JP5499550B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known that includes a picture display device that displays a plurality of pictures on a display screen. In such a gaming machine, for example, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to shift to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player, such as a winning state, when a gaming ball enters a working port provided in the gaming area. At the same time, the change display of the pattern is started. When a winning lottery is won, a combination of specific pictures and the like are finally stopped and displayed on the display screen, and the gaming state shifts to the specific gaming state. With the transition to the specific gaming state, for example, opening and closing of a variable pitching device provided in the gaming area is started, and when a gaming ball enters the variable pitching device, more gaming balls than the pitched ball are paid out. And the like are given to the player.

  The behavior of a game ball launched into the game area will be described. The direction and speed at which the game ball launched into the game area falls by colliding with a member such as a nail or a windmill implanted in the game area (falling) The game area is dropped while changing the speed. Then, for example, a game ball that has fallen to the side of the pattern display device and changed the direction of falling by the windmill or the like to the working port side is guided to the vicinity of the working port, and passes through the working port or the working port. It falls as it is, without passing through (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2007-7087 A

  However, the player expects to shift to a specific gaming state so that a privilege is given, so the player pays attention only to the lottery result of whether or not to shift to the specific gaming state, and the game is monotonous. There is a risk that it will be. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in increasing the player's attention to the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the degree of attention of a player to a game.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described.

The invention described in claim 1
A game board with a game area formed on the front,
A firing means for firing the game ball toward the playfield,
An operation means that is operated to cause the launching of the game ball by the launching means, and that can adjust the firing force according to the amount of operation.
An allocating means provided in the game area, for distributing a flow direction in which a game ball flows down;
Notification means for executing specific notification according to the distribution status of the distribution means;
Equipped with a,
The allocating means is a rotating allocating means that rotates based on contact with the game balls that have flowed down and distributes the flow direction of the game balls;
A box-shaped attachment unit for attaching the rotation distribution means to an opening formed in the game board;
The attachment unit is attached to the opening so that the front surface of the front wall portion is substantially flush with the front surface of the game board.
The rotational distribution means is
A rotating shaft that is rotatably supported by support portions formed on front and rear walls of the mounting unit;
A plurality of ball receivers arranged in front of the game board and extending radially from the rotation axis;
A disc part attached to the ball receiving part from the front and having a decorative surface on the front surface;
With
The ball receiving portion is formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, so that the ball itself rotates while distributing the flow direction of the game balls flowing down the game area,
The notification means includes
A first light emitting means and a second light emitting means provided in the mounting unit;
Each light emitting means is provided at a position overlapping with the disk portion in the front-rear direction,
A diffusion unit for diffusing the light of each light emitting means,
Furthermore, the notification means includes
A pair of upper and lower coil portions provided at an intermediate position between the front and rear support portions in the mounting unit and behind the light emitting means, and projecting inward;
A magnet provided at a position corresponding to the coil portion on the rotating shaft, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft and toward the coil portion;
When the rotary distribution means rotates in the first direction, the electric power provided in the mounting unit and generated in the coil portion by the rotation of the magnet is supplied to the first light emitting means, and the rotation Switching means for supplying to the second light emitting means when the sorting means rotates in the second direction;
With
The first light-emitting means emits light when the rotation distributing means rotates in the first direction, and the second light-emitting means emits light by rotating in the second direction to execute the specific notification. And
The switching means is
A shaft-side conductive portion provided with respect to the rotating shaft and extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft;
A coil-side conductive portion that energizes the coil portion and the first light-emitting means or the second light-emitting means by contacting the shaft-side conductive portion;
With
The coil side conductive part is
A first contact portion for energizing the coil portion and the first light emitting means;
A second contact portion for energizing the coil portion and the second light emitting means;
With
When the rotation distribution unit rotates in the first direction, the first contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other, and the second contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other. First, when the rotation distributing means rotates in the second direction, the second contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other, and the first contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other. It is configured not to touch .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase a player's attention to a game.

The front view which shows the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which expand | deploys and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. The perspective view which expand | deploys and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. The front view which shows the structure of a game board. (A) is a front view of a rotating member, (b) is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a case where the rotating member is attached to a game board, and (c) is an explanatory view when the rotating member sorts the flow direction of game balls. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of a rotation detection part periphery, and explanatory drawing in case each sensor detects the passage of the protrusion in a rotating shaft. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a pachinko machine. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the electrical structure in performing jackpot lottery etc. FIG. The flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. The flowchart which shows a start winning process. The flowchart which shows a normal process. The flowchart which shows a distribution direction teaching process. The flowchart which shows each sensor monitoring process. The flowchart which shows the rotation direction specific process corresponding to no passage flag. The flowchart which shows the rotation direction specific process corresponding to presence of a first passage flag. The flowchart which shows the rotation direction specific process corresponding to a back and front passage flag presence. Explanatory drawing which shows the light emission pattern of the lamp | ramp part when a rotation member rotates. The fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the case where the rotation member in 2nd Embodiment is attached to the game board. The front view around a rotating shaft. (A) is a front view of a rotating member in another example, (b) is a side view of the rotating member, and (c) and (d) are explanatory views showing a case where the rotating member is rotated. (A) is a front view of the rotating member in another example, (b) (c) is an explanatory view showing a case where the rotating member is rotated. The fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the structure of the rotation unit in another example.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing an unfolded main configuration of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine body 12 that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 11. . The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting a wooden plate or the like to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility.

  The gaming machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11. Specifically, the inner frame 13 can be rotated forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in front view.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in a front view. It is said that. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a backpack unit 15 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 13, and when viewed from the front, the left side is the rotation base end side and the right side is the rotation front end side. It is possible to move.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotating tip, and the gaming machine main body 12 is locked to the outer frame 11 so that it cannot be opened. And has a function of locking the front door frame 14 to the inner frame 13 so that the front door frame 14 cannot be opened. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using the unlocking key on the cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

  Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine body 12 will be described.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed at the center of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and a game area formed on the front surface of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21.

  Here, the structure of the game board 24 is demonstrated based on FIG. The game board 24 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction by being subjected to router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, an upper operating port 33a, a lower operating port 33b, a windmill unit 34, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, and the like.

  The upper operating port 33a and the lower operating port 33b are provided at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the game board 24. Each of the upper operating port 33a and the lower operating port 33b is provided to be positioned below the variable display unit 36. The upper operating port 33a is provided side by side so as to be positioned above the lower operating port 33b.

  When a game ball enters the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, and the operation ports 33a and 33b, it is detected by a detection sensor (not shown) disposed on the back side of the game board 24, and the detection result Based on this, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In addition, an out port 37 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 24, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area through the out port 37. The game board 24 is provided with a large number of nails 38 for distributing and adjusting the falling direction of the game ball as appropriate, and various members (functions) for improving the design of the pachinko machine 10 are arranged. It is installed.

  The windmill unit 34 is provided at a height position sandwiched between the upper end of the variable display unit 36 and the upper operation port 33a when the pachinko machine 10 is viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, the wind turbine unit 34 is provided at one place on each side of the variable display unit 36 with the variable display unit 36 interposed therebetween.

  Guiding nail groups 38a for guiding the game balls toward the upper working port 33a are provided at positions sandwiched between the upper working port 33a and each windmill unit 34, respectively. The guide nail group 38a allows game balls to pass through the upper side thereof. A game ball that has passed over the upper side of the guide nail group 38a can enter the upper working port 33a.

  The variable display unit 36 is provided with a symbol display device 41 that variably displays symbols with a winning at each of the operation ports 33a and 33b as a trigger. The variable display unit 36 is provided with a center frame 42 so as to surround the symbol display device 41. A first specific lamp portion 43 and a second specific lamp portion 44 are provided on the center frame 42. Reserving lamp portions 45 and 46 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the center frame 42, respectively. The lower holding lamp unit 45 corresponds to the symbol display device 41 and the first specific lamp unit 43, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the respective operation ports 33a and 33b is held up to four times and the holding lamp unit 45 is held. The number of hold is displayed by lighting up. The upper holding lamp unit 46 corresponds to the second specific lamp unit 44, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 35 is held up to four times, and the number of the holding balls is displayed by turning on the holding lamp unit 46. It has become so.

  The symbol display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. On the symbol display device 41, for example, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, a special game state (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot state) occurs.

  In the first specific lamp unit 43, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order using a winning at each of the operation ports 33a and 33b as a trigger, and if the display is stopped in a predetermined color, a big hit is generated. Further, in the second specific lamp unit 44, when the winning color of the game ball to the through gate 35 is used as a trigger, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order, and when the stop color is displayed in a predetermined color, the lower operation port The electric accessory 48 attached to 33b is opened for a predetermined time.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or is difficult to win, and is switched to a predetermined open state in which a game ball is easy to win in the case of a big win. As an opening mode of the variable prize winning device 32, the variable prize winning device 32 is repeated with a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, ten) of winnings as one round and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit. What is opened is common.

  An inner rail portion 51 and an outer rail portion 52 are attached to the game board 24, and a guide rail is constituted by the inner rail portion 51 and the outer rail portion 52, and a game launched from the game ball launching mechanism 53. A ball is guided to the upper part of the game area. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball launching mechanism 53 is attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21. The game ball launching mechanism 53 is operated by operating a firing handle 54 provided on the front door frame 14. Operation is performed.

  A front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 61 so that almost the entire game area can be viewed from the front. The window part 61 has a substantially elliptical shape and is fitted with a window panel 62 having transparency. Around the window 61, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided. A display lamp part 63 is provided above the window part 61 as a part of the various lamp parts. In addition, on both the left and right sides of the display lamp unit 63, speaker units 64 are provided for outputting sound effects corresponding to the gaming state.

  Below the window portion 61 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 65 and a lower bulging portion 66 that bulge to the near side are provided side by side. An upper pan 71 that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 65, and a lower pan 72 that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 66. The upper plate 71 has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism 53 side while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 72 has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 71. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 of the back pack unit 15 are discharged to the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 72 through a passage forming unit 73 provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14.

  Next, the configuration on the back side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a main controller 81 and an audio lamp controller 82 are mounted on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 81 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that controls the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power source, and the main control board is a transparent resin material. It is configured to be accommodated in a substrate box 83 made of, for example. The sound lamp control device 82 includes a sound lamp control board that controls sound and lamp display and control of a display control device (not shown) according to an instruction from the main control device 81. The sound lamp control board is made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 84 is configured to be accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 91, and a payout mechanism 92 and a control device assembly unit 93 are attached to the back pack 91. The back pack 91 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a protective cover portion 94 that protrudes rearward and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to cover the main control device 81, the sound lamp control device 82, and the like from the rear. doing.

  The payout mechanism portion 92 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 94, and a tank 95 to which game balls supplied from island facilities in the game hall are sequentially replenished, and a game stored in the tank 95. A payout device 96 for paying out balls. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 are discharged to the upper plate 71 or the lower plate 72 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 96. The payout mechanism unit 92 is provided with a back pack substrate that is supplied with, for example, an AC 24 volt main power source and is provided with a power switch for turning on and off the power source.

  The control device assembly unit 93 includes a payout control device 97 and a power supply / launch control device 98. The payout control device 97 and the power supply / launch control device 98 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 97 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  The payout control device 97 is configured such that a payout control board for controlling the payout device 96 is accommodated in a substrate box. The power / launch control device 98 is configured such that a power / launch control board is accommodated in a board box, and predetermined power required by various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board, and further, by the player Control of the launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the firing handle 54 is performed. In addition, the pachinko machine 10 has a function for storing and storing various data, so that even if a power failure occurs, it can maintain the state at the time of the power failure and can return to the state at the time of the power failure when returning from the power failure. It is like that.

<Configuration of wind turbine unit 34>
Here, the wind turbine unit 34 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. 4. 5A is a front view of the windmill unit 34, FIG. 5B is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a case where the windmill unit 34 is attached to the game board 24, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing in the case of distributing the flow direction of a game ball.

  The windmill unit 34 is attached to the game board 24. Specifically, a cylindrical mounting opening 103 is formed in the game board 24. The windmill unit 34 is fitted in the game board 24.

  The windmill unit 34 has a box-shaped base body 105. The front surface of the base 105 is substantially flush with the surface of the game board 24. Thereby, it can suppress that the flow-down of a game ball is inhibited by the base | substrate 105. FIG. Specifically, a flange portion 105 a extending from the rear side to the outer peripheral side is provided at the rear portion of the base body 105. The flange portion 105a and the game board 24 abut on each other in the front-rear direction, and the base body 105 is positioned in the front-rear direction. In a state where the flange portion 105 a and the game board 24 are in contact with each other, the front surface of the base body 105 is substantially flush with the surface of the game board 24.

  The flange portion 105a and the game board 24 are fixed by screws from the back side of the game board 24 with screw members 105b. Thereby, the windmill unit 34 is fixed to the game board 24. The screw member 105b does not penetrate the game board 24 from the back side to the front side. This is a device for preventing a screw member or the like from protruding to the front side of the game board 24 in order to fix the windmill unit 34 to the game board 24. A nail or the like can be used instead of the screw member 105b as a member for fixing the windmill unit 34 to the game board 24.

  A base-side through hole 106 is formed in the front portion of the base 105. The base-side through hole 106 penetrates in the front-rear direction so that the inside and outside of the base 105 communicate with each other through the front portion of the base 105.

  The windmill unit 34 is provided with a rotating shaft 110 that extends in the front-rear direction and has a through-hole penetrating in the front-rear direction. The fixing nail 115 is passed through the through hole of the rotating shaft 110 in a state where the rotating shaft 110 is passed through the base side through hole 106. When the fixed nail 115 is driven into the back wall of the base 105, the rotation shaft 110 is formed to be rotatable about the fixed nail 115 as a support shaft.

  Although not described in detail, the base body 105 is formed with a cover portion 108 that covers the exposed portion of the fixed nail 115 that passes through the rotating shaft 110. The cover 108 covers the fixed nail from a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the fixed nail 115 extends. This prevents the fixed nail 115 from falling off or tilting after the fixed nail 115 is driven into the base body 105.

  The rotating shaft 110 is provided with a ball receiving portion 117 with which a game ball that has flowed down collides, and a disc portion 120 positioned in front of the ball receiving portion 117.

  The ball receiving portion 117 is integrally formed with the rotating shaft 110. The ball receiving portion 117 has an outer peripheral portion of the rotating shaft 110 as a base end and extends in the radial direction (radial direction) with respect to the rotating shaft 110. That is, a plurality of ball receivers 117 are provided at predetermined intervals. Specifically, ball receivers 117 are provided at three locations at intervals of about 120 degrees. Further, the ball receiving portion 117 is formed in a flat plate shape, and its plate surface extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the game board 24.

  The disc portion 120 extends from the rotation shaft 110 so as to be positioned on the front end side of the ball receiving portion 117. The disc part 120 has a pattern on the synthetic resin material, and is formed so as to have light transmittance in a state in which the pattern is added. The design of the pachinko machine 10 is enhanced by providing a pattern on the disc 120. Each of the ball receiving portion 117 and the disc portion 120 may be integrally formed or may be formed separately. When the ball receiving portion 117 and the disc portion 120 are integrally formed, an effect of increasing the strength of the ball receiving portion 117 is obtained.

  Since the ball receiving portion 117 and the disc portion 120 are fixed to the rotating shaft 110, as shown in FIG. 5C, when a game ball collides with the ball receiving portion 117, it is pushed by the game ball. The ball receiver 117 rotates in the direction. With the rotation of the ball receiver 117, the wind turbine unit 34 rotates. Specifically, the windmill unit 34 rotates either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the behavior of the game ball. According to the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34, the flow direction of the game ball that has reached the windmill unit 34 is distributed to either the upper working port 33a side or the side opposite to the upper working port 33a.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates in one direction, the game ball flows down toward the guide nail group 38a, and when the windmill unit 34 rotates in the other direction, the game ball flows down on the opposite side to the guide nail group 38a. . For example, in the windmill unit 34 provided on the left side when viewed from the front, the game balls flow down to the guide nail group 38a side when rotated clockwise, and the game balls move down to the guide nail group 38a when rotated counterclockwise. Flow down to the opposite side. Hereinafter, the rotation direction in which the game balls flow down to the guide nail group 38a side is referred to as inward rotation, and the rotation direction in which the game balls flow down to the opposite side of the guide nail group 38a is also referred to as outward rotation.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates inward, the game ball reaches the guide nail group 38a. Then, the game ball can pass above the guide nail group 38a, and the game ball can enter the upper operation port 33a. On the other hand, when the windmill unit 34 rotates outward and the game ball flows down on the side opposite to the guide nail group 38a, the game ball flows down below the upper operation port 33a. In this case, it is difficult or difficult for the game ball to enter the upper operation port 33a.

  The base 105 in the windmill unit 34 is provided with a rotation detection unit 121 and a lamp unit 123. Specifically, each of the rotation detection unit 121 and the lamp unit 123 is provided inside the base body 105. Thereby, it is suppressing that the rotation detection part 121 and the lamp | ramp part 123 inhibit the flow-down of a game ball. Each of the rotation detection unit 121 and the lamp unit 123 is connected to the sound lamp control device 82 via a relay board 124 installed on the back wall of the base body 105.

  The rotation detection unit 121 is an optical photosensor having a light emitting unit 121a and a light receiving unit 121b. The light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to face each other. The rotating shaft 110 is provided with a protrusion 125 as a detected portion (detected portion). The protrusion 125 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 110, and passes between the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b when the rotating shaft 110 rotates. When the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b detect the passage of the protrusion 125, it can be specified that the windmill unit 34 is rotating. By providing the rotation detection unit 121 inside the base body 105, it is possible to prevent the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b from being shielded by foreign matters such as dust when the projection 125 does not pass through. .

  The rotation detection unit 121 will be described supplementarily with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a configuration around the rotation detection unit 121. The rotation detection unit 121 is provided with a first sensor 233 and a second sensor 235 having a light emitting unit 121a and a light receiving unit 121b. The first sensor 233 is provided with a light receiving hole 233a (light emitting hole), and the second sensor 235 is provided with a light receiving hole 235a (light emitting hole). When light enters and exits the holes 233a and 235a, the sensors 233 and 235 detect the passage of the protrusion 125. In addition, the light emission part 121a is provided with the light emission hole, and the light emitting element is installed in the inside of the light emission hole. A light receiving hole 233a is provided in the light receiving portion 121b, and a light receiving element is installed inside the light receiving hole 233a. When the light receiving element receives light emitted from the light emitting element, the passage of the protrusion 125 is detected.

  The width of the protrusion 125 is set so that the timing for shielding both the holes 233a and 235a is generated. That is, the timing at which both the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 detect the passage of the protrusion 125 occurs. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the protrusion 125 moves to the position P so as to face downward, passage is detected by both the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235.

  The rotation direction of the wind turbine unit 34 is specified from the detection result of each sensor. Specifically, the first sensor 233 is provided on the center side of the pachinko machine 10 with respect to the second sensor 235. Then, it is specified whether the rotation is from the first sensor 233 toward the second sensor 235 or the rotation from the second sensor 235 toward the first sensor 233. That is, the rotation from the first sensor 233 toward the second sensor 235 is the inward rotation described above, and the rotation from the second sensor 235 toward the first sensor 233 is the outward rotation described above. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the protrusion 125 moves from the position Pa1 toward the position Pa2, and the second sensor 235 is detected after the passage of the protrusion 125 is detected by the first sensor 233. When the passage of the protrusion 125 is detected at, the inward rotation is performed. 6B, the protrusion 125 moves from the position of Pb1 toward the position of Pb2, and after the passage of the protrusion 125 is detected by the second sensor 235, the protrusion 125 is detected by the first sensor 233. When the passage of is detected, the rotation is outward.

  The lamp portion 123 is installed inside the base body 105 so as to be positioned behind the disc portion 120. The lamp unit 123 emits light based on the rotation detection unit 121 detecting the rotation of the windmill unit 34. The lamp parts 123 are provided at two locations so as to sandwich the rotating shaft 110 vertically. Each of the lamp parts 123 is provided with a plurality of LEDs.

  An open part 135 is provided in front of the lamp part 123 in the base 105. When the lamp unit 123 emits light, the light emitted from the lamp unit 123 is irradiated to the front side of the base body 105 through the open part 135. As described above, since the disc portion 120 is light transmissive, the light emitted from the lamp portion 123 is visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the disc portion 120. Instead of the opening part 135, the front part of the lamp part 123 may be covered with a light-transmitting member. Even in this case, the light emitted from the lamp unit 123 can be viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  As described above, when the windmill unit 34 rotates, the player can be informed that the windmill unit 34 is rotating. An incandescent lamp or the like can be used instead of the LED as the light emitter in the lamp unit 123.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 7, the power supply line is indicated by a double line arrow, and the signal line is indicated by a solid line arrow.

  An MPU 202 is mounted on the main control board 201 provided in the main control device 81. The MPU 202 includes a ROM 203 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 202 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 203 is executed. A certain RAM 204 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data input / output circuit are incorporated.

  The MPU 202 is provided with an input port and an output port. Connected to the input side of the MPU 202 are a power failure monitoring board 205 provided in the main control device 81, a payout control device 97, various detection sensors 210, and other switches (not shown). In this case, a power / fire control device 98 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 205, and power is supplied to the MPU 202 via the power failure monitoring board 205. In addition, as the various detection sensors 210, a plurality of detection sensors provided in the ball entrance such as the operation ports 33a and 33b and the variable prize winning device 32 are connected, and the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 connects to the ball entrance. An entry determination is made. Further, the MPU 202 executes a big hit generation lottery based on the entrance to the respective operation ports 33a and 33b in the entrance portion.

  On the output side of the MPU 202, a power failure monitoring board 205, a payout control device 97, and an audio lamp control device 82 are connected. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 97 based on the result of the ball entering determination to the ball entering section. The power failure monitoring board 205 relays between the main control board 201 and the power / fire control device 98, and monitors the voltage of 24 VDC which is the maximum voltage output from the power / fire control device 98.

  For example, a payout ball command is output to the payout control device 97 based on a winning determination result for the winning portion. In this case, when outputting the prize ball command, the command information storage area of the ROM 203 is referred to, and the prize ball command corresponding to the place where the ball is entered is outputted.

  An MPU 215 is mounted on the sound lamp control board 212 provided in the sound lamp control device 82. The MPU 215 includes a ROM 218 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 215 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 218 is executed. A certain RAM 220 is built in.

  On the input side of the MPU 215 of the sound lamp control device 82, the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 and the power source / launch control device 98 are connected. Various commands such as a command corresponding to the result of the big hit occurrence lottery are received from the MPU 202 of the main control device 81, and power is supplied from the power supply / launch control device 98.

  A rotation detector 121 is connected to the input side of the MPU 215 of the sound lamp control device 82. Based on a signal input from the rotation detection unit 121, it can be specified whether or not the windmill unit 34 is rotating, and if it is rotating, the direction of rotation.

  The lamp unit 123, the display lamp unit 63, the speaker unit 64, and the display control device 223 are connected to the output side of the MPU 215 of the sound lamp control device 82. The sound lamp control device 82 controls the display lamp unit 63 and the speaker unit 64 based on the command received from the main control device 81 and outputs the command to the display control device 223. Further, the lamp unit 123 is controlled based on the signal input from the rotation detection unit 121.

  The display control device 223 is supplied with power from the power supply / emission control device 98 via the audio lamp control device 82. The display control device 223 controls the symbol display device 41 based on the command received from the sound lamp control device 82.

  Here, an electrical configuration for performing a big hit occurrence lottery or the like in the MPU 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MPU 202 uses lots of counter information in the game to perform jackpot occurrence lottery, the setting of the emission color of the first specific lamp unit 43, the setting of the symbol display of the symbol display device 41, and the like. The jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery of occurrence, the jackpot type counter C2 used for determining the jackpot type such as the probability variation jackpot state or the normal jackpot state, and the reach lottery when the symbol display device 41 is moved out and fluctuates. Reach random number counter C3, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of jackpot random number counter C1, first variation type counter CS1 used for variation pattern selection of symbol display device 41, and first specific lamp unit 43 The period for switching the color displayed on the symbol and the symbol variable display time on the symbol display device 41 are determined. It is set to be used and the second variation type counter CS2 to.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS1, and CS2 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 204. The RAM 204 is provided with a holding ball storage buffer including one execution area and four holding areas (holding first to fourth areas), and in each of these areas, the operation ports 33a and 33b are connected. The values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in time series in accordance with the game ball entry history.

  For details of each counter, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured such that, for example, 1 is sequentially added within a range of 0 to 676, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 676), it returns to 0. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the big hit random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball enters the operation ports 33a and 33b. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) includes a jackpot occurrence lottery means for lottering whether or not a big hit state has occurred based on the establishment of a predetermined lottery start condition.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 49, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 49) and then returns to 0. In the present embodiment, the jackpot type counter C2 determines whether the probability variation state (high probability state) or the normal state (low probability state) is determined after the jackpot state ends. The jackpot type counter C2 is periodically updated, and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball enters the operation ports 33a and 33b. That is, the present pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) includes a jackpot type lottery means for lottering a jackpot state type based on establishment of a predetermined lottery start condition.

  Here, the probability variation state refers to a gaming state in which the probability of occurrence of a jackpot state is higher than that in the normal state until a predetermined termination condition is satisfied after the jackpot state ends. Specifically, in the normal state, the number of random number values that will generate the jackpot state is two, and the values are “337, 673”. In the probability variation state, the jackpot state occurs. The number of random values is 10, and the values are “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661”.

  In the pachinko machine 10, the normal jackpot state (first special game state) that becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot state and the probability change jackpot state (second special game state) that becomes the probability change state after the end of the jackpot state are established. In the display screen of the symbol display device 41, the symbols that are stopped and displayed after the variable display are different. Specifically, when a normal jackpot state occurs, the combination of the normal jackpot symbols as the first special display result (more specifically, the combination of symbols with the same even number) is stopped and displayed. When the big hit state occurs, the combination of the probabilistic big hit symbols as a second special display result (more specifically, the combination of symbols given the same odd number) is stopped and displayed.

  For example, the reach random number counter C3 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 238) and then returns to 0. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball enters the operation ports 33a and 33b. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) includes reach generation lottery means for lottering whether or not a reach display is generated based on establishment of a predetermined lottery start condition.

  The first variation type counter CS1 is, for example, incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 198, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. The second variation type counter CS2 includes, for example, Within the range of 0 to 240, 1 is added in order, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 240), it returns to 0.

  The first variation type counter CS1 determines the display mode of the symbol display device 41, such as the type of reach effect that occurs during the reach display and other rough symbol variation modes. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) is provided with effect type lottery means for drawing the type of reach effect.

  Here, the reach display (reach state) includes the symbol display device 41 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture), and the stop display result after the variable display becomes the special display result. In the case of a gaming machine in which the gaming state is in a special gaming state advantageous to the player, the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture) on the symbol display device 41 is started. This means a display state for making the player think that the variable display state is likely to be the special display result in the previous stage.

  In other words, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the jackpot state can be established by stopping and displaying the symbols for some of the symbol strings displayed on the display screen of the symbol display device 41. This is a display state in which a combination of reach reach symbols is displayed, and in that state, the symbol variation display is performed in the remaining symbol rows.

  More specifically, as a step before ending the variable display of symbols, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of a jackpot state can be established on a preset active line in the display screen of the symbol display device 41. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reachable symbols, and a symbol change display is performed by a final stop symbol row in a situation where the reach line is formed.

  In the reach display, in the state where the combination of reach symbols is displayed as described above, the variation display of symbols is performed on the remaining symbol rows, and a predetermined character or the like is displayed as a moving image on the background screen. There are those that produce an effect, and those that perform a reach effect by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on almost the entire display screen after reducing or not displaying a combination of reach symbols.

  The switching display time as the time for switching the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 43 is determined by the second variation type counter CS2. This switching display time corresponds to the symbol fluctuation display time of the symbol display device 41. Both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer values of both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are acquired at the time of starting the switching of the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 43 and at the time of determining the variation pattern at the time of symbol variation start by the symbol display device 41.

<Processing Performed by MPU 202 of Main Control Board 201>
Next, each control process executed by the MPU 202 of the main control board 201 will be described. The processing of the MPU 202 is roughly classified into normal processing that is started when the power is turned on and timer interrupt processing that is started by periodically interrupting the normal processing. For convenience of explanation, timer interrupt processing will be described first, followed by normal processing. In addition to the timer interrupt process and the normal process, the MPU 202 is activated by an input of a power interruption signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). NMI interrupt processing for storing a power interruption flag (power interruption information) in the means) is executed.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, a reading process is executed. In the reading process, a signal reading process from a ball detection sensor serving as various detection sensors 210 individually provided for the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating opening 33a, the lower operating opening 33b, and the through gate 35 is performed. Is executed, and the presence or absence of the entrance to each entrance is determined from the read result. Specifically, in the reading process, a signal (for example, a LOW level signal) corresponding to the fact that the game ball is not detected in any one process is confirmed, and the game is performed in the subsequent two processes. When a signal (for example, an HI level signal) corresponding to the detection of a ball is continuously confirmed, it is specified that a game ball has entered the ball entry unit corresponding to the detection sensor.

  Thereafter, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. In the subsequent step S103, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Thereafter, a start winning process is executed in step S104.

  In the start winning process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, first, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the operating port flag is stored in the operating port flag storage area of the RAM. It is determined whether or not a prize (start prize) is won in 33a and 33b. If it is determined that the game ball has won the respective operation ports 33a, 33b, the number N of operation reserved balls of the first specific lamp unit 43 and the symbol display device 41 is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment) in the subsequent step S202. It is determined whether or not. The process proceeds to step S203 on condition that there is a winning in each of the operation ports 33a and 33b and the number of operation reservation balls N <4, and the operation reservation ball number N is incremented by one. Note that the operation port flag is deleted after the process of step S203. In subsequent step S204, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S103 are stored in the first area of the free storage areas of the reserved ball storage area of the RAM. Then, after the start winning process, the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

<Normal processing>
Next, normal processing that is activated based on power-on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline, the processing of steps S301 to S306 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S308 and S309 is executed with the remaining time.

  In the normal processing, in step S301, the both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. In the subsequent step S302, external output processing is executed. The external output process is a process of outputting a command to the sound lamp control device 82 and the payout control device 97.

  After the external output process, a game time control process for controlling a game in each game time is executed in step S303. In the game times control process, the color switching process to be displayed on the first specific lamp unit 43 based on the result of the big hit occurrence lottery, and the sound lamp control device 82 and the display control device 223 to grasp the result of the big hit occurrence lottery, etc. Command generation is performed. As the command, the voice lamp control device 82 and the display control device 223 indicate whether or not the jackpot occurrence lottery is won and, if the jackpot occurrence lottery is won, a type command indicating the type of the jackpot that has been won, and reach A change command including information such as occurrence information and change display time information is generated. The generated command is output to the display control device 223 via the sound lamp control device 82 and the sound lamp control device 82 in the external output process described above. Thereby, the sound lamp control device 82 and the display control device 223 can grasp the result of the big hit occurrence lottery.

  After the game times control process, a game state transition process is executed in step S304. In the game state transition process, the game is shifted to the jackpot state based on the fact that the jackpot occurrence lottery has been won, and when the jackpot state is reached, a big prize opening / closing process is executed. In the big prize opening / closing process, the big prize opening of the variable prize winning device 32 is opened or closed. That is, it is determined whether the big winning opening is opened for each round of the big hit state, and whether the maximum opening time of the big winning opening has passed or whether a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the big winning opening. The determination as to whether or not the prescribed number has been won is made by checking the special prize counter. When either of these conditions is satisfied, the special winning opening is closed.

  Thereafter, in step S305, a second specific lamp unit control process for switching the color displayed on the second specific lamp unit 44 is executed. In the second specific lamp unit control process, switching of the display color in the second specific lamp unit 44 is started based on the winning of the game ball in the through gate 35. At this time, the display color switching time is also set. In addition, a stop display color corresponding to the value of the second specific lamp random number counter acquired based on the winning of the game ball to the through gate 35 is set. When a predetermined color is set as the stop-displayed color, the electric accessory 48 attached to the lower operation port 33b is opened for a predetermined time after the stop display of the color.

  After step S305, a game ball launch control process is executed in step S306. In the game ball launch control process, the game ball launch mechanism 53 is operated once in a predetermined period (for example, 0.6 sec) based on the operation of the launch handle 54. Thereby, the game ball is launched toward the game area.

  Thereafter, in step S307, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing. That is, in step S308, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in the present embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding area of the RAM. In step S309, the both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. Specifically, both the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when their counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the update values of both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding area of the RAM. If the predetermined time has elapsed in step S307, the process returns to step S301.

<Distributing direction teaching process executed by the sound lamp control device 82>
Next, the distribution direction teaching process executed by the sound lamp control device 82 at a predetermined cycle (2 msec cycle in the pachinko machine 10) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. By executing the distribution direction teaching process, the player is instructed in which direction the game balls are distributed by the windmill unit 34. As described above, the wind turbine units 34 are provided in two (a plurality of locations) in the game area, and the main distribution direction teaching process is individually executed for each wind turbine unit 34.

  First, in step S401, each sensor monitoring process is executed. Each sensor monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S501 in each sensor monitoring process, a rotation start timer counter subtraction process and a rotation continuation timer counter subtraction process are executed. In the rotation start timer counter subtraction process, the value of the rotation start timer counter area provided in the various timer counter areas 225 of the RAM 220 of the sound lamp control device 82 is decremented by one. The rotation start timer counter area is used for determining whether or not the wind turbine unit 34 has started rotating. In the rotation continuation timer counter subtraction process, the value of the rotation continuation timer counter area provided in each timer counter area 225 is decremented by one. The rotation continuation timer counter area is used for determining whether or not the rotation of the windmill unit 34 is continued after it is determined that the rotation of the windmill unit 34 is started.

  When each timer counter subtraction process is executed in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502 to determine whether or not the value of the rotation start timer counter area is “0”. When the value of the rotation start timer counter area is “0”, the process proceeds to step S503, and the passage flag clear process is executed. In the passage flag clear process, the passage flag storage area of the various flag storage areas 226 of the RAM 220 of the sound lamp control device 82 is cleared (the passage flag is set in the rotation direction specifying process described later).

  If the value of the rotation start timer counter area is not “0” in step S502, or if the passage flag clear process is executed in step S503, the process proceeds to step S504, where the value of the rotation continuation timer counter area is “0”. Determine whether or not. When the value of the rotation continuation timer counter area is “0”, the process proceeds to step S505, and the rotation flag clear process is executed. In the rotation flag clear process, the rotation flag storage area of the various flag storage areas 226 of the RAM 220 of the sound lamp control device 82 is cleared (the rotation flag is set in the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of a later pass flag, which will be described later). ).

  If the value of the rotation timer counter area is not “0” in step S504, or if the rotation flag clear process is executed in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, and the first pass flag and the second pass that are one type of pass flag It is determined whether or not the flag is set in the passage flag storage area. If neither the first pass flag nor the second pass flag is set, the process advances to step S507 to determine whether the first pass flag is set in the pass flag storage area.

  If the previous pass flag is not set in step S507, the process proceeds to step S508, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to no pass flag is executed. If the previous pass flag is set in step S507, the process proceeds to step S509, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the previous pass flag is executed. Furthermore, if both the front pass flag and the rear pass flag are set in step S506, the process proceeds to step S510, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the rear pass flag is executed. When any one of the rotation direction specifying processes is executed, each sensor monitoring process is terminated.

  In each rotation direction specifying process, the direction in which the windmill unit 34 is rotating is specified based on the order in which the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 are turned on. Specifically, in the pachinko machine 10, the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 are provided adjacent to each other. More specifically, the sensors 233 and 235 are installed so that the timing when both the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 are turned on is generated. Then, after one of the sensors 233 and 235 is turned on, both of the sensors 233 and 235 are turned on, and after that, only the other of the sensors 233 and 235 is turned on. It is specified that the windmill unit 34 is rotating toward the other sensor. Hereinafter, each rotation direction specifying process will be described.

  First, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the absence of the pass flag executed when the previous pass flag is not set in step S507 of each sensor monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, it is determined whether the first sensor 233 is ON. Whether or not the first sensor 233 is ON is to determine whether or not the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b of the first sensor 233 are shielded. Specifically, the first sensor 233 is turned on when the protrusion 125 of the rotating shaft 110 passes between the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b of the first sensor 233.

  When the 1st sensor 233 is ON, it progresses to Step S602 and sets the 1st first passage flag in the passage flag storage area. By setting the first first passing flag, it can be grasped that the first sensor 233 of the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 is turned ON first. When the first first passage flag is set, the process proceeds to step S603, where “50” is set in the rotation start timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the absence of the main passage flag is completed.

  On the other hand, when it determines with the 1st sensor 233 not being ON in step S601, it progresses to step S604 and it is determined whether the 2nd sensor 235 is ON. Whether or not the second sensor 235 is ON is the same as whether or not the first sensor 233 is ON, whether or not the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b of the second sensor 235 are shielded. It is to judge. Specifically, the second sensor 235 is turned on when the protrusion 125 of the rotating shaft 110 passes between the light emitting unit 121a and the light receiving unit 121b of the second sensor 235. When the second sensor 235 is not ON, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the absence of the main passage flag is ended as it is.

  When the 2nd sensor 235 is ON, it progresses to Step S605 and sets the 2nd first passage flag in the passage flag storage area. By setting the second first passing flag, it can be understood that the second sensor 235 of the first sensor 233 and the second sensor 235 is turned on first. When the passage flag is set, the process proceeds to step S603, where “50” is set in the rotation start timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the absence of the main passage flag is ended.

  By executing the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to no passing flag, it is possible to specify which one of the sensors 233 and 235 is turned ON first when none of the passing flags is set. .

  Next, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the passage flag executed when the previous passage flag is set in step S507 of each sensor monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S701, it is determined whether or not the first first pass flag is set in the pass flag storage area. When the first first pass flag is not set, that is, when the second first pass flag is set, the process proceeds to step S702, and it is determined whether or not the first sensor 233 is ON. If the first sensor 233 is not ON, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the first passage flag is terminated.

  When the 1st sensor 233 is ON in Step S702, it progresses to Step S703 and sets the 1st after passage flag in the passage flag storage area. In subsequent step S704, “50” is set in the rotation start timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the main passage flag is ended.

  If the first first-pass flag is set in step S701, the process proceeds to step S705 to determine whether or not the second sensor 235 is ON. If the second sensor 235 is not ON, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the first pass flag is terminated.

  When the 2nd sensor 235 is ON in step S705, it progresses to step S706 and a 2nd after-pass flag is set to a passage flag storage area. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to step S704, where “50” is set in the rotation start timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the head passage flag is ended.

  Here, the passage flag storage area is provided with an area for storing a first passage flag and an area for storing a rear passage flag. When setting the first first pass flag or the second first pass flag, the flag corresponding to the area for storing the first pass flag is set. Similarly, when setting the first post-pass flag or the second post-pass flag, the flag corresponding to the area for storing the set of the post-pass flag is set.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the rotational direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent pass flag, which is executed when both the forward pass flag and the back pass flag are set in the pass flag storage area in step S506 of each sensor monitoring process. Will be described.

  In step S801, it is determined whether the first first-pass flag is set. By executing the process of step S801, the state in which the first first passing flag and the second subsequent passing flag are set is distinguished from the state in which the first subsequent passing flag and the second subsequent passing flag are set. it can.

  If the first first-pass flag is set in step S801, the process proceeds to step S802 to determine whether or not the first sensor 233 is OFF. When the first sensor 233 is OFF, the process advances to step S803 to execute a passage flag clear process and set an inward rotation flag corresponding to the inward rotation in a rotation flag storage area provided in various flag storage areas. By executing the pass flag clear process, the first first pass flag and the second post pass flag set in the pass flag storage area are cleared. When the process of step S803 is executed, the process proceeds to step S804, where “150” is set in the rotation continuation timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent pass flag is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the first first-pass flag is not set in step S801, that is, if the first second-pass flag and the second first-pass flag are set, the process proceeds to step S805 and the second sensor 235 is OFF. It is determined whether or not. When the second sensor 235 is OFF, the process proceeds to step S806, where the above-described passing flag clear process is executed and an outward rotation flag corresponding to the outward rotation is set in the rotation flag storage area. When the process of step S806 is executed, the process proceeds to step S804, where “150” is set in the rotation continuation timer counter area, and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent pass flag is terminated.

  In the rotation flag storage area, only one of the inward rotation flag and the outward rotation flag can be stored, and when the other flag is set while one flag is set, The set flag is overwritten and cleared. The value of the rotation continuation timer counter area is decremented by 1 each time each sensor monitoring process is executed. When the value of the rotation continuation timer counter area becomes “0”, the rotation flag is cleared. For this reason, when the rotation flag is set once, a predetermined period has elapsed without the sensors 233 and 235 detecting the passage of the protrusion 125 (without making an affirmative determination again in step S802 or step S805). Based on the above, it is determined that the rotation flag is cleared and the rotation of the wind turbine unit 34 is stopped.

  If the first sensor 233 is not OFF in step S802, if the second sensor 235 is not OFF in step S805, or if the process of step S804 is executed, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent pass flag Exit.

  An example when the sensors 233 and 235 are detected will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the sensors 233 and 235 detect the passage of the protrusion 125 on the rotating shaft 110.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the projection 125 passes the position Pa1 at the timing of ta1, the first sensor 233 detects the passage of the projection 125 and turns ON, and the first first-pass flag is set. (Step S602). When the projection 125 continues to rotate and passes the position Pa2 at the timing ta2, the second sensor 235 detects the passage of the projection 125 and turns ON, and the second post-pass flag is set (step S706). If the protrusion 125 reaches the position Pa3 at the timing ta3, the protrusion 125 has completely passed through the first sensor 233, the first sensor 233 is turned OFF, and the inward rotation flag is set (step S803). ). That is, when the first sensor 233 is turned ON → the sensors 233 and 235 are both turned ON → the first sensor 233 is turned OFF, it is determined that the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward. In other words, when the projection 125 rotates from the position on the Pa1 side to the position on Pa3 from the position on Pa2, it is determined that the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the projection 125 passes the position of Pb1 at the timing of tb1, the second sensor 235 detects the passage of the projection 125 and turns ON, and the second first passing flag is set. (Step S604). When the protrusion 125 continues to rotate and passes the position Pb2 at the timing of tb2, the first sensor 233 detects the passage of the protrusion 125 and turns ON, and the first post-pass flag is set (step S703). When the projection 125 reaches the position Pb3 at the timing tb3, the projection 125 has completely passed through the second sensor 235, the second sensor 235 is turned off, and the outward rotation flag is set (step) S806). That is, when the second sensor 235 is turned ON → the sensors 233 and 235 are both turned ON → the second sensor 235 is turned OFF, it is determined that the windmill unit 34 is rotating outward. In other words, when the projection 125 rotates from the position on the Pb1 side to the position of Pb3 with respect to the position of Pb2, it is determined that the windmill unit 34 is rotating outward.

  As a result, in order to determine that the windmill unit 34 is rotating, the windmill unit 34 needs to rotate over a predetermined range. This is a device for suppressing the occurrence of inconvenience that it is determined that the windmill unit 34 is rotating when the windmill unit 34 vibrates slightly due to vibration of the pachinko machine 10 or the like.

  Based on the setting of one of the passage flags, “50” is set in the rotation start timer counter area, and when the value of the rotation start counter area becomes “0”, the set passage flag is set. It was set as the structure which clears. Since the value of the rotation start timer counter area is decremented by 1 every time each sensor monitoring process is executed, if the passage flag is not newly set before the predetermined period (0.1 seconds) elapses The passing flag that has been set is cleared.

  Here, it is assumed that the protrusion 125 stops in a state where the protrusion 125 is detected by both the sensors 233 and 235. In this case, at the timing when the windmill unit 34 is stopped, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent passage flag is executed. If the passage flag is not cleared even if the predetermined period has elapsed, the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the subsequent passage flag is continued in a state where the wind turbine unit 34 is stopped, and the wind turbine unit 34 It is conceivable that the above-mentioned inconvenience occurs when the lens vibrates slightly. Clearing the passage flag with the lapse of the predetermined period is a device for suppressing inconvenience that may occur when the rotation of the windmill unit 34 is stopped in a state where the protrusions 125 are detected by the sensors 233 and 235. It is.

  Returning to the description of the distribution direction teaching process. If each sensor monitoring process is performed, it will progress to step S402 and it will be determined whether the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward. Specifically, it is determined whether an inward rotation flag is set in the rotation flag storage area. If the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward in step S402, the process proceeds to step S403, and "1500" is set in the light emission timer counter area provided in the various timer counter areas 225 of the RAM 220 of the sound lamp control device 82. In the subsequent step S404, a first blinking process as a specific notification is executed. By executing the first blinking process, the lamp unit 123 blinks in blue. By blinking the lamp portion 123 in blue, the player can be informed that the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward. When the first blinking process is executed, the distribution direction teaching process is terminated.

  When the windmill unit 34 is not rotating inward in step S402, the process proceeds to step S405, and it is determined whether or not the value of the light emission timer counter area is “0”. If the value of the light emission timer counter area is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S406, and the value of the light emission timer counter area is decremented by 1 as the light emission timer counter subtraction process. When the light emission timer counter subtraction process is executed, the distribution direction teaching process is terminated.

  When the value of the light emission timer counter area is “0” in step S405, the process proceeds to step S407, and it is determined whether or not the windmill unit 34 is rotating outward. Specifically, it is determined whether an outward rotation flag is set in the rotation flag storage area. When the windmill unit 34 is rotating outward, the process proceeds to step S408, and the second blinking process as the specific notification is executed. By executing the second blinking process, the lamp unit 123 blinks red. By blinking the lamp portion 123 in red, the player can be informed that the windmill unit 34 is rotating outward.

  On the other hand, if the windmill unit 34 is not rotating outward in step S407, that is, if the windmill unit 34 is not rotating, the process proceeds to step S409, and an extinguishing process for turning off the lamp unit 123 is executed.

  When one of the first blinking process and the second blinking process is executed, the blinking is repeated until the other blinking process is executed or the extinguishing process is executed. When the first blinking process is executed in a state where the lamp unit 123 is already blinking blue, the blinking is maintained. Further, when the second blinking process is executed in a state where the lamp unit 123 is already blinking red, the blinking is maintained.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates inwardly, “1500” is set in the light emission timer counter area, and the processing of steps S407 to S409 is not executed until the value of the light emission timer counter area becomes “0”. For this reason, once the windmill unit 34 rotates inward, the blinking of blue in the lamp unit 123 is maintained for a predetermined period (3 seconds in the present pachinko machine 10) after the end of the rotation. That is, it is set so that a period in which notification corresponding to the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is performed is longer than the actual rotation direction of the windmill unit 34.

<Specific Mode when Windmill Unit 34 Rotates>
Next, an example when the windmill unit 34 rotates will be described. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a light emission pattern of the lamp unit 123 when the windmill unit 34 rotates.

  When the windmill unit 34 is rotated inward from the state where it is stopped at the timing tc1, the first blinking process is executed, and the lamp unit 123 blinks blue. And even if rotation of the windmill unit 34 stops at the timing of tc2, the blue blinking is maintained. Even if the windmill unit 34 rotates outward during a period from the timing tc3 to the timing tc4 when the predetermined period has not elapsed since the rotation of the windmill unit 34 is finished, the blue blinking is maintained. That is, when the lamp unit 123 is blinking in blue, it can be said that the execution of the second blinking process is invalidated.

  The lamp unit 123 is turned off at the timing of tc5 when a predetermined period has elapsed after the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is completed. When the windmill unit 34 rotates outward at the timing of tc6, the second blinking process is executed and the lamp unit 123 blinks red. Then, the red blinking is maintained until the outward rotation of the wind turbine unit 34 is finished at the timing of tc7 and the extinguishing process is executed.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  The windmill unit 34 distributes the flow direction of the game balls. Moreover, it was set as the structure which blinks the lamp | ramp part 123 as specific notification corresponding to the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34. As shown in FIG. By this, it is possible for the viewer who is viewing the player or the pachinko machine 10 to know in which direction the game balls are distributed so as to visually recognize the blinking of the lamp portion 123. It becomes. As a result, the player and the viewer pay attention to the distribution of the game balls in the flow direction by the windmill unit 34, and the player and the viewer can increase the degree of attention to the game.

  Here, it is considered that a large number of pachinko machines 10 are installed in a game hall or the like where the pachinko machines 10 are installed. And it is possible that an individual difference arises in the flow-down mode of a game ball in each of many pachinko machines 10. For this reason, it is conceivable that the player cannot select or is difficult to select which pachinko machine 10 from among the many pachinko machines 10 will execute the game. In particular, since the windmill unit 34 is formed in a circular shape, it may be difficult for the player to grasp the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34. In this regard, it is considered that the player can grasp the distribution situation of the windmill unit 34 by visually recognizing the lamp portion 123, so that the player can easily select the pachinko machine 10 to play the game. As a result, it becomes easier for the player to select the pachinko machine 10 in which the desired distribution situation is achieved, and the operating rate of the gaming machine in the gaming hall can be increased.

  When a player is playing a game, it is considered that a game is played in the hope that a jackpot occurrence lottery will be performed. For this reason, it is considered that the player operates the firing handle 54 so that the game ball flows down toward the operation ports 33a and 33b with high frequency. In this regard, in this embodiment, the player can adjust the operation of the firing handle 54 while visually checking the lamp portion 123. For this reason, it becomes easy to operate the launch handle 54 so that the game ball flows down toward the respective operation ports 33a and 33b.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates inward, the notification corresponding to the inward rotation is executed for a predetermined period (3 seconds) after the inward rotation is completed. In addition, even if the windmill unit 34 rotates outward during the predetermined period, the lamp unit 123 corresponding to the outward rotation is not blinked. Thus, it is possible to make the player recognize as if the inward rotation is more frequently performed than the actual rotation of the windmill unit 34.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates outwardly, the game ball does not reach or hardly reaches the upper working port 33a. Therefore, it is advantageous for the player to rotate the windmill unit 34 inwardly. For this reason, in the case of the outward rotation and the inward rotation, when the flow direction of the game ball is frequently distributed by the outward rotation, it is assumed that the game ball is not flowing down toward the upper operation port 33a. It is possible that the willingness to continue the game will decline. The notification corresponding to the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 over a predetermined period after the end of the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is recognized by the player as repeating the outward rotation excessively, and the player's game It is a device to prevent the willingness to continue.

  The wind turbine unit 34 and the lamp portion 123 are arranged so as to overlap each other. Thereby, a player can grasp | ascertain rotation of the windmill unit 34, recognizing the display of the lamp | ramp part 123. FIG.

  It is considered that the player's attention is gathered on the symbol display device 41 in order to confirm the lottery result when the big hit occurrence lottery is performed. For this reason, the lamp unit 123 is arranged so that the vertical position of the variable display unit 36 is the same as that of the variable display unit 36 and the variable display unit 36 is interposed therebetween. Thereby, the player can confirm the light emission of the lamp unit 123 while confirming the result of the big hit occurrence lottery on the symbol display device 41. That is, by making the lamp portion 123 visible while visually recognizing the symbol display device 41, it is possible to suppress the player's attention to the lamp portion 123 from being significantly reduced when the player pays attention to the symbol display device 41. .

  Some players pay attention only to whether or not a game ball enters each of the operation ports 33a and 33b, and only the result of the big hit occurrence lottery in the symbol display device 41, and a game ball in the peripheral area of each of the operation ports 33a and 33b. It is conceivable that attention is not paid to the behavior of the game ball until the game reaches. Specifically, it is conceivable that the behavior until the game ball reaches below the variable display unit 36 does not receive much attention in the conventional gaming machine. In this regard, since the lamp portion 123 is disposed on the side of the variable display unit 36, it is possible to increase the player's attention to the behavior of the game ball on the side of the variable display unit 36. That is, the player pays attention to the behavior of the game ball that has reached the windmill unit 34, and also pays attention to how the game ball easily flows down toward the upper operation port 33a when the game ball reaches the windmill unit 34. The player pays attention to the behavior until the game ball reaches the windmill unit 34. Thereby, the effect which raises a player's attention degree with respect to the behavior of a game ball can be made remarkable.

<Second Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the lamp unit 123 blinks without being controlled by the control device.

  The windmill unit 34 in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 18 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view when the windmill unit 34 is attached to the game board 24.

  The windmill unit 34 has a box-shaped base body 305. The front surface of the base 305 is substantially flush with the surface of the game board 24. Thereby, it can suppress that the flow-down of a game ball is inhibited by the base | substrate 305. FIG.

  A substrate side through hole 306 is formed on the front side of the substrate 305. The base-side through-hole 306 penetrates in the front-rear direction so that the inside and outside of the base 305 communicate with each other through the front portion of the base 305. The rotating shaft 110 of the wind turbine unit 34 is passed through the base-side through-hole 306 as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the rotation shaft 110 is not provided with the protrusion 125, and the rotation shaft 110 is extended toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10. A circumferential cover 310 that covers the rotary shaft 110 from the circumferential direction is provided at a portion where the rotary shaft 110 is extended.

  The surrounding cover part 310 has conductivity. The circumferential cover portion 310 is provided with a shaft-side conductive portion 313 that extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the axis of the rotating shaft 110 extends and has conductivity. The shaft-side conductive portion 313 extends from the circumferential cover portion 310 in a plurality of directions. Specifically, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 extends in two directions from the circumferential cover portion 310 so as to be positioned on the same line. That is, one shaft-side conductive portion 313 is located on the opposite side of the circumferential cover portion 310 with respect to the other shaft-side conductive portion 313.

  A ceiling-side connection circuit 315a and a bottom-side connection circuit 315b are provided on the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the base body 305 so as to sandwich the periphery covering portion 310. The connection circuits 315a and 315b are connected to the lamp unit 123, respectively. Each connection circuit 315a, 315b is provided with a circuit side conductive portion 318 having conductivity.

  Each circuit side conductive portion 318 extends toward the rotation shaft 110. Each circuit side conductive portion 318 extends to a position where it can come into contact with the shaft side conductive portion 313. The shaft side conductive portion 313 can be elastically deformed. When the shaft-side conductive portion 313 comes into contact with the circuit-side conductive portion 318, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 can get over the circuit-side conductive portion 318 when the rotating shaft 110 rotates. Yes. That is, when the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the circuit-side conductive portion 318 are in contact with each other, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 from being inhibited.

  When the rotation shaft 110 rotates and the shaft-side conductive portion 313 of the surrounding portion 310 reaches a predetermined position, the circuit-side conductive portions 318 of the connection circuits 315a and 315b and the two shaft-side conductive portions 313 are Contact each other. In this case, the ceiling side connection circuit 315a and the bottom side connection circuit 315b are connected by the peripheral cover portion 310 and the shaft side conductive portion 313. Thereby, LED of the lamp part 123 lights. Note that a power supply circuit 305 a is connected to the back side of the base body 305, and power is supplied to the connection circuits 315 a and 315 b via the sound lamp control device 82.

  The LED of the lamp unit 123 is installed on the ceiling surface of the base body 305 so as to face the bottom surface of the base body 305. A light guide member 319 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the lamp portion 123 and the rotating shaft 110. The light guide member 319 is made of a synthetic resin material having transparency, and is installed in a state of being fitted into the base-side through hole 306.

  The rear surface of the light guide member 319 is an inclined surface 323 inclined downward from the rear toward the front. The tilted surface 323 is provided on the vertically lower side of the lamp portion 123. The tilted surface 323 is subjected to fogging processing (ground glass processing) so as to diffuse the light irradiated from the lamp portion 123. When the lamp unit 123 emits light, the light applied to the inclined surface 323 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the disk unit 120 can be visually recognized. By reflecting the light on the back surface (tilted surface 323) of the light guide member 319, the light can be sufficiently diffused until the light reaches the disc portion 120 of the windmill unit. Thereby, the wide area in the disc part 120 is visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  A front surface 325 of the base 305 is substantially flush with the surface of the game board 24. Thereby, it can suppress that the flow-down of a game ball is inhibited by the base | substrate 305. FIG.

  Here, the case where the circuit side conductive part 318 of each connection circuit 315a, 315b and the axis side conductive part 313 of the surrounding cover part 310 are connected by rotating the rotating shaft 110 will be described. FIG. 19 is a front view around the rotating shaft 110.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the circuit-side conductive portion 318 includes a main body 318a extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the rotating shaft 110 extends, and a first connection portion 318b and a second connection provided so as to sandwich the main body 318a. Part 318c. The main body 318a does not have conductivity, and the connection portions 318b and 318c have conductivity. Each connection portion 318b, 318c is provided with a protruding portion 320 protruding from each of the connection portions 318b, 318c. The protruding portion 320 protrudes so as to sandwich the connecting portions 318b and 318c. That is, the protrusion 320 is provided at two places on each of the connecting portions 318b and 318c. The protruding portion 320 extends from each of the connecting portions 318b and 318c in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the circuit side conductive portion 318 extends.

  The first connection portion 318b is connected to the blue light emitting LED of the lamp portion 123 and contacts the shaft-side conductive portion 313 when the windmill unit 34 rotates inward. Thereby, when the windmill unit 34 rotates inwardly, the lamp portion 123 is lit in blue.

  The second connection portion 318c is connected to the LED that emits red light of the lamp portion 123, and contacts the shaft-side conductive portion 313 when the windmill unit 34 rotates outward. Thereby, when the windmill unit 34 rotates outward, the lamp portion 123 is lit red.

  Here, the case where the rotating shaft 110 rotates is demonstrated. As the rotating shaft 110 rotates, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 comes into contact with one of the connection portions 318b and 318c. Since only the connecting portion with which the shaft-side conductive portion 313 contacts depends on the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34, a case where the windmill unit 34 rotates inward (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 19) will be described.

  When the windmill unit 34 rotates inward, first, as shown in FIG. 19B, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the protruding portion 320 come into contact with each other. In this case, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 is not in contact with the first connection portion 318b, and the lamp portion 123 is not lit. Further, when the windmill unit 34 rotates inwardly, as shown in FIG. 19C, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 is elastically deformed so that the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the first connection portion 318b come into contact with each other, and the lamp The part 123 lights up. When the windmill unit 34 further rotates, the windmill unit 34 rotates in a state where the shaft-side conductive portion 313 is elastically deformed. When the end surface of the circuit side conductive portion 318 passes through the region facing each other, the shaft side conductive portion 313 returns by its own restoring force. That is, the state shown in FIG. For this reason, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the circuit-side conductive portion 318 are not in contact with each other, and the lamp portion 123 is turned off. As described above, when the wind turbine unit 34 rotates inward, the contact and separation between the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the first connection portion 318b are repeatedly performed, and the lamp portion 123 blinks.

  The shaft-side conductive portion 313 is elastically deformed by a slight force. This prevents the rotation of the wind turbine unit 34 from being hindered by the contact between the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the circuit-side conductive portion 318.

  The lamp unit 123 can be blinked without performing control by the sound lamp control device 82 or the like. As a result, while the wind turbine unit 34 is rotating and its rotation direction is taught to the player, it is possible to suppress a processing load from being applied to the control device due to the teaching.

  When the protruding portion 320 is provided and the shaft-side conductive portion 313 is not elastically deformed, the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the circuit-side conductive portion 318 are not in contact with each other. Thereby, even if the wind turbine unit 34 tries to stop in a state where the shaft side conductive portion 313 and the circuit side conductive portion 318 are in contact with each other, the restoring force of the shaft side conductive portion 313 causes the shaft side conductive portion 313 and the circuit side conductive portion to be stopped. 318 can be spaced apart. As a result, when the windmill unit 34 is not rotating, it can suppress that the lamp part 123 continues lighting.

  Note that although the light guide member 319 has been subjected to a matte process on the surface of a synthetic resin material or the like having transparency as a whole, the matte process may not be performed. Further, the shape of the light guide member 319 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the inclined surface 323 may not be provided.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows. Incidentally, the configuration of the following different embodiment may be applied individually to the configuration in the above embodiment, or may be applied in combination with each other.

  (1) Although the wind turbine unit 34 and the lamp portion 123 are provided so as to overlap in the front-rear direction, the wind turbine unit 34 and the lamp portion 123 are provided separately in a separated position without overlapping in the front-rear direction. It may be. That is, you may make it alert | report that the windmill unit 34 is rotating in the position different from the windmill unit 34. FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the notification corresponding to the inward rotation is continued for a predetermined period after the inward rotation is completed. For this reason, the notification corresponding to the inward rotation is executed over a longer period than the actual rotation compared to the notification corresponding to the outward rotation. However, when the windmill unit 34 and the lamp unit 123 overlap each other, the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 has ended even if the notification corresponding to the inward rotation is executed in the lamp unit 123. It may be recognized by the player. In this regard, since the windmill unit 34 and the lamp unit 123 are provided apart from each other, it is recognized by the player that the notification of the lamp unit 123 is continued in a state where the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is completed. Can be suppressed.

  (2) It is also possible to notify the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34 by a notification means different from the lamp portion 123. For example, it is conceivable that the variable display unit 36 is provided with a lamp for informing the rotation direction. Further, it is conceivable to use the symbol display device 41 to notify that the windmill unit 34 is rotating instead of the lamp portion 123, and a movable accessory is provided, and the windmill unit 34 rotates depending on the state of the movable accessory. It is possible to notify what is being done. Further, it is conceivable that a portion that can be operated by the player, such as a launch handle, vibrates in accordance with the rotation of the windmill unit 34.

  (3) The notification method in the lamp unit 123 is arbitrary. What is necessary is just to alert | report that the game ball is distributed at least in the predetermined direction. For example, the lamp unit 123 may not blink when the windmill unit 34 rotates outward, and the lamp unit 123 may blink when the windmill unit 34 rotates inward.

  Further, the lamp unit 123 blinks based on the rotation of the windmill unit 34. However, the lamp unit 123 may continue to be lit when the windmill unit 34 rotates. Further, the lamp unit 123 may blink when the windmill unit 34 rotates outward, and the lamp unit 123 may remain lit when the lamp unit 123 rotates inward.

  (4) Although the windmill units 34 are provided at two locations in the game area, the number of the windmill units 34 may be changed. For example, the thing installed in one place and the thing installed in three or more places can be considered.

  (5) In the first embodiment, the windmill unit 34 is used as a distribution unit that distributes the flow direction of the game ball. However, the flow direction of the game ball may be distributed by a device different from the windmill unit 34. Is possible. In this case, the direction in which the flow direction of the game ball is distributed by the distribution means is not limited to two directions, but may be distributed in any one of the three or more flow directions.

  For example, an operating port that distributes the direction in which a game ball flows down depending on whether a game ball has entered or a game ball has not entered may be used as the sorting means.

  In addition, there is provided switching means that can be switched between a first state in which the flow direction of the game ball is distributed in the first direction and a second state in which the game ball is distributed in the second direction, and a game depending on the state of the switching means when the game ball arrives The flow direction of the sphere may be distributed. In this case, the state of the switching unit may be switched by being controlled by the control device.

  In addition, a winning combination with a plurality of operating openings is installed, and a game ball enters the winning combination, and which of the plurality of operating openings has a gaming ball inserted? It is possible to sort the flow direction of the game ball by.

  (6) In the first embodiment, the control of the lamp unit 123 is executed by the sound lamp control device 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The main control device 81 may execute control of the lamp unit 123, and the display control device 223 may execute control of the lamp unit 123.

  The detection of the signal of the rotation detection unit 121 may be performed by a control device that performs control of the lamp unit 123, or may be performed by a control device that is different from the control device that performs control of the lamp unit 123. Good. When the detection of the signal of the rotation detection unit 121 is performed by a control device different from the control device that executes control of the lamp unit 123, the detection result is output to the control device that executes control of the lamp unit 123. Good. Furthermore, when the windmill unit 34 rotates, the lamp unit 123 may blink without being controlled by any control device.

  (7) In the first embodiment, the lamp unit 123 blinks until the predetermined period has elapsed after the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is finished. However, the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is started. Alternatively, the lamp unit 123 may blink until a predetermined period elapses. For example, when this configuration is applied to the first embodiment, in the distribution direction teaching process, when the process of step S405 is executed and the value of the light emission timer counter area is 0, the process of step S402 is performed. It should be executed. That is, it may be determined whether or not the windmill unit 34 is rotating inward based on the value of the light emission timer counter area being zero.

  In addition, the lamp unit 123 continues to blink for a predetermined period (3 seconds), but the period during which the lamp unit 123 continues to blink is arbitrary, for example, for 1 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds or more. One in which 123 continues to blink is conceivable.

  (8) In the first embodiment, when the wind turbine unit 34 rotates inward and the blinking of the lamp unit 123 corresponding to the inward rotation starts, the wind turbine unit 34 rotates outward until the blinking ends. Although the corresponding blinking is not executed, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. With each end of the rotation of the wind turbine unit 34, the blinking of the lamp unit 123 corresponding to the inward rotation and the blinking of the lamp unit 123 corresponding to the outward rotation may be terminated.

  (9) In each of the above embodiments, the lamp portion 123 blinks based on the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34. However, the lamp portion 123 blinks based on the direction in which the game ball actually flows. Also good. When the game ball collides with the windmill unit 34 and bounces, it is conceivable that the game ball flows down in a direction different from the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34. According to this configuration, it is possible to make a notification based on the direction in which the game ball actually flows down. In this case, instead of the rotation detection unit 121, a sensor for detecting the direction in which the game ball flows down may be provided.

  (10) In each of the above embodiments, the lamp unit 123 blinks when power is supplied to the lamp unit 123. However, the direction in which the game ball is flowing down without power being supplied is shown. You may make it teach. Such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20A is a front view of the windmill 350, and FIG. 20B is a side view of the windmill 350.

  In the wind turbine 350, the rotating shaft 110 is hit against the game board 24 by the fixed nail 115. The windmill 350 is provided with a disk portion 353. The disc portion 353 is located on the front end side of the rotating shaft 110 and the ball receiving portion 117. The disc portion 353 is colored synthetic resin material. Each of the ball receiving portion 117 and the disc portion 353 may be integrally formed or may be formed separately. When the ball receiving portion 117 and the disc portion 353 are integrally formed, an effect of increasing the strength of the ball receiving portion 117 is obtained.

  A wing portion 355 is provided on the front side of the disc portion 353. The wing portion 355 has high flexibility. For this reason, the wing | blade part 355 deform | transforms with the centrifugal force of the rotation with rotation of the windmill 350 (rotary shaft 110). The wing portion 355 is provided so as to overlap the ball receiving portion 117 in the front-rear direction. That is, the wing portion 355 is provided at three locations so as to extend in the radial direction from the rotation shaft 110 (as viewed from the center of the rotation shaft 110).

  The wing portion 355 includes a wing 358 and a fixed base 360. The fixed base 360 is fixed to the surface of the disc portion 353. The wing 358 has a thin film shape and is formed of a synthetic resin material so as to have high flexibility (deformable). Specifically, the wing 358 has a degree of flexibility that allows it to stand on its own when the windmill 350 is not rotating.

  The wing 358 is attached to the fixed base 360. Specifically, the wing 358 is provided so as to overlap with the fixed base 360 and is provided so as to protrude from the fixed base 360 toward the front of the pachinko machine 10. The amount of protrusion of the wing 358 increases as it goes outward from the center of the disc portion 353 (the wing 358 has a substantially triangular shape).

  By projecting the wing 358, projecting surfaces extending from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the wing 358 are formed on both sides. The protruding surface is a red surface 360a with one surface painted in red and a blue surface 360b with the other surface painted in blue. Each wing 358 is installed so that the red surface 360a of one wing 358 faces the blue surface 360b of the wing 358 facing each other.

  The case where the windmill unit 34 rotates is demonstrated. When the windmill 350 rotates clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 20A, the wings 358 are bent to the opposite side of the rotation direction by the centrifugal force of the windmill 350, as shown in FIG. In this case, the wing 358 is bent so that the blue surface 360b can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. For this reason, when the windmill 350 rotates, it is visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 so that the windmill 350 is rotating in blue. And when rotation of the windmill 350 stops, it returns to the state of Fig.20 (a) with the restoring force of the wing | blade 358. FIG.

  When the windmill 350 rotates in the opposite direction to that described with reference to FIG. 20C (when it rotates counterclockwise), the red surface 360a is caused by the centrifugal force of the windmill 350 as shown in FIG. However, the wing 358 is curved so that it can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. For this reason, when the windmill 350 rotates, it is visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 so that the windmill 350 is rotating in red. And when rotation of the windmill 350 stops, it returns to the state of Fig.20 (a) with the restoring force of the wing | blade 358. FIG.

  By the above, it becomes possible to make the pattern visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 different when rotated in one direction and when rotated in the other direction. Further, in this configuration, the player can be instructed in the direction in which the windmill 350 is rotating without being supplied with electric power. This eliminates the need to separately connect wiring or the like in order to teach the player the direction of rotation of the windmill 350.

  (11) A configuration that teaches the flow direction of the game ball without being supplied with power may be as follows. The notification means in the present configuration includes a display unit that can be switched between a first state that can be visually recognized and a second state that is invisible or difficult to visually recognize than the first state. The display unit is switched from the second state to the first state based on the fact that the rotation distribution means has rotated in a predetermined direction. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described. FIG. 21A is a front view of the windmill 400, FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram when the windmill 400 rotates clockwise, and FIG. 21C shows the windmill 400 rotated counterclockwise. It is explanatory drawing in the case.

  The windmill 400 includes a disc portion 405 having transparency, and a ball receiving portion 408 that is provided behind the disc portion 405 and rotates when a game ball collides. The disc portion 405 and the ball receiving portion 408 are provided with through holes penetrating in the front-rear direction. When the fixed nail 410 is driven into the through hole, the windmill 400 is rotatably attached to the game board 24.

  The ball receiving portion 408 is provided with a ball receiving plate 413 extending in the normal direction of the disc portion 405 from the center of the disc portion 405. The ball receiving plate 413 is located behind the disc portion 405. The ball receiving plates 413 are provided at three locations so as to be positioned at equal intervals.

  On the front side of the ball receiving plate 413, a blue plate 415 and a red plate 418 are rotatably provided. Each of the color plates 415 and 418 extends from the ball receiving plate 413 in parallel with the ball receiving plate 413. A shielding plate 420 is provided on the front side of the ball receiving plate 413 so as to shield the color plates 415 and 418.

  The blue plate 415 is installed so as to be rotatable around the center point of the disc portion 405 when the windmill 400 rotates clockwise. The red plate 418 is installed so as to be rotatable about the center point of the disc portion 405 when the windmill 400 rotates counterclockwise. Each of the color plates 415 and 418 is urged toward the center of the shielding plate 420 so as to be positioned by being shielded by the shielding plate 420. Each of the color plates 415 and 418 is connected to the ball receiving plate 413 in a state of being biased by a plate spring.

  Next, the case where the windmill 400 rotates will be described.

  When the windmill 400 rotates clockwise and the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the windmill 400 becomes larger than the biasing force biased by the blue plate 415, the blue plate 415 rotates. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), the blue plate 415 rotates from the position shielded by the shielding plate 420 to the position exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10. Here, the red plate 418 does not rotate when the windmill 400 rotates clockwise, and the state where it is shielded by the shielding plate 420 is maintained.

  Similarly, when the windmill 400 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the red plate 418 and the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the windmill 400 becomes larger than the biasing force biased by the red plate 418, the red plate 418 Rotate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21C, the red plate 418 rotates from the position shielded by the shielding plate 420 to the position exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10. Here, the blue plate 415 does not rotate when the windmill 400 rotates counterclockwise, and the state where it is shielded by the shielding plate 420 is maintained.

  Since the disc portion 405 has transparency, when the windmill 400 rotates, the color plates 415 and 418 corresponding to the rotation direction can be visually recognized from the front. When the rotation of the windmill 400 is stopped or when the rotation of the windmill 400 is slowed, the urging force urged by the color plates 415 and 418 is larger than the centrifugal force. As a result, the color plates 415 and 418 are returned to positions where they are shielded by the shielding plate 420.

  As described above, when the windmill 400 rotates clockwise, the windmill 400 is visually recognized as rotating blue, and when the windmill unit 34 rotates counterclockwise, the rotating member rotates red. As seen. Moreover, specific notification when the windmill 400 rotates without being controlled by a control device such as the sound lamp control device 82 can be executed.

  In this configuration, the shielding plate 420 is lighter (not conspicuous) than the color plates 415 and 418. Specifically, the shielding plate 420 is colored white. Thereby, according to the color of the shielding board 420, when the windmill 400 rotates, it can suppress that it is not visually recognized from the front so that it may rotate in blue or red.

  (12) A configuration in which the LED is turned on by generating electric power with the rotational force based on the rotation of the windmill unit 34 will be described. In this configuration, when the rotational distribution means rotates, there is provided power supply means for generating electric power by the rotational force and supplying the generated electric power to the light emitting means (notification means). Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described focusing on differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the wind turbine unit 34 in this configuration.

  In this configuration, in place of the shaft-side conductive portion 313 and the connection circuits 315a and 315b in the second embodiment, a power generation portion 450 that causes the lamp portion 123 to emit light when the windmill unit 34 rotates is provided. As the power generation unit 450, a magnet 455 as a magnetic field generation unit and a coil 458 are provided.

  The magnet 455 is integrally formed with the rotating shaft 110. Specifically, the magnet 455 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the axis of the rotating shaft 110 extends, and has one end side as an S pole and the other end side as an N pole. The coil 458 is connected in parallel with a blue lamp that emits blue light and a red lamp that emits red light, provided in the lamp unit 123. The coil 458 is provided at two places so as to sandwich the magnet 455 vertically. As described above, when the magnet 455 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 110, electric power is generated by electromagnetic induction, and the lamp unit 123 is turned on. According to this structure, when the rotating shaft 110 rotates, the magnet 455 and the coil 458 do not contact. For this reason, the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 is not hindered by the magnet 455 and the coil 458.

  Although detailed description is omitted, the coil 458 is connected so that the blue lamp in the lamp unit 123 is lit when the magnet 455 rotates in one direction, and the red lamp is lit when rotated in the other direction. A coil 458 is connected so as to. That is, the circuit is set so as to supply power only to the lamp corresponding to the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 110, and the blue lamp and the red lamp are prevented from being turned on simultaneously.

  As a result, it is possible to execute specific notification when the wind turbine unit 34 rotates without being controlled by a control device such as the sound lamp control device 82.

  (13) The notification content may be varied according to the rotation speed when the windmill unit 34 is rotating. For example, it is conceivable that the blinking cycle when the lamp unit 123 blinks differs depending on the rotation speed when the windmill unit 34 rotates inward. When the inward rotation of the windmill unit 34 is fast and the flow direction of the game ball is distributed, it is considered that the game ball is directed to the upper working port 33a with a momentum rather than the slow inward rotation state. It is done. By notifying according to the rotation speed of the windmill unit 34, the player can grasp the rotation speed of the windmill unit 34.

  (14) The light emission pattern of the lamp unit 123 may change according to the period during which the windmill unit 34 continues to rotate. For example, it is conceivable to measure a period during which the windmill unit 34 continues to rotate in a predetermined direction, and to change the notification to be executed depending on whether the windmill unit 34 continues to rotate more than a predetermined period. In other words, when the game balls continue to be distributed so as to flow down in the first direction without being distributed in the second direction by the distribution means, the notification means is controlled so as to execute a specific notification according to the degree of continued distribution. It is good also as a structure provided with the alerting | reporting control means to perform.

  (15) Although the lamp unit 123 is blinked based on the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34, the specific notification may be executed based on the game result of the game ball that has flowed downstream from the windmill unit 34. Good.

  For example, it is conceivable that the notification to be executed varies depending on the frequency at which the game ball that has flowed downstream from the windmill unit 34 enters the upper operation port 33a. Even if the windmill unit 34 frequently distributes the flow direction of the game ball toward the upper operation port 33a, the game ball is won by the game ball winning in the upper operation port 33a. When the game ball has not won more than the reference number of times in the operation port 33a, it is conceivable that the player has not been given much privilege. In addition, even if the windmill unit 34 rotates outward and the windmill unit 34 is frequently distributed toward the side opposite to the upper working port 33a, the game balls have won more than the reference number of times in the upper working port 33a. It is conceivable that a privilege is sufficiently given to the player. In this regard, according to the present configuration, by grasping the display of the windmill unit 34, the player can understand whether or not the game ball has won more than the reference number of times in the upper operation port 33a.

  As a result, the first distribution means (wind turbine unit 34) for distributing the flow direction of the game ball and the second distribution means (upward) that can be reached when the flow direction is distributed in a specific direction by the first distribution means. It is possible to say that the notification is performed according to the distribution result of the second distribution means.

  (16) The guide nail group 38a may not be provided. Further, instead of the guide nail group 38a, a member for guiding the game ball may be provided. For example, when a game ball arrives, a guide path (for example, a so-called warp path) that guides the game ball may be provided at a predetermined position. In this case, when the game ball that has reached the windmill unit 34 is guided in a predetermined direction, it may be configured to be able to reach the guide path.

  (17) The number of sensors provided in the rotation detection unit 121 may be changed. For example, what has three or more types of sensors is considered. When a plurality of sensors are provided, the rotation direction of the windmill unit 34 may be specified by the order detected by each sensor.

  Although the rotation detection unit 121 in the first embodiment uses an optical photosensor, the configuration is not limited to this configuration as long as the passage of the protrusion 125 can be detected. For example, a magnetic sensor or the like can be used instead of the optical photosensor.

  (18) The shape of the attachment opening 103 may be changed. For example, the attachment opening 103 may have a square shape. When the mounting opening 103 has a square shape, the base 105 can be easily positioned when the wind turbine unit 34 is mounted.

  (19) Rotating when any of the sensors 233 and 235 is switched from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON in the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the absence of the passing flag and the rotation direction specifying process corresponding to the presence of the first passing flag. A value may not be set in the start timer counter area. In this case, the rotation direction is specified in the order in which the sensors 233 and 235 are turned on.

  (20) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above-described embodiments, such as pachinko machines in which an electric accessory is released a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or games in a specific area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that generates a big hit when a ball enters, a pachinko machine equipped with another accessory, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and the like.

  (21) In each of the above embodiments, the display control device 223 is controlled by the sound lamp control device 82 based on the command output from the main control device 81, but instead of this, the main control device The display control device 223 may be configured to control the sound lamp control device 82 based on the command output from 81. Further, instead of the configuration in which the sound lamp control device 82 and the display control device 223 are separately provided, the control devices 82 and 223 may be provided as a control device on one sub-side. The functions of the sound lamp control device 82 or the display control device 223 may be integrated into the main control device 81, and the functions of both the sound lamp control device 82 and the display control device 223 are integrated into the main control device 81. It is good also as a structure.

<Invention Group Extracted from the Embodiments>
Hereinafter, the features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Features 1. Launching means for launching a game ball toward the game area (game ball launching mechanism 53);
Operation means (launching handle 54) that is operated to cause the launching means to launch a game ball and that can adjust the firing force according to the amount of operation.
Distributing means (windmill unit 34) that is provided in the game area and distributes the flow direction in which the game ball flows down;
Notification means (lamp unit 123) for performing specific notification according to the distribution status of the distribution means;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature 1, the specific notification according to the distribution status of the distribution unit is executed. By executing the specific notification, it becomes possible for the player to grasp how the game balls are distributed to flow down. As a result, the player pays attention to the behavior of the released game ball, and the player's attention to the game can be increased.

  In addition, a large number of gaming machines can be installed in a gaming hall or the like in which gaming machines are installed. In each of the large number of gaming machines, individual differences may occur in the distribution of the distribution means. In this case, it is conceivable that the player cannot select or is difficult to select which gaming machine from among a large number of gaming machines. In this regard, in this feature, since the player can grasp the distribution status of the distribution means, it is conceivable that the player can easily select a gaming machine having a distribution status desired by the player. As a result, an effect of increasing the operating rate of gaming machines in the gaming hall is also expected.

  Note that “specific notification” includes not only visual recognition such as decorative objects and images (light), but also recognition other than visual recognition such as voice and vibration. It is.

  Feature 2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit executes the specific notification according to a distribution direction of the distribution unit.

  According to the feature 2, the specific notification is executed according to the distribution direction of the distribution means. By performing the specific notification, the player can grasp the flow direction of the game ball.

  Here, game machines with different degrees of expectation that a privilege is given to a player depending on the direction in which the game ball flows down can be considered. In such a gaming machine, it is considered that the operation means is operated so that game balls are distributed in a direction in which a privilege is given or is easily given. However, it is conceivable that a player or the like who does not understand the gameability cannot understand which launch operation is likely to give a privilege. In this case, it is conceivable that a benefit is not given and a disadvantage occurs to the player. In this regard, it is considered that this feature makes it easier to operate the operation means so that the game balls are distributed in a desired direction while grasping the specific notification. As a result, it is possible to suppress the above disadvantage from occurring to the player.

Feature 3. The distribution means distributes the flow direction of the game ball at least in the first direction and the second direction,
The notification means performs a first specific notification based on the distribution in the first direction, and a second specific notification different from the first specific notification based on the distribution in the second direction. The gaming machine according to Feature 1 or 2, wherein

  According to the feature 3, the first specific notification is executed based on the distribution in the first direction, and the second specific notification is executed based on the distribution in the second direction. Thus, by grasping each specific notification, the player can understand which of the first direction and the second direction the game ball flow direction is distributed.

  Here, there are conceivable gaming machines in which the degree of expectation that a privilege is given to a player is different between when the game is distributed in the first direction and when the game is distributed in the second direction. In such a gaming machine, it is considered that the player plays a game in the hope that it will be distributed in a direction where the degree of expectation that the privilege is given is large. In this point, in this feature, any specific notification is executed when the distribution is made in the direction in which the degree of expectation to which the privilege is given is large and in the case where the degree of expectation to which the designation is given is distributed in the direction where it is small. It is easy for the player to grasp with Taka. This makes it possible for the player to easily understand whether or not the distribution situation desired by the player is present.

  Feature 4. Any one of the features 1 to 3, further comprising notification control means (audio lamp control device 82) for controlling the notification means so as to execute the specific notification according to a distribution status of the distribution means. The gaming machine according to 1.

  According to the feature 4, the notification means is controlled by the notification control means so as to execute the specific notification. By providing the notification control means, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the content of the specific notification based on the distribution status of the distribution means. That is, by providing the notification control means, it is also possible to perform specific notification according to the frequency at which the distribution by the distribution means is performed.

Feature 5. The distribution means distributes the flow direction of the game ball at least in the first direction and the second direction,
5. The feature according to claim 4, wherein the notification control unit controls the notification unit to execute the specific notification according to the distribution frequency distributed in the first direction by the distribution unit. Game machines.

  According to the feature 5, the specific notification is executed according to the distribution frequency distributed in the first direction by the distribution unit. Thereby, by grasping the specific notification, it is possible to understand the frequency of distribution in the first direction.

  In addition, since it is possible to grasp the distribution frequency of the distribution means, it may be possible to manufacture a gaming machine or perform maintenance of the gaming machine so that individual differences do not occur or hardly occur for each gaming machine. It becomes possible.

Feature 6 The distribution means distributes the flow direction of the game ball at least in the first direction and the second direction,
The notification control means, when distributed in the first direction by the distribution means, executes the first specific notification at least until a predetermined period elapses after the distribution ends. The gaming machine according to the feature 4 or 5, characterized in that the means is controlled.

  According to the feature 6, the first specific notification is executed until a predetermined period elapses after the distribution in at least the first direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a player recognize as if it is distributed more frequently in the first direction than the actual distribution means.

  Here, a gaming machine with a higher expectation that a privilege is given to a player when the game ball flows down in the first direction out of the first direction and the second direction can be considered. In such a gaming machine, when the game is frequently distributed in the second direction, which is more disadvantageous to the player than the first direction among the first direction and the second direction, the player's willingness to continue the game It is thought that it falls. In this regard, in this feature, the frequency of execution of the first specific notification is increased, and it is possible to make the player recognize that the first specific notification is distributed in the first direction with high frequency. Therefore, it can suppress that the player's willingness to continue a game falls.

Feature 7. The distribution means distributes the flow direction of the game ball at least in the first direction and the second direction,
The notification control means includes
When the distribution means distributes in the first direction, the notification means is controlled to execute the first specific notification at least until a predetermined period elapses after the distribution ends,
Controlling the notification means so as to execute a second specific notification different from the first specific notification in a period in which the distribution is performed when the distribution means distributes in the second direction. 6. The gaming machine according to feature 4 or 5, which is characterized.

  According to the feature 7, in a period in which the first specific notification is executed and the distribution in the second direction is performed until at least a predetermined period elapses after the distribution in the first direction is performed. The second specific notification is executed. For this reason, it is considered that the first specific notification is executed more frequently with respect to the distribution of the actual distribution means than the second specific notification. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a player recognize as if it is distributed more frequently in the first direction than the actual distribution means.

  Here, a gaming machine with a higher expectation that a privilege is given to a player when the game ball flows down in the first direction out of the first direction and the second direction can be considered. In such a gaming machine, when the game is frequently distributed in the second direction, which is more disadvantageous to the player than the first direction among the first direction and the second direction, the player's willingness to continue the game It is thought that it falls. In this regard, this feature increases the frequency with which the first specific notification is executed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the player from recognizing that the player is excessively distributed in the second direction, and to obtain an effect of suppressing a decrease in the player's willingness to continue the game.

  Feature 8 The notification control means continues executing the first specific notification when it is distributed in the second direction by the allocating means when the first specific notification is being executed in the predetermined period. 8. The gaming machine according to feature 7, wherein:

  According to the characteristic 8, when the distribution in the second direction is performed while the first specific notification is being executed, the execution of the first specific notification is continued. As a result, the first specific notification is preferentially executed as compared with the second specific notification, and the first specific notification is executed with respect to the distribution of the actual distribution means compared to the second specific notification. The effect of increasing the frequency of recognizing can be made remarkable.

Feature 9 The notification means is a display means capable of recognizing a notification situation visually.
Each of the said alerting | reporting means and the said distribution means overlaps and is located in the front and back, The game machine of any one of the characteristics 1 thru | or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the feature 9, by superimposing the notification unit and the distribution unit back and forth, the player can easily recognize the specific notification while recognizing the game balls distributed by the distribution unit. That is, it is possible to make the player recognize that the notification of the notification unit and the distribution of the distribution unit are related to each other as compared with the configuration in which the notification unit and the distribution unit are separated. As a result, an effect of causing the player to pay attention to the behavior of the game ball is also expected.

  Feature 10 The distribution means is at least a first direction that is relatively advantageous to the player, and a second direction that is relatively disadvantageous to the player as compared to the case where the game ball is distributed in the first direction. 10. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 9, wherein the game machines are distributed.

  According to the feature 10, the first direction that is relatively advantageous to the player and the second direction that is relatively disadvantageous than the first direction are provided. The player pays attention to the behavior of the game ball because there are cases where the player is advantageous and disadvantageous depending on the distributed direction. As a result, the player pays attention to the distribution status of the distribution means, and the player's degree of attention to the specific notification can be increased.

Feature 11. The distribution means distributes the flow direction of the game ball at least in the first direction and the second direction,
An entrance (upper and lower operation ports 33a, 33b) provided in a game area where game balls flow down and into which game balls can enter,
Lottery means (a function for executing a big hit occurrence lottery by the main control device 81) for performing a specific lottery on whether or not to give a privilege to the player based on the game ball entering the entrance;
With
Any one of the features 1 to 10 is characterized in that, when the sorting means distributes in the first direction, it is easier to enter the entrance than when allocated in the second direction. Game machines.

  According to the feature 11, when the specific lottery is executed, the player in the first direction is more advantageous than the second direction. Thereby, it is considered that the player expects to be sorted in the second direction. As a result, the player pays attention to the distribution status of the distribution means, and the player's degree of attention to the specific notification can be increased.

  Feature 12. The game area includes guide means (guide nail group 38a) for guiding the game balls distributed in the first direction by the distribution means toward the entrance. The gaming machine described in 1.

  According to the feature 12, since the guide means is provided, it is easier to enter the entrance when it is distributed in the first direction than in the second direction. By distinguishing the direction in which the game ball is easy to enter the entrance and the direction in which it is difficult to enter according to the presence or absence of the guide means, it becomes easier for the player to understand the division between the first direction and the second direction. .

  The feature 11 or 12 may be configured so as not to enter the entrance, or difficult to enter when entering the second direction by the distribution unit.

  Feature 13. The distribution means is a rotary distribution means that is rotatably supported and rotates when it comes into contact with the game ball that has flowed down, and distributes the flow direction of the game ball. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  According to the feature 13, when the game ball comes into contact with the game ball, the rotation distribution unit rotates to distribute the flow direction of the game ball. This eliminates the need to execute a process for distributing the game ball flow direction.

  There may be a gaming machine in which a game entrance into which a game ball can enter is provided, and a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to give a privilege based on the game ball entering the game entrance. In such a gaming machine, it is conceivable that the player pays attention to whether or not a game ball enters the entrance and whether or not to win the lottery, and the rotary distribution means is not so much attention. . On the other hand, when any one of the above features 1 to 12 is applied, specific notification is executed according to the distribution status of the rotary distribution means. As a result, an effect of increasing the degree of attention to the rotational distribution means and increasing the degree of attention to the behavior of the game ball is expected.

  When a rotation distribution unit is used as the distribution unit, it may be difficult for the player to grasp the rotation direction. For example, when the rotation distribution means is circular, it is conceivable that the player is more difficult to grasp the rotation direction. For this reason, the inconvenience that the player cannot grasp the flow direction of the game ball may occur. In this regard, the player can grasp the distribution situation by applying any one of the above features 1 to 12. As a result, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suppressed.

Feature 14. Rotation direction specifying means for specifying the rotation direction of the rotation distribution means (steps S402, S407, etc. in each sensor monitoring process and distribution direction teaching process of the sound lamp control device 82),
The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the notification means executes the specific notification in accordance with the rotation direction specified by the rotation direction specification means.

  According to the feature 14, it is only necessary to specify the rotation direction of the rotation distribution unit, and it is not necessary to specify the actual behavior of the game ball. Here, it is conceivable that the game balls flow irregularly, such as bounce. For this reason, in order to specify the behavior of the game ball, it is considered necessary to detect the behavior over a wide range. In this respect, in this feature, it is only necessary to specify the rotation direction of the rotation distribution means, and the specification becomes easier as compared with the configuration that actually specifies the behavior of the game ball.

Feature 15. The rotation direction specifying means includes
A detected part (protrusion 125) that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotation distributing means;
A plurality of detection means (first sensor 233, second sensor 235) for detecting passage of the detected part;
15. A gaming machine according to claim 14, characterized in that each detection means grasps a detection order in which passage of the detected part is detected, and specifies a rotation direction based on the detection order.

  According to the feature 15, the distribution direction of the rotation distribution unit is specified by the detection order of the plurality of detection units. Since the rotation direction is specified by the detection order of the detection means, if there are at least two detection means, the rotation direction of the rotation distribution means can be specified, and the number of detection means to be installed becomes enormous. Can be suppressed.

  Feature 16. The rotation direction specifying unit is configured to detect the rotation vibration in a rotation direction corresponding to the detection order based on detection performed by the plurality of detection units in a predetermined detection order within a predetermined detection period. The gaming machine according to the feature 15, wherein the minute means is identified as rotating.

  According to the feature 16, when the detection is performed in a predetermined detection order within a predetermined detection period, it is specified that the rotation distribution unit is rotating. Here, it is conceivable that the rotational distribution means moves slightly due to vibration of the gaming machine or the like. If the above detection period is not provided, it is conceivable that the detection means detects a slight movement of the rotation distribution means, and a problem is identified that the rotation distribution means is rotating. In this respect, in this feature, the rotation distribution unit is rotated by vibration or the like in order to identify that the rotation distribution unit is rotating based on detection by the detection unit within a predetermined detection period. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience identified as being.

Feature 17. At least as the plurality of detection means,
First detection means (first sensor 233);
A second detection means (second sensor 235) located on the front side in which the rotational distribution means is rotated in the first direction with respect to the first detection means;
Furthermore, the first detection means and the second detection means are arranged so that there is a timing at which passage of the detected part is detected by both of the detection means,
The rotation direction specifying means detects the passage of the detected part by both of the detecting means from the state in which the passage of the detected part is detected by one of the first detecting means and the second detecting means. After that, based on the fact that the passage of the detected part is no longer detected by one detection means, the rotation distribution means rotates from the one detection means side to the other detection means side. The gaming machine according to the feature 15 or 16, characterized in that it is identified as being.

  According to the feature 17, the order for specifying that the rotation distributing means is rotating is detected by one detecting means → detected by the other detecting means → not detected by the one detecting means. . This makes it possible to accurately specify the rotation of the rotation distribution unit in the configuration using the multiple detection method.

  Here, for example, when the detection is simply detected by one detection means → the detection is detected by the other detection means, it is conceivable that the rotation distribution means is identified as rotating. Also, for example, detection by one detection means → detection by both detection means, and detection by both detection means → either detection by one detection means or non-detection by one detection means Based on the above, it is conceivable that the rotation distribution means is identified as rotating. In these cases, if the rotation distribution means is stopped in a state detected by one of the detection means or in a state detected by both detection means, the rotation will also rotate even if the rotation distribution means vibrates slightly. It is conceivable that the sorting means is identified as rotating. That is, when the detection state of the detection means is switched, a problem may occur due to specifying that the rotation is rotating. In these cases, when the rotation direction is specified, it may be necessary to measure the time until the detection state by the detection means is switched. However, when the rotation speed is low, there may be a problem that the rotation direction cannot be specified satisfactorily or the rotation cannot be specified.

  In this regard, in this feature, by detecting by one detecting means → detecting by the other detecting means → not detected by the one detecting means, by specifying that the rotating distribution means is rotating, It is possible to suppress inconvenience that may occur when the rotation distribution unit is stopped while being detected by the detection unit. In addition, when the rotation direction is specified, there is no need to measure the time until the detection state of the detection means is switched.

  In addition, since the timing at which the detection unit is detected by each detection unit is provided, it is not necessary to install a large amount of detection units in accurately identifying the rotation of the rotation distribution unit.

  Feature 18. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the rotation distribution unit and the rotation direction identification unit are installed in a state where they are integrated as a rotation unit.

  According to the feature 18, the rotation distribution means and the rotation direction specifying means are integrated as a rotation unit. This facilitates the installation of the rotation distribution means and the rotation direction specifying means in the gaming machine.

  It is conceivable that a game ball collides with the rotation distribution means, and the rotation distribution means may be deformed. By installing the rotation distribution unit as a rotation unit, it is expected that the rotation distribution unit can be easily replaced and maintained.

Feature 19. It has a game board (game board 24) that forms a game area,
The rotating unit includes a fitting portion (base 105) fitted into an opening provided in the game board,
The rotational distribution means protrudes forward from the fitting portion,
The gaming machine according to claim 18, wherein the front surface of the fitting portion and the front surface of the game board are arranged on the same plane.

  According to the feature 19, the front surface of the fitting portion and the front surface of the game board in the rotating unit are arranged so as to be on the same plane. Thereby, it can suppress that the flow-down of a game ball is inhibited by the insertion part.

Feature 20. The opening provided in the game board penetrates forward and backward,
The gaming machine according to claim 19, wherein the fitting portion is fixed from the back side of the game board in a state of being fitted into the game board.

  According to the feature 20, the rotating unit is fixed from the back side of the game board. Thereby, when fixing a rotation unit, it can suppress that the fixing member used for the fixation etc. is exposed to the front side of a game board.

Feature 21. The informing means is a light emitting means,
An electromotive force generating means (power generation unit 450) that generates an electromotive force by the rotational force when the rotational distribution means rotates at least in a predetermined direction;
The informing means is a light emitting means, and emits light by an electromotive force generated by the electromotive force generating means,
Each of the said light emission means and the said electromotive force generation means is unitized with the said rotation distribution means, The game machine of the Claim 13 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the feature 21, an electromotive force is generated by the rotational force of the rotation distributing unit, and the light emitting unit emits light by the electromotive force. Thereby, the player can understand that the flow-down direction of the game ball is distributed in a predetermined direction by recognizing the light emission of the light emitting means.

  Moreover, since the electromotive force generating means and the light emitting means are unitized, it is not necessary to provide external wiring or the like in the unit. Furthermore, the light emitting means, the electromotive force generating means, and the rotational distribution means can be installed by installing the unit in the gaming machine. Thereby, by providing the electromotive force generating means and the light emitting means, it is possible to prevent the assembly work of the gaming machine from becoming complicated.

  The “electromotive force generating means” includes at least one that has a magnetic field generating means (magnet) for generating a magnetic field and a power generation coil and generates power by electromagnetic induction.

Means 22. The notification means includes a display portion (wing portion 355) that can be switched between a first state that is visible from the front side of the gaming machine and a second state that is not visible or less visible than the first state,
The display unit is provided in the rotation distribution unit and switches from the second state to the first state based on the rotation of the rotation distribution unit in a predetermined direction. 14. The gaming machine according to feature 13.

  According to the feature 22, the display unit is in the first state based on the rotation distribution unit rotating in a predetermined direction. Thereby, by visually recognizing the display unit, the player can grasp that the flow direction of the game balls is distributed in a predetermined direction. In addition, since the display unit becomes invisible or difficult to be recognized by entering the second state, the display unit is visually recognized when the rotation is not performed in a predetermined direction, and the flow direction of the game ball is determined in a predetermined direction. Can be prevented from being recognized as being distributed.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above features can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means operated by a player, game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, a ball path for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and a game A gaming machine that includes each gaming component arranged in an area, and gives a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of each gaming component.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 24 ... Game board, 33a, 33b ... Upper, lower operation port, 34 ... Windmill unit, 36 ... Variable display unit, 38 ... Nail, 38a ... Guide nail group, 41 ... Symbol display device, 53 ... Game Ball launching mechanism, 54 ... launch handle, 81 ... main controller, 82 ... voice lamp controller, 105a ... flange, 105b ... screw member, 110 ... rotating shaft, 117 ... ball receiver, 121 ... rotation detector, 123 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Lamp part, 125 ... Protrusion, 210 ... Detection sensor, 212 ... Sound lamp control board, 215 ... MPU, 218 ... ROM, 220 ... RAM, 223 ... Display control device, 225 ... Various timer counter areas, 233 ... 1st sensor 235, second sensor, 313, shaft side conductive portion, 315a, 315b, ceiling side, bottom side connection circuit, 318, circuit side conductive portion, 318b, 318c, first Second connection part 320 ... Projection part 350 ... Windmill 355 ... Wings 358 ... Wings 360 a ... Red face 360 b ... Blue face 400 ... Windmills 408 ... Ball receiver 413 ... Ball receiver 415 ... blue plate, 418 ... red plate, 420 ... shielding plate, 450 ... power generation unit, 455 ... magnet, 458 ... coil.

Claims (1)

A game board with a game area formed on the front,
A firing means for firing the game ball toward the playfield,
An operation means that is operated to cause the launching of the game ball by the launching means, and that can adjust the firing force according to the amount of operation.
An allocating means provided in the game area, for distributing a flow direction in which a game ball flows down;
Notification means for executing specific notification according to the distribution status of the distribution means;
Equipped with a,
The allocating means is a rotating allocating means that rotates based on contact with the game balls that have flowed down and distributes the flow direction of the game balls;
A box-shaped attachment unit for attaching the rotation distribution means to an opening formed in the game board;
The attachment unit is attached to the opening so that the front surface of the front wall portion is substantially flush with the front surface of the game board.
The rotational distribution means is
A rotating shaft that is rotatably supported by support portions formed on front and rear walls of the mounting unit;
A plurality of ball receivers arranged in front of the game board and extending radially from the rotation axis;
A disc part attached to the ball receiving part from the front and having a decorative surface on the front surface;
With
The ball receiving portion is formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, so that the ball itself rotates while distributing the flow direction of the game balls flowing down the game area,
The notification means includes
A first light emitting means and a second light emitting means provided in the mounting unit;
Each light emitting means is provided at a position overlapping with the disk portion in the front-rear direction,
A diffusion unit for diffusing the light of each light emitting means,
Furthermore, the notification means includes
A pair of upper and lower coil portions provided at an intermediate position between the front and rear support portions in the mounting unit and behind the light emitting means, and projecting inward;
A magnet provided at a position corresponding to the coil portion on the rotating shaft, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft and toward the coil portion;
When the rotary distribution means rotates in the first direction, the electric power provided in the mounting unit and generated in the coil portion by the rotation of the magnet is supplied to the first light emitting means, and the rotation Switching means for supplying to the second light emitting means when the sorting means rotates in the second direction;
With
The first light-emitting means emits light when the rotation distributing means rotates in the first direction, and the second light-emitting means emits light by rotating in the second direction to execute the specific notification. And
The switching means is
A shaft-side conductive portion provided with respect to the rotating shaft and extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft;
A coil-side conductive portion that energizes the coil portion and the first light-emitting means or the second light-emitting means by contacting the shaft-side conductive portion;
With
The coil side conductive part is
A first contact portion for energizing the coil portion and the first light emitting means;
A second contact portion for energizing the coil portion and the second light emitting means;
With
When the rotation distribution unit rotates in the first direction, the first contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other, and the second contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other. First, when the rotation distributing means rotates in the second direction, the second contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other, and the first contact portion and the shaft-side conductive portion are in contact with each other. A gaming machine characterized by being configured not to touch .

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