JP3035014B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine. For more information, hitting ball
A game board having a game area formed on a front surface thereof;
The present invention relates to a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into an area .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this kind of ball game machine, a variable display device capable of changing a display state by variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information on a game board has been known. a, I a specific game state Viewing results predetermined for the case where a specific display mode predetermined (e.g. 777) of the variable display device (jackpot state)
Some games are in a state where a predetermined game value can be
Was. The variable display device is variably displayed based on the establishment of a predetermined variable start condition, the game if it becomes certain display mode Viewing results predetermined for the variable display device, for example, a variable winning ball device configuration so as to impart a state capable predetermined game value in the first preferred state for persons
There was something done . The variable display device, even if
For example, there is a type in which a rotary drum is rotated using a pulse motor, and a type in which a 7-segment LED or a matrix LED is arranged in the center of a game board, and which is electrically controlled to display various identification information.

[0003]

However, in this kind of conventional ball game machine, since the variable display device is fixed to the game board surface, the display by the variable display device depends on the structure on the game board. There is a problem that the display is restricted and flexible display control cannot be performed.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball and ball game machine capable of displaying a game state more flexibly.

[0005]

The present invention according to claim 1 is provided.
Is a game in which a game area into which a ball is hit is formed on the front side.
A game board is provided, and a game is played by hitting a ball into the game area.
Ball game machine, the display state of which can be changed.
The display result becomes a predetermined specific display mode.
A predetermined specific game condition on the condition that
A variable display device defined to allow control, the bullet
In addition to controlling the gaming state of the ball game machine, the variable display
Game control means for outputting data for controlling the device
When the arranged from the game board surface spaced by a distance predetermined forward side, in response to a given control signal and a and capable liquid crystal display device this changing at least part of the light transmitting state, The game control means includes a liquid crystal display
A control signal is given to the stage, and the liquid crystal display means
The variable display according to the control signal given from the control means.
The display state is changed in relation to the display of the device.
And The present invention described in claim 2 provides the present invention according to claim 1.
In addition to the configuration of the present invention, a glass covering a front surface of the game area
A plate is further provided, and the liquid crystal display means comprises the glass
It is characterized by being provided on a plate.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display state is
A variable display device is provided, and the variable display device is provided.
When the display result of the display becomes a predetermined specific display mode
In this case, it is possible to control to a predetermined specific game state. Bullet
From the game control means for controlling the game state of the ball game machine,
Data for controlling the variable display device is output. Play
It is located at a predetermined distance in front of the surface of the technical board.
Control signal given by the function of the displayed liquid crystal display means.
Change at least part of the light transmission state in response to
It becomes possible. The game control means includes a liquid crystal display
A control signal to the stage, and the liquid crystal display means
According to a control signal, in connection with the display of said variable display device
Change the display state. According to the invention of claim 2
For example, in addition to the operation according to claim 1, in front of the game area.
A glass plate covering the surface is provided, and the liquid crystal display means
It is provided on the board.

[0007]

FIG . 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 as a ball and ball game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Referring to, the pachinko machine 1 includes a front frame 2 provided with an edge frame 3 in a central portion. The edge frame 3 is provided with an opening, and a game board 13 is provided behind the opening. A glass storage frame 4 is provided in an opening of the edge frame 3 on the front side of the game board 13, and the glass storage frame 4 is pivotally supported by the edge frame 3 on the negative side (the left end in the figure) and can be opened and closed. A double glazing (FIG. 2, FIG. 2) which is locked by a locking mechanism (not shown) and is provided at a predetermined distance from the surface of the game board 13.
4 (see FIG. 4).

The lower part of the front surface of the region surrounded by the edge frame 3 is a front plate 8, which can be opened and closed similarly to the glass storage frame 4. The front panel 8 includes a game area 1 of the game board 13.
Ball supply tray 9 for supplying the ball to be driven into 4
And a speaker 10 for generating a sound effect and the like. On the right lower portion of the front plate 8, a hit ball operation handle 11 for receiving a hit ball from the hit ball supply tray 9 and hitting a hit ball into the game area 14 is provided.
On the left side of the hit ball operation handle 11, there is provided a surplus ball tray 12 from which surplus balls are discharged when the hit ball cannot be completely filled into the hit ball supply tray 9. The game board 1 above the front frame 2
Immediately above 3, a frame lamp 26 is provided.

At the center of the game area 14 of the game board 13,
A variable display device 15 including a rotating drum is provided. At the lower center of the variable display device 15, the left symbol display unit 1
6a, a middle symbol display section 16b, and a right symbol display section 16c are provided. Each of these symbol display portions 16a to 16c is composed of a rotating drum having 16 symbols formed on the surface thereof, and is driven to rotate by a drum motor or the like not shown in FIG. Immediately above the symbol display sections 16a to 16c of the variable display device 15, a starting winning storage display 17 including four LEDs for displaying the number of winning storage in a starting winning opening described later, and a big hit also described later 7 for displaying the number of continuous opening of the variable winning prize ball device under control.
A continuation number indicator 18 composed of a segment LED is provided.

Below the variable display device 15 in the game area 14, the above-mentioned variable winning ball device 20 is provided. The variable winning prize ball device 20 is provided with a prize area 21, and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing plate 22 is advantageous for a player who can easily win a prize ball,
The control is switched to the second state which is disadvantageous for the player, in which the game ball does not win or hardly wins. Winning area 21
A special winning opening 23 is provided at the center back of the center. When a game ball wins in the specific winning opening 23, the opening operation by the opening / closing plate 22 of the variable winning ball device 20 that is currently being executed is completed and once closed, and then the opening / closing plate 22 is opened again, so-called repetitive continuation control. Is performed. The upper limit of the number of repetitions is set to a predetermined number, for example, 16 times. Further below the winning area 21, a 7-segment LE for displaying the number of game balls won to the winning area 21 by one opening operation is displayed.
A winning number indicator 24 made of D is provided. And whether this winning number becomes a predetermined number, for example, 10 pieces,
Alternatively, the opening time of the opening / closing plate 22 is a predetermined time, for example, 30 hours.
The opening / closing plate 22 is controlled to be closed at the time point when the second condition is satisfied, whichever is earlier.

A winning opening 19a is provided immediately above the winning area 21 of the variable winning ball device and on the left and right of the winning number display 24.
To 19c. Starting winning prizes 19a-19c
When the game ball wins, the winning ball detector described later detects this winning ball, and the variable display device 15 starts variably displaying the identification information. And the symbol display unit 1
When the combination of the symbols displayed in 6a to 16c becomes a specific winning symbol, for example, "7", the big hit control by the variable winning ball device 20 is started. The big hit control is a process of opening the open / close plate 22 as described above to make it easier for game balls to win the winning area 21. In the case of the present embodiment, there are a total of four types of hit symbols, such as "7", and the combination of big hits is a case where the hit symbols are aligned on five lines of the variable display device 15;
There will be 0 ways.

The periphery of the game area 14 is partitioned by guide rails, and lamps such as side lamps 25 for enhancing the game effect are provided. Also game area 1
At the bottom of 4, there is provided an out port for collecting out balls which did not win any of the winning ports.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the double-glazed glass main body 5 fitted in the glass storage frame 4. Referring to FIG. 2, double-glazed glass body 5 includes a glass mounting frame 6, an inner glass 7 a fixed to glass mounting frame 6 from the front and a rear, and an outer glass 7.
b and a liquid crystal glass (not shown in FIG. 2) disposed between the inner glass 7a and the outer glass 7b. Then, a wiring 87 for a liquid crystal glass 49 (not shown) is drawn out from the minus side of the glass mounting frame 6, and a connector 88 is provided at the tip thereof. The connector 88 is connected to a game control device described later. A hole 86 for allowing a desiccant to act on a space between the inner glass 7a and the outer glass 7b is provided on a lower side of the glass mounting frame 6, and a desiccant 84 is provided.
Are attached and attached by a lid 85.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, on the back surface of the pachinko machine 1, there is provided a winning ball set cover body 27 for guiding a game ball winning each winning port of the gaming machine to a predetermined place. Starting winning prize holes 19a, 19b, 19c shown in FIG.
The starting winning ball detectors 31a to 31c are arranged at the positions where the game balls winning the game are guided. On the back surface of the winning area 21 shown in FIG. 1, a winning number detector 30 for detecting the number of gaming balls winning in the winning area 21 and a gaming ball winning in the specific winning opening 23 (FIG. 1) are detected. And a solenoid 28 for opening / closing the open / close plate 22 (FIG. 1). The balls that have won each winning opening are collected by a winning ball processing unit 33 by a winning ball collecting gutter 32, and a predetermined number of prize balls are respectively processed by the prize ball payout device 34 while being processed one by one by the prize ball processing unit 33. It is paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 9 (FIG. 1). A game control device 35 for performing game control based on the outputs of the start winning ball detectors 31a to 31c is provided at the lower right side on the back of the pachinko machine 1.

FIG. 4 shows the variable display device 15 shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the game board 13, the variable display device 15, and the liquid crystal glass 49. With reference to FIG.
Is provided with an opening at the center portion thereof, and the variable display device 15 is assembled to this opening. The winning ball set cover 27 also has an opening having substantially the same shape as the opening formed in the game board 13, and the main body of the variable display device 15 is larger than the game board 13 and the winning ball set cover 27. It protrudes to the back side of the board.

The variable display device 15 includes a motor mounting plate 37.
a, a drum storage case 36 having a, 37b, and 37c;
Drum motors 38a to 38c fixed to motor mounting plates 37a to 37c, respectively;
a to 38c are attached to the motor shafts 39a to 39c, and rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft 39a. In order to detect the reference position of each rotary drum by detecting a non-reflective portion for detecting a reference position formed at a reference position on the surface of each of the rotary drums 40a to 40c inside the back surface of the drum storage case 36. Reference position detectors 41a to 41c including photo sensors are provided. These reference position detectors 41a to 41c
Sensor substrate 4 fixed to the back of drum storage case 36
2 attached. A relay board 43 is further provided on the back surface of the drum storage case 36. The front part of the drum storage case 36 and each of the rotating drums 40 a to 40
Drum lamps 50a to 50c for illuminating the drum from the inside are provided in a portion corresponding to the inside of 0c. By viewing the design of the rotating drum illuminated from the back by the drum lamps 50a to 50c from the front of the opening formed in the game board 13, the left symbol display 1
6a, a middle symbol display section 16b, and a right symbol display section 16c.

A liquid crystal glass 49 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the surface of the game board 13, that is, at a portion away from the structure formed on the surface of the game board 13 so as not to interfere with the structure. The liquid crystal glass 49 is, as described above, the inner glass 7a.
And the outer glass 7b with a spacer 44 interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal glass 49 includes glass substrates 45, 45 arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance from each other.
Transparent electrodes 46a, 46b formed on surfaces of glass substrates 45, 45 facing each other and transparent electrodes 46a, 46
b, and a liquid crystal layer 47 sealed between them. A seal member 48 is provided around a portion corresponding to the front surface of the variable display device 15, and a liquid crystal layer 47 is not sealed in an area defined by the seal member 48, and a transparent display portion 49a is formed. I have.

Since the liquid crystal glass 49 is arranged as shown in FIG. 4, the following display control can be performed in the game control. Normally transparent electrodes 46a, 46
A predetermined charge is applied between b, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 47 are arranged in such a manner as to transmit incident light. On the other hand, the transparent electrodes 46a, 46
By removing the voltage applied to b, the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 47 changes, and the liquid crystal layer 47 changes to a state in which incident light is scattered. In this case, the player cannot see the surface of the game board 13 in the portion where the liquid crystal layer 47 exists. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the front surface of the variable display device 15, a transparent display portion 49a without the liquid crystal layer 47 is formed. Therefore, even in this case, the player can visually recognize the state of the variable display device 15.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present invention operates as follows. The pachinko ball supplied from the hit ball supply tray 9 and shot and fired by the operation of the player using the hit ball operation handle 11 is hit into the game area 14 shown in FIG. When a pachinko ball wins the normal winning opening, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out. When a pachinko ball wins any of the start winning holes 19a to 19c, it is detected by a corresponding one of the start winning ball detectors 31a to 31c, and the variable display device 15 is changed based on the detection output. The display is started and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out from the prize ball payout device 34. These game controls are performed by the game control device 35 shown in FIG. 3, but the game control device 35 will not be particularly referred to in the following description of the operation.

The variable display device 15 of the pachinko machine according to this embodiment, when a pachinko ball wins in any of the start winning ports 19a to 19c, the rotating drums 40a to 40c.
c starts rotating, and accordingly, each of the symbol display sections 16a to 16a
The symbol displayed on 16c also starts to change. After the rotation display for a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 6 seconds) is performed, first, the rotation of the leftmost rotating drum 40a is stopped. After a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) from that point, the rotation of the central rotary drum 40b is stopped, and after a lapse of the predetermined time, the rotation of the right rotary drum is stopped. That is, when the rotating drums 40a to 40c start rotating at one time, the symbol display units 16a to 16c
Is started, and the symbols are stopped in the order of left, center, and right. Immediately before the stop of each symbol, the symbol display is controlled so that the speed of rotation of the symbol to be stopped becomes slow, and the display result at the time of stop of the variable display device 15 that further excites the interest of the player. Becomes a combination of predetermined specific identification information (for example, “777”), a big hit state occurs. When the big hit state occurs, the opening / closing plate 22 of the variable winning ball device 20 moves the solenoid 2
8 and the first state is achieved in which the hit ball is easy to win. The big hit control by opening the opening / closing plate 22 is performed either after a predetermined time (for example, 22 seconds) has elapsed as described above, or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the pachinko balls that have won the prize area 21. The process is performed until the earlier condition is satisfied.

If a big hit state occurs and a pachinko ball enters the prize area 21 when the open / close plate 22 is opened, the pachinko ball wins the specific prize port 23 or
Alternatively, a prize is won in the left and right prize areas. Specific winning opening 2
When a pachinko ball wins at No. 3, the winning ball is detected by the specific winning ball detector 29 and used for game control. Pachinko balls that have won the specific winning opening 23 or the winning areas on the left and right sides thereof are collected by the winning number detector 30. The number of winning balls is counted by the winning number detector 30, and is used for game control such as big hit control.

When the opening / closing plate 22 is in the open state or when the variable display device 15 is variably displaying, the starting winning opening 19a is provided.
When a pachinko ball is awarded at １９19c, the variable display by the variable display device 15 cannot be started immediately.
Therefore, the winning prize balls are the corresponding starting prize ball detectors 31a to 31a.
31c, the number of which is up to 4
Up to the number are stored. The stored number of winning balls is displayed by the starting winning memory display 17. That is, the start winning prize memory display 17 indicates that the start winning prize port 1 is in the big hit state.
The number of prize balls won in 9a to 19c is indicated by the lit LE
It is indicated by the number of D. In the case of the pachinko game machine of this embodiment, the start winning storage display 17 includes four LEDs. Therefore, if more than four pachinko balls win the winning opening, the winning is invalidated.

As described above, when a pachinko ball wins in the specific winning opening 23, the pachinko ball is detected by the specific winning ball detector 2
9 is detected. In response to this detection, the game control device 35 opens the open / close plate 22 again after the current open / close of the open / close plate 22 is completed, and performs so-called repetitive continuation control. As described above, the upper limit of the number of times of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times.

If no pachinko ball has been won in the specific winning opening 23 while the opening / closing plate 22 is being opened, and if the number of times of the repetition continuation control reaches the upper limit value, the big hit control ends.
The number of times of the repetition continuation control is displayed on the continuation number display 18.

When the big hit control is completed and there is no start winning prize memory, the pachinko machine 1 returns to the normal game state.
However, if there is a start winning prize memory, the variable display device 15 starts variable display again, and the above-described big hit control or loss control is performed according to the display result. In general, the display result when the variable display device 15 is stopped is generally determined in advance by referring to a random number or the like when a win of a pachinko ball is detected in a start winning opening.

As described above, when the display result variably displayed on the variable display device 15 is a combination of specific identification information, the big hit control is performed. The entertainment of the player will be very exciting. In particular, the left and middle symbol display sections 16a, 16b
Has already stopped and the right symbol display section 16c is performing variable display, and when the left and middle symbol display sections 16a and 16b stop display results match the specific identification information (reach state). In particular, the expectation that a big hit will occur is increased, and the interest of the player is further increased.

Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present invention comprises:
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left side of the variable display device,
When the display result at the time of stopping the middle symbol display units 16a and 16b is the reach state, the transparent display unit 49a is provided during the period from when the middle symbol display unit 16b stops to when the right symbol display unit 16c stops. By controlling the liquid crystal glass 49 in the other part, only the symbol display part of the variable display device 15 is made visible. The cloudy portion other than the transparent display portion 49a emphasizes the symbol display portion, thereby increasing the player's expectation at the time of reaching.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a game control device 35 used in the pachinko machine of the first embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, game control device 35 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as “microcomputer”) 51. The microcomputer 51 has a function of controlling operations of various devices as described below. For this reason, the microcomputer 51 is composed of, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) of several chips, and is capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure, for example, an MPU (Micro-Processing Un).
it) 52 and a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 5 for storing operation program data of the MPU 52
3 and R which enables writing and reading of necessary data at any time.
AM (Random Access Memory) 5
4 is included.

Further, the microcomputer 51 receives an input signal from the outside and supplies it to the MPU 52 as input data, and receives an output data from the MPU 52 and supplies it to the outside. A sound generator 56 for receiving sound data designating a sound effect, generating a sound signal and outputting the sound signal to the outside,
A power-on reset circuit 57 for giving an initial reset pulse to the MPU 52 when the power is turned on;
Clock generation circuit 58 for applying an operation clock signal
A pulse frequency dividing circuit 59 for frequency-dividing the clock signal from the clock generating circuit 58 to periodically (eg, every 2 msec) apply the reset pulse to the MPU 52;
The address data for selecting a chip to be processed, output from U52, is decoded,
4, an input / output circuit 55, and an address decode circuit 60 for supplying a chip select signal to the sound generator 56, respectively.

The input / output circuit 55 includes a detection circuit 61, a solenoid drive circuit 62, an LCD drive circuit 63, a motor drive circuit 64, and a 7-segment LED drive circuit 65.
, An LED drive circuit 66 and a lamp drive circuit 67 are connected.

The detection circuit 61 includes reference position detectors 41a to 41c for detecting a reference position of the rotating drum, and a starting winning ball detection 3 for detecting a winning ball to the starting winning opening.
1a to 31c, a specific winning ball detector 29 for detecting a winning ball to a specific winning opening, and a winning number detector 30 for detecting a winning number of game balls to a winning area are connected. . The detection circuit 61 is for giving the output from each of these detectors to the input / output circuit 55.

The solenoid drive circuit 62 is a circuit for driving the solenoid 28 shown in FIG. The solenoid drive circuit 62 is controlled by the MPU 52, and drives the solenoid 28 during big hit control.

A liquid crystal glass 49 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is connected to the LCD drive circuit 63 via a wiring 87 and a connector 88 shown in FIG. The LCD drive circuit 63 controls the liquid crystal glass 49 according to information for controlling the display state of the liquid crystal glass 49 given from the MPU 52.
The liquid crystal glass 49 is driven by changing the voltage applied to the transparent electrodes 46a and 46b (see FIG. 4).

The motor drive circuit 64 is connected to drum motors 38a to 38c shown in FIG. Then, the motor drive circuit 64 controls the rotation speed of the drum motors 38a to 38c according to data given from the MPU 52.

The 7-segment LED drive circuit 65 is connected to the continuation number display 18 and the winning number display 24. The continuation number display 18 is for displaying the number of repetition continuation control performed when the game ball wins the specific winning opening in the big hit control as described above. The winning number indicator 24 is for displaying the number of gaming balls that have won the winning area when a big hit occurs. The 7-segment LED drive circuit 65 includes the MPU 52
These indicators 18, 24 according to the data given by
Control the display of.

The LED driving circuit 66 is connected to the starting winning storage display 17. As described above, the start prize memory display 17 displays the start prize openings 19a to 1 at the time of big hit control or the like.
This is for displaying the winning number stored when a winning ball is detected in 9c (FIG. 1). The LED drive circuit 66 controls the display of the start winning storage display 17 in accordance with the start winning storage data provided from the MPU 52.

The lamp driving circuit 67 is connected to the drum lamps 50a to 50c shown in FIG. 4 and the side lamp 25 and the frame lamp 26 shown in FIG. The lamp drive circuit 67 controls the display of the drum lamps 50a to 50c and the lamps 25 and 26 according to the lamp drive data supplied from the MPU 52.

The sound generator 56 includes an amplifier 68
Is connected. The amplifier 68 further includes a speaker 10
Is connected. The sound signal generated by the sound generator 56 is amplified by the amplifier 68 and output from the speaker 10 to generate a sound effect during game control.

The game control device 35 has an AC 24 V
+ 30V, + 21V, +
DC voltages of 17 V, +12 V, and +5 V are supplied to each device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine of the game control program executed by the MPU 52 shown in FIG. This main routine is for example 2 ms
It is executed once every ec. The start of this execution is started in response to the reset pulse generated once every 2 msec by the pulse dividing circuit 59 in FIG. First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, it is determined whether or not a RAM error has occurred. This determination is based on the RA shown in FIG.
This is performed by reading the contents of the predetermined address of M54 and checking whether or not the value is equal to the predetermined value. At the time of program runaway or immediately after the power is turned on, the data stored in the RAM 54 is undefined, so the answer to the determination is YES and the control proceeds to S2. In S2, initial data is written to the RAM 54. Thereafter, the control proceeds to S3. Since the initial data is written in S2, when the main routine is executed thereafter, the answer to the determination in S1 is NO, and the control proceeds directly to S3.

At S3, a switch check process for checking the state of various detectors is performed by checking the input from the detection circuit 61 shown in FIG. The control proceeds to S4.

In S4, based on the game state information obtained by the switch check processing, a sound, a lamp,
Processing for controlling the LED is performed. The control proceeds to step S5.

In S5, a process for controlling the solenoid 28 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) is performed based on information obtained in the switch check process. Control is S
Proceed to 6.

In S6, the drum motor 3 shown in FIG.
Processing for rotating or stopping 8a to 38c at a predetermined speed is performed. The control proceeds to S7.

In S7, a process for controlling the liquid crystal glass 49 (see FIG. 6) according to the game state is performed. The detailed flow of the processing performed in S7 will be described later with reference to FIG. The control proceeds to S8.

At S8, a process for outputting the data set at S3 to S7 is performed. The control proceeds to S9.

In S9, the starting winning ports 19a to 19
c (see FIG. 1), when a game ball is won, a process of incrementing a hit / losing determination counter used to determine whether or not the display result when the variable display device 15 is stopped is a big hit is incremented by one. Done. Since S9 is executed once per execution of one main routine, 2 msec
Each time the hit / miss determination counter is incremented by one. In this embodiment, the upper limit of the hit / miss determination counter is set to 204, and in S10, it is determined whether or not the content of the hit / miss determination counter is cleared.

That is, in S10, it is determined whether or not the value of the hit / decision counter is 205. If the answer to the determination is YES, the control proceeds to S11. S
In step 11, the content of the hit / miss determination counter is set to 0.
Is performed. On the other hand, if the answer to the determination in S10 is NO, the control proceeds directly to S12.

The processing of S12 to S18 is repeated until the next reset pulse is inputted. The processing of the symbol display counter for determining each symbol displayed on the symbol display device 15 at the time of a loss is performed. This is a process for making the value as random as possible. In S12,
A process of adding 11 to the first digit of the symbol display counter is performed. The first digit of the symbol display counter is data for determining a symbol displayed by the left symbol display section 16a. The value of the symbol display counter is "0" to "1"
It is configured to be able to correspond to 16 symbols by being able to take the value of "5". For example, the symbol at the time of stop is determined in advance based on the value of the symbol display counter at the start of variable display. Have been. The second and third digits of the symbol display counter are the middle symbol display unit 1 respectively.
6b and a symbol to be displayed on the right symbol display section 16c. Since the contents are the same as those of the first digit, the description will not be repeated here. After S12, the control proceeds to S13.

In S13, it is determined whether or not the first digit of the symbol display counter is 16 or more. This is, as described above, the left symbol display section 16a.
Since there are 16 types of symbols displayed on the display, this is a process for setting the value of the first digit of the symbol for the symbol display counter to one of 16 values from 0 to 15. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control returns to S12, but if the answer is YES, the control returns to S14.
Proceed to.

In S14, a process corresponding to the carry of the first digit of the symbol display counter is performed. That is, in S14, 16 is subtracted from the first digit of the symbol display counter, and 1 is added to the second digit.
Thus, when the first digit of the symbol display counter exceeds 15, the second digit is incremented by one and the first digit returns to zero. The control proceeds to S15.

In S15, it is determined whether the second digit of the symbol display counter has become 16 as a result of adding 1 to the second digit of the symbol display counter in S14. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control returns to S12, but if the answer is YES, the symbol display counter 2
The carry process from the third digit to the third digit is performed. Therefore, the control proceeds to S16.

In S16, a process of subtracting 16 from the second digit of the symbol display counter and adding 1 to the third digit is performed. This means that the symbol display counter has been carried from the second digit to the third digit. The control proceeds to S17.

In S17, it is determined whether or not the result of adding 1 to the third digit of the symbol display counter in S16 is 16 in the third digit. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control returns to S12; otherwise, the control proceeds to S18.

In S18, a process of subtracting 16 from the third digit of the symbol display counter is performed. Since only the third digit is prepared as a symbol display counter, no further carry processing is performed. After S18, control returns to S12.

In this way, the processing of S12 to S18 is repeated until the next reset pulse is input. The processing time from S1 to S11 varies variously in the gaming state. Therefore, the time during which steps S12 to S18 are executed also changes variously every time the main routine is executed.
Therefore, there is little possibility that regularity occurs in the value of the symbol display counter, and the symbol displayed on the variable display device 15 is also difficult to predict, so that the interest of the game can be further enhanced.

FIG. 8 shows the state of L which is performed in S7 of FIG.
It is a flowchart of CD control processing. Referring to FIG. 8, in S19, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the reach state. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S21, otherwise the control proceeds to S20. The game state being the reach state means that the left symbol display section 16a and the middle symbol display section 1 after the game ball has won the starting winning opening and the variable display of the variable display device 15 is started as described above.
6b is stopped in a state in which the display of the symbol 6b coincides with the combination of the symbols to be a big hit, and refers to a state before the right symbol display unit 16c is stopped.

In S20, the voltage applied to the transparent electrodes 46a and 46b of the liquid crystal glass 49 (see FIG. 4) is
N. As described above, while the voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 46a and 46b, the liquid crystal glass 49 is in a transparent state. Therefore, when the gaming state is other than the reach state, the gaming board surface of the pachinko machine 1 is all in a state that can be visually recognized by the player. After S20, this subroutine returns.

When the control advances to S21, the liquid crystal glass 4
9, the voltage applied to the transparent electrodes 46a and 46b is O
FF is set. As described above, in this case, the liquid crystal layer 47 of the liquid crystal glass 49 is in a molecular arrangement state that scatters light, and the area covered by the liquid crystal glass 49 other than the transparent display portion 49a (see FIG. 5) on the game board surface. Will be invisible to the player. For the player, the only one variable display device 15 that can be seen through the transparent display portion 49a is emphasized, and there is an effect that the sense of expectation for the identification information at the time of the stop during the reach is greatly increased. After S21, this subroutine ends. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal glass 49 is made transparent by applying a voltage. However, the liquid crystal glass 49 may be made transparent by applying no voltage.

When the MPU 52 shown in FIG. 6 executes a program having a control structure as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, all of the game board surface can be visually recognized and reach in a normal game state. When the state is reached, game control is performed such that only the symbol display section of the variable display device 15 is emphasized in the form shown in FIG. Accordingly, this makes it possible to further increase the player's expectation at the time of the reach, and to further excite the interest of the game. With the conventional variable display device alone, such display control was impossible because of the regulation by the structure on the panel.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a pachinko machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the pachinko machine 1 includes a variable display device 70 provided at the upper center in the game area, four backlight lamps 73 disposed on the left and right sides of the variable display device 70, and a game board surface. A liquid crystal display glass 72 disposed at a predetermined distance from the surface of the game board in the front. The variable display device 70 includes a left symbol display 71
a, a middle symbol display section 71b, and a right symbol display section 71c. On a region of the liquid crystal display glass 72 where the variable display device 70 and the backlight lamp 73 are provided, a left symbol display portion 72a formed by the liquid crystal display device,
A middle symbol display section 72b and a right symbol display section 72c are provided. Each symbol display part 71a-7 of the variable display device 70
1c is composed of a 7-segment LED. In other respects, each part of the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment is the same as each part of the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Since their names and functions are the same, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

FIG. 10 shows the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.
3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board 13 and the liquid crystal display glass 72 near the variable display device 70 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, an opening is provided in game board 13, and variable display device 70 is fitted in this opening. The variable display device 70 includes seven-segment LEDs 76 a to 76 c mounted on a seven-segment LED board 75. When these seven segment LEDs 76a to 76c are viewed from the front, they are configured to be a left symbol display portion 71a, a middle symbol display portion 71b, and a right symbol display portion 71c.

The variable display device 70 formed on the game board 13
On the left and right sides of the opening in which is inserted, a through hole into which the backlight lamp 73 is inserted is provided to be inclined from the back surface of the game board 13 to the center of the surface. Game board 13 of this through hole
A lamp substrate 74 is fixed to the back surface of the device, and a backlight lamp 73 is attached to the lamp substrate 74.

As in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display glass 72 has an inner glass 7a and an outer glass 7b provided at a predetermined distance from the surface of the game board 13.
Are sandwiched by a spacer 77 therebetween. The detailed configuration of the liquid crystal display glass is shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, liquid crystal display glass 72
Are a pair of glass substrates 79a and 79b provided to face each other at a predetermined interval, a transparent electrode 80b formed on the inner surface side of the glass substrate 79b, and a liquid crystal formed on the transparent electrode 80b. An orientation film 82b for determining the arrangement direction of the molecules, a polarizing plate 78b attached to the outer surface of the glass substrate 79b, and an arrangement on the inner surface of the glass substrate 79a in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the transparent electrodes 80b. Transparent electrode 80a, color filters 81a and 81b formed on transparent electrode 80a, and an inner surface of glass substrate 79a.
An alignment film 82a formed on the transparent electrode 80a and the color filters 81a and 81b for defining the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined direction; a polarizing plate 78a attached to the outer surface of the glass substrate 79a; And a liquid crystal layer 83 sealed in a space defined by 82a and 82b. In the case of this embodiment, the polarizing plates 78a and 78b are:
They are arranged so that their polarization directions intersect at right angles.

The display control by the liquid crystal display glass shown in FIG. 11 is performed as follows. Transparent electrode 80
When no voltage is applied between a and 80b, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 83 is such that the polarization direction of light incident on the liquid crystal layer 83 is twisted by 90 °.
Therefore, for example, the liquid crystal layer 83 is viewed from the direction of the polarizing plate 78b.
The polarization axis of light incident on the liquid crystal layer 83 has a direction different from the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 78 b by 90 ° when passing through the liquid crystal layer 83. As described above, the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 78a is
The direction is different from the polarization direction of 8b by 90 °.
Therefore, the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 83 matches the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 78a, and the light transmits through the polarizing plate 78a.

If a voltage is applied between one of the transparent electrodes 80a and the transparent electrode 80b, the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 83 interposed between the transparent electrodes 80a and 80b changes. The arrangement is such that the polarization direction of the incident light is not changed. In this case, of the light incident on the liquid crystal layer 83 from the side of the polarizing plate 78b, the polarization direction of the light incident on the portion to which the voltage is applied is incident on the polarizing plate 78a without being changed from the first polarization direction. Since the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 78a is different from the polarizing direction of the polarizing plate 78b by 90 °, light cannot pass through the polarizing plate 78a in this portion,
When viewed from the polarizing plate 78a, this portion is in a dark state (hereinafter, referred to as “dark state”). Depending on which part of the transparent electrode 80a is applied with a voltage, light can be prevented from being transmitted through that part as described above, and thereby information can be displayed. In this case, by providing color filters 81a and 81b of different colors on the respective transparent electrodes, the color of the displayed information is changed in a plurality of ways by appropriately selecting the transparent electrode 80a to which no voltage is applied. be able to.

Among the operations of the pachinko machine according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the operations of the symbol display portions 72a to 72c provided on the liquid crystal display glass 72 are as follows. During the normal game state, the symbol display section 72a
Nothing is displayed in -72c. At this time, the backlight lamp 73 is also turned off. When the variable display device 70 starts the variable display, and particularly when the display state during the stop of the variable display becomes the reach state, the same content as the content displayed on the symbol display portions 71a to 71c of the variable display device is displayed. The display is performed in the symbol display sections 72a to 72c. At this time, the backlight lamp 73 is also turned on. When the backlight lamp 73 is turned on, the symbol display section 72 is turned on.
The display of a to 72c becomes clearer. In the second embodiment, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the symbol display portions 72a to 72c provided on the liquid crystal display glass 72 operate in this manner. Is the same as Therefore, the detailed description will not be repeated here.

The symbols may be continuously displayed by the symbol display sections 72a to 72c even during the big hit period, if necessary.

By providing the symbol display portions 72a to 72c on the liquid crystal display glass 72 in this manner, the variable display at the time of the reach is performed in a larger form, and the interest of the player is further enhanced. As described above, the liquid crystal display glass is disposed at a predetermined distance from the game board, and information according to the game state is displayed on the liquid crystal display glass, and the visible area of the game board is regulated according to the game state. By doing so, it is possible to further excite the player's interest when visual information has a significant meaning, such as at the time of reaching.

Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the two embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the transparent display unit 49a is provided on the periphery of the variable display device 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another transparent display unit may be provided at a position other than the periphery of the variable display device 15. Further, the condition for driving the liquid crystal glass 49 to make the surface of the game board invisible is the reach time in the above-described embodiment, but may be other cases. In addition, instead of constantly fogging the portion of the liquid crystal glass 49 other than the transparent display portion 49a at the time of reach or the like, it may be fogged intermittently at predetermined time intervals. Also, the liquid crystal glass 49 is divided by a plurality of transparent electrodes, and the location of the transparent display portion can be switched by a changeover switch or the like, so that the position of the variable display device can be changed to some extent by replacing the game board. It may be possible to respond.

In the second embodiment, the variable display device 70 is provided. However, as apparent from FIG. 9, the symbol display portions 72 a to 72
Since the 72c is provided, the variable display device 70 is not always necessary. That is, without providing the variable display device 70, the symbol display unit 72 can be used even at times other than the reach time.
Even when a variable display device is configured by using the components a to 72c, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display means is provided between the inner glass 7a and the outer glass 7b. There may be.

The display state is changed by the variable display device 15.
Can be changed, and the display result is
Identification specified in advance as a condition of display mode
Determined to be controllable in gaming state (big hit state)
The variable display device is configured. Microcomputer
The game state of the ball game machine is controlled by the data 51.
Together with data for controlling the variable display device.
A game control means for outputting is configured. The transparent electrode
46a, 46b, 80a, 80b, liquid crystal layers 47, 83
A predetermined distance from the surface of the gaming board to the front side.
Are separated by a small distance in response to a given control signal.
Liquid crystal that can change at least part of the light transmission state
Display means is configured. The game control means,
A control signal is given to the liquid crystal display means (FIG. 6 and its description).
reference). The liquid crystal display means is provided by the game control means.
According to the obtained control signal, the display of the variable display device is displayed.
Related to the display (big hit indication such as establishment of reach status and 777)
The display state (in relation to the state). The double glazing
The main body 5 forms a glass plate covering the front of the game area.
Has been established. And, as described above, the liquid crystal display
The means is provided on the glass plate (see FIG. 2).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no restriction on the display by the components arranged on the game board, and it is possible to perform display control with a higher degree of freedom using the liquid crystal display glass. Moreover, the liquid crystal display means can
Variable display device to change the display state in relation to the display
From the game control means that outputs data for controlling the liquid
A control signal is given to the crystal display means, and the control signal is given in accordance with the control signal.
Variable display device and liquid crystal display to change the display
Both the indicating means are controlled according to the game control means.
And controls the liquid crystal display means in relation to the variable display
Easier to do. According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in Item 1, the front of the game area is covered.
Since the liquid crystal display means is provided on the glass plate,
It is easy to secure a relatively large liquid crystal display area,
Display related to variable display using crystal display area
It is possible to change the state.

As a result, it is possible to provide a ball game machine capable of performing display control more flexibly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multilayer glass body 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a pachinko machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing correspondence of operations of the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a game control device of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine of a program executed by the MPU of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a subroutine of an LCD control process.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a pachinko machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a liquid crystal display glass used in a pachinko machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko machine 7a Inner glass 7b Outer glass 13 Game board 15 Variable display device 16a Left symbol display portion 16b Middle symbol display portion 16c Right symbol display portion 19a-19c Starting winning opening 20 Variable winning ball device 31a-31c Starting winning ball detector 35 Game control device 45 Glass substrate 46a, 46b Transparent electrode 47 Liquid crystal layer 48 Sealing material 49 Liquid crystal glass 49a Transparent display unit 51 Microcomputer 70 Variable display device 72 Liquid crystal display glass 72a Left symbol display unit 72b Medium symbol display unit 72c Right symbol display unit 77 Spacer 78a, 78b Polarizing plate 79a, 79b Glass substrate 80a, 80b Transparent electrode 83 Liquid crystal layer

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A game area in which a ball is hit is formed on the front side.
Having a game board, and hitting a ball into the game area
A ball game machine in which a game is played, the display state of which is changeable, and the display result is determined in advance.
Predetermined on the condition that the specified display mode
It is determined that it can be controlled to the specified specific game state
A variable display device for controlling a gaming state of the ball game machine;
Game control that outputs data for controlling the variable display device
Means, and a liquid crystal display means arranged at a predetermined distance in front of the surface of the game board at a predetermined distance and capable of changing at least a part of the light transmission state in response to a given control signal, The game control means provides a control signal to the liquid crystal display means.
The liquid crystal display means is provided from the game control means.
According to a control signal, in connection with the display of said variable display device
A ball game machine characterized by changing a display state. 2. A glass plate covering a front surface of the game area.
Prepared for them, The liquid crystal display means is provided on the glass plate.
The ball game machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: