JP2002360795A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] An erroneous detection of a sensor at a gate does not occur.
To provide a gaming machine that maintains the fairness of a game and allows a player to become enthusiastic about the game without skepticism about the game. SOLUTION: A gate provided on a game board and passing game balls hit on the game board, a detection means provided on the gate and detecting that the game ball has passed through the gate, at least a game When it is determined that the ball has passed through the gate, a game machine having a control unit that performs control to advance a predetermined game, the detecting means includes a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting a game ball, And the first sensor is
The control unit is configured to be provided on the upper part of the second sensor, and in the detection unit, after the first sensor detects the game ball, only when the second sensor detects the game ball, A gaming machine characterized by determining that it has passed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pachinko game machine has a game board on which a plurality of obstacle nails are punched in a main body portion such as a main body frame and a window frame, and a firing handle is arranged on the game board. By operating the firing handle, the player successively hits the game balls stored in the dish onto the game board to advance the pachinko game. The launched game ball is guided by the guide rail provided on the game board, moves to the upper part of the game board, and then, while changing its traveling direction by the collision with the plurality of obstacle nails described above, below the game board. Fall towards. Such a game board is provided with a display device having a CRT, a liquid crystal monitor, and the like, and a starting port having a ball detection sensor. When a dropped game ball wins the starting port, it is displayed on the display device. A plurality of, for example, three symbols, which are identification information, are shifted to a variable display state, and a so-called variable display game is started.

This variable display game is a game that simulates a game played in a slot machine. A plurality of variable symbols are displayed on the display device, and after each of the variable symbols is displayed, these symbols are displayed at a predetermined timing. Are displayed so as to stop sequentially, and when the combination of symbols when the stop display of all symbols is determined becomes a predetermined combination,
This is a game for shifting a pachinko game to an advantageous state for a player. At this time, in the display device, in order to incite the player's interest in the game, an effect expression for displaying a moving image or the like having a certain narrative is also performed. Further, the pachinko gaming device is also provided with a speaker and the like, and can generate BGM, sound effects, and the like according to such effect expression.

In addition, in the vicinity of such a display device, 7
Another display device composed of a segment display etc.
LED display device) is provided, when the game ball passes near the ball passage detector provided near it, or when passing through the gate provided on the game board,
In the above-described LED display device, a normal symbol indicating information including numbers, symbols, and the like is variably displayed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed. When the normal symbol is displayed as a predetermined symbol, for example, "7" and is stopped and displayed, a current is supplied to solenoids for driving movable pieces provided on both right and left sides of the starting port, and the starting port is supplied. The movable piece is driven so that the game ball can easily enter into the opening opening, and when a predetermined time has elapsed,
The movable piece is driven so that the starting port is closed, so that it is difficult for game balls to enter.

The game board is provided with a winning opening, a general winning opening, a special winning opening and the like in addition to the starting opening. When a game ball wins, it is set in advance according to the type of the winning opening. A certain number of game balls are paid out to the lower plate. A shutter is provided in the vicinity of the winning opening so as to be freely opened and closed. The shutter is driven by a solenoid so that the shutter is opened when the variable display game is in a big hit state. In addition, pachinko gaming devices include:
There are decorative lamps, multiple holding lamps, etc.,
These lamps are turned on and off, for example, when the game ball has won a winning opening or a starting opening.

[0006] As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine, various processings are performed when a game ball wins a starting port, a winning opening, or the like, passes near a ball passage detector, or passes through a gate. Is performed, the game proceeds. In such processing, the control unit is usually informed that a game ball has won a starting port, a winning opening, or the like, or has passed near a ball passage detector or a gate, and the control unit performs calculations. It is executed by being performed. Therefore, the starting opening, winning opening, ball passing detector and gate detect that the game ball has won the starting opening and winning opening, or passed near the ball passing detector or the gate, respectively. And a sensor for transmitting a signal (hereinafter, also referred to as a detection signal) for notifying the detection to the control unit. In particular, the gate
Since a game ball passes in an instant, a sensor with good sensitivity is provided, so that the game ball can be reliably detected.

However, since the sensitivity of the sensor is good,
When a game ball passes from above the gate and hits an obstacle such as an obstacle nail under the gate, the game ball rebounds, and when it is about to pass from under the gate, the sensor may detect both of them. there were. In this case, it is actually detected that the game ball has passed twice, even though the game ball has passed the gate only once. Also, when the game ball does not completely pass through the gate and hits the gate and bounces off, or when it passes near the gate and hits an obstacle such as an obstacle nail, it bounces off and touches the gate. However, in some cases, a game ball was detected. In this case, it is actually detected that the game ball has passed once even though the game ball has not passed through the gate.

[0008] If the above-mentioned erroneous detection occurs, it means that a larger number of game balls have passed through the gate than in the actual situation, so that an advantageous situation occurs for the player. In addition, the fairness of the game may be lost, and the player may deviate from the original way of enjoying the pachinko game and search for a pachinko gaming device in which erroneous detection is likely to occur.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to prevent erroneous detection of a sensor at a gate and to make it possible to reliably detect a game ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can maintain the fairness of a game and allow a player to become enthusiastic about the game without departing from the original way of enjoying the game.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a game machine according to the present invention, wherein the detecting means provided at the gate includes a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting a game ball. And, the first sensor is configured to be provided on the upper part of the second sensor, the control unit, in the detecting means, after the first sensor detects a game ball, the second sensor detects a game ball Only the game ball is determined to have passed through the gate.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following. (1) A gate provided on a game board and passing game balls hit on the game board, a detection means provided on the gate and detecting that the game ball has passed the gate, at least a game A control unit for performing control to advance a predetermined game when it is determined that the ball has passed through the gate, wherein the detecting means comprises: a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting the game ball. And wherein the first sensor is provided above the second sensor, and wherein the control unit detects the second sensor after the first sensor detects a game ball in the detection means. Only when the sensor detects the game ball, the game ball
It is characterized in that it is determined that the vehicle has passed the gate.

According to the invention of (1), in the gate,
Only when the first sensor provided on the upper side detects the game ball and then the second sensor provided on the lower side detects the game ball, it is determined that the game ball has passed the gate. Therefore,
For example, when a game ball is about to pass from under the gate,
First, because the second sensor will detect the game ball,
Even if the game ball is not determined to have passed the gate, and the game ball does not completely pass through the gate and is bounced off the gate, etc., even if the first sensor detects the game ball, Since the second sensor does not detect the game ball, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the game ball such that it is not determined that the game ball has passed the gate. As a result, the fairness of the game can be maintained, and the player can be enthusiastic about the game without departing from the original way of enjoying the game.

The present invention further provides the following. (2) In the gaming machine described in (1), the first sensor and the second sensor are provided with through holes for allowing game balls to pass therethrough.

According to the invention of (2), since the first sensor and the second sensor are provided with through holes for allowing game balls to pass therethrough, the detecting portions and the contact points of the sensors are formed with the through holes. On the surface to be formed, it can be provided at an arbitrary position or a plurality of them can be provided.Moreover, since several places sandwiching the through-hole can be used as the detection unit, the type of the detection method itself also increases, and more reliable A method can be selected.
On the other hand, when the through hole is not provided in the first sensor and the second sensor, the position where the detection unit or the contact point is provided is limited to the surface where the sensor is exposed in the surface where the through hole is formed, The detection method itself is also limited. As described above, when the through holes are provided in the first sensor and the second sensor, the degree of freedom of the position where the detection unit and the contact point are provided increases, and a more reliable method can be selected from many detection methods. The game balls can be detected more reliably. As a result, the fairness of the game can be more reliably maintained.

The present invention further provides the following. (3) In the gaming machine according to (1) or (2), the control unit measures an elapsed time from when the first sensor detects a game ball to when the second sensor detects a game ball. ,
Only when the elapsed time is within the time interval at which the game ball is launched on the game board, it is determined that the game ball has passed the gate.

If the elapsed time has not been measured, the controller detects the game ball at any time after the first sensor has detected the game ball, so that the control unit allows the game ball to pass through the gate. Judge that you have done. For example, one game ball does not completely pass through the gate, but is bounced off the gate, so that after the first sensor detects the one game ball, another game ball starts to pass from under the gate. Thereby, when the second sensor detects the other game ball, the control unit determines that the game ball has passed the gate although neither one game ball nor the other game ball has passed the gate. If you do, you will judge incorrectly.

According to the invention of (3), the control unit measures an elapsed time from when the first sensor detects a game ball to when the second sensor detects a game ball, and Only when it is within the time interval at which the game ball is launched on the game board, it is determined that the game ball has passed the gate. Therefore, as described above, after the first sensor detects one game ball, even if the second sensor detects another game ball, the first sensor detects one game ball. From, since the time until the second sensor detects another game ball is extremely small, it is extremely unlikely that the time interval over which the game ball is launched on the game board, the control unit determines that the game ball has passed the gate There is no misjudgment. As a result, erroneous detection of a game ball can be more reliably prevented, and fairness of the game can be more reliably maintained.

[Definition of terms and the like] The gate which is the object of the present invention and the ball passage detector which is not the object of the present invention are different from the starting port and the like, even after the game ball has passed the vicinity or the like. The game ball is common in that it does not disappear from the game board and moves on the game board, but differs in the following points. That is, the “gate” refers to a member provided on the game board and having a through hole through which a game ball can pass. Further, the gate is provided with detecting means for detecting that the game ball has passed, and transmitting a detection signal to the control unit.

On the other hand, the ball passage detector means a means for detecting that a game ball has passed in the vicinity thereof and transmitting a detection signal to the control unit, and has a through hole through which the game ball can pass. May or may not have. The ball passage detector is usually installed at the entrance of a passage provided to guide the game ball from the side of the display device to the upper part of the starting port, and there is no obstacle such as a nail under the below, It is considered that phenomena such as a game ball passing near the gate being rebounded, such as a gate, are unlikely to occur.

The “predetermined game” is, as described above, L
Performs a fluctuation display and a stop display of a normal symbol on the ED display device, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol,
For a predetermined period of time, the starting port may be opened to provide a state that is advantageous to the player,
The game may be such that the starting port is opened to provide an advantageous state for the player. Further, the predetermined game may be the variable display game described above.
In the following description, a predetermined game is performed by changing and displaying a normal symbol on the LED display device, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol, a predetermined time,
By setting the starting port to the open state, the game is provided to provide an advantageous state for the player. Further, specific configurations of the first sensor and the second sensor will be described in detail in the embodiments of the present invention.

The "time interval at which a game ball is launched on a game board" is the time interval between the launch of one game ball on the game board and the launch of the next game ball on the game board, ie, The reciprocal of the number of game balls hit on the game board per unit time. In an actual machine, the upper limit of the number of game balls that can be launched on a game board per minute is 100.
It is stipulated that it be no more than a ball. In one minute,
In the case of a gaming machine capable of launching up to 100 game balls on a game board, the minimum time interval at which game balls are launched on the game board is 0.6 seconds. In the following description,
The time interval at which a game ball is launched on a game board is also referred to as a firing interval.

"It is determined that a game ball has passed the gate only when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the time interval (shot interval) at which the game ball is launched onto the game board" (Hereinafter, also referred to as a ball detection period) means that it is determined that the game ball has passed through the gate only when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the ball detection period. Since it is 6 seconds, the ball detection period is
It is 0.6 seconds or less.

It should be noted that the ball detection period and the firing interval do not necessarily have to match each other. For example, in a gaming machine having a firing interval of at least 0.6 seconds, the ball detection period is set to 0.3 seconds. Is possible. In this case, if the second sensor does not detect the game ball within 0.3 seconds after the first sensor detects the game ball, the control unit does not determine that the game ball has passed the gate.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a gaming machine of the present invention. In the embodiments described below, a case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine is shown as a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention.

The pachinko gaming device 10 includes a main body frame 12.
, A game board 14 incorporated in the main body frame 12, and a game board 1
4 and a window frame 16 of a main body frame 12 provided on a front surface of the window frame 1.
6, an upper plate 20 and a lower plate 22 provided on the front surface of the main body frame 12 and a firing handle 26 provided on the right side of the lower plate 22 are arranged.

A plurality of obstacle nails (not shown) are driven into the front of the game board 14. It should be noted that the game board 14 is formed of a resin material without using a nail driving mechanism, and a metal rod is formed on the game board 14 of the resin material.
It may be configured to be implanted so as to protrude in the front direction,
The present invention can also be applied to the above-described pachinko gaming device 10 (pachicon machine). In this specification, the pachinko gaming device 10 is a concept that includes a pachinko machine.

Further, the firing handle 26 is provided rotatably with respect to the main frame 12, and the player can advance the pachinko game by operating the firing handle 26. On the back side of the firing handle 26, a firing motor 28 is provided. When the firing handle 26 is rotated clockwise by the player, power is supplied to the firing motor 28, and the game balls stored in the upper plate 20 are sequentially fired on the game board 14.

The launched game ball is guided by a guide rail 30 provided on the game board 14 and moves to the upper portion of the game board 14, and thereafter its traveling direction is changed by the collision with the plurality of obstacle nails described above. The game board 14 falls downward while changing.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view schematically showing the game board 14. As shown in FIG. Note that the same reference numerals are given to components corresponding to the components shown in FIG. 1 described above. FIG.
Shows the above-mentioned obstruction nails except for the obstruction nails provided near the gate.

At substantially the center of the front surface of the game board 14, there is provided a display device 32 which is a display unit as described later. A display device 52 is provided at the center of the upper portion of the display device 32. The display device 52 is configured by, for example, a 7-segment display, and a normal symbol as display information is:
The display is variably displayed so that the change and the stop are repeated. On the left and right sides of the display device 32, ball passage detectors 55a and 55
b is provided.

When the ball passage detector 55a or 55b detects that a game ball has passed in the vicinity of the ball, the normal display of the symbol is started to be displayed on the display device 52, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, Normally, the fluctuation display of the symbol is stopped. The ordinary symbol is information including numbers and symbols, for example, numbers from “0” to “9” and “☆”.
And so on. This normal symbol is a predetermined symbol, for example,
When it is stopped and displayed as "7", the movable pieces 58a provided on the left and right sides of the starting port 44 described later are displayed.
A current is supplied to a solenoid 57 (not shown) for driving the starting pieces 58a and 58b, and the movable pieces 58a and 58b are driven so that a game ball can easily enter the starting port 44.
4 is opened. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the opening of the starting port 44, the movable piece is driven to close the starting port 44 so that a game ball becomes difficult to enter.

4 are provided on both the left and right sides of the display device 52 described above.
There are provided three holding lamps 34a to 34d. Further, a general winning opening 50 is provided at an upper portion of the display device 52. Further, a winning port 38 for a game ball is provided below the game board 14. In the vicinity of the winning opening 38, a shutter 40 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. Shutter 40
Is a solenoid 48 (not shown) so as to be opened when a variable display game described later becomes a big hit state.
Driven by

Gates 70a and 70b are provided on both left and right sides of the display device 32 described above. When the game ball passes through the gate 70a or 70b, a predetermined game, that is, the game ball passes through the ball passage detector 55a or 55b
In the same manner as when passing through the vicinity of, the normal symbol is fluctuated and stopped on the display device 52, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the predetermined symbol, the start port 4 is stopped for a predetermined time.
4 is opened, and a game in which an advantageous state for the player is provided proceeds. Also, the gates 70a and 70
In the lower part of b, an obstacle nail 53 is provided for guiding the passed game ball in the direction of the starting port described later. The gate will be described later in detail.

Further, general winning ports 54a and 54b are provided on both left and right sides below the display device 32. Special winning ports 56a and 56b are provided at left and right ends of the game board 14, and special winning ports 56c and 56d are provided at both left and right sides of the winning port 38.

A starting port having a ball detection sensor 42 for triggering a transition to a variable display state of a plurality of, for example, three pieces of identification information displayed on the display device 32 when a variable display game to be described later is started. 44 are provided.
The above-mentioned winning opening 38, starting opening 44, general winning opening 54a-
When a game ball wins in the 54b and the special winning openings 56a to 56d, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the lower plate 22 according to the type of the winning opening.

Further, rolling guide members 60a and 60b for guiding the path of the game ball in a predetermined direction are provided on both left and right sides of the display device 32, respectively. Decorative lamps 36a are provided on the upper left side and the upper right side of the outside of the game board 14.
And 36b are provided.

The portion for displaying an effect image to be described later on the display device 32 may be formed of a liquid crystal display panel or a CRT. In the example described above, the display device 3
2 is a gaming board 14 of the pachinko gaming device 10 which is a gaming machine.
In the above, the case where the display device 32 is provided substantially at the center of the front surface is shown, but the display device 32 may be provided at any position of the gaming machine as long as the display device 32 can be seen by the player.

Although two gates 70a and 70b are provided on the left and right sides of the display device 32 in FIG. 2, the number of gates provided in the present invention is not particularly limited. May be individual,
The number may be three or four or more.

The position where the gate is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is on the game board.
It may be a position where the general winning openings 54a and 54b shown in FIG. 2 are provided, a position where the starting opening 44 is provided, or another position.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the gate, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the gate is provided on a game board. Therefore,
FIG. 3A does not show the game board and the screws for fixing the gate to the game board.

The gate 70 is composed of a casing 71 having through holes 91 provided above and below it, and a fixing member 72 provided with a screw hole 72a for fixing to the game board 14. The gate 70 is inserted into the opening 15 formed in the game board 14 as shown in FIG.
By being provided with a screw 72b, a is fixed to the game board 14.

A detecting means 80 for detecting that the game ball 11 has passed through the gate 70 is provided inside the casing 71 constituting the gate 70. The detection means 80 includes a first sensor 82 and a second sensor 83, and is configured such that the first sensor 82 is provided above the second sensor 83. First sensor 82 and second sensor 83
Are provided with through holes 91 and 92, respectively. The through hole 91 provided in the housing 71, the through hole 92 provided in the first sensor 82, and the second sensor 8
The gate 70 is formed with a through-hole 90 through which the game ball 11 can pass by communicating with the through-hole 93 provided in 3.

The first sensor 82 and the second sensor 83
Are connected to the control unit 60 (not shown) via cables 84, respectively, and transmit a detection signal to the control unit 60 when the game ball 11 is detected.

Then, after receiving the detection signal from the first sensor 82, the control unit 60 allows the game ball 11 to pass through the gate 70 only when receiving the detection signal from the second sensor 83, ie, Through hole 9 formed in gate 70
It is determined that the value has passed zero.

For example, when the game ball 11 passes from above the gate 70, first, the first sensor 82 provided on the upper side detects the game ball 11, and then the second sensor 83 provided on the lower side. Detects the game ball 11. Therefore, after receiving the detection signal from the first sensor 82, the control unit 60 receives the detection signal from the second sensor 83. As a result, the control unit 60 determines that the game ball 11
Is determined to have passed, and a predetermined game is advanced. In addition,
A method of determining whether or not the game ball has passed the gate 70 by the control unit 60 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the gate, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the gate is provided on a game board. Therefore,
4A, similarly to FIG. 3A, a game board and a screw for fixing the gate to the game board are not shown.

The gate 75 is composed of a housing 76 having through holes 96 provided above and below it, and a fixing member 77 provided with a screw hole 77a for fixing to the game board 14 (not shown). I have. As shown in FIG. 4B, the gate 75 is inserted into an opening 15 formed in the game board 14 and is fixed to the game board 14 by providing a screw 77b in a screw hole 77a.

A detecting means 85 for detecting that the game ball 11 has passed through the gate 75 is provided inside the housing 76 constituting the gate 75. The detecting means 85 includes a first sensor 87 and a second sensor 88, and the first sensor 87 is provided above the second sensor 88.

The first sensor 87 and the second sensor 88
Does not have a through hole unlike the first sensor 82 and the second sensor 83 shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
In the gate 70 shown in FIG. 7, the first sensor 82 and the second sensor 83 are provided with a through hole 92 and a through hole 93, respectively, and the through hole 92 and the through hole 93 are formed in the through hole 91 provided in the housing 71. Communicate with each other to form a through hole 91 through which a game ball can pass. However, in the gate 75 shown in FIG. 4, the first sensor 87 and the second sensor 88 are not provided with a through hole. The housing 76 is provided with a through hole 96 through which a game ball can pass, and a first sensor 87 and a second sensor 88 are exposed in a part of the through hole 96.

The first sensor 87 and the second sensor 88
Are connected to the control unit 60 (not shown) via cables 89, respectively, and transmit a detection signal to the control unit 60 when the game ball 11 is detected. .

After receiving the detection signal from the first sensor 87 and then receiving the detection signal from the second sensor 88, the controller 60 determines that the game ball 11 has passed the gate 75 only when receiving the detection signal from the second sensor 88. .

The sensors that can be used for the first sensor and the second sensor are not particularly limited.
A known sensor that has been used conventionally can be used. As such a sensor, for example, when a game ball passes near the sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor that detects the passage of the game ball by using a change in magnetism, a game ball passes near the sensor In this case, a photoelectric sensor that detects the passage of a game ball by utilizing the fact that light beams such as infrared light are blocked or the reflection state of the light beam is different, a machine that detects the passage of a game ball by a mechanical detection jig Sensors of various detection types such as a type sensor can be given.

However, the first sensor and the second sensor include:
It is desirable to use sensors of the same detection type. In the gaming machine of the present invention, after receiving the detection signal from the first sensor and then receiving the detection signal from the second sensor, the control unit determines that the game ball has passed the gate, but is different. When a sensor of the detection method is used, a variation occurs in the time for detecting the game ball, and the control unit receives the detection signal from the second sensor first, and even if the game ball passes through the gate, the control unit does not. This is because there is a possibility that it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the gate. Also, from the viewpoint of cost, it is desirable that the first sensor and the second sensor use the same detection method.

The first sensor and the second sensor include a first sensor 82 and a second sensor 83 shown in FIG.
Each may have a through hole for allowing a game ball to pass therethrough, and the through hole may not be provided like the first sensor 87 and the second sensor 88 shown in FIG.
However, in order to more reliably detect the game ball, it is desirable that the first sensor and the second sensor are provided with through holes for allowing the game ball to pass through.

In the case of the first sensor 82 and the second sensor 83 shown in FIG. 3, since the through holes are provided, the detecting portion, the contact, and the like are provided at arbitrary positions on the surface where the through holes are formed. In addition, since a plurality of detection methods can be provided, and several places sandwiching the through hole can be used as the detection unit, the number of detection methods themselves increases, and a more reliable method can be selected. On the other hand, in the case of the first sensor 87 and the second sensor 88, the position where the detection unit and the contact are provided is limited to the surface where the sensor is exposed in the surface where the through hole is formed, and the detection method itself is also limited. . As described above, when the through holes are provided in the first sensor and the second sensor, the degree of freedom of the position where the detection unit and the contact point are provided increases, and a more reliable method can be selected from many detection methods. Can,
Gaming balls can be detected more reliably.

In the gaming machine of the present invention provided with the gates shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is detected that one game ball has passed the gate only once, and in response to this, a predetermined game, for example, a normal game Since the fluctuation display and stop display of the symbol are performed,
It is possible to prevent a normal symbol from changing a plurality of times in one ball, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine having a relatively fair gate passage ratio. The pass ratio of the gate is a value obtained by dividing the number of game balls passing through the gate by the total number of game balls fired on the game board.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described firing handle 26 is connected to the control circuit 6
0 is connected to the interface circuit group 62, and the interface circuit group 62 is connected to the input / output bus 64. The angle signal indicating the rotation angle of the firing handle 26 is converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 62 and then supplied to the input / output bus 64. I / O bus 64
Are configured so that a data signal or an address signal is input / output to / from a central processing circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 66. The ball detection sensor 42 is also connected to the interface circuit group 62 described above. When the game ball passes through the starting port 44, the ball detection sensor 42 supplies a detection signal to the interface circuit group 62. Further, the interface circuit group 62 includes the ball passage detector 5
5 is also connected, and the ball passage detector 55 supplies a detection signal to the interface circuit group 62 when detecting that the game ball has passed near it.

Further, a first sensor 82 and a second sensor 83 constituting the detecting means 80 are connected to the interface circuit group 62. When a game ball is detected, a detection signal is supplied to the interface circuit group 62. I do.

The input / output bus 64 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 68 and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
(Access memory) 69 is also connected. ROM68
Stores a control program for controlling the entire game flow of the pachinko gaming device. Furthermore, when the variable display game is executed on the display device 32, the ROM 68 stores image data of a variable design that is displayed in a variable or stopped state, character image data displayed as an effect screen, background image data, and moving image image data. , And sound data used for the game, initial data for executing the control program,
A program for controlling a blinking operation pattern of the decoration lamp 36 is stored.

The ROM 68 determines whether or not the game ball has passed the gate 70 based on the detection signals supplied from the first sensor 82 and the second sensor 83 constituting the detecting means 80 via the interface circuit group. (Hereinafter, also referred to as a detection program),
A program for causing a predetermined game to proceed when it is determined that a game ball has passed is stored. That is, a program is displayed on the display device 52 in which the normal symbol is fluctuated and stopped, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol, a program for opening the starting port 44 for a predetermined time is stored.

The elapsed time from when the first sensor 82 detects a game ball to when the second sensor 83 detects a game ball is measured. It can be determined that the ball has passed the gate. In this case, as described above, the ROM 68 stores a ball detection period set in advance to a firing interval or less, and furthermore,
A program for measuring the elapsed time, a program for determining that the game ball has passed the gate only when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the ball detection period, and the like are stored.

The RAM 69 stores flags and variable values used in the above-mentioned program. For example, it stores new input data, accumulated reach data indicating a calculation result by the CPU 66 and a history of the game, an accumulated number of fluctuations, and an accumulated number of jackpots.

The CPU 66 serving as a control unit performs arithmetic processing by calling and executing a predetermined program.
Based on the result of the arithmetic processing, character image data of a moving object, background image data, moving image image data, variable design image data, and sound data are transmitted as electronic data and other controls are performed.

The CPU 66 reads out the image data of the fluctuating symbol, which is the above-described identification information, and controls the display device 32 so that the symbol is fluctuated and displayed. Display device 32
Is controlled to be stopped and displayed at a predetermined timing.

When the CPU 66 determines from the detection program that the game ball has passed the gate, the CPU 66 calls and executes a program for performing a predetermined game, thereby displaying the variation of the ordinary symbol on the display device 52. And stop display. Further, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a predetermined symbol, the movable pieces 58a and 58b provided on both the left and right sides of the starting port 44 are driven to perform control for opening the starting port 44 for a predetermined time. Do.

Further, the elapsed time from when the first sensor 82 detects a game ball to when the second sensor 83 detects a game ball is measured, and only when the elapsed time is shorter than the firing interval, If it is determined that the ball has passed the gate,
The PU 66 is based on a ball detection period stored in the ROM 68, a program for measuring the elapsed time, a program for determining that a game ball has passed the gate only when the elapsed time is shorter than the ball detection period, and the like. The elapsed time is measured, and it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed the gate by determining whether or not the measured elapsed time is equal to or less than the above-described ball detection period.

Further, an interface circuit group 72 is also connected to the input / output bus 64. The display device 32, the display device 52, the speaker 46, the firing motor 28, the solenoid 48, the solenoid 57, the holding lamp 34, and the decoration lamp 36 are connected to the interface circuit group 72. The interface circuit group 72 A drive signal or drive power is supplied to control each of the above-described devices according to the processing result.

The screen image of the display device 32 as a display unit is
The image is composed of an identification image on which a changing symbol is displayed and an effect image on which an effect screen is displayed. These two images are superimposed and combined under the control of the CPU 66 to be displayed as one image.

As described above, by superimposing and synthesizing a plurality of images, for example, a design image and an effect image, a scene in which the design fluctuates can be effected with the effect image as a background, and various display forms can be realized. It is possible.

The solenoid 48 is used to open and close the shutter 40 as described above, and the holding lamp 34
Indicates the number of times the combination of symbols displayed on the display device 32 has become effective. The decorative lamp 36 is used to indicate to the player when the game has reached a jackpot or a reach. It blinks or lights up.

The above-mentioned CPU 66 constitutes a control unit, the display device 32 constitutes a display unit, and the pachinko gaming machine 10 constitutes a gaming machine.

In the following, it is assumed that the pachinko gaming apparatus 10 has been activated, the variables used in the CPU 66 described above have been initialized to predetermined values, and the pachinko gaming apparatus 10 is operating normally.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for detecting a game ball, which is executed in the control circuit 60 described above. This subroutine is called at a predetermined timing from a previously executed control program for controlling the pachinko game of the pachinko game device 10 and is executed.

First, it is determined whether or not a detection signal has been received from the ball detection sensor provided at the winning opening (step S).
11). That is, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the winning opening. The winning ports are, for example, the general winning ports 50 and 54a to 54b and the special winning ports 56a to 56d in the example shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S11 that a game ball has entered the winning opening, a process of paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the type of the winning opening is executed (step S12).

Next, it is determined whether or not a detection signal has been received from a ball detection sensor provided at the starting port (step S1).
3). That is, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the starting port. This starting port is, for example, the starting port 44 in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above. In this step S13, when it is determined that a game ball has entered the starting port,
The variable display game is executed (Step S14).

The variable display game is a game simulating a game played in a slot machine. A plurality of variable symbols are displayed on the display device, and each of the symbols is displayed in a variable manner. Are displayed in such a way as to stop sequentially, and when the combination of symbols when the stop display of all symbols is determined becomes a predetermined combination, a game for shifting the pachinko game to a state advantageous to the player. It is. At this time, in the display device, in order to incite the player's interest in the game, an effect expression for displaying a moving image or the like having a certain narrative is also performed. Further, the pachinko gaming device is also provided with a speaker and the like, and can generate BGM, sound effects, and the like according to such effect expression.

Therefore, in step S14, the CPU 66
Reads out a program for executing the variable display game from the ROM 68 and executes it, thereby displaying the display device 3.
The control of the variable display and the stop display of the variable symbol displayed in 2 is performed, and the control of opening the shutter 40 of the winning opening 38 is performed when the combination of the symbols stopped and displayed matches a predetermined combination. It is. Further, C
The PU 66 synthesizes image data, controls the display device 32 to display a moving image or the like having a certain narrative, generates BGM or sound effects from the speaker according to the moving image, and executes a variable display game. Enhance and direct the player's interest in the game.

Next, it is determined whether or not a detection signal has been received from the ball passage detector (step S15). That is, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed near the ball detection sensor. This ball passage detector is, for example, the ball passage detectors 55a and 55b in the example shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S15 that the game ball has passed the ball passage detector, a process of displaying a variable symbol on the display device 52 is executed as described above (step S16). As described above, when the variably displayed normal symbol comes to a predetermined symbol when stopped, the movable pieces 58a and 58b are driven to open the starting port 44 so that the starting port 4 is opened.
This is to make it easier for game balls to enter 4.

Next, it is determined whether a detection signal has been received from the second sensor (step S17). Step S1
In 7, when it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received, it means that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received before receiving the detection signal from the first sensor.
Therefore, it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the gate,
This subroutine ends.

If it is determined in step S17 that a detection signal has not been received from the second sensor, it is determined whether a detection signal has been received from the first sensor (step S18). If it is determined that the detection signal has been received from the first sensor, it is next determined whether or not the detection signal has been received from the second sensor (step S1).
9). When it is determined that the detection signal has been received from the second sensor, a process of normally displaying the symbols in a fluctuating manner is executed on the display device 52 as in step S16 (step S20). That is, it is determined that the game ball has passed the gate.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that no signal has been received from the first sensor, if it is determined in step S19 that no signal has been received from the second sensor, If executed, this subroutine ends.

For example, when a game ball passes through the gate from above, the first sensor detects the game ball, and then the second sensor detects the game ball. Therefore, in step S18, it is determined that the detection signal from the first sensor has been received, and then, in step S19, it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received. As a result, in step S20, a process for normally displaying a variable design is executed.

On the other hand, when the game ball attempts to pass through the gate from below, after the second sensor detects the game ball, the first sensor detects the game ball.
In this case, when it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received, this subroutine ends. As a result, even if the game ball passes through the gate from below, the control unit does not determine that the game ball has passed the gate.

When the game ball passes near the upper side of the gate or bounces off the gate, the first sensor detects the game ball, but the second sensor does not detect the game ball. Therefore, even if it is determined in step S18 that the detection signal from the first sensor has been received, the detection signal from the second sensor is not received.
It is not determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received. As a result, even if the game ball passes near the upper side of the gate, the control unit does not determine that the game ball has passed the gate.

The control unit measures an elapsed time from when the first sensor detects a game ball to when the second sensor detects a game ball, and when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the firing interval. Only when it is determined that the game ball has passed the gate, in step S18 and step S19 of the game ball detection routine shown in FIG. 6, which one of a first process and a second process, which will be described later, One of the processes is executed.

The first process is as follows in step S18.
After determining that the detection signal from the first sensor has been received,
The measurement of the elapsed time is started, and in step S19, when it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor is received within the ball detection period, the process of step S20 is executed, and the elapsed time is set in the ball detection period. If the number exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has not been received, and the subroutine is terminated.

The second process is as follows.
After determining that the detection signal from the first sensor has been received,
In step S19, the elapsed time until it is determined that the detection signal from the second sensor has been received is measured. If the elapsed time is within the ball detection period, the process of step S20 is executed, and the elapsed time is determined. If the sphere detection period has been exceeded, this subroutine is terminated.
Note that either of the first processing and the second processing may be performed.

By executing the first processing or the second processing described above, for example, when the first sensor detects one game ball and then the second sensor detects another game ball. However, the control unit, when the game ball passed the gate,
There is no misjudgment.

As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the control unit determines that the game ball has passed through the gate only when the game ball has passed through the gate from top to bottom, and moves the gate from bottom to top. When passing through, or near the top of the gate,
When the ball hits the gate and rebounds, the control unit does not determine that the game ball has passed the gate. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a game ball at the gate, so that fairness of the game can be maintained,
The player can become enthusiastic about the game without departing from the original way of enjoying the game.

[0092]

According to the present invention, erroneous detection of a game ball can be prevented, so that fairness of the game can be maintained, and the player can deviate from the original way of enjoying the game. Without having to play, you can get into the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a pachinko gaming device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view schematically showing a game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gate according to the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the gate is provided on a game board.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gate according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the gate is provided on a game board.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of processing for detecting a game ball executed in the pachinko gaming device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 14 Gaming board 32 Display device (display unit) 60 Control circuit 66 CPU (Control unit) 64 Input / output bus 68 ROM 69 RAM 70, 75 Gate 71, 76 Housing 80, 85 Detecting means 81 , 86 First sensor 82, 87 Second sensor 90, 95 Through hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gate provided on a game board and passing a game ball hit on the game board, a detection means provided on the gate and detecting that the game ball has passed through the gate, A control unit that performs control to advance a predetermined game when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the gate, wherein the detecting unit detects the game ball and a first sensor. Including two sensors, and the first sensor is configured to be provided above the second sensor, the control unit, in the detecting means, after the first sensor detects a game ball, the A gaming machine, characterized in that it determines that the gaming ball has passed the gate only when the second sensor detects the gaming ball. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are provided with through holes for allowing game balls to pass therethrough. 3. The control unit measures an elapsed time from when the first sensor detects a game ball to when the second sensor detects a game ball, and the elapsed time is displayed on the game board. The game ball is determined to have passed through the gate only when the time interval within which the game ball is launched is within the time interval.
Or the gaming machine according to 2.