JP2005021551A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of improving interest for a player. <P>SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 10 is provided with an outer frame 11 and an inner frame 12 openably and closably provided on one side part of the front part of the outer frame 11. A game board is mounted on the inner frame 12, the game board is provided with a variable winning device, and the variable winning device is provided with a pinwheel unit, a V zone, and a general winning zone in the inside. Then, the blades of the pinwheel unit are rotationally driven, and when a game ball enters the variable winning device at a prescribed timing, the game ball is distributed by the blade so as to be led to the V zone. Also, when it enters at a different timing, the game ball is distributed by the blade so as to be led to the general winning zone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a type of gaming machine, a pachinko machine provided with a ball entry means (for example, a start winning device, a variable winning device, or the like) that allows a game ball to enter a game board is known.

  In this type of pachinko machine, a game ball is launched onto the game board surface by a player's operation, the game situation changes accordingly, and a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, the game ball to the start winning device) Is awarded, and a special game state (for example, a big win state) occurs when a symbol variably displayed on a predetermined symbol display device is stopped and displayed in a specific combination.

  When the special game state occurs, the variable prize device is switched to a state advantageous to the player. Specifically, the winning opening is opened when a movable member, such as a shutter, provided in the variable winning device is opened. By winning a game ball there, the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls.

Some of these gaming machines include a plurality of winning areas in the variable winning device and a guide member capable of guiding the gaming balls to them, and the gaming balls must be won in order to continue the special gaming state. There is also a gaming machine that drives and controls the sorting member so that at least one gaming ball is guided to a specific winning area (for example, V zone) that must not be. For example, a substantially flat guiding member (for example, a seesaw member) pivotally supported is tilted toward a specific winning area based on the occurrence of a special gaming state, and when a game ball wins a specific winning area, There is a gaming machine that tilts toward another winning area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-175213 A

  However, in the configuration as described above, the behavior of the game ball in the variable prize apparatus becomes unambiguous under a predetermined situation, and as a result, there is a possibility that improvement of interest for the player may be hindered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can further enhance interest for a player.

Means 1. A launching means for launching a game ball;
A game board having a game area on the front side where the launched game ball is guided and the game ball can flow down,
In the gaming area, comprising specific entry means that allows a game ball to enter based on establishment of a predetermined condition,
A gaming machine capable of giving a predetermined game value based on the game ball entering the specific ball entry means,
The specific entry means is configured to play a game from a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter the specific entry means based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a plurality of winning areas allowing entry of game balls. A movable member that displaces the ball into an open state where the ball can enter or is easy to enter, and an external force received from the game ball are provided so as to be rotationally driven, and the path of the game ball entering the specific ball entry means is distributed A gaming machine comprising a sorting member.

  According to the above means 1, the game balls are distributed in the specific entry means by the distribution member configured to be rotationally driven by the external force received from the game balls. For this reason, the randomness of the behavior of the game ball in the specific ball entry means can be improved, and problems such as the behavior of the game ball becoming unambiguous can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the player to predict the course of the game ball, so attention is paid to the behavior of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest for the player. The same applies to the following means, but the above-described provision of the game value includes payout of a game medium (for example, a game ball) as an actual game value. The addition of the game value may include storing the number of game media as a virtual game value or displaying the number of stored game media on a predetermined display means. In addition, the establishment of the predetermined condition includes, for example, the occurrence of a special game state based on a game ball entering a predetermined ball entry means (start ball entry means).

  Mean 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the distribution member is provided so as to be rotatable about a substantially front-rear direction of the game board as an axis.

  According to the means 2, the course of the game ball entering the specific entry means is assigned by the distributing member that is rotatably supported. Since the sorting member that is rotatably supported has a larger rotation amount (rotation amount) than a guiding member that is pivotally supported to guide the game ball to a predetermined winning area, for example, The effect on the ball is large, that is, the effect on the course of the game ball (to which winning area is directed) is large. Therefore, the effect of the means 1 can be enhanced.

Means 3. In the means 2, the specific entry means includes an information display unit for displaying specific information on the rotation axis of the distribution member, and a plurality of covering members arranged in front of the information display unit,
In conjunction with the rotation of the distributing member, at least one of the plurality of covering members is configured to rotate about the rotation axis, and at least one of the plurality of covering members and another The relative position with the covering member is configured to change in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis,
A gaming machine, wherein when at least one of the plurality of covering members is at a specific position, the specific information is visible or easily visible through the plurality of covering members.

  According to the means 3, at least one of the plurality of covering members is in the specific position, whereby the specific information can be visually recognized or easily viewed. In other words, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved. Although the same applies to the following means, the specific information includes a theoretical probability that the predetermined condition is satisfied or information (for example, a set value) that can suggest or recognize it. In addition, the information display unit includes a part to which specific information is attached (attached) or a display unit of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, CRT, dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence (EL), or the like. A display part is mentioned. Further, the above-described means includes a configuration in which the information display unit and one of the plurality of covering members are integrally formed. For example, when specific information is given to one of the plurality of covering members and at least one of the plurality of covering members is in a specific position, the covering member is irradiated with light by a predetermined irradiation unit. Thus, the specific information may be visible or easily visible through the plurality of covering members (the same applies to the following means).

Means 4. In the means 2, the specific entry means includes an information display unit for displaying specific information on the rotation axis of the distribution member, and a plurality of covering members arranged in front of the information display unit,
Of the plurality of covering members, the frontmost one is formed integrally with the distributing member,
When the distribution member rotates, the relative position between the frontmost covering member and the other covering member changes in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis,
A gaming machine, wherein the specific information is visible or easily visible through the plurality of covering members when the distribution member is in a specific position.

  According to the said means 4, specific information can be visually recognized or it becomes easy to visually recognize because a distribution member becomes a specific position. Therefore, the same effect as the means 3 is produced.

Means 5. In means 3 or 4, a transparent region and an opaque region are respectively formed in the plurality of covering members,
By arranging the see-through regions formed in the plurality of covering members so as to overlap in the rotation axis direction, the specific information can be visually recognized or easily visible through the see-through regions of the plurality of covering members. A gaming machine characterized by comprising.

  According to the above means 5, by forming the see-through region and the non-permeability region in the covering member in advance, the specific information is fixedly displayed on the information display unit, and the relative positional relationship between the plurality of covering members is determined. The specific information is made visible (easy to see) or invisible (hard to see). Therefore, it is not necessary to control whether or not the specific information is displayed on the information display unit, and the control of the gaming machine can be prevented from becoming complicated. Although the same applies to the following means, the above-mentioned “perspective area” refers to an area where the opposite can be visually recognized through the covering member, and includes, for example, a transparent or translucent portion of the covering member. In addition, the “non-permeability region” refers to a region in which the opposite is not visible through the covering member, and includes, for example, a region that is made invisible by applying paint or the like on a transparent or translucent covering member.

  Means 6. In the means 1 or 2, the specific entry means includes a plurality of covering members arranged on the rotation axis of the distributing member, and the specific information is passed through the plurality of covering members based on the establishment of the specific condition. A gaming machine that is configured to be visible or easily visible.

  According to the means 6, the specific information is visible or easy to visually recognize when the specific condition is satisfied. Therefore, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved. For example, specific information is attached to one of the plurality of covering members, and the specific information can be visually recognized through the plurality of covering members by irradiating the covering member with light by a predetermined irradiation unit. Or it is good also as a structure which becomes easy to visually recognize.

  Means 7. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 6, further comprising drive control means capable of driving and controlling the distribution member based on establishment of a specific condition.

  According to the means 7, the distribution member is configured to be driven to rotate by an external force received from the game ball, and when the specific condition is satisfied, the drive control is performed by the drive control means. The behavior of the game ball is further diversified, and the behavior of the game ball becomes unique, which can be further reduced. The establishment of the specific condition includes a game ball entering a specific winning area of the plurality of winning areas.

Means 8. A launching means for launching a game ball;
A game board having a game area on the front side where the launched game ball is guided and the game ball can flow down,
In the gaming area, comprising specific entry means that allows a game ball to enter based on establishment of a predetermined condition,
A gaming machine capable of giving a predetermined game value based on the game ball entering the specific ball entry means,
The specific entry means is configured to play a game from a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter the specific entry means based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a plurality of winning areas allowing entry of game balls. A movable member that displaces to an open state in which a ball can enter or is easy to enter, and a game ball that is provided to be rotatable about the substantially front-rear direction of the game board and enters the specific entry means A gaming machine comprising a sorting member that sorts a course.

  According to the means 8, the course of the game ball entering the specific entry means is distributed by the distributing member that is rotatably supported. Since the sorting member that is rotatably supported has a larger rotation amount (rotation amount) than a guiding member that is pivotally supported to guide the game ball to a predetermined winning area, for example, The effect on the ball is large, that is, the effect on the course of the game ball (to which winning area is directed) is large. Therefore, it is possible to increase the randomness of the behavior of the game ball in the specific entry means and reduce the problem that the behavior of the game ball becomes unambiguous. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the player to predict the course of the game ball, so attention is paid to the behavior of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest for the player. The same applies to the following means, but the above-described provision of the game value includes payout of a game medium (for example, a game ball) as an actual game value. The addition of the game value may include storing the number of game media as a virtual game value or displaying the number of stored game media on a predetermined display means. In addition, the distribution member may be configured to rotate by a predetermined driving means, or may be configured to rotate by an external force received from the game ball. In addition, the establishment of the predetermined condition includes, for example, the occurrence of a special game state based on a game ball entering a predetermined ball entry means (start ball entry means).

Means 9. In the means 8, the specific detecting means for detecting the game ball entering the specific winning area of the plurality of winning areas,
Drive control means for driving and controlling the distribution member,
After the movable member is in the open state and before the movable member is in the closed state, the drive control means continues to rotate the distribution member before the game ball enters the specific winning area. In a stage after the game ball has entered the specific winning area, the distribution member is stopped at the specific position so that the game ball is guided to another winning area different from the specific winning area. A gaming machine characterized by being controlled to become

  According to the means 9, the sorting member is continuously rotated before the game ball enters the specific winning area of the plurality of winning areas. Therefore, for example, when the specific winning area is a winning area where a game ball must be won in order to continue a specific gaming state (special gaming state), the effect of the means 8 is particularly enhanced.

Means 10. In the means 9, the specific entry means includes an information display unit for displaying specific information on a rotation axis of the distribution member, and a plurality of covering members arranged in front of the information display unit,
In conjunction with the rotation of the distributing member, at least one of the plurality of covering members is configured to rotate about the rotation axis, and at least one of the plurality of covering members and another The relative position with the covering member is configured to change in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis,
A gaming machine, wherein when at least one of the plurality of covering members is at a specific position, the specific information is visible or easily visible through the plurality of covering members.

  According to the means 10, at least one of the plurality of covering members becomes the specific position, so that the specific information can be visually recognized or easily viewed. That is, when the predetermined condition is satisfied and the game ball can enter the specific entry means, and the game ball enters the specific winning area, the player can finally recognize the specific information. . Therefore, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved. Although the same applies to the following means, the specific information includes a theoretical probability that the predetermined condition is satisfied or information (for example, a set value) that can suggest or recognize it. In addition, the information display unit includes a part to which specific information is attached (attached) or a display unit of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, CRT, dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence (EL), or the like. A display part is mentioned.

Means 11. In the means 9, the specific entry means includes an information display unit for displaying specific information on a rotation axis of the distribution member, and a plurality of covering members arranged in front of the information display unit,
Of the plurality of covering members, the frontmost one is formed integrally with the distributing member,
When the distribution member rotates, the relative position between the frontmost covering member and the other covering member changes in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis,
A gaming machine, wherein the specific information is visible or easily visible through the plurality of covering members when the distribution member is at the specific position.

  According to the means 11, the specific information is visible or easy to visually recognize because the distribution member is in the specific position. That is, when the predetermined condition is satisfied and the game ball can enter the specific entry means, and the game ball enters the specific winning area, the player can finally recognize the specific information. . Therefore, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved.

Means 12. In means 10 or means 11, a transparent region and an opaque region are respectively formed in the plurality of covering members,
By arranging the see-through regions formed in the plurality of covering members so as to overlap in the rotation axis direction, the specific information can be visually recognized or easily visible through the see-through regions of the plurality of covering members. A gaming machine characterized by comprising.

  According to the means 12, by forming the see-through region and the non-permeability region in the covering member in advance, the specific information is fixedly displayed on the information display unit, and the relative positional relationship between the plurality of covering members is determined. The specific information is made visible (easy to see) or invisible (hard to see). Therefore, it is not necessary to control whether or not the specific information is displayed on the information display unit in accordance with the driving control of the sorting member, and it is possible to suppress the control of the gaming machine from becoming complicated. Although the same applies to the following means, the above-mentioned “perspective area” refers to an area where the opposite can be visually recognized through the covering member, and includes, for example, a transparent or translucent portion of the covering member. In addition, the “non-permeability region” refers to a region in which the opposite is not visible through the covering member, and includes, for example, a region that is made invisible by applying paint or the like on a transparent or translucent covering member.

  Means 13. In the means 8 or 9, the specific entry means includes a plurality of covering members arranged on the rotation axis of the distributing member, and the specific information is passed through the plurality of covering members based on the establishment of the specific condition. A gaming machine that is configured to be visible or easily visible.

  According to the means 13, the specific information can be visually recognized or easily recognized by the specific condition being satisfied. Therefore, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved. For example, specific information is attached to one of the plurality of covering members, and the specific information can be visually recognized through the plurality of covering members by irradiating the covering member with light by a predetermined irradiation unit. Or it is good also as a structure which becomes easy to visually recognize.

Means 14. In any one of the means 10 to 13, the plurality of covering members are each arranged in a substantially circular shape when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and the centers of the circles of the respective covering members are arranged on the rotation axis. ,
A gaming machine, wherein at least the foremost covering member is configured to be rotatable about the center of a circle of the covering member as an axis.

Means 15. A launching means for launching a game ball;
A game board having a game area on the front side where the launched game ball is guided and the game ball can flow down,
In the gaming area, comprising specific entry means that allows a game ball to enter based on establishment of a predetermined condition,
A gaming machine capable of giving a predetermined game value based on the game ball entering the specific ball entry means,
The specific entry means includes a first prize area and a second prize area that allow game balls to enter, and a game ball cannot enter or enter the specific entry means based on the establishment of the predetermined condition. A movable member that is displaced from a difficult closed state to an open state in which a game ball can enter or can easily enter, an information display unit that displays specific information, and a first that is disposed in front of the information display unit Of the game ball that is integrally formed on the front side of the second covering member and enters the specific ball entry means. And a sorting member that sorts the course,
The second covering member and the distributing member are provided so as to be rotatable about a substantially front-rear direction of the game board as an axis, and the information display unit and the first covering member are the second covering member and Arranged on the rotation axis of the sorting member,
A configuration in which the relative position between the first covering member and the second covering member changes in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis as the second covering member and the distributing member rotate. And
When the second covering member and the distributing member are in a specific position, the specific information is configured to be visible or easily visible through the first covering member and the second covering member. A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the means 15, the same effect as that of the means 8 is obtained. Furthermore, specific information becomes visible or easy to visually recognize because the second covering member and the sorting member are at specific positions. For this reason, the player pays attention to the specific ball entry means in order to know the specific information. As a result, the behavior of the game ball in the specific ball entry means is noticed, and the game ball is further interested in the behavior of the game ball. It will be. As a result, further improvement of interest can be achieved. The specific information includes a theoretical probability that the predetermined condition is satisfied or information (for example, a set value) that can suggest or recognize the theoretical probability. In the means 15, the sorting member is integrally formed on the front side of the second covering member. When the distribution member is provided on the back side of the second covering member, the specific entry means deviates from the original game content of the game machine in which the main game is to enjoy the behavior of the game ball in the game area. There is a risk that it will be difficult for the player to visually recognize the behavior of the game ball. Furthermore, if the distance between the first covering member and the second covering member is too far away, there is a risk that it is difficult to visually recognize specific information that is visible only through both, Such troubles can be reduced. Note that the second covering member and the distributing member may be configured to rotate by a predetermined driving unit, or may be configured to rotate by an external force received from the game ball.

Means 16. In the means 15, specific detection means for detecting the entry of a game ball into the first winning area;
Drive control means for drivingly controlling the second covering member and the distributing member,
After the movable member is in the open state and before the movable member is in the closed state, the drive control means has the second covering member in a stage before the game ball enters the first winning area. And the distribution member is controlled so as to continuously rotate, and in a stage after the game ball has entered the first winning area, the second ball is guided to the second winning area. The gaming machine is configured to control so that the covering member and the distributing member are stopped at the specific position.

  According to the means 16, the sorting member and the like are continuously rotated before the game ball enters the first winning area. Therefore, for example, when the first winning area is a winning area where a game ball must be won in order to continue a specific gaming state (special gaming state), the effect of the means 13 is particularly enhanced. Furthermore, when the predetermined condition is satisfied and the game ball can enter the specific winning means, and the game ball enters the specific winning area, the player can finally recognize the specific information. . Therefore, in order for the player to see the specific information, the game can be continued further or concentrated by the game, and the entertainment can be further improved.

Means 17. In means 15 or means 16, a transparent region and an opaque region are formed in the first covering member and the second covering member, respectively.
When the second covering member and the distributing member are in the specific position, the transparent regions formed in the first covering member and the second covering member are arranged so as to overlap in the rotation axis direction. And
A gaming machine, characterized in that the specific information is visible or easily visible through the transparent regions of the first covering member and the second covering member.

  According to the means 17, by forming the see-through area and the non-permeability area on the covering member in advance, the first covering member and the second covering member are displayed with the specific information fixedly displayed on the information display section. Depending on the relative positional relationship of the covering member, the specific information is visible (easy to see) or invisible (not easily visible). Therefore, for example, in accordance with the drive control of the second covering member and the distributing member, it is not necessary to perform control such as whether or not specific information is displayed on the information display unit, and the control of the gaming machine is complicated. Can be suppressed.

Means 18. In the means 17, the first covering member and the second covering member are formed so that a plurality of substantially linear see-through regions and non-see-through regions extending along a predetermined direction are alternately arranged.
The longitudinal direction of the see-through area and the non-permeability area formed on the first covering member and the longitudinal direction of the see-through area and the non-permeability area formed on the second covering member are the second covering. A gaming machine configured to be in a non-intersecting state when a member is in the specific position and to be in an intersecting state when the second covering member is not in the specific position.

  According to the means 18, the first covering member and the second covering member are formed so that a plurality of substantially linear see-through regions and non-see-through regions are alternately arranged. Therefore, when the longitudinal direction of the see-through area and the non-permeability area formed on the first covering member and the longitudinal direction of the see-through area and the non-permeability area formed on the second covering member are in an intersecting state, it is visible. The area portion is reduced, and the specific information becomes invisible (difficult to see). Moreover, when both are in a non-intersecting state, the area part which can be visually recognized increases and the said specific information becomes visually recognizable (easily visually recognized). In this way, by forming the substantially linear see-through region and the non-see-through region as described above, for example, when the width of the see-through region is wider than the width of the see-through region, the first covering member and Even if the longitudinal direction of the see-through region and the non-permeability region formed on the second covering member are in an intersecting state, the player may be able to visually recognize a part of the specific information, and the player may have a slight gap. It is thought that it is going to guess what kind of information the specific information is from. As a result, even when the second covering member is not in a specific position, the player can continue the game or concentrate more on the game in order to view the specific information, thereby further enhancing the interest. it can.

  Means 19. In any one of means 1 to means 18, the gaming machine is a bullet ball gaming machine. As an example, the operation means that can be operated by the player, the launching means for playing and launching the game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the ball guide path for guiding the fired game ball to the game area Ball game machine equipped with ". Note that the ball game machine includes a pachinko game machine having a game area extending in a substantially vertical direction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front frame set 14 is opened and a lower plate unit 13 is removed with respect to an outer frame 11 and an inner frame 12 described later. It is. However, in FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience, a configuration in a game area on the surface of the game board 30 to be described later is shown in blank.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. ing. The outer frame 11 is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole by a wooden plate material, and each plate material is assembled by a detachable fastener such as a small screw. Therefore, the structure can be easily reused as compared with the conventional structure in which the plates are assembled using nails and rivets. In the present embodiment, the outer dimension of the outer frame 11 is 809 mm (inner dimension 771 mm), and the outer dimension in the left and right direction is 518 mm (inner dimension 480 mm).

  The inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are made of a synthetic resin, specifically, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin. By using a synthetic resin for molding both, it is possible to cope with a more complicated shape as compared with the case of using a metal material, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in production cost. Advantages of using ABS include a low production cost, strong viscosity, and high impact resistance compared to resin materials such as polycarbonate. In addition, for example, when a coating process such as plating is performed on a design surface such as the front side of the front frame set 14, the process is relatively easy to perform, and there is an advantage that a product with higher appearance quality can be manufactured.

  The opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set so as to extend vertically to the left side (opposite to the installation position of the handle 18 described later) when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame is centered on the opening / closing axis. 12 can be opened to the front side. The outer frame 11 may be made of a light metal such as resin or aluminum.

  A lower tray unit 13 is attached to the inner frame 12 at the lowermost portion, and a front frame set 14 is attached to correspond to a range excluding the lower tray unit 13. The lower plate unit 13 is fixed to the inner frame 12 with a fastener such as a screw. The front frame set 14 is attached to the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is located on the front side with an open / close axis extending vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. It can be opened. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the front frame set 14 is removed from the pachinko machine 10 (however, in FIG. 3, the structure in the game area on the game board 30 is shown as blank for convenience). Note that a rib R1 projects from the front side of the inner frame 12 at a periphery thereof (a portion corresponding to the front frame set 14). When the front frame set 14 is closed, the front frame set 14 is fitted into the rib R1. With this configuration, it becomes difficult to allow a wire or the like to enter from the gap between the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 and plays a role in preventing fraud.

  The lower tray unit 13 is provided with a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray at a substantially central portion, so that game balls discharged from the outlet 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Most of the lower dish unit 13 is formed of ABS resin like the inner frame 12, but the surface layer forming the lower dish 15 and the front panel 23 at the back of the lower dish are particularly flame retardant. Molded with ABS resin. For this reason, this part is difficult to burn. Reference numeral 24 denotes a sound output port from the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2), and reference numeral 25 denotes a ball release lever for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 downward.

  A game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle”) 18 is disposed on the right side of the lower plate 15 so as to protrude to the front side. That is, the handle 18 is positioned on the right side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 on the side opposite to the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12, and a predetermined opening amount when the inner frame 12 is opened regardless of the protrusion of the handle 18. It can be secured. An ashtray 26 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 15. The ashtray 26 has a so-called cantilever structure that is rotatably supported by a shaft rod (not shown) protruding leftward from the left side of the lower tray 15.

  On the other hand, an upper plate 19 serving as a ball receiving plate is provided above the lower plate 15. Here, the upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray for temporarily storing the game balls and guiding them to the game ball launching device as the launching means while aligning them in a line. The upper plate 19 is integrally formed with the glass frame portion that supports the glass in the front frame set 14. In the conventional pachinko machine, a front decorative frame that can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame below the glass frame is provided, and an upper plate is provided on the front decorative frame. On the other hand, since the upper plate 19 is provided directly and integrally, even if the width of the frame portion of the front frame set 14 is relatively narrow as compared with the prior art, as will be described later, the front frame set 14 (glass frame Part) can be ensured. Similar to the lower plate 15, the upper plate 19 has a structure in which the surface layer is formed of flame-retardant ABS resin.

  In FIG. 3, the inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 20 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially circular window hole 21 is formed at the center of the resin base 20. A game board 30 is detachably mounted on the rear side of the resin base 20. The game board 30 is made of a rectangular plywood, and is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the resin base 20 (inner frame 12). Accordingly, a substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 21 of the resin base 20. The vertical length of the game board 30 is 476 mm, and the horizontal length is 452 mm (same size as before). The resin base 20 is provided with an opening detection sensor 22 that detects opening of the front frame set 14. Although not shown, an open detection switch for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is also provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32 as a specific winning means, a first opportunity corresponding opening (starting opening) 33, a second opportunity corresponding opening (through gate) 34 as starting starting means, The variable display unit 35 and the like are disposed in a through hole formed by router processing, and are attached from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. As is well known, a game ball enters the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and a predetermined number of games are input to the upper plate 19 (or the lower plate 15) by the output of a detection switch described later. A prize ball as value is paid out. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not entered the various winning units (winning device, winning port, first opportunity corresponding port 33, etc.) pass through the out port 36. Then, it is guided toward a ball discharge path (not shown). A number of nails are planted on the game board 30 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (functions) such as the windmill 27 are arranged.

  The variable display device unit 35 includes a normal symbol display device 41 that variably displays a normal symbol with the passage of the second trigger corresponding port 34 as a trigger, and a special symbol as identification information with a winning at the first trigger corresponding port 33 as a trigger. And a special symbol display device 42 as a symbol display device for variably displaying. The normal symbol display device 41 includes a normal symbol display unit 43 and a holding lamp 44, and the display symbol (ordinary symbol) by the display unit 43 changes each time the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, for example. However, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is configured to be activated (opened) for a predetermined time when the change display stops at a predetermined symbol. When a game ball newly passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 during the normal symbol fluctuation display on the display unit 43 of the normal symbol display device 41, the normal symbol fluctuation display for that time is displayed at that time. The configuration is performed after the end of the variable display. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. ing. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of holdings may be set to 8 in order to wait for the normal symbol variation display for 8 times. The display unit 43 may be configured to be variably displayed on a part of the special symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) in addition to a configuration that is variably displayed by switching lighting of a plurality of lamps. Similarly, the hold lamp 44 may be configured to be displayed on a part of the special symbol display device 42.

  The special symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 45 described later. The special symbol display device 42 displays, for example, three symbol rows of left, middle and right. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol row. In the present embodiment, the special symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) includes a large liquid crystal display of 8 inches size. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the special symbol display device 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is provided integrally with a decorative member 400 provided at the lower part of the game board 30 so that a part thereof protrudes forward from the game board 30. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the variable winning device 32 includes a cover portion 402 that protrudes forward from the game board 30 and has an opening 401 (hereinafter referred to as a “large winning opening”) 401 and a large winning opening 401. A shutter 403 as a movable member that opens and closes, a windmill unit 405 provided below the big prize opening 401, and a V zone 407 as a specific winning area or a first winning area provided at the lower right of the windmill unit 405 A general winning zone 408 as a second winning area provided at the lower left of the windmill unit 405 and a guide convex portion 409 provided between the V zone 407 and the general winning zone 408 are provided.

  The cover portion 402 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin and is configured to be visible inside the variable prize winning device 32. The special winning opening 401 is formed at the substantially central portion in the left-right direction on the upper portion of the cover member 402.

  The shutter 403 is pivotally supported on the front side of the cover unit 402 so as to rotate about the left-right direction as an axis. The shutter 403 is operated by a solenoid for a special prize opening (not shown). More specifically, when the special winning opening solenoid is energized, the shutter 403 is in a substantially vertical state, and the special winning opening 401 is opened. In addition, when the big prize opening solenoid is in a non-excited state, the front end portion of the shutter 403 substantially comes into contact with the game board 30 and the big prize winning opening 401 is closed. That is, the shutter 403 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter, and based on the establishment of a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, with a big hit (occurrence of a special game state)) Then, the game ball is displaced into an open state where the ball can be entered or can be entered easily. In the present embodiment, when a big hit occurs, the game ball is repeatedly actuated between an open state where the game ball is easy to win and a normal closed state.

  The windmill unit 405 is provided so that the center thereof is below the right end portion of the grand prize winning opening 401. Here, the wind turbine unit 405 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. The windmill unit 405 includes a substantially cylindrical main body 420, a front lens 421 provided on the front side of the main body 420, a rear lens 422 provided on the rear side, and a display provided on the rear side of the rear lens 422. A panel 423. The front lens 421 constitutes the second covering member in the present embodiment, and the rear lens 422 constitutes the first covering member.

  A flange 425 for attaching the wind turbine unit 405 is formed on the front side of the main body 420 at the periphery of the opening. On the back side of the main body 420, a support column 426 is provided that hangs downward from the upper part. The tip end portion (lower end portion) of the column portion 426 is provided so as to pass through the axis Z1 of the main body portion 420 (cylinder). A front boss 427 and a rear boss 428 (see FIG. 9) are formed on both front and rear sides of the support column 426 along the axis Z1. An axial hole 430 is formed on the axis Z1 so as to penetrate both the bosses 427 and 428 in the front-rear direction.

  The front lens 421 has a substantially disk shape and is fitted into the front side opening of the main body 420. The front lens 421 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin having transparency (the same applies to the rear lens 422).

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a plurality of linear convex portions 432a and linear concave portions 432b are provided on the back side of the front lens 421 so as to be alternately arranged in a line. In the present embodiment, the top of each linear convex portion 432a and the bottom surface of the linear concave portion 432b are formed in a substantially planar shape so as to be substantially parallel to the front side of the front lens 421. Further, the lateral width (width in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) of the linear concave portion 432b is wider than the lateral width of the linear convex portion 432a. Further, an opaque paint or the like is applied to the top of the linear convex portion 432a, and the back side of the front lens 421 is not visible from the portion where the linear convex portion 432a is formed. The rear side of the rear lens 422 has the same configuration as that of the front lens 421. Further, when viewed in the direction of the axis Z1 (see FIGS. 10 and 12), the region occupied by the linear convex portion 432a in the front lens 421 constitutes the non-permeability region in the present embodiment, and is occupied by the linear concave portion 432b. These areas constitute a fluoroscopic area.

  On the front side of the front lens 421, a plurality of blades 433 (three in this embodiment) projecting forward so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball are equiangularly spaced about the axis Z1. It is arranged. The plurality of blades 433 are integrally formed with the front lens 421, and are formed of a transparent or translucent resin like the front lens 421. An axial hole 434 is formed on the axis Z1 so as to penetrate the portion where the plurality of blades 433 intersect and the central portion of the front lens 421 in the front-rear direction. A shaft bar 435 is inserted into the shaft hole 434. The front end portion of the shaft rod 435 is formed so as to be engaged with the periphery of the front end portion of the shaft hole 434, and is configured so that the shaft rod 435 does not come out rearward. Although not shown, a claw portion is formed on the shaft rod 435, and the claw portion is fitted into a claw receiving portion formed in the shaft hole 434 so that the shaft rod 435 is moved forward with respect to the rotation direction. The lens 421 is fixed. That is, by rotating the shaft rod 435, the front lens 421 is rotated.

  The rear portion of the shaft rod 435 is inserted into the shaft hole 430 of the main body 420, protrudes from the rear end portion of the rear boss 428, and is inserted into the shaft hole 423a formed in the display panel 423. The rear end portion of the shaft rod 435 is connected to a motor (not shown). The motor is electrically connected to a main controller 261 (main board), which will be described later, and is controlled by the main controller 261 (main board). That is, the main control device 261 (main board) and the motor constitute the drive control means in the present embodiment.

  Further, a groove portion 436 is formed in the shaft rod 435 in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the boss 428 along the circumferential direction of the shaft rod 435, and a clasp 437 is fitted into the groove portion 436. As a result, the shaft rod 436 is prevented from coming off forward. With such a configuration, the front lens 421 and the plurality of blades 433 are rotatable about the axis Z1.

  The rear lens 422 has a substantially disk shape like the front lens 421, and an insertion hole 440 into which the rear boss 428 is inserted is formed at the center. Then, with the rear boss 428 inserted into the insertion hole 440, the rear lens 422 is fitted into the rear side opening of the main body 420 and fixed. In the state where the rear lens 422 is attached, the longitudinal direction of the linear convex portion 432a and the linear concave portion 432b formed in the rear lens 422 is the vertical direction.

  Further, the display panel 423 as an information display unit is disposed behind the rear lens 422. The display panel 423 is provided with a pair of upper and lower attachment protrusions 423b, and the rear lens 422 is provided with an attachment hole 441 corresponding to the attachment protrusion 423b. Then, the display panel 423 is fixed to the rear lens 422 by fitting the mounting protrusion 423 b into the mounting hole 441. On the front side of the display panel 423, a sticker on which a setting value related to a jackpot probability, which will be described later, as specific information is written. Instead of the above configuration, the display panel 423 may be configured separately from the wind turbine unit 405.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide convex portion 409 has a position directly below the windmill unit 405 at the top so that the game balls distributed by the windmill unit 405 can be guided to the V zone 407 or the general winning zone 408. Are formed in a substantially triangular shape inclined to the V zone 407 or the general winning zone 408.

  Next, the operation of the variable winning device 32 configured as described above will be described. When a game ball wins in the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the special symbol display device 42 displays the symbols in a variable manner, and the final symbol is a big hit on the precondition that the final symbol combination is a combination of specific symbols set in advance ( Special gaming state) occurs. Then, the shutter 403 is driven, the large winning opening 401 of the variable winning device 32 is opened, and the game ball is easily won. Specifically, the big prize opening 401 of the variable prize winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times with a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings as one round. However, if a game ball does not enter the V zone 407 during one round, even if the predetermined number of times is not reached, the big hit state is terminated without proceeding to the next round.

  As the shutter 403 is driven, the front lens 421 and the plurality of blades 433 of the wind turbine unit 405 are driven to rotate about the axis Z1. These rotate clockwise as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. For this reason, if the game ball enters the variable winning device 32 at a predetermined timing, the game ball is distributed by the blade 433 so as to be guided to the V zone 407. In addition, when the balls are entered at different timings, the game balls are distributed by the blades 433 so as to be guided to the general winning zone 408.

  When a game ball wins the V zone 407 during one round, the front lens 421 and the plurality of blades 423 stop at a specific position. Specifically, one blade 413 stops in a state where it is disposed along the substantially vertical direction above the axis Z1. As a result, the path of the game ball toward the V zone 407 is blocked. Accordingly, after that, all the game balls that have entered the variable winning device 32 are guided to the general winning zone 408. Note that the game ball won by the game ball in the V zone 407 and the general winning zone 408 is detected by the specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 and guided to a collection passage 216 described later.

  Furthermore, when the front lens 421 stops at the specific position, the linear convex portion 432a and the linear concave portion 432b formed on the rear lens 422, and the linear convex portion 432a and the linear shape formed on the front lens 421 are provided. The recess 432b is in a non-intersecting state (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, all the corresponding linear convex portions 432a and linear concave portions 432b formed on the front lens 421 and the rear lens 422 overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the axis Z1. At this time, character information as specific information attached to the display panel 423 via the linear recesses 432b of the front lens 421 and the rear lens 422 (in this embodiment, “setting 1” is displayed). Is visible to the player or easily visible.

  On the other hand, during the rotation of the front lens 421, the linear convex portion 432a and the linear concave portion 432b formed in the rear lens 422 intersect with the linear convex portion 432a and the linear concave portion 432b formed in the front lens 421. A state is reached (see FIG. 12B). For this reason, compared with the case where the linear convex part 432a and the linear recessed part 432b are in the said non-cross | intersecting state, the area | region where a player cannot visually recognize the said character information seeing in the direction of the axis line Z1 increases. As a result, the character information becomes invisible or difficult for the player to see. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams showing the non-intersecting state and the intersecting state of the linear convex portions 432a and the linear concave portions 432b of the front and rear lenses 421 and 422. FIG.

  When a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33 during the symbol variation display of the special symbol display device 42, the corresponding symbol variation display is performed after the symbol variation display being performed at that time ends. It is configured to be performed. That is, the symbol variation display is waited (held, stored). Although the maximum number of symbol variation displays to be held is determined for each pachinko machine model, in this embodiment, up to 4 times are held, and the number of times the hold is held is displayed by the hold lamp 46. It has become. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of suspensions may be set to 8 in order to wait for 8 symbol fluctuation displays. The hold lamp 46 may be configured to be displayed on a part of the special symbol display device 42.

  In addition, a rail unit 50 is attached to the game board 30 as a rail member for guiding the game ball launched from the game ball launching device to the upper part of the game board 30, and the game board 30 is launched as the handle 18 rotates. The played game balls are guided to a predetermined game area through the rail unit 50. The rail unit 50 is formed of a ring-shaped resin molded product, and includes an inner rail constituent part (inner rail part) 51 and an outer rail constituent part (outer rail mounting part) 52 that are integrally formed in an inner and outer double. Have. The inner rail constituting portion 51 is formed in a substantially annular shape except for about 1/4 of the upper portion. Further, the outer rail constituting portion 52 is formed so that a part (mainly the left side portion) faces the inner rail constituting portion 51. In such a case, the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 mainly constitute a guide rail, and each of the rail constituting portions 51 and 52 is guided by a ball by a portion (left portion toward the left) that is parallel with a predetermined interval. A passage is formed. The ball guide passage is formed in a groove shape having a contact surface with the game board 30, that is, a groove shape in which the front side is opened.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the tip portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 (the upper left portion in FIG. 4). This prevents a situation in which the game ball once guided from the ball guide passage between the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 to the upper portion of the game board 30 returns to the ball guide passage again. It is like that. Further, a return rubber 54 is attached to the outer rail constituting portion 52 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight portion of the game ball (upper right portion in FIG. 4: a portion corresponding to the tip portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52). . Therefore, the game ball launched at a predetermined momentum or more hits the return rubber 54 and is returned to, for example, the substantially central portion side of the game board 30. On the inner side surface of the outer rail constituting portion 52, a sliding plate 55 is attached as a long metal strip made of stainless steel so that the flight of the game ball is smoother. In the present embodiment, the outer rail constituting portion 52 and the sliding plate 55 constitute a so-called conventional outer rail. Then, by making the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 and the sliding plate 55 into a unit as the rail unit 50, the mounting operation becomes easier and the workability is improved as compared with the conventional configuration in which the inner and outer rails are separately provided.

  An arc-shaped flange 56 projecting outward is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rail unit 50. The flange 56 constitutes a mounting surface for the game board 30. When the rail unit 50 is attached to the game board 30, the flange 56 is brought into contact with the game board 30, and in this state, fixing means such as screws NJ are inserted into the plurality of through holes formed in the flange 56. Thus, the rail unit 50 is fastened to the game board 30. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the top, bottom, left, and right ends of the rail unit 50 are formed in a substantially straight line (flat) when viewed from the front. That is, the flange 56 is cut off at each of the upper, lower, left and right ends of the rail unit 50, and the rail diameter can be expanded in a limited area in the pachinko machine 10, that is, the game area on the game board 30 can be expanded. ing. The lower left flange 56 uses more fixing means than the other parts (upper left, upper right and lower right flanges 56). This is for fixing the positions of the guide rail and the ball guide passage to more appropriate positions, whereby the game ball launched from the game ball launching device is more stably guided to the upper part of the game board 30. In addition, the rail unit 50 can be more firmly fixed by increasing the number of fixing means, and even if distortion occurs when the rail unit 50 is molded, there is an effect of absorbing the distortion.

  A convex portion 57 is formed at the entrance of the spherical guide passage between the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 so as to close a part of the spherical guide passage. This convex portion 57 is provided in a substantially vertical direction from the inner rail constituting portion 51 to the lower end portion of the rail unit 50, and a foul ball that does not reach the game area and flows backward in the ball guide passage is used as a foul ball passage 63 (see FIG. 3). ). Note that the lower right corner and the lower left corner of the game board 30 are spaces for attaching seals and plates (S1, S2 in the figure) such as certificate stamps, in order to secure this attachment space. Notches 58 and 59 are formed in the flange 56.

  Next, the game area will be described. The game area is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the inner peripheral part (inner and outer rail constituent parts 51 and 52) of the rail unit 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the game area is partitioned on the board surface of the game board 30. Is much larger than before. In the present embodiment, the distance from the uppermost point of the outer rail component 52 to the lower part of the game board 30 is 445 mm (58 mm longer than the conventional product), and the inner rail component 51 from the extreme left position of the outer rail component 52. The distance to the extreme right position is 435 mm (50 mm longer than the conventional product). The distance from the extreme left position of the inner rail component 51 to the extreme right position of the inner rail component 51 is 418 mm.

  In the present embodiment, when the game area is viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, guidance that is a parallel part of the inner and outer rail constituting parts 51 and 52 among the area surrounded by the inner rail constituting part 51 and the outer rail constituting part 52. The area excluding the rail area. Therefore, since the game area does not include the guide rail portion, the left limit position toward the game area is specified not by the outer rail component 52 but by the inner rail component 51. Similarly, the right limit position toward the game area is specified by the inner rail constituting unit 51. The lower limit position of the game area is specified by the lower end position of the game board 30. Further, the upper limit position of the game area is specified by the outer rail component 52.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the width of the game area (maximum width in the left-right direction) is 418 mm, and the height of the game area (maximum width in the vertical direction) is 445 mm.

  Here, the width of the gaming area is preferably at least 380 mm. More preferably, it is 390 mm or more, 400 mm or more, 410 mm or more, 420 mm or more, 430 mm or more, 440 mm or more, 450 mm or more, and further 460 mm or more. Of course, it may be 470 mm or more. That is, the width of the game area is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of expanding the game area. The height of the game area is preferably at least 400 mm. More preferably, it is 410 mm or more, 420 mm or more, 430 mm or more, 440 mm or more, 450 mm or more, and more preferably 460 mm or more. Of course, it is good also as 470 mm or more, 480 mm or more, and 490 mm or more. That is, the width of the game area is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of expanding the game area. In addition, about the combination of the said width | variety and height, it is good also as what combined the said numerical value arbitrarily.

  In the present embodiment, the ratio of the area of the game area to the surface of the game board 30 is about 70%, which is much larger than the conventional area ratio. Note that the area ratio of the game area to the surface of the game board 30 has been only about 50% in the past, so it can be said that the game area is considerably expanded on the premise that the game board 30 is shared. It should be noted that the external shape of the pachinko machine 10 is almost uniform among manufacturers for the convenience of installation in the game hall, and in the situation where the size of the game board 30 must be the same, the surface of the game board 30 as described above. Increasing the ratio of the area of the gaming area to about 20% is very significant from the viewpoint of expanding the gaming area. Here, the ratio is preferably at least 60% or more. More preferably, it is 65% or more, More preferably, it is 70% or more. Further, if it is 75% or more exceeding the case of this embodiment, it is more desirable. Furthermore, it may be 80% or more.

  Further, the ratio of the area of the game area to the area of the front side of the entire pachinko machine 10 is about 40%, which is a much larger area ratio than before. The area ratio of the game area to the area of the front side of the entire pachinko machine 10 is desirably 35% or more. Of course, it may be 40% or more, 45% or more, or 50% or more.

  In addition, the 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 located in the both sides of the variable display apparatus unit 35 has a guide mechanism in which the game ball which passed this 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 is approached toward the center. As a result, even when the game area is expanded in the left-right direction, the game ball can be guided toward the first first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the variable winning device 32. By expanding, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest due to difficulty in winning a game ball. Furthermore, the game area is expanded in the left-right direction, so that the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill 27, a plurality of nails (guide nails for guiding the game ball to the center), and various other objects are arranged. The behavior of the game ball in the game areas on the left and right sides of the variable display device unit 35 can be made more interesting. In addition, since the gaming area is also expanded in the vertical direction, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill 27, a plurality of nails, and other accessories can be arranged in various ways. The behavior of the game ball can be made even more interesting.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, in the resin base 20, below the window hole 21 (game board 30), a launch rail 61 for guiding the game ball immediately after being launched from the game ball launcher is attached. Yes. The firing rail 61 is fixedly attached to the resin base 20 integrally with the metal plate 62 behind the firing rail 61, and is configured to extend linearly at a predetermined firing angle (launch angle). Accordingly, the game ball that is launched in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 is first launched obliquely upward along the launch rail 61 and then guided to a predetermined game area through the ball guide passage of the rail unit 50 as described above. It is like that.

  In the case of this pachinko machine 10, it has already been described that the game area is greatly expanded compared to the conventional case, but under such a configuration, the curvature of the guide rail must be reduced, so that the launch ball is stabilized. Need some ingenuity. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the launch position of the game ball is lowered and the inclination angle (launch angle) of the launch rail 61 is made somewhat larger than that of the existing one (that is, the launch rail 61 is raised) to further launch. The length of the rail 61 is made longer than the existing one so as to ensure a sufficiently long ball guiding distance. Thereby, the game ball launched from the game ball launching device can be guided to the guide rail in a more stable state. In this case, in particular, the launch rail 61 is formed so as to extend from the launch position of the game ball launcher to a position beyond the center position (out port 36) in the left-right direction of the game area. In addition, since the launch rail 61 has the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, the metal plate 62 is also relatively larger than the conventional one, and the number of fixing means for fixing the metal plate 62 is larger than the conventional one.

  Further, there is a gap of a predetermined interval between the firing rail 61 and the rail unit 50 (guidance rail), and a foul ball passage 63 is formed below the gap. Therefore, if the game ball fired from the game ball launching device does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns to the inside of the guide rail as a foul ball, the foul ball passes through the foul ball passage 63 to the lower plate 15. To be discharged. Incidentally, in the case of the present embodiment, the length of the firing rail 61 is about 240 mm, and the length of the gap at the tip of the firing rail (the length on the extension line of the firing rail 61) is about 40 mm.

  When the foul sphere flows backward in the guide rail, most of the foul sphere flows along the outer rail constituting portion 52 and drops downward when reaching the lower end portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52. May be ramped in the guide rail and jump to the inner rail component 51 side. At this time, the splashed foul ball hits the convex portion 57 at the entrance of the ball guide passage and is guided to the foul ball passage 63. Thereby, all of the foul balls are surely guided to the foul ball passage 63. This suppresses interference between the foul ball and the next game ball to be launched.

  Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, one game ball is supplied to the game ball launching device one by one from the ball outlet on the front frame set 14 side (ball outlet leading from the most downstream portion of the upper plate 19). At this time, since the launch position of the game ball is lowered in the present embodiment, the drop from the exit of the ball on the front frame set 14 side to the launch position becomes large, but in the vicinity of the base end portion of the launch rail 61, its right side and Guide members 65 and 66 are installed on the front side. Thereby, the game ball supplied from the ball exit on the front frame set 14 side is always set at a predetermined launch position, and a stable launch operation can be realized. In addition, the game ball launcher is provided with a hitting ball basket, and the game ball is shot with the rotation of the hit ball bowl around the shaft portion. Therefore, while aiming to reduce the weight of the hitting ball by changing the material to light metal such as aluminum and reducing the size of the shaft, the head portion of the hitting ball (on the side opposite to the shaft) is secured to ensure sufficient firing force. A weight is provided at the end. Thereby, sufficient and stable launch of the game ball can be realized. By providing the weight portion of the hitting ball projecting upward, it is possible to easily pick or hit the hitting ball, and it is easy to adjust the hitting strength of the hitting tip.

  In addition, the code | symbol 67 in FIG. 3 is the discharge port connected to the upper plate 19, and a game ball is discharged to the upper plate 19 through this discharge port 67. FIG. An open / close shutter 68 is attached to the discharge port 67. Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, the shutter 68 is rotatable about the shaft portion provided along the lower side portion thereof, and is in a state where the front frame set 14 is opened (state of FIG. 3). The shutter 68 substantially closes the discharge port 67 by a biasing force such as a spring. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by a ball passage rod 69 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Note that the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 in the opened state of the front frame set 14. Therefore, as described above, in the pachinko machine 10 configured such that the upper plate 19 is directly provided with respect to the front frame set 14, the game balls in the payout passage and the like are spilled off when the front frame set 14 is opened. Can be prevented.

  The resin base 20 is provided with a substantially rectangular small window 71 at the lower right portion of the window hole 21. Accordingly, a seal or the like (S1 in FIG. 4) stretched at the lower right corner of the game board 30 can be viewed through the small window 71. It is also possible to affix the above-mentioned sticker or the like from this small window 71.

  Further, the resin base 20 is provided with a substantially rectangular small window 72 at the upper left of the window hole 21, and a substantially rectangular hole 73 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the small window 72 is also formed in the upper left part of the game board 30. Reference) is provided. Various electrical wirings (not shown) connected to the electric decorations 102 and 103 of the front frame set 14 to be described later are led from the back side of the pachinko machine 10 through the small window 72 and the hole 73.

  Further, support metal fittings 81 and 82 are attached to the left end portion of the inner frame 12 in FIG. 3 as a support mechanism for the front frame set 14. The upper support fitting 81 is provided with a support hole 83 having a notch on the front side of the figure, and the lower support fitting 82 is provided with a protruding shaft 84 protruding in the vertical direction.

  The inner frame 12 is provided with grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 (see FIG. 3). The grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 are connected to predetermined metal parts on the back side of the inner frame 12. Then, in a state where the front frame set 14 is closed, the grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 are short-circuited by coming into contact with reinforcing plates 131 and 132 described later.

  Next, the front frame set 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the front frame set 14. The front frame set 14 is formed with a substantially elliptical window 101 so that most of the game area can be visually recognized from the outside. Specifically, the window portion 101 has a shape in which a substantially central portion on the left and right sides is curved relatively gently as compared with the upper and lower sides. The substantially central portion may be linear. In the present embodiment, the distance between the upper end of the window portion 101 (the uppermost portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52 and the upper end of the game area) and the upper end of the front frame set 14 (the so-called upper and lower width of the upper frame portion) is 61 mm. It is significantly shorter than the prior art with an upper frame width of about 85 mm to 95 mm. As a result, the upper area of the game area can be easily secured, and the large variable display device unit 35 can also be arranged relatively upward. The distance between the upper end of the front frame set 14 is desirably 80 mm or less, more desirably 70 mm or less, and further desirably 60 mm or less. Of course, as long as a predetermined strength can be ensured, it may be 50 mm or less.

  Further, the shortest distance between the left end of the window portion 101 and the left end of the front frame set 14 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 (the left-right width of the so-called left frame portion: shown on the right side in FIG. 13) The frame width on the opening / closing axis side is set to be relatively large in order to increase the strength and support strength of the front frame set 14 itself. In this case, as apparent from comparison between FIGS. 1 and 3, in the state where the front frame set 14 is closed, not only the left end portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52 but also the left end portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 is Covered by the left frame. That is, at least a part of the guide rail overlaps and is covered with the left frame portion of the front frame set 14 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Even if it becomes difficult to visually recognize the game ball in this way, it is only a passing point where the game ball is guided to the game area, and it is difficult to see the game ball in the game area where the player mainly enjoys the game. It doesn't mean. Therefore, there is no trouble in actual game. Moreover, while such a trouble does not arise, sufficient intensity | strength and support strength of the front frame set 14 are securable. Incidentally, the distance in the left-right direction between the left end position of the outer rail component 52 and the left end position of the outer frame 11 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 is 21 mm, and the right end position of the game area (the right end position of the inner rail component 51). The distance in the left-right direction from the right end position of the outer frame 11 is 44 mm.

  In addition, the front frame set 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps around it (for example, a corner portion). These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach. For example, at the periphery of the window portion 101, an annular illumination portion 102 containing a light emitting means such as an LED is provided symmetrically, and at the center of the annular illumination portion 102 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10, Similarly, a central illumination unit 103 having a built-in light emitting means such as an LED is provided. In the pachinko machine 10, the central illumination unit 103 functions as a jackpot lamp, and lights and blinks when the jackpot is informed that the jackpot is being hit. Further, the upper plate 19 is also provided around the upper plate 19 with an upper plate illumination unit 104 having a built-in light emitting means such as an LED. In addition, on the left and right sides of the central illumination unit 103, there are provided a prize ball lamp 105 that is lit during the payout of a prize ball and an error display lamp 106 that is lit when a predetermined error occurs. Further, a small window 107 to which a transparent resin is attached is provided so as to be able to visually recognize a part of the inner frame 12 surface, the game board 30 surface, and the like so as to be adjacent to the lower end portion of the annular illumination portion 102.

  In addition, a ball lending operation unit 120 is disposed below the window unit 101, and the ball lending operation unit 120 is provided with a ball lending button 121, a return button 122, and a frequency display unit 123. If the ball lending operation unit 120 is operated in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, a game ball is lent according to the operation. . The ball lending button 121 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper plate 19 as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. Is done. The return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display unit 123 displays remaining amount information such as a card. It should be noted that the ball rental operation unit 120 is not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine. Therefore, a decorative seal or the like is attached to the installation portion of the ball rental operation unit 120. Thereby, the common use of the lending operation unit of the pachinko machine using the card unit and the cash machine is achieved.

  Various reinforcing members made of metal are provided on the back side of the front frame set 14 so as to surround the window portion 101. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, reinforcing plates 131, 132, 133, and 134 are attached to the back side of the front frame set 14 and on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the window portion 101, respectively. These reinforcing plates 131 to 134 are connected in contact with each other, but resin parts 135 for avoiding direct contact are interposed at the connecting portions of the left and upper reinforcing plates 132 and 133 in the drawing. That is, in the reinforcing plates 131 to 134, electricity is prevented from passing in an annular shape due to the insulating effect of the resin part 135. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the magnetic field by the loop of a noise in the reinforcement boards 131-134 and cyclic | annular electricity supply can be suppressed.

  The right reinforcing plate 131 in FIG. 13 is provided with an engaging claw 131a having a hook shape at an intermediate position thereof. 12a (refer FIG. 3 etc.) is comprised. With this configuration, the front frame set 14 is configured to include the upper plate 19, and even if the upper and lower pivot support positions are extended, the front frame set 14 can be prevented from being lifted at the intermediate position. Therefore, an illegal act or the like floating the front frame set 14 is suppressed.

  The lower reinforcing plate 134 is provided with a resin rail side wall member 136 at a position facing the firing rail 61 (see FIG. 3). The rail side wall member 136 becomes the side wall of the firing rail 61 when the front frame set 14 is closed. Therefore, the game ball is prevented from spilling from the launch rail 61.

  The reinforcing plates 131 to 134 described above also have a function as a metal frame for supporting the glass, and a part of the reinforcing plates 131 to 134 is folded back to form a glass holding groove. The glass holding grooves are formed in two rows on the front and rear sides, and a pair of front and rear glasses 137 having a rectangular shape are held in each glass holding groove. Thereby, the two glass 137 is attached to the front and back at a predetermined interval.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the game area is expanded. Therefore, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the guide rail configured by the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 is used. Is partially covered by the front frame set 14. Therefore, in the guide rail, a portion where the front open portion cannot be covered with the glass 137 is formed. In such a case, for example, when the game ball launched from the game ball launching device returns without reaching the return ball prevention member 53, the game ball spills out (jumps out) from the guide rail, and the outer rail component 52 There is a risk of being caught between the glass 137 and the like. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a rail cover 140 for covering the front side open portion of the guide rail is attached to the front frame set 14.

  The rail cover 140 is a substantially flat plate having a substantially arc shape, and is formed of a transparent resin. The rail cover 140 has an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the guide rail, and covers the section from the base end portion of the guide rail to the vicinity of the tip end portion along the peripheral edge of the window portion 101. It is attached to the back side of the set 14. In particular, the dimensions and shape of the rail cover 140 on the inner diameter side substantially match those of the inner rail constituting portion 51. When the rail cover 140 is attached, the surface side of the rail cover 140 is in contact with the glass 137. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the back surface of the rail cover 140 covers almost the entire area of the guide rail. Thereby, the collision of the game ball with the glass 137 can be prevented in most sections of the guide rail. Therefore, adverse effects such as breakage due to contact with the glass 137 can be suppressed.

  Further, the right end portion of the rail cover 140 (that is, the portion that becomes the right end in the state of FIG. 13 where the rail cover 140 is attached to the front frame set 14) has a portion where the guide rail protrudes from the side edge portion of the glass 137. A covering portion 141 for covering is provided. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such that the game ball spills out of the guide rail (jumps out) or gets caught between the outer rail component 52 and the glass 137.

  Further, on the back side of the rail cover 140, a protrusion 142 is formed that extends in an arc shape along the inner edge of the rail cover 140 and protrudes toward the front side of FIG. The ridge 142 is configured to substantially overlap the inner rail constituting portion 51 in a state of entering the guide rail in a state where the front frame set 14 is closed. Therefore, for example, even if a wire or the like is intruded through a gap between the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 to perform an illegal act, it is very difficult to infiltrate the wire or the like into the game area inside the guide rail. Become. As a result, fraudulent acts performed using a wire or the like can be prevented. In addition, it is good also as a structure which forms the protrusion 142 in a wider range, for example along the whole region of the inner edge of the rail cover 140. According to this structure, it becomes difficult to infiltrate a wire etc. in a wider range, a wire etc. It is possible to more reliably prevent fraud performed using

  Further, support metal fittings 151 and 152 are attached to the right end portion of the front frame set 14 in FIG. 13 (left end portion when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10) as a support mechanism for the inner frame 12. Therefore, the front frame set 14 can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame 12 by assembling the support brackets 151 and 152 on the front frame set 14 side to the support brackets 81 and 82 (see FIG. 3) on the inner frame 12 side. It comes to be installed. Here, the support mechanism will be described in more detail based on the relationship between the support fittings 81 and 82 and the support fittings 151 and 152. The support fitting 151 has a substantially rod shape, and the upper diameter is larger than the lower diameter. The width of the cutout of the support hole 83 is narrower than the thickness of the upper portion of the support fitting 151 and wider than the thickness of the lower portion. As a mounting procedure for the front frame set 14, first, the lower portion of the support fitting 151 is inserted into the support hole 83 through the notch, and then the support fitting 152 is inserted into the protruding shaft 84 of the support fitting 82. Then, by positioning the upper portion of the support fitting 151 corresponding to the notch position, the support fitting 151 is not detached from the support hole 83, and the mounting of the front frame set 14 is completed.

  The locking mechanism of the front frame set 14 is integrated with the locking mechanism of the inner frame 12, and the main body of the integrated locking mechanism G1 (see FIG. 14) is provided on the back side of the inner frame 12. It has been. Therefore, in FIG. 3, only the locking claws T1 and T2 protruding from the locking mechanism G1 to the front side of the inner frame 12 are shown. Then, the locking claws T1 and T2 are locked to the back side of the front frame set 14, whereby the front frame set 14 is locked.

  Next, the configuration of the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

  First, an overall outline of the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. In the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged on the back side (actually the back side of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30) so as to be arranged vertically or horizontally, or to be stacked in front and back, A game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a protective cover made of resin, and the like are attached. In this embodiment, various control boards are divided into two mounting bases to form two control board units, and these control board units are individually attached to the inner frame 12 or the back of the game board 30. ing. In this case, the main board and the sound lamp control board are mounted on one mounting base to form a unit, and the dispensing control board, launch control board, and power supply board are mounted on the other mounting base to form a unit. Here, for convenience, the former unit is referred to as “first control board unit 201”, and the latter unit is referred to as “second control board unit 202”.

  In addition, since the dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”. The detailed configuration of each unit 201 to 203 will be described later.

  The first control board unit 201, the second control board unit 202, and the back pack unit 203 are configured so that they can be attached and detached without using any tools or the like in units of units. It is provided and can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame 12 or the back surface of the game board 30. This is also a device for making it possible to easily check a hidden configuration or the like even if the units 201 to 203 and other configurations are arranged one behind the other.

  Actually, the units 201 to 203 are arranged and attached as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. In FIG. 15, the first control board unit 201 having a substantially L shape is arranged at substantially the center of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 is arranged therebelow. Further, the back pack unit 203 is arranged in a region partially overlapping the first control board unit 201.

  Specifically, the first control board unit 201 is provided with a support shaft part M1 at the left end portion when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the first control board unit 201 is centered on the axis A by the support shaft part M1. It can be opened and closed. Further, the first control board unit 201 is provided with a fastening portion M2 made of a ny latch or the like at the right end portion thereof (that is, the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, the open end side), and the locking claw portion M3 at the upper end portion. The first control board unit 201 is fixed and held to the main body of the pachinko machine by the fastening part M2 and the locking claw part M3.

  Further, the second control board unit 202 is provided with a support shaft part M4 at the right end when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 opens and closes around the axis B by the support shaft part M4. It is possible. Further, the second control board unit 202 is provided with a fastening portion M5 made of a ny latch or the like at the left end portion thereof (that is, the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, the open end side). 2 The control board unit 202 is fixedly held to the pachinko machine body.

  Further, the back pack unit 203 is provided with a support shaft portion M6 at the right end when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the back pack unit 203 can be opened and closed around the axis C by the support shaft portion M6. Yes. Further, the back pack unit 203 is provided with a fastening portion M7 made of a ny latch or the like on the left end portion thereof (that is, on the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, on the open end side), and at the upper end portion and the lower end portion, respectively. The backpack unit 203 is fixedly held to the main body of the pachinko machine by the fastening part M7 and the locking parts M8, M9.

  In this case, the development directions of the units 201 to 203 are not the same, and the first control board unit 201 opens to the left when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, whereas the second control board unit 202 and the back pack unit. 203 is configured to open to the right.

  On the other hand, FIG. 16 is a rear view showing the configuration of the game board 30 assembled to the inner frame 12. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the inner frame 12 as viewed from the rear. Here, the back side structure of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  The game board 30 is installed in a square frame-shaped installation area surrounded by the resin base 20 and does not fall off by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) locking fixtures 211 and 212 provided on the inner frame 12. So that it is fixed. The locking fixtures 211 and 212 can be manually rotated and can be switched between a fixed position (lock position) and a fixed release position (unlock position). FIG. 16 shows a locked state. The locking fixtures 211 at the three left and right sides of the game board 30 are L-shaped metal fittings formed by bending metal pieces, and are configured not to protrude outwardly from the inner frame 12 when the game board 30 is fixed. Note that the locking fixture 212 at one lower portion of the game board 30 is an I-shaped fastener made of resin.

  A variable display device unit 35 is disposed in the center of the game board 30. In the variable display device unit 35, a frame cover 213 made of resin (for example, made of ABS) that covers the center frame 47 (see FIG. 3) from behind is provided to protrude rearward, and at the rear end of the frame cover 213, A special symbol display device 42 as a liquid crystal display device and a display control device 45 are detachably attached in a state where they are overlapped in the front-rear direction. In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 are disposed.

  A back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 so as to surround the variable display device unit 35. The back frame set 215 is a thin resin-molded product (for example, made of ABS) provided so as to stick to the back surface of the game board 30, and a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls won in various winning openings. Is formed. Specifically, below the back frame set 215, corresponding to the game board opening of the above-described general winning opening 31, variable winning apparatus 32, first opportunity corresponding opening 33 (see FIG. 3 respectively) and 1 on the downstream side. A collection passage 216 that collects at a place is formed. In addition, a discharge passage board 217 made of resin (for example, made of polycarbonate resin) is also attached to the inner frame 12 below the game board 30, and discharge balls are sent to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 in the discharge passage board 217. A discharge passage 218 for guiding is formed. Accordingly, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 16, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 31 and the like are gathered through the collection passage 216 of the back frame set 215, and further the discharge passage 218 of the discharge passage board 217 is formed. Through the pachinko machine 10. In addition, the out port 36 (see FIG. 3) similarly communicates with the discharge passage 218, and the game balls that have not won any prize opening are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge passage 218.

  In the above configuration, with the lower end surface of the game board 30 as a boundary, a back frame set 215 (collection passage 216) is provided on the upper side, and a discharge passage board 217 (discharge passage 218) is provided on the lower side. The game board 30 is provided without overlapping (overlapping) in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when removing the game board 30 from the inner frame 12, there is no inconvenience that the discharge passage board 17 prevents the game board from being removed.

  The discharge passage board 217 is provided just behind the upper plate 19 on the front surface of the pachinko machine. A wire or the like is inserted from a ball discharge port (ball passage rod 69 in FIG. 2) leading to the upper plate 19, An illegal act of causing a wire or the like to enter the game area side through a gap between the inner frame 12 and the discharge passage board 217 can be considered. Accordingly, in the pachinko machine 10, a plate 219 extending in front of the pachinko machine so as to overlap the inner frame 12 almost integrally is provided just behind the upper plate 19 of the discharge passage board 217. Therefore, even if a wire or the like tries to enter from the gap between the inner frame 12 and the discharge passage board 217, the wire or the like is obstructed by the plate 219, and it is very difficult to make the wire or the like enter the game area. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as forcibly opening the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 401) using a wire or the like.

  In addition, on the back surface of the game board 30, a winning detection mechanism for detecting the passage of game balls such as various winning holes is provided. Specifically, a prize opening switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general prize opening 31 on the front side of the game board 30, and a specific area switch 222 and a count switch 223 are provided in the variable prize winning device 32. The specific area switch 222 as specific detection means is a switch that determines that a game ball that has won the variable winning device 32 in the big hit state has entered the V zone 407 (a specific area for determining whether or not to continue the big hit state). The count switch 223 is a switch that counts the winning balls to the general winning zone 408. Further, a first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) switch 224 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and a second opportunity corresponding port (gate) switch is provided at a position corresponding to the second opportunity corresponding port 34. 225 is provided.

  The prize opening switch 221 and the second opportunity corresponding gate (gate) switch 225 are connected to the board relay board 226 through electric wiring (not shown), and this board relay board 226 is further connected to a main board (main controller 261) described later. ing. Further, the specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 are connected to the special winning opening relay board 227, and the special winning opening relay board 227 is also connected to the main board. On the other hand, the first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) switch 224 is directly connected to the main board without passing through the relay board.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is provided with a first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) solenoid for opening the electric accessory. In FIGS. 16 and 17, reference numeral 228 denotes a set handle having a hitting ball and the like, and reference numeral 229 denotes a firing motor.

  The detection results detected by the winning detection mechanism are taken into a main board, which will be described later, and a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation is transmitted from the main board to the payout control board. The Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out by the output of the payout control board. In such a case, a conventional method (so-called evidence ball method) in which game balls won in various winning openings are once collected in a winning ball processing device and paid out after the winning ball processing device confirms the presence of winning balls one by one in order. Unlike the above, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the winning of a game ball is electrically detected for each winning opening and the payout is immediately made (that is, the winning ball processing apparatus is abolished in the pachinko machine 10). is doing). Therefore, even if there are a lot of game balls to be paid out, the payout can be carried out quickly.

  The back frame set 215 is provided with an attachment mechanism for attaching the first control board unit 201. Specifically, as this attachment mechanism, a support bracket 231 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the lower left corner when viewed from the back of the game board 30, and the support bracket 231 has a pair of upper and lower support holes on the same axis. Is formed. In addition, in the lower right part of the game board 30, reference numeral 232 is a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (ny latch holes), and in the upper left part, reference numeral 233 is a locking claw piece.

  An attachment mechanism for attaching the second control board unit 202 and the back pack unit 203 is provided on the back surface of the inner frame 12. Specifically, a long support fitting 235 is attached to the inner frame 12 at its right end, and its configuration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the support metal fitting 235 has a long plate-like metal fitting body 236, and the support hole 237 for the second control board unit is formed at two lower positions so as to stand up from the metal fitting body 236. In addition to the formation, support hole portions 238 for the back pack unit are formed at two upper positions. Coaxial support holes are formed in the support hole portions 237 and 238, respectively. In addition, as an attachment mechanism for the second control board unit, the inner frame 12 is provided with a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (ny latch holes) 239 at the left end below the game board installation area. As a mounting mechanism for the back pack unit, the inner frame 12 is provided with a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (nylatching holes) 240 at the left end of the game board installation area. However, the support bracket for the second control board unit and the support bracket for the back pack unit can be provided as separate members. Reference numerals 241, 242, and 243 denote rotational fixtures for sandwiching and supporting the back pack unit 203 with the game board 30.

  In addition, in the rear configuration of the inner frame 12, a game ball for distributing a game ball paid out from a payout mechanism, which will be described later, to either the upper plate 19, the lower plate 15, or the discharge passage 218, at the lower right portion of the game board 30. A distribution unit 245 is provided. That is, the opening 245a of the game ball distribution unit 245 communicates with the upper plate 19, the opening 245b communicates with the lower plate 15, and the opening 245c communicates with the discharge passage 218 (see FIG. 17). Conventionally, since a portion corresponding to the game ball distributing unit 245 is provided on the back pack unit 203 side, the back pack unit 203 is pushed through the ball discharge port (ball passage wall 69 in FIG. 2) reaching the upper plate 19. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner frame 12 and a portion corresponding to the game ball distributing unit 245, and an illegal act of inserting a wire or the like through the gap and operating the internal device has been considered. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10, such illegal acts are prevented by providing the game ball distribution unit 245 on the inner frame 12 side and fixing the game ball distribution unit 245 by a fixing means. Further, the upper end surface of the game ball distributing unit 245 is formed in accordance with the height position where the lower end surface of the game board 30 is installed, and is devised so as not to prevent the game board 30 from being removed.

  In addition, a resin speaker box 246 is attached to the lower end of the inner frame 12 so as to surround the back of the speaker 249 installed toward the lower plate 15. Improvements are being made.

  Next, the first control board unit 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 is a front view of the first control board unit 201, FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the unit 201, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201, and FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201 viewed from the back. .

  The first control board unit 201 has a mounting base 251 having a substantially L shape, and the main control device 261 and the sound lamp control device 262 are mounted on the mounting base 251. Here, the main control device 261 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, and various lotteries. A main board including a random number generator used, a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc., and the main board is made of a transparent resin material or the like; ). The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other by a sealing unit 264 (sealing means) so that the substrate box 263 is sealed.

  As the sealing unit 264 as the sealing means, any configuration can be applied as long as the box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened, but here, as shown in FIG. 19 and the like, five sealing members are connected. The box base and the box cover are connected so that they cannot be opened by inserting a locking claw into the long hole of the sealing member. The sealing process by the sealing unit 264 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the opening / sealing process again even after the operation. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into the long hole of at least one sealing member among the five sealing members constituting the sealing unit 264. And when opening the board | substrate box 263 by the malfunction of the accommodated main board | substrate etc., the connection of the sealing member in which the latching claw was inserted, and another sealing member is cut | disconnected. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claws are inserted into the long holes of the other sealing members. If the history of opening the board box 263 is left in the board box 263, it can be easily found that the illegal opening has been performed by looking at the board box 263.

  The voice lamp control device 262 is a voice lamp including, for example, a CPU that controls voice and lamp display in accordance with instructions from the main control device 261 (main board) or the display control device 45, and other ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. The audio lamp control board is housed in a board box 265 made of a transparent resin material or the like. A power relay board 266 is mounted on the sound lamp control device 262, and power supplied from a power board described later is output to the display control device 45 and the sound lamp control device 262 via the power relay board 266. It is like that.

  The mounting base 251 is formed of a colored (for example, green, blue, etc.) resin material (for example, made of polycarbonate resin), and has two substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 that are flat on the surface. These substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 extend in a direction orthogonal to each other and are formed with a step in the front-rear direction. However, the mounting base 251 may be a colorless transparent or translucent resin molded product.

  The main control device 261 (main substrate) is arranged in a landscape orientation on one substrate mounting surface 252 and the audio lamp control device 262 (audio lamp control substrate) is arranged in a portrait orientation on the other substrate mounting surface 253. It is arranged in the direction. In particular, the main control device 261 is disposed on the near side when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the sound lamp control device 262 is disposed on the back side. In this case, since the substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 are formed with steps in the front-rear direction, the control devices 261 and 262 are mounted in a state where the main controller 261 and the sound lamp controller 262 are mounted on the substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253. Are arranged with a part of them stacked one after the other. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 20 and the like, the main controller 261 is arranged in a state where a part (about 1/3 in the present embodiment) is floated. Therefore, the sound lamp control device 262 can be expanded to an area overlapping with the main control device 261, and the enlargement of the control board can be dealt with satisfactorily. Also, each control device can be installed efficiently. Further, in a state where the first control board unit 201 is mounted on the game board 30, a space is secured behind the board mounting surface 252, and the variable winning device 32 and its electric wiring can be installed without difficulty.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, horizontally long through holes 254 are formed at two places on the left and right of the board mounting surface 252 for the main board. Correspondingly, the substrate box 263 of the main control device 261 is provided with rotating fixtures 267 at two places on the left and right sides of the back surface thereof. When the main controller 261 is mounted on the board mounting surface 252, the fixing tool 267 is passed through the through hole 254 of the board mounting surface 252, and the fixing tool 267 is rotated in this state to lock the main control apparatus 261. The Therefore, even if the main control device 261 is arranged in a state where it floats as described above, inconveniences such as dropping off of the main control device 261 can be avoided. Further, since the main control device 261 cannot be removed unless the fixture 267 is unlocked from the back side of the first control board unit 201 (board mounting surface 252), it is expected to have a deterrent effect against illegal acts such as board removal. it can. A grid-like rib 255 is provided on the back surface of the substrate mounting surface 252 for the main substrate.

  The mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 256 on the left end surface of FIG. 19 and the like. By attaching the support shafts 256 to the support fitting 231 shown in FIG. The game board 30 is supported so that it can be opened and closed. In addition, the mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 257 as fasteners at the right end portion and a long hole 258 at the upper end portion, and the nai latch 257 is fitted into the fastening hole 232 shown in FIG. The first control board unit 201 is fixed to the game board 30 by locking the locking claw pieces 233 shown in FIG. The support fitting 231 and the support shaft 256 are in the support shaft portion M1 of FIG. 15, the tightened hole 232 and the ny latch 257 are in the fastening portion M2, the locking claw piece 233 and the long hole 258 are in the locking claw portion M3, Each corresponds.

  Next, the second control board unit 202 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 is a front view of the second control board unit 202, FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the unit 202, and FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 202.

  The second control board unit 202 has a horizontally long mounting base 301 on which a payout control device 311, a firing control device 312, a power supply device 313 and a card unit connection board 314 are mounted. The payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, and the power supply device 313 are equipped with a control board including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports and the like as is well known. The payout of prize balls and rental balls is controlled by the substrate. Further, the launch motor 229 is controlled by the launch control board of the launch controller 312 in accordance with the operation of the handle 18 by the player, and a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control devices and the like is generated by the power board of the power supply 313. Is output. The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation unit 120 on the front surface of the pachinko machine and a card unit (not shown). The card unit connection board 314 takes a ball lending operation command from the player and outputs it to the payout control device 311. is there. Note that the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted in a cash machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit.

  The payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection substrate 314 are respectively configured to be accommodated in substrate boxes 315, 316, 317, and 318 made of a transparent resin material or the like. In particular, in the dispensing control device 311, similarly to the main control device 261 described above, the box base and the box cover constituting the substrate box 315 (encapsulating means) are connected by the sealing unit 319 (sealing means) so that they cannot be opened. Thus, the substrate box 315 is sealed.

  The payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse so that the ball jam is eliminated (return to the normal state). It has become.

  The power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of a power failure, and can be restored to the state at the time of a power failure when returning from a power failure (power recovery) It has become. Therefore, if the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the hall is closed), the state before the power is turned off is stored. If you want to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, turn on the power while holding down the RAM erase switch 323. We are going to throw it in.

  The mounting base 301 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent resin molded product, and a flat substrate mounting surface 302 is provided on the surface thereof. In this case, the launch control device 312, the power supply device 313 and the card unit connection board 314 are directly mounted side by side on the board mounting surface 302 of the mounting base 301, and the payout control apparatus 311 is mounted on the board box 317 of the power supply apparatus 313. It is mounted via a table 303.

  In addition, the mounting base 301 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 305 at the right end in FIG. 23 and the like, and the support shaft 305 is inserted into the support hole 237 shown in FIG. 2 The control board unit 202 is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the inner frame 12. In addition, the mounting base 301 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 306 as fasteners at the left end, and the second control board unit 202 is fitted into the fastening hole 239 shown in FIG. It is fixed to the frame 12 so that it cannot be opened and closed. The support hole portion 237 and the support shaft 305 correspond to the support shaft portion M4 in FIG. 15, and the fastened hole 239 and the ny latch 306 correspond to the fastening portion M5, respectively.

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is formed by integrating a resin-molded back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352. FIG. 26 shows a rear view of the pachinko machine 10 viewed from the back, and FIG. It shows in FIG.

  The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, ABS resin, and includes a substantially flat base portion 353 and a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine and has a horizontally long substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display device unit 35 (however, in the present embodiment, the sound The lamp control device 262 is also enclosed. A large number of ventilation holes 354 a are provided on the back surface of the protective cover portion 354. Each of the air holes 354a has a long hole shape, and the air holes 354a are adjacent to each other at a relatively close position. Therefore, the back surface of the back pack 351 can be easily opened by cutting the resin portion between the adjacent vent holes 354a. That is, a predetermined test or the like can be easily performed by cutting the resin portion between the vent holes 354a to expose the display control device 45 and the like inside.

  In addition, a payout mechanism portion 352 is disposed on the base portion 353 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back pack 351, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 that has two rows (two rows) of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, the tank rail 356 is arranged vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. A case rail 357 is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor 358a. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 through the payout passage 359 and the like shown in FIG.

  A vibrator 360 for applying vibration to the tank rail 356 is attached to the tank rail 356. Therefore, if a clogged ball occurs near the tank rail 356, the clogged ball is eliminated by driving the vibrator 360. The vibrator 360 is configured as a vibrator unit in which a vibrating body such as a motor is accommodated in a case which is a main body part so that a position change due to a design change or the like of a pachinko machine can be easily replaced in the case of a failure. The unit is attached to the tank rail 356 so as to be detachable. In addition, the vibrator unit is attached to the side surface of the tank rail 356 via a foot portion (vibration transmitter) protruding from the main body portion without the main body portion (case surface) being in close contact with the tank rail 356, The vibration is transmitted to the tank rail 356 more effectively.

  The configuration of the tank rail 356 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 28, the tank rail 356 has a rail body 361 having a long bowl shape opened upward, and a spherical ball is formed at the start end of the rail body 361. A receiving part 362 is provided. By this ball receiving portion 362, the game ball that has dropped from the tank 355 is smoothly taken into the rail body 361. In addition, the rail body 361 is provided with a partition wall 363 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the game balls are divided into two hands by the partition wall 363. The two ball passages partitioned by the partition wall 363 are slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball. One or two ridges 364 are provided on the bottom surface of each spherical passage partitioned by the partition wall 363, and an opening 365 is provided on the side of the ridge 364.

  In addition, a rectifying plate 367 is disposed on the rail body 361 so as to cover the ceiling portion of the downstream half. The rectifying plate 367 has a bowed shape so as to limit the height of the ball passage in the tank rail 356 toward the downstream side, and a convex portion 368 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the lower surface thereof. . Thereby, each game ball flowing in the tank rail 356 finally flows out downstream without being stacked up and down. Therefore, even if a large group of game balls flow into the tank rail 356, the game balls are prevented from being bitten and the ball clogging in the tank rail 356 is eliminated. The rail body 361 is formed of black conductive polycarbonate resin, whereas the rectifying plate 367 is formed of transparent polycarbonate resin. The rectifying plate 367 is detachably provided, and by removing the rectifying plate 367, maintenance in the tank rail 356 can be easily performed.

  Returning to the description of FIGS. 26 and 27, the payout mechanism unit 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 for relaying a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and for taking in the main power from outside. The power switch board 382 is installed. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, AC 24V main power via a voltage converter, and is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

  The discharge mechanism 352 from the tank 355 to the discharge passage 359 is formed of a conductive resin material (for example, conductive polycarbonate resin) and grounded at a part thereof. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by charging of a game ball is suppressed.

  Further, the back pack 351 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 385 at the right end in FIG. 26 and the like, and the support shaft 385 is inserted into the support hole 238 shown in FIG. The pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the inner frame 12. Further, the back pack 351 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 386 as fasteners at the left end portion, and a locking hole 387 is provided at the upper end portion. The nai latch 386 is inserted into the tightened hole 240 shown in FIG. The backpack unit 203 is fixed to the inner frame 12 so as not to be opened and closed by being fitted and locking the fixing tool 242 shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, a rotating I-type fastener is employed as the locking portion M8 in the vicinity of the tank 355 that stores a lot of game balls and is relatively loaded. For this reason, the back pack unit 203 (tank 355) can be more reliably locked as compared with the case where a fixture such as a ny latch is used. At this time, the back pack unit 203 is also fixed to the inner frame 12 by the fixtures 241 and 243 shown in FIG. The support hole portion 238 and the support shaft 385 are in the support shaft portion M6 of FIG. 15, the fastening hole 240 and the ny latch 386 are in the fastening portion M7, and the fixture 242 and the locking hole 387 are in the locking portion M8, respectively. Equivalent to. Further, the fixture 243 corresponds to the locking portion M9 (see FIG. 15).

  Further, the base 353 of the back pack unit 203 is provided with an opening 391 for the external relay terminal plate 230, so that the external relay terminal plate 230 can be removed and operated even when the back pack unit 203 is fixed. It is possible.

  With the configuration described above, the main controller 261 (substrate box 263) can be removed by first opening (or removing) the back pack unit 203, then opening (or removing) the first control substrate unit 201, and It can be finally performed by including a complicated process of releasing the fixing tool 267. For this reason, a deterrent effect can be expected against illegal acts such as removal of the main controller 261 (board box 263).

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. A RAM 503 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 503 has a configuration in which data can be retained (backed up) by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off. The RAM 503 temporarily stores various data and the like. In addition to the memory and area for this purpose, a backup area 503a is provided.

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similar) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is turned off by NMI interrupt processing (see FIG. 38). Conversely, returning of each value written to the backup area 503a includes turning on the power (including turning on the power due to power failure cancellation). The same applies to the following power recovery process (see FIG. 31). Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) of FIG. 38 is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 505 is connected to a RAM erasing switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a display control device 45, and other switches not shown.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor 358a. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is configured to hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 described above. The RAM 513 is provided with a backup area 513a in addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data.

  The backup area 513a has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power-off, each register This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt processing (see FIG. 38). Conversely, the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is the power recovery processing at the time of turning on the power (see FIG. 39). ) Is executed.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 through a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a firing control device 312, a payout motor 358a, and the like are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the gaming machine by the launch motor 229, and the launch motor 229 is permitted to drive when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, it is detected by a sensor signal that a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch for stopping the firing. On the condition that is not operated, the launch motor 229 is driven, and a game ball is launched with an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18 (see FIG. 17).

  The display control device 45 controls the special symbol variation display on the special symbol display device 42 and the normal symbol variation display on the normal symbol display device 41. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a ROM (program ROM) 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, an image controller 526, an input port 527, two output ports 528 and 529, and a bus. Lines 530 and 531 are provided. The output of the main controller 261 is connected to the input of the input port 527, and the CPU 521, ROM 522, work RAM 523, and image controller 526 are connected to the output of the input port 527 and one output port is connected via the bus line 530. 528 is connected. A normal symbol display device 41 (display unit 43) and an audio lamp control device 262 are connected to the output of the output port 528. An output port 529 is connected to the image controller 526 via a bus line 531, and a special symbol display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device, is connected to the output of the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 controls the display of the special symbol display device 42 and the normal symbol display device 41 based on the display command transmitted from the main control device 261. The ROM 522 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data, and the work RAM 523 temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. It is a memory for.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data displayed on the special symbol display device 42, and the display content of the special symbol display device 42 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 42. The image controller 526 adjusts the timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, and the output port 529 to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads display data stored in the video RAM 524 from the character ROM 525 at a predetermined timing. It is displayed on the display device 42.

  The power supply unit 313 includes a power supply unit 541 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch connected to the RAM erase switch 323. A circuit 543. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in an AC 24 volt power supply supplied from the outside, and generates a + 12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, a + 5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, and the like. Then, these + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing in FIG. 38).

  The power supply unit 541 normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain the value. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit for taking in the switch signal of the RAM erase switch 323 and clearing backup data in the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 in accordance with the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the respective RAMs 503 and 513 are cleared in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. The

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 43, the special symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 42 has three symbol rows of left, middle, and right, and the symbols (special symbols) are variably displayed for each symbol row. Is done. In the present embodiment, the special symbols are each configured with numbers “0” to “9”, and the special symbols are displayed in ascending or descending order of the numbers to constitute a series of symbol strings. The special symbol is displayed in a variable manner from top to bottom with periodicity.

  In such a case, the special symbols are displayed in descending order (in the order in which the appended numbers decrease) in the left symbol column, and the special symbols are also in ascending order (in the order in which the appended numbers increase) in the middle symbol column and the right symbol column. Is displayed. Then, the variable display stops in the order of left symbol sequence → right symbol sequence → middle symbol sequence, and the special symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols on the special symbol display device 42 at the time of the stop (in this embodiment, the same special symbol If it is arranged in combination, a special game video is displayed as a jackpot (a jackpot state is started).

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 performs lottery (big hit lottery) of the special symbol display device 42, setting of symbol display, and the like using various counter information in the game. Specifically, 30, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for the jackpot lottery of the special symbol display device 42, a jackpot symbol counter C2 used for the selection of the jackpot symbol of the special symbol display device 42, and the special symbol display device 42. Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery when the value fluctuates out, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of jackpot random number counter C1, and variation type counter used for variation pattern selection of special symbol display device 42 CS1, CS2, and left, middle, and right outliers used to set the left, middle, and right outliers Counter CL, CM, has been with the use of the CR.

  Among these, the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS1, and CS2 are loop counters that each add 1 to the previous value and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Further, the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured such that register values are added using an R register (refresh register) in the CPU 501, and as a result, numerical values change randomly. Each counter is periodically updated, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503. In addition, the RAM 503 is provided with a holding ball storage area as a storage area composed of one execution area and four holding areas (holding first to fourth holding areas). The values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in time series in accordance with the winning histories of the game balls to the one-time opportunity corresponding port 33.

  In detail, each of the counters is configured such that the jackpot random number counter C1 is incremented one by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 676, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 676). 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 jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676), and is updated once for each timer interruption and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33. The number of random number values that are jackpots is set to three types at a low probability and one type at a high probability. In the present embodiment, the probability setting at the low probability is configured to be changeable. In the case of setting 1, the number of random numbers that are jackpots is 4, and the value is “199, 337, 463, 673 ”, the number of random number values that are jackpots in the case of setting 2 is 3, and the value is“ 199, 337, 673 ”, and the number of random number values that are jackpots in the case of setting 3 Is 2, and its value is “337,673”. In addition, the number of random numbers that are jackpots at high probability is 10 in any of the above settings, and the value is “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661”. . The high probability means a state where the jackpot is won by a predetermined probability variation pattern and the subsequent jackpot probability is increased as added value, that is, the time of so-called probability change, and the normal time (low probability) is such It is said that it is not in a certain state.

  The jackpot symbol counter C2 determines a symbol when the fluctuation of the special symbol display device 42 is stopped in the case of a jackpot, and in the present embodiment, ten special symbols are set in the special symbol display device 42. 10 (0-9) counter values are prepared. In other words, the jackpot symbol counter C2 is configured so that 1 is added in order within the range of 0 to 9, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 9), it returns to 0. The jackpot symbol counter C2 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33.

  Further, the reach random number counter C3 is configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 causes the final stop symbol after the occurrence of reach to stop by shifting the last stop symbol by one before and after the reach symbol, and the final stop symbol after the occurrence of reach also reaches the reach symbol. “Reach other than front / rear off” that stops other than before and “completely out” that does not generate reach, for example, C3 = 0, 1 corresponds to front / rear reach, and C3 = 2-21 It corresponds to reach other than front / rear detachment, and C3 = 22 to 238 corresponds to complete detachment. The reach lottery may be set individually according to the state of the lottery probability of the special symbol display device 42, the number of starting reserved balls at the start of change, and the like. The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment) and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33.

  Further, one of the two variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is incremented by one within a range of 0 to 198, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. For example, the other variation type counter CS2 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 240, for example, and reaches the maximum value (that is, 240) and then returns to 0. In the following description, CS1 is also referred to as “first variation type counter”, and CS2 is also referred to as “second variation type counter”. The first variation type counter CS1 determines the reach type of special symbols such as so-called normal reach, super reach, premium reach, and other rough symbol variation modes, and the second variation type counter CS2 determines the final stop symbol (book) In the embodiment, a more detailed symbol variation mode such as an elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) until the middle symbol) stops is determined. Therefore, a variety of variation patterns can be easily realized by combining these variation type counters CS1 and CS2. It is also possible to determine the symbol variation mode only by the first variation type counter CS1, or to determine the symbol variation mode similarly by combining the first variation type counter CS1 and the stop symbol.

  The 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 CS1 and CS2 are acquired when the variation pattern is determined when the variation of the special symbol is started by the special symbol display device 42.

  The left, middle and right off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are the stop symbols of the left column special symbol, the middle column special symbol, and the right column special symbol when the special symbol display device 42 is not selected. Since any one of 10 special symbols is displayed in each column, 10 counter values (0 to 9) are prepared for each. The stop symbol of the left symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CL, the stop symbol of the middle symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CM, and the stop symbol of the right symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CR.

  In this embodiment, the value of each counter CL, CM, CR is updated at random by using the value of the built-in R register in the CPU 501. That is, when each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated, the lower 3 bits of the R register are added to the previous value, and when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, 10 is subtracted to determine the current value. The Each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated within the normal processing so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of these outlier symbol counters CL, CM, CR is the reach of the RAM 503 front / rear out symbol buffer, reach other than front / rear out It is stored in either the symbol buffer or the completely off symbol buffer. Then, when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation of the special symbol, the buffer value of any one of the front and rear outreach symbol buffer, the reach symbol buffer other than front and rear out, and the complete out symbol symbol buffer is acquired according to the value of the reach random number counter C3. .

  In addition, the magnitude | size and range of each counter are only examples, and can be changed arbitrarily. However, it is desirable that the big hit random number counter C1, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are all different prime numbers and are not synchronized in any case.

  Although not shown, the normal symbol random number counter C4 is used for the lottery of the normal symbol display device 41. The normal symbol random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 250, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The normal symbol random number counter C4 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and is acquired when the game ball passes through the left or right second opportunity corresponding port 34. The number of random number values to be won is 149, and the range is “5 to 153”.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 501 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a stop to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). There is an NMI interrupt process activated by signal input. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 every 2 msec, for example.

  In FIG. 36, first, in step S601, various winning switch reading processes are executed. That is, the state of various switches (except for the RAM erase switch 323) connected to the main controller 261 is read, and the state of the switch is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

  Thereafter, in step S602, 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 this embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S603, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and their counter values reach the maximum values (in this embodiment, 676, 49, and 238, respectively). Each time it is cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Thereafter, in step S604, a start winning process associated with winning in the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is executed. This starting winning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 37. In step S701, whether or not the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is determined based on the detection information of the first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) switch 224. . When it is determined that the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding port 33, in the subsequent step S702, whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls of the special symbol display device 42 is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment). Is determined. The process proceeds to step S703 on the condition that there is a winning at the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the number N of starting reserved balls is smaller than 4, and the number N of starting reserved balls is incremented by one.

  In the subsequent step S704, a random number related to the special symbol winning is acquired. Specifically, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S603 are stored in the first area of the free storage area of the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503. Then, after the start winning process, the CPU 501 once ends the timer interruption process.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption, the state of the main controller 261 at the time of power-off is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

  That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main controller 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. The NMI interrupt processing in FIG. 38 is stored in the ROM 502 of the main controller 261. For a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output, current is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the main control device 261 can be executed, and the NMI interrupt processing is executed within the predetermined time.

  In the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 38, first, in step S801, the used register is saved in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503, and in the subsequent step S802, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. Further, in step S803, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a, and in step S804, a power interruption notification command indicating that the power has been interrupted is transmitted to another control device.

  In step S805, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. In step S806, RAM access is prohibited. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  The NMI interrupt process is also executed in the payout control device 311 in the same manner, and the state of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Similarly, the power is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the payout control device 311 can be executed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. The NMI interrupt process of FIG. 38 is started. The contents are as described in FIG. 38 (however, the transmission of the power-off notification command in step S804 is excluded).

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of a main process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S101, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, in order to set a predetermined value in the stack pointer and wait for the sub-side control device (sound lamp control device 262, payout control device 311 etc.) to become operable, for example, Wait processing is performed for about 1 second. In step S102, a payout permission command is transmitted to the payout control device 311. In subsequent step S103, RAM access is permitted.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON). In subsequent step S105, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. It is determined whether or not. In step S106, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S107, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM determination value is a checksum value at a work area address of the RAM 503, for example. Note that it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 are correctly stored.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323 when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall starts business. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S114, etc.). Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 503 (step S114 or the like). That is, in step S114, the used area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S115, initialization processing of the RAM 503 is executed. In step S116, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S108, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S109, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S110, a command for returning the sub-side control device to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted, and in step S111, the used register is returned from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Further, in steps S112 and S113, the interrupt permission / non-permission is returned to the state before power-off, and then the address before power-off is returned.

  Next, the flow of normal processing 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 S201 to S207 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S209 and S210 is executed with the remaining time.

  In FIG. 32, first, in step S201, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence / absence of winning detection information is determined, and if there is winning detection information, a winning ball payout command corresponding to the number of acquired game balls is transmitted to the payout control device 311. Further, a stop symbol command, a variation pattern command, a confirmation command, and the like are transmitted to the display control device 45 when the special symbol display device 42 displays the variation of the special symbol. In addition, after the start of the change of the special symbol, each time in the normal process in the order of the change pattern command-> stop symbol command of the left symbol sequence-> stop symbol command of the right symbol sequence-> stop symbol command of the middle symbol sequence The command is sent once every 4 msec), and the confirmation command is sent at the timing when the fluctuation time elapses. Further, the display control device 45 that has input the stop symbol command, the variation pattern command, the confirmation command, etc. determines the display mode of the special symbol display device 42 and the normal symbol display device 41 based on the various commands, and displays the display mode. Is displayed on the special symbol display device 42 and the normal symbol display device 41.

  Next, in step S202, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the update values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S203, updating of each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR of the left symbol row, the middle symbol row, and the right symbol row is executed.

  The update process of each out symbol counter CL, CM, CR will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 33, in step S301, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the out symbol counter CL in the left symbol row. In step S302, It is determined whether or not it is time to update the middle symbol row out of symbol counter CM. If the update timing of the left symbol row (YES in step S301), the process proceeds to step S303, and the outlier symbol counter CL of the left symbol row is updated. Further, if the update timing of the middle symbol row (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S304, and the out-of-middle symbol counter CM is updated. Further, if the update timing of the right symbol sequence (both steps S301 and S302 are NO), the process proceeds to step S305, and the out symbol counter CR of the right symbol sequence is updated. In updating the outlier symbol counters CL, CM, CR in steps S303 to S305, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value, and 10 is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, The calculation result is out of order and is used as the current value of the symbol counters CL, CM, CR.

  According to the CL, CM, and CR update processing, the left symbol row, middle symbol row, and right symbol row outlier symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are sequentially updated one by one in one normal process. The update times of the values do not overlap. As a result, every time the normal process is executed three times, one set of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR is updated.

  Thereafter, in step S306, it is determined whether or not the combination of the updated out symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a reach symbol combination. If it is a reach symbol combination, then in step S307, it is changed back and forth. It is determined whether or not it is a missed reach. If the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of front and rear out of reach, the process proceeds to step S308, and the combination of out symbol symbols CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the front and rear out of reach symbol buffer of the RAM 503. If the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of reach other than front / back off, the process proceeds to step S309, and the combination of the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / back out of RAM 503. To do.

  In the case of a combination other than the reach symbol, in step S310, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbol symbols CL, CM, CR is a symbol combination, and if it is a symbol combination, Proceeding to step S311, the combination of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the off symbol buffer of the RAM 503. If NO in both steps S306 and S310, the symbols are aligned on the left, middle, and right, that is, it corresponds to a jackpot state. In such a case, the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are stored in the buffer. The process is terminated without any processing.

  After the removal symbol counter update process, in step S204 in FIG. 32, the winning ball counting signal and the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 are read. After that, in step S205, special symbol variation processing for performing special symbol variation display by the special symbol display device 42 is executed. With this special symbol variation processing, jackpot determination, special symbol variation pattern setting, and the like are performed. However, details of the special symbol variation process will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S206, a big prize opening / closing process for opening or closing the big prize opening 401 of the variable prize winning device 32 in the case of the big win state is executed. That is, the big winning opening 401 is opened for each round of the big hit state, and it is determined whether the maximum opening time of the big winning opening 401 has elapsed or whether a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the big winning opening 401. When either of these conditions is satisfied, the special winning opening 401 is closed. At this time, the continuous winning opening 401 is allowed to be continuously opened on condition that the game ball has passed through the V zone 407, and this is repeatedly executed for a predetermined number of rounds.

  In step S207, normal symbol display control by the normal symbol display device 41 is executed. Briefly, on the condition that the game ball has passed through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the normal symbol random number counter C4 is acquired and the normal symbol lottery is performed on the display unit 43 of the normal symbol display device 41. When the normal symbol is hit, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is opened for a predetermined time. Although explanation is omitted, the normal symbol random number counter C4 is also updated by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 36, like the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. .

  Thereafter, in step S208, it is determined whether or not the next normal process execution timing 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 the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing (steps S209 and S210). That is, in step S209, 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 this embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  In step S210, update of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is executed (same as step S202). Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the change values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S207 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) can be updated at random by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time. .

  Next, the special symbol variation process of step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 34, in step S401, it is determined whether or not it is currently a big hit. Note that the jackpot includes a special game displayed on the special symbol display device 42 and a predetermined time after the special game is ended. In a succeeding step S402, it is determined whether or not the special symbol display device 42 is displaying the variation of the special symbol. If the special symbol display is not being changed and the variation is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step S403, where it is determined whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls of the special symbol display device 42 is greater than zero. At this time, if it is a big hit or if the number N of starting reserved balls is 0, this processing is terminated as it is.

  Further, if it is neither a big hit nor a special symbol variation display, and if the number of starting reserved balls N> 0, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, 1 is subtracted from the number N of starting reserved balls. In step S405, a process for shifting the data stored in the reserved ball storage area is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the reserved first to fourth areas of the reserved ball storage area to the execution area side, and the reserved first area → execution area, reserved second area → The data in each area is shifted such as the first hold area, the third hold area → the second hold area, the fourth hold area → the third hold area.

  Thereafter, in step S406, a change start process is executed. Here, the details of the variation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 35. In step S501, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit based on the value of the big hit random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. To do. Specifically, whether or not the jackpot is determined based on the relationship between the jackpot random number counter value and the mode at that time, and as described above, among the values 0 to 676 of the jackpot random number counter C1 at the normal low probability, “199, "337, 463, 673" (for setting 1), "199, 337, 673" (for setting 2) or "337, 673" (for setting 3) are hit values, and "67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661 ”are hit values.

  If it is determined that the game is a jackpot, in step S502, a table corresponding to the value of the jackpot symbol counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area, that is, a table not showing the jackpot symbol (value of the jackpot symbol counter C2). And a symbol representing the correspondence between the symbol and the symbol), and the symbol is set as a stop symbol command. At this time, any of the 10 jackpot symbols corresponding to the numerical values 0 to 9 of the jackpot symbol counter C2 is set in the stop symbol command. When these jackpot symbols are gathered with a predetermined specific symbol, the state changes to the probability variation state. However, when the symbols are not specific symbols (non-specific symbols), the probability variation state is not reached.

  Next, in step S503, the variation pattern at the time of the big hit is determined, and the variation pattern is set in the variation pattern command. At this time, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are confirmed, and the reach type of a special symbol such as normal reach, super reach, premium reach, etc. based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. And other rough symbol variation modes, and the elapsed time until the final stop symbol (in this embodiment, the middle symbol) stops after occurrence of reach based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2 (in other words, variation More detailed symbol variation mode is determined. The relationship between the numerical value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the reach pattern and the relationship between the numerical value of the second variation type counter CS2 and the stop symbol time are respectively defined in advance by a table or the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that it is not a big hit, it is determined in step S504 whether or not a reach has occurred based on the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. If the reach has occurred, it is further determined in step S505 whether the reach is out of front or back based on the value of the reach random number counter C3. In the present embodiment, the value of the reach random number counter C3 is any one of 0 to 238, of which “0, 1” corresponds to the out-of-front reach and “2-21” corresponds to the reach other than the back-and-forth out- “22 to 238” corresponds to no reach (complete detachment).

  If front / rear out of reach has occurred, the process proceeds to step S506, and the left, middle, and right out of symbol counters CL, CM, and CR stored in the front / rear out of reach design buffer of the RAM 503 are set as stop symbol commands. In step S507, a variation pattern at the time of front / rear out of reach is determined, and the variation pattern is set as a variation pattern command. At this time, as in step S503, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are checked, and the normal reach, super reach, and premium reach are determined based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. The reach type of the special symbol and other rough symbol variation modes are determined, and the final stop symbol (the middle symbol in the present embodiment) is stopped after the reach occurs based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2. A more detailed symbol variation mode such as the elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) is determined.

  If a reach other than front / rear out occurs, the process proceeds to step S508, and the left, middle, and right out-of-line counters CL, CM, CR stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / rear out of RAM 503 are stopped. Set to. Also, in step S509, a fluctuation pattern at the time of reach other than front / rear deviation is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set as a fluctuation pattern command. At this time, the variation pattern is determined based on the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503, as in step S503 and the like.

  If it is neither big hit nor reach, the process proceeds to step S510, and the left, middle, and right off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR stored in the complete off symbol buffer of the RAM 503 are set as stop symbol commands. In step S511, the fluctuation pattern at the time of complete deviation is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set in the fluctuation pattern command. At this time, since the reach does not occur, the player's interest is reduced, and various symbol variation modes are not required. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in step S511, the symbol variation mode is determined using only the first variation type counter CS1 (that is, without using the second variation type counter CS2). As described above, when the setting of the symbol stop command and the variation pattern command is completed at the time of jackpot, when the reach occurs, and when the reach does not occur, this processing ends.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 34, if step S402 is YES, that is, if the variation display of the special symbol is being performed, the process proceeds to step S407 to determine whether or not the variation time has elapsed. At this time, the variation time of the special symbol is determined according to the variation pattern of the special symbol, and when this variation time has elapsed, an affirmative determination is made in step S407. In step S408, a stop symbol set for stopping and checking the fluctuation is set as a confirmation command, and then this process is terminated.

  Next, payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control apparatus 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S901, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. In step S902, the process waits until a payout permission command transmitted from main controller 261 is received. When the payout permission command is received, the process advances to step S903 to permit RAM access, and in step S904, an external interrupt vector is set.

  Thereafter, a data backup process is executed for the RAM 513 in the CPU 511. That is, in step S905, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON). In subsequent step S906, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. It is determined whether or not. In step S907, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S908, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 513. It should be noted that it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 are correctly stored.

  If the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S915, etc.). Similarly, when the occurrence information of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process similarly proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 513 (step S915 or the like). That is, in step S915, the entire area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S916, initialization processing of the RAM 513 is executed. In step S917, CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S918, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to a payout control process described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S909, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S910, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S911, CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S912, the used registers are restored from the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Further, in steps S913 and S914, the interruption permission / non-permission is returned to the state before the power interruption, and then the address before the power interruption is returned.

  Next, the flow of the payout control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 40, in step S1001, a command from the main controller 261 is acquired, and the total number of prize balls is stored. In step S1002, the launch control apparatus 312 is set for launch permission. In step S1003, the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state return operation is executed.

  Thereafter, in step S1004, setting of the lower pan full tank state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed in accordance with the change in the state of the lower pan 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is detected based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, when the lower pan is full, the lower pan full state is set, and when the lower pan full is not reached , Set the lower pan full release state. In step S1005, setting of a tank ball absence state or a tank ball absence release state is executed in accordance with a change in the state of the tank ball. In other words, the tank ball no switch state is determined based on the detection signal of the tank ball no switch, and the special setting for the absence of the tank ball and the setting for the no tank ball state are executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S1006, the presence / absence of a state to be notified is determined. If there is a state to be notified, the 7-segment LED provided in the payout control device 311 is notified.

  In steps S1007 to S1009, prize ball payout processing is executed. In this case, if the prize ball is not paid out and the total number of prize balls stored in step S1001 is not 0 (both NO in steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to step S1009 and a prize ball control process (described later). 41) is started. Further, if the prize ball cannot be paid out or the total number of prize balls is 0 (YES in any one of steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to a lending payout process.

  Thereafter, in steps S1010 to S1012, a rental ball payout process is executed. In this case, if it is not possible to pay out the rent and if a rent-out request from the card unit has been received (NO in step S1010, YES in S1011), the process proceeds to step S1012 and a renting control process (described later). 42) is started. Further, if a rental ball cannot be paid out or a rental ball payout request has not been received (YES in step S1010 or NO in S1011), the subsequent ball removal process is executed.

  In step S1013, the state return switch 321 is checked to execute the ball removal process by driving the payout motor 358a on the condition that the ball removal disabled state is not set and the ball removal operation is not started. In subsequent step S1014, control of vibrator 360 (vibration motor control) is executed on condition that the ball is clogged. Thereafter, the process returns to the top of the payout control process.

  Here, in the prize ball control process shown in FIG. 41, in step S1101, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute the prize ball payout. In subsequent step S1102, whether the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal is determined based on the detection result of the payout rotation sensor. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process proceeds to step S1103, where the payout motor 358a is driven to execute a retry process, and a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process proceeds to step S1104, and whether or not the game ball is normally counted is determined based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1105 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1106, and it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached the total number of prize balls and the payout has been completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1107, and then the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  In the ball lending control process shown in FIG. 42, in step S1201, the payout motor 358a is driven to pay out the lending ball. In the subsequent step S1202, it is determined from the detection result of the dispensing rotation sensor whether the rotation of the dispensing motor 358a is normal. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process advances to step S1203 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the payout control process of FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process advances to step S1204 to determine whether or not the game ball is normally counted based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1205 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the payout control process of FIG.

  If the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1206, where it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached a predetermined number of rented balls (25) and the payout is completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1207, and then the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the course of the game ball entering the variable prize device 32 is distributed by the plurality of blades 433 that are rotatably supported. The plurality of blades 433 that are rotatably supported have a larger rotation amount (rotation amount) than, for example, a guide member such as a seesaw that is rotatably supported to guide the game ball to the V zone. Therefore, the effect on the game ball is large, that is, the effect on the course of the game ball (to which winning area is directed) is large. Therefore, the randomness of the behavior of the game ball in the variable winning device 32 can be improved, and the problem that the behavior of the game ball becomes unambiguous can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the player to predict the course of the game ball, so attention is paid to the behavior of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest for the player.

  Furthermore, when the front lens 421 is in the specific position, the character information can be visually recognized or easily viewed. For this reason, the player pays attention to the variable winning device 32 in an attempt to know the character information, and as a result, the behavior of the game ball in the variable winning device 32 is noticed, and the player is interested in the behavior of the game ball. It will be. As a result, further improvement of interest can be achieved.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the front lens 421 is configured to be driven by a motor. Not limited to this, the front lens 421 or the rear lens 422 may be rotated by an external force received from the game ball.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the rear lens 422 is fixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rear lens 422 is also rotated by a predetermined driving means so as to change the relative positional relationship with the front lens 421. It is good also as a simple structure. For example, it is good also as a structure which rotates both in the opposite direction.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the display panel 423 to which a sticker on which a setting value related to the jackpot probability as the specific information is attached is disposed as the information display unit behind the rear lens 422. The information display unit is not limited to this, and a display unit of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, CRT, dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence (EL), or the like may be employed.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the front lens 421 and the rear lens 422 are provided with a plurality of linear convex portions 432a and linear concave portions 432b that are alternately arranged in a line. However, the configuration of the see-through region and the non-see-through region is not limited to this. For example, a part of the front lens 421 and a part of the rear lens 422 each have a substantially circular see-through region, and the other part becomes a non-see-through region by applying an opaque paint or the like, and the front lens 421 stops at a specific position. In this case, the front lens 421 and the rear lens 422 may be arranged so that the see-through regions overlap each other.

  (E) You may implement as a pachinko machine of a different type from the said embodiment. In addition to pachinko machines, the present invention can also be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball machine and similar sparrow balls.

  (F) In the above embodiment, it is specified that at least one game ball wins the V zone 407 as a specific winning area where a game ball must be won in order to continue the big hit state (special game state) As the condition is satisfied, the front lens 421 and the plurality of blades 423 are stopped at a specific position. Not limited to this, when the game ball enters a specific winning area different from the winning area such as the V zone among the plurality of winning areas, the front lens 421 and the plurality of blades 423 are at a specific position. It is good also as a structure which stops.

  (G) Not limited to the above embodiment, instead of the front lens 421 and the rear lens 422, a lens to which specific information is directly attached (for example, a lens having specific information as a so-called “watermark”) is adopted. The specific information may be visible or easily visible when the lens is irradiated with light by a predetermined irradiation unit.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the inner frame etc. in the state which open | released the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a front view of a variable winning device. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the JJ line of Drawing 5, and is a figure showing a variable prize device. It is a disassembled perspective view of a windmill unit. It is a front view of a windmill unit. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the KK line of FIG. 8, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a windmill unit. It is a rear view of a front lens. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the LL line of FIG. 10, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a linear convex part and a linear recessed part. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the non-crossing state of the linear convex part and linear concave part of a front and back lens, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the crossing state of the linear convex part and linear concave part of a front and back lens It is. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a front frame set. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the 1st control board unit in the back surface of a pachinko machine, a 2nd control board unit, and a back pack unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of an inner frame. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a support metal fitting. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 2nd control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a back pack unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a tank rail. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the update process of an off symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol fluctuation | variation process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation start process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows payout control processing. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball control. It is a flowchart which shows ball rental control. It is a figure which shows the display mode in a special symbol display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine (bullet ball game machine), 30 ... Game board, 32 ... Variable winning device as specific entry means, 401 ... Grand prize opening, 403 ... Shutter as movable member, 405 ... Windmill unit 407: V zone as a specific winning area or first winning area, 408: General winning zone as a second winning area, 421: Front lens as a second covering member, 422: As a first covering member Rear lens, 423 ... Display panel as information display unit, 432a ... Linear convex part constituting non-transparent area, 432b ... Linear concave part constituting fluoroscopic area, 433 ... Blade as distributing member, 261 ... Driving Main control device (main substrate) constituting control means, Z1... Axis.

Claims (1)

A launching means for launching a game ball;
A game board having a game area on the front side where the launched game ball is guided and the game ball can flow down,
In the gaming area, comprising specific entry means that allows a game ball to enter based on establishment of a predetermined condition,
A gaming machine capable of giving a predetermined game value based on the game ball entering the specific ball entry means,
The specific entry means is configured to play a game from a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter the specific entry means based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a plurality of winning areas allowing entry of game balls. A movable member that displaces the ball into an open state where the ball can enter or is easy to enter, and an external force received from the game ball are provided so as to be rotationally driven, and the path of the game ball entering the specific ball entry means is distributed A gaming machine comprising a sorting member.

Images