JPH0462753B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pinball game machine such as a pachinko game machine or a coin game machine. A pinball game in which a variable display device is provided, and a predetermined game value can be awarded when the display result of each display section of the variable display device when stopped is a predetermined combination of specific identification information. Regarding machines.

[Conventional technology]

Examples of pinball game machines that have been generally known include JP-A-51-49844, JP-A-57-103665, and JP-A-56-80281.
There was one described in the publication. This conventional pinball game machine is equipped with a variable display device that uses a rotating drum to display a mechanically variable display, or a variable display device that displays an electrically variable display such as a segment display.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, this kind of conventional pinball game machine only has a plurality of display sections for displaying identification information of a variable display device arranged in a horizontal row, and can only display combinations of identification information in a horizontal row. First, there was a problem that the number of combinations of identification information was limited, making the combination games monotonous and lacking in fun.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pinball game machine that can increase the fun of the game by providing diversity in the value judgments given depending on the combination game state.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has a variable display device in which a plurality of display sections are visibly disposed on each of a plurality of display arrays, and identification information displayed on each display section can be changed, and the variable display device A pinball game in which a predetermined game value can be awarded when a combination of identification information arranged on a predetermined display array among the identification information displayed on each display section of the display unit becomes a predetermined specific combination. a game area into which balls are hit; a predetermined game state counting means for counting the number of times a predetermined game state is established based on the balls hit into the game area; a combination effective column number determining means for selecting and determining the number of combination effective columns to be determined for the gaming value award based on the formation of the specific combination in the book display arrangement; The determining means is characterized in that the number of selections in the effective combination column is changed in correlation with the count value of the predetermined gaming state counting means.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, since a plurality of display sections of the variable display device are arranged so as to be visible on a plurality of display arrays, it is possible to set a plurality of effective combination columns in which combinations of identification information are established. . Moreover, the number of times a predetermined game state is established based on the balls hit into the game area is counted by the function of the predetermined game state counting means. In addition, the number of effective combination rows determining means selects and determines the number of effective combination rows that are subject to determination of game value award upon establishment of a specific combination among the plurality of display arrays. The number of effective combination rows determined by the combination effective row number determining means changes in correlation with the count value of the predetermined gaming state counting means.

In other words, the predetermined number of effective combination columns, which are subject to determination of game value award, changes in correlation with the number of times the predetermined gaming state is established depending on the establishment of a specific combination.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko game machine (pachinko machine) will be described as a specific example of a pinball game machine equipped with a variable display member.

FIG. 1A is an external view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration, pachinko machine 10
The front frame 11 is attached so that it can be opened and closed freely, and the front frame 11
A game board 1 is removably attached to the board. Game board 1
A glass frame 11a is attached to the front part of the frame so as to be openable and closable.

In the game area formed on the front side of the game board 1,
Safe holes 2a to 2c, safe holes 3, a plurality of yakumono (commonly known as chulips) 4a and 4b, and a variable winning ball device 5 are provided as examples of the special prize area. Furthermore, a display device 20, which is an example of a variable display member, is mounted approximately in the center of the game board 1. Display device 20 includes a rotating drum indicator 30, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C below.

Safe holes 2a to 2c are for when a winning ball hits,
This is a hole defined so that the display device 20 can be driven or variably displayed. Note that the special prize area is not limited to the safe hole, but may be an area formed in a specific area on the game board 1 through which a ball can pass. The variable winning ball device 5 opens the rectangular plate 5a to the front of the game board 1 to make it easier to win the ball.
The plate 5a is opened and closed by energizing or deenergizing a solenoid (15a shown in FIG. 1B). This variable prize winning ball device 5, as an example of value provision, cooperates with an opening/closing drive mechanism 15 to be described later to provide a value to a plate based on value data provided according to the display state of the display device 20. 5
The opening time or the number of intermittent opening/closing cycles of a is controlled. In addition, instead of the variable winning ball device 5, a Yakumono 4a called a chulip,
A large number of 4b may be provided, and the number of openings, the number of openings and closings, or the opening time may be controlled. In addition, if the pinball game machine is a coin game machine, the variable winning ball device 5
A coin dispensing mechanism is used instead.

The conditions for changing the display state of the display device 20, that is, the conditions for starting variable display, are the safe holes 2a to 2.
Only if there is a winning ball in c, or safe hole 2
There are winning balls in a to 2c and the player operates the start command. If the player's operation is to be conditioned, a start switch 6 is provided in a part of the front frame 11. here,
When conditioning the player's operation, for example, depending on the number of winning balls in the safe holes 2a to 2c, combinations that can be determined for value provision based on the combination of identification information displayed on the rotary drum display 30. Required when changing the number of valid columns. Safe hole 2
If you want to start variable display based only on the presence of winning balls in a to 2c, each safe hole should be associated with a combination of multiple effective combination columns of the rotary drum display 30, and any After the variable display is performed based on the presence of a winning ball in the safe hole, the combination of directions corresponding to the safe hole in which the winning ball is located is used for determining value. In this case as well, the operation of the start switch 6 may be additionally conditioned.

Further, the front frame 11 is provided with a stop switch 7 for stopping the variable display state of the display device 20. Note that the condition for stopping the variable display is not limited to the operation of the stop switch 7, but a timer may be provided and a time-up signal derived from the timer after a certain period of time from the start of the variable display may be used.

If necessary, the front frame 11 is provided with a display section 8 that indicates that the start switch 6 can be operated, and a display section 9 that indicates that the stop switch 7 should be operated. . For example, light emitting diodes or display lamps are used for the display sections 8 and 9.

FIG. 1B is an illustrative view of the back structure of the pachinko machine 10. In the figure, the back side of the game board 1 corresponding to the safe holes 2a to 2c is
Detection switch (special prize ball detection means) 12a for detecting winning balls (namely, special prize balls) that have won a prize.
12c is provided. The detection switches (special prize ball detection means) 12a to 12c or this and the start switch 6 provide a change command signal generation means for outputting a signal for changing the identification information displayed on each display section of the variable display member. In addition, a predetermined game state detecting means for detecting the establishment of a predetermined game state established based on the balls hit is also configured. And on the back of game board 1,
A plurality of paths 131-134 are formed. Route 1
31 guides the winning balls that have entered the safe holes 2a and 3 to the upper part of the back surface of the Yakumono 4a, and causes the Yakumono 4a to open with the balls. The path 132 guides the balls that have entered the safe holes 2b and 3 to the upper part of the back surface of the Yakumono 4b, and causes the Yakumono 4b to open with the balls.
The path 133 guides the balls that have entered the safe hole 2c to the detection switch 12c. The path 134 collects the winning balls into each of the safe holes 2a to 2c, the Yakumono 4a, 4b, or the variable winning ball device 5, and guides them to the winning ball processing device 14. A special area is provided in the variable winning ball device 5, etc., and the variable winning ball device 5 is opened (opened/closed) driven based on a ball winning in the special area during opening or closing of the variable winning ball device 5. may be repeatedly and continuously controlled, or the variable display member may display variablely during normal times and may display variablely again based on detection of special prize balls. Further, the winning ball processing device 14 drops winning balls one by one, and its operation is linked to the release of prize balls. Said safe hole 2a
~ Among 2c and 3, some of them are used as holes for variable start of the variable display member, and others are used as holes for selecting effective combination rows, which will be described later, and each of the special prize balls of these two types of holes is Variable start control and selection control may be performed based on the detection output.

FIG. 2 is a specific front view of the display device 20. FIG. Next, details of the display device 20 of this embodiment will be explained. Display device 20 includes a display frame 21 . A display window 22 is formed in the display frame 21 so that a part of the rotary drum display 30 can be viewed from the outside. The size of the display window 22 is such that its horizontal length is slightly longer than the width of a plurality of (three in the figure) horizontally arranged rotating drums 31a to 31c included in the rotating drum display 30, and its vertical length is The length is selected to be long enough to display a plurality of pieces of identification information (three pieces in the illustration) formed on the outer periphery of each of the rotating drums 31a to 31c. In this case, a plurality of display sections (3×3 in the drawing) that can be visually recognized from the outside are formed in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. In the display frame 21 around the display window 22,
Status display parts 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 2
5a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b
is provided. These status display sections 23a to 27
In b, a light emitting diode or an indicator lamp is used, and the combination validity is determined based on the display state and the combination validity line (i.e., the combination type display section 29) to give value. Used to display columns. for example,
Status display section 23a, 23b or 24a, 24b
Or 25a, 25b are each rotating drum 31a
Displays the direction to be determined for value assignment based on the first (middle row), second (upper row), or third (lower row) combination state in the horizontal direction of ~31c. First, the status display sections 26a, 26b or 27a, 27b display the direction in which value is to be determined based on the combination status of the first diagonal direction (upward right direction) or the second diagonal direction (upward left direction). .

Furthermore, a segment display 28 is provided in the display frame 21 above the display window 22, if necessary. The segment display 28 is used to lower the probability of occurrence of a display state that can provide maximum value by providing an electrically variable display in accordance with the mechanically variable display of the rotary drum display 30. Note that the prize balls may be paid out or points may be awarded immediately after the combination of specific identification information that can be assigned value by the display device 20 is established.

3A to 3C are detailed views of the rotating drum indicator 30 included in the display device 20, and in particular, FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of one rotating drum, and a third
Figure B shows its front view, and Figure 3C shows its side view. In the figure, the rotating drum indicator 30 is
A plurality of (three in the illustration) rotating drums 31a to 31
Contains c. Rotating drums 31a to 3 as an example of a rotating body
On the outer periphery of 1c (only 31a is shown in the figure),
Identification information such as pictures, symbols, and numbers (alphabet in the illustration) is drawn at fixed angles or intervals. The type of identification information can be any type, such as drawing a different type at every position on the outer circumference of the rotating drum, drawing different types at adjacent locations, and drawing the same type in one rotation among multiple types. You may choose to. In addition, the rotating drum 3 of each row
Since 1a to 31c are configured in exactly the same way, the following explanation will be based on the case of one rotating drum 31a.

In the center of one side of the rotating drum 31a,
The ratchet gear 32a is fixed. The ratchet gear 32a has a number of teeth corresponding to the number of identification information drawn on the outer circumference of the rotating drum. Further, on the same circumference on one side of the rotating drum 31a, a first detected portion 33 is arranged corresponding to the formation position of the identification information.
0 to 339 are formed. In addition, the rotating drum 31
On one side of a, there is a reference position (for example, a position corresponding to 330) on a circumference different from the circumference forming the detected parts 330 to 339.
A second detected portion 33r is formed. This detected portion 33r is used to detect a reference position for detecting the formation position of each identification information until one rotation of the rotating drum 31a. For example, means for detecting these detected parts 330 to 339, 33r is an optical detection means,
If it includes a light emitting part that generates light and a light receiving part that receives reflected light of the light, it can be formed by pasting a member such as aluminum foil that can reflect light.

Each row of rotating drums 31 formed as described above
By inserting the drum shaft 34 into the shaft hole 311, the drum shafts a to 31c are loosely fitted in the drum shaft 34 and are individually rotatably supported by the frictional force thereof. Both ends of the drum shaft 34 are supported by the sides of the box 35. Although not shown, the rotational force of a motor (44 shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later) is transmitted to one end of the drum shaft 34 via a suitable rotational force transmission mechanism.

Boxes 35 on the rear surfaces of the rotating drums 31a to 31c in each row have solenoids 36a to 36c (31 in the illustration) corresponding to the rotating drums 31a to 31c.
(only those corresponding to a are shown) are fixed. These solenoids 36a to 36c individually rotate or stop the corresponding rotating drums 31a to 31c. Solenoids 36a-3
The plunger 361 of 6c is a return spring 362.
are fitted, and their tip portions are engaged with one ends of the corresponding locking levers 37a to 37c. Approximately central portions of each of the locking levers 37a to 37c are supported by a common lever shaft 38. Both ends of the lever shaft 38 are
It is fixed on both sides of the box 35. The locking levers 37a to 37c have claw-like portions 371 at their tip portions.
is formed, and the claw-like portions engage with the ratchet gears 32a to 32c fixed to the corresponding rotating drums to stop the rotating drums and maintain the locked state.

In addition, when rotating the rotating drums 31a to 31c, the motor (411 shown in FIG. 4) is rotationally driven and each solenoid 36a to 36c is electrically energized, and the claw-shaped locking levers 37a to 37c are This is done by disengaging the ratchet gears 37a to 37c.

Furthermore, sensor support members 39a to 39c are provided opposite to one side surface of each of the rotating drums 31a to 31c. Each sensor support member 39a to 39c
(Only 39a is shown in the figure) includes detected portions 330 to 33 of the corresponding rotating drums 31a to 31c.
Sensors 461a to 461c for detecting 9
(only 461a is shown in the figure), and reset position (reference position) detection sensors 462a to 462c (only 462a is shown in the figure) for detecting the second detected portion 33r. In addition,
When the special prize ball passes or when the stop switch 7 is operated, the identification information at the time of stopping the variable display for that time is determined in advance, and the variable display member is controlled to stop according to the predetermined display content. It may be configured so that

Although the illustration shows the sensor facing the detected part, it is also possible to separate the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor by a certain angle so that the optical axes of the projected light and reflected light correspond to the detected part. You can also do this.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a game control circuit for controlling the pachinko machine of this embodiment. The game control circuit 40 of this embodiment includes a microprocessor 41,
It includes an OR gate 42, a state display control circuit 43, a mechanically variable display drive circuit 44, an electrically variable display drive circuit 45, display state detection circuits 46a to 46c, and an opening/closing drive circuit 47 which is an example of value adding means. In addition,
Hereinafter, 44 and 45 will be abbreviated as variable display drive circuits.

The microprocessor 41 includes a collective processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 41a, an input interface 41b,
It includes an output interface 41c, a program storage memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 50, and a data storage memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 60. This ROM50
The storage area of ROM 50 is shown in FIG. 5, and the flowchart of the operation program set in the ROM 50 is shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. RAM
Details of the storage area 60 are shown in FIG.

The OR gate 42 is connected to one of the detection switches 1
When 2a to 12c detect a winning ball, they give a pulse output to the interface 41b. The status display control circuit 43 connects the output of the OR gate 42 and the start switch 6 and stop switch 7.
The display states of the display sections 8 and 9 and the state display sections 23a to 27b are controlled based on the output state of the display section 8 and the state display section 23a to 27b. The variable display drive circuit 44 is the CPU 41a.
The display state of the rotating drum indicator 30 is variably displayed in response to the output from the rotary drum indicator 30, and the solenoids 36a to 36b and a motor 441 are connected thereto. The variable display drive circuit 45 changes the display state of the segment display 28 in response to the output from the CPU 41a.
1. Clock oscillator 452, ring counter 45
3 and a decoder driver 454. The variable display drive circuits 44 and 45 constitute a display drive means.

The display state detection circuits 46a to 46c detect identification information displayed on the corresponding rotating drums 31a to 31c, respectively. More specifically, the display state detection circuit 46a detects the sensor 461
a, reset position detection sensor 462a, amplifiers (AMP) 463a and 466a, waveform shaping circuits 464a and 467a, and counter 46
Contains 5a. Here, sensors 461a and 46
2a is a photoelectric sensor including a light emitting part (or a light projecting part) and a light receiving part. The sensor 461a is used to detect the first detected parts 330-339.
The sensor 462a is used to detect the second detected portion 33r. The counter 465a performs an adding operation every time there is an output from the sensor 461a, and resets every time there is an output from the sensor 462a.
It is a bit counter and works as a counting means.
Note that the display state detection circuits 46a and 46c are
Since it has the same circuit configuration as 46a, it is only shown in the drawing and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. However, when describing the operation of each part included in the display state detection circuits 46b and 46c, the reference numbers of each part included in 46a are indicated by adding b or c instead of a at the end.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a part of the storage area of the ROM 50. The ROM 50 is, for example, the first
This includes a setting table 51, a second setting table 52, and a program setting storage area (not shown). The setting table 51 includes the display state detection circuit 46
Counters 465a to 465 included in a to 46e
Based on the count value of c, it is converted into identification information of each column displayed in the middle row (direction along 23a-23b) of the rotating drum display 30, and corresponding identification information is set for each count value. I remember.
The setting table 52 is configured for each rotating drum 31a to 31.
The combination of identification information displayed in c is 1 in the horizontal direction.
The types of combinations of valued identification information are set and memorized for each of the 3rd to 3rd directions (middle, upper, lower) and the 1st and 2nd diagonal directions (right diagonal, left diagonal). Accordingly, value data (for example, the opening time of the plate 5a of the variable winning ball device 5) is stored for each combination type.
In addition, the setting table 52 is configured to specify combinations that can be used to determine whether value can be given based on the number of special prize balls when a start command is issued after a plurality of special prize balls have been generated. The priority order for each effective combination column is stored. For example, the priority order is 1st (middle row), 2nd (upper row), 3rd (lower row) in the horizontal direction, and 1st, 2nd in the diagonal direction.
In order of

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the storage area of the RAM 60. The RAM 60 includes multiple storage areas, at least the following storage areas (hereinafter referred to as areas):
610-621 included. The area 610 is an area for storing the contents of which 1 is added to the stored contents each time a special prize ball is detected, and is used as a special prize ball number counter (hereinafter abbreviated as counter CT). Areas 611 to 613 are counters 465a to 465c corresponding to identification information displayed on each of the rotating drums 31a to 31c in the middle direction.
Memorize (or store) the count value. Area 6
14 stores the count value corresponding to the identification information displayed on the segment display 28. Areas 615, 616, and 617 are used to store discrimination data for each of the first, second, and third horizontal combination types (middle, upper, and lower rows) displayed on the rotating drum display 30. It will be done. Areas 618 and 19 are the first and second areas in the diagonal direction.
It is used to store discrimination data for the type of combination. Area 620 stores value data given depending on the display state of display device 20. The timer counter 621 switches the stop switch 7 within a certain period of time after the display device 20 starts displaying the variable display.
This is a timer counter that is used as an example of a timer to stop variable display using the timer output when the timer is not operated.

Note that the RAM 60 includes flag areas (hereinafter referred to as flags) Fa to Fe as necessary. The uses of flags Fa to Fe will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, which will be described later.

7A to 7C are flowcharts of an operation program for determining the display state of the display device 20 and providing value based on the display state. In particular, Figure 7A shows the main routine;
FIG. 7B shows a subroutine for determining combinations,
FIG. 7C shows a subroutine for adding value. In this embodiment, the number of effective combination rows to which value allocation is determined is increased in accordance with the number of special prize balls.

Next, the specific operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A to 7C.

When the power is turned on, initialization is performed by clearing all storage areas of the RAM 60. Subsequently, in step 2, based on the output state of the OR gate 42, it is determined whether or not there is a winning ball (that is, a special prize ball) in any of the safe holes 2a to 2c. Normally, special prize balls occur very rarely and cannot occur at all if the player is not playing. Therefore, if it is determined that no special prize ball is detected, the process proceeds to step 3. In step 3, it is determined whether the count value of the special prize ball counter CT is 1 or more. If it is determined that the number is not 1 or more, the process returns to step 2 and the operations of steps 2 and 3 are repeated until a special prize ball is generated. In this state, the player can play the same way as a normal pachinko machine.
Play hard so that the pachinko balls land in the safe hole or in the Yakumono hole. Steps 2 and 4 constitute a predetermined game state counting means that counts the number of times a predetermined game state is established based on the balls hit into the game area.

On the other hand, when a hit ball enters one of the safe holes 2a to 2c, one of the detection switches 12a to 12c detects it, and outputs the detection output (high level ) is given to the CPU 41a. In response, the CPU 41a determines in step 2 that a special prize ball has been received, and in step 4 increments the contents of the counter CT (initially 0) by 1. This step 4 constitutes a predetermined gaming state counting means for counting the detection output of the predetermined gaming state detecting means. Subsequently, in step 3, it is determined that the count value of the counter CT is 1 or more. Next, in step 5,
Based on the count of counter CT (for example 1),
A signal is given to the status display control circuit 43 to command the display of the status display section (for example, 23a, 23b) indicating a valid combination row determined so that a value can be given when there is one special prize ball, and the circuit lights up the status display section 43. Display. In step 6, the CPU 41a sends a signal to the status display control circuit 43 to instruct the display section 8 to blink, thereby causing the display section 8 to blink. As a result, the player knows that conditions have been reached that allow variable display of the display state of the display device 20. The player presses the start switch 6 if he/she wants to immediately display a variable display on the display device 20 using one special prize ball, or presses the start switch 6 if he/she wants to suspend the right until a plurality of special prize balls are generated. Continue playing pachinko without pressing the button. At this time, in step 7, it is determined whether the start switch 6 has been pressed. If the start switch 6 is not pressed, the process returns to step 2, and the operations of steps 2 to 7 are repeated until the start switch 6 is pressed. That is, the pressing of the start switch 6 is activated when there is one or more special prize balls.

Then, when the player presses the start switch 6 in order to exercise the right to variable display on the display device 20, this is determined in step 7 and the process proceeds to step 8. In step 8,
The CPU 41a sends a drive command (variable display command) signal for the rotary drum display 30 to a variable display drive circuit 44.
At the same time, a signal (high level) for activating the variable display of the segment display 28 is supplied to the AND gate 451. Accordingly, the variable display drive circuit 44 controls the solenoids 36a to 36c.
At the same time, the motor 441 is driven to rotate, and each of the rotating drums 31a to 31c is driven to rotate. At the same time, the variable display drive circuit 45 causes the segment display 28 to display a variable display as follows. That is, the AND gate 451 derives the clock pulse given from the clock oscillator 452 in response to the enable signal, and outputs the clock pulse from the ring counter 453.
give to The clock oscillation frequency of the clock oscillator 452 is selected to such an extent that the state in which identification information (for example, numbers) is sequentially and variably displayed on the segment display 28 can be visually recognized. Each time a clock pulse is input, the ring counter 453
The count value is incremented by 1, and each time it counts up to a certain number (for example, 9), the count state is reset in order, and the count value is provided to the decoder driver 454 and the output interface 41c. The decoder driver 454 displays a numerical value corresponding to the count value of the ring counter 453 on the segment display 28. In this way, the rotating drum indicator 3 included in the display device 28
0 and the display state of the segment display 28 are variably displayed. Subsequently, in step 9, the display section 8 is turned off and the display section 9 is turned on.
This is because the display device 20 is variably displayed.
This is to inform the player that the stop switch 7 should be operated. And display device 2
Almost simultaneously with the start of variable display of 0, step 10
In this step, the timer counter 621 starts the time counting operation. The timing operation of the timer counter 621 is, for example, a relatively small unit of time (for example, 1 second).
This is performed by applying an interrupt process to each interrupt process and incrementing the timer counter 621 by 1 for each interrupt process. Subsequently, in step 11, it is determined whether the stop switch 7 has been pressed.
If stop switch 7 is not pressed, step 12
At this point, it is determined whether or not the timer counter 621 has timed up, that is, whether a certain period of time has elapsed. If a certain period of time has not passed,
Returning to step 11, steps 11 and 12 are executed until the stop switch is pressed or the timer counter 621 measures the predetermined time-up time.
The operation is repeated.

Then, when the stop switch 7 is pressed or the timer counter 621 times out,
Proceed to step 13. In step 13, a one second timer (not shown) is activated to wait for one second. After 1 second has passed, in step 14,
A signal instructing the rotating drum 31a to stop is given to the variable display drive circuit 44 from the CPU 41a. Accordingly, the variable display drive circuit 44 controls the solenoid 36
The rotary drum 31a is stopped by deenergizing only the rotary drum 31a. In step 15, a one second timer is activated to create a time difference between stopping the rotating drum 31a and stopping the next rotating drum 31b.
When one second has elapsed, in step 16, the solenoid 36b is deenergized to stop the rotating drum 31b, just as if the rotating drum 31a had been stopped. In step 17, the one second timer is activated again. After one second has elapsed, the rotary drum 31c is stopped by deenergizing the solenoid 36c in step 18. In this way, the rotating drums 31a, 31b, 31c are rotated for a unit time (1 second each).
The reason for delaying and stopping is that, for example, once the display state that can give the maximum value is reached, when the variable display is repeated due to the occurrence of special prize balls, if each rotating drum is driven and stopped at the same time, the display will be repeated. This is to prevent a combination of identification information that can give the maximum value. Next, in step 19, the CPU 41a controls the motor 441.
A signal and segment display 28 for commanding to stop
A disabling signal (low level) is derived to stop displaying. As a result, the motor 441
At the same time, the AND gate 451 is disabled, the counting operation of the ring counter 453 is stopped, and the variable display of the segment display 28 is stopped.

Next, the CPU 41a starts the operation of the combination determination subroutine shown in FIG. 7B. That is,
In step 21, the count value of the counter 465a is
It is read into the CPU 41a. In step 22,
The count value of counter 465a is written to area 611. By step 23, the counter 465b
The count value is read. At step 24, the count value of counter 465b is written to area 612. At step 25, the count value of counter 465c is read. At step 26, the count value of counter 465c is written into area 613. Subsequently, in step 27, the count value of ring counter 453 is read. At step 28, the count value of ring counter 453 (ie, the identification information displayed on segment display 28) is written into area 614.

Thereafter, through the operations of steps 29 to 48, the combination of identification information displayed on each rotating drum 31a to 31c is determined for each valid combination column. That is, in step 29, the type of combination of identification information displayed in the first row (middle row) in the horizontal direction is determined. Specifically, this determination is made through the following process. That is, area 6
After determining the respective identification information displayed in the horizontal middle of each rotary drum 31a to 31c based on the count values stored in each of the rotary drums 11 to 613, the combination of each identification information is displayed in the setting table. This is done by determining whether the combination type of identification information stored in step 52 in the first horizontal direction is to be assigned a value. If it is determined that the combination of detected identification information is within the set types, the step
At 30, type data of the combination of identification information is written into area 615.

In step 31, it is determined whether the count value of the counter CT is 2 or more. Here, without determining the count value of the counter CT when determining the first combination type in the horizontal direction, it is determined whether the count value is 2 or more when determining the second combination type in the horizontal direction. The reason for this is as follows. In other words, the first set in the horizontal direction is set so that if there is one special prize ball, the type can be determined preferentially, so there is no need to judge the count value of the counter CT, but the second set in the horizontal direction This is because when determining the match, the conditions for determining the match are not met unless there are two or more special prize balls. At this time, if the count value of the counter CT is 2 or more, the process advances to step 32. In step 32, the type of the combination of identification information displayed in the second row (upper row) in the horizontal direction is determined. Specifically, this determination is made through the following process. That is, area 6
Each count value stored in 11 to 613 is displayed in the middle row in the horizontal direction (direction of display sections 24a to 24b).
Since the count value corresponds to the identification information of
1 is added to each of the count values stored in 613 to 613. The type of identification information corresponding to the added count value is determined based on the setting table 51. Then, each determined rotating drum 31a
It is determined whether the type data of the combination of identification information of 31c to 31c is the type to which the second value in the horizontal direction set in the setting table 52 should be assigned. If it is determined that the combination type should be given value, the combination type data is read from the setting table 52 and written into the area 616 in step 33. Note that if the type is not one to which value should be assigned, data (0) indicating that no value is assigned is written.

In step 34, it is determined whether the count value of the counter CT is 3 or more. If it is determined that the number is 3 or more, the type of combination is determined in step 35 based on the identification information displayed third (lower) in the horizontal direction. This determination is made through the following process. That is, area 611
Since the count values stored in each of 613 to 613 correspond to the identification information in the middle row, subtract 1 from these count values to find the value, and calculate the value of the subtraction result from which identification information set in the setting table 51. Determine whether this applies. Then, it is determined whether the combination of identification information determined for each column is included in the combination type stored in the setting table 52 and to which a value should be assigned in the third horizontal direction. If it is determined that the combination type should be given value, the combination type data is stored in the setting table 55 in step 36.
is read from and written to area 617.

In step 37, it is determined whether the count value of the counter CT is 4 or more. If it is determined that the number is 4 or more, the type of combination in the first diagonal direction (direction along the display sections 26a-26b) is determined in step 38. This judgment is made by setting the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value stored in area 611, the value stored in area 612, and the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value stored in area 613. Corresponding identification information is determined from each count value based on which count value stored in the table 61 corresponds. Further, it is determined whether the determined identification information of each column is included in the combination of types stored in the setting table 52 to which the first value in the diagonal direction should be assigned. If it is determined that the combination type should be given value, the type data of that combination is stored in the setting table in step 39.
2 and written to area 618.

In step 40, it is determined whether the count value of the counter CT is 5 or more. If it is determined that the number is 5 or more, the second combination type in the diagonal direction (direction along the display sections 27a-27b) is determined in step 41. This judgment is based on area 611
Based on which count value in the setting table 51 each of the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value of area 612, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value of area 613 corresponds to, the count value is calculated. The corresponding identification information is determined from. Furthermore, it is determined whether the determined identification information of each column is included in the combination of types stored in the setting table 52 to which the second value in the diagonal direction should be assigned. If it is included in the combination to which value should be added, the combination type is read from the setting table 52,
Written to area 619. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the operational steps of the value-adding subroutine shown in detail in FIG. 7C. Note that steps 31, 34, and
If it is determined in steps 37 and 40 that the count value of the counter CT is not greater than the predetermined value to be determined in each step, the process proceeds to a subroutine for directly adding value. Said step 29 to step
42 constitutes a combination effective row determining means that selects and determines the number of combination effective rows to which the game value award is determined based on the formation of the specific combination among the plurality of display arrays. There is. The effective combination row determining means changes the number of selected effective combination rows in correlation with the count value of the predetermined gaming state counting means.

After determining the combination type as described above, CPU4
1a starts the operation of the valuation subroutine shown in FIG. 7C. That is, in step 43,
A determination is made as to whether any combination of identification information stored in areas 615 to 619 is a combination (for example, identification information "AAA") that can determine whether the maximum value should be given. It will be done. If so, step 44
The identification information displayed on the segment display 28 should give the maximum value (for example, 7).
By determining whether or not this is the case, it is determined whether or not the display state is such that the maximum value should be given. If it is determined that the combination on any combination valid column of the rotary drum display 30 is "AAA" and the identification information of the segment display 28 is "7", the process proceeds to step 45. move on. step 45
, the plate 5a is opened for 30 seconds by processing to give the maximum value as the first value, for example, by driving the opening/closing drive circuit 47 and energizing the solenoid 15a for 30 seconds.

If it is determined in step 44 that the state is not the maximum value imparting state, then in step 46 an operation for imparting a second value is carried out, for example, by energizing the solenoid 15a for 8 seconds and removing the plate 5a.
An operation is performed to open the switch for 8 seconds.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 43 that the combination on any valid combination column is not "AAA", the process advances to step 47. In step 47, it is determined whether or not there is no value data given by the type of identification information for each effective combination column, that is, whether or not there is a failure. If it is determined that there is no disconnection, the solenoid 15a is energized for 4 seconds as a third value in step 48, and the plate 5a is opened for 4 seconds.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the display states of all the effective combination columns are not in a state in which values should be assigned, that is, they are out of order, the process advances to step 49. In step 49, solenoid 15a is energized for two seconds and plate 5a is opened for two seconds in order to apply the fourth and smallest value.

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of combinations of identification information displayed on the rotary drum display 30 for each valid combination column is increased in accordance with the number of special prize balls, and the number of combinations determined is increased. Since value is given to players based on the highest value among them, if you hold off pressing the start switch 6 until a large number of special prize balls are generated, you can increase the probability of acquiring a large value. There are advantages. In addition, the number of effective rows of combinations of each display section displayed on the rotary drum display 30 can be increased compared to the conventional case where there is only one row in the horizontal direction, and the number of combinations can be increased. This has the advantage of being able to diversify the combinations for adding value and improving the fun of the game.

By the way, the method of assigning value based on the display state of the display device 20 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7C, and various other methods can be considered. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the value adding subroutine. The difference between this embodiment and FIG. 7C is that if the player holds off on the condition that the display device 20 can be variably displayed until a plurality of special prize balls are generated, the combination of identification information for each direction of the rotating drum display 30 The purpose of this is to calculate the cumulative total of the value given by , and assign value based on that. In addition, the 7th C
Operation steps that are the same as those in the figures are indicated by the same reference numerals and explanations of their operations will be omitted, and different operation steps are indicated by different reference numerals and their operations will be described.

That is, if it is determined in step 44 that the state is not in the maximum value imparting state, the process advances to step 51. In step 51, it is determined how many combinations of identification information (for example, "AAA") are determined to be able to assign a second value, and that number and the second value (for example, 8 seconds) are determined. The value to be assigned is calculated (accumulated) by multiplying by .
Next, in step 52, it is determined whether there are any combinations other than "AAA" that should be given value, and if it is determined that there are, step 53
If it is determined that there is no such thing, the process advances to step 54. Also, if it is determined in step 47 that there is no failure, the process proceeds to step 53.
In step 53, the values given by combinations other than "AAA" are accumulated. Subsequently, at step 54, the sum of the value determined at step 51 and the value determined at step 53 is calculated. In step 55, it is determined whether or not the value determined in step 54 is less than a predetermined value (for example, 20 seconds open), which is slightly smaller than the first value but larger than the second value. If it is determined that:
At step 56, the value assignment control determined at step 54 is performed. If it is determined that this is the case, a predetermined value is given in step 57 (for example, the plate 5a is opened for a maximum of 20 seconds).

This embodiment has the advantage that the services provided to the players can be improved compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7C.

By the way, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the number of combination directions for determining value provision is varied depending on the number of special prize balls entered into the safe holes 2a to 2c. . However, other possible techniques include the following. For example, as a condition to be able to determine the combination of identification information for each of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd horizontal direction and the 1st, 2nd diagonal direction, a safe hole corresponding to each direction is provided, and a grand prize is awarded. The combination of identification information in the direction corresponding to the safe hole in which the ball entered the prize may be determined. A specific example will be described below.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the pachinko machine. In particular, FIG. 9A shows a modification of steps 2 to 5 in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 9B shows a modification of FIG. 7B.
Therefore, parts that have been changed in the corresponding step are shown with the same step number with a dash, and parts that are not changed are shown with the same step number.

In this embodiment, the safe holes 2a corresponding to the first to third horizontal directions and the first and second safe holes 2a in the diagonal direction are
~2e are formed, and each safe hole 2a~
Detection switches 12a to 12e (12d, 12d in FIG. 1B,
12e is omitted) is provided. and,
The outputs of the detection switches 12a to 12e are directly input to the input interface 41b without passing through the OR gate 42. Further, the RAM 60 includes flag areas (hereinafter referred to as flags) Fa to Fe. The flags Fa to Fe correspond to the safe holes 2a to 2e, and are set (that is, store logic "1") when there is a winning ball in the corresponding safe hole, and correspond according to the set state. Conditions for determining combinations of identification information for each direction are stored.

Next, the operations of this embodiment that differ from those in FIGS. 7A and 7B will be described. Driving ball is safe hole 2
If a prize is won in any one of a to 2e, it is determined in step 2' that a special prize ball has been generated, and the process proceeds to step 4'. In step 4', a flag corresponding to the detection switch (ie, safe hole) that detected the special prize ball is set. For example, when a hit ball enters the safe hole 2a, the flag Fa is set because it is possible to determine the first combination of identification information in the horizontal direction (in the direction of the display portions 23a-23b).
In step 3', it is determined whether any of the flags Fa to Fe is set. If not set, the operations of steps 2' and 3' are repeated, but if it is determined that any flag is set, the process proceeds to step 5'.
In step 5', the state display section 2 is displayed in the direction corresponding to the flag Fa to Fe that is set (for example, if Fa is set, the state display section 2
3a-23b) are displayed by lighting. Such an operation is repeated every time a special prize ball is generated during a period in which the start switch 6 is not operated.

Then, when the start switch 6 is pressed,
After the operations similar to those in steps 7 to 19 shown in FIG. 7A are performed, the program proceeds to the combination determination subroutine shown in FIG. 9B. In this subroutine, the operations in steps 21-28 are similar to those in FIG. 7B.
After the operation in step 28, the process advances to step 28a. In step 28a, it is determined whether the flag Fa is set. If it is determined that the
Proceed to 31′. On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag Fa is not set, the process advances to step 31'. In step 31', it is determined whether flag Fb is set. If it is determined that flag Fb is set, step 32
After the operation 33 is performed, the process proceeds to step 34'.
On the other hand, if it is determined that flag Fb is not set, the process advances to step 34'. In step 34', it is determined whether flag Fc is set. If it is determined that the flag Fc is set, steps 35 and 36 are performed, and then the process advances to step 37'. on the other hand,
If it is determined that flag Fc is not set, the process advances to step 37'. In step 37', it is determined whether the flag Fd is set. If it is determined that the flag Fd is set, steps 38 and 39 are performed, and then the process advances to step 40'. On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag Fd is not set, the process directly proceeds to step 40'. In step 40', the flag
It is determined whether Fe is set. When it is determined that the flag Fe is set,
After the operations in steps 41 and 42, proceed to step 42a. On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag Fe is not set, the process directly advances to step 42a. In step 42a, all flags Fa-Fe are reset (ie, written to logic "0").
Thereafter, the process proceeds to the value adding subroutine. The other operations are similar to those shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, the effective combination row on which the combination of identification information is determined is determined by the position of the safe hole where the hit ball has won, so the experience is different from that of the previous embodiment. This has the advantage of increasing the fun of the game.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, if a winning is made to one safe hole, only the combination of identification information in one direction corresponding to the winning can be determined. hole (for example 2
If a prize is won in c), it may be possible to determine the identification information of a plurality of combination directions.

Incidentally, in the various embodiments described above, the rotary drum display 30 is used as an example of a variable display member, but the variable display member is not limited to a mechanical variable display, but may also be a member that performs an electrical variable display. Needless to say, it is fine. For example, as another example of each display section included in the variable display member, a plurality of segment displays or other electrical indicators may be arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (for example, 3×3=
(9 pieces) may be provided. In that case, display driving of the segment display and detection of identification information displayed on the segment display can be configured by providing a variable display drive circuit 45 for each segment display.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the operation is performed by software processing, but the effects of the present invention can also be achieved by replacing it with a hardware circuit that performs the same operation.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of a pachinko machine was described, but the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a coin game machine. In that case, instead of driving the winning ball device to open and close, a coin discharging means for discharging coins according to the value data may be provided as the value imparting means.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides specific identification information that allows a predetermined gaming value to be provided, because the number of effective combination rows that are subject to judgment of value provision changes in correlation to the number of times a predetermined gaming state is established. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pinball game machine that can increase or decrease the number of combinations that can be established, and that can provide diversity in the value judgments that are given depending on the combination of identification information, thereby improving the fun of the game. We have now been able to provide this.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrative views of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a surface view of a display device as an example of a variable display member. Figures 3A-3C are detailed views of the rotating drum indicator included in the display device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a game control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a storage area of a ROM. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the storage area of the RAM. FIGS. 7A to 7C are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the game control circuit. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the valuation subroutine. 9A and 9B are flowcharts for explaining the operation of another example of the game control circuit. In the figure, 10 is a pachinko machine, 2a to 2e are safe holes, 5 is a variable winning ball device, 6 is a start switch, 7 is a stop switch, 20 is a display device, 3
0 is a rotating drum display, 40 is a game control circuit, 4
1 is a microprocessor, 43 is a status display control circuit, 44 and 45 are variable display drive circuits, 46a
~46c is a display state detection circuit, 50 is a ROM, 6
0 indicates RAM.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of display sections are disposed on each of the plurality of display arrays so as to be visible, and a variable display device is provided in which the identification information displayed on each display section can be changed; A predetermined gaming value can be awarded when a combination of identification information arranged on a predetermined display array among the identification information displayed on each display section of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific combination. A pinball game machine, comprising: a game area where balls are hit; and a predetermined game state counting means for counting the number of times a predetermined game state is established based on the balls hit into the game area. , a combination effective row number determining means for selecting and determining the number of combination effective rows for which the game value award is determined based on establishment of the specific combination among the plurality of display arrays; A pinball game machine, wherein the effective row number determining means changes the selected number of the combination effective rows in correlation with the count value of the predetermined game state counting means.