JP4895907B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention comprises a game board having a game area in which a game ball can flow down, including a front structural member having a concave chamber extending from a front opening of a required shape to a rear opening window for display, and variably displaying a plurality of identification information. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a variable display having a display unit capable of displaying a variable display game is arranged so that the display unit faces the back side of the display opening window of the front constituent member.

  Conventionally, a variable display game in which an effect display device having a large variable display or the like is provided in a substantially central part of a game area where a player's line of sight concentrates, and a plurality of identification information is displayed in a variable manner on the display unit of the variable display There is a gaming machine designed to do this. As this type of gaming machine, in addition to the display effect of displaying various images on the display unit, the effect effect can be obtained by converting and moving the effect movable member of the required shape from the outer position of the display unit to the front position of the display unit. The thing which made it raise is also proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2007-29420 A

  However, since the production by the production movable member such as the invention described in Patent Document 1 has been developed by various manufacturers, the player has become accustomed to the production by the production movable member. Players are no longer surprised by various movements of the members.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that gives a strong impact to a player with a novel effect.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 has a concave chamber extending from the front opening of the required shape to the rear display opening window portion in the gaming board having a gaming area where gaming balls can flow down. A variable display having a display unit that includes a front component and capable of displaying a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner so that the display unit faces the back side of the display opening window of the front component. In the gaming machine provided, the front structural member is provided above the display opening window, and takes in a game ball that flows down the game area, and a game ball taken in from the intake port A storage state that can be converted into a storage portion that stores the production sphere as a production sphere, a storage state in which the production sphere can be stored in the storage portion, and a storage release state that releases the storage in the storage portion and enables the production sphere to flow down Conversion means and a shape in front of the display unit An effect ball flow down area that receives the effect ball released from the storage by the storage state conversion means converting from the storage state to the storage release state, and flows down below the lower edge of the display opening window. In the variation display game, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the effect sphere stored in the storage unit is caused to flow down to the effect sphere flow-down region. The lower storage conversion means that can be converted into a storage state in which the production sphere that has flowed down from the storage state and a storage release state in which the production sphere is released and the production sphere flows down to the downstream are provided, and the lower storage conversion means is set as the storage state Random for determining the effect mode of the variable display game by concealing display information displayed on the display unit from the player in an invisible or difficult-to-view condition with the effect ball stored in the effect ball flow down area. A random number extracting means for extracting a random number from the effect random number generating means based on the establishment of the start condition of the variable display game, and a random value extracted by the random number extracting means In the case of a random value for performing the above, the storage state conversion means is converted from the storage state to the storage release state, the lower storage state conversion means is converted from the storage release state to the storage state, and the display at the rear of the effect ball flow down area A ball concealment effect control means for displaying the identification information of the variable display game on the part, and a storage number counting means for counting the number of game balls stored in the storage part, the ball concealment effect control means, The display mode of the identification information displayed behind the effect ball falling area is controlled in accordance with the count value of the game balls by the storage number counting means .

According to the gaming machine according to claim 1, the front structural member is provided above the display opening window, and takes in a game ball that flows down the game area, and takes in from the intake port. It can be converted into a storage part that stores the game sphere as a production sphere, a storage state in which the production sphere can be stored in the storage part, and a storage release state in which the storage of the storage part is released and the production sphere can flow down Reservation state conversion means and the display opening window portion that is formed in front of the display unit and receives the effect ball released from the storage by the storage state conversion means converting from the storage state to the storage release state, from above. An effect ball flow area that flows downward from the lower edge of the effect ball. In the variable display game, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the effect ball stored in the storage unit is caused to flow to the effect ball flow area. to, the presentation sphere flow The area is provided with a lower storage conversion means that can be converted into a storage state in which the effect sphere that has flowed down from the sphere storage unit is stored and a storage release state in which the effect is released and the effect sphere is caused to flow downstream. With the effect sphere stored in the effect sphere flow-down area with the storage conversion means as the storage state, the display information displayed on the display unit is hidden from view or difficult to view from the player, and the effect mode of the variable display game The random number extracting means for generating random numbers for determining the random number extracting means for extracting random numbers from the effect random number generating means based on the establishment of the start condition of the variable display game, and the random number extracting means When the random value is a random value for performing a ball concealment effect, the storage state conversion means is converted from the storage state to the storage release state, and the lower storage state conversion means is converted from the storage release state to the storage state. Together, a ball concealment effect control means for displaying the identification information of the variable display game on the display part behind the effect ball flow down area, a storage number counting means for counting the number of game balls stored in the storage part, And the ball concealment effect control means controls the display mode of the identification information to be displayed behind the effect ball flow-down area according to the count value of the game ball by the storage number counting means. or passed down the game balls to effect sphere falling region formed in front of, it is possible to perform a novel effect that by storing the presentation sphere effect sphere falling area you conceal displayed information backward. In addition, it is possible to realize an appropriate display effect in which the identification information, which is display information concealed behind the effect ball stored in the effect ball flowing down area, is invisible or difficult to see from the player. In addition, if the lower storage state conversion means is changed from the storage state to the storage release state and all the production balls are made to flow down from the production flow down area, the identification information can be clearly seen, so the production has a strong impact on the player. It can be performed.

  Next, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front side of a gaming machine 1 capable of performing a ball game. Various functions related to the game (details will be described later) are added to the gaming machine 1 shown as this embodiment, and a prepaid card (for a ball game that is sold in advance at a predetermined amount) is placed on one side of the gaming machine 1. Card lending unit (not shown) to which a card control function and a ball lending control function, etc., that make it possible to use a card that stores valuable data equivalent to currency) The game machine 1 can now play games using the game balls borrowed by the rental unit. Note that all or part of the functions of the ball lending unit may be added to the gaming machine 1 so that the gaming ball can be lent out.

  The gaming machine 1 is provided with a front frame 3 provided with various game function units on the front side of a frame-shaped main body frame 2 so as to be openable and closable, and a transparent member holding frame 4 and an upper plate unit on the front side of the front frame 3. 5 were provided so that each could be opened and closed. In addition, the axis attachment side of the transparent member holding frame 4 and the upper plate unit 5 that are rotatably attached to the front frame 3 is also made to coincide with the axis attachment side of the front frame 3 (left side as viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1), The weight load applied to the main body frame 2 when the front frame 3, the transparent member holding frame 4, and the upper plate unit 5 are opened is concentrated on one side.

  The transparent member holding frame 4 holds a transparent member 4a made of transparent glass, hard synthetic resin, or the like. Through the transparent member 4a, a game board 6 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the back side thereof is mounted. The game area 6a is visible to the player. In addition, decorative members used for light emission effects, notification operations, and the like are provided at appropriate positions of the transparent member holding frame 4. In addition, the lower tray unit 7 provided below the front frame 3 so as to be positioned below the upper tray unit 5 is a lower portion in which the upper tray storage portion 51 of the upper tray unit 5 is filled and overflows. A dish storage unit 71, a firing operation handle 72 for a player to perform a firing operation, and the like are provided.

  The game area 6 a of the game board 6 is a substantially circular area partitioned by the partition member 61, and a launch unit (one game ball stored in the upper tray storage section 51 of the upper tray unit 5 is supplied to one game ball ( This is an area in which the projecting ball bulleted by (not shown) is introduced through the projecting ball introduction path. Although omitted in FIG. 2, the game area 6a is provided with obstacle nails, windmills and the like that change the flow state of the game ball, and the game ball flows down in the game area 6a in a flow mode that is difficult to predict. Go.

  The game area 6a of the game board 6 includes a plurality of general winning holes 62 (for example, awarding a predetermined number of prize balls to a player as a bonus by winning a game ball, such as various prize-winning devices and prize-winning devices, for example. The first general winning opening 621 to the Nth general winning opening 62N are individually detected by the first winning opening sensor 621a to the Nth winning opening sensor 62Na), and the passing of the game ball is not contacted by the normal start sensor 63a. The normal figure start gate 63 to be detected, and a normal symbol variation display game (for example, two display LEDs are turned on and off alternately by passing the ball to the normal figure start gate 63, and the LED lit at the end of the game is hit A normal symbol display 81 that performs a game for determining whether or not to win or not), and a state conversion (for example, The upper ends of the movable members 64a and 64a are separated from the normal state in which the right pair of movable members 64a and 64a stand upright and it is difficult for a game ball to enter the special-purpose starting port 64b formed between the movable members 64a and 64a. The special figure start winning device 64 for converting the game ball to the special figure starting port 64b and converting it into an open state in which the game ball is easy to win), and special starting of the ball winning to the special figure starting port 64b of the special figure starting winning unit 64 A special symbol variation display game (for example, whether or not the identification information that is stopped and displayed after variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information consisting of numbers, symbols, etc.) is detected by the sensor 64c or not is a predetermined prize mode. A special symbol display 91 for performing a game to determine the state, and the result of the special symbol variation display game by the special symbol display 91 is a win, so that the state is changed (for example, the front of the rotary shaft provided on the lower edge). Tiltable A special variable prize winning device 65 or the like is appropriately dispersedly arranged from the closed state in which the closed door 65a shields the big prize opening 65b to the open state in which the opening and closing door 65a tilts forward and invites the game balls to the big prize opening 65b. It is. Note that game balls that have not won any winning area are collected from the out port 66 provided at the bottom of the gaming area 6a.

  Further, an effect display device 4 which is a large game device is arranged in the approximate center of the game area 6a. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the effect display device 10 includes a front structural member 11 having a recessed chamber 11 a that extends from a front opening 11 a 1 having a required shape to a rear display opening window 11 a 2, and a plurality of pieces of identification information. A variation indicator 12 having a display unit 12a capable of displaying a special symbol variation display game for variation display, and an effect ball flow area component 13 arranged between the front component 11 and the variation indicator 12. The display unit 12a of the variation indicator 12 is disposed so as to face the back side of the display opening window portion 11a2 of the front surface component 11 through the substantially transparent effect ball falling region component 13. The variation indicator 12 may have a structure held on the game board 6 or a structure held on the front frame 3 on which the game board 6 is mounted.

  An armor portion 111 projecting forward from the surface of the game board 6 is provided on the upper portion and both the left and right sides of the front structural member 11, and the armor portion 111 projects forward above the display opening window portion 11a2 and on both the left and right sides. Therefore, the game ball flowing down from the upper side of the game area 6a does not flow down so as to block the front of the concave chamber 11a facing the display unit 12a. Note that the lower edge of the left wall 111a of the armor portion 111 is appropriately positioned above the bottom of the concave chamber 11a, so that depending on the momentum the game ball hits the nail or windmill and repels sideways, the concave chamber 11a There is a possibility of jumping into the stage portion 112, which is the bottom wall of the camera.

  Furthermore, an intake port 11b is opened at an appropriate position on the upper portion of the armor portion 111, and game balls that have entered the front component 11 from the intake port 11b are distributed from the distribution unit 113a to the upper warp passage 113b. Then, after exiting from the warp outlet 113d through the side warp passage 113c, the stage 112 is reached. That is, when the game balls taken into the front structural member 11 from the take-in port 11b are distributed to the upper warp passage 113c side by the distribution unit 113a, the game balls are guided to the stage unit 112 as they are.

  For example, the stage portion 112 is inclined downward from both the left and right sides toward the central guide recess 112a formed in a shallow groove shape in the front-rear direction to the substantially central portion, and the game ball rolling on the stage portion 112 is compared. It falls to the front along the central guide recess 112a with a high probability. A panel configuration in which the special drawing start opening 64b of the special drawing start winning device 64 is located immediately below the central guide recess 112a (see FIG. 2), and the special drawing start winning device 64 movable members 64a and 64a stand upright. Even in the normal state, a winning ball to the special figure starting port 64b is generated with high probability. That is, when the game ball taken in from the take-in port 11b of the front surface component 11 is distributed to the upper warp passage 113c by the distribution part 113a, it is guided to the central guide recess 112a of the stage part 112, and a special figure start prize is received. Is likely to be.

  On the other hand, when the game balls taken from the intake port 11b of the front component 11 are distributed to the storage unit 114 side by the distribution unit 113a, the storage state conversion member that operates integrally with the plunger of the storage state conversion solenoid 115. In the storage state in which 115a protrudes into the flow path of the effect ball deriving path 116, the game ball stops at the storage portion 114 when it hits the storage state conversion member 115a, and the storage state conversion member 115a becomes the effect ball deriving path 116. In the storage release state withdrawn from the flow path, the game ball retained in the storage unit 114 flows down the effect ball lead-out path 116 downward. That is, the storage state conversion member 115a is projected and retracted to the effect sphere lead-out path 116 by the storage state conversion solenoid 115, so that “the storage state in which the effect sphere can be stored in the storage unit and the storage of the storage unit are released. This realizes a function as “storage conversion means that can be converted into a storage release state that allows the production ball to flow down”.

  In addition, the distribution part 113a provided in the front structural member 11 forms the storage part 114 below the game ball naturally flows down, so that the game ball taken in from the intake port 11b is preferentially distributed to the storage part 114. If a single game ball is stored in the storage unit 114, the subsequent game ball cannot enter the storage unit 114 from the distribution unit 113a. In addition, it is structured to flow down to the upper warp passage 113c. Further, an effect ball sensor 117 is provided as a storage detection means for detecting the effect ball stored in the storage unit 114, and whether or not the game ball is stored in the storage unit 114 is ON / OFF output of the effect ball sensor 117. Judgment is possible. In addition, the take-in path of the game balls stored as the effect balls is not limited to the intake port 11b opened in the armor portion 111 of the front structural member 11, but from the general pocket-shaped winning port to the storage unit 114. By providing a guide path that guides the player, the winning opening may be made to function as a take-in opening.

  The effect ball lowering region constituting member 13 that forms the effect ball falling region 13a that receives the effected ball released from the storage by the storage state converting means from the storage state to the storage release state as described above, A substantially transparent front plate 131 and back plate 132 are arranged so that a space with a slightly wider front and rear width than the diameter is generated. The shape and area of the front plate 131 and the back plate 132 are such that at least the display opening window portion 11a2 can be completely closed from the rear, and from the player's point of view, the presence of the production ball flow area component 13 It is desirable to make the display feel like the display portion 12a of the variation indicator 12 is facing behind the concave chamber 11a.

  An effect sphere introduction part 13b that opens at least at a position corresponding to the effect sphere lead-out path 116 is provided on the upper part of the effect sphere falling area constituting member 13, and the effect sphere that has been released from the storage and has flowed down from the storage part 114 is the effect sphere. It is introduced from the introduction part 13b into the production ball flow down area 13a, and flows down as it is, and is collected from the production ball collection path 133 through at least the production ball collection part 13c provided below the lower edge of the display opening window 11a2. Is done. The game balls that have flowed down the effect ball flow down area 13a as the effect balls are collected from the effect ball collection path 133 as winning balls to which a predetermined number of prize balls are given, but the handling of the effect balls is particularly limited Instead, it may be collected as an out ball to which no prize ball is given, or may be returned to the stage portion 112 or the game area 6a of the front structural member 11 and reflowed.

  In addition, since the production sphere deriving path 116 shown as the present configuration example derives the production sphere substantially vertically downward, the production sphere introduced from the production sphere introduction unit 13b to the production sphere flow-down area 13a is directly produced directly below. Although the possibility of flowing into the ball collection path 133 is high, when the game machine 1 is impacted, the game ball introduced from the production ball introduction unit 13b falls in a parabola in the left-right diagonal direction. Therefore, an effect sphere collecting unit 13c that forms an effect sphere guiding surface that inclines downward toward the effect sphere collecting path 133 is provided, and the effect sphere is reliably collected from the effect sphere collecting path 133. In addition, when the effect sphere is introduced into the effect sphere flow-down area 13a, the effect sphere lead-out path 116 may be configured to fall in a parabolic manner in the left-right direction.

  In the gaming machine 1 including the effect display device 10 configured as described above, when a predetermined condition (for example, a condition for performing a ball effect in a special symbol variation display game) that occurs during the game is satisfied, a storage state conversion solenoid When 115 is operated to release the game sphere (effect sphere) stored in the storage section 114, the effect sphere that has flowed down the effect sphere lead-out path 116 by its own weight is introduced from the effect sphere introduction section 13b to the effect sphere flow-down area 13a. The substantial game sphere (effect sphere) falls in the front space of the two-dimensional image displayed on the display unit 12a. For example, in synchronism with the timing when the effect sphere is introduced from the effect sphere introduction unit 13b into the effect sphere flow-down region 13a, a moving image in which the ceiling collapses is displayed on the display unit 12a. Synchronizing with the timing of collection to the production ball collection path 133, displaying a moving image of splashing on the display unit 12a, and combining the display production and the ball production, there is a novel and impact that has not existed before Production can be realized.

  Here, the flow of the game in the gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment will be described. When the game ball fired by the hitting ball launching mechanism reaches the game area 6a, it flows down the game area 6a according to the launch force, and the game ball passes through the normal start gate 63 for good luck. When the start sensor 63a detects the passing of the game ball, a normal symbol variation display game by the normal symbol display 81 (for example, two display lamps are alternately lit, and which lamp is lit and displayed at the end of the game) A game for deciding to miss is started. However, when the normal symbol variation display game is already being executed, up to a predetermined number (for example, four) of the game balls that have passed through the usual figure start gate 63 are stored and held as a usual figure start winning memory. After the end of the normal symbol variation display game, the normal symbol variation display game is performed based on the ordinary symbol start winning memory. It should be noted that the normal figure start winning memory value is visually displayed to the player by the normal symbol memory display 82.

  As described above, the normal symbol variation display game by the normal symbol display 81 is performed based on the normal symbol start winning memory in which the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 63 or this ball passage is stored. When the result is successful, the upper ends of the movable members 64a and 64a are in conflict with each other from the normal state in which the pair of left and right movable members 64a and 64a provided in the start winning device 64 stand up and it is difficult to win the special drawing start port 64b. It is converted into an open state that tilts in the direction and makes it easy to win a special drawing start port 64b. This increases the possibility that a game ball will win the special drawing start port 64b of the start winning device 64. The game ball that has flowed down from above the effect display device 10 is taken in from the intake port 11b of the front structural member 11, and is guided to the stage unit 112 from the warp outlet 113d through the upper warp passage 13b and the side warp passage 13c. Also in this case, since it is guided directly above the special figure starting port 64b along the central guide recess 112a, the possibility that a game ball will win the special figure starting port 64b is increased.

  Special symbol variation display game by special symbol display 91 (for example, symbols that are displayed in a variable manner, such as alphanumeric characters, are stopped and displayed on condition that a game ball wins a special symbol start port 64b of the start winning device 64. A game that decides whether or not the game is a winning symbol is determined. In the present embodiment, the special symbol variation display game by the special symbol display 91 is relatively simple. Therefore, the special symbol variation display game is used as the display content having a high effect, and the variation indicator 12 of the effect display device 10 is used. Is displayed on the display unit 12a. For example, the special symbol display 91 is a one-digit identification information display, but the special symbol variation display game on the display unit 12a in the variation indicator 12 displays a plurality of symbols in each of the three-digit display columns arranged side by side. After the conversion display, the display is stopped and the game progresses so that it is a big hit when the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed in each digit corresponds to a special mode, and various elaborate effects are displayed in the progress of the game. So it will be interesting for players. Of course, it is possible to further enhance the effect by using the ball effect that causes the effect ball to flow down to the effect ball falling area 13a. However, the special symbol variation display game by the special symbol display 91 and the result of the special symbol variation display game displayed on the display unit 12a of the effect display device 10 (whether or not, and the type of winning) must be matched. Note that the special symbol display 91 may be eliminated and the special symbol variation display game may be performed only on the effect display device 10.

  If a winning ball to the special figure starting port 64b is detected during execution of the special symbol variation display game, it is stored as a special figure starting memory up to a predetermined number (for example, four) without invalidating it. When the variation display game becomes possible, a special symbol variation display game is performed using the special diagram start memory. Further, a special symbol memory display 92 is provided in the vicinity of the special symbol display 91 so that the player can visually recognize the stored value of the special symbol start memory.

  A special mode (for example, “333”, “777” in which the three-digit symbol is set, etc.) is determined in advance as a result mode of the special symbol variation display game (stopped symbol that is stopped and displayed) performed by the special symbol display 91 and the effect display device 10. In the special game that is started based on the occurrence of the jackpot that is a uniform state as described above), the open / close door 65a of the special variable winning device 65 is converted from the closed state to the open state, and the winning ball to the big winning port 65b is changed. Either the first condition that reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10) or the second condition that the opening time when the open / close door 65a is converted to the open state reaches a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) is achieved. This is a game in which one cycle is held until this is done and this is continued up to a predetermined number of cycles (for example, 16 times).

  In this way, when the special game is started, the game balls flowing down the game area 6a can be efficiently won into the big winning opening 65b, so that the player can make a lot of game profits in a relatively short time. (Prize balls discharged in response to winning in the big winning opening 1b) can be obtained. If the number of cycles in the special game and the number of winning prizes in the big prize opening 65b in each cycle are displayed, the progress of the special game can be displayed in a state that is easy for the player to understand.

  The progress of the special game is not particularly limited as long as it is highly possible that the player can obtain more game profits than the normal game. For example, a general winning area and a continuous winning area are defined in the big winning opening 65b, and a game ball that has won the big winning opening 65b before the end condition of the cycle is reached reaches the continuous winning area. As a condition, the cycle game may be continuously updated, and if there is no game ball that has reached the continuous winning area during the cycle, the game progress may be such that the special game is terminated by the cycle.

  Next, a schematic configuration of a gaming machine control unit that performs various controls in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The gaming machine control unit is a main control device 21 that functions as a game control device that mainly controls various gaming devices (such as the special figure start winning device 64 and the special variable winning device 65) provided in the gaming board 6, and discharge emission control. A first sub-control device 22 that functions as a device (a device that controls the operation of the discharge device 22b in response to an input from the discharge stop switch 22c or the touch sensor 22d and controls the operation of the discharge device 22a), an effect control device A functioning second sub-control device 23 (lighting control of a decorative lamp 23a made up of decorative lamps and LEDs provided in various places, production sound output control from the speaker 23b, and the variable display 12 provided in the production display device 10 Display control, a device for performing ON / OFF control to the storage state conversion solenoid 115 provided in the effect display device 10).

  The main control device 21 generates a gaming microcomputer 21a having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface 21b, and an operation clock signal for gaming. An oscillator 21c for supplying to the microcomputer 21a is provided. The main control device 21 is also supplied with power from a power supply device 24 having a backup power source 24a even during a power failure or the like, so that the stored contents of the RAM can be held.

  Further, the main control device 21 detects the detection signals from the special drawing start sensor 64 c provided in the special drawing start winning device 64 and the general drawing start sensor 63 a provided in the general drawing start gate 63, and the first to Nth winning ports 621. , A detection signal from first to Nth prize opening sensors 621a to 62Na provided in each of ˜62N, an effect ball detection signal from an effect ball sensor 117 for detecting an effect ball stored in the storage unit 114 of the effect display device 10, When a detection signal from the count sensor 65c that detects one game ball that has won the special prize winning device 65b of the special variable prize winning device 65 is input via the input / output interface 21b, it is used for gaming based on these detection signals. The microcomputer 21a is connected to the special symbol display 91, the special symbol storage display 92, the normal symbol display 81, the normal through the input / output interface 21b. Large power opening / closing solenoid 65d for controlling display on the pattern memory display 82, opening / closing door 65a of the special variable winning device 65, and driving control for the movable members 64a and 64a of the special start winning device 64 By performing drive control to the open / close solenoid 64d, games according to various conditions are performed. Further, information such as the number of winning balls paid out to the player in the gaming machine 1 and the game result (general symbol variation display game, special symbol variation display game and occurrence of special game), etc. are output from the external output terminal 25 to the outside of the gaming machine. And collected and managed by the management computer of the game store.

  Effect control performed by the control unit (for example, the main control device 21) of the gaming machine 1 described above on the effect display device 10 (display effect by the fluctuation display 12 and execution control of the ball effect that causes the effect ball to flow down in the effect ball flow down area 13a) ) Will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6A shows an effect control process, which is performed based on, for example, establishment of a start condition for the special symbol variation display game (ball detection by the special figure start sensor 64c). First, an effect selection random number extraction process for extracting a random number from an effect random number generating means for generating a random number for determining the effect mode of the special symbol variation display game is performed (step S1), followed by a ball effect selection process (step S1). S2) Subsequently, a normal effect selection process is performed (step S3). In the normal effect selection process, when the extracted effect selection random value does not correspond to the ball effect random value, the display effect for the normal effect is selected, and the variation pattern data corresponding to the normal display effect is second By sending it to the sub-control device 23, the display with the normal effect is executed on the display unit 12a of the fluctuation indicator 12.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows the details of the ball effect selection process performed in step S2. First, it is determined whether or not the effect selection random value is a ball effect random value (step S21). If it is not the selected random value, the ball effect selection process is terminated as it is, and the normal effect selection by the normal effect selection process of step S is executed. If it is determined in step S21 that the effect selection random number value is a ball effect random value, the effect ball sensor 117 detects a game ball stored in the storage unit 114 as an effect ball and is turned ON. (Step S22), if it is determined that the effect ball sensor 117 is ON, a display effect for the ball effect is selected (step S23), and the variation pattern data corresponding to this ball effect is stored in the first pattern. By sending it to the two sub-control device 23, the display for the ball effect is executed on the display unit 12a of the fluctuation indicator 12, and the storage state conversion solenoid 115 is operated at an appropriate timing to the effect ball flow down region 13a. The production ball is made to flow down.

  However, when it is determined in step S22 that the effect ball sensor 117 is OFF (when the effect ball to flow down to the effect ball flow down area 13a is not stored in the storage unit 114), the display effect without the ball effect is displayed. (The display effect for the normal effect may be used, or a special display effect different from the display effect for the normal effect may be prepared), and the variation pattern according to this is selected. , It is possible to prevent the effect display for the ball effect from being performed on the display unit 12a even though the effect ball is not flowed down to the effect ball falling area 13a.

  That is, the control unit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has the “reservation detection unit for detecting the production ball stored in the storage unit” and “the production ball is stored in the storage unit according to the detection state of the storage detection unit”. Based on the establishment of the start condition of the variable display game, the storage determination unit for determining whether or not the game is performed, the effect random number generating unit for generating a random number for determining the effect mode of the variable display game, and the effect When the random number extracting means for extracting random numbers from the random number generating means and the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means is a random value for performing a ball effect, the storage state conversion means is converted from the storage state to the storage release state, In the case where it is determined that the effect determining sphere is not stored by the storage determining means. , Ball production Even if the random value to be performed is extracted, the storage conversion means is controlled to perform the effect display different from the effect display for the ball effect on the display unit without changing the state of the storage conversion means. Prevent situations in which a trap occurs and a player's interests decline.

  In addition, in the control part of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the special figure start condition is established, the effect selection random number is extracted and the ball effect selection process based on the effect selection random number is performed, so until the effect display is actually executed. Some time lag occurs. Therefore, when the production selection random number value is the sphere production random value but the production ball sensor 117 is OFF, the display production pattern without the sphere production can be switched to the display production pattern for the sphere production in the middle. When the production ball sensor 117 is turned on within a predetermined time, the second sub control device performs a ball production change command from the main control device 21 to the second sub control device 23. 23 may cause the variation display device 12 to perform a display effect for a ball effect and operate the storage state conversion solenoid 115 to cause the effect display device 10 to execute a ball effect operation.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the ball effect is realized using one effect ball stored in the storage unit 114, but not limited to this, a plurality of game balls are used for the effect. It is also possible to store the ball and realize a ball effect by a plurality of effect balls. Therefore, the ball effect using a plurality of effect balls will be described in detail by the display effect device 10 ′ of the second configuration example shown in FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as the display effect apparatus 10 of the 1st structural example mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The front component member 11 ′ in the display effect device 10 ′ of the present configuration example is provided with a meandering storage part 118, thereby increasing the storage amount of the effect sphere introduced from the distribution part 113 a and from the effect sphere lead-out path 116. It was made possible to make many production balls flow down toward the production ball flow-down area 13a '. For example, the meandering storage unit 118 is connected to the production ball introduction unit 118a provided at a position where the game ball flowing down from the intake port 11b to the distribution unit 114 can flow as it is, and the production ball introduction unit 118a. A first inclined portion 118b that inclines in a direction, a first downstream direction converting portion 118c that is connected to the lower end of the first inclined portion 118b and reverses the downstream direction, and is connected to the lower end of the first downstream direction converting portion 118c. A second inclined portion 118d that is gently inclined, a second downstream direction conversion portion 118e that is connected to the lower end of the second inclined portion 118d and reverses the downward direction, and is connected to the lower end of the second downward direction converting portion 118e. The storage state conversion member 115a operated by the storage state conversion solenoid 115 faces the lower end of the third inclination portion 118f (FIG. 7). Reference).

  An effect ball sensor 117 is provided in the effect ball introduction unit 118a which is the most upstream position of the meandering storage unit 118, and one game ball entering the meandering storage unit 118 from the effect ball introduction unit 118a is directed to one effect ball sensor. The detection information of the effect ball sensor 117 is input to the main control device 21, and the main control device 21 receiving this sends the award ball number data to the first sub control device 22, thereby producing the effect ball. As a result, a predetermined number of prize balls for the game balls introduced to the meandering storage unit 118 will be awarded to the player. In addition, the meandering storage unit 118 in the display effect device 10 ′ of the present configuration example causes the effect ball introducing unit 118a as it is when the game ball taken in from the intake port 11b normally flows down the sorting unit 113a. Since the staggered storage portion 118 is easy to store the production balls, and the meandering storage portion 118 is filled with the production balls, the game balls bounced without entering the production ball introduction portion 118a are in the upper warp passage 13b. I was able to be distributed to.

  The main control device 21 that receives the detection information from the effect ball sensor 117 retracts the storage state conversion member 115a of the storage state conversion solenoid 115 from the flow path, and the effect ball stored in the meandering storage unit 118 becomes zero. Then, when the stored state conversion member 115a is again brought into the flow path and the number of detected balls of the effect ball sensor 117 is counted, the total number of effect balls stored in the meandering storage unit 117 can be grasped. That is, the main control device 21 has a function as “a stored number counting means for counting the number of stored effect balls”.

  Note that even after the storage state conversion member 115a is retracted from the flow path to the storage release state, the game ball taken in from the intake port 11b may be introduced into the meandering storage unit 118 via the distribution unit 113a. Yes, in such a case, when the storage state conversion member 115a faces the flow path and is converted to the storage state, some effect spheres have already been introduced into the meandering storage portion 118. If the ball detection information of the effect ball sensor 117 is counted after conversion from the state to the storage state, the exact number of effect balls stored cannot be grasped. Therefore, for example, an average grace time required for the game ball to pass from the effect ball introducing portion 118a of the meandering storage portion 118 to the lower end of the third inclined portion 118f is determined in advance, and the storage release state is changed to the storage state. The count value may be corrected on the assumption that the effect balls for the number of balls detected retroactively from the time of conversion have already been accumulated. Alternatively, by providing a plurality of ball sensors at required positions of the meandering storage unit 118, for example, if the first ball sensor at the most downstream position is ON, it is determined that nine or more effect balls are stored. If the second sphere sensor at the upstream position is ON as appropriate, it is determined that 13 or more effect balls are stored, and the third sphere sensor at the upstream position is ON as appropriate. It may be determined that 16 or more effect balls are stored, and if the effect ball sensor 117 at the most upstream position is continuously ON, it is determined that 19 effect balls are full. good.

  When the effect sphere stored in the meandering storage unit 18 is released from storage, the effect sphere deriving path 116 is introduced from the effect sphere introduction unit 13a into the effect sphere flow down region 13a ′. The effect ball flowing area 13 a ′ constituted by the effect ball flowing area constituting member 13 ′ is not the entire area of the front plate 131 and the back plate 132 arranged to face each other, but the first limiting wall 134 a and the second limiting wall 134 b. This is a region limited to a width of about 2.5 game balls.

  A lower storage conversion member 119a that enters and retreats into the flow-down area in conjunction with the plunger of the lower storage state conversion solenoid 119 faces the lower part of the effect ball flow-down area 13a ′. When entering the effect ball flowing down area 13a ′, the effect ball flowing down from the meandering storage section 188 is stored, and when the lower storage conversion member 119a retreats from the effect ball flowing down area 13a ′, the effect ball flowing down area 13a ′. The effect sphere stored in the sphere flows down further and is collected from the effect sphere collection path 133. That is, the lower storage state conversion solenoid 119 causes the lower storage state conversion member 119a to enter and retreat into the effect ball flow down area 13a ′, thereby releasing the “storage state for storing the effect ball flowing down from the storage unit and the storage. Thus, the function as the “reserved release conversion means that can be converted into a storage released state in which the effect ball is allowed to flow downstream” is realized.

  Therefore, when the timing for releasing the storage of the effect sphere stored in the meandering storage unit 118 and the timing for causing the lower storage conversion member 119a to enter the effect ball flow down region 13a ′ to enter the effect sphere storage state are combined, the meandering storage unit 118 It is possible to store the production balls stored in the production ball flow down area 13a ′.

  The upper surface, which is the ball receiving surface of the lower storage conversion member 119a, is composed of left and right flat portions and a central projection, and the effect ball that has flowed down to the effect ball flow-down area 13a 'is first divided into left and right parts and stored in the lower storage. Each one is stored in the flat portion of the conversion member 119a, and the subsequent effect balls are stored between the left and right effect balls so as to be placed on the central protrusion of the lower storage conversion member 119a, and the subsequent effect balls are The players are placed in alignment above the already-produced effect balls, and are stored in three rows in the vertical direction, and the player can display the display unit 2a behind the gap between the effect balls stored in the effect ball flow-down area 13a ′. It becomes difficult to see. In this way, if the lower storage conversion means is set in the storage state, it is possible to conceal a part of the display area of the display unit 12a from the player with difficulty in viewing with the effect sphere stored in the effect sphere flowing-down area 13a ′.

  In addition, the effect ball falling area constituting member 13 ′ provided in the display effect device 10 ′ has the space between the front plate 131 and the back plate 132 approximately equal to one game ball, so that the effect balls that are spheres are aligned and arranged. However, the rear display unit 2a cannot be completely hidden. For example, a plurality of game balls are also provided in the front-rear direction of the effect ball flow-down area 13a ′ by increasing the distance between the front plate 131 and the back plate 132. Can be stored, it is possible to completely conceal the rear display portion 2a by the effect sphere stored in the effect sphere flow-down area 13a ′. In other words, it is possible to conceal a part of the display area of the display unit 12a from the player so as not to be visually recognized by the effect sphere stored in the effect sphere falling area 13a '.

  According to the gaming machine 1 including the display effect device 10 ′ described above, not only the effect ball flows down to the effect ball flowing area 13a ′ provided on the front surface side of the display unit 12a of the variable indicator 12, but also the effect ball flowing area. It is possible to perform a novel effect of storing the effect ball at 13a ′ and hiding the display information behind. In addition, when the effect ball stored in the effect ball flow-down area 13a ′ is caused to flow down, the concealed display information can be clearly recognized, so that an effect with a strong impact on the player can be performed.

  It should be noted that the production balls released from the production ball flow area 13a ′ after being released from the storage are collected from the production ball collection path 133 as winning balls to which a predetermined number of prize balls are given, but the handling of the production balls is particularly limited. Instead, it may be collected as an out-ball that is not given a prize ball, or may be returned to the stage portion 112 or the game area 6a of the front component 11 and reflowed.

  Further, the display information hidden by the effect ball stored in the effect ball flowing down area 13a ′ is not particularly limited, and may be a notice character or display information indicating whether or not the probability change, but a special symbol change display game. Identification information (for example, the right symbol out of the three-digit symbol consisting of the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol), and this identification information is concealed by a production ball to play a special symbol variation display game. It is assumed that after the game is over, a ball concealment effect is performed so that the storage of the effect ball is canceled and the game result is shown to the player. In this way, by making the identification information of the special symbol variation display game difficult to view or invisible, the player's expectation for the game result can be enhanced, and the gaming machine 1 capable of producing a novel and impactful effect. It becomes.

  Therefore, when performing the ball concealment effect, the display area that can be concealed is limited by the number of effect balls stored in the meandering storage unit 133, and the number of effect balls stored is small. If it is recognized by the player without being concealed, it will be awakening. Therefore, the main control device 21 determines the size of the symbol to be concealed in the special symbol variation display game in accordance with the number of effects balls stored, and instructs the second sub-control device 23 for an appropriate variation display pattern. It was supposed to be.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the ball concealment process performed by the main control device 21. For example, the special symbol variation is based on the establishment of the special symbol variation display game start condition (ball detection by the special symbol start sensor 64c). It is determined whether or not the random number value extracted from the rendering random number generating means for generating a random number for determining the display mode of the display game is a sphere concealment random value (step S31). Ends the sphere concealment process as it is, and the sphere concealment effect is not performed in the special symbol variation display game.

  If it is determined in step S31 that the effect selection random number value is a concealment random number value, whether or not the total number of effect spheres stored in the meandering storage unit 118 (the number of stored effect spheres) is less than nine. (Step S32), and if it is determined that the number is less than 9, it is difficult to realize a sphere concealment effect that can enhance the interest of the special symbol variation display game. A display effect is selected (step S33).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the number of storage effect balls is nine or more, a ball concealment effect is selected (step S34), and then whether or not the number of storage effect balls is less than thirteen. If it is determined that the number is less than 13, the concealed symbol size “small” is selected (step S36). That is, in the special symbol variation display game in which the ball concealment effect is performed when the storage effect ball number is 9 or more and less than 13, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, both the left symbol 121 and the middle symbol 122 are “ In the reach state stopped at 3 ″, the effect ball is stored in the effect ball flow-down area 13a ′, thereby concealing the small-size right symbol 123a, making the right symbol 123a difficult or invisible to the player. Can do.

  If it is determined in step S35 that the number of storage effect balls is 13 or more, it is subsequently determined whether or not the number of storage effect balls is less than 16 (step S37). When it is determined that it is less than the concealment symbol size “medium” is selected (step S38). That is, in the special symbol variation display game in which the ball concealment effect is performed when the number of storage effect balls is 13 or more and less than 16, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, both the left symbol 121 and the middle symbol 122 are “ In the reach state stopped at 3 ″, the effect ball is stored in the effect ball falling area 13a ′, so that the medium-sized right symbol 123b is concealed, making the right symbol 123b difficult or invisible to the player. Can do.

  Furthermore, when it is determined in step S37 that the number of storage effect balls is 16 or more, the concealed symbol size “large” is selected (step S39). That is, in the special symbol fluctuation display game in which the ball concealment effect is performed when the number of storage effect balls is 16 or more, for example, as shown in FIG. 11C, both the left symbol 121 and the middle symbol 122 are “3”. In the stopped reach state, the effect sphere is stored in the effect sphere flow-down area 13a ′, so that the large right design 123c is concealed and the right design 123c can be made difficult or invisible to the player.

  That is, the control unit of the gaming machine 1 provided with the display effect device 10 ′ generates “the effect random number generating means for generating a random number for determining the effect mode of the variable display game” and “the start condition of the variable display game is satisfied. Based on the random number extraction means for extracting the random number from the production random number generation means, and when the random value extracted by the random number extraction means is a random value for performing the sphere concealment production, the storage state conversion means is changed from the storage state to the storage release state. In addition, each of the lower storage state conversion means is converted from the storage release state to the storage state, and the ball concealment effect control means for displaying the identification information of the variable display game on the display unit at the rear of the effect ball lowering area ”and“ storage ” A function of “a stored number counting means for counting the number of effect balls stored in the section”, and the ball concealment effect control means is configured to generate an effect ball flow according to the count value of the game balls by the stored number counting means. By changing the size of the identification information to be displayed in the rear region, preventing such a situation that any discrepancy and a display effect a sphere hiding effect will be diminished the player's interest occurs.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to set suitably the identification information made into the object of a sphere concealment effect according to the order which carries out a fluctuation | variation stop, and may be the left symbol 121 or the middle symbol 122. In addition, the target of the ball concealment effect is not limited to the last stop symbol that has changed since the reach has been established, but the symbol that stops second is concealed, and it is unknown whether or not the reach has been established, and the game proceeds. You may do it. In addition, if there is an effect ball flow down area in front of each symbol, and the effect ball flow down area where the play ball flows down can be switched, the effect ball flow down area that performs the ball concealment effect can be switched at will. In addition, since the sphere concealment effect can be performed in a plurality of effect sphere down areas, the range of the sphere concealment effect is widened, and a variety of effect operations can be realized in the variable display game.

  Further, the ball concealment effect is not limited to the case where the special symbol variation display game is performed, but may be performed during other game states. For example, during a special game in which a special symbol variation display game is played as a big hit with a normal symbol, the normal symbol (or “normal” character) is displayed behind the effect ball flow down area 13a ′, The concealment effect by the effect ball is performed at the timing (for example, the eighth cycle), and after the concealment is cancelled, the display behind the effect ball flow down area 13a ′ is changed to the probability variation pattern (or the character “probability variation”). When the player is informed that the special symbol variation display game to be executed after the game is finished is executed in the probability variation mode which is more advantageous than the normal mode, in combination with the ball concealment effect, the expectation for the game after the special game is finished. A feeling can be heightened effectively.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and are not limited to the disclosed technology. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above-described embodiment, but should be construed in accordance with the description of the scope of claims, and the description of the scope of claims. All modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic front view of a game board. It is a schematic front view of an effect display device. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an effect display apparatus. It is a block block diagram of a game machine control part. (A) is a flowchart of an effect control process. (B) is a flowchart of a ball effect selection process. It is a schematic front view of the production | presentation display apparatus (state which produced | generated the effect ball was stored in the meandering storage part) which concerns on a 2nd structural example. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the effect display apparatus which concerns on a 2nd structural example. It is a schematic front view of the effect display device according to the second configuration example (a state in which effect spheres are stored in the effect sphere falling area). It is a flowchart of a sphere concealment process. It is explanatory drawing of the ball concealment effect performed by displaying the pattern of a different size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 6 Game board 6a Game area 10 Effect display apparatus 11 Front structural member 11a Recessed chamber 11a1 Front opening 11a2 Display opening window part 11b Intake port 114 Storage part 115 Storage state conversion solenoid 12 Fluctuation display device 12a Display part 13 Production Sphere falling area component 13a Production sphere falling area

Claims (1)

A variable display game in which a game board having a game area in which a game ball can flow down has a front constituent member having a concave chamber extending from a front opening of a required shape to a rear display opening window, and a plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed in a variable manner. In a gaming machine in which a variable display device having a display unit capable of displaying is arranged so that the display unit faces the back side of the display opening window of the front component member,
The front structural member is
An intake port that is provided above the display opening window and takes in a game ball flowing down the game area;
A storage unit that stores the game sphere taken in from the intake as a production sphere,
A storage state converting means capable of converting into a storage state in which the effect sphere can be stored in the storage unit, and a storage release state in which the storage of the storage unit is released and the effect sphere can flow down;
An effect ball that is formed in front of the display unit and is released from the storage by converting the storage state conversion means from the storage state to the storage release state is received from above and below the lower edge of the display opening window portion. Directing ball flow down area,
With
In the variation display game, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the effect ball stored in the storage unit is caused to flow down to the effect ball flow down area ,
In the production ball flow down area, there is provided a lower storage conversion means that can be converted into a storage state in which the production ball that has flowed down from the storage unit is stored, and a storage release state in which the production ball is released by releasing the storage. ,
With the effect sphere stored in the effect sphere flow-down region with the lower storage conversion means as the storage state, the display information displayed on the display unit is hidden from view or difficult to view from the player,
Effect random number generating means for generating a random number for determining the effect mode of the variable display game;
Random number extracting means for extracting random numbers from the effect random number generating means based on the establishment of the start condition of the variable display game;
When the random value extracted by the random number extraction means is a random value for performing a ball concealment effect, the storage state conversion means is changed from the storage state to the storage release state, and the lower storage state conversion means is changed from the storage release state to the storage state. Sphere concealment effect control means for converting and displaying identification information of the variable display game on a display unit behind the effect ball flow down area,
Reservation number counting means for counting the number of game balls stored in the storage unit;
With
The ball concealment effect control means controls the display mode of the identification information displayed behind the effect ball flow-down area according to the count value of the game balls by the storage number counting means. .

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