HK1134660A - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

Game machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a game machine that moves an object within a game area.

Background

For example, a game machine is known in which a player inserts an entertainment medium called a medal (media) to play a predetermined game (see, for example, patent document 1). In such a game machine, a game is played by physically moving an object such as a game medium or a drawing medium in a game area.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2005-224326

In a game machine using physical movement of an object, since game contents are controlled by the movement of the object, if a slight difference occurs between game machines due to assembly of components of the game machine, the winning ratio may be different. Therefore, the profit recovery rate may vary among gaming machines.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of equalizing a winning rate of each gaming machine.

The game machine according to one aspect of the present invention solves the above-described problems by including a game board surface, a discharge adjustment mechanism, and a discharge control mechanism, wherein the game board surface is provided with a barrier that obstructs movement of an object on the outer periphery thereof, and winning opportunities are repeatedly generated by physical movement of the object; a discharge adjustment mechanism that adjusts discharge of the object from a discharge port provided on a part of the barrier; the discharge control means controls the ease of discharging the object by operating the discharge adjustment means.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, since the chance of winning a prize is repeatedly generated in the gaming machine deck surface, the number of times of generation of the chance of winning a prize increases as the existence of the object in the gaming machine deck surface is generally increased. By controlling the ease with which objects are discharged from the discharge opening, the time during which objects are present within the game board surface can be adjusted. When the winning rate of the entire game machine is high, the winning rate of the game machine can be adjusted by controlling so that the object is easily discharged, and when the winning rate is low, the winning rate is controlled so that the object is hardly discharged. This makes it possible to average the winning rate of each game machine.

In one aspect of the game machine according to the present invention, the discharge adjustment mechanism may change a size of the discharge port. According to this aspect, the ease of discharging the object can be adjusted by changing the size of the discharge port.

In one aspect of the gaming machine in which the size of the discharge port is changed, the discharge adjustment mechanism may be a movable member. According to this aspect, the movable member operates to change the size of the discharge port. Thereby, the ease of discharging the object can be adjusted.

In one aspect of the game machine provided with a movable member, the discharge port may have a plurality of the movable members, and the discharge control means may control the plurality of the movable members to move in and out of the moving surface of the object independently of each other. According to this aspect, since the plurality of movable portions provided in the discharge port are independently moved in and out, the size of the discharge port can be adjusted. This makes it possible to finely adjust the winning rate of the entire game machine. Therefore, the gambling spirit can be improved.

In one aspect of the game machine provided with a movable member, the discharge control means may perform control so that the movable member is hidden with respect to the moving surface based on contact between the object and the movable member. According to this aspect, the control of the movable member is performed based on, for example, the object contact: the first movable member rebounds the object to continue the game on the game board, and the second movable member is hidden to discharge the object when the object moves toward the discharge port. Thereby, the interest of the game can be increased.

In one aspect of the game machine provided with a movable member, the discharge control means may perform control so that the movable member is hidden from the moving surface based on a time when the movable member appears with respect to the moving surface. According to this aspect, since the movable member is hidden based on the appearance time of the movable member, the object is left on the game board for a certain time. Therefore, the winning rate can be improved in a certain time, and the gambling spirit can be improved.

Effects of the invention

As described above, according to the game machine of the present invention, since the chance of winning a prize is repeatedly generated on the game board surface, the probability of existence of an object on the game board surface increases, and the number of times of generation of the chance of winning a prize increases. By controlling the ease with which the object is discharged from the discharge port, the time during which the object is present within the game board surface can be adjusted. When the winning rate of the entire game machine is high, the winning rate of the game machine can be adjusted by controlling so that the object is easily discharged, and when the winning rate is low, the winning rate is controlled so that the object is hardly discharged. Therefore, the gambling psychology of the game can be improved, and the winning rate of each game machine can be averaged.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gaming machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a play area (play field) in which a game is played;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a coin slot area (pushfield) portion;

fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a center unit;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a ball input portion;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an internal mechanism of the ball detecting portion;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of a buffer sensor;

FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram of an external interceptor (out blocker);

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the ball handling mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the ball handling mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the game machine;

fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a digital lottery game;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a game of chance (change game);

FIG. 14 is a view showing winning intervals with respect to a bonus game (bonus game) and a chance game;

fig. 15 is a perspective view of the medal supply part.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2 is a plan view of a game area in which a game is played. For convenience of explanation, fig. 1 does not show a part of the upper and side portions of the game machine G. The game area of the game machine G is surrounded by a partition such as a transparent plate and is shielded from the outside. The gaming machine G uses a token as an entertainment medium, and is a so-called token game machine. The game machine G has a center unit CN and four station units (station units) ST. Two station units ST are arranged in parallel on both sides with a center unit CN in between. In the station unit ST, a so-called slot game (pushgame) using medals and a digital drawing game related to the slot game are played. In the center unit CN, a bonus game is played in association with the result of the game of the station unit ST.

The station unit ST includes: a coin-feed area PF for playing a coin-feed game; a medal insertion unit 1 that supplies medals to the medal insertion area unit PF; a medal outlet 2 that pays out medals to the player according to the result of the medal game; an operation button 3 used in a bonus game; a medal supply unit 4 serving as a prize supply means for supplying medals to the medal inserting area unit PF in accordance with the result of the bonus game; a ball supply part 5 for supplying balls as a drawing medium to the coin insertion area part PF according to the result of the digital drawing game; and a display unit 6 for displaying the digital lottery game and the like. The medal area part PF has a table 7 for accumulating medals and a medal table 8. The medals are stored on the table 7 and the medal inserting table 8 in a manner of being spread over. On the table 7, the slot table 8 reciprocates back and forth (with the player side as the front, the same applies hereinafter). The medal insertion section 1 includes: a medal insertion port 1a through which a player inserts medals; and a track 1b for guiding the game medals to supply the inserted game medals to the medal inserting table 8. The medal inserting section 1 is rotatably provided on the game machine so that the player can appropriately select the ejection direction of the medals. Since the medal inserting sections 1 are provided two by two in each station unit ST, two players can play a game in one station unit ST. The medal supply section 4 includes: a hopper (hopper)4a (see fig. 15) as a supply device provided at an upper portion; and a medal bearing section 4b as a prize bearing member. When the medals are paid out from the hopper 4a, the medals fall onto the medal bearing portion 4b and are supplied to the medal area portion PF. The display unit 6 reflects a screen displayed on a liquid crystal display device provided above the display unit with a mirror, and displays the screen to a player. In this case, the liquid crystal display device may be shared with the station unit ST on the opposite side. The display unit 6 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the coin area PF. An inclined portion 11 is provided in front of the slot table 8 so as to be continuous with the medal accumulating surface 8a of the slot table 8. The inclined portion 11 is provided with a plurality of chance detectors (change checker)12 for detecting passage of the medal M. The chance detector 12 has a lamp 12a that is turned on or off in response to detection of the medal M. An inclined portion 13 is provided in front of the table 7 so as to continue from the medal storage surface 7a of the table 7. The inclined section 13 is provided with a start detector (start checker)14 for detecting whether or not the medal M enters, and a pair of throwers (flippers) 15 provided on both sides of the start detector 14 for guiding the medal M to the start detector 14. The start detector 14 detects the entry of the medal M into the opening 14a provided in the inclined portion 13. The pair of throwers 15 are opened and closed according to the result of the slot game or the digital lottery game, and the ease with which the medals M enter the start detector 14 is changed. Further, a known sensor technique such as a photoelectric sensor may be used to detect the medal M by the chance detector 12 and the start detector 14.

Next, the flow of the medals M in the medal area part PF will be described. When the player inserts the medal M into the medal insertion opening 1a, the medal M is guided by the rail 1b to fall onto the medal accumulating surface 8a of the medal insertion table 8 and be accumulated there, or to roll from the medal insertion table 8 onto the table 7. The group of the medals M stored on the medal table 8 is pushed forward by the reciprocating motion of the medal table 8 while being in contact with the wall portion 16, whereby the medal M is pushed out from the front end of the medal table 8, and the pushed-out medal M slides down the inclined portion 11, passes through any chance detector 12, moves onto the table 7, and remains there.

The chance detector 12 sets the game contents to be played when the medal M passes and displays the game contents to the player by the lamp 12a in a recognizable manner. The kicker 15 is opened and closed according to the setting of the chance detector 12. The group of medals M remaining on the table 7 is pushed forward by the reciprocation of the medal inserting table 8, whereby the medals M are pushed out from the front end of the table 7, slide down on the inclined portion 13, and fall. The dropped medal M is paid out to the player through the medal outlet 2 via a counting hopper (not shown).

When the medal M pushed out from the front end of the table 7 enters the start detector 14 and is detected, the digital lottery game is started. The digital lottery game is a slot game (slot game) in which a guess is made as to whether or not a combination of three patterns (patterns, symbols, numbers, etc.) arranged in a row on the display unit 6 matches a set winning combination (when り is active). The digital lottery game is linked with the chance detector 12 so that the conditions for lottery are changed in accordance with the setting of the chance detector 12 that detects the medal M. Further, a performance linked with the thrower 15 can be performed in the digital lottery game. When a prize is generated for the player by forming a set winning combination as a result of the drawing, the prize is paid out from a payout portion 17 provided on the upper portion of the display portion 6. The paid-out medal M rolls on the display unit 6 and falls on the medal table 8.

As one of winning combinations of the digital lottery game, "balls" are prepared. For example, the pattern on the ball is selected as the winning combination of "ball" in the case of three coincidences. In the case when this winning combination is selected, the ball B1 is supplied from the ball supply section 5 to the table 7. The ball B1 is made of, for example, resin. Or may be differentiated by a plurality of colors.

The ball B1 supplied onto the table 7 is gradually pushed out toward the front of the table 7 together with the medal M by the reciprocating motion of the medal inserting table 8. When the ball B1 falls from the front end of the table 7, the falling ball B1 rolls down on the inclined portion 13. The fallen ball B1 is detected by a detection unit, not shown, and a predetermined prize is given to the player. The prize is paid out from the payout portion 17. The detection unit may use various known technologies such as a photoelectric sensor and a proximity sensor. The rolled ball B1 is counted based on the detection result, and when the number reaches a predetermined number, the bonus game is started in the center unit CN. The bonus game can also be started in the case where the rolled ball B1 enters the start detector 14. Further, as one of winning combinations of the number drawing game, a "direct prize game" may be prepared. For example, in the case where three letters of D of the alphabet (alphabet) coincide, a winning combination of "direct prize game" is selected. In the case when this winning combination is selected, a bonus game is started at the center unit CN.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the center unit CN. The center unit CN has a bonus zone section BF as a first game zone and a chance zone section CF as a second game zone. The bonus area section BF performs a bonus game. In the illustrated example, two chance zone units CF are provided for the gaming machine G, and a chance game related to the result of the bonus game is played. In the center unit CN, a ball B2 is used as an object. Ball B2 is formed of metal. Since the chance area portions CF have the same configuration, only one will be shown in fig. 4 for explanation.

The reward zone portion BF is provided with: a ball input unit 21 for inputting a ball B2; a prize game zone a1 as a game zone in which a prize winning chance can be generated by a physical operation of the ball B2 thrown from the ball throw-in section 21; an outer zone (out zone) a2 for discharging and retaining the ball B2 from the prize game zone a 1; and a ball conveying mechanism 22 for conveying the ball B2 from the reward zone BF to the chance zone CF.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the ball inlet 21. The ball input portion 21 has: a launching section 31 that launches a ball B2 to a bonus game area a 1; and a track 32 guiding the launched ball B2 to a bonus play area a 1. The emitter 31 has: a push-out member 33 that pushes out the ball B2; and a solenoid 34 that drives the push-out member 33. The pushing member 33 has an "コ" shape, and one end portion pushes out the shooting ball B2. A shaft 33a fixed to the game machine G is provided at a lower curved portion of the push-out member 33, and the push-out member 33 is driven by the operation of the solenoid 34 connected to the other end portion to push out the ball B2 at the one end portion. The solenoid 34 reciprocates the core 34a in the vertical direction by excitation of an incorporated solenoid coil and release of the excitation. The core 34a is connected to the other end of the pushing member 33. The rail 32 has a rail bottom 35 and a pair of rail side plates 36a and 36b, and the pair of rail side plates 36a and 36b are formed perpendicularly to the rail bottom 35 on both sides of the rail bottom 35. The path of travel of ball B2 is formed by rail bottom 35 and rail side plates 36a, 36B. An opening 36B1 is provided on a portion of the track side plate 36B, the opening 36B1 supplying balls B2 for launch.

In the bonus game area a1, there are provided: a bonus game board surface 41 as a bowl-shaped game board surface; a buffer 42 provided on the bonus game board surface 41 as a first game mechanism or a lottery mechanism for flicking the ball B2; and a fence (funce) 43 as a barrier surrounding the outer periphery of the bonus game board surface 41. The bonus game board 41 has: a rotary disk 41a (see fig. 2) which is provided at the center and rotationally driven; and a plurality of protruding portions 41b arranged around the rotary disk 41 a. The rotary disk 41a rotates at a predetermined rotational speed, and changes the moving direction of the ball B2 that is in contact therewith. A partition may be provided on the surface of the rotating disk 41 a. For example, by providing the partition plate 41c in an S-shape, the moving direction of the ball B2 that contacts the rotary disk 41a changes in accordance with the timing of the rotation of the rotary disk 41 a. In the illustrated example, four convex portions 41b are provided, and each has a semi-ellipsoidal shape. The convex portion 41B changes the moving direction of the ball B2 that is in contact.

The buffer 42 is called a so-called sampler buffer (サンパ - バンパ -one) having: a ball detection unit 42a as an object detection device for detecting the ball B2 in contact therewith; and a light 42B indicating that the ball B2 is detected. Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the internal structure of the ball detection portion 42 a. The ball detection unit 42a includes: a rod (rod)51 extending in the vertical direction of the damper 42; a cradle (blacket) 52 provided at an upper portion of the lever 51; a lever support spring 53 as a spring for supporting the lever 51; a push-out plate 54 as a push-out member that slides up and down with respect to the damper 42 and, when sliding down, ejects the ball B2 that has come into contact outward; a solenoid 55 as a driving mechanism for driving the push-out plate 54; an iron core rod 56 having an upper end fixed to the push-out plate 54 and a lower end penetrating the solenoid 55, and descending by its attraction force when the solenoid 55 is in an energized state; a spring 57 for raising the core rod 56 when the solenoid is in a non-energized state; a lever (lever)58 having one end fixed to the damper 42; and a cushion sensor 59 as a detection unit that detects the displacement of the joystick 58. The lever 51 is supported by a lever support spring 53 and can swing. The bracket 52 is disk-shaped and fixed to the lever 51, and can swing together with the lever 51. The upper surface of the bracket 52 is inclined so as to become higher toward the center of the bumper 42. The lower surface of the push-out plate 54 is inclined so as to become lower toward the center of the bumper 42. That is, the distance between the bracket 52 and the push-out plate 54 becomes narrower toward the center of the damper 42. The operating lever 58 has: a lever center portion 58a which is a bowl-shaped center portion; an arm portion 58b having one end fixed thereto and supporting the lever central portion 58a to be swingable; and a detected portion 58c provided on the other side end portion. The lever central portion 58a contacts the end of the rod 51. The buffer sensor 59 detects the displacement of the detection section 58 c. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the buffer sensor 59. The buffer sensor 59 is a photoelectric sensor of various reflection types or transmission types. The detection light is normally blocked, but when the detection target portion 58c moves downward, it is in a non-light-blocking state, and a signal for detecting the displacement of the detection target portion 58c is output. The lamp 42b is turned on or off based on the output of the detection signal from the buffer sensor 59. This indicates contact of the ball B2 to the player.

The fence 43 is a wall that prevents the ball B2 from escaping from the bonus game area a1, and is provided on a part of the outer periphery of the bonus game panel 41. The fence 43 is formed of resin or rubber, metal, or the like, and rebounds back to the colliding ball B2. The rail 43 may be a very inclined slope, for example, in addition to the wall that is resilient. Even if the ball B2 is directed outward, it can be accelerated by gravity to return to the center side again. The fence 43 may have any configuration as long as it is configured to return the ball B2 to the center side of the bonus game board surface 41 again.

The outer area a2 is disposed adjacent to the outer periphery of the bonus game panel 41. In the illustrated example, the prize game board 41 is provided on both sides with a center therebetween. In the outer region a2, there are provided: an external interceptor 61 as a discharge adjusting mechanism which is accessible with respect to the outer zone a2 and prevents the ball B2 from being discharged from the bonus game zone a 1; and a ball retaining portion 62 that retains the discharged ball. Fig. 8 shows a detailed view of the outer interceptor 61. In the illustrated example, four external interceptors 61 are provided. The number of the external interceptors 61 is not limited thereto and may be appropriately set according to the area size of the outer area a 2. The exterior interceptor 61 is disposed near the boundary with the bonus game area a 1. The outside interceptor 61 has: a stopper plate 63 as a movable member that obstructs discharge of the ball B2; a solenoid 64 that drives the blocking plate 63; a connecting member 65 connecting the blocking plate 63 and the solenoid 64; and a blocking sensor 66 that detects a collision of the ball B2 with the blocking plate 63. The blocking plate 63 is provided at the discharge port 63a where the fence 43 is not provided, and moves in the vertical direction with respect to the ball movement surface of the outer area a 2. The solenoid 64 has the same configuration as the solenoid 34 of the ball insertion portion 21, and reciprocates the plunger 64 a. In the present embodiment, each of the blocking plates 63 is constantly biased in the sinking direction by a spring not shown, and sinks below the ball movement surface by the spring force when the solenoid 64 is not energized. With the solenoid 64 energized, it appears above the ball travel surface against the spring force. The coupling member 65 is rotatable about an axis not shown, and both ends thereof are coupled to the stopper plate 63 and the core 64 a. The shaft is provided in common for each outer interceptor 61. When the solenoid 64 is energized or de-energized and the plunger 64a is driven, the coupling member 65 rotates about the shaft in conjunction with each other. This causes the stopper plate 63 to be driven in the vertical direction. The stopper sensor 66 is a limit switch (limit switch) that detects collision of the ball B2 with the stopper plate 63. The barrier sensor 66 may also use various known technologies such as sensors and switches. By the outer interceptor 63 sinking, the ball retainer 62 retains the ball B2 that does not interfere with the moving passage. As shown in fig. 5, the ball storage portion 62 is provided adjacent to the ball input portion 21. The ball storage portion 62 is constituted by: the retained ball B2 is guided to the opening 36B1 of the rail 32 of the ball drop portion 21.

Fig. 9 and 10 show detailed views of the ball transfer mechanism 22. Fig. 9 is a diagram of the ball conveying mechanism as viewed from the front right of the apparatus, and fig. 10 is a diagram of the ball conveying mechanism as viewed from the rear right of the apparatus. The ball carrying mechanism 22 is provided adjacent to the outer periphery of the bonus game board surface 41. The ball transfer mechanism 22 includes: a drop hole 71 through which the ball B2 can drop; a conveying rod 72 for conveying the dropped ball B2 to the chance area CF; and a linear driving mechanism 73 for driving the carrying rod 72 in the vertical direction. The drop hole 71 is provided on a surface continuous with the ball moving surface of the bonus game board surface 41, and can drop the ball B2 moved from the bonus game area a 1. The drop hole 71 includes a drop sensor, not shown, for detecting the drop of the ball B2. The drop sensor may use various known sensor technologies such as a photoelectric sensor. The carrying rod 72 is driven in the vertical direction and moves in and out of the drop hole 71. The conveying rod 72 is positioned below the drop hole 71, waits for the dropped ball B2 to be carried, and is driven in the upward direction based on the output of the detection signal of the drop sensor, thereby conveying the ball B2 to the chance area CF. The ball conveying surface 72a (see fig. 4) of the conveying rod 72 is cut obliquely so that the chance area portion CF side becomes lower. The ball B2 is supported by a ball support member 72B (see fig. 4) provided along the conveying rod 72 on the side of the chance region CF, and is stably placed on and conveyed to the ball conveying surface 72 a. The linear drive mechanism 73 includes: a guide rail 73a fixed in the vertical direction, a slider 73b movable along the guide rail 73a, and a motor 73c driving the slider 73 b. The motor 73c may be any of various commercially available electric motors. Further, the linear driving mechanism 73 may be a linear actuator or a linear motor. The conveying rod 72 is fixed to the slider 73b, and the slider 73b moves along the guide rail 73a by the operation of the motor 73c to drive the conveying rod 72.

Returning to fig. 4, the structure of the chance area unit CF will be described. The chance area part CF has: a rotatable game surface 81 as a second game mechanism; and a plurality of drawing holes 82 provided near the center of the face 81 of the game board. The game board surface 81 is formed with a slope that becomes lower toward the center, and is rotated by a motor or the like, not shown. The drawing hole 82 is a hole of a size in which the ball B2 can fall, and has a drawing hole sensor 82a that detects the falling ball B2. The sampling hole sensor 82a may employ various known sensor technologies such as a photoelectric sensor. The game content changes according to the setting of the drawing hole 82 through which the ball B2 falls.

Next, an outline of the flow of the ball B2 in the center unit CN will be described. When the bonus game is started, the ball B2 is supplied from the ball reserve part 62 to the ball drop part 21. When the player presses the operation button 3, the ball B2 is projected to the bonus game area a1 through the projection section 31. The launched ball B2 repeatedly comes into contact with or collides with the bumper 42 or the fence 43 while coming into contact with the rotary plate 41a or the convex portion 41B in the bonus game board 41 and changing the moving direction. When the ball B2 comes into contact with the bumper 42, a prize is generated for the player. A predetermined number of medals M are supplied from a medal supply section 4 to a table 7. In the bonus play area a1, the ball B2 may make multiple contacts with the bumper 42.

At the start of the bonus game, the blocking plates 63 of the predetermined number of outer interceptors 61 appear with respect to the outer zone a2 in order to prevent the discharge of the ball B2. When the ball B2 comes into contact with the blocking plate 63, the blocking plate 63 is hidden from the outer region a 2. Thus, ball B2, directed towards outer zone a2, for the first time, avoids the discharge of outer zone a2 under the action of external interceptor 61. However, since the blocking plate 63 is hidden by the contact, when the ball B2 moves toward the outer zone a2 for the second time, the ball B2 cannot be moved toward the ball reserve part 62 by being blocked by the outer interceptor 61, and the bonus game is ended.

In the bonus game, when the ball B2 falls into the fall hole 71 of the ball conveying mechanism 22, the ball B2 is conveyed to the chance zone part CF, and the game of chance starts. The game of chance is a so-called roulette game using ball B2. In the game of chance, the carried ball B2 is thrown onto the game board surface 81, and gradually moves toward the center while swirling by the rotational drive of the game board surface 81, and drops into one of the drawing holes 82. The game content is changed in accordance with the setting of the dropped drawing hole 82. In addition, prizes may also be generated for the players. The ball B2 dropped through the drawing hole 82 returns from the ball returning section 83 (see fig. 4) to the bonus game area a1 again, and the bonus game is restarted. The bonus game may be resumed by throwing the ball B2 from the ball throwing portion 21. The conveying rod 72 of the ball conveying mechanism 22 may be set to be exposed to the drop hole 71. In this case, since the ball B2 does not enter the drop hole 71, the shift to the game of chance is prevented. Thereby, the decimation probability can be adjusted.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the game machine G will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the game machine G. The game machine G includes a control unit 91 that performs various control processes to play a predetermined game. As input means to the control unit 91, the chance detector 12, the start detector 14, the buffer sensor 57, the drawing hole sensor 82a, and the operation button 3 are connected to the control unit 91, respectively. The ball supply unit 5, the display unit 6, the payout unit 17, the medal supply unit 4, the ball insertion unit 21, and the external interceptor 61 are connected to the control unit 91, respectively, as objects to be controlled by the control unit 91.

A description is given of the digital lottery game executed by the control unit 91 with reference to fig. 12. The digital lottery game is performed on the condition that the medal M is detected by the start detector 14. The control unit 91 first performs slot (slot) decimation in step S1. The three patterns are determined by random numbers or the like. In step S2, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the result of the slot lottery forms a winning combination of "balls". When the winning combination of "ball" is formed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S3 and instructs the ball supply section 5 to supply the ball B1, and ends the processing of this time. In the case where the winning combination of "ball" is not formed in step S2, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S4, and determines whether or not the winning combination of "direct prize game" is formed. In the case where the winning combination of the "direct bonus game" is formed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S5 and instructs to start the bonus game in the bonus game area a1, ending the processing of this time. In the case where the winning combination of the "direct bonus game" is not formed in step S4, the control unit 91 performs processing corresponding to the result of the slot lottery in the next step S6. If any one of the predetermined winning combinations is not formed, the control section 91 does nothing and ends the current processing. When a predetermined winning combination is formed, the control unit 91 changes the game content in accordance with the winning combination selected, and ends the process of this time.

According to the above processing, the bonus game is entered based on the drawing result of the digital drawing game. Since the bonus game is positioned as a privilege in the digital lottery game, it is motivated to the player to be enthusiastic to the entertainment of the digital lottery game.

Referring to fig. 13, the game of chance played by the control unit 91 will be described. The game of chance proceeds on the condition that: under this condition, the ball B2 is detected by the drop sensor of the ball conveying mechanism 22, and the ball B2 is conveyed from the reward zone BF to the chance zone CF. The control unit 91 performs the roulette lottery in step S11. The ball B2 falls down through any one of the lottery holes 82 and is detected by the lottery hole sensor 82 a. Then, the control unit 91 performs processing corresponding to the result of the roulette lottery in step S12, and ends the processing of this time. The control unit 91 changes the game content based on the detected setting of the drawing hole sensor 82 a. As an example of winning, a drawing game in which a player holds a high prize and expects a high prize, or the payout of the medal M can be performed. Further, the game may be played in the center unit CN in which all the players of the station units ST can participate.

According to the above processing, in the bonus game, a game of chance different from the bonus game is started. The game of chance is positioned to award a privilege in the game, giving the player the opportunity to further win the prize. Thus, the player is motivated to enjoy the bonus game.

Next, the winning interval of the bonus game and the chance game will be described with reference to fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the winning interval and the prize amount of two games. In the bonus game, a prize is won and given to the player by the contact of the ball B2 with the buffer 42. Since the buffer 42 bounces off the contacted ball B2, the ball B2 can move on the bonus game board surface 41 while repeatedly contacting with the buffer 42. Therefore, the winning interval Pn from winning to next winning is small. The prize amount N may also be relatively small. That is, by generating a small number of prizes, the player's expectation of continuing the winning can be increased while suppressing the prizes, and the interest of the game can be increased.

In the chance game, the drawing time Lm required for the drawing until the ball B2 falls down through the drawing hole 82 after the ball B2 is thrown on the chance game board surface 81 is longer than the winning interval Pn in the bonus game. The winning amount M is also larger than the winning amount N in the bonus game. This provides a quick game development in the bonus game, while a slow drawing is performed in the opportunity game. This makes it possible to attract a player to the game without monotonous development of the game, and to enhance the interest of the game.

Next, the operation of the external interceptor 61 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and 8. The outer catcher 61 functions as a discharge adjustment mechanism for adjusting the discharge of the ball B2 from the discharge port 63a, and the control unit 91 functions as a discharge control mechanism for controlling the ease of discharge of the ball B2 by operating the outer catcher 61. When the ball B2 comes into contact with the blocking plate 63, the ball B2 is rebounded by the blocking plate 63, and the bonus game is continued in the bonus game area a 1. On the other hand, the blocking plate 63 outputs a signal by the blocking sensor detecting the contact of the ball B2. Based on the output signal, the solenoid 64 operates to drive the blocking plate 63 to hide from the ball movement surface of the prize area BF. The hidden portion of the blocking plate 63 becomes accessible and when the ball B2 comes again, the ball B2 is discharged to the outer region a 2. The plurality of blocking plates 63 may be individually operated. With the blocking plate 63 hidden, it becomes difficult to continue the game in the bonus game area a 1.

The number of appearance of the blocking plate 63 at the start of the bonus game may be determined according to the result of the number lottery game. For example, the control unit 91 may also control the external interceptor 61 such that two blocking plates 63 appear when the bonus game is started in the normal state, and four blocking plates 63 appear when the probability of highly setting the winning probability varies. By changing the number of occurrences of the blocking plate 63 at the start of the bonus game, the probability of winning in the bonus game can be controlled. Further, the control unit 91 may also control the outside interceptor 61 such that the ball B2 before the blocking plate 63 is hidden makes contact a plurality of times. Since the probability of existence of the ball B2 on the bonus game board 41 becomes high as long as the movement of the ball B2 is obstructed by the blocking plate 63, the chance of winning a prize increases. In addition to limiting the number of contacts, the control unit 91 may also control the winning probability in the bonus game by setting the appearance time of the blocking plate 63 to a certain time. In this way, since the winning probability in the prize game can be changed by the appearance condition of the external interceptor 61, the luck of the game can be increased, so that the interest of the game can be increased. Even when the lottery rate varies among the game machines G due to the difference in the accuracy of the components constituting the game machines G, the ease of discharging the ball B2 can be controlled by the control unit 91 as described above, and therefore the lottery probability can be adjusted.

Next, the operation of the buffer 42 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and 6. When the ball B2 comes into contact with the bumper 42 and the ball B2 enters between the bracket 52 and the push-out plate 54, the bracket 52 is pushed downward. Since the lever 51 is inclined in the direction in which the ball B2 enters and the contact point between the lever 51 and the lever 58 moves, the lever 58 pushes the lever central portion 58a toward the lever 51, a part of the arm portion 58B is elastically deformed, and the detection portion 58c moves downward. By detecting the displacement of the detection portion 58c by the cushion sensor 59, the contact of the ball B2 with the cushion 42 is detected. Since the joystick central portion 58a, which is a contact point with the end of the rod 51, is bowl-shaped (すり bowl-shaped), the detected portion 58c of the joystick 58 can be moved downward from either direction in response to the contact of the ball B2 with the bumper 42 from all directions. Thus, when the ball B2 is detected to be in contact with the damper 42, the solenoid 55 is energized and the core rod 56 is attracted downward. When the core rod 56 is attracted downward, the push-out plate 54 fixed to the upper end of the core rod 56 slides downward, and the entering ball B2 is pushed out by the inclined surface of the peripheral edge of the push-out plate 54 and is ejected outward. When the ball B2 is ejected, the bracket 52, the lever 51, and the operating lever 58 return to their original positions, the buffer sensor 59 does not detect the displacement of the detection portion 58c, the energization of the solenoid 55 is released, the core rod 56 returns to its original position by the return force of the spring 57, and the push-out plate 54 slides upward and returns to its original position.

When the contact of the ball B2 is detected by the buffer sensor 59, the control unit 91 instructs the medal supply section 4 to supply the medal M. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the medal supply part 4. The medal supply section 4 is provided between the medal area section PF and the medal area section BF. That is, when the player observes the award area portion BF, the medal supply portion 4 is provided at a position to enter the visual field. Therefore, when the medal M is paid out from the hopper 4a, the medal M is displayed in such a manner as to descend in front of the player's eyes, the medal M is paid out, and the medal M is supplied onto the table 7 via the medal bearing member 4 b. This makes it possible to effectively display the payout of the medal M for the player. Thereby, the interest of the game can be increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments. In this embodiment, the external interceptor 61 is described as the discharge adjustment mechanism, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the blocking plate may slide in the lateral direction to interfere with the movement. In this case, the size of the discharge port can be changed, and the ease of discharge can be controlled. The size of the discharge port is not limited to changing, and for example, an openable and closable door provided in the discharge port may be configured to discharge the ball by falling down or opening and closing when the ball comes into contact with the door. If a plurality of doors are provided, it is not known which door obstructs discharge from the outside, so that the interest of the game can be increased. Further, the discharge port may be provided with an openable and closable hole, and the ball may be dropped and discharged. A ramp may also be provided to vary the inclination to adjust the discharge. The structure may be one in which the ball is attracted by electromagnetic force. As described above, any configuration may be used as long as it can prevent the movement of the ball and control the degree of the prevention.

In the present embodiment, the bonus game is ended by discharging the balls B2 to the outer zone a2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a game in which a player expects a high bonus can be played in the outer zone a2, for example. In this case, the ball B2 is discharged, so that the expectation of a high prize is increased, and the interest in the game can be increased.

Claims (6)

1. A gaming machine, comprising:

a game board provided with a barrier on the outer periphery thereof to prevent the movement of an object, the game board repeatedly generating winning opportunities by the physical movement of the object;

a discharge adjustment mechanism that adjusts discharge of the object from a discharge port provided in a part of the barrier; and

and a discharge control mechanism which controls the ease of discharging the object by operating the discharge adjustment mechanism.

2. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 1,

the discharge adjustment mechanism changes the size of the discharge port.

3. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 2,

the discharge adjustment mechanism is a movable member.

4. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 3,

the discharge port has a plurality of movable members, and the discharge control means controls the plurality of movable members to move in and out of the moving surface of the object independently of each other.

5. The gaming machine of claim 3 or 4,

the discharge control means performs control so that the movable member is hidden with respect to the moving surface based on contact between the object and the movable member.

6. The gaming machine as claimed in claims 3 and 4,

the discharge control means performs control so that the movable member is hidden with respect to the moving surface based on the timing at which the movable member appears with respect to the moving surface.