of the game ball launch device 330, etc. It is possible to guide to the discharge port 425, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of causing undue disadvantage to the player who plays a game by an appropriate operation. It should be noted that a ball storage portion capable of storing a fixed number of gaming balls may be installed on the downstream side of the discharge port 425 through which the gaming balls having entered the midstream area 409 are discharged. The manager of the game arcade can grasp the number of game balls stored in the ball storage unit, and dirt may be attached to the game balls, or the game ball launch device 330 performs an unstable operation. It is possible to easily cope with the situation where the game ball enters the flow-down area 409.

  (4) In the above embodiment, as the distance from the branch position P1 to the right increases the distance between the outer rail 402 and the middle wall portion 423 and the gaming ball rolling along the middle wall portion 423 is released from the maximum trajectory. The configuration is such that the gaming balls rolling along the middle wall do not necessarily have to be configured to be separated from the maximum trajectory. For example, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the middle wall portion 427 or the middle wall portion 428 that has the same curved shape as the outer rail 402 and the distance between the outer rail 402 and the middle wall portion 423 is substantially uniform. Even if the gaming balls are in contact at any position of the middle wall portion 427 or the middle wall portion 428, the game ball may enter the maximum trajectory. With this configuration, the leading game ball hit with 45% or more of the maximum strength and less than 75% of the maximum strength over a long period of time is thereafter 75% or more of the maximum strength and less than the maximum strength. It can be made to stay so as to inhibit the progression of the following game balls that have been hit. As a result, the preceding game ball and the subsequent game ball can collide with each other with high probability, and as a result, both game balls can be guided to the discharge port 425 with high frequency. In the case of the middle wall portion 427 shown in FIG. 19, it will be separated from the maximum trajectory before entering the discharge port 425, but in the case of the middle wall portion 428 shown in FIG. Even in the process of entering the discharge port 425, the vehicle enters the maximum trajectory, and the latter can inhibit the progress of the following game balls compared to the former.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the uneven structure (the middle wall portion 423 and the step wall portion 424) in the upper portion of the central structure 420 is branched to which of the right downstream region 408 and the midstream region 409 to flow down. However, the central structure 420 does not necessarily have to branch the flow destination of the game ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the nails may be arranged in a predetermined arrangement above the central structure 420 to form a right wall 422 'for branching the advance destination of the game ball, and Although not shown, a member separate from the central structure 420 may be disposed above the central structure 420 to branch the flow-down end of the gaming ball.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the game balls punched out in the predetermined strength range (the strength which exceeds the branch position P1 but does not exceed the branch position P2) are guided to the discharge port 425. There is no need to form For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the strip 481 having magnets (not shown) arranged at regular intervals, the drivers 482 and 483 for driving the strip 481, and the circumferential path of the strip are adjusted. Rotating balls 484 and 485 are provided, and the game balls shot in a predetermined strength range are adsorbed by the magnet of the band 481 and guided to flow down the left side of the central structure 420 beyond the branch position P1. It is good also as composition. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, a rotor 491 having magnets 492 arranged at regular intervals and a driver 493 for driving the rotor 491 are provided and punched out in a predetermined strength range The game ball may be attracted by the magnet 492 and guided so as to flow down the left side of the central structure 420 beyond the branch position P1. With these configurations, it is possible to stay in the state where the preceding game ball is in the maximum flight trajectory so as to inhibit the progress of the subsequent game ball for a predetermined period. Therefore, the preceding game ball and the following game ball can be collided with each other at high frequency, and the above-mentioned penalty can be positively imposed. Although the case where the gaming balls are guided to flow down the left side of the central structure 420 by the magnets of the strip 481 and the magnets 492 of the rotating body 491 has been described, the game balls are projected outward from the strip or rotating body The game ball may be guided to flow down the left side of the central structure 420 by forming a holding piece that can hold the game ball.

  (7) The present invention may be implemented on a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiment. For example, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine in which the jackpot expectation value can be increased until the jackpot state occurs a plurality of times (for example, twice, three times) including the jackpot once. In addition, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine to be in a special gaming state, with a requirement that a ball be won in a predetermined area. Moreover, you may implement to the enclosed type pachinko machine with which a ball | bowl circulates. Furthermore, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as an arrange ball type pachinko machine and a ball ball. Further, the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be applied to a slot machine, or may be applied to a game machine such as a parrot of a type in which the pachinko machine and the slot machine are integrated.

<Inventions Extracted from the Above Embodiments>
Hereinafter, the features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in each of the above-described embodiments is appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the configuration is not limited to the specific configuration illustrated in the parentheses or the like. In addition, the meanings and examples of the terms described in the respective features may be applied as the meanings and examples of the terms described in the other features described in the same word.

  In the conventional gaming machine, the entry permission state which allows entry of the game ball when the predetermined condition is satisfied is taken, and the entry prohibition which prohibits entry of the game ball when the specified number of game balls enter in the entry permission state is prohibited A configuration is known that is provided with a variable winning device that takes a state, and if the game ball is launched with a strength different from that at the normal time, the gaming ball can smoothly enter the variable winning device.

  In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, although the game balls exceeding the specified number may enter the entrance (variable winning opening) of the variable winning device, the number of occurrences thereof fluctuates excessively according to the operation of the player. Is not desirable and there is room for improvement in this regard.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, for example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the change in the number of gaming balls entering the variable winning opening.

<Feature 11>
Entry of game media is permitted based on launch means (game ball launch device 330) for firing game media (eg, game balls) with variable strength and establishment of predetermined conditions (eg, transition to a special game state) A variable winning opening (eg, an entrance to the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434) in which entry is prohibited based on entry of a predetermined number of game media, and a first predetermined intensity from the launching means A first flow-down area (for example, the left flow-down area 407) where game media fired in the area flow down, and a predetermined second strength which is stronger than the strength of the first strength range from the launch means and includes maximum strength And a second flow-down area (e.g., right flow-down area 408) in which gaming media fired in a range can flow to the variable winning opening,
The game medium which has been fired in the third strength range between the first strength range and the second strength range from the firing means is acted on, and is fired in the first downflow area and the second downflow area. A game machine characterized by having a disadvantage generating means (e.g., the inner wall portion 423 and the step wall portion 424) which causes a disadvantage (e.g., guidance to the outlet 425) more than in the case.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 11, when the game medium is fired in the third strength range less than the second strength range even if the strength is more than the first strength range, the disadvantage generation means is: The game media is prevented from flowing down the second flow-down area, and the subsequent flow-down ball is prevented from flowing down the second flow-down area even if the subsequent game balls fired subsequently to the game ball are fired in the third intensity range In order to generate such disadvantages, it is possible to make it impossible to change the occurrence frequency of the flow down such that a plurality of continuously launched game media enter the variable winning opening almost simultaneously by adjusting the launch intensity of the game media. . This makes it possible to suppress the variation in the number of gaming balls entering the variable winning opening, and as a result, it is possible to secure the fairness of the game among the players.

<Feature 12>
11. The gaming machine according to the feature 11, wherein the disadvantage generating means forms a third flow-down area (for example, a middle flow-down area 409) in which game media fired in the third strength range can not enter the variable winning opening.

  According to the gaming machine according to the feature 12, even when the strength exceeds the first strength range, when the game medium is fired in the third strength range less than the second strength range, the disadvantage generation means In order to allow game media to flow down through the third flow-down area so that the game medium can not enter the variable winning opening, occurrence of situations in which a plurality of game media launched consecutively enter the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously is extremely well suppressed. it can. In addition, even if the strength exceeds the first strength range, the game media fired in the third strength range less than the second strength range will be wasted, so by adjusting the firing strength, a plurality of games can be adjusted. It is possible to suppress an attempt to make the medium approach the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously.

<Feature 13>
And at least one winning opening different from the variable winning opening,
The gaming machine according to the feature 12, wherein the gaming ball flowing down the third flow-down area is guided to a discharge port without entering any of the variable winning hole and the at least one winning hole.

  According to the gaming machine according to the feature 13, when the game medium is fired in the third intensity range less than the second intensity range even if the intensity exceeds the first intensity range, the disadvantage generating unit is In order not only to prevent the game media from entering the variable winning opening but also to allow it to flow so as not to produce any other benefit, a plurality of game media are adjusted to the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously by adjusting the firing intensity. Attempts to get in can be better suppressed. In addition, when the attempt is made, a penalty will be given.

<Feature 14>
The first wall (for example, the left wall 421) to which the gaming media fired in the first strength range can reach and the second wall to which the gaming media fired in the second strength range can reach And a structure (central structure 420), which has a portion (right wall portion 422) and divides the first flow-down region and the second flow-down region,
The disadvantage generating means is located above the structure and between the first wall and the second wall from the upper end of any one of the first wall and the second wall. A discharge port (e.g., a discharge port 425) for discharging game media to the outside of the gaming machine, which is formed at a low position, and a third wall which is formed on the top of the structure and guides the game medium to the discharge port. A fourth part (for example, the inner wall part 423) and an upper part of the structure, which prevents game media rolling along the third wall from advancing to the second wall The gaming machine according to any one of the features 11 to 13, which has a wall (for example, a step wall 424).

  According to the gaming machine according to the feature 14, it is possible to extremely well prevent the gaming media fired in the third strength range from flowing down the second flow-down area by the fourth wall portion. In addition, game media which have been fired in the third strength range can be discharged without generating any benefit for the player. This can give a penalty.

<Feature 15>
An area where the distance between the third wall and the upper side of the structure in the member forming the outer edge of the game area is less than twice the diameter of the game medium at least in part of the third wall. 15. The gaming machine according to feature 14 having.

  According to the gaming machine described in Feature 15, the subsequent gaming media may collide with the preceding gaming media, and in such a case, the subsequent gaming media can not enter the second flow-down area, and the preceding The following game media will be wasted along with the game media of. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the intention of trying to make a plurality of game media substantially simultaneously enter the variable winning prize opening by adjusting the emission intensity.

<Feature 16>
The second wall is shaped to decrease in height away from the first wall;
The height of the third wall decreases from the end on the first wall side toward the end on the second wall side, and the second wall at the end on the second wall side It is shaped to be lower than the height of the end of the first wall side of the wall,
The gaming machine according to Feature 15, wherein the discharge port is formed at a position corresponding to an end on the second wall side of the third wall.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 16, the height of the third wall portion and the discharge port increases as the third wall portion moves from the first wall side end toward the second wall side end It is possible to form at a higher position than in the case of the above configuration, and to reduce the area required to form the disadvantage generating means. In addition, although various devices are usually provided in the structure and various effects are performed, it is possible to form means for causing disadvantages without reducing the area where such effects are performed.

<Feature 21>
A launcher (launcher 330) for launching game media (for example, game balls) with variable strength, and entry of game media is permitted based on establishment of a predetermined condition, based on entry of a predetermined number of game media A variable winning opening that is prohibited from entering (for example, an entrance of the lower large winning device 433 or the upper large winning device 434), and a first flow of gaming media discharged from the discharging means in a predetermined first strength range A game medium discharged in a predetermined second strength range including the maximum strength and a strength lower than the strength of the flow-down area (for example, the left flow-down area 407) and the first strength range from the discharge means is the variable winning hole A second flowable area (eg, the right flowable area 408) capable of flowing into the
The game medium which is fired in the third strength range between the first strength range and the second strength range from the firing means is inhibited from flowing down the second flow-down area, and the game medium By the means for preventing the game medium launched in the second strength range after the game medium is launched from flowing down the second flow-down area (for example, the middle wall portion 423 and the step wall portion 424, or the middle A game machine characterized by comprising a wall portion 423 and a step wall portion 424, a strip 481, a driver 482, 483, a rotator 484, 485, or a combination of a rotator 491, a magnet 492, and a driver 493). .

According to the gaming machine according to the feature 21, even if the strength exceeds the first strength range, when the game medium is fired in the third strength range less than the second strength range, the inhibition means is the game In order to prevent the subsequent game balls fired later than the game balls by the medium from flowing down the second flow-down area,
It is possible to make it impossible to change the frequency of occurrence of the downflow such that a plurality of game media which are successively launched enter the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously by adjusting the launch intensity of the game media. This makes it possible to suppress the variation in the number of gaming balls entering the variable winning opening, and as a result, it is possible to secure the fairness of the game among the players.

  Furthermore, according to the gaming machine according to the feature 21, when the two gaming balls are hit with different strength so as to adjust the time to reach the variable winning opening, the hit is hit in the second strength range by the inhibition means. There is a high possibility that the game ball will not enter the variable winning opening, and not only the game ball is wasted, but also the time which can enter the game ball into the variable winning hole is wasted . As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress attempts to adjust the firing intensity to cause a plurality of game media to enter the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously. In addition, when the attempt is made, a penalty will be given.

<Feature 22>
The inhibition means is operable to fire the game medium having the second strength range so that the game medium having the third strength range can be contacted with the game medium having the second strength range. Move to the path of the media,
When the game medium fired in the second strength range contacts the game medium fired in the third strength range, the game medium fired in the third strength range and the second strength range The gaming machine according to Feature 21, wherein both of the game media launched at the second game area do not flow down the second flow-down area.

  According to the gaming machine according to the feature 21, when the two gaming balls are hit at different strengths so as to adjust the time to reach the variable winning opening, the hit is hit in the second strength range by the inhibition means. There is a high possibility that the game ball launched in the third strength range with the game ball can not enter into the variable winning opening after that, and the plurality of game media are made to enter the variable winning opening substantially simultaneously by adjusting the firing strength. It is possible to better suppress trying. Also, the penalty for making that attempt can be increased.

<Feature 23>
Guide means (for example, a band 481, a driver 482, and the like) for capturing game media discharged in the strength range between the first strength range and the second strength range and guiding the game medium to the first flow-down area 483 and rotators 484 and 485, a rotator 491, a magnet 492, and a driver 493),
According to the gaming machine according to the feature 23, it is possible to increase the possibility that the gaming ball launched in the second strength range and the gaming ball launched in the third strength range may subsequently come into contact.

<Feature 24>
The guiding means is located in a passing area of gaming media to be fired in the second intensity range during at least a part of a process in which a part of the captured gaming media is guided to the first gaming area. The gaming machine according to any one of features 21 to 23, wherein the captured gaming medium is moved.

  According to the gaming machine according to the twenty-fourth aspect, in the case where the irregular launching method as described above is performed, the preceding gaming medium fired in the intermediate strength range is always the following gaming medium for a predetermined period. And to prevent the subsequent game media from advancing to the second game area at a high frequency in order to be able to stay in the position where it is possible to collide with the player, and to strengthen the penalty for the player who makes an irregular launch. it can.

  Note that at least one of the features described in the features 11 to 24 may be applied in combination with any other or a plurality of features. The following shows the basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above-described features can be applied.

  Pachinko game machine: Launch operation means operated by a player, game ball launch means for launching game balls based on the operation of the launch operation means, and a passage portion for guiding the launched game balls to a predetermined game area A gaming machine comprising: each gaming component arranged in the gaming area, and providing a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of the respective gaming components.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for a game machine such as a ball and ball game machine.

  100: gaming machine, 400: gaming board, 420: central structure, 402: outer rail, 403: inner rail, 404: return ball preventing mechanism, 405: recoil preventing member, 407: left flow down area, 408: right flow down Region 409, midstream region 420, central structure 421, left wall 422, 422 'right wall 423, 426A, 427, 428, 429 middle wall 424, step wall 425 ... discharge port, 481 ... band-like body, 482, 483 ... driving body, 484, 485 ... rotating body, 491 ... rotating body, 492 ... magnet, 493 ... driving body

Claims (2)

A launcher for launching game media with variable strength, a variable winning opening that is permitted to enter the game media based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, and is prohibited to enter based on the entry of a predetermined number of game media, A first flow-down area in which gaming media discharged in a predetermined first strength range from the discharge means flow down, and a second predetermined strength which is stronger than the strength of the first strength range from the discharge means and includes maximum strength A game machine including: a second flow-down area where game media fired in a strength range can flow down to the variable winning opening;
A game medium fired in a third strength range between the first strength range and the second strength range from the firing means is fired in the second strength range after firing of the game medium A gaming machine characterized by including inhibition means for inhibiting game media from flowing down the second flow-down area. The inhibition means is operable to fire the game medium having the second strength range so that the game medium having the third strength range can be contacted with the game medium having the second strength range. Move to the path of the media,
When the game medium fired in the second strength range contacts the game medium fired in the third strength range, the game medium fired in the third strength range and the second strength range The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein both of the gaming media launched at the second time do not flow down the second flow-down area.