JP3672335B2

JP3672335B2 - Game machine

Info

Publication number: JP3672335B2
Application number: JP34898993A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 吉平新山; 広司伊東
Original assignee: 株式会社ソフィア
Priority date: 1993-12-28
Filing date: 1993-12-28
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-20
Also published as: JPH07194789A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は、遊技領域に設けた特定入賞領域への入賞球を検出することを必要条件として、遊技者にとって有利な状態へ変化する変動入賞装置を備えた遊技機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、遊技領域に特定入賞領域を設け、該特定入賞領域へ入賞（入賞口への入賞や入賞ゲートの通過入賞等）することを条件として、遊技者にとって不利な第１状態から遊技者にとって有利な第２状態に変換可能な変動入賞装置を第２状態に変換する遊技内容の遊技機や、特定入賞領域への入賞を条件として複数の識別情報を可変表示可能な可変表示装置を変換表示させ、該可変表示装置の停止識別情報が特定識別情報に該当することを条件として、変動入賞装置を第２状態に変換する遊技内容の遊技機等が種々提案されている。
【０００３】
また、特定入賞領域への入賞を必要条件として第２状態に変換する基準変動入賞口を有する変動入賞具を設け、該変動入賞具の基準変動入賞口へ球が入賞したことを基準として連鎖的に第２状態に変換する連鎖変動入賞口を有する他の変動入賞具を設けた遊技機も提案されている。さらに。この連鎖変動入賞口へ球が入賞することを基準として更に連鎖的に第２状態に変換する他の連鎖変動入賞装置を設けることで、２段、３段…といった多段階的な変動入賞装置の連鎖動作を行う遊技機もある。このような連鎖型の遊技機においては、第２状態に変換する変動入賞口が複数存するので、単調になりがちな遊技内容に変化を与えることができ、遊技者に与える遊技上の興趣を高めることが可能となる。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、連鎖的に作動する複数の変動入賞具が遊技盤の遊技領域の複数箇所に分散配設されている場合には、当該遊技機の遊技内容に精通していなければ、基準となる変動入賞具に入賞したことにより連鎖的に作動する変動入賞具の位置を認識し難く、連鎖変動入賞具に発射球が向うように発射勢を調整できないままに連鎖変動入賞具の開放が終了してしまうような場合もある。また、発射位置の調整が遅れただけでも、連鎖変動入賞具への入賞球数は減ってしまうので、遊技者が獲得できる遊技利益が減じてしまい、遊技者が不利益を受けることも少なくなかった。
【０００５】
なお、斯かる連鎖型の遊技機で、連鎖的に変動する入賞具を遊技者が識別し易いように、遊技球の発射位置調整の指標となる表示機能を付加した遊技機も提案されているが、必ずしも有効な解決手段といえない点もある。たとえば、連鎖型の遊技内容に不慣れな遊技者においては、当該指標の持つ意味を認識するのに時間がかかり、連鎖的に移動して行く変動入賞口に追随できないままに一連の遊技が終了してしまい、殆ど遊技利益を得られないことにもなりかねないし、熟練した遊技者においても発射位置を変更する煩わしさや、短時間の内に所定の位置へ発射球の流下位置を変更する微妙な調整も必要であることから、複雑な遊技内容が却って遊技者の興趣を削ぐことにもなりかねないのである。
【０００６】
加えて、連鎖型の遊技機においては、複数の変動入賞口を遊技盤上に分散配置しなければならないので、限られた遊技領域内を有効に使用することができないという問題点もあった。特に、近時は女性客へ効果的なアピールを図るべく、様々な意匠を凝らした遊技盤が用いられるようになっているが、遊技盤に対して入賞具や遊技装置等が占める面積が広くなると、その分だけ表示装置や装飾ランプ等の配置構成やデザインが限定されてしまい、遊技盤上におけるレイアウトの自由度が著しく低くなってしまうのである。
【０００７】
そこで、本発明は、複数の変動入賞具が連鎖的に作動する遊技機の遊技内容を踏襲しつつも発射位置操作の煩わしさが無く、初めて遊技を行う遊技者でも連鎖的に作動する変動入賞具に効率よく入賞させることができ、しかも遊技領域内を有効に使用できる遊技機の提供を目的とするものである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記に鑑み提案されたもので、弾発された遊技球が流下する遊技領域の特定位置に設けられる特定入賞領域と、上記特定入賞領域に入賞した特定入賞球を検出して特定入賞球検出信号を出力する特定入賞球検出手段と、上記特定入賞球検出手段からの特定入賞球検出信号があることを必要条件として、遊技者にとって不利な第１状態から遊技者にとって有利な第２状態に変換する基準変動入賞口と、上記基準変動入賞口に入賞した基準入賞球を検出して基準入賞球検出信号を出力する基準入賞球検出手段と、上記基準入賞球検出手段からの基準入賞球検出信号が有ることを必要条件として、遊技者にとって不利な第１状態から遊技者にとって有利な第２状態に変換する連鎖変動入賞口と、を備えた遊技機において、開閉扉によって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と開閉扉が前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な変動入賞口を横方向に複数並設した変動入賞装置と、上記変動入賞装置が備える複数の変動入賞口のうち予め定めた一つの変動入賞口もしくは互いに隣接する複数の変動入賞口により形成される開口領域を基準変動入賞口もしくは連鎖変動入賞口に対応させ、特定入賞球検出手段からの特定入賞球検出信号により基準入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換制御と、基準変動入賞球検出手段からの基準入賞球検出信号により連鎖変動入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換制御を行う変動入賞口選択作動制御手段と、を備えるものとした。
【０００９】
【作用】
変動入賞装置に設けた複数の変動入賞口を基準変動入賞口あるいは連鎖変動入賞口に対応させると共に、特定入賞球検出手段からの特定入賞球検出信号により基準入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換制御と、基準変動入賞球検出手段からの基準入賞球検出信号により連鎖変動入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換制御を変動入賞口選択作動制御手段が行うことにより、基準変動入賞具の機能と連鎖変動入賞具の機能を変動入賞装置内に集約状に設けることができる。
【００１０】
【実施例】
次に、本発明に係る遊技機の実施例を添付図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
【００１１】
遊技機１は図１に示すように、主枠２と補助枠３とから構成してあり、主枠２には遊技に関連した各種機能（後に詳述）を付加し、補助枠３にはプリペイドカード（所定の金額で予め販売されるパチンコ遊技用のカードであって、通貨と等価な有価データを磁気記録部に記憶させたものをいう）の使用を可能ならしめるカード制御機能や球貸制御機能等を付加してある。
【００１２】
上記主枠２は、中空箱枠状の機枠４の前面側へ額縁状の前面枠５を回動可能に設けることで構成してある。上記前面枠５に開設した窓部５ａにはガラス枠６および前面パネル７を回動可能に設けてあり、透明なガラスが配設されるガラス枠６の後方には、ガイドレール８で囲まれた遊技領域９ａとガイドレール８の外側たる非遊技領域９ｂとを有する遊技盤１０を配設してある。上記遊技盤１０はパチンコ遊技の主体となるもので、ソレノイド等の電気的駆動源によって遊技球を弾発する打球発射機構（図示省略）から発射された球が上記ガイドレール８を介して遊技領域９ａ内へ供給されると、該遊技領域９ａ内に設けた各種入賞領域（後に詳述）の何れかに入賞すると、賞品球としての賞球が遊技者に与えられ、何れの入賞領域にも入賞しなかった球は、アウト口１１より外れ球として回収される。
【００１３】
一方、上記ガラス枠６の下方に位置する前面パネル７には、賞球（遊技領域９ａ内の何れかの入賞領域に入賞することに基づいて遊技者が獲得する球）や貸球（当該遊技店から遊技者に貸し出された球）を貯留する球供給皿１２を設けてあり、この球供給皿１２より発射球待機部（図示省略）へ球を供給し、供給された遊技球を上記打球発射機構によって弾発するのである。また、前面枠５の下部適所には打球発射機構を操作するための操作ハンドル１３や、上記球供給皿１２に貯留できない球を受け入れる球受皿１４等を適宜に設けてある。
【００１４】
上記補助枠３内に収納される球貸制御装置１５は、カード挿排口１６より挿入されたプリペイドカードの有価データを読み取ると共に、例えば上記球供給皿１２の適所に設けた球貸ボタン１７を遊技客が操作することに応じて所定数の遊技球を貸し出し、貸し出した遊技球に相当する通貨を減算した値にプリペイドカードの有価データを書き換え、返却ボタン１８を遊技客が操作するか、もしくはプリペイドカードの有価データの残数が“０”になった場合に、内部に取り込んでいたプリペイドカードをカード挿排口１６より排出するのである。なお、図面に示す実施例においては、単一の球貸ボタン１７の操作回数を調整することで必要な数の球を貸し出すように構成したので、球貸数に関する表示は行わず、当該遊技機１において球貸動作が可能な状態（球貸ボタン１７および返却ボタン１８の操作が可能な状態）を点灯表示する球貸ボタン有効表示器１９を球供給皿１２の適所に設けるものとしてある。
【００１５】
また、上記補助枠３のカード挿排口１６の近傍（図１においては直上方）には、球貸制御装置１５内にプリペイドカードが挿入された状態であることを表示するためのカード保持表示部２０を設け、該カード保持表示部２０の直上方と球供給皿１２の適所には、球貸制御装置１５内に保持中のプリペイドカードで使用可能な有価データたる残度数を表示するためのカード残度数表示器２１を設けてある。なお、カード残度数表示器２１とは別途に、プリペイドカードを球貸制御装置１５へ挿入した際の度数を表示するための度数表示器を設けるようにしておけば、遊技者が当該遊技機１においてどの程度の球を借りたかの目安となり、遊技者の便に供することができる。
【００１６】
次に、遊技盤１０の構成につき詳述する。遊技機１用の遊技盤１０の遊技領域９ａ内には、図２に示すように、打球の流下方向に変化を与える遊技釘２２…を所要位置（図中は一部のみ表示）に植設してあると共に、一般の入賞領域を備える一般入賞具２３…や始動入賞領域を備える始動入賞具２４等を適所に配設してある。また、遊技領域９ａの略々中央部には比較的大型に構成されて、複数の識別情報を可変表示する可変表示装置としての第１普通図柄表示装置２５を設けてあり、この第１普通図柄表示装置２５は、例えば上記始動入賞具２４に遊技球が入賞することを条件として、第１普通図柄表示部２６の可変表示動作を開始するものとしてある。なお、上記始動入賞具２４への入賞球数は普通図柄１始動記憶として例えば４個まで記憶可能であると共に、該普通図柄１始動記憶数を普通図柄１始動記憶表示器２７に表示するものとしてあり、第１普通図柄表示装置２５の変換表示が行われると、始動記憶数から１減算すると共に普通図柄１始動記憶表示器２７の表示も更新してゆく。
【００１７】
遊技領域９ａの左右両側方部には、例えば発光表示可能な複数の図柄表示部２８…を備える当り図柄表示装置２９，２９を各々設けてある。上記当り図柄表示装置２９の図柄表示部２８…は、上記第１普通図柄表示装置２５に表示される当り図柄を各々表示したものでる。この当り図柄表示装置は所謂ラッキーナンバーを表示するものであり、上記第１普通図柄表示装置２５を用いた遊技（後に詳述）における停止図柄（停止識別情報）が予め定めた特定図柄（特定識別情報）に該当することを「当り」とし、当該「当り」が発生したときの特定図柄（特定図柄は複数種類設定するものとしてある）をラッキーナンバーとして表示するのである。なお、３つの識別情報を可変表示できる第１普通図柄表示装置２５を用いる場合には、各表示部の識別情報が揃うことを「当り」に設定し、例えば第１普通図柄表示装置２５の停止図柄が「７，７，７」であった場合には、「７」の図柄が描かれている図柄表示部２８を表示する（例えば図柄表示部２８の裏面側に位置させた発光源を点灯させる）ことによって、第１普通図柄表示装置２５を用いた遊技における“当り図柄”を表示するのである。
【００１８】
上記第１普通図柄表示装置２５の適宜下方には、複数の変動入賞口を備える変動入賞装置３０を配設して有り、該変動入賞装置３０の取付基板３１には、第２普通図柄表示装置３２と第３普通図柄表示装置３３（図中は普通図柄表示装置３と略記する）を設けてある。
【００１９】
なお、図面に示す変動入賞装置３０には、第１開閉扉３４ａによって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と第１開閉扉３４ｂが前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な第１変動入賞口３０ａと、第２開閉扉３４ｂによって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と第２開閉扉３４ｂが前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な第２変動入賞口３０ｂと、第３開閉扉３４ｃによって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と第３開閉扉３４ｃが前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な第３変動入賞口３０ｃと、第４開閉扉３４ｄによって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と第４開閉扉３４ｄが前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な第４変動入賞口３０ｄと、第５開閉扉３４ｅによって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と第５開閉扉３４ｅが前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な第５変動入賞口３０ｅとを設けてある。
【００２０】
上記第１〜第５変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｅの開閉を行う第１〜第５開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｅは、夫々第１〜第５駆動ソレノイド３５ａ〜３５ｅによって駆動されるものとしてあり、例えば各開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｅに連接した係合片３６に、各駆動ソレノイド３５ａ〜３５ｅによって押引動作する作動レバー３７を係合させさせておくことで、駆動する第１〜第５駆動ソレノイド３５ａ〜３５ｅに対応した開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｅが回動軸３８を支軸として傾動あるいは立動するのである（図４参照）。
【００２１】
また、第１〜第５開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｅが傾動して第１〜第５変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｅより変動入賞装置内に入賞した球は、先ず各変動入賞口毎に対応して設けられた第１〜第５取込路３９ａ〜３９ｅを介して、入賞球誘導路４０へ到達する。そして、入賞球誘導路４０は入賞球排出口４１に向う下り傾斜状としてあり、第１〜第５変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｅの何れに入賞した球も、全て入賞球排出口４１へ誘導されて行き、該入賞球排出口４１から排出される際に、全ての入賞球は入賞球一括検出手段としての普電入賞スイッチ４２により、一括して検出されるのである。なお、変動入賞装置３０への入賞球検出は、各入賞口毎に行うようにしても良いし、関連づけされた幾つかの入賞口毎に一括検出するようにしても良い。
【００２２】
上記遊技盤１０に設ける各種の遊技装置に対する動作制御を行ったり、各種検出器からの検出情報が供給される制御装置４３は、例えば遊技機１の裏面側適所に配置してある。また、制御装置４３はＣＰＵ・ＲＯＭ・ＲＡＭを備えるマイクロコンピュータより構成するものとし、当該遊技機１の遊技内容に応じた各種の制御機能を具現化できるものとしてある。この制御装置３４には、遊技領域９ａ内の特定入賞領域として始動入賞具２４内に設けた第１普通図柄始動入賞口への入賞球を検出する第１普通図柄始動スイッチ４４（図６中、普図１始動スイッチと略記）より特定入賞球検出信号として出力される普通図柄１始動信号や、上記変動入賞装置３０内の普電入賞スイッチ４２からの普電入賞球検出信号が供給される。なお、図６においては省略したが、その他にも遊技制御に必要な情報が適宜に入力される。
【００２３】
また、制御装置４３からは、第１普通図柄表示装置２５（図６中、普通図柄表示装置１と略記）、第２普通図柄表示装置３２（図６中、普通図柄表示装置２と略記）、第３普通図柄表示装置３３（図６中、普通図柄表示装置３と略記）、普通図柄１始動記憶表示器２７、普通図柄２始動記憶表示器４５（後に詳述）、普通図柄３始動記憶表示器４６（後に詳述）、第１開閉扉３４ａ駆動用の第１駆動ソレノイド３５ａ（図６中、普電Ａソレノイドと略記）、第２開閉扉３４ｂ駆動用の第２駆動ソレノイド３５ｂ（図６中、普電Ｂソレノイドと略記）、第３開閉扉３４ｃ駆動用の第３駆動ソレノイド３５ｃ（図６中、普電Ｃソレノイドと略記）、第４開閉扉３４ｄ駆動用の第４駆動ソレノイド３５ｄ（図６中、普電Ｄソレノイドと略記）、第５開閉扉３４ｅ駆動用の第５駆動ソレノイド３５ｅ（図６中、普電Ｅソレノイドと略記）、当り図柄表示装置２９（図６中、ラッキーナンバー表示と略記）等へ適宜な駆動指令信号を出力するものとしてある。
【００２４】
制御装置４３は、その他にも、非遊技部９ｂに配置するサイドパネル４７等の装飾表示器４８の表示制御を行うと共に、遊技状態に応じた効果音をスピーカ４９より出力させて、遊技上の興趣を高めるものとしてある。また、当該遊技機１における遊技関連情報を遊技店内に設定された管理装置やカード発行会社へ送信したり、管理装置から受信した制御指令に応じた遊技制御を行う機能等も備えるものとしてある。
【００２５】
次に、本発明に係る遊技機１の遊技内容の一例を、図７のタイミングチャートに沿って詳細に説明する。
【００２６】
遊技盤１０の遊技領域９ａ内に到達した遊技球は盤面を流下する間に何れかの一般入賞具２３へ入賞するか、遊技領域９ａの最下部に位置するアウト口１１へ入って外れ球となる。ここで、遊技球が始動入賞具２４へ入賞して始動入賞球が発生すると、この始動入賞に伴って第１普通図柄表示装置２５の第１普通図柄表示部２６が変換表示を開始する。この第１普通図柄表示部２６による変換表示開始から６秒間が経過すると、第１普通図柄表示装置２５は変換動作を停止し、該停止時の表示図柄（停止図柄）が予め定めた特定の図柄の組合せである「当り図柄」に一致していなければ再び通常の遊技へ戻るが、第１普通図柄表示部２６の停止図柄が当り図柄に一致していれば、変動入賞装置３０の第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃが開放される。すなわち、本実施例においては、特定入賞領域としての始動入賞具２４内に遊技球が入賞して、第１普通図柄始動スイッチ４４から特定入賞球検出信号としての普図１始動信号が出力されることを必要条件として、第１状態から第２状態に変換する第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃが基準変動入賞口として機能するのである。
【００２７】
なお、本実施例においては、普図１始動信号が出力されることで開始される第１普通図柄表示装置２５を用いた遊技の結果が「当り」になることを付加条件として加えたが、特定入賞領域としての始動入賞具２４への入賞球が発生すると、直ちに基準変動入賞口としての第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃが開放されるようにしても良いし、或いは第１図柄表示装置２５の結果に基づいて更に別の遊技を行い、その結果に応じて第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃを開放するような遊技条件を更に付加しても良い。要するに、基準変動入賞口としての第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃが第１状態から第２状態に変換されるための必要条件として、特定入賞領域への入賞が達成されていれば良く、更に遊技条件を付加するか否かは設計上の自由度の範囲内で適宜に行えばよい。また、第１普通図柄始動スイッチ４４の検出出力は、制御装置４３が例えば最大４個まで記憶保持し、普通図柄１始動記憶表示器２７に普図１始動記憶の記憶数を表示するものとしてある。
【００２８】
上記のようにして、基準変動入賞口としての第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃが例えば５．８秒間開放状態を保持する間に、普通電動役物たる変動入賞装置３０へ入賞した入賞球は、基準変動入賞口への入賞球たる基準入賞球として普電入賞スイッチ４２に検出される。そして、該普電入賞装置４２からの信号があることを条件として、第２普通図柄表示装置３２が可変表示を開始し、その間に変動入賞装置３０内の普電入賞スイッチ４２より出力される検出出力は、制御装置４３が例えば最大４個まで記憶保持し、普通図柄２始動記憶表示器４５に普図２始動記憶の記憶数を表示するものとしてある。
【００２９】
第２普通図柄表示装置３２の変換動作開始から例えば３０秒が経過すると、第２普通図柄表示装置３２は変換動作を停止し、該第２普通図柄表示装置３２の停止図柄が予め定められた特定図柄に該当していた場合には、変動入賞装置３０の第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅが開放される。すなわち、本実施例においては、基準変動入賞口としての第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃに遊技球が入賞して、普電入賞スイッチ４２から基準入賞球検出信号としての普電入賞球検出信号が出力されることを必要条件として、第１状態から第２状態に変換する第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅが第１連鎖変動入賞口として機能するのである。なお、第１連鎖変動入賞口としての第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅが開放する条件も、第１〜第３変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｃの開放中に普電入賞スイッチ４２が入賞球を検出していれば良く、遊技内容に応じて適宜に条件を緩和したり厳格にしたりすれば良い。
【００３０】
上記のようにして、第１連鎖変動入賞口としての第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅが例えば５．８秒間開放状態を保持する間に、普通電動役物たる変動入賞装置３０へ入賞した入賞球は、第１連鎖変動入賞口への入賞球たる第１連鎖入賞球として普電入賞スイッチ４２に検出される。そして、該普電入賞装置４２からの信号があることを条件として、第３普通図柄表示装置３３が可変表示を開始し、その間に変動入賞装置３０内の普電入賞スイッチ４２より出力される検出出力は、制御装置４３が例えば最大４個まで記憶保持し、普通図柄３始動記憶表示器４６に普図３始動記憶の記憶数を表示するものとしてある。
【００３１】
第３普通図柄表示装置３３の変換動作開始から例えば５秒が経過すると、第３普通図柄表示装置３３は変換動作を停止し、該第３普通図柄表示装置３３の停止図柄が予め定められた特定図柄に該当していた場合には、変動入賞装置３０の第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｄが開放される。すなわち、本実施例においては、第２連鎖変動入賞口としての第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅに遊技球が入賞して、普電入賞スイッチ４２から第１連鎖入賞球検出信号としての普電入賞球検出信号が出力されることを必要条件として、第１状態から第２状態に変換する第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｄが他の連鎖変動入賞口たる第２連鎖変動入賞口として機能するのである。なお、第２連鎖変動入賞口としての第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｄが開放する条件も、第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅの開放中に普電入賞スイッチ４２が入賞球を検出していれば良く、遊技内容に応じて適宜に条件を緩和したり厳格にしたりすれば良い。
【００３２】
上記のようにして、第２連鎖変動入賞口としての第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｄが例えば４秒間開放状態を保持する間に、普通電動役物たる変動入賞装置３０へ入賞した入賞球は、普電入賞スイッチ４２に検出されて、入賞球数に応じた遊技利益としての賞球排出動作が行われる。なお、上記の遊技内容では説明を省略したが、各種入賞口（基準変動入賞口や第１連鎖変動入賞口等も含む）への入賞に基づく賞球排出動作も当然に行われる。また、第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｅの変換動作が終了すると、普通図柄３始動記憶に基づいて、再び第３普通図柄表示装置３３の可変表示が開始される。なお、普通図柄３始動記憶がセットされてから５秒以上経過している場合には、遊技の迅速性を確保することが望ましいので、例えば１秒間の可変表示を行って図柄停止を行うものとする。斯くすれば、第３普通図柄表示装置３３による変換動作を遊技者に視認させることができると共に、テンポの良い遊技の流れを作ることができる。
【００３３】
なお、本実施例では、変動入賞装置３０に単一の普電入賞スイッチ４２を設けておき、該普電入賞スイッチ４２が各変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｅへ入賞した入賞球を一括して検出する入賞球一括検出手段としたので、該普電入賞スイッチ４２の検出出力が基準変動入賞口への入賞球か、第１連鎖変動入賞口への入賞球か、或いは第２連鎖変動入賞口への入賞球かを、当該変動入賞装置３０の変動入賞口作動状態に基づいて識別する入賞球識別機能を遊技機１の制御装置４３に付加しておき、この識別情報に基づいて、第１連鎖変動入賞口もしくは第２連鎖変動入賞口の選択動作を行うと共に、選択した変動入賞口に相当する第１〜第５変動入賞口３０ａ〜３０ｅの何れかを選択的に変換動作する変動入賞口選択動作制御手段としての機能を制御装置４３が担うのである。
【００３４】
また、基準変動入賞口として開放した入賞口から受け入れた球を検出する基準入賞球検出手段と、第１連鎖変動入賞口として開放した入賞口から受け入れた球を検出する第１連鎖入賞球検出手段と、第２連鎖変動入賞口として開放した入賞口から受け入れた入賞球を検出する第２連鎖入賞球検出手段等を個別に設けておけば、敢えて入賞球識別機能を制御装置４３に付加する必要はないが、変動入賞装置３０中に入賞球一括検出手段として単一の入賞球検出器を設けた場合には、検出器の数が少なくなるので、コストの低減化と配線およびコネクタ数が増えて組み立て作業や保守作業が煩雑になることを防げるといった効果がある。
【００３５】
普通図柄３始動記憶に基づく第３普通図柄表示装置３３の変換動作および第２〜第４変動入賞口３０ｂ〜３０ｄの開放動作が全て終了すると、再び普通図柄２始動記憶に基づく第２普通図柄表示装置３２の変換動作および停止図柄判定を行い、停止図柄が当り図柄であれば、上記と同様に第１連鎖変動入賞口としての第３〜第５変動入賞口３０ｃ〜３０ｅの開放動作を行うという一連の遊技を繰り返して行く。そして、特定入賞領域たる始動入賞具２４内に入賞して第１普通図柄始動スイッチ４４の検出出力に基づく普図１始動記憶が用い尽くされると、通常の遊技に復帰する。
【００３６】
なお、第１普通図柄表示装置２５において停止図柄（停止識別情報）が当り図柄（特定識別情報）に該当する確率を例えば１／２２０とし、第２普通図柄表示装置３２および第３普通図柄表示装置３３の停止図柄が当り図柄に該当する確率を例えば９９９／１０００とすれば、基準変動入賞口が開放される確率は低いものの、一旦基準変動入賞口が開放すると、連鎖変動入賞口の開放もスムースに行われることとなり、遊技者は基準変動入賞口および連鎖変動入賞口の開放によって比較的安定した遊技利益を効率良く獲得することができるし、基準変動入賞口の開放条件によって遊技店側との利益バランスの適正化も図れる。
【００３７】
なお、本実施例においては、連鎖変動入賞口へ球が入賞することを必要条件として、遊技者にとって不利な第１状態から遊技者にとって有利な第２状態に変換する他の連鎖変動入賞口として、第２連鎖変動入賞口のみを設定したが、当該第２連鎖変動入賞口への入賞を必要条件として第１状態から第２状態に変換可能な第３連鎖変動入賞口、第４連鎖変動入賞口…と、更に多段階に亘る連鎖変動入賞口を備える遊技内容にしても良い。
【００３８】
また、本実施例においては、変動入賞装置３０に設けた５つの変動入賞口の内の第３変動入賞口３０ｃのみは、基準変動入賞口としても第１連鎖変動入賞口としても第２連鎖変動入賞口としても開放動作する共通変動入賞口として機能するので、この第３変動入賞口３０ｃに遊技球が向う球流路を以て遊技を行っていれば、何れの変動入賞口が開放された場合であっても、特に遊技球の発射位置を調整することなく効率的に変動入賞口への入賞を期すことができるので、連鎖型の遊技に不慣れな遊技者に対して特に有効である。なお、基準変動入賞口および第２連鎖変動入賞口として機能する第２変動入賞口３０ｂや、第１連鎖変動入賞口および第２連鎖変動入賞口として機能する第４変動入賞口３０ｄも共通変動入賞口である。
【００３９】
さらに、上記した３種類の変動入賞口を兼ねる共通変動入賞口としての第３変動入賞口３０ｃに遊技球を誘導して行くような誘導手段５０を設けておけば、一層効果的である（図２参照）。なお、図面に示す実施例では、誘導手段５０として遊技釘２２…による球誘導路を形成するものとしたが、誘導手段はこれに限定されず、例えば遊技状態の変換に伴って状態変換する誘導部材を設けておき、共通変動入賞口が開放された際にのみ、遊技盤面を流下する遊技球を共通入賞口へ効率よく導くような誘導手段にしても良い。
【００４０】
また、上記した一連の遊技が終了して通常の遊技状態に復帰すると、再び特定入賞領域への入賞を待って、第１普通図柄表示装置２５を用いた遊技が行われる。このときに、前回の基準変動入賞口の開放条件となった第１普通図柄表示装置２５の当り図柄（当り図柄表示装置２９に表示されている図柄）が、予め定めた特別識別情報に該当していた場合、遊技者が更に有利な遊技が行えるように、所定期間（例えば第１普通図柄表示２５に当り図柄が停止表示されるまで）継続して、第１普通図柄表示装置２５に当り図柄が停止表示される確率を高めるようにしても良い。斯くすれば、遊技者は、上記した一連の遊技が終了した後、比較的短時間の内に基準変動入賞口の開放条件が整って、連鎖的に変動入賞装置が開いて行く一連の遊技を繰り返し行うことが可能となる。
【００４１】
なお、上記実施例における変動入賞装置３０においては、第１〜第５開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｅに各々第１〜第５駆動ソレノイド３５ａ〜３５ｅを設けて駆動させるものとしたが、例えば、第１〜第３開閉扉３４ａ〜３４ｃを一括して駆動させる駆動源と、第２〜第４開閉扉３４ｂ〜３４ｄを一括して駆動させる駆動源と、第３〜第５開閉扉３５ｃ〜３５ｅを一括して駆動させる駆動源とを設けるものとしても良い。斯くすれば、駆動源の数を減らせるので、製造コストや組立行程の簡略化を期せる。しかし、各変動入賞口毎に駆動源を設けておけば、駆動させる変動入賞口の組合せを自由に変更することもできるので、遊技内容の自由度を高めることができる。或いは、基準変動入賞口，第１連鎖変動入賞口，第２連鎖変動入賞口等を各々１つの変動入賞口に対応させた変動入賞装置を用いるようにしても良い。
【００４２】
また、上記実施例では、特定入賞領域を始動入賞具２４内に設けるものとしたが、入賞球が通過してゆく通過チャッカを特定入賞領域としても良いし、羽根部材を開閉動作させることで遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な所謂チューリップ式変動入賞具内に特定入賞領域を形成するようにしても良い。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明に係る遊技機においては、変動入賞装置に設けた複数の変動入賞口を基準変動入賞口あるいは連鎖変動入賞口に対応させると共に、特定入賞球検出手段からの特定入賞球検出信号により基準入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換動作制御と、基準変動入賞球検出手段からの基準入賞球検出信号により連鎖変動入賞口として第１状態から第２状態へ変換動作させる変動入賞口の選択および当該選択された変動入賞口の状態変換制御を変動入賞口選択作動制御手段が行うことにより、基準変動入賞具の機能と連鎖変動入賞具の機能を変動入賞装置内に集約状に設けることができるので、基準変動入賞具や連鎖変動入賞具を限られた遊技領域内に分散配置する場合に比べて、遊技領域内を有効に使うことが可能となる。従って、他の遊技装置や表示装置、装飾ランプ等のレイアウトにおける自由度が高まり、意匠を凝らした盤面構成を採ることができる。
【００４４】
また、開閉扉によって閉止された遊技者にとって不利な第１状態と開閉扉が前傾した遊技者にとって有利な第２状態とに変換可能な変動入賞口を横方向に複数並設した変動入賞装置を用い、該変動入賞装置が備える複数の変動入賞口のうち予め定めた一つの変動入賞口もしくは互いに隣接する複数の変動入賞口により形成される開口領域を基準変動入賞口もしくは連鎖変動入賞口に対応させることから、基準変動入賞口も連鎖変動入賞口も変動入賞装置に集約状に配置されることとなるので、ほんの僅かな発射位置調整のみで基準変動入賞口もしくは連鎖変動入賞口の狙いを変更でき、熟練した遊技者はもとより、遊技に不慣れな遊技者であっても、発射球の位置調整に手間取って遊技利益が著しく減少するようなこともないので、遊技技量の介在の余地を残しつつも、遊技者にある程度の遊技利益を付与することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る遊技機の正面側の斜視図である。
【図２】遊技盤の正面図である。
【図３】変動入賞装置の正面図である。
【図４】変動入賞装置の概略縦断側面図である。
【図５】変動入賞装置の概略横断平面図である。
【図６】制御装置における信号の入出力に関連した機能ブロック図である。
【図７】遊技制御の流れを示すタイミングチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１遊技機
９ａ遊技領域
２４始動入賞具
３０ａ第１変動入賞口
３０ｂ第２変動入賞口
３０ｃ第３変動入賞口
３０ｄ第４変動入賞口
３０ｅ第５変動入賞口
４２普電入賞スイッチ
４３制御装置
４４第１普通図柄始動スイッチ[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a variable winning device that changes to a state advantageous to a player on condition that a winning ball in a specific winning area provided in the gaming area is detected as a necessary condition.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a special prize area is provided in the game area, and the player enters the special prize area from the first state, which is disadvantageous for the player, on condition that a prize is won (such as a prize at the prize opening or a prize winning through the prize gate). Convert and display a game machine with game contents for converting a variable winning device that can be converted into an advantageous second state into a second state, and a variable display device that can variably display a plurality of identification information on condition that a winning in a specific winning area is made Various game machines and the like of game contents for converting the variable winning device to the second state have been proposed on condition that the stop identification information of the variable display device corresponds to the specific identification information.
[0003]
In addition, a variable winning tool having a reference variable winning opening for converting to the second state with a winning in the specific winning area as a necessary condition is provided, and the ball is won in the reference variable winning opening of the variable winning tool. In addition, a gaming machine provided with another variable prize device having a chain variable prize opening for conversion to the second state has also been proposed. further. By providing another chain variation winning device that further converts the second state in a chained manner based on the winning of a ball to this chain variation winning opening, a multi-stage variable winning device such as two steps, three steps, etc. Some gaming machines perform chained operations. In such a chain-type gaming machine, there are a plurality of variable prize winninges to be converted to the second state, so that it is possible to change the game content that tends to be monotonous, and enhance the gaming interests given to the player It becomes possible.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if a plurality of variable winning devices that operate in a chain are distributed in a plurality of locations in the game area of the game board, if the player is not familiar with the game contents of the gaming machine, the standard variable winning tool It is difficult to recognize the position of variable prizes that operate in a chain due to winning a prize, and the opening of chain fluctuation prizes ends without adjusting the firing force so that the launch ball faces the chain fluctuation prizes There are cases like this. Also, even if the adjustment of the launch position is delayed, the number of winning balls to the chain fluctuation prizes will decrease, so the gaming profit that the player can earn will decrease, and the player will often suffer a disadvantage. It was.
[0005]
In addition, in such a chain-type game machine, a game machine with a display function serving as an index for adjusting the launch position of a game ball has also been proposed so that the player can easily identify prizes that change in a chain. However, it is not always an effective solution. For example, for a player who is unfamiliar with chained game content, it takes time to recognize the meaning of the index, and a series of games end without being able to follow a variable winning mouth moving in a chain. This may result in almost no gaming profits, and even a skilled player has the trouble of changing the launch position, and the subtlety of changing the flow position of the launch ball to a predetermined position within a short time. Since adjustments are also necessary, the complex game content may overturn the player's interest.
[0006]
In addition, in the chain-type gaming machine, a plurality of variable winning awards must be distributed on the game board, so that there is a problem that the limited game area cannot be used effectively. In particular, game boards with various designs have recently been used to appeal effectively to female customers, but the area occupied by prizes, game machines, etc. is wide on the game board. As a result, the arrangement and design of display devices, decorative lamps, and the like are limited by that amount, and the degree of freedom of layout on the game board is significantly reduced.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention provides a variable prize in which a plurality of variable prize-winning devices follow the game contents of a game machine that operates in a chain, and there is no trouble of the launch position operation, and even a player who plays a game for the first time operates in a chain. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can efficiently win the equipment and that can effectively use the game area.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and a specific winning area provided at a specific position in a game area where a bulleted game ball flows down, and a specific winning ball that has won a prize in the specific winning area are detected. A special winning ball detection means for outputting a ball detection signal and a special winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means are provided on condition that there is a second that is advantageous to the player from the first state that is disadvantageous to the player. A standard winning award to be converted into a state, a reference winning ball detecting means for detecting a reference winning ball that has won a prize in the reference varying winning opening and outputting a reference winning ball detection signal, and a reference winning from the reference winning ball detecting means In a gaming machine equipped with a chain change winning opening for converting from a first state that is disadvantageous to the player to a second state that is advantageous to the player, provided that a ball detection signal is present, the game machine is closed by an open / close door. A variable prize winning device in which a plurality of variable prize winning openings that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous for a player who has been placed and a second state that is advantageous for a player whose front door is tilted forward are arranged side by side, and the above variable prize winning device The opening area formed by one predetermined variable prize port or a plurality of adjacent variable prize ports among the plurality of variable prize ports provided by Selection of a variable winning opening that causes a conversion operation from the first state to the second state as a reference winning opening by a specific winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means, and state conversion control of the selected variable winning opening; Standard variation winning ball detection means Based on the standard winning ball detection signal from Chain variation winning prize As There is provided a variable prize opening selection operation control means for selecting a variable prize opening for performing the conversion operation from the first state to the second state and performing state conversion control of the selected variable prize opening.
[0009]
[Action]
A plurality of variable prize openings provided in the variable prize apparatus are made to correspond to the standard variable prize prize or the chain variable prize prize, Selection of a variable winning opening that performs a conversion operation from the first state to the second state as a reference winning opening based on a specific winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means, state conversion control of the selected variable winning opening, and a reference variable winning Based on the standard winning ball detection signal from the ball detection means Chain variation winning prize As Selection of a variable prize opening for conversion from the first state to the second state and a change in the state of the selected variable prize opening Conversion By performing the variable winning opening selection operation control means, the function of the reference variable winning tool and the function of the chain variable winning tool can be provided in an integrated manner in the variable winning device.
[0010]
【Example】
Next, embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is composed of a main frame 2 and an auxiliary frame 3, and various functions related to games (detailed later) are added to the main frame 2. Card control function and ball lending that enable the use of prepaid cards (cards for pachinko games that are sold in advance for a predetermined amount and that have valuable data equivalent to currency stored in the magnetic recording unit) A control function and the like are added.
[0012]
The main frame 2 is configured by rotatably providing a frame-shaped front frame 5 on the front side of a machine box 4 having a hollow box frame shape. A glass frame 6 and a front panel 7 are rotatably provided in the window portion 5a opened in the front frame 5. The glass frame 6 on which transparent glass is disposed is surrounded by a guide rail 8. A game board 10 having a game area 9 a and a non-game area 9 b outside the guide rail 8 is provided. The game board 10 is a main body of the pachinko game, and a ball launched from a hitting ball launching mechanism (not shown) that ejects a game ball by an electric drive source such as a solenoid is used to play a game area 9a via the guide rail 8. When it is supplied into the game area, a prize ball as a prize ball is given to the player when winning in any one of various winning areas (to be described in detail later) provided in the game area 9a. The balls that have not been collected are collected as out-balls from the outlet 11.
[0013]
On the other hand, the front panel 7 positioned below the glass frame 6 has a winning ball (a ball acquired by a player based on winning in any winning area in the game area 9a) or a rental ball (the game). A ball supply tray 12 for storing a ball lent to a player from a store) is provided, and a ball is supplied from the ball supply tray 12 to a launch ball standby unit (not shown), and the supplied game ball is used as the hit ball It is bulleted by the launch mechanism. Further, an operation handle 13 for operating the hitting ball launching mechanism, a ball receiving tray 14 for receiving a ball that cannot be stored in the ball supply tray 12, and the like are appropriately provided at appropriate positions below the front frame 5.
[0014]
The ball lending control device 15 accommodated in the auxiliary frame 3 reads valuable data of the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / extraction port 16 and, for example, a ball lending button 17 provided at a proper position on the ball supply tray 12. Lending a predetermined number of game balls according to the player's operation, rewriting the valuable data of the prepaid card to a value obtained by subtracting the currency corresponding to the rented game ball, and the player operating the return button 18 or When the remaining number of valuable data of the prepaid card becomes “0”, the prepaid card taken in the card is discharged from the card insertion / extraction port 16. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, since the necessary number of balls is lent by adjusting the number of operations of the single ball lending button 17, no indication regarding the number of balls lending is performed, and the gaming machine concerned 1, a ball lending button effective indicator 19 that lights up and displays a state in which a ball lending operation is possible (a state in which the ball lending button 17 and the return button 18 can be operated) is provided at an appropriate position on the ball supply tray 12.
[0015]
Further, a card holding display for displaying that a prepaid card is inserted in the ball lending control device 15 in the vicinity of the card insertion / extraction port 16 of the auxiliary frame 3 (directly above in FIG. 1). A unit 20 is provided for displaying the remaining number of valuable data that can be used with the prepaid card held in the ball lending control device 15 in the ball lending control device 15 immediately above the card holding display unit 20 and at appropriate positions on the ball supply tray 12. A card remaining number display 21 is provided. In addition, if a frequency indicator for displaying the frequency when the prepaid card is inserted into the ball lending control device 15 is provided separately from the card remaining frequency indicator 21, the player can play the gaming machine 1 It can be used as a guide for how many balls are borrowed and can be used for the player's flights.
[0016]
Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described in detail. In the game area 9a of the game board 10 for the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, game nails 22 are provided at required positions (only a part is shown in the figure) to change the direction in which the hit ball flows. In addition, a general prize-winning tool 23 provided with a general prize-winning area, a start prize-winning tool 24 provided with a start-up prize-winning area, and the like are arranged at appropriate positions. In addition, a first normal symbol display device 25 is provided as a variable display device that is configured to be relatively large and variably displays a plurality of pieces of identification information. The display device 25 is configured to start the variable display operation of the first normal symbol display unit 26 on the condition that, for example, a game ball wins the start winning tool 24. The number of winning balls to the start winning tool 24 can be stored, for example, up to 4 as normal symbol 1 start memory, and the normal symbol 1 start memory number is displayed on the normal symbol 1 start memory display 27. Yes, when the conversion display of the first normal symbol display device 25 is performed, 1 is subtracted from the start memory number and the display of the normal symbol 1 start memory display 27 is also updated.
[0017]
On both the left and right side portions of the game area 9a, for example, winning symbol display devices 29, 29 each having a plurality of symbol display portions 28 that can emit light are provided. The symbol display units 28 of the winning symbol display device 29 display the winning symbols displayed on the first normal symbol display device 25, respectively. The winning symbol display device displays a so-called lucky number, and a stop symbol (stop identification information) in a game (detailed later) using the first normal symbol display device 25 is a predetermined symbol (specific identification). Information corresponding to “information” is set as “winning”, and a specific symbol when the “winning” occurs (a plurality of specific symbols are set) is displayed as a lucky number. When the first normal symbol display device 25 capable of variably displaying three pieces of identification information is used, the fact that the identification information of each display unit is aligned is set to “win”, for example, the first normal symbol display device 25 is stopped. When the symbol is “7, 7, 7”, the symbol display unit 28 on which the symbol “7” is drawn is displayed (for example, the light source located on the back side of the symbol display unit 28 is turned on) By doing so, the “winning symbol” in the game using the first normal symbol display device 25 is displayed.
[0018]
A variable winning device 30 having a plurality of variable winning openings is disposed below the first normal symbol display device 25 as appropriate, and a second normal symbol display device is mounted on the mounting board 31 of the variable winning device 30. 32 and a third ordinary symbol display device 33 (abbreviated as ordinary symbol display device 3 in the figure).
[0019]
Note that the variable winning device 30 shown in the drawing is converted into a first state that is disadvantageous for a player closed by the first opening / closing door 34a and a second state that is advantageous for a player whose first opening / closing door 34b is tilted forward. It can be converted into a first state which is disadvantageous for a player closed by the first variable winning opening 30a and the second opening / closing door 34b, and a second state which is advantageous for a player whose second opening / closing door 34b is inclined forward. A third state that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous for a player closed by the second variable winning opening 30b and the third opening / closing door 34c and a second state that is advantageous for a player whose third opening / closing door 34c is tilted forward. The fourth variable prize that can be converted into the first state that is disadvantageous for the player closed by the variable prize opening 30c and the fourth opening / closing door 34d and the second state that is advantageous for the player whose forward opening / closing door 34d is inclined forward. Mouth 30d and fifth Closing 34e is provided with a fifth variation winning hole 30e that can be converted into a favorable second state for the player that the first state and the fifth door 34e disadvantageous for closure has been player has tilted forward by.
[0020]
The first to fifth open / close doors 34a to 34e for opening and closing the first to fifth variable prize winning ports 30a to 30e are driven by first to fifth drive solenoids 35a to 35e, respectively. The first to fifth drive solenoids 35a to 35e to be driven are engaged with the engagement pieces 36 connected to the doors 34a to 34e by engaging the operating levers 37 that are pushed and pulled by the drive solenoids 35a to 35e. The corresponding opening / closing doors 34a to 34e tilt or stand up with the rotation shaft 38 as a support shaft (see FIG. 4).
[0021]
The first to fifth open / close doors 34a to 34e tilt and the balls that are won in the variable winning device from the first to fifth variable winning ports 30a to 30e are first provided corresponding to each variable winning port. Further, the winning ball guiding path 40 is reached via the first to fifth intake paths 39a to 39e. The winning ball guiding path 40 is inclined downward toward the winning ball discharge port 41, and all balls that have won any of the first to fifth variable winning ports 30 a to 30 e are guided to the winning ball discharge port 41. When all the winning balls are discharged from the winning ball discharge port 41, all the winning balls are detected at once by the general electric winning switch 42 as the winning ball collective detecting means. In addition, the winning ball detection to the variable winning device 30 may be performed for each winning opening, or may be detected collectively for each of several associated winning holes.
[0022]
A control device 43 that performs operation control on various game devices provided on the game board 10 and that is supplied with detection information from various detectors is disposed at an appropriate position on the back side of the game machine 1, for example. The control device 43 is constituted by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and can implement various control functions according to the game contents of the gaming machine 1. The control device 34 includes a first normal symbol start switch 44 (in FIG. 6) for detecting a winning ball to a first normal symbol start winning opening provided in the start winning tool 24 as a specific winning region in the game area 9a. A normal symbol 1 start signal output as a specific winning ball detection signal from the ordinary Fig. 1 start switch) and a general power winning ball detection signal from the general power winning switch 42 in the variable winning device 30 are supplied. Although omitted in FIG. 6, other information necessary for game control is appropriately input.
[0023]
Further, from the control device 43, a first normal symbol display device 25 (abbreviated as normal symbol display device 1 in FIG. 6), a second normal symbol display device 32 (abbreviated as normal symbol display device 2 in FIG. 6), Third normal symbol display device 33 (abbreviated as normal symbol display device 3 in FIG. 6), normal symbol 1 start memory display 27, normal symbol 2 start memory indicator 45 (detailed later), normal symbol 3 start memory display 46 (detailed later), a first drive solenoid 35a for driving the first opening / closing door 34a (abbreviated as “general power A solenoid” in FIG. 6), and a second drive solenoid 35b for driving the second opening / closing door 34b (FIG. 6). Medium, abbreviated as Bden solenoid B), a third drive solenoid 35c for driving the third opening / closing door 34c (abbreviated as Bunden C solenoid in FIG. 6), a fourth driving solenoid 35d for driving the fourth opening / closing door 34d ( In FIG. 6, it is abbreviated as "Penden D solenoid") An appropriate drive command signal is output to the fifth drive solenoid 35e for driving the closing door 34e (abbreviated as ordinary electric E solenoid in FIG. 6), the winning symbol display device 29 (abbreviated as lucky number display in FIG. 6), etc. It is as.
[0024]
In addition, the control device 43 performs display control of the decoration display 48 such as the side panel 47 arranged in the non-game unit 9b, and outputs sound effects according to the game state from the speaker 49, so that the game It is intended to enhance interest. The game machine 1 also has a function of transmitting game-related information to a management device or a card issuing company set in the game store or performing a game control according to a control command received from the management device.
[0025]
Next, an example of the game content of the gaming machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail along the timing chart of FIG.
[0026]
A game ball that has reached the game area 9a of the game board 10 wins any of the general prizes 23 while flowing down the board surface, or enters the out port 11 located at the bottom of the game area 9a and enters the out-of-game ball. Become. Here, when the game ball wins the start winning tool 24 and a start win ball is generated, the first normal symbol display unit 26 of the first normal symbol display device 25 starts conversion display in accordance with the start win. When 6 seconds elapse from the start of conversion display by the first normal symbol display unit 26, the first normal symbol display device 25 stops the conversion operation, and the display symbol (stop symbol) at the time of the stop is a specific symbol predetermined. If it does not match the “hit symbol” that is a combination of the above, the game returns to the normal game again, but if the stop symbol of the first normal symbol display unit 26 matches the winning symbol, The third variable prize winning openings 30a to 30c are opened. That is, in this embodiment, a game ball wins in the start winning tool 24 as a specific winning area, and the first normal symbol start switch 44 outputs a normal FIG. 1 start signal as a specific winning ball detection signal. With this as a necessary condition, the first to third variable prize winning openings 30a to 30c for converting from the first state to the second state function as the reference variable prize winning openings.
[0027]
In this embodiment, an additional condition is that the result of the game using the first normal symbol display device 25 which is started by outputting the normal signal 1 start signal is “winning”. As soon as a winning ball is generated for the start winning tool 24 as the specific winning area, the first to third variable winning ports 30a to 30c as the reference variable winning ports may be opened, or the first design Based on the result of the display device 25, another game may be performed, and a game condition for opening the first to third variable winning ports 30a to 30c may be further added according to the result. In short, as a necessary condition for converting the first to third variable winning ports 30a to 30c as the reference variable winning ports from the first state to the second state, it is only necessary that the winning in the specific winning area is achieved. Further, whether or not to add a game condition may be appropriately determined within a range of design freedom. Further, the control output 43 stores, for example, up to four detection outputs of the first normal symbol start switch 44, and displays the stored number of the normal symbol 1 start memory on the normal symbol 1 start memory display 27. .
[0028]
As described above, the first to third variable winning ports 30a to 30c serving as the standard variable winning ports have been awarded to the variable winning device 30 that is an ordinary electric accessory while the open state is maintained for 5.8 seconds, for example. The ball is detected by the general power winning switch 42 as a reference winning ball as a winning ball to the reference variation winning opening. Then, on the condition that there is a signal from the general winning device 42, the second normal symbol display device 32 starts variable display, and the detection output from the general power winning switch 42 in the variable winning device 30 during that time. For example, the control device 43 stores and holds a maximum of four, for example, and displays the stored number of the normal FIG. 2 start memory on the normal symbol 2 start memory display 45.
[0029]
When, for example, 30 seconds elapses from the start of the conversion operation of the second normal symbol display device 32, the second normal symbol display device 32 stops the conversion operation, and the stop symbol of the second normal symbol display device 32 is specified in advance. If it corresponds to the symbol, the third to fifth variable winning ports 30c to 30e of the variable winning device 30 are opened. That is, in the present embodiment, a game ball wins the first to third variable winning holes 30a to 30c as the reference variable winning holes, and the general electric winning ball as the reference winning ball detection signal from the general electric winning switch 42. On condition that the detection signal is output, the third to fifth variable winning ports 30c to 30e that convert from the first state to the second state function as the first chain variable winning ports. The condition that the third to fifth variable winning holes 30c to 30e serving as the first chain variable winning holes are opened is the same as that in which the general electric prize switch 42 receives the winning ball while the first to third variable winning holes 30a to 30c are opened. May be detected, and the conditions may be relaxed or tightened appropriately according to the game content.
[0030]
As described above, while the third to fifth variable winning ports 30c to 30e as the first chain variable winning ports are kept open for 5.8 seconds, for example, the variable winning device 30 that is an ordinary electric accessory is won. The received winning ball is detected by the general power winning switch 42 as the first chain winning ball as a winning ball to the first chain variable winning opening. The third normal symbol display device 33 starts variable display on the condition that there is a signal from the general winning device 42, and the detection is output from the general power winning switch 42 in the variable winning device 30 during that time. For example, the control device 43 stores and holds a maximum of four, for example, and displays the stored number of the normal FIG. 3 start memory on the normal symbol 3 start memory display 46.
[0031]
When, for example, 5 seconds elapses from the start of the conversion operation of the third normal symbol display device 33, the third normal symbol display device 33 stops the conversion operation, and the stop symbol of the third normal symbol display device 33 is specified in advance. If it corresponds to the symbol, the second to fourth variable winning ports 30b to 30d of the variable winning device 30 are opened. That is, in the present embodiment, a game ball wins the third to fifth variable winning holes 30c to 30e as the second chain variable winning holes and the first chain winning ball detection signal as the first chain winning ball detection signal is obtained. On condition that the general electric winning ball detection signal is output, the second to fourth variable winning prize ports 30b to 30d for converting from the first state to the second state are the second chain variable winning prizes that are other chain variable winning signs. It functions as a mouth. In addition, the condition that the second to fourth variable winning holes 30b to 30d as the second chain variable winning holes are opened is the same as that in which the general electric winning switch 42 receives the winning ball while the third to fifth variable winning holes 30c to 30e are opened. May be detected, and the conditions may be relaxed or tightened appropriately according to the game content.
[0032]
As described above, a prize is awarded to the variable prize winning device 30 that is an ordinary electric accessory while the second to fourth variable prize winning openings 30b to 30d as the second chain variable prize winning openings are kept open for 4 seconds, for example. The ball is detected by the general power prize winning switch 42, and a prize ball discharging operation as a game profit according to the number of winning balls is performed. Although explanation is omitted in the above game contents, naturally, a prize ball discharging operation based on winning in various winning holes (including a standard variation winning hole, a first chain variable winning hole, and the like) is also performed. Further, when the conversion operation of the second to fourth variable winning openings 30b to 30e is completed, the variable display of the third normal symbol display device 33 is started again based on the normal symbol 3 start memory. It should be noted that when 5 seconds or more have passed since the normal symbol 3 start memory is set, it is desirable to ensure the quickness of the game. For example, the symbol is stopped by performing variable display for 1 second. To do. Thus, the conversion operation by the third normal symbol display device 33 can be visually recognized by the player, and a game flow with a good tempo can be created.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the variable winning device 30 is provided with a single general power winning switch 42, and the general power winning switch 42 collectively detects winning balls that have won the respective variable winning ports 30a to 30e. Since the winning ball collective detecting means is used, the detection output of the general power winning switch 42 is a winning ball to the standard variation winning port, a winning ball to the first chain variation winning port, or a second chain variation winning port. A winning ball identification function is added to the control device 43 of the gaming machine 1 to identify whether it is a winning ball or not based on the variable winning opening operating state of the variable winning device 30. Based on this identification information, the first chain variation The selection operation of the winning prize opening or the second chain variable winning prize opening, and the variable winning opening selection action for selectively converting any one of the first to fifth variable winning prize openings 30a to 30e corresponding to the selected variable winning prize opening Control functions as control means It is the location 43 plays.
[0034]
Further, a reference winning ball detecting means for detecting a ball received from a winning opening opened as a reference variable winning opening, and a first chain winning ball detecting means for detecting a ball received from a winning opening opened as a first chain changing winning opening. If the second chain winning ball detecting means for detecting the winning ball received from the winning opening opened as the second chain variable winning hole is individually provided, it is necessary to add the winning ball identifying function to the control device 43. However, if a single winning ball detector is provided as the winning ball collective detecting means in the variable winning device 30, the number of detectors is reduced, so the cost is reduced and the number of wirings and connectors is increased. As a result, the assembly work and maintenance work can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0035]
When the conversion operation of the third normal symbol display device 33 based on the normal symbol 3 start memory and the opening operation of the second to fourth variable winning openings 30b to 30d are all completed, the second normal symbol display based on the normal symbol 2 start memory is again performed. The conversion operation of the device 32 and the stop symbol determination are performed, and if the stop symbol is a winning symbol, the opening operation of the third to fifth variable winning ports 30c to 30e as the first chain variable winning ports is performed as described above. Repeat a series of games. Then, when a winning is made in the start winning tool 24 which is a specific winning area and the normal FIG. 1 start memory based on the detection output of the first normal symbol start switch 44 is used up, the normal game is restored.
[0036]
In the first normal symbol display device 25, the probability that the stop symbol (stop identification information) corresponds to the symbol (specific identification information) is, for example, 1/220, and the second normal symbol display device 32 and the third normal symbol display device. If the probability that the 33 stop symbols correspond to the symbol is, for example, 999/1000, the probability that the standard variation prize opening will be opened is low, but once the standard variation prize opening is opened, the chain variation prize opening will be smooth. Players can efficiently acquire relatively stable gaming profits by opening the standard variation prize opening and the chain fluctuation prize opening, and with the opening conditions of the standard fluctuation prize opening, Profit balance can be optimized.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, as a necessary condition that the ball wins the chain fluctuation winning a prize, as another chain fluctuation winning a prize to convert from the first state disadvantageous to the player to the second state advantageous to the player Although only the second chain variable prize winning port is set, the third chain variable prize winning hole and the fourth chain variable winning prize that can be converted from the first state to the second state on the condition that the second chain variable prize winning hole is required. It may be a game content including a chain ... and a chain variation winning opening in multiple stages.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, only the third variable winning port 30c among the five variable winning ports provided in the variable winning device 30 is the second chain variation both as the reference variable winning port and as the first chain variable winning port. Since it functions as a common variable winning opening that also operates as a winning opening, any variable winning opening can be opened as long as a game is played with the third variable winning opening 30c through the ball flow path to which the game ball faces. Even in such a case, it is possible to effectively win the variable winning opening without adjusting the launch position of the game ball, so that it is particularly effective for a player who is unfamiliar with the chain-type game. In addition, the second variable prize winning port 30b that functions as the reference variable prize winning opening and the second chain variable prize winning opening, and the fourth variable prize winning opening 30d that functions as the first chain variable winning prize opening and the second chain variable winning prize opening are also common variable winning prizes. The mouth.
[0039]
Furthermore, it is more effective if the guiding means 50 for guiding the game ball to the third variable winning opening 30c serving as the common variable winning opening serving as the above three types of variable winning openings is provided (FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the ball guiding path by the game nails 22... Is formed as the guiding means 50. However, the guiding means is not limited to this, and for example, guidance for changing the state with the conversion of the gaming state. A member may be provided so as to guide the game ball flowing down the game board surface to the common winning opening only when the common variable winning opening is opened.
[0040]
In addition, when the series of games described above are finished and the normal game state is restored, the game using the first normal symbol display device 25 is performed after waiting for the winning in the specific winning area again. At this time, the winning symbol (the symbol displayed on the winning symbol display device 29) of the first normal symbol display device 25, which is the previous condition for opening the standard variation winning award, corresponds to the predetermined special identification information. If it has, the player can hit the first normal symbol display device 25 continuously for a predetermined period (for example, until the symbol is stopped and displayed on the first normal symbol display 25) so that the player can play a more advantageous game. You may make it raise the probability that is stopped and displayed. In this way, after the series of games described above is completed, the player can perform a series of games in which the conditions for opening the standard variation prize opening are established within a relatively short period of time and the variable prize winning device opens in a chained manner. It can be repeated.
[0041]
In the variable prize device 30 in the above embodiment, the first to fifth open / close doors 34a to 34e are respectively first to fifth. Driving The moving solenoids 35a to 35e are provided and driven. For example, the driving source that drives the first to third open / close doors 34a to 34c at once and the second to fourth open / close doors 34b to 34d are collectively displayed. It is good also as what provides the drive source which drives and the drive source which drives the 3rd-5th opening-and-closing doors 35c-35e collectively. In this case, since the number of drive sources can be reduced, the manufacturing cost and the assembly process can be simplified. However, if a driving source is provided for each variable winning opening, the combination of the variable winning openings to be driven can be freely changed, so that the degree of freedom of game contents can be increased. Alternatively, it is possible to use a variable prize winning device in which each of the standard fluctuation prize winning opening, the first chain fluctuation winning prize opening, the second chain fluctuation winning prize opening, and the like corresponds to one variable winning prize opening.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the specific winning area is provided in the start winning tool 24. However, the passing chucker through which the winning ball passes may be used as the specific winning area, and the game is achieved by opening and closing the blade member. A specific winning area may be formed in a so-called tulip-type variable winning tool that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous to the player and a second state that is advantageous to the player.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the plurality of variable winning ports provided in the variable winning device are made to correspond to the standard variable winning port or the chain variable winning port, Selection of a variable winning opening that performs a conversion operation from the first state to the second state as a reference winning opening based on a specific winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means, state conversion operation control of the selected variable winning opening, and reference fluctuation Based on the standard winning ball detection signal from the winning ball detection means Chain variation winning prize As Selection of a variable prize opening for conversion from the first state to the second state and a change in the state of the selected variable prize opening Conversion The variable prize winning unit selection operation control means performs the function of the standard variable prize tool and the function of the chain variable prize tool in a centralized manner in the variable prize device. It is possible to use the game area more effectively than when the equipment is distributed and arranged in a limited game area. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of other gaming devices, display devices, decorative lamps, etc. is increased, and a board surface configuration with a sophisticated design can be adopted.
[0044]
Also, Using a variable prize winning device in which a plurality of variable prize winning openings are arranged in parallel in a lateral direction that can be converted into a first state that is disadvantageous for a player closed by an open / close door and a second state that is advantageous for a player whose door is tilted forward An opening area formed by a predetermined variable prize opening or a plurality of variable prize openings adjacent to each other among a plurality of variable prize openings provided in the variable prize winning device is made to correspond to the reference variable prize prize opening or the chain variable prize prize opening. From that Both standard variation prize chain and chain fluctuation prize prize For variable winning equipment Since it will be arranged in a centralized manner, only a few Launch position Just adjustment Standard variation prize opening or chain variation The aim of the prize opening can be changed, and even a player who is not familiar with the game, as well as a player who is not familiar with the game, does not take a lot of time to adjust the position of the launch ball and the game profit will not decrease significantly, so the amount of game While leaving room for intervention, it becomes possible to give a certain amount of game profit to the player.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gaming machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the variable winning device.
FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal side view of the variable winning device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of the variable winning device.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram related to signal input / output in the control device;
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the flow of game control.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 gaming machine
9a Game area
24 start prizes
30a First prize winning prize
30b 2nd variable prize winning opening
30c 3rd variation prize opening
30d 4th variable prize winning opening
30e Fifth prize winning opening
42 Public power prize switch
43 Controller
44 First normal symbol start switch

Claims

A specific winning area provided at a specific position in the gaming area where the game balls that have been ejected flow down,
Specific winning ball detection means for detecting a specific winning ball that has won a prize in the specific winning area and outputting a specific winning ball detection signal;
Based on the requirement that there is a specific winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means, a reference variable winning opening that converts from a first state that is disadvantageous to the player to a second state that is advantageous to the player;
A reference winning ball detection means for detecting a reference winning ball that has won a prize in the reference variation winning opening and outputting a reference winning ball detection signal;
A chain variation winning opening for converting from a first state that is disadvantageous to the player to a second state that is advantageous to the player, provided that there is a reference winning ball detection signal from the reference winning ball detection means,
In a gaming machine equipped with
A variable winning device in which a plurality of variable winning ports that can be converted into a first state, which is disadvantageous for a player closed by the door, and a second state, which is advantageous for a player whose door is tilted forward, are arranged side by side;
An opening area formed by a predetermined variable prize opening or a plurality of variable prize openings adjacent to each other among a plurality of variable prize openings provided in the above variable prize apparatus is made to correspond to a reference variable prize opening or a chain variation prize opening, Selection of a variable winning opening that performs a conversion operation from the first state to the second state as a reference variable winning opening based on a specific winning ball detection signal from the specific winning ball detection means, and state conversion control of the selected variable winning opening, and a reference winning Selection of a variable winning port for performing a conversion operation from the first state to the second state as a chain variation winning port based on a reference winning ball detection signal from the ball detecting means, and a variable winning port selection for performing state conversion control of the selected variable winning port Operation control means;
A gaming machine comprising:

Each of the above-mentioned standard variation prize opening and the above-mentioned chain fluctuation prize-winning opening is formed by a plurality of adjacent variable prize-winning openings. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a common variable winning opening selected in common as the variable winning opening to be operated.

The variable winning device includes a winning ball collective detecting unit that collectively detects winning balls that have won a plurality of variable winning openings,
The variable winning opening selection operation control means determines whether the detection signal of the winning ball collective detecting means is a winning ball to the reference variable winning opening or a winning ball to the chain variable winning opening. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game machine is identified based on a variable winning opening operating state of the winning device .