JP6759548B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

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

In a conventional typical game machine, a game ball launched in response to a player's operation enters a game area formed on a game board and flows down the game area. When a game ball flowing down the game area enters the starting port, a lottery is performed according to the entry. Then, it is known that when a big hit is won in the lottery, a special game state is set and a large number of game balls can be won in the winning opening.

In such a conventional game machine, various measures have been taken regarding the movement path of the game ball in order to improve the interest of the game by the game ball flowing down the game area. For example, there is a game machine that structurally changes the movement path of a game ball by providing a distribution portion for distributing the game ball to the left and right on the upper part of a central structure arranged in the center of the game board (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-254955

However, in the conventional game machine, there is still room for improvement in order to improve the interest of the game.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and the like, and an object of the present invention is to provide, for example, a game machine capable of suitably improving the interest of a game by a game ball flowing down a game area.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine according to the present invention
It is a game machine equipped with a game area in which a game ball flows down through a predetermined entrance.
When the game ball passes, it is at the entrance of the game area when the game machine is viewed from the front with respect to the entry portion of the game ball into the distribution section provided with an area that gives an advantageous privilege as compared with the case where the game ball does not pass. Upon receiving the game ball distributed to the first side which is the near side and the second side which is the side far from the entrance of the game area, the game ball is transferred from the receiving position to the first side . Equipped with a flow control section that moves and guides you to a specific game area
The specific game area includes an advantageous area that gives an advantageous privilege when it passes, as compared with the case where it does not pass.
The flow control unit is a portion configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received, and the distribution is performed. The second side is capable of guiding the game ball to the specific game area by receiving the game ball distributed to the first side and the second side with respect to the entry portion of the game ball into the portion. It is composed of one inclined portion that inclines downward from the side toward the first side.
The advantageous region is characterized in that it is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow regulation unit.

The gaming machine according to the present invention can provide a gaming machine capable of suitably improving the interest of the game by the gaming ball flowing down the gaming area.

Front perspective view of a pachinko machine as an example of a gaming machine Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in the open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in another open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in another open state Front view of pachinko machine Front view showing the state where the front block of the pachinko machine is removed Front view of the game board Rear perspective view of pachinko machine Rear view of pachinko machine Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine Flow chart showing an example of main control main processing Flowchart showing an example of main control interrupt processing It is an exploded perspective view of a central structure. It is an enlarged view of the region E1 in FIG. It is a perspective view which looked at the top plate decoration, the upper left front decoration, and the upper right front decoration from the back side. It is a partial cross-sectional view of a central structure. FIG. 16 is a front view of a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a front view of a central structure. It is a figure explaining the shape of the flow-down passage. It is an enlarged view of the region E2 in FIG.

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

<Structural structure>
First, the configuration of the structural portion of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference mainly 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 the front block 102 and the intermediate block 103 integrated with the outer frame 101. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the front block 102 is open to the intermediate block 103, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rear block 104 is open to the intermediate block 103. Shown. Further, FIG. 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 wirings are omitted in each figure, and a part of the configuration of the game board 400 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 6.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pachinko machine 100 includes an outer frame 101, a front block 102, an intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104, and each of these parts is relatively displaced by a predetermined operation. It is configured to be displaceable.

The outer frame 101 has a function as a main body supporting means for supporting the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 101 is, for example, a substantially four-sided frame body to 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, and the pachinko machine 100 is installed. It is fitted into the game machine installation equipment (island equipment) provided in the game hall and is firmly fixed by a fixture (not shown). The outer frame 101 is not an indispensable configuration in the pachinko machine 100, but has the same inner shape as the outer frame 101 or the outer frame 101, and the main body portion corresponding to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 excluding the outer frame 101. A support mechanism for supporting the machine and a part of the locking mechanism for locking the main body thereof may be provided in the island facility.

Intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided on one side (left side plate 113 side) of the outer frame 101 in the left-right direction. The outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 are connected (connected) by the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 rotates on one end side (left side) in the left-right direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. It is configured to be rotatable forward with the base end side and the other end side (right side) as the rotation tip side.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided apart from 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 in the intermediate block 103 is supported from below by the shaft support portion provided in the outer frame 101, and the shaft portion is provided in the shaft hole provided in the shaft support portion. Is configured to be rotatable by being in a state of being inserted. The configuration in which the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is rotatable is not limited to the above configuration, and a shaft hole is provided on the intermediate block 103 side and a shaft portion is formed on the outer frame 101 side. Other configurations may be used.

The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided with a function of releasing the connection state between the outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 by a predetermined removal operation, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is attached to the outer frame 101. On the other hand, it is detachably attached. For example, the connection state of the intermediate block 103 to the outer frame 101 is released by performing a predetermined removal operation of opening the intermediate block 103 to the outer frame 101 by a certain amount or more and moving it upward by a certain amount. To. As a result, the main body of the pachinko machine 100 can be removed from the outer frame 101.

The front block 102 is arranged so as to overlap the intermediate block 103 on the front side, and the intermediate block 103 and the front block 102 are connected by the front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 provided on the left side in the front view. The front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, support the front block 102 rotatably forward with respect to the intermediate block 103, and remove the front block 102 by a predetermined removal operation. It is configured to be possible.

The rear block 104 is arranged so as to overlap the intermediate block 103 on the rear side, and the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 are connected by the rear block support mechanism 136, 137 (see FIG. 8) provided on the left side of the front view. It is connected. The rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 have the same configurations 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 rotatable rearward with respect to the intermediate block 103. Moreover, it is configured to be detachably supported by a predetermined removal operation.

Further, the pachinko machine 100 includes an intermediate block locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism, and a front. There is a lock operation mechanism that is operated to unlock and lock the block lock mechanism. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate block 103 is provided with a key cylinder 141 as a lock operation mechanism that is exposed to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening of the front block 102.

When a clockwise rotation operation is performed using an operation key (not shown) as a predetermined operation on the key cylinder 141, the movable portion 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 operates. As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion 142 provided on the outer frame 101 as part of the intermediate block locking mechanism and the movable portion 143 is released, and the intermediate block 103 is in an open / closed allowable state with respect to the outer frame 101. Become.

On the other hand, the movable portion 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 operates in response to the counterclockwise rotation operation by the predetermined operation key for the key cylinder 141. As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion 145 and the movable portion 144 provided in the front block 102 as a part of the front block locking mechanism is released, and the front block 102 is in an open / close allowable state with respect to the intermediate block 103. Become.

Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a rear block opening / closing regulating mechanism that regulates the opening / closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. After that, the rear block 104 can be switched between a state in which opening and closing is prohibited (opening and closing prohibited state) and a state in which opening and closing is permitted (opening and closing permitted state) with respect to the intermediate block 103 by the rear block opening / closing regulation mechanism. It is said that.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear block opening / closing regulating mechanism is composed of, for example, two opening / closing restricting units 150A and 150B provided in the intermediate block 103 and one opening / closing restricting unit 150C provided in the rear block 104. .. Rotating pieces 151A to 151C capable of rotating operations are provided in these three opening / closing restricting portions 150A to 150C. The rotating pieces 151A to 151C change the engagement state with the opening portions arranged so as to overlap each other in the front-rear direction in the closed state of the rear block 104 by the rotation operation, whereby the opening / closing prohibition posture corresponding to the opening / closing prohibition state is changed. It is possible to switch between and the open / close allowable posture corresponding to the open / close allowable state. When all the rotating pieces 151A to 151C are set to the open / close allowable posture, each of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C can pass through the opening, and the rear block 104 is in the open / close allowable state with respect to the intermediate block 103. As for the open / close prohibition posture and the open / close allowable posture, the open / close prohibited state and the open / close allowable state may be switched by changing at least one of the positions and orientations of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C, and the configuration is such that only rotation is performed at a fixed position. It may be configured to move in a certain direction, or it may be configured to operate by a combination of movement and rotation. Hereinafter, the same applies to the change in posture when the constituent members in each device shift between a plurality of postures.

Of the three rotating pieces 151A to 151C, two rotating pieces 151A and 151B corresponding to a part of them are formed in the rear block 104 in a state where the rear block 104 is prohibited from opening and closing, as shown in FIG. One rotating piece 151C, which is exposed to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening and corresponds to the remaining portion, 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 rotating pieces 151A to 151C to the open / close allowable posture only by operating from one side such as the back side of the pachinko machine 100 or the front side of the intermediate block 103, thereby providing crime prevention. Has been raised.

Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a game ball movement regulation mechanism that regulates the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, for example, the game ball movement regulation mechanism is composed of a combination of a flow control piece 161 provided in the intermediate block 103 and a regulation change unit 162 provided in the front block 102. The flow control piece 161 is urged by a coil spring (not shown) toward the front side where the front block 102 is located.

In the state where the front block 102 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 (the front block 102 is closed), the flow control piece 161 is set to a movement allowable state that allows the flow of the game ball, and specifically, the regulation. It is pushed toward the rear side of the intermediate block 103 by the changing portion 162. The flow control piece 161 is arranged so as to be displaced to the rear side with respect to a guide passage (not shown) for guiding the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 in the movement allowable state. As a result, in the closed state of the front block 102, the game ball is allowed to move from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102.

On the other hand, in the state where the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103 (the front block 102 is open), the pressure of the flow control piece 161 by the regulation changing unit 162 is released, and compared with the closed state of the front block 102. The flow control piece 161 protrudes toward the front block 102, and the movement is prohibited. The flow control piece 161 protrudes into the guidance passage in the movement prohibited state, and prevents the game ball from flowing down to the downstream side. As a result, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is prohibited.

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

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

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

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 includes 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 game balls. It includes an auxiliary storage mechanism 240 for storing the game balls, and a launch operation device 250 operated by the player to launch the game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front block 102 has an opening peripheral edge portion 211 surrounding the peripheral edge of the opening 210A and a protrusion forward on the lower side with respect to the opening 210A as a part of the front decorative body 210. Upper protruding portion 217, lower protruding portion 218 located on the lower side with respect to the upper protruding portion 217 and projecting forward, and the upper protruding portion 217 and the lower protruding portion on the right side of the lower protruding portion 218. A flat portion 219, which is composed of a substantially flat region located behind 218 and in which the launch operating device 250 is arranged, is formed. The main storage mechanism 230 is arranged on the upper protrusion 217, and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is arranged on the lower protrusion 218.

The central panel 220 has a function as a cover body that makes the rear side visible while closing the opening 210A that is formed through the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 in the front-rear direction. The central panel 220 has, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a panel frame 221 attached from the rear side of the base frame 201 (see FIG. 3) and a light transmissive fitted in the front side of the panel frame 221. A front plate 222 (see FIG. 1) and a light-transmitting rear plate 223 (see FIG. 3) fitted on the rear side of the panel frame 221 substantially in parallel with the front plate 222 with a predetermined gap. There is.

The main storage mechanism 230 has a function of storing game balls acquired according to the progress of the game and game balls rented from the game hall. As shown in FIG. 1, the main storage mechanism 230 includes, for example, a storage unit 231, a ball removal mechanism (not shown), and a ball removal operation member 232 for operating the ball removal mechanism. The storage section 231 includes an inflow port 231A for flowing the game ball from the inside of the pachinko machine 100 into the storage section 231 and an outlet (not shown) for flowing out the game ball from the storage section 231 to the inside of the pachinko machine 100. An outlet (not shown) formed on the upstream side of the outlet is provided. By opening the discharge port, the game ball is discharged from the storage unit 231 to the player side without being taken into the pachinko machine 100. The ball pulling mechanism has a function of switching the discharge destination of the game ball between the outlet and the discharge port.

The game balls acquired according to the progress of the game and the game balls lent out according to the lending operation to the lending operation device 292 described later flow into the storage unit 231 mainly through the inflow port 231A. In addition, the storage unit 231 has an opening formed on the upper side, through which a game ball owned by the player is manually inserted or a game ball rented out at the game hall is supplied.

The game balls that have flowed into the storage unit 231 are sequentially guided to the side where the outlet and the discharge port are formed (upper right side in FIG. 1) while being arranged in a row. When the ball pulling operation (for example, pressing operation) is not performed on the ball pulling operation member 232, the game ball is guided to the launching 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 game 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 unit 241 having the inflow ports 241A and 241C (see FIG. 5) and the discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1) of the game ball, and the discharge port 241B. It is provided with a ball removing mechanism 243 for causing the ball to be removed, and a ball removing operation member 242 for operating the ball removing mechanism 243. The game balls and the like acquired according to the progress of the game mainly flow into the main storage mechanism 230, but if the storage unit 231 is full, they flow into the storage unit 241 through the inflow port 241A. Further, the game ball flows from the storage unit 231 to the storage unit 241 through the inflow port 241C even when the ball removal operation is performed on the ball removal operation member 232.

The bottom surface of the storage unit 241 is inclined downward toward the discharge port 241B. When the discharge port 241B is opened by a 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 discharged 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 discharge port 241B remains in the opened state until the returning operation (for example, the pressing operation again) is performed on the ball pulling operation member 242. Be maintained. Behind the inflow port 241A, a ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) for detecting whether or not game balls are excessively stored in the storage unit 241 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the launch operating device 250 includes a pedestal 251 projecting forward from the flat portion 219 of the front decorative body 210, and a rotatable launch handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251. A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 10) that detects the amount of rotation of the launch handle 252, a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 10) that detects that the player is in contact with the launch handle 252, and the launch handle 252. It includes a launch stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) that invalidates the ejection of the game ball accompanying the rotation operation by the operation of the player. When the firing handle 252 is rotated by the player, the game ball is ejected from the launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) toward the game board 400 (see FIG. 3) with a strength corresponding to the rotation operation amount. If the contact sensor 254 does not detect the contact between the launch handle 252 and the player, or if the launch operation is invalidated by the operation of the launch stop switch 255, the launch handle 252 is rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the launching device 330.

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

The frame light emitting devices 271-275 include an upper center frame light emitting device 271 corresponding to the upper central edge portion 211A, an upper left frame light emitting device 272 corresponding to the upper left side edge portion 211B, and an upper right frame light emitting device corresponding to the upper right side edge portion 211C. It is composed of a device 273, a left frame light emitting device 274 corresponding to the left edge portion 211D, and a right frame light emitting device 275 (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the right edge portion 211E. Each of the frame light emitting devices 271-275 integrally electrically connects one or a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light emitting means, electronic components such as resistors for controlling the LEDs, and these electronic components. It has a printed circuit board.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front block 102 is provided with an upper left acoustic output port 211F and an upper right acoustic output port 211G, for example, above the opening peripheral edge portion 211, and these upper left acoustic output ports 211F. The upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) are provided corresponding to the upper right acoustic output port 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 behind (rearward) the opening peripheral edge portion 211 of the front decorative body 210.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with a game ball lending device 290, for example, on the upper right side portion of the upper protruding portion 217. The game ball lending device 290 includes a frequency display device 291 that displays numerical values according to the remaining amount of bills, cards, etc. inserted in a card unit (not shown) arranged side by side in the pachinko machine 100, and a game ball lending device 291. It includes a lending operation device 292 operated by the player when receiving, and a return operation device 293 operated by the player when returning banknotes, cards, etc. inserted into the card unit. When a banknote, a card, etc. is inserted into the card unit and a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in the valid state in which the numerical value corresponding to those amounts is displayed on the frequency display device 291, the lending operation is performed. A predetermined number of game balls are lent out from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) of the rear block 104 accordingly, and the display of the frequency display device 291 is updated with the rent out of the game balls. On the other hand, when the return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, the equivalent of the banknote corresponding to the balance and the card recording the balance are 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 capable of performing an input operation different from the firing operation by the player. The input operation device 260 includes, for example, a pressing operation device 261 capable of pushing operation, a rotation operating device 262 capable of rotating operation, and a selection operating device 263 capable of operating in the up, down, left, and right directions. These operating devices 261 to 263 relate to an effect selection operation for selecting an effect to be executed in the pachinko machine 100, a device setting operation for setting the volume and light amount of each device for executing the effect of the pachinko machine 100, or a player. It is possible to execute production setting operations that enable the production of the pachinko machine 100 according to the previous game by inputting information, and these operations can be performed by the player or the manager of the game hall as needed. It is said that. The input operation unit (for example, the annular rotation operation unit in the rotation operation device 262) that the player contacts in the input operation device 260 is rotated, moved up and down, or moved by the input operation unit driving means such as a motor or a solenoid. It is preferable that operations such as vibration can be performed by the control of the pachinko machine 100 (for example, the control of the sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10)), and either before or after the input operation or during the input operation, or By operating the input portion at a plurality of timings, it is possible to diversify the effects involving the input operation, such as actively encouraging the input operation.

Next, the intermediate block 103 will be described. The intermediate block 103 is a member having a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the front block 102, and a function of integrating the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 by attaching the front block 102 and the rear block 104. have. The intermediate block 103 is configured by attaching a plurality of functional parts including the game board 400 to the base frame 301.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate block 103 includes 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 a base frame. A game board support mechanism that rotatably and detachably supports the game board 400 with respect to 301, a game board fixing mechanism that fixes 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 commands from the launcher 330 (see FIG. 3) to eject, the main control device 370 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the back side of the game board 400 to control the game progress in an integrated manner, and the main control device 370. It is equipped with a sub-control device 390 (see FIG. 4) that controls game production and status notification.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base frame 301 includes a guide passage portion 301A in which a guide passage for guiding the game ball released from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, to the front block 102 is formed therein. A plurality of wirings (not shown) and an opening 301B in which the signal relay device 311 is located are provided. The opening 301B has a shape that penetrates in the front-rear direction below the game board 400, and a plurality of wirings inserted through the opening 301B are provided in various devices (for example, frame light emitting devices 271-) provided in the front block 102. 275, upper left acoustic device 281 and upper right acoustic device 282) for electrically connecting devices (for example, main control device 370 and sub control device 390) provided on the back side of the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104. The signal relay device 311 including wiring has a function as a relay board that relays a part of the wiring.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 400 includes a flat plate-shaped base 401 having a through hole through which a game ball such as a discharge port 401A can pass back and forth, and an outer rail that smoothly curves from the lower left to the upper right of the base 401. The 402, the inner rail 403 that smoothly curves from the lower right to the upper left of the base 401, the return ball prevention mechanism 404 attached to the upper left tip of the inner rail 403, and the upper right tip of the outer rail 402. The anti-jump member 405 to be attached is provided. The outer rail 402 guides the game ball launched from the launching device 330, which will be described later, into the game area. The return ball prevention mechanism 404 prevents the game ball once released into the game area from the launch passage 401B formed in the portion where the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 face each other in parallel to return to the launch passage 401B. The recoil prevention member 405 has a shock absorbing property that prevents a large recoil of the game ball such that the game ball heading to the right side beyond the upper center of the game board 400 returns to the left side via the upper center again. However, it is made of a material such as vibration damping rubber.

As shown in FIG. 3, a return ball passage portion 163 is formed in the lower portion on the back surface side of the front block 102. There is a gap between the guiding member 335 that guides the game ball from the launching device 330 toward the launching passage 401B and the outer rail 402, and the launching device 330 fires but does not exceed the return ball prevention mechanism 404. The game ball returning back from the passage 401B is returned from the inflow port 241A (see FIG. 5) to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 5) via the return ball passage portion 163 arranged below this gap.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the launching device 330 includes a ball feeding mechanism 331 that sequentially sends the game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the firing position, and a ball feeding solenoid 332 that drives the ball feeding mechanism 331 (FIG. 10). (See), the launch mechanism 333 that ejects the game ball arranged at the launch position, the launch solenoid 334 that drives the launch mechanism 333 (see FIG. 10), and the game ball launched from the launch mechanism 333 on the game board 400. It is provided with a guide member 335 that guides the vehicle to the launch passage 401B. As described above, the launch device 330 operates in response to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250, and the drive control of the launch solenoid 334 changes according to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 to adjust the launch force.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main control device 370 includes a main control board 920 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 371 having a split structure for accommodating the main control board 920. The main control board 920 is housed inside a translucent board case 371 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace.

Further, the main control device 370 is rotatably attached to the back side of the game board 400. Specifically, the attachment portion 372 is rotatably connected and fixed to the base 401 of the game board 400 on the back side, and the main control device 370 is attached to the attachment portion 372. As a result, 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 rotating the mounting portion 372, the main control device 370 is attached to the game board 400. It is said that it can be easily confirmed with it attached. The main control device 370 may be connected to the mounting portion 372 so as not to be removed 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 board 940 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 391 having a split structure for accommodating the sub-control board 940. Like the main control board 920, the sub-control board 940 is housed inside a translucent board case 391 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace. It is attached to the back side.

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

As shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 includes a base 401, a flow change member such as a nail 411 and a windmill 412 that change the flow direction and flow speed of a game ball, and a center arranged substantially in the center of the base 401. The structure 420, the starting device (specifically, the lower middle starting winning device 431) related to the first special symbol arranged on the lower side of the central structure 420, and the right side of the central structure 420. The starting device (specifically, the right starting winning device 432) related to the second special symbol arranged on the lower side and the large winning device 433,434 (specifically) arranged on the downstream side of the right starting winning device 432. The right grand prize device 433 and the central grand prize device 434), the starting device 436 related to the normal symbol arranged on the upper side (upstream side) of the right starting winning device 432, and the upper and lower upper right sides of the game board 400. It is provided with a combination operating device 435 arranged on the upstream side of the large winning devices 433 and 434, and general winning devices 439A and 439B arranged on the left and right sides of the central winning device 434. Further, the game board 400 includes an upper middle start winning device 632, which is arranged in the upper middle starting winning device 632 and functions in the same manner as the right starting winning device 432 as a starting device related to the second special symbol, and the central structure 420. It is provided with a general winning device 639, which is arranged on the left side and functions in the same manner as the general winning devices 439A and 439B.

Further, the game board 400 is provided with a plurality of switches as detection means for detecting the passage of the game ball corresponding to the above-mentioned lower middle start winning device 431 and the like (see FIG. 10), and corresponds to each switch. It is possible to detect the entry of a game ball into a predetermined area. For example, a first start winning switch (first start winning switch 441) that detects a game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431, and a second starting winning switch that detects a game ball that has entered the right starting winning device 432 (first starting winning switch 441). 2nd start winning switch 442), 2nd start winning switch (2nd starting winning switch 642) that detects the game ball that has entered the upper middle start winning device 632, right that detects the game ball that has entered the right big winning device 433 The big prize switch 443, the central prize switch 444 that detects the game ball that has entered the central prize device 434, the combination operation switch 445 that detects the game ball that has entered the combination operation device 435, and the game that has entered the start device 436. A start switch 446 that detects a ball, a non-specific passage switch 447 that detects a game ball that has entered a non-specific passage (not shown) formed inside the right grand prize device 433, and a right grand prize device 433. Enter the specific passage switch 448 that detects the game ball that has entered the specific passage (not shown), the general prize switches 449A and 449B that detect the game balls that have entered the general prize devices 439A and 439B, and the general prize device 639, respectively. A general winning switch 649 or the like for detecting each of the game balls is installed on the game board 400.

The entrance portion of the game ball of the central structure 420 and the starting device 436 constitutes an entry port, and the game ball that has entered each entry port is discharged to the game area. Each winning device, specifically, lower middle start winning device 431, right starting winning device 432, upper middle starting winning device 632, right grand winning device 433, central grand winning device 434 and general winning device 439A, 439B, 639 The entrance portion of the game ball constitutes a winning opening, and the game ball entering each winning opening is guided to a collection / discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401 through a through hole formed in the base 401. Will be done. Further, the game balls that have not entered each winning device are guided to the collection / 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 / discharge passage are discharged from the pachinko machine 100 to a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided in the game hall. When a game ball enters any of the winning devices, a predetermined number of game balls according to the type of the winning device are paid out from the payout device 540 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Each winning device may be configured separately from other winning devices, or a device in which two or more winning devices (for example, a lower middle starting winning device 431 and an upper middle starting winning device 632) are integrated. The winning device may be configured by the above, and the starting device such as the lower middle starting winning device 431 does not necessarily have to be a winning opening in which a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when the game balls enter. It may be used as an entrance where the game ball is released again into the game area without being paid out.

Each of the lower middle start winning device 431 related to the first special symbol, the upper middle starting winning device 632 related to the second special symbol, and the general winning device 439A, the general winning device 439B, and the general winning device 639 go to them. The approaching game ball is guided to the back side of the base 401 without changing the approach probability of the game ball. Further, the right-starting winning device 432 according to the second special symbol has a mechanism for changing the probability of the game ball entering the inside thereof. The mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball does not have to be provided only in the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol, and instead of or in addition to the first special symbol or the second special symbol. It may be provided in any one or more of the starting device and the general winning device 439A, 439B, 639 according to the above. Further, the mechanism for changing the approach probability of the game ball may be configured by a driving means such as an electrically driven solenoid, or is represented by a mechanism that operates by the weight of the game ball that has entered a predetermined area. It may be configured by a mechanically operating mechanism.

The right-starting winning device 432 according to the second special symbol has a right-entry regulation mechanism 452 and a right-entry regulation mechanism that change the entry probability of a game ball into the inside by shifting between an entry-allowed posture and an entry-prohibited posture. It is equipped with a right entry control solenoid 462 (see FIG. 10) that drives 452. The right entry control mechanism 452 includes a movable piece driven by the right entry control solenoid 462, and when the right entry control mechanism 452 is in the entry prohibition posture, the movable piece closes the entrance (winning opening). The game ball cannot enter the right start winning device 432 by taking the arrangement, but when the right entry regulation mechanism 452 is in the entry allowable posture, the movable piece guides the game ball into the entrance. The game ball will be able to enter the right start winning device 432. The right entry regulation mechanism 452 enters right when the game ball that has entered the starting device 436 related to the normal symbol is won by a lottery based on the detection by the start switch 446 (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal symbol lottery"). According to the drive by the regulation solenoid 462, the posture shifts to the approach allowable posture for a predetermined number of times and a predetermined time.

As shown in FIG. 7, the right-handed prize-winning device 433 has a right-entry restricting mechanism 453 that regulates the entry of the game ball into the inside of the entry-allowed posture and the entry-prohibited posture by shifting, and a right-entry restricting mechanism. By shifting between the right entry control solenoid 463 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 453 and the non-guided posture and the guided posture, the game ball that has entered the right grand prize device 433 is placed in the non-specific passage or the specific passage. A distribution mechanism (not shown) for distribution and a switching solenoid 465 (see FIG. 10) for switching the guidance destination of the game ball by changing the posture of the distribution mechanism are provided. When the right entry regulation mechanism 453 of the right grand prize device 433 is in the entry prohibition posture, the game ball cannot enter the right grand prize device 433 because the right entry regulation mechanism 453 closes the entrance (winning opening). When the right approach control mechanism 453 is in the entry allowable posture, the game ball can enter the right grand prize device 433 by opening the entrance of the right entry control mechanism 453. Further, the game ball that has entered the right grand prize device 433 is guided to a non-specific passage when the distribution mechanism is in a non-guided posture in which it protrudes forward, and when the distribution mechanism is in a guided posture in which it is immersed in the rear. Will be guided to a specific passage. The specific passage, the non-specific passage, and the distribution mechanism are provided to diversify the transition of the gaming state, and when the game ball enters the specific passage, the player is given an advantageous gaming state as a privilege. ..

As shown in FIG. 7, the central prize-winning device 434 includes a central entry regulation mechanism 454 that regulates the entry of the game ball into the inside by the transition between the entry allowable posture and the entry prohibition posture, and the central entry regulation. A central entry control solenoid 464 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 454 is provided. When the central entry control mechanism 454 is in the no-entry posture, the game ball cannot enter the central grand prize device 434 because the central entry control mechanism 454 closes the entrance (winning opening), but the central entry control mechanism 454. When is in the admissible posture, the central approach regulation mechanism 454 opens the entrance so that the game ball can enter the central grand prize device 434.

In addition, as the approach permissible posture and the entry prohibition posture as a mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball into the inside of the right entry regulation mechanism 452 or the like, each mechanism is configured and the winning port (or ball entry port) of each device is formed. Corresponding to the change in posture of the operating member that switches between the special state in which the game ball can enter and the normal state in which the game ball cannot enter, at least one of the positions and orientations of the operating member differs depending on each posture. All you need is. Further, as a mechanism for changing the approach probability of the game ball such as the right entry regulation mechanism 452, it is not always necessary to set the state in which the game ball cannot enter into the normal state, and the game ball is allowed to enter even in the normal state, which is special. In the state, the posture of the operating member may be changed to a state in which the game ball is easier to enter than in the normal state.

A game ball can enter the right big prize device 433 and the central big prize device 434 when a big hit lottery is won. Specifically, a lottery based on the fact that the game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431 related to the first special symbol is detected by the first starting winning switch 441 (hereinafter, also referred to as "first special symbol lottery"). ), Or the game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 or the upper middle start winning device 632 related to the second special symbol is detected by the second starting winning switch 442 or the second starting winning switch 642. When the lottery based on the above (hereinafter, also referred to as "second special symbol lottery") is won, at least one of the right entry control solenoid 463 and the center entry control solenoid 464 operates. By this operation, at least one of the right approach control mechanism 453 and the central approach control mechanism 454 takes an entry allowable posture for a predetermined time for a predetermined number of times. Further, the distribution mechanism shifts to the guided posture according to the operation of the switching solenoid 465 after a predetermined time from the shift to the approach allowed posture of the right approach regulating mechanism 453, and further switches to the guided posture after a predetermined time from the shift to the guided posture. When the solenoid 465 is stopped, it returns to the non-guided posture.

The combination operating device 435 is a device for setting conditions necessary for the right grand prize device 433 and the central grand prize device 434 to start operation. After winning the big hit lottery, either the right big prize device 433 or the central big prize device 434 starts operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes. Therefore, when the player wins the big hit, the player can start the special game state at the timing intended by himself / herself. It should be noted that it is not always necessary that either the right grand prize device 433 or the central grand prize device 434 start the operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes, and instead of or instead of that. In addition, either the right grand prize device 433 or the central grand prize device 434 may start operating after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 is integrated with display devices 471 to 473 that display variable display of symbols and lottery results, and display devices 476 to 478 that display the number of times the game is held. A display having a plurality of light emitting units is provided in a lower left portion corresponding to a part of the game board 400. The plurality of light emitting units are divided in advance in a light emitting region corresponding to each device, and the state of each device is displayed according to the light emitting state.

Specifically, on the game board 400, the first special symbol is variablely displayed in accordance with the first special symbol lottery, and the first special symbol is confirmed and displayed as a stop symbol according to the lottery result. A second special symbol display device 471 related to a special symbol, a second special symbol that is variablely displayed in accordance with the second special symbol lottery, and a second special symbol that is confirmed and displayed as a stop symbol according to the lottery result. A special symbol display device 472 related to a special symbol, a special symbol hold display device 476 that displays the number of times a unit game is held related to a first special symbol, and a special symbol hold that displays the number of times a unit game is held related to a second special symbol. A display device 477 is provided. The right to the unit game related to the first special symbol and the right to the unit game related to the second special symbol are reserved up to four times each. Here, the unit game is a game for one time executed based on one start winning, a winning / failing judgment of a lottery executed based on one starting winning, and a lottery based on the winning / failing judgment. It refers to a series of games including from the start to the end of the variable display until the result is displayed.

When the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431 is detected by the first starting winning switch 441 (see FIG. 10). Even so, the right to the unit game related to the first special symbol is not added. Similarly, when the right to the unit game related to the second special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 or the upper middle starting winning device 632 is the second starting winning switch 442 or the second. 2 Even if it is detected by the start winning switch 642 (see FIG. 10), the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is not added.

Each of the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol display device 472 related 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 represented by a light emitting pattern of a plurality of light emitting units (a combination of light emitting states (lighting, lighting, blinking) including a light emitting color). The special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol determine the number of holds depending on the combination of the light emitting states (off, lit, blinking) of the two monochromatic light emitting units. indicate.

Further, the game board 400 relates to a normal symbol display device 473 that displays the normal symbol in a variable manner or displays the normal symbol with a stop symbol according to the lottery result in accordance with the normal symbol lottery, and the normal symbol. An ordinary symbol hold display device 478 that displays the number of times the right of the unit game is held is provided. The right to unit games related to ordinary symbols is reserved up to 4 times. When the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not added even if the game ball that has entered the starting device 436 is detected by the start switch 446.

The ordinary symbol display device 473 is composed of a plurality of light emitting units and is controlled by a main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). An ordinary pattern is represented by a light emitting pattern of a plurality of light emitting parts. Further, the normal symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of holds by a combination of the light emitting states (turning off, lighting, blinking) of the two monochromatic light emitting units.

Further, on the game board 400, the decorative symbols may be variablely displayed or the decorative symbols may be fixedly displayed in the unit game related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol so as to overlap the rear of the central structure 420. A decorative pattern display device 479 is provided. The variable display and the final display of the decorative symbol are controlled by the sub control board 940, and are synchronized with the variable display and the final display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control board 920. In the variable display of the decorative symbol, more complicated and diverse effects are executed than in the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It should be noted that the variable display and confirmation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol and the variable display and final display of the decorative symbol do not always start to change at the timing when they completely match, or stop display as a final display. It is not necessary, and the fluctuation may be started at substantially the same timing while providing a slight time difference at each timing, and the confirmation display may be performed at substantially the same timing.

Further, the game board 400 is provided with a board surface light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board surface light emitting device 490 accompanies the progress of the game based on the control by the sub-control board 940. Executes various light emission effects and status notification by light emission.

Here, various gaming states and transitions between gaming states will be described. The normal game state (hereinafter, also abbreviated as "normal game state") is a state in which the fluctuation display time of the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is long (hereinafter, also referred to as "non-time reduction state"). Correspond.

The first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery are set to win a big hit with substantially the same probability. For example, a jackpot is won with approximately 1/23. If a big hit is won in either the 1st special symbol lottery or the 2nd special symbol lottery, either the right grand prize device 433 or the central grand prize device 434 starts to operate, and the player goes to the winning opening. A special game state occurs in which it is easy to obtain a prize ball by winning a prize. The number of prize balls that can be obtained by one big hit is set differently depending on whether the first special symbol lottery is won or the second special symbol lottery is won. For example, if you win the first special symbol lottery, you can get a certain prize ball (for example, about 150 pieces) with a probability of about 77%, and you can get a prize ball without winning a prize with a probability of remaining 23%. Can not. If you win the 2nd special symbol lottery, it is set to be easier to win more prize balls than the 1st special symbol lottery, and there is a 25% chance that you will win a large number of prize balls (for example, about 250). It is possible to obtain a small number of prize balls (for example, about 150) with a probability of remaining 75%.

In addition, when a big hit is won in either the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the game shifts to the time-saving game state with a preset probability. The probability of shifting to the time-saving gaming state is set differently depending on whether the first special symbol lottery is won or the second special symbol lottery is won, and is set differently depending on the gaming state in which the winning occurs. For example, when the first special symbol lottery is won, the game shifts to the time-saving game state at approximately 30% if it is won during the normal game state and 100% if it is during the time-saving game state, and the second special symbol lottery is won. In this case, it is set so that the player can easily shift to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player from winning the first special symbol lottery, and shifts to a time-saving gaming state at 100% regardless of the gaming state.

The time-saving game state is a state in which the variable display time of the first special symbol lottery, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is shorter than the non-time-saving state, and the jackpot in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery. The winning probability is the same as the normal game state (hereinafter, also referred to as "low probability state"). Further, the time-saving game state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, once or 87 times), but then returns to the normal game state. .. The conditions for the total number of unit games in which the time-saving game state continues (hereinafter, also referred to as the number of time-saving games) differ depending on whether the first special symbol lottery is won or the second special symbol lottery is won, and winning occurs. The settings are different depending on the playing state. For example, when the first special symbol lottery is won, 87 times of time saving are selected with a probability of about 0.2% and one time saving with a probability of about 99.8% if the winning is in the normal gaming state. The number of times is selected. In addition, when the second special symbol lottery is won, a longer time reduction number than when the first special symbol lottery is won is set so that it is easy to select, and there is a 100% probability that the time reduction number is 87 times regardless of the gaming state. Is selected.

In the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery, a small hit lottery is also executed in addition to the big hit. If you do not win the big hit, you may win the small hit, and if you win the small hit, the right big winning device 433 operates for a short time (for example, about 0.1 seconds). Take an approach-allowed posture. Corresponds to whether or not the game ball enters a specific passage (a part of the passage provided inside the right big prize device 433) during the period when the right big prize device 433 is operating based on the winning of the small hit. Then, it is different whether or not to give a gaming state advantageous to the player. For example, when a game ball enters a specific passage, the right-handed prize-winning device 433 starts operating again as an advantageous game state, and the player is allowed to enter for a certain period of time (for example, about 1.8 seconds). Take. If a game ball enters a specific passage in the operation of the right grand prize device 433 from the second time onward after winning a small hit, the right to operate the right grand prize device 433 again is granted, and this operation is performed. Continue until a predetermined upper limit (for example, 3 times) is reached.

Here, the advantageous game state when the game ball enters the specific passage is not limited to the configuration by the operation of the right grand prize device 433 again, and instead of or in addition to the other advantageous game. A state may be given. For example, a gaming state (hereinafter, also referred to as a "high probability state") in which the time is shortened and the probability of winning a big hit in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is higher than that in the normal gaming state (hereinafter, also referred to as "high probability state"). (Also referred to as "probability variation game state"), and the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol is maintained until a predetermined number of times (for example, 1 time or 87 times). good.

It should be noted that the transition between the gaming states and the gaming states does not necessarily have to have the above-mentioned configuration, and may be configured to further include a gaming state different from each of the above-mentioned gaming states, depending on conditions different from the above-mentioned conditions. The configuration may be such that the game states are shifted.

Next, the operation of the main devices of the game board 400 will be described roughly in chronological order. In the main control board 920, winning random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, stop pattern random numbers, and various variable pattern random numbers related to special symbols (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol) are generated, and various gaming states are generated. When the game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431 related to the first special symbol is detected by the first starting winning switch 441 (see FIG. 10), the starting winning of the first special symbol is obtained. If the right to the unit game related to the first special symbol is not held up to the maximum number of times at the start winning of the first special symbol, the winning random number, the jackpot symbol random number, and the stop pattern random number related 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 with random numbers acquired based on the start prize of the first special symbol is neither in the special game state nor in the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the unit game related to the first special symbol. If the rights to are not reserved, they are started immediately after the storage of those random numbers. In addition, even when the player is not in the special game state, when the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved or the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved. After the end of the unit game related to all the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) held before the current prize, the unit game based on the current start prize is started. If each random number is acquired based on the start prize of the first special symbol during the special game state, the unit game based on the random number is all held after the special game state and before the start prize of this time. It starts after the unit game related to the special symbol.

In addition, the unit game using random numbers acquired based on the start prize of the first special symbol is started after the end of all the unit games related to the second special symbol. That is, when each random number is acquired based on the start prize of the second special symbol after the current start prize, the unit game based on the start prize of the second special symbol is preferentially executed. It should be noted that the unit game based on the start prize of the second special symbol does not necessarily have to be executed in preference to the unit game related to the first special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not necessarily executed in the order of the start prize. The unit superiority control according to the above may be executed, or the two special symbols may not be alternative and may be variable at the same time.

If the jackpot is won in the first special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the first special symbol, the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot winning of the first special symbol lottery based on the acquired jackpot symbol random number ( The type of jackpot symbol) is determined. The type of the stop symbol corresponds to the type of the jackpot, and for example, the number of rounds corresponding to the number of times that the right approach control mechanism 453 or the center approach control mechanism 454 takes the entry allowable posture (for example, 3 rounds, 4 rounds, and 5 rounds). Multiple types of jackpots are set according to the type of game state (whether or not to shift to the probabilistic game state) and the game state that shifts after the special game state (3 types of settings), and each type of jackpot The design is set. If the jackpot is not won in the first special symbol lottery, a lost symbol different from the jackpot symbol is set as the stop symbol.

After the first special symbol lottery, the first special is based on the current game state, lottery result, stop pattern random number value, various variable pattern random number values, and the number of times the unit game right related to the first special symbol is held. The variation display time of the symbol is determined, and the variation pattern of the decorative symbol is selected. After that, the variable display of the first special symbol on the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol and the variable display (variable effect) of the decorative symbol on the decorative symbol display device 479 are started, and the first special symbol is varied. The variable display according to a constant pattern is continued over the display time, and in the case of the decorative pattern, the variable display according to the variable display is continued over the variable display time. After that, as the variable display time elapses, the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is confirmed and displayed as a decorative symbol. The final display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for at least a predetermined fixed time.

When the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is a jackpot symbol, the gaming state shifts to the special gaming state after the confirmation display of the first special symbol. In the special gaming state, the right entry control mechanism 453 of the right prize winning device 433 and the central entry control mechanism 454 of the central prize winning device 434 are in the entry allowable posture a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order according to the type of jackpot. .. For example, when a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls are detected by the grand prize switches 443 and 444 during each approach allowable posture in the central approach restricting mechanism 454, or a predetermined maximum approach allowable time (for example). For example, when 29.5 seconds) elapses, one round ends, and the central entry control mechanism 454 shifts to the entry prohibition posture. Then, after the elapse of the predetermined entry prohibition time, the central entry control mechanism 454 returns to the entry allowance posture again.

The right approach regulation mechanism 453 and the central approach regulation mechanism 454 are configured so that only one of them takes an entry allowable posture during the special gaming state, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the start of the special gaming state (after the opening period). ), One shifts to the first entry allowed posture. In addition, the special gaming state ends after a predetermined entry prohibition time elapses from the return to the entry prohibition posture in the final round, and then a predetermined waiting time elapses (after the ending period). After the end of the special gaming state, the transition to the time-saving gaming state or the probabilistic gaming state is performed as described above.

In various game states, when a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 or the upper middle start winning device 632 related to the second special symbol is detected by the second starting winning switch 442 or the second starting winning switch 642. 2 It will be a start prize for a special symbol. The control of the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol described above. That is, if the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is not held up to the maximum number of times when the start prize of the second special symbol is won, each random number related to the special symbol is acquired and the unit game based on this start prize is executed. Will be done. In addition, the determination of the stop symbol according to the second special symbol lottery, the selection of the variation pattern of the decorative symbol, the execution of the variation display, the transition control of the game state, etc. are also executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol. Will be done.

In various game states, when a game ball that has entered the start device 436 is detected by the start switch 446, if the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not held up to the maximum number of times, the winning random number related to the normal symbol is acquired. It is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is not in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started immediately after the storage. On the other hand, during the unit game related to the normal symbol, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started after the unit game based on the right of the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is completed.

In the unit game related to the normal symbol, it is determined whether or not the player has won based on the value of the winning random number, and if the unit game is won, a predetermined winning symbol is set as the 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 fluctuation display of the normal symbol is started on the normal symbol display device 473, and in the non-time reduction state, the fluctuation display by a constant pattern is continued for a predetermined variation display time, and the time reduction state is achieved. Continues the variation display according to a constant pattern for a predetermined variation display time shorter than the non-time reduction state. With the passage of a predetermined time according to the game state, the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is fixedly displayed for a certain period of time.

When the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is a hit symbol, the right approach restricting mechanism 452 of the right start winning device 432 shifts to the approach allowable posture at least once after the confirmation display of the normal symbol. Specifically, when winning in a non-time saving state (normal gaming state and special gaming state), the right start winning device 432 allows entry for a predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, approximately 0.1 seconds). In the case of winning in the time saving state (time saving gaming state and probability variation gaming state) after shifting to the state, the predetermined maximum approach allowable time (for example, about 2.4 seconds) longer than that in the case where the right start winning device 432 is in the non-time saving state. ) Intermittently (for example, divided into two times) to enter the permissible posture. However, when a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls is detected by the second start winning switch 442, the right approach regulation mechanism 452 shifts to the entry prohibition posture without waiting for the elapse of the maximum entry allowable time. Further, even if the number of transitions to the approach allowable posture has not reached a predetermined number, the operation of the right start winning device 432 in the unit game related to the normal symbol this time is completed.

Next, the playability of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In order to receive the second special symbol lottery related to the right-starting winning device 432, the player must first win in the ordinary symbol lottery, and further, the game ball is allowed to enter the right-starting winning device 432 based on the winning. You must enter the right start winning device 432. The winning probability of the normal symbol in the normal gaming state is the same as the winning probability in the time-saving gaming state, but the staying time in the entry allowed state of the right-starting winning device 432 based on the winning in the normal gaming state (for example, omitted). Since (0.1 seconds) is set to be extremely short compared to the staying time (for example, approximately 2.4 seconds) in the time saving state, the second special symbol lottery relating to the right start winning device 432 is performed in the normal gaming state. The opportunity per unit time that can be received is significantly smaller than the opportunity per unit time that can receive the first special symbol lottery. On the contrary, in the time-saving game 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 then in the special game state, the player plays with the aim of shifting to the probabilistic game state by allowing the game ball to enter the specific passage. On the other hand, in the time-saving game state and the probabilistic game state, the game is played with the aim of winning a big hit in the second special symbol lottery related to the right start winning device 432 before the end of each game state.

Specifically, the game board 400 is provided with a central structure 420 in the central portion of the game area in which the game ball flows down, and the game ball is mainly placed on the right side of the central structure 420 within a range in which the game ball does not flow down. The configuration is such that a game method of flowing down (left-handed game method) and a game method of flowing down a game ball mainly via the right side of the central structure 420 (right-handed game method) can be selectively performed. In the normal game state, the player plays the game by the left-handed game method, and in the short-time game state, the player plays the game by the right-handed game method. Further, the right grand prize device 433 and the central grand prize device 434 are arranged at positions where the game ball flowing down the right side of the central structure 420 can enter, and the game is played by the right-handed game method even in the special gaming state. ..

In addition, the upper middle start winning device 632 related to the second special symbol located above the central structure 420 can be entered by the game ball in a situation where the game ball is flowing down by the left-handed game method. .. The upper middle start winning device 632 is set to enter the game ball with a very low probability (for example, about 1/60 probability) as compared with the lower middle starting winning device 431. The second special symbol lottery received by the entry of the game ball into the upper middle start winning device 632 is easier for the player to acquire the value (game value) for playing the game than the first special symbol lottery, and is a big hit. If you win, there is a high probability that you will shift to the time-saving game state, and the number of prize balls that can be obtained in the special game state is also large. For this reason, not only is the expectation of a big hit by the first special symbol lottery for the lower middle start winning device 431 during the period of playing the game by the left-handed game method in the normal game state, but also the upper middle starting winning device that rarely occurs. When the second special symbol lottery is executed by the entry of the game ball into 632, it is possible to always expect a chance to acquire a large amount of game value.

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

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear block 104 is configured by attaching other members and devices to the substrate 501. By connecting the substrate 501 and the intermediate block 103 by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137, the rear block 104 is openably and closably supported with respect to the intermediate block 103.

The rear block 104 continuously rectifies the game ball tank 510 as a ball storage unit for storing the game ball and the game ball on the downstream side of the game ball tank 510 (for example, in one row) and arranges them in one stage. A tank rail 520 as a ball alignment part, a case rail 530 as a ball guiding part for guiding a game ball flowing in from the tank rail 520 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball payout on the downstream side of the case rail 530. Guidance as a ball guiding unit that guides the payout device 540 that executes the rental of the game ball and the game ball that has flowed out from the payout device 540 on the downstream side of the payout device 540 to a guide passage (not shown) formed on the base 501. The member 550, the payout control device 560 that controls the payout of the game ball and the lending of the game ball by the payout device 540, and the power supply that converts the external power into the power of a predetermined voltage required by various devices and outputs the power. A power supply / launch control device 570 and a payout control device 560 having a function as a means and a function as a launch control means for controlling the ejection of a game ball based on a launch operation to the launch operation device 250 in cooperation with the main control board 920. It also includes a game ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1) and a relay device 950 that relays a signal between a card unit (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 100.

The substrate 501 is integrally molded with a resin (for example, ABS resin), and includes a base portion 502 corresponding to the front side portion and a protective cover portion 503 located behind 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, and other devices can be attached to the base portion 502. It has a function as a mounted portion.

The protective cover portion 503 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. Further, the protective cover portion 503 does not have a shape that covers the entire back surface of the intermediate block 103, but a part of the back surface of the intermediate block 103 that needs to be frequently inspected and confirmed, such as a part of the main control device 370, is the back surface of the pachinko machine 100. It is set to a size that forms a window for exposure to. On the back surface of the protective cover portion 503, a large number of ventilation holes 503A having a function of improving heat dissipation in the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390 are formed.

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

The tank rail 520 is attached to the side where the opening of the game ball tank 510 is formed, and the game ball flows in through the opening of the game ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 is gradually heightened as a passage forming member 521 forming a passage of a substantially gutter-shaped game ball having a width through which the game balls pass in a row and an upper surface of the passage formed by the passage forming member 521. It is provided with a rectifying member 522 having a top surface portion at which the height is lowered and gradually rectifying a game ball flowing down the passage from a height that overlaps vertically to a height of one step. The passage formed by the tank rail 520 is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and guides the game ball to the side opposite to the game ball tank 510.

The case rail 530 is vertically elongated so as to be continuous with the lower side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball from the tank rail 520 flows into the case rail 530. The case rail 530 is continuous downward while being curved to the left and right so that the game ball does not flow vigorously. Further, a storage ball switch 591 (see FIG. 10) for detecting a broken ball is attached to an intermediate portion of the ball passage in the case rail 530. The storage ball switch 591 detects a ball out state in which the game ball is not normally replenished in the case rail 530 due to ball clogging or the like occurring on the case rail 530 or the upstream side thereof.

The payout device 540 includes a delivery mechanism for delivering the game ball, a payout motor 542 (see FIG. 10) as a driving means for driving the delivery mechanism, and a payout counting switch 592 (see FIG. 10). In response to the operation of the payout motor 542 based on the control by the payout control device 560, the game balls stored in the ball passage are discharged to the downstream side. The passage of the released game ball through the ball passage is detected by the payout counting switch 592, whereby the payout control device 560 (payout control board 930) counts the number of payouts of the game ball.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the payout control device 560 and the power supply / emission control device 570 are attached 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 rear side of the rear block 104. Has been done. The rear block 104 including the payout control device 560 and the power supply / launch control device 570 can be continuously used even when the game board 400 is replaced with another game board due to a model change or the like.

The payout control device 560 includes a payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10) and a board case for accommodating the payout control board 930, and the payout control board 930 does not leave a trace of opening like the main control board 920. It is housed inside a board case that is sealed so that it cannot be opened.

The power / launch control device 570 includes a power / launch control board 900 (see FIG. 10) and a board case for accommodating the power / launch control board 900, and the power / launch control board 900 is the same as the main control board 920. It is housed inside a sealed substrate case.

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

The power supply / launch control board 900 includes a power supply unit 901 that supplies electric 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 launch device according to the operation of the launch operation device 250. It includes a launch control unit 902 that controls the drive of the 330, and a signal relay unit 903 that relays the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 and the ball overflow signal from the ball overflow switch 249.

The power supply unit 901 takes in external power (for example, AC 24 volt) supplied from the outside and converts it into internal power (for example, DC 24 volt), and generates various electric power from the internal power. The electric power generated by the power supply unit 901 is the electric power of the driving voltage (for example, 12 volt DC) for driving various devices such as solenoids and various motors, and drives various switches and executes control processing. It includes the power of the control voltage (for example, 5 volt DC) for the operation, the power of the backup voltage for holding the contents of the RAM of the main control board 920, and the like.

The power supply unit 901 supplies various electric powers generated from the internal electric 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 board 910 is supplied with power of internal power, driving voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage. Powers of a drive voltage, a control voltage, and a backup voltage are supplied to the main control board 920, and these powers are supplied via the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910. Power of a driving voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the payout control board 930. Power of a driving voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the sub-control board 940. Power of a driving voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the emission control unit 902 and the signal relay unit 903.

A power switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901, and when the power switch 909 is in the off state, the intake of external power is stopped. By turning off the power switch 909 or disconnecting the power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 via the power switch 909 from the external power supply outlet (not shown), the pachinko machine can be used. A state in which the supply of electric power to the inside of the machine 100 is stopped or a state in which the supply of external electric power itself is stopped is collectively 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 controls the drive of the ball feed solenoid 332 and the launch solenoid 334 of the launch device 330 in cooperation with the main control board 920. The ball feed solenoid 332 and the launch solenoid 334 are allowed to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, it is detected that the player is touching the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1) based on the contact sensor signal from the contact sensor 254, and the firing stop switch 255 for stopping the firing is The launch control unit 902 outputs a launch permission signal in the ON state to the main control board 920 on condition that it is not operated. Further, the main control board 920 outputs a launch solenoid control signal and a ball feed solenoid control signal to the launch control unit 902 based on the launch permission signal and the launch abnormality signal. The launch control unit 902 operates the ball feed solenoid 332 based on the ball feed control signal in the on state, and operates the launch solenoid 334 based on the reception of the launch solenoid control signal in the on state and the resistance value of the variable resistor 253. Let me. As a result, the game balls are sequentially launched from the launching device 330 with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 253 (rotation operation amount of the firing handle 252).

The signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state initialization signal to the main control board 920 when the initialization switch 907 is pressed. 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. The initialization switch 907 does not necessarily have to be configured to output a signal to the main control board 920 via the signal relay unit 903. For example, the initialization switch 907 is directly mounted on the main control board 920. The initialization switch 907 may be housed in the board case 371, whereby it is possible to suppress an illegal signal input targeting a section in which a signal is transmitted.

Further, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state ball overflow signal to the main control board 920 when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball. In the main control board 920, a low-speed payout signal is output 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 that receives the low-speed payout signal is the rotation speed (payout) of the payout motor 542. The payout speed of the game ball from the device 540) is reduced. Further, the main control board 920 outputs a high-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the off state, and the payout control board 930 receiving the high-speed payout signal sets the rotation speed of the payout motor 542. Speed up.

The power supply monitoring board 910 transmits power supply and various signals between the power supply monitoring unit 911 that monitors the power supply status from the power supply / emission control board 900 and the power supply / emission control board 900 and the main control board 920. It includes 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 DC stable 24 volt voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 901. When the state where the voltage is less than 22 volts continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the power failure state is established, and the power failure signal in the ON state 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 comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko machine 100. The main control board 920 is equipped with an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer. The MPU includes a CPU as an arithmetic processing unit (not shown), a ROM (not shown) that stores various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily when the control program is executed. It includes a RAM (not shown) for storing etc. In addition, 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 on the main control board 920. There is. The RAM of the main control board 920 has a configuration in which internal data can be maintained (backed up) by supplying power of the backup voltage from the power supply / emission control board 900 even after the transition to the power failure state.

The payout control board 930 controls a game ball payout operation by the payout device 540 according to an instruction from the main control board 920 and a game ball lending operation by the payout device 540 according to the operation of the game ball lending device 290. Similar to the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 includes an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown), and 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. The payout control board 930 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so that information communication is possible. For example, bidirectional information input / output communication is possible between the main control board 920 and the relay device 950. The open / close detection switch 108, 109, the storage ball switch 591, and the payout counting switch 592 are connected to each other so that only one-way information input communication is possible, and the payout motor 542 is connected to one-way information only. Only output communication is possible. The RAM of the payout control board 930 may have a backup function capable of maintaining internal data for a certain period of time in a power failure state, like the RAM of the main control board 920, or the RAM of the main control board 920. Unlike this, the internal data may not be maintained in a power failure state.

The sub control board 940 controls the operation of various production devices, various light emitting devices, various acoustic devices, and the like based on instructions from the main control board 920. The sub-control board 940 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so that information can be communicated. For example, the sub-control board 940 is connected to the main control board 920 so that only one-way information input communication is possible. , The input operation device 260 is connected to the input operation device 260 so as to be capable of information communication in both directions, and is connected to the decorative symbol display device 479 or the like so as to be capable of information output communication in only one direction.

<Various control processes>
Next, various control processes executed by the main control board 920 will be described. The control processing on the main control board 920 is roughly divided into the main processing that is started when the power is restored from the power failure state and the main processing that is periodically interrupted (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 ms (milliseconds)). It consists of timer interrupt processing.

First, the main process executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the main process of the main control board 920 (abbreviated as “main control main process” 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, the interrupt prohibition process S1020 that prohibits the interrupt, the winning random number initial value counter (a part of the RAM area), the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter (a part of the RAM area), and the normal symbol related to the special symbol are used. The random number initial value update process S1021 that updates the value of the winning random number initial value counter (a part of the area of the RAM), and the first fluctuation type counter to the fourth fluctuation type for determining the fluctuation time, the fluctuation pattern, and the like. The variable counter update process S1022 for updating the value of the counter (a part of the area of the RAM) and the interrupt permission process S1023 for permitting an interrupt are repeatedly executed. If a timer interrupt request occurs before the interrupt enable process S1023, the timer interrupt process is executed immediately after the interrupt enable process S1023.

In a series of control start processes, a program start process S1001 that sets an initial value in a stack pointer (a part of RAM area) that controls program execution, an interrupt mode setting process S1002 that sets an interrupt mode, and a payout control board. The start-up standby process S1003, which waits for a predetermined time until the 930, the sub-control board 940, and the like start up, is executed.

After the start-up standby process S1003, the output state determination process S1004 of the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 of the power supply / emission control board 900, the value determination process S1005 of the power failure information (a part of the RAM), and the storage. The information storage state determination process S1007 is performed, and it is determined whether or not to erase the stored information in the RAM based on these determination results. Here, the stored information is information necessary for returning to the state of the game before the power failure, and corresponds to a part of the area of the RAM that was updated according to the progress of the game before the power failure, and is executed. Examples include the value of the counter related to the unit game in the game, the value of the counter stored by the starting prize, and the like.

The storage state of the stored information is determined as follows. First, the checksum value for the storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated (checksum calculation process S1006), and the current checksum value and the power failure monitoring process S1202 (see FIG. 12) are accompanied by the transition to the previous power failure state. ) Is determined whether or not the exclusive OR with the RAM determination value, which is the two's complement of the checksum value calculated in), is “0” (determination process S1007), whereby the current checksum value and the current checksum value are determined. 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 saved information has been saved and terminated at the time of transition to the power failure state (S1005: N), or saved. When the information is not normally held (S1007: N), the RAM clear process S1008 for erasing the RAM storage information is executed. Hardware that initializes various devices connected to the main control board 920 after it is determined that the stored information is normally held (S1007: Y) or after the RAM clear processing S1008 is executed. The hardware initialization process S1009 is executed.

After the hardware initialization process S1009, the determination process S1010 for determining whether or not the power failure information is the power failure value is executed. When the power failure information is the power failure value (S1010: N), the RAM return setting process S1011 for initializing various information including the recovery of the retained information and the recovery command indicating the completion of the setting are set (return command). Output processing S1012). By restoring the holding information in the RAM restoration setting process S1011, the control state of the main control board 920 is restored 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 the power failure value (S1010: Y), various information is initialized (RAM initial setting process S1013) without restoring the retained information, and an initialization command indicating the completion of the setting is output. (Initialization command output process S1014).

In the RAM recovery setting process S1011 and the RAM initial setting process S1013, the power failure information is set to a predetermined energization value different from the power failure value, and various error states such as an error detection error immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state are performed. Even if is occurring, all those error states are cleared. Further, either the return command or the initialization command is output from the 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 that have received the return command or the initialization command are received. A predetermined initialization process is also executed in each of the above.

After the initial setting of the RAM according to the situation at the time of startup (determination process S1004 to initialization command output process S1014), if the condition device is operating at the time of the previous transition to the power failure state, the special game state is set. Preparations for returning are performed (special game state return preparation process S1015). Specifically, in the special game state return preparation process S1015, the operating states of the condition device and the accessory continuous operating device are determined, and the process corresponding to the game situation during the power failure state is executed on the sub-control board 940. To.

After the special game state return preparation process S1015, it is determined whether the time saving state or the non-time saving state is set by determining whether or not the time saving state flag is set (determination process S1016), and the time saving state is set. In the case (S1016: Y), the time saving command is output (time saving command output process S1017). On the other hand, in the non-time saving state (S1016: N), the non-time saving command is output (non-time saving command output process S1018). After that, the value of the winning random number counter (a part of the area of the RAM) related to the special symbol is initialized (random number initialization process S1019).

Next, the 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, the interrupt start process S1201 for starting the 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. After that, the power failure monitoring process S1202 to the external information output process S1221 related to substantial control such as game progress control of the pachinko machine 100 and monitoring of various sensors are sequentially executed. However, when the game progress is stopped based on the detection of various frauds (S1207: Y), the control signal output process S1208 to the external information output process S1221 are not executed. Finally, the interrupt enable process S1222 that permits the next timer interrupt is executed, and the current timer interrupt process ends. Hereinafter, various main processes will be described individually.

In the power failure monitoring process S1202, the value of the power failure information (a part 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 board 910. Specifically, the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, and when the on state is detected three times, the power failure state is determined. If it is not determined in this determination that there is a power failure, the power failure information is maintained at the energized value.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the power failure monitoring process S1202 that the power is in a power failure state, the following process is executed. First, the value of the power failure information is changed from the energization value set in the RAM return setting process S1011 or the RAM initial setting process S1013 (see FIG. 11) to a predetermined power failure value. Further, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of RAM is calculated, and the 2's complement of the checksum value is set as the RAM determination value. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 enters an infinite loop that does not substantially control the progress of the game, monitoring of various sensors, etc., and the state of the RAM after the RAM determination value is set is maintained based on the backup power. To. Since the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, each process of the timer interrupt is executed twice after the reception of the power failure signal is detected for the first time.

In the random number update process S1203, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the jackpot symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is different from the specified maximum value (for example, "576"), the value is changed to a value "1" larger than the current value, and the special symbol is changed. When the value of the winning random number counter related to is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). However, if the changed value is the same as the circular initial value for the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the value of the winning random number counter for the special symbol is the same as the winning random number initial value counter for the special symbol. Is set to the value of, and 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 related to the normal symbol are also updated in the same manner as in the case of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol. However, as the update range defined by the specified maximum value and specified minimum value of each counter, a value unique to each counter is set, and multiple counters are configured to be updated asynchronously, and the circulation initial value of each counter is set. Refers to the initial value counter unique to each counter. For example, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol have the same value range, and the jackpot symbol random number counter and the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter have the same value range. The range of values is the same for the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol.

In the random number initial value update process S1204, the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number initial value counter, and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol is different from the specified maximum value (for example, "576"), the value is changed to a value "1" larger than the current value, which is special. When the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the symbol is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). Regarding the symbol random number initial value counter related to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol, except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are values unique to those counters, the initial winning random number related to the special symbol It is updated in the same way as for the value counter.

In the fluctuation counter update 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 fluctuation type counter is different from the specified maximum value (for example, "187"), the value is changed to a value "1" larger than the current value, and the first fluctuation If the value of the type counter is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The second fluctuation type counter to the fourth fluctuation type counter are also updated in the same manner as in the case of the first fluctuation type counter, except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are unique to those counters. Will be done.

The winning random number counters, jackpot symbol random number counters, stop pattern selection counters, and variable type counters related to the special symbol and the ordinary symbol do not necessarily have the above-mentioned configurations, and at least a part of the above counters has other configurations. For example, it may be configured to update from a constant initial value without using the initial value counter, or it may be configured by a random number generation IC without using a program and the value may be referred to as needed. ..

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

In the control signal output process S1208, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, and the ordinary symbol are related based on the control data stored in the output buffer. A signal for controlling various notification devices such as a normal symbol display device 473 is output. Further, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, various actuators such as a ball feed solenoid 332, a launch solenoid 334, a right approach regulation solenoid 462, a right approach regulation solenoid 463, a center entry regulation solenoid 464, and a switching solenoid 465 are used. The control signal is output.

In the switch reading process S1209, the first start winning switch 441, the second starting winning switch 442, 642, the right winning winning switch 443, the central winning winning switch 444, the combined operation switch 445, the starting switch 446, and the non-specific passage switch 447. , The signal state from each of the specific passage switch 448 and the general winning switch 449A, 449B, 649 is read, and the change in the detection state of the game ball by various switches is detected.

Specifically, in the switch read process S1209, the signal states from the various switches are read into the input buffer (a part of the area of the RAM) twice at predetermined time intervals, and the signals from the various switches are read. For each, the first read signal state (hereinafter abbreviated as "first signal state") and the second read signal state (hereinafter abbreviated as "second signal state"). , Changes in the detection status of various switches are detected based on the detection status detected by the previous timer interrupt (hereinafter abbreviated as "previous detection status"). Then, for each switch, when the previous detection state is the off state, when the first signal state is the on state and the second signal state is the on state, it is determined that the switch is on. Then, the detection flag (a part of the area of RAM) according to the type of the switch is set. As described in the power failure monitoring process S1202, even if the power supply is stopped, each process of the timer interrupt is executed twice, so that the various switches are turned on immediately after the power supply is stopped. Even when started, the 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 game state, fraud monitoring, and the like are updated.

In the fraud detection process S1211, fraudulent acts such as forcibly entering a game ball into various winning devices or forcibly operating various winning devices are detected. Specifically, the right starting winning device 432, the right winning device 433 and the central winning device 434 are moved to the forced entry allowable posture, and the game ball is guided to the specific passage of the right winning device 433 by vibration. , Right start winning device 432 by radio wave, right grand prize device 433 and central grand prize device 434 forcible malfunction induction, induction of game balls to various winning devices by magnetic adsorption, lower middle start winning device 431 , Right start winning device 432, upper middle starting winning device 632, right grand winning device 433 and central grand winning device 434 with a high possibility of fraudulent acts such as guiding a game ball at an abnormal timing. Detect the occurrence.

In the winning detection response process S1212, control based on the detection of the game ball by various switches provided on the game board 400 is executed. Specifically, when the first start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the first start winning switch 441 (see FIG. 10), the middle start winning counter (a predetermined value of the RAM) is set. Area) and the first payout counter (predetermined area of RAM) are updated. Further, when the second start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the second start winning switch 442,642 (see FIG. 10), the first payout counter is updated. Further, when the right grand prize switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the right grand prize switch 443 (see FIG. 10), or when the central grand prize switch 444 (see FIG. 10) detects the game ball. When the central prize-winning switch detection flag is set based on the above, the prize-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, the launch-related information for controlling the launch of the game ball by the launch device 330 is updated. Specifically, the operation flag of the ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 and the operation flag of the launch solenoid 334 that drives the launch mechanism 333 are updated.

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

In the payout state monitoring process S1215, the 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 state 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 notifications according to the type of the payout state command.

In the payout signal output process S1216, various prize ball commands are set based on the values of the first payout counter and the second payout counter, and are output to the payout control board 930, if necessary. The first payout counter and the second payout counter are updated according to the setting of the prize ball command. For example, the first payout counter is added by 1 each time a game ball corresponding to one winning is detected, and is subtracted by 1 each time a prize ball command based on the winning is set. In the payout control board 930, the main control board 920 is awarded each time the control for paying out the number (for example, 3) of the game balls corresponding to the prize is executed (specifically, shortly before the payout is completed). When a ball command is requested and the prize balls are continuously paid out, a further prize ball command is output from the main control board 920. The second payout counter is a counter that is updated in response to a prize (for example, 13 pieces) having a different number of prize balls from the first payout counter, and a prize ball command based on the value of the second payout counter is issued on the payout control board. When the 930 receives the game, the payout control board 930 executes control to pay out a number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command.

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

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

In the normal symbol-related process S1218, the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol and the control of the 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. Further, in the control of the unit game related to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol display device 473 related to 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 the display control process S1219, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, the special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol, and the special symbol related process S1217. Based on various information updated to control the operation of the special symbol hold display device 477 and the like related to the second special symbol, output data for specifically operating those devices is synthesized. The synthesized output data is output to each device in the control signal output process S1208 based on the next timer interrupt.

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

<Change in the moving direction of the game ball made by the central structure 420>
Next, with reference mainly to FIGS. 13 to 16, a configuration in which the moving direction of the game ball flowing down the game area is changed by the central structure 420 will be described. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the central structure 420. More specifically, FIG. 13 shows a part of the members (top plate decoration 611, upper left front decoration) attached to the upper part of the front side, which is the surface of the central structure 420 facing the player (that is, the front side). It is a perspective view which disassembled 612, the upper right front decoration 613) with respect to other members.

As shown in FIG. 13, the top plate decoration 611 is provided with a roof 611B protruding from a position inside the upper end on the back surface of the decoration main body 611A visually recognized by the player. The roof 611B is configured to have a smoothly curved shape that is convex upward and has an apex substantially at the center of the top plate decoration 611. The end of the roof 611B opposite to the joint with the decorative body 611A is in contact with the main body side front of the central structure 420, whereby the roof 611B is the back surface of the decorative body 611A and the central structure 420. It is configured as a ball passage with the upper part open along with the front surface on the main body side.

Therefore, a part of the game balls launched from the launching device 330 and entering the upper gaming area (hereinafter, also referred to as “upper gaming area”) with respect to the central structure 420 flows down the upper gaming area and then the roof 611B. Can be reached. As described above, since the roof 611B is configured to have an upwardly convex curved shape, the game ball that has reached the roof 611B can reach the roof depending on conditions such as the arrival position and the moving direction of the game ball at the time of arrival. Rolls on 611B in the left direction (arrow Q1 direction) or right direction (arrow Q2 direction).

Further, a recess 611C for guiding the game ball toward the main body side of the central structure 420 is provided at substantially the center (that is, substantially the top) of the roof 611B. A passage port 621 is provided at the tip of the recess 611C. As a result, the game ball that has reached the roof 611B can be guided to the passage port 621 through the recess 611C, in addition to being discharged from the left end or the right end of the roof 611B by rolling to the left or right. That is, the roof 611B functions as a distribution unit (first distribution unit) that distributes the game balls that have reached the roof 611B to the left or right or into the passage port 621.

In the upper right upper part of the central structure 420 on the main body side, a section portion 624 for partitioning a game area flowing down by the left-handed game method and a game area flowing down by the right-handed game method is provided. The compartment 624 has a plate shape having an inclined surface inclined to the lower right with a certain gap below which the game ball can pass with respect to the outer rail 402 (see FIG. 7) forming the outer shape of the game area. The game ball that is formed and passes through the upper side of the compartment 624 becomes a game ball that flows down by the right-handed game technique. On the other hand, the game ball that passes through the lower side of the compartment 624 becomes a game ball that flows down by the left-handed game technique.

Therefore, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the game balls that flow down by the left-handed game method are only the game areas that are continuous from the left side to the lower side with respect to the central structure 420 (hereinafter, also referred to as “left side game area”). Instead, it goes through the central upper gaming area located between the left gaming area and the upper gaming area. The central upper game area is an area including an internal area of the central structure 420, and corresponds to an area in which the game ball flows down the left and right sides of the roof 611B in the upper part of the central structure 420, and the upper middle start winning device 632 is provided. Including. Therefore, the upper middle start winning device 632 is arranged on the upstream side with respect to the left gaming area. On the other hand, the lower middle start winning device 431 is provided in a part of the left game area and is arranged on the downstream side with respect to the central upper game area.

The movement paths of the game balls distributed to the left and right by the roof 611B will be described later with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. On the other hand, the game ball guided to the passage port 621 is guided to the distribution device 622 connected to the passage port 621. The distribution device 622 is a device that functions as a second distribution unit, and distributes the guided game ball to the outside of the upper middle start winning device 632 or the start winning device 632.

Below the distribution device 622, a flow control unit 623 is provided. The flow control unit 623 is configured as an inclined surface whose upper surface is inclined downward from right to left. Each end side of the inclined surface of the flow control portion 623 in the longitudinal direction is in contact with the back surface of each decoration 611, 612, 613 and the front surface of the central structure 420 on the main body side. As a result, the game ball distributed to the outside of the upper middle start winning device 632 by the distribution device 622 falls on the flow control unit 623 and moves to the left by its own weight on the inclined surface of the flow control unit 623 (arrow Q3 direction). ). As a result, the game ball enters the left game area (that is, the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420).

Here, the sorting device 622 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the region E1 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the distribution device 622 mainly includes a left distribution passage 622A, a right distribution passage 622B, and a stage 622C. The left distribution passage 622A is a passage that guides the game ball that has entered from the passage port 621 to the left side. On the other hand, the right distribution passage 622B is a passage that guides the game ball that has entered from the passage port 621 to the right side.

The stage 622C is provided on each downstream side of the left distribution passage 622A and the right distribution passage 622B. As a result, when the game ball passes through the left distribution passage 622A, the game ball P enters from the left side of the stage 622C and rolls on the stage 622C, for example, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the game ball that has passed through the right distribution passage 622B enters from the right side of the stage 622C and rolls on the stage 622C.

The stage 622C is provided with a recess 622D substantially in the center thereof. Recesses 622E and 622F are provided on the left and right sides of the recess 622D, respectively. Each of the recesses 622D, 622E, and 622F is configured so that the game ball can be dropped from the front side thereof (that is, the side that becomes the front side of the game machine). As a result, the game ball rolling on the stage 622C falls forward from the stage 622C through any of the recesses 622D, 622E, and 622F.

In front of the stage 622C, an upper middle start winning device 632 is provided. The upper middle start winning device 632 is configured to be reciprocally movable in the left-right direction by a driving device (not shown). Therefore, if the upper middle start winning device 632 that reciprocates at the timing when the game ball falls from the stage 622C through any of the recesses 622D, 622E, and 622F is in an appropriate position, the upper middle starting winning device 632 is set to the stage. Upon receiving the game ball falling from the 622C, the game ball enters the upper middle start winning device 632. As described above, the upper middle start winning device 632 is a starting winning device according to the second special symbol, like the right starting winning device 432. Therefore, when the game ball that has entered the upper middle start winning device 632 is detected by the second starting winning switch 642, the starting winning of the second special symbol is obtained.

On the other hand, when the upper middle start winning device 632 is not in an appropriate position and the game ball dropped from the stage 622C cannot enter the upper middle starting winning device 632, the game ball is placed in the flow control unit 623 as described above. The game ball falls upward, whereby the game ball rolls to the left (in the direction of arrow Q3) on the inclined surface of the flow control unit 623 and is discharged to the left game area.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the movement path of the game ball distributed to the left or right (direction of arrow Q1 or arrow Q2) by the roof 611B will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the top plate decoration 611, the upper left front decoration 612, and the upper right front decoration 613 as viewed from the back side. FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the central structure 420 due to the removal of the decorative bodies 611A, 612A, and 613A in the decorative bodies 611, 612, and 613. The decorative bodies 611A, 612A, and 613A are parts that function as decorative means visually recognized by the player in the top plate decoration 611, the upper left front decoration 612, and the upper right front decoration 613.

As shown in FIG. 15, passage walls 612B and 612C extending downward are erected on the back surface of the decorative main body 612A of the upper left front decoration 612, separated by a predetermined width. As a result, a left flow passage 652 continuous in the vertical direction is formed between the passage wall 612B and the passage wall 612C. That is, the left flow passage 652 functions as a warp path formed inside the central structure 420. Therefore, the game ball that rolls on the roof 611B in the direction of arrow Q1 (that is, the game ball distributed to the left side by the roof 611B) is guided by the flow passage 652, which is a warp path, and flows down the left flow passage 652.

As shown in FIG. 16, a flow control section 623 is provided downstream of the left flow control passage 652. Therefore, the game ball flowing down the left flow-down passage 652 falls on the flow-down regulation unit 623. As a result, the game ball rolls in the left direction (arrow Q3 direction) on the inclined surface of the flow control portion 623. That is, the game ball distributed to the left side by the roof 611B flows down the left flow-down passage 652, then rolls to the left on the inclined surface of the flow-down regulation portion 623, and is discharged to the left-side game area.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, passage walls 613B and 613C extending downward are erected on the back surface of the decorative main body 613A of the upper right front decoration 613 separated by a predetermined width. As a result, a right flow passage 653 continuous in the vertical direction is formed between the passage wall 613B and the passage wall 613C. That is, the right flow passage 653 also functions as a warp path formed inside the central structure 420. Therefore, the game ball that rolls on the roof 611B in the direction of arrow Q2 (that is, the game ball distributed to the right by the roof 611B) is guided by the right flow passage 653, which is a warp path, and flows down the right flow passage 653. ..

Then, the game ball flowing down the right flow passage 653 falls on the flow control unit 623 and rolls in the left direction (arrow Q3 direction) on the inclined surface. That is, the game ball distributed to the right by the roof 611B flows down the right flow passage 653, then rolls to the left on the inclined surface of the flow control portion 623, and is discharged to the left game area.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, even the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B is made to enter the left game area by passing through the right flow passage 653 and the flow regulation unit 623. be able to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in the pachinko machine 100, between the passage wall 612B and the passage wall 612C, a plate-shaped protrusion 612D projecting from the back surface of the decorative main body 612A is provided between the passage wall 612B and the passage wall 612C. It is provided substantially parallel to the wall surface of.

The protrusion 612D has a bottom surface (a surface in contact with the back surface of the decorative body 612A) formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the continuous direction (that is, the vertical direction) of the left flow passage 652, and is adjacent to the longitudinal side of the bottom surface. The side surface (that is, the surface substantially parallel to the wall surface of the passage wall 612B and the passage wall 612C) is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape whose width becomes narrower as the distance from the back surface of the decorative main body 612A increases. In other words, the protrusion 612D is configured such that the height from the bottom surface, which is the installation surface with respect to the decorative main body 612A, gradually increases from the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface toward the inside. A plurality of protrusions 612D (five in the example shown in FIG. 15) are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the continuous direction of the left flow passage 652.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the left flow passage 652, a recess 652A corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 612D is formed on the surface facing the protrusion 612D. Therefore, the game ball flowing down the left flow passage 652 is not a vertical drop, but a path formed by the protrusion 612D and the recess 652A, that is, once facing the back side (bottom side of the recess 652A) and then toward the front side. Follow the route returned.

As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of protrusions 613D similar to the protrusions 612D are provided between the passage wall 613B and the passage wall 613C on the back surface of the decoration main body 613A of the upper right front decoration 613. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, in the right flow passage 653, a recess 653A corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 613D is formed on the surface facing the protrusion 613D. Therefore, also for the right flow passage 653, the game ball is formed by the protrusion 613D and the recess 653A, and once faces the back side (bottom side of the recess 653A), the game ball moves to the front side as in the left flow passage 652. Take the route returned.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, on the back surface of the decorative main body 612A, a protrusion 612E extending in a direction intersecting the continuous direction of the left flow passage 652 is formed on the downstream side of the left flow passage 652. .. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, on the front surface of the central structure 420 on the main body side, at a position downstream of the protrusion 612E, the direction intersecting the continuous direction of the left flow passage 652, similar to the protrusion 612E. A protrusion 652B extending elongated is formed in the above. As a result, the game ball flows down the left flow passage 652 while colliding with the protrusions 612E and 652B. Since the mechanical energy of the game ball is reduced by the collision with the protrusions 612E and 652B, the collision between the game ball and the flow control unit 623 can be alleviated.

The curved shape of the roof 611B is configured to be substantially symmetrical for the purpose of smoothing the distribution of the game ball to the left and right. On the other hand, the inclined surface of the flow control unit 623 is configured to be inclined downward from right to left. Therefore, inevitably, the distance until the game ball discharged from the left end of the roof 611B and flowing down the left flow passage 652 reaches the flow control portion 623 is the distance from the right end of the roof 611B to the right flow passage 653 game ball. It is longer than the distance to reach the flow control section 623. Therefore, there is a difference in energy when the game ball falls (collides) with the flow control unit 623 depending on whether the game ball is discharged from the left end of the roof 611B or the game ball is discharged from the right end of the roof 611B. As a result, there is a risk that the behavior of the game ball that has fallen on the flow control unit 623 will be inhomogeneous.

On the other hand, as described above, protrusions 612E and 652B, which are not downstream of the right flow passage 653, are provided downstream of the left flow passage 652, which has a longer flow distance of the game ball than the right flow passage 653. Therefore, even when the game ball is distributed to either the left or right side of the roof 611B, the behavior of the game ball that has fallen to the flow control unit 623 can be smoothed.

Next, in the pachinko machine 100, the action and effect related to the change in the moving direction of the game ball made by the central structure 420 will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100, as described above, the game balls distributed to the right by the roof 611B can enter the left game area by passing through the right flow passage 653 and the flow regulation unit 623.

In a conventional typical game machine, a game ball distributed to the right side by a distribution portion provided in the upper part of the central structure flows down to the right side as it is, and a game ball distributed to the left side flows down to the left side as it is. The behavior of the game balls distributed by the distribution section also affected the flow position of the game balls to the downstream side. Therefore, in the conventional game machine, when a start winning device such as the lower middle start winning device 431 is provided in the game area on the left side of the central structure (that is, the left game area), the player , Directly aim at the left game area (left-handed game method), or launch the game ball so that the game ball is distributed to the left side at the distribution section. In this way, in the conventional game machine, the flow start position of the game ball aimed at by the player becomes uniform, and a large number of game balls flow down on one side where the privilege related to the game is easily given such as the start winning device. The launch operation of the player was easily limited, and it lacked unexpectedness.

On the other hand, according to the pachinko machine 100, even if the player shoots a game ball aiming at the right side far from the entrance of the game area (that is, the exit of the launch passage 401B), the game ball is placed in the left game area. Can be flowed down. Therefore, it is possible to diversify the target position by the player by the firing operation, and it is possible to give unexpectedness. As a result, the interest of the game can be suitably improved.

Further, even if the launch operation is performed so that a large number of game balls flow down to the right side in the game area, the game balls can be returned to the left game area by the right flow passage 653 and the flow control unit 623. , Even if many game balls are flowed down not only from the left side aiming at the entry of the game ball into the passage port 621 in the central structure 420 but also aiming at the entry into the passage port 621 from the right side, the game ball is in the left game area. It is possible to give benefits related to the game by being guided to. Also in this respect, the interest of the game can be suitably improved.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100, it is possible to enter the upper middle start winning device 632 on condition that the game ball has entered the passage port 621 in the central structure 420. In other words, the game ball does not enter the upper middle start winning device 632 without entering the passage port 621. Therefore, when the game ball is launched so as to aim at entering the passage port 621 from the right side, the game ball does not enter the passage port 621 and the opportunity to enter the upper middle start winning device 632 is lost. However, since the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B, there is a possibility of passing through the lower middle start winning device 431. As a result, the disappointment of the player due to the loss of the opportunity to enter the upper middle start winning device 632 can be reduced, and in that respect as well, the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100, the central structure 420 is provided above the lower middle start winning device 431 in the front view of the pachinko machine 100 (see FIG. 7). As a result, the roof 611B of the top plate decoration 611 is positioned so as to overlap the lower middle start winning device 431 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the game balls distributed to the right side by the roof 611B press the flow control unit 623. By passing and moving to the left side, the lower middle start winning device 431 is reached through a substantially S-shaped movement path. Therefore, since the movement route of the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B to the lower middle start winning device 431 is different from the route of simply flowing down, the player can use the movement route. I can be clearly aware of it. As a result, even if the player fires the game ball aiming at the side away from the left game area (that is, the right side), the game ball may pass through the lower middle start winning device 431. Since the firing operation can be performed while clearly grasping, it is possible to preferably enjoy the game in which the firing operation is performed aiming at the right side.

Here, the decorative symbol display device 479 that displays the decorative symbol according to the result of the first special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the first special symbol or the second special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the second special symbol. , In the front view of the pachinko machine 100, it is provided between the roof 611B and the lower middle start winning device 431. That is, the decorative symbol corresponding to the result of the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery is displayed between the roof 611B and the lower middle start winning device 431. As a result, when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B, the player follows the movement path of the game ball, and when the game ball enters the lower middle start winning device 431, the player looks at the game. By raising the lower middle start winning device 431 upward from the position of the lower middle starting winning device 431, a decorative symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery (that is, the first special symbol lottery) based on the game ball entering the lower middle starting winning device 431. Can be visually recognized. After confirming the state of the decorative pattern display device 479, the player can further visually recognize how the game balls are distributed on the roof 611B located above the decorative pattern display device 479 by further raising the line of sight. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player's line of sight from being distracted.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100, when a game ball enters the passage port 621 in the central structure 420, the game ball is guided to the stage 622C, and the stage 622C guides the game ball to the upper middle start winning device 632 or the starting winning device. It is distributed outside 632. If the game ball has entered the passage port 621 but has not been distributed to the upper middle start winning device 632, the game ball falls on the flow control unit 623 and is discharged to the left game area. As a result, the player may be able to allow the game ball to enter the lower middle start winning device 431 in the left game area even if the game ball cannot enter the upper middle start winning device 632. You can expect it to happen.

In particular, even when the game ball falls from a recess (recess 622D or recess 622F) on the right side with respect to the position of the upper middle start winning device 632 that reciprocates in the left-right direction, the game ball is placed in the left game area. Since the player can be guided, the player may enter the lower middle start winning device 431 for the game ball moving by the unexpected route while having an unexpectedness about the movement path of the game ball. You can expect that there isn't.

Further, in a conventional typical game machine, when a game ball that has entered an approach portion such as a passage port 621 does not pass through an advantageous area such as the upper middle start winning device 632, the game ball is a pachinko machine. It was discharged to the outside of 100. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 100, even if the game ball that has entered the passage port 621 does not enter the upper middle start winning device 632, the game ball is not discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. Again, a chance to enter the lower middle start winning device 431 is given. Therefore, the disappointment of the player due to the fact that the game ball that has entered the passage port 621 does not enter the upper middle start winning device 632 can be reduced, and in that respect as well, the interest of the game can be improved. ..

<Behavior of the game ball according to the drop position on the flow control unit 623>
Next, with reference mainly to FIG. 17, the behavior of the game ball according to the drop position to the flow control unit 623 will be described. FIG. 17 is a front view of a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. Note that FIG. 17 also shows the general winning device 639 arranged in the left game area (that is, the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420).

As described above, the game balls distributed to the left or right by the roof 611B flow down the left flow passage 652 or the right flow passage 653, and then move to the left on the inclined surface of the flow control unit 623 (arrow Q3 direction: FIG. 16) and is discharged to the left game area. Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the flow control portion 623 is configured such that the longitudinal direction of the inclined surface provided on the upper surface thereof is longer than the width in the left-right direction of the roof 611B. Therefore, when the game ball is distributed to the left side by the roof 611B (that is, when the game ball flows down the left flow passage 652) and when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B (that is, the game ball is distributed to the left). The drop position of the game ball to the flow control unit 623 is different between the case of flowing down the flow passage 652).

Specifically, when the game ball is distributed to the left side by the roof 611B, the side near the exit 623A, which is the left end of the flow control unit 623, is the drop position of the game ball. On the other hand, when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B, the side far from the exit 623A (that is, the side closer to the right end of the flow control portion 623) is the drop position of the game ball.

Since the inclined surface of the flow control portion 623 is configured to incline downward from right to left, the height (vertical length) with respect to the position of the outlet becomes higher as the distance from the outlet 623A (that is, the left end of the inclined surface) increases. Become. Therefore, the farther the drop position of the game ball to the flow control unit 623 is from the position of the outlet of the flow control unit 623, the higher the height of the drop position with respect to the outlet.

That is, the height of the falling position with respect to the exit differs depending on the direction in which the game balls are distributed by the roof 611B. For example, the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B falls to a higher position with respect to the exit than when it is distributed to the left side. Therefore, the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the outlet of the flow control unit 623 can be changed according to the distribution direction of the game ball by the roof 611B.

Specifically, when the game ball is distributed to the left side by the roof 611B and flows down the left flow-down passage 652, the drop point to the flow-down control section 623 is closer to the exit 623A, and the height with respect to the exit 623A is relatively high. Low. Therefore, the game ball discharged from the outlet 623A in such a case tends to have a relatively small acceleration. On the other hand, when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B and flows down the right flow-down passage 653, the drop point to the flow-down regulation portion 623 is on the side far from the exit 623A, and the height with respect to the exit 623A is relatively high. high. Therefore, in such a case, the acceleration of the game ball discharged from the outlet 623A tends to be relatively large.

Therefore, when the game ball is distributed to the left side by the roof 611B, the game ball discharged from the outlet 623A of the flow control unit 623 can easily take the trajectory J1 flowing down on the side closer to the central structure 420. On the other hand, when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B, the game ball discharged from the outlet 623A of the flow control unit 623 flows down the side farther from the central structure 420 (that is, the side farther than the trajectory J1). It is easy to take the orbit J2.

The game ball discharged from the exit 623A of the flow control unit 623 enters the left game area. A general winning device 639 is arranged above the left game area (see FIG. 7). More specifically, the general winning device 639 is arranged at a position slightly to the left of the exit 623A near the exit 623A of the flow control unit 623 in the left game area.

By arranging the general winning device 639 at a position slightly to the left of the exit 623A, the possibility that the game ball discharged from the flow control unit 623 will enter the general winning device 639 has passed through the trajectory J2. In some cases, it will be higher than when passing through the orbit J1. Therefore, the farther the drop point to the flow control unit 623 is from the exit, the higher the possibility that the game ball will enter the general winning device 639. That is, in the case of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the possibility of entering the general winning device 639 is higher when the game balls are distributed to the right side by the roof 611B.

Next, in the pachinko machine 100, the action and effect related to the behavior of the game ball according to the drop position to the flow control unit 623 will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100, the flow control unit 623 is configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit 623 to the left game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received. For example, the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged to the left game area differs depending on whether the game ball is distributed to the right side or the left side by the roof 611B. On the other hand, the general winning device 639 is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit 623. As a result, the possibility that the player can receive the privilege related to the game can be changed according to the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit 623.

In general, the entry of a game ball into an advantageous area such as a general winning device 639 is easily determined by the arrangement of a flow changing member such as a nail provided in the vicinity of the advantageous area, and the game ball is placed at a position away from the advantageous area. Behavior has little effect on entry into the advantageous zone. Therefore, there is a problem that the player is only interested in the behavior of the game ball in a part of the game area, but in the pachinko machine 100, as described above, the game ball received by the flow control unit 623. Depending on the position of the player, the possibility that the player can receive the privilege related to the game can be changed, so that the player can enjoy the game of moving the game ball at the flow control unit 623, thereby. It is possible to preferably improve the interest of the game. Further, since the possibility that the player can receive the privilege related to the game can be changed according to the distribution direction of the game balls by the roof 611B, it is possible to improve the interest of the game in which the game balls are distributed by the roof 611B.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100, the general winning device 639 is arranged at a position slightly to the left of the outlet 623A of the flow control unit 623. That is, the possibility of entering the general winning device 639 is higher when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B. Therefore, it is possible to improve the interest in launching the game ball aiming at a predetermined position such as a position where the roof 611B distributes the game ball to the right side.

Further, the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B and a part of the game ball distributed by the stage 622C both pass through the flow control unit 623. Therefore, the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B may pass through the trajectory J2, but may be blocked by the game ball distributed by the stage 622C. Since the timing at which the game balls are discharged from the stage 622C fluctuates and is difficult to predict, even if the player aims at the progress of the game balls by the trajectory J2, the progress of some of the game balls is discharged from the stage 622C. A situation occurs where the ball blocks you. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the right side portion of the central upper game area from being extremely advantageous as compared with the left side portion.

<Functions of protrusions 612D and 613D>
Next, the functions of the protrusions 612D and 613D will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG. 18 is a front view of the central structure 420. As shown in FIG. 18, the upper left front decoration 612 and the upper right front decoration 613 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper front side of the central structure 420.

In the upper left front decoration 612, the decoration main body 612A whose front side is visible to the player is made of a material whose surface is transparent or translucent and which can transmit light. A light emitting body is arranged as a board surface light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) on the back surface side of the decorative main body 612A, and by causing the light emitting body to emit light, the light transmitted to the front surface side of the decorative main body 612A causes the game board 400. decorate. That is, the upper left front decoration 612 has a function as a decorative means for decorating the game board 400.

On the other hand, the decorative main body 613A of the upper right front decoration 613 is also configured as a hollow body having a transparent or translucent surface and a material capable of transmitting light, like the decorative main body 612A. Therefore, the upper right front decoration 613 also functions as a decorative means for decorating the game board 400, like the upper left front decoration 612.

In particular, since the surfaces of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A are configured as undulating surfaces (decorative undulating surfaces) on the side facing the player (that is, the front side), the upper left front decoration 612 and the upper right front decoration 613 are used. The decoration function is enhanced.

The back surface of each of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A is also made of a transparent or translucent and light-transmitting material like the front surface. Therefore, when the upper left front decoration 612 and the upper right front decoration 613 are viewed from the front side, the player can visually recognize the back side (that is, the back side on the back side of the decoration main bodies 612A and 613A).

As described above, since the flow passages 652 and 653 are provided on the back sides of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A (see FIGS. 15 and 16), the player can use the warp path via the decorative bodies 612A and 613A. As a result, it is possible to visually recognize the game ball flowing down the flow-down passages 652 and 653 arranged in the central structure 420. Therefore, the player can grasp how the game ball distributed to either the right side or the left side by the roof 611B moves on the warp path by visually recognizing it through the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A.

However, as described above, each of the front decorations 612 and 613 has a function as a decoration means and emits light as needed, so that the light deteriorates the visibility of the back sides of the decoration bodies 612A and 613A. , It becomes difficult for the player to identify the positions of the flow passages 652 and 653. Along with this, it becomes difficult for the player to grasp the whereabouts of the game balls distributed by the roof 611B. In particular, since the surfaces of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A are configured as undulating surfaces, the emitted light is scattered on the undulating surfaces, and the visibility of the back sides of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A is significantly deteriorated.

On the other hand, on each back surface of the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A (more specifically, the back side of each back surface), protrusions 612D and 613D extending in the continuous direction of the flow passage passages 652 and 653 in each flow passage passage 652 and 653. Is provided (see FIG. 15). Therefore, the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A are less likely to transmit light in the portion where the protrusions 612D and 613D are provided than in the other portions. The decorative bodies 612A and 613A emit light by a light emitting body provided on the back surface side thereof, and since the thickness of the protrusions 612D and 613D in the front-rear direction is larger than that of other parts, it is difficult for light to pass through. This is because the rear surface of the protrusions 612D and 613D is inclined in the front-rear direction, so that it is difficult for light from the rear side to enter the inside of the protrusions 612D and 613D. Therefore, even when the front decorations 612 and 613 emit light, the player can visually recognize the portion where the protrusions 612D and 613D are provided as a dark portion as compared with the other portions.

As described above, the bottom surfaces of the protrusions 612D and 613D (the surfaces of the decorative body 612A in contact with the back surface of the 613A) are formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the continuous direction of each flow passage 652,653. The dark part is visually recognized as a streak extending in the continuous direction of each of the flow passages 652 and 653. Therefore, the player can identify the positions of the flow passages 652 and 653 based on the dark portion. In this way, the protrusions 612D and 613D function as passage display means for displaying the flow passages 652 and 653.

In particular, as described above, the surfaces of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A are configured as undulating surfaces, which enhances the decorative effect by light while deteriorating the visibility of the back sides of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A, but on the back side. Is provided with protrusions 612D and 613D that function as passage display means for displaying the flow passages 652 and 653, so that the warp path formed on the back side while performing a high degree of decorativeness that gives the player an interest. Good visibility of the flow passages 652,653) can be ensured.

Further, since a plurality of protrusions 612D and 613D are provided in a direction intersecting the continuous direction of each flow passage 652 and 653, the player can visually recognize the plurality of streaks as dark portions and flow down. It is easy to identify the positions of the passages 652 and 653.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the flow passage. More specifically, FIG. 19 is a view in which a portion of the right flow passage 653 is extracted in the cross-sectional view taken along the line XA-XA of FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the right flow passage 653 is configured as a meandering path by the protrusion 613D and the recess 653A formed on the surface facing the protrusion 613D.

As a result, the game ball flowing down the right flow passage 653 flows down not vertically but by a meandering path to the back side of the central structure 420 (that is, the bottom side of the recess 652A). By meandering and flowing down the game ball, the game ball flows down while colliding with the right flow-down passage 653, whereby the flow-down speed of the game ball can be reduced. That is, the protrusion 613D has a function as a deceleration means. The left flow passage 652 is also configured as a meandering path similar to that in FIG. Therefore, the protrusion 612D also functions as a deceleration means similar to the protrusion 613D.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the region E2 in FIG. The right-hand flow passage 653 has a passage width W1 in the left-right direction, that is, a distance between the passage wall 613B and the passage wall 613C is a distance that allows two game balls to pass at the same time. By adopting such a width, it is possible to suppress ball clogging in the right flow passage 653.

On the other hand, in the right flow passage 653, the width of each section partitioned by the protrusion 613D (the length in the direction intersecting the continuous direction of the right flow passage 653) W2 is the diameter of the game ball (width of the game ball). It is said to be a narrower distance. As a result, the game ball flowing down the right flow passage 653 is rectified by the adjacent protrusion 613D. That is, the protrusion 613D has a function as a rectifying means.

In this way, since the flowing game balls are rectified by the protrusion 613D, even in a situation where two game balls pass through the right flow passage 653 at almost the same time, it is possible to suppress the ball clogging caused by those game balls. it can. The left flow passage 652 is also configured in the same manner as in FIG. Therefore, the protrusion 612D also functions as a rectifying means similar to the protrusion 613D.

Next, in the pachinko machine 100, the actions and effects related to the arrangement of the protrusions 612D and 613D will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100, protrusions 612D and 613D that function as passage display means are provided on the back surfaces of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A, so that the decorative bodies 612A and 613A decorate the game board 400 by light emission. Even if it is, it is easy to grasp the existence of the left and right flow passages 652 and 653 before the start of the game (that is, before the game ball enters the left game area including the lower middle start winning device 431). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling distrust or irritation about the game ball that has entered the game ball passage, so that the player can enjoy the game that is started by entering the game ball into the game ball passage. Can be done. This makes it possible to suitably improve the interest of the game.

Further, the left and right flow passages 652 and 653 are passages through which the game balls distributed to the left and right by the roof 611B are passed, and a flow regulation unit 623 is provided downstream of each of the flow passages 652 and 653. The game ball that has passed through the flow passages 652 and 653 rolls on the flow control unit 623 and is discharged to the left game area. At this time, the game ball distributed to the right side by the roof 611B passes through the right flow-down passage 653 and then rolls from the side closer to the right end of the flow-down regulation unit 623 to the exit 623A. Therefore, when the game ball is distributed to the right side by the roof 611B, it will pass a relatively long route before entering the left game area. In the pachinko machine 100, as described above, the existence of the right-hand flow passage 653 can be easily grasped before the start of the game, so that the player feels distrust of the game ball that has entered the relatively long route. Can be suitably suppressed.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100, the protrusions 612D and 613D function as deceleration means in the meandering portion formed together with the recess 652A, while the protrusions 612D and 613D function as rectifying means, so that the game in the meandering portion Clogged balls can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, 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.

(1) In the above embodiment, the flow control unit 623 is configured to receive the game balls distributed by the roof 611B and the distribution device 622, but the flow control unit 623 does not necessarily have the roof 611B and the distribution device 622. It is not necessary to be configured to receive the game balls sorted by. For example, it may be configured to directly receive a game ball flowing down the upper game area.

(2) In the above embodiment, the game balls distributed to the left side or the right side by the roof 611B are all discharged to the left side game area via the flow control unit 623, but the game balls distributed to the right side. It is not always necessary to pass the flow control unit 623. For example, the game balls distributed to the right side by the roof 611B may be discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 100.

In recent years, due to the increase in size of the central structure and the like, the size and arrangement of the area where the game ball flows down in the game area tends to be limited, but the roof 611B like the pachinko machine 100 of the above embodiment. Since the gaming balls distributed to either the left or right are guided to the common gaming area (that is, the left gaming area), the limited gaming area can be effectively utilized.

(3) In the above embodiment, the game balls are distributed to each of the roof 611B (first distribution unit) and the distribution device 622 (second distribution unit), but both of these distribution units are not necessarily distributed. There is no need to provide it. For example, the distribution portion may be only the roof 611B. In such a case, the starting prize of the second special symbol may be established based on the game ball entering the passage port 621.

(4) In the above embodiment, the roof 611B having an upwardly convex curved shape is adopted as the first distribution portion for distributing the game balls flowing down the upper game area, but the shape of the first distribution portion. Does not necessarily have to be limited to an upwardly convex curved shape. For example, it may be a stage or a croon that distributes the first distribution unit to either the left side, the right side, or the passage port. Alternatively, a movable object that moves in a predetermined direction may be used, and the game ball may be distributed to either the left side, the right side, or the passage port according to the movement of the movable object.

(5) In the above embodiment, the game ball distributed to either the left or right side by the roof 611B is also configured to be guided to the left game area by the flow control unit 623, but the destination guided by the flow control unit 623 is not necessarily the destination. It is not necessary to limit the game area to the side close to the entrance of the game area (that is, the exit of the launch passage 401B), that is, the left game area which is the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420.

For example, when the entrance of the game area is provided on the right side, that is, when the game ball is launched from the right side, the flow control unit 623 distributes the game ball distributed by the roof 611B to the central structure 420. It may be configured to guide to the game area from the right side (hereinafter, also referred to as “right side game area”). Also in such a modified example, similarly to the pachinko machine 100 of the above embodiment, the game balls distributed to the side far from the entrance of the game area (that is, the left side) are placed in the right game area which is the game area near the entrance. Can be entered into.

(6) In the above embodiment, the game balls distributed to either the left or right side by the roof 611B are guided to the left side game area by the common flow control unit 623, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the game ball may be configured to fall to different flow control sections depending on whether the game ball is distributed to the left side by the roof 611 or to the right side.

In this modified example, even if the inclination surface of the flow control section on which the game ball distributed on the left side falls and the flow control unit on which the game ball distributed on the right side falls have the same inclination angle, It may have different tilt angles. By setting the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the flow control section to a different angle, it is possible to make the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the outlet of each flow control section different.

Further, the flow control unit in which the game balls distributed on the left side fall and the flow control unit in which the game balls distributed on the right side fall are arranged in a substantially C shape in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. Good. In such a case, it will be discharged to the left game area or the right game area depending on the distribution direction.

(7) In the above embodiment, the flow-down regulation unit 623 is configured such that its inclined surface is inclined downward from right to left, but if the game ball has a shape that can move on the flow-down regulation unit 623 to the left by its own weight. , It is not always necessary to limit the downward slope from right to left. For example, the slope of the flow control section 623 may have a curved or wavy shape so that the game ball can move on the flow control section 623 to the left by its own weight. Further, the game ball may be carried to the left game area by moving the movable body.

(8) In the above embodiment, the upper middle start winning device 632 is configured to reciprocate in the left-right direction, but it is not always necessary to configure the upper middle starting winning device 632 to be movable. For example, the upper middle start winning device 632 may be fixedly provided (that is, does not move) at a predetermined position.

(9) In the above embodiment, the game ball that has entered the upper middle start winning device 632 is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 100, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the upper middle start winning device 632 may be penetrated in the direction facing from the entrance, and the game ball that has entered the upper middle starting winning device 632 may fall onto the flow control unit 623. According to such a modification, it is possible not only to enter the upper middle start winning device 632 but also to enter the lower middle starting winning device 431 in the left game area.

(10) In the above embodiment, the upper middle start winning device 632 is configured as the starting winning device according to the second special symbol, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, for example, the upper middle starting winning device 632 is simply awarded. It may be configured as a general prize device for giving a ball.

(11) In the above embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 612D and 613D are provided in a direction intersecting the continuous direction of each of the left and right flow passages 652 and 653, but the number of installations is not necessarily the same. There is no need to limit. For example, one protrusion 612D and 613D may be provided in each of the flow passages 652 and 653. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the number of protrusions 612D and 613D provided in each of the flow passages 652 and 653 is set to 5, but the number is not limited as long as at least one is provided.

(12) In the above embodiment, the protrusions 612D and 613D are erected on the back sides of the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A, and the portion corresponding to the bottom surface of the protrusions 612D and 613D is visually recognized as a dark portion to serve as a passage display portion. Although it is configured to function, the function as a passage display unit is not necessarily limited to being visually recognized as a dark part. For example, a streak extending in the continuous direction of the flow passages 652 and 653 may be drawn on the back side of each of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A with a coloring agent having low light transmission. Alternatively, the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A may be made to emit light so as to be distinguishable from the light for decorating, so that the player can visually recognize the lines extending in the continuous direction of the flow passages 652 and 653.

(13) In the above embodiment, the continuously extending (that is, a series of) streaks caused by the bottom surfaces of the protrusions 612D and 613D are configured to be visually recognized by the player as a passage display portion, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. There is no need. For example, the passage display unit may be configured so that the player can visually recognize the streaks extending intermittently (that is, in a dotted line) in the continuous direction of the flow passage passages 652 and 653 as the passage display unit.

(14) In the above embodiment, the protrusions 612D and 613D are provided on the inside of the central structure 420, more specifically, on the left and right flow passages 652 and 653 provided on the back side of the upper left front decoration 612 and the upper right front decoration 613. Although the used passage display is used, the passage for which the passage display is displayed by the passage display unit is not necessarily limited to the passage provided inside the central structure 420. For example, the passage passing through the back side of the structure other than the central structure 420 may be configured to display the passage by a passage display portion such as a protrusion.

(15) In the above embodiment, the flow passages 652 and 653 extending in the vertical direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100 are configured to display the passages using the protrusions 612D and 613D, but the passages are used to display the passages. Does not necessarily have to be limited to a passage extending in the vertical direction. For example, a passage having a shape that allows the game ball to reach the exit by its own weight, such as a passage extending from the upper left to the lower right, may be configured to display the passage by a passage display portion such as a protrusion.

(16) In the above embodiment, the surfaces of the decorative main bodies 612A and 613A are configured as undulating surfaces, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the surfaces of the decorative bodies 612A and 613A may be smooth surfaces without undulations.

(17) In the above embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 479 responds to the result of the first special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the first special symbol or the second special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the second special symbol. It is configured to display the decorative design, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the decorative symbol display device 479 shall display the decorative symbol according to the result of the first special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the first special symbol, and the second special symbol lottery based on the start prize of the second special symbol. The result of the above may be displayed on another display device.

(18) In the above embodiment, the general winning device 639 is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit 623, but the game ball received by the flow control unit 623. The device provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the above is not necessarily limited to the general winning device. For example, a game ball that the flow control unit 623 has received a start winning device (that is, a start winning device related to a special symbol) that is given a lottery right based on entry, such as a lower middle start winning device 431. It may be configured to be provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position.

(19) In the above embodiment, the case where the entrance (passing port 621) of the upper middle start winning device 632 is provided on the upper side of the distribution portion (first distribution portion) by the roof 611B has been described, but it is not necessarily the case. It is not necessary to provide it at the position, and it may be provided on the side (right side or left side) of the upper middle start winning device 632 corresponding to the downstream side of the distribution part by the roof 611B, and the number of entrances and exits is limited to one. It may be 2 or more.

(20) The present invention may be implemented in a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiment. For example, once a big hit is made, the pachinko machine may be implemented so that the expected big hit value can be increased until the big hit state occurs a plurality of times (for example, two or three times) including the big hit. Further, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, the pachinko machine may be put into a special gaming state on condition that the ball wins a prize in a predetermined area. Further, it may be carried out on an enclosed pachinko machine in which balls circulate. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, it may be implemented as various gaming machines such as an arrange ball type pachinko machine and a sparrow ball. Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, and may be applied to slot machines, or may be applied to gaming machines such as parrots in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused.

<Invention extracted from the above embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described while showing problems, effects, and the like as necessary. In the following, for the sake of easy understanding, the corresponding configurations in each of the above embodiments are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the parentheses or the like. In addition, the meanings and examples of terms described in each feature may be applied as meanings and examples of terms described in other features described in the same wording.

<Feature 10>
It is a game machine equipped with a game area in which a game ball flows down through a predetermined entrance.
A first unit having an entry portion (passage port 621) through which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter, and having the game ball flowing down the game area closer to the entrance of the game area in front view of the game machine. (Roof 611B) and a distribution unit (roof 611B) that distributes to the side of the game or to the second side that is far from the entrance of the game area in the front view of the game machine.
A game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit is placed on a specific game area (left side to downstream side with respect to the central structure 420) formed on the first side with respect to the distribution unit. The first path (right flow passage 653, flow control unit 623) that guides to the lower middle start winning device 431 (left game area) and
A game machine characterized by being equipped with.

In a conventional typical game machine, a game ball launched in response to a player's operation enters a game area formed on a game board and flows down the game area. When a game ball flowing down the game area enters the starting port, a lottery is performed according to the entry. Then, it is known that when a big hit is won in the lottery, a special game state is set and a large number of game balls can be won in the winning opening.

In such a conventional game machine, various measures have been taken regarding the movement path of the game ball in order to improve the interest of the game by the game ball flowing down the game area. For example, there is a game machine that structurally changes the movement path of a game ball by providing a distribution unit for distributing the game ball to the left and right on the upper part of a central structure arranged in the center of the game board (for example, special feature). (See Kai 2004-254955).

However, in the conventional game machine, there is still room for improvement in order to improve the interest of the game. That is, in the conventional game machine, the movement path of the game ball is diversified, but the game ball distributed to the right flows down the right side as it is, and the behavior of the game ball distributed by the distribution part moves to the downstream side. It also affects the flow position of the game ball. For this reason, the flow start position of the game ball aimed at by the player becomes uniform, and the launch operation of the player is likely to be limited so that a large number of game balls flow down on one side where benefits related to the game are likely to be given. It lacked unexpectedness.

On the other hand, in the game machine described in the feature 10, the game balls structurally distributed by the distribution unit can be moved by a movement route suitable for improving the interest of the game. That is, since the game ball distributed by the distribution unit to the side far from the entrance of the game area (second side) can be moved to the side closer to the entrance of the game area (first side), the player The target position is diversified by the launch operation, and it is possible to give it unexpectedness. Further, even if the launch operation is performed so that a large number of game balls flow down to the second side, the game balls can be returned to the first side, so that the player can enter the approach portion from the first side. It is possible to give the privilege of the game in a specific game area even if a large number of game balls are flowed down aiming at the approach to the approach portion from the second side as well as aiming at. This makes it possible to suitably improve the interest of the game.

The "first side" and "second side" in the feature 10 change according to the side where the entrance of the game area is provided in the game machine. For example, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area (that is, when the entrance of the game area is on the left side) as in the above-described embodiment, the left side in the game area is on the "first side". Equivalent to. In such a case, the right side in the game area corresponds to the "second side".

Similarly, the "specific gaming area" in feature 10 also changes depending on the side of the gaming machine where the entrance to the gaming area is provided. For example, as in the embodiment described above, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area, the "specific game area" is the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420 (that is, the left side game). Area).

<Feature 11>
The gaming machine according to feature 10.
A game characterized in that it is provided with a second path (left flow passage 652, flow control unit 623) for guiding a game ball distributed to the first side by the distribution unit to the specific game area. Machine.

In recent years, due to the increase in size of the central structure and the like, the size and arrangement of the area where the game ball flows down in the game area tends to be limited. On the other hand, in the game machine described in feature 11, the game ball distributed to the first side by the distribution unit and the game ball distributed to the second side have a common game area (distribution). Since it is possible to guide the user to a specific game area formed on the first side of the unit, the limited game area can be effectively utilized.

<Feature 12>
The gaming machine according to feature 10 or 11.
On the downstream side of the specific game area, a first advantageous area (lower middle start winning device 431), which is an area for giving an advantageous privilege as compared with the case where the game does not pass, is provided. A game machine featuring.

In the game machine described in feature 12, even if the game ball is distributed to the second side by the distribution unit, the game ball is placed on a side different from the second side with respect to the distribution unit (second side). In the game area (specific game area) formed on the side of 1), it is possible to pass through the first advantageous area arranged on the downstream side of the specific game area. Therefore, the player may pass the game ball game ball through the first advantageous area with respect to the game ball distributed to the side different from the side where the first advantageous area is provided by the distribution unit. You can expect that there isn't. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved more favorably.

In addition, the "privilege that is advantageous compared to the case of not passing when passing" in the feature 12 is exemplified by various lottery rights given based on passing, and the addition of game value such as a prize ball. .. The right of various lottery given based on passing is, for example, the right of the first special symbol lottery given based on passing (entering) the lower middle start winning device 431.

<Feature 13>
The gaming machine according to feature 12.
The distribution portion is a second advantageous region (upper side) that is a region through which the game ball entered by the approach portion can pass, and is a region that gives an advantageous privilege when the game ball has passed, as compared with the case where it does not pass. Equipped with a medium start winning device 632)
The first path is characterized in that when the game ball is distributed to the second side by the distribution unit without entering the approach portion, the game ball is guided to the specific game area. A game machine to play.

In the game machine described in feature 13, when the game ball is launched so as to aim at the approach portion from the second side, the game ball does not enter the approach portion and passes through the second advantageous region. Even if the opportunity is lost, the game ball is distributed to the second side by the distribution unit, so that there is a possibility of passing to the first advantageous area. As a result, the disappointment of the player due to the loss of the opportunity to enter the second advantageous area can be reduced, and in that respect as well, the interest of the game can be improved.

<Feature 14>
The gaming machine according to feature 13.
A third game ball that has passed through the approach portion passes through the second side from the position of the second advantageous region and joins the first path without passing through the second advantageous region. A gaming machine characterized by having a path (recess 622D, recess 622F).

In the game machine according to the feature 14, even if the game ball enters the approach portion but does not pass through the second advantageous region, the game ball goes through the third path. Can join the first path. As a result, the player can expect that the game ball may pass through the first advantageous area even if the game ball cannot be passed through the second advantageous area.

In particular, since the third path is a path that passes through the second side from the position of the second advantageous region and joins the first path, the player is surprised at the movement path of the game ball. At the same time, it is possible to expect that the game ball may pass through the first advantageous region with respect to the game ball moving by the unexpected route. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved more favorably.

Further, in a conventional typical gaming machine, when the gaming ball that has entered the approaching portion does not pass through an advantageous region such as the second advantageous region, the gaming ball is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. .. On the other hand, in the game machine according to the feature 14, even if the game ball that has entered the approach portion does not pass through the second advantageous region, the game ball is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. Without having to, again, the chance of passing to the first advantageous area is given. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the disappointment of the player due to the fact that the game ball that has entered the approach portion does not pass through the second advantageous region, and in that respect as well, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

<Feature 15>
The gaming machine according to any one of features 12 to 14.
The distribution portion is provided at a position where at least a part of the distribution portion overlaps the first advantageous region in the vertical direction in the front view of the game machine.
A gaming machine characterized in that the first path is provided between the distribution unit and the first advantageous region.

In the game machine according to the feature 15, the game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit moves in the first path and is guided to a specific game area, and then becomes the first advantageous area. The route leading to the route can be a route such as an approximately S-shape. Therefore, the player can move the game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit to reach the first advantageous region, which is completely different from the simple flow path. You can clearly be aware of the movement route. As a result, even if the player fires a game ball aiming at a side away from a specific game area, the player fires while clearly grasping that the game ball may pass through the first advantageous area. You can perform operations.

<Feature 16>
The gaming machine according to any one of features 13 to 15.
A lottery means for drawing whether or not to generate the advantageous gaming state when the game ball passes through at least one of the first advantageous region or the second advantageous region.
The game machine is provided with a display device for displaying identification information according to the result of lottery by the lottery means between the distribution unit and the first advantageous region in front view of the game machine. ..

In the game machine according to the feature 16, since the display device is provided between the distribution unit and the first advantageous area in the front view of the game machine, the player can use the distribution unit to make the game ball second. When the game ball is distributed to the side, while following the movement path of the game ball, when the game ball passes through the first advantageous area, the line of sight is raised upward from the position of the first advantageous area. Identification information according to the result of the lottery based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the first advantageous area can be visually recognized. After confirming the state of the display device, the player can look up again to see again how the game balls are distributed by the distribution unit located above the display device. It is possible to prevent the line of sight from being distracted.

<Feature 20>
It is a game machine equipped with a game area in which a game ball flows down through a predetermined entrance.
Upon receiving the game ball, the game ball is received from the first side, which is closer to the entrance of the game area in the front view of the game machine, or far from the entrance of the game area in the front view of the game machine. It is provided with a flow control unit (flow control unit 623) that moves to the second side, which is the side, and guides the user to a specific game area (the left game area including the general winning device 639).
The specific game area includes an advantageous area (general winning device 639) that gives an advantageous privilege when the game passes, as compared with the case where the game does not pass.
The flow control unit is configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received.
The advantageous region is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow regulation unit.

In a conventional typical game machine, a game ball launched in response to a player's operation enters a game area formed on a game board and flows down the game area. When a game ball flowing down the game area enters the starting port, a lottery is performed according to the entry. Then, it is known that when a big hit is won in the lottery, a special game state is set and a large number of game balls can be won in the winning opening.

In such a conventional game machine, various measures have been taken regarding the movement path of the game ball in order to improve the interest of the game by the game ball flowing down the game area. For example, there is a game machine that structurally changes the movement path of a game ball by providing a distribution unit for distributing the game ball to the left and right on the upper part of a central structure arranged in the center of the game board (for example, special feature). (See Kai 2004-254955).

However, in the conventional game machine, there is still room for improvement in order to improve the interest of the game. That is, in the conventional game machine, the movement path of the game ball is diversified, but the movement path is merely for changing the movement direction, and the game when the game is discharged from the movement path. The behavior of the sphere was not considered. Further, the entry of the game ball into the advantageous area is easily determined by the arrangement of the flow-down changing member such as a nail provided in the vicinity of the advantageous area, and the behavior of the game ball at a position away from the advantageous area affects the entry into the advantageous area. There is a problem that it is difficult for the player to be interested only in the behavior of the game ball in a part of the game area because there is little to do.

On the other hand, in the case of the game machine according to the feature 20, the flow control unit receives the game ball on the side closer to the entrance of the game area (first side) or the side far from the entrance of the game area. Move to (second side) to guide to a specific game area. The flow control unit is configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received. Then, in the specific game area, the advantageous area that gives an advantageous privilege when it passes compared to the case where it does not pass is located at a position where the possibility of passing differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit. It is provided. Thereby, the possibility that the player can receive an advantageous privilege can be changed according to the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game of moving the game ball at the flow control unit, so that the interest of the game can be suitably improved.

The "first side" and "second side" in the feature 20 change according to the side where the entrance of the game area is provided in the game machine. For example, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area (that is, when the entrance of the game area is on the left side) as in the above-described embodiment, the left side in the game area is on the "first side". Equivalent to. In such a case, the right side in the game area corresponds to the "second side".

<Feature 21>
The gaming machine according to feature 20
A gaming machine characterized in that the flow control portion is configured as an inclined portion that inclines downward from one of the first side or the second side toward the other.

In the game machine according to the feature 21, since the flow control portion is configured as an inclined portion that inclines from one side to the other, the potential energy of the game ball that rolls on the flow control part by its own weight is discharged. The farther it is, the higher it is. As a result, the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area can be changed.

In addition, the "privilege that is advantageous compared to the case of not passing when passing" in the feature 21 is exemplified by various lottery rights given based on passing, and the addition of game value such as a prize ball. .. The awarding of game value such as a prize ball given based on passing is, for example, a prize ball given based on passing (entering) the general winning device 639.

<Feature 22>
The gaming machine according to feature 20 or 21.
It has an approach portion through which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter, and has a distribution unit for distributing the game ball flowing down the game area to the first side or the second side.
The flow control unit is provided below the distribution unit in the front view of the game machine, receives the game ball distributed to the first side or the second side by the distribution unit, and receives the game ball. A gaming machine characterized in that the subject is guided to the specific gaming area.

With the game machine according to the feature 22, the game balls distributed by the distribution unit can be discharged to a specific game area through the flow control unit.

<Feature 23>
The gaming machine according to feature 22.
The flow control portion is configured as an inclined portion that inclines downward from the second side toward the first side.
The specific gaming area is a region formed on the first side of the distribution portion (a left gaming area including a lower middle start winning device 431 from the left side to the downstream side of the central structure 420). And
The flow control unit receives the game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit on the second side from the center of the inclined portion, and receives the game ball distributed to the first side by the distribution unit. A game machine characterized in that the distributed game balls are received on the first side from the center of the inclined portion.

In the game machine described in the feature 23, even if the game ball is distributed to the side far from the entrance of the game area (second side) by the distribution unit, the game ball is shaken by the flow control unit. It is possible to obtain the possibility of passing to an advantageous area provided in a game area (specific game area) formed on the side closer to the entrance (first side) with respect to the branch portion. Therefore, since the target position can be diversified by the launching operation of the player, it is possible to preferably improve the interest of the game in which the game balls are distributed by the distribution unit.

Further, the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area may be different depending on whether the game ball is distributed to the first side or the second side by the distribution unit. it can. That is, there is a possibility that the player can obtain an advantageous privilege depending on whether the game ball is distributed to the first side or the second side according to the position where the advantageous area is provided. Can be changed. In this respect as well, it is possible to preferably improve the interest of the game in which the game balls are distributed by the distribution unit.

The "specific gaming area" in feature 23 changes depending on the side of the gaming machine where the entrance of the gaming area is provided. For example, as in the embodiment described above, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area, the "specific game area" is the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420 (that is, the left side game). Area).

<Feature 24>
The gaming machine according to feature 23.
In the advantageous region, when the flow control unit receives a game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit, the flow regulation unit is distributed to the second side by the distribution unit. A game machine characterized in that it is installed at a position where it is more likely to pass than when it receives a game ball.

In the game machine according to the feature 24, the player can increase the possibility of passing to the advantageous area by performing the firing operation aiming at the position so that the player can be distributed to the second side by the distribution unit. Therefore, it is possible to improve the interest in launching a game ball aiming at a predetermined position.

<Feature 30>
It is a game machine equipped with a game area in which a game ball flows down through a predetermined entrance.
Decorative parts (decorative bodies 612A, 613A) that are configured so that the back side can be seen and are decorated by emitting light.
A game ball passage (left flow passage 652, right flow passage 653) formed on the back side of the decorative portion, and
In the game ball passage, at least one passage display portion (protrusions 612D, 613D) extending along the continuous direction of the game ball passage and
A game machine characterized by being equipped with.

In a conventional typical game machine, a game ball launched in response to a player's operation enters a game area formed on a game board and flows down the game area. When a game ball flowing down the game area enters the starting port, a lottery is performed according to the entry. Then, it is known that when a big hit is won in the lottery, a special game state is set and a large number of game balls can be won in the winning opening.

In such a conventional game machine, various measures have been taken regarding the movement path of the game ball in order to improve the interest of the game by the game ball flowing down the game area. For example, a game in which a warp path for guiding a game ball from the outside to the inside of a central structure arranged in the center of the game board is provided, and the game ball is guided to a stage that can be guided to a starting device using the warp path. There is a machine (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254955).

However, in the conventional game machine, there is still room for improvement in order to improve the interest of the game. That is, in the conventional game machine, since the warp path is provided inside or on the back side of the central structure, it is difficult to visually recognize from the front of the game machine. Therefore, when the game ball enters the warp path, the player loses sight of the game ball and cannot confirm its whereabouts. Therefore, the player may not be able to enjoy the game even for a period of time due to the distrust that the game ball may not come out from the warp route and the frustration of not being able to confirm it.

To solve such a problem, it is conceivable to make the central structure transparent so that the warp passage can be seen. However, in recent years, a game machine that decorates a central structure by emitting light from a light emitting body provided inside the game machine has become mainstream. Therefore, even if the central structure is made transparent, the player tends to lose sight of the position of the warp path due to the light that decorates the central structure, and accordingly, the game ball passing through the warp path also easily loses sight. The problem remains unsolved.

On the other hand, in the game machine described in the game machine 30, a passage display portion extending along the continuous direction of the game ball passage is provided in the game ball passage formed on the back side of the decorative portion. Even if the decoration portion emits light to decorate the game, the player can easily grasp the game ball passage before the start of the game. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress the player from feeling distrust of the game ball that has entered the game ball passage, the player can enjoy the game that is started by entering the game ball into the game ball passage. .. This makes it possible to suitably improve the interest of the game.

<Feature 31>
The gaming machine according to feature 30.
A game machine characterized in that a plurality of passage display units are arranged in a direction intersecting with a continuous direction of the game ball passage.

In the game machine according to the feature 31, since a plurality of passage display units are provided side by side in a direction intersecting the continuous direction of the game ball passage, the player can use the plurality of passage display units to display the game ball. It is easier to grasp the passage.

<Feature 32>
The gaming machine according to feature 30 or 31.
The decorative portion has a decorative undulating surface formed on the front side of the decorative portion and a streak-shaped protrusion (projection portion 612D,) formed on the back side of the decorative portion and extending along the continuous direction of the game ball passage. With 613D)
The passage display portion is a gaming machine characterized in that it is composed of the streak-shaped protrusions.

In the game machine according to the feature 32, the decorative undulating surface formed on the front side of the decorative portion provides a high degree of decorativeness, and the protrusion formed on the back side provides good visibility of the game ball passage. Can be secured. That is, it is possible to achieve both decorativeness and good visibility of the game ball passage.

<Feature 33>
The gaming machine according to feature 32.
The game ball passage includes a back surface of the decorative portion and a passage surface facing the back surface, and is a passage that is connected in the vertical direction when viewed from the front of the game machine.
A gaming machine characterized in that the passage surface is formed with a recess corresponding to the protrusion at a position where the streak-shaped protrusion is formed.

In the game machine according to the feature 33, the passage path of the game ball passage can be configured as a path meandering along the concave portion instead of a vertical drop by the path formed between the protrusion and the concave portion. In such a meandering portion, the speed of the game ball passing through the game ball passage can be reduced.

<Feature 34>
The gaming machine according to the feature 33.
The gaming machine is characterized in that the streaky protrusions are formed so that the height of the decorative portion from the installation surface gradually increases from the end portion of the protrusion toward the inside.

In the game machine according to the feature 34, since the meandering portion formed by the protrusion and the recess in the game ball passage can be made gentle, the game ball can be moved into the passage by meandering the game ball passage. It is possible to prevent clogging.

<Feature 35>
The gaming machine according to feature 33 or 34.
A gaming machine characterized in that the length of each section extending in the continuous direction of the game ball passage in the direction intersecting the continuous direction, which is partitioned by the protrusions, is narrower than the width of the game ball.

In the game machine according to the feature 35, the length of each section extending in the continuous direction of the game ball passage, which is divided by the protrusions, in the direction intersecting the continuous direction is narrower than the width of the game ball. , The game ball can be passed along each section extending in the continuous direction of the game ball passage. As a result, the game ball passing through the game ball passage is rectified, so that it is possible to prevent the game ball from being clogged in the passage.

<Feature 36>
The gaming machine according to any one of the features 30 to 35.
A first unit having an entry portion (passage port 621) through which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter, and having the game ball flowing down the game area closer to the entrance of the game area in front view of the game machine. A distribution section (roof 611B) for distributing to the side of the roof or the second side far from the entrance of the game area is provided.
The game ball passage is a game machine characterized by being a passage of a game ball distributed by the distribution unit.

With the game machine described in the feature 36, the game balls distributed by the distribution unit can be made to enter the game ball passage. The player can grasp the whereabouts of the game ball after being sorted by the distribution unit by using the passage display unit.

The "first side" and "second side" in the feature 36 change according to the side where the entrance of the game area is provided in the game machine. For example, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area (that is, when the entrance of the game area is on the left side) as in the above-described embodiment, the left side in the game area is on the "first side". Equivalent to. In such a case, the right side in the game area corresponds to the "second side".

<Feature 37>
The gaming machine according to feature 36.
The game ball is provided on the downstream side of the game ball passage through which the game ball distributed to the second side by the distribution unit is passed, and the game ball is viewed from the second side to the first side in the front view of the game machine. Includes a specific gaming region (including a lower middle start winning device 431 from the left side to the downstream side of the central structure 420) formed on the first side of the distribution portion by moving toward. A game machine characterized by having a flow control section (flow control section 623) that guides the player to the left game area).

In the game machine described in the game machine 37, the game balls distributed by the distribution unit to the side far from the entrance of the game area (second side) pass through the game ball passage and the flow control unit, and then the game ball is located in the game area. You will be guided to a specific gaming area formed on the side closer to the entrance (first side). In such a case, the game balls will pass through a relatively long route before entering a specific game area after being distributed by the distribution unit. As described above, it is easy to grasp the game ball passage before the start of the game (that is, before the game ball enters a specific game area). As a result, it is possible to preferably suppress the player from feeling distrust of the game ball that has entered a relatively long path until reaching a specific game area, including the game ball passage.

The "specific game area" in the feature 37 changes depending on the side of the game machine where the entrance of the game area is provided. For example, as in the embodiment described above, when the exit of the launch passage 401B is located on the left side of the game area, the "specific game area" is the game area from the left side with respect to the central structure 420 (that is, the left side game). Area).

<Feature 38>
The gaming machine according to feature 37.
The flow control portion is configured as an inclined portion that inclines downward from the second side toward the first side, receives the game ball that has passed through the game ball passage, and receives the game ball. Then, there is one that moves to the first side and guides to the specific game area.
The specific game area includes an advantageous area (lower middle start winning device 431) that gives an advantageous privilege when the game passes, as compared with the case where the game does not pass.
The flow control unit is configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit differs depending on the position where the game ball is received.
The advantageous region is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow regulation unit.

In the game machine according to the feature 38, the flow control unit receives the game ball that has passed through the game ball passage, and the side (first side) closer to the entrance of the game area from the position where the game ball is received. ) To guide you to a specific game area. The flow control unit is configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received. Then, in the specific game area, the advantageous area that gives an advantageous privilege when it passes compared to the case where it does not pass is located at a position where the possibility of passing differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow control unit. It is provided. In this way, the game ball that has passed through the game ball passage has a different possibility that the player can receive an advantageous privilege depending on the position of the flow control unit that has received the game ball. , The game in which the game ball that has passed through the game ball passage is moved by the flow control section can be enjoyed, and thereby it is possible to preferably improve the interest of the game.

In addition, the "privilege that is advantageous compared to the case of not passing when passing" in the feature 38 is exemplified by various lottery rights given based on passing, and the addition of game value such as a prize ball. .. The awarding of game value such as a prize ball given based on passing is, for example, a prize ball given based on passing (entering) the general winning device 639.

In addition, at least one feature described in features 10 to 38 may be applied in combination with any other or a plurality of other features. The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which each of the above features can be applied is shown below.

Pachinko machine: A launching operation means operated by a player, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the launching operating means, a passage portion for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and a passage portion. A gaming machine that includes each gaming component arranged in the gaming area and gives a privilege to the player when the gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of each of the gaming parts.

Rotating body type game machine such as a slot machine: The rotation of the orbiting body is started based on the operation of the starting operation means, the rotation of the rotating body is stopped based on the operation of the stopping operation means, and the player according to the pattern after the stop. A game machine that gives benefits to.

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

100 ... Game machine, 431 ... Lower middle start winning device, 611B: Roof, 612A, 613A ... Decorative part, 612D, 613D ... Protrusion part, 620 ... Passage port, 622C ... Stage, 623 ... Flow control part, 639 ... General Winning device, 652 ... left flow passage, 653 ... right flow passage, 652A, 653A ... recess

Claims (2)

It is a game machine equipped with a game area in which a game ball flows down through a predetermined entrance.
When the game ball passes, it is at the entrance of the game area when the game machine is viewed from the front with respect to the entry portion of the game ball into the distribution section provided with an area that gives an advantageous privilege as compared with the case where the game ball does not pass. Upon receiving the game ball distributed to the first side which is the near side and the second side which is the side far from the entrance of the game area, the game ball is transferred from the receiving position to the first side . Equipped with a flow control section that moves and guides you to a specific game area
The specific game area includes an advantageous area that gives an advantageous privilege when passing, as compared with the case where it does not pass.
The flow control unit is a portion configured so that the acceleration mode of the game ball discharged from the flow control unit to the specific game area differs depending on the position where the game ball is received, and the distribution is performed. The second side is capable of guiding the game ball to the specific game area by receiving the game ball distributed to the first side and the second side with respect to the entry portion of the game ball into the portion. It is composed of one inclined portion that inclines downward from the side toward the first side.
The advantageous region is provided at a position where the passability differs depending on the position of the game ball received by the flow regulation unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.