JP7422594B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and arranged ball machines.

2. Description of the Related Art In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there is known a gaming machine in which winning means such as a slide attacker is arranged on an inclined rolling path on which game balls can roll (Patent Document 1). The slide attacker includes an upward-opening winning opening provided on an inclined rolling path, an opening/closing member that can open and close the winning opening by sliding in the front and rear directions, and a winning detection device that detects a game ball that has entered the winning opening. means, when a predetermined game start condition is satisfied (for example, in the case of a small winning win), the number of game balls detected by the winning detection means reaches a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10), or the opening/closing member is in an open state. The opening/closing member is configured to perform a continuous opening/closing operation in which the opening/closing member alternately repeats the open state and the closed state until the number of times reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, 14 times).
By adopting such a configuration, when the opening/closing member is in the closed state, the game ball that rests on it can be dropped into the winning opening when the opening/closing member switches to the open state, so when a small hit occurs, etc. It is possible to easily enter a predetermined upper limit number of game balls into prizes while keeping the total open time within the upper limit open time according to the rules, and it is possible to substantially lengthen the period in which game balls can be won. It is possible.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-075249

Like the above-mentioned slide attacker, the game ball is placed on an inclined rolling path where it can roll, and when the opening/closing member is in the closed state, the game ball that rides on it is won by switching the opening/closing member to the open state. In the case of a winning means that is configured to be dropped into the mouth, when the opening/closing member closes, two points, the front end of the opening/closing member and the front wall of the winning opening, or three points between them and the side wall on the downstream end of the winning opening. There were cases where players bit the game balls with the dots. Here, ball biting at the former two points is almost always resolved naturally by the ball's own weight or contact with a subsequent ball, whereas ball biting at the latter three points (hereinafter referred to as 3 (called point bites) are more severe and often do not resolve on their own.
In addition, such ball jamming actually becomes a problem when it occurs after the final opening operation in continuous opening and closing operations. Ball jamming that occurs during continuous opening/closing operations is not a particular problem because it is reliably resolved by the immediately following opening operation. Here, the final opening operation where ball chewing becomes a problem is not only the opening operation for the predetermined upper limit number of times (for example, the 14th time) in the continuous opening and closing operation, but also the opening operation for the predetermined upper limit number (for example, the 10th game ball) that wins the prize. This also includes the next opening operation (hereinafter referred to as surplus opening operation) that is performed when the detection is delayed despite the opening.
In addition, as a preventive measure against the three-point biting mentioned above, by providing an uneven shape that provides resistance when the game ball rolls on the opening/closing member in the closed state, the game ball is prevented from rolling during the closed state. By making it difficult to reach the downstream end of the winning opening, increasing the number of winning detection means, etc., the time from the winning of the game ball to the detection can be shortened, and the possibility of excessive release operation occurring can be reduced. Although this is possible, both pose problems in terms of structural limitations and increased cost, and if an uneven shape is provided, there is a possibility that it may cause new ball biting.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can effectively prevent ball biting (particularly three-point biting) after the final opening operation of a continuous opening/closing operation. shall be.

The present invention provides a firing means that can fire a game ball toward a game area, an inclined rolling path provided in the game area and on which the game ball can roll, and an upstream side and a downstream side of the inclined rolling path. A prize opening with an upward opening provided on the side or in the middle, an opening/closing member capable of opening and closing the entering prize opening, a game ball detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the winning opening, and an opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member. and an opening/closing control means for controlling the opening/closing member, wherein the opening/closing member guides the game ball toward the downstream side in the direction along the inclined rolling path in the closed state in which the prize entry slot is closed, and changes from the closed state to the open state. When the change occurs, the game ball present on the opening/closing member is configured to be able to fall into the winning hole, and the opening/closing control means is configured to cause the game ball detecting means to detect the game ball when a predetermined game start condition is satisfied. A continuous opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member that alternately repeats the open state and the closed state until the detected number of game balls reaches a predetermined upper limit number or the number of times the opening/closing member is in the open state reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times. In the gaming machine configured to perform the above operation, the duration time of the closed state during the continuous opening/closing operation can be switched between a first duration time and a second duration time shorter than the first duration time, and the second duration time is set to a value shorter than the firing interval when game balls are continuously fired by the firing means, and each duration of the closed state one or more times after the switching condition is satisfied in the continuous opening/closing operation is The second duration time is defined as the second duration time, and each duration of the closed state before the switching condition is satisfied is defined as the first duration time .

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent ball biting (particularly three-point biting) after the final opening operation of continuous opening and closing operations.

1 is an overall perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the game board of the same pachinko machine. It is a front sectional view of the second big prize winning means of the same pachinko machine and its vicinity. It is a sectional plan view of the second big prize winning means of the same pachinko machine and its vicinity. It is a side sectional view of the second big winning means of the same pachinko machine and its vicinity. It is a plane sectional view showing a state in which ball biting (three-point biting) occurs in the second big winning means of the same pachinko machine. It is a block diagram of the control system of the same pachinko machine. It is a diagram showing an example of setting the selection rate for each type of jackpot/small win mode, jackpot/small win release pattern, and time saving number in the first special symbol of the same pachinko machine. It is a figure showing the setting example of the selection rate for each type of jackpot/small hit mode, the jackpot/small hit release pattern, and the number of time saving times in the second special symbol of the same pachinko machine. It is a diagram showing the opening/closing operation of the second big prize winning means for each small winning opening pattern of the same pachinko machine.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called 1 type and 2 type mixed type pachinko machine. In FIG. 1, a gaming machine main body 1 includes an outer frame 2 having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a front frame 4 pivotably attached to the front side of the outer frame 2 by hinges 3 on one side, for example, on the left side, so as to be openable and closable. ing. A glass door 5 and a front plate 6 are arranged vertically adjacent to each other on the front side of the front frame 4, and each is pivotally supported to the front frame 4 by a hinge 7 on the same side as the hinge 3 so as to be openable and closable. Of course, the glass door 5 and the front plate 6 may be made into one door body that can be opened and closed as a unit.

On the front side of the front plate 6, an upper tray 8 is disposed on the upper side, which stores game balls put out from a payout means (not shown) and supplies them to a firing means (not shown). On the lower side, for example, a lower tray 9 for storing surplus balls when the upper tray 8 is full is placed on the left end side, and a firing handle 10 is placed on the right end side. The firing handle 10 is for operating a firing means, and when the player grasps and rotates the firing handle 10, the firing means is activated so that the firing intensity corresponds to the amount of operation. Game balls supplied from the tray 8 are continuously fired toward the game area 18 at predetermined firing intervals (for example, 0.6 seconds). Further, on the upper plate cover 11 that covers the upper plate 8 and the like from the front side, operation buttons 12 and 13 for performance, a ball lending operation section 14, etc. are arranged.

A game board 15 (FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the front side, for example, corresponding to the rear side of the glass door 5. The game board 15 includes a base plate 16 such as a plywood board, and on the front side of the base plate 16, a guide rail 17 for guiding the game ball fired by the firing means is arranged in an annular shape, and the inner side of the guide rail 17 In addition to unit parts such as a central display frame unit 21, a starting winning unit 22, a big winning unit 23, and a normal winning unit 24, a large number of game nails (not shown) are arranged in the gaming area 18.

On the plurality of unit parts 21 to 24 of the game board 15, there are a normal symbol starting means 31, a first special symbol starting means 32, a second special symbol starting means 33, a first big winning means 34, and a second big winning means 35. , normal winning means 36, normal symbol display means 37, normal reserved number display means 38, first special symbol display means 39, second special symbol display means 40, etc. are provided. Further, on the rear side of the base plate 16, a liquid crystal display means (an example of an image display means) 41, a movable presentation means 42, etc. are arranged.

The central display frame unit 21 constitutes a display frame for the liquid crystal display means 41 and the movable presentation means 42. An opening window 43 corresponding to the rear liquid crystal display means 41 is formed approximately in the center, and the base plate 16 It is removably installed from the front side into a mounting hole (not shown) that is formed in the front and back direction and extends through the front and back. As shown in FIG. 2, this central display frame unit 21 includes a front mounting plate 44 that is disposed along the front surface of the base plate 16 outside the mounting hole and through which a game ball can pass, and a liquid crystal display means 41. A decorative frame 45 is arranged in a substantially gate shape when viewed from the front extending from both left and right sides to the upper side of the front side and projects forward on the inner peripheral side of the front mounting plate 44, and is arranged between the left and right lower end portions of the decorative frame 45. A stage 46 is provided. The game balls fired by the firing means and entering the upper side of the game area 18 are distributed to the left and right at the top of the decorative frame 45, and are divided into a left downstream path 47a on the left side of the central display frame unit 21 and a right downstream path 47b on the right side. flowing down either.

The central display frame unit 21 is provided with a warp entrance 48 into which game balls can flow, on at least one side of the left downstream path 47a and the right downstream path 47b, for example, on the left downstream path 47a side. The game ball that entered the warp entrance 48 while flowing down the left downstream path 47a freely rolls left and right on the stage 46, and then passes through the center falling part 49 provided corresponding to the center of the game area 18 in the left and right direction. and other parts of the body.

The movable effect means 42 includes a movable body 42a formed into an arbitrary three-dimensional shape. The movable body 42a is configured to be movable in front of the liquid crystal display means 41 starting from a predetermined origin position by driving a drive means (not shown).

On the lower side of the central display frame unit 21, a starting winning unit 22 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction along the inside of the guide rail 17, a big winning unit 23 is arranged on the right side, and a normal winning unit 24 is arranged on the left side. .

The normal symbol starting means 31 is for starting the variable display of normal symbols by the normal symbol display means 37, and is composed of a passage gate through which a game ball can pass, etc., and includes a game ball detection means for detecting passage of a game ball. 50, and is arranged on the right downstream path 47b.

The normal symbol display means 37 is for displaying the normal symbols in a variable manner, and is composed of, for example, two LEDs. 31 and the game ball detecting means 50 detects the game ball, after the two LEDs forming the normal symbol emit light in the normal fluctuating light emission pattern, the game ball is detected by the normal symbol starting means 31. If the hit determination random value included in the normal random number information acquired at the time of detection matches a predetermined hit determination value, the variation is stopped in a win manner, and in other cases, the variation is stopped in a miss manner. In addition, the two LEDs that constitute the normal pattern can display one or more winning modes and one or more losing modes by combining their light emission modes (for example, lighting/extinguishing).

In addition, when the normal symbol starting means 31 detects a game ball during the normal suspension period, which includes the symbol fluctuation of the normal symbol display means 37 and the normal profit state described later, the obtained ordinary random number information is A predetermined upper limit number of symbols, for example 4 symbols, are stored and stored, and each time the normal symbol retention period ends, one symbol is used up and the symbols are changed. The number of stored pieces of normal random number information (the number of normal pending pieces) is notified to the player by the normal holding piece number display means 38 or the like.

The first special symbol starting means 32 is for starting symbol variation by the first special symbol display means 39, and is constituted by a non-operating prize winning means having no opening/closing means, and is a game ball that detects winning game balls. A detection means 51 is provided. This first special symbol starting means 32 is provided, for example, in the starting winning unit 22, and is arranged in an upwardly opening shape on the lower side corresponding to the central falling part 49 of the stage 46. Due to the existence of a winning route from the entrance 48 through the stage 46, a game ball that has flown down the left flow path 47a has a higher probability of winning a prize than a game ball that has flown down the right flow path 47b. There is. Note that when a game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 32, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 4 balls) are paid out as prize balls per winning.

The second special symbol starting means 33 is for starting the symbol variation by the second special symbol display means 40, and by the operation of the movable part 52, the game ball is placed in the winning opening 33a in a first state where it is possible to win and a state where it is not possible to win. (or a second state in which it is more difficult to win than the open state). When the stop symbol after the variation of the means 37 becomes a winning pattern and a normal profit state occurs, the movable part 52 changes from the second state to the first state for a predetermined time according to a predetermined operation pattern.

This second special symbol starting means 33 is arranged on the right downstream path 47b and on the downstream side of the normal symbol starting means 31, so that game balls flowing down the right downstream path 47b can win. In addition, in the second special symbol starting means 33, the prize opening 33a is formed in the shape of a horizontal opening, and a movable part 52 is disposed near the upstream side of the opening so as to be slidable in the front and rear direction, and when in the first state, the movable part 52 is movable. By protruding forward from the board surface of the game board 15, the part 52 receives the game ball flowing down the right flow path 47b and guides it to the prize opening 33a side, and in the second state, the movable part 52 The ball is retreated to the rear side of the board surface, and the game ball is caused to flow down to the downstream side of the right flow path 47b. When a game ball enters the prize opening 33a of the second special symbol starting means 33, a predetermined number (for example, two) of game balls are paid out as prize balls per winning.

Although the second special symbol starting means 33 of this pachinko machine does not open or close the winning hole 33a using the movable part 52, in the following explanation, for convenience, the sliding operation of the movable part 52, the opening/closing operation, and the opening/closing operation of the winning hole 33a will be described. The first state in which it is easy to win a prize is called an open state, the second state in which winning is impossible (or more difficult to win than the open state) is called a closed state, and the operation pattern of the movable part 52 is called an opening/closing pattern.

The first special symbol display means 39 is constituted by a display means such as a 7-segment type that can variably display one or more, for example, one first special symbol, and the first special symbol starting means 32 is On the condition that a ball is detected, that is, the game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 32 and the game ball detecting means 51 detects the game ball, the first special symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined period of time, and the first 1. If the jackpot judgment random value included in the first special random number information acquired at the time of winning to the special symbol starting means 32 matches the predetermined jackpot judgment value, it is a jackpot mode and matches the small hit judgment value. In some cases, the game stops in a small hit mode, and in other cases, it stops in a miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the change of the first special symbol display means 39 is in a jackpot mode, a jackpot state occurs, and when it becomes a small win state, a small win state occurs.

In this embodiment, regarding the first special symbol display means 39, there are three types of jackpot modes A1 to A3 shown in FIG. 8(a), and one type of small win mode is a1 shown in FIG. 8(b). If the jackpot determination random value matches the jackpot determination value, for example, one of the jackpot modes A1 to A3 will be selected based on the jackpot symbol random value acquired together with the jackpot determination random value (FIG. 8). When the selection rate shown in a) is selected, and the jackpot determination random value matches the small hit determination value, the small win mode a1 is selected with a 100% probability.

The second special symbol display means 40 is composed of a 7-segment type display means capable of variably displaying one or more second special symbols, for example, one second special symbol, and the second special symbol starting means 33 is On the condition that a ball is detected, that is, the game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 33 and the game ball detecting means 53 detects the game ball, the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined period of time, and 2. If the jackpot judgment random number value included in the second special random number information acquired at the time of winning to the special symbol starting means 33 matches the predetermined jackpot judgment value, it is a jackpot mode and matches the small hit judgment value. In some cases, the game stops in a small hit mode, and in other cases, it stops in a miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the change of the second special symbol display means 40 is in a jackpot mode, a jackpot state occurs, and when it becomes a small win state, a small win state occurs.

In this embodiment, regarding the second special symbol display means 40, there are two types of jackpot modes, B1 and B2 shown in FIG. 9(a), and one type of small win mode, b1 shown in FIG. 9(b). If the jackpot determination random value matches the jackpot determination value, for example, one of the jackpot modes B1 and B2 will be selected based on the jackpot symbol random value acquired together with the jackpot determination random value (FIG. 9). When the selection rate shown in a) is selected, and the jackpot determination random value matches the small hit determination value, the small win mode b1 is selected with a 100% probability. Regarding the second special symbol display means 40, it may be configured such that the stopped symbol is either a jackpot mode or a small win mode, but not a miss mode.

In addition, during the symbol variation of the first special symbol display means 39, during the symbol variation of the second special symbol display means 40, during the special hold period including the small hit state described later and the jackpot state described later, the first and second When the special symbol starting means 32, 33 detects game balls, the first and second special random number information obtained thereby are stored on hold up to a predetermined upper limit, for example, 4 pieces each. Ru. When the special reservation period ends, if the reservation memory on the second special symbol side is 1 or more, one reservation memory of the second special symbol is consumed, the second special symbol is changed, and the second special symbol is changed. When only the reserved memory on the special symbol side is 1 or more, one reserved memory of the first special symbol is consumed to change the first special symbol. In this way, in this embodiment, both the first special symbol and the second special symbol do not change, and when there is a pending memory on both the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, is designed to preferentially change the second special symbol. Note that the stored numbers of the first and second special random number information (first and second special reservation numbers) are notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 41 or the like.

In the case of this embodiment, the player hits the left hand aiming at the first special symbol starting means 32 during the normal gaming state other than the special gaming state described later, and starts the normal symbol during the special gaming state (during the time saving state). In order to hit right aiming at the means 31 and the second special symbol starting means 33, the first special symbol mainly changes during the normal game state, and the second special symbol mainly changes during the special game state (during the time saving state). do. Note that the first and second special symbols may be numerical symbols or the like, or they may have special meanings such as combinations of arbitrary lines or dots so that the player cannot easily distinguish between the types of stop symbols. You may also use a pattern that does not have a .

The first big winning means 34 is an actuated winning means that can change the game ball into an open state in which it can win the first big winning opening 34a and a closed state in which it cannot win by operating the opening/closing member 54. It is equipped with a game ball detection means 55 that detects the game ball that has entered the first big winning hole 34a, and it will be described later whether the stopped symbols after the fluctuation of the first and second special symbol display means 39, 40 will be in a jackpot mode. When a jackpot state occurs due to a V winning, the opening/closing member 54 opens according to one or more jackpot opening patterns. When game balls win in this first big winning means 34, a predetermined number (for example, 14) of game balls are paid out as prize balls per winning.

This first big winning means 34 is disposed, for example, in the middle of a first inclined rolling path 56 provided on the right downstream path 47b side and downstream of the normal symbol starting means 31 and the second special symbol starting means 33. There is. The first inclined rolling path 56 is formed in a downward-left inclined shape that is inclined toward the inside of the game area 18, that is, toward the left side in the left-right direction. The first big prize opening 34a of the first big winning means 34 is elongated along the first inclined rolling path 56, and is formed in the bottom wall 56a of the first inclined rolling path 56 in an upwardly opening shape. The opening/closing member 54 is a substantially plate-shaped body formed in an inclined shape downward to the left along the first inclined rolling path 56, and is slidable in the front and rear directions by driving an opening/closing driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). , when in the closed state, protrudes to the front side of the board surface of the game board 15 and closes the first big prize opening 34a, and at the same time directs the game balls flowing down from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first inclined rolling path 56 (here, the left side) When the game board 15 is in the open state, it is retracted to the rear side of the board surface of the game board 15 to open the first big prize opening 34a.

The jackpot opening pattern of this pachinko machine is based on the condition that a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 9 balls) win a prize either after a predetermined period of time (for example, 28 seconds) has elapsed since the first jackpot winning means 34 was released or by then. The closing operation is performed a predetermined number of rounds, and there are two types, 6R and 10R, depending on the number of rounds (FIGS. 8(a) and 9(a)).

Furthermore, in at least one of the multiple types of jackpot release patterns, in addition to the regular round as described above, one or more short rounds are held in which the game balls are released for a short period of time such that winnings are hardly expected. It may be configured as follows. In this case, by providing multiple types of opening patterns in which the total number of regular rounds and the number of short-time rounds is the same but the distribution is different, even if the number of rounds is the same according to the specifications, the actual number of rounds from the player's point of view is The number can be different. Further, a jackpot release pattern may be provided in which only short rounds are performed one or more times.

The second grand prize winning means 35 is an actuated winning means that can change the game ball into an open state where it can win a prize in the second major prize opening 35a and a closed state where it cannot win by operating the opening/closing member 57. It is equipped with a game ball detecting means 58 that detects the winning game ball in the two major winning openings 35a, and the stopped symbols after the fluctuation of the first and second special symbol display means 39, 40 become a small hit mode and a small hit is achieved. When a situation occurs, the opening/closing member 57 opens according to a predetermined small hit opening pattern (here, either α or β shown in FIG. 10). When a game ball enters the second big winning means 35, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls per winning.

The second big winning means 35 includes a specific area 59a, a normal area 59b, a movable sorting unit 60 for sorting the winning game balls in the second big winning opening 35a into the specific area 59a and the normal area 59b, and a specific area 59b. It includes specific game ball detection means 61a that detects game balls that have flowed into the area 59a, and normal game ball detection means 61b that detects game balls that have flowed into the normal area 59b. After the game ball that has entered the second big prize opening 35a is detected by the game ball detection means 58, it is guided by the sorting means 60 to either the specific area 59a or the normal area 59b, and the game ball is guided to either the specific area 59a or the normal area 59b. After being detected by either the normal game ball detection means 61b, the ball is guided to the rear side of the game board 15. When the game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a is guided to the specific area 59a by the sorting means 60 and the specific game ball detection means 61a detects the game ball (hereinafter referred to as V winning), a jackpot state is established. Occur.

The sorting means 60 can be switched between a specific guiding state in which the game balls are guided to the specific area 59a side and a non-specific guiding state in which the game balls are guided to the normal area 59b side according to a predetermined sorting pattern. For example, the amount changes depending on the small winning opening pattern of the second big winning means 35. In addition, in the case of this pachinko machine, since the game ball that won the second grand prize winning means 35 is detected by either the game ball detection means 61a or 61b, the game ball detection means 58 may be omitted, but the game ball detection means 58 may be omitted. In this case, it should be noted that the time lag between when the game ball enters the second big prize opening 35a and when it is detected by the game ball detection means 61a and 61b becomes large.

The second big winning means 35 is arranged in the middle of the second inclined rolling path 62 provided on the downstream side of the first inclined rolling path 56. Note that the first inclined rolling path 56 branches at its downstream end into a rightward second inclined rolling path 62 and a leftward branched path 63; however, the upstream end of the second inclined rolling path 62 The side communicates straight downward with the downstream end of the first inclined rolling path 56, whereas the upstream end of the branch path 63 communicates obliquely with the downstream end of the first inclined rolling path 56. connected in the direction. Therefore, the game ball that has passed through the first inclined rolling path 56 flows down to the second inclined rolling path 62 side with a high probability, and extremely rarely flows down to the branch path 63 side. In addition, the game ball flowing down to the branching path 63 side enters a winning means such as the first special symbol starting means 32, or passes through the first out port 64 arranged below the first special symbol starting means 32. It is ejected to the rear side of the game board 15.

The second inclined rolling path 62 is formed in a right-down inclined shape that slopes toward the outside of the game area 18, that is, toward the right side in the left-right direction, and its downstream end is connected to the second out port 65. has been done. That is, the game balls that have passed through the second inclined rolling path 62 are discharged to the rear side of the game board 15 through the second outlet 65. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second inclined rolling path 62 includes a back wall 66 arranged along the board surface of the game board 15, and a front wall 67 arranged in front of the back wall 66. A second big prize opening 35a with an upward opening is formed in the inclined bottom wall 68. The second big prize opening 35a has a rectangular shape that is longer in the downstream direction than in the width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second grand prize winning means 35 includes a winning case 69 that receives the game balls that have won in the second big prize opening 35a, and a winning case 69 that receives the game balls that have been won in the second big prize opening 35a. It includes a winning passage 70 that guides the player to the sorting means 60 side, an opening/closing member 57 that can open and close the second big prize opening 35a, and an opening/closing drive means 71 that drives the opening/closing member 57, and the upstream end side of the winning passage 70. A game ball detection means 58 is arranged at.

The winning case 69 has a pair of left and right side walls 69a, 69b arranged below the upstream end and downstream end of the second big winning opening 35a, and corresponds to the rear edge side of the second big winning opening 35a. It integrally includes a back wall 69c disposed below the back wall 69c, and a bottom wall 69d connecting the lower end sides of the side walls 69a and 69b from side to side along the lower edge side of the back wall 69c. Almost closed. A passage hole 72 through which a game ball can pass is formed in the back wall 69c at a predetermined position in the left and right direction, for example, on the left end side, and the bottom wall 69d has a passage hole 72 through which the game ball that has won the second grand prize opening 35a can pass. It is formed in an inclined shape in the left-right direction and the front-back direction so as to be guided toward the 72 side. In addition, the winning passage 70 is connected to the rear side of the passage opening 72.

The opening/closing member 57 includes an opening/closing plate 57a formed in a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the second big prize opening 35a and sloping downward to the right corresponding to the bottom wall 68 of the second inclined rolling path 62, and this opening/closing plate 57a. It integrally includes downwardly protruding guided parts 57b, 57b arranged along the edges of the upstream end and the downstream end of the plate 57a, and the guided parts 57b, 57b form a pair of left and right slide guide parts. By sliding on 73, 73, it is possible to slide back and forth.

The opening/closing driving means 71 is constituted by an electromagnetic solenoid, and as shown in FIG. 4, the driving iron core 71a and the rear end side of the opening/closing member 57 are connected by a driving connecting means 74. When the opening/closing drive means 71 is OFF, the opening/closing member 57 protrudes forward from the board surface of the game board 15 to close the second grand prize opening 35a (closed state), as shown by solid lines in FIGS. 3 to 5. When the opening/closing drive means 71 is turned ON, the opening/closing member 57 slides backward via the drive connecting means 74 to open the second big prize opening 35a (open state). When the opening/closing member 57 is in the closed state, it guides the game ball toward the downstream side in the direction along the second inclined rolling path 62, and when it changes from the closed state to the open state, the game ball riding on the opening/closing member 57 is guided. The ball falls into the second grand prize opening 35a with a high probability.

In addition, FIG. 6 shows that when the opening/closing member 57 changes from the open state to the closed state, the game ball is bitten at three points: the front end of the opening/closing member 57, the front wall 67, and the downstream end side wall 69b. Indicates the condition. In this way, the ball biting at the three points on the downstream end side of the second big prize opening 35a is stronger than the ball biting at the two points on the upstream side, and the ball's own weight and the following balls In many cases, the problem cannot be resolved by contact with others.

Further, the liquid crystal display means 41 is capable of variably displaying the performance symbol 80 in parallel with the variably displaying of the first and second special symbols by the first and second special symbol display means 39 and 40, for example. 2. Various images such as first and second pending images X1 to X4, Y1 to Y4 indicating the number of special pending items, and a variable pending image Z can be displayed.

Here, the production pattern 80 includes a plurality of pattern rows (three in the left and right direction in this case) each consisting of a number pattern and a plurality of other patterns, and each pattern constituting each of the pattern rows is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, it is composed of a symbol main body 80a made up of numbers such as 1 to 8, etc., and a decorative portion 80b such as characters attached to the symbol main body 80a. Note that the display mode of the effect pattern 80 can be arbitrarily changed by enlarging or reducing, changing the display position, erasing the decoration part 80b, etc.

For example, the performance symbols 80 start to fluctuate by vertical scrolling or the like for each symbol row in accordance with a predetermined variation pattern almost simultaneously with the start of variation of the first and second special symbols, and the symbols stopped on a predetermined effective line change in a predetermined manner. For example, the final stop is made approximately at the same time as the first and second special symbols stop changing. In addition, in the production pattern 80, for example, when all the stop symbols on the active line are the same, it is a jackpot production mode, otherwise it is a small hit production mode or a miss production mode, and the first and second special symbols are a jackpot production mode, In the case of a small hit mode or a loss mode, the first and second special symbols become a jackpot presentation mode, a small win presentation mode, or a loss presentation mode.

Regarding the first and second pending images X1 to X4, Y1 to Y4, and the fluctuating pending image Z, the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33 detect the game ball. 2. When the number of special reserved images increases, one additional first and second reserved image X1~, Y1~ is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 41, and the first and second special symbol display means 39, 40 display the first and second reserved images When the first and second special pending numbers decrease based on the start of a new variation of the first and second special symbols, for example, the pending image Z during variation is deleted and the first and second pending images X1 to , Y1 ~ toward the front side of the queue (for example, to the right side of the screen) one by one, and move the first and second held images X1 and Y1 at the top, which have been pushed out, to a predetermined position, for example, to create a new change. It is designed to change to a medium-holding image Z.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control system of this pachinko machine. In FIG. 7, 81 is a main control board, 82 is an effect control board, and these control boards 81 and 82 collectively control the central display frame unit 21 attached to the game board 15 and a plurality of other game components from the back side. They are each housed in a board case that is detachably attached to an appropriate location on the back side of the game machine main body 1 including the front frame 4 and the game board 15, such as the back side of the back cover that covers the board. In addition, in the block diagram of this FIG. 7, boards other than the main control board 81 and the performance control board 82 are omitted.

The main control board 81 controls gaming operations in an integrated manner, and includes a normal random number creation processing means 91, a normal starting opening check processing means 92, a normal random number storage means 93, and a normal symbol, which are composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. Processing means 94, normal symbol display control means 95, ordinary profit state generation means 96, special random number creation processing means 97, special starting opening check processing means 98, special random number storage means 99, special symbol processing means 100, special symbol display control means 101, special profit state generating means 102, special game state generating means 103, control command transmitting means 104, and the like.

The normal random number generation processing means 91 is configured to repeatedly generate a hit determination random number etc. at predetermined time intervals, which is used to determine whether or not the changed normal symbol is to be used as a winning pattern. The normal starting hole check processing means 92 performs processing based on the detection of a game ball by the normal symbol starting means 31, and the normal random number creation processing means 91 performs processing based on the detection of a gaming ball by the normal symbol starting means 31. It is configured to acquire normal random number information such as the generated hit determination random number value, and to store the normal random number information in a first-in, first-out type normal random number storage means 93 up to a predetermined upper limit number of reservations (for example, 4 pieces). has been done.

The normal symbol processing means 94 performs processing related to the variable display of normal symbols, and the normal symbol display means 37 is in a state where it can be displayed in a variable manner, and the ordinary random number storage means 93 stores one or more pieces of ordinary random number information. On the condition that (the number of normally reserved items is 1 or more), a random value for determining a hit is taken from the head of the queue of ordinary random number information stored in the ordinary random number storage means 93, and the random value for determining a hit is determined in advance. A hit/miss judgment is made depending on whether or not it matches the hit/miss judgment value, and based on the hit/miss judgment result, the type of stop symbol after the change in the normal symbol is selected, and the change in the normal symbol is made. Configured to select time.

In this embodiment, the winning probability (for example, 1/1.3) during the special gaming state (during the time saving state), which will be described later, is set higher than the winning probability (for example, 1/10) during the other normal gaming states. Also, the fluctuation time during the special game state (for example, 2.7 seconds) is set to be shorter than the fluctuation time during the normal game state (for example, 27 seconds).

The normal symbol display control means 95 controls the display of the ordinary symbol display means 37 based on the ordinary symbol processing by the ordinary symbol processing means 94, and allows the ordinary symbol display means 37 to be in a state where variable display is possible, and the ordinary random number storage means. On the condition that one or more pieces of ordinary random number information are stored in 93 (the number of ordinary pending pieces is 1 or more), the ordinary symbol display means 37 starts changing the ordinary symbols, and the ordinary symbol processing means 94 selects them. Based on the elapse of the selected variation time, the variation of the normal symbol is stopped at the stop symbol also selected by the normal symbol processing means 94.

The normal profit state generating means 96 generates a second special symbol when the stopped symbol after the fluctuation of the normal symbol display means 37 becomes a winning state based on the result of the hit determination by the normal symbol processing means 94 being a win. The movable part 52 of the starting means 33 is configured to generate a normal profit state in which the movable part 52 changes from a closed state to an open state, for example, according to any one of a plurality of opening/closing patterns. In this embodiment, two opening/closing patterns are used: a normal opening/closing pattern (for example, 0.2 s x 1 opening) and an extended opening/closing pattern (for example, 2 s x 3 openings), which is set to have a longer opening time than the normal opening/closing pattern. Different opening/closing patterns are set, and the normal opening/closing pattern is selected during the normal gaming state, and the extended opening/closing pattern is selected during the special gaming state.

The special random number creation processing means 97 generates a jackpot judgment random number used to judge jackpot/small hit/miss, a pattern judgment random number used to select a stop pattern etc. after the change of a special symbol, a fluctuation pattern random number used to select a fluctuation pattern, and others. The system is configured to perform a special random number creation process that repeatedly generates a predetermined random number.

The special starting hole check processing means 98 performs processing based on the winning of the game ball to the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33, and the special starting hole check processing means 98 performs processing based on winning of the game ball to the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33. Based on the game ball winning a prize, first and second special random number information such as a jackpot judgment random number and a jackpot symbol random number created by the special random number creation processing means 97 are acquired, and the first and second special random number information is obtained. The special random number storage means 99 is configured to store special random number information up to a predetermined upper limit number of reservations (for example, 4 each).

The special symbol processing means 100 performs processing related to the variable display of the first and second special symbols and the production symbol 80, and when the first and second special symbol display means 39, 40 are in a state where they can be displayed in a variable manner. Then, if the number of second special reservations is 1 or more, the first jackpot judgment random number is selected from the queue of second special random number information, and if only the number of first special reservations is 1 or more, the first jackpot judgment random number is selected from the queue of first special random number information. A numerical value is extracted, and a jackpot/small hit/miss judgment (jackpot judgment) is made depending on whether the jackpot judgment random value matches a predetermined jackpot judgment value or small hit judgment value, and the jackpot judgment is performed. Depending on the result, the stopping pattern of the first and second special symbols, the variation pattern of the performance symbol 80, etc. are determined.

This pachinko machine is equipped with a setting change function, and by having the hall staff perform a predetermined setting change operation when the power is turned on, the jackpot probability, that is, the probability that the first and second special symbols will be in a jackpot mode, can be changed. can be changed to multiple levels (here, 6 levels, settings 1 to 6). In this pachinko machine, the jackpot probability corresponding to settings 1 to 6 is 1/319 to 1/199. In addition, the small winning probability is, for example, 1/30 during the normal gaming state and 1/8.46 during the special gaming state (during the time saving state), regardless of the setting of the jackpot probability.

If the jackpot determination result is a jackpot or a small hit, the stopping pattern mode of the first and second special symbols is determined based on the jackpot symbol random numbers included in the first and second special random number information, for example. Jackpot modes A1 to A3 (Figure 8(a)), B1, B2 (Figure 9(a)), first and second small hit modes a1 (Figure 8(b)), b1 (Figure 9(b)) If the jackpot determination result is a loss, for example, one or more of the first and second loss modes are selected based on the newly acquired loss pattern random number value. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 9(a), in the case of a jackpot, the first jackpot in the jackpot state is determined according to the selected first and second jackpot modes. The opening pattern of the means 34 and the ending condition (number of time saving times) in the special game state (time saving state) that occurs thereafter are determined.

The special symbol display control means 101 controls the display of the first and second special symbol display means 39 and 40, and based on the special symbol processing by the special symbol processing means 100, the special symbol display control means 101 controls the display of the first special symbol display means 39, At the same time as starting the variation of the first special symbol or the variation of the second special symbol by the second special symbol display means 40, the selected stop symbol is displayed based on the elapse of the variation time corresponding to the selected variation pattern. The fluctuation of the first and second special symbols is stopped.

The special profit state generating means 102 is for generating a special profit state advantageous to the player, and the jackpot determination result by the special symbol processing means 100 is a jackpot, and the stop symbol after the first and second special symbols change. When it becomes a jackpot mode, the jackpot state in which the jackpot state generation means 102a releases the first jackpot winning means 34 according to any of the predetermined jackpot release patterns (FIG. 8(a), FIG. 9(a)) is generated, the jackpot determination result by the special symbol processing means 100 becomes a small hit, and the stopped symbols after the fluctuation of the first and second special symbols become a small win (when the predetermined game start condition is established). is a small winning state in which the small winning state generating means (opening/closing control means) 102b opens the second large winning means 35 according to any of the predetermined small winning opening patterns (FIG. 8(b), FIG. 9(b)). is configured to generate.

The jackpot opening pattern of this pachinko machine is based on the condition that a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 9 balls) win a prize either after a predetermined period of time (for example, 28 seconds) has elapsed since the first jackpot winning means 34 was released or by then. It is configured to perform a closing action a predetermined number of rounds, and in a jackpot state when the first special symbol becomes a jackpot mode, a jackpot opening pattern of 6R is used as shown in FIG. In the jackpot state when the 2 special symbols are in the jackpot mode, a jackpot opening pattern of 10R is used as shown in FIG. 9(a).

In addition, the pachinko machine has two types of small win release patterns, α and β, and in the small win state when the first special symbol display means 39 is in the small win mode a1, the pattern shown in FIG. 8(b) As shown in FIG. 9(b), the small hit opening pattern α is used, and in the small winning state when the second special symbol display means 40 is in the small winning mode b1, the small winning opening pattern β is used as shown in FIG. 9(b). It is now possible to

FIG. 10 shows the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 57 in the small hit opening patterns α and β. In the small hit opening pattern α shown in FIG. 10(a), the opening/closing member 57 opens once, and the opening time is 1.5 seconds. According to the gaming machine regulations, the opening time of the big prize opening in the small winning state is limited to a maximum of 1.8 seconds, and during the opening time of 1.8 seconds, the opening/closing member 57 is turned off after the opening/closing drive means 71 is turned OFF. The opening time is set to 1.5 s, which is shorter than 1.8 s, in consideration of the time required to actually close the door. In addition, while the second big prize winning means 35 is being opened by this small winning opening pattern α, the sorting means 60 is in a non-specific guidance state for most of the period, and even if you win, there is no possibility that you will be guided to the specific area 59a side. It is set to be essentially 0.

On the other hand, in the small winning opening pattern β shown in FIG. 10(b), the opening/closing member 57 is opened for 50 ms (an example of the duration of the open state) for 500 ms until the number of winnings reaches 10 (an example of the predetermined upper limit number). The continuous opening/closing operation is performed 10 times at intervals, and further, the opening/closing member 57 is opened for 50 ms four times at 200 ms intervals, for a total of 14 times (an example of the predetermined upper limit number of times). The total opening time in this case is a maximum of 0.7 seconds, which is shorter than the limit value of 1.8 seconds in the game rules, but this is also from when the opening/closing drive means 71 is turned off to when the opening/closing member 57 actually closes. This takes into account the amount of time required. In addition, while the second big prize winning means 35 is being released by this small winning opening pattern β, the sorting means 60 is in the specific guidance state for most of the period, so that the winning game ball is almost certainly guided to the specific area 59a side. is set to .

Here, in this small hit opening pattern β, the duration of the closed state is different between the number of openings up to 10 times (before the switching condition is established) and after that (after the switching condition is established), and the latter (200 ms) is set differently for the former ( The reason why the time is set shorter than 500 ms is to prevent the occurrence of ball biting at three points after the final opening operation. In other words, for the 11th and subsequent opening operations that are likely to be the final opening operation, by shortening the duration of the immediately preceding closed state, the game ball that has reached the opening/closing member 57 immediately before the final opening operation can be However, the possibility of reaching the downstream end of the opening/closing member 57 by the start of the final opening operation can be reduced, and the front end of the opening/closing member 57 after the final opening operation of the continuous opening/closing operation, the second grand prize. It is possible to effectively prevent ball biting from occurring at three points: the front wall 67 of the opening 35a and the side wall 69b of the second big winning opening 35a.

The duration of the closed state up to 10 times of opening (before the switching condition is established) is set to 500 ms in order to set an average of 1 game ball to win each time the opening/closing member 57 opens once. It is. That is, in order to win an average of one game ball each time the opening/closing member 57 opens, it is necessary to ensure that an average of one game ball rides on the opening/closing member 57 during the immediately previous closed state. Therefore, the duration of the closed state is set to 500 ms, which is close to 0.6 s, which is the firing interval of the firing means.

Of course, the duration of the closed state up to 10 times of opening (before the switching condition is satisfied) may be set to 600 ms in accordance with the firing interval, or may be set to another value close to that. Furthermore, if the firing interval differs, it is desirable to set the value accordingly. Here, if the duration of the closed state is too short, the number of missed shots (the ball does not land on the opening/closing member 57 and no ball wins when it is opened immediately after that) increases, so it is necessary to increase the number of openings, but as mentioned above, As mentioned above, the upper limit of opening time is determined by gaming machine regulations, so there is little leeway. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, the duration of all closed states is not uniformly set to 200 ms, but the duration of the closed state up to 10 times of opening (before the switching condition is satisfied) is set to 500 ms, which is less likely to miss. On the other hand, if the duration of the closed state is too long, problems may occur, such as an increase in the number of wasted balls that miss winnings, or an increase in over-winning balls (winnings exceeding the predetermined upper limit of 10 balls).

Furthermore, the reason why the switching condition is satisfied when the number of openings is 10 is that in the case of this embodiment, there is a high possibility that the opening operation after the 11th opening will be the final opening operation. In other words, in the case of this embodiment, a situation where the opening operation before the 14th time becomes the final one and ball biting occurs immediately after that means that even though the 10th ball has won, the game ball is not detected. This is limited to the case where the next opening operation starts before being detected by the means 58 and the 11th game ball, which is over-winning, is bitten. This is because if the winning balls up to the 10th ball are bitten after the 14th or earlier opening operation, the next opening operation is always performed and the ball biting is resolved. Therefore, in this embodiment, the duration of the closed state is set to 500 ms until the earliest opening operation among the opening operations with a high possibility of winning the 10th prize, that is, the 10th opening operation, and after the 10th opening operation (switching (after the condition is satisfied), the duration of the closed state is shortened to 200 ms. In the case of this embodiment, if the number of openings for establishing the switching condition is increased to 11 or 12, there is a higher possibility that the opening operation after closing for 500ms will be the final one, that is, there is a higher possibility that ball biting will occur at three points. becomes higher. Of course, this switching condition is not limited to the number of openings of 10, since the optimum value will vary depending on various conditions.

Furthermore, the reason why the upper limit number of repetitions of the opening operation (predetermined upper limit number of times) is set to 14 is to provide a certain margin in order to achieve the predetermined upper limit number of 10 prizes with a high probability. Therefore, this predetermined upper limit number of times is not limited to 14 times, but is desirably set to a suitably large value, for example, within the range where the open time is within the upper limit value of the gaming machine regulations.

In the case of this embodiment, by shortening the duration of the closed state after the 10th opening operation (after the switching condition is satisfied), the next time the winning game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 58. There is a problem that there is a higher possibility that the release operation will start, which increases the possibility of over-winning. However, since the firing interval is constant (0.6 s), the possibility of over-winning is small. It is not very high and the impact is minor.

The special gaming state generating means 103 is for generating a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and after the end of the jackpot state, it generates a time saving state as an example of the special gaming state with a predetermined probability (100% in this case). The time saving state is terminated when the next jackpot state occurs or when the first and second special symbols fluctuate a predetermined number of times (when a predetermined number of time saving times is satisfied). During the time saving state, the opening/closing pattern of the second special symbol starting means 33 in the normal profit state is switched from the normal opening/closing pattern (for example, 0.2 s x 1 opening) to the extended opening/closing pattern (for example, 2 s x 3 openings).

In this embodiment, after the jackpot state ends, the time saving state occurs with a 100% probability, and the number of time saving times is preset according to the jackpot mode. For example, when the first special symbol becomes a jackpot mode, a time saving state occurs for all jackpot modes A1 to A3 as shown in FIG. 8(a), and the number of time saving times is set to 1, 7, and 90 times, respectively. has been done. Here, since the winnings in the second special symbol starting means 33 are held and stored with an upper limit of 4 (second special pending number), it is possible to receive a lottery in a time saving state with the upper limit of the number of time saving times + 4 times. Therefore, if you win a small prize in 5 drawings when the number of time reductions is 1, or in 11 drawings when the number of time reductions is 7, you can almost certainly win a V prize and generate a jackpot state. In addition, the small hit probability during the time saving state of this embodiment is 1/8.46, and the possibility that the second special symbol changes 90 times during the time saving state is extremely low. The situation is essentially until the next jackpot.

The control command transmitting means 104 is for transmitting a predetermined control command to a control board such as the production control board 82 to give a control command, and based on the special symbol processing by the special symbol processing means 100, 2. Pending subtraction command that specifies the subtraction of the first and second special pending numbers at the start of the variation of the 2 special symbols, a fluctuation pattern specification command that specifies the variation pattern of the first and second production symbols, and the first and second special symbols. A stop symbol mode designation command that specifies the stop symbol mode is sent to the production control board 82 side in this order, and a fluctuation stop designation command that instructs the variation of the production symbol 80 to stop when the variation of the first and second special symbols is finished is sent. A function of transmitting to the production control board 82 side, a function of transmitting a pending addition command to the production control board 82 side that specifies addition of the first and second special pending numbers when the first and second special pending numbers increase, It has a function of transmitting a special game state generation command, a special game state end command, etc. to the production control board 82 side when the special game state generating means 103 generates and ends the special game state.

The production control board 82 is for controlling various production means such as the liquid crystal display means 41, the audio output means 111, the illumination means 112, the movable production means 42, etc., and controls the symbol variation production control means 113 and the special reserved number display control. It is equipped with means 114 and the like.

The symbol variation production control means 113 controls the display of production symbols by the liquid crystal display means 41 and the accompanying sound output means 111, the illumination means 112, the movable production means 42, etc., and controls the variation pattern from the main control board 81. When a specified command is received, the liquid crystal display means 41 starts the variation of the effect pattern 80 based on the specified variation pattern, and the accompanying sound output, illumination, etc. is started, and when a variation stop specification command is received, The variation of the production pattern 80 is stopped in the stop pattern mode selected based on the stop pattern mode designation command and the variation pattern designation command, and the accompanying sound output, illumination, etc. are stopped.

The special reservation number display control means 114 controls the display of the first and second special reservation numbers on the liquid crystal display means 41, and displays the first special reservation number in response to an increase or decrease in the first and second special reservation numbers. Corresponds to the first reserved images X1 to X4 for the number of pieces (maximum 4), the second reserved images Y1 to Y4 for the second special reserved number (maximum 4), and the changing first and second special symbols. It is configured to display the pending image Z during fluctuation on the liquid crystal display means 41.

Next, the flow of the game in this pachinko machine will be explained. In this pachinko machine, during the normal game state other than the special game state (during the time saving state), the normal symbol starting means 31 detects the game ball, the normal symbol display means 37 changes, and the normal symbol becomes a winning state. Even if a normal profit state occurs, the opening time (normal opening time) of the second special symbol starting means 33 for starting the fluctuation of the second special symbol is only a short time (for example, 0.2 seconds), so it is normal. Even if you hit the right hand aiming at the symbol starting means 31 and the second special symbol starting means 33, the possibility of winning the second special symbol starting means 33 is extremely low. On the other hand, with the first special symbol starting means 32, which is a non-operating winning means, the difficulty level of winning does not vary depending on the gaming state, and stable winning can be expected even during the normal gaming state. Therefore, instead of suddenly hitting the right hand aiming at the normal symbol starting means 31 and the second special symbol starting means 33 on the right downstream path 47b side from the normal gaming state, the first step is to first enter the special gaming state (time saving state). In order to generate this, you should hit the left hand and aim to enter the first special symbol starting means 32 from the left downstream path 47a side. Therefore, during the normal gaming state, it is desirable to provide left-handed guidance information to guide the player to left-handed batting, such as by displaying an image such as "←Aim to the left" on the liquid crystal display means 41.

The player hits the ball left during the normal gaming state, and the game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 32 from the left downstream path 47a, for example, through the warp entrance 48, the stage 46, and the central falling part 49, or the stage. When a game ball is guided to the first special symbol starting means 32 without passing through a game nail or the like and wins a prize, the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 51 when guided to the back side of the game board 15, and thereby A predetermined number (four in this case) of prize balls are paid out onto the upper tray 8, and the first special symbol display means 39 changes the first special symbol and the liquid crystal display means 41 changes the performance symbol 80.

If the first special symbol stops in a small winning mode after the fluctuation, a small winning state occurs, and the second large winning means 35 releases the small winning opening pattern α (Fig. 8(b), Fig. 10(a) )). However, while the second big prize winning means 35 is being opened according to this small winning opening pattern α, the distributing means 60 is controlled to be in the non-specific guidance state for most of the period. Even if a game ball wins in the second big winning means 35 during the middle (for example, 1.5 seconds), there is a very low possibility that the game ball will be guided to the specific area 59a, and therefore a jackpot state due to a V win is expected. Can not. Therefore, even if the first special symbol becomes a small winning mode during the normal game state and a small winning state occurs, it is desirable that right-handed driving guidance notification for guiding the player to play right-handed is not performed. In this case, after the small winning state ends, the player continues to hit left-handed.

On the other hand, when the first special symbol becomes a jackpot mode, a jackpot condition occurs, and the first jackpot winning means 34 opens according to the 6R jackpot opening pattern (FIG. 8(a)), regardless of the jackpot mode. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to display an image such as "Aim to the right →" on the liquid crystal display means 41 to provide right-handed guidance information to guide the player to play right. Then, when the player hits the right hand ball and the game ball lands in the open first prize winning means 34, a predetermined number of prize balls (14 balls in this case) are paid out to the upper tray 8 for each winning ball. The player can easily obtain a large amount of prize balls.

After the jackpot state ends, as shown in Figure 8(a), time saving states of 1 time, 7 times, and 90 times occur with probabilities of 85%, 14.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. . During the time saving state, the normal symbols will be in a winning state with an extremely high probability, so if the game ball passes through the normal symbol starting means 31, the normal profit state will occur with a high probability after the normal symbol changes, and the second special symbol will start. The means 33 is opened for a long time (for example, 2s×3). Therefore, during the time saving state, for example, a right-handed hit guidance notification is performed, and the player can easily cause the game ball to enter the second special symbol starting means 33 by hitting right.

When a game ball enters a prize in the second special symbol starting means 33, the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 53 when guided to the back side of the game board 15, and a predetermined number of prizes (here, two) are thereby awarded. As the balls are paid out onto the upper tray 8, the second special symbol is changed by the second special symbol display means 40, and the performance symbol 80 is varied by the liquid crystal display means 41. It should be noted that during the time saving state, the small winning probability is higher than during the normal gaming state (here, 1/8.46). Moreover, since the winnings in the second special symbol starting means 33 are held and stored with an upper limit of 4 (second special pending number), it is possible to receive a lottery in a time saving state with the upper limit of the number of time saving times + 4 times. In other words, during a time saving state where the number of working hours is reduced once, it is only necessary to draw a small prize of 1/8.46 in 5 draws, and during a time saving state where the number of working hours is reduced to 7 times, it is practically necessary to draw a small prize of 1/8.46 11 times. All you have to do is win a small prize of 1/8.46 in the lottery.

If the second special symbol becomes a small winning mode during the time saving state, a small winning state occurs, and the second large winning means 35 releases the small winning opening pattern β (FIG. 9(b)). In this small winning opening pattern β, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the opening/closing member 57 is opened for 50 ms 10 times at 500 ms intervals, and then opened/closed 10 times at 500 ms intervals until the number of winnings reaches 10 (an example of the predetermined upper limit number). The member 57 is opened for 50 ms four times at intervals of 200 ms, and a maximum of 14 times (an example of a predetermined upper limit number of times) are performed in a continuous opening/closing operation. In this way, in the small winning opening pattern β, the duration of the closed state (here, 200 ms) after the number of openings of the second big prize means 35 reaches 10 (after the switching condition is satisfied) is Since the duration time of the closed state is set shorter than the duration of the closed state (500 ms in this case), for the reason mentioned above, the game ball that reaches the opening/closing member 57 immediately before the final opening operation will be delayed by the time the final opening operation starts. It is possible to reduce the possibility of reaching the downstream end side of the opening/closing member 57, and the front end of the opening/closing member 57, the front wall 67 of the second grand prize opening 35a, and the second grand prize after the final opening operation of the continuous opening/closing operation. It is possible to effectively prevent ball biting from occurring at three points on the side wall 69b of the mouth 35a.

In addition, while the second big prize winning means 35 is being released by this small winning opening pattern β, the sorting means 60 is in the specific guidance state for most of the period, so that the winning game ball is almost certainly guided to the specific area 59a side. is set to . When game balls win in the second big winning means 35, a predetermined number of prize balls (three in this case) are paid out to the upper tray 8 for each winning ball. Further, when the game ball that has won the second big winning means 35 is guided to the specific area 59a side by the sorting means 60 (V winning), a jackpot state occurs, and for example, a jackpot release pattern of 10R (see FIG. 9(a) ), the first grand prize winning means 34 is opened. Of course, a jackpot state also occurs when the second special symbol becomes a jackpot mode during the time saving state. After the jackpot state ends, as shown in FIG. 9(a), time saving states of 7 and 90 time saving times occur with probabilities of 90% and 10%, respectively.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the switching condition is satisfied when the number of winnings of the second big winning means 35 reaches 10 after the start of the small winning state, and the subsequent duration of the closed state is configured to be shorter than before. However, the switching condition is not limited to this, and for example, the switching condition may be satisfied when the number of winnings to the second big winning means 35 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 9) after the start of the small winning state. .

In the small hit opening pattern β, the duration of the open state is uniformly 50 ms, the duration of the closed state before and after the switching condition is satisfied is 500 ms and 200 ms, respectively, the number of openings until the switching condition is satisfied is 10, and the number of openings after the switching condition is satisfied. 4 times, but each of these values can be changed as appropriate according to various conditions for each model.

In the second big winning means 35 of this embodiment, the opening/closing member 57 is configured to open and close the second big winning opening 35a by sliding back and forth, but the opening/closing member is not in the closed state where the winning opening is closed. Any configuration is sufficient as long as it is possible to guide the game ball to the downstream side of the inclined rolling path and cause the game ball present on the opening/closing member to fall into the prize opening when the closed state changes to the open state. The winning opening may be opened and closed by the member swinging around the horizontal axis on the rear edge side.

In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the second big prize opening 35a of the second big winning means 35 is provided in the middle of the second inclined rolling path 62, but the second big winning opening 35a is provided on the upstream side of the inclined rolling path. Alternatively, it may be provided on the downstream side. That is, when the opening/closing member 57 closes the second big prize opening 35a, a common inclined surface is formed by the opening/closing member 57 in the closed state and the inclined rolling path adjacent to the upstream side and/or downstream side thereof. You can configure it like this.

Although the embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a so-called 1 type and 2 type mixed type pachinko machine, it can also be applied to other pachinko machines and various gaming machines such as an arrangement ball machine and a mahjong ball game machine. It is possible to implement the same.

18 Game area 62 Second inclined rolling path (inclined rolling path)
35a 2nd prize opening (winning opening)
57 Opening/closing member 58 Game ball detection means 102b Small hit state generating means (opening/closing control means)

Claims (1)

a firing means capable of firing a game ball toward a game area;
an inclined rolling path provided within the gaming area and on which a gaming ball can roll;
an upward-opening prize opening provided on the upstream side, downstream side, or in the middle of the inclined rolling path;
an opening/closing member capable of opening and closing the entry prize opening;
A game ball detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the winning slot;
An opening/closing control means for controlling the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member,
The opening/closing member guides the game ball toward the downstream side in the direction along the inclined rolling path in the closed state in which the entry prize opening is closed, and when the closed state changes to the open state, the opening/closing member guides the game ball toward the downstream side in the direction along the inclined rolling path. is configured such that a game ball present in the game ball can be dropped into the entered prize hole,
The opening/closing control means is configured such that when a predetermined game start condition is satisfied, the number of game balls detected by the game ball detection means reaches a predetermined upper limit number, or the number of times the opening/closing member is in the open state reaches a predetermined upper limit number. In a gaming machine configured to perform a continuous opening/closing operation in which the opening/closing member alternately repeats the open state and the closed state,
The duration of the closed state during the continuous opening/closing operation can be switched between a first duration and a second duration shorter than that,
setting the second duration time to a value shorter than a firing interval when the game ball is continuously fired by the firing means;
Each duration of the closed state one or more times after the switching condition is satisfied in the continuous opening/closing operation is the second duration time , and each duration of the closed state before the switching condition is satisfied is the first duration time. did
A gaming machine characterized by: