JPH1147364A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly release a specific prize-winning balls by forming a storing means temporarily storing the specific prize winning balls flowing into a variable prize winning ball device so as to control the means to release the stored balls when the movable member of the variable prize winning device cannot accept a hit ball. SOLUTION: The variable prize winning device 10 fixed to the game board of a pachinko machine varies into a first state advantageous for winning a prize, where an opening/closing plate 61 is closed by the exciting of a solenoid 71 or into a second state disadvantageous for winning a prize, where an opening/ closing plate 61 is closed when the solenoid 71 is non-excited. At this time the prize winning balls can temporarily be stored in a specific prize winning area within the device 10. Then, when the solenoid 71 is non-excited by the forming of the releasing condition of the device 10, a stopper part 70 is lowered on the part of completely closing the plate 61 and set in from a specific passage to release the storing of the specific prize winning balls P1. Thereby, the balls P1 are smoothly released.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, and the like, and more particularly, to a ball game machine in which a ball is hit into a game area to play a game. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ball game machine, a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area in a generally known hitherto, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, Is configured to be controlled to a specific game state (big hit state) that is advantageous to the player. Such a ball game machine has a first state in which a hit ball can be received,
A variable winning prize ball device having a movable member such as an opening / closing plate that can be changed to a second state in which it is impossible to receive a hit ball is provided in the game area.

[0003] Such a variable winning prize ball device is controlled in a first state for a predetermined period of time when a specific game state is reached.
Is returned to the state. In the specific game state, the control for setting the variable winning prize ball device to the first state is repeatedly performed with a predetermined number of times being an upper limit when the condition for repeating continuation during the game is satisfied. Such control is called repetition continuation control.

A specific winning area (V winning area) is provided at a predetermined position in the variable winning ball apparatus, and a specific winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by a specific winning ball detector called a V winning sensor. Was to be detected. In the variable winning ball device, a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning area other than the specific winning area is detected by a winning ball detector called a 10 count sensor. Then, for example, the condition of the earlier of the predetermined number of normal prize balls detected by the prize ball detector or the lapse of a predetermined period after the variable prize ball device enters the first state is satisfied. If the variable winning ball device is
The state is controlled. In addition, when the winning prize ball won during the period when the variable winning prize ball device is in the first state is detected as the specific prize ball by the specific prize ball detector in a predetermined detection valid period, the repetition continuation condition is satisfied. It was like.

[0005]

In this type of conventional ball game machine, the probability that a ball that has flowed into the variable winning ball device will win a specific winning area is restricted to 1/3 or less. Was. For this reason, the ball game machine having the variable winning ball device needs to satisfy such a condition of the winning probability.
As a configuration of a ball game machine that satisfies such a condition of the winning probability, it is conceivable to temporarily store specific winning balls on the downstream side of the specific winning ball detector. By temporarily storing the specific prize balls, the stored specific prize balls can prevent the subsequent balls from prize in the specific prize area, thereby satisfying the condition of the prize probability.

[0006] When the specific winning ball is temporarily stored in this manner, the movable member of the variable winning ball device is completely in the second state, that is, in a state in which it is completely impossible to receive a hit ball. In response to this, it has been considered to release the specific winning balls that have been stored.

[0007] However, when such a special winning ball is temporarily stored, there are the following problems. When the specific winning ball is released in response to the movable member of the variable winning ball device being completely in the second state, for example, an opening / closing plate as a movable member is placed between the movable winning ball device and the main body of the variable winning ball device. When the movable member does not completely enter the second state due to the incomplete operation of the movable member due to the occurrence of a malfunction such as a so-called ball biting state in which the movable member cannot be closed with the ball interposed therebetween. In spite of the control for moving the movable member to the second state, the specific winning ball is not released. If such a state continues, the specific winning prize ball will be invalidated due to the elapse of the detection effective period of the specific prize winning ball, even though the specific winning prize ball has been obtained. There was a problem that suffered from the disadvantage.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the release of the stored specific winning prize ball from being hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member. Is to provide a simple ball-and-game machine.

[0009]

The present invention according to claim 1 is a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, provided in the game area, A variable winning ball device having a movable member that can be changed between a first state that can be accepted and a second state that cannot accept a hit ball; and a variable winning ball device provided at a predetermined location in the variable winning ball device. Specific prize ball storage means for temporarily storing and releasing the specific prize ball flowing into the specified prize area, and a specific prize ball storage means disposed on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storage means and released by the specific prize ball storage means Specific prize ball detecting means for detecting the specific prize ball that has been obtained, the specific prize ball storage means,
When the movable member changes from the first state to the second state, the specific winning prize stored at a predetermined timing before the movable member becomes unable to receive a hit ball. The operation of releasing the ball is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the specific winning ball storing means includes:
An operation of releasing the stored specific winning sphere is performed according to the operation of the movable member entering the second state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the movable member and the specific winning ball storing means are driven by the same drive source. I do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, the ball game machine being provided in the game area and capable of receiving a ball. A variable winning ball device having a movable member that can be changed between a state 1 and a second state in which a hit ball cannot be received, and a specific winning area provided at a predetermined location in the variable winning ball device. A specific winning ball storage means for temporarily storing the inflowing specific winning ball and then releasing the specific winning ball, and a specific winning ball released by the specific winning ball storing means disposed on the downstream side of the specific winning ball storing means. A specific winning ball detecting means for detecting, a winning ball detecting means for detecting all winning balls in the variable winning ball device, and controlling the movable member to a first state when a predetermined condition is satisfied; In the first state, the winning ball test The movable member when the detection of the winning ball predetermined upper limit number was made by the means second
A movable member control means for controlling the state of the special winning ball storage means, and a storage control means for controlling the operation of the specific winning ball storage means, the storage control means, when the movable member is in the first state When a predetermined number of winning balls smaller than the upper limit number of winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means,
A control is performed to release the specific winning balls stored in the specific winning ball storing means.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the variable winning ball device provided in the game area has the first state in which the ball can be received and the first state in which the ball cannot be received. A movable member that can be changed to the second state; By the operation of the specific winning ball storage means, the specific winning balls flowing into the specific winning area provided at a predetermined location in the variable winning ball device are temporarily stored and then released. The specific prize ball released by the specific prize ball storage means is detected by the operation of the specific prize ball detection means arranged on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storage means. When the movable member changes from the first state to the second state by a further operation of the specific winning ball storage means, at a predetermined timing before the movable member cannot receive a hit ball, An operation of releasing the stored special winning sphere is performed. As described above, when the movable member changes from the first state to the second state, the stored specific winning ball is moved to a predetermined state before the movable member becomes unable to receive a hit ball. Released at the timing. For this reason, for example, the movable member cannot be operated by sandwiching a hit ball in the course of changing to the second state,
Even if an operation failure state that does not completely result in the second state occurs, the specific winning ball is released without any trouble, and the specific winning ball is detected by the specific winning ball detecting means. Therefore,
Release of the stored special winning ball is not hindered by incomplete operation of the movable member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed in addition to the operation of the first aspect.
With the further operation of the specific winning ball storing means, an operation of releasing the stored specific winning ball is performed in accordance with the operation of the movable member in the second state. As described above, since the releasing operation of the specific winning ball by the specific winning ball storing means is linked to the operation of the movable member to be in the second state, it is easy to define the timing of the operation for releasing the stored state of the specific winning ball. It is possible to easily realize the operation of temporarily storing a specific winning ball on the downstream side of the specific winning ball detecting position of the specific winning ball detecting means in accordance with the operation state of the movable member. become.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The movable member and the specific winning ball storing means are driven by the same drive source. For this reason, the number of drive sources can be reduced as compared with the case where drive sources are individually provided for each of the movable member and the specific winning ball storing means. The size can be reduced, and the cost required for such a drive source can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the variable winning prize ball device provided in the game area has the first state in which the ball can be received and the first state in which the ball cannot be received. A movable member that can be changed to the second state;
By the operation of the specific winning ball storage means, the specific winning balls flowing into the specific winning area provided at a predetermined location in the variable winning ball device are temporarily stored and then released. The specific prize ball released by the specific prize ball storage means is detected by the operation of the specific prize ball detection means arranged on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storage means. By the function of the winning ball detection means,
All winning balls that have won in the variable winning ball device are detected. By the operation of the movable member control means, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the movable member is controlled to the first state, and in the first state, detection of the predetermined upper limit number of winning balls by the winning ball detecting means is performed. When this is done, the movable member is controlled to the second state. The operation of the specific winning sphere storing means is controlled by the operation of the storing control means. By the further operation of the storage control means, when a predetermined number of winning balls smaller than the upper limit number of winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means when the movable member is in the first state, the specific winning ball storage is performed. Control for releasing the specific winning ball stored in the means is performed.

As described above, if a predetermined number of winning balls smaller than the upper limit number of winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means when the movable member is in the first state, the number of detected winning balls is reduced. Before reaching the upper limit, that is, before the movable member is changed to the second state, the specific winning balls stored in the specific winning ball storing means are released. For this reason, for example, when the movable member changes to the second state, even if an operation failure state occurs in which the movable member cannot be operated by sandwiching a hit ball in the middle, in that case, the specific winning ball is already released. Therefore, the specific winning ball is detected by the specific winning ball detecting means without any trouble. Therefore, the release of the stored specific winning ball is not hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or the like. The present invention can be applied to any game machine in which a game is played.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention.
It is a front view showing the composition of the game board side of. A game area 3 is formed on a front surface of a game board (not shown) of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a hitting operation handle 82 for a player to operate a hitting ball. When the hitting operation handle 82 is operated by the player, the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 87 are operated. Can be fired one by one. The fired pachinko balls are guided into the game area 3 between the section rails 2.

In the center of the game area 3, there is provided a variable display device 4 capable of variably displaying special symbols as a plurality of types of identification information and changing the display state. Below the variable display device 4, a variable winning ball device 10 is provided. The variable winning ball device 10 is attached by fixing the base plate 60 to the game area 3. Variable winning ball device 1
0 is a first state which is advantageous for a player who can win a ball by opening the opening / closing plate 61 by setting a solenoid 71 described later to an excited state, and a state where the solenoid 71 is set to a non-excited state. As a result, the opening / closing plate 61 is closed, and the ball can be changed to a second state that is disadvantageous for a player who cannot win a hit ball. The variable winning ball device 10 has six LEDs 62 that are lit or flashed according to the game state.
Is provided.

A warp entrance 17 is provided in each of the left and right portions of the variable display device 4.
The ball that has entered the warp entrance 17 is
The water flows downward through the back side of the warp, and is discharged from the warp outlet 8 to the game area 3 again. For this reason, the ball discharged from the warp exit 8 is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the starting opening 9. A normal symbol starting gate 12 is provided in the passage of the ball hitting the warp entrance 17 provided on the left side of the variable display device 4. The ordinary symbol starting gate 12 has a passing ball detector 2 for detecting the passage of a ball.
0 is provided.

When a ball hit into the game area 3 enters the ordinary symbol starting gate 12, the passing ball is detected by the passing ball detector 20, and the ordinary symbol display 14 is displayed based on the detected output. Variable start.

The normal symbol display 14 is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display, and variably displays identification information called a normal symbol. When the display result of the ordinary symbol display 14 becomes predetermined specific identification information (for example, 7), a solenoid 28 to be described later is excited, and a pair of left and right movable pieces 24 are opened for a predetermined period to start. The mouth 9 is in the opened state, and the hit ball is more likely to win (small hit). The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 9 is detected by a starting ball detector 21 described later, and the variable display device 4 is variably started based on the detection output.

The variable display device 4 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and has a variable display section 5. The variable display section 5 is divided into three sections: a left variable display section, a middle variable display section, and a right variable display section. Information is scrolled from top to bottom, and the left variable display is controlled to stop first, the right variable display is controlled to stop, and finally the middle variable display is controlled to stop.

In a state where the variable display device 4 is variably stopped, the special symbol is a combination of a predetermined specific symbol (for example, 777), and the display result is a predetermined specific display mode. In the case of, a specific game state (big hit state) occurs, and the variable winning ball device 10 is controlled to the first state, which is an advantageous state for the player. Thus, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with the ordinary symbol display 14 as the first symbol display device and the variable display device 4 as the second symbol display device for variably displaying symbols. Have been. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a first symbol (ordinary symbol) by the ordinary symbol indicator 14 and a second symbol (special symbol) by the variable display device 4 are displayed.

During the variable display of such a variable display device, a reach state may occur. Here, the reach has a variable display device whose display state can be changed,
The variable display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and when the plurality of display results are a combination of predetermined specific display modes, a game state that is advantageous to the player is specified. In a gaming machine that is in a gaming state, at a stage where a part of the plurality of display results has not been derived and displayed yet, a display in which a display result that has already been derived and displayed satisfies a condition that is a combination of the specific display mode State. In other words, the reach is a game state when the display result of the variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display state can be changed is a predetermined combination of specific display modes. In a gaming machine that is in a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player, when the display result of the variable display device has not yet been derived and displayed, the variable display mode becomes easy to display the combination of the specific display modes. Means a display mode that makes the user think. Then, for example, a state in which the plurality of variable display units perform variable display while maintaining a state in which the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned is also included in the reach display state. Furthermore, some of the reach, when it appears, are more likely to cause a big hit than in a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called a super reach.

The variable prize ball device 10 has a specific prize area, and a prize ball having won the specific prize area is detected by a specific sphere detection switch 67 described later.
In addition, all the winning balls that have been won in the variable winning ball device 10 are detected by the ball number detection switch 68. In particular,
The specific ball detection switch 67 detects a specific winning ball detected by the specific ball detecting switch 67 and a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning region other than the specific winning region. First
Is detected when a predetermined number (for example, 9) of ball hits into the variable prize ball device 10 in the state is detected by the ball number detection switch 68 or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When the earlier condition is satisfied, the first state of the variable prize ball device 10 ends and the state changes to the second state. The number detected by the ball number detection switch 68 is displayed by the number display 13 including a seven-segment display. The hit ball that has entered during the period when the variable prize ball device 10 is in the first state wins the specific prize area, and after the variable prize ball device 10 enters the second state, the specific ball detection switch 67. , The repetitive continuation control for setting the variable winning ball device 10 to the first state again is executed. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. In the repetition continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 10 is in the first state is called a round. Execution upper limit number of repetition continuation control is 16
In the case of times, the variable winning prize ball device 10 can be set to the first state for 16 rounds from the first round to the 16th round.

If a ball hits the starting port 9 again and is detected by the starting ball detector 21 while the variable display device 4 is variably displaying, the starting winning ball is stored and the variable display device 4 is variably stopped. Thereafter, the variable display device 4 is again variably started based on the start winning prize memory after the state in which the variable display can be started again. The upper limit of the start winning memory is set to, for example, "4". The start winning prize storage number at the present time is displayed by the start storage display 6.

In the game area 3, furthermore, a windmill 19, normal winning openings 7, 11, 15 and a ball hitting in the game area 3 win any winning area or variable winning ball device. Out mouth 1 to collect as out ball if not done
6 are provided. Further, the game board is provided with a side lamp 18 for displaying a decorative pattern.

When a hit ball wins in various winning areas such as the starting port 9, the variable winning ball device 10, and the normal winning ports 7, 11, and 15, a prize ball is paid out according to the winning. Such a prize ball is paid out to the upper plate 87. Below the upper plate 87, the upper plate 8
A lower plate 86 is provided for storing hit balls discharged from the tray 7. The hit balls stored in the lower plate 86 can be discharged by operating the lower plate ball removing lever 85.

Speakers 81, 81 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the game area 3.
Is provided. Reference numeral 83 in the figure denotes a key for preventing the front frame, which is the front frame of the pachinko gaming machine 1, from being opened and closed.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes:
A ROM serving as a program storage means for storing a control program as a control circuit for controlling a gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a CPU serving as a control center means for performing a control operation in accordance with the program stored in the ROM. A RAM as a game data storage means used as a work area for game control while storing game data of the game machine controlled by the CPU, and an I / O for ensuring signal consistency with the outside. A basic circuit having an O port and the like is provided. The basic circuit is
It is provided on a game control board.

Next, a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the game control board will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the game control board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the game control board includes a basic circuit 40, a sound circuit 41, a 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42,
Solenoid ramp circuit 43, address decode circuit 4
4, an initial reset circuit 45, a clock reset pulse circuit 46, a power supply circuit 47, a switch input circuit 48, and an information output circuit 53.

The basic circuit 40 controls various devices of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a control program. Basic circuit 4
0 is a ROM storing a control program
56 (Read Only Memory) and a CPU (Central Procedures) for performing a control operation in accordance with the control program.
sing unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 55 functioning as a work memory of the CPU, and an I / O
An (Input / Output) port and a clock generation circuit are provided, and further, a counter and a timer are provided. Note that the internal configuration of the basic circuit 40 is C
The illustration is omitted except for the PU 54, the RAM 55 and the ROM 56.

The switch input circuit 48 includes the passing ball detector 2
0, connected to the starting ball detector 21, the specific ball detection switch 67, and the ball number detection switch 68. The switch input circuit 48 transmits a detection signal output from each connected detector to the basic circuit 40.

The address decode circuit 44 comprises the basic circuit 4
Decoding the address signal sent from 0
And a ROM 56 and a RAM included in the basic circuit 40.
55, a circuit for outputting a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports and the like. The initial reset circuit 45
This is a circuit for resetting the basic circuit 40 when the power is turned on. In response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 45, the basic circuit 40 initializes the RAM 55 and the I / O port. The clock reset pulse circuit periodically (for example, 2
This is a circuit for giving a reset pulse every msec) and repeatedly executing the control program from the beginning.

The sound circuit 41 generates sound effect data in response to the sound generation command signal output from the basic circuit 40, and supplies the generated sound effect data to the sound output device 52.
The sound output device 52 is a device for outputting sound from the speakers 81, 81 and generates a sound effect in response to sound effect data given from the sound circuit 41. The sound output device 52 is provided at a predetermined location of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42 includes a number display 13, a normal symbol display 14, a start storage display 6,
Normally, the symbol start storage display 50 and the LED 62 are connected. The 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42 responds to a control signal output from the basic circuit 40,
The control of the lighting state of the 7-segment LED of the 3 and the normal symbol display 14 and the control of the lighting state of each of the start storage display 6, the normal symbol start storage display 50 and the LED 62 are performed.

The solenoid / lamp circuit 43 includes a solenoid 71 for driving the opening / closing plate 61, a solenoid 28 for driving the movable piece 24, and the side lamp 18.
Is connected. The solenoid / lamp circuit 43 controls the operation of the solenoid 71 and the solenoid 28 and the lighting control of the side lamp 18 in response to a control signal output from the basic circuit 40.

The information output circuit 53 is a circuit for outputting effective start information, big hit information, and probability variation information to a host computer, such as a hall management computer, based on the data signal supplied from the basic circuit 40. It is. The effective start information is information for indicating, for example, the number actually used for starting the variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 4 among the winning numbers of the hit balls to the start opening 9. The jackpot information is information relating to the occurrence of a jackpot due to the variable display of the variable display device 4. The probability variation information is information relating to the occurrence of a probability improvement state (high probability state) described later.

The power supply circuit 47 is connected to an AC power supply.
This is a circuit for supplying a plurality of types of DC voltages of 5 V, +12 V, +30 V, and + LV to each circuit. A +12 V DC voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 47 to the basic circuit 40. Two types of DC voltages of +5 V and +12 V are supplied from the power supply circuit 47 to the display control board 29 described later via the connector 30.

From the basic circuit 40, command data DAT0 to DAT7 for image display and a strobe signal STRV of the command data are supplied to a display control board 29 to be described later via a connector 30.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on the display control board 29 used in the variable display device 4. The display control board 29 includes a basic circuit 32, a character ROM 33, a VDP (Video Displ).
a processor 34, a VRAM 35, a work RAM 36, a control ROM 37, an oscillation circuit 38, and a reset circuit 39.

The basic circuit 32 is connected via the connector 30 to:
It is connected to a game control board on which the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is formed. The basic circuit 32 includes command data D for displaying an image from the game control board via the connector 30.
AT0 to DAT7, command data strobe signal S
Receive TRV. Further, the basic circuit 32 includes a connector 3
0, two power supply voltages of +12 V and +5 V are supplied. The basic circuit 32 has a built-in CPU and controls the entire circuit formed on the display control board 29.

The basic circuit 32 controls the entire circuit formed on the display control board 29 in response to the received command data DAT0 to DAT7. The basic circuit 32 is a VDP
Address signal, data signal and control signal to the VDP 34 and the control ROM 37.
A data signal is transmitted / received to / from the terminal. Then, the basic circuit 32, based on the received data,
The entire circuit formed on the display control board 29 is controlled using the working area 36 as a work area. The control ROM 37 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the basic circuit 32 in advance, and responds to the address signal and the control signal transmitted from the basic circuit 32 to store the corresponding control program in a data signal. To the basic circuit 32.

The VDP 34 operates in response to a clock signal supplied from an oscillation circuit 38, and is reset in operation in response to a reset signal supplied from a reset circuit 39. The VDP 34 generates image data in response to a control signal from the basic circuit 32. VDP34 is VR
AM address signal, VRAM data signal, and VRA
A signal such as an M control signal is transmitted to the VRAM 35. VRA
A signal such as a VRAM data signal is returned from the M35 to the VDP. The VDP 34 transmits a character ROM address signal, a character ROM data signal, and a character ROM control signal to the character ROM 33.
A signal such as a character ROM data signal is returned from the character ROM 33 to the VDP.

The VDP 34 generates image data for forming an image displayed on the variable display unit 5 in response to a control signal output from the basic circuit 32. VRAM35
Temporarily stores the image data generated by the VDP 34. The image data generated by the VDP 34 and stored in the VRAM 35 is a character identification number in units of a set of a predetermined number of dots.

The image data contains identification numbers of a plurality of characters according to the displayed positional relationship. This is called map data. The identification numbers of the individual characters are stored in the control ROM 37 in advance. An identification number of a character required to compose a screen displayed on the variable display unit 5 is read from the control ROM 37, and the VDP 34
As a result, the data is stored in the VRAM 35 as map data for indicating the arrangement relationship of the characters on the display screen.

The character ROM 33 stores dot data corresponding to the identification number of the character in advance. V
The DP 34 reads map data from the VRAM 35 at a predetermined timing, and reads dot data of each character based on the identification number of each character included in the map data. The VDP 34 generates an RGB signal (RED, GREEN, BLUE) signal based on the read dot data.

The VDP 34 transmits the generated RGB signals to an LCD module (not shown) via the connector 31. Further, the VDP 34 supplies the composite synchronization signal SYNC and the power supply voltage of +12 V to the LCD module via the connector 31. The LCD module displays an image on the variable display unit 5 based on the transmitted RGB signals and the composite synchronization signal SYNC. Note that the variable display unit 5 of the variable display device 4 shown in FIG. 1 is an image display surface included in the LCD module.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control of the variable display device 4. C RND1 is used to predetermine whether or not to generate a big hit, and is configured to count up from 0, count up to 224 which is the upper limit thereof, and count up again from 0. This count-up addition update is performed by incrementing C RND1 by one for each interruption process. The CPU provided on the above-mentioned game control board receives a reset signal from the periodic reset circuit at regular intervals (for example, every 2 msec), executes the program from the beginning, executes the program to the end, and is in a reset waiting state. By repeatedly executing the program again from the beginning by receiving the reset signal, and repeatedly executing the program from the beginning to the end every time the reset signal is input, the gaming state of the gaming machine can be controlled. Is configured. Then, every time a reset pulse is input, for example, every 2 msec, this C RN
D1 is added and updated by "1".

C RND ZU1 is the type of the scheduled stop symbol to be displayed when the left, middle, and right variable display portions of the variable display device 4 are stopped when the jackpot is determined in advance, and when the deviation is determined in advance. Is used to determine the type of the scheduled stop symbol of the special symbol (the second symbol left in the figure) to be displayed when the left variable display section of the variable display device 4 is stopped. After counting up to 14 which is the upper limit, the count is restarted from 0 again. The count-up is updated by an infinite loop using the remaining time of interrupt processing.
This is performed by adding "2" to RND ZU1. At the stage where the CPU has been executed from the beginning to the end of the program, the CPU uses the remaining time of the interrupt processing until the reset signal is input, and executes this C
The value of RND ZU1 is updated by adding "2". If the result of the addition exceeds the upper limit of "14", the process of adding and updating the value from "0" by 2 is performed again.

Next, the C RND ZU 2 preliminarily determines a scheduled stop symbol of a special symbol (in the second symbol in the figure) to be stopped and displayed on the variable display portion of the variable display device 4 when it is determined in advance that it is out of position. After counting up from 0, counting up to the upper limit of 14, and then counting up from 0 again. The count-up is updated by incrementing C RNDZU2 by “1” at the time of carry-up of C RND ZU1. That is, when the value of C RNDZU1 changes from “14” to “0”, the C RNDZU2 is added and updated by “1” at a time.

Next, the C RND ZU 3 predetermines a scheduled stop symbol of a special symbol (the right of the second symbol in the figure) to be stopped and displayed on the right variable display portion of the variable display device 4 when it is determined in advance that it is out of position. It is counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 14, and then counted up again from 0. The count-up is updated by adding "1" to C RND ZU3 at the time of carry-up of C RND ZU2. That is, when the value of C RND ZU2 changes from “14” to “0”, C R
ND ZU3 is added and updated.

Next, C RND R1 is used to determine whether or not to perform reach display. After counting up from 0, counting up to the upper limit of 15, and then counting up again from 0. It will be fixed. Then, the count-up is updated by C RND
This is performed by incrementing C RND R1 by "1" at the time of carry of ZU3. That is, CR
When the value of ND ZU3 changes from "14" to "0", C RND R1 is added and updated by "1". When the value of C RND R1 is “0”, it is determined to perform the reach display.

Next, C RND R2 is for determining the type of reach, and is counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 19, and then counted up again from 0. is there. And
Updating of the count-up is performed by incrementing C RND R2 by "1" at the time of carry-up of C RND R1. That is, when the value of C RND R1 changes from “15” to “0”, C RND R
2 is added and updated by "1". This C RN
The value of D R2 and the type of reach are associated in advance, and it is determined to display the reach corresponding to the value of C RND R2.

There are a plurality of types of reach such as normal reach and super reach. here,
Normal reach refers to a normal reach state. The super reach is a reach in which the rate at which a stop symbol after reach display becomes a big hit is set high. That is, when the super reach is displayed on the variable display device 4,
The rate at which subsequent stop symbols become combinations of big hit symbols is
It is higher than normal reach.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining in advance whether or not to generate a big hit based on the value of the random counter. If the ball hits the starting opening 9 and is detected by the starting ball detector 21, it is determined in advance that the value of CRND1 at that time is extracted and a big hit is generated when the extracted value is "3". You. In that case,
The symbol to be a big hit is determined by the extracted value of C RND ZU1.

On the other hand, when the extracted value of CRND1 is other than "3", the deviation is determined in advance. In that case, C
The scheduled stop symbol of the left variable display section is determined by the extracted value of RND ZU1, the scheduled stop symbol of the middle variable display section is determined by the extracted value of C RND ZU2, and C RND
The scheduled stop symbol on the right variable display section is determined by the extracted value of ZU3.

When the three scheduled stop symbols are determined, if the determined content is coincident with a special symbol combination for generating a big hit, for example, a double hit, the extracted value of C RND ZU2 is used. "1" is added to control so as to forcibly come off the symbol.

When it is determined that the reach display is to be performed based on the extracted value of C RND R1, the process of matching the value of C RND ZU3 with the extracted value of C RND ZU1 is performed. That is, C RN
The design to reach is determined by the extracted value of DR1. The reason why such processing is performed is that, even in the case of a deviation, it is possible to determine to perform reach display based on the extracted value of C RND R1.

When the game state is the probability improvement state (high probability state) described later, the extracted value of CRND1 is
At 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13, it is predetermined to generate a big hit, and at other times, the deviation is predetermined.

Here, the probability improvement state will be described.
The probability-improved state is a state in which the probability that a big hit occurs is improved. In this probability-improved state, the following control is performed. When the display result of the variable display device 4 at the time of occurrence of the big hit state is a combination of predetermined special identification information, the state is controlled to the high-probability state in which the probability of the occurrence of the subsequent big hit is improved. Then, in this high probability state, the probability of displaying a combination of specific identification information (specific display mode) predetermined to be a big hit displayed by the variable display device 4 is improved. When a specific combination of identification information is displayed on the variable display device 4, the big hit control is started again. Further, in this probability improvement state, the normal symbol display 14 is controlled so that the probability of occurrence of a small hit is increased. Furthermore, in that case, the normal symbol display 1
Control for shortening the fluctuation time of the symbol (first symbol) in 4 (hereinafter referred to as fluctuation time reduction control) is also performed.

This fluctuation time reduction control is also referred to as time reduction control for short. In this variation time reduction control, for example, the variation time of a normal symbol, which is normally 30 seconds, is reduced to 5 seconds. By performing such fluctuation time reduction control, the frequency at which the movable piece 24 is opened increases, and as a result, the hit ball is more likely to win. When such fluctuation time reduction control is performed, the movable piece 24 is frequently opened, a large number of hit balls are started, and the variable display frequency of the variable display device 4 is increased, so that the probability of a big hit is constant. Even in a short time, big hits easily occur,
In this state, the number of payout balls to be paid out from the gaming machine increases due to an increase in the start winning prize, so that the player can play a game without reducing the number of balls (game balls owned by the player). This is an advantageous state for the player.

In this gaming machine, the arrangement of special symbols (second symbols) variably displayed on the variable display device 4 is predetermined. For example, in the left, middle, and right variable display sections, a plurality of special symbols are defined in the same arrangement. And the symbol position corresponding to each of those symbols is allocated corresponding to each symbol.
Then, a symbol at a location where each of the extracted values of C RND ZUs 1, 2, and 3 matches the symbol position number is selected and determined as the scheduled stop symbol.

Next, the configuration of the variable winning ball device 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a front view of the variable winning ball device 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, in variable winning prize ball device 10, various components are provided on the front side and the rear side of base plate 60. An opening / closing plate 61 is mounted at the center of the base plate 60. On both left and right sides of the opening and closing plate 61,
Three LEDs 62 are provided. Further, on the right and left sides of the position where the LEDs 62 are provided on the front side of the base plate 60, normal winning openings 11 are formed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the variable winning ball device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the opening / closing plate 61 is open.

Referring to FIG. 7, a large winning opening 100 which is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 61 is formed at the center of the base plate 60. The opening / closing plate 61 is pivotally supported at the lower part of the special winning opening 100, and its axis is used as a rotation axis.
0 is rotated on the front side. The opening / closing plate 61 is a base plate 60
By being rotated upward from below by the operation of an opening / closing plate / stopper operating member described later, which is biased by the elastic force of a coil spring described later attached to a shaft of a solenoid 71 provided on the back side of the solenoid, The special winning opening 100 is closed. The state in which the opening / closing plate 61 closes the special winning opening 100 is held by the opening / closing plate operating member. When the holding state of the opening / closing plate 61 by the opening / closing plate operating member is released by the driving force of the solenoid 71, the opening / closing plate 61 rotates from top to bottom by its own weight, thereby tilting to the front side, and a large prize is won. Open mouth 100.

Big winning opening 1 on the back side of base plate 60
In the vicinity of 00, a specific ball passage 63, a general ball passage 64, a specific ball detection switch 67, a ball number detection switch 68, a specific ball storage unit 69, a stopper unit 70, and a solenoid 71
Is provided.

The specific ball storage section 69 is for temporarily storing specific winning balls. The specific ball storage section 69 corresponds to a specific winning area. The specific sphere passage 63 is a passage for guiding the specific sphere released after being stored by the specific sphere storage unit 69. The general ball passage 64 is a special winning opening 1
It is a path for guiding a normal winning ball, which is a general winning ball that has won a normal winning area other than the specific winning area among the balls flowing into 00.

The specific ball detection switch 67 is a proximity sensor which is released after being temporarily stored by the specific ball storage unit 69 and detects a specific winning ball guided by the specific ball passage 63. Detect a passing special winning ball. The ball number detection switch 68 detects the number of specific winning balls guided by the specific ball passage 63 and the number of normal winning balls guided by the general ball passage 64, that is, the number of all winning balls flowing into the special winning opening 100. For detecting a passing ball passing through the detection area.

The stopper portion 70 is a member for temporarily locking the specific winning ball in order to store the specific winning ball in the specific ball storing portion 69, and is formed on an opening / closing plate / stopper operating member described later. I have. The stopper portion 70 is provided with an opening / closing plate (to be described later) driven by the driving force of
It operates according to the operation of the stopper operation member. The solenoid 71 drives the above-described opening / closing plate 61 and also drives the stopper 70, and is controlled by the above-described basic circuit 40. Thus, the opening and closing plate 61
The stopper 70 is driven by one operating member using one solenoid 71 as a driving source.

Although the opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper 70 are driven by a single operating member, the present invention is not limited to this. The opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper 70 may be individually operated members. May be configured to be driven. Further, the example in which the opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper 70 are driven by one drive source has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto.
0 may be configured to be driven by individual driving sources.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the variable winning ball device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows the internal structure behind the special winning opening 100. In FIG. 8, among the paths of the winning balls P, the guidance path of the specific winning ball is indicated by a broken arrow, and the guidance path of the normal winning ball is indicated by a solid arrow. .

At the left end of the special winning opening 100 when viewed from the front side of the variable winning ball device 10, a specific ball storing section 69 is formed. On the right side of the specific sphere storage unit 69, the general sphere passage 6
4 are formed. The specific sphere storage section 69 is formed at a position one step lower than the general sphere passage 64, and stores one ball.
It has an area that can be stored individually.

The general sphere passage 64 is formed of a trapezoidal area that is raised one step to the side of the specific sphere storage part 69, and is inclined downward and to the right when viewed from the front. A junction 65 is formed below the right end of the general spherical passage 64 at a position one step lower.
The merging portion 65 is formed of a slope that is inclined downward and to the right when viewed from the front. A specific sphere passage 63 is formed behind the specific sphere storage section 69 and the general sphere passage 64. General ball passage 6
4 and the specific sphere passage 63 are separated by a wall. The specific sphere passage 63 is inclined downward and to the right as viewed from the front, and the entrance side opens to the specific sphere storage part 69 and the exit side opens to the junction 65.

As described above, the general sphere passage 64 and the specific sphere passage 63 join at the junction 65. A merging passage 66 is provided on the downstream side of the merging portion 65, and a specific winning ball and a normal winning ball guided to the merging portion 65 are guided by the merging passage 66.

At the entry side of the specific ball passage 63, a stopper 7
0 is provided so that it can appear and disappear. The stopper 70 protrudes and retracts from below the entrance of the specific ball passage 63. When the opening / closing plate 61 is opened by the occurrence of the big hit state, the stopper portion 70 projects to the entrance of the specific ball passage 63 in conjunction with the opening operation.
If a ball enters the specific sphere storage unit 69 in such a state, the specific sphere is locked by the stopper unit 70 and the step between the specific sphere storage unit 69 and the general sphere passage 64. It is stored in the storage unit 69. When the opening / closing plate 61 is closed by the end of the big hit state, the stopper portion 70 retreats from the entrance of the specific ball passage 63 in conjunction with the closing operation. In that case, if a specific winning ball is stored in the specific ball storage unit 69,
The locking of the specific winning ball by the stopper 70 is released.
Since the specific ball storage portion 69 is inclined toward the entrance of the specific ball passage 63, when the locking by the stopper portion 70 is released, the specific winning ball is removed from the specific ball storage portion 69 by the specific ball passage 63.
It is guided to.

A specific ball detection switch 67 is provided in the middle of the specific ball passage 63. Therefore, after the specific winning ball is temporarily stored in the specific ball storing section 69, the open / close plate 6
When 1 is closed, it is guided to the specific sphere passage 63 and detected by the specific sphere detection switch 67. That is, the specific winning ball is detected after the opening / closing plate 61 is closed. Thereafter, the specific winning ball is guided on the specific ball passage 63 to the junction 65.

The ball that has flowed into the general ball passage 64 is guided to the merging portion 65 on the general ball passage 64 as a normal winning ball. When the specific winning ball is already stored in the specific ball storage unit 69, even if the ball flows toward the specific ball storage unit 69, the subsequent ball to the specific ball storage unit 69 is generated by the already stored ball. Will be blocked, and after that, 100
All balls that flow into are usually winning balls. Merging passage 66
A ball number detection switch 68 is provided in the middle part of. The normal winning ball and the specific winning ball guided on the merging passage 66 are detected by the ball number detecting switch 68.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the variable winning ball device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 mainly shows the passage paths of the specific winning ball and the normal winning ball. In FIG.
(A) shows a cross-sectional view of the main part, and (b) shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part. In FIG. 9, the guidance path of the specific winning ball is indicated by a broken arrow.
The guidance path of the general winning prize ball is indicated by a solid arrow.

Referring to FIG. 9A, specific sphere storing section 6
9. General ball passage 64, merging section 65, and merging passage 6
6 is provided on the front side inside the variable winning ball apparatus 10. Therefore, the normal prize ball is the variable prize ball device 10
Is guided to the junction 65 only through the front side. For this reason, a normal winning ball is detected by the ball number detection switch 68 on the front side after passing only the front side of the variable winning ball device 10.

The specific ball passage 63 is provided on the rear side inside the variable winning ball device 10. Therefore, the specific winning ball passes from the front side to the rear side of the variable winning ball device 10 and is guided again to the merging portion 65 on the front side. For this reason, the specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detecting switch 67 on the rear side of the variable winning ball apparatus 10 and further detected by the ball number detecting switch 68 on the front side.

Referring to FIG. 9B, for convenience of ball guidance, the position of the merging portion 65 is lower than the specific sphere storage portion 69, the general sphere passage 64, and the specific sphere passage 63. Has become. Further, the ball number detection switch 68 is connected to the merging section 65.
It is provided at a lower position. Due to such a positional relationship, the specific winning ball and the normal winning ball are respectively guided on the above-described route by their own weights.

Next, the operation of each unit in the variable winning ball device 10 will be described with reference to a cross-sectional view of the variable winning ball device 10.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the variable winning ball device 10 for explaining the operation of each unit in the variable winning ball device 10.

In FIG. 10, (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the inside of the variable winning ball apparatus 10 as viewed from the side. (A) shows a state in which the opening and closing plate 61 is fully opened. (B) shows a state where the open / close plate 61 is changing from the open state to the closed state.
(C) shows a state in which the opening / closing plate 61 is fully closed.

The various paths of the balls in the variable winning ball apparatus 10 are as follows:
It is provided in the back case 72. The opening / closing plate 61 is provided to be rotatable around a rotating shaft 611 attached to a lower portion of the special winning opening 100. On the back surface of the opening / closing plate 61, a protrusion 612 that contacts the stopper 70 is formed so as to protrude outside from the side surface of the back case 72. The protrusion 612 is formed at a position farther from the upper end position of the opening / closing plate 61 than in the case of the rotation shaft 611. When the protrusion 612 is moved up and down in conjunction with the operation of the stopper 70, the opening and closing plate 61 is opened.
Perform opening and closing operations.

The stopper 70 is formed on a part of the opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700. That is, the stopper 70 is formed integrally with the opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700. The opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 includes an opening / closing plate locking portion 70 that can lock the projection 612 of the opening / closing plate 61.
1 and a member having the stopper 70 described above,
Opening / closing plate locking portion 7 according to main body portion 700a moving up and down
01 and the stopper 70 move up and down,
Opening and closing operations, and the operation of storing and releasing the storage of specific winning balls are performed in a certain interlocking relationship.

More specifically, the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 is formed at one longitudinal end of the opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 and has an inverted L-shape. The opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 is provided with the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 facing the front side of the variable winning ball apparatus 10. The opening / closing plate locking portion 701 has a distal end portion located above the protrusion 612 of the opening / closing plate 61. The stopper portion 70 is formed so as to protrude from a side portion of the main body portion 700a, and is inserted into the inside of the back case 72 through an elongated guide hole 721 formed in a part of the back case 72 in a vertical direction. ing. As described above, the storage of the specific winning ball and the release of the storage are performed by the stopper 70 inserted in the back case 72 as described above.

The solenoid 71 is provided with the solenoid shaft 710 as a plunger facing downward.
The solenoid shaft 710 is operated according to a drive signal (drive current) provided from the basic circuit 40. A coil engaging portion 711 having a larger diameter than the solenoid shaft 710 is formed in a middle portion of the solenoid shaft 710 in the axial length direction. Between the coil locking portion 711 and the inside of the solenoid 71,
A coil spring 712 for urging the solenoid shaft 710 in a direction away from the solenoid 71 is
0 is provided in a wound state. Solenoid shaft 71
The other end of the opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 is attached to the front end of the “0”. Thereby, the solenoid shaft 7
The opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 moves up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of 10.

When the solenoid 71 is turned on (turned on) by the opening condition of the variable winning ball device 10 as described above, the solenoid shaft 710 is turned into a coil spring as shown in FIG. The opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 operates upward in response to the urging force of 712. In that case, the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 operates from a predetermined lowermost position to a predetermined uppermost position. Accordingly, the opening / closing plate 61 in which the protrusion 612 is locked by the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 at the lowermost position is rotated forward by gravity due to the release of such locking. The projection 612 is finally tilted and the opening / closing plate locking portion 7
Stop at the position locked at the top of 01. Thereby, the hit ball P can be won. Furthermore, in this case,
When the stopper 70 moves upward along the guide hole 721 and protrudes into the specific ball passage 63, the specific winning ball P1 can be stored.

When the solenoid 71 is de-energized (turned off) due to establishment of the opening condition of the variable winning ball device 10 as described above, as shown in FIG.
The solenoid shaft 710 operates downward by the urging force of the coil spring 712, and accordingly, the open / close plate /
The stopper operation member 700 moves downward. In that case, the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 operates from the uppermost position to the lowermost position. Then, the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 pushes the protrusion 612 downward, whereby the opening / closing plate 61 is closed.

Further, in this case, while the opening / closing plate 61 is completely closed, the stopper portion 70 is inserted into the guide hole 7.
By operating downward along the path 21 and sinking from the specific ball passage 63, the storage of the specific winning ball P1 is released.
Specifically, the interval (width) between the opening / closing plate 61 and the front side of the main unit of the variable winning ball device 10 is the timing before the ball P cannot pass, ie, At a timing when the ball P can still pass, the ball P sinks from the specific ball passage 63. Therefore, the stored specific winning ball P1 is released at a timing when the hit ball P is still in a winable state. Such an opening and closing plate 6
In order to realize the relationship between the operation timing of (1) and the operation timing of the stopper 70, the positions of the opening / closing plate locking member 71 and the stopper 70 in the opening / closing plate / stopper moving member 700 are predetermined. The details of the relationship between the operation timing of the opening / closing plate 61 and the operation timing of the stopper 70 will be described later. By releasing the stored state, the specific winning ball P1 is guided toward the specific ball detecting switch 67 as indicated by a broken arrow in the drawing.

When the opening / closing plate locking portion 701 operates to the lowermost position, as shown in FIG.
The opening / closing plate 61 is completely closed. The above control is executed by one subroutine of the special symbol process in S11 in the main routine described later.

Next, a description will be given of the control contents of the repetition continuation control executed when a specific game state (big hit) occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the repetition continuation control.

FIG. 11 shows the state of occurrence of the special game state, the open / close state of the variable winning ball device 10, and the stopper 70 (in the figure,
The operation state of the storage device), the specific ball detection valid period, the state of the specific ball detection switch 67, the ball number detection valid period, and the state of the ball number detection switch 68 are shown over time. Here, the specific sphere detection validity period is
This refers to a period during which detection of a specific winning ball by the specific ball detection switch 67 is valid. The ball count detection valid period refers to a period in which detection of a specific winning ball by the ball count detection switch 68 is valid.

Specific game state (specific game state is ON in the figure)
, The opening / closing plate 61 of the variable winning ball device 10 is controlled to an open state (open in the figure) and the stopper portion 70 is locked (a state in which a specific winning ball can be locked, ON in the figure). Controlled. At the same time, the ball number detection valid period starts (ON in the figure). Thereby, the first round of the repetition continuation control starts. Thereafter, in response to the winning of a ball into the special winning opening 100, the ball number detection switch 68 detects a normal winning ball (ON in the figure).

When the ball number detection switch 68 detects nine normal winning balls or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the variable winning ball device 10 is opened, the variable winning ball device 10 is closed (closed in the figure). Is controlled. In the case of this figure, the variable prize ball device 1 is detected when nine normal prize balls are detected.
0 is controlled to the closed state. At the same time that the variable winning ball device 10 is controlled to be in the closed state, the stopper portion 70 is controlled to be in the unlocked state (a state in which the specific winning ball is not locked, OFF in the drawing), and the specific ball detection effective period starts. (ON in the figure). Thus, the first round of the repetition continuation control ends.

The specific ball detection effective period is continued until the interval period between rounds ends (until the variable winning ball device 10 is opened in the next round). At the same time that the variable winning ball device 10 is controlled to be in the closed state, the stopper unit 70 releases the specific winning ball.
The specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 (ON in the figure), and thereafter, the ball number detection switch 6
8 as well. If a specific winning ball is detected during the specific ball detection valid period, the next round starts after the end of the interval period, and the above-described control is repeated in the same manner.

In the case of FIG. 11, the second round is executed due to the detection of the specific winning ball (V1 in the figure) in the specific ball detection valid period after the end of the first round, and the second round ends. The game state in which the third round has been executed by the detection of the specific winning ball (V2 in the figure) during the specific ball detection effective period later is shown.

In the variable winning ball apparatus 10, the open / close plate 6
1 is controlled to be in the closed state, and at the same time, the stopper portion 70 is configured to release the specific winning ball. Therefore, if the normal operation is performed, the specific winning ball is switched to the specific ball detecting switch at a timing other than the specific ball detection valid period. 67 cannot be detected.
Therefore, a specific winning ball is detected at a timing other than the specific ball detection valid period as indicated by a broken line in the figure (VE in the figure).
If there is, the basic circuit 40 determines that an abnormal state such as fraud has occurred.

Further, the variable winning ball device 10 has a structure in which after a specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detecting switch 67, it is always detected by the ball number detecting switch 68. For this reason, if the ball is not detected by the ball number detection switch 68 even though the ball is detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 during the specific winning ball detection valid period, the ball number detection switch 68 is pulled out. It is determined in the basic circuit 40 that an illegal act related to the ball number detection switch 68 has been performed in some cases.

Next, the operation control of the variable winning ball device 10 executed by the basic circuit 40 will be described. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the timing of the operation control of the variable winning ball device 10.

FIG. 12 shows the open / close state of the variable winning ball apparatus 10 (open / close state of the open / close plate 61) and the storage member (stopper section 7).
0) Ball storage state according to 0) and solenoid shaft 710
Are shown over time. This timing chart is an enlarged representation of a minute time zone, and is represented by a time scale that is much shorter than the time scale of the timing chart shown in FIG.

When the solenoid 71 is turned off from the on state by the end of each round in the big hit state, the operating position of the solenoid shaft 710 changes from the uppermost position to the lowermost position. Accordingly, the open / close plate 61 of the variable winning ball device 10 is in an open state (open).
From the storage state (storage) to the release state (release). The opening / closing plate 61 is closed when the operating position of the solenoid shaft 710 becomes the lowest position. When the opening / closing plate 61 changes from the open state to the closed state, the opening / closing plate 61 is not completely closed on the way.
The hit ball cannot be won. The range of time during which such a state cannot be won is indicated by the section indicated by the arrow in the figure. The stopper 70 is released after the opening / closing plate 61 starts the closing operation and before the opening / closing plate 61 enters a state where it is impossible to win a hit ball.

The reason why the stopper portion 70 is released before the opening / closing plate 61 is brought into a state in which a hit ball cannot be won for the following reasons is as follows. At the beginning of the period when it is impossible to win a hit ball, the opening / closing plate 6 in which the hit ball to be won is closed is closed.
There is a possibility that the opening / closing plate 61 does not perform the closing operation by being sandwiched between 1 and the front surface of the main body of the variable winning ball device 10, and the opening / closing plate 61 may not be completely closed. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 61
Stopper 70 in accordance with the timing when
, The stored specific winning ball cannot be released. To prevent such inconvenience, the opening and closing plate 6
Stopper 70 before 1 is hit
Is released.

Next, the contents of the game control performed by executing the control program in the basic circuit 40 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the main program for game control. First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, a process of setting the clock monitor control register to the clock monitor enable is performed. Next, in S2, a process of setting the address (00FFH) of the stack pointer is performed.

Next, a system check process is executed in S3. In this system check process,
RAM 55 of basic circuit 40 used for execution of game control
Is initialized. Next, at S4,
A display control data setting process is executed. In this display control data setting process, RA for writing display control data is used.
The address of M55 is set. Next, in S5, a display control data transmission process is executed. In the display control data transmission process, a process of transmitting the display control data to the basic circuit 32 of the display control board 29 is performed.

Next, a data output process is executed in S6. In this data output process, a process of outputting control data for controlling various devices and information data for outputting predetermined information to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed. Next, a lamp timer process is executed in S7. In this ramp timer process,
Processing for operating various lamps is performed using a timer.

Next, an output data setting process is executed in S8. In this data setting process, a process for setting data to be output in S6 is performed.
Next, error processing is executed in S9. In the error processing, a process of setting an error state when an error state occurs and notifying the user of the error state, and a processing of releasing the error state under predetermined conditions are performed. next,
In S10, a determination random number update process is executed. In the random number updating process for determination, a process of updating the random counter WC RND1 for big hit determination is performed.

Next, a special symbol process is executed in S11. In this special symbol process processing, a process for branching and executing a process for displaying a special symbol divided into a plurality of processes in accordance with a flag for selecting a process is performed. The special symbol process processing also includes a post-opening processing of a special winning opening described later. Next, in S12, a normal symbol process process is executed. In the normal symbol process process, a process for displaying a normal symbol divided into a plurality of processes is performed in accordance with a flag for selecting a process.

Next, a switch process is executed in S13. In this switch process, a process for executing a logical judgment of an output signal for each switch of various switches such as the specific ball detection switch 67 and the ball number detection switch 68 is performed. Next, audio processing is executed in S14. In this sound processing, processing for outputting a sound used for a sound effect or the like is performed.

Next, a display random number updating process is executed in S15. In this display random number update process, C
Processing for updating various random counters used for displaying special symbols such as RND ZU1 to ZU3, C RND R1 and R2, and normal symbols is performed. Next, S1
6, the winning ball signal processing is performed. In the prize ball signal processing, processing is performed to execute payout of a prize ball according to the detection of a prize ball. Next, in S17, the same display random number update processing as in S14 is repeatedly executed.

Next, the main subroutines of S1 to S17 will be described. First, the special winning opening process after the special winning process is executed will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the post-winning opening processing. The post-winning opening process is a process for executing one of a plurality of processes for displaying special symbols. Specifically, the process after the opening of the special winning opening 100 is described. Execute.

First, in step SA (hereinafter simply referred to as SA) 1, a process for setting process data after opening the special winning opening corresponding to the continuation number counter is performed. Here, the continuation counter is a counter for counting the number of continuations of the repetition continuation control. Further, the process data after opening the special winning opening 100 is data defining the control content of the process after the special winning opening 100 is opened. Therefore, in SA1, according to the continuation number of the repetition continuation control,
The data for executing the process after opening the special winning opening is determined.

Next, a subroutine of process data / timer processing is executed by SA2. In this process data / timer process, the control time allocated to the execution of the process after opening the special winning opening is monitored by a timer, and it is determined whether or not to continue the process based on the process data and the control time. Management for the execution of the process is performed.

Next, the process proceeds to SA3, where it is determined whether or not the process after opening the special winning opening is continuing based on the management information in SA2. If it is determined in SA3 that the process is being continued, that is, if it is determined that the process is to be continued, the post-opening process of the special winning opening ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SA3 that the process is not being continued, that is, if it is determined that this process is to be terminated, the process proceeds to SA4.

At SA4, it is determined whether or not the count switch flag is set to data indicating that the count switch has not been detected. Here, the count switch flag is a flag indicating the detection result of the ball count detection switch 68. If no ball is detected by the ball count detection switch 68, the value of the count switch flag is set to data indicating “count switch not detected”. The value of the count switch flag is set for each round of the repetition continuation control and cleared at the end of one round of the repetition continuation control.

If it is determined by SA4 that the count switch has not been detected, that is, if the winning ball has been detected by the ball number detection switch 68 in the immediately preceding round, the ball number detection switch 68 does not normally detect the winning ball. In this case, the process proceeds to SA6 described later.
On the other hand, when it is determined by SA4 that the count switch has not been detected, that is, when one winning ball has not been detected by the ball count detection switch 68 in the immediately preceding round, the ball count detection switch 68 is in an abnormal state. And the process proceeds to SA5.

The reason why the number-of-balls detecting switch 68 is abnormal when one ball has not been detected by the number-of-balls detecting switch 68 in the immediately preceding round is as follows. That is, the variable winning ball device 10
Is designed so that when the opening / closing plate 61 is in the open state, a ball is always won in one round, so that if the player plays a game normally, there may be no ball won at all. Because you can't get it.

At SA5, a process for setting a count switch movement error in the error flag is performed. Here, the error flag is a flag indicating an error state (abnormal state), and the count switch movement error is an error indicating an abnormal state in which the ball count detection switch 68 is moved from a normal position. That is, if the ball number detection switch 68 does not detect any winning ball during one round, it is considered that an abnormal state has occurred in which the ball number detection switch 68 has been moved from the normal position.

After SA5, the flow advances to SA6. In SA6,
A subroutine of a work area setting process is executed. In the work area setting processing, the special winning opening opening end setting data, which is data for terminating the open state of the special winning opening 100, is set in the working area of the RAM 55. In response, the special winning opening 100 is closed. Next, the process proceeds to SA7, and it is determined whether or not the specific area passing flag is set to data indicating “no specific area passing”. Here, the specific area passage flag is a specific ball detection switch 67
Is a flag indicating the detection result of SC.
8 is set. If a specific winning ball has not been detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 during one round, the value of the specific area passing flag is set to data indicating “no specific area passing”.

If it is determined by SA7 that "no specific area has passed", that is, if a specific winning ball has not been obtained in the immediately preceding round, it is not necessary to continue the repetition continuation control. After the winning opening has been opened, the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SA7 that the specific area has passed, that is, if the specific winning ball has been obtained in the immediately preceding round, it is necessary to continue the repetition continuation control. Is executed. In this work area setting process, the special winning opening opening data, which is data for starting the open state of the special winning opening 100, is set in the work area of the RAM. In response, the special winning opening 100 is opened again. After that, the post-opening processing of the special winning opening ends.

Next, the above-described switch processing will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the switch processing.

First, in step SB (hereinafter simply referred to as SB) 1, the value of the display control board initialization timer is set to "0".
Is determined. Here, the display control board initialization timer means that the display control data is transferred to the display control board 29.
Is a timer for specifying the timing of transmission to the
It is subtracted from a predetermined value at a predetermined timing.

If the value of the display control board initialization timer is determined not to be "0" by SB1, the flow advances to SB2 to perform processing for subtracting and updating the display control board initialization timer by "1". This switch processing ends. That is, the display control board initialization timer continues to be subtracted by SB2 until the value becomes “0”.

On the other hand, if SB1 determines that the value of the display control board initialization timer is "0", the process proceeds to SB3. At SB3, a type 1 start-up switch processing is executed. The first-type starting port switch process is a process for determining the detection of the starting ball detector 21 and performing a process corresponding to the detection at the time of detection. Next, by SB4,
Gate switch processing is performed. The gate switch process is a process for determining the detection of the passing ball detector 20 and performing a process corresponding to the detection at the time of detection. Next, a count switch process is executed by SB5. This count switch processing is performed by the ball number detection switch 6
8 is a process for performing the detection determination and executing a process corresponding to the detection at the time of detection. Next, a specific area switch process is executed by SB6. The specific area switch process is a process for determining the detection of the specific ball detection switch 67 and executing a process corresponding to the detection at the time of detection. After SB6, the switch process ends.

Next, the above-described specific area switch processing will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the specific area switch processing.

First, in step SC (hereinafter simply referred to as SC) 1, it is determined whether or not the error flag is in error. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the error flag is a value indicating the occurrence of an error.
If the error flag is determined to be in error by SC1, the process proceeds to SC4 described later. On the other hand, if SC1 determines that the error flag is not in error,
Proceed to SC2.

At SC2, it is determined whether or not the specific area valid timer is "0". here,
The specific area validity timer is a timer for defining the specific ball validity period described above, and corresponds to a predetermined value, that is, a predetermined specific ball detection validity period at the same time when the variable prize ball device 10 is closed. It is set to a value and subtracted and updated over time. If it is determined in SC2 that the specific area valid timer is "0", the process proceeds to SC4 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by SC2 that the specific area valid timer is not "0", the process proceeds to SC3, and processing for subtracting and updating the specific area valid timer by "1" is performed. After that, it proceeds to SC4.

At SC4, a subroutine of a switch check process is executed. In the switch check process, based on data for the detection process of the specific ball detection switch 67, a process for determining ON / OFF of a switch corresponding bit of the specific ball detection switch 67, updating an ON timer, and setting an error flag is performed. Done.

Next, the process proceeds to SC5, and it is determined whether or not the specific ball detection switch 67 is in an off state (non-detection state). If it is determined by SC5 that the specific ball detection switch 67 is off, the switch check process ends. On the other hand, the specific ball detection switch 67 is activated by SC5.
Is determined to be an on state (detection state) which is not off, the process proceeds to SC6, and a subroutine of a counting process is executed. In the counting process, it is determined whether or not the number-of-balls detection switch 69 has detected the specific winning ball after the detection of the specific ball detecting switch 67. When it is determined that the detection has been performed, the value of the special winning opening winning counter is determined. Is added and updated by “1”. Here, the special winning opening winning counter is a counter for counting all winning balls to the variable winning ball device 10 detected by the above-described ball number detection switch 68.

Then, the flow advances to SC7, where it is determined whether or not the specific area valid timer is "0". SC
If it is determined in step 7 that the specific area valid timer is not "0", the process proceeds to SC8 described later. On the other hand, SC
If it is determined by step 7 that the specific area valid timer is "0", the process proceeds to SC7a, and a process of setting a value indicating a specific area switch abnormal error to the above-described error flag is performed. Here, the specific area switch abnormality error refers to an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the specific ball detection switch 67. When a process of setting a value indicating a specific area switch abnormality error to the error flag is performed, a process of notifying that such an abnormality has occurred is performed by the above-described error process. Specifically, the fact that such an abnormal state has occurred is notified by an alarm sound from a speaker, a screen display by the variable display device 4, or the like. As described above, when a specific winning ball is detected outside the specific ball detection valid period, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to an error state. In such a case, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the specific ball detection switch 67 because the specific area valid timer is set to “0” because the specific ball detection valid period is not during the valid period.
In other words, when the variable prize ball device 10 is in the open state, the detection by the specific ball detection switch 67 is abnormal in view of the structure of the variable prize ball device 10 and the operation control contents. It is because it is in a state. That is, even if a specific winning ball is obtained, unless the variable winning ball device 10 is in the closed state, the specific winning ball is not sent to the specific ball detecting switch 67 due to the action of the stopper 70. After SC7a, the specific area switch processing ends.

In SC8, it is determined whether or not the specific area passing flag is set to data indicating "the specific area has passed". Here, the specific area passing flag means whether or not the specific prize ball has been formally passed through the specific prize area and detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 and the ball number detection switch 68 to formally identify the specific prize ball. If the specific winning ball is recognized, the flag is set to data indicating "the specific area has passed". The specific area passage flag can be set by SC9 described later. SC
If it is determined in step 8 that the specific area passing flag is set to the data indicating "specific area passing", the specific area switch processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SC8 that the specific area passage flag is not set to the data indicating “specific area passing”, the process proceeds to SC9, and the specific area passing flag is set to the data indicating “specific area passing”. Processing is performed. Here, when the specific area passage flag is set to data indicating “there is a specific area passage”,
The continuation condition of the repetition continuation control is satisfied, and the process of the repetition continuation control is continued by proceeding to SA8 according to the determination in SA7 of the post-winning opening processing described above. After SC9,
This specific area switch processing ends.

In SC7 to SC9 described above, when a specific winning ball is detected during the specific ball detection valid period, the SC8 is used.
By executing the processing of SC9 and SC9, the specific area passing flag is set, and it is determined that the specific winning ball has been obtained. In this case, the detection output of the specific winning ball by the specific ball detection switch 67 is treated as valid, and the continuation condition of the repetition continuation control is satisfied. On the other hand, when a specific winning ball is detected at a timing outside the specific ball detection valid period, such as when the opening / closing plate 61 is in the open state, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is put into an error state and the processing of SC8 and SC9 is performed. Is not executed, and it is not recognized that the specific winning ball is obtained. That is, in this case, even if there is a detection output of the specific winning ball by the specific ball detecting switch 67, the detection of the specific winning ball is invalidated, and the continuation condition of the repetition continuation control is not satisfied.

In another subroutine, if a specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 within the above-described specific ball detection valid period, the number of ball detection switches 68 is further increased within the specific ball detection valid period. It is determined whether or not a ball has been detected by the above. If the specific ball detection switch 67 detects a specific winning ball during the specific ball detection valid period, but the ball number detection switch 68 does not detect a ball, the ball number detection switch 6
The basic circuit 40 determines that an abnormal state has occurred due to an improper act such as unauthorized modification of the device 8. When it is determined that such an abnormal state has occurred, the fact that such an abnormal state has occurred is notified by an alarm sound from a speaker, a screen display by the variable display device 4, or the like.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the opening / closing plate 61 changes from the open state to the closed state, the stored specific winning balls are released at a predetermined timing before the opening / closing plate 61 becomes unable to accept a hit ball. For this reason,
For example, even if an operation failure state occurs in which the opening / closing plate 61 cannot be operated by sandwiching a hit ball while changing to the closed state, the specific winning ball is released without any trouble, and the specific winning ball is released by the specific ball detecting switch 67. Is detected. Therefore, the release of the stored specific winning ball can be prevented from being hindered by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61. Further, since the release of the stored specific winning ball is not hindered by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the specific winning ball is reliably detected. By the complete operation, it is possible to prevent the obtained specific winning ball from being invalid after the specific ball detection valid period has passed without being detected. As described above, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the release and detection after the temporary storing of the specific winning ball are not affected by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61, so that the specific winning ball is obtained. It is possible to prevent the player from suffering an unexpected disadvantage related to the processing of the specific winning ball, such that the repetition continuation control does not continue.

Further, the driving of the opening / closing plate 61 and the driving of the stopper portion 70 are performed according to the operation of the opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700 which is a single operating member. For this reason, the configuration of the drive unit of the opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper unit 70 can be simplified.

Further, the configuration is such that the specific number winning ball after the specific ball detection switch 67 has detected is detected by the ball number detection switch 68. For this reason, the detection position of the ball number detection switch 68 is shifted (moved, or the ball number detection switch 68 is pulled out, or the like, so that the ball number detection switch 68 cannot detect the winning ball. Even if the specific prize ball is detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 but the specific prize ball is not detected by the ball number detection switch 68, it is easy to assume that such misconduct has been performed. As a result, such misconduct can be prevented.

Further, a specific ball passage 63 for guiding a specific winning ball and a general ball passage 64 for guiding a normal winning ball are arranged in a layered manner so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1. For this reason, the size of the variable winning ball device 10 in the vertical direction can be reduced. When such a vertical downsizing is performed, a wide area can be secured between the variable winning ball device 10 and the variable display device 4 provided above the variable winning ball device 10, so that the variable winning ball device 10 is disposed therebetween. The degree of freedom in arranging nails can be increased. For this reason, even if the size of the variable display device 4 is increased, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the nails provided between the variable winning ball device 10 and the variable display device 4 can be prevented as much as possible.

Further, a general ball passage 64 for guiding a normal winning ball is provided on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the detection of the normal winning ball and the specific winning ball by the ball number detection switch 68 is performed on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Therefore, the distance from the winning position in the big winning opening 100 of the variable winning ball device 10 to the detecting position of the ball number detecting switch 68 is relatively short. Therefore, as compared with the case where the detection position of the ball number detection switch 68 is located at the back of the variable winning ball device 10, the hit ball hits the variable winning ball device 10 and is detected by the ball number detecting switch 68. Can be shortened. For this reason, when limiting the number of winnings to the variable winning ball apparatus 10 in one round of the repetition continuation control, the number of winnings can be limited more quickly, and winning of an unnecessarily hit ball can be prevented with higher accuracy. be able to.

Further, since the specific winning ball is temporarily stored by the specific ball storing section 69 and the stopper section 70, the player who visually recognizes the state can easily predict that the specific winning ball will be detected. Can be provided, which can give the player a sense of security.

In addition, although the probability of winning in the specific area of the variable winning ball device 10 is restricted to be equal to or less than one third of the winning balls of the variable winning ball device 10 according to the standard, the specific winning is achieved. By adopting a configuration in which the sphere is temporarily stored by the specific sphere storage unit 69 and the stopper unit 70, such a regulation condition can be satisfied reliably. In addition, a configuration is adopted in which the specific winning ball is temporarily stored on the downstream side of the specific winning ball from the detection position of the specific ball detecting switch 67. For this reason, compared with the case where the specific winning ball is stored in the specific ball detecting sensor, the specific ball detecting switch 6 is not used.
7 can be prevented from malfunctioning. The reason is as follows. In other words, when the specific winning ball is stored in the sensor for detecting the specific ball, the stored specific winning ball is bounced by the bounce of the subsequent winning ball colliding with the stored specific winning ball, There is a possibility that a malfunction such as the specific winning ball being erroneously detected as a new winning ball may occur. However, the specific winning ball is temporarily stored on the downstream side of the specific winning ball from the detection position of the specific ball detecting switch 67 to temporarily store the specific winning ball.
Can be prevented from malfunctioning.

Further, the opening and closing plate 61 of the variable winning ball device 10
Since the specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detecting switch 67 and the number-of-balls detecting switch 68 after the start of the operation to cause the closed state, the wrongdoer generates an illegal radio wave and outputs an illegal winning detection output. It is possible to prevent the wrongdoing that occurs. That is, since a structure in which a specific winning ball is detected after the closing of the opening / closing plate 61 is employed, it is difficult for the wrongdoer to determine the timing of generating an illegal radio wave, and further, the specific ball detecting switch 67 and the ball number detecting switch Since the detection outputs related to the specific winning ball are successively generated by the two sensors 68, it becomes more difficult for a fraudster to determine the timing of generating an illegal radio wave. Action can be prevented.

Further, a configuration is employed in which the stopper 70 is linked to the opening / closing plate 61, and the stopper 70 releases the storage state in response to the operation of closing the opening / closing plate 61. For this reason, it is possible to easily define the timing of the control for releasing the stored state of the specific winning ball, and the flow of the specific winning ball is better than the detection position of the specific ball detecting switch 67 in accordance with the operation state of the opening / closing plate 61. The control for temporarily storing the specific winning ball on the side can be easily realized.

Further, in the variable winning ball device 10, a structure is employed in which the open / close plate 61 and the stopper 70 are driven by the solenoid 71. That is, the open / close plate 61 and the stopper 70 are driven by one drive source (solenoid 71). Therefore, the number of drive sources can be reduced as compared with a case where drive sources are individually provided for each of the opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper portion 70, and the size of the drive source portion required for driving them can be reduced. And the cost required for such a drive source portion can be reduced.

Further, the detection output of the specific ball detection switch 67 when the open / close plate 61 is in the completely open state is invalidated. Since the specific winning ball is stored when the opening and closing plate 61 is in the completely open state, the specific winning ball is detected when the opening and closing plate 61 is in the open state when the normal operation is performed. Because it cannot be done. As described above, the valid period of the detection output of the specific ball detection switch 67 is limited to the period when the opening and closing plate 61 is closed, and therefore, when the player opens the opening and closing plate 61 completely, the special winning opening 1
A specific sphere detection switch 67 using an unauthorized instrument or the like within 00
In order to perform an unauthorized service that can unconditionally execute the repetition continuation control up to the maximum number of times of execution, the stopper unit 70
It is possible to prevent a game store from performing illegal acts such as making unauthorized modifications to the game store.

Further, if there is a detection output by the specific ball detection switch 67 during a period in which the detection of the specific winning ball by the specific ball detection switch 67 is invalidated (out of the specific ball detection effective period), the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Is placed in an error state. For this reason, if a fraudulent act relating to the detection of a specific winning ball is performed, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is changed to an unusual state, so that it is possible to prevent the game from continuing with the fraudulent behavior being performed. Can be.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when a predetermined number of winning balls are detected while the opening / closing plate 61 is in the open state, the storage state of the specific winning ball before the opening / closing plate 61 is changed to the closed state. An example of canceling will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the second embodiment, the above-mentioned opening / closing plate 61 and the stopper 70 are individually driven by individually provided operating members. These operating members are individually driven and controlled by the basic circuit 40. in this case,
The operating member for the opening / closing plate 61 and the operating member for the stopper 70 are both driven by the solenoid 71 described above. The operating member for the opening and closing plate 61 is not limited thereto, and
The operating member for the stopper 70 may be driven by a separate driving source. The configuration other than such a configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

Next, the storage control of the stopper 70 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the count switch processing. This count switch processing corresponds to the count switch processing of SB5 shown in the first embodiment, and is executed along with the execution of the main routine as described above.

First, in step SD (hereinafter simply referred to as SD) 1, a count switch count process is executed. The count switch count process is a process for determining the detection of the ball number detection switch 68 and executing a process corresponding to the detection at the time of detection. In this count switch counting process, the number of winning balls detected by the ball number detection switch 68 in each round of the repetition continuation control is counted. Next, a storage process is performed in step SD2. By this storage process. The storage of the specific winning prize balls by the stopper portion 70 and the release of the storage are performed. The details of the storage process will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the contents of the storage process. This storing process is executed as one subroutine in the special symbol process process of S11 shown in the first embodiment.

First, in step SE (hereinafter simply referred to as SE) 1, it is determined whether or not the value of the special winning opening winning counter is "0". This special winning opening winning counter is the same as that used in the first embodiment.

If it is determined in SE1 that the value of the winning opening winning counter is not "0", the process proceeds to SE3 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in SE1 that the value of the special winning opening winning counter is "0", the process proceeds to SE2, in which the stopper 70 is operated to be able to store the specific winning balls. As a result, specific winning balls can be stored. This SE2 is performed when the value of the special winning opening winning counter is "0", that is, at the start of each round of the repetition continuation control, so that the specific winning prize ball can be stored.

In SE3, it is determined whether or not the value of the special winning opening winning counter is "8". If it is determined in SE3 that the value of the special winning opening winning counter is not "8", the storing process ends. That is, the storing process is repeatedly executed until the value of the special winning opening winning counter becomes “8”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in SE3 that the value of the special winning opening winning counter is "8", a process of operating the stopper unit 70 so as to release the storage state of the specific winning ball is performed. . As a result, when the specific winning ball is stored, the specific winning ball is released. Thereafter, the storage process ends.

In the second embodiment, since the specific winning ball may be detected by the specific ball detecting switch 67 before the opening / closing plate 61 is closed, the start of the specific ball detecting effective period is set to the special winning opening winning. It is determined when the value of the counter becomes “8”.

By executing the above-described storage processing, the opening / closing operation is started when eight normal winning balls, which are fewer than the nine normal winning balls, which are the closing conditions of the opening / closing plate 61 in each round, are detected. Prior to the closing of the plate 61, the stored specific winning balls are released. So, for example,
When the opening / closing plate 61 changes to the closed state, even if an operation failure state occurs in which the operation cannot be performed by sandwiching a hit ball in the middle, at that time, since the specific winning ball has already been released, the specific The winning ball is detected by the specific ball detection switch 67 without any trouble. Therefore, the release of the stored specific winning ball can be prevented from being hindered by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61. Further, since the release of the stored specific winning ball is not hindered by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the specific winning ball is reliably detected. By the complete operation, it is possible to prevent the obtained specific winning ball from being invalid after the specific ball detection valid period has passed without being detected.

As described above, if a specific winning ball is obtained,
Since the release and detection after the temporary storage of the specific prize ball are not affected by the incomplete operation of the opening / closing plate 61, the specific prize ball does not continue even if the specific prize ball is obtained. The player can be prevented from inadvertently penalizing the processing of the ball.

The timing of releasing the stored state by the stopper 70 is determined in each round of the repetition continuation control such as the detection of eight winning balls when the closing condition of the opening / closing plate 61 is the detection of nine winning balls. It is desirable to be late in the game. By doing so, the condition of the standard that the probability of winning in the specific area of the variable prize ball device 10 is 1/3 or less of the prize balls to the variable prize ball device 10 is satisfied. be able to.

Next, feature points of modified examples of the present invention will be listed. (1) The variable prize ball device 10 shown in FIG.
A movable member (opening / closing plate 6) provided in the game area (game area 3) and capable of changing between a first state in which a hit ball can be received and a second state in which a hit ball cannot be received.
The variable prize ball device having 1) is configured. By the basic circuit 40 shown in FIG.
When a specific game state (big hit state) occurs, game control means for controlling the variable winning ball device to the first state is configured. In the specific game state, the game control means sets the movable member of the variable winning ball device to the first state and then to the second state, and returns to the first state when a predetermined continuation condition is satisfied. Repeat continuation control is performed.

(2) The specific game state is generated by the game control means when the display result of the variable display device (variable display device 4) provided in the game area becomes a predetermined display mode. .

(3) The predetermined continuation condition is as follows:
A specific prize ball storing means (specific sphere storage unit 69 and stopper unit 70) for temporarily storing a specific prize ball flowing into a specific prize area provided at a predetermined location in the variable prize ball device, and flows downward. The specific winning ball is detected by specific winning ball detecting means (specific ball detecting switch 67) which is disposed on the side and detects the specific winning ball released after being temporarily stored by the specific winning ball storing means. Holds if.

(4) Despite the specific winning ball being detected by the specific winning ball detecting means (specific ball detecting switch 67), the detection of the ball corresponding to the specific winning ball is performed by the winning ball detecting means (ball number detecting means). An abnormality determining means (basic circuit 40) may be provided for determining that an abnormal state has occurred when not performed by the switch 68).

(5) By SC7a of the specific area switch process executed by the basic circuit 40 shown in FIG. 2, during the period when the movable member is in the first state (outside the specific ball detection effective period). Detection invalidating means for invalidating detection of the specific winning ball by the specific winning ball detecting means is configured.

(6) During the period in which the detection of the specific winning ball is invalidated by the detection invalidating means by SC7a to SC9 of the specific area switch processing executed by the basic circuit 40 shown in FIG. An error control unit is configured to perform a control to set the gaming state of the ball game machine to an error state when the specific winning ball detection unit detects the state during the detection effective period).

(7) The movable member and the specific winning ball storing means are operated by one operating member (opening / closing plate / stopper operating member 700).

(8) In the above embodiment, the variable display device 4 is of the image display type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the variable display device may be of the following mechanical type. In other words, the display state changes when a belt with a plurality of symbols is rotated, and the display state changes when a rotating disk with a plurality of symbols is rotated. What is called a disk type may be used.

[0173]

[Specific example of means for solving the problem]

(1) A ball and ball game machine is constituted by the pachinko game machine 1 shown in FIG. The game area 3 shown in FIG. 1 forms a game area where a ball is hit. By the variable winning ball device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a first state (open state) provided in the game area and capable of accepting a hit ball and a second state capable of accepting a hit ball are not provided. A variable winning ball device having a movable member (open / close plate 61) that can be changed to the state (closed state). FIG.
The specific prize sphere that temporarily stores and then releases the specific prize sphere that has flowed into a specific prize area provided at a predetermined location in the variable prize sphere device by the specific sphere storage part 69 and the stopper part 70 shown in FIG. Storage means is configured. A specific prize ball detecting means, which is arranged on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storing means by the specific sphere detecting switch 67 shown in FIG. 8 and the like, and detects a specific prize ball released by the specific prize ball storing means. Is configured. As shown in FIG. 14, when the movable member changes from the first state to the second state, the specific winning prize ball storing means cannot receive the hit ball. At a predetermined timing before the state, the operation of releasing the stored specific winning sphere is performed.

(2) As shown in FIG. 11, the specific winning ball storing means performs an operation of releasing the stored specific winning ball in accordance with the operation of the movable member in the second state. Do.

(3) As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the movable member and the specific winning ball storing means (particularly, the stopper portion 70) are driven by the same drive source (solenoid 71).

(4) Pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG.
Thus, a ball-and-ball game machine is configured. The game area 3 shown in FIG. 1 forms a game area where a ball is hit. By the variable winning ball device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a first state (open state) provided in the game area and capable of accepting a hit ball and a second state capable of accepting a hit ball are not provided. A variable winning ball device having a movable member (open / close plate 61) that can be changed to the state (closed state). The specific sphere storing part 69 and the stopper part 70 shown in FIG. 9 and the like temporarily store the specific prize sphere that has flowed into the specific prize area provided at a predetermined place in the variable prize sphere device, and then release the specific sphere. The winning ball storing means is configured. A specific prize ball detecting means, which is arranged on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storing means by the specific sphere detecting switch 67 shown in FIG. 8 and the like, and detects a specific prize ball released by the specific prize ball storing means. Is configured. The ball number detecting switch 68 shown in FIG. 8 and the like constitutes a winning ball detecting means for detecting all winning balls in the variable winning ball device. Basic circuit 4 shown in FIG.
0, the movable member is controlled to the first state when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and when the predetermined upper limit number of winning balls is detected by the winning ball detecting means in the first state. Movable member control means for controlling the movable member to the second state is provided. The basic circuit 40 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes a storage control means for controlling the operation of the specific winning ball storing means. As shown in FIG. 18, the storage control means is configured such that the movable member
When a predetermined number of prize balls smaller than the upper limit number of prize balls are detected by the prize ball detection means in the state of 特定, the specific prize balls stored in the specific prize ball storage means Perform control to release

[0177]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. When the movable member changes from the first state to the second state, the stored specific winning ball is released at a predetermined timing before the movable member becomes unable to accept a hit ball. You. For this reason, even if, for example, a malfunctioning state occurs in which the movable member cannot be operated by sandwiching a hit ball while changing to the second state, the stored specific winning ball is released without any trouble, and the specific winning ball is released. The ball is detected by the specific winning ball detecting means. Therefore, the release of the stored specific winning ball can be prevented from being hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member. Further, since the release of the stored specific winning ball is not hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the specific winning ball is reliably detected. Can be prevented from being invalidated by incomplete operation of the movable member. As described above, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the release and detection after the temporary storing of the specific winning ball are not affected by the incomplete operation of the movable member. You can avoid disadvantages.

Regarding claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. Since the release operation of the specific winning ball by the specific winning ball storing means is linked to the operation of the movable member to be in the second state, it is possible to easily define the timing of the operation of releasing the stored state of the specific winning ball, In accordance with the operation state of the movable member, the operation of temporarily storing the specific winning ball on the downstream side of the specific winning ball from the detection position of the specific winning ball detecting means can be easily realized.

Regarding the third aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect of the first aspect. The movable member and the specific winning ball storage means are driven by the same drive source. For this reason, compared with the case where a driving source is individually provided for each of the movable member and the specific winning ball storage means,
Since the number of drive sources can be reduced, the size of the drive source portion required for driving them can be reduced, and the cost required for such a drive source portion can be reduced.

Regarding claim 4, the following effects can be obtained. If a predetermined number of winning balls smaller than the upper limit number of winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means when the movable member is in the first state, before the detected number of winning balls reaches the upper limit number, that is, Before the movable member is changed to the second state, the specific winning ball stored in the specific winning ball storing means is released. For this reason, for example, when the movable member changes to the second state, even if an operation failure state occurs in which the ball cannot be operated while sandwiching a ball in the middle thereof,
At this time, since the specific winning ball has already been released, the specific winning ball is detected by the specific winning ball detecting means without any trouble. Therefore, the release of the stored specific winning ball can be prevented from being hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member. Further, since the release of the stored specific winning ball is not hindered by the incomplete operation of the movable member, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the specific winning ball is reliably detected. Can be prevented from being invalidated by incomplete operation of the movable member. As described above, if the specific winning ball is obtained, the release and detection after the temporary storing of the specific winning ball are not affected by the incomplete operation of the movable member. You can avoid disadvantages.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming board surface of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on a game control board.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on a display control board used in the variable display device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control of the variable display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining in advance whether to generate a big hit based on a value of a random counter.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a variable winning ball device.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the repetition continuation control.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing operation control timings of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main program for game control.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the special winning opening processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a switch processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a specific area switch process;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a count switch processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a storage processing according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a game area, 4 is a variable display device, 10 is a variable prize ball device, 61 is an opening / closing plate, 69 is a specific ball storage section, 700 is an opening / closing plate / stopper operating member, 70 is a stopper portion, and 67 is a specific ball detection switch. , 68 is a ball number detection switch, 40 is a basic circuit, 54 is a CPU, 71 is a solenoid, and 710 is a solenoid shaft.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein a first state provided in the game area and capable of accepting a ball is provided. Second unacceptable
A variable prize ball device having a movable member that can be changed to the state described above, and a specific prize that releases and then temporarily stores a specific prize ball that has flowed into a specific prize area provided at a predetermined location in the variable prize ball device. A ball storing means, and a specific prize ball detecting means which is disposed on the downstream side of the specific prize ball storing means and detects a specific prize ball released by the specific prize ball storing means. When the movable member changes from the first state to the second state, the movable member is stored at a predetermined timing before the movable member becomes unable to receive a hit ball. A ball game machine characterized by performing an operation of releasing a specific winning ball. 2. The method according to claim 2, wherein the specific prize ball storing means performs an operation of releasing the stored specific prize ball according to an operation of the movable member entering the second state.
The ball game machine according to claim 1. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the movable member and the specific winning ball storing means are driven by the same driving source. 4. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein a first state provided in the game area and capable of receiving a ball is provided. Second unacceptable
A variable prize ball device having a movable member that can be changed to the state described above, and a specific prize that releases and then temporarily stores a specific prize ball that has flowed into a specific prize area provided at a predetermined location in the variable prize ball device. A ball storing means, a specific winning ball detecting means arranged on the downstream side of the specific winning ball storing means and detecting a specific winning ball released by the specific winning ball storing means, and the variable winning ball device. Winning ball detecting means for detecting all winning balls, and controlling the movable member to a first state when a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the movable member is controlled in a first state by the winning ball detecting means in the first state. A movable member control unit that controls the movable member to the second state when an upper limit number of winning balls is detected; and a storage control unit that controls an operation of the specific winning ball storing unit. Means When a predetermined number of winning balls smaller than the upper limit number of winning balls are detected by the winning ball detecting means while the movable member is in the first state, the specific winning ball storing means stores the predetermined number of winning balls. A ball game machine characterized by performing control to release a specified winning prize ball.