gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving eye-catching power to game balls entering a major winning hole.SOLUTION: States of switching means 13840, 13850 for switching whether game balls can or cannot enter a discharge route sensor 13810 (a first discharge route sensor 13811, a second discharge route sensor 13812, and a third discharge route sensor 13813) relating to a change in a game state are configured to change in accordance with operation of an opening / closing plate 12300. Therefore, since operation of the opening / closing plate 12300 disposed around a detection sensor 1240 relates to a change in the game state, player's eye-catching power to the detection sensor 1240 and the opening / closing plate 12300 can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 191

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Here, in gaming machines such as pachinko machines, and a ball entry switching means for switching between a state in which the ball can be guided to the ball entry opening and a state in which the ball cannot be guided to the ball entry opening. There is an amusement machine (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-181572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, Regarding switching the state of the ball entry switching means There were some issues that could be improved.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, The state of the ball entry switching means needs to be improved. The purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises a game area through which balls flow down, a ball entrance through which balls that have flowed down the game area pass, a ball entrance switching means that switches between a first state in which balls flowing down from the upstream side of the ball entrance can be guided to the ball entrance and a second state in which balls flowing down from the upstream side of the ball entrance cannot be guided to the ball entrance, and a detection means that detects balls entering the ball entrance, wherein the ball entrance switching means is configured to switch from a predetermined second state to the first state and to switch from the first state to a specific second state, and the gaming machine comprises space configuration means that configures a predetermined space in which up to a predetermined number of balls that have passed through the ball entrance can exist at the same time, and the ball entrance switching means The ball entering the designated space is provided with a discharge means capable of discharging balls present in the designated space from the designated space, whether the stage is switched to the predetermined second state or the ball entering switching means is switched to the specific second state. The ball entering switching means is configured to be switchable to the first state when balls are present in the designated space, and in the first state, all balls that enter the designated space are discharged from the designated space by the discharge means, regardless of the number of balls that have entered. The ball entering switching means is configured to have a rolling section that allows balls to roll and a blocking section that can block the flow of balls toward the ball entrance, and the rolling section and the blocking section are configured to be able to operate together. The gaming machine is configured so that all balls that pass through the ball entrance enter the predetermined space, and is configured so that all balls that pass through the ball entrance are discharged from the predetermined space. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, The state of the ball entry switching means needs to be improved. can. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] An exploded front oblique view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 7] An exploded rear oblique view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 8] A front view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line IX-IX in Figure 8. [Figure 10] A front view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XI-XI in Figure 10. [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XII-XII in Figure 10. [Figure 13] 12(a) and 12(b) are cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 14] A rear oblique view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 15] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 16] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XVI-XVI in Figure 15. [Figure 17] A rear oblique view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 18] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 19] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XIX-XIX in Figure 18. [Figure 20] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XXb-XXb in Figure 20(a), and (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 21] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XXIb-XXIb in Figure 21(a), (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XXId-XXId in Figure 21(c). [Figure 22](a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control unit, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the type of jackpot for special patterns, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter and the winning type for normal patterns. [Figure 23] (a) is a diagram showing the time-counting changes of the first specific winning port in the first operation pattern, (b) is a diagram showing the time-counting changes of the first specific winning port in the second operation pattern, and (c) is a diagram showing the time-counting changes of the first specific winning port in the third operation pattern. [Figure 24] A front view of the first variable winning device in the second embodiment. [Figure 25] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 26] A partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device taken along line XXVI-XXVI in Figure 25. [Figure 27] (a) to (c) are partial rear views of the first variable winning device. [Figure 28] A partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XXVIII-XXVIII in Figure 27(c). [Figure 29] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the big winning type for the special symbol. [Figure 30] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first and second specific winning ports in the fourth operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first and second specific winning ports in the fifth operation pattern. [Figure 31] A front view of the first variable winning device in the third embodiment. [Figure 32] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line XXXII-XXXII in Figure 31. [Figure 33] FIG. [Figure 34] 31(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device taken along line XXXIVa-XXXIVa in FIG. [Figure 35] 35(a) and (b) are partial front views of the first variable winning device, and (c) is a partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device taken along line XXXVc-XXXVc in FIG. 35(b). [Figure 36] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing the flow pattern of a ball that has reached the first variable winning device. [Figure 37] A partial front view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 38] FIG. 11 is a front view of a game board in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. [Figure 40] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the big winning type for the special symbol. [Figure 41] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the sixth operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the seventh operation pattern. [Figure 42] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the eighth operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the ninth operation pattern. [Figure 43] A diagram showing the time-based changes in the first specific winning port and specific area in the 10th operation pattern. [Figure 44] FIG. 11 is a partial front view of a game board in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 45] FIG. [Figure 46] 46(a) and 46(b) are cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device taken along line XLVI-XLVI in FIG. 45. FIG. [Figure 47] (a) to (c) are partial rear views of the first variable winning device. [Figure 48] (a) and (b) are partial rear views of the first variable winning device. [Figure 49] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the big winning type for the special symbol. [Figure 50] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and the second specific winning port in the 11th operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and the second specific winning port in the 12th operation pattern. [Figure 51] FIG. 13 is a partial front view of the game board in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 52] A partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LII-LII in Figure 51. [Figure 53] (a) and (b) are front views of the first variable winning device. [Figure 54] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the 13th operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port and specific area in the 14th operation pattern. [Figure 55] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the front covering plate in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 56] A top view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 57] A partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along a line corresponding to line XXXVc-XXXVc in Figure 35(b). [Figure 58] (a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device taken along a line corresponding to line XXXVc-XXXVc in Figure 35(b). [Figure 59] A front view of the first variable winning device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 60] A front view of the first variable winning device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 61] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 62] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 63] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXIIIb-LXIIIb in Figure 63(a), (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXIIId-LXIIId in Figure 63(c). [Figure 64] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXIVb-LXIVb in Figure 64(a), (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXIVd-LXIVd in Figure 64(c). [Figure 65] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in the driving (excitation) state of the solenoid of the driving device, and changes over time in the positions and states of the tip member, opening / closing plate, auxiliary opening / closing member, and regulating member. [Figure 66] A front view of the first variable winning device in the 9th embodiment. [Figure 67] A front view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 68] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 69] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 70] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXXb-LXXb in Figure 70(a), (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXXd-LXXd in Figure 70(c). [Figure 71] (a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXXIb-LXXIb in Figure 71(a), (c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXXId-LXXId in Figure 71(c). [Figure 72] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in the driving (excitation) state of the solenoid of the driving device, and changes over time in the positions and states of the tip member, opening / closing plate, auxiliary opening / closing member, and regulating member. [Figure 73] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in the driving (excitation) state of the solenoid of the driving device, and changes over time in the positions and states of the tip member, opening / closing plate, auxiliary opening / closing member, and regulating member. [Figure 74]10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in the driving (excitation) state of the solenoid of the driving device, and changes over time in the positions and states of the tip member, opening / closing plate, auxiliary opening / closing member, and regulating member. [Figure 75] A front view of the first variable winning device in the 10th embodiment. [Figure 76] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 77] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 78] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing an example of the change in the state of the first specific winning port and the change in the state of the movable member over time in a round game R. FIG. [Figure 79] A front view of the first variable winning device in the 11th embodiment. [Figure 80] A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line LXXX-LXXX in Figure 79. [Figure 81] FIG. [Figure 82] 10(a) to 10(c) are partial front views of the first variable winning device. [Figure 83] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 84] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 85] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic front views of the protruding ribs, the opening / closing means, and the second additional winning opening, showing the arrangement of the protruding ribs, the opening / closing means, and the second additional winning opening. [Figure 86] (a) and (b) are front views of the first variable winning device in the first control example. [Figure 87] 1A is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of area division settings and effective line settings on a display screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an actual display screen. [Figure 88] (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content during the preview performance executed in the round before the timing performance (operation performance) is executed, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content during the timing performance (operation performance). [Figure 89]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display content during a timing effect (operation effect). [Figure 90] (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of the timing effect (operation effect) in the inter-round interval immediately before the 5th round of round play R, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content during the timing effect (operation effect). [Figure 91] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the display content during a timing effect (operation effect). [Figure 92] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of display content that notifies the player that the sixth round of play is being executed on the third symbol display device. [Figure 93] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 94] 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM in the MPU of the main control device, and FIG. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning type selection table. [Figure 95] 10A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the opening / closing plate and interfering member operation scenario storage area, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the opening / closing plate and interfering member operation scenario table. [Figure 96] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 15th operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 16th operation pattern. [Figure 97] (a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 17th operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 18th operation pattern. [Figure 98] A diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member, and specific area in the 19th operation pattern. [Figure 99](a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 20th operation pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port, interference member and specific area in the 21st operation pattern. [Figure 100] FIG. 1 is a model diagram illustrating counters and the like provided in the RAM of the main control device. [Figure 101] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of the main control device. [Figure 102] 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM of the MPU of the voice lamp control device, and FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram showing the contents of the RAM. [Figure 103] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the display control device. [Figure 104] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a variable display data table among the display data tables. [Figure 105] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer data table. [Figure 106] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of a drawing list. [Figure 107] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 108] 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation process. [Figure 109] 10 is a flowchart showing a state command setting process. [Figure 110] 10 is a flowchart showing the special symbol variation start processing. [Figure 111] A flowchart showing the start winning processing. [Figure 112] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a read-ahead process. [Figure 113] 10 is a flowchart showing normal pattern change processing. [Figure 114] 10 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process. [Figure 115] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process. [Figure 116]10 is a flowchart showing a start-up process. [Figure 117] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 118] 10 is a flowchart showing a jackpot control process. [Figure 119] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big win operation setting process. [Figure 120] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an opening and closing process. [Figure 121] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an ending process. [Figure 122] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a notification process. [Figure 123] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the prize winning process. [Figure 124] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an abnormality process. [Figure 125] 10 is a flowchart showing a storage control process. [Figure 126] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an upper limit value setting process 1 for an operation counter. [Figure 127] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of upper limit setting processing 2 for an operation counter. [Figure 128] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a storage valve operation process. [Figure 129] A flowchart showing V winning processing. [Figure 130] 10 is a flowchart showing the startup process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 131] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 132] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process. [Figure 133] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related process. [Figure 134] A flowchart showing the performance processing during a jackpot. [Figure 135] This is a flowchart showing the contents of the display performance round command setting process. [Figure 136] 10 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process. [Figure 137] 10 is a flowchart showing a storage state monitoring process. [Figure 138] 10 is a flowchart showing a lamp output process. [Figure 139] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a button input monitoring and effect process. [Figure 140] 10 is a flowchart showing a ball number confirmation process. [Figure 141] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a first winning type selection table 202b in the second control example. [Figure 142] (a) is a diagram showing the time-dependent changes in the opening / closing plate and auxiliary opening / closing member in the 22nd operation pattern, (b) is a diagram showing the time-dependent changes in the opening / closing plate and auxiliary opening / closing member in the 23rd operation pattern, and (c) is a diagram showing the time-dependent changes in the opening / closing plate and auxiliary opening / closing member in the 24th operation pattern. [Figure 143] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of display content that notifies the player that the sixth round of play is being executed on the third symbol display device. [Figure 144] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM in the MPU of the main control device in the third control example. [Figure 145] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic diagrams showing the contents of the first winning random number table. [Figure 146] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning type selection table. [Figure 147] (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams showing the contents of the small win type selection table. [Figure 148] This is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the opening / closing plate, solenoid, and distributing device at small win A and the time-lapse changes of the opening / closing plate, solenoid, and distributing device at small win B. [Figure 149] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the display content of the third pattern display device. [Figure 150] This is a diagram explaining the relationship between the game status, type of special pattern, variable time, and hold type. [Figure 151] (a) is a schematic diagram of the progress of a jackpot game in the fourth control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the start round selection table that specifies the payout mode at the end of the start round, (c) is a schematic diagram of the progress of a game in the performance round, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the post-performance game round selection table that specifies the payout mode at the end of the post-performance game round. [Figure 152] A timing chart showing changes in the electrical state of the solenoid, detection sensor, and specific area, and changes in the display of the third pattern display device. [Figure 153] This is a schematic diagram showing the change in the display content of the third pattern display device in chronological order from the start of the performance round to the start of the post-performance game round in display example 1. [Fig. 154] This is a schematic diagram showing the change in the display content of the third pattern display device in chronological order from the start of the performance round to the start of the post-performance game round in display example 1. [Figure 155] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a focus operation difficulty level switching table and a distinguishable display switching table. FIG. [Figure 156] This is a schematic diagram showing the change in the display content of the third pattern display device in chronological order from the start of the performance round to the start of the post-performance game round in display example 2. [Figure 157] This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in the display content of the third pattern display device in the basic performance of the V winning round in chronological order. [Figure 158] This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in the display content of the third pattern display device in the V winning round in chronological order. [Figure 159] This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in the display content of the third pattern display device in the V winning round in chronological order. [Figure 160] 10A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM in the MPU of the main control device in this control example, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning type selection table. [Figure 161] 10A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a gate operation scenario storage area, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a gate operation scenario table. [Figure 162] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of the main control device. [Figure 163] 10A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM of the MPU of the voice lamp control device in this control example, and FIG. 10B is a block diagram showing the contents of the RAM in this control example. [Fig. 164] 10 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the MPU in the main control device after start-up processing. [Figure 165] 10 is a flowchart showing a jackpot control process. [Figure 166] 10 is a flowchart showing a prize winning process. [Figure 167] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a setting value selection and setting process. [Figure 168] A flowchart showing V winning processing. [Figure 169] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 170] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process. [Figure 171] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related process 2. [Fig. 172] 10 is a flowchart showing a performance start flag setting process. [Figure 173] 10 is a flowchart showing a performance switching process. [Fig. 174] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the performance round display mode setting process. [Figure 175] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the attention performance setting process. [Figure 176] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an operation determination process. [Figure 177] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a V display setting process. [Figure 178]10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a mid-way closure display switching process. [Figure 179] FIG. 22 is a front view of the game board of the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 180] FIG. [Figure 181] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing changes in the arrangement of balls flowing down the upper surface of the opening and closing plate. [Figure 182] 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM in the MPU of the main control device in the fifth control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning type selection table. [Figure 183] 10A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a gate operation scenario storage area, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a gate operation scenario table. [Figure 184] This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in the display content of the third pattern display device over time during a jackpot game in which the first variable winning device operates in the 25th operation pattern. [Figure 185] This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in the display content of the third pattern display device over time during a jackpot game in which the first variable winning device operates in an operation pattern similar to the third operation pattern. [Figure 186] 1A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the ROM of the MPU of the voice lamp control device, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the contents of the RAM. [Figure 187] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 188] 10 is a flowchart showing effect switching processing 3. [Figure 189] 10 is a flowchart showing a sub-round switching process. [Figure 190] 10 is a flowchart showing a sub-round effect process. [Figure 191] FIG. 22 is a front view of the game board of the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 192] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 193] A rear view of the first variable winning device. [Figure 194]A cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device along line CXCIV-CXCIV in Figure 191. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 23, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, pachinko machine 10 comprises outer frame 11, an outer shell formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and inner frame 12, which is formed to have substantially the same external shape as outer frame 11 and is supported so as to be able to open and close relative to outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support inner frame 12, and inner frame 12 is supported so as to be able to open and close towards the front, with the side where hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0013] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having a number of nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc., is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (hereinafter also referred to as game balls or pachinko balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. Attached to the inner frame 12 are a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls into the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0014] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is a front frame 14 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. To support the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed serving as the opening and closing axis. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0015] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed as a roughly oval opening in the approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates is disposed on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0016] In the front frame 14, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top that protrudes toward the front, and prize balls, loan balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper tray 17. The bottom of the upper tray 17 is formed to slope downward to the right when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and this slope guides balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see Figure 4). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, to change the stage of the effect displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see Figure 2) or to change the content of the super reach effect.

[0017] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting devices such as lamps around its periphery (e.g., corners). These light-emitting devices change their light-emitting modes by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a predetermined reach is reached, thereby enhancing the presentation effects during play. The periphery of the window 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps, such as jackpot lamps. When a jackpot is hit or a reach presentation is being performed, the built-in LEDs cause each illumination unit 29-33 to light up or blink, thereby indicating that a jackpot is being achieved or that the player is in a reach phase just before a jackpot. Furthermore, the upper left corner of the front frame 14, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs, which can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0018] Additionally, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the backside so that the backside of the front frame 14 can be seen, and certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Additionally, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29 to 33 to create a more dazzling appearance.

[0019] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 14c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 is provided with a power display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the power display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use card units and cash machines.

[0020] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to hit the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0021] The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b that stops the launch of balls while the switch is pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation, launching the ball with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are off.

[0022] A ball ejection lever 52 is provided on the lower front portion of the lower tray 50 to be operated when ejecting balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball ejection lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected. This ball ejection lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive the balls ejected from the lower tray 50. As mentioned above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a base plate 60 machined into a generally square shape when viewed from the front, along with numerous nails and windmills for ball guiding, as well as rails 61 and 62, a general winning opening 63, a first ball opening 64, a second ball opening 640, a first variable winning device 1000, a regular winning opening (through gate) 67, and a variable display unit 80, and its peripheral portion is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 1). The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can see the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from the front side. The general winning opening 63, the first ball opening 64, the second ball opening 640, the first variable winning device 1000, and the variable display unit 80 are arranged in through-holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing and are fixed to the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

[0024] The central front portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0025] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a generally arcuate shape is set up on the front of the gaming board 13, and an arcuate inner rail 61 formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 62 is set up inside the outer rail 62. The outer periphery of the front of the gaming board 13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and outer rail 62, and the front and back are surrounded by the gaming board 13 and glass unit 16 (see Figure 1), so that a gaming area where games are played based on the behavior of balls is formed in front of the gaming board 13. The gaming area is an area (an area where winning slots and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) defined in front of the gaming board 13 by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin arc member 70 connecting the rails.

[0026] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a ball once guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning to the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball. A ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69, reducing its momentum and bouncing back toward the center. In addition, a resin arc member 70, formed with an arc on the inner surface connecting the rails, is driven into the base plate 60 between the tip on the lower right side of the inner rail 61 and the tip on the upper right side of the outer rail 62.

[0027] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery for a special symbol (first symbol) is held when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640, and a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is held when a ball passes through the normal ball entrance 67. In the lottery for a special symbol held for balls entering the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640, a determination is made as to whether or not a jackpot for the special symbol has been won, and if a jackpot for the special symbol has been determined, the type of jackpot is also determined. In this pachinko machine 10, in a low probability state for the special symbol, a jackpot for the special symbol is determined with a probability of 1 in 320, for example, and in a high probability state for the special symbol (also referred to as a special symbol probability state), a jackpot for the special symbol is determined with a probability of 1 in 60, for example. For ease of explanation, the lottery for the special pattern held for a ball that enters the first ball entrance 64 will be referred to as the "lottery for special pattern 1," and the lottery for the special pattern held for a ball that enters the second ball entrance 640 will be referred to as the "lottery for special pattern 2."

[0028] When a special symbol jackpot occurs, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to a special game state, and the first specific winning port 1000a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed or until 10 balls have entered), and this operation is repeated up to 15 times (15 rounds). As a result, a large number of balls enter the first specific winning port 1000a, and a larger number of prize balls than usual are paid out.

[0029] There are six types of jackpots for special symbols: "jackpot A," "jackpot B," "jackpot C," "jackpot a," "jackpot b," and "jackpot c" (see Figure 22). Details will be described later, but the opening pattern of the first specific winning port 1000a is configured to differ depending on the jackpot type, and the number of balls that enter the first variable winning device 1000 is configured to change.

[0030] When a lottery for a special symbol (first symbol) is held, the first symbol display device 37 starts displaying a variable special symbol, and after a predetermined time (for example, 11 to 60 seconds) has elapsed, a static display of the special symbol indicating the result of the lottery is displayed. If a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640 while the variable display is being displayed on the first symbol display device 37, the number of balls entering the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640 is reserved up to a maximum of four times for each type of entrance, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the first symbol display device 37 and also on the third symbol display device 81. When the variable display on the first symbol display device 37 ends, if there are still reserved balls remaining for the first ball entrance 64 (reserved balls for special symbol 1) or the second ball entrance 640 (reserved balls for special symbol 2), the next special symbol is drawn, and a variable display corresponding to the lottery is started. In addition, if there are both reserved balls with special pattern 1 and reserved balls with special pattern 2 remaining, the lottery based on the reserved balls with special pattern 2 will be carried out first.

[0031] In the lottery for the normal symbol (second symbol), a win / loss determination is made as to whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol. If the normal symbol is a winning symbol, the electric device 640a attached to the second ball entrance 640 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds or 1 second), making it easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640. In other words, if the normal symbol is a winning symbol, it becomes easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640, and as a result, it becomes easier for the lottery for the special symbol to be drawn.

[0032] Furthermore, when a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is conducted, the second symbol display device 83 starts displaying a variable normal symbol, and after a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds or 30 seconds) has elapsed, the normal symbol indicating the lottery result is displayed statically. If a ball passes through the normal ball entrance 67 while the variable display is being conducted on the second symbol display device 83, the number of times the ball has passed is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the first symbol display device 37 and also on the second symbol reserved lamp 84. When the variable display on the second symbol display device 83 has ended, if there are still reserved balls remaining for the normal ball entrance 67, the next normal symbol is drawn, and a variable display corresponding to the lottery is started.

[0033] In this embodiment, as an added value after the jackpot ends, a special symbol probability state (high probability state) is granted from the end of the special game state until 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed, and after 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed, the state is set to normal.

[0034] In this embodiment, when a special symbol probability variable state is granted after the end of a special game state, the special symbol probability variable state is configured to end according to the number of times the special symbol is drawn, but this is not limited to this. For example, after a jackpot game of a predetermined jackpot type (for example, jackpot A, jackpot B, or jackpot a described below), the pachinko machine 10 may transition to a high probability state of the special symbol (during special symbol probability variable) from the end of the jackpot until the next jackpot. In this case, after a jackpot game of another jackpot type (for example, jackpot C, jackpot b, or jackpot c described below), the game is configured to enter a time-shortened state of the normal symbol until 100 special symbol drawings are completed.

[0035] The number of times the special symbol is drawn to give the special symbol a high probability state (high probability state) is not limited to 100. For example, it may be 50 times or 200 times.

[0036] In addition, the number of times that the special symbols that result in the time-saving state of the normal symbols are drawn is not limited to 100. For example, it may be 50 times or 5 times.

[0037] Here, the "high probability state of special symbols" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the end of a jackpot, i.e., a time during a so-called probability fluctuation (during a probability change), in other words, a gaming state in which it is easy to transition to a special gaming state. In this embodiment, the high probability state of special symbols (during a probability change of special symbols) includes a gaming state in which the probability of a win of a normal symbol (second symbol) increases and the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entrance 640. On the other hand, the "low probability state of special symbols" refers to a time when the probability of a special symbol is not in a probability change of special symbols, and refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, i.e., a state in which the probability of a jackpot is lower than during a probability change of special symbols.

[0038] In addition, the time-saving state (during time-saving) of the normal symbol refers to a game state in which the probability of winning with the normal symbol increases and it becomes easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640. In addition, the normal state refers to a game state in which the probability of winning with the special symbol is not in a variable state, and the time-saving state of the normal symbol is not in a variable state (a state in which neither the probability of winning a jackpot nor the probability of winning with the normal symbol (second symbol) is increased).

[0039] During the probability variation of the special symbol or the time reduction of the normal symbol, not only does the probability of winning the normal symbol increase, but the time for which the electric device 640a attached to the second ball entrance 640 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than in the normal state. When the electric device 640a is in the open state (open state), the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entrance 640 than when the electric device 640a is in the closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation of the special symbol or the time reduction of the normal symbol, the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entrance 640. In other words, the lottery for the special symbol becomes easier to be held.

[0040] During a probability variation of a special symbol or a time-saving period for a normal symbol, instead of changing the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second ball entrance 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times that the electric device 640a opens when a normal symbol wins may be increased compared to the normal state. Also, during a probability variation of a special symbol or a time-saving period for a normal symbol, the winning probability of the normal symbol (second symbol) may not be changed, and at least one of the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second ball entrance 640 and the number of times that the electric device 640a opens may be changed. Also, during a probability variation of a special symbol or a time-saving period for a normal symbol, the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second ball entrance 640 or the number of times that the electric device 640a opens may not be changed, and only the winning probability of the normal symbol (second symbol) may be increased compared to the normal state.

[0041] A first symbol display device 37 is provided at the lower left side of the game area as viewed from the front (lower left side of FIG. 2), and includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") 37a serving as light-emitting means and a seven-segment display 37b. The first symbol display device 37 displays information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (described later), and mainly displays the game status of the pachinko machine 10. The plurality of LEDs 37a perform a variable display by indicating, by their lit states, whether or not a lottery for a special symbol, which is conducted in conjunction with a ball entering the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640 (initial winning), is in progress; they also indicate, by their lit states, a special symbol (first symbol) corresponding to the result of the lottery for the special symbol as the stopping symbol after the variable has ended; and they also indicate, by their lit states, the number of reserved balls, which is the number of balls that have entered the first ball entrance 64 but have not yet been varied (reserved balls).

[0042] If a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640 while the first pattern display device 37 is displaying a changing special pattern (first pattern), the number of times the ball enters is reserved for each type of entrance up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37 and also by the third pattern display device 81. In this embodiment, balls entering the first ball entrance 64 and the second ball entrance 640 are each configured to be reserved up to four times, but the maximum number of reserved times is not limited to four, and may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times).

[0043] The 7-segment display 37b displays the number of rounds during a jackpot and any errors. The LEDs 37a are configured so that each LED emits a different color (e.g., red, green, or blue), and by combining these colors, it is possible to display various game states of the pachinko machine 10 (such as a high probability state for a special symbol or a time-saving state for a normal symbol) with a small number of LEDs. Furthermore, the LEDs 37a not only indicate whether the special symbol lottery result after the variation ends is a jackpot or not, but also, if a jackpot is determined, display a special symbol (first symbol) corresponding to the jackpot type (jackpot A, jackpot B, jackpot C, jackpot a, jackpot b, or jackpot c).

[0044] The game area is provided with a plurality of regular winning slots 63, through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the slot. A variable display device unit 80 is also provided in the center of the game area. The variable display device unit 80 includes a third symbol display device 81, which is a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display device") that displays a variable third symbol in synchronization with the variable display in the first symbol display device 37, triggered by a winning (initial winning) ball entering the first ball entry slot 64 and the second ball entry slot 640, and a second symbol display device 83, which is an LED that displays a variable second symbol in response to a ball passing through the regular ball entry slot (through gate) 67. A center frame 86 is provided in the variable display device unit 80, surrounding the outer periphery of the third symbol display device 81.

[0045] The third symbol display device 81 is configured with a large 9-inch liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), thereby displaying, for example, three symbol rows: top, middle, and bottom. Each symbol row is composed of multiple symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are scrolled horizontally for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. While the first symbol display device 37 displays the game status in accordance with the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), the third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment displays decorative information in accordance with the display of the first symbol display device 37. Note that the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, reels instead of a display device.

[0046] In this embodiment, the third symbols are composed of 10 kinds of main symbols numbered "0" to "9." In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is a jackpot, a variable display in which the same main symbols line up is performed, and the jackpot occurs after the variable display ends. On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols is a miss, a variable display in which the same main symbols do not line up is performed.

[0047] For example, if the result of the special pattern lottery is "Jackpot B," "Jackpot C," "Jackpot b," or "Jackpot c," a variable display will be displayed in which the main patterns with the even numbers "0, 2, 4, 6, 8" will be aligned. On the other hand, if it is "Jackpot A" or "Jackpot a," a variable display will be displayed in which the main patterns with any of the numbers "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9," including odd numbers, will be aligned. On the other hand, if the result of the special pattern lottery is a miss, a variable display will be displayed in which the main patterns with the same numbers are not aligned.

[0048] Next, a display (right hit navigation) that is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 and prompts the player to aim for the path (flow path) on the right side of the game board 13 and hit the ball will be described.

[0049] As described above, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when the special symbol is in a probability variable state or when the normal symbol is in a time-saving state, the electric accessory 640a is more likely to open, so by shooting the ball to the right side of the game board 13 (hitting to the right), it becomes easier to make the ball enter the second ball entrance 640. Also, as will be described in detail later, when a jackpot is won by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 2) based on a ball entering the second ball entrance 640, it is more likely to result in a jackpot (jackpot a) that can earn the greatest profit compared to when a jackpot is won by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 1) based on a ball entering the first ball entrance 64. Therefore, when the special symbol is in a probability variable state or when the normal symbol is in a time-saving state, which is awarded after the jackpot ends, hitting to the right is advantageous for the player. In other words, even if the special symbol is set to a high probability state or the normal symbol is set to a time-saving state, the ball cannot enter the second ball entrance 640 unless the player hits it to the right, so the player will not be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the special symbol's high probability state or the normal symbol's time-saving state.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a special symbol is in a special variable state or a normal symbol is in a time-saving state, a specific image (right-hit navigation) is displayed so that the player can reliably obtain the benefits of entering a special symbol's special variable state or a normal symbol's time-saving state.

[0051] In the right-hit navigation, the third symbol display device 81 displays the words "Aim to the right!!" along with three right-pointing arrows above and below the words. By displaying these words and arrows, the player is made to feel that he or she should shoot the ball into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the gaming board 13. Therefore, the player can reliably obtain the benefits of entering the probability variable state of the special symbol and the time-saving state of the normal symbol.

[0052] Next, an example of a warning image displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment will be described. This warning image is an image (right hit warning image) that is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 when it is determined that the player is performing a right hit even though it is not the period in which the player should shoot the ball (hit to the right) into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the game board 13. More specifically, it is displayed when it is determined that the player is performing a right hit in a normal state (a state in which the player is not in a special symbol probability variable state or a normal symbol time-saving state).

[0053] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the electric device 640a is controlled so as to be difficult to open in the normal state (it is difficult to make the ball enter the second ball entrance 640 even when a right hit is made). Therefore, when a right hit is made in the normal state, the player has fewer opportunities to win a lottery for a special symbol compared to when a left hit is made to shoot a ball aimed at the first ball entrance 64. In other words, when a right hit is made in the normal state, it is difficult to win a jackpot, which is a loss for the player. Therefore, the system is configured to prevent (suppress) the player from losing money by displaying a right hit warning image to encourage a left hit.

[0054] If it is determined that a player is hitting with the right hand under normal conditions, the third symbol display device 81 will display the words "Warning" and "Play with the left hand!!" By displaying these words, it is possible to make the player aware that they should not hit with the right hand (they should hit with the left hand). In addition, by checking whether or not there is a right-hit warning screen, the hall staff can easily determine whether or not there is a player who is playing in an irregular way by hitting with the right hand under normal conditions.

[0055] The method for determining whether or not the ball is being hit with the right hand is, for example, to determine whether or not the ball has entered the normal ball entry gate (through gate) 67 (see Figure 2) through which the ball can enter if the ball is being hit with the right hand.

[0056] In this embodiment, the right-hit warning image is displayed when a ball is detected entering the normal ball entry port (through gate) 67 (see FIG. 2) in the normal state, but this is not limited to this. For example, when a ball is detected entering the first specific winning port 1000a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), it may be determined that fraudulent play is occurring and the right-hit warning image may be displayed. This allows the parlor staff to easily determine whether or not fraud is occurring simply by checking whether or not the right-hit warning image is displayed. Furthermore, when a ball is detected entering the first specific winning port 1000a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), a signal indicating that fraud is occurring may be output to the hall computer. This allows the hall computer operator to easily determine whether or not fraud is occurring and the machine number (location) of the pachinko machine 10 where the fraudulent play is occurring.

[0057] Next, we will explain the warning image that is displayed when an abnormality is detected in the first variable winning device 1000. Here, an abnormality in the first variable winning device 1000 is, for example, when a ball is detected entering the first specific winning port 1000a even though the special game state (jackpot state) is not in effect.

[0058] If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the first variable winning device 1000, the word "Warning" is displayed in large letters in the center of the third symbol display device 81. Also, below that, the words "Please call a gate error attendant" are displayed. These letters allow the player to determine that an error has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, so that the player can promptly request repairs from a parlor staff member or the like.

[0059] The second symbol display device 83 performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time as display symbols (second symbols (not shown)) each time a ball passes through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that a ball has passed through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67, a winning lottery is held. If the result of the winning lottery is a winning lottery, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed in a variable manner. If the result of the winning lottery is a losing lottery, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed in a variable manner.

[0060] The pachinko machine 10 is configured so that when the variable display on the second pattern display device 83 stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), the electric device 640a attached to the second ball entrance 640 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0061] The time required for the second symbol to change (change time) is set to be shorter during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period than during a normal game state. This allows the second symbol to change for a shorter period during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period, allowing for more normal symbol (second symbol) lotteries than during a normal game state. This increases the chances of winning a normal symbol, providing the player with more opportunities for the electric device 640a of the second ball entrance 640 to be in an open state. Therefore, during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period, the ball can more easily enter the second ball entrance 640.

[0062] Note that, if the state is made such that it is easier for a ball to enter second ball entrance 640 by increasing the probability of winning or by increasing the opening time or number of times of electric device 640a during a probability variation of a special symbol or a time-saving period of a normal symbol, the time it takes for the variable display of the second symbol to be constant regardless of the gaming state. On the other hand, if the time it takes for the variable display of the second symbol to be set shorter during a probability variation of a special symbol or a time-saving period of a normal symbol than during the normal state, the probability of winning for the normal symbol may be constant regardless of the gaming state, or the opening time or number of times of electric device 640a for one win of the normal symbol may be constant regardless of the gaming state.

[0063] The normal ball entrance (through gate) 67 is attached to the game board on the right side of the lower area of ​​the variable display unit 80, and is configured to allow some of the balls that are shot onto the game board and flow down the right side of the game board to pass through. When a ball passes through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will win. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the lottery is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the result of the lottery is a loss, an "X" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

[0064] The number of times that a ball passes through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67 can be reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display device 37 and is also displayed by the second symbol reservation lamp 84. Four second symbol reservation lamps 84 are provided, the number corresponding to the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0065] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off multiple lamps in the second symbol display device 83 as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a portion of the first symbol display device 37 and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the second symbol reserve lamp 84 may be lit by a portion of the third symbol display device 81. Furthermore, the maximum number of reserved balls for a ball passing through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67 is not limited to four, but may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times). Furthermore, the number of normal ball entrances (through gates) 67 installed is not limited to one, but may be multiple (e.g., two). Furthermore, the installation position of the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67 is not limited to the right of the variable display device unit 80, but may be, for example, the left of the variable display device unit 80. Furthermore, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display device 37, the second symbol reserve lamp 84 may not be illuminated.

[0066] A first ball entrance 64, through which a ball can enter, is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball enters this first ball entrance 64, a first ball entrance switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the first ball entrance switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37.

[0067] On the other hand, a second ball entrance 640, into which a ball can enter, is disposed to the right as viewed from the front of the first ball entrance 64. When a ball enters this second ball entrance 640, a second ball entrance switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second ball entrance switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37.

[0068] Furthermore, each of the first ball entrance 64 and the second ball entrance 640 is also one of the entrances from which five balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the entrance. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second ball entrance 640, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second ball entrance 640 may be different numbers, for example, three prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 and five prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the second ball entrance 640.

[0069] An electric device 640a is attached to the second ball entrance 640. This electric device 640a is configured to be able to open and close, and is normally in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640. On the other hand, when a "○" symbol is displayed on the second symbol display device 83 as a result of the variable display of the second symbol, which is performed in response to the passage of a ball through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67, the electric device 640a is in an open state (expanded state), making it easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640.

[0070] As mentioned above, during the special symbol probability change and the normal symbol time-saving period, the probability of winning the normal symbol is higher than during the normal state. Furthermore, since the time required for the normal symbol to change is shorter, the "○" symbol is more likely to appear in the normal symbol change display. Therefore, the number of times the electric device 640a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the special symbol probability change and the normal symbol time-saving period, the electric device 640a is open for a longer period than during the normal state. Therefore, during the special symbol probability change and the normal symbol time-saving period, a condition is created in which the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entrance 640 than during the normal state. Meanwhile, the first ball entrance 64 does not have an electric device like the second ball entrance 640, and the ball is always able to enter.

[0071] Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64 and when a ball enters the second ball entrance 640 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of winning a jackpot (jackpot A, jackpot a) that can provide the largest profit (ball payout) among the types of jackpots selected in the event of a jackpot is set higher when a ball enters the second ball entrance 640 than when a ball enters the first ball entrance 64.

[0072] Under normal circumstances, the electric device attached to the second ball entrance 640 is often in a closed state, making it difficult to win at the second ball entrance 640, so it is more advantageous for the player to aim for the first ball entrance 64, which has no electric device, by firing the ball so that it passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (so-called "left shot"), and by having the ball enter the first ball entrance 64, thereby gaining more opportunities to win the jackpot lottery and aiming to win the jackpot.

[0073] On the other hand, during the special pattern's probability of winning or the normal pattern's time-saving mode, passing the ball through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67 tends to open the electric device 640a attached to the second ball entrance 640, making it easier to win at the second ball entrance 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the second ball entrance 640 so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), pass through the normal ball entrance (through gate) 67, open the electric device 640a, and aim to win at the second ball entrance 640.

[0074] In this way, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment can allow the player to change the way the ball is shot between "left hit" and "right hit" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a probability variation mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode). Therefore, the player can have more fun playing the game because it can change the way the ball is shot.

[0075] A first variable winning device 1000 is disposed below the first ball entrance 64 on the right (below the second ball entrance 640 on the left), and a first specific winning opening (large opening) 1000a is provided in the approximate center of the first variable winning device 1000, opening laterally. In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot is awarded in a special symbol lottery resulting from a winning ball entering the first ball entrance 64 or the second ball entrance 640, the first symbol display device 37 is illuminated to display the jackpot stop symbol after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed. In addition, the third symbol display device 81 displays the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot, thereby announcing the occurrence of the jackpot. The game state then transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which balls are more likely to win. In this special game state, the first specific winning opening 1000a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls have won).

[0076] This first specific winning port 1000a closes after a predetermined time has elapsed, and after this closure, the first specific winning port 1000a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this first specific winning port 1000a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual (in this embodiment, 15 balls based on the winning of one ball) as an added gaming value (game value).

[0077] Specifically, the first variable winning device 1000 includes an opening / closing plate 1300 that rotates upward to form an open state that guides balls to the first specific winning opening 1000a, and a solenoid 1510 that operates the opening / closing plate 1300. The first specific winning opening 1000a is normally in a closed state in which balls cannot or do not easily win. In the event of a jackpot, the solenoid 1510 is driven to rotate the opening / closing plate 1300 upward, temporarily creating an open state that makes it easier for balls to win the first specific winning opening 1000a, and the device operates to alternate between this open state and the normal closed state.

[0078] An attachment space K1 is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be seen through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0079] The game board 13 is provided with a first outlet 66 below the first ball inlet 64. Balls flowing down the game area that do not enter any of the ball inlets 63, 64, 1000a, 640 are guided through the first outlet 66 to a ball discharge path (not shown). The game board 13 is provided with a large number of nails to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and is also provided with various components (gimmicks) such as windmills.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is a unit equipped with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is a unit equipped with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

[0081] The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each function, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as needed.

[0082] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each housed in board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 are equipped with a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house the respective control devices and boards.

[0083] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0084] The payout unit 93 comprises a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately dispenses the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibrations to the tank rail 131.

[0085] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state restoration switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM deletion switch 122. The state restoration switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jamming (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM deletion switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0086] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0087] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device 110 uses the MPU 201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as drawing a jackpot, setting the display on the first symbol display device 37 and the third symbol display device 81, and drawing the display result on the second symbol display device.

[0088] In addition, in order to instruct sub-controllers such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0089] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working region) for storing values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0090] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the time of the power being turned on after the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is executed by main processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is executed in start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that, when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SG1 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage processing.

[0091] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first symbol display device 37, the second symbol display device, the second symbol hold lamp, and solenoids 209 (including solenoids 1510, 2810, 4852, 6910, etc.) consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving the opening and closing of the first specific winning port 1000a to the front side with the lower edge of the opening / closing plate as an axis, and a solenoid for driving an electric role device, and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0092] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 (including the detection sensor 1240, the second detection sensor 2255, etc.) consisting of a group of switches not shown and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, as well as a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 (described below) provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0093] The payout control device 111 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by driving a payout motor 216. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0094] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0095] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. Also, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that this prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0096] When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and when the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in accordance with the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

[0097] The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from the audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of lighting and extinguishing from the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 221, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0098] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, an audio output device 226, a lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc.

[0099] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). The voice lamp control device 113 also monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the player operates the frame button 22, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content during a super reach. When the stage is changed, a rear image change command including information about the changed stage is sent to the display control device 114 so that a rear image corresponding to the changed stage is displayed on the third symbol display device 81. Here, the rear image refers to an image displayed on the rear side of the third symbol, which is the main image displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 in accordance with the commands sent from the voice lamp control device 113.

[0100] Furthermore, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a voice corresponding to the display content from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content of the third pattern display device 81, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0101] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on commands received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits display commands to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate, notifying the display content of the third pattern display device 81. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the voice output from the voice output device 226 by outputting voice from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0102] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each component of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruptions due to power outages and the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erasure switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc., via a power supply path (not shown). Briefly, the power supply unit 251 takes in 24-volt AC voltage supplied from an external source, generates 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0103] The power outage monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power outage signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when power is cut off due to a power outage or other reason. The power outage monitoring circuit 252 monitors the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and if this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage, power interruption) has occurred and outputs the power outage signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power outage signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing, even after the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) normally.

[0104] The RAM clearing switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clearing signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clearing switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clearing signal SG2 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, it clears the backup data and sends a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0105] Next, the first variable winning device 1000 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 23. Figure 5 is a partial front perspective view of the game board 13. The first variable winning device 1000 has an inclined surface 1237 on its upper surface, which guides almost all of the balls that flow down the right side of the variable display time device unit 80 when the player hits to the right, but do not enter the second ball entrance 640 and flow downstream, to the flow path forming section.

[0106] FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the first variable winning device 1000, and FIG. 7 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first variable winning device 1000. As shown in FIG. The first variable winning device 1000 mainly comprises a main body member 1100 formed in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangular plate, a covering front plate 1200 fastened to the main body member 1100 from the front side, an opening / closing plate 1300 supported by being sandwiched between the main body member 1100 and the covering front plate 1200, a power transmission member 1400 rotatably supported on the rear side of the main body member 1100 and applying a load to the opening / closing plate 1300 by rotation, a drive unit 1500 that drives the power transmission member 1400, a regulating member 1600 that works in conjunction with the opening / closing plate 1300 to regulate the discharge of balls, and a rear cover 1700 fastened to the main body member 1100 from the rear side so as to cover the power transmission member 1400, the drive unit 1500 and the regulating member 1600.

[0107] The main body member 1100 mainly comprises a thin plate member 1110 formed from a horizontally long rectangular thin plate placed on the front side of the game board, a storage section 1120 recessed from the front to the back side of the thin plate member 1110 and partially penetrating therethrough to accommodate the shaft portion 1320 of the opening / closing plate 1300, a retaining hole 1130 which is a through hole into which the detection sensor 1240 is inserted on the right side of the storage section 1120 when viewed from the front, a protruding portion 1140 which protrudes on the front side of the thin plate member 1110 in accordance with the path along which the balls flow down, a discharge port 1150 which discharges the balls from the front to the back side of the thin plate member 1110, a rotation support portion 1160 which protrudes on the back side of the thin plate member 1110 and supports the power transmission member 1400, and a support claw portion 1170 which protrudes in a claw-like manner above the discharge port 1150 so as to be able to support the shaft portion 1610 of the regulating member 1600.

[0108] The accommodating section 1120 mainly comprises a pair of left and right support recesses 1121 in which the shaft portion 1320 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is accommodated, a rectangular recess 1122 recessed in a rectangular shape below the straight line connecting the support recesses 1121, and a rectangular through hole 1123 formed through the pair of support recesses 1121 in a perpendicular position to the straight line connecting the pair of support recesses 1121 in order to move the load-bearing portion 1330 of the opening / closing plate 1300, which operates along the right end of the rectangular recess 1122, back and forth across the thin plate member 1110.

[0109] The support recess 1121 is formed to be slightly wider than the shaft 1320 of the opening-closing plate 1300, and in the assembled state, the shaft 1320 of the opening-closing plate 1300 is housed therein, and the recessed opening is closed on the back surface of the front covering plate 1200. In other words, the opening-closing plate 1300 is pivotally supported by the support recess 1121 and the back surface of the front covering plate 1200.

[0110] The rectangular recess 1122 has a larger surface area than the plate portion 1310 of the opening / closing plate 1300, and is recessed slightly deeper than the plate portion 1310. This allows the plate portion 1310 to be completely housed in the rectangular recess 1122 when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in a tilted position (closed state), preventing the opening / closing plate 1300 from protruding toward the front side of the thin plate member 1110.

[0111] The protruding portion 1140 protrudes to a position where it abuts against a ball flowing down the storage flow path 1231 of the front covering plate 1200. The flowing down ball is decelerated by abutting against the protruding portion 1140. A similar protruding portion 1235 is also provided in the storage flow path 1231 of the front covering plate 1200 at a position that does not overlap with the protruding portion 1140 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0112] The rotation support portion 1160 mainly comprises a shaft portion 1161 that rotatably supports the power transmission member 1400, and a circular rib 1162 that is formed in a rib shape with a uniform protruding height toward the back side of the thin plate member 1110 along a circular or arc shape coaxial with the shaft portion 1161.

[0113] The circular rib 1162 maintains a certain distance or more between the rotating tip 1421 of the power transmission member 1400 and the back surface of the thin plate member 1110. In other words, while the power transmission member 1400 is in operation, the circular rib 1162 is formed over the entire angle range in which it abuts against the rotating tip 1421.

[0114] The covering front plate 1200 mainly comprises a thin plate member 1210 arranged a predetermined distance from the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 on the front side, a side wall portion 1220 extending from the left end of the thin plate member 1210 when viewed from the front toward the rear side, a storage portion 1230 extending in a box shape on the opposite left-right side of the side wall portion 1220 toward the rear side of the thin plate member 1210 and opening toward the rear side, and a detection sensor 1240 arranged at the upper end of the storage portion 1230.

[0115] The thin plate member 1210, the right wall portion of the side wall portion 1220 when viewed from the front, the left wall portion of the storage portion 1230 when viewed from the front, and the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 form a flow path forming portion which is a hole through which the balls flow down in the vertical direction.

[0116] The storage section 1230 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the front, and mainly comprises a storage flow path 1231 formed with a width that allows balls to flow down inside, a protruding section 1235 (see Figure 12) that protrudes toward the back side in the middle part of the storage flow path 1231, and an inclined surface 1237 that is formed as the upper surface on the right side when viewed from the front.

[0117] The storage flow path 1231 is configured such that a side wall portion with a U-shaped cross section that opens on the rear side extends while bending in a U-shape on the front side, and the opening is closed by the main body member 1100 to form a flow path through which the balls pass. In this embodiment, the thin plate member 1210, which corresponds to the front side portion of the area where the storage flow path 1231 is formed, is made of a light-transmitting material. Therefore, the player can see the balls flowing down the storage flow path 1231.

[0118] The storage flow path 1231 mainly comprises a guide surface 1231a (see Figure 12), which is an inclined surface at the bottom end that guides the ball toward the back side, and a rolling surface 1231b that causes the ball guided by the guide surface 1231a to roll in the forward and backward directions.

[0119] The inclination angle of the rolling surface 1231b relative to the horizontal plane is set larger than the inclination angle of the portion of the storage flow channel 1231 on the near side (right side in FIG. 12) that reaches the rolling surface 1231b relative to the horizontal plane.

[0120] The protruding portion 1235 has substantially the same structure as the protruding portion 1140 of the main body member 1100. That is, the protruding portion 1235 protrudes to a position where it can come into contact with the ball flowing down the storage flow path 1231, and decelerates the ball by coming into contact with it.

[0121] The inclined surface 1237 is inclined downward as it goes leftward when viewed from the front, so that a ball that lands on the inclined surface 1237 can be made to roll leftward and guided to the flow path forming portion.

[0122] The detection sensor 1240 has a through hole serving as the first specific winning opening 1000a. When a ball passes through the first specific winning opening 1000a, the detection sensor 1240 detects the passage and counts the number of winning balls.

[0123] The opening / closing plate 1300 is a member that switches between rolling the ball toward the detection sensor 1240 and dropping the ball downward without coming into contact with it, depending on its posture, and mainly comprises a horizontally elongated rectangular plate portion 1310, a pair of shaft portions 1320 protruding longitudinally from the short end of the plate portion 1310, and a load-bearing portion 1330 extending along a plane perpendicular to the shaft portion 1320 at the base of the shaft portion 1320 on the right side when viewed from the front.

[0124] The plate portion 1310 has a rolling surface 1311 on which the ball rolls in the raised position (open state), and its length in the short side direction is set to a length such that the distance between it and the covering front plate 1200 is less than the radius of the ball in the raised position (open state) in which the short side direction is aligned with the front-to-rear direction, and the right end portion in the longitudinal direction is in close proximity to the detection sensor 1240.

[0125] The plate portion 1310 also has a chamfered portion 1312 that is chamfered to have an arc-shaped cross section at the upper corner in the raised position (open state) of the end portion opposite the shaft portion 1320.

[0126] The plate portion 1310 is formed long in the left-right direction, and is long enough to accommodate up to five balls side by side.

[0127] The load-bearing portion 1330 mainly comprises an arc-shaped ball-entry prevention portion 1331 extending to the front side of the rolling surface 1311, an intervening transmission portion 1332 extending to the back side of the rolling surface 1311, and an engaging portion 1333 protruding from the intervening transmission portion 1332 to the right side when viewed from behind (the side where the power transmission member 1400 is arranged).

[0128] The engaging portion 1333 extends to a position where it interferes with the movement trajectory of the power transmission member 1400, and includes a chamfered portion 1333a that is chamfered in an arc shape on the upper surface. When the engaging portion 1333 comes into contact with the power transmission member 1400, the chamfered portion 1333a, not the corner, comes into contact with the power transmission member 1400, so that concentration of stress when the engaging portion 1333 and the power transmission member 1400 come into contact with each other can be avoided.

[0129] The power transmission member 1400 mainly includes a disk-shaped main body portion 1410 and an extension portion 1420 extending from the main body portion 1410 in the axial direction.

[0130] The main body 1410 mainly comprises a support hole 1411 through which the shaft 1161 is inserted, and a protruding pin 1412 protruding from the vicinity of the outer periphery in parallel with the drilling direction of the support hole 1411.

[0131] The protruding pin 1412 is a part that engages with the tip member 1520 of the driving device 1500, and as the tip member 1520 moves linearly by switching the excitation of the driving device 1500, the protruding pin 1412 is displaced and the power transmission member 1400 rotates.

[0132] The extension portion 1420 has, at its extension tip, a rotating tip portion 1421 formed in an arc shape coaxial with the center of the support hole 1411, and a pushing portion 1422 protruding from the rotating tip portion 1421 toward the front side.

[0133] The driving device 1500 mainly comprises a solenoid 1510 that moves a movable member linearly by switching excitation, and a tip member 1520 that is H-shaped when viewed from the front (a shape with recesses on the top and bottom) and is arranged at the tip of the movable member of the solenoid 1510.

[0134] The tip member 1520 has an upper recess configured in a shape that can accommodate the protruding pin 1412 of the power transmission member 1400. In detail, the recess is formed in a shape that allows the protruding pin 1412 to remain accommodated inside while the power transmission member 1400 rotates (see FIG. 20).

[0135] The regulating member 1600 mainly comprises a rod-shaped shaft portion 1610 pivotally supported by the support claw portion 1170, an extension portion 1620 extending radially from the shaft portion 1610 with a thickness equal to the diameter of the shaft portion 1610, and a ball receiving portion 1630 whose surface on the main body member 1100 side is formed at the same plane as the extension portion 1620 and is thicker than the extension portion 1620.

[0136] The extension part 1620 is disposed on the movement path of the intervening transmission part 1332 of the opening / closing plate 1300, and receives a pressing load from the intervening transmission part 1332 when the opening / closing plate is in the raised position (open state).

[0137] The ball receiving portion 1630 is formed in such a manner that, when in a tilted position (a position in which the opposite end of the shaft portion 1610 is positioned at a lower position, a storage state), it overlaps with the discharge outlet 1150 (a state in which the opening of the discharge outlet 1150 is narrowed to the extent that the balls are not discharged).

[0138] The restricting member 1600 is biased by a torsion spring (not shown) in a direction to maintain the raised position (the position in which the opposite end of the shaft portion 1610 is positioned at the upper position, the ejected state).

[0139] The rear cover 1700 has a discharge port 1710, which is a through-hole through which the balls discharged from the discharge port 1150 pass. The balls discharged from the discharge port 1710 are guided to a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0140] The closed state of the opening / closing plate 1300 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a front view of the first variable winning device 1000, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line IX-IX in Figure 8. Note that in Figures 8 and 9, the opening / closing plate 1300 is in a closed state, and in Figure 8, the thin plate member 1210 of the covering front plate 1200 is shown partially broken.

[0141] 8 and 9, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, the plate portion 1310 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is accommodated in the rectangular recess 1122, so that the opening / closing plate 1300 can be aligned with the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 without narrowing the gap between the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 and the thin plate member 1210 of the front covering plate 1200. The thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 and the thin plate member 1210 of the front covering plate 1200 are arranged side by side at a distance that allows a ball to pass through, so that in the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by guiding the ball between the thin plate members 1110 and 1210, the ball can be dropped along the flow path forming portion.

[0142] 9, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is closed, the ball entry prevention portion 1331 of the load-bearing portion 1330 protrudes from the front side of the main body member 1100 in a manner that partially covers the opening of the detection sensor 1240. This physically prevents balls from passing through the detection sensor 1240, and prevents irregular winning (for example, a ball that hits a nail or the like is sent flying sideways and passes through the detection sensor 1240 even without being guided by the opening / closing plate 1300).

[0143] As will be described in detail later, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, the regulating member 1600 is in the discharge state, and therefore the balls are discharged from the storage flow path 1231. Therefore, FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which no balls are stored in the storage flow path 1231.

[0144] The open state of the opening / closing plate 1300 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a front view of the first variable winning device 1000, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XI-XI in Figure 10. In Figures 10 and 11, the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, and in Figure 10, the thin plate member 1210 of the front covering plate 1200 is shown partially broken. In Figure 11, the outline of the ball is shown in imaginary lines to help grasp its size.

[0145] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, the plate portion 1310 of the opening / closing plate 1300 protrudes toward the front, and the distance between the plate portion 1310 and the thin plate member 1210 is less than the diameter of the sphere, thereby preventing the sphere guided between the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 and the thin plate member 1210 of the covering front plate 1200 from falling.

[0146] The ball guided between the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 and the thin plate member 1210 of the front covering plate 1200 rolls along the slope on the rolling surface 1311 of the opening / closing plate 1300, passes through the detection sensor 1240 from its right end, and enters the storage flow path 1231.

[0147] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, a gap shorter than the radius of the sphere is provided between the plate portion 1310 and the front covering plate 1200. Therefore, compared to when the plate portion 1310 is extended to the extent that it abuts against the front covering plate 1200, less material is required, and the material costs required for the opening / closing plate 1300 can be reduced.

[0148] In addition, by reducing the diameter of the movement trajectory of the short-side tip of the opening / closing plate 1300, it is easier to avoid interference between the opening / closing plate 1300 and a ball passing in front of the opening / closing plate 1300 when the opening / closing plate 1300 rotates.

[0149] As will be described in detail later, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, the regulating member 1600 is in a storage state, so that balls are not discharged from the storage flow path 1231, and balls that have passed through the detection sensor 1240 are stored in the storage flow path. Therefore, Figure 10 shows a state in which balls are stored in the storage flow path 1231.

[0150] 10, the storage channel 1231 of this embodiment is formed with a length that allows it to store a predetermined number of balls (10 in this embodiment) as an upper limit. When 10 balls are stored in the storage channel 1231, the 10th ball stops at a position where it is detected by the detection sensor 1240.

[0151] Therefore, the tenth ball acts as a stopper, preventing the eleventh ball from passing through the detection sensor 1240. In other words, the resistance when the eleventh ball tries to pass through the detection sensor 1240 becomes extremely large, making it difficult for the eleventh ball to enter the detection sensor 1240.

[0152] In this embodiment, when the tenth ball is detected by the detection sensor 1240, the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched to the closed state, causing the balls remaining on the opening / closing plate 1300 to flow downward below the opening / closing plate 1300, and as the opening / closing plate 1300 moves, the regulating member 1600 is switched to the discharge state, causing the balls stored in the storage flow path 1231 to be discharged.

[0153] Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when no balls are being discharged from the storage flow path 1231, the tenth ball is detected by the detection sensor 1240 but stops at a position where it has not passed through the detection sensor 1240.

[0154] When the tenth ball is detected by the detection sensor 1240, the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched to the closed state, but during this switching, the tenth ball is pushed into the storage flow path 1231 while receiving a load from the ball entry prevention unit 1331 (see FIG. 21(b)). That is, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, the tenth ball stays in a state blocking the opening of the detection sensor 1240, and while the opening / closing plate 1300 is switching to the closed state, the ball entry prevention unit 1331 blocks the opening of the detection sensor 1240 while abutting (rubbing) against the tenth ball. This prevents the opening of the detection sensor 1240 from being opened due to a mismatch between the timing when the tenth ball completely passes the detection sensor 1240 and the timing when the ball entry prevention unit 1331 operates, and prevents the eleventh ball from passing through the first specific winning opening 1000a.

[0155] Therefore, there is no need to limit the period from when the predetermined number of balls is detected by the detection sensor 1240 until the opening / closing plate 1300 is changed to the closed state, and this period can be set arbitrarily. For example, the opening / closing operation may start 0.2 msec after detection, or 1 second after detection. In this embodiment, the opening / closing plate 1300 is controlled to open or close 0.5 seconds after detection by the detection sensor 1240, so that the opening / closing plate 1300 does not operate until the 10th ball abuts the 9th ball (after the center of the ball passes the front side of the ball entry prevention section 1331 and is positioned on the detection sensor 1240 side).

[0156] Due to the above-described operation of the opening / closing plate 1300, in this embodiment, the number of balls passing through the detection sensor 1240 while the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state can be limited to 10. Note that in this embodiment, the prevention (delay) of balls entering the game can be performed only for the 11th ball. In other words, the 1st to 10th balls can pass through the detection sensor 1240 at high speed. This leads to an increase in the progress speed of the special game state compared to when the passage of all balls is delayed.

[0157] For example, in a structure in which a ball that has passed through the detection sensor 1240 is decelerated once at the point where it has passed, thereby delaying the entry of subsequent balls, it is easy to prevent the entry of the 11th ball, but since the first through tenth balls are also decelerated as they roll partially connected together on the rolling surface 1311, it takes a long time for the tenth ball to pass the detection sensor 1240, which creates the problem of the game being drawn out.

[0158] On the other hand, this embodiment does not adopt a configuration that slows down the first to tenth balls, and only the eleventh ball is not allowed to enter the detection sensor 1240. Therefore, even if the first to tenth balls flow down in a line, they can pass through the detection sensor 1240 at the same flow speed, thereby speeding up the game.

[0159] Furthermore, even if most of the period during which the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state has passed due to repairs such as ball jamming, and play begins towards the end of that period, the ball entering the detection sensor 1240 will not be unnecessarily slowed down, so more balls can be allowed to enter the machine.

[0160] Furthermore, with regard to the 11th ball, no matter how fast it flows down toward the detection sensor 1240 (at a speed that allows it to reach the detection sensor 1240 before the opening / closing plate 1300 begins its tilting operation), the balls up to the 10th ball can physically prevent the 11th ball from passing through the detection sensor 1240, regardless of its speed.

[0161] The arrangement of the balls stored in the storage flow path 1231 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 10. Note that Fig. 12 illustrates the balls stored in the storage flow path 1231.

[0162] Here, we will explain the mechanism by which the balls stored in the storage flow channel 1231 are always arranged in the same position. First, ball P1, which first enters the empty storage flow channel 1231, is guided by guide surface 1231a, which is inclined backward, at the bottom of storage flow channel 1231, and is arranged in a position where it abuts against the front surface of regulation member 1600.

[0163] Ball P1 is weighted by ball P2, which enters after it, reaching the lower end, and settles into the arrangement shown in Fig. 12. Ball P2 has a degree of freedom of arrangement in the front-to-rear direction to the right of ball P1 when viewed from the front (right in Fig. 12). That is, depending on the degree of tilt in the front-to-rear direction when the pachinko machine 10 is placed, it may move closer to the covering front plate 1200 or closer to the protruding portion 1140 of the main body member 1100. Note that, as shown in Fig. 12, the protruding portion 1140 is disposed at a position where the protruding tip of the protruding portion 1140 abuts against ball P2, so that ball P2 will not abut against the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 1100 when abutting against ball P1.

[0164] Ball P2 is weighted when ball P3, which enters subsequently, reaches a position where it abuts against ball P2. Here, in this embodiment, protrusion 1235 arranged on front covering plate 1200 is arranged at a position (a position that maintains a small gap with ball P2) where ball P3 cannot get between ball P2 and protrusion 1235 to the right of ball P2 and abut against thin plate member 1210 of front covering plate 1200, regardless of the position of ball P2 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0165] Therefore, no matter where ball P2 is in the front-to-rear direction, the center position of ball P3 will be located behind the center position of ball P2, and ball P3 will abut against ball P2 from the rear side (upper side in FIG. 12). Therefore, the load of ball P3 moves ball P2 toward the front side (lower side in FIG. 12). As a result, ball P2 settles into the position shown in FIG. 12.

[0166] Thereafter, ball P3 is loaded by ball P4, which enters the game next, under conditions almost identical to those under which ball P2 was loaded by ball P3 (except that the forward and backward directions are reversed), and ball P3 settles into the position shown in Figure 12.

[0167] That is, the position of the nth ball that enters the storage flow path 1231 is fixed in a unique position by receiving a load in the forward and backward directions from the (n+1)th ball that enters. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position of the balls is fixed not by narrowing the storage flow path 1231, but by maintaining the cross-sectional area of ​​the storage flow path 1231 larger than the diameter of the balls and arranging protrusions 1140, 1235 at predetermined locations. This makes it possible to fix the position of the stored balls in a unique position while preventing ball clogging.

[0168] As described above, in this embodiment, by arranging the protrusions 1140 and 1235 in appropriate positions, the balls can be stored in a fixed arrangement every time the action of storing balls occurs in the storage flow path 1231. Therefore, the number of balls stored each time can be unified.

[0169] Referring to Figure 13, the discharge of balls from the storage flow path 1231 will be described. Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XII-XII in Figure 10. Note that Figure 13(a) shows a state in which ball P1 has been discharged and ball P2 has been placed on the rolling surface 1231b, while Figure 13(b) shows a state in which ball P2 has been discharged and ball P3 has been placed in the position of ball P2 in Figure 12.

[0170] As will be described later, when the solenoid 1510 is de-energized and the opening / closing plate 1300 is closed, the regulating member 1600 enters the discharge state and the balls are discharged from the storage flow path 1231. When the balls are discharged, the ball located at the bottom (ball P1 in FIG. 12) is discharged toward the back side along the slope of the rolling surface 1231b, and the subsequent ball (ball P2 in FIG. 12) flows into the space created thereby, and the balls are discharged in order.

[0171] Here, the inclination angle of the rolling surface 1231b relative to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the extension portion of the storage flow path 1231 (the flow path extending in the left-right direction) relative to the horizontal plane, so the flow speed of the ball P1 is greater than the flow speed of the ball P2, resulting in a gap between the balls P1 and P2 (see FIG. 13(a)). Therefore, the load applied from the ball P2 to the ball P1 when the ball P1 is discharged can be minimized, and the speed at which the ball P1 is discharged can be made uniform regardless of the number of balls stored after the ball P1.

[0172] After ball P1 is discharged, the subsequent balls P2, P3, and P4 flow downstream (to the left in FIG. 12) along the slope of the extended portion of storage flow path 1231. Here, ball P2 smoothly reaches guide surface 1231a and rides on rolling surface 1231b, while balls P3 and P4 abut against protrusions 1140 and 1235 as they flow down (see FIG. 13(a)). Due to this abutment, balls P3 and P4 are redirected in directions DP3 and DP4 having front-to-rear components, and decelerate as they pass the positions of leading balls P2 and P3, respectively.

[0173] In other words, when balls P3 and P4 come into contact with protrusions 1140 and 1235, they are repositioned in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of storage flow path 1231, and are repositioned to the position where the previously stored ball was stationary, causing them to slow down.

[0174] This creates a gap between ball P2 and ball P3 (see Figure 13(b)), which minimizes the load applied from ball P3 to ball P2 when ball P2 is discharged, making it possible to uniformize the speed at which ball P2 is discharged regardless of the number of balls stored behind ball P2.

[0175] In other words, the subsequent balls flow a longer distance down the storage flow path 1231, and as the number of stored balls increases, the way the subsequent balls accelerate due to gravity changes, which may result in changes to the discharge behavior of ball P2 (speed at the time of discharge, discharge interval between ball P1, etc.).However, this change in discharge behavior can be suppressed by the action of the above-mentioned protrusions 1140, 1235 (the action of creating a gap between the ball that rides on the rolling surface 1231b and is discharged and the subsequent ball, thereby eliminating the load due to gravity).

[0176] 13(a) to the arrangement shown in Fig. 13(b), the subsequent balls are repeatedly discharged from the storage flow path 1231. As described above, by creating a gap between the ball being discharged by rolling on the rolling surface 1231b and the subsequent ball, the discharged ball is discharged without being subjected to the weight of the subsequent ball, and therefore the discharge manner of the balls (discharge speed, discharge interval, etc.) can be made uniform regardless of the number of balls stored in the storage flow path 1231.

[0177] In other words, in this embodiment, the protrusions 1140 and 1235 can make the ball discharge pattern (discharge speed, discharge interval, etc.) uniform. In this embodiment, the ball discharge pattern is set to a pattern in which it takes approximately 0.2 seconds for one ball to be discharged. Therefore, by maintaining the regulating member 1600 in the discharge state for 2 seconds or more, it is possible to discharge all of the maximum number of balls (10) that can be stored in the storage flow path 1231.

[0178] Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of the first variable winning device 1000, Fig. 15 is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15. Note that Figs. 14 to 16 show the closed state of the opening / closing plate 1300, and the rear cover 1700 is not shown.

[0179] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, the solenoid 1510 is in a non-excited state, and the rotating tip 1421 of the power transmission member 1400 is positioned above and spaced from the engaging portion 1333 of the opening / closing plate 1300.

[0180] Since the intervening transmission part 1332 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is positioned on the upper side and separated from the regulating member 1600, the regulating member 1600 does not receive any load from the intervening transmission part 1332, and the regulating member 1600 is maintained in the ejected state by the biasing force of a torsion spring (not shown).

[0181] 16, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, the ball entry prevention part 1331 protrudes in such a manner that the size of the opening of the detection sensor 1240 is equal to or smaller than the projected area of ​​the ball. This physically prevents the ball from passing through the detection sensor 1240.

[0182] Fig. 17 is a rear perspective view of the first variable winning device 1000, Fig. 18 is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, and Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XIX-XIX in Fig. 18. Note that Figs. 17 to 19 show the open state of the opening / closing plate 1300, and the rear cover 1700 is not shown.

[0183] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, the solenoid 1510 is in an excited state, the rotating tip 1421 of the power transmission member 1400 is displaced counterclockwise, and the engagement portion 1333 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is pushed into the pushing portion 1422.

[0184] The intervening transmission part 1332 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is positioned downward as the power transmission member 1400 rotates, and in this state the extension part 1620 of the regulating member 1600 receives a load from the intervening transmission part 1332, and the position of the regulating member 1600 is switched to a tilted position (the regulating member 1600 is switched to a storage state).

[0185] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, the restricting member 1600 is subjected to a load associated with the driving force of the solenoid 1510 and the biasing force of a torsion spring (not shown). In this embodiment, a structure is employed that can suppress the driving force of the solenoid 1510 when maintaining the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state while maintaining a large biasing force of the torsion spring. A large biasing force of the torsion spring leads to the effect that the restricting member 1600 can be quickly switched to the discharge state, thereby enabling balls to be quickly discharged from the storage flow path 1231. The structure employed will be described below.

[0186] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 1333 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is disposed on the movement locus E1 of the power transmission member 1400 when the opening / closing plate 1300 starts moving from the closed state, and is pushed outward from the movement locus E1 along the rotation axis direction of the power transmission member 1400 when the opening / closing plate 1300 switches to the open state. Note that the movement locus E1 is illustrated as the outline of the movement locus of a portion including the pushing portion 1422 (see FIG. 6).

[0187] Therefore, the load transmitted from the opening / closing plate 1300 to the power transmission member 1400 after the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched to the open state is applied in the axial direction, which is perpendicular to the plane that defines the rotation direction, rather than in the operating direction (rotation direction) of the power transmission member 1400. Therefore, the load applied to the opening / closing plate 1300 around the shaft 1320 can be prevented from being transmitted to the solenoid 1510 via the power transmission member 1400.

[0188] That is, the biasing force of the torsion spring (not shown) that biases the regulating member 1600 is directed in the direction of pushing the opening / closing plate 1300 back toward the closed state, but no matter how large the biasing force is, this biasing force is not applied to the solenoid 1510 via the power transmission member 1400.

[0189] This makes it possible to prevent the driving force of the solenoid 1510 for maintaining the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state from fluctuating due to the load applied to the opening / closing plate 1300 once the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched to the open state. Therefore, it is not necessary to continuously apply the voltage applied to the solenoid 1510 to the opening / closing plate 1300 at the maximum value.

[0190] That is, after the solenoid 1510 is excited at the start of operation so as to generate a driving force sufficient to switch the regulating member 1600 to the storage state against the biasing force of the torsion spring (not shown), the opening / closing plate 1300 can be maintained in the open state even if the applied voltage is reduced.

[0191] Therefore, even if a fluctuating load is applied to the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600, the opening / closing plate 1300 can be maintained in the open state and the regulating member 1600 can be maintained in the storage state without being affected by the load.

[0192] An example of the fluctuating load applied to the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600 is a load applied by the weight of balls. That is, for example, the opening / closing plate 1300 is configured so that balls land on the rolling surface 1311, and therefore receives a load due to the weight of the balls when they land, and since the number of balls changes frequently, a fluctuating load is applied to the opening / closing plate 1300. Furthermore, for example, the regulating member 1600 is applied with a load from the balls stored in the storage flow path 1231, particularly from the balls arranged at the lowest end of the storage flow path 1231, and therefore a fluctuating load is applied depending on whether the balls are present or absent.

[0193] 14 to 19, the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600 are interlocked, and therefore the regulating member 1600 cannot be set to the discharge state while the opening / closing plate 1300 is maintained in the open state. Therefore, even if the opening / closing plate 1300 is maintained in the open state fraudulently, it is possible to physically prevent more balls than can be stored in the storage flow path 1231 (10 or more balls in this embodiment) from passing through the detection sensor 1240. This makes it possible to prevent fraudulent attempts to increase the number of winning balls by fraudulently maintaining the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state.

[0194] 20 and 21 illustrate the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600 in chronological order. Fig. 20(a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, Fig. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XXb-XXb in Fig. 20(a), Fig. 20(c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, Fig. 21(a) is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, Fig. 21(b) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XXIb-XXIb in Fig. 21(a), Fig. 21(c) is a rear view of the first variable winning device 1000, and Fig. 21(d) is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 1000 taken along line XXId-XXId in Fig. 21(c).

[0195] In Figures 20 and 21, for ease of understanding, only the opening / closing plate 1300, the power transmission member 1400, the tip member 1520 of the drive unit 1500, and the regulating member 1600 are shown in the assembled state (see Figure 5), and other components are omitted from the illustration, and the state change of the opening / closing plate 1300 from the open state to the closed state is illustrated in chronological order.

[0196] 20(a) and 20(b) show a state in which the tip member 1520 of the drive unit 1500 is positioned at a first distance h1 away from the reference line O1 (the solenoid 1510 is in a non-energized state), FIG. 20(c) shows a state in which the tip member 1520 has been displaced and positioned at a second distance h2 away from the reference line O1 that is shorter than the first distance h1, FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) show a state in which the tip member 1520 has been displaced and positioned at a third distance h3 away from the reference line O1 that is shorter than the second distance h2, and FIGS. 21(c) and 21(d) show a state in which the tip member 1520 has been displaced and positioned at a fourth distance h4 away from the reference line O1 that is shorter than the third distance h3 (the final position reached when the solenoid 1510 is energized).

[0197] In Fig. 21(b), the first specific winning port 1000a located on the near side is shown in imaginary lines for reference, and the outline of the cross-sectional shape of the ball in the same cross section as the cross section used in the illustration is also shown in imaginary lines. In other words, in the state shown in Fig. 10, the opening and closing plate 1300 can rotate to the state shown in Fig. 21(b) without interfering with the ball.

[0198] 20(a) to the state shown in Fig. 20(c), the power transmission member 1400 rotates, but the opening / closing plate 1300 maintains the same posture. In Fig. 20(c), the rotating tip 1421 of the power transmission member 1400 and the engaging portion 1333 of the opening / closing plate 1300 come into contact with each other.

[0199] This allows momentum to be imparted to the power transmission member 1400 before the opening / closing plate 1300 is moved from the closed state to the open state, thereby reducing the driving force required at the start of rotation (initial movement) and increasing the operating speed of the opening / closing plate 1300 compared to when the opening / closing plate 1300 starts to rotate at the same time as the power transmission member 1400 starts to rotate.

[0200] From the state shown in Figure 20(c) to the state shown in Figure 21(a), the regulating member 1600 maintains the discharge state, while the opening / closing plate 1300 operates from the closed state and is placed in an intermediate state between the closed state and the open state (see Figure 21(b)).

[0201] In the intermediate state of the opening / closing plate 1300 shown in Fig. 21(b), the plate part 1310 is extended toward the front side, so that when a ball flows down to the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 (the right side of Fig. 21(b)), the ball can be received by the rolling surface 1311 of the plate part 1310. In this case, the weight of the ball acts in a direction that presses down the rolling surface 1311 (clockwise in Fig. 21(b)), but as the tip member 1520 moves rightward as viewed from the rear (rightward in Fig. 21(a)), a load in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in Fig. 21(b)) is applied to the engaging part 1333 via the power transmission member 1400, so that the opening / closing plate 1300 can be prevented from rotating due to the weight of the ball.

[0202] Therefore, in the intermediate state of the opening / closing plate 1300 shown in Figure 21 (b), it is possible to prevent balls from passing downward on the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 while allowing balls to be discharged from the discharge port 1150.

[0203] As a result, both the objective of maintaining the regulating member 1600 in the discharge state during the time it takes for the ball to be discharged from the storage flow path 1231 and the opposing objective of shortening the closed state of the opening / closing plate 1300 (shortening the interval) can be achieved by extending the plate portion 1310 to an intermediate position in the state shown in Figure 21(a) while continuing to discharge the ball, and sandwiching the ball between the rolling surface 1311 and the covering front plate 1200.

[0204] At the same time, in the state shown in Fig. 21(b), the opening / closing plate 1300 is in a position that prevents balls from passing downward while preventing them from entering the detection sensor 1240. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 21(b), the rolling surface 1311 is positioned below and spaced apart from the bottom surface of the opening of the detection sensor 1240, so that a ball that has landed on the rolling surface 1311 in the state shown in Fig. 21(b) can be prevented from passing through the detection sensor 1240. This makes it possible to prevent balls from passing through the detection sensor 1240 when the regulating member 1600 is in the discharge state, and effectively maintains the function of limiting the number of winning balls by the first variable winning device 1000.

[0205] 21(d), when the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched to the open state, the regulating member 1600 is simultaneously switched to the storing state. Also, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600 are interlocked by the operation of the tip member 1520 of the driving device 1500. That is, the driving force of the solenoid 1510 (see FIG. 6) of the driving device 1500 can be used as the driving force for both the opening / closing plate 1300 and the regulating member 1600.

[0206] 20 and 21 explain the case where the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched from a closed state to an open state, but the case where the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched from an open state to a closed state can be understood by looking back at FIGS. 20 and 21.

[0207] When switching from the open state to the closed state, first, the state shown in Fig. 21(d) changes to the state shown in Fig. 21(b). Here, since the load-bearing portion 1330 of the opening / closing plate 1300 is arranged in the operating direction of the regulating member 1600, the regulating member 1600 does not move more than the movement amount of the load-bearing portion 1330.

[0208] That is, since the regulating member 1600 is switched to the discharge state after the opening / closing plate 1300 operates, it is impossible for the opening / closing plate 1300 to maintain the open state after the regulating member 1600 is switched to the discharge state. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, an irregular winning situation in which a ball passes the detection sensor 1240 a little after the ball starts to be discharged.

[0209] Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 21(b), it may seem that the opening of the detection sensor 1240 is still open, and that the ball can enter the detection sensor 1240 as long as it hits the rolling surface 1311 and bounces, but in this embodiment, this is made impossible.

[0210] 21(b) is viewed as a state in which the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the middle of changing from the open state to the closed state, the rotating tip 1421 of the power transmission member 1400 moves upward, so when a ball hits the rolling surface 1311, no load is generated to support the opening / closing plate 1300, which acts in the opposite direction to the weight of the ball. Therefore, when a ball hits the rolling surface 1311, the weight of the ball causes the plate portion 1310 to move downward, preventing the ball from bouncing up to the detection sensor 1240. This makes it possible to prevent irregular winning.

[0211] The contents of ROM202 (see FIG. 4) will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of ROM202 in the main control device 110, Fig. 22(b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter C2 and the big winning type in special patterns, and Fig. 22(c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter C4 and the winning in normal patterns.

[0212] As shown in Figure 22(a), the ROM 202 of the main control unit 110 stores at least a first winning random number table 202a, a first winning type selection table 202b, a second winning random number table 202c, and a variation pattern selection table 202d as part of the fixed value data described above.

[0213] The first winning random number table 202a is a data table that stores the jackpot determination value of the first winning random number counter, which is updated periodically (for example, every 2 msec). If the value of the first winning random number counter obtained based on the start winning coincides with any of the determination values ​​defined in the first winning random number table 202a, it is determined to be a jackpot of a special symbol.

[0214] The first winning type selection table 202b (see FIG. 22(b)) is a data table in which judgment values ​​for determining the type of jackpot are stored, and the judgment values ​​of the first winning type counter C2 are specified in association with each jackpot type and the type of ball entry port that triggered the lottery for the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot with a special symbol is determined to be a jackpot, the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first winning type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first winning type counter C2 is selected.

[0215] Specifically, when a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first ball entrance 64), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to the range of "0 to 19" and is associated with jackpot A (see 202b1 in Figure 22(b)).

[0216] If jackpot A is hit, 15 rounds of jackpot games are played using the first operation pattern of the first variable winning device 1000. In this case, the player can receive approximately 2250 prize balls.

[0217] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 49" is defined to be associated with the big winning B (see 202b2 in FIG. 22(b)).

[0218] In the case of jackpot B, eight rounds of jackpot games are played in the first operation pattern of the first variable winning device 1000. In this case, the player can receive approximately 1200 prize balls.

[0219] The value of the first winning type counter C2 is set in the range of "50 to 99" so as to correspond to the big winning C (see 202b3 in FIG. 22(b)).

[0220] In the case of a jackpot C, four rounds of jackpot games are played in the first operation pattern of the first variable winning device 1000. In this case, the player can receive approximately 600 prize balls.

[0221] As described above, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special symbol 1 (a lottery based on a ball entering the first ball entrance 64), the first variable winning device 1000 operates in the first operating pattern in either case. Therefore, the difference in the number of prize balls that a player can win is expressed as a difference depending on the number of rounds, and the more rounds there are, the more prize balls are paid out and the longer it takes to play the jackpot.

[0222] In a jackpot based on the lottery for special symbol 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first ball entrance 64), there is a 20% chance of winning a 15-round jackpot, but a 50% chance of winning a 4-round jackpot, so you basically cannot expect to win a large number of prize balls. On the other hand, a 4-round jackpot game ends in a shorter time than a 15-round jackpot game, so you can start shooting balls earlier in order to aim for a subsequent jackpot.

[0223] On the other hand, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to correspond to the range of "0 to 79" and is defined as jackpot a (see 202b4 in Figure 22(b)).

[0224] In the case of jackpot A, 15 rounds of jackpot games are played in the first operation pattern of the first variable winning device 1000, just like in the case of jackpot A. In this case, the player can receive a payout of approximately 2250 prize balls.

[0225] The value range of the first winning type counter C2 from "80 to 89" is defined to be associated with the big winning b (see 202b5 in FIG. 22(b)).

[0226] In the case of jackpot b, 15 rounds of jackpot games are played in the second operation pattern (details of which will be described later) of the first variable winning device 1000. In this case, the number of prize balls paid out to the player is necessarily less than 2250 (1200 in this embodiment), and furthermore, the time required for the jackpot game exceeds that of jackpot a.

[0227] The value range of the first winning type counter C2 from "90 to 99" is defined to be associated with the big winning c (see 202b6 in FIG. 22(b)).

[0228] In the case of jackpot c, 15 rounds of jackpot games are played in the third operation pattern (details of which will be described later) of the first variable winning device 1000. In this case, the number of prize balls paid out to the player is necessarily less than 2250 (1875 in this embodiment), and furthermore, the time required for the jackpot game exceeds that in the case of jackpot a, and the prize balls paid out for each round and the time required for the jackpot game vary.

[0229] As described above, when a jackpot is won in the drawing for special pattern 2 (a drawing based on a ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the operation pattern of the first variable winning device 1000 changes depending on the type of jackpot. By changing this operation pattern, the number of jackpot rounds remains constant, while the time required for the jackpot game can be varied by varying the number of payouts. In this embodiment, the time required for the jackpot game can be extended when the number of payouts is small (jackpot b and jackpot c) compared to when the number of payouts is large (jackpot a). In other words, when a jackpot with a small number of payouts (jackpot b and jackpot c) is won, the timing for shooting the ball in pursuit of the next jackpot is delayed compared to when the jackpot is won.

[0230] Therefore, by making a difference in the number of winning balls and forcibly lengthening the time required for a jackpot game, it is possible to make a difference in the profit per unit time (number of payouts including time efficiency) that a player can obtain from a jackpot game depending on the type of jackpot.

[0231] This makes it possible to set up a breakdown of the jackpot in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second ball entrance 640) into a jackpot that pays out a large amount in a time-efficient manner (jackpot a) and a jackpot that pays out less in a time-efficient manner (jackpot b, jackpot c), thereby increasing the profits that a player can get when they win jackpot a. This makes it possible to configure a gaming machine that can increase the difference in the number of payouts (the difference between the maximum number of total balls won and the minimum number of total balls won) when playing for a predetermined period of time while maintaining a high probability of winning jackpot a.

[0232] As described above, during the special symbol probability change, the probability of winning the normal symbol increases, the normal symbol fluctuation time is shortened (3 seconds), and the opening time of the electric device 640a when the normal symbol wins is extended (1 second x 2 times). This makes it easier to get a ball into the second ball entrance 640, making it easier to draw the special symbol 2. Therefore, once the special symbol probability change state is reached, it is more likely to result in a special symbol jackpot, and if a jackpot is reached, the special symbol probability change state, which is more likely to result in jackpot A (a jackpot with the maximum ball output), is more likely to be repeated, making it easier for the player to win a large number of prize balls. This allows the player to play while strongly anticipating the transition to the special symbol probability change state, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0233] The second winning random number table 202c (see FIG. 22(c)) is a data table in which winning judgment values ​​for normal symbols are stored. Specifically, in the normal state of normal symbols, "5 to 28" are specified as the judgment value for winning a normal symbol (see 202c1 in FIG. 22(c)). Also, in the high probability state of normal symbols, "5 to 204" are specified as the judgment value for winning a normal symbol (see 202c2 in FIG. 22(c)). In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the value of the second winning random number counter C4 acquired based on the ball passing through the normal ball entrance 67 and the second winning random number table 202c are referenced to determine whether or not a normal symbol is a winning symbol. The variation pattern selection table 202d is a data table in which the judgment value of the variation type counter for determining the display mode of the variation pattern is specified for each display mode.

[0234] Next, the opening pattern of the first specific winning opening 1000a in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23(a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse change of the first specific winning opening 1000a in the first operation pattern, Figure 23(b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse change of the first specific winning opening 1000a in the second operation pattern, and Figure 23(c) is a diagram showing the time-lapse change of the first specific winning opening 1000a in the third operation pattern.

[0235] When the MPU 201 (see FIG. 4) determines a jackpot in the special symbol winning determination, it starts controlling the determined type of jackpot game after the special symbol changing display (symbol changing performance) ends. Below, we will explain the operation control of the opening and closing plate 1300 that is performed when a jackpot game is awarded.

[0236] <When operating in the first operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot A, jackpot B, jackpot C, or jackpot a, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to operate the opening / closing plate 1300 based on the first operation pattern. When the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 in a closed state until a timer means (not shown) has elapsed a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds), and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R starts.

[0237] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, thereby causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0238] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the first round of round play R.

[0239] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0240] The first inter-round interval time Int1 is set as the time required to discharge all of the balls that can be stored in the storage channel 1231. That is, as described above, in this embodiment, a maximum of 10 balls are stored in the storage channel 1231, and balls are discharged at intervals of approximately 0.2 seconds per ball, regardless of the number of balls stored. Therefore, it takes exactly 2 seconds to discharge all 10 balls.

[0241] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0242] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the second round of round play R.

[0243] In the first operation pattern, by discharging balls during the first interval time Int1 between rounds, it is possible to create a state in which no balls remain inside the storage flow path 1231 at the start of the round game R of each round. Therefore, even from the second round onwards, a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) can be passed through the first specific winning port 1000a, so that the round game R can be ended without waiting for the maximum length (30 seconds) of the first operation time T1 of each round. Therefore, the round game R can be progressed quickly.

[0244] Thereafter, the round games R from the 3rd round to a maximum of the 15th round are repeated in the same manner, with the first interval time Int1 between each round game R, and the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to open and close the first specific winning port 1000a.

[0245] Then, when the final round game R ends, the solenoid 1510 is controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot game ends as the time elapses.

[0246] <When operating in the second operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot b, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to operate the opening / closing plate 1300 based on the second operation pattern. When the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 in a closed state until a timer means (not shown) has elapsed a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds), and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R starts.

[0247] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, thereby causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0248] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the first round of round play R.

[0249] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the second interval time Int2 between rounds (1.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second interval time Int2 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0250] The second inter-round interval time Int2 is set as a time during which at least a portion of the number of balls that can be stored in the storage flow path 1231 can be discharged. That is, as described above, in this embodiment, a maximum of 10 balls can be stored in the storage flow path 1231, and balls are discharged at intervals of approximately 0.2 seconds per ball, regardless of the number of balls stored. Therefore, since the number of balls that can be discharged per second is 5 balls, for example, if 10 balls are stored in the storage flow path 1231, even if the balls are discharged during the second inter-round interval time Int2, 5 balls will still remain in the storage flow path 1231.

[0251] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0252] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the second round of round play R.

[0253] In the second operation pattern, by discharging balls during the second interval time Int2 between rounds, a state can be created in which balls remain inside the storage flow path 1231 at the start of the round game R of each round. Therefore, from the second round onwards, a state may occur in which the specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) cannot be passed through the first specific winning port 1000a. In this case, the round game R ends only after the maximum length (30 seconds) of the first operation time T1 of each round has elapsed. Therefore, the progress of the round game R is delayed compared to the first operation pattern.

[0254] Thereafter, the round games R from the 3rd round to the 15th round are repeated in the same manner, with the second interval time Int2 between each round game R, and the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to open and close the first specific winning port 1000a.

[0255] Then, when the final round game R ends, the solenoid 1510 is controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot game ends as the time elapses.

[0256] Here, the elapsed time and the number of payouts in the first and second operation patterns in a 15-round jackpot game are compared. Note that balls can be fired at intervals of 0.6 seconds at the shortest.

[0257] First, when a jackpot game is played using the first operation pattern, the shortest time required for 10 balls to pass through the first specific winning port 1000a is 6 seconds. If the time required to continue this for 15 rounds is added to the opening time OP, the first interval time between rounds Int1, and the ending time RD, the time elapsed from the start to the end of the jackpot game is 141 seconds (= OP (10 seconds) + (T1 (6 seconds) + Int1 (2 seconds)) × 15R + ED (11 seconds)). In addition, the number of payouts is 2,250 (= 15 × 10C × 15R).

[0258] On the other hand, when a jackpot game is played using the second operation pattern, ten balls can be placed in the first specific winning slot 1000a in the first round, but only five balls can be placed in each slot from the second round onwards. The time that elapses from the start to the end of a jackpot game is 463 seconds (=OP(10s)+(T1(6s)+Int2(1s))+(T1(30s)+Int2(1s))×13R+T1(30s)+Int1(2s)+ED(11s)). Also, since only five balls can be placed in the round game R from the second round onwards, the number of payouts is 1200 (=(10C×1R+5C×14R)×15).

[0259] Therefore, when playing a jackpot game with the second operating pattern, it takes more than three times as long as when playing a jackpot game with the first operating pattern, while the number of balls paid out is about half, resulting in a drastic decrease in the time efficiency of winning balls.

[0260] This can increase the player's interest in jackpot games when playing with the first operation pattern. That is, the rarity value of jackpot A and jackpot a can be increased, and attention to the jackpot type notified for each jackpot can be increased, thereby increasing the player's interest in jackpot games.

[0261] Although the second inter-round interval time Int2 is set to 1.0 second, it is not limited to this and can be set to various values, and can also be changed for each round.

[0262] For example, the second inter-round interval time Int2 after the end of the first round of round play R can be set to 0.5 seconds, and the second inter-round interval time Int2 after the end of the second round of round play R can be set to 1.5 seconds.

[0263] In the round game R immediately after the second inter-round interval time Int2 is set to 0.5 seconds, only two balls are discharged from the storage flow path 1231, so for example, if 10 balls were stored in the storage flow path 1231 in the previous round, the round game R starts with eight balls remaining. Therefore, in the round game R of that round, only two balls can enter the first specific winning port 1000a, so the number of balls paid out will be small (30).

[0264] In the round game R immediately after the second inter-round interval time Int2 is set to 1.5 seconds, seven balls are discharged from the storage flow path 1231. For example, if ten balls were stored in the storage flow path 1231 in the previous round, the round game R starts with three balls remaining. Therefore, in the round game R of that round, seven balls can be placed in the first specific winning port 1000a, and a certain number of balls (105 balls) can be expected to be paid out.

[0265] The length of the second interval time Int2 between rounds can also be set to 2.0 seconds (or more). In this case, when the next round game R starts, there will be no balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231, and it will be possible to have 10 balls enter the first specific winning port 1000a, so it is possible to expect a large number of prize balls (150 balls) and a shortened progress time of the round game R.

[0266] <When operating in the third operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot c, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to operate the opening / closing plate 1300 based on the third operation pattern. When the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 in a closed state until a timer means (not shown) has elapsed a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds), and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R starts.

[0267] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, thereby causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0268] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the first round of round play R.

[0269] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0270] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0271] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the second round of round play R.

[0272] By discharging the balls during the first interval time Int1 between rounds, a state is created in which no balls remain inside the storage flow path 1231 at the start of the second round of the round game R, so that even from the second round onwards, a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) can be passed through the first specific winning port 1000a, and the player can receive the payout of that number of balls, and the round game R can be ended without waiting for the maximum length (30 seconds) of the first operation time T1 of each round. Therefore, the round game R can be progressed quickly and the player can receive the payout of prize balls in the same way as in the first operation pattern.

[0273] Thereafter, the third to tenth rounds of round play R are repeated in the same manner, with a first interval time Int1 between each round play R, and the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to open and close the first specific winning port 1000a.

[0274] When the 10th round of the round game R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the second interval time Int2 between rounds (1.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second interval time Int2 between rounds has elapsed, the 11th round of the round game R begins.

[0275] In the 11th round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0276] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the 11th round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the 11th round of the round game R.

[0277] Thereafter, the round games R from the 12th round to the 15th round are repeated in the same manner, with the second interval time Int2 between each round game R, and the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to open and close the first specific winning port 1000a.

[0278] By discharging the balls during the second inter-round interval time Int2, it is possible to create a state in which balls remain inside the storage flow path 1231 at the start of the round game R from the 11th round onwards. Therefore, from the 11th round onwards, a state in which the specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) cannot be passed through the first specific winning port 1000a may occur. In this case, the round game R ends only after the maximum length (30 seconds) of the first operation time T1 of each round has elapsed. Therefore, the progress of the round game R is delayed compared to the first operation pattern.

[0279] Furthermore, the number of prize balls paid out in each round of play is also reduced compared to the first 10 rounds. Therefore, the total number of payouts is reduced compared to the jackpot of the first operation pattern (1875 balls = (10C x 10R + 5C x 5R) x 15 balls), and the payout level (number or speed, etc.) in the jackpot game can be changed depending on which round of play is being played (depending on the timing).

[0280] In the third operation pattern, the number of payouts is large in the early rounds and decreases towards the end, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of payouts may be small at the beginning but increase towards the end, or the number of payouts may peak in the middle rounds.

[0281] Then, when the final round game R ends, the solenoid 1510 is controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot game ends as the time elapses.

[0282] According to this operation pattern, the degree of payout (number or speed, etc.) in a jackpot game can be changed depending on which round of round game R is played, thereby adding variety to the jackpot game and increasing the player's interest.

[0283] Furthermore, when a jackpot game is played using the third operating pattern, there is no change from the first operating pattern until the 10th round of round play R, so the player can play the jackpot game while still expecting to receive the number of payouts expected with the first operating pattern.

[0284] In addition, the second inter-round interval time Int2, which is set to 1 second in this embodiment, can be set to any value corresponding to each round for each jackpot type. For example, for one jackpot type, the second inter-round interval time Int2 of the third activation pattern can be set to 1.5 seconds for all, and for another jackpot type, the second inter-round interval time Int2 of the third activation pattern can be set to 0.5 seconds for odd-numbered rounds and 1.0 second for even-numbered rounds.

[0285] In other words, by further subdividing the jackpot type, it is possible to create various jackpot games with different second interval times Int2 between rounds. Therefore, from the 11th round onwards, the number of balls that will ultimately be paid out can be made unpredictable until the jackpot game ends, which can increase the attention paid to the jackpot game.

[0286] Also, the change in payout level may be made to correspond to the effect displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 2). For example, when a jackpot game is played using the third operation pattern, a running character is displayed on the liquid crystal screen, and in the beginning (early rounds) when the character has remaining stamina, the displayed character runs well, and in conjunction with this, many prize balls are paid out. On the other hand, as the character's stamina runs out (in the final rounds), the displayed character finds it difficult to run and starts walking, and in conjunction with this, fewer prize balls are paid out.

[0287] In this way, by matching the degree of payout of prize balls with the effects displayed on the liquid crystal screen, the player can easily empathize with the liquid crystal effects, and the player's interest in the big win game can be improved.

[0288] Furthermore, by performing a jackpot game using the second or third activation pattern described above, each round can be progressed based on the maximum value of the first activation time T1, allowing the jackpot game to proceed for a time longer than the predetermined presentation time. In other words, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a ball enters the first specific winning slot 1000a at an unexpectedly high speed, causing the jackpot game to end midway through the first playback of the video that is displayed on the LCD screen of the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 2) during the jackpot game and looped for the predetermined presentation time. This prevents the jackpot game from ending before the presentation during the jackpot is fully viewed.

[0289] It should be noted that the effects displayed on the LCD screen when a jackpot game is played using the second or third operation pattern are not limited. For example, in a mode in which a cheering message from a character (such as "Do your best next time") is displayed, by setting it so that the longer the jackpot game time, the more likely it is that a cheering message from a character with a lower appearance rate will be displayed, the more likely it is that a jackpot game using the second or third operation pattern will proceed without causing stress to the player (rather, with enjoyment).

[0290] On the other hand, the display may be designed to inflict more stress on the player. For example, consider a case in which a running character is displayed during a jackpot game, and the character is shown resting in a rest area during the inter-round interval. In the first activation pattern, the inter-round interval occurs every time a predetermined number of balls win, allowing the character to complete the run without accumulating fatigue. On the other hand, in the 11th round or later in the second or third activation pattern, if the predetermined number of balls do not win and the inter-round interval does not occur until the maximum value of the first activation time T1 (30 seconds) has elapsed, the display of fatigue accumulation can be performed without any discrepancy with the game mode (a display mode in which the time is controlled in advance regardless of the win mode). Furthermore, since the inter-round interval is short, the display can be created in which the character has no time to rest. Therefore, the player can be made to visually see the character getting exhausted, which can inflict stress on the player, thereby increasing the player's desire to make up for it in the next jackpot.

[0291] Furthermore, when a similar display is performed, the character may be shown hydrating in time with a win. In this case, while the first operation pattern allows the character to hydrate sufficiently, from the 11th round onward in the second or third operation pattern, the number of times the character hydrates (the number of wins) decreases compared to the first operation pattern, and the period during which the character runs (the period of the jackpot game) also becomes longer. As a result, the amount of water available for hydration becomes insufficient compared to the amount of sweat the character produces, and the character becomes increasingly tired. This can be achieved without any discrepancy with the game mode (in a presentation mode in which the time is controlled in advance regardless of the winning mode). This allows the character's state to correspond to the profit the player can obtain (the number of balls paid out, including time efficiency), and the player can easily understand the level of the jackpot the player has won (whether it is a medium win, a jackpot, or a super jackpot) through the presentation of the entire jackpot game.

[0292] Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 24 to 30. In the first embodiment, the number of balls that can be stored inside the first variable winning device 1000 is fixed, but in the second embodiment, the first variable winning device 2000 is configured so that the number of balls that can be stored inside can be changed. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same symbols and their description will be omitted.

[0293] Fig. 24 is a front view of the first variable winning device 2000 in the second embodiment, and Fig. 25 is a rear view of the first variable winning device 2000. In Fig. 24, a part of the storage flow path 1231 and the arrangement of the balls stored in the second storage flow path 2251 when a ball enters through the second specific winning port 2255a are shown by hidden lines.

[0294] 24 and 25, the first variable winning device 2000 includes an opening / closing plate 1300, a power transmission member 1400, and a drive device 1500 similar to those of the first embodiment, as well as a main body member 2100, a covering front plate 2200, a regulating member 2600, and a rear cover (not shown) that are slightly different from those of the first embodiment, and further includes a second variable winning device 2800 that is new to the second embodiment. Note that the second detection sensor 2255 of the second variable winning device 2800 includes a second specific winning port 2255a through which a ball that is the basis for payout passes during a jackpot game.

[0295] The second specific winning opening 2255a is a winning opening with the same function as the first specific winning opening 1000a. That is, when a special symbol jackpot occurs, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to a special game state, and the first specific winning opening 1000a or the second specific winning opening 2255a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed or until 10 balls have entered), and this operation is repeated 15 times (15 rounds). As will be described in detail later, the opening operation can be performed in multiple activation patterns (a fourth activation pattern and a fifth activation pattern). As a result, a large number of balls enter the first specific winning opening 1000a and the second specific winning opening 2255a, and thus a larger number of prize balls are paid out than usual.

[0296] In addition to the components of the main body member 1100 of the first embodiment (thin plate member 1110, storage section 1120, retaining hole 1130, protrusion 1140, discharge port 1150, rotation support section 1160 and support claw section 1170), the main body member 2100 mainly comprises a slide guide hole 2181 which is a through hole drilled in the thin plate member 1110, a retaining hole 2182 which is also a through hole drilled in the thin plate member 1110 and is configured to allow the second detection sensor 2255 to be inserted therein, a drive guide rib 2183 which has a pair of wall sections arranged parallel to each other along the surface direction of the thin plate member 1110 and extends in a straight line in the left-right direction, a transmission guide rib 2184 which has a pair of wall sections arranged parallel to each other along the surface direction of the thin plate member 1110 and extends in a straight line in the up-down direction, and an axis section 2185 which supports the transmission member 2830 of the second variable winning device 2800.

[0297] The slide guide hole 2181 is an elongated hole that guides the operation of the slide plate 2840 of the second variable winning device 2800. The holding hole 2182 is a through hole into which the second detection sensor 2255 disposed on the covering front plate 2200 is inserted.

[0298] Each rib 2183, 2184 is a rib that guides the sliding movement of the intervening rod portion 2850 and the transmission rod portion 2860, which are linked when the second variable winning device 2800 is driven.

[0299] The covering front plate 2200 includes the components of the covering front plate 1200 of the first embodiment (thin plate member 1210, side wall portion 1220, storage portion 1230, and detection sensor 1240), as well as a second storage portion 2250 connected to the upper right of the storage portion 1230.

[0300] The second storage section 2250 has a functional part on the back side of the thin plate formed at a surface position with the thin plate member 1210, and mainly comprises a second storage flow path 2251 having an upward opening and whose terminal end is connected to the middle of the storage flow path 1231, a second detection sensor 2255 arranged in the second storage flow path 2251 near the upper end of the second storage flow path 2251 with the opening aligned in the extension direction of the second storage flow path 2251, and an inclined surface 2257 which blocks the space between the front plate of the second storage section 2250 and the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 2100 at the left part of the opening of the second storage flow path 2251 when viewed from the front, and whose upper surface slopes downward to the left.

[0301] The second storage flow path 2251 is configured so that when the balls pass through the second detection sensor 2255 and are stored inside the second storage section 2250, the discharge outlet 1150 is blocked and the balls are stored, and the number of stored balls is a maximum of 14.

[0302] The second detection sensor 2255 has a second specific winning opening 2255a and is a detection device that operates in the same manner as the detection sensor 1240. That is, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is switched and a ball enters the storage section 1230, the ball is detected by the detection sensor 1240, and when the second variable winning device 2800 is switched and a ball enters the storage section 1230 via the second storage section 2250, the ball is detected by the second detection sensor 2255.

[0303] The inclined surface 2257 causes balls to flow down toward the side where the opening / closing plate 1300 is located. Therefore, all balls that are blocked by the sliding plate 2840 and do not enter the second storage channel 2251 flow down along the inclined surface 2257 toward the channel formation portion on the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300. Therefore, during a jackpot game, regardless of whether the first specific winning port 1000a or the second specific winning port 2255a is open, a player can receive a large number of prize balls by playing right-hand if either the specific winning port 1000a or 2255a is open. Therefore, even inexperienced players can easily play.

[0304] The second detection sensor 2255 is disposed inside the second storage flow path 2251 with enough space to accommodate one ball upstream. Therefore, when the sliding plate 2840 is about to close (when the remaining ball passes the second detection sensor 2255, making the specified number), multiple balls flow into the second storage flow path 2251 in succession, allowing more than the specified number of balls to enter.

[0305] In addition to the configuration of the regulating member 1600 of the first embodiment (shaft portion 1610, extension portion 1620, and ball receiving portion 1630), the regulating member 2600 is provided with a second extension portion 2640 in which the shaft portion 1610 is further extended to the left and which is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical relationship with the extension portion 1620 when viewed in the plane direction of the extension portion 1620.

[0306] As will be described later, the second extension portion 2640 is a portion that receives a load when the second variable winning device 2800 is operating. By forming the second extension portion 2640, the regulating member 2600 can switch its state in conjunction with the operation of the second variable winning device 2800 or the opening / closing plate 1300, whether the second variable winning device 2800 performs a switching operation or the opening / closing plate 1300 performs a switching operation.

[0307] The second variable winning device 2800 mainly comprises a solenoid 2810 fixed to the back surface of the main body member 2100, a tip member 2820 that slides left and right when driven by the solenoid 2810, a transmission member 2830 whose one end is supported by the tip member 2820 and whose middle portion is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 2185, a slide plate 2840 that is connected to the other end of the transmission member 2830 and extends from the slide guide hole 2181 to the front side of the main body member 2100, a rod-shaped intermediate rod portion 2850 whose one end is fixed to the tip member 2820 and is arranged slidably inside the drive guide rib 2183, and a transmission rod portion 2860 whose one end is arranged at a position where it can abut against the intermediate rod portion 2850 and extends along the inside of the transmission guide rib 2184, and whose other end is arranged at a position where it can abut against the second extension portion 2640 of the regulating member 2600.

[0308] The intervening rod portion 2850 is guided in the left-right direction while movement in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is restricted by the drive guide rib 2183. In this embodiment, the pair of drive guide ribs 2183 are configured such that the longer the distance between the main body member 2100 and the thin plate member 1110, the closer they are to each other (the narrower the gap between them), thereby restricting movement of the intervening rod portion 2850 in the front-rear direction.

[0309] The transmission rod portion 2860 is guided in the up and down direction while movement in the left and right direction and front and rear direction is restricted by the transmission guide rib 2184. In this embodiment, the pair of transmission guide ribs 2184 are configured in such a way that the longer the distance between the main body member 2100 and the thin plate member 1110, the closer they are to each other (the narrower the gap between them), thereby restricting movement of the transmission rod portion 2860 in the front and rear direction.

[0310] The surfaces of the ends of the intervening rod portion 2850 and the transmitting rod portion 2860 where they come into contact are inclined so as to face the mating member, thereby enabling smooth transmission of force from the intervening rod portion 2850 to the transmitting rod portion 2860.

[0311] Figure 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 2000 taken along line XXVI-XXVI in Figure 25. As shown in Figure 26, the second extension portion 2640 of the regulating member 2600 has an opposing surface 2641 on the side facing the transmission rod portion 2860 that is configured to have a curved arc-shaped cross section, and the biasing force of a torsion spring (not shown) that biases the regulating member 2600 toward the discharge state is transmitted to the transmission rod portion 2860 via the opposing surface 2641. As a result, the transmission rod portion 2860 is maintained in the standby position in the state shown in Figures 25 and 26.

[0312] 25 and 26, it is impossible for a ball to enter either the detection sensor 1240 or the second detection sensor 2255. Below, the opening operation of the second variable winning device 2800 to make it possible for a ball to enter the second detection sensor 2255 will be described.

[0313] Figures 27(a) to 27(c) illustrate the operation of the regulating member 2600 and the second variable winning device 2800 in chronological order. Figures 27(a) to 27(c) are partial rear views of the first variable winning device 2000. In Figures 27(a) to 27(c), for ease of understanding, configurations not necessary for explanation are omitted, and the state of the sliding plate 2840 changing from the closed state to the open state is illustrated in chronological order.

[0314] 27(a) shows a state in which the solenoid 2810 is de-energized and the tip member 2820 is disposed at a position farthest from the solenoid 2810, Fig. 27(b) shows a state in which the tip member 2820 is disposed at an intermediate position in the range of movement immediately after the solenoid 2810 is energized, and Fig. 27(c) shows a state in which the tip member 2820 is disposed at a position most attracted to the solenoid 2810 (the final position when the solenoid 2810 is energized). In the state shown in Fig. 27(a), the sliding plate 2840 constitutes a closed state that prevents a ball from entering the second detection sensor 2255, and in the state shown in Fig. 27(c), the sliding plate 2840 constitutes an open state that allows a ball to enter the second detection sensor 2255.

[0315] As shown in Figure 27(a), when the slide plate 2840 is in the closed state, the regulating member 2600 is in the discharge state. Therefore, when the solenoid 2810 is in the non-excited state, the regulating member 2600 can be prevented from entering the storage state by the action of the second variable winning device 2800. In other words, even when the second variable winning device 2800 is added as in this embodiment, it is possible to configure a jackpot game similar to that described in the first embodiment by using a control mode (for example, the control mode of the first embodiment) that does not cause the solenoid 2810 to operate (maintains it in the non-excited state).

[0316] Furthermore, if balls remain in the storage flow path 1231 or the second storage flow path 2251, the balls can be discharged from the first variable winning device 2000 by switching to the state shown in FIG. 27(a).

[0317] 27(b), when solenoid 2810 is excited, displacement of tip member 2820 causes slide plate 2840 to start to be displaced via transmission member 2830, and transmission rod portion 2860 to start to be displaced via intervening rod portion 2850. Here, in this embodiment, the abutting portions of intervening rod portion 2850 and transmission rod portion 2860 are arranged close to each other although slightly separated in the state of FIG. 27(a), so that the operation of slide plate 2840 and the operation of transmission rod portion 2860 start almost simultaneously.

[0318] When the transmission rod portion 2860 is pushed by the end of the intervening rod portion 2850 and displaced downward, the lower end of the transmission rod portion 2860 applies a load in the downward direction to the second extension portion 2640 of the regulating member 2600. As a result, the regulating member 2600 is pushed down slightly, and is placed in a state halfway between the discharging state and the storing state.

[0319] 27(c), when the tip member 2830 has moved to its final position, the intervening rod portion 2850 presses the transmission rod portion 2860 down to its terminal position, maintaining the regulating member 2600 in a storage state. As shown in FIG. 27(c), the intervening rod portion 2850 slides toward the transmission rod portion 2860 and moves to an extent that the inclined surface passes through the transmission rod portion 2860, thereby allowing the load applied from the transmission rod portion 2860 toward the intervening rod portion 2850 to flow in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the intervening rod portion 2850.

[0320] This makes it possible to prevent fluctuations in the load applied to the intervening rod portion 2850 along the movement direction of the intervening rod portion 2850 due to fluctuations in the load applied to the transmission rod portion 2860 via the restricting member 2600, and therefore prevents fluctuations in the load applied to the tip end member 2820 via the restricting member 2600, and therefore prevents fluctuations in the driving force of the solenoid 2810 for maintaining in an open state the slide plate 2840, whose state changes depending on the displacement of the tip end member 2820. This makes it possible to reduce the driving force required for the solenoid 2810.

[0321] Also, unlike the first embodiment, the displacement in the sliding direction caused by the solenoid 2810 is directly used as the displacement of the transmission rod portion 2860 to change the state of the regulating member 2600. This improves the responsiveness of the operation of the regulating member 2600 in response to switching of the excitation mode of the solenoid 2810. This allows for fine adjustment of the timing of the state change of the regulating member 2600, thereby preventing deviation between the control value of the number of dispensed balls specified for each inter-round interval time in a jackpot game and the actual number of dispensed balls and stabilizing the number of dispensed balls.

[0322] Figure 28 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 2000 taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in Figure 27(c). As shown in Figure 28, the tangent to the contact point between the lower end of the transmission rod portion 2860 and the opposing surface 2641 of the regulating member 2600 forms an angle with the movement direction (vertical direction) of the transmission rod portion 2860, so that the biasing force of the torsion spring (not shown) that biases the regulating member 2600 toward the position in the ejection state effectively acts on the transmission rod portion 2860.

[0323] Therefore, when the slide plate 2840 is displaced from the open state (see FIG. 27(c)) to the closed state (see FIG. 27(a)) and the restriction by the intervening rod portion 2850 is released, the force of the torsion spring can raise the transmission rod portion 2860, and the transmission rod portion 2860 can be maintained in the standby position (see FIG. 27(a)).

[0324] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter C2 and the big winning type of the special symbol in this embodiment.

[0325] The first winning type selection table 202b (see FIG. 29) in this embodiment is a data table in which judgment values ​​for determining the jackpot type are stored, and the judgment values ​​of the first winning type counter C2 are specified in association with each jackpot type and the type of ball entry port that triggered the lottery for the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot with a special symbol is determined to be a jackpot, the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first winning type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first winning type counter C2 is selected.

[0326] In addition, the type of jackpot that is specified in correspondence with the value of the first jackpot type counter C2 when a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 1 (lottery based on the ball entering the first ball entrance 64) is the same as that described in the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted. Below, we will explain the case in this embodiment when a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 2 (lottery based on the ball entering the second ball entrance 640).

[0327] Specifically, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to correspond to the range of "0 to 29" and is specified as jackpot d (see 202b21 ​​in Figure 29).

[0328] If jackpot d is achieved, 15 rounds of jackpot games are played using the fourth operation pattern (details of which will be described later) of the first variable winning device 2000. In this case, the player can receive a payout of approximately 2250 prize balls plus a limited increment.

[0329] The value of the first winning type counter C2 is set in the range of "30 to 99" so as to correspond to the big winning e (see 202b22 in FIG. 29).

[0330] In the case of jackpot e, 15 rounds of jackpot play are executed in the fifth operation pattern (details of which will be described later) of the first variable winning device 2000. In this case, the number of prize balls paid out to the player is 2250 prize balls plus a limited increase, but the difficulty of increasing the number of prize balls paid out is higher than in the fourth operation pattern, and depending on the timing of increasing the number of prize balls paid out, the time required for the jackpot play is configured to be significantly longer than in the case of jackpot d.

[0331] As described above, when a jackpot is won in the lottery for the special symbol 2 (a lottery based on a ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the operation pattern of the first variable winning device 2000 changes depending on the type of jackpot. By changing this operation pattern, the number of jackpot rounds remains constant, but the payout number can be varied and the time required for the jackpot game can be changed.

[0332] In this embodiment, in the case of a jackpot e, in a predetermined round game R (round games R from 1st to 7th rounds), if a specified number of balls or more enter the first variable winning device 2000, the amount of extra payout is deducted in the subsequent specific round game R (round game R from 8th round), and the time required to progress through the 8th round is maximized. On the other hand, in round games R from the specific round game R onwards, the additional balls paid out by entering the specified number of balls or more into the first variable winning device 2000 are configured to be acquired by the player without being deducted.

[0333] In this case, in the case of a jackpot e, the game method that allows the player to obtain the highest profit, including time efficiency, is to limit the number of prizes to the specified number until the eighth round, and aim to win more than the specified number of prizes in the round games R from the ninth round onwards, thereby increasing the number of payouts. Therefore, depending on the round number of the round game R, it is possible to switch whether it is advantageous or disadvantageous to throw more than the specified number of balls into the first variable prize-winning device 2000, and this can improve the player's ability to focus on the jackpot game.

[0334] Next, the opening patterns of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the second specific winning opening 2255a in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 30. Figure 30(a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the second specific winning opening 2255a in the fourth operation pattern, and Figure 30(b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the second specific winning opening 2255a in the fifth operation pattern.

[0335] When the MPU 201 (see FIG. 4) determines a jackpot in the special symbol hit determination, it starts controlling the determined type of jackpot game after the special symbol change display (symbol change performance) ends. Below, we will explain the operation control of the opening and closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 that is performed when a jackpot game is awarded.

[0336] <When operating in the fourth operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot d, the MPU 201 controls the driving of the solenoids 1510 and 2810 so that the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 operate based on the fourth operation pattern.

[0337] When the special pattern change display (pattern change performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510, 2810 so that the timer means (not shown) keeps the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 in a closed state until a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds) has elapsed, and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R begins.

[0338] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the second specific winning port 2255a, thereby causing the slide plate 2840 to operate for a long period of time.

[0339] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 to the closed state and close the second specific winning port 2255a, and the first round of round play R ends.

[0340] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoids 1510, 2810 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0341] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the second specific winning port 2255a, causing the slide plate 2840 to operate for a long period of time.

[0342] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 to the closed state and close the second specific winning port 2255a, and the second round of round play R ends.

[0343] As described above in the first embodiment, the first inter-round interval time Int1 is set as the time required for 10 balls to be discharged from the discharge port 1150. In this embodiment, depending on the timing of the passage of the balls through the second specific winning port 2255a, it is possible for more than 10 balls (for example, 11 or 12 balls) to enter the second specific winning port 2255a in each round game R. However, since the number of balls discharged from the discharge port 1150 during the first inter-round interval time Int1 is 10, at the start of the round game R immediately after more than 10 balls have entered the second specific winning port 2255a in each round game R, the excess number of balls remains in the storage flow path 1231.

[0344] In this embodiment, the maximum number of balls that can be stored when balls enter from the second storage channel 2251 side is 14. Therefore, in the jackpot game of jackpot d, the number of winning balls exceeding the specified number is limited to four throughout 15 rounds of jackpot game. Therefore, the upper limit of the number of payout balls exceeding the specified number (the number of payout balls due to over-winning) that can be won by a player playing the jackpot game of jackpot d can be limited to 60 balls (= 15 balls x 4C). This prevents the number of payout balls from fluctuating significantly depending on the game mode (the timing of the shot, the interval between shots, etc.). Therefore, a gaming machine can be configured that allows players to enjoy profits fairly, regardless of their experience level.

[0345] Thereafter, the round games R from the 3rd round to a maximum of the 15th round are repeated in the same manner, with the first interval time Int1 between each round game R, and the slide plate 2840 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to open and close the second specific winning port 2255a.

[0346] Then, when the final round game R ends, the solenoid 2810 is controlled to keep the slide plate 2840 in a closed state until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot game ends as the time elapses.

[0347] <When operating in the fifth operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot e, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510 and 2810 so that the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 operate based on the fifth operation pattern. When the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510 and 2810 so that the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sliding plate 2840 are kept closed until a timer means (not shown) has elapsed a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds), and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R is started.

[0348] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the second specific winning port 2255a, thereby causing the slide plate 2840 to operate for a long period of time.

[0349] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 to the closed state and close the second specific winning port 2255a, and the first round of round play R ends.

[0350] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 2810 to keep the slide plate 2840 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0351] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the second specific winning port 2255a, causing the slide plate 2840 to operate for a long period of time.

[0352] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 to the closed state and close the second specific winning port 2255a, and the second round of round play R ends.

[0353] As described above in the first embodiment, the first inter-round interval time Int1 is set as the time required for 10 balls to be discharged from the discharge port 1150. In this embodiment, depending on the timing of the passage of the balls through the second specific winning port 2255a, it is possible for more than 10 balls (for example, 11 or 12 balls) to enter the second specific winning port 2255a in each round game R. However, since the number of balls discharged from the discharge port 1150 during the first inter-round interval time Int1 is 10, at the start of the round game R immediately after more than 10 balls have entered the second specific winning port 2255a in each round game R, the excess number of balls remains in the storage flow path 1231.

[0354] Thereafter, the third to seventh rounds of round play R are repeated in the same manner, with the first interval time Int1 between each round play R, and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled so that the slide plate 2840 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, opening and closing the second specific winning port 2255a.

[0355] When the seventh round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 2810 to keep the slide plate 2840 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, and starts the eighth round of round play R after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed.

[0356] In the eighth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0357] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the eighth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the eighth round of the round game R.

[0358] Here, if more than the specified number of balls have passed through the second specific winning port 2255a in the round games R before the 7th round, at the start of the 8th round, a number of balls exceeding the specified number will remain in the storage flow path 1231, so in the round game R of the 8th round, only the number of winning balls obtained by subtracting the remaining number (the number of balls exceeding the specified number up to the 7th round) from the specified number can be won, so the payout of prize balls including the 8th round is uniformed to the payout of the specified number of prize balls up to the 8th round. In addition, since it is not possible to win the specified number of pachinko balls in the round game R of the 8th round, the game will move on to the next round after waiting for the lapse of 30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operation time T1.

[0359] As a result, the player suffers emotional damage from losing the extra prize balls paid out up to the seventh round, and time damage from the round game R in the eighth round being prolonged longer than necessary. This encourages players to play carefully up to the seventh round to avoid winning with more than the specified number of balls. Therefore, winning with more than the specified number of balls can be prevented, and the fairness of the game can be improved.

[0360] If there are no winnings exceeding the prescribed number up to the seventh round, the prescribed number of balls can be passed through the one specific winning port 1000a in the eighth round of the round game R, and the prescribed number of balls can be paid out, and the eighth round of the round game R can be ended without waiting for the maximum length (30 seconds) of the first operation time T1 of each round. Therefore, the prescribed number of prize balls can be paid out while the round game R progresses quickly.

[0361] Therefore, in the jackpot game of jackpot e, intentionally preventing winnings exceeding the specified number up to the seventh round will lead to the player's benefit. Therefore, the player's attention can be kept high in the game up to the seventh round.

[0362] When the 8th round of the big win game R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, and starts the 9th round of the round game R after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed. At the start of the 9th round of the round game R, it is possible to make it so that no balls remain in the storage flow path 1231.

[0363] In the ninth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the second specific winning port 2255a, causing the slide plate 2840 to operate for a long period of time.

[0364] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the 9th round of the round game R, the solenoid 2810 is driven and controlled to displace the slide plate 2840 to the closed state and close the second specific winning port 2255a, and the 9th round of the round game R ends.

[0365] Thereafter, the round games R from the 10th round to the 15th round are repeated in the same manner, with the first interval time Int1 between each round game R, and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled so that the slide plate 2840 is displaced between the closed state and the open state, opening and closing the second specific winning port 2255a.

[0366] Then, when the final round game R ends, the solenoid 1510 is controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot game ends as the time elapses.

[0367] In the round game R from the 9th round onwards, the opening and closing plate 1300 does not open or close, so the player can receive the prize balls paid out from the balls that enter the second specific winning port 2255a in excess of the specified number from the 9th round onwards without any deductions.

[0368] Therefore, when playing the jackpot game of jackpot e, the playing method that allows the player to obtain the greatest profit when considering profits including time efficiency is to prevent more than the specified number of winning balls from entering the second specific winning slot 2255a in the jackpot game R until the 7th round, and to aim for more than the specified number of winning balls in the second specific winning slot 2255a in the jackpot game R from the 9th round onwards.

[0369] That is, in each round of the round game R, by putting more balls than the prescribed number into the second specific winning port 2255a, the player can either gain a profit or suffer a loss. This allows different gameplay to be imparted to each round of the jackpot game, and can improve the attention of the player playing the jackpot game (preventing the player from playing the jackpot game aimlessly).

[0370] Furthermore, this operation pattern effectively limits the rounds in which a player can receive additional prize balls by having more than the specified number of balls enter the second specific winning port 2255a to the ninth round or later. This narrows the timing at which the number of balls paid out changes depending on the game mode (the timing of the shot, the interval between shots, etc.), preventing large variations in the number of balls paid out. Therefore, it is possible to create a gaming machine in which players can enjoy profits fairly, regardless of their experience level.

[0371] Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 31 to 37. In the first embodiment, the case was described where balls that reach the flow path forming section when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state and flow down to downstream of the opening / closing plate 1300 when it is in the open state fall as they are, but the first variable winning device 3000 in the third embodiment is configured to delay the fall of balls when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, allowing some balls to win in the first specific winning opening 1000a. Note that the same parts as in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same symbols and their description will be omitted.

[0372] Figure 31 is a front view of the first variable winning device 3000 in the third embodiment, Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 3000 along line XXXII-XXXII in Figure 31, and Figure 33 is a rear oblique view of the covering front plate 3200.

[0373] 31 to 33, the first variable winning device 3000 includes an opening / closing plate 1300, a power transmission member 1400, a drive unit 1500, a regulating member 1600, and a rear cover 1700 similar to those of the first embodiment, and also includes a main body member 3100 and a covering front plate 3200 that are slightly different from those of the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 32 illustrates the opening / closing plate 1300 in a closed state.

[0374] In addition to the components of the main body member 1100 of the first embodiment (thin plate member 1110, storage section 1120, retaining hole 1130, protrusion section 1140, discharge outlet 1150, rotation support section 1160 and support claw section 1170), the main body member 3100 mainly comprises an additional winning opening 3181 arranged on the front side of the thin plate member 1110 in a manner connected to the left wall of the covering front plate 3200 when viewed from the front, and a curved extension plate 3182 extending and curved upward from the left wall of the additional winning opening 3181 when viewed from the front.

[0375] The additional winning opening 3181 is a ball entrance that discharges balls flowing down the game area from the upstream side to the back side of the game board 13, and when a ball enters the additional winning opening 3181, a maximum of 15 prize balls are paid out. In this embodiment, the setting is such that 11 balls are paid out.

[0376] The curved extension plate 3182 is a plate that restricts the passage of balls flowing down the playing area by making the gap in the vertical view in the playing area equal to or smaller than the diameter of the ball, and is provided extending in a rib shape from the thin plate member 1110 to the front side. In addition, the curved extension plate 3182 is formed in a shape that slopes downward from the middle toward the left when viewed from the front, and slopes downward from the middle toward the right when viewed from the front.

[0377] In addition to the components of the covering front plate 1200 of the first embodiment (thin plate member 1210, side wall portion 1220, storage portion 1230 and detection sensor 1240), the covering front plate 3200 also includes a fall delay plate 3250 extending from the back surface of the thin plate member 1210 toward the back surface in the area between the side wall portion 1220 and the storage portion 1230.

[0378] The fall delay plate 3250 is positioned on the front side of the movement trajectory of the opening / closing plate 1300 to avoid interference with the opening / closing plate 1300, and mainly comprises an extended plate portion 3251 which is a linear plate-like portion parallel to the axial direction and disposed below the shaft portion 1320 of the opening / closing plate 1300 and extends vertically from the back surface of the thin plate member 1210, and a rolling arc portion 3252 which connects the upper surface of the extended plate portion 3251 to the thin plate member 1210 and has an upper surface formed from a concave curved shape.

[0379] The fall delay plate 3250 is elongated in both the left and right directions and is shaped to slow down the ball so that it takes about 2 seconds or more to flow down half the length of the plate (including flowing down due to bouncing or rolling).The opening / closing plate 1300 is shaped so that the ball flows down half the length of the plate in the left-right direction in 1 second or less.

[0380] As shown in Figure 32, the extension plate portion 3251 has an opposing surface 3251a, which is the surface facing the main body member 3100 and is inclined so that the closer it is to the detection sensor 1240, the longer the separation width from the main body member 3100 becomes, and an end surface 3251b, which is the surface facing the side wall portion 1220 of the accommodating portion 1230 and is formed with a gap between it and the accommodating portion 1230 that is equal to or greater than the diameter of a sphere.

[0381] The distance between the opposing surface 3251a and the front side wall of the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 3100 is less than the radius of the sphere in the portion located vertically below the center of the sphere when the sphere is positioned at the most upstream side (left side of Figure 32), switches to be greater than the radius of the sphere at an intermediate position (midway in the left-right direction of Figure 32), and is greater than the radius of the sphere but less than the diameter of the sphere in the portion located vertically below the center of the sphere when the sphere is positioned at the most downstream side (right side of Figure 32).

[0382] The rolling arc portion 3252 is configured in a shape such that a tangent drawn on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction at the end of the opposing surface 3251a runs along the front-to-back direction, and smoothly intersects with the thin plate member 1210 of the covering front plate 3200 (a tangent drawn on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction runs along the surface direction (extension direction) of the thin plate member 1210).

[0383] The radius of curvature of the rolling arc portion 3252 as viewed in the axial direction is set to be larger than the radius of the sphere, thereby reducing the resistance when the sphere rolls on the rolling arc portion 3252 in the front-rear direction.

[0384] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the closed state, the ball flows down the inclined surface 1237 of the front covering plate 3200, rolling and flowing down on the rolling arc portion 3252. As shown in Fig. 32, the ball flows down a path from the most upstream position Pf1 to a drop position Pf3, which is a position separated to the right from the rolling arc portion 3252 and just before the ball falls, passing through a downstream position Pf2.

[0385] In this embodiment, the distance between the opposing surface 3251a of the extension plate portion 3251 and the front side wall of the thin plate member 1110 of the main body member 3100 is less than the diameter of the ball, so the ball is prevented from passing through the rolling arc portion 3252 and falling until it reaches the drop position Pf3. Therefore, the ball does not fall from the rolling arc portion 3252 until it reaches the drop position Pf3. Below, the manner in which the ball flows down on the rolling arc portion 3252 will be described.

[0386] Figures 34(a) to 34(c) are cross-sectional views of the first variable winning device 3000 taken along line XXXIVa-XXXIVa in Figure 31. Figure 34(b) shows a ball positioned at upstream position Pf1, and Figure 34(c) shows a ball positioned at downstream position Pf2. The rear cover 1700 is not shown in Figure 34.

[0387] As shown in Figures 34(b) and 34(c), the ball rolling on the upper surface of the fall delay plate 3250 rolls back and forth along the rolling arc portion 3252 and flows down while abutting against the plate portion 1310, and the diameter length of the ball up to the abutment point with the fall delay plate 3250 (the length between the abutment point and the center of the ball when viewed in the axial direction) becomes shorter as it flows down.

[0388] That is, at the upstream position Pf1 shown in Fig. 34(b), the diameter r1 up to the part where the ball abuts against the drop delay plate 3250 is equal to the radius of the ball. On the other hand, at the downstream position Pf2 shown in Fig. 34(c), the diameter r2 up to the part where the ball abuts against the drop delay plate 3250 is shorter than the radius of the ball.

[0389] These diameter lengths r1 and r2 correspond to the radius of rotation of the ball when it is assumed that the ball rotates around an axis along the front-to-rear direction. In other words, if the rotation speed of the ball is the same, the shorter the diameter lengths r1 and r2, the slower the rolling speed of the ball (the more the ball is delayed). According to this embodiment, the opposing surface 3251a is inclined such that the distance from the main body member 3100 increases toward the downstream side. Therefore, the radius of rotation of the ball gradually decreases as the ball flows downstream (to the right in Figure 31) on the drop delay plate 3250. Therefore, the rolling speed of the ball can be reduced as the ball flows downstream on the drop delay plate 3250.

[0390] In addition, the extension plate portion 3251 extends along the rotation axis of the opening / closing plate 1300, and in Figure 34, which shows the axial view, the ball is displaced more downward in the state shown in Figure 34(c) compared to the state shown in Figure 34(b). In other words, the further the ball flows downstream on the drop delay plate 3250, the further the ball can be moved away from the first specific winning opening 1000a, so the ball flowing down the drop delay plate 3250 can be deflected away from the first specific winning opening 1000a.

[0391] This prevents the ball from flowing down the fall delay plate 3250 to the downstream end and then flying with the same momentum towards the first specific winning port 1000a, even if the opening / closing plate 1300 does not have a ball entry prevention section 1331 formed thereon, thereby preventing the ball from winning.

[0392] Next, referring to FIG. 35, we will explain the case where the opening / closing plate 1300 moves upward to the open state while the ball is rolling on the upper surface of the drop delay plate 3250. FIGS. 35(a) and 35(b) are partial front views of the first variable winning device 3000, and FIG. 35(c) is a partial cross-sectional view of the first variable winning device 3000 taken along line XXXVc-XXXVc in FIG. 35(b). Note that FIG. 35(a) illustrates the closed state of the opening / closing plate 1300, while FIGS. 35(b) and 35(c) illustrate the open state of the opening / closing plate 1300. In FIG. 35(c), the outline of the plate portion 1310 and the ball in the closed state of the opening / closing plate 1300 is illustrated by imaginary lines, and the rear cover 1700 is omitted. Also, FIGS. 35(a) and 35(b) illustrate an example of a ball entering the flow path forming portion of the first variable winning device 3000.

[0393] 35(a), when the opening / closing plate 1300 is closed, a ball that lands on the upper surface of the drop delay plate 3250 flows down to the right as viewed from the front along the extension direction of the extension plate portion 3251, and if the opening / closing plate 1300 remains closed, the ball will fall after reaching drop position Pf3. At this time, the action of the extension plate portion 3251 described above can gradually slow down the rolling speed of the ball, allowing the ball to be kept rolling for a longer time and increasing attention to the ball.

[0394] 35(b), when the opening / closing plate 1300 moves upward (rotates) toward the open state while the ball is rolling, the ball pressed against the rolling surface 1311 of the plate portion 1310 moves upward smoothly along the arc shape of the rolling arc portion 3252. As described above, the tangent to the surface of the rolling arc portion 3252 at the portion where the ball abuts at the start of the ball's movement faces in the front-to-rear direction, so that the movement of the ball can be made smooth when the opening / closing plate 1300 starts to move.

[0395] The downward flow direction of the ball when it moves upward and rolls down on the upper surface of the rolling surface 1311 is parallel to the downward flow direction shown in Fig. 35(a). Therefore, compared to when the downward flow direction of the ball changes to a completely different direction before and after the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300, the sense of incongruity felt by the player visually observing the movement of the ball before and after the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300 can be alleviated.

[0396] In this way, when the opening / closing plate 1300 is raised from a state in which the ball is positioned below the plate portion 1310 of the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state (see imaginary lines in Figure 35(c)), the ball is pushed back (backflows) above the plate portion 1310 of the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state, making it possible for the ball to win at the first specific winning opening 1000a. In other words, a ball that has been positioned below the opening / closing plate 1300 and is once unable to win at the first specific winning opening 1000a can be returned to a state in which it can win at the first specific winning opening 1000a by moving upward, thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0397] 35(a) and 35(b) both show a state in which the ball is positioned upstream of the detection sensor 1240, since there is still a possibility that the ball will pass through the detection sensor 1240. In other words, the action of the drop delay plate 3250 allows the ball to continue to be maintained upstream of the detection sensor 1240 even after the opening / closing plate 1300 is closed.

[0398] Furthermore, even if it becomes impossible for the ball to win at the first specific winning port 1000a, the ball rolling on the top surface of the drop delay plate 3250 will flow down in a direction approaching the first specific winning port 1000a, giving the player a sense of hope that the ball may win at the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby maintaining the player's attention.

[0399] As shown in Figure 35, by delaying the fall of a ball that reaches the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 when the opening / closing plate 1300 forms a closed state and allowing it to return to the rolling surface 1311 when the opening / closing plate 1300 next changes to an open state, it is possible to increase the possibility that a ball that reaches in front of the opening / closing plate 1300 during the interval time between rounds in a jackpot game will win the first specific winning port 1000a in the next round of play, and to reduce the number of balls that pass through the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 and enter the first outlet 66.

[0400] In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the opening of the opening / closing plate 1300 from being obstructed due to balls being placed on the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300. That is, in a structure in which balls can freely flow down the front side of the opening / closing plate, as in conventional gaming machines, there was a problem in that balls could get caught between the opening / closing plate and the glass plate when the opening / closing plate moved, thereby obstructing the opening of the opening / closing plate and causing a loss to the player.

[0401] In contrast, in this embodiment, the distance between the rotation axis of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the ball can be maintained (limited) substantially constant while the ball rolls on the upper surface of the drop delay plate 3250 in front of the opening / closing plate 1300. Therefore, compared to a case where the ball freely flows down the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distance between the ball and the rotation axis changes freely, the risk of the ball getting caught between the opening / closing plate 1300 and the glass plate and hindering the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300 can be reduced. Note that in this embodiment, the drop delay plate 3250 is formed in a manner that maintains the ball in a slightly higher position compared to a ball position where the ball gets caught between the glass plate and the opening / closing plate 1300 while the opening / closing plate 1300 is changing to the open state and the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300 may be hindered.

[0402] Figures 36(a) and 36(b) are schematic diagrams showing the flow-down patterns of balls that have reached the first variable winning device 3000. Figure 36(a) illustrates in chronological order the flow-down patterns of two balls that have reached the first variable winning device 3000 when the balls are hit continuously, and Figure 36(b) illustrates in chronological order the flow-down patterns of two balls that have reached the first variable winning device 3000 in a row by using a special hitting technique (so-called "twisting shot") in which, for example, the first ball is hit weakly and the second ball is hit strongly.

[0403] As shown in Figure 36(a), when balls are hit continuously and the first ball P1 and the second ball P2 reach the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 with a predetermined distance between them, when the opening / closing plate 1300 switches to a closed state as ball P1 enters the first specific winning opening 1000a, ball P2 can still be positioned upstream of the drop delay plate 3250.

[0404] Therefore, it is possible to ensure a long time for the ball P2 to completely flow down the fall delay plate 3250, making it easier to maintain the ball on the upper surface of the fall delay plate 3250 until the next time the opening / closing plate 1300 is opened.

[0405] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 36(b), when two balls reach the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 in a row, when ball P1 enters the first specific winning opening 1000a and the opening / closing plate 1300 switches to the closed state, ball P2 is positioned near a position just before the detection sensor 1240 (drop position Pf3), so it cannot wait until the opening / closing plate 1300 next opens, and ball P2 falls from the drop delay plate 3250.

[0406] In this embodiment, compared to a case where two balls flow down in a row using a special hitting technique, a case where two balls flow down with a predetermined interval between them using a continuous hitting technique (normal hitting technique) is more susceptible to the action of the drop delay plate 3250 (changing a ball that has reached the front of the opening / closing plate 1300 during the interval between rounds into a state where it can enter the first specific winning port 1000a). This makes it possible to suppress games using special hitting techniques such as twisting shots.

[0407] 37 is a partial front view of the first variable winning device 3000. In FIG. 37, the state immediately after the opening / closing plate 1300 changes from the closed state to the open state is illustrated, and the ball bouncing upward after colliding with the opening / closing plate 1300 is illustrated.

[0408] In this embodiment, when a ball lands on the opening / closing plate 1300 in the open state, the ball does not bounce as shown in Figure 37. Instead, the ball bounces in the manner shown in Figure 37 only when the ball that lands on the opening / closing plate 1300 bounces back while the opening / closing plate 1300 is moving upward.

[0409] The subsequent flow pattern of the bouncing ball is limited to either returning to the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 1300 or entering the additional winning opening 3181 along the curved extension plate 3182 as shown in Figure 37. Therefore, the player can receive a prize ball from the bouncing ball. This prevents a situation in which a ball that reaches the opening / closing plate 1300 at a special timing, such as when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the middle of switching to the open state, ends up entering the first outlet 66 and the player is unable to obtain any profit.

[0410] Furthermore, even when a ball wins in the additional winning opening 3181, a specified number of balls (10 in this embodiment) can be made to win in the first specific winning opening 1000a separately, so the payout for winning in the additional winning opening 3181 is a prize ball (additional profit) paid out in excess of the specified number. In other words, whether or not the ball reaches the front side of the opening / closing plate 1300 at the special timing when the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the middle of switching to the open state can make a difference in the profit that the player can obtain, so that the player's attention to the balls flowing down can be improved in a jackpot game.

[0411] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 38 to 43. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which a special symbol probability variable state (high probability state) is granted as an added value after the end of a jackpot, regardless of the difference in the flow-down pattern of the ball that entered the first variable winning device 1000. However, the first variable winning device 4000 in the fourth embodiment is provided with a probability fluctuation determination unit that determines the acquisition of the right to transition to the special symbol probability variable state (high probability state) based on the difference in the flow-down pattern of the ball. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same symbols, and their description will be omitted.

[0412] Figure 38 is a front view of the game board 13 in the fourth embodiment, and Figure 39 is a partial front view of the game board 13. Figure 39 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the first variable winning device 4000. As shown in Figure 39, in this embodiment, a transparent window is formed in the game board 13 below the storage flow path 1231 of the first variable winning device 4000, and the probability fluctuation determination unit 4800 arranged on the back side of the game board 13 is configured to be visible.

[0413] As shown in Figure 39, the first variable winning device 4000 has the same configuration as the first embodiment (main body member 1100, front covering plate 1200, opening / closing plate 1300, power transmission member 1400, drive device 1500, regulating member 1600 and rear cover 1700), and further has a probability fluctuation determination unit 4800 that is new in the fourth embodiment.

[0414] The probability fluctuation determination unit 4800 mainly comprises a connecting passage 4810 extending vertically downward as a flow path through which balls discharged from the discharge outlet 1150 flow, a probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 which is a bifurcated flow path connected to the lower end of the connecting passage 4810, a specific area 4830 arranged to communicate with the flow path on the left side of the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 when viewed from the front, a non-specific area 4840 arranged to communicate with the flow path on the right side when viewed from the front, a sorting device 4850 arranged so as to be able to interfere with the gaming balls at the branching point of the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820, a specific area detection sensor 4860 which detects the passage of gaming balls through the specific area 4830, and a non-specific area detection sensor 4870 which detects the passage of gaming balls through the non-specific area 4540.

[0415] The communication path 4810 is formed to a length that allows approximately one second to pass before the ball entering from the outlet reaches the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820.

[0416] The distribution device 4850 is disposed so as to extend inside the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820, and mainly comprises a distribution operation member 4851 which is operable between an open position which causes the balls to flow down into the specific area 4830 (forming an open state) and a closed position which causes the balls to flow down into the non-specific area 4840 (forming a closed state), and a solenoid 4852 which drives the distribution operation member 4851.

[0417] The probability fluctuation determination unit 4800 determines whether the player has the right to transition to the special symbol probability variable state (high probability state) only during a special round (the fifth round in this embodiment) during a jackpot game. In the special round, the distribution operation member 4851 is moved to the right for a time sufficient for the game ball to pass through. At this time, the specific area 4830 is in an open state, and the non-specific area 4840 is in a closed state. When the game ball passes through the specific area 4830, the game transitions to the special symbol probability variable state (high probability state) after the jackpot game ends. In this embodiment, in the high probability state of the special symbol, the probability of winning the normal symbol (second symbol) increases, making it easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance 640.

[0418] In this embodiment, in a low probability state of a special pattern, for example, a jackpot of a special pattern is determined with a probability of 1 in 99, and in a high probability state of a special pattern (special pattern special jackpot state), a jackpot of a special pattern is determined with a probability of 1 in 40.

[0419] When the game ball passes through the specific area 4830, after the end of the jackpot game, the special symbol is placed in a special variable state (high probability state) until 50 special symbol lottery draws are completed, and after 50 special symbol lottery draws are completed, the state is set to normal.

[0420] In this embodiment, five types of jackpots for special symbols are provided: "jackpot D," "jackpot E," "jackpot F," "jackpot G," and "jackpot f" (see FIG. 40). Details will be described later, but the opening pattern of the first specific winning port 1000a and the operating pattern of the distribution device 4850 are configured to differ depending on the jackpot type, and are configured to change the number of balls that enter the first variable winning device 4000 and the probability of acquiring the right to transition to a special symbol probability variable state (high probability state).

[0421] 40 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the first winning type counter C2 and the jackpot type for the special symbol. The first winning type selection table 202b (see FIG. 40) is a data table in which judgment values ​​for determining the jackpot type are stored, and the judgment values ​​of the first winning type counter C2 are specified in correspondence with each jackpot type and the type of ball entry hole that triggered the lottery for the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot for the special symbol is determined to be a jackpot, the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first winning type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first winning type counter C2 is selected.

[0422] Specifically, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 1 (lottery based on the ball entering the first ball entrance 64), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to the range of "0 to 29" and is associated with jackpot D (see 202b41 in Figure 40).

[0423] In the case of jackpot D, five rounds of jackpot games are played in the sixth operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive approximately 675 prize balls and can almost certainly acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0424] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "30 to 49" is defined to be associated with the big winning E (see 202b42 in FIG. 40).

[0425] In the case of a jackpot E, five rounds of jackpot games are played in the seventh operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive a payout of approximately 675 prize balls, and can rarely acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0426] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "50 to 79" is defined to be associated with the big winning F (see 202b43 in FIG. 40).

[0427] In the case of a jackpot F, five rounds of jackpot games are played in the eighth operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive approximately 675 prize balls and can almost certainly acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0428] The value of the first winning type counter C2 is set in the range of "80 to 99" so as to correspond to the big winning G (see 202b44 in FIG. 40).

[0429] In the event of a jackpot G, five rounds of jackpot games are played using the eighth operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive approximately 750 prize balls and can rarely acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0430] As described above, in the case of a jackpot based on the lottery for special symbol 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first ball entrance 64), there is a 50% chance that the player will be able to secure the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state). On the other hand, even in the remaining 50%, there is a rare chance that the player will be able to secure the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0431] On the other hand, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to correspond to the range of "0 to 94" and is specified as jackpot f (see 202b45 in Figure 40).

[0432] In the case of jackpot f, as in the case of jackpot D, five rounds of jackpot games are played in the sixth operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive a payout of approximately 675 prize balls and can almost certainly acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0433] The value of the first winning type counter C2 is in the range of "95 to 99" and is associated with the big winning g (see 202b45 in FIG. 40).

[0434] In the event of a jackpot g, five rounds of jackpot games are played using the tenth operation pattern of the first variable winning device 4000 and the distribution device 4850. In this case, the player can receive approximately 600 prize balls and, in rare cases, can acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0435] As described above, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special symbol 2 (lottery based on a ball entering the second ball entrance 640), there is a 95% probability that the first variable winning device 4000 and the allocating device 4850 will operate in the sixth operation pattern. At this time, the player will almost certainly be entitled to transition to a special symbol probability variable state (high probability state), which is more advantageous for the player than if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special symbol 1 (lottery based on a ball entering the first ball entrance 64). Therefore, in order to win a jackpot in the lottery for special symbol 2 (lottery based on a ball entering the second ball entrance 640), the player will play with the right hand during the special symbol probability variable state (high probability state).

[0436] During the special symbol probability change, the probability of winning the normal symbol increases, the normal symbol fluctuation time shortens (3 seconds), and the opening time of the electric device 640a when the normal symbol wins increases (1 second x 2 times). This makes it easier to get a ball into the second ball entrance 640, making it easier to draw the special symbol 2. Therefore, once a special symbol probability change state is reached, it is more likely to result in a special symbol jackpot, and if a jackpot is reached, the special symbol probability change state, which is likely to result in a jackpot f (a jackpot that almost certainly qualifies for a transition to the special symbol probability change state (high probability state)), is more likely to be repeated, making it easier for the player to win a large number of prize balls. This allows the player to play while strongly anticipating a transition to the special symbol probability change state, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0437] Next, the opening patterns of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the specific area 4830 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 41 to 43. Figure 41(a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the specific area 4830 in the sixth operation pattern, and Figure 41(b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning opening 1000a and the specific area 4830 in the seventh operation pattern.

[0438] When the MPU 201 (see FIG. 4) determines a jackpot in the special symbol determination, it starts controlling the determined type of jackpot game after the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends. Below, we will explain the operation control of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operation member 4851 that is performed when a jackpot game is awarded.

[0439] <When operating in the 6th operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot D or jackpot f, the MPU 201 controls the driving of the solenoids 1510 and 4852 so that the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sorting operation member 4851 operate based on the sixth operation pattern.

[0440] When the special pattern change display (pattern change performance) ends, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510, 4852 so that the timer means (not shown) keeps the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operating member 4851 in a closed state until a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds) has elapsed, and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R begins.

[0441] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, thereby causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0442] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the first round of round play R.

[0443] When the first round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the second round of round play R begins.

[0444] In the second round, similar to the start of the first round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0445] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the second round of round play R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the second round of round play R.

[0446] When the second round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the third round of round play R begins.

[0447] In the third round, similar to the start of the second round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0448] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the third round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the third round of the round game R.

[0449] When the third round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the second interval time Int2 between rounds (1.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second interval time Int2 between rounds has elapsed, the fourth round of round play R begins.

[0450] In the fourth round, unlike the start of other rounds, the timer means starts measuring the second operating time T2 (maximum 3 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0451] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is shifted from the closed state to the open state, the MPU 201 causes a timer means (not shown) to measure time until a predetermined third opening time OP3 (32.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the third opening time OP3 has elapsed, the MPU 201 moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (0.1 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the MPU 201 drives and controls the solenoid 4852 to hold the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to operate for a short time. This predetermined time is set as a time during which balls are not allowed to pass through the specific area 4830.

[0452] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (3 seconds, which is the maximum value of the second operating time T2) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fourth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fourth round of the round game R.

[0453] Here, the second operation time T2 is set as the time during which the specified number of balls cannot be placed into the first specific winning opening 1000a. In other words, in this embodiment, while balls can be fired at a maximum interval of 0.6 seconds, it takes 6 seconds to fire the specified number of balls. In other words, based on a standard estimate, only about five balls can be placed into the first specific winning opening 1000a in 3 seconds. Therefore, the fourth round of play R ends within 3 seconds, which is the maximum value of the second operation time T2.

[0454] On the other hand, in this operation pattern, in the interval immediately before the fourth round, only five balls are discharged from the discharge port 1150. Therefore, the storage flow path 1231 is filled with approximately five winning balls possible in three seconds, so it is possible to suppress the discomfort felt by the player due to the fourth round's round game R being shorter than the other rounds.

[0455] When the fourth round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fifth round (special round) of round play R begins.

[0456] In the fifth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0457] When the MPU201 displaces the opening / closing plate 1300 from the closed state to the open state, a timer means (not shown) keeps the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined second opening time OP2 (0.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second opening time OP2 has elapsed, the timer means moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the solenoid 4852 is driven and controlled to keep the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to operate for a long period of time.

[0458] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fifth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fifth round of the round game R.

[0459] The second opening time OP2 is set to a time longer than the time required for all of the discharged balls to pass through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 when there are fewer than seven balls discharged from the storage flow path 1231 (when the number of stored balls is up to six), while it is set to a time shorter than the time required for at least some of the discharged balls to pass through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 when there are seven or more balls discharged from the storage flow path 1231 (when the number of stored balls is seven or more).

[0460] In this embodiment, the fourth round of the round game R starts with five balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231, so even if the fourth round of the round game ends at the second operation time T2, the number of balls stored in the storage flow path 1231 can easily be increased to seven or more. Therefore, since the sorting operation member 4851 can be opened while the balls remain in the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820, the remaining balls can be caused to flow down to the specific area 4830. Therefore, the player can acquire the right to transition to a probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol.

[0461] Then, when the fifth round of round play R ends, the solenoids 1510, 4852 are controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operating member 4851 in a closed state until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot play ends as the time elapses.

[0462] Here, unlike the conventional technology, in this operation pattern, since it is not necessary to close the opening / closing plate 1300 while the distributing operation member 4851 is in the closed state before operation in the fifth round of the round game R, the opening / closing plate 1300 can be operated without any discomfort. This will be explained below.

[0463] In the prior art, if a specified number of balls enter the first specific winning port 1000a and the round game R ends before the distributing operation member 4581 starts to operate, there is a risk that a problem will occur in which the balls will not enter the first specific winning port 1000a even though the distributing operation member 4851 is in the open state, and the player will not be able to obtain the right to transition to the special pattern's probability state (high probability state).To prevent this, it was necessary to close the opening and closing plate 1300 while the distributing operation member 4851 was in the closed state before operation (it was opened twice within one round).

[0464] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the gameplay involves switching whether or not a ball that has entered the first specific winning port 1000a in the round game R of the round immediately preceding the fifth round can enter the specific area 4830.Therefore, even if a ball cannot enter the first specific winning port 1000a while the distribution operation member 4851 is in a closed state before operation, when the distribution operation member 4851 is in an open state, the ball heading toward the specific area 4830 has already entered the first variable winning device 4000, so the player can easily obtain the right to transition to a special pattern guaranteed state (high probability state).

[0465] Therefore, in this operation pattern, even while the distribution operation member 4851 is in the closed state before operation in the fifth round of the round game R, the opening / closing plate 1300 is in the open state, thereby preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable with the operation of the opening / closing plate 1300, and preventing the occurrence of a problem in which the player is unable to obtain the right to transition to a special pattern probability state (high probability state) due to the type of winning.

[0466] Furthermore, since the ball that has won the first specific winning port 1000a in the fifth round of the round game R stays in the storage flow path 1231 for the first operation time T1, it is possible to prevent the ball that has won the first specific winning port 1000a in the fifth round of the round game R from entering the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 while the sorting operation member 4851 is in the open state. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem in which whether or not a player can acquire the right to transition to a probability variable state (high probability state) for a special symbol changes depending on the state of winning the first specific winning port 1000a in the fifth round (special round) of the round game R.

[0467] <When operating in the 7th operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot E, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510 and 4852 to operate the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sorting operation member 4851 based on the seventh operation pattern. Note that the process up to the end of the third round of round games R is the same as in the case of jackpot D described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the driving mode of the sorting device 4850 is the same as that of the sixth operation pattern.

[0468] When the third round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fourth round of round play R begins.

[0469] In the fourth round, unlike the start of other rounds, the timer means starts measuring the second operating time T2 (maximum 3 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0470] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced from the closed state to the open state, the MPU 201 causes a timer means (not shown) to measure time until a predetermined third opening time OP3 (32.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the third opening time OP3 has elapsed, the MPU 201 moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (0.1 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the MPU 201 drives and controls the solenoid 4852 to hold the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to perform a short-time operation. Note that this short-time operation is set as an operation that does not allow balls to pass through the specific area 4830.

[0471] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (3 seconds, which is the maximum value of the second operating time T2) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fourth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fourth round of the round game R.

[0472] Here, the second operation time T2 is set as the time during which the specified number of balls cannot be placed into the first specific winning opening 1000a. In other words, in this embodiment, while balls can be fired at a maximum interval of 0.6 seconds, it takes 6 seconds to fire the specified number of balls. In other words, based on a standard estimate, only about five balls can be placed into the first specific winning opening 1000a in 3 seconds. Therefore, the fourth round of play R ends within 3 seconds, which is the maximum value of the second operation time T2.

[0473] On the other hand, in this operation pattern, in the interval immediately before the fourth round, 10 balls (all balls) are discharged from the discharge port 1150. Therefore, the storage flow path 1231 is not filled with the approximately 5 winning balls possible in 3 seconds, and the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced to the closed state with the winning balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231 in the 3 seconds.

[0474] When the fourth round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fifth round (special round) of round play R begins.

[0475] In the fifth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0476] When the MPU201 displaces the opening / closing plate 1300 from the closed state to the open state, a timer means (not shown) keeps the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined second opening time OP2 (0.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second opening time OP2 has elapsed, the timer means moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the solenoid 4852 is driven and controlled to keep the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to operate for a long period of time.

[0477] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fifth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fifth round of the round game R.

[0478] In this operation pattern, approximately five balls are discharged from the discharge port 1150 in the interval immediately before the fifth round of round play R, so unless, due to some rare cause, eight or more balls enter the first specific winning port 1000a within three seconds, the distributing operation member 4851 will be displaced after all of the discharged balls have passed through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820.

[0479] Therefore, when the distributing operation member 4851 is in the open state, no ball remains in the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820, and therefore the ball does not pass through the specific area 4830. Therefore, the player cannot acquire the right to transition to the probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol.

[0480] Then, when the fifth round of round play R ends, the solenoids 1510, 4852 are controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operating member 4851 in a closed state until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot play ends as the time elapses.

[0481] In addition, in this operation pattern, the operation mode of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operation member 4851 in the fifth round of round game R is the same as in the sixth operation pattern described above, so this operation pattern can also achieve the same effect as in the sixth operation pattern.

[0482] Here, the difference between the sixth and seventh operation patterns is whether or not the balls can be stored until the storage channel 1231 is nearly full during the fourth round of the round game R. In other words, depending on the degree to which the balls are stored, it is possible to predict whether or not the player will subsequently be able to acquire the right to transition to the probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol, and therefore it is possible to improve the player's attention to the balls stored in the storage channel 1231. This makes it possible to improve the player's attention to the first variable winning device 4000.

[0483] Furthermore, in the sixth operation pattern, if three or more balls enter the ball during the fourth round of round play R, the player will almost certainly acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state), but since the time for round play R is short, the more accustomed the player is to the game, the more likely it is that the player will miss out on acquiring the right to transition to a special symbol probability state (high probability state) even in the sixth operation pattern.

[0484] In other words, the difference arises from the fact that inexperienced players tend to play continuously during a jackpot, whereas more experienced players tend to avoid continuous play and stop playing between rounds to avoid wasting balls between rounds during a jackpot.

[0485] In more detail, in a continuous play mode, multiple balls are always flowing down near the opening and closing panel 1300, and a ball will enter the first specific winning slot 1000a immediately after the start of the fourth round game R, so there is enough room for three or more balls to enter within three seconds. Therefore, an inexperienced player can easily acquire the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state).

[0486] On the other hand, if the balls are stopped from being shot after the start of the fourth round of play R to prevent them from drifting down near the opening / closing panel 1300 during the interval period, it is true that wasted balls can be reduced, but the balls will not reach the opening / closing panel 1300 until some time has passed (for example, two seconds have passed) after the start of the fourth round of play R. Therefore, it becomes necessary to shoot three or more balls in the remaining one second, making it difficult to obtain the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state). Therefore, even players accustomed to playing can be encouraged to shoot continuously during a jackpot game.

[0487] In this way, the sixth actuation pattern has the inherent risk that the more experienced a player is, the less profit they can earn, depending on the manner in which the balls are shot. Therefore, regardless of whether a player is inexperienced or experienced, it is possible to encourage players to keep shooting during a jackpot, thereby ensuring fairness in the profits they can earn from playing.

[0488] On the other hand, for players who understand the risks and still choose to stop playing between rounds, the system can provide a jackpot experience requiring intense concentration not found on other pachinko machines. Specifically, by starting the shot between rounds by calculating backwards so that the balls flow into the first specific winning slot 1000a immediately after the opening of the first specific winning slot 1000a in the fourth round, the system can reduce wasted balls while also acquiring the right to transition to the special symbol's probability state (high probability state). In this case, the shot between rounds is stopped before the end of the third round play R, and the shot begins before the end of the third round play R. This requires advanced calculations to predict the timing of the balls entering the third round play R while also considering the randomness of the ball's flow during the third round play R. Therefore, if the timing at which the balls begin to enter the first specific winning slot 1000a is calculated correctly, the player's interest can be enhanced.

[0489] Figure 42(a) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port 1000a and the specific area 4830 in the eighth operation pattern, and Figure 42(b) is a diagram showing the time-lapse changes of the first specific winning port 1000a and the specific area 4830 in the ninth operation pattern.

[0490] When the MPU 201 (see FIG. 4) determines a jackpot in the special symbol determination, it starts controlling the determined type of jackpot game after the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends. Below, we will explain the operation control of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operation member 4851 that is performed when a jackpot game is awarded.

[0491] <When operating in the 8th operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game of the jackpot type F, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510 and 4852 so that the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distributing operation member 4851 operate based on the eighth operation pattern. Note that the process up to the end of the third round of round play R is the same as in the case of the jackpot D described above, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0492] When the third round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the second interval time Int2 between rounds (1.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second interval time Int2 between rounds has elapsed, the fourth round of round play R begins.

[0493] In the fourth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0494] When the MPU201 displaces the opening / closing plate 1300 from the closed state to the open state, a timer means (not shown) keeps the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined third opening time OP3 (32.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the third opening time OP3 has elapsed, the timer means moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the solenoid 4852 is driven and controlled to keep the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to operate for a long period of time.

[0495] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (3 seconds, which is the maximum value of the second operating time T2) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fourth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fourth round of the round game R.

[0496] In this operation pattern, in the interval immediately before the fourth round, only five balls are discharged from the discharge port 1150. Therefore, since the specified number of balls cannot be placed in the first specific winning port 1000a in the fourth round of the round game R, the fourth round of the round game R ends when 30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operation time T1, has elapsed.

[0497] When the fourth round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fifth round (special round) of round play R begins.

[0498] In the fifth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0499] When the MPU 201 displaces the opening / closing plate 1300 from the closed state to the open state, a timer means (not shown) keeps the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined second opening time OP2 (0.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second opening time OP2 has elapsed, the MPU 201 moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the MPU 201 drives and controls the solenoid 4852 to keep the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, thereby causing the sorting operation member 4851 to perform a long-term operation. Note that this opening operation is performed simultaneously with the opening operation due to the elapse of a third opening time OP3.

[0500] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fifth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fifth round of the round game R.

[0501] The third opening time OP3 is set as a time shorter than the time required for at least some of the discharged balls to pass through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 when seven or more balls are discharged from the discharge outlet 1150 (when the number of balls stored is seven or more) during the interval immediately after the fourth round of round game R has continued for the maximum time of the first operating time T1.

[0502] In this operation pattern, the fourth round of the round game R starts with five balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231, and therefore the fourth round of the round game R ends after waiting until the maximum value of the first operation time T1 is reached. Therefore, if seven or more balls are stored in the storage flow path 1231, the sorting operation member 4851 can be opened with balls remaining in the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820. Therefore, the remaining balls can be made to flow down to the specific area 4830, and the player can acquire the right to transition to a probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol.

[0503] Then, when the fifth round of round play R ends, the solenoids 1510, 4852 are controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operating member 4851 in a closed state until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot play ends as the time elapses.

[0504] In addition, in this operation pattern, the operation mode of the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operation member 4851 in the fifth round of round game R is the same as in the sixth operation pattern described above, so this operation pattern can also achieve the same effect as in the sixth operation pattern.

[0505] <When operating in the 9th operation pattern> In the case of a jackpot game in which the jackpot type is jackpot G, the MPU 201 controls the solenoids 1510 and 4852 to operate the opening / closing plate 1300 and the sorting operation member 4851 based on the ninth operation pattern. Note that the process up to the end of the third round of round games R is the same as in the case of the jackpot D described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the driving mode of the sorting device 4850 is the same as that of the eighth operation pattern.

[0506] When the third round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fourth round of round play R begins.

[0507] In the fourth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0508] When the MPU201 displaces the opening / closing plate 1300 from the closed state to the open state, a timer means (not shown) keeps the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined third opening time OP3 (32.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the third opening time OP3 has elapsed, the timer means moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the solenoid 4852 is driven and controlled to keep the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, causing the sorting operation member 4851 to operate for a long period of time.

[0509] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fourth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fourth round of the round game R.

[0510] In this operation pattern, in the interval immediately before the fourth round, only five balls are discharged from the discharge port 1150. Therefore, since the specified number of balls cannot be placed in the first specific winning port 1000a in the fourth round of the round game R, the fourth round of the round game R ends when 30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operation time T1, has elapsed.

[0511] When the fourth round of round play R ends, the timer means controls the solenoid 1510 to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 closed until the first interval time Int1 between rounds (2.0 seconds) has elapsed, and after the first interval time Int1 between rounds has elapsed, the fifth round (special round) of round play R begins.

[0512] In the fifth round, the timer means starts measuring the first operating time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 from a closed state to an open state, thereby opening the first specific winning opening 1000a, causing the opening / closing plate 1300 to operate for a long period of time.

[0513] When the opening / closing plate 1300 is displaced from the closed state to the open state, the MPU 201 causes a timer means (not shown) to hold the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state until a predetermined second opening time OP2 (0.3 seconds) has elapsed, and after the second opening time OP2 has elapsed, the MPU 201 moves the sorting operation member 4851 to the open position for a predetermined time (approximately 0.2 seconds in this embodiment), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the MPU 201 drives and controls the solenoid 4852 to hold the sorting operation member 4851 in the closed state again, thereby causing the sorting operation member 4851 to perform a short-time operation. Note that this short-time operation is set as an operation that does not allow balls to pass into the specific area 4830.

[0514] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or the specified number of pachinko balls have won) is met in the fifth round of the round game R, the solenoid 1510 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 1300 to the closed state and close the first specific winning port 1000a, thereby ending the fifth round of the round game R.

[0515] The third opening time OP3 is set as a time shorter than the time required for at least some of the discharged balls to pass through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820 when seven or more balls are discharged from the discharge outlet 1150 (when the number of balls stored is seven or more) during the interval immediately after the fourth round of round game R has continued for the maximum time of the first operating time T1.

[0516] In this operation pattern, the fourth round of the round game R is started with no balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231, so that a specified number of balls can be placed in the first specific winning port 1000a in the fourth round of the round game R. Therefore, it is possible to end the fourth round of the round game R without waiting for the maximum value of the first operation time T1 to be reached. However, if the fourth round of the round game R is ended without waiting for the maximum value of the first operation time T1 to be reached, as in the case where the fourth round of the round game R is ended by the specified number of balls being placed, in many cases, the balls discharged from the discharge port 1150 immediately thereafter pass through the probability fluctuation determination flow path 4820, and then the distributing operation member 4851 is displaced.

[0517] On the other hand, when the distributing operation member 4851 waits until the maximum value of the first operation time T1 for the fourth round of the round game R to end, if seven or more balls are discharged in the interval immediately thereafter, the balls can be caused to flow down into the specific area 4830. Therefore, the player can acquire the right to transition to a special symbol probability variable state (high probability state) by having the specified number of balls enter the first specific winning port 1000a just before the end of the fourth round of the round game R, rather than rushing to win the specified number of balls.

[0518] Alternatively, the player can obtain the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state) by ending the fifth round of round play R immediately after the fourth round at the appropriate timing, thereby causing the balls discharged in the interval immediately after the fifth round of round play R to flow down into a specific area.

[0519] In this way, according to this operation pattern, depending on the player's discretion (selection of the timing of the ball entering the first specific winning port 1000a, etc.), the player can determine whether or not he or she can obtain the right to transition to a special pattern probability state (high probability state).

[0520] Then, when the fifth round of round play R ends, the solenoids 1510, 4852 are controlled to keep the opening / closing plate 1300 and the distribution operating member 4851 in a closed state until the timer means has elapsed the first interval time Int1 between rounds and the ending time ED (11 seconds), and the jackpot play ends as the time elapses.

[0521] Here, the difference between the eighth and ninth actuation patterns is whether or not the actuation time of the fourth round of round game R is designated. When the actuation time is designated (in the case of the eighth actuation pattern), by continuing to let the ball enter the first specific winning port 1000a, the player can acquire the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state) no matter how the game is played, so the player can play with peace of mind.

[0522] On the other hand, when the activation time is not specified (in the case of the ninth activation pattern), the player may be able to acquire the right to transition to the special symbol probability state (high probability state) by selecting the activation time himself depending on the game mode (by selecting when the specified number of balls will enter the first specific winning slot 1000a). This encourages players to concentrate on the round game R, improves their attention to the balls flowing down the game area, and gives the player a sense of exhilaration at achieving the probability state on their own. This can increase the player's interest.

[0523] A feature of the sixth to ninth operation patterns is that it is easier to acquire the right to transition to the probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol when the interval immediately after the third round of round games R is shorter than usual and the fourth round of round games R starts with balls remaining in the storage flow path 1231. In other words, it is possible to realize a gameplay in which it is easier to acquire the right to transition to the probability variable state (high probability state) of the special symbol when there are fewer prize balls obtained in the fourth round of round games R.

[0524] On the other hand, if the interval immediately after the third round game R is long enough to discharge all the balls from the storage chann...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine comprising: a game area where balls flow down; a ball entrance through which balls flowing down the game area pass; a ball entrance switching means for switching between a first state in which balls flowing down from the upstream side of the ball entrance can be guided to the ball entrance and a second state in which balls flowing down from the upstream side of the ball entrance cannot be guided to the ball entrance; and a detection means for detecting balls entering the ball entrance, The ball entry switching means is configured to switch from a predetermined second state to the first state, and to switch from the first state to a specific second state, The gaming machine includes: a space forming means for forming a predetermined space in which up to a predetermined number of balls that have passed through the ball entrance can exist simultaneously; and a discharge means capable of discharging balls present in the predetermined space from the predetermined space, both when the ball entry switching means is switched to the predetermined second state and when the ball entry switching means is switched to the specific second state. The ball entry switching means is configured to be switchable to the first state when balls are present in the predetermined space, and all balls that enter the predetermined space in the first state are discharged from the predetermined space by the discharge means, regardless of the number of balls that have entered the predetermined space; The ball entry switching means includes a rolling section on which the ball can roll and a blocking section that can block the flow of the ball toward the ball entry port side, and the rolling section and the blocking section are configured to be able to operate integrally, The gaming machine is configured so that all balls that pass through the ball entrance enter the specified space, and is configured so that all balls that pass through the ball entrance are discharged from the specified space.

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