JP4639397B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a prize winning device having a specific prize opening and a non-specific prize opening.

Regarding a pachinko machine that is one of the gaming machines, a technique for predicting and informing the flow direction of a pachinko ball that is changed by the direction changing means after detecting the attitude of the direction changing means (for example, a movable member) is disclosed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-11166 (page 2-3, FIG. 1)

However, according to the prior art, a detector for detecting the attitude of the direction changing means is necessary, and the cost has to be increased. Further, even if the prediction notification is made about the flow direction of the pachinko ball, it is necessary for the player himself to determine whether or not the pachinko ball is likely to win a specific winning opening (for example, V zone or the like). Therefore, it is difficult for those who are unfamiliar with games (especially beginners) to determine whether pachinko balls are easy to win.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and reduces the cost and is configured so that even a person unfamiliar with a game can easily recognize whether or not a game ball can win a specific winning opening. The purpose is to provide.

(1) Means for solving a problem (hereinafter, simply referred to as “solution means”) 1 includes a specific winning opening 8 and a non-specific winning opening 6 in the winning device 3, and a game is provided in the specific winning opening 8. A gaming machine configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to the player 9 when the ball B is won,
The detection means 2 for detecting the game ball B, and the passage 5 and the prize that make it easy to win the game ball B detected by the detection means 2 starting with a regular operation triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition at the specific winning opening 8. The movable body 4 that is distributed to the difficult passage 5 and the game ball B is connected to the specific prize opening 8 based on a first period from when the movable body 4 starts to operate until the detection means 2 detects the game ball B. The gist of the present invention is to have prediction notification means 1 that predicts and notifies the possibility of winning a prize.

The terms described in Solution 1 are interpreted as follows. The interpretation is the same for the claims and the description.
(A) The “specific winning opening” is a winning opening specified among a plurality of winning openings provided in the winning device, and corresponds to, for example, a V zone. On the other hand, the “non-specific winning opening” means a winning opening other than the specific winning opening, although it is required to be provided in the winning device.
(B) “A gaming state advantageous to a player” means a state in which the player can enjoy gaming benefits. For example, a jackpot game that can continue a round game under a certain condition, a shortening of a period for performing variable display (hereinafter simply referred to as “short time”), a short time count, and a change in winning probability (hereinafter referred to as “probability variation”). ), Various aspects such as change of the number of payouts associated with winning a prize, operation of movable parts (lids, blades, blades, etc.) provided in the winning device or gate, etc., or any combination of these two or more elements Is applicable.
(C) “Predetermined conditions” are conditions that can be appropriately set according to the type of gaming machine, date and time, gaming state, etc., for example, a game ball in a specific winning area (start opening, winning opening, V zone, etc.) That the player has won a prize, that a game ball has passed through a specific passing area (such as a gate), that the winning area has reached a predetermined number of winning or passing areas, that it has won a lottery, specified This is the case when the date and time is reached. The contents of the predetermined condition may be fixed or changed during the game.
(D) “Notification means” includes a notice, and is audibly notified by means of visual notification by display on a display unit (display, light emitter, etc.) or by sound (sound, music, sound effect, etc.). Means, means for tactile notification through a member attached to a gaming machine such as a handle or a chair (for example, a handle or a chair is vibrated by a vibrating body, or a fan is blown).

  According to the solution means 1, the detection means 2 and the movable body 4 are provided in the winning device 3. Since the movable body 4 starts a regular operation in response to the establishment of the predetermined condition, the state (posture and the like) changes with time. Further, it is assumed that the time until the game ball B detected by the detection means 2 reaches the movable body 4 is substantially constant. Since a detector for detecting the state of the movable body 4 is not necessary, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, if the first period (for example, the number of seconds) from when the movable body 4 starts to operate until the detection means 2 detects the game ball B is known, the prediction notification means 1 causes the game ball B to win the specific winning opening 8. It is possible to predict and notify the possibility of doing. The player 9 who recognizes the notification can know whether or not the game ball B is likely to win the specific winning opening 8 even if the player 9 is unfamiliar with the game.

(2) The solving means 2 is the gaming machine described in the solving means 1, and the movable body 4 distributes the game balls B to the first passage 5a that can win the specific winning opening 8 or the non-specific winning opening 6. The gist is that it is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state in which the game balls B are distributed to the second passage 5b that is easier to win the specific winning opening 8 than the first passage 5a. .

  According to the solution 2, it can be easily determined whether or not the game ball B is likely to win the specific winning opening 8 depending on whether the movable body 4 is switched to the first state or the second state. Therefore, the accuracy concerning the winning rate of the specific winning opening 8 can be improved.

(3) The solving means 3 is the gaming machine described in the solving means 1 or 2, and the specific winning opening 8 and the non-specific winning opening that start rotating at a predetermined speed triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition identical to the predetermined condition. 6 is provided in the winning device 3, and the prediction notification means 1 is based on the first period from when the movable body 4 starts to operate until the detection means 2 detects the game ball B. The gist is to predict the rotational position when the player reaches the rotating body 7 and notify the possibility that the game ball B will win the specific winning opening 8.

  According to the solution 3, in addition to the movable body 4, the rotating body 7 also starts to rotate at a predetermined speed when the predetermined condition is satisfied. It is assumed that the time until the game ball B detected by the detection means 2 reaches the rotating body 7 is substantially constant. Since the rotating body 7 has a specific winning port 8 and a non-specific winning port 6, it is easy to predict whether or not it is easy to win the specific winning port 8 if the rotation position at the timing when the game ball B reaches the rotating body 7 is predicted. I understand. As described above, even when both the movable body 4 and the rotating body 7 are provided in the winning device 3, it can be determined whether or not the game ball B is likely to win the specific winning opening 8.

(4) The solving means 4 is the gaming machine described in any one of the solving means 1 to 3, and the prediction notifying means 1 determines the possibility that the game ball B wins the specific winning opening 8 in a plurality of stages. The gist is that the content of the effect performed as notification is made different according to the predicted stage.

  The term “production” described in the solution means 4 includes all means that can be transmitted through the transmission medium as long as the target person (especially the player) can recognize the contents of the production, and performs anything as necessary. Including no directing. For example, an effect by display on the display unit, an effect to light / flash the light emitter, an effect to make sound (sound, music, sound effect, etc.), an effect to vibrate a specific device or member, an effect to move a movable object For example, the production of one production or a combination of two or more is applicable. Examples of the transmission medium include a display unit, a light emitting body, an acoustic device, a vibrating body, and a movable body. The relationship between the production and the transmission medium is arbitrary, a form in which one production is performed using a plurality of transmission media, a form in which a plurality of presentations are performed using one transmission medium, and a plurality of productions using a plurality of transmission media There is a form to produce. The interpretation is the same for the claims and the description.

  According to the solution 4, when the prediction notification is performed in any one of a plurality of stages (for example, three stages of “pretty good”, “a little good”, and “not good”), an effect corresponding to the stage is provided. As a result, the content of the production varies depending on the stage. By doing so, it becomes possible to quickly know whether or not the game ball B is likely to win the specific winning opening 8 depending on the contents of the production.

(5) The solving means 5 is the gaming machine described in the solving means 1 , and has a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that start rotating at a predetermined speed when a predetermined condition identical to the predetermined condition is satisfied. A rotating body is provided in the winning device,
The prediction notifying means predicts that the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening based on the movable body is low during the first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball. Based on this , the gist is to predict the rotational position when the game ball reaches the rotating body and to notify the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening .

  According to the solution 5, when it is predicted that there is a low possibility that the game ball B will win the specific winning opening 8 based on the first movable body (for example, the movable body 4), it does not end there, but the second Based on the movable body (for example, the rotating body 7), the possibility that the game ball B will win the specific winning opening 8 is predicted and notified. If prediction is made in this way (in other words, in two stages), there is a case where one prediction can be expected even if one prediction cannot be expected. Therefore, the player 9 can improve a sense of expectation for a plurality of prediction notifications.

(6) The solving means 6 is the gaming machine described in the solving means 1 , and has a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that start rotating at a predetermined speed when a predetermined condition different from the predetermined condition is satisfied. A rotating body is provided in the winning device,
The prediction notification means predicts a rotation position when the game ball reaches the rotary body based on a second period from when the rotary body starts to rotate until the detection means detects the game ball. Predict and report the possibility that the ball will win the specific prize opening,
The gist is that the timing at which the movable body starts to move and the timing at which the rotating body starts to move are different .

  According to the solving means 6, the timing at which the first movable body and the second movable body start the motion is made different (that is, asynchronous). By doing so, the operation relationship between the first movable body and the second movable body becomes indefinite, and the player 9 is aware of the winning probability to the specific winning port 8 only from the operation timing, and the interest of the game is reduced. Can be prevented.

(7) The solving means 7 includes a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening in the winning device, and is configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to the player when a game ball wins the specific winning opening. A gaming machine,
Detecting means for detecting a game ball;
A rotating body having a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that starts rotating at a predetermined speed triggered by establishment of a predetermined condition;
Based on a second period from when the rotating body starts to rotate until the detection means detects the game ball, a rotation position when the game ball reaches the rotary body is predicted, and the game ball is placed in the specific winning opening. The gist of the invention is to have a prediction notification means for predicting and notifying the possibility of winning a prize.

  According to the solution means 7, the detection means 2 and the rotating body 7 are provided in the winning device 3. Since the rotating body 7 starts to rotate at a predetermined speed when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the state (rotational position or the like) changes with time. Further, it is assumed that the time until the game ball B detected by the detection means 2 reaches the rotating body 7 is substantially constant. Since a detector for detecting the state of the rotating body 7 is not required, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, if the second period (for example, the number of seconds) from when the rotating body 7 starts to rotate until the detection means 2 detects the game ball B is known, the prediction notification means 1 will win the game ball B in the specific winning opening 8. It is possible to predict and notify the possibility of doing. The player 9 who recognizes the notification can know whether or not the game ball B is likely to win the specific winning opening 8 even if the player 9 is unfamiliar with the game.

  According to the present invention, since a detector for detecting the state of the movable body is not required, the cost can be reduced. Further, since the prediction notification means predicts and notifies the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening, it can be determined whether or not the game ball is likely to win the specific winning opening.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to examples.

  This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine that is one of gaming machines, and will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in FIG. 2, the external view of the game board 10 with which a pachinko machine is equipped is shown with a front view. As will be described later, the gaming board 10 includes a starter 36 and 32 in which an accessory device 12 having a movable member 14 and movable wing pieces 18 and 48, and a pachinko ball (corresponding to a game ball and a game medium) can win. , 26, and other gates, general winning holes, windmills, obstacle nails, etc. are appropriately arranged. In addition, illustration of a part of the winning a prize mouth and the obstacle nail is omitted.
The start ports 36, 32, and 26 are disposed below the accessory device 12. Of these, the start port 32 includes a start port sensor 30 for detecting the winning of a pachinko ball, and similarly, the start ports 36 and 26 include start port sensors 34 and 28, respectively.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the accessory device 12 shown in FIG. The accessory device 12 includes a movable wing piece 48 that opens and closes a grand prize opening 50 (left grand prize opening), a prize sensor 46 that detects a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the grand prize opening 50, animals, and the like (for example, a fictional animal character). ), A movable wing piece 18 that opens and closes a grand prize opening 16 (right big prize opening), a winning sensor 20 that detects a pachinko ball that has won the big prize opening 16, and a big prize opening 50. , 16 are capable of guiding the pachinko spheres respectively entered from the guide passages 44, 22, and a passage sensor 56 for detecting the pachinko spheres provided as necessary and passing through the guide passage 44 (left passage) as indicated by a two-dot chain line. , A passage sensor 52 for detecting a pachinko ball passing through the guide passage 22 (right passage), a liquid crystal display 42 capable of producing an effect, a rotating member 40 having a normal winning opening and a special winning opening, and a guiding passage 44 Out Similar to the guide passage 62 and the movable member 14 for guiding the pachinko ball coming out from the rotary member 40 toward the rotary member 40 or the normal winning opening 68 (see FIG. 6), imitating animals (for example, human characters). The formed movable member 24 is included. The contents of the effect realized by the liquid crystal display 42 are, for example, when a pachinko ball passes through the guide passages 44, 22 or when the pachinko ball enters a special winning opening 40f (so-called V zone; see FIG. 7) and a big hit occurs. When it is made different depending on the jackpot game or the like, the player 9 can easily grasp the state of the game.
The accessory device 12 corresponds to the winning device 3, the swing piece 58 corresponds to the movable body 4 (first movable body), and the rotating member 40 corresponds to the movable body 4 (second movable body). The passage 44 corresponds to the passage 5 (first passage 5a), the guide passage 22 corresponds to the passage 5 (second passage 5b), and the liquid crystal display 42 corresponds to the prediction notification means 1.

  The movable member 14, the movable blade pieces 18 and 48, the rotating member 40 and the movable member 24 are configured such that each can individually perform a required operation by controlling a driving body (for example, a motor or a solenoid). That is, the movable member 14 is configured to be capable of reciprocating along a predetermined direction (in this example, the direction of arrow D8 shown in FIG. 4). Similarly, the movable blade pieces 48 and 18 are configured to be capable of reciprocating along a predetermined direction (in this example, directions of arrows D2 and D4 shown in FIG. 3). The rotating member 40 is configured to be rotatable (forward rotation, reverse rotation, forward / reverse rotation, etc.). The movable member 24 uses, for example, a solenoid 54 and is configured to be capable of reciprocating along a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is, for example, the direction of the arrow D6 that slides as shown in FIG. 3, but may be configured to swing in a pendulum shape.

  Next, a configuration example of the movable member 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the retracted state of the movable member 14, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the advanced state of the movable member 14. The movable member 14 is fixed to the rod 60 a of the solenoid 60. As shown in FIG. 9, the solenoid 60 is configured to be controlled in an excited state / a non-excited state by the sub-control board 200 so that the retracted state / advanced state of the rod 60a can be controlled. Therefore, switching control can be performed between the retracted state and the advanced state of the movable member 14 from the sub-control board 200.

A configuration example of the guide passages 44 and 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the accessory device 12 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5A shows a first in which the swing piece 58 is inclined to one side (right side in this example). An example of a state is shown, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a second state in which the swing piece 58 is tilted to the other side (left side in this example). The pachinko ball P corresponds to the game ball B.
It is desirable that the guide passages 44 and 22 are made independent of each other and are formed in a form (for example, a transparent or translucent member or a net-like member) in which the pachinko sphere P can be seen. The guide passage 44 includes an inlet 64 near the center of the accessory device 12 and an outlet 38 near the rotating member 40. The guide passage 22 includes an inlet 66 near the center of the accessory device 12, and includes an outlet 22 a above the rotating member 40. Above the entrances 64 and 66, there is provided a swing piece 58 that distributes the pachinko balls that have won the big winning openings 50 and 16 to one of the guide passages 44 and 22. The swing piece 58 starts swinging from the time when the start port sensors 28, 30, and 34 detect the pachinko balls and repeats regular movement, and swings after a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed from the detection time. Stop. When the swing piece 58 is set to the first state as shown in FIG. 5A, the pachinko ball P enters the inlet 66 and passes through the guide passage 22 along the arrow D10, from the outlet 22a toward the rotating member 40. Fall.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the swing piece 58 is in the second state, the pachinko ball P enters the inlet 64, passes through the guide passage 44 along the arrow D12, exits from the outlet 38, and passes through the guide passage. Move on 62. The pachinko ball P that moves in the guide passage 62 in this manner has a winning opening that can be won depending on the state of the movable member 24, and will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the accessory device 12. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the retracted state where the movable member 24 is retracted to the right side of the drawing, the pachinko ball P has a high probability of moving along the arrow D14 and winning the normal winning opening 68, and the pachinko ball P rotates. There is a low probability of winning in a normal winning opening or a special winning opening provided for the member 40. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the movable member 24 protrudes to the left side of the drawing, there is no possibility of winning the normal winning opening 68, and the vehicle moves along the passage 67 by moving along the arrow D16. Then, a prize is awarded to a normal prize opening or a special prize opening provided for the rotating member 40.

A configuration example of the rotating member 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows the rotating member 40 in a plan view, and FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the rotating member 40 as viewed obliquely from above. In FIG. 7, the special winning opening 40f is indicated by a thick line for easy understanding of the difference of winning openings.
The rotating member 40 is configured to be rotatable in a predetermined direction (for example, the direction of an arrow D18) using, for example, a motor 70. The motor 70 preferably includes a rotation angle sensor 70a (for example, a rotary encoder or a resolver) shown in FIG. 9 as a rotation position detection means for detecting the rotation position of the rotation member 40. The rotational speed of the rotating member 40 can be arbitrarily set. For example, it is easy to understand if the rotating member 40 is rotated once in seconds proportional to the number of winning holes. Specifically, in the rotating member 40 shown in FIG. 7, since there are a total of six winning openings, it is set to 6 seconds / rotation, 12 seconds / rotation, or the like.

The rotating member 40 is formed in a hill shape with a central portion at the top, and is provided with wall portions 40b, 40d, and 40h that are substantially “U” -shaped and open radially (outside) along the surface. Since the wall portions 40b, 40d, and 40h are both projected in a convex shape, it is difficult for the pachinko ball to get over the wall portions 40b, 40d, and 40h except for the state of jumping and moving. The rotating member 40 includes normal winning ports 40a, 40c, 40e, 40g, and 40i corresponding to non-specific winning ports, and a special winning port 40f corresponding to a special winning port. As is well known, at least a winning sensor for detecting a pachinko ball that has won the special winning opening 40f is provided.
The walls 40b, 40d, and 40h are formed to make it difficult for pachinko balls to pass. However, even if the pachinko balls are made difficult to pass due to grooves, steps, obstacles, etc., the same effects are obtained.

  When the pachinko ball P wins the normal winning openings 40a, 40c, 40e, 40g, 40i, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out as a winning ball. When the pachinko ball P wins the special winning opening 40f, it becomes a so-called jackpot. In addition to paying out a predetermined number of pachinko balls as a prize ball, a jackpot game is realized. In the jackpot game, for example, when the movable wing pieces 18 and 48 are repeatedly opened and closed several times (for example, 18 times), and the special winning opening 40f is won again during that time, the round ends at that point and the next round is entered. . There is an upper limit on the number of rounds that can be continued, and for example, 16 rounds including the first time are applicable.

Examples of the general area and the special area will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8A, a region where the pachinko ball P dropped from the outlet 22a of the guide passage 22 can pass is indicated by a \ -shaped oblique hatching. In FIG. 8B, a region that is difficult to pass unless passing through the guide passage 62 is indicated by a / hatched hatching.
In FIG. 8A, the normal region 72 has a normal winning opening 40c, and is between the wall 40b and the wall 40d. Similarly, the normal region 78 has a normal winning opening 40i and is located between the wall 40b and the wall 40h. The special area 76 has a special winning opening 40f and is located between the wall 40d and the wall 40h. The normal region 72, 78 and the special region 76 can be easily passed, and a common part of these regions is a common region 74 (illustrated by a cross hatch). The pachinko balls P that have fallen into the common area 74 from the exit 22a are blocked from passing by the wall portions 40b, 40d, and 40h, and therefore win the normal winning ports 40c and 40i or the special winning ports 40f. Therefore, the probability that the pachinko ball P that has passed through the guide passage 22 and dropped from the outlet 22a will win the special winning opening 40f is approximately one third.

  In FIG. 8B, the normal region 80 has a normal winning opening 40e and is surrounded by a wall 40d. The normal area 82 has a normal winning opening 40g and is surrounded by a wall 40h. The normal area 84 has a normal winning opening 40a and is surrounded by the wall 40b. When the pachinko ball P passes through the guide passage 62, it becomes possible to win any of the normal winning ports 40a, 40c, 40e, 40g, 40i and the special winning ports 40f depending on the rotational position of the rotating member 40. Therefore, the probability that the pachinko ball P passing through the guide passage 62 will win the special winning opening 40f is almost one sixth. However, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where the movable member 24 does not block the normal winning opening 68, the pachinko ball P passing through the guide passage 62 is highly likely to win the normal winning opening 68, and the special winning opening. The probability of winning in 40f is low.

  Next, an example in which a board and a device are connected to realize a game in a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, when simply “connecting”, it means that it is electrically connected unless otherwise specified.

  The sub-control board 200 corresponding to the prediction notification means 1 is mainly configured by the CPU 204, and controls the operation of devices / members mainly related to the prediction notification and effects realized with the pachinko game. The sub-control board 200 receives the signals output from the first sensor group (for example, the passage sensors 52 and 56 and the rotation angle sensor 70a) and transmits them to the CPU 204, and the second sensor group. An input interface circuit 220 that transmits a signal output from the start port sensors 28, 30, 34, prize winning sensors 20, 46, etc. to the CPU 204 through the main control board 100, and an output transistor 208 that receives the signal output from the CPU 204. 212, 214, the output interface circuit 206 for transmitting to the sound source IC 210, the output transistor 208 for amplifying and transmitting the signal to display the light emitter 86 such as a lamp or LED (lighting, blinking, etc.), and the speaker 88 Sound source I that generates sound instructed by received data 210, an output transistor 212 that amplifies a signal to produce an effect on the liquid crystal display 42 and transmits the amplified signal to the liquid crystal control board 300, a drive such as a solenoid 54, 60, a motor 70, etc. (others such as a vibrating body or a fan) An output transistor 214 that amplifies and transmits signals (voltage, current, etc.) necessary to drive the body, a ROM 218 that stores sub-control programs and required data, and a RAM 216 that stores temporary data such as received data Etc. Among these, the light emitter 86, the speaker 88, the vibrating body, the fan, and the like correspond to the prediction notification unit 1, respectively. If it is configured to receive the detection signals from the passage sensors 52 and 56 and cause the light emitter 86 to emit light, or to generate sound from the speaker 88, the player 9 is able to win the special winning opening 40f. And have more expectation. In addition, although not shown, a communication control circuit for communicating with an external device is appropriately provided.

  The main control board 100 is mainly composed of a CPU as in the case of the sub control board 200, and mainly realizes a pachinko game and controls operations of necessary devices and members. The main control board 100 includes a game control program for realizing a pachinko game, a ROM storing predetermined data, a RAM capable of storing temporary data such as random numbers, an input / output circuit and a communication control circuit. Etc.

  Like the sub control board 200, the liquid crystal control board 300 is configured around a CPU, receives a command for production, etc., generates a pre-stored symbol, receives a command transmitted from the sub control board 200, and the like. And a VDP (Video Display Processor) for producing effects on the liquid crystal display 42. The VDP preferably has a palette RAM or the like and can control display / non-display independently by two or more layers. The VDP reads the data generated by the character generator according to the effect information included in the command, performs image editing such as color specification and sprite processing, and develops the effect data in the VRAM and palette RAM. A signal (for example, a video signal or a synchronization signal) is transmitted to the liquid crystal display 42.

  An example of predicting and notifying the possibility of winning in the special winning opening 40f in the pachinko machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The prediction notification process shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the prediction notification means 1 and is realized by the sub control board 200 shown in FIG. The start ports 36, 32, and 26 function in the same manner except that the operating conditions (for example, the number of opening / closing of the prize winning ports 50 and 16 and the opening time thereof) are different. explain.

  First, it is determined whether or not a pachinko ball has been won at the start port 32 [step S10]. For example, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, if a detection signal is received from the start port sensor 30 via the main control board 100, it is determined that a prize has been won (YES), and if no detection signal is received, no prize has been won (NO ). If a pachinko ball wins at the start port 32 (YES), the swing piece 58 starts swinging and so on regularly (Step S12), and time measurement is started almost simultaneously with the operation [Step S14]. ]. The time measurement may be realized by software using interrupt processing, or may be realized by hardware using an electronic circuit such as a timer.

  The rotational movement of the rotary member 40 in step S12 may be configured to start regular rotation from the time when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on asynchronously with the swing piece 58, and is substantially synchronized with the swing piece 58. You may comprise so that regular rotation may be started from the time of winning the start opening 32. When the swinging motion of the swinging piece 58 and the rotating motion of the rotating member 40 are substantially synchronized so that the regular motion is started from the time when the pachinko ball wins the start opening 32, the swinging piece 58 and the rotating member are arranged. Although the movement relationship of 40 is always constant, it is easy for the player 9 to understand. However, when the player gets used to the game, it is found that the probability of winning the specific winning opening 40f is low depending on the timing of the operation, and the interest of the game is reduced. It is also possible to make it happen. Since the winning timing to the start port 32 is indefinite (random), it is desirable that the rotational movement of the rotating member 40 is regularly performed from the time of power-on. By doing so, the operation relationship between the swing piece 58 and the rotating member 40 becomes indefinite, and it is prevented that the player 9 perceives the winning probability to the specific winning port 40f only from the operation timing and lowers the interest of the game. be able to. In order to obtain this effect, the swinging piece 58 and the rotating member 40 need only have an indefinite relationship, so that the swinging movement of the swinging piece 58 starts based on the winning of the start port 32 and A configuration may be adopted in which the rotational motion of the rotating member 40 is started after a delay time (for example, 0.5 seconds or a randomly specified period) from the start of the motion.

  If step S14 is executed and time measurement is started, or if the pachinko ball has not won a prize at the start port 32 in step S10 (NO), it is determined whether or not the pachinko ball has won a big prize port 50, 16. Determine [step S16]. For example, if there is a detection signal from the winning sensors 46 and 20 shown in FIG. 2, it is determined that a prize has been won (YES), and if there is no detection signal, it is determined that no prize has been won (NO).

  If the pachinko ball has won the big winning openings 50, 16 (YES), stop the time measurement started in step S14 and confirm the measured time (hereinafter simply referred to as “measurement time”), or Alternatively, the time (hereinafter, simply referred to as “elapsed time”) that has elapsed since the swing piece 58, the rotating member 40, and the like started operating is acquired [step S18]. When the operations of the swing piece 58, the rotating member 40, etc. are started, there may be almost the same time or different times. When the different times are reached, it is necessary to measure the elapsed time individually for the swing piece 58 and the rotating member 40. Only when the prediction notification condition is satisfied (YES in step S20), the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f is predicted [step S22], and the prediction result is notified [step S24].

  The prediction notification condition in step S20 can be arbitrarily set according to the type of pachinko machine, gaming state, date and time, and the like. For example, a pachinko ball has passed / winned a specific area (for example, a specific start port, gate, special prize opening 40f, etc.), or a predetermined number (for example, 5 or 10) has passed / winned a specific area. Etc.), one or more may be applied, or may be unconditional. The prediction notification condition may be changed depending on the progress of the game.

The prediction in step S22 is that the swinging of the swinging piece 58 and the rotation of the rotating member 40 are regular, and that the pachinko ball P that has won a prize winning opening 50, 16 is the swinging piece 58, the rotating member 40, or the like. This is based on the fact that the time required to reach the point (hereinafter simply referred to as “arrival time”) is substantially the same. Therefore, it is possible to easily predict the state of the rocking piece 58 and the rotating member 40 when the measurement time or elapsed time has passed, and the state of the rocking piece 58 and the rotating member 40 when the arrival time has passed. That is, the probability that the pachinko ball P wins the special winning opening 40f differs depending on the state of the swing piece 58 shown in FIG. 5 (A) or FIG. 5 (B). Therefore, it is possible to predict the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f.
Further, when the swing piece 58 is in the state shown in FIG. 5B, the pachinko ball P wins the special winning opening 40f in accordance with the state of the movable member 24 shown in FIG. 6A or 6B. Probability to do is different. Furthermore, depending on the rotational position of the rotating member 40, the probability that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f varies. In this case, if the rotational position of the rotating member 40 is detected by the rotation angle sensor 70a {see FIG. 9}, it can be determined whether the special winning opening 40f is approaching or moving away from the passage 67. If the accuracy is further increased, it can be predicted whether or not the special winning opening 40 f is located in the vicinity of the passage 67 when the pachinko ball P passes through the passage 67. As described above, since the probability of winning the special prize opening 40f varies due to various factors, the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special prize opening 40f can be predicted step by step.

The notification in step S24 notifies, for example, the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f depending on the state of the movable member 14 (forward or backward). Specifically, if the winning possibility is low, the movable member 14 remains in the retracted state as shown in FIG. 4A, and if the winning possibility is high, the movable member 14 is temporarily moved as shown in FIG. 4B. Forward. When performing step-by-step prediction notification, the advance distance is changed, such as increasing the advance distance as the possibility that the pachinko ball P wins the special prize opening 40f increases.
Other forms of the movable member 14 may be configured such that a light emitter is incorporated or the movable member 14 is rotated by rotating the shaft of the rod 60a. The illuminant switches, for example, light emission / non-light emission according to the possibility that the pachinko ball P wins the special winning opening 40f, or changes the light emission content (emission color, light emission pattern, etc.) according to the predicted stage. . The rotation of the movable member 14 switches between rotation / non-rotation and changes the rotation speed, rotation speed, etc. in a stepwise manner according to the possibility that the pachinko ball P wins the special winning opening 40f.
Thus, the player 9 who has recognized the notification by the movable member 14 can know the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f. Moreover, since the content of the effect performed as notification is varied according to the predicted stage, the player 9 can quickly recognize the content of the prediction notification.

  As a form of notification performed by other than the movable member 14, a display effect is performed by giving a display effect to the liquid crystal display 42, or a display effect is performed in which a light emitter 86 such as a lamp or LED provided for decoration is turned on or blinked. A notification form, a form in which sound is heard from the speaker 88, a form in which a handle or a chair is vibrated by a vibrating body, a form in which air is blown toward the player 9 by driving a fan, and the form are informed. Among these, in the effect of displaying characters on the liquid crystal display 42, “chance!”, “Probability XX%” (XX is a number), etc. are displayed, or “pretty good” “somewhat good” depending on the predicted stage. "Not good" is displayed. The same applies to the effect of displaying contents other than characters (for example, character designs, etc.) on the liquid crystal display 42. The player 9 who has recognized any one or more notifications can know the possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f. If it is set as the structure which performs alerting | reporting by two or more forms substantially simultaneously, the recognition rate of the player 9 will increase.

  Here, an example of performing the prediction notification twice according to the state of the swing piece 58 and the rotational position of the rotating member 40 (effect for displaying characters on the liquid crystal display 42) is, for example, as shown in the prediction notification table shown below. To do. That is, when the swing piece 58 is predicted to be in the first state shown in FIG. When the swinging piece 58 is predicted to be in the second state shown in FIG. 5B, the contents are changed as shown in the table depending on whether the special winning opening 40f of the rotating member 40 is approaching or leaving the passage 67. To inform. In this example, the present invention is applied to a mode in which prediction notification is performed by the oscillating piece 58 and the rotating member 40 in a double manner. Accordingly, if the number of objects to be predicted increases, the prediction notification can be performed in a multiplex manner.

[Forecast report table]
┏━━━━━━━━┯━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓
│ │ Oscillating piece is in second state ┃
┃ Oscillating piece is in the first state ├────────┬────────┨
│ │Special winning entrance is approaching │Special winning entrance is off
┣━━━━━━━━┿━━━━━━━━┿━━━━━━━━┫
┃ Pretty good │ A little good │ Not good (not good) ┃
┗━━━━━━━━┷━━━━━━━━┷━━━━━━━━┛

  When the result of predicting step S24 is notified, or when the pachinko ball has not won a prize winning opening 50, 16 in step S16 (NO), the swing piece 58, the rotating member 40, etc. started from step S12 are displayed. When the operation has passed an operation time (for example, 10 seconds) (YES in step S26), the operation is stopped [step S28]. When stopping the operation, it is desirable to stop in the reference state in order to simplify the prediction program. As the reference state, for example, the movable member 14 is in a retracted state, the rotating member 40 is at a predetermined rotation angle (for example, 0 degrees), and the movable member 24 is in a retracted state, for example. In this example, the operation is stopped, but it is desirable to shut off the power of the pachinko machine in the same state.

A change in the state of the swing piece 58 and the movable member 14 when the above-described prediction notification process is executed will be described with reference to FIG. In the time chart shown in FIG. 11, in order from the upper side to the lower side of the drawing, the signal output by the start port sensor 30 (or the start port sensors 34, 28), the state of the swing piece 58, the special winning ports 50, 16 The time series changes of the open / close state, the signal output by the winning sensor 20 (or the winning sensor 46), the state of the swing piece 58 predicted in the sub-control board 200, the state of the movable member 14, and the like are shown. Time t elapses from the left side to the right side of the drawing.
In this example, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which the possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f is notified according to the state of the swing piece 58 will be described. The first period (that is, the period from when the swing piece 58 starts to operate until the winning sensors 20, 46 detect the pachinko ball P) corresponds to the period T2.

  As the pachinko ball P wins the starting port 32 at time t10, the starting port sensor 30 outputs a pulse-like signal. The sub control board 200 that receives this signal via the main control board 100 starts swinging the swing piece 58 from time t10 (step S12 in FIG. 10), and at time t24 when a period T4 corresponding to the operation period has elapsed. The oscillation is stopped (step S28 in FIG. 10). The main control board 100 that has received the signal from the start port sensor 30 opens the special winning openings 50 and 16 from time t12 when a predetermined interval has elapsed, and closes it at time t18. Therefore, the pachinko ball P can be awarded to the big winning openings 50 and 16 only from the time t12 to the time t18.

In this example, the pachinko ball P has won the grand prize opening 16, and the winning sensor 20 outputs a pulse-like signal at time t14 when the period T2 has elapsed since winning at time t10. Inside the sub-control board 200, it is assumed that the time required for the pachinko ball P detected by the winning sensor 20 to reach the swing piece 58 is a period T6, and the virtual swing is illustrated as shown by a two-dot chain line. Based on the state change of the piece 58, the possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f when the pachinko ball P is detected by the winning sensor 20 is predicted.
The pachinko sphere P of this example is detected at time t14, and the actual movable member 14 is in the second state at the time t14. However, since there is a time lag (period T6) for the pachinko ball P to reach the swing piece 58, it is predicted that the first state is reached at the time of arrival. Therefore, in this example, since the pachinko ball P is highly likely to pass through the guide passage 22, there is a high possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f. Therefore, the sub-control board 200 notifies the advancement of the movable member 14 from time t14 to time t16.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the swing piece 58 starts a regular operation in response to a prize (satisfaction of a predetermined condition) at the start ports 36, 32, 26, the state changes regularly as time passes. . Therefore, if the elapsed time is known, the state of the oscillating piece 58 can also be known, so that a detector for detecting the state of the oscillating piece 58 becomes unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced. Further, when the period T2 (first period) from when the swing piece 58 starts to operate until the winning sensors 46, 20 detect the pachinko balls P is known, the pachinko balls P detected by the winning sensors 46, 20 are swung. Considering that the time to reach the moving piece 58 is almost constant in the period T6 {see FIG. 11}, the state when the pachinko ball P reaches the swinging piece 58 can be easily predicted. The possibility that the ball P will win the special winning opening 40f can be predicted and notified {prediction notification means 1; see steps S22 and S24 in FIG. 10}.

For example, since the swing piece 58 shown in FIG. 12 is in the first state, the pachinko ball P won from the big prize opening 16 moves as indicated by the arrow D20, and falls to the rotating member 40 through the guide passage 22, There is a high possibility of winning the special prize opening 40f. Therefore, the movable member 14 notifies in the forward state.
On the other hand, since the swing piece 58 shown in FIG. 13 is in the second state, the pachinko ball P that has won a prize from the big prize opening 50 moves as indicated by an arrow D22, and passes through the guide passage 44 and the guide passage 62 to move the movable member 24. Since it moves to the normal winning opening 68 or moves toward the rotating member 40 depending on the state of the movable member 24, the possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f is low. Therefore, the movable member 14 is notified in the retracted state.
As described above, the player 9 who has recognized the notification by the movable member 14 can determine whether or not the pachinko ball P is likely to win the special winning opening 40f even if the player 9 is not familiar with the game. In this example, the oscillating piece 58 and the rotating member 40 are applied as the movable body 4. However, instead of (or in addition to) the movable member 24 that moves regularly may be applied. Even when the movable member 24 is applied, the player 9 knows whether or not the pachinko ball P is likely to win the special winning opening 40f.

(2) The swing piece 58 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the pachinko balls P are distributed to the guide passage 44 and a second state in which the pachinko balls P are distributed to the guide passage 22 {see FIG. 5}. . Whether the swing piece 58 is switched to the first state or the second state can easily determine whether or not the pachinko ball P is likely to win the special winning opening 40f. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy related to the winning rate of the special winning opening 40f.

(3) The accessory member 12 is provided with a rotating member 40 that starts rotating at a predetermined speed in response to a winning (satisfaction of a predetermined condition) at the start ports 36, 32, and 26 (see FIGS. 6 to 8). Based on a period T2 from when the swing piece 58 starts to operate until the winning sensors 46 and 20 detect the pachinko ball P, the rotation position when the pachinko ball P reaches the rotating member 40 is predicted, and the pachinko ball The possibility that the ball P will win the special winning opening 40f is notified {see steps S22 and S24 in FIG. 10}. If the time until the pachinko ball P detected by the winning sensors 46 and 20 reaches the rotating member 40 is substantially constant, the pachinko ball P becomes the rotating member in consideration of the time elapsed since the rotating member 40 started rotating. The rotational position at the timing of reaching 40 can be easily predicted. That is, the rotation position of the rotating member 40 can be detected by the rotation angle sensor 70a, or the rotating position of the rotating member 40 can be predicted based on the elapsed time since the power is turned on, so that the pachinko ball P can easily win the special winning opening 40f. Whether or not can be easily predicted.

(4) The possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f is predicted in a plurality of stages, and the contents of the presentation performed as notification are varied according to the predicted stage {step S22 in FIG. 10, See S24}. When predictive notification is performed at any one of a plurality of stages, an effect corresponding to that stage is performed, so whether or not the player 9 can easily win the pachinko ball P in the special winning opening 40f depending on the contents of the effect. Can be understood quickly.

(5) When it is predicted that there is a low possibility that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening 40f based on the state (posture) of the swing piece 58, the pachinko is further based on the state (rotational position) of the rotating member 40. The possibility that the ball P will win the special winning opening 40f is predicted and notified {see step S22 in FIG. 10}. In this way, if the prediction is performed in a double (or stepwise) manner, there is a case where one prediction can be expected even if one cannot be expected. Therefore, the player 9 can improve a sense of expectation for a plurality of prediction notifications.

Other examples

  As mentioned above, although the best form for implementing this invention was demonstrated according to the Example, this invention is not limited to the said Example at all. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following forms may be realized.

(1) In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. Instead of this form, it is a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine (for example, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.), and a special winning opening 40f (specific winning opening 8) and normal winning openings 40a, 40c. , 40e, 40g, 40i (non-specific winning opening 6), the present invention can be similarly applied to those equipped with the accessory device 12 (winning device 3). Even in the other gaming machines, the player 9 can know whether or not the pachinko ball P is likely to win the special winning opening 40f by the state of the movable member 14 and the like.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the movable member 14 applied as the movable body 4 is configured to swing left and right like a seesaw {see FIG. 5}. Instead of this form, it may be configured to slide in a predetermined direction, or may be configured to distribute the pachinko balls P by rotation (forward rotation, reverse rotation, forward / reverse rotation, etc.). In either case, the pachinko sphere P can be reliably distributed to the guide passage 44 or the guide passage 22.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, some sensors (for example, the start port sensors 28, 30, 34, the winning sensors 20, 46, etc.) are configured to be connected to the main control board 100 {see FIG. 9}. Instead of this form, it is possible to connect to either of the input interface circuits 202 and 220 and directly transmit the signal. Even with this connection configuration, the sensor signal can be reliably transmitted to the sub-control board 200, so that the prediction notification can be realized.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the accessory device 12 having two passages (guide passages 44 and 22) is applied as the passage 5 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 6). Instead of this form, the accessory device 12 having three or more passages may be applied as long as the passages have different winning probabilities for the special winning opening 40f. Even in this case, the passage through which the pachinko ball P passes depends on the state of the swing piece 58, so that it is possible to predict and notify the possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f.
Further, a part or all of the guide passages 44 and 22 may be configured to move. For example, for the guide passage 22 shown in FIG. 6, the outlet 22 a is configured to be movable between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the rotating member 40. Since the probability that the pachinko ball P wins is different between the central portion and the peripheral portion, it is possible to predict and notify the possibility of winning the special winning opening 40f based on the state of the exit 22a.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the rotating member 40 having a certain number of winning openings is applied as the movable body 4 {see FIG. 7 and the like}. Instead of this form, a rotating member 40 may be applied in which one or both of the number of normal winning holes and the number of special winning holes are changed. If the number of normal winning openings and the number of special winning openings change, the probability that the pachinko ball P will win the special winning opening also changes. Therefore, it is possible to predict and notify the possibility of winning a special winning opening based on the number of normal winning openings and the number of special winning openings when the pachinko ball P is about to win.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of this invention typically. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a game board. It is a front view which expands and represents an accessory apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a movable member. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a guide path. It is a figure explaining behavior of a pachinko ball. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a rotating member. It is a figure explaining a normal area | region and a special area | region. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure concerning various board | substrates and various apparatuses. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a prediction alerting | reporting process. It is a time chart which shows a time-dependent change of a rocking piece, a movable member, etc. It is a figure which shows the example of a path | route of the pachinko ball won from the right big prize opening. It is a figure which shows the example of a path | route of the pachinko ball which won from the left big prize opening.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Prediction alerting means 2 Detection means 3 Winning device 4 Movable body 5 Passage 5a 1st pass 5b 2nd pass 6 Non-specific winning port 7 Rotating body 8 Specific winning port 9 Player B Game ball 10 Game board 12 Equipment (winning equipment)
14 Movable member (prediction notification means)
16, 50 Grand prize opening 20, 46 Prize sensor (detection means)
22 Guidance passage (second passage)
22a, 38 outlet 24 movable member (movable body)
26, 32, 36 Start port (predetermined conditions)
40 Rotating member (Rotating body)
40a, 40c, 40e, 40g, 40i, 68 Regular prize opening (non-specific prize opening)
40f Special prize opening (special prize opening)
42 Liquid crystal display (prediction notification means)
44 Guide passage (first passage)
58 Swing piece (movable body)
60 Solenoid (Driver)
70 Motor (Driver)
70a Rotation angle sensor (rotation position detection means)
100 main control board 200 sub control board (prediction notification means)
P Pachinko ball (game ball)

Claims (5)

A gaming machine comprising a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening in a winning device, and configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to a player when a game ball is won in the specific winning opening,
A detecting means provided in the winning device for detecting a game ball;
A movable device that is provided in the winning device and distributes game balls detected by the detecting means starting with a regular operation triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition into a path that is easy to win a prize at the specific winning port and a path that is difficult to win. Body,
Prediction notifying means for predicting and notifying the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening based on a first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball. ,
The winning device includes a rotating body having a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that starts rotating at a predetermined speed triggered by the establishment of the same predetermined condition as the predetermined condition,
The prediction notifying means predicts a rotational position when the game ball reaches the rotating body based on a first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball, and the game ball is identified. A gaming machine that reports the possibility of winning a prize. A gaming machine according to claim 1 ,
The prediction notification means is a gaming machine that predicts the possibility that a game ball will win a specific winning opening in a plurality of stages, and varies the contents of the effect performed as notification according to the predicted stage. A special prize opening and a non-specific prize opening are provided in the prize winning device, and a game ball has won a prize at the specific prize opening.
Is a gaming machine configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to the player,
A detecting means provided in the winning device for detecting a game ball;
A movable device that is provided in the winning device and distributes game balls detected by the detecting means starting with a regular operation triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition into a path that is easy to win a prize at the specific winning port and a path that is difficult to win. Body,
Prediction notifying means for predicting and notifying the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening based on a first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball. ,
The winning device includes a rotating body having a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that starts rotating at a predetermined speed triggered by the establishment of the same predetermined condition as the predetermined condition,
The prediction notifying means predicts that the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening based on the movable body is low during the first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball. A gaming machine that predicts a rotational position when the game ball reaches the rotating body based on the information and notifies the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening . A special prize opening and a non-specific prize opening are provided in the prize winning device, and a game ball has won a prize at the specific prize opening.
Is a gaming machine configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to the player,
A detecting means provided in the winning device for detecting a game ball;
A movable device that is provided in the winning device and distributes game balls detected by the detecting means starting with a regular operation triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition into a path that is easy to win a prize at the specific winning port and a path that is difficult to win. Body,
Prediction notifying means for predicting and notifying the possibility that the game ball will win the specific winning opening based on a first period from when the movable body starts to operate until the detection means detects the game ball. ,
The winning device includes a rotating body having a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening that starts rotating at a predetermined speed when a predetermined condition different from the predetermined condition is satisfied,
The prediction notification means predicts a rotation position when the game ball reaches the rotary body based on a second period from when the rotary body starts to rotate until the detection means detects the game ball. Predict and report the possibility that the ball will win the specific prize opening,
A gaming machine characterized in that a timing at which the movable body starts to exercise and a timing at which the rotating body starts to exercise are different . A gaming machine comprising a specific winning opening and a non-specific winning opening in a winning device, and configured to realize a gaming state advantageous to a player when a game ball is won in the specific winning opening,
  A detecting means provided in the winning device for detecting a game ball;
  Rotating body provided in the winning device, including a specific winning port and a non-specific winning port that start rotating at a predetermined speed when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
  Based on a second period from when the rotating body starts to rotate until the detection means detects the game ball, a rotation position when the game ball reaches the rotary body is predicted, and the game ball is placed in the specific winning opening. A game machine having prediction notification means for predicting and notifying the possibility of winning a prize.

Images