Game machine

Abstract

To improve operation accuracy of a game machine and facilitate its realization processing by increasing precision of an external signal used as a trial shooting test signal.SOLUTION: A movable member can be changed to one of an open state in which game balls can enter and a closed state in which game balls cannot enter, a control part can output, to the solenoid, a first control signal for operating the movable member with a first drive amount to be the open state or the closed state, and a second control signal for operating the movable member with a second drive amount smaller than the first drive amount and then turning to the open state or the closed state, and has an output control table for controlling output of the first control signal or the second control signal, and external signal output means does not output an external signal when the control part outputs the second control signal while it outputs an external signal when the control part outputs the first control signal, and determines whether the external signal output means outputs the external signal based on information on output control table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 51

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines, and more particularly to the technical field of gaming machines that are equipped with movable members such as normal electric devices and special electric devices, and solenoids that operate the movable members. [Background technology]

[0002] Some gaming machines are equipped with a movable member that can switch the winning hole between a closed state and an open state, and a solenoid that operates the movable member, such as a normal electric device that opens and closes a winning hole that serves as a starting hole, and a special electric device that opens and closes a winning hole that serves as a large winning hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-141929 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Movable members such as special electric devices and normal electric devices are movable members related to winning, and in test firing tests of gaming machines, a signal called a solenoid opening signal is used which indicates the open / closed state of the winning port by the movable member.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the accuracy of an external signal, such as a solenoid opening signal, used as a test firing signal, thereby improving the operational accuracy of a gaming machine. Another aim is to make it easy to improve the operational accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming machine of the present invention comprises a winning opening having a movable member, a solenoid for operating the movable member, a control unit for controlling the solenoid, and an external signal output means for outputting an external signal, wherein the movable member is changeable between an open state in which a gaming ball can be entered and a closed state in which a gaming ball cannot be entered, and the control unit is capable of outputting to the solenoid a first control signal for operating the movable member with a first driving amount to bring it into the open state or the closed state, and a second control signal for operating the movable member with a second driving amount smaller than the first driving amount and then bringing it into the open state or the closed state, and has an output control table for controlling the output of the first control signal or the second control signal, and the external signal output means outputs the external signal when the first control signal is output by the control unit, but does not output the external signal when the second control signal is output, and determines whether or not to output the external signal based on information in the output control table. For example, the control of the movable member by the second control signal may be performed as a ball-trap countermeasure control. In this case, the control time of the movable member is very short, and the state of the movable member does not change until it actually reaches the closed or open state. Therefore, if the output / non-output of the external signal is determined in conjunction with the on / off of the solenoid, it becomes impossible to generate a signal that appropriately indicates the open / closed state of the movable member. With the above configuration, the decision as to whether to output / non-output the external signal during ball-trap countermeasure control is appropriately made, and it becomes possible to generate a signal that appropriately indicates the open / closed state of the movable member as the external signal. In the present invention, the on / off determination process of the external signal is executed based on an output control table for controlling the output of the first control signal or the second control signal, and thus it is easy to realize the above-mentioned appropriate on / off determination process of the external signal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by improving the accuracy of the external signal used as a test firing signal, it is possible to improve the operational accuracy of the gaming machine and to simplify the process of achieving this. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a gaming machine. [Diagram 2] 1 is an oblique view of the gaming machine when the front frame is open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gaming board of a gaming machine. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a preview performance. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the main processing on the main control side. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a main loop process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the main control side timer interrupt processing. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing normal pattern management processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal winning determination table. [Figure 11] A diagram explaining an example of a winning type, a fluctuation time, and a determination time for a normal pattern fluctuation display game. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the normal electric accessory management process. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating an example of various values ​​that are set during regular power release play. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a special symbol management process. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the starting port check processing. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation start processing. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing the jackpot random number determination process. [Figure 18] A diagram showing an example of a jackpot determination table. [Figure 19] A diagram explaining a jackpot random number determination method. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a symbol lottery process. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a design table. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern lottery process. [Diagram 23] A figure showing an example of a variation pattern lottery table. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing a special electric accessory management process. [Diagram 25] A diagram showing various setting values ​​in jackpot games according to the type of jackpot. [Figure 26] This is a flowchart showing the jackpot start processing. [Figure 27] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of starting operation of a special electric device. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing the processing performed when a special electric device is in operation. [Figure 29] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether or not a special electric device will continue to operate. [Diagram 30] This is a flowchart showing the jackpot end processing. [Diagram 31] This is a diagram explaining the game status, the number of time-saving rounds, and the number of special rounds after the end of a jackpot game. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first electric device. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first electric accessory. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the first electric accessory. [Diagram 35] This is an oblique view of the second electric device. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the second electric accessory. [Figure 37] A partial perspective view of the second electric accessory. [Figure 38] This is an oblique view of the third electric device. [Figure 39] An exploded oblique view of the third electric accessory. [Diagram 40] A partial oblique view of the third electric accessory. [Diagram 41] This is an oblique view of the fourth electric device. [Diagram 42] An exploded oblique view of the fourth electric accessory. [Diagram 43] A partial oblique view of the fourth electric device. [Diagram 44] FIG. 2 is a power supply system diagram of the gaming machine. [Diagram 45] A diagram showing the circuit configuration provided on the game board connection board. [Figure 46] A diagram showing the circuit configuration provided on the game board connection board. [Figure 47] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration provided on a main control board. [Figure 48] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration provided on a main control board. [Figure 49] FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of ball jamming during closing. [Figure 51] 13 is a timing chart for explaining ball-trap prevention processing for special electric devices. [Figure 52] FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the ball jamming prevention process for normal electric accessories. [Figure 53] This is an explanatory diagram of the first, second, and third patterns for special electric props. [Figure 54] This is an explanatory diagram of the first, second, and third patterns for normal electric parts. [Figure 55] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table for generating special electric prop data used in the first pattern. [Figure 56] 13 is a flowchart showing the process (S625) for setting the opening and closing operation of the large prize opening corresponding to the first pattern. [Figure 57] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a table for generating special electric prop data used in the second pattern. [Figure 58] 13 is a flowchart showing the process (S625A) for setting the opening and closing operation of the large prize opening corresponding to the second pattern. [Figure 59]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a table for generating special electric prop data used in the third pattern. [Figure 60] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table for generating data on normal electric props used in the first pattern. [Figure 61] A figure showing an example of a table for generating normal electric prop data used in the second pattern. [Figure 62] A figure showing an example of a table for generating normal electric prop data used in the third pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings. <1. Structure of the gaming machine> <2. Control configuration of gaming machine> [2.1 Main control board] [2.2 Performance control board] <3. Overview of operation> [3.1 Game Status] [3.2 Game with changing symbols] [3.3 About the jackpot] [3.4 About the production] <4. Processing the main control board> [4.1 Main control side main processing] [4.2 Main control side timer interrupt processing] <5. Structure of electric accessories> [5.1 First Electric Device] [5.2 Second Electric Device] [5.3 The third motorized device] [5.4 The fourth electric device] <6. Configuration examples of gaming machines> <7. Board connection configuration> [7.1 Connection status of each board] [7.2 Circuit configuration of the first game board connection board] [7.3 Circuit configuration of the second game board connection board] [7.4 Circuit configuration of main control board] <8. Other examples of gaming machine configurations> <9. Measures to prevent ball biting> [9.1 Ball-trapping prevention method as an embodiment] [9.2 Methods for preventing ball jamming] (First pattern) (Second pattern) (Third pattern) (Method of realizing the normal power equipment side) <10. Variations>

[0010] <1. Structure of the gaming machine> The overall structure of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment when the front frame 4 is opened.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 comprises a wooden outer frame 2, an inner frame 3 attached to the outer frame 2 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable, and a front frame 4 attached to the inner frame 3 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable. The inner frame 3 is formed in a picture frame shape, and holds inside the inner frame 3 a game board 5. On the rear side of the game board 5, various control boards (see FIG. 4) for controlling game operations are arranged.

[0012] The front frame 4 holds a transparent glass 6 in the center, and a side unit 7 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the transparent glass 6 entirely or partially. The side unit 7 itself is given a decorative shape that matches the theme of the gaming machine 1, and may be equipped with LEDs, gimmicks, and other presentation elements inside, providing a presentation effect that conveys the atmosphere of the game to the player. The side unit 7 is a unit that is attached to the front frame 4 in a replaceable manner.

[0013] A key cylinder (not shown) for unlocking the door is provided on the front side of the front frame 4. By inserting a key into this key cylinder and operating it to one side, the locked state of the front frame 4 relative to the inner frame 3 is released, allowing the front frame 4 to be opened to the front. By operating it to the other side, the locked state of the inner frame 3 relative to the outer frame 2 is released, allowing the inner frame 3 to be opened to the front.

[0014] A front operation panel 8 is disposed below the front frame 4. An upper tray unit 9 is provided on the front operation panel 8, and an upper tray 10 is formed in the upper tray unit 9 to store the discharged game balls.

[0015] The upper tray unit 9 is also provided with a ball lending button 11 for requesting the payment of game balls from a game ball lending device (not shown), a card return button 12 for requesting the return of a valuable medium inserted into the game ball lending device, and a ball removal button 13 for removing game balls stored in the upper tray 10 downward from the gaming machine 1.

[0016] The upper tray unit 9 is also provided with an operation section 14 (see FIG. 4) that is configured to be operable by the player. The operation section 14 is configured to include a performance button 14a, a cross key 14b, and a decision button 14c. The performance button 14a has a built-in lamp (button LED 49) that lights up during a specified input reception period, making it operable (input reception possible), and it is possible to bring about a change in the performance by performing a specified operation (pressing, tapping repeatedly, pressing and holding, etc.) while the built-in lamp is lit. The cross key 14b is an operator that allows a user such as a player or hall staff to select various items, give direction instructions, etc. The enter button 14c is an operator that issues an instruction to enter a selected item.

[0017] A firing operation handle 15 for operating a firing device 44 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 8.

[0018] A plurality of decorative lamps 16 (for example, full-color LEDs for light presentation) that provide a light presentation effect through light decoration are provided at appropriate positions on the front frame 4. A plurality of the decorative lamps 16 are provided around the gaming machine 1, for example, on the periphery of the front frame 4 or within the side unit 7.

[0019] Additionally, speakers 17 are provided on both sides of the upper portion of the inner frame 3 and above the firing operation handle 15 to produce sound effects (sound effects). The multiple speakers 17 enable so-called stereophonic reproduction or multi-channel sound reproduction for sounds related to the performance.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the game board 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the game board 5. The illustrated game board 5 has a ball guide rail 18 that guides the launched game ball attached in a ring shape as a board surface partition member, and the approximately circular area surrounded by this ball guide rail 18 is the game area 19, while the four corners are non-game areas. The game area 19 is a space formed between the game board 5 and the transparent glass 6, and is an area where game balls can flow down.

[0021] Approximately in the center of this game area 19, there is provided a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 20 which is capable of independently performing variable display operations (variable display and stationary display) of multiple types of decorative patterns (for example, a left pattern (corresponding to the left display area), a middle pattern (corresponding to the middle display area), and a right pattern (corresponding to the right display area)) using numbers, characters, symbols, etc. in, for example, three (left, middle, right) display areas (variable pattern display areas). Under the control of a performance control board 41 described later, the liquid crystal display device 20 displays various performances as images in addition to the varying display operation of decorative symbols.

[0022] In addition, a center ornament 21 is provided in the center of the game area 19 so as to surround at a distance the periphery of the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 20. The center ornament 21 is provided along the front side of the game board 5, and protects the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 20 from collision with game balls, and also functions as a flow path distribution means that enables the flow path of the game ball to be distributed to the left or right depending on the strength or stroke length of the game ball's launch. In this embodiment, the center ornament 21 is disposed at approximately the center of the play area 19, and divides the play area 19 into a left play area 19a and a right play area 19b on the left and right sides. A game ball launched by the launching device 44 with a launch strength less than a predetermined value flows down the left play area 19a, and a game ball launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than the predetermined value flows down the right play area 19b.

[0023] The non-play area at the bottom of the game board 5 is a display area for various functions, and is provided with a special symbol display device 22a and a special symbol display device 22b using dot displays. In addition, various function display sections including the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b are shown in an enlarged scale in FIG.

[0024] The special symbol display devices 22a and 22b are adapted to execute a special symbol variable display game by the variable display operation of the "special symbol" expressed by the dot display device. The liquid crystal display device 20 is adapted to execute a decorative symbol variable display game together with various preview effects (effect images) by displaying decorative symbols variably in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbols by the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b.

[0025] The various function display section is also provided with a composite display device 22c, which is made up of a dot display device, just like the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b. It is called a composite display device because it is a reserved / time-saving / high-probability composite display device (hereinafter simply referred to as a "composite display device") that has five display functions, namely, displaying the first special symbol (hereinafter, the first special symbol is referred to as "special symbol 1" and sometimes abbreviated as "special symbol 1"), the second special symbol (hereinafter, the second special symbol is referred to as "special symbol 2" and sometimes abbreviated as "special symbol 2"), the number of reserved balls for normal symbols, and notifying the status during the time-saving state and the high-probability state.

[0026] The various function display section is also provided with a composite display device 22d, which is also made up of a dot display. In this composite display device 22d, a round number display is performed to notify the specified number of rounds (maximum number of rounds) related to a big win by a combination of the on / off states of the four LEDs. In addition, in the composite display device 22d, a normal symbol variable display game is executed by a variable display operation of a normal symbol represented by one LED as a normal symbol display. In addition, the composite display device 22d is configured to display a right-hand hit indication using three LEDs. The right-hand hit indication indicates that it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the game ball toward the right game area 19b than to shoot the game ball toward the left game area 19a.

[0027] A first start hole 23 is provided in the center of the game board 5 and below the liquid crystal display device 20. Inside the first start hole 23, a first start hole detection sensor 23a (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of a game ball is provided. Further, a second starting hole 24 is provided in the right game area 19b, and a second starting hole detection sensor 24a (see FIG. 3) that detects the passage of a game ball is provided inside the second starting hole 24.

[0028] The first starting hole 23 is a winning hole related to the starting condition of the variable display operation of the special symbol 1 in the special symbol display device 22a, and is configured as a fixed starting hole without a starting hole opening / closing means (means for opening or enlarging the starting hole). In this embodiment, due to the action of a game ball drop direction changing member (for example, a game nail, a windmill, a center ornament 21, etc.) in the game area 19, the first starting hole 23 is configured to be easy for a game ball rolling in the left game area 19a to enter, but is configured to be difficult or impossible for a game ball rolling in the right game area 19b to enter.

[0029] The second starting port 24 is a winning port related to the starting conditions for the variable display operation of the special pattern 2 in the special pattern display device 22b, and is configured as a variable starting port whose opening and closing is controlled by a normal electric device 25. The normal electric device 25 is controlled to an open state that allows a game ball to enter the second starting hole 24, and a closed state that makes it difficult or impossible for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 24. In this embodiment, the second starting hole 24 is provided in the right playing area 19b, and only game balls that have rolled in the right playing area 19b can enter the hole, but game balls that have rolled in the left playing area 19a may also be allowed to enter the hole.

[0030] In addition, above the second starting hole 24, that is, above the middle part of the right game area 19b, a normal symbol gate 26 through which the game ball can pass is provided. This normal symbol gate 26 is a winning hole related to the variable display operation of the normal symbol in the composite display device 22d, and inside it is provided a normal symbol gate detection sensor 26a (see FIG. 4) that detects the game ball passing through. In this embodiment, the normal symbol gate 26 is provided only in the right game area 19b, and only the game ball that has rolled in the right game area 19b can enter. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided only in the left game area 19a, or may be provided in both.

[0031] A first large prize opening 27 and a second large prize opening 28 are provided below the second starting opening 24 in the right game area 19b. The first large prize opening 27 and the second large prize opening 28 are arranged in a position where only game balls rolling in the right game area 19b can enter. However, the first large prize opening 27 and the second large prize opening 28 may be arranged so that only game balls rolling in the left game area 19a can enter, or so that game balls rolling in the left game area 19a and the right game area 19b can enter. The first large prize opening 27 is controlled to open and close by a first special electric device 29. The first special electric device 29 is controlled to an open state that allows a game ball to enter the first large prize opening 27, and a closed state that makes it difficult or impossible for a game ball to enter the first large prize opening 27. The second large prize opening 28 is controlled to open and close by a second special electric device 30. The second special electric device 30 is controlled to an open state that allows the game ball to enter the second large prize opening 28, and a closed state that makes it difficult or impossible for the game ball to enter the second large prize opening 28. Inside the first large prize opening 27 and the second large prize opening , a first large prize opening detection sensor 27a and a second large prize opening detection sensor a (see FIG. 4) are provided, respectively, for detecting the passage of a gaming ball.

[0032] A plurality of general winning openings 31 are provided on the left and right lower sides of the game area 19, and a general winning opening detection sensor 31a (see FIG. 4) is provided inside each of the general winning openings 31 for detecting the passage of game balls. Additionally, within the area of ​​the game board, movable parts (not shown) that create visual effects are arranged in positions that do not interfere with the rolling of the game ball.

[0033] In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when a gaming ball enters one of the various winning holes provided in the gaming area 19, the number of prize balls set for the winning hole into which the gaming ball entered (for example, 3 balls for the first start hole 23, 1 ball for the second start hole 24, 15 balls for the first large winning hole 27 and the second large winning hole 28, and 5 balls for the general winning hole 31) is paid out from the gaming ball payout device 46 (see FIG. 4). Gaming balls that do not enter any of the winning holes are discharged from the gaming area 19 via the outlet 32.

[0034] <2. Control configuration of gaming machine> Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 1. A configuration (control configuration) for realizing game operation control of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 4. The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is composed of a main control board 40 that is responsible for overall control of all gaming operations (gaming operation control), a presentation control board 41 that receives presentation control commands from the main control board 40 and is responsible for overall control of the execution of presentations by the presentation means, a payout control board 42 that controls the payout of prize balls, and a power supply board 200 (see Figure 44) that generates and supplies the power supply voltage required for the gaming machine 1 from an external power source (not shown).

[0035] [2.1 Main control board] The main control board 40 is equipped with a microprocessor that has a built-in CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40a (main control CPU), as well as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 40b (main control ROM) that stores a control program that describes the game operation control procedures, as well as various data necessary for game operation control, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 40c (main control RAM) that functions as a work area and buffer memory, and as a whole constitutes a microcomputer.

[0036] Although not shown, the main control board 40 also includes a CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) for implementing periodic interrupts, a constant periodic pulse output creation function (bit rate generator), and a time measurement function, an interrupt controller circuit that performs interrupt enable / disable functions such as a timer interrupt that provides an interrupt signal to the CPU 40a, a reset circuit that can detect power-on / off or power abnormalities and output a system reset signal to reset the CPU 40a, a watchdog timer (WDT) circuit that monitors for abnormal operation of the control program, an IAT (Inhibit Running Outside Designated Area) circuit that monitors whether the program is being executed correctly within a preset address range, and a counter circuit for generating random numbers within a certain range in hardware.

[0037] The counter circuit includes a random number generating circuit that generates random numbers, and a sampling circuit that samples random numbers from the random number generating circuit at a predetermined timing, and functions as a 16-bit counter as a whole. The CPU 40a sends an instruction to the sampling circuit according to the processing state, thereby obtaining the value indicated by the random number generating circuit as a random number for jackpot determination (0 to 65535), and uses the random number for jackpot determination for the jackpot lottery (win / lose lottery). The random number for jackpot determination is obtained by adding a soft random number value generated by appropriate software processing and a hard random number value in order to prevent cheating such as aiming for a win.

[0038] The main control board 40 is connected to a first start opening detection sensor 23a that detects balls entering the first start opening 23, a second start opening detection sensor 24a that detects winning at the second start opening 24, a normal pattern gate detection sensor 26a that detects passage through the normal pattern gate 26, a first large prize opening detection sensor 27a that detects winning at the first large prize opening 27, a second large prize opening detection sensor 28a that detects winning at the second large prize opening 28, a general prize opening detection sensor 31a that detects winning at the general prize opening 31, and an OUT monitoring sensor 32a that detects game balls (out balls) discharged from the game area 19, and the main control board 40 is capable of receiving detection signals output from these. The main control board 40 is capable of grasping which winning opening the game ball has entered based on the detection signals from each sensor.

[0039] In addition, the main control board 40 is connected to a normal electric device solenoid 25a that operates the normal electric device 25 that opens and closes the second starting opening 24, a first special electric device solenoid 29a that operates the first special electric device 29 that opens and closes the first large winning opening 27, and a second special electric device solenoid 30a that operates the second special electric device 30 that opens and closes the second large winning opening 28, and the main control board 40 is capable of transmitting control signals to control these.

[0040] The special pattern display device 22a and the special pattern display device 22b are connected to the main control board 40, and the main control board 40 is capable of transmitting control signals for controlling the display of the special patterns 1 and 2. In addition, the composite display device 22c and the composite display device 22d are connected to the main control board 40, and the main control board 40 is capable of transmitting control signals for controlling the display of various information displayed on the composite display device 22c and the composite display device 22d.

[0041] The setting key switch 33 and the RAM clear switch 34 are connected to the main control board 40, and are capable of receiving detection signals from these switches. The setting key switch 33 and the RAM clear switch 34 are provided at appropriate positions inside the gaming machine 1. For example, they may be disposed on the main control board 40.

[0042] The setting key switch 33 is a key switch for switching to a setting change mode (when turned ON) by inserting a setting key held by a waiter and turning it ON / OFF when the power is turned on.

[0043] The RAM clear switch 34 is, for example, a push button type switch for inputting an instruction to initialize a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 40c. The RAM clear switch 34 is turned ON / OFF in response to the operation of a RAM clear button that is operable when the front frame 4 is open.

[0044] In addition, the main control board 40 is connected to a setting / performance display 35 . The setting / performance display 35 is configured with, for example, a seven-segment display, and functions as a display means capable of displaying setting values ​​and performance information described later. The setting / performance display 35 is mounted, for example, at a position on the main control board 40 where it can be easily seen. The main control board 40 is capable of transmitting control signals to the setting / performance display 35 for displaying setting values ​​and performance information.

[0045] A payout control board 42 is connected to the main control board 40, and when it is necessary to pay out prize balls, a control command regarding the payout (a payout control command specifying the number of prize balls) can be sent to the payout control board 42.

[0046] In addition, an external centralized terminal board for frames 43 is connected to the main control board 40 via the payout control board 42, making it possible to transmit specified game information (e.g., jackpot information, number of winning balls information, pattern change execution information, etc.) to an externally installed hall computer HC. The hall computer HC is an information processing device (computer device) that monitors game information from the main control board 40 and comprehensively manages the operating status of the gaming machines in the pachinko hall.

[0047] The payout control board 42 is connected to a launch control board 45 that controls the launch device 44 and a game ball payout device 46 that pays out game balls. The main role of this payout control board 42 is to receive payout control commands from the main control board 40, control the payout of prize balls by the game ball payout device 46 based on the payout control commands, and send status signals to the main control board 40.

[0048] The game ball payout device 46 is provided with a supply shortage detection sensor 46a that detects a shortage of game balls and a ball counting sensor 46b that detects the game balls (prize balls) to be paid out, and the payout control board 42 is capable of receiving each of these detection signals. The game ball payout device 46 is also provided with a payout motor 46c that drives a ball payout mechanism (not shown) for paying out game balls, and the payout control board 42 is capable of transmitting a control signal for controlling the payout motor 46c.

[0049] A full-ball detection sensor 47 that detects whether the upper tray 10 is full of game balls, and a front door open sensor 48 that detects whether the front frame 2 is open, are connected to the payout control board 42.

[0050] The payout control board 42 is capable of transmitting various status signals to the main control board 40 based on detection signals from the full detection sensor 47, the front door open sensor 48, the supply shortage detection sensor 46a, and the ball counting sensor 46b. These status signals include a ball jamming signal indicating a full state, a door open signal indicating that at least the front frame 2 is open, a supply shortage signal indicating a shortage of game balls from the game ball payout device 46, a counting error signal indicating a shortage of prize balls paid out or an abnormality has occurred in the ball counting sensor 46b, and a payout completion signal indicating that the payout operation has been completed, and is configured to be capable of transmitting various status signals. Based on these status signals, the main control board 40 monitors the open state of the front frame 2 (door open error), whether the payout operation of the game ball payout device 46 is normal or not (supply shortage error), the full state of the upper tray 10 (ball jamming error), etc.

[0051] The payout control board 42 is also capable of transmitting an authorization signal to the launch control board 45 to permit launch. Based on the authorization signal being output from the payout control board 42, the launch control board 45 controls the energization of a launch solenoid (not shown) provided in the launch device 44, and realizes the launching operation of the game ball by operating the launch operation handle 15. Specifically, the launching operation of the game ball is permitted under the conditions that the launch authorization signal is output from the payout control board 42 (launch authorization signal ON state), a touch sensor (not shown) provided in the launch operation handle 15 detects that the player is touching the handle, and a launch stop switch (not shown) provided in the launch operation handle 15 is not operated. Therefore, when the launch authorization signal is not output (launch authorization signal OFF state), the launch operation is not executed even if the launch operation handle 15 is operated, and the game ball is not launched. In addition, the launch strength of the game ball can be changed according to the amount of operation of the launch operation handle 15. In addition, when the payout control board 42 detects the above-mentioned ball jam error, it sends a ball jam signal to the main control board 40 and stops outputting the launch permission signal to the launch control board 45 (launch permission signal OFF), and controls the firing operation to stop until the full state of the upper tray 10 is resolved. In addition, the payout control board 42 outputs a launch permission signal to the launch control board 45 on the condition that launch permission is instructed by the main control board 40.

[0052] (About performance indication) The main control board 40 is capable of transmitting a control signal to the setting / performance display 35 for displaying predetermined performance information. Performance information is information that pachinko halls and related authorities want to confirm, and typical examples include information regarding the presence or absence of illegal prize ball cheating, such as excessive prize balls for the gaming machine 1, and information regarding the original ball output performance of the gaming machine 1. Therefore, unlike preview performances, the performance information itself is information that is not directly related to the progress of the game itself when the player is playing the game.

[0053] For this reason, the setting / performance display 35 is provided inside the gaming machine 1, for example, on the main control board 40, payout control board 42, launch control board 45, relay board, performance control board 41, or in a board case (protective cover that protects the board), in a position where the display information can be seen when the front frame 2 is in the open state.

[0054] Here, the performance information may specifically include the following information: (1) Information (specific ratio information) based on the value (α / β) obtained by dividing the total number of payout balls paid out as a result of winning during a specific state (total number of prize balls during a specific state: α balls) by the total number of out balls discharged from the game area 19 during the specific state (number of out balls during a specific state: β balls) can be adopted as performance information. The above "total number of payouts" refers to the total value of game balls (prize balls) paid out when a ball wins at the winning holes (first starting hole 23, second starting hole 24, general winning hole 31, first large winning hole 27, second large winning hole 28). In addition, the state to be adopted as the specific state can be appropriately determined according to the state under which the performance information is to be grasped. In the case of this embodiment, any state among a plurality of game states and a jackpot game can be adopted. In addition, a plurality of types of states may be the measurement target. For example, all game states except a jackpot game, and the type to be measured can be appropriately determined. In addition, the total number of payouts may be calculated by excluding one or more specific winning ports from the measurement (total number of payouts excluding specific winning ports). For example, the total number of payouts may be calculated by excluding the first large winning port 27 and the second large winning port 28 from the measurement among the winning ports.

[0055] (2) In addition, it is also possible to measure only the total number of balls paid out, the total number of balls paid out excluding a specific winning port, or the total number of balls out, and use the measurement results as performance information.

[0056] In this embodiment, the total number of dispensed balls during normal state (number of dispensed balls during normal state) and the total number of out balls during normal state (number of out balls during normal state) are measured in real time, and the value obtained by dividing the number of dispensed balls during normal state by the number of out balls during normal state and multiplying this value by 100 (the value calculated by number of dispensed balls during normal state ÷ number of out balls during normal state × 100) is displayed as performance information (hereinafter referred to as "normal state ratio information"). Note that the displayed value at this time is rounded off to the first decimal place. Therefore, each data of the number of payouts in normal time, the number of out balls in normal time, and the ratio information in normal time is stored (memorized) in the corresponding area of ​​RAM 40c (the storage area for the total number of prize balls in specific mode, the storage area for the number of out balls in specific mode, and the storage area for the specific ratio information). However, instead of simply measuring permanently and displaying the performance information, when the total number of out balls reaches a predetermined specified number (for example, 60,000 balls), the measurement is temporarily terminated. This specified number is not the total number of out balls in the normal state, but the total number of out balls in all game states (including during a winning game) (hereinafter referred to as the "number of out balls in all states"). This number of out balls in all states is also measured in real time and stored in the corresponding area of ​​RAM 40c (the storage area for the number of out balls in all states). Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the storage area for the total number of prize balls in specific mode, the storage area for the number of out balls in specific mode, the storage area for the specific ratio information, and the storage area for the number of out balls in all states are abbreviated to "measurement information storage area".

[0057] Then, the normal time ratio information at the end is stored in a specified area (performance display storage area) of RAM 40c (this normal time ratio information is stored), and then the measurement information storage area (number of payouts in normal time, number of out balls in normal time, and number of out balls in all states) is cleared, and measurement is started again (measurement of number of payouts in normal time, number of out balls in normal time, normal time ratio information, and number of out balls in all states is started). Then, the setting and performance display 35 is configured to display the previous normal time ratio information (measurement history information) and the normal time ratio information currently being measured. Note that it is not limited to the previous information, and it may be configured to display history from the time before last or the time before that (three times ago), and it is possible to determine how many times back the information to display.

[0058] Here, the setting value and the performance information are alternatively displayed on the setting / performance display 35. Specifically, since the setting change and the setting confirmation are performed only at the time of start-up when the power is turned on, the setting value is displayed on the setting / performance display 35 in response to the transition to the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode after the start-up when the power is turned on, and the performance information is displayed after the setting change and the setting confirmation are completed. The present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the setting values ​​and the performance information are displayed on a common display device, but may be configured to be displayed on separate displays. In this case, the setting values ​​and the performance information may be displayed in parallel.

[0059] (Performance control command) The main control board 40 is capable of transmitting various performance control commands, including information on the special symbol variable display game and information on errors, to the performance control board 41 according to the processing state. However, in order to prevent fraudulent acts such as cheating, the main control board 40 is configured for one-way communication, in which it only transmits signals to the performance control board 41 and cannot receive signals from the performance control board 41.

[0060] Here, the performance control command defines the function by a two-byte configuration consisting of a one-byte-long mode (MODE) and a one-byte-long event (EVENT), and in order to distinguish between MODE and EVENT, Bit 7 of MODE is ON and Bit 7 of EVENT is OFF. When these pieces of information are transmitted as valid, a strobe signal is output corresponding to each of the mode (MODE) and event (EVENT). That is, when there is a command to be transmitted, the CPU 40a (main control CPU) sets and outputs mode (MODE) information for transmitting the command to the performance control board 41, and transmits the first strobe signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since this setting. Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of this strobe signal, it sets and outputs event (EVENT) information, and transmits the second strobe signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since this setting. The strobe signal is controlled to be in an active state by the CPU 40a for a predetermined period of time that allows the CPU 41a (performance control CPU) to reliably receive commands.

[0061] Here, the main control board 40 has a function to generate a test firing test signal as a signal used in a test firing test of the gaming machine (indicated as "test firing test signal generating function 40F" in the drawing). In particular, the main control board 40 in this embodiment has a function to generate a "special electric role operation signal", a "solenoid release signal_1", a "normal electric role operation signal", and a "solenoid release signal_2" as test firing test signals. The "special electric device operation signal" is a signal that indicates the "winning period," which is the period during which a winning can occur in the large prize opening (first large prize opening 27 or second large prize opening 28) through the operation of the special electric device (first special electric device 29 or second special electric device 30) during a round period during a jackpot game. In addition, the "solenoid opening signal_1" is a signal that indicates the period from the timing at which control of the special electric device solenoid (first special electric device solenoid 29a or second special electric device solenoid 30a) to transition the large prize opening (first large prize opening 27 or second large prize opening 28) from a closed state to an open state to the timing at which control of the large prize opening to transition from an open state to a closed state is started (hereinafter referred to as the "prize opening period"). The "normal electric device operation signal" is a signal indicating a normal electric open play period (so-called electric support play period), which is a play period during which support is provided by the operation of a normal electric device (normal electric device 25). The "solenoid open signal_2" is a signal that indicates the period during which control is being performed to control the normal electric role solenoid (normal electric role solenoid 25a) during the normal power open play period, from the start timing of control to transition the start port (second start port 24) from a closed state to an open state to the start timing of control to transition the start port from an open state to a closed state (referred to as the "prize port open period", as in the case of the large prize port). The methods for generating the test firing signals, namely the "special electric feature operation signal," "solenoid release signal_1," "normal electric feature operation signal," and "solenoid release signal_2," will be explained later.

[0062] [2.2 Performance control board] The performance control board 41 is equipped with a microprocessor with a built-in CPU 41a, and is composed mainly of a microcomputer equipped with a ROM 41b that stores the performance data required for performance control processing, and a RAM 41c that functions as a work area and buffer memory.In addition, it is equipped with an audio control unit (sound source IC), an RTC (Real Time Clock) function unit, a counter circuit, an interrupt controller circuit, a reset circuit, a WDT circuit, etc., and controls the overall performance operation.

[0063] The CPU 41a performs calculations for various performance operations and controls each performance means based on the performance control program and the performance control commands received from the main control board 40. In the case of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the performance means are the liquid crystal display device 20 (the main liquid crystal display device 20M and the sub liquid crystal display device 20S), the light display device 16a, the sound generating device 17a, and movable role objects (not shown).

[0064] The ROM 41b stores a control program for the performance operation by the CPU 41a and various data required for the performance operation control. The RAM 41c is used as a work area used by the CPU 41a for various arithmetic processing, a table data area, a buffer area for various input / output data and processing data, and the like. The performance control board 41 is configured to have, for example, a one-chip microcomputer and its peripheral circuits mounted thereon, but various configurations are possible for the performance control board 41. For example, in addition to the microcomputer, it may also have an interface circuit with each section, a random number generation circuit that generates random numbers for lottery use in performances, a CTC for various time counts, a watchdog timer (WDT) circuit, an interrupt controller circuit that gives an interrupt signal to the CPU 41a, and the like.

[0065] The main roles of this performance control board 41 are to receive performance control commands from the main control board 40, select and decide on a performance based on the performance control commands, control the display of the LCD display device 20 (supply of display data), control the audio output of the sound generating device 17a, control the light emission of the light display device 16a (LED), and control the operation of the movable body props (drive control of the movable body prop motor 50).

[0066] Since this performance control board 41 also functions as a control device for the liquid crystal display device 20, the performance control board 41 also has the functions of a so-called VDP (Video Display Processor), image ROM, and VRAM (Video RAM), and the CPU 41a also functions as a liquid crystal control unit. VDP refers to the function that controls all video output processing, such as image expansion and image drawing. Image ROM refers to memory that stores image data that the VDP uses for image development processing. The VRAM is an image memory area that temporarily stores image data rendered by the VDP.

[0067] With these configurations, the performance control board 41 generates various image data based on performance control commands from the main control board 40, and outputs it to the main liquid crystal display device 20M and the sub liquid crystal display device 20S. As a result, various performance images are displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 20M and the sub liquid crystal display device 20S. 3 is the "main liquid crystal display device 20M." The sub-liquid crystal display device 20S is not shown in FIG.

[0068] The performance control board 41 also has an audio control section for an audio generating device 17 a including a plurality of speakers 17 , and the audio signals output by the audio control section are amplified by an amplifier section 17 b and supplied to the speakers 17 . In addition, the performance control board 41 is connected to a lamp driver section 16b that functions as a light display control section for the light display device 16a including the decorative lamp 16 and various LEDs, and a motor driver section 50a (motor drive circuit) that functions as a drive control section for the movable body role motor 50 that operates the movable body (not shown). The performance control board 41 issues instructions to the lamp driver section 16b and the motor driver section 50a to control the light display operation by the light display device 16a and the operation of the movable body role motor 50.

[0069] In addition, an origin switch 51 and a position detection sensor 52 for monitoring the operation of the movable props are connected to the performance control board 41. The origin switch 51 is composed of, for example, a photointerrupter, and detects whether the movable body role motor 50 is at the origin position. The origin position is, for example, a position where the movable body is not normally exposed on the board surface of Fig. 2. The performance control board 41 is capable of determining whether the movable body role motor 50 is at the origin position based on the detection information of this origin switch 51. In addition, the performance control board 41 controls the operation mode while monitoring the current operating position of the movable body role (for example, the amount of movement from the origin position) based on the detection information from the position detection sensor 52. Furthermore, the performance control board 41 monitors malfunctions in the operation of the movable body role based on the detection information from the position detection sensor 52, and detects this as an error if a malfunction occurs.

[0070] In addition, operation detection switches for the performance button 14a, cross key 14b, and decision button 14c, which are shown as the operation unit 14, are connected to the performance control board 41, and the performance control board 41 is capable of receiving operation detection signals from the performance button 14a, cross key 14b, and decision button 14c, respectively.

[0071] Furthermore, the performance control board 41 is provided with a handle sensor 53 (touch sensor) for detecting whether or not the firing operation handle 15 shown in Fig. 1 is touched by a player. Based on the detection information of this handle sensor 53, the performance control board 41 is capable of determining whether or not the firing operation handle 15 is touched by a user.

[0072] Based on the performance control command sent from the main control board 40, the performance control board 41 selects (determines) a performance pattern by lottery or uniquely from among a plurality of types of performance patterns prepared in advance, and controls various performance means at the required timing to produce the desired performance. This realizes the display of a performance image by the liquid crystal display device 20 corresponding to the performance pattern, the reproduction of sound from the speaker 17, and the lighting and blinking of the decorative lamps 16 and LEDs, and the time-series development of various performance patterns (such as decorative pattern variation display operations and advance notice performances), thereby realizing a "performance scenario" in the broad sense.

[0073] Here, regarding the performance control command, the performance control board 41 (CPU 41a) generates an interrupt process based on the input of the above-mentioned strobe signal transmitted by the main control board 40 (CPU 40a) and receives and analyzes the command. Specifically, the CPU 41a executes a control program for command reception interrupt process based on the input of the above-mentioned strobe signal, and in the interrupt process realized by this, obtains the performance control command and analyzes the command contents. In this case, when an interrupt occurs based on the input of a strobe signal, even if an interrupt process based on another interrupt (a timer interrupt process executed periodically) is being executed, the CPU 41a interrupts the process and performs command reception interrupt processing, and even if another interrupt occurs at the same time, the command reception interrupt processing is given priority.

[0074] <3. Overview of operation> Next, an overview of the gaming operation of the gaming machine 1 realized by the above-mentioned control configuration (FIG. 4) will be described.

[0075] [3.1 Game Status] In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the big win game, which is a special gaming state, a plurality of types of gaming states can be set. In order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment, first, various gaming states will be described.

[0076] In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a game progresses in any one of game states that combines either a low probability state or a high probability state with either a non-time-shortening state or a time-shortening state.

[0077] The low probability state is a state in which the probability of winning the jackpot lottery described below is relatively low, and the high probability state is a state in which the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is relatively high. Note that, when multiple setting values ​​are provided, the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state and the high probability state differs depending on the setting value. The non-time-saving state is a state in which it is relatively difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 24, and the time-saving state is a state in which it is relatively easy for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 24. In this embodiment, the opening time of the second starting hole 24 when a normal winning lottery, which will be described later, is set longer in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state. However, if it is easier for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 24 in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state, for example, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery may be higher or the fluctuation time of the normal pattern may be shorter in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state.

[0078] In this embodiment, the "normal state" refers to a low probability state and a non-time-saving state, and corresponds to the initial state.

[0079] [3.2 Game with changing symbols] (Regarding special drawings) In the gaming machine 1, when a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 23 or the second starting hole 24, that is, when a detection signal is input from the first starting hole detection sensor 23a or the second starting hole detection sensor 24a, random numbers related to the special pattern change display game described below (random numbers for determining a jackpot, random numbers for determining special patterns, random numbers for change patterns) are obtained, and these random numbers are stored as reserved data in the special pattern reserved memory area of ​​RAM 40c up to a predetermined upper limit value, which is the maximum reserved memory number (for example, a maximum of 4). This special drawing reserve memory area is provided with special drawing reserve memory areas corresponding to the special drawing 1 side and the special drawing 2 side, i.e., a special drawing 1 reserve memory area and a special drawing 2 reserve memory area.

[0080] These special pattern reserved memory areas are provided with reserved 1 memory area to reserved n memory area (n is the maximum reserved memory number: in this embodiment, n=4), and each of them can store reserved data up to the maximum reserved memory number. The maximum reserved memory numbers of the special pattern 1 reserved memory area and the special pattern 2 reserved memory area are not particularly limited. In addition, all or part of the maximum reserved memory numbers of each pattern may be different, and the number can be appropriately determined according to the game characteristics. The game balls related to the reserved data stored in this special chart reserved memory area are also called "reserved balls." To make the number of reserved balls clear to the player, the dot indicators corresponding to the number of reserved balls in special chart 1 and special chart 2 on the composite display device 22c are lit up, or the reserved indicators provided as icon images on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 20 (the main liquid crystal display device 20M or the sub liquid crystal display device 20S) are lit up.

[0081] (Special pattern change display game) In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a "jackpot lottery" is performed by random number lottery in the main control board 40 based on a predetermined starting condition, specifically, based on the game ball entering (winning) the first starting hole 23 or the second starting hole 24. Based on the lottery result of the jackpot lottery, the main control board 40 displays the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2 on the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b to start the special symbol variable display game, and after a predetermined variable time has elapsed, displays the result on the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b, thereby ending the special symbol variable display game. Unless otherwise necessary, the "special symbol 1" and the "special symbol 2" are simply referred to as "special symbols" (sometimes abbreviated to "special symbols").

[0082] Here, in this embodiment, the jackpot lottery for the special symbol 1 based on the winning entry into the first starting hole 23 and the jackpot lottery for the special symbol 2 based on the winning entry into the second starting hole 24 are performed separately and independently. For this reason, the jackpot lottery result for the special symbol 1 is displayed on the special symbol display device 22a, and the jackpot lottery result for the special symbol 2 is displayed on the special symbol display device 22b. Specifically, on the condition that a game ball enters the first starting hole 23, the special symbol 1 is displayed in a variable manner to start the first special symbol variable display game, while on the other hand, on the condition that a game ball enters the second starting hole 24, the special symbol 2 is displayed in a variable manner to start the second special symbol variable display game. Then, when the special pattern variable display game is started on the special pattern display device 22a or the special pattern display device 22b, after a predetermined variable time has elapsed, if the jackpot lottery result is a "jackpot", the special pattern being displayed in a variable manner is displayed stationary in a predetermined "jackpot" manner, or in a predetermined "miss" manner otherwise, thereby announcing the game result (jackpot lottery result).

[0083] For ease of explanation, the first special symbol variable display game on the special symbol display device 22a side is referred to as "special symbol variable display game 1," and the second special symbol variable display game on the special symbol display device 22b side is referred to as "special symbol variable display game 2." In addition, "special symbol variable display game 1" and "special symbol variable display game 2" are simply referred to as "special symbol variable display games."

[0084] When the result of the jackpot lottery is a "jackpot," that is, when the special pattern change display game ends and as a result the special pattern is displayed stationary in a "jackpot" mode on the special pattern display device 22a or the special pattern display device 22b, a special game state (jackpot game) which is more advantageous to the player than during the special pattern change display game occurs. As will be described later in detail, the jackpot game is a "round game" in which the first large prize winning port 27 or the second large prize winning port 28 is closed when a predetermined time (maximum opening time: for example, 29.8) has passed since the first large prize winning port 27 or the second large prize winning port 28 was opened or when the number of game balls that have entered the first large prize winning port 27 or the second large prize winning port 28 reaches a predetermined number (maximum number of winning balls), after the predefined number of rounds (for example, up to 10 rounds) has passed. Then, when a post-opening interval time (ending time) for notifying the end of the jackpot game has passed after the end of the specified number of rounds, the jackpot game ends. Note that the "s" after the number stands for "seconds."

[0085] (Decorative pattern changing game) In addition, when the above-mentioned special symbol variable display game is started, the decorative symbol variable display game is started by varying and displaying decorative symbols (game symbols for presentation) on the main liquid crystal display device 20M, and various presentations are developed in association with this. When the special symbol variable display game ends, the decorative symbol variable display game also ends, and a predetermined special symbol indicating the result of the big win lottery is derived and displayed on the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b, and a decorative symbol reflecting the result of the big win lottery is derived and displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 20M. In other words, the result of the special symbol variable display game is reflected and displayed by the decorative symbol variable display game for presentation, including the decorative symbol variable display operation.

[0086] Therefore, for example, if the result of the special symbol variation display game is a "jackpot" (if the jackpot lottery result is a "jackpot"), the decorative symbol variation display game will develop an effect that reflects that result. Then, when the special symbol is displayed in a display mode that indicates a jackpot (for example, the 7-segment display shows "7") on the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b, the decorative symbols are displayed in a display mode that reflects the "jackpot" on the "left", "center", and "right" display areas on the main liquid crystal display device 20M (for example, three decorative symbols are displayed in a display mode that shows "7", "7", and "7") on the "left", "center", and "right" display areas.

[0087] Regarding the information necessary to execute the decorative pattern change display game described above, first, the main control board 40, based on the game ball entering the first start hole 23 or the second start hole 24, specifically, on the condition that the game ball is detected by the first start hole detection sensor 23a or the second start hole detection sensor 24a and the start condition (start condition related to the special pattern) is met, conducts a jackpot lottery to determine whether it will be a "jackpot" or a "miss", and a pattern lottery to determine the type of special pattern (jackpot type, miss type) that will finally be stopped and displayed, and determines the change pattern of the special pattern based on the lottery result. In the pattern lottery, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a "jackpot", one of the multiple jackpot types is determined by lottery, and if the result is a "miss", one of the multiple miss types is determined by lottery. However, there may be only one jackpot type and one miss type, and in that case, the type may be determined without a lottery. Then, the main control board 40 transmits a "variation pattern designation command" including at least information on the variation pattern of the special symbol (variation pattern information (e.g., information on the big win lottery result and the variation time of the special symbol, etc.)) to the performance control board 41 as a performance control command specifying the processing state. As a result, basic information required for the decorative symbol variation display game is transmitted to the performance control board 41.

[0088] The special symbol variation pattern information may include information specifying whether or not a specific advance notice performance (for example, the "reach performance" or "pseudo consecutive performance" described later) occurs. In detail, the variation pattern of the special symbol is roughly divided into a "hit variation pattern" in the case of a hit and a "miss variation pattern" in the case of a miss, depending on the result of the big win lottery. These variation patterns include, for example, a "reach variation pattern" that specifies the occurrence of a reach performance, a "normal variation pattern" that does not specify the occurrence of a reach performance, a "reach variation pattern with pseudo consecutive performance" that specifies the occurrence (overlapping occurrence) of a pseudo consecutive performance and a reach performance, and a "normal variation pattern with pseudo consecutive performance" that specifies the occurrence of a pseudo consecutive performance but does not specify the occurrence of a reach performance. Note that, in order to secure the performance time of the reach performance or pseudo consecutive performance, the variation time of the variation pattern that specifies the reach performance or pseudo consecutive performance is usually set to be longer than the normal variation pattern.

[0089] The performance control board 41 determines the performance contents (performance scenario such as preview performance) to be developed in a time series during the decorative symbol variable display game and the decorative symbols (decorative stop symbols) to be finally displayed based on the information included in the performance control commands (here, the variable pattern designation command and the decorative symbol designation command) sent from the main control board 40, and executes the decorative symbol variable display game by displaying the decorative symbols in a variable manner according to a time schedule based on the variable pattern of the special symbols. As a result, the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner by the main liquid crystal display device 20M in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbols by the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b, and the period of the special symbol variable display game and the period during the decorative symbol variable display game are substantially the same time width. The performance control board 41 also controls the main liquid crystal display device 20M, the light display device 16a, or the sound generating device 17a in accordance with the performance scenario, and develops various performances in the decorative symbol variable display game. This allows reproduction of images (image presentation), reproduction of sound effects (sound presentation), and lighting and blinking of the decorative lamps 16, LEDs, etc. (light presentation) on the main liquid crystal display device 20M.

[0090] In this way, the special symbol change display game and the decorative symbol change display game have an inseparable relationship, and the display result of the special symbol change display game is reflected in the decorative symbol change display game, so these two symbol change display games may be considered as equivalent symbol games. In this specification, unless otherwise necessary, the above two symbol change display games may be simply referred to as "symbol change display games."

[0091] (Regarding the reservation of general maps) In the gaming machine 1, when a gaming ball passes through the normal pattern gate 26, that is, when a detection signal is input from the normal pattern gate detection sensor 26a, a random number related to the normal pattern variable display game (random number for determining whether a normal pattern is a hit) is obtained, and this random number is reserved and stored in the normal pattern reserved memory area of ​​RAM 40c as reserved data up to a predetermined upper limit value, which is the maximum reserved memory number (for example, a maximum of 4). The general map reservation memory area is provided with reservation 1 memory area to reservation n memory area (n is the maximum reservation memory number: in this embodiment, n = 4), and each can store the maximum number of reserved data. In addition, the maximum reservation memory number of the general map reservation memory area is not particularly limited. The game balls related to the reserved data stored in this regular reserved memory area are also called "regular reserved balls." To make the number of regular reserved balls clear to the player, a dot indicator corresponding to the number of regular reserved balls in the composite display device 22c is lit up, or a reserved indicator provided as an icon image on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 20 (the main liquid crystal display device 20M or the sub liquid crystal display device 20S) is lit up.

[0092] (Normal pattern change display game) In the gaming machine 1, a "regular symbol winning lottery" is performed by random number lottery in the main control board 40 based on the passing of the game ball through the regular symbol gate 26. Based on the lottery result, the regular symbol represented by the LED is displayed variably on the composite display device 22d to start the regular symbol variable display game, and after a predetermined variable time has elapsed, the result is displayed as a combination of the LEDs being lit and not lit. For example, if the result of the regular symbol winning lottery is a "regular symbol winning", a specific LED on the composite display device 22d is displayed in a specific lighting state (for example, all two LEDs are lit, or the LED on the "○" side of the LEDs representing "○" and "×" is lit) according to the regular symbol winning type. In this embodiment, only one type of regular symbol winning type is provided.

[0093] When this "normal winning" occurs, the normal electric role solenoid 25a (see FIG. 4) operates, the second start hole 24 is opened or enlarged, and the game balls can easily flow in (start hole open state), creating a game state (hereinafter referred to as "normal open game") that is more advantageous to the player than when the second start hole 24 is closed. In this normal open game, the winning area is opened or enlarged by the normal electric role 25 until the opening time of the second start hole 24 has elapsed for a predetermined time (e.g., 5.7 seconds) or until the number of game balls that have entered the second start hole 24 reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 10 balls), and when either of these conditions is met, the second start hole 24 is closed. This operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (e.g., up to once).

[0094] [3.3 About the jackpot] Next, the "jackpot" in the gaming machine 1 will be described. In the gaming machine 1, "4R1", "10R", and "4R2" are provided as jackpot types, and when the result of the jackpot lottery is "jackpot", a lottery for the jackpot type is held in the pattern lottery. Note that the above notation "R" means the specified number of rounds (maximum number of rounds).

[0095] The type of big win is the hit that triggers the activation of the condition device. Here, the "condition device" refers to a device whose activation is a necessary condition for the activation of the consecutive operation device for playing a round of games, and which activates when a specific combination of special symbols is displayed or when the game ball passes through a specific area in the big win opening.

[0096] When a jackpot game is executed, the game state after the jackpot game ends, the number of chance bonuses, and the number of time-saving bonuses are determined according to the game state at the time of winning the jackpot and the determined jackpot type. The probability of the number of times of the special symbol variation display game is set when the game state after the big win game is a high probability state. In the gaming machine 1, the high probability state after the big win game continues until the number of times of the special symbol variation display game is completed for the probability of the number of times of the special symbol variation display game (for example, 154 times), and when the special symbol variation display game for the probability of the number of times of the special symbol variation display game is completed without winning the big win in the big win lottery, the game state is set (transitioned) to a low probability state. The number of time-saving times is set when the game state after the jackpot game is in the time-saving state. In the gaming machine 1, the time-saving state after the jackpot game continues until the number of times the special symbol variation display game is executed reaches the time-saving number (for example, 150 times), and when the special symbol variation display game reaches the time-saving number without winning the jackpot in the jackpot lottery, the game state is set (transitioned) to the non-time-saving state. However, the gaming machine 1 may be a "general special probability machine" of the type in which the number of special probability periods and the number of time-saving periods continue until a jackpot is won in a jackpot lottery (until the next time). The number of times the time is reduced may be the total number of times that the special pattern change display game 1 and the special pattern change display game 2 are played (the total number of changes in special pattern 1 and special pattern 2), or it may be the number of times that either one of them is played (for example, the number of times that the special pattern change display game 2 is played).

[0097] Here, in this embodiment, a plurality of loss types are provided for the "loss" as well as the big win types. Specifically, three types of loss types, "loss 1", "loss 2", and "loss 3", are provided. As described above, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a "miss," a lottery for the type of miss is held in the symbol lottery.

[0098] [3.4 About the production] (Performance mode) Next, the presentation mode (presentation state) will be described. The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of presentation modes for producing presentations related to the game state, and is configured to be able to switch between the presentation modes. Specifically, a presentation mode corresponding to the set game state is provided. In each presentation mode, the background display as the background of the decorative pattern variable display screen is displayed with a different background presentation, so that the player can understand what game state he or she is currently in.

[0099] The performance control board 41 (CPU 41a) has a function unit (performance state transition control means) that controls transition between multiple types of performance modes. The performance control board 41 (CPU 41a) is configured to grasp the current game state and control transition between multiple types of performance modes in a manner that maintains consistency with the game state managed by the main control board 40 based on a specific performance control command sent from the main control board 40 (CPU 40a), specifically, a performance control command including game state information managed by the main control board 40, while controlling transition between multiple types of performance modes. Examples of the specific performance control command include a variation pattern designation command, a decorative design designation command, and a game state designation command sent when a change occurs in the game state.

[0100] (Preview performance) Next, the advance notice performance will be explained. The performance control board 41 is configured to be able to control the appearance of various "advance notice performances" related to the current performance mode and the big win lottery result based on the contents of the performance control command from the main control board 40, specifically, based on at least the variation pattern information included in the variation pattern designation command. Such advance notice performances suggest (advance notice) the expectation of whether or not a particular type of win has been won (hereinafter referred to as "expected win probability"), and act as "hyperbolic performances" to stimulate the player's expectation of winning. Representative advance notice performances include "reach performances", "pseudo consecutive performances", and even "foreseeing advance notice performances". The performance control board 41 functions as an advance notice performance control means capable of controlling the execution (appearance) of these performances.

[0101] "Reach effect" refers to an effect mode accompanying a reach state (variable display mode accompanying a reach state: reach variation pattern), and specifically refers to an effect mode in which the final game result is derived and displayed via a reach state. Reach effects include multiple types of reach effects associated with the winning expectation. For example, there are some in which the winning expectation is relatively higher than when a normal reach effect appears. Such reach effects are called 'super reach effects'. Many of these "super reaches" have a relatively longer performance time (variation time) than normal reaches to increase the expectation of winning. In addition, normal reaches and super reaches include multiple types of reach effects. Super reaches include multiple types of reach effects, namely Super Reach 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the winning expectation of these Super Reach 1 to 4 has the following relationship: "Super Reach 1 < Super Reach 2 < Super Reach 3 < Super Reach 4".

[0102] The term "pseudo consecutive display" refers to a display mode accompanied by a pseudo continuous change display state (pseudo consecutive change) of the decorative symbols, and "pseudo consecutive change" refers to a display mode in which a display action such as temporarily stopping some or all of the decorative symbols during the decorative symbol change display game, and then executing a re-changing display action of the decorative symbols from the temporary stop state, is repeated once or multiple times. In this respect, it differs from the "preview notice performance (continuous notice performance)" described later, which is developed across multiple symbol change display games. The occurrence rate (appearance rate) of such "pseudo consecutive" is basically determined so that the more pseudo changes there are, the higher the expectation of winning. For example, depending on the number of pseudo changes, it is easy to select a performance that stimulates a sense of expectation such as a super reach.

[0103] "Pre-reading prediction effect" (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "pre-reading prediction" or "pre-reading effect") refers to an effect that notifies the player of the possibility of being controlled to an advantageous state before the display of the pattern to be judged is performed based on the result of the pre-reading judgment. Note that "advantageous state" refers to a state that is advantageous to the player. Specifically, the pre-reading performance is performed for reserved balls (unconsumed reserved balls) that have not yet been used for the execution of the pattern change display game (the operation of displaying the variation of special patterns), mainly by using the reserved display mode and the background performance of the pattern change display game that is executed first, in a performance mode that can notify the winning expectation in advance before the reserved ball is used for the pattern change display game. In addition to the above-mentioned "reach performance", various performances such as the so-called "SU (step-up) notice performance", "timer notice performance", "revival performance", and "premiere notice performance" are generated in the pattern change display game to liven up the game content.

[0104] Here, with reference to FIG. 5, a "hold change notice effect" will be described as an example of the above-mentioned look-ahead notice effect. In the case of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the upper display area in the screen of the main liquid crystal display device 20M is provided with a display area (display area for displaying decorative pattern variation display performance and advance notice performance) for displaying the decorative pattern variation display game, and the lower display area in the screen is provided with a reserved display area 60 (reserved display parts a1 to d1) for displaying the number of reserved balls on the special pattern 1 side and a reserved display area 61 (reserved display parts a2 to d2) for displaying the number of reserved balls on the special pattern 2 side. The presence or absence of reserved balls is notified by a predetermined reserved display mode. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the presence or absence of reserved balls is indicated by a lit state (reserved balls: "○ (white circle)" in the figure) or an unlit state (no reserved balls: dashed circle in the figure), and information on the current number of reserved balls is notified.

[0105] The display (reserved display) regarding the presence or absence of reserved balls is displayed in the order of occurrence (winning order), and in each reserved display area 60, 61, the reserved ball on the left side is displayed as the reserved ball that occurred first on the time axis (i.e., the oldest) among all reserved balls in the reserved display. In addition, a changing display area 62 is provided on the left side of the reserved display area 60, 61 to indicate the reserved ball currently being used in the special pattern variable display game. In the case of this embodiment, the changing display area 62 is configured so that an image of the game execution reserved K icon currently being used in the game appears on the reception seat J icon. That is, when the variable display of the special pattern 1 or special pattern 2 is started, the oldest reserved a1 or a2 icon (icon image) displayed in the reserved display area 60, 61 moves to the reception seat J icon in the changing display area 62 as the game execution reserved K icon, and the state is maintained for a predetermined display time.

[0106] When a reserved ball is generated, the main control board 40 transmits a "reserved addition command" to the performance control board 41 (see Figure 12), which specifies the pre-reading judgment information related to the jackpot lottery result and the number of reserved balls at the time of the pre-reading judgment (the number of reserved balls currently existing, including the reserved ball generated this time). In this embodiment, the above-mentioned reserve addition command is composed of two bytes, and the reserve addition command is composed of data on the upper byte side that enables the number of reserved balls at the time of the look-ahead judgment to be identified, and data on the lower byte side that enables the look-ahead judgment information to be identified.

[0107] As can be understood from the above description, in this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first start hole 23 or the second start hole 24 and a new reserved ball is generated, a jackpot lottery for the symbol variation display game related to the reserved ball is performed as a pre-reading judgment. As will be described later, the main control board 40 reserves and stores information representing the result of the jackpot lottery performed as such a pre-reading judgment in the corresponding storage area of ​​the RAM 40c. The information on the big win lottery result obtained at the time of the look-ahead judgment is used to select (lottery) the pattern variation pattern in the pattern variation display game, and can be said to be "variation pattern selection information". Therefore, it can be said that the main control board 40 performs the look-ahead judgment and reserves and stores the "variation pattern selection information" obtained as a result in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 40c.

[0108] When the performance control board 41 receives the reserved addition command transmitted by the main control board 40, it performs performance control processing related to the "pre-reading notice performance" as part of the display control processing related to the reserved display based on the look-ahead judgment information contained in the command. Specifically, it performs a "pre-reading notice lottery" to select whether or not the pre-reading notice performance can be executed, and if the lottery is won, it causes the pre-reading notice performance to appear.

[0109] Here, the pre-reading judgment information is specifically game information obtained by pre-reading and judging the jackpot lottery result (jackpot lottery result at the start of the variation) executed when the reserved ball is provided to the pattern variation display game in the main control board 40 and the variation pattern at the start of the variation. That is, this information includes at least information obtained by pre-reading and judging the jackpot lottery result at the start of the variation (pre-reading win / loss information), and can also include information obtained by pre-reading and judging the pattern lottery result (pre-reading pattern information) and information obtained by pre-reading and judging the variation pattern at the start of the variation (pre-reading variation pattern information). The information included in the reserved addition command to be sent to the performance control board 41 can be appropriately determined depending on the content to be notified in the pre-reading notice. It is assumed that the pending addition command includes predictive win / loss information, predictive pattern information, and predictive fluctuation pattern information.

[0110] In addition, the "pre-reading fluctuation pattern" obtained by the pre-reading judgment at the time of the reserved ball occurrence does not necessarily have to be the "fluctuation pattern at the start of fluctuation" obtained when the reserved ball is actually used for the fluctuation display operation. For example, to explain a representative case in which the fluctuation pattern at the start of fluctuation is a fluctuation pattern that specifies "Super Reach 1", in this case, the content specified by the pre-reading fluctuation pattern is not the type of reach performance itself, "Super Reach 1", but rather the "Super Reach type", which is its essential part.

[0111] In the case of this embodiment, if the advance notice lottery is won, a "pending display change" advance notice performance (also referred to as a "pending change notice") is performed in which the pending icon that is the subject of the advance notice among the pending icons in the pending display sections a1 to d1 and a2 to d2 is changed from the normal pending display (normal pending display mode) of white to a pending display (special pending display mode) of blue, green, red, or a danger pattern (or special colors or patterns such as rainbow). In Fig. 5, the reserved ball in the hatched reserved display section b1 is shown as an example of a special reserved display. Here, the reserved icon blue, green, red, and danger pattern display indicate a higher probability of winning in that order, and the danger pattern reserved icon display is a premium reserved icon that indicates a very high probability of winning a jackpot.

[0112] (Direction means) Various effects in the gaming machine 1 are produced by the performance means arranged in the gaming machine 1. This performance means may be any stimulus transmission means capable of producing a performance effect by appealing to human perceptions such as vision, hearing, and touch, and representative examples include light generating means (light display device 16a: light performance means) such as the decorative lamp 16 and the LED device, sound generating devices (sound generating device 17a: sound performance means) such as the speaker 17, performance display devices (display means) such as the main liquid crystal display device 20M and the sub liquid crystal display device 20S, a pressure device that transmits contact pressure to the operator's body, a wind pressure device that applies wind pressure to the player's body, and movable role objects that produce visual performance effects by their operation. Here, the performance display device is a display device that appeals to the visual sense like the image display device, but differs from the image display device in that it also includes those that do not rely on images (for example, 7-segment displays). When referred to as an image display device, it refers mainly to a type that produces a performance by displaying an image, and those that produce a performance by means other than images, such as 7-segment displays, are included in the concept of the performance display device.

[0113] <4. Processing the main control board> Next, a description will be given of the processing performed by the main control board 40 of this embodiment. The processing of the main control board 40 mainly includes main processing (main control side main processing: FIG. 6) and timer interrupt processing (main control side timer interrupt processing: FIG. 8) that is started by a regular interrupt from the CTC.

[0114] [4.1 Main control side main processing] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main processing on the main control side. The main control side main processing is started when a system reset occurs due to a system reset signal from the power supply board 200 (see FIG. 44) upon recovery from a power outage or power supply abnormality, when a watchdog timer (WDT) is activated due to a control program going out of control and the CPU 40a is forcibly reset (WDT reset), etc. In either case, when the main control side main processing is started, in step S101 the CPU 40a executes an initial setting process required to start a game operation, such as initializing the values ​​of registers of each part including the CPU 40a.

[0115] In step S102, the CPU 40a obtains information on the input port n (that is, a predetermined input port) and copies it to the W register. Here, input port n is a 1-byte (8-bit) port, and the following signals are input: Note that "b0" to "b7" shown below represent bit positions. b0: Setting key (input signal from setting key switch 33) b1: Supply shortage detection signal b2: Counting error signal b3: Disconnection detection signal 1 b4: Disconnection detection signal 2 b5: Door open signal (detection signal of front door open sensor 48) b6: RAM clear button (input signal from RAM clear switch 34) b7: Power-on signal and payment communication confirmation signal Here, for the setting key b0, "0" means that the setting key switch 33 is OFF, and "1" means that the setting key switch 33 is ON. Also, for the door open signal b5, "0" means that the door is closed (front frame 2 is closed), and "1" means that the door is open. Furthermore, for the RAM clear button b6, "0" means that the RAM clear switch 34 is OFF (button not operated), and "1" means that the RAM clear switch 34 is ON (button operated).

[0116] In step S103, the CPU 40a masks the value of the W register. Specifically, the CPU 40a performs processing to mask values ​​other than the setting key (b0), the RAM clear button (b6), and the door open signal (b5), which are values ​​required for determining whether to proceed to the setting change processing (S105), the RAM clear processing (S106), the setting confirmation processing (S114), and the backup restoration processing (S116) described below. Here, the conditions for transitioning to the setting confirmation process are that the front frame 2 is open, the setting key is in an operated state, and the RAM clear button is in a non-operated state. The condition for transitioning to the backup restoration process is that both the setting key and the RAM clear button are in a non-operated state at startup. The condition for transitioning to the setting change process is that, at startup, the front frame 2 is opened and both the setting key and the RAM clear button are in an operated state. The condition for transitioning to the RAM clear process is that the setting key is not operated and the RAM clear button is operated at startup.

[0117] In step S104, the CPU 40a executes a setting change condition satisfaction determination process. Specifically, in order to determine whether or not to transition to the setting change mode, it determines whether or not the masked value (3 bits) in step S103 is "111". If it is determined that the masked value is "111" and the setting change condition is met, the CPU 40a executes setting change processing in step S105 to set a new setting value in response to the operation of the RAM clear button or setting key.

[0118] Next, in step S106, the CPU 40a executes a RAM clear process. This RAM clear process includes a process for initializing values ​​in a predetermined area (usage area) including a work area in the RAM 40c, and a process for transmitting a setting change end command to notify the performance control board 41 side of the end of the setting change process executed in step S105.

[0119] If it is determined in step S104 that the value after masking in step S103 is not "111" and the setting change condition is not satisfied, the CPU 40a determines whether or not there is a RAM abnormality in step S107. Specifically, it at least determines whether or not the "setting value" stored in the work area of ​​the RAM 40c is outside the usable range.

[0120] If it is determined in step S107 that the RAM is not abnormal, the CPU 40a determines in step S108 whether or not the backup flag is ON (backup flag=5AH is ON). In the gaming machine 1, when the power is cut off, a process for backing up the stored information in the RAM 40c is performed by a power check / backup process (step S201, see FIG. 8) in the main control timer interrupt process, which will be described later. If the backup process is properly performed when the power is cut off, the backup flag is set to the ON state. Therefore, in the above step S108, the backup flag is checked to determine whether or not the backup can be restored.

[0121] In step S107, if it is determined that the setting value is outside the usable range (i.e., outside the normal range) and that there is a RAM abnormality, and if it is determined in step S108 that the backup flag is not ON, the CPU 40a performs a process of transmitting a presentation control command (setting change waiting command) to the presentation control board 41 as a command transmission process when the power is turned back on, for instructing the game machine 1 to be turned back on and to be notified to prompt a setting change. If a RAM abnormality is detected at the time of startup, or if the backup flag is in the OFF state, the setting change mode is forcibly entered and a change (setting) of the setting value is accepted. For this reason, the CPU 40a first notifies the presentation control board 41 in step S109 that the setting change mode will be entered by the setting change waiting command. Upon receiving the setting change waiting command, the performance control board 41 causes the liquid crystal display device 20 to execute a screen display for prompting the setting change operation, such as a screen including text such as "Open the door and change the setting." At this time, the performance control board 41 may perform control to produce a corresponding light performance (for example, lighting up all the LEDs in the light display device 16a) or sound performance together with the screen display.

[0122] In step S110, the CPU 40a sets the backup flag to 00H (i.e., OFF), and then repeats the error display process in step S111. In the error display process in step S111, a process is carried out to cause the setting / performance display unit 35 to display an error. This error display process is repeated until the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off, and when the power supply is turned on again, the processes from step S101 onward are executed again as the main process on the main control side. At this time, if an operation to switch to the setting change mode has been performed in response to the above screen display, etc., a switch to the setting change mode is made.

[0123] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the backup flag is ON, the CPU 40a determines in step S112 whether or not a RAM clear condition (a condition for transitioning to a RAM clear process) is satisfied. Specifically, it determines whether or not the value of the 6th bit of the W register is "1". If it is determined that the value of the sixth bit of the W register is "1" and the RAM clear condition is met, the CPU 40a advances the process to step S106, whereby the above-mentioned RAM clear process is executed.

[0124] As can be seen by referring to the route from step S112 to S106, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to clear the RAM without changing the settings. This makes it possible to clear data other than the set values, such as payout-related data in the RAM 40c.

[0125] If it is determined in step S112 that the value of the 6th bit of the W register is not "1" and the RAM clear condition is not satisfied, the CPU 40a proceeds to step S113 to determine whether or not the setting confirmation condition (condition for transition to the setting confirmation process) is satisfied. That is, it determines whether or not the value of the W register after masking in step S103 is "110". If it is determined that the masked value of the W register is "110" and the setting confirmation condition is met, the CPU 40a executes a setting confirmation process to confirm the setting value in step S114, and proceeds to step S115. That is, the process proceeds to a process for restoring the backup.

[0126] On the other hand, if it is determined that the masked value of the W register is not "110" and the setting confirmation condition is not met, the CPU 40a skips the setting confirmation process of step S114 and proceeds to step S115.

[0127] In step S115, the CPU 40a performs processing for transmitting a predetermined performance control command corresponding to the time of backup recovery to the performance control board 41 as a command transmission processing for the time of backup recovery.

[0128] In step S116, the CPU 40a performs a backup recovery process. The backup recovery process is a process for recovering the operation before the power is cut off after the power is turned on based on the memory contents of the RAM 40c that were backed up when the power was cut off. Specifically, the CPU 40a recovers the stack pointer before the power is cut off and performs a process for starting the game operation from the processing state at the time of the power cut off. In addition, in the backup recovery process, a process is executed to store the lower byte data of the power outage recovery display command in a register so that the power outage recovery display command (OB03H) for issuing information display instructions corresponding to the case where backup is restored can be sent to the performance control board 41 in the main loop pre-processing of step S119 described later.

[0129] If the backup restoration process of step S116 has been executed, or if the RAM clear process of step S106 has been executed, the CPU 40a advances the process to step S117.

[0130] In step S117, the CPU 40a sets the CTC for periodically generating a timer interrupt at predetermined intervals, such as 4 ms. By carrying out the setting process of step S117, an interrupt request signal is periodically output to the interrupt controller, and the main control side timer interrupt process is executed.

[0131] In step S118, the CPU 40a performs a process of transmitting a performance control command for instructing the start of a game to the performance control board 41, and then proceeds to step S119 to execute a main loop pre-processing. In the main loop pre-processing, commands to initialize (return to origin) the movable body role motor 50 that operates the movable body as a role, commands indicating the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 and special chart 2, sending of commands indicating the current setting value, setting of internal function registers, processing to set the timer for lighting the performance display monitor to 5 seconds, processing to turn on the launch permission signal to the payout control board 42, etc. are executed. Then, in step S120, the CPU 40a executes the main loop process.

[0132] (Main loop processing) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main loop process of step S120. In the main loop process of Fig. 7, the CPU 40a sets an interruption prohibition state in step S121, and executes a random number update process in the following step S122. In this random number update process, various random numbers (random numbers related to the big win lottery (random numbers for special symbol determination) that circulate within a predetermined numerical range by increment processing, random numbers used for changing the initial value (start value) of random numbers related to the regular win lottery (random numbers for regular win determination) (initial value random numbers for special symbol determination, initial value random numbers for regular win determination) used for the special symbol variable display game and the regular symbol variable display game, and random numbers for the variable pattern used for selecting the variable pattern are updated.

[0133] In the RAM 40c of this embodiment, various random number counters are provided for use in the pattern lottery, the normal lottery, and the variation pattern lottery, such as a counter for generating the initial value of the random number counter for determining a special pattern, a random number counter for determining a special pattern, a counter for generating the initial value of the random number counter for determining a normal pattern, a random number counter for determining a normal pattern, and a random number counter for a variation pattern. These counters serve as random number generating means for generating random numbers in a software manner. In the random number update process of step S122, the above-mentioned various software random numbers are generated by updating two initial value generating counters for generating the initial values ​​of the random number counter for determining a special pattern and the random number counter for determining a normal pattern, and a random number counter for a variation pattern. For example, if the numerical range that can be taken by the random number counter for a variation pattern is "0 to 9999", a value is obtained from the count value storage area for generating the value of the random number for the variation pattern in the RAM 40c, and "1" is added to the obtained value before storing it in the original count value storage area. At this time, if the result of adding "1" to the acquired value is "10000", "0" is stored in the original random number counter storage area. Other random number counters for generating initial values ​​are updated in the same way.

[0134] After completing the random number update process in step S122, the CPU 40a saves the values ​​of all registers in step S123, and then performs a performance display monitor tally division process in step S124. This performance display monitor tally division process is a process for calculating the value of the above-mentioned performance information (here, for example, the value of "normal ratio information"). The value of the normal ratio information is calculated using the total number of paid out balls and the total number of balls out, but the CPU 40a calculates the total number of paid out balls based on the result of counting the number of game balls that have won the winning holes (first start hole 23, second start hole 24, general winning hole 31, first large winning hole 27, second large winning hole 28), and calculates the total number of balls out by counting the number of game balls discharged from the game area 19. The counting of the number of winning balls and the number of out balls is performed in the input management process (see step S204 in FIG. 8) in the timer interrupt processing on the main control side, which will be described later. The CPU 40a calculates a value as normal time ratio information in step S124 based on the count values ​​of the number of winning balls and the number of out balls, which are respectively performed in the timer interrupt processing side in this manner. As described above, the calculated value as normal time ratio information is stored in a specified area (measurement information storage area) of the RAM 40c. The value of the normal time ratio information calculated in this manner is displayed on the setting / performance display 35 by a performance display monitor display process (see step S213 in FIG. 8) in the main control side timer interrupt process, which will be described later.

[0135] In step S125, the CPU 40a performs an all-register restore process, and then in the following step S126, an interrupt enable state is set, and the process returns to step S121.

[0136] In this way, in the main loop process of step S120, the processes of steps S121 to S126 are repeated in an infinite loop. The CPU 40a repeatedly executes the processes of steps S121 to S126 except during the time when the CPU 40a is performing the timer interrupt process that is executed intermittently.

[0137] [4.2 Main control side timer interrupt processing] With reference to the flowchart in Figure 8, the main control side timer interrupt processing will be explained. The main control side timer interrupt processing is started by an interrupt from the CTC at regular intervals (approximately 4 ms) and is executed as an interrupt while the main control side main processing is being executed.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 8, when a timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 40a executes a power check and backup process in step S201. In this power check and backup process, the power level supplied from the power supply board is mainly monitored, and if an abnormality such as a power interruption occurs, backup process is performed to store predetermined game information at the time of power interruption in the RAM 40c so that game can be resumed without any problems when the power is restored.

[0139] After completing the power check and backup process in step S201, the CPU 40a executes an input data creation process in step S202. Specifically, the input data is created based on the input information (ON / OFF signals and rising states (ON edge, OFF edge)) output from various sensors and switches. The input information here is, for example, ON / OFF information (winning detection information) of detection signals output from detection sensors such as the first start gate detection sensor 23a, the second start gate detection sensor 24a, the normal symbol gate detection sensor 26a, the first large winning gate detection sensor 27a, the second large winning gate detection sensor 28a, the general winning gate detection sensor 31a, and the OUT monitoring sensor 32a, ON / OFF information (operation information) of switch signals output from switches related to the setting operation of the setting value such as the setting key switch 33 and the RAM clear switch 34, status signals (ON / OFF information of the front door opening sensor 48 and the full detection sensor 47) from the payout control board 42, radio wave sensors, magnetic sensors, etc. As a result, whether or not game balls have been detected at the out gate or each winning gate is monitored for each interrupt.

[0140] After completing the input data creation process in step S202, the CPU 40a executes a timer management process in step S203 for managing timers used for game operation control. Here, the values ​​of various timers used for game operation control of the gaming machine 1 are updated (subtracted). In particular, in this embodiment, examples of timers whose values ​​are updated in the timer management process in step S203 include a "special electric role operation timer" and a "normal electric role operation timer" which will be described later.

[0141] Next, the CPU 40a performs an input management process in step S204. In this input management process, the values ​​of the winning counter and the OUT ball monitoring counter are updated based on the input data created in the input data creation process (S202). The "winning counter" is a counter provided for each winning slot, which counts the number of winning game balls (number of winning balls). The OUT ball monitoring counter is a counter that counts the number of game balls (out balls) discharged from the game area 19.

[0142] In step S205, if the CPU 40a finds an abnormality in the setting value, it executes a setting abnormality check process in which it sets a setting value error flag (ON state) and sends a setting value abnormality command to the performance control board 41 to indicate that an abnormality has occurred in the setting value.

[0143] In step S206, the CPU 40a executes an error management process. In this error management process, the CPU 40a monitors whether an error has occurred based on input data from various sensors and status signals from the dispensing control board 42. When an error occurs, the CPU 40a processes the error by sending an error command to the performance control board 41 if the type of error requires it. When the performance control board 41 receives this error command, it issues an error notification according to the type of error. In addition, when the currently occurring error is resolved, the CPU 40a sends an error reset command to the performance control board 41. When the performance control board 41 receives this error reset command, it ends the currently executing error notification.

[0144] Next, in step S207, the CPU 40a executes a random number management process in a timer interruption that periodically updates the random numbers related to each variable display game. Here, in order to make the count value of the random number counter random, the random numbers for determining special symbols and for determining normal symbols are updated (+1 is added at each interruption) and the start value of the random number counter is changed each time the random number counter goes around once. Note that the random numbers for determining big wins are generated by the random number generation circuit, so they are not updated here.

[0145] In step S208, the CPU 40a executes a prize ball management process. In this prize ball management process, the winning counter is checked, and if there is a winning, a payout control command specifying the number of prize balls is sent to the payout control board 42. When the payout control board 42 receives the payout control command, it controls the game ball payout device 46 based on the prize ball number information contained therein, and executes a payout operation for the specified number of prize balls.

[0146] Next, in step S300, the CPU 40a executes a normal symbol management process. In this normal symbol management process, a process required for executing a normal symbol variable display game is performed. Details of the normal symbol management process in step S300 will be described later.

[0147] Furthermore, in step S400, the CPU 40a executes a normal electric accessory management process. In this normal electric accessory management process, a process required for executing a normal electric opening game is performed. Details of the normal electric accessory management process in step S400 will be described later.

[0148] Next, in step S500, the CPU 40a executes a special symbol management process. In this special symbol management process, a lottery is mainly performed for a big win in the special symbol variation display game, and a process required for executing the special symbol variation display game is performed, such as determining the variation pattern of the special symbol (pre-reading variation pattern and variation pattern at the start of variation) based on the lottery result. The special symbol management process in step S500 will be described in detail later.

[0149] Next, in step S600, the CPU 40a executes a special electric accessory management process. In this special electric accessory management process, processes necessary for executing a big win game are performed. The special electric accessory management process in step S600 will be described in detail later.

[0150] When the processing for game progress up to step S600 is completed, the CPU 40a performs external terminal management processing in step S209. In this external terminal management processing, operation status information of the gaming machine 1 is output to external devices such as the hall computer HC and island lamps through the frame external centralized terminal board 43. The operation status information includes game information such as jackpot game occurrence information, pattern variation display game execution start information, number of winnings / number of winning balls information, and error information.

[0151] Next, in step S210, the CPU 40a executes an LED management process. In this LED management process, an output process of a control signal (dynamic lighting data) for LED displays such as the special symbol display devices 22a, 22b and the composite display devices 22c, 22d is performed. A control signal based on display data created in the normal symbol management process (step S300), the special symbol management process (step S400), etc. is output to the corresponding display device or display device in this LED management process, and display control is performed. This realizes a series of variable display operations (variable display and stop display) of the special symbols in the special symbol display devices 22a, 22b and the normal symbols in the composite display device 22d.

[0152] In step S211 following step S210, the CPU 40a executes solenoid management processing. Here, processing is performed to output control signals (control data) for predetermined solenoids provided in the gaming machine 1, such as the normal electric role solenoid 25a that operates the normal electric role 25 described above, the first special electric role solenoid 29a that operates the first special electric role 29 that opens and closes the first large prize opening 27, and the second special electric role solenoid 30a that operates the second special electric role 30 that opens and closes the second large prize opening 28. As described later, the control data for the first special electric role solenoid 29a and the second special electric role solenoid 30a are generated as data indicating the ON / OFF of the solenoids at regular intervals (every 4 ms in this example) by the "large prize opening opening / closing operation setting" (see, for example, S625 in FIG. 27) in step S600 of the main control side timer interrupt processing. In addition, the control data for the normal electric role solenoid 25a is generated as data indicating the ON / OFF state of the solenoid at regular intervals (every 4 ms in this example) by the "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" in step S400 of the main control side timer interrupt processing (see, for example, S407 in Figure 12). In step S211, the CPU 40a performs a process of outputting the control data thus generated to the first special electric role solenoid 29a, the second special electric role solenoid 30a, and the normal electric role solenoid 25a.

[0153] In step S212 following step S211, the CPU 40a saves the values ​​of all registers, and then performs a performance display monitor display process in step S213. That is, this is a process for displaying a value as the normal time ratio information on the setting / performance display unit 35. The value of the normal time ratio information is recalculated every time the total number of out balls reaches a predetermined value, and the setting / performance display 35 is capable of displaying the current normal time ratio information and the previous normal time ratio information (the normal time ratio information whose calculation was terminated at the most recent recalculation timing). Therefore, in this case, the display process of step S213 performs a process of displaying the values ​​of these two types of normal time ratio information on the setting / performance display 35. The value of the current normal time ratio information is a value calculated in step S124 of the main loop processing (FIG. 7) described above, and the previous value of the normal time ratio information is stored in a specified area of ​​the RAM 40c, and the CPU 40a reads out the stored value and displays it on the setting / performance display 35.

[0154] In step S214 following step S213, the CPU 40a executes a test firing signal output process. As described above, in this embodiment, at least the "special electric role operation signal", "solenoid release signal_1", "normal electric role operation signal", and "solenoid release signal_2" are generated as test firing signals, and in step S214, the CPU 40a executes a process for outputting these test firing signals to the outside.

[0155] In step S215 following step S214, the CPU 40a restores the values ​​of all registers, clears the count value of the WDT in step S216, and ends the main control side timer interrupt process.

[0156] When the above timer interrupt processing is completed, the CPU 40a executes the main loop processing (S120) until the next timer interrupt occurs.

[0157] (Normal design management processing) 9 is a flowchart showing the normal symbol management process. As shown in FIG. 9, in step S301, the CPU 40a determines whether or not the passage of the game ball to the normal symbol gate 26 is detected based on the detection signal from the normal symbol gate detection sensor 26a.

[0158] When it is determined that the passage of the game ball to the normal symbol gate 26 is detected, the CPU 40a determines in step S302 whether the number of normal reserved balls is 4 or more. That is, it determines whether the number of normal reserved balls is the maximum reserved memory number (upper limit 4 in this case) or more. However, when the passage of the game ball to the normal symbol gate 26 is not detected (step S301: N) and when it is determined that the number of normal reserved balls is 4, the process skips steps S302 to S304 and proceeds to step S305.

[0159] On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of regular reserved balls is not 4 or more (if it is less than 4), the CPU 40a adds 1 to the number of regular reserved balls in step S303, and stores the random number for determining a regular win related to the regular reserved ball generated this time in the regular reserved memory area of ​​the RAM 40c in step S304.

[0160] In step S305, the CPU 40a judges the state of the normal winning flag. This "normal winning flag" is a flag for specifying whether or not the game is in normal power open mode. When the flag is in the ON state (e.g., 5AH), it indicates that the game is in normal power open mode, and when the flag is in the OFF state (e.g., 00H), it indicates that the game is not in normal power open mode.

[0161] If the normal symbol winning flag is OFF (≠ 5AH), i.e., if normal power open play is not in progress, in step S306, the CPU 40a executes a normal symbol operation status determination process that branches the process related to the variable display operation of the normal symbol depending on the normal symbol operation status (00H to 02H).

[0162] In the normal symbol operation status determination process of step S306, depending on whether the normal symbol operation status is "at the start of fluctuation (00H)", "fluctuation in progress (01H)", or "during confirmation time (02H)", the corresponding process is executed. Note that the "normal symbol operation status" is a value that indicates the behavior of the normal symbol, and the value is changed according to the processing state and stored in the normal symbol operation status storage area of ​​the RAM 40c.

[0163] Specifically, when the normal symbol operation status is "at the start of fluctuation (00H)", the CPU 40a determines in step S307 whether the number of normal symbol reserved balls is zero, and if it determines that the number of normal symbol reserved balls is zero, it skips the processing of steps S308 to S313 and proceeds to step S320.

[0164] On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for the regular game is not zero, in step S308, the CPU 40a subtracts 1 from the number of reserved balls for the regular game, and, referring to the regular game winning determination table shown in Figure 10, performs a lottery for determining whether a regular game is a winning game based on the random number for determining whether a regular game is a winning game that is stored earliest among the random numbers for determining whether a regular game is a winning game (reserved data) stored in the regular game reserve memory area.

[0165] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a normal winning determination table. Here, a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 40b stores a normal winning judgment table as shown in Fig. 10. The normal winning judgment table shows a judgment reference value TH for a low probability state and a high probability state. In the present embodiment, the lottery for the normal winning lottery determines the judgment reference value TH within the range of values ​​(0 to 250) that the random number for determining the normal winning lottery can take, and determines whether the lottery is a winning lottery or not based on the result of comparing the magnitude relationship between the random number for determining the normal winning lottery and the judgment reference value TH. As an example, a method is adopted in which the judgment result of the normal winning lottery is obtained when the value of the random number for determining the normal winning lottery is within the range of "0 to the judgment reference value TH", and the judgment result of the non-winning lottery is obtained otherwise. In the example shown in Figure 10, the judgment reference value TH is set to 250 for both the low probability state and the high probability state. Therefore, in this embodiment, in either the low probability state or the high probability state, the normal winning lottery will always win the normal winning lottery.

[0166] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a winning type, a variation time, and a determination time for a normal symbol variation display game. In step S310, the CPU 40a performs a stop pattern creation process in which a win type is determined based on the result of the normal win lottery and the set game state, and a stop pattern corresponding to the determined win type is created, as shown in Fig. 11. Here, as described above, a normal win is always won in the normal win lottery regardless of whether it is a low probability state or a high probability state, and when a normal win is won, "win 1" is determined as the win type, as shown in Fig. 11, and a stop pattern corresponding to "win 1" is created.

[0167] In step S311, the CPU 40a stores the variable time (see FIG. 11) based on the game state in the normal symbol accessory timer. Here, 132 ms is stored in the low probability state, and 128 ms is stored in the high probability state.

[0168] In step S312, the CPU 40a shifts the reserved data stored in the general map reserved memory area of ​​the RAM 40c. Here, the reserved data stored in the general map reserved n memory area (n=2, 3, 4) is stored in the general map reserved memory area corresponding to 'n-1'.

[0169] In step S313, the CPU 40a performs various settings at the start of the fluctuation and proceeds to step S320. Here, for example, the normal pattern operation status is set to "fluctuating (01H)", the reserved 4 storage area is cleared to provide an empty area, and the normal pattern fluctuation flag is set to ON.

[0170] If the normal symbol operation status is "changing (01H)", the CPU 40a determines in step S314 whether the normal symbol role timer is zero or not, and if it determines that the normal symbol role timer is not zero, it skips step S315 and proceeds to step S320.

[0171] On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal symbol feature timer is zero, in step S315, the CPU 40a performs various settings when the variation is stopped, and proceeds to step S320. Here, for example, the normal symbol operation status is set to "confirmation time (02H)", the fixed time (500 ms) based on the game state as shown in Figure 11 is stored in the normal symbol feature timer, and the normal symbol variation flag is set to the OFF state.

[0172] If the normal symbol operation status is "in confirmation time (02H)", the CPU 40a determines in step S316 whether the normal symbol role timer is zero or not, and if it determines that the normal symbol role timer is not zero, it skips steps S317 to S319 and proceeds to step S320.

[0173] On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal symbol feature timer is zero, in step S317, the CPU 40a sets the normal symbol operation status to "at the start of fluctuation (00H)". In step S318, the CPU 40a determines whether or not the normal symbol win has been won in the normal symbol winning lottery in step S309, and if it is determined that the normal symbol win has not been won, it skips step S319 and proceeds to step S320.

[0174] On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal winning has been won, in step S319, the CPU 40a performs various settings for the normal winning and proceeds to step S320. Here, the normal winning flag is set to the ON state (5AH).

[0175] In step S320, the CPU 40a updates the normal symbol display data and ends the normal symbol management process. In this normal symbol display data update process, it is determined whether the normal symbol is changing or not, and if it is changing, it creates 7-segment display data for the normal symbol changing, and if it is not changing, it creates 7-segment display data for the normal symbol stopped display. The display data for the normal symbol created here is output to the composite display device 22d by the LED management process (step S210) of FIG. 8.

[0176] (Normal electric accessory management processing) Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing the normal electric accessory management process (S400). Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of various values ​​set during normal electric open play. As shown in FIG. 13, various values ​​set during normal power open play include the interval time before opening (opening time), opening time, interval time after opening (ending time), and maximum number of winnings, and these values ​​are set for each game state (low probability state, high probability state). For example, in the low probability state, the interval time before opening is set to 20 ms, the opening time is set to 68 ms, the interval time after opening is set to 300 ms, and the maximum number of winnings is set to 10. In addition, in the high probability state, the interval time before opening is set to 20 ms, the opening time is set to 5700 ms, the interval time after opening is set to 20 ms, and the maximum number of winnings is set to 10.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 12, in step S401, the CPU 40a determines whether the normal winning flag is ON (5AH), and if it determines that the normal winning flag is not ON, that is, if it determines that normal power open play is not in progress, it terminates the normal electric device management process.

[0178] On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal winning flag is ON, that is, if it is determined that normal power open play is in progress, the CPU 40a determines in step S402 whether the normal electric device 25 is in operation or not, and if it is determined that the normal electric device 25 is not in operation, the CPU 40a skips step S403 and proceeds to step S404.

[0179] On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal electric role 25 is in operation (when it is determined that the second start port 24 is open), the CPU 40a performs a normal electric winning number check process in step S403. In the normal electric winning number check process, if the value of the normal electric winning counter indicating the number of winnings into the second start port 24 is the maximum number of winnings (10), the normal electric role operation timer is set to 0. Here, the normal electric role operation timer is a timer for managing the operating state of the normal electric role 25 (normal electric role solenoid 25a). In addition, the normal electric role operation timer can be a common timer with the normal pattern role timer described above (so that the usage timing does not overlap).

[0180] In step S404, the CPU 40a judges whether or not the normal electric role operation timer is 0. If it is judged that the normal electric role operation timer is not 0, the CPU 40a skips step S405 and proceeds to step S406.

[0181] On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal electric role operation timer is 0, in step S405, the CPU 40a sets various values ​​according to the normal electric role operation status (00H to 03H). Here, various values ​​corresponding to the normal electric role operation status are set according to whether it is "before start (00H)", "in start interval (01H)", "operating (02H)", or "stopped (03H)". When normal electric role operation status is not in normal power open play, it is "before start (00H)". Here, if the normal electric role operation status is "before start (00H)", the CPU 40a changes the normal electric role operation status to "during start interval (01H)" and stores the pre-opening interval time (20 ms for both the low probability state and the high probability state) in the normal electric role operation timer. In addition, when the pre-opening interval time stored in the normal electric role operation timer has elapsed, the CPU 40a sets the normal electric role operation status to "operating (02H)", stores the opening time (68 ms in the low probability state, 5700 ms in the high probability state) in the normal electric role operation timer, and resets the normal electric winning counter to 0. In addition, when the opening time stored in the normal electric device operation timer has elapsed or the maximum number of game balls enter the second start port 24 (the normal electric winning counter reaches the maximum number of game balls), the CPU 40a sets the normal electric device operation status to "stopped (03H)", stores the interval time after opening (300 ms in the low probability state, 20 ms in the high probability state) in the normal electric device operation timer, and stores 1 s in the normal electric device effective timer. The normal electric device effective timer is a timer for validly accepting game balls entering the second start port 24, and validly accepts game balls entering the second start port 24 until the normal electric device effective timer reaches zero. In addition, when the post-open interval time stored in the normal electric role operation timer has elapsed, the CPU 40a sets the normal electric role operation status to "before start (00H)", clears the normal electric winning counter to 0, and sets the normal winning flag to the OFF state (00H).

[0182] In step S406, the CPU 40a determines whether the normal electric role operation status is "in operation (02H)", and if it determines that the normal electric role operation status is "in operation (02H)", it proceeds to step S407 to perform processing of "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting", and then terminates the normal electric role management processing of step S400. In the processing of "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" in step S407, control data for controlling the operation of the normal electric role solenoid 25a and ON / OFF setting data for the test firing signal as the aforementioned "normal electric role operation signal" and "solenoid release signal_2" are generated based on the normal electric role data generation table (see Figure 60) described below and the value of the normal electric role operation timer. The specific processing content of "setting normal electric accessory opening and closing operation" as step S407 will be explained later.

[0183] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that the normal electric role operation status is not "operating (02H)", the CPU 40a proceeds to step S408 and determines whether the opening / closing operation setting process flag is ON. The opening / closing operation setting process flag is a flag that is set in the processing of "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" in step S407, and is set to ON when the processing of "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" in step S407 should continue even after the value of the normal electric role operation timer after the above-mentioned opening time (for example, 68 ms in a low probability state, 5700 ms in a high probability state) is stored becomes 0 (that is, even after the normal electric role operation status changes from "operating (02H)" to "stopped (03H)"), and is set to OFF when it is no longer necessary to process "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" in step S407 after that.

[0184] If it is determined in step S408 that the opening / closing operation setting processing flag is ON, the CPU 40a executes the "normal electric role opening / closing operation setting" processing of step S407, and then terminates the normal electric role management processing of step S400. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S408 that the opening / closing operation setting processing flag is OFF, the CPU 40a ends the normal electric prop management processing in step S400 without executing the "normal electric prop opening / closing operation setting" processing in step S407.

[0185] Here, the processing of "normal electric reel opening / closing operation setting" in step S407 is a process in which a corresponding program module is called and executed, but in this embodiment, a common program module is used for the processing of "normal electric reel opening / closing operation setting" in step S407 and the processing of "large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625 in the special electric reel management processing (S600) described later. Specifically, the processing of "setting the opening and closing operation of normal electric props" in step 407 is executed by calling the "common program module" and using the table for generating normal electric prop data shown in Figure 60 as a reference table. On the other hand, the processing of "Large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625 described later is executed by calling the "common program module" and using the special electric device data generation table shown in Figure 55 as a reference table. These details will be explained later.

[0186] (Special design management processing) Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the special symbol management process (step S500). As shown in Fig. 14, the CPU 40a performs a special symbol 1 start hole check process for the special symbol 1 (first start hole 23) in step S501, and performs a special symbol 2 start hole check process for the special symbol 2 (second start hole 24) in the following step S502. The details of these starting port check processes will be described later.

[0187] After completing the start-up check process in steps S501 and S502, the CPU 40a judges the state of the condition device operation flag in step S503. This "condition device operation flag" is a flag for specifying whether or not a jackpot game is being played, and indicates that a jackpot game is being played when the flag is ON (e.g., 5AH), and indicates that a jackpot game is not being played when the flag is OFF (e.g., 00H). The condition device operation flag is set to ON in the special symbol confirmation process (step S507) when a jackpot is won in the jackpot lottery, and is set to OFF in the jackpot end process (step S650) described later.

[0188] If it is determined that the condition device operation flag is in the OFF state (≠ 5AH), i.e., if it is determined that a jackpot game is not being played, in step S504, the CPU 40a executes special pattern operation status branching processing which branches processing related to the variable display operation of the special pattern according to the special pattern operation status (00H to 03H).

[0189] In the special symbol operation status branching process in step S504, depending on whether the special symbol operation status is "Waiting (00H, 01H)", "Variable (02H)", or "Confirming (03H)", the corresponding process is executed. Note that the "special symbol operation status" is a value that indicates the behavior of the special symbol, and the value is changed according to the processing state and stored in the special symbol operation status storage area of ​​the RAM 40c.

[0190] Specifically, the CPU 40a executes special symbol change start processing (step S505) when the special symbol operation status is "waiting (00H, 01H)", executes special symbol change processing (step S506) when the special symbol operation status is "changing (02H)", and executes special symbol confirmation time processing (step S507) when the special symbol operation status is "checking (03H)". Here, the above "waiting" means that the special symbol is in a waiting state for the next change, the above "changing" means that the special symbol is changing (displaying a change), and the above "checking" means that the change of the special symbol has ended and is being displayed as stopped (confirmed) (during special symbol confirmation time).

[0191] By the processing of the above steps S505, S506, and S507, a variable display operation for setting the start and stop of the variation of the special symbols is realized. The process in step S505 will be described in detail later.

[0192] When any of the processes in steps S505 to S507 is completed, the CPU 40a executes a special symbol display data update process in step S508 and ends the special symbol management process. In this special symbol display data update process, it is determined whether the special symbol is changing or not, and if it is changing, it creates 7-segment display data for the special symbol changing, and if it is not changing, it creates 7-segment display data for the special symbol stopped display. The display data for the special symbol created here is output to the special symbol display devices 22a and 22b by the LED management process (step S210) in FIG. 8.

[0193] Also, when it is determined in step S503 that a jackpot game is being played (=5AH), the CPU 40a does not perform the processing related to the variable display operation of the special symbols in steps S505 to S507, and performs the special symbol display data update processing in step S508. In other words, when a jackpot game is being played, the variable display operation of the special symbols is not performed (the display state of the special symbols on the special symbol display device is maintained as it is after the jackpot).

[0194] (Special Diagram 1 Starting Port Check Processing) FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the special drawing 1 starting port check process (step S501). This special symbol 1 start port check process plays a role as a winning process executed based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition. In the special symbol 1 start port check process, as a pre-start process (winning process of special symbol 1) for executing the special symbol 1 special symbol variable display game 1, an addition process of the reserved ball number of the special symbol 1 caused by the winning of the first start port 23, a storage process of various random numbers (reserved storage process), a transmission process of a reserved addition command, etc. are executed. In addition, the special symbol 2 start hole check process (step S502), like the special symbol 1 start hole check process, also plays a role as a winning process executed based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition, and as a pre-start process (winning process of special symbol 2) for executing the special symbol variation display game 2 of the special symbol 2, an addition process of the reserved ball number of the special symbol 2 caused by the winning of the second start hole 24, a storage process of various random numbers, and a transmission process of a reserved addition command are executed. Therefore, the special symbol 1 start hole check process and the special symbol 2 start hole check process have substantially the same processing contents. In the following, the special symbol 1 start hole check process will be mainly explained, and details of the special symbol 2 start hole check process will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0195] As shown in FIG. 15, in step S501-1, the CPU 40a judges whether or not the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 23 has been detected based on the detection signal from the first start hole detection sensor 23a. If it is judged that the entry into the first start hole 23 has been detected, in step S501-2, the CPU 40a judges whether or not the number of reserved balls of special pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as "special pattern 1 reserved balls") is 4 or more. In other words, it judges whether or not the number of reserved balls of special pattern 1 is the maximum reserved memory number (here, the upper limit is 4). However, if it is judged that the entry into the first start hole 23 has not been detected, the special pattern 1 start hole check process is terminated.

[0196] If it is determined in step S501-2 that the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is 4 or more, that is, if a winning entry is detected at the first starting hole 23 but the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is determined to be 4 or more, the CPU 40a proceeds to step S501-11 described below. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not 4 or more (if it is less than 4), the CPU 40a adds 1 to the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 in step S501-3.

[0197] In step S501-4, the CPU 40a acquires various random numbers used in the special symbol variation display game 1 related to the currently generated special symbol 1 reserved ball. Specifically, the CPU 40a acquires a random number for jackpot determination, a random number for special symbol determination, and a random number for variation pattern from various random number counters, and stores the acquired random numbers in the special symbol reservation memory area of ​​the RAM 40c.

[0198] In step S501-5, the CPU 40a obtains look-ahead prohibition data (EVENT: "01H") that prohibits look-ahead judgment as winning command data (data corresponding to the lower byte (EVENT) of the pending addition command) for creating a pending addition command. Next, in step S501-6, the CPU 40a determines whether or not a "special figure 1 pre-reading prohibition condition" is satisfied. The special figure 1 pre-reading prohibition condition is a condition that prohibits a pre-reading judgment targeting the special figure 1 reserved ball.

[0199] If the special chart 1 pre-reading prohibition condition is satisfied, the CPU 40a does not execute the pre-reading judgment process (step S501-9) for the pre-reading judgment, and proceeds to step S501-11. In this case, the reserved addition command having the pre-reading prohibition data (EVENT: "01H") specifies the pre-reading prohibition, and the pre-reading judgment targeting the special chart 1 reserved ball is prohibited, and as a result, the pre-reading notice performance is not executed. In other words, the pre-reading prohibition data specifies that the pre-reading judgment process (step S501-9) is not executed.

[0200] Here, the pre-reading judgment of the special chart 1 and the special chart 2 is not performed regardless of the game state, but whether or not the pre-reading is prohibited is judged based on the current game state. The reason is as follows. When the time-saving state is in which right-handed hits are advantageous, winning entries into the second starting hole 24 occur frequently, but when the time-saving state is not in which left-handed hits are advantageous, winning entries into the second starting hole 24 rarely occur and winning entries into the first starting hole 23 occur frequently. Taking this into consideration, rather than making blind pre-reading judgments of special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 regardless of the game state, when the time-saving state is in, pre-reading judgments on the special pattern 1 side are prohibited and pre-reading judgments on the special pattern 2 side are allowed, and when the time-saving state is not in, pre-reading judgments on the special pattern 2 side are prohibited and pre-reading judgments on the special pattern 1 side are allowed.

[0201] If it is determined in step S501-6 that the pre-read prohibition condition is not satisfied, the CPU 40a executes a pre-read judgment process in step S501-7. In this pre-read judgment process, the result of the big win lottery executed at the start of the fluctuation is pre-read and judged. Therefore, a series of processes related to the 'pre-read win / loss judgment' for pre-reading and judging the result of the big win lottery, the 'pre-read pattern judgment' for pre-reading and judging the result of the pattern lottery, and the 'pre-read fluctuation pattern judgment' for pre-reading and judging the fluctuation pattern at the start of the fluctuation are included.

[0202] Specifically, in step S501-7, the CPU 40a acquires a random number value for determining a jackpot stored in the RAM 40c (special chart reserved memory area), and performs a jackpot lottery (at least a pre-reading win / loss judgment to determine whether it is a jackpot or a loss) for the currently reserved ball based on the random number value for determining a jackpot and the jackpot judgment table (see Figure 18), and acquires the result (referred to as the "pre-reading win / loss result").

[0203] In this embodiment, the result of the pre-reading is not stored in the RAM 40c, but is taken into a predetermined general-purpose register built into the CPU 40a. This is because the result of the pre-reading is used immediately in the process of the pre-reading pattern determination, and the data is not needed thereafter, so there is no need to store it in the RAM 40c.

[0204] In step S501-7, the CPU 40a performs a pattern lottery using a pattern table (see FIG. 21) according to the result of the pre-reading (at least whether it is a big win or a miss) and the reserved type (whether it is a special pattern 1 or 2) as the process of the pre-reading pattern determination described above. Specifically, the CPU 40a performs a pattern lottery for the reserved ball this time based on the random number for special pattern determination and the pattern table obtained in the previous step S501-4, and obtains the result (referred to as the "pre-reading pattern result").

[0205] The CPU 40a does not store the pre-reading symbol result in the RAM 40c, but takes it into a predetermined general-purpose register built into the CPU 40a, as in the above-mentioned pre-reading success / failure judgment. This is because the pre-reading symbol result is immediately used in the subsequent pre-reading variation pattern judgment, and the data is not needed thereafter, so there is no need to store it in the RAM 40c.

[0206] After the above-mentioned pre-reading symbol determination is completed, the CPU 40a executes the pre-reading variation pattern determination. In this pre-reading variation pattern determination, a lottery is performed for a variation pattern using the above-mentioned pre-reading symbol result (either "4R1", "10R", "4R2", "miss 1", "miss 2", or "miss 3"), a variation pattern table for selecting a variation pattern according to the pre-reading symbol result, and the random number for the variation pattern obtained in step S501-4, to determine the pre-reading variation pattern. In other words, the pre-reading variation pattern (the variation pattern at the start of the variation) to be executed when the reserved ball this time is subjected to the variation display operation is pre-read and determined.

[0207] The above-mentioned variation pattern table is also used in the lottery for the variation pattern performed in the special pattern variation start process (Figure 14). A specific example of the above fluctuation pattern table and the lottery process for fluctuation patterns using the table will be explained again when explaining the processing at the start of fluctuation.

[0208] The result of the look-ahead fluctuation pattern determination (winning command data (EVENT)) is immediately used in the pending addition command creation process in step S501-8 described below, and this data is not needed thereafter. Therefore, the CPU 40a finishes the process of step S501-7 without storing the result of the look-ahead fluctuation pattern determination in the RAM 40c and taking it into the register.

[0209] In step S501-8, the CPU 40a creates data on the lower byte side of the reserved addition command according to the look-ahead determination result. Specifically, data representing the type of look-ahead fluctuation pattern is created as winning command data (EVENT) on the lower byte side of the reserved addition command. As for the EVENT data, the "01H" set in step S501-5 is updated in this process to a value corresponding to the look-ahead fluctuation pattern (the value obtained in the look-ahead fluctuation pattern determination process).

[0210] In step S501-9, the CPU 40a creates data on the upper byte side of the reserved addition command according to the number of reserved balls. That is, data representing the current number of reserved balls and the above-mentioned pre-read pattern result (type of special pattern) is created as winning command data (MODE) on the upper byte side of the reserved addition command. The data for this MODE is set so that one reserved item of special drawing 1 to four reserved items of special drawing 1, and one reserved item of special drawing 2 to four reserved items of special drawing 2 can be distinguished.

[0211] In step S501-10, the CPU 40a performs a process of transmitting a reserved addition command. That is, the CPU 40a generates a reserved addition command including the winning command data generated in steps S501-8 and S501-9 as EVENT and MODE, respectively, and transmits the reserved addition command to the performance control board 41.

[0212] If the read-ahead prohibition condition is met (Yes in S501-6), the CPU 40a does not update the above-mentioned read-ahead prohibition data (lower byte=01H) but maintains it as is, and transmits a reserved addition command having the read-ahead prohibition data. In addition, in the event of an overflow (when a new winning occurs when the maximum number of reserved memory entries has been reached), an overflow-specified reserved addition command is sent (Yes route of step S501-2).

[0213] In addition, after the reserved addition command is sent from the main control board 40 to the performance control board 41, it is only used when the performance control board 41 displays the "pre-reading notice performance" related to the reserved ball this time, and is not particularly used in the special symbol variation start processing shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, the CPU 40a does not store the reserved addition command in the RAM 40c, and exits the special symbol 1 start port check processing in step S501, and then performs the special symbol 2 start port check processing in step S502.

[0214] Here, as described above, even if an abnormality occurs in the data of the set value at the time of winning (when a reserved ball occurs), the reserved addition command is sent, but since this reserved addition command is a command having pre-reading prohibition data, even if a pre-reading notice performance based on the set value or a pre-reading notice performance not based on the set value can be displayed, the performance control related to the pre-reading notice itself is prohibited, so that the pre-reading notice caused by the malfunction will not be displayed and there will be no disadvantage to the player, so no particular problem will occur. If the pre-reading notice performance is not prohibited, even if the set value is abnormal, if a high-expectation reserved display appears in the pre-reading notice performance of the reserved display system, if the game progress stops due to the subsequent RAM error processing (error processing due to the abnormal setting value), the player's expectation of winning will disappear at once, causing a great distrust in the gaming machine. However, as described above, since the pre-reading notice itself is prohibited, such a problem will not occur and it is possible to prevent the player from feeling distrust.

[0215] (Special pattern change start processing) FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the special symbol variation start process (step S505) which is the process at the start of variation. As shown in FIG. 16, in step S505-1, the CPU 40a determines whether the number of reserved balls in Special Chart 2 (number of reserved balls in Special Chart 2) is zero or not, and if the number of reserved balls in Special Chart 2 is not zero, the CPU 40a proceeds to step S505-6 and performs processing at the start of the change (steps S505-6 to S505-14) for the reserved balls in Special Chart 2 to be used for the current change display.

[0216] On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is zero, in step S505-2, the CPU 40a determines whether the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 (number of reserved balls for special chart 1) is zero or not, and if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not zero, it proceeds to processing of step S505-6 and performs processing related to the start of the change of the special pattern targeting the reserved balls for special chart 1 used in the current change display (steps S505-6 to S505-14). The above steps S505-1 and S505-2 process determines the "priority change order" of whether the special reserved ball 1 or the special reserved ball 2 is to be used for the change display operation (which reserved ball is to be consumed preferentially). In this embodiment, if there are reserved balls in both the special reserved ball 1 and the special reserved ball 2, the special reserved ball is consumed preferentially. In other words, the special pattern change display game 2 is executed preferentially over the special pattern change display game 1. It should be noted that the above-mentioned priority change type is not limited, and the reserved balls may be consumed in the order in which they were won.

[0217] In addition, when the number of reserved balls for both the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 and the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is zero, the state is "no reserved balls". This "no reserved balls" state is when the special pattern is waiting and there is no reserved memory, and the performance control board 41 is notified that this state has been entered, and the main liquid crystal display device 20M is controlled to switch to a demo screen display for waiting for customers (customer waiting demo screen). Therefore, when it becomes "no reserved balls", the process proceeds to step S505-3, and the CPU 40a judges whether the special pattern operation status is "waiting (00H)", which indicates the state of "no reserved balls".

[0218] If it is determined in step S505-3 that the special symbol operation status is not "waiting (00H)", that is, if it is determined that the special symbol operation status is "waiting (01H)", the CPU 40a switches the special symbol operation status to "waiting (00H)" in step S505-4 (stores 00H in the special symbol operation status). Then, in step S505-5, the CPU 40a transmits a "demo display command" to display a customer waiting demo screen as a performance control command to the performance control board 41, and ends the special symbol variation start process. Thereafter, if the status is "standby (00H)" when the determination process of step S505-3 is executed, the CPU 40a ends the special symbol variation start process without transmitting a demo display command again.

[0219] If it is determined in step S505-1 that the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is not zero, and if it is determined in step S505-2 that the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not zero (if the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is zero while the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not zero), the CPU 40a performs processing (steps S505-6 to S505-14) related to the start of the change in the special pattern that targets the reserved balls used in the current change display. Here, with regard to the processing of steps S505-6 to S505-14 described below, if the judgment in step S505-1 above is 'No', the processing will be directed to the Special Drawing 2 reserved ball, and if the judgment in step S505-2 above is 'No', the processing will be directed to the Special Drawing 1 reserved ball. However, since the processing method is the same, in order to avoid repetition, we will explain the processing without distinguishing between the processing for the Special Drawing 1 reserved ball and the processing for the Special Drawing 2 reserved ball unless there is a special need to do so.

[0220] In step S505-6, the CPU 40a subtracts 1 from the number of reserved balls (the number of reserved balls related to the special symbol side for this variable display operation - 1), and in the following step S505-7, transmits a "reserved subtraction command" including the reserved ball number information after subtraction to the performance control board 41. With this reserved subtraction command, the performance control board 41 side grasps the remaining number of reserved balls after the current reserved ball number is consumed, and shifts the currently displayed reserved display.

[0221] In step S505-8, the CPU 40a sets special symbol operation confirmation data. This special symbol operation confirmation data is information that specifies the special symbol on the side of the current change start. For example, if the special symbol 1 is the change start side, "00H (special symbol 1 change start designation)" is stored in a predetermined area (special symbol operation confirmation data storage area) of the RAM 40c, and if the special symbol 2 is the change start side, "01H (special symbol 2 change start designation)" is stored in the predetermined area (special symbol operation confirmation data storage area) of the RAM 40c.

[0222] In step S505-9, the CPU 40a shifts the reserved data stored in the special symbol reserved memory area of ​​the RAM 40c, and clears the reserved 4 memory area in the following step S505-10. In the process of steps S505-9 to S505-10, the reserved data (random numbers for jackpot determination, random numbers for special symbol determination, and random numbers for variable patterns) stored in the reserved memory area (reserved 1 memory area) corresponding to the reserved memory number n=1 are read out and stored in the random number for determination memory area of ​​the RAM 40c, and the reserved data stored in the reserved memory areas (reserved 2 memory area, reserved 3 memory area, reserved 4 memory area) corresponding to the reserved n memory area (n=2, 3, 4) are stored in the reserved memory areas corresponding to 'n-1' (step S505-9), and the reserved 4 memory area is cleared to provide an empty area (step S505-10).

[0223] In step S505-11, the CPU 40a performs a process of sending a variable number remaining designation command and a game state command. Here, the CPU 40a judges whether or not the "time-saving count counter" that counts the number of time-saving times in the time-saving state is zero, and if the number of time-saving times is not zero, it sends a "variable number remaining designation command" including the number of time-saving times to the performance control board 41. This "variable number remaining designation command" enables the performance control board 41 to execute a process of grasping and notifying the number of time-saving times. The CPU 40a also performs processing for transmitting to the performance control board 41 a game state command that specifies the current game state.

[0224] In step S511, the CPU 40a executes a jackpot random number determination process for performing a jackpot lottery. Details of the jackpot random number determination process will be described later.

[0225] In step S512, the CPU 40a executes a symbol lottery process for carrying out a symbol lottery. The details of the symbol lottery process will be described later.

[0226] In step S513, the CPU 40a executes a variation pattern selection process for selecting a variation pattern. Details of the variation pattern lottery process in this embodiment will be described later.

[0227] As mentioned above, the results of the jackpot lottery and the pattern lottery at the start of the fluctuation are stored in RAM 40c. The reason for this is that these lottery results are not only used in the special pattern management process (step S500), but are also used in subsequent special electric device management process (step S600), etc. This is different from the process at the time of pre-reading determination in which the lottery result is not stored in the RAM 40c.

[0228] Although not illustrated, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, following step S513, the CPU 40a performs the necessary setting processing to specify the game state after the jackpot game, as a setting processing for transitioning the game state (game state transition preparation processing).

[0229] In step S505-12, the CPU 40a stores 5AH (ON state) in the special symbol N changing flag (N=1, 2) that specifies that a changing display is in progress. The "special symbol N changing flag" is a flag that indicates whether the target special symbol of special symbol 1 or 2 is changing, and when the flag is ON (=5AH), it indicates that the target special symbol is changing, and when the flag is OFF (=00H), it indicates that the target special symbol is stopped. In addition, the special pattern 1 changing flag (N=1) corresponds to the special pattern 1, and the special pattern 2 changing flag (N=2) corresponds to the special pattern 2.

[0230] In step S505-13, the CPU 40a executes a command transmission process at the start of the fluctuation. In this command transmission process, in order to notify the performance control board 41 of the fluctuation pattern selected in the fluctuation pattern lottery in step S513, a "fluctuation pattern designation command" including fluctuation pattern information capable of identifying the fluctuation pattern is created as a performance control command, and is transmitted to the performance control board 41. In the command transmission process, a decorative symbol designation command is created based on the symbol lottery result in step S512, and is transmitted to the performance control board 41. The decorative symbol designation command is composed of two bytes, a high-order byte (MODE) that designates the reserved type, and a low-order byte (EVENT) that designates the type of special symbol. Therefore, this decorative symbol designation command includes information on the reserved type and the type of special symbol (symbol lottery result). Since this decorative symbol designation command includes information on the type of special symbol, it is mainly used in the performance control board 41 when determining the combination of decorative symbols (symbol types that have a reach symbol as a component) when forming a reach state, the combination of decorative symbols (decorative stop symbols) that are finally stopped and displayed, and the advance notice performance corresponding to the winning type in the symbol variation display game. Furthermore, the command transmission process also transmits a setting value command to notify the performance control board 41 of the current setting value.

[0231] In step S505-14, the CPU 40a executes a process for setting the start of fluctuation, and ends the special symbol fluctuation start process. Here, the CPU 40a switches the special symbol operation status to "fluctuating (02H)" (stores 02H in the special symbol operation status), and clears the random number storage area for judgment.

[0232] (Jackpot random number determination process) FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the jackpot random number determination process (step S511), FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a jackpot determination table, and FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining the jackpot random number determination method.

[0233] As shown in FIG. 17, in step S511-1, the CPU 40a selects a jackpot determination table according to the reserved type (special drawing 1, special drawing 2). Here, a jackpot determination table as shown in Fig. 17 is stored in a predetermined area (address) of the ROM 40b. The jackpot determination table is provided for each reserved type (special drawing 1, special drawing 2), but in this embodiment, the same value is set regardless of the reserved type. The jackpot determination table shows the determination reference value TH in a low probability state and a high probability state. In the present embodiment, the jackpot random number judgment determines a judgment reference value TH within the range of values ​​that the jackpot judgment random number can take, and judges whether or not a jackpot has been won (a jackpot lottery) based on the result of comparing the magnitude relationship between the jackpot judgment random number and the judgment reference value TH. As an example, a method is adopted in which a jackpot judgment result is obtained when the value of the jackpot judgment random number is within the range of "0 to judgment reference value TH", and a miss judgment result is obtained otherwise.

[0234] As the judgment reference value TH, two types are set: a judgment reference value TH1 (205) used for judging a low probability state, and a judgment reference value TH2 (658) used for judging a high probability state. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the judgment reference value TH2 for the high probability state is set to be larger than the judgment reference value TH1 for the low probability state, thereby increasing the probability of winning a jackpot when the high probability state is determined.

[0235] In the above, an example was given in which the lower limit value for determining a jackpot in the jackpot random number determination was set to "0", that is, a jackpot determination result is obtained if the random number for jackpot determination is within the range of "0" to "determination reference value TH", but the lower limit value can also be a number greater than "0".

[0236] In step S511-2, the CPU 40a judges whether the random number for jackpot judgment is less than the judgment lower limit. The judgment lower limit is the jackpot judgment lower limit (the lower limit of the numerical range in which the judgment result of the jackpot is obtained) as described above, and is, for example, "0". If the random number for determining a jackpot is less than the lower determination limit, it is determined to be a miss, and the process of steps S511-3 to S511-7 described below is skipped, and the jackpot random number determination process is terminated. In addition, when the judgment lower limit value=0, it is not necessary to provide the process of step S511-2 because it is usually impossible for the random number for jackpot judgment to have a value less than 0. The process of step S511-2 is effective when the judgment lower limit value is a value greater than 0.

[0237] If the random number for determining a big win is not less than the lower limit value in step S511-2, the CPU 40a determines in step S511-3 whether or not the current game state is a high probability state.

[0238] When it is determined that the state is not the high probability state, in step S511-4, the CPU 40a acquires a determination reference value TH1 for the low probability state in the big win determination table. On the other hand, when it is determined that the probability is high, in step S511-5, the CPU 40a acquires the determination reference value TH2 for the high probability in the big win determination table.

[0239] In step S511-6, the CPU 40a determines whether or not the big win determination random number is less than the determination reference value TH, based on the determination reference value TH1 or the determination reference value TH2. If it is determined that the random number for determining a jackpot is less than the judgment reference value TH, in step S511-7 the CPU 40a updates the jackpot judgment flag to 5AH and terminates the jackpot random number judgment process; if it is determined that the random number for determining a jackpot is not less than the judgment reference value TH, it skips step S511-6 and terminates the jackpot random number judgment process.

[0240] In addition, if the random number for determining a jackpot is determined to be less than the lower judgment limit value in step S511-2, and if the random number for determining a jackpot is determined to be not less than the judgment reference value TH in step S511-6, the jackpot determination flag should be updated to a value indicating not a jackpot (=5AH), specifically a miss (=00H). However, in the jackpot random number determination process of step S511, the process of updating the jackpot determination flag to 00H, which indicates a miss, is not performed, and is instead performed in the special pattern confirmation time processing of step S507.

[0241] (Pattern lottery processing) FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the symbol lottery process (step S512), and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol table.

[0242] As shown in Fig. 21, a symbol table is provided for each big win lottery result. In the symbol table, the selection rate of the type of special symbol (big win type, miss type) is set for each big win lottery result. Here, in the pattern table, the numerical values ​​stored for each type of special pattern to be selected represent the allocation value (value representing the allocation) of the selection rate, assuming that the random number for determining the special pattern can take on 200 possible values ​​from 0 to 199. According to the jackpot pattern table, if a jackpot is won on Special Chart 1, the jackpot type will be "Jackpot 1" with a selection rate of 200 / 200, meaning that it will always be determined. In addition, if a jackpot is won on Special Chart 2, the jackpot type will be determined as “Jackpot 1” with a selection rate of 140 / 200, and the jackpot type will be determined as “Jackpot 2” with a selection rate of 60 / 200.

[0243] In addition, according to the pattern table for losses, if a loss is determined on special chart 1, the loss type will be determined as "Loss 1" with a selection rate of 180 / 200, the loss type will be determined as "Loss 2" with a selection rate of 16 / 200, and the loss type will be determined as "Loss 3" with a selection rate of 4 / 200. In addition, if a loss is determined on Special Chart 2, the loss type will be determined as "Lose 1" with a selection rate of 180 / 200, the loss type will be determined as "Lose 2" with a selection rate of 10 / 200, and the loss type will be determined as "Lose 3" with a selection rate of 10 / 200.

[0244] In step S512-1, the CPU 40a selects a pattern table corresponding to the reserved type (special pattern 1, special pattern 2).

[0245] In step S512-2, the CPU 40a acquires a random number for determining a special symbol and a jackpot determination flag. In step S512-3, the CPU 40a refers to a symbol table corresponding to the jackpot determination flag (jackpot / loss), and determines the type of special symbol (jackpot type, loss type) by lottery based on the random number for determining a special symbol.

[0246] In step S512-4, the CPU 40a stores the special symbol determination data corresponding to the type of special symbol determined in step S512-3 in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 40c, and ends the special stop symbol creation process.

[0247] (Variation pattern lottery processing) FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the variation pattern lottery process (step S512). In step S512-1, the CPU 40a determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred. That is, based on the jackpot determination flag, the CPU 40a determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred (=5AH).

[0248] When it is determined in step S512-1 that the winning combination is not a big win (a loss), the CPU 40a selects a loss fluctuation pattern table in step S512-2, and then proceeds to a fluctuation pattern selection process in step S512-4. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S512-1 that a big win has occurred, the CPU 40a selects a big win fluctuation pattern table in step S512-3, and then proceeds to a fluctuation pattern selection process in step S512-4.

[0249] In step S512-4, the CPU 40a refers to the variation pattern table selected in step S512-2 or step S512-3, determines a variation pattern based on the variation pattern random number, and ends the variation pattern lottery process.

[0250] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a variation pattern lottery table. The variation pattern table is stored in the ROM 40b. In addition, although FIG. 23 illustrates the variation pattern table used in the time-saving state, in reality, a variation pattern table used in the non-time-saving state is also provided.

[0251] As shown in Figure 23, in the lottery for the fluctuation pattern in the event of a loss, the candidate fluctuation patterns (fluctuation patterns that can be selected by lottery) are seven types: "Normal fluctuation 1s," "Normal fluctuation 12s1," "Normal fluctuation 12s2," "Super reach 1," "Super reach 2," "Super reach 3," and "Super reach 4." In addition, in the lottery for the fluctuation pattern for the jackpot, there are four possible fluctuation patterns: "Super Reach 1," "Super Reach 2," "Super Reach 3," and "Super Reach 4."

[0252] Here, among the above-mentioned fluctuation patterns, "normal fluctuation 1s", "normal fluctuation 12s1", and "normal fluctuation 12s2" in particular belong to fluctuation patterns corresponding to a "miss" that is not selected at the time of a jackpot (hereinafter, these may be referred to as "miss fluctuation patterns").

[0253] In this embodiment, the variation pattern selection in the event of a loss is performed using a different variation pattern table for each type of loss (loss 1, 2, 3), regardless of whether it is special chart 1 or 2. Here, as mentioned above, the selection rate of each of the loss types "Loss 1", "Loss 2", and "Loss 3" by the symbol lottery is different, with "Loss 1" having the highest selection rate, and "Loss 2" and "Loss 3" having lower selection rates than "Loss 1". In other words, if the result of the jackpot lottery is "Loss", in most cases "Loss 1" will be selected as the loss type.

[0254] For the variation pattern lottery for the special chart 2, when the miss type is "miss 1", the lottery is performed according to the number of reserved balls. For this reason, among the variation pattern tables for the special chart 2, different tables are prepared for each number of reserved balls as the variation pattern table used when the miss type is "miss 1".

[0255] Here, in the fluctuation pattern table, the numerical value stored for each fluctuation pattern to be selected represents the distribution value (value representing the distribution) of the selection probability on the assumption that the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern can take 1000 values ​​from 0 to 9999. For example, in the fluctuation pattern table for special chart 1, in the table for "miss 1" and "reserved balls = 0", the stored value for "normal fluctuation 1s" is "10000", which means that the winning probability of "normal fluctuation 1s" is "10000 / 10000". The above allocation values ​​are shown as the stored values ​​in the table for the sake of convenience of explanation only, and the actual fluctuation pattern table will store the judgment reference value used in the jackpot random number judgment above. For example, in the above table of "miss 1" and "reserved balls = 0", for example, "9999" is stored as the actual stored value (judgment reference value), and in that case, if the fluctuation pattern random number is 9999 or less, "normal fluctuation 1s" is selected.

[0256] As can be seen by referring to the allocation values ​​shown in Figure 23, in the lottery for the variation pattern of special chart 2 corresponding to the case of "Miss 1", only "normal variation" is selected. In addition, in the lottery for the variation pattern of Special Chart 2, which corresponds to the case of "Miss 1", the more reserved balls there are, the more likely a normal variation pattern with a shorter variation time will be selected.

[0257] (Special Electric Device Management Processing) 24 is a flowchart showing the special electric accessory management process (step S600). In step S601, the CPU 40a judges the state of the condition device operation flag, and when it is judged that the condition device operation flag is in the OFF state (≠ 5AH), that is, when it is judged that the big win game is not being played, it ends the special electric accessory management process.

[0258] On the other hand, if it is determined that the condition device operation flag is ON (=5AH), in step S602, the CPU 40a sends a winning command to the performance control board 41 if a game ball has entered the first large prize opening 27 or the second large prize opening 28. In step S603, the CPU 40a executes a special electric accessory operation status branching process for branching the process related to the big win game according to the special electric accessory operation status (00H to 04H).

[0259] In the special electric device operation status branching process in step S603, depending on whether the special electric device operation status is "jackpot start (00H)", "electric operation starting (01H)", "special power operation in progress (02H)", "special power operation continuation determination in progress (03H)", or "jackpot end (04H)", the corresponding process is executed. Note that the "special electric device operation status" is a value indicating the status of the jackpot game, and the value is changed according to the processing state and stored in the special electric device operation status storage area of ​​the RAM 40c.

[0260] Specifically, the CPU 40a executes jackpot start processing (step S610) when the special electric operation status is "jackpot start (00H)", executes special electric device operation start processing (step S620) when the special electric operation status is "electric operation starting (01H)", executes special electric device operation in progress processing (step S630) when the special electric operation status is "special electric operation continuation determination in progress (03H)", executes special electric device operation continuation determination processing (step S640) when the special electric operation status is "jackpot end (04H)", executes jackpot end processing (step S650).

[0261] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing various values ​​in a jackpot game according to the jackpot type. Various values ​​according to the jackpot type are stored in the ROM 40b. The various values ​​according to the jackpot type include the jackpot opening (first jackpot opening 27 or second jackpot opening 28), the maximum number of winnings per round, the interval time before the first opening (opening time), the interval time between rounds (time to check for remaining balls being discharged and interval time between rounds), the end interval time (ending time), the maximum number of rounds, and the opening time of the first jackpot opening 27 or the second jackpot opening 28 per round.

[0262] For example, when the jackpot type is "jackpot 1," the jackpot opening is the first jackpot opening 27, the maximum number of winning entries is 10, the interval time before the first opening is 18 seconds, the interval time is 3 seconds, the end interval time is 9 seconds, the maximum number of rounds is 4, and the opening time is 29.96 seconds. Here, when the launch operation handle 15 is constantly operated, 100 game balls are launched from the launch device 44 per minute. In other words, one game ball is launched from the launch device 44 every 0.6 seconds. And, the time it takes for the maximum number of winning balls, 10 gaming machines 1, in one round of play to enter the first large winning hole 27 or the second large winning hole 28 is about 6.3 seconds, because one game ball is launched from the launch device 44 every 0.6 seconds. Therefore, in the case where the jackpot type is "jackpot 1", if the game balls are always shot into the right game area 19b, the average time of the jackpot game is 64.2 seconds (18 + 6.3 x 4 + 3 x 4 + 9), the average opening time during which the first large prize winning hole 27 is open is 25.2 seconds (6.3 x 4) in total, and the opening ratio, which is the ratio of the average opening time of the first large prize winning hole 27 to the average time of the jackpot game, is 0.39 (25.2 / 64.2). The opening ratio is the same as the operation ratio (operation time / (operation time + non-operation time)) during which the solenoid is operating to open the winning hole.

[0263] In addition, when the jackpot type is "jackpot 2", the jackpot opening is the second jackpot opening 28, the maximum number of winning entries is 10, the interval time before the first opening is 18 seconds, the interval time is 3 seconds, the end interval time is 9 seconds, the maximum number of rounds is 10, and the opening time is set to 29.96 seconds. Therefore, in a jackpot game where the jackpot type is "Jackpot 2", if the game ball is always fired into the right game area 19b, the average time of the jackpot game is 120 s (18 + 6.3 × 10 + 3 × 10 + 9), the average opening time that the second large prize opening 28 is open is a total of 63 s (6.3 × 10), and the opening ratio, which is the ratio of the average opening time of the second large prize opening 28 to the average time of the jackpot game, is 0.53 (63 / 120).

[0264] In addition, when the jackpot type is "jackpot 3", the jackpot opening is the first jackpot opening 27, the maximum number of winning entries is 10, the interval time before the first opening is 18 seconds, the interval time is 3 seconds, the end interval time is 9 seconds, the maximum number of rounds is 4, and the opening time is 29.96 seconds. Therefore, in a jackpot game where the jackpot type is "Jackpot 3", if the game ball is always fired into the right game area 19b, the average time of the jackpot game is 64.2 seconds (18 + 6.3 × 4 + 3 × 4 + 9), the average opening time that the first large prize opening 27 is open is a total of 25.2 seconds (6.3 × 4), and the opening ratio, which is the ratio of the average opening time of the first large prize opening 27 to the average time of the jackpot game, is 0.39 (25.2 / 64.2).

[0265] (Big hit start processing) 26 is a flow chart showing the big win start process (step S610). In step S611, the CPU 40a performs various settings at the start of the big win. Here, the special electric role operation status is set to "01H", and the continuous number counter indicating the number of rounds is set to "01H".

[0266] In step S612, the CPU 40a performs various settings according to the type of big win. Here, the maximum number of rounds and the round display LED number shown in FIG. 25 are stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 40c, and the interval time before the first opening is stored in the special electric accessory operation timer.

[0267] In step S613, the CPU 40a transmits a jackpot start interval command, which indicates that the interval time before the first opening (opening) is about to start, to the performance control board 41, and ends the jackpot start process.

[0268] (Special electric device operation start processing) 27 is a flow chart showing the special electric role operation start processing (step S620). In step S621, the CPU 40a judges whether the special electric role operation timer is 0 or not, that is, whether the interval time before the first opening stored in the special electric role operation timer in the above step S612 or the interval time between rounds stored in the special electric role operation timer in the below step S644 has elapsed, and if it is judged that the special electric role operation timer is not 0, the special electric role operation start processing is terminated.

[0269] On the other hand, if it is determined that the special electric device operation timer is 0, in step S622 the CPU 40a sends a large prize opening opening opening command to the performance control board 41 indicating that the first large prize opening 27 or the second large prize opening 28 will be opened.

[0270] In step S623, the CPU 40a stores the special electric device operation time (see FIG. 25) according to the type of jackpot and the number of rounds in the special electric device operation timer. In step S624, the CPU 40a performs various settings at the start of the opening operation. Here, the CPU 40a sets the large prize opening winning number counter, which indicates the number of game balls that have entered the first large prize opening 27 or the second large prize opening 28, to "00H", and sets the special electric device operation status to "special power operation (02H)".

[0271] In step S625, the CPU 40a performs a "large prize opening opening / closing operation setting" process for controlling the opening and closing of the first large prize opening 27 or the second large prize opening 28, and ends the special electric device operation start process. As mentioned above, the process of "Large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625 calls the above-mentioned "common program module" and is executed based on the value of the special electric role operation timer and the special electric role data generation table shown in Fig. 55. By performing this process, ON / OFF control data for the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a is generated.

[0272] (Special electric device operation processing) 28 is a flow chart showing the special electric device operation process (step S630). In step S631, the CPU 40a increments the large prize port winning number counter by 1 when a game ball enters the first large prize port 27 or the second large prize port 28, and if the large prize port winning number counter is equal to or greater than the maximum number of winnings, performs a large prize port maximum winning number check process to set the special electric device operation timer to 0 in order to terminate the special electric device operation process.

[0273] In response to executing the process of checking the maximum prize winning amount for the special prize opening in step S631, the CPU 40a executes the process of "setting the opening / closing operation of the special prize opening" in step S625.

[0274] Next, in step S633, the CPU 40a judges whether the special electric device operation timer is 0 or not, and if it judges that the special electric device operation timer is not 0, it ends the special electric device operation start processing. Here, it is judged whether the special electric device operation timer is set to 0 in the above step S631 because the large prize winning number counter becomes equal to or exceeds the maximum number of winnings, or whether the special electric device operation time stored in the special electric device operation timer in the above step S623 has elapsed and the special electric device operation timer is set to 0.

[0275] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S633 that the special electric role operation timer is 0, the CPU 40a in step S634 transmits to the performance control board 41 an inter-round interval command indicating which inter-round interval is to be started. In step S635, the CPU 40a performs various settings for the end of the opening operation of the special electric device, and ends the special electric device operation process. Here, the CPU 40a stores the remaining ball discharge confirmation time (1980 ms), which is a part of the interval time, in the special electric device operation timer, and sets the special electric device operation status to "special electric device operation continuation determination in progress (03H)". The interval time is the total time of the remaining ball discharge confirmation time and the inter-round interval time stored in the special electric device operation timer in step S644 below. In addition, the remaining ball discharge confirmation time is the time for validly accepting game balls entering the first large winning opening 27 or the second large winning opening 28, and game balls entering the first large winning opening 27 or the second large winning opening 28 are validly accepted until the remaining ball discharge confirmation time has elapsed.

[0276] (Special electric device operation continuation determination process) 29 is a flow chart showing the special electric accessory operation continuation determination process (step S640). In step S641, the CPU 40a determines whether the opening / closing operation setting process flag is ON or not. The opening / closing operation setting processing flag is a flag that is set in the processing of "Large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625, and is set to ON if the processing of "Large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625 should continue even after the aforementioned special electric device operation time (29.96 s in this example) has elapsed and the value of the special electric device operation timer has become 0 (i.e., even after the special electric device operation status has changed from "Special electric device in operation (02H)" to "Determining continued operation of special electric device (03H)"), and is set to OFF if there is no longer a need to process "Large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625 thereafter (see S705 and S732 in Figure 56).

[0277] If it is determined in step S641 that the opening / closing operation setting process flag is ON, the CPU 40a executes the process of "large prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625, and advances the process to step S642. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S641 that the opening / closing operation setting process flag is not ON (is OFF), the CPU 40a does not execute the process of "big prize opening / closing operation setting" in step S625, and advances the process to step S642.

[0278] In step S642, the CPU 40a determines whether the special electric device operation timer is 0, i.e., whether the aforementioned remaining ball discharge confirmation time has elapsed, and if it determines that the special electric device operation timer is not 0 (if the remaining ball discharge confirmation time has not elapsed), it terminates the special electric device operation continuation determination process.

[0279] On the other hand, if it is determined that the special electric accessory operation timer is 0 (if the remaining ball discharge confirmation time has elapsed), the CPU 40a proceeds to step S643 and determines whether the value of the consecutive number counter (current round number) is the maximum round number stored in step S612. If it is determined that the value of the consecutive number counter is the maximum round number, the process proceeds to step S647, and if it is determined that the value of the consecutive number counter is not the maximum round number, the process proceeds to step S644 to maintain the round game.

[0280] In step S644, the CPU 40a adds 1 to the continuous number counter, and in step S645, the round interval time (interval time-remaining ball discharge confirmation time) according to the type of big win is stored in the special electric device operation timer, and in step S646, various settings are made for continuation, and the special electric device operation continuation judgment process is terminated. Here, the CPU 40a sets the special electric device operation status to "01H".

[0281] In step S647, the CPU 40a performs various settings for the end. Here, the CPU 40a sets the special electric device operation status to "Big Win Ending (04H)". In step S648, the CPU 40a stores the end interval time according to the big win type in the special electric device operation timer, and in step S649, sends a big win end interval command (ending command) indicating that the big win end interval (ending) is starting to the performance control board 41, and ends the special electric device operation continuation determination process.

[0282] (Jackpot end processing) Fig. 30 is a flow chart showing the jackpot end process (step S650). Fig. 31 is a diagram explaining the game state, the number of time-saving times, and the number of chance times after the jackpot game ends. In step S651, the CPU 40a judges whether the special electric device operation timer is 0 or not, that is, whether the end interval time has elapsed or not, and when it is judged that the special electric device operation timer is not 0 (when the end interval time has not elapsed), it ends the jackpot end process.

[0283] On the other hand, when it is determined that the special electric accessory operation timer is 0 (when the end interval time has elapsed), in step S652, the CPU 40a stores the value of each transition state buffer in each state flag. Here, the CPU 40a sets the game state after the big win game, the number of time reductions, and the number of probability changes as shown in FIG. 31 based on the big win type and the game state at the time of the big win.

[0284] In step S653, the CPU 40a performs various settings at the end of the big win. Here, the CPU 40a clears all the flags used in each step of the special electric device management process, and sets the special electric device operation status to "Big Win Start (00H)".

[0285] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, regardless of the type of jackpot and the game state at the time of the jackpot, the game state after the jackpot is set to a high probability state and a time-saving state, the number of time-saving times is set to 150, and the number of special times is set to 154.

[0286] In step S654, the CPU 40a sends a jackpot end interval command to the performance control board 41, indicating that the jackpot game has ended, and in step S655, updates the game status notification information, which is information on the status notification lamps such as the right-hit display on the composite display device 22d, and ends the jackpot end processing.

[0287] <5. Structure of electric parts> As described above, in the gaming machine 1, the second starting opening 24 is opened and closed by the normal electric device 25, the first large prize opening 27 is opened and closed by the first special electric device 29, and the second large prize opening 28 is opened and closed by the second special electric device 30.

[0288] Here, in the gaming machine 1, various structures can be adopted for the normal electric role 25, the first special electric role 29, and the second special electric role 30. Below, examples of the structures of the electric roles that can be adopted for the normal electric role 25, the first special electric role 29, and the second special electric role 30 will be described.

[0289] [5.1 First Electric Device] Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the first electric role 100. Fig. 32A is a perspective view of the first electric role 100 in a closed state, and Fig. 32B is a perspective view of the first electric role 100 in an open state. Fig. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the first electric role 100. Fig. 34 is a partial perspective view of the first electric role 100. Fig. 34A is a partial perspective view of the first electric role 100 in a closed state, and Fig. 34B is a partial perspective view of the first electric role 100 in an open state.

[0290] As shown in Figures 32 to 34, the first electric device 100 includes a lower cover 101, an upper cover 102, a middle cover 103, a solenoid 104, a transmission member 105, a first movable member 106, a second movable member 107, and a winning hole detection sensor 108.

[0291] The first electric role 100 accommodates a middle cover 103, a solenoid 104, a transmission member 105, a first movable member 106, a second movable member 107, and a winning hole detection sensor 108 in a space formed by a lower cover 101 and an upper cover 102. The middle cover 103 is disposed so as to divide the space formed by the lower cover 101 and the upper cover 102 in the vertical direction.

[0292] A solenoid 104 and a transmission member 105 are housed in the space formed between the lower cover 101 and the middle cover 103. A first movable member 106 is housed in the space formed between the upper cover 102 and the middle cover 103. A second movable member 107 and a winning hole detection sensor 108 are disposed in the space formed by the lower cover 101 and the upper cover 102 on the left side where the middle cover 103 is not disposed.

[0293] The solenoid 104 includes a main body 104a with a coil provided therein, a movable iron core 104b, and a spring 104c. When power is supplied to the solenoid 104 and the coil is energized, the movable iron core 104b moves toward the main body 104a against the force of the spring 104c. When the power is cut off and the coil is no longer energized, the force (biasing force) of the spring 104c to return to its original position causes the movable iron core 104b to move in a direction away from the main body 104a.

[0294] A main body 104a of the solenoid 104 is fixed to the lower cover 101, and an engaging portion 105a of a transmission member 105 is engaged with a movable iron core 104b. A supported portion 105b of the transmission member 105 is supported by a support portion 101a protruding upward from the lower cover 101. This allows the transmission member 105 to rotate freely on a horizontal plane (a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction) around the supported portion 105b.

[0295] The transmitting member 105 has a first arm portion 105c and a second arm portion 105d extending in different radial directions on a horizontal plane from the supported portion 105b as a base end. An engagement portion 105a is formed at the end of the first arm portion 105c, and a through hole 105e that is long in the extending direction of the second arm portion 105d and penetrates in the vertical direction is formed at the end of the second arm portion 105d.

[0296] A cylindrical protrusion 106a protruding downward is formed on the underside of the first movable member 106, and the protrusion 106a is inserted into a through hole 105e of the transmission member 105. The first movable member 106 is formed with a ball bearing surface 106b having a predetermined width in both the front-rear and left-right directions. The ball bearing surface 106b is formed so as to incline downward from the right end to the left end.

[0297] The first movable member 106 has an inclined surface 106c, which is inclined forward from the upper end to the lower end, formed on the left side of the ball bearing surface 106b. A protrusion 107a of the second movable member 107 engages with the inclined surface 106c.

[0298] The second movable member 107 is rotatable in the vertical direction around the supported portion 107b which is the base end. The second movable member 107 is formed so as to extend from the supported portion 107b which is the base end, and has a ball entry prevention portion 107c formed at the end and a protrusion portion 107a protruding downward between the supported portion 107b and the ball entry prevention portion 107c.

[0299] As shown in Figs. 32A and 34A, in the first electric accessory 100 having such a configuration, when power is not supplied to the solenoid 104, the movable iron core 104b of the solenoid 104 is moved in a direction (rightward) away from the main body 104a by the force of the spring 104c, so that the engagement part 105a engaged with the main body 104a is also moved rightward. Therefore, the transmission member 105 is in a state of rotating clockwise around the supported part 105b as viewed from above, and the second arm part 105d is moved backward. And, the first movable member 106 is moved backward as a whole because the protruding part 106a is inserted into the through hole 105e formed in the second arm part 105d. Also, because the inclined surface 106c is moved backward, the second movable member 107 is moved downward with the supported part 107b as a fulcrum.

[0300] As a result, when no power is supplied to the solenoid 104, the first electric device 100 is in the origin position, with the ball receiving surface 106b of the first movable member 106 housed between the upper cover 102 and the middle cover 103, and the ball entry prevention portion 107c of the second movable member 107 positioned so as to block the winning hole detection sensor 108.

[0301] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 32A, the game ball B that has rolled in the right game area 19b will fall downward past the ball receiving surface 106b and will not pass through the winning hole detection sensor 108. Even if the momentum of the game ball B that has rolled in the right game area 19b is strong and it rolls toward the winning hole detection sensor 108, the winning hole detection sensor 108 is blocked by the supported portion 107b, so the game ball B will not pass through the winning hole detection sensor 108.

[0302] When power is supplied to the solenoid 104, as shown in FIG. 32B and FIG. 34B, the movable iron core 104b of the solenoid 104 is moved toward the main body 104a (leftward) against the returning force of the spring 104c, and the engaging portion 105a engaged with the main body 104a is also moved leftward. Therefore, the transmission member 105 rotates counterclockwise from the viewpoint from above, centering on the supported portion 105b, and the second arm portion 105d is moved forward. The first movable member 106 is moved forward as a whole, since the protruding portion 106a is inserted into the through hole 105e formed in the second arm portion 105d. Also, since the inclined surface 106c is moved forward, the second movable member 107 is moved upward, with the supported portion 107b as a fulcrum.

[0303] As a result, when power is supplied to the solenoid 104, the first electric device 100 is positioned so that the ball receiving surface 106b of the first movable member 106 protrudes forward from between the upper cover 102 and the middle cover 103, and the ball entry prevention portion 107c of the second movable member 107 opens the winning hole detection sensor 108.

[0304] Therefore, the game ball B that has been rolling in the right game area 19b can pass over the ball receiving surface 106b, roll to the left, and then pass through the winning hole detection sensor 108, as shown in FIG. 32B.

[0305] As described above, the first electric device 100 comprises the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107 which open and close the winning opening (winning opening detection sensor 108), the solenoid 104 which operates the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, the transmission member 105 which transmits the operation of the solenoid 104 to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the spring 104c which biases the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107 to close, thereby opening and closing the winning opening.

[0306] [5.2 Second Electric Device] Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the second electric role 110. Fig. 35A is a perspective view of the second electric role 110 in a closed state, and Fig. 35B is a perspective view of the second electric role 110 in an open state. Fig. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the second electric role 110. Fig. 37 is a partial perspective view of the second electric role 110. Fig. 37A is a partial perspective view of the second electric role 110 in a closed state, and Fig. 37B is a partial perspective view of the second electric role 110 in an open state.

[0307] As shown in Figures 35 to 37, the second electric device 110 includes a lower cover 111, an upper cover 112, a middle cover 113, a solenoid 114, a first transmission member 115, a second transmission member 116, a movable member 117, and a winning hole detection sensor 118.

[0308] The second electric role 110 accommodates a middle cover 113, a solenoid 114, a first transmission member 115, a second transmission member 116, a movable member 117, and a winning hole detection sensor 118 in a space formed by a lower cover 111 and an upper cover 112. The middle cover 113 is arranged so as to divide the space formed by the lower cover 111 and the upper cover 112 in the vertical direction. In addition, a flow path section 113a on the front side of the middle cover 113 is inclined downward from the left end to the right end, and the winning hole detection sensor 118 is fixed to the right of the right end.

[0309] The space formed between the lower cover 111 and the middle cover 113 accommodates a solenoid 114, a first transmission member 115, a second transmission member 116, and a winning hole detection sensor 118. The space formed between the upper cover 112 and the middle cover 113 accommodates a movable member 117.

[0310] The solenoid 114 includes a main body 114a with a coil provided therein, a movable iron core 114b, and a spring 114c. When power is supplied to the solenoid 114 and the coil is energized, the movable iron core 114b moves toward the main body 114a against the force of the spring 114c. When the power is cut off and the coil is no longer energized, the force (biasing force) of the spring 114c that tries to return the solenoid 114 to its original position moves the movable iron core 114b in a direction away from the main body 114a.

[0311] A main body 114a of the solenoid 114 is fixed to the rear side of the lower cover 111, and an engagement portion 115a of the first transmission member 115 is engaged with the movable iron core 114b. The first transmission member 115 moves integrally with the movable iron core 114b in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the movable iron core 114b.

[0312] The first transmission member 115 is formed with a through hole 115b that penetrates in the up-down direction and is long in the front-rear direction at a position to the right of the engagement portion 115a.

[0313] A cylindrical protruding portion 116a protruding downward is formed on the lower surface of the second transmitting member 116, and the protruding portion 116a is inserted into the through hole 115b of the first transmitting member 115. The second transmitting member 116 has a supported portion 116b supported by a support portion (not shown) protruding downward from the middle cover 113, and is rotatable on a horizontal plane around the supported portion 116b, which serves as the base end.

[0314] The second transmission member 116 extends in the radial direction of the horizontal plane from the supported portion 116b as a base end, and has a protrusion 116c protruding upward at its end. The protrusion 116c is inserted into the through hole 117a of the movable member 117.

[0315] The movable member 117 has a ball bearing surface 117b formed on the front side, which has a predetermined width in the front-rear and left-right directions, and a through hole 117a formed on the rear side. The ball bearing surface 117b is formed so as to be inclined downward from the left end to the right end.

[0316] In the second electric accessory 110 having such a configuration, as shown in Fig. 35A and Fig. 37A, when power is not supplied to the solenoid 114, the movable iron core 114b of the solenoid 114 is moved in a direction (rightward) away from the main body 114a by the force of the spring 114c, so that the first transmission member 115 engaged with the main body 114a is also moved rightward. The second transmission member 116 is in a state in which the protruding portion 116a is located on the front side in the through hole 115b and rotates counterclockwise around the supported portion 116b as viewed from above, and the protruding portion 116c is moved forward. The protruding portion 116c of the movable member 117 is inserted into the through hole 117a, so that the ball receiving surface 117b protrudes (moves) forward.

[0317] As a result, when no power is supplied to the solenoid 114, the second electric device 110 is in the origin position, with the ball receiving surface 117b of the movable member 117 protruding forward from between the upper cover 112 and the middle cover 113, blocking the flow path portion 113a and the winning port detection sensor 118.

[0318] Therefore, the game ball B that has rolled in the right game area 19b passes over the ball receiving surface 117b and rolls to the right side as shown in FIG. 35A, and does not pass through the winning hole detection sensor 118.

[0319] When power is supplied to the solenoid 114, the second electric accessory 110 moves the movable iron core 114b of the solenoid 114 in a direction approaching the main body 114a (to the left) against the force of the spring 114c, so that the first transmission member 115 also moves to the left together with the movable iron core 114b, as shown in Figures 35B and 37B. As the first transmission member 115 moves, the second transmission member 116 rotates clockwise around the supported portion 116b as viewed from above, and the movable member 117 moves backward.

[0320] As a result, when power is supplied to the solenoid 114, the ball receiving surface 117b of the movable member 117 of the second electric device 110 is housed between the upper cover 112 and the middle cover 113, and the flow path section 113a and the winning hole detection sensor 118 are opened.

[0321] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35B, when the game ball B rolling in the right game area 19b reaches the second electric device 110, it falls downward, rolls over the flow path portion 113a, and passes through the winning hole detection sensor 118.

[0322] As described above, the second electric device 110 comprises a movable member 117 that opens and closes the winning opening (winning opening detection sensor 118), a solenoid 114 that operates the movable member 117, a first transmission member 115 and a second transmission member 116 that transmit the operation of the solenoid 114 to the movable member 117, and a spring 114c that biases the movable member 117 to close, and these open and close the winning opening.

[0323] [5.3 The third motorized device] Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the third electric role 120. Fig. 38A is a perspective view of the third electric role 120 in a closed state, and Fig. 38B is a perspective view of the third electric role 120 in an open state. Fig. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the third electric role 120. Fig. 40 is a partial perspective view of the third electric role 120. Fig. 40A is a partial perspective view of the third electric role 120 in a closed state, and Fig. 40B is a partial perspective view of the third electric role 120 in an open state.

[0324] As shown in Figures 38 to 40, the third electric device 120 includes a front cover 121, a rear cover 122, a right cover 123, a solenoid 124, a first transmission member 125, a second transmission member 126, a movable member 127, and a winning hole detection sensor 128.

[0325] In the third electric role 120, a solenoid 124 and a winning hole detection sensor 128 are housed in a space formed by the front cover 121 and the rear cover 122. The right cover 123 is disposed on the right side of the front cover 121, and a first transmission member 125 and a second transmission member 126 are housed in a space formed by the front cover 121, the rear cover 122, and the right cover 123. A movable member 127 is disposed in front of the front cover 121. A flow path portion 121a on the front side of the front cover 121 is inclined downward from the front direction to the rear direction, and guides a game ball to the winning hole detection sensor 128.

[0326] The solenoid 124 includes a main body 124a with a coil provided therein, a movable iron core 124b, and a spring 124c. When power is supplied to the solenoid 124 and the coil is energized, the movable iron core 124b moves toward the main body 124a against the force of the spring 124c. When the power is cut off and the coil is no longer energized, the force (biasing force) of the spring 124c that tries to return the solenoid 124 to its original position moves the movable iron core 124b in a direction away from the main body 124a.

[0327] A main body 124a of the solenoid 124 is fixed to the rear cover 122, and an engaging portion 125a of a first transmitting member 125 is engaged with the movable iron core 104b. A supported portion 125b of the first transmitting member 125 is supported by a support portion (not shown) protruding forward from the rear cover 122. This allows the first transmitting member 125 to rotate freely on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, centered on the supported portion 125b.

[0328] The first transmitting member 125 has a rotating portion 125c with a portion thereof opened at a position eccentric to the supported portion 125b, and an engaged portion 126a of the second transmitting member 126 is engaged with the rotating portion 125c. The second transmitting member 126 has a supported portion 126b supported by a support portion (not shown) protruding leftward from the right cover 123. This allows the second transmitting member 126 to rotate freely on a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction around the supported portion 126b.

[0329] In addition, the second transmission member 126 has a protrusion 126c formed on the opposite side of the engaged portion 126a with respect to the supported portion 126b. The protrusion 126c is inserted into a through hole (not shown) provided in the front cover 121, and its tip is located on the front surface side of the front cover 121.

[0330] The movable member 127 is supported by the front cover 121 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 127a protruding in the left and right directions. The movable member 127 is formed with a protrusion 127b protruding rearward at the right end, and the protrusion 127b engages with a protrusion 126c of the second transmission member 126. The movable member 127 is also formed with a ball bearing surface 127c having a predetermined width and a predetermined length.

[0331] As shown in Figs. 38A and 40A, the third electric accessory 120 having such a configuration has the movable iron core 124b of the solenoid 124 moved in a direction (rightward) away from the main body 124a by the force of the spring 124c when power is not being supplied to the solenoid 124. Therefore, the engaging portion 125a engaged with the movable iron core 124b is rotated clockwise around the supported portion 125b as viewed from the front. Also, the opening of the rotating portion 125c of the first transmission member 125 is moved upward. And, the second transmission member 126 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right because the engaged portion 126a engaged with the rotating portion 125c of the first transmission member 125 is moved upward. Therefore, the protrusion 126c is located on the lower side, and the protrusion 127b that engages with the protrusion 126c is pressed downward, so that the ball receiving surface 127c extends in a plane direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0332] As a result, when no power is supplied to the solenoid 124, the third electric role 120 is in the original position, with the ball receiving surface 127c of the movable member 127 covering the opening 123a of the right cover 123.

[0333] Therefore, the game ball B rolling in the right game area 19b will fall (roll) downward, passing in front of the ball receiving surface 127c, as shown in Figure 38A, and will not pass through the winning hole detection sensor 128 via the opening 123a and the passage portion 123b.

[0334] When power is supplied to the solenoid 124, as shown in Fig. 38B and Fig. 40B, the movable iron core 124b of the solenoid 124 is moved toward the main body 124a (leftward) against the force of the spring 124c, so that the engaging part 125a engaged with the main body 124a is also moved leftward. Therefore, the first transmission member 125 rotates counterclockwise from the front view centered on the supported part 125b, and the opening of the rotating part 125c moves downward. The second transmission member 126 rotates clockwise from the right view, and the supported part 126b moves upward, because the engaged part 126a engaged with the rotating part 125c of the first transmission member 125 moves downward. As a result, the movable member 127 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis 127a when viewed from the right, as the protrusion 127b is no longer pressed down by the protrusion 126c, and the ball receiving surface 127c opens the flow path portion 121a (the opening of the front cover 121).

[0335] As a result, when power is supplied to the solenoid 124, the third electric role 120 has the ball receiving surface 127c positioned forward of the game board 5.

[0336] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38B, the game ball B rolling in the right game area 19b is received by the ball receiving surface 127c, and passes through the winning hole detection sensor 128 via the ball receiving surface 127c and the flow path portion 121a.

[0337] As described above, the third electric device 120 comprises a movable member 127 that opens and closes the winning opening (winning opening detection sensor 128), a solenoid 124 that operates the movable member 127, a first transmission member 125 and a second transmission member 126 that transmit the operation of the solenoid 124 to the movable member 127, and a spring 124c that biases the movable member 127 to close, thereby opening and closing the winning opening.

[0338] [5.4 The fourth electric device] Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the fourth electric role 130. Fig. 41A is a perspective view of the fourth electric role 130 in a closed state, and Fig. 41B is a perspective view of the fourth electric role 130 in an open state. Fig. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth electric role 130. Fig. 43 is a partial perspective view of the fourth electric role 130. Fig. 43A is a partial perspective view of the fourth electric role 130 in a closed state, and Fig. 43B is a partial perspective view of the fourth electric role 130 in an open state.

[0339] As shown in FIGS. 41 to 43, the fourth electric role 130 includes a front cover 131, a rear cover 132, a middle cover 133, a solenoid 134, a transmission member 135, a movable member 136, and a winning hole detection sensor 137.

[0340] The fourth electric role 130 includes a middle cover 133, a solenoid 134, a transmission member 135, a movable member 136, and a winning hole detection sensor 137 housed in a space formed by a front cover 131 and a rear cover 132. The middle cover 133 is disposed so as to divide the space formed by the front cover 131 and the rear cover 132 in the front-rear direction.

[0341] The space formed between the front cover 131 and the middle cover 133 accommodates a transmission member 135, a movable member 136, and a winning hole detection sensor 137. The space formed between the rear cover 132 and the middle cover 133 accommodates a solenoid 134.

[0342] The solenoid 134 includes a main body 134a with a coil provided therein, a movable iron core 134b, and a spring 134c. When power is supplied to the solenoid 134 and the coil is energized, the movable iron core 134b moves toward the main body 134a against the force of the spring 134c. When the power is cut off and the coil is no longer energized, the force (biasing force) of the spring 134c that tries to return the solenoid 134 to its original position moves the movable iron core 134b in a direction away from the main body 134a.

[0343] A main body 134a of the solenoid 134 is fixed to the rear cover 132, and an engaging portion 135a of a transmission member 135 is engaged with the movable iron core 134b. The transmission member 135 is formed in a substantially L-shape, with the engaging portion 135a extending in the front-rear direction and the main body having a through hole 135b penetrating in the front-rear direction extending in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A protrusion 136a of the movable member 136 is inserted into the through hole 135b. The movable member 136 has a supported portion 136b supported by a support portion (not shown) that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front cover 131.

[0344] The movable member 136 is formed in a generally crescent shape and is supported rotatably on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction around the supported portion 136b. The movable member 136 is formed with a protrusion 136a protruding rearward from the rear surface, and a flat ball bearing surface 136c is formed on the opening 131a side of the front cover 131.

[0345] In the fourth electric accessory 130 having such a configuration, when power is not supplied to the solenoid 134, as shown in Fig. 41A and Fig. 43A, the movable iron core 134b of the solenoid 134 is moved in a direction away from the main body 134a (upper right direction) by the spring force of the spring 134c, so that the transmission member 135 engaged with the movable iron core 134b is also moved in the upper right direction. Therefore, the movable member 136 is in a state of rotating clockwise around the supported portion 136b as viewed from the front direction. Therefore, the movable member 136 extends in the up-down direction as a whole.

[0346] As a result, when no power is supplied to the solenoid 134, the fourth electric role 130 is in the original position, with the movable member 136 blocking the opening 131a.

[0347] Therefore, the game ball B rolling in the right game area 19b will fall downward to the left of the movable member 136 as shown in FIG. 41A, and will not pass through the winning hole detection sensor 137.

[0348] When power is supplied to the solenoid 134, as shown in Fig. 41B and Fig. 43B, the movable iron core 134b of the solenoid 134 is moved toward the main body 134a (lower left direction) against the force of the spring 134c, so that the transmission member 135 engaged with the movable iron core 134b is also moved lower left. And, the protrusion 136a inserted into the through hole 135b of the transmission member 135 is also moved lower left, so that the movable member 136 is rotated counterclockwise around the supported portion 136b as viewed from the front direction.

[0349] As a result, when power is supplied to the solenoid 134, the fourth electric role 130 is positioned so that the movable member 136 opens the opening 131a.

[0350] Therefore, the game ball B that has rolled in the right game area 19b passes over the ball receiving surface 136c, flows down in a lower right direction, and then passes through the winning hole detection sensor 137, as shown in FIG. 41B.

[0351] As described above, the fourth electric device 130 comprises a movable member 136 that opens and closes the winning opening (winning opening detection sensor 137), a solenoid 134 that operates the movable member 136, a transmission member 135 that transmits the operation of the solenoid 134 to the movable member 136, and a spring 134c that biases the movable member 136 to close, and these open and close the winning opening.

[0352] <6. Configuration examples of gaming machines> An example of the configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described below.

[0353] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A1-1). (Configuration A1-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, and a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, the first movable member having a smaller mass than the second movable member, and the first solenoid consuming less power than the second solenoid.

[0354] In the case of this (configuration A1-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric accessory solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114).

[0355] The first movable member (first movable member 106 and second movable member 107) has a total mass of approximately 7 g, and the second movable member (movable member 117) has a mass of approximately 10 g.

[0356] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 12 V, a resistance value of 120 Ω, and a power consumption of 1.2 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W.

[0357] Therefore, the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, is configured to consume less power than the second solenoid that operates the second movable member, which has a relatively large mass.

[0358] And because only a small torque is required to operate the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, the first solenoid can be configured to consume less power (by reducing the torque), thereby reducing power consumption compared to when a solenoid of common specifications is used, for example. This makes it possible to suppress heat generation in the first solenoid and prevent the first solenoid from being damaged.

[0359] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A1-2) in addition to (Configuration A1-1). (Configuration A1-2) The gaming machine 1 is equipped with a first transmission mechanism that transmits the operation of the first solenoid to the first movable member, and a second transmission mechanism that transmits the operation of the second solenoid to the second movable member, and the total mass of the first movable member and the first transmission mechanism is configured to be smaller than the total mass of the second movable member and the second transmission mechanism.

[0360] In the case of this (configuration A1-2) concept, the first transmission mechanism corresponds to the transmission member 105, and the second transmission mechanism corresponds to the first transmission member 115 and the second transmission member . The mass of the first transmission mechanism (transmission member 105) is approximately 2 g, and the mass of the second transmission mechanism (first transmission member 115 and second transmission member 116) is approximately 5 g in total. Therefore, the total mass (approximately 9 g) of the first movable member and the first transmission mechanism is smaller than the total mass (approximately 15 g) of the second movable member and the second transmission mechanism.

[0361] Therefore, the first solenoid operates a first movable member and a first transmission mechanism, which have a relatively small total mass, and the second solenoid operates a second movable member and a second transmission mechanism, which have a relatively large total mass.

[0362] Furthermore, since the torque required to operate the first movable member and the first transmission mechanism, which have a relatively small total mass, is small, the power consumption of the first solenoid can be reduced, heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0363] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A1-3) in addition to (configuration A1-1) or (configuration A1-2). (Configuration A1-3) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the first movable member and the second movable member open and close a winning opening, and the length of the first movable member in the rolling direction of the gaming ball is shorter than the length of the second movable member in the rolling direction of the gaming ball.

[0364] In the case of this (configuration A1-3) concept, the winning opening opened and closed by the first movable member corresponds to the second starting opening 24, the winning opening opened and closed by the second movable member corresponds to the first large winning opening 27 or the second large winning opening 28, the length of the first movable member (first movable member 106) in the left-right direction (rolling direction) is 55 mm or less, and the length of the second movable member (movable member 117) in the left-right direction (rolling direction) is longer than 55 mm and less than 135 mm.

[0365] The first solenoid operates a first movable member which is relatively short in the rolling direction and requires a small torque to operate it, while the second solenoid operates a second movable member which is relatively long in the rolling direction and requires a larger torque to operate it.

[0366] In this way, only a small torque is required to operate the first movable member, which has a relatively short length in the rolling direction, so the power consumption of the first solenoid can be reduced, heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0367] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A1-4) in addition to (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A1-3). (Configuration A1-4) The gaming machine 1 includes a first spring that urges the first movable member to return to its origin position, and a second spring that urges the second movable member to return to its origin position, and the first spring is configured to have a smaller spring constant than the second spring.

[0368] In the case of this (configuration A1-4) concept, the first spring corresponds to the spring 104c, and the second spring corresponds to the spring 114c. The spring constant of the first spring (spring 104c) is 25.2 gf / mm, and the spring constant of the second spring (spring 114c) is 28.7 gf / mm.

[0369] When power is supplied to the first solenoid and the second solenoid, the movable iron core 104b and the movable iron core 114b move against the first spring and the second spring, respectively, to operate the first movable member and the second movable member.

[0370] In this way, only a small torque is required to operate against the first spring, which has a small spring constant, so the power consumption of the first solenoid can be reduced, heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0371] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following configuration A2-1. (Configuration A2-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, and a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, the first movable member having a smaller mass than the second movable member, and the first solenoid having a larger resistance value than the second solenoid.

[0372] In the case of this (configuration A2-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. The first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). The second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114).

[0373] The first movable member (first movable member 106 and second movable member 107) has a total mass of approximately 7 g, and the second movable member (movable member 117) has a mass of approximately 10 g.

[0374] Moreover, the first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 240 Ω, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0375] Therefore, the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, has a larger resistance value than the second solenoid that operates the second movable member, which has a relatively large mass.

[0376] In this way, since only a small torque is required to operate the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, the resistance value of the first solenoid can be increased to reduce power consumption. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption and suppress heat generation in the first solenoid and damage to the first solenoid, compared to when a solenoid with common specifications is used.

[0377] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A2-2) in addition to (Configuration A2-1). (Configuration A2-2) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the first solenoid and the second solenoid operate at the same voltage.

[0378] In the case of this (Configuration A2-2) concept, as described above, the operating voltages of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same, 35V DC voltage.

[0379] That is, the operating voltage of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V, and the first solenoid has a higher resistance value than the second solenoid, so the first solenoid consumes less power than the second solenoid.

[0380] Furthermore, since only a small torque is required to operate the movable member, which has a relatively small mass, the power consumption of the first solenoid can be reduced, heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0381] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A3-1). (Configuration A3-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, and a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, the first movable member having a smaller mass than the second movable member, and the first solenoid having a smaller current value during operation than the second solenoid.

[0382] In the case of this (configuration A3-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. The first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). The second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114).

[0383] The first movable member (first movable member 106 and second movable member 107) has a total mass of approximately 7 g, and the second movable member (movable member 117) has a mass of approximately 10 g.

[0384] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 60 mA, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 146 mA, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0385] Therefore, the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, has a smaller current value than the second solenoid that operates the second movable member, which has a relatively large mass.

[0386] Furthermore, because only a small torque is required to operate the first movable member, which has a relatively small mass, the current value of the first solenoid can be reduced to reduce power consumption. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the first solenoid, as well as suppress heat generation and damage to the first solenoid, compared to when a solenoid with common specifications is used, for example.

[0387] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A3-2) in addition to (Configuration A3-1). (Configuration A3-2) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the first solenoid and the second solenoid operate at the same voltage.

[0388] In the case of this (Configuration A3-2) concept, as described above, the operating voltages of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V.

[0389] That is, the operating voltage of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V, and the current value of the first solenoid is smaller than that of the second solenoid, so that the power consumption of the first solenoid is lower than that of the second solenoid.

[0390] Furthermore, since only a small torque is required to operate the movable member, which has a relatively small mass, the power consumption of the first solenoid can be reduced, heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0391] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following configuration A4-1. (Configuration A4-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid based on the set state, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid based on the set state, wherein the first solenoid consumes less power than the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in the first state in which the first movable member is operated the most is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the second state in which the second movable member is opened the most.

[0392] In the case of this (configuration A4-1) concept, for example, the first electric device 100 can be applied as the normal electric device 25, and the second electric device 110 can be applied as the first special electric device 29 and the second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0393] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 12 V, a resistance value of 120 Ω, and a power consumption of 1.2 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W.

[0394] Moreover, the first state in which the first movable member is operated (opened) the most corresponds to a time-saving state, and the average operation time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the first state is calculated as follows. The time-saving state is always a high probability state, and the probability of winning a jackpot in a high probability state is (658 / 65536 ≒ 1 / 99.9), and as shown in Figure 23, the change time and fixed time of the special symbol when losing (when not 0) is about 1.5 seconds in total, and the change time and fixed time when winning is about 65 seconds on average. Therefore, the number of games in which the special symbol changes during one time-saving state is about 100, and the average stay time in the time-saving state is about 215 seconds (1.5 seconds x 100 + 65).

[0395] As shown in Fig. 11, the sum of the normal symbol variation time and the determination time in the high probability state is 628 ms, and as shown in Fig. 13, the average time for normal power open play in the high probability state is about 5.74 s (because it is difficult for the maximum number of game balls to enter during the open time). Therefore, the average number of times the first movable member is opened in the first state is about 33.8 times (215 / 6.368 (0.628 + 5.74)).

[0396] Furthermore, since the average opening time of the first movable member during one normal power opening game in the time-saving state is approximately 5.7 seconds, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the first state is 5.7 seconds x 33.8 times = approximately 192.7 seconds.

[0397] On the other hand, the second state in which the second movable member is operated (opened) the most corresponds to a jackpot game, and the average operation time (average opening time) of the second movable member in the second state is, as described above, approximately 25.2 seconds for jackpot type 1, approximately 63 seconds for jackpot type 2, and approximately 25.2 seconds for jackpot type 3 (see Figure 25).

[0398] Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operation time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the first state is longer than the average operation time (average opening time) of the second movable member in the second state.

[0399] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid, which operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0400] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A4-2) in addition to (Configuration A4-1). (Configuration A4-2) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that an average non-operation time of the first movable member in the first state is shorter than an average non-operation time of the second movable member in the second state.

[0401] In the case of this (Configuration A4-2) approach, the sum of the fluctuation time and determination time of the normal pattern in the high probability state (time-saving state) is 628 ms (see Figure 11), and the closing time (pre-opening interval time and post-opening interval time) of the second starting hole 24 in normal power open play is 40 ms, so the average non-operating time (average closing time) during which the first movable member is not operating in the first state is approximately 22.6 s (0.668 x 33.8) (see Figure 13).

[0402] On the other hand, the average non-operating time (average closed time) of the second movable member in the second state is approximately 39.0 s (64.2-25.2) for jackpot type 1, approximately 57 s (120-63) for jackpot type 2, and approximately 39.0 s for jackpot type 3 (see Figure 25).

[0403] Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, the average non-operating time (average closing time) of the first movable member in the first state is shorter than the average operating time (average closing time) of the second movable member in the second state.

[0404] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a short average non-operating time (average closed time), heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0405] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A4-3) in addition to (configuration A4-1) or (configuration A4-2). (Configuration A4-3) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the motion ratio of the first movable member in the first state is higher than the motion ratio of the second movable member in the second state.

[0406] In the case of this (configuration A4-3) concept, the operation ratio (opening ratio) of the first movable member in the first state (time-saving state) is approximately 0.90 (192.7 / 215).

[0407] On the other hand, the operation ratio (opening ratio) of the second movable member in the second state is, as described above, approximately 0.3 for jackpot type 1, approximately 0.53 for jackpot type 2, and approximately 0.3 for jackpot type 3 (see FIG. 25).

[0408] Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, the operation ratio (opening ratio) of the first movable member in the first state is higher than the operation ratio (opening ratio) of the second movable member in the second state.

[0409] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a high operation ratio (opening ratio), heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0410] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A4-4) in addition to (Configuration A4-1) to (Configuration A4-3). (Configuration A4-4) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the average stay time in the first state is longer than the average stay time in the second state.

[0411] In the case of this (Configuration A4-3) approach, as described above, the average time spent in the time-saving state is approximately 215 seconds, and the average time spent in the jackpot game is approximately 64.2 seconds for jackpot 1, approximately 120 seconds for jackpot 2, and approximately 64.2 seconds for jackpot 3.

[0412] Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, the average stay time in the first state is longer than the average stay time in the second state.

[0413] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid that operates in the first state in which the average residence time is long, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0414] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A5-1). (Configuration A5-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid based on the set state, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid based on the set state, wherein the first solenoid has a resistance value greater than that of the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in the first state in which the first movable member is most operated is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the second state in which the second movable member is most operated.

[0415] In the case of this (configuration A5-1) concept, for example, the first electric device 100 can be applied as the normal electric device 25, and the second electric device 110 can be applied as the first special electric device 29 and the second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0416] Moreover, the first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 240 Ω, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0417] Moreover, the first state in which the first movable member is most operated (opened) corresponds to a time-saving state, and the second state in which the second movable member is most operated (opened) corresponds to a big win game. And, similarly to (Configuration A4-1), regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the first state is longer than the average operating time (average opening time) of the second movable member in the second state.

[0418] In this way, by increasing the resistance value of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and reducing power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0419] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (Configuration A5-2) in addition to (Configuration A5-1). (Configuration A5-2) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the first solenoid and the second solenoid operate at the same voltage.

[0420] In the case of this (Configuration A5-2) concept, as described above, the operating voltages of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V.

[0421] That is, the operating voltage of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V, and the first solenoid has a higher resistance value than the second solenoid, so the first solenoid consumes less power than the second solenoid.

[0422] In this way, by increasing the resistance value of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and reducing power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0423] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A6-1). (Configuration A6-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid based on the set state, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid based on the set state, wherein the first solenoid has a smaller current value during operation than the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in the first state in which the first movable member is most operated is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the second state in which the second movable member is most operated.

[0424] In the case of this (configuration A6-1) concept, for example, the first electric device 100 can be applied as the normal electric device 25, and the second electric device 110 can be applied as the first special electric device 29 and the second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0425] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 60 mA, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 146 mA, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0426] Moreover, the first state in which the first movable member is most operated (opened) corresponds to a time-saving state, and the second state in which the second movable member is most operated (opened) corresponds to a big win game. And, similarly to (Configuration A4-1), regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the first state is longer than the average operating time (average opening time) of the second movable member in the second state.

[0427] In this way, by reducing the current value of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and thereby reducing power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0428] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A6-2) in addition to (configuration A6-1). (Configuration A6-2) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the first solenoid and the second solenoid operate at the same voltage.

[0429] In the case of this (Configuration A6-2) concept, as described above, the operating voltages of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V.

[0430] That is, the operating voltage of the first solenoid (solenoid 104) and the second solenoid (solenoid 114) are the same at 35V, and the first solenoid has a higher resistance value than the second solenoid, so the first solenoid consumes less power than the second solenoid.

[0431] In this way, by reducing the current value of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and thereby reducing power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0432] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A7-1). (Configuration A7-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid, wherein the first solenoid consumes less power than the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the specific state.

[0433] In the case of this (configuration A7-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0434] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 12 V, a resistance value of 120 Ω, and a power consumption of 1.2 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W.

[0435] In addition, the specific state is a state in which the game ball is shot toward the right game area 19b, that is, a right-hitting state including a time-saving state and a jackpot game state.

[0436] The time-saving state is always a high probability state, and the probability of winning a jackpot in a high probability state is (658 / 65536 ≒ 1 / 99.9), and as shown in Figure 23, the change time and fixed time of the special symbol when losing (when not 0) is 1.5 seconds in total, and the change time and fixed time of the special symbol when winning is about 65 seconds on average. Therefore, the average number of games in one time-saving state is about 100 times, and the average stay time in the time-saving state is about 215 seconds (1.5 seconds x 100 + 65).

[0437] In addition, as shown in Figure 11, the sum of the normal symbol variation time and the determination time in the high probability state is 628 ms, and as shown in Figure 13, the average time for normal power open play in the high probability state is about 5.74 s (because it is difficult for the maximum number of game balls to enter during the open time). Therefore, the average number of times the first movable member is opened in the time-saving state (high probability state) is about 33.8 times (215 / 6.368 (0.628 + 5.74)).

[0438] Furthermore, since the average opening time of the first movable member during one normal power opening game in the time-saving state is approximately 5.7 seconds, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in the time-saving state is 5.7 seconds x 33.8 times = approximately 192.7 seconds.

[0439] On the other hand, as described above, the average opening time of the second movable member during jackpot play is approximately 25.2 seconds for jackpot type 1, approximately 63 seconds for jackpot type 2, and approximately 25.2 seconds for jackpot type 3.

[0440] In addition, since the time-saving state will always be entered after a jackpot game, the jackpot game and the time-saving state will be considered as one set, and the right-hitting state will be repeated as a set multiple times.

[0441] Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operation time (average opening time) of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operation time (average opening time) of the second movable member in a specific state.

[0442] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid, which operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), heat generation can be suppressed, and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0443] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A7-2) in addition to (configuration A7-1). (Configuration A7-2) In the gaming machine 1, the first movable member opens and closes a first winning port, and the second movable member opens and closes a second winning port, and the gaming area includes a first gaming area into which gaming balls flow down, and a second gaming area different from the first gaming area, and the first and second winning ports are configured such that gaming balls flowing down the second gaming area are more likely to enter than gaming balls flowing down the first gaming area.

[0444] In the case of this (configuration A7-2) concept, the first winning port corresponds to the second starting port 24, the second winning port corresponds to the first large winning port 27 or the second large winning port 28, the first game area corresponds to the left game area 19a, and the second game area corresponds to the right game area 19b.

[0445] Furthermore, in cases where the first winning port and the second winning port are located in the second game area, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid that operates the first movable member, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0446] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A7-3) in addition to (configuration A7-1) or (configuration A7-2). (Configuration A7-3) The gaming machine 1 is equipped with a determination means for determining a win based on the entry of a gaming ball into the first winning port, the first movable member opening and closing the first winning port, and the second movable member opening and closing the second winning port, a winning game execution means for executing a winning game in which the second large winning port is opened when the win is determined, and a game state setting means for setting the first state in which a ball can enter the first winning port more easily than in other specified states, and the specific state is configured to be during a winning state and during the first state.

[0447] In the case of this (Configuration A7-3) concept, the first winning slot corresponds to the second starting slot 24, the second winning slot corresponds to the first large winning slot 27 or the second large winning slot 28, the judgment means and the winning game execution means correspond to the CPU 40a, the winning judgment corresponds to a jackpot lottery, the winning game corresponds to a jackpot game, and the first state corresponds to a time-saving state.

[0448] Furthermore, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid, which operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time) during the contact state and the first state, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0449] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A7-4) in addition to (configuration A7-1) to (configuration A7-3). (Configuration A7-4) The gaming machine 1 is configured such that the game state setting means can set the first state after the winning game.

[0450] Even in the case of this (Configuration A7-4) approach, by reducing the power consumption of the first solenoid, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be suppressed.

[0451] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A8-1). (Configuration A8-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid, wherein the first solenoid has a resistance value greater than that of the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the specific state.

[0452] In the case of this (configuration A8-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0453] Moreover, the first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 580 Ω, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, a resistance value of 240 Ω, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0454] In addition, the specific state is a state in which the game ball is shot toward the right game area 19b, that is, a right-hitting state including a time-saving state and a jackpot game state. And, similarly to (Configuration A7-1), regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operating time (average opening time) of the second movable member in a specific state.

[0455] Furthermore, by increasing the resistance value of the first solenoid, which operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and reducing power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0456] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has (Configuration A7-2) to (Configuration A7-4) in addition to (Configuration A8-1).

[0457] The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has the following (configuration A9-1). (Configuration A9-1) The gaming machine 1 comprises a first movable member provided in a play area, a second movable member provided in the play area, a first solenoid that operates the first movable member, a second solenoid that operates the second movable member, a state setting means for setting one of a plurality of states, a first control means for controlling the operation of the first movable member by operating the first solenoid, and a second control means for controlling the operation of the second movable member by operating the second solenoid, wherein the first solenoid has a smaller current value during operation than the second solenoid, and the average operating time of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operating time of the second movable member in the specific state.

[0458] In the case of this (configuration A9-1) concept, for example, a first electric device 100 can be applied as a normal electric device 25, and a second electric device 110 can be applied as a first special electric device 29 and a second special electric device 30. Moreover, the first movable member corresponds to the first movable member 106 and the second movable member 107, and the first solenoid corresponds to the normal electric role solenoid 25a (solenoid 104). Moreover, the second movable member corresponds to the movable member 117, and the second solenoid corresponds to the first special electric role solenoid 29a or the second special electric role solenoid 30a (solenoid 114). Moreover, the state setting means, the first control means, and the second control means correspond to the CPU 40a.

[0459] The first solenoid (solenoid 104) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 60 mA, and a power consumption of 2.1 W. The second solenoid (solenoid 114) has an applied voltage of 35 V, an operating current value of 146 mA, and a power consumption of 5.1 W.

[0460] In addition, the specific state is a state in which the game ball is shot toward the right game area 19b, that is, a right-hitting state including a time-saving state and a jackpot game state. And, similarly to (Configuration A7-1), regardless of the type of jackpot, the average operating time (average opening time) of the first movable member in a specific state is longer than the average operating time (average opening time) of the second movable member in a specific state.

[0461] Furthermore, by reducing the current value of the first solenoid, which operates the first movable member, which has a long average operating time (average opening time), and lowering power consumption, heat generation can be suppressed and damage to the first solenoid can be prevented.

[0462] Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has (Configuration A7-2) to (Configuration A7-4) in addition to (Configuration A9-1).

[0463] In the above (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), the first electric role 100 is applied as the normal electric role 25, and the second electric role 110 is applied as the first special electric role 29 and the second special electric role 30. However, as long as the normal electric role 25, the first special electric role 29, and the second special electric role 30 satisfy (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), any of the first electric role 100, the second electric role 110, the third electric role 120, and the fourth electric role 130 may be applied.

[0464] For example, the fourth electric role 130 may be applied as the normal electric role 25, and the third electric role 120 may be applied as the first special electric role 29 and the second special electric role 30. In particular, the fourth electric role 130 is designed so that the game ball is likely to collide with the movable member 136, and the spring constant of the spring 134c is set higher than the springs (104c, 114c, 124c) of the other electric roles so that the movable member 136 does not open due to the collision. Therefore, the solenoid 134 of the fourth electric role 130 has a higher power consumption than the other solenoids (104, 114, 124). Therefore, when the fourth electric role 130 is applied, it is possible to apply the solenoid 134 as the second solenoid in the above (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), and apply the other solenoids (104, 114, 124) as the first solenoid.

[0465] In the above (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), the first electric role 100 is applied as the normal electric role 25, and the second electric role 110 is applied as the first special electric role 29 and the second special electric role 30. However, as long as the normal electric role 25, the first special electric role 29, and the second special electric role 30 satisfy (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), any of the first electric role 100, the second electric role 110, the third electric role 120, and the fourth electric role 130 may be applied.

[0466] For example, the fourth electric role 130 may be applied as the normal electric role 25, and the third electric role 120 may be applied as the first special electric role 29 and the second special electric role 30. In particular, the fourth electric role 130 is designed so that the game ball is likely to collide with the movable member 136, and the spring constant of the spring 134c is set higher than the springs (104c, 114c, 124c) of the other electric roles so that the movable member 136 does not open due to the collision. Therefore, the solenoid 134 of the fourth electric role 130 has a higher power consumption than the other solenoids (104, 114, 124). Therefore, when the fourth electric role 130 is applied, it is possible to apply the solenoid 134 as the second solenoid in the above (Configuration A1-1) to (Configuration A9-1), and apply the other solenoids (104, 114, 124) as the first solenoid.

[0467] <7. Board connection configuration> [7.1 Connection status of each board] The supply path of the power supply voltage to each board provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described.

[0468] Fig. 44 is a power supply system diagram of the gaming machine 1. In Fig. 44, a 35V DC voltage is indicated by a dashed line, a 12V DC voltage is indicated by a solid line, and a 5V DC voltage is indicated by a dashed line. 44, the gaming machine 1 includes a power supply board 200, a game board connection board 201, a game board connection board 202, and a backup board 203 in addition to the main control board 40, the performance control board 41, the payout control board 42, the frame external centralized terminal board 43, and the launch control board 45. Each of these boards is a part of the boards mounted on the gaming machine 1, and various boards are provided in addition to those shown in the figure.

[0469] The power supply board 200 is a board that supplies DC voltages that serve as operating power sources for each part based on an AC input power source (e.g., 24 V). The power supply board 200 generates 35 V DC voltage, 12 V DC voltage, and 5 V DC voltage from the AC input power source. The power supply board 200 then supplies the 35 V DC voltage, 12 V DC voltage, and 5 V DC voltage to the payout control board 42 and the performance control board 41.

[0470] The payout control board 42 is connected to the main control board 40, the backup board 203, the game ball payout device 46, the frame external centralized terminal board 43, and the launch control board 45. The payout control board 42 supplies the 35V DC voltage supplied from the power supply board 200 to the main control board 40 and the launch control board 45, supplies the 12V DC voltage to the main control board 40, the frame external centralized terminal board 43, and the game ball payout device 46, and supplies the 5V DC voltage to the main control board 40 and the launch control board 45.

[0471] The main control board 40 is connected to a game board connection board 201, and supplies the 35V DC voltage, 12V DC voltage, and 5V DC voltage supplied from the payout control board 42 to the game board connection board 201.

[0472] The main control board 40 and the game board connection board 202 are connected to the game board connection board 201. As described in detail later, the game board connection board 201 is a relay board that connects the left magnetic sensor, the center magnetic sensor, the lower radio wave sensor, and the two general winning port detection sensors 31a to the main control board 40. The game board connection board 201 also functions as a relay board that supplies the 35V DC voltage, the 12V DC voltage, and the 5V DC voltage supplied from the main control board 40 to the game board connection board 202.

[0473] As will be described in more detail below, the game board connection board 202 is an relay board that connects the normal electric role solenoid 25a, the first special electric role solenoid 29a, the second special electric role solenoid 30a, the first large prize opening detection sensor 27a, the second large prize opening detection sensor 28a, the normal pattern gate detection sensor 26a, the OUT monitoring sensor 32a, the right magnetic sensor, the upper right magnetic sensor, the lower right magnetic sensor, and the upper radio wave sensor to the main control board 40 via the game board connection board 201.

[0474] The backup board 203 generates a backup power supply using the 5V DC voltage supplied from the dispensing control board 42, and supplies the backup power supply to the main control board 40 in the event of a power outage.

[0475] [7.2 Circuit configuration of game board connection board 201 (second game board connection board)] Fig. 45 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration provided on the game board connection board 201. As shown in Fig. 45, the game board connection board 201 is equipped with connectors CN1 to CN7. For ease of explanation, the term "pin" of connector CN is used to refer not only to pin-shaped male terminals, but also to include both male and female terminals, as well as so-called planar contact patterns and corresponding terminals.

[0476] The connector CN1 is connected to an end of a transmission line H1 (see FIG. 44) that connects with the main control board 40. The connector CN1 has 40 terminals, numbered from the 1st pin to the 40th pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "40". Pins 1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 21, 38, 39, and 40 are ground terminals. The fourth pin is the terminal for 35V DC voltage (DC35VA). The fifth pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal of the first special electric feature solenoid 29a. The sixth pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal for the second special electric feature solenoid 30a. The eighth pin is normally assigned as a terminal for a control signal for the electric accessory solenoid 25a. Pins 9 and 10 are terminals for 12V DC voltage (DC12VA). The 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th pins are assigned as terminals for signals (SPI_RESET, SPI_CS, SPI_CLK, SPI_DATA) output from the main control board 40, and are connected to ground via resistors R1 to R4. Pin 14 is the terminal for 5V DC voltage (DC5VS). The 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, and 26th pins are assigned as terminals for detection signals of the magnetic sensors (left, center, lower right, right, upper right, and upper right). The positions (left, center, lower right, right, upper right, and upper right) written before the magnetic sensors correspond to the positions where the magnetic sensors are arranged on the back side of the game board 5. The 23rd and 27th pins are assigned as terminals for detection signals from the radio wave sensors (upper and lower). The positions (upper and lower) written before the radio wave sensors correspond to the positions on the back side of the game board 5 where the radio wave sensors are located. Pins 25, 28, 29, and 31 are assigned as terminals for connection check signals (5, 2, 4, 3). Pins 25 and 28 are connected to ground via resistors R5 and R6. The 30th pin is assigned as a terminal for a detection signal from the OUT monitoring sensor 32a. The 32nd pin is assigned as a terminal for the calibration signal of the middle magnetic sensor. The 33rd pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the second large prize opening detection sensor 28a. The 34th pin and the 36th pin are assigned as terminals for the detection signal of the general prize opening detection sensor 31a. The 35th pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the first big prize opening detection sensor 27a. The 37th pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the normal symbol gate detection sensor 26a.

[0477] The connector CN2 is connected to an end of a transmission line H2 that connects to the game board connection board 202. This connector CN2 has 22 terminals, from pin 1 to pin 22, numbered "1" to "22." Pins 1, 2, 8, 15, 21, and 22 are ground terminals. The third pin is the terminal for 35V DC voltage (DC35VA). The fourth pin is the terminal for 12V DC voltage (DC12VA). The fifth pin is the terminal for 5V DC voltage (DC5VS). The sixth pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal of the first special electric feature solenoid 29a. The seventh pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal of the second special electric feature solenoid 30a. The 9th pin is normally assigned as a terminal for the control signal of the electric role solenoid 25a. The tenth pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the first big prize opening detection sensor 27a. The 11th pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the second large prize opening detection sensor 28a. Pins 12 and 13 are assigned as terminals for connection confirmation signals (3, 4). The 14th pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the normal symbol gate detection sensor 26a. Pins 16, 17, and 18 are assigned as terminals for the detection signals of the magnetic sensors (bottom right, right, and top right). Pin 19 is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the upper radio wave sensor. The 20th pin is assigned as a terminal for a detection signal from the OUT monitoring sensor 32a.

[0478] The connector CN3 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects with the left magnetic sensor. This connector CN3 has a three-terminal configuration, with pins 1 through 3 numbered as "1" through "3." The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is the terminal for 5V DC voltage (DC5VS). The third pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the left magnetic sensor.

[0479] The connector CN4 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects with the central magnetic sensor. This connector CN4 has a five-terminal configuration, with pins 1 through 5 numbered "1" through "5." The first pin is the terminal for 5V DC voltage (DC5VS). The second pin is assigned as a terminal for the calibration signal of the central magnetic sensor. The third pin is assigned as a terminal for setting the sensitivity of the middle magnetic sensor, and is connected to ground via resistor R7. The fourth pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the middle magnetic sensor. The fifth pin is the ground terminal.

[0480] The connectors CN5 and CN6 are connected to the transmission line ends of the transmission lines that connect with the general winning port detection sensor 31a. These connectors CN5 and CN6 have a two-terminal configuration from the first pin to the second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the general prize opening detection sensor 31a.

[0481] The connector CN7 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects with the lower radio wave sensor. This connector CN7 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the lower radio wave sensor.

[0482] In the game board connection board 201, the 35V DC voltage, 12V DC voltage, and 5V DC voltage supplied from the main control board 40 are supplied via the 4th pin, 9th pin (10th pin), and 14th pin of the connector CN1, respectively. The 35V DC voltage is supplied to the 3rd pin of the connector CN2 through the game board connection board 201. The 12V DC voltage is supplied to the 4th pin of the connector CN2 through the game board connection board 201. The 5V DC voltage is branched within the game board connection board 201 and supplied to the fifth pin of connector CN2, the second pin of connector CN3, the first pin of connector CN3, and the first pin of connector CN4, respectively.

[0483] The left magnetic sensor is operated by a 5V DC voltage supplied via the second pin of connector CN3, and when it detects magnetism, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 40 via the second pin of connector CN3 and the 16th pin of connector CN1. The middle magnetic sensor is operated by a 5V DC voltage supplied via the first pin of connector CN4, outputs a calibration signal to the main control board 40 via the second pin of connector CN4 and the 32nd pin of connector CN1, and when it detects magnetism, outputs a detection signal to the main control board 40 via the fourth pin of connector CN4 and the 18th pin of connector CN1. When the lower radio wave sensor detects a radio wave, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 40 via the second pin of the connector CN7 and the 27th pin of the connector CN1. When one general winning port detection sensor 31a detects the passage of a game ball (when a game ball passes through the coil, electromagnetic induction occurs and current flows), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 40 via the second pin of connector CN5 and the 34th pin of connector CN1. Another general winning port detection sensor 31a, when it detects the passage of a game ball (when a game ball passes through the coil, electromagnetic induction occurs and current flows), outputs a detection signal to the main control board 40 via the second pin of connector CN6 and the 36th pin of connector CN1.

[0484] [7.3 Circuit configuration of the game board connection board 202 (second game board connection board)] Fig. 46 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration provided on the game board connection board 202. As shown in Fig. 46, the game board connection board 202 is equipped with connectors CN11 to CN22.

[0485] The connector CN11 is connected to the transmission line end of the transmission line H2 (see FIG. 44) that connects with the game board connection board 201, and has a 22-terminal configuration from pin 1 to pin 22, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "22." Therefore, pins 1 to 22 of the connector CN11 are the same as pins 1 to 22 of the connector CN2 of the game board connection board 201. The 12th and 13th pins are connected to ground via resistors R11 and R12.

[0486] The connector CN12 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects the connector CN12 to the first special electric accessory solenoid 29a. This connector CN12 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is the terminal for 35V DC voltage (DC35VA). The second pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal of the first special electric feature solenoid 29a.

[0487] The connector CN13 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects the connector CN13 to the second special electric accessory solenoid 30a. This connector CN13 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is the terminal for 35V DC voltage (DC35VA). The second pin is assigned as a terminal for a control signal of the second special electric feature solenoid 30a.

[0488] The connector CN14 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects with the normal electric accessory solenoid 25a. This connector CN14 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is the terminal for 12V DC voltage (DC12VA). The second pin is normally assigned as a terminal for a control signal for the electric accessory solenoid 25a. A diode D1 is provided as a protection circuit in the power supply line L1 to which the first pin of the connector CN14 is connected and to which a 12V DC voltage (DC12VA) is supplied. The diode D1 has an anode to which a 12V DC voltage is applied and a cathode to which the first pin of the connector CN14 is connected. Furthermore, the power supply line L1 on the side of the first pin of the connector CN14 relative to the diode D1 is connected to ground via a resistor R13. In addition, a diode D2 serving as a counter electromotive force protection circuit connects the first pin of the connector CN14 from the position where the resistor R13 is connected in the power supply line L1 to the power transmission line L2 that connects the second pin of the connector CN14 and the ninth pin of the connector CN11. The anode of the diode D2 is connected to the power transmission line L2, and the cathode is connected to the power supply line L1.

[0489] The connector CN15 is connected to the transmission line end of the transmission line that connects the first large prize opening detection sensor 27a. This connector CN15 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the first big prize opening detection sensor 27a.

[0490] The connector CN16 is connected to the transmission line end of the transmission line that connects the second large prize opening detection sensor 28a. This connector CN16 has a two-terminal configuration from a first pin to a second pin, as indicated by the numbers "1" to "2". The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the second large prize opening detection sensor 28a.

[0491] The connector CN17 is connected to an end of a transmission line that connects with the right magnetic sensor. This connector CN17 has a three-terminal configuration, with pins 1 through 3 numbered "1" through "3." The first pin is a ground terminal. The second pin is the terminal for 5V DC voltage (DC5VS). The third pin is assigned as a terminal for the detection signal of the right magnetic s...

Claims

[Claim 1] A winning opening having a movable member; a solenoid for operating the movable member; a control unit that controls the solenoid; an external signal output means for outputting an external signal, The movable member is changeable between an open state in which a game ball can enter the game machine and a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter the game machine, The control unit a first control signal that operates the movable member by a first drive amount to set the movable member in the open state or the closed state; a second control signal that sets the movable member to the open state or the closed state after the movable member is operated by a second drive amount that is smaller than the first drive amount, and an output control table for controlling the output of the first control signal or the second control signal; The external signal output means When the first control signal is output by the control unit, the external signal is output, but when the second control signal is output, the external signal is not output, The output of the external signal is determined based on the information in the output control table. A gaming machine characterized by:

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