Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of increasing interest.SOLUTION: In a Pachinko machine 10, a first display corresponding to a determination result of whether or not to generate a specific state and a second display corresponding to a result of a winning / losing lottery of whether or not to generate a special game state can be executed. In the specific state, the second display can be executed multiple times during the period in which the first display is being executed. The Pachinko machine includes: means, when the second display corresponding to a winning result in the winning / losing lottery is terminated in a state where the first display is being executed, for terminating the first display on the basis of the termination of the second display and executing the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed after the termination of the special game state; and means, when the second display corresponding to the winning result in the winning / losing lottery is terminated in a state where the first display is being executed, for terminating the first display on the basis of the termination of the second display and starting a first display different from the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed after the termination of the special game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A pachinko machine is one type of gaming machine. In a pachinko machine, when a gaming ball shot out by a launching means enters a starting ball entry means provided on a gaming board, a lottery is held to determine whether or not a special gaming state advantageous to the player will be generated, and a variable display is displayed to inform the player of the result of the lottery (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-154110 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Furthermore, gaming machines are constantly being required to have new gameplay features to increase entertainment value.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that can improve entertainment value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming machine of the present invention comprises: specific state generating means for determining whether or not to generate a specific state based on the establishment of a first condition; a first display means for executing a first display corresponding to a determination result of whether or not to cause the specific state; a special game generating means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to generate a special game state based on the establishment of a second condition; and a second display means for executing a second display corresponding to the result of the winning / losing lottery; the first display by the first display means and the second display by the second display means are configured to be able to be executed in parallel, In the specific state, in a gaming machine configured to be able to execute the second display multiple times during a period in which the first display is executed, means for ending the first display based on the end of the second display when the second display corresponding to the result of winning the win / lose lottery ends while the first display is being executed, and for enabling the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed after the special game state corresponding to the second display ends; When the second display corresponding to the result of winning the win / lose lottery ends while the first display is being executed, the first display is terminated based on the end of the second display, and after the special game state corresponding to the second display ends, a first display different from the first display that was being executed until the special game state was executed is made possible to be started. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve interest. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] This is an oblique view showing the state in which the inner frame and front frame are open. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame and game board, etc. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view of the right-hand winning unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view showing the inner frame, back pack unit, etc. in an open state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of various counters used in game control. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing by the main control device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing normal processing by the main control device. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing the start winning processing. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a type determination process. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing reach determination processing. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a launch permission command setting process. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a first special display control process. [Figure 21] A flowchart showing the first variable display setting process. [Figure 22] A flowchart showing the special diagram 1 discrimination information setting process. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a second special display control process. [Figure 24] A flowchart showing the second variable display setting process. [Figure 25] A flowchart showing the special chart 2 discrimination information setting process. [Figure 26] A flowchart showing the variable prize-winning device control process. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing a specific prize winning process. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing an end setting process. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining ball monitoring process. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing a normal display control process. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart showing the general map change setting process. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart showing a general map discrimination information setting process. [Figure 33] A flowchart showing the start-up winning device control process. [Figure 34] 10 is a flowchart showing a reception interrupt process. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing normal processing of the sub-control device. [Figure 39] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of various counters used to determine decorative patterns, etc. [Figure 40] 10 is a flowchart showing a counter update process. [Figure 41] 10 is a flowchart showing a hold information storage process. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing a hold process. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process. [Figure 44] A flowchart showing the second performance change display setting process. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing a fluctuation stop process. [Figure 46] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning display process. [Figure 47] 10 is a flowchart showing an opening effect setting process. [Figure 48]10 is a flowchart showing an ending effect setting process. [Figure 49] A flowchart showing the jackpot display ending process. [Figure 50] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the visual recognition mode of the decorative pattern display device. [Figure 51] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the specifications of a pachinko machine. [Figure 52] This is a diagram to explain the specifications of the pachinko machine (special chart 2 variable time allocation, settings regarding the remaining time not yet taught according to the remaining time display in the time-saving mode). [Figure 53] 10 is a time chart at the start of the time-saving mode and during the time-saving mode. [Figure 54] This is a time chart for when the time-saving mode ends {returning to the time-saving mode with the special chart 2 change (second change display) that ends during the special chart 1 confirmation display period}. [Figure 55] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (time-saving mode → normal mode). [Figure 56] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (returning to the time-saving mode due to the change in special chart 2 that was on hold during the time-saving mode). [Figure 57] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (time-saving mode → normal mode). [Figure 58] This is a time chart for when the time-saving mode ends (when the time-saving mode is returned to by the special chart 2 change that was on hold during the time-saving mode, and when it is not returned to). [Figure 59] This is a time chart when the time-saving mode ends (time-saving mode returns when special chart 2 changes over the period when special chart 1 is confirmed). [Figure 60] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (time-saving mode → normal mode). [Figure 61] This is a time chart for when the time-saving mode ends (when the time-saving mode is returned to by the special chart 2 change that was on hold during the time-saving mode, and when it is not returned to). [Figure 62] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (time-saving mode → normal mode). [Figure 63]This is a time chart for when the time-saving mode ends (when the time-saving mode is returned to by the special chart 2 change that was on hold during the time-saving mode, and when it is not returned to). [Figure 64] This is a time chart when the special chart 1 change (first change display) in the time-saving mode is a hit with time-saving. [Figure 65] This is a time chart at the end of the time-saving mode (time-saving mode → normal mode). [Figure 66] This is a time chart for when the time-saving mode ends (when the time-saving mode is returned to by the special chart 2 change that was on hold during the time-saving mode, and when it is not returned to). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 3 etc., a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 as a frame for attaching a game board is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be able to open and close. For convenience, Figure 3 does not show game components (nails, accessories, etc.) arranged on the surface of the game board 30, a glass unit 137 attached to a front frame 14 as a front frame, etc.

[0010] As shown in Figure 7, the outer frame 11 has an upper frame component 11a and a lower frame component 11b made of wooden boards, and a left frame component 11c and a right frame component 11d made of extruded aluminum alloy material, and these frame components 11a to 11d are assembled together into a rectangular frame shape as a whole using detachable fasteners such as screws.

[0011] An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left-side frame-constituting portion 11c, respectively (see Figure 1). The upper and lower parts of the inner frame 12 are rotatably supported by the upper hinge 81 and the lower hinge 82, allowing the inner frame 12 to be opened and closed. The inner frame 12 and other components are housed in a space formed inside the outer frame 11.

[0012] The right-side frame-constituting portion 11d also has an extending wall portion 83 formed thereon that protrudes from the vicinity of its rear end in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11. The extending wall portion 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to a locking device 600 (see FIG. 7) provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 6). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the front side of the extending wall portion 83 is provided with a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84, 85 that engage with a locking member of the locking device 600. The lower receiving portion 85 also has a pressing portion 86 that protrudes toward the inside of the outer frame 11 and abuts against an inner-frame-opening detection switch 92 (described later).

[0013] Furthermore, a resin decorative panel 87 is attached to the lower frame component 11b. An upwardly protruding rib 88 is integrally formed on the innermost part of the upper surface of the decorative panel 87. This makes it less likely that a gap will form between the decorative panel 87 and the inner frame 12.

[0014] 3, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward around this opening / closing axis. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 38 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed in the center of the resin base 38.

[0015] Furthermore, a front frame 14 is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so as to be able to open and close. Similar to the inner frame 12, the front frame 14 is designed to be able to open forward around an opening and closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. The front frame 14 may also be configured so as to be openably supported directly on the outer frame 11, rather than via the inner frame 12.

[0016] The front frame 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and in the closed state covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12. A roughly oval window 101 is formed in the center of the front frame 14. This makes it possible to view the game board 30 (the game area in which game balls can move) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 from the outside through the window 101 of the front frame 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lower tray 15 is provided as a ball receiving tray at the center of the lower part of the front side of the front frame 14, and gaming balls discharged from the lower payout outlet 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. In addition, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging gaming balls from the lower tray 15 is provided on the front side of the lower tray 15.

[0018] A game ball launching handle (hereinafter referred to as "handle 18") is provided on the right side of lower tray 15 as an operating means (launching operating means) that protrudes forward. Handle 18 is provided with a rotary operating body 18a as a rotatable operating unit, and is also provided with a touch sensor as a touch detection means that can detect touch of the handle 18 by a human hand and a variable resistor as an operation amount detection means that detects the amount of operation of the operating portion of handle 18 at positions not shown. When handle 18 is rotated clockwise, game balls are launched by launching device 60 (described later) as launching means with a force corresponding to the amount of rotation. Handle 18 is also provided with a stop lever 18b as a stop operating means that can be pressed with the thumb of the right hand holding handle 18. When stop lever 18b is pressed, launching of game balls by launching device 60 is prohibited, even if handle 18 is being held. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the handle 18 while prohibiting the release of game balls, or to temporarily stop the release of game balls while gripping the handle 18. The handle 18 may be equipped with a light-emitting means such as an LED whose light-emitting state can be seen through a transparent front cover, and the light-emitting state may be changed according to the performance, etc. Furthermore, a vent may be provided in the handle 18 or in its vicinity to allow air to be blown out from the vent, or vibration means (vibrator, speaker, etc.) may be provided to vibrate the handle 18 (the hand operating the handle 18).

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, an upper tray 19 capable of storing game balls paid out (given to a player) from the upper payout outlet 17 is provided above the lower tray 15. The upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray that temporarily stores game balls and guides them toward the launching device 60, which will be described later, while aligning them in a line. When the upper tray 19 is full of game balls, the paid-out game balls are guided to the lower tray 15 via the lower tray connecting passage 71 and the lower payout outlet 16, which will be described later.

[0020] A loan switch 121, a return switch 122, and a balance display unit 124 are provided on the top surface of the upper tray 19. In an amusement hall or the like, when a gaming card with a balance is inserted into a CR unit located on the (left) side of the pachinko machine 10, and the loan switch 121 is operated, loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 19 in response to the operation. On the other hand, the return switch 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card inserted into the CR unit. In addition, the balance display unit 124 displays the balance of the card inserted into the CR unit.

[0021] Furthermore, a ball removal button 123 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 19. The ball removal button 123 is configured to be able to protrude from the top surface of the upper tray 19, and is always biased in the direction of protruding from the top surface of the upper tray 19 by a biasing means (not shown). When the ball removal button 123 is pressed, the space between the upper tray 19 and the lower tray 15 is opened, and the game balls stored in the upper tray 19 are guided (moved) to the lower tray 15. In other words, by operating the ball removal button 123, the player can transfer the game balls in the upper tray 19 to the lower tray 15 at any time.

[0022] In addition, an effect button 125 and a cross button 126 are provided on the top surface of the upper tray 19 as effect operation means. The effect button 125 is a cylindrical transparent operating body with a closed top that can be displaced up and down, and is always biased upward (in the direction protruding from the mounting surface) by a spring. It has built-in light-emitting means (e.g., an LED), and the top surface of the operating body is decorated with letters and patterns (e.g., letters such as PUSH and border decorations). By pressing the effect button 125 and the cross button 126, it is possible to perform corresponding effects (button effects) on the decorative pattern display device 42, etc., which will be described later, and to change various settings.

[0023] For example, as a button effect, a display is displayed in the decorative pattern display device 42 described below that indicates a predetermined result (for example, whether or not a jackpot state described below will occur), and a display that encourages the player to operate the effect button 125 (and a display indicating the validity period of the button operation) is derived at a stage before the predetermined result is instructed in the effect display, and when the effect button 125 is operated, a suggestive effect display that suggests whether or not the predetermined result will be a desirable result for the player can be derived. Furthermore, for example, by operating the effect button 125 when no game is being played (for example, when no variable display is being displayed on the special display devices 43a and 43b described below), a menu screen is displayed on a predetermined display means (for example, the decorative pattern display device 42 described below) that displays items that the player can set regarding effects, etc. (changing the effect pattern on the decorative pattern display device 42, changing the volume, changing the brightness, entering a password (when playing mobile-linked games in which information is exchanged between the pachinko machine 10 and the gaming machine manufacturer's server via a mobile communication terminal), and outputting a two-dimensional code, etc.), and the configuration may be such that the corresponding setting can be made by selecting each item.

[0024] Additionally, various light-emitting devices such as various lamps are provided around the front of the front frame 14. These light-emitting devices change and control their light emission modes in response to changes in the game status, enhancing the visual effects during play. For example, a circular illumination unit 102 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs is provided around the periphery of the window portion 101. Error indicator lamps 104 that light up when a predetermined error occurs are provided on both sides of the circular illumination unit 102. Note that a number of small through-holes are formed above each error indicator lamp 104 in the circular illumination unit 102, corresponding to the speakers SP (see FIG. 3) provided on the back of the front frame 14. To enhance the design of the pachinko machine 10, appropriate decorations are applied to areas visible to players. For example, designs (decorations) based on the motif of the pachinko machine 10 are applied to the surface (front side) of the front frame 14, the periphery of the upper tray 19, the surface (front, etc.) of the handle 18, etc.

[0025] A glass unit 137 is attached to the rear side of the front frame 14. The glass unit 137 comprises a pair of front and rear transparent bodies (e.g., plate glass, transparent resin, etc.) and a frame portion that holds the pair of transparent bodies; it has a round overall shape and is attached as an assembly. It is also possible to attach (stick) a sticker or the like for information or decoration to a portion of the glass unit 137 (at least one of the pair of front and rear transparent bodies). The sticker has letters, pictures, etc. printed in necessary locations on a transparent or translucent sheet to maximize visibility of the area behind the area where the sticker is attached (the playing area if the sticker overlaps in front of part of the playing area).

[0026] Next, the inner frame 12 will be described with reference to Figure 4. As described above, the game board 30 is attached to the inner frame 12 behind the window hole 39 in a state where it abuts against the back side of the resin base 38. Therefore, a roughly central portion of the front of the game board 30 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39.

[0027] Furthermore, a launching device 60 and a launching rail 61 that guides the game balls immediately after they are launched by the launching device 60 are attached to the lower front part of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), i.e., below the window hole 39. In this embodiment, a solenoid-type launching device is used as the launching device 60. Furthermore, above the launching device 60, a ball feeding device 63 is provided that guides the game balls guided from the upper tray 19 one by one to the launch position of the launching device 60 by driving a built-in driving means (for example, a solenoid).

[0028] Next, the configuration of the game board 30 (game area) will be explained with reference to Figure 4. The game board 30 is provided with a general winning device 31, a first normal start winning device 33a, a through gate 34, a variable display unit 35, a right-hand hit winning unit 37, etc. As will be described in detail later, the right-hand hit winning unit 37 (see Figure 6) is equipped with a first variable winning device 32a, a second variable winning device 32b, a first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and a second start winning device 33c, and is configured to allow game balls to efficiently enter the first variable winning device 32a, the second variable winning device 32b, and the second start winning device 33c. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) any of the various winning ports such as the general winning device 31, the variable winning devices 32a, 32b, the start winning devices 33a, 33b, 33c, etc., it is detected by various detection switches, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 19 or the lower tray 15. In this embodiment, the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b constitute a variable ball entry means, the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b constitute a start ball entry means (first start ball entry means), and the second start winning device 33c constitutes a second start ball entry means.

[0029] The game board 30 of this embodiment is made of transparent resin, and various decorations are applied to the rear of the game board 30, excluding the openings corresponding to the various prize-winning devices. Examples of such decorations include printed stickers attached to the rear surface of the game board 30 and decorative gadgets (three-dimensional objects based on the motif of the pachinko machine 10) installed (attached) behind the game board 30. Furthermore, a light-emitting device is provided behind the game board 30 (behind, to the side, or diagonally in front of the decorative members) to illuminate the decorative members. The game board 30 does not have to be made of transparent resin; for example, it may be made of opaque resin or wood (plywood).

[0030] In this embodiment, three game balls are paid out when a ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, one game ball is paid out when a ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the second start winning device 33c, five game balls are paid out when a ball enters the general winning device 31, and ten game balls are paid out when a ball enters the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b. In addition, even if a game ball passes through a through gate 34 in the game area, which only allows game balls to pass through (and does not discharge to the back side of the game board 30), no game ball is paid out.

[0031] As will be described in detail later, the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c are provided with a first normal start winning switch 224a, a first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and a second start winning switch 224c, respectively, as first start ball detection means for detecting a winning game ball. When a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and is detected by the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b (when a first condition is met), a jackpot win / loss lottery is held as a first condition win / loss lottery to determine whether a jackpot state (special game state) in which the first variable winning device 32a is opened (special game state) is generated, and a variable display (first display) is displayed on a first special display device 43a (first display means) described later. If the jackpot win / loss lottery is won, the jackpot state will be granted. Hereinafter, the win / loss lottery (jackpot win / loss lottery) that is conducted based on the game ball entering the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the game ball being detected by the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b will be referred to as the "first win / loss lottery." In this embodiment, the "time-saving mode" described later corresponds to the "specific state," and the function that determines whether to grant the time-saving mode (the function that determines whether to generate a win state based on the detection of the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and determines whether to set the win type that grants the time-saving mode when a win state is generated) constitutes the specific state generating means.

[0032] Furthermore, when a gaming ball enters the second start winning device 33c and is detected by the second start winning switch 224c (when the second condition is met), a lottery for determining whether or not a jackpot will be won, and a lottery for determining whether or not a small jackpot will be generated in which the second variable winning device 32b will be opened, are held (the function for executing the lottery constitutes the special game generating means), and a variable display (second display) is displayed on the second special display device 43b (second display means) described below. If the jackpot lottery is won, the jackpot state is granted, and if the small jackpot lottery is won, the small jackpot state is granted. Hereinafter, the lottery for determining whether or not a jackpot will be won (the lottery for determining whether or not a jackpot will be won) held based on the entry of a gaming ball into the second start winning device 33c and the detection of the gaming ball by the second start winning switch 224c is referred to as the "second lottery." In this embodiment, if the result of the lottery for determining whether a jackpot is won or lost based on the entry of a gaming ball into the second start-up winning device 33c is negative, a lottery for determining whether a small jackpot is won or lost is held. On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for determining whether a jackpot is won or lost based on the entry of a gaming ball into the first normal start-up winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is negative, a lottery for determining whether a small jackpot is won or lost is not held.

[0033] In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an outlet 36 corresponding to the bottom of the game area, and game balls that do not enter the various winning ports such as the general winning device 31 are discharged to the outside of the game area through this outlet 36. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails (game nails) for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various components (apparatuses) such as windmills are also provided.

[0034] A variable display unit 35 is disposed in the approximate center of the gaming area. A center frame 47 is disposed in the variable display unit 35 so as to surround a decorative symbol display device 42, which will be described later. A ball entrance 151 through which a gaming ball can enter is provided on the left side of the center frame 47. A gaming ball that enters the center frame 47 through the ball entrance 151 is guided onto a stage 153 formed below the decorative symbol display device 42 via a warp channel 152 that extends vertically along the left side of the decorative symbol display device 42. A guide groove 154 that extends in the front-to-rear direction and slopes downward toward the front is provided in the center of the stage 153. A gaming ball guided by the guide groove 154 has a relatively higher probability of entering a first normal start winning device 33a, which will be described later, compared to a gaming ball that is not guided.

[0035] Furthermore, the warp flow path 152 has transparent or semi-transparent sections extending along its extension direction, and the light-emitting means provided at the rear of the warp flow path 152 is constantly emitting light, allowing the player to see the game ball moving through the warp flow path 152. The shape of the center frame 47 is also designed for each model, and various decorations are applied, and some models are equipped with light-emitting bodies and movable devices that give predetermined instructions to the player.

[0036] A first normal start winning device 33a is disposed below the variable display unit 35. The first normal start winning device 33a is provided so as to protrude forward from the front part of the game board 30, and a winning opening (start winning opening) through which game balls can always enter is opened above it. Note that the first normal start winning device 33a of this embodiment is not provided with a configuration that changes the ease with which game balls can enter the first normal start winning device 33a.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, due to the arrangement of game nails and the like provided in the game area, in order for a game ball to enter the first normal start winning device 33a, the game ball must be passed through (hit from the left) into the area of ​​the game area located to the left of the variable display device unit 35 (left side area), and even if the game ball is passed through (hit from the right) into the area located to the right of the variable display device unit 35 (right side area), it will not be able to enter the first normal start winning device 33a.

[0038] At the bottom of the left side area (to the left of the first normal start winning device 33a), a general winning device 31 is disposed along the periphery of the game area. The general winning device 31 protrudes forward from the front of the game board 30, and has a winning opening on the upper side through which game balls can always win.

[0039] A right-hand hit winning unit 37 is provided to the right of the first normal start winning device 33a. As shown in Fig. 5, the right-hand hit winning unit 37 is provided with, from the upstream side of the game area, a first auxiliary start winning device 33b, a second variable winning device 32b, a second start winning device 33c, and a first variable winning device 32a. The right-hand hit winning unit 37 further includes a ball entry section 111 that opens upward and allows game balls to enter, a first guide passage 112 that guides game balls that enter the ball entry section 111 but do not enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b to the second variable winning device 32b, a second guide passage 113 that guides game balls that are guided by the first guide passage 112 but do not enter the second variable winning device 32b to the second start winning device 33c, and a second guide passage 113 that guides game balls that are guided by the second guide passage 113 to the second start winning device 33c. The right-hand hit winning unit 37 has a third guide passage 114 that guides game balls that do not enter the right-hand hit winning unit 37 to the first variable winning device 32a, a discharge section 116 that discharges game balls moving through the right-hand hit winning unit 37 to the outside of the right-hand hit winning unit 37 (in this example, it opens to the left and discharges game balls to a game area outside the right-hand hit winning unit 37), and a fourth guide passage 115 that guides game balls that are guided by the third guide passage 114 and do not enter the first variable winning device 32a to the discharge section 116. An opening is provided in the game board 30 corresponding to the installation position of the right-hand hit winning unit 37, and the right-hand hit winning unit 37 is attached to the game board 30 in a manner that closes the opening.

[0040] The right-hit winning unit 37 (case body) is made of a colorless, transparent resin (e.g., polypropylene). A decorative element (e.g., a decorated panel installed in front of the right-hit winning unit 37, or a decorative sticker attached to the front of the right-hit winning unit 37) is provided in front of the right-hit winning unit 37. The decorative element is colored and transparent, or has a large number of relatively small transparent portions (holes). Therefore, the inside of the right-hit winning unit 37 (the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the game ball moving as it enters the first variable winning device 32a) can be seen from the front of the right-hit winning unit 37.

[0041] In addition, lighting means (e.g., surface-emitting lighting) is provided behind the right-hit winning unit 37. The pachinko machine in this example has a sea motif, and a sticker with a print of marine life is affixed to the front side of the right-hit winning unit 37. In the standby mode when no game is being played and in the normal mode, the lighting means of the right-hit winning unit 37 basically emits blue light with occasional white light (to resemble the reflection of light on the ocean surface). In the time-saving mode, the lighting is transparent (or white), and (until the upper limit of the number of reserved balls in the second variable display, described below, is reached) the lighting is switched to a mode that alternates between orange and white when a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c (returning to the mode corresponding to the time-saving mode after one second). In the winning mode, the lighting is switched to a light red mode, and when a game ball enters the specific ball entry section 145, the lighting is switched to a mode that alternates between red, white, blue, green, and yellow (returning to the mode corresponding to the winning mode after five seconds). Furthermore, delay protrusions (not shown) that delay the moving speed of the gaming ball are provided in the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, and the third guide passage 114. However, the delay protrusions are configured not to impede the movement of the gaming ball.

[0042] The first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is configured to be able to slide back and forth, and is equipped with a first start-up shutter 171 that can be moved between a closed position that restricts game balls from entering the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b and an open position that retreats rearward from the game area above the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b and allows game balls to enter the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b, a first auxiliary start-up winning switch 224b that can detect all game balls that enter the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the first start-up shutter 171.

[0043] Furthermore, the first starting shutter 171 in this embodiment is inclined downward to the right, and the downstream edge of the game area of ​​the first starting shutter 171 in the closed state is continuous with the upstream edge of the game area of ​​the first guide passage 112. The ball entrance section 111 is formed as an opening above the first starting shutter 171 in the closed position and the first guide passage 112, and a game ball that enters the ball entrance section 111 falls into the first starting shutter 171 in the closed position and the first guide passage 112, and if it falls into the first starting shutter 171 in the closed position, it is guided to the first guide passage 112 by the first starting shutter 171. Furthermore, if a game ball falls into the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b when the first start-up shutter 171 is in the open position, or if a game ball is on the first start-up shutter 171 when the first start-up shutter 171 is set to the open position, the game ball will enter the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is configured so that the first start shutter 171 is always in the open position for a certain period at regular intervals. When a game ball is "hit to the right," the game ball can also enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b (for example, if there are four winning rounds, at least two or three balls can be expected to enter). However, the rate at which a game ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b when "hit to the right" is set lower than the rate at which a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a when "hit to the left" (although the same rate is also possible). Furthermore, in the normal mode, which will be described in detail later, even if a gaming ball is "hit to the right," it is unlikely that the gaming ball will enter the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, or the first variable winning device 32a, whereas if the gaming ball is "hit to the left," the gaming ball may enter the general winning device 31. Furthermore, when a gaming ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, one prize ball is awarded, whereas when a gaming ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, three prize balls are awarded. Therefore, in the normal mode, it is more advantageous for the player to "hit to the left" than to "hit to the right," and "hitting to the right" of a gaming ball is suppressed in the normal mode. Furthermore, the first start shutter 171 may be omitted and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b may be kept open at all times (however, the rate at which a game ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b when hit from the right in normal mode is configured to be less than the rate at which a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a when hit from the left in normal mode).

[0045] The second variable winning device 32b is equipped with a second variable specific area 141 into which game balls guided to the first guide passage 112 can enter, a second variable shutter 142 that is configured to be slidable back and forth and is positioned above the second variable specific area 141 and is displaceable between a closed position that restricts game balls from entering the second variable specific area 141 and an open position that retreats rearward from the position above the second variable specific area 141 and allows game balls to enter the second variable specific area 141, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second variable shutter 142. The second variable winning device 32b is normally in a closed state that prevents game balls from entering, and is in an open state that allows game balls to enter when the second variable winning device 32b is in an open state.

[0046] Furthermore, an LED is provided as a ball entry teaching means and a mode teaching means corresponding to the second variable winning device 32b (for example, directly below the second variable specific area 141, particularly the second variable shutter 142), and is configured to emit light when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state (for example, only for the period during which the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state). Also, when a game ball enters the second variable winning device 32b, the lighting mode of the LED changes (for example, it flashes, the light color changes, etc.). Note that instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable device or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state.

[0047] Furthermore, the second variable shutter 142 of this embodiment is inclined downward to the left, and the first guide passage 112 guides the gaming ball to the upper right portion of the second variable shutter 142. When the gaming ball is guided by the first guide passage 112 and reaches the second variable winning device 32b, if the second variable shutter 142 is in the closed position, the gaming ball rests on the upper surface of the second variable shutter 142 and is guided by the second variable shutter 142 to the second guide passage 113 on the left. Furthermore, if the gaming ball rests on the second variable shutter 142 when the second variable shutter 142 is in the open position, the gaming ball will enter the second variable specific area 141.

[0048] Furthermore, the second variable winning device 32b is equipped with a second count switch 223b capable of detecting all game balls that enter the second variable specific area 141, a specific ball entry section 145 into which game balls that enter the second variable specific area 141 and are detected by the second count switch 223b can enter, and a non-specific ball entry section 146, a specific ball entry detection switch 226a that detects game balls that have entered the specific ball entry section 145, a non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b that detects game balls that have entered the non-specific ball entry section 146, and a distribution device 147 that guides game balls detected by the second count switch 223b to either the specific ball entry section 145 or the non-specific ball entry section 146.

[0049] The allocating device 147 is equipped with a slide piece 148 that is displaceable between a closed position that restricts balls from entering the specific ball entry section 145 and an open position that allows balls to enter the specific ball entry section 145, and a solenoid (not shown) that displaces the slide piece 148 to the open position at predetermined intervals. If the slide piece 148 is in the open position when a gaming ball that has entered the second variable specific area 141 reaches the allocating device 147, the gaming ball will enter the specific ball entry section 145, and if the slide piece 148 is in the closed position, the gaming ball will enter the non-specific ball entry section 146. In this embodiment, if a gaming ball that has entered the second variable specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b in a small win state enters the specific ball entry section 145, a "jackpot state" is granted (the jackpot state continues). In addition, in this embodiment, the displacement status of the distribution device 147, the passage of the game ball to the second count switch 223b, the state of the ball entering the specific ball entry detection switch 226a and the non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b, etc. can be seen from the front of the right-hand winning unit 37 (pachinko machine 10).

[0050] Furthermore, an LED (not shown) is provided as a ball entry instruction means and a mode instruction means corresponding to the specific ball entry section 145 (e.g., directly below the slide piece 148 of the distribution device 147). The LED is configured to light up when the specific ball entry section 145 is open (e.g., only while the specific ball entry section 145 is open) and is off otherwise. When a gaming ball enters the specific ball entry section 145, the LED's lighting mode changes (e.g., blinks, changes color, etc.) and returns to its basic lighting mode (lighted if the specific ball entry section 145 is open, and off if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. Additionally, the letter "V" is attached to the front of the specific ball entry section 145 so that it can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. The LED may be provided on the side of the passage in the right-hand winning unit 37 or behind the passage. In addition to or instead of the LED, a movable device or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the specific ball entrance section 145 is in the open state.

[0051] In addition, an LED (not shown) is provided as a ball entry instruction means and a mode instruction means corresponding to the non-specific ball entry section 146, and when a game ball enters the non-specific ball entry section 146, the LED lights up and goes out one second after the ball entry is detected.

[0052] The second start-up winning device 33c is configured to be slidable back and forth, and is equipped with a second start-up shutter 172 that is displaceable between a closed position that restricts game balls from entering the second start-up winning device 33c and an open position that retreats rearward from the game area above the second start-up winning device 33c and allows game balls to enter the second start-up winning device 33c, a second start-up winning switch 224c that can detect all game balls that enter the second start-up winning device 33c, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second start-up winning shutter 172. The second start-up winning device 33c is normally in a closed state that prevents game balls from entering, but if a game ball entry support lottery, described in detail below, is won, it is switched to an open state that allows game balls to enter.

[0053] Furthermore, the second start shutter 172 of this embodiment is inclined downward to the right, and the second guide passage 113 guides (allows the game ball to fall and reach) the upper left of the second start shutter 172. When the game ball is guided by the second guide passage 113 and reaches the second start winning device 33c, if the second start shutter 172 is in the closed position, the game ball rests on the upper surface of the second start shutter 172 and is guided by the second start shutter 172 to the third guide passage 114 on the right. Furthermore, if the game ball is resting on the second start shutter 172 when the second start shutter 172 is in the open position, the game ball will enter the second start winning device 33c.

[0054] Furthermore, an LED (not shown) is provided as a ball entry instruction means and mode instruction means corresponding to the second start winning device 33c (for example, directly below the second start shutter 172), and is configured so that the LED lights up when the second start winning device 33c is in the open state and is off otherwise. When a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c, the LED's lighting mode changes (for example, it flashes, the light color changes, etc.), and returns to its basic lighting mode (a lit mode if the second start winning device 33c is open, and a turned-off mode if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. Instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable device or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the second start winning device 33c is in the open state.

[0055] The first variable winning device 32a includes a first variable specific area 161 into which game balls guided to the third guide passage 114 can enter, a first variable shutter 162 that is slidable back and forth and is positioned above the first variable specific area 161 and is displaceable between a closed position that restricts game balls from entering the first variable specific area 161 and an open position that retreats rearward from the position above the first variable specific area 161 and allows game balls to enter the first variable specific area 161, a first count switch 223a that can detect all game balls that have entered the first variable specific area 161, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second start shutter 172. The first variable winning device 32a is normally in a closed state that prevents game balls from entering, and is in an open state that allows game balls to enter when the first variable winning device 32a is in an open state.

[0056] Furthermore, the first variable shutter 162 of this embodiment is inclined downward to the left, and the third guide passage 114 guides the gaming ball to the upper right portion of the first variable shutter 162. When the gaming ball is guided by the third guide passage 114 and reaches the first variable winning device 32a, if the first variable shutter 162 is in the closed position, the gaming ball rests on the upper surface of the first variable shutter 162 and is guided by the first variable shutter 162 to the fourth guide passage 115 on the left. Furthermore, if the gaming ball rests on the first variable shutter 162 when the first variable shutter 162 is in the open position, the gaming ball will enter the first variable specific area 161.

[0057] Furthermore, an LED (not shown) is provided as a ball entry instruction means or mode instruction means corresponding to the first variable winning device 32a (e.g., directly below the first variable shutter 162), and the LED is configured to light up only when the first variable winning device 32a is in the open state (e.g., only while the first variable winning device 32b is in the open state, from the start to the end of the jackpot state, or from the start of the first round to the end of the final round), and is turned off at other times. When a game ball enters the first variable winning device 32a, the LED's lighting mode changes (e.g., flashes, changes color, etc.), and returns to its basic lighting mode (on if the first variable winning device 32a is open, and off if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. Instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable device or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the first variable winning device 32a is in the open state.

[0058] In the right-hand hit winning unit 37 of this embodiment, when the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a are in a closed state, the game balls that have entered the ball entry section 111 are aligned in a line by the first auxiliary start winning device 33b (first start shutter 171) and the first guide passage 112, and are guided in that line to the discharge section 116 via the second variable shutter 142, the second start shutter 172, and the first variable shutter 162. In addition, when a game ball is to enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a, it is necessary to have the game ball enter the right-hand hit winning unit 37. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is configured so that (almost) all of the gaming balls shot into the right side area enter the right-hit winning unit 37.

[0059] In the right-hand winning unit 37, the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, the third guide passage 114, the fourth guide passage 115, the area above the first start shutter 171 of the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the area above the second variable shutter 142 of the second variable winning device 32b, the area above the second start shutter 172 of the second start winning device 33c, and the area above the first variable shutter 162 of the first variable winning device 32a are included in the game area. In addition, in any one of the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, and the third guide passage 114, or a combination thereof, a branch passage (which may basically be arranged so that the game ball does not pass through) that guides the game ball to the outside of the right-hand winning unit 37 (the back side of the game board 30) may be provided.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the opening and closing members that switch the first auxiliary starting winning device 33b, the second starting winning device 33c, the first variable winning device 32a, and the second variable winning device 32b between an open state and a closed state are composed of shutters 172, 162, 142 that slide back and forth, but are not particularly limited to such a configuration. For example, in the second start-up winning device 33c, a blade member serving as an opening / closing member that can be rotated and displaced is provided adjacent to the right side of the winning port (start-up winning port) through which the game ball can enter, and the second start-up winning device 33c is positioned a predetermined distance to the left of the left end, which is the downstream end of the second guide passage 113, and when the blade member is set to the open position, the tip of the blade member comes close to the left end of the second guide passage 113, and the game ball that has passed through the second guide passage 113 is guided by the blade member and enters the start-up winning port, while when the blade member is set to the open position, the start-up winning port is closed by the blade member and a gap is formed between the second start-up winning device 33c (blade member) and the second guide passage 113 through which the game ball can pass, and the game ball enters the third guide passage 114 by passing through this gap.

[0061] In this embodiment, the right-hit winning unit 37 is configured to include the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the first variable winning device 32a, the second variable winning device 32b, and the second start winning device 33c. However, the winning devices included in the right-hit winning unit 37 are not particularly limited. For example, the right-hit winning unit 37 may be configured to include a through gate 34 or a general winning device 31, or the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the first variable winning device 32a may be separate. It is also possible to omit the configuration in which multiple winning devices are connected by a single path, as in the right-hit winning unit 37. Furthermore, the first variable winning device 32a may be omitted, and the second variable winning device 32b may be used in all winning states, with the specific winning section 145 being opened only in the small winning state (the slide piece 148 of the allocation device 147 being opened).

[0062] A through gate 34 is provided above the right-hand winning unit 37, through which gaming balls flowing down the gaming area can pass one by one. As will be described in detail later, the through gate 34 is equipped with a through gate switch 225 that can detect gaming balls passing through the through gate 34. In this embodiment, the through gate 34 is not provided in the right-hand area of ​​the gaming area.

[0063] Furthermore, when a gaming ball is detected by the through gate switch 225, a ball entry support lottery (open lottery) is held to determine whether or not the second start winning device 33c should be opened, and a variable display is displayed on the normal pattern display device 41, which will be described later, to inform the result of the ball entry support lottery. Then, when the ball entry support lottery is won, the second start winning device 33c is opened for a specified time after the variable display ends.

[0064] In this embodiment, there is a "high ball entry state" in which the second start entry device 33c (second start shutter 172) is opened relatively frequently, making it easier for game balls to enter the second start entry device 33c, and a "low ball entry state" in which the time period during which the second start entry device 33c is open is reduced compared to the high ball entry state. Hereinafter, the state in which the winning / losing lottery is conducted in the low ball entry state (the variable display of the special display devices 43a and 43b described below is executed) will be referred to as the "normal mode," and the state in which the winning / losing lottery is conducted in the high ball entry state will be referred to as the "time-saving mode (or time-saving mode)." In this embodiment, the time-saving mode corresponds to the specific state.

[0065] Examples of the high ball entry state include (1) a state in which the variable display time (variable time) of the normal symbol display device 41 is shorter than in the low ball entry state, (2) a state in which the second start winning device 33c is opened for a longer period per winning ball entry support lottery than in the low ball entry state (longer opening time, more openings, etc.), (3) a state in which the probability of winning the ball entry support lottery is higher than in the low ball entry state, and (4) a state in which the upper limit number of game balls that can be entered per opening of the second start winning device 33c is higher than in the low ball entry state. The high ball entry state in this embodiment employs the configurations (1) to (3) above. Of course, the "high ball entry state" is not limited to these, and any one of the configurations (1) to (4), or any combination of these configurations (1) to (4), may be employed.

[0066] In addition, adjacent to the upper right portion of the substantially oval-shaped game area and at a position visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, there is a normal pattern display device 41 as a normal display means for performing a variable display to inform the result of the ball entry support lottery that is performed based on the passage of the game ball into the through gate 34, and a variable display ( The first display means and first special display means 43a are provided with a first display means and a first special display means for displaying the results of the second winning / losing lottery (jackpot winning / losing lottery and small winning / losing lottery) triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c. The first display means and second special display means 43b are provided with a second display means and a second special display means for displaying the results of the second winning / losing lottery (jackpot winning / losing lottery and small winning / losing lottery) triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c. The display mode of the first special symbol display device 43a is also referred to as "special symbol 1", and the display mode of the second special symbol display device 43b is also referred to as "special symbol 2".

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a or the first auxiliary start winning device 33b during the execution of the first variable display or during a winning state, the first variable display corresponding to the ball is reserved and stored, and the reserved first variable display is started after the running first variable display is stopped or after the winning state ends. Also, if a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c during the execution of the second variable display or during a winning state, the reserved second variable display corresponding to the ball is reserved and stored, and after the running second variable display is stopped or after the winning state ends, the reserved second variable display is started. In addition, if a game ball passes through the through gate 34 during the execution of a variable display on the normal pattern display device 41, the variable display corresponding to the passage is reserved and stored, and after the running variable display is stopped, the reserved variable display is started.

[0068] In this embodiment, adjacent to the normal symbol display device 41, the first special display device 43a, and the second special display device 43b, there are provided a first hold display device 46a as a first hold display means indicating that the first variable display is reserved (the right to execute the variable display has been obtained), a second hold display device 46b as a second hold display means indicating that the second variable display is reserved, and a normal hold display device 44 indicating that the variable display in the normal symbol display device 41 is reserved. In addition, adjacent to the normal symbol display device 41, the normal hold display device 44, etc., there is provided a time-saving lamp 48 that is turned on when transitioning to time-saving mode and turned off when transitioning to a game mode other than time-saving mode. In this embodiment, the first special display device 43a, the second special display device 43b, the first hold display device 46a, the second hold display device 46b, the normal symbol display device 41, the normal hold display device 44, and the time-saving lamp 48 are directly displayed and controlled by the main control device 261 as the special game generating means and main control means described later.

[0069] The first special display device 43a is composed of four LEDs (first special symbol lamps). When a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the first special symbol lamps are switched (first variable display) on the first special display device 43a.

[0070] The second special display device 43b is composed of four LEDs (second special symbol lamps). When a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c, the second special display device 43b switches the display of the second special symbol lamp (second variable display).

[0071] Furthermore, after the first and second variable displays are displayed for a predetermined time on the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, the first and second variable displays are stopped based on the results of the lottery for determining whether a player has won or lost a jackpot or whether they have won or lost a small jackpot. In other words, the lighting state (combination of lit special lamps) when the first and second variable displays are stopped corresponds to the various results of the lottery for determining whether a player has won or lost a jackpot or whether they have won or lost a small jackpot, and the lighting state when the first and second variable displays are stopped definitively displays the result of the lottery for determining whether a player has won or lost a jackpot or whether they have won or lost a small jackpot, i.e., whether the player has won or lost a jackpot, a small jackpot, or a loss.

[0072] Furthermore, the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b also indicate the type of big win by the lighting mode (stop mode) that they stop. Also, there are not just one but multiple stop modes for the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b that indicate various big win types, small wins, and misses, and any one of them is selected and displayed as a stop mode.

[0073] In this embodiment, the jackpot types include a 10-round probability hit (hereinafter referred to as "10RS"), a 4-round probability hit (hereinafter referred to as "4RS"), a 4-round normal hit (hereinafter referred to as "4RN"), and a 4-round state maintenance hit (hereinafter referred to as "4RC"). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the allocation of jackpot types differs between winning the first lottery and winning the second lottery. As shown in FIG. 51, if a player wins the first lottery, the jackpots are allocated at a rate of 5% to "10RS", 55% to "4RS", and 40% to "4RN". On the other hand, if a player wins the second lottery, the jackpots are allocated at a rate of 5% to "10RS", 15% to "4RS", and 80% to "4RC". In this embodiment, the jackpot states or minor jackpot states corresponding to "10RS", "4RS", and "4RC" correspond to special game states. "10RS" and "4RS" correspond to a specific condition-granting special game state and a second special game state, and "4RC" corresponds to the first special game state.

[0074] With regard to "10RS," one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being open for 30 seconds, or eight game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b, and this is repeated 10 times before the winning state ends. After the winning state of "10RS" ends, a "time-saving mode" is entered, with the upper limit being "until the first variable display is displayed once or the second variable display is displayed 100 times," or "until a jackpot state occurs."

[0075] In this embodiment, the second variable winning device 32b is configured to be in an open state in the small win state. When a gaming ball enters the specific winning section 145 of the second variable winning device 32b (when a gaming ball is detected by the specific winning detection switch 226a), the game transitions to (continues to) the big win state (second round). Even when the small win state is entered, the winning type is determined, and when the game transitions from the small win state to the big win state, the game transitions to that winning type. However, if the small win state ends without transitioning to the big win state while remaining in the small win state, the game mode corresponding to the big win type is not changed, and the game mode after the small win state remains the same as the game mode before the small win state. Furthermore, even when the game ball enters the second variable specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b in a state other than the small win state, the slide piece 148 of the distribution device 147 is in the closed position, so the ball does not enter the specific winning section 145. In addition, the behavior of whether or not a gaming ball that has entered the second variable winning device 32b will enter the specific winning section 145 is also called the "applicable lottery," and in this embodiment, if a gaming ball enters the second variable winning device 32b in a small winning state, there is a very high probability (almost 100%) that the gaming ball will enter the specific winning section 145.

[0076] With regard to "4RS," one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being open for 30 seconds, or eight game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b, and this is repeated four times before the jackpot state ends. After the "4RS" winning state ends, a "time-saving mode" is entered, with the upper limit being "until the first variable display is displayed once or the second variable display is displayed 100 times," or "until the jackpot state occurs."

[0077] Regarding "4RN," one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a being open for 30 seconds or eight game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a, and this is repeated four times to end the jackpot state. After the jackpot state of "4RN" ends, a "time-saving mode" is granted.

[0078] In the case of "4RC," one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being open for 30 seconds, or eight game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b, and this is repeated four times until the jackpot state ends. After the jackpot state of "4RC" in the time-saving mode ends, a "time-saving mode" is entered, the upper limit of which is "until the first variable display is displayed once or the second variable display is displayed 100 times," or "until the jackpot state occurs." On the other hand, after the jackpot state of "4RC" in the normal mode ends, a "time-saving mode" is entered, the upper limit of which is "until the first variable display is displayed 0 times or the second variable display is displayed 100 times," or "until the jackpot state occurs."

[0079] In addition, the stop display on the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b is configured to be maintained for a specified time (a "confirmation display" is performed in which the stopped pattern is displayed for a specified time), and the next variable display can be started after the specified time has passed (after the variable interval). Furthermore, if the next variable display is not performed even after the specified time has passed after the stop display on the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b, the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b is configured to switch from an illumination mode indicating the result of the win / lose lottery to an illumination mode indicating a standby state in which no variable display is being performed. Note that the illumination mode indicating the result of the win / lose lottery may also be configured to be maintained as is.

[0080] The first hold display device 46a is composed of two LEDs (first hold lamps). In this embodiment, it is configured to be able to hold and store up to four first variable displays based on the entry of game balls into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b. For example, when one first variable display is held, the first hold lamp on the left (inner circumference of the game area) lights up; when two first variable displays are held, the left and right first hold lamps light up; when three first variable displays are held, the left first hold lamp flashes and the right first hold lamp lights up; and when four first variable displays are held, the left and right first hold lamps flash. When multiple first variable displays are held and stored, the first variable displays are consumed sequentially in the order in which they were held (starting with the first one).

[0081] The second reserve display device 46b is composed of two LEDs (second reserve lamps). In this embodiment, the second variable display based on the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c is configured to be able to reserve and store up to four times. For example, when one second variable display is reserved, the second reserve lamp on the left side (inner circumference of the game area) lights up, when two second variable displays are reserved, the second reserve lamps on the left and right sides light up, when three second variable displays are reserved, the second reserve lamp on the left side flashes and the second reserve lamp on the right side lights up, and when four second variable displays are reserved, the second reserve lamps on the left and right sides flash. When multiple second variable displays are reserved and stored, the second variable displays are consumed sequentially in the order in which they were reserved and stored (starting from the first one).

[0082] The normal symbol display device 41 is composed of two LEDs (normal symbol lamps). The normal symbol display device 41 is configured so that, for example, the normal symbol lamp on the right side (outer periphery of the game area) flashes (variably displays) when a gaming ball passes through the through gate 34. After the normal symbol display device 41 displays the variable display for a predetermined time, the variable display is stopped based on the results of the ball-scoring support lottery. In other words, the lighting state (combination of lit normal symbol lamps) when the variable display stops corresponds to various results of the ball-scoring support lottery, and the lighting state when the variable display stops definitively displays the results of the ball-scoring support lottery. For example, lighting both the left and right normal symbol lamps indicates a "win," and lighting only the left normal symbol lamp indicates a "lose."

[0083] The normal reserve display device 44 is composed of two LEDs (normal reserve lamps). In this embodiment, it is configured to be able to reserve and store up to four variable displays of the normal symbol display device 41, which are performed based on the passage of a gaming ball through the through gate 34. For example, when one variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 is reserved, the normal reserve lamp on the left (inner circumference of the gaming area) lights up, when two variable displays are reserved, the normal reserve lamps on the left and right lights up, when three variable displays are reserved, the normal reserve lamp on the left flashes and the normal reserve lamp on the right flashes, and when four variable displays are reserved, the normal reserve lamps on the left and right flash. In addition, when a new gaming ball passes through the through gate 34 during a jackpot state, the variable displays for that number are also reserved.

[0084] Furthermore, the configuration of the normal pattern display device 41, the first special pattern display device 43a, the second special pattern display device 43b, the normal hold display device 44, the first hold display device 46a, the second hold display device 46b, and the time-saving lamp 48 is not particularly limited, and can be modified as appropriate, for example, by configuring them with more lamps (to make it more difficult to distinguish the content), by configuring them with display means such as a segment display device or a liquid crystal display device, or by configuring them with a movable switching display member.

[0085] In this embodiment, even if one of the variable displays (first variable display) of the first special display device 43a and the variable display (second variable display) of the second special display device 43b is being displayed, the other variable display can be started, and both variable displays can be executed in parallel. Furthermore, if a jackpot (10RS, 4RS, 4RN) is won in the first win / loss lottery and a stop display is displayed in the first variable display in a manner indicating a jackpot (the first variable display is ended or completed), the second variable display is forcibly stopped (forced to terminate or stop) in a manner corresponding to a "miss." After the jackpot state based on the first win / loss lottery ends, the next first variable display and second variable display (stored and reserved in the first reserved areas of the first special variable reserve area and the second special variable reserve area, respectively, described below) are newly started. In other words, if a stop display is displayed in a manner indicating a jackpot in the first variable display, the currently running second variable display is erased (regardless of its content).

[0086] In addition, when a big win or small win is won in the second win / loss lottery and the big win type is "10RS" or "4RS", when the stop display is made in the second variable display in a manner that teaches a big win or small win (the second variable display is finished / completed), the first variable display is forcibly stopped (terminated, stopped) in a manner that corresponds to a "miss", and after the big win state based on the second win / loss lottery (and the role lottery), the next first variable display and second variable display (stored and stored in the first reserved area of ​​the first special variable reserve area and the second special variable reserve area described below) are newly started. In other words, when the stop display is made in the second variable display in a manner that teaches a "10RS" or "4RS" big win, the first variable display being executed will be erased (regardless of its content).

[0087] On the other hand, if a jackpot or small jackpot is won in the second winning / losing lottery and the jackpot type is "4RC", when the stop display is made in the second variable display in a manner that indicates a jackpot or small jackpot (the second variable display is finished / completed), the first variable display is interrupted (progress is temporarily stopped), and after the jackpot state based on the second winning / losing lottery (and the role lottery) ends, the interrupted first variable display is restarted. In other words, when the stop display is made in the second variable display in a manner that indicates a jackpot of "4RC", processing is performed to prevent the ongoing first variable display from progressing any further (to prevent the time until the stop display is reduced), and after the jackpot state ends, the first variable display will resume (without being erased). In this embodiment, when the second variable display indicating the occurrence of a big win or small win corresponding to "4RC" is stopped, the time until the running first variable display is stopped is not reduced, but the display of the first special pattern display device 43a is such that the display mode (switching display) of the first variable display continues as is until the big win state or small win state ends (this is a connecting mode that indicates that the state of the first variable display is being maintained, and although it is a display on the first special pattern display device 43a, it is not a first variable display in the original sense (a first variable display whose variable time is determined at the start of the variable display based on numerical values ​​obtained based on the entry of the game ball into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b)), and after the big win state or small win state ends, the first variable display (progression) is resumed in such a manner that the display mode (switching display) of the first variable display continues as is. Here, the first variable display that is resumed is not necessarily limited to being resumed in the manner that was displayed at the time of interruption, and the manner at the time of resumption may be changed as long as the remaining time until the stopped display and the content of the instruction match.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, at least in the time-saving mode, the second variable display can be executed multiple times while the first variable display is being executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 52(a), in the time-saving mode, the time of the first variable display (special chart 1 variable time as the first variable time) is uniformly set to 180 seconds, while the time of the second variable display (special chart 2 variable time as the second variable time) is set between 5 and 40 seconds. In particular, in this embodiment, the result of the second win / loss lottery in the time-saving mode and the selected jackpot type (special chart 2 variable type of "10RS," "4RS," "4RC," or "miss") are associated with the special chart 2 variable time. When "4RC" is won, the special chart 2 variable time is set between 15 and 25 seconds. When "10RS" is won, the special chart 2 variable time is set between 30 and 40 seconds. If you win "4RS," the Special Chart 2 variable time is set between 15 and 25 seconds if the CS1 value is between 0 and 149, and between 30 and 40 seconds if the CS1 value is between 150 and 255. If you lose, the Special Chart 2 variable time is set between 30 and 40 seconds if the CS1 value is between 0 and 19, and between 5 and 13 seconds if the CS1 value is between 20 and 255. In other words, if the Special Chart 2 variable time exceeds 13 seconds, the chances of winning increase significantly. Furthermore, if the Special Chart 2 variable time exceeds 13 seconds and ends in 25 seconds or less, either "4RC" or "4RS" is confirmed as a win. In addition, if the Special Chart 2 fluctuation time exceeds 30 seconds, it is confirmed that the player will win "10RS" and "4RS" which correspond to the granting of the time-saving mode, or that the player will lose (will not win "4RC").

[0089] That is, in the time-saving mode, the player can measure the special symbol 2 variation time of the second variation display (the measurement of the special symbol 2 variation time can also be done by referring to the remaining time display displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, which will be described in detail later), thereby more precisely predicting the content of the second variation display. Furthermore, there is a time lag of approximately two seconds (a time period not set as the special symbol 2 variation time) between the special symbol 2 variation time corresponding to a "miss" and the special symbol 2 variation time corresponding to either "4RC" or "4RS," and there is a time lag of approximately five seconds (a time period not set as the special symbol 2 variation time) between the special symbol 2 variation time corresponding to either "4RC" or "4RS" and the special symbol 2 variation time that can result in "10RS." For this reason, even if the measurement is somewhat inaccurate or based on subjective experience, it is relatively easy to grasp the divisions of the special symbol 2 variation time.

[0090] In this embodiment, the special chart 1 variation time of the first variation display on the first rotation after transitioning from the time-saving mode to the normal mode is set to a uniform 40 seconds (other times may be set, or any time longer than the specified time). The special chart 1 variation time for other times of the first variation display in the normal mode is set to between 10 and 60 seconds. Also, the special chart 2 variation time in the normal mode is set to a uniform 1 second. However, in the normal mode, the second variation display is basically not newly reserved and stored.

[0091] The variable display unit 35 is also provided with a decorative pattern display device 42, which is configured with a liquid crystal display device and serves as a performance display means and special performance display means capable of displaying decorative patterns. The decorative pattern display device 42 is configured to perform performance variable displays (first performance variable display, second performance variable display) as performance displays (first display, second display) that match the variable displays by the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b (to display decorative patterns in a variable manner). Furthermore, the display content of the decorative pattern display device 42 is controlled by a sub-control device 262 and a display control device 45, which will be described later. That is, in the decorative pattern display device 42, auxiliary display content is determined by the sub-control device 262 based on a command from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the results displayed on the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, and the display is performed by the display control device 45 based on the determination. In addition, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is on, the decorative pattern display device 42 displays some kind of information, and when the machine is in a winning state, a display corresponding to the winning state (special display) is displayed, and when the machine is not in a winning state and no variable display is being displayed, a display corresponding to the game waiting state (waiting for customers) (demo screen display) is displayed.

[0092] 50(a), the decorative symbol display device 42 is provided with, for example, three symbol display areas, upper, middle, and lower (upper symbol display area, middle symbol display area, and lower symbol display area), and a plurality of types of decorative symbols 455 (for example, number symbols numbered 1 to 9) are sequentially displayed (variably displayed) in each symbol display area, and then the decorative symbols 455 are displayed in a stationary manner in each symbol display area (for example, in the order of the upper symbol display area → the lower symbol display area → the middle symbol display area). For example, when the occurrence of a jackpot state is determined by the main control device 261, a display corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b, and the decorative symbols 455 are displayed stationary in a combination corresponding to the jackpot on the decorative symbol display device 42 (for example, the same decorative symbols 455 are displayed stationary so as to be aligned on a predetermined pay line in the upper symbol display area, the middle symbol display area, and the lower symbol display area), and the jackpot state is initiated.

[0093] Also, when the decorative symbols 455 are stopped and displayed in a combination corresponding to a jackpot, as a preliminary step, for example, the same decorative symbols 455 are stopped and displayed on a predetermined effective line in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area. In this way, the state in which the same symbols are stopped and displayed on a predetermined effective line in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area, and the variable display is still being performed in the middle symbol display area, is a reach state. Of course, the occurrence of a reach state does not necessarily mean that a jackpot will occur, and there are cases in which it will not occur.

[0094] In this embodiment, after a reach state occurs, if the same decorative pattern 455 (reach pattern) as the decorative pattern 455 stopped and displayed in the upper and lower pattern display areas is stopped and displayed on the same effective line in the middle pattern display area (if a doublet is stopped and displayed), a jackpot state is awarded. In addition, if an odd number of doublets appears, "10RS" or "4RS" occurs, and if an even number of doublets appears, one of "10RS", "4RS", "4RN", and "4RC" occurs.

[0095] In this embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 42 provides multiple presentation stages (with different backgrounds, etc.) to indicate or suggest the game mode currently in play. More specifically, there is a "normal stage" that confirms that the player is in the normal mode, and a "time-saving stage" that suggests that the player is in the time-saving mode. In other words, if "10RS" or "4RS" is selected in the normal mode, the game transitions to the "time-saving stage" after the jackpot state ends. Also, if the upper limit of the number of variations in the time-saving mode is reached (as will be described in detail later, in this example, if the first variation display has been displayed once (or 0 times) or the second variation display has been displayed 100 times in the time-saving mode), or if "4RN" is selected, the game transitions to the "normal stage" after the variation display ends or the jackpot state ends.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first variable display and the second variable display are performed in parallel, but the main effect display of the decorative pattern display device 42 (the variable display of the decorative pattern 455; effect variable display) is basically configured to derive an effect variable display corresponding to either the first variable display or the second variable display. That is, in the normal mode, the first effect variable display corresponding to the first variable display is basically derived, and in the time-saving mode, the second effect variable display corresponding to the second variable display is basically derived. Note that, as will be described in detail later, if the second variable display corresponding to a win in the second win / loss lottery is performed across the timing of transition from the time-saving mode to the normal mode, or if there is a reserved memory of the second variable display corresponding to a win in the second win / loss lottery at the time the time-saving mode ends, the second effect variable display is derived even in the normal mode.

[0097] In this embodiment, the decorative pattern display device 42 also basically indicates that the first and second variable displays are on hold (outside of the execution period of the hold win / lose display that may be performed when switching from the time-saving mode to the normal mode). For example, as shown in FIG. 50(a), a hold icon 461 is displayed in the lower part of the decorative pattern display device 42 (hold display area 462; ball entry detection display means) as a ball entry detection-compatible display indicating that the variable display is on hold. The hold icon 461 corresponds to the detection of the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c, and corresponds to the execution of the variable display of the special display devices 43a and 43b. Furthermore, the hold icon 461 is configured to be able to suggest or indicate the result of the win / lose lottery.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first auxiliary effect variable display that variably displays a first auxiliary pattern 471 corresponding to the first variable display, and a second auxiliary effect variable display that variably displays a second auxiliary pattern 472 corresponding to the second variable display are performed in the lower right corner of the decorative pattern display device 42. The auxiliary patterns 471, 472 are each composed of numbers 1 to 9 that are alternately displayed in a pair of left and right pattern display areas, and a win is indicated when the numbers on the left and right match. Note that the timing of the start and end (completion) of the first variable display and the second variable display may not coincide with the timing of the start and end of the effect variable display of the decorative pattern 455. In contrast, the timing of the start and end (completion) of the first auxiliary performance change display and the second auxiliary performance change display is configured to match the timing of the start and end (completion) of the first change display and the second change display, so that even in the time-saving mode, as long as you are viewing the first auxiliary performance change display and the second auxiliary performance change display, you can understand the timing of the start and end (completion) of the first change display and the second change display even while viewing other performances on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0099] Additionally, a rail 50 consisting of an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52 is attached to the game board 30, and guides game balls launched from the launching device 60 to the top of the game board 30. As a result, game balls launched in response to the rotation of the handle 18 are guided through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50 into the game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137.

[0100] A ball return prevention member 53 is attached to the tip portion (upper left in FIG. 4) of the inner rail component 51. This prevents a game ball that has been guided from the rail 50 into the play area from returning back into the rail 50. In addition, a return rubber 54 is attached to approximately the tip portion (upper right in FIG. 4) of the outer rail component 52. A game ball that is launched with more than a predetermined force will hit the return rubber 54 and be returned, for example, toward approximately the center of the game board 30.

[0101] In this embodiment, the outer rail component 52 ends at the upper right corner of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 ends at the lower right corner of the game board 30. Therefore, the play area is defined by the rail 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, since a game ball shot out by the launching device 60 may flow back up the rail 50 until it passes through the return ball prevention member 53, the parallel portion of the inner and outer rail components 51, 52 is excluded from the play area.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided on the back side of the front frame 14, below the window portion 101. The ball passage unit 70 includes a lower tray connecting passage 71 that connects the payout mechanism 352 (described later) to the lower payout outlet 16 of the lower tray 15, and an upper tray connecting passage 73 that connects the payout mechanism 352 to the upper tray 19. A predetermined gap is provided between the launch rail 61 provided on the front side of the inner frame 12 and the rail 50 (outer rail component 52), and the ball passage unit 70 of the front frame 14 is provided with a foul ball passage 72 that guides game balls that fall through the gap to the lower tray 15. As a result, if a game ball launched from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and travels back up the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball will be discharged to the lower tray 15 via the foul ball passage 72.

[0103] Furthermore, a launching ball passage 74 is provided which connects the upper tray 19 and the ball feeding device 63 and guides game balls stored in the upper tray 19 to the ball feeding device 63. In addition, the launching ball passage 74 (which may be downstream of the upper tray 19) is formed with a communication hole (not shown) which communicates with the lower tray communication passage 71, and is provided with a first shutter (not shown) which opens and closes the communication hole. The first shutter is normally biased by a biasing means (not shown) towards a closed position which closes the communication hole. Furthermore, the first shutter is linked to the ball ejection button 123, and is configured to be displaced to an open position which opens the communication hole when the ball ejection button 123 is pressed.

[0104] 2, the lower tray 15 is formed with a discharge port 15a that allows game balls stored in the lower tray 15 to be discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10, and is provided with a second shutter 15b that opens and closes the discharge port 15a. The second shutter 15b is normally biased toward a closed position that closes the discharge port 15a by a biasing means (not shown). Furthermore, the second shutter 15b is configured to work in conjunction with the ball removal lever 25 (for example, connected to or integrally formed with the ball removal lever 25), and is configured to be displaced to an open position that opens the discharge port 15a when the ball removal lever 25 is pressed (to the left).

[0105] 3 and 4, reference numeral 67 denotes a payout passage for guiding game balls paid out by the payout mechanism 352 (described later) to the front of the inner frame 12, and is divided into a passage leading to an upper tray connecting passage 73 (upper tray 19) and a passage leading to a lower tray connecting passage 71 (lower tray 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the payout passage 67, and when the front frame 14 is open, the shutter 68 protrudes forward due to the biasing force of a spring or the like, thereby almost closing the outlet of the payout passage 67. When the front frame 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the rear end of the inlet side of the lower tray connecting passage 71. The entrances (ball inlet portions) of the lower tray connecting passage 71 and the upper tray connecting passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and when the front frame 14 is closed, the entrances and the payout passage 67 are separated by a predetermined distance, allowing game balls to pass through the gap between them. Therefore, when the upper tray 19 and the upper tray connecting passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be paid out will flow toward the lower tray connecting passage 71 (overflowing into the entrance side of the lower tray connecting passage 71), and will be paid out through the lower tray connecting passage 71 to the lower tray 15.

[0106] In addition, the ball passage unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) that detects gaming balls located in the lower tray connecting passage 71. The presence of this full detection switch makes it possible to know that the lower tray 15 is full of gaming balls (that the lower tray 15 is full of gaming balls and gaming balls are stuck in the lower tray connecting passage 71). In this embodiment, based on the full detection switch continuously detecting gaming balls for a predetermined period of time, an error notification is controlled to inform the user that the lower tray 15 is full using a display or sound on the decorative pattern display device 42. Note that when the accumulation of gaming balls in the lower tray connecting passage 71 is resolved and gaming balls are no longer detected by the full detection switch (when they are not detected for a predetermined period of time), the error notification state is canceled.

[0107] Next, the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Figures 6, 7, etc. On the rear of the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged in rows vertically and horizontally, with some parts overlapping front to back, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) that supplies game balls, a resin protective cover, etc. are attached. The payout mechanism and protective cover are integrated into one unit, and since the resin part is generally sometimes referred to as the back pack, this unit will be referred to here as the "back pack unit 203."

[0108] First, we will explain the rear configuration of the gaming board 30. As shown in Fig. 7, a resin frame cover 213 that covers the center frame 47 from behind is provided so as to protrude rearward on the rear side of the variable display device unit 35 (see Fig. 4) that is disposed corresponding to the through-hole in the center of the gaming board 30. In addition, on the rear side of the frame cover 213, a decorative pattern display device 42 that is a liquid crystal display device facing forward through the opening of the frame cover 213, a display control device 45, and a sub-control device 262 are detachably attached in a stacked state in the front and rear.

[0109] The decorative symbol display device 42 is accommodated in a storage box 42a having an opening for exposing the display unit (liquid crystal screen) of the decorative symbol display device 42 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and is fixed to the rear side of the frame cover 213. The display control device 45 is accommodated in a board box 45a and is fixed to the rear side of the decorative symbol display device 42 (storage box 42a). The sub-control device 262 is accommodated in a board box 262a and is fixed to the rear side of the display control device 45 (board box 45a). An LED control board and the like that drives LEDs and the like built into the center frame 47 are disposed within the frame cover 213. The storage box 42a and the board boxes 45a, 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, so that the interiors can be seen.

[0110] Below the frame cover 213, a back frame set 215 is attached to the game board 30 so as to cover the general winning device 31, the right-hand winning unit 37, etc. from behind. The back frame set 215 is equipped with a ball recovery mechanism (not shown) for recovering game balls that have won in the various winning holes. The game balls recovered by this ball recovery mechanism are guided to a discharge passage section 217, which will be described later, and are discharged from a discharge chute of the discharge passage section 217 to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

[0111] In this embodiment, the back frame set 215 also functions as a mounting base for the main control device 261. More specifically, the board box 263 on which the main control device 261 is mounted is rotatably supported on the back frame set 215 and can be opened rearward.

[0112] The main control device 261 is housed in a board box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 263 comprises a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and box cover are connected by a sealing member. The board box 263 connected by the sealing member is configured so that it cannot be opened unless a predetermined trace is left behind. This makes it easy to discover if the board box 263 has been tampered with.

[0113] The game board 30 is also provided with ball entry detection switches corresponding to various winning openings, such as the general winning device 31, to detect game balls that have entered the various winning openings. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a general winning switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general winning device 31, a first count switch 223a is provided at the first variable winning device 32a, and a second count switch 223b, a specific winning ball detection switch 226a, and a non-specific winning ball detection switch 226b are provided at the second variable winning device 32b. The first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c are also provided with a first normal start winning switch 224a, a first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and a second start winning switch 224c. Furthermore, a through gate switch 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the through gate 34.

[0114] Also, although not shown, the back frame set 215 is provided with a first board relay board that is electrically connected via a cable connector to the general winning switch 221, the first count switch 223a, the second count switch 223b, the specific winning ball detection switch 226a, the non-specific winning ball detection switch 226b, and the through gate switch 225. This first board relay board relays between the general winning switch 221, etc., and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 via a cable connector. In contrast, the first normal start winning switch 224a, the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and the second start winning switch 224c are directly connected to the main control device 261 via a connector cable without going through a relay board.

[0115] The detection results detected by the various ball entry detection switches are input to the main control device 261. Then, the main control device 261 sends a payout command (number of game balls to be paid out) according to the winning status at each time to the payout control device 311, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out based on the output signal from the payout control device 311 (except when detected by the through gate switch 225).

[0116] In addition, although not shown, the back surface of the game board 30 is provided with a large prize opening solenoid that opens the first variable prize device 32a and the second variable prize device 32b, and a solenoid that opens and closes the first auxiliary start prize device 33b and the second start prize device 33c. Furthermore, the back frame set 215 is also provided with a second board relay board (not shown) that relays these solenoids and motors to the main control device 261.

[0117] Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the back pack unit 203 is an integrated unit of a resin-molded back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352. The back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable on the left side (right side in Fig. 6) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened rearward around an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction. In addition, an external terminal board 240 is provided on the upper left side (upper right side in Fig. 6) of the back pack unit 203.

[0118] The external terminal board 240 is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals for relaying various types of information to the hall computer of the gaming hall, etc. For convenience, no reference numerals are attached, but for example, terminals for outputting information about the current gaming state (various information indicating the occurrence of a winning state, the occurrence of a winning state that gives rise to a time-saving mode, the end of a winning state, the start and end of fluctuations of the first and second variable displays, the start and end of the time-saving mode, etc.), terminals for outputting information about the opening of the front frame 14 and inner frame 12 detected by the opening detection switches 91 and 92 described later, terminals for outputting information about various error states such as a ball entry error, a lower tray full error, a tank ball no error, and a payout error, and a terminal for outputting information about the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control device 311 are provided.

[0119] The back pack 351 is integrally molded from, for example, ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 is closed on the left and right sides and the top, and only the bottom is open, and is large enough to cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in this embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to also cover the top and right portions (the left portion in FIG. 6) of the board box 263. As a result, when the back pack unit 203 is closed, the sealing member provided on the right portion of the board box 263 and the terminal portion (board-side connector) provided along the upper edge of the main control device 261 are covered.

[0120] The payout mechanism 352 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 354. Above the protective cover 354, a tank 355 with an opening at the top is provided, and this tank 355 is successively replenished with gaming balls supplied from the island facilities of the gaming hall. Below the tank 355, a tank rail 356 having, for example, two horizontal rows of ball passages and gently sloping toward the downstream side is connected, and a case rail 357 is connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 356. A payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and the required number of gaming balls are appropriately paid out by a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. The gaming balls paid out by the payout device 358 are then supplied to the upper tray 19, etc.

[0121] The dispensing mechanism 352 is also provided with a dispensing relay board 381 that relays dispensing command signals from the dispensing control device 311 to the dispensing device 358, and a power switch board 382 that takes in main power from the outside. The power switch board 382 is supplied with main power, for example, 24 V AC, via a voltage converter, and is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

[0122] Below the rear pack unit 203 (base box 263), a lower frame set 251 is provided, which is pivotally supported on the left side (right side in FIG. 6) of the inner frame 12 and can be opened rearward. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower frame set 251 is formed with a discharge passage portion 217 into which game balls collected by the above-mentioned ball collection mechanism flow, and a discharge chute (not shown) is formed at the most downstream portion of the discharge passage portion 217 for discharging game balls to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. In other words, game balls that have won in each winning port of the general winning device 31, etc., are collected via the ball collection mechanism of the rear frame set 215 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217. The outlet 36 also communicates with the discharge passage portion 217, and game balls that have not won in any winning port are also discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute. In this embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured as separate entities and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 may also be formed integrally.

[0123] 6, the power supply and launch control device 310, the dispensing control device 311, and the CR unit connection board 314 are removably attached in a stacked state in front and behind the back side of the lower frame set 251. The power supply and launch control device 310 includes a launch control circuit 312 and a power supply circuit 313, and is housed in a board box 313a and fixed to the back side of the lower frame set 251.

[0124] The dispensing control device 311 is housed in a board box 311a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (power supply / launch control device 310). The board box 311a housing the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a sealing member, similar to the board box 263 housing the main control device 261 described above, so that evidence that the board box 311a has been opened remains.

[0125] In addition, the CR unit connection board 314 is housed in a board box 314a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (power supply / launch control device 310). Each of the board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a is made of a transparent resin material or the like, so that the inside can be seen.

[0126] In addition, the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the base box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed in the event of a dispensing error, such as a ball jam in the dispensing motor, the dispensing motor is rotated forward and reverse, and the ball jam is resolved (returned to the normal state).

[0127] Furthermore, the power supply circuit 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the circuit board box 313a. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that in the unlikely event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is maintained, and when power is restored from the power outage, the state at the time of the power outage can be restored. Therefore, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the game hall closes), the state before the power outage is stored and maintained, so if you want to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, turn on the power while pressing the RAM erase switch 323.

[0128] 7, a locking device 600 is provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 is equipped with a cylinder lock 700 (see FIG. 1, etc.) exposed on the front side of the front frame 14, and the inner frame 12 can be unlocked by inserting a key into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 700 and turning it in one direction, and the front frame 14 can be unlocked by turning it in the other direction. In this embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

[0129] As described above, the right-side frame component 11d of the outer frame 11 has an extended wall portion 83 formed thereon that covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 6). This makes it difficult to insert a wire or the like from the rear side of the outer frame 11 and operate the locking device 600 using the wire or the like. As a result, defensive performance can be improved. Furthermore, the extended wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end (the left end in Figure 6) of the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the rear side, so that when the inner frame 12 is in a closed state, the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

[0130] 4, a front frame open detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame 14 is provided on the lower right side of the front side of the inner frame 12 (to the right of the launching device 60), and as shown in FIG. 6, an inner frame open detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided on the lower right side of the back side of the inner frame 12 (lower left in FIG. 6). The front frame open detection switch 91 and the inner frame open detection switch 92 each have a detection unit that can be retracted into the switch main body, with the front frame open detection switch 91 being provided with its detection unit facing forward and the inner frame open detection switch 92 being provided with its detection unit facing backward. When the detection unit is protruding from the switch main body, it outputs an ON signal to the main control device 261, and when the detection unit is pressed toward the switch main body and retracted into the switch main body, it outputs an OFF signal to the main control device 261. In other words, when the front frame 14 is closed, the detection part of the front frame open detection switch 91 is pressed by the back surface of the front frame 14, turning it to the OFF state, and when the front frame 14 is opened, the detection part returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state. Similarly, when the inner frame 12 is closed, the detection part of the inner frame open detection switch 92 is pressed by the pressing part 86 integrally formed with the receiving part 85 of the outer frame 11, turning it to the OFF state, and when the inner frame 12 is opened, the detection part returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state.

[0131] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the present pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261, which serves as the main control means, is equipped with a CPU 501, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The CPU 501 contains a ROM 502 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 501, a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 502 are executed, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. However, the CPU, ROM, and RAM may not be integrated into a single chip, and each function may be integrated into a chip.

[0132] RAM 503 includes a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of CPU 501 and the return addresses of control programs executed by CPU 501 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 503a.

[0133] In addition, RAM 503 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply circuit 313, and all data stored in the stack area, working area, and backup area 503a is backed up.

[0134] The backup area 503a is an area for storing values ​​such as stack pointers, registers, and I / Os at the time of power cut (including power cuts; the same applies below) so that the state of the pachinko machine 10 can be restored to the state before power cut when the power is turned back on if the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is performed by the main processing when the power is cut off, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is performed by the main processing when the power is turned on (including power on after the power is recovered; the same applies below). Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 output from a power outage monitoring circuit 542 (described later) when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and power outage processing (NMI interrupt processing) is immediately executed when a power outage occurs.

[0135] Note that it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas as long as data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which data stored in the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, but data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0136] An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 consisting of an address bus, a data bus, etc. The input / output port 505 is connected to a RAM erasure switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub-control device 262, first and second special display devices 43a and 43b, a normal symbol display device 41, etc., which will be described later. With this configuration, the special display devices 43a and 43b and the normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the sub-control device 262.

[0137] In addition, for convenience, various relay boards and the like are not shown, but the input / output port 505 is connected to various detection switches such as the general winning switch 221, count switches 223a, 223b, start winning switches 224a, 224b, 224c, through gate switch 225, specific winning detection switch 226a, non-specific winning detection switch 226b, various boards such as the power supply / launch control device 310, payout control device 311, sub-control device 262, information display devices such as hold display devices 46a, 46b, normal hold display device 44, solenoids for opening and closing variable winning devices 32a, 32b, and motors for opening and closing first auxiliary starting winning device 33b (blade member 37). In other words, the main control device 261 is provided with multiple terminal sections (board-side connectors) for connecting connectors of various cable connectors, and these terminal sections and the like constitute the input / output port 505.

[0138] The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) as sub-control means comprises a CPU 551 which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 552 which stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 551, a RAM 553 which is a memory which temporarily stores various data etc. when the control programs stored in the ROM 552 are executed, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, and also various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data transmission / reception circuit etc. (not shown). The RAM 553 is a memory which temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

[0139] The input / output port 554 is connected to the CPU 551, ROM 552, RAM 553 via a bus line 555, and is also connected to the display control device 45. Furthermore, the input / output port 554 is connected to the speaker SP, the effect button 125, the cross button 126, the circular illumination unit 102, the error display lamp 104, etc.

[0140] The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on a command signal (for example, a variable pattern command) sent from the main control device 261, and causes the display to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42. As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second special display devices 43a and 43b controlled by the main control device 261 are configured to notify that a jackpot has been won, and the decorative pattern display device 42 controlled by the sub-control device 262 performs a variable display of the decorative pattern 455 as an effect display in accordance with the variable display of the special pattern on the special display devices 43a and 43b.

[0141] The payout control device 311 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 358. The CPU 511, which is a calculation device, is provided with a ROM 512 that stores control programs executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0142] The RAM 513 of the dispensing control device 311, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 511 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 513a.

[0143] The RAM 513 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply circuit 313 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all data stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a is backed up. Note that it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas, as long as data stored in at least the stack area and backup area 513a is backed up. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which data stored in the stack area and backup area 513a is backed up, but data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0144] The backup area 513a is an area for storing values ​​such as the stack pointer, registers, and I / O at the time of power cut so that when the power is turned back on, the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power was cut off in the event of a power outage or the like. Writing to this backup area 513a is performed by the main processing when the power is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is performed by the main processing when the power is turned on. Note that, like the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SK1 is input to the CPU 511, an NMI interrupt process is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0145] The working area is provided with a payout permission flag that sets permission for the payout control device 311 to pay out prize balls, a command reception flag that is set when a command sent from the main control device 261 is received, and a command buffer in which commands sent from the main control device 261 are stored.

[0146] The payout permission flag is a flag that sets permission for the payout of prize balls, and is turned on when a specific command that permits the payout of prize balls is sent from the main control device 261 and the specific command is received, and is turned off when the initial setting process is performed or the state before power was cut off is restored. In this embodiment, the specific commands are a payout initialization command that instructs the initial process of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command that instructs the payout of prize balls, and a payout return command that is sent when power is restored to the main control device 261.

[0147] The command reception flag is a flag that checks whether the dispensing control device 311 has received a command, and is turned on when any command is received.Like the dispensing permission flag, it is turned off when the initial setting process is performed or the state before power was cut off is restored, and it is also turned off when the received command is judged by the command judgment process.

[0148] The command buffer is configured as a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands sent from the main control device 261. The ring buffer has a specified storage area, and commands are stored in a regular pattern from the beginning to the end of the storage area, and when commands have been stored in all of the storage area, the buffer returns to the beginning of the storage area and updates the commands. Therefore, when a command is stored or read, the storage pointer and read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and commands are stored and read based on these pointers.

[0149] The CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and RAM 513 is connected to an input / output port 515 via a bus line 514 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 515 is connected to a RAM erasure switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a power supply / launch control device 310 (launch control circuit 312), a dispensing device 358, a CR unit connection board 314, etc.

[0150] The CR unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball dispensing operation unit (dispensing switch 121 and return switch 122) on the front of the pachinko machine 10, the CR unit (card reader unit, ball dispensing unit) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in an amusement hall or the like, and the payout control device 311. When information regarding the player's ball dispensing operation to the ball dispensing operation unit or the CR unit is input to the CR unit and the game value balance is stored on a card, which is a recording medium inserted into the CR unit, the balance on the card is deducted and a payout request signal for the number of game balls corresponding to the deducted value is output to the payout control device 311. Note that the recording medium of the CR unit is not limited to a card type, and may be a coin type or a stick type.

[0151] In addition, the dispensing control device 311 is configured to periodically (for example, every 2 msec) output a CR unit connection signal indicating that the CR unit connection board 314 and the CR unit are electrically connected to the launch control circuit 312 of the power supply / launch control device 310.

[0152] The launch control circuit 312 of the power supply / launch control device 310 permits or prohibits the launch of gaming balls by the launch device 60. The launch control circuit 312 is electrically connected to the handle 18, the payout control device 311, and the main control device 261. The launch control circuit 312 is also configured to be able to input, from the handle 18, a dial position signal from a variable resistor indicating the rotational operation amount (rotation angle) of the handle 18 (rotational operation body 18a), a touch signal from a touch sensor indicating that the player is touching the handle 18, and a launch switch signal indicating that the player is not operating the stop lever 18b. The launch control circuit 312 is also configured to be able to input, from the payout control device 311, a CR unit connection signal indicating that the CR unit is electrically connected to the CR unit connection board 314.

[0153] Then, the firing control circuit 312 outputs a firing state signal to the main control device 261 on the condition that a touch signal, a firing switch signal, and a CR unit connection signal are input, and the main control device 261 outputs a firing permission signal and a ball feeding signal to the firing control circuit 312 on the condition that a firing state signal is input. When a firing state signal is input, the main control device 261 outputs a firing permission signal at 0.6 second intervals.

[0154] Furthermore, the launch control circuit 312 is configured to drive the ball feeding device 63 and send the gaming ball to the launch position when a ball feeding signal is input. Note that when a preparation ball detection sensor provided in the ball feeding device 63, which is capable of detecting whether or not a gaming ball is present at the launch position, detects that a gaming ball is already present at the launch position, the ball feeding device 63 is not driven (even if the ball feeding signal is received, the gaming ball is not sent to the launch position).

[0155] Furthermore, the launch control circuit 312 is configured to drive the launch device 60 (launch solenoid) on the condition that the touch signal, launch switch signal, CR unit connection signal (dial position signal), and launch permission signal are input. As a result, the game ball set at the launch position is launched by the launch device 60 with a strength based on the dial position signal.

[0156] In addition, the power supply circuit 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power supply interruptions due to power outages, etc., and a RAM erasure switch circuit 543 that is connected to the RAM erasure switch 323.

[0157] The power supply unit 541 supplies the necessary operating power to the main control unit 261, dispensing control unit 311, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 541 takes in an externally supplied 24-volt AC power supply, generates a +12V power supply to drive various switches, motors, etc., a +5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, etc., and supplies these +12V power supply, +5V power supply, and backup power supplies to the main control unit 261, dispensing control unit 311, etc. Note that operating power is supplied to the various switches, motors, etc. via the control devices to which they are connected.

[0158] The power outage monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power outage signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the dispensing control device 311 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. The power outage monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and when this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage) has occurred and outputs a power outage signal SK1 to the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311. By outputting this power outage signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and perform power outage processing (NMI interrupt processing).

[0159] The power supply unit 541 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt drive voltage of the control system at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the power outage process, even after the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage drops below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 261 and the dispensing control unit 311 can execute and complete the power outage process normally.

[0160] The RAM clearing switch circuit 543 is a circuit that takes in the switch signal of the RAM clearing switch 323 and clears the backup data in the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 according to the state of the switch 323. When the RAM clearing switch 323 is pressed, the RAM clearing switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM clearing signal SK2 to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311. When the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM clearing switch 323 pressed (including when the power is turned on after a power outage is resolved), the data in the RAMs 503, 513 of the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 are cleared.

[0161] The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative pattern 455 on the decorative pattern display device 42 in accordance with instructions from the sub-control device 262. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. The input port 527 is connected to an input / output port 554 of the sub-control device 262. The input port 527 is also connected to the CPU 521, the program ROM 522, the work RAM 523, and the VDP 526 via a bus line 530. The VDP 526 is also connected to an output port 529 via a bus line 531, and the output port 529 is connected to the decorative pattern display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device.

[0162] The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command transmitted from the sub-control device 262 via the input port 527, analyzes the received command, or performs predetermined calculation processing based on the received command, thereby controlling the VDP 526 (generating internal commands for the VDP 526). This controls the display in the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0163] The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 521, and the work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs.

[0164] The video RAM 524 is a memory that stores display data to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42, and the display content of the decorative pattern display device 42 is changed by rewriting the content of this video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as patterns to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0165] The VDP 526 is a type of drawing circuit that directly operates the LCD driver (liquid crystal drive circuit) built into the decorative pattern display device 42. Because the VDP 526 is an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip," and its actual form should be described as a microcomputer chip with built-in firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP 526 adjusts the timing of the CPU 521, video RAM 524, etc., and mediates the reading and writing of data, and also reads display data stored in the video RAM 524 at a predetermined timing and displays it on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0166] Next, we will explain the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as above. In this embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 as the main control means performs a lottery using various counter information during a game. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, a random number counter C1 is used as a random number generating means for determining whether a jackpot state will occur, a small win random number counter C1' is used as a random number generating means for determining whether a small win state will occur, a type determination counter C2 is used to determine the type of jackpot (type lottery), a variable selection counter C3 is used to determine whether a reach state will occur in the decorative pattern display device 42, an initial value random number counter CINI is used to set the initial value of the random number counter C1, a first variable type counter CS1 and a second variable type counter CS2 are used to determine the display time of the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, and a normal pattern random number counter C4 is used to determine whether the second start winning device 33c will be opened. The variable selection counter C3 is also used to determine the reach pattern when the decorative pattern display device 42 is changed to a miss state. The fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are also used for selecting a fluctuation pattern (selecting a performance pattern) of the decorative pattern display device 42. In addition, the first fluctuation type counter CS1 and the second fluctuation type counter CS2 may be provided separately for the first fluctuation display and the second fluctuation display.

[0167] Counters C1, C1', C2, C3, CINI, CS1, CS2, and C4 are loop counters that add 1 to the previous value each time they are updated, and after reaching their upper limit, return to their lower limit of 0. Each counter is updated periodically, and the updated value is stored appropriately in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 503 (except for random number initial value counter CINI).

[0168] The RAM 503 is provided with a special variable reserve area as a reserve storage means for storing the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, the small win win / loss random number counter C1', the type determination counter C2, and the variable selection counter C3, and a normal variable reserve area for storing the value of the normal pattern random number counter C4. In this embodiment, the values ​​of the first variable type counter CS1 and the second variable type counter CS2 are also stored in the special variable reserve area. The normal variable reserve area has four reserve areas (reserve 1 to reserve 4 areas) and one execution area. In each reserve area of ​​the normal variable reserve area, the values ​​of the normal pattern random number counter C4 are stored in chronological order in accordance with the passage history of the gaming ball through the through gate 34. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to reserve the variable display on the normal pattern display device 41 up to four times.

[0169] The special variable reserve area is provided with a first special variable reserve area having four reserve areas (reserve 1 to reserve 4 areas) and one execution area, and a second special variable reserve area having four reserve areas (reserve 1 to reserve 4 areas) and one execution area. In the reserve area of ​​the first special variable reserve area, the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, the first variation type counter CS1, and the second variation type counter CS2 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of game balls in the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b. In the holding area of ​​the second special variable holding area, the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, the small win / loss random number counter C1', the type determination counter C2, the variable selection counter C3, the first variable type counter CS1, and the second variable type counter CS2 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls in the second start winning device 33c. By adopting this configuration, the first variable display can be held and stored up to four times, and the second variable display can be held and stored up to four times.

[0170] To explain each counter in detail, the win / loss random number counter C1 is configured to increment by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 596, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 596) as the closing value, return to 0, which is the lower limit value as the opening value. Normally, when the win / loss random number counter C1 goes through one cycle, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the win / loss random number counter C1. Note that the initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the win / loss random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 596), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and repeatedly within the remaining time of normal processing. Meanwhile, the win / loss random number counter C1 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 is stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer. Then, when the game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer is stored in the special variable holding area.

[0171] In this embodiment, the probability of winning the jackpot lottery does not change depending on the game mode, and there are three possible values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot, and the value is "7,207,407." For this reason, ROM 502 is provided with a win / lose determination table that stores "7,207,407" as the jackpot value, as a winning value storage means that is referenced when determining whether the value of the win / lose random number counter C1 corresponds to a jackpot.

[0172] The small win / no win random number counter C1' is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 299, and after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 299) as the closing value, it returns to the lower limit (0) as the opening value. The small win / no win random number counter C1' is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once per timer interrupt), and the value of the small win / no win random number counter C1' is stored in the small win / no win random number counter buffer. In this embodiment, a small win / no win lottery is not held when a gaming ball enters (wins) the first normal start winning device 33a or the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, but is held when a gaming ball enters (wins) the second start winning device 33c. Then, when a gaming ball enters (wins) the second start winning device 33c, the value of the small win / no win random number counter C1' stored in the small win / no win random number counter buffer is stored in the special variable holding area.

[0173] In addition, in this embodiment, the value of the small win win / loss random number counter C1' that becomes a small win is 100, and the value is "50 to 99, 150 to 199". For this reason, the ROM 502 is provided with one small win win / loss determination table that stores "50 to 99, 150 to 199" as a small win value as a winning value storage means that is referenced when determining whether the value of the small win win / loss random number counter C1' corresponds to a small win.

[0174] The type determination counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 19, and after reaching an upper limit value (i.e., 19), return to the lower limit value of 0. Also, the ROM 502 is provided with a first type determination table and a second type determination table that are referenced when determining which jackpot type the value of the type determination counter C2 corresponds to. Then, when a jackpot or a small jackpot is won in the win / lose lottery, the type of winning state to be awarded is determined based on the value of the type determination counter C2 (a type lottery is held), and the determined type of winning state is awarded.

[0175] The type determination counter C2 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the type determination counter C2 is stored in the type determination counter buffer. When the gaming ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the type determination counter C2 stored in the type determination counter buffer is stored in the special variable reserve area of ​​the RAM 503.

[0176] The variable selection counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and after reaching an upper limit value (i.e., 238), return to the lower limit value of 0. In this embodiment, the variable selection counter C3 is configured to draw a lottery among a "reach before or after miss" in which the final stopping pattern stops just one symbol before or after the reach pattern after a reach state occurs for the decorative pattern 455, a "reach other than a reach before or after miss" in which the final stopping pattern stops other than before or after the reach pattern after the reach state occurs, and a "miss (complete miss)" in which no reach state occurs.

[0177] The variable selection counter C3 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the variable selection counter C3 is stored in the variable selection counter buffer. Then, when the gaming ball wins the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the variable selection counter C3 stored in the variable selection counter buffer is stored in the special variable holding area of ​​the RAM 503.

[0178] Furthermore, the first fluctuation type counter CS1 is configured to be incremented by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 255, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 255), return to the lower limit value of 0, and the second fluctuation type counter CS2 is configured to be incremented by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 31, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 31), return to the lower limit value of 0. In this embodiment, the fluctuation time is set based on the value of the fluctuation selection counter CS1, and the stop display mode on the special display devices 43a, 43b is determined by the fluctuation type counter CS2.

[0179] The fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once each time the normal processing described below is executed, and are repeatedly updated during the remaining time of the normal processing. Each time the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated, the values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the first fluctuation type counter buffer and the second fluctuation type counter buffer. Then, when a gaming ball wins the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the first fluctuation type counter buffer and the second fluctuation type counter buffer are stored in the special fluctuation holding area of ​​RAM 503.

[0180] In this way, by acquiring the value of the variation type counter CS1 at the timing of the start winning, the reserved and stored special chart 1 variation time and special chart 2 variation time of the first variation display or the second variation display can be grasped (predicted) before the variation starts, and this information can be used to perform various effects, etc. In addition, if there is no need for a configuration in which the variation time is predicted in advance to perform an effect, the buffer values ​​of CS1 and CS2 may be acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation of the decorative pattern 455 by the decorative pattern display device 42. In addition, the counters used to determine the variation time and variation pattern are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate for each model.

[0181] The size and range of each counter are merely examples and can be changed as desired. The sizes of the win / loss random number counter C1, small win / loss random number counter C1', type determination counter C2, variable selection counter C3, and variable type counters CS1 and CS2 should all be different prime numbers, and should not be synchronized under any circumstances.

[0182] The normal symbol random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that increments by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 277 and returns to the lower limit of 0 after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 277). The normal symbol random number counter C4 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once per timer interrupt), and the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is obtained when a gaming ball passes through either the left or right through gate 34. In this embodiment, the number of random numbers that result in a win in a low ball entry state is 1, and the range is "0." On the other hand, the number of random numbers that result in a win in a high ball entry state is 277, and the range is "1 to 277." When a winning value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is obtained, the normal symbol display device 41 displays a variable display for a predetermined period of time (after the normal symbol lamp constituting the normal symbol display device 41 alternately flashes), and then the display is stopped in a manner (lighting pattern) corresponding to a win, and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is opened in a pattern corresponding to the game mode at that time.

[0183] Next, each control process executed by CPU 501 in main control device 261 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processes of CPU 501 can be broadly divided into main processing that is started when power is turned on, timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (every 2 msec in this embodiment), and NMI interrupt processing that is started by inputting a stop signal to an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt processing and NMI interrupt processing will be described first, followed by the main processing.

[0184] 12 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process, which is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, for example, every 2 msec. First, in step S301, the process of reading various winning switches is executed. That is, the states of various switches connected to the main control device 261 (except for the RAM erase switch 323) are read, and the states of those switches are determined and detection information (winning detection information) is saved. On the other hand, if there is no detection information, the process proceeds directly to the next step.

[0185] When there is detection information from any of the winning switches, the value of the corresponding prize ball counter is incremented. Also, in the external output process of the normal process described later, a prize ball command based on the value of each prize ball counter is output to the payout control device 311, and prize balls are awarded (game balls are paid out) based on the prize ball command. Furthermore, when this prize ball command is output, the value of each prize ball counter is reset.

[0186] In step S302, a random number initial value update process is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches its maximum value, it is cleared to 0.

[0187] In addition, in step S303, a random number update process is executed. Specifically, the win / lose random number counter C1, the type determination counter C2, the variable selection counter C3, and the normal pattern random number counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their maximum values, they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values ​​of each counter C1, C2, C3, and C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of ​​RAM 503.

[0188] Then, in step S304, a start-up winning process is executed in response to the entry (winning) of the gaming ball into the first normal start-up winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b, and the second start-up winning device 33c, and in step S305, a through-gate passing process is executed in response to the passage of the gaming ball through the through-gate 34. In the following step S306, a launch permission command setting process is executed to perform processes such as sending a launch permission signal to the launch control circuit 312 of the power supply / launch control device 310. Furthermore, in step S307, a remaining ball monitoring process is executed to check whether or not any gaming balls remain in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b. Then, the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

[0189] Here, the start winning process of step S304 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 14. The RAM 503 is provided with a first hold counter Na that counts the number of holds of the first variable display triggered by winning the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and a second hold counter Nb that counts the number of holds of the second variable display triggered by winning the second start winning device 33c.

[0190] In addition, the execution area and each reserve area of ​​the first and second special variable reserve areas are provided with a win / lose random number memory area that stores the value of the win / lose random number counter C1, a win type random number memory area that stores the value of the type determination counter C2, a reach random number memory area that stores the value of the variable selection counter C3, and first and second variable type random number memory areas that store the values ​​of the first and second variable type counters CS1, CS2.

[0191] First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered (won) the second start winning device 33c based on the detection information of the second start winning switch 224c. If the determination in step S501 is affirmative, it is determined in step S502 whether or not the value of the second pending counter Nb is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If the determination in step S501 or S502 is negative, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if the determination in step S502 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S503, where the second pending counter Nb is incremented by one.

[0192] In the next step S504, an addition display process is performed on the second hold display device 46b (second hold lamp) corresponding to the hold number of the second variable display increasing by 1. That is, if both of the pair of left and right second hold lamps are in the off state, the left second hold lamp is turned on, if the left second hold lamp is in the on state and the right second hold lamp is in the off state, both the left and right second hold lamps are turned on, if both the left and right second hold lamps are in the on state, the left second hold lamp is made to blink while the right second hold lamp is kept on, and if the left second hold lamp is in the blinking state and the right second hold lamp is in the on state, processing is performed to make both the left and right second hold lamps blink.

[0193] After step S504, in step S505, the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, small win / loss random number counter C1', type determination counter C2, variable selection counter C3, and variable type counters CS1 and CS2 (the values ​​stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer, small win / loss random number counter buffer, type determination counter buffer, variable selection counter buffer, and variable type counter buffer) are stored in the first (smallest numbered) empty reserve area of ​​the second special variable reserve area (in this example, the win / loss random number memory area, winning type random number memory area, reach random number memory area, and first and second variable type random number memory area of ​​the reserve first area). After step S505, proceed to step S506.

[0194] In step S506, a win / loss determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area corresponds to a big win or a small win. Details of the win / loss determination process will be described later.

[0195] In the following step S507, if it is determined in step S506 that the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to a jackpot, a second type determination process is performed to determine the type of jackpot based on the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area. The details of the second type determination process will be described later.

[0196] Here, the details of the pass / fail determination process in step S506 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0197] First, in step S5101, it is determined whether the value (0 to 596) of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches any of the values ​​"7, 207, 407" stored in the win / loss judgment table. If the determination in step S5101 is affirmative, in step S5102, the jackpot expected flag of the corresponding reserve area among the special variable reserve areas is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0198] On the other hand, if the result of step S5101 is negative, then in step S5103, it is determined whether the newly stored variable information is the second variable display. If the result of step S5103 is negative, that is, if the newly stored variable information is the reserved memory of the first variable display, then this process ends.

[0199] On the other hand, if the result of step S5103 is affirmative, then in step S5104 it is determined whether the value (0 to 299) of the small win random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches any of the values ​​"50 to 99, 150 to 199" stored in the win / loss determination table. If the result of step S5104 is negative, then this process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S5105 is affirmative, then the small win expected flag of the corresponding reserve area among the special variable reserve areas is set to on, and then this process ends.

[0200] Next, the second type determination process in step S507 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0201] First, in step S5301, it is determined whether or not either the big win scheduled flag or the small win scheduled flag was set on in the hit / miss determination process performed immediately before. If the negative determination is made in step S5301, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the positive determination is made in step S5301, it is determined in step S5302 whether or not the value (0 to 19) of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches the value "19" corresponding to "10RS". If the positive determination is made in step S5302, the "10RS flag" of the corresponding reserve area in the second special variable reserve area is turned on in step S5303, and then this process is terminated.

[0202] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5302, a determination is made in step S5304 as to whether the value of the type determination counter C2 is "16-18," which corresponds to "4RS." If a positive determination is made in step S5304, the "4RS flag" of the corresponding holding area among the second special variable holding areas is turned on in step S5305, and then this processing ends.

[0203] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S5304, i.e., if the value of the type determination counter C2 is "0 to 15", in step S5306, the "4RC flag" of the corresponding holding area among the second special variable holding areas is turned on, and then this processing is terminated.

[0204] Returning to the explanation of Figure 14, in step S508 following step S507, a change time determination process is performed to determine the special chart 2 change time of the second change display. That is, at the timing of the start winning, the change time determination table corresponding to the game mode is referenced, and the special chart 2 change time is grasped based on the value of the first change type counter CS1. The grasped special chart 2 change time is stored in the corresponding reserve area of ​​the second special change reserve area (the value of the first change type counter CS1 in the reserve area is not erased).

[0205] In this embodiment, a mode memory area is provided to be referenced when determining the game mode. The mode memory area stores either a value of "11" or "12," with "11" corresponding to the normal mode and "12" corresponding to the time-saving mode.

[0206] In step S509 following step S508, a setting process for the advance command is performed. The advance command includes fluctuation information (information used to determine the content of the fluctuation display) showing the results of the pass / fail judgment process, the type judgment process, and the fluctuation time judgment process, and information showing whether the fluctuation information corresponds to the first fluctuation display or the second fluctuation display, and is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output process (see step S201).

[0207] After the processing of step S509, or if a negative judgment is made in step S501 or step S502, in step S510, whether or not the gaming ball has entered the first normal start winning device 33 and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is judged based on the detection information of the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b. If a negative judgment is made in step S510, this processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made, in step S511, it is judged whether or not the value of the first pending counter Na, which counts the number of pending variable displays triggered by winning the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If a negative judgment is made in step S511, this processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in step S511, the processing proceeds to step S512, where the first pending counter Na is incremented by one.

[0208] In the next step S513, an addition display process is performed on the first hold display device 46a (first hold lamp) corresponding to the hold number of the first variable display increasing by 1. That is, if both of the pair of left and right first hold lamps are off, the left first hold lamp is turned on, if the left first hold lamp is on and the right first hold lamp is off, both the left and right first hold lamps are turned on, if both the left and right first hold lamps are on, the left first hold lamp is made to blink while the right first hold lamp is kept on, and if the left first hold lamp is blinking and the right first hold lamp is on, processing is performed to make both the left and right first hold lamps blink.

[0209] After step S513, in step S514, the values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1, type determination counter C2, variable selection counter C3, and variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the empty reserve areas of the first special variable reserve area (win / lose random number storage area, win type random number storage area, reach random number storage area, and first and second variable type random number storage area). After step S514, proceed to step S515.

[0210] In step S515, a win / loss determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area is a value corresponding to a jackpot. Details of the win / loss determination process have already been described above.

[0211] In the following step S516, if it is determined in step S515 that the value of the win / lose random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to a jackpot, a first type determination process is performed to determine the type of jackpot based on the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable holding area.

[0212] Here, the first type determination process of step S516 will be explained with reference to Fig. 16(a). First, in step S5201, it is determined whether or not the big win expected flag was set on in the hit / miss determination process performed immediately before. If the result of step S5201 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0213] On the other hand, if the answer in step S5201 is affirmative, the first type determination table is consulted in step S5202 to determine whether the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area matches the value "19" corresponding to "10RS." If the answer in step S5202 is affirmative, the 10RS flag is turned on in step S5203, and then this process ends.

[0214] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5202, a determination is made in step S5204 as to whether the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area matches the value "0 to 7" corresponding to "4RN." If a positive determination is made in step S5204, the 4RN flag is turned on in step S5205, and the process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5204, the 4RS flag is turned on in step S5206, and the process ends.

[0215] Returning to the explanation of Figure 14, in step S517 following step S516, if it is determined in step S515 that the value of the hit / miss random number counter C1 is not a value corresponding to a jackpot (it is a miss), a reach determination process is performed to determine the type of reach based on the value of the variable selection counter C3 newly stored in the first special variable holding area.

[0216] The reach determination process of step S517 will now be described with reference to Figure 17. First, in step S5401, it is determined whether or not a jackpot expected flag was set in the immediately preceding hit / miss determination process. If the determination in step S5401 is affirmative, this process is terminated.

[0217] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5401 is negative, i.e., if it is a miss, then in step S5402, the reach determination table is consulted to determine whether the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 newly stored in the special fluctuation reserve area matches either the value "0" or "1" corresponding to the "front or rear miss reach." If the determination in step S5402 is positive, then in step S5403 the front or rear flag indicating the occurrence of a front or rear miss reach is turned on, and then this processing ends.

[0218] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5402 is negative, in step S5404, the reach determination table is consulted to determine whether the value of the variable selection counter C3 newly stored in the special variable reserve area matches any of the values ​​"2 to 21" corresponding to "reach other than miss before and after." If the determination in step S5404 is positive, in step S5405, the non-front and rear flag is turned on, and then this processing ends.

[0219] Also, if the result of step S5404 is negative, that is, if the variable display ends without going through the reach state and it is a "complete miss," this process is terminated.

[0220] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 14, in step S518 following step S517, a setting process of the advance command is performed, and this process ends. The advance command includes variable information indicating the results of the hit / miss determination process, the type determination process, and the reach determination process, as well as information indicating whether it is the first variable display or the second variable display, and is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output process (see step S201).

[0221] In this embodiment, the special chart 2 change time of the second change display in the time-saving mode is set to a uniform 180 seconds, but it may also be determined by lottery. In that case, after step S517, a change time determination process may be performed to determine the special chart 1 change time of the first change display. That is, the change time determination table corresponding to the game mode is referenced, and the special chart 1 change time is determined based on the value of the first change type counter CS1. The determined change time is stored in the corresponding reserve area of ​​the first special change reserve area (the value of the first change type counter CS1 in the reserve area is not erased). Furthermore, in the subsequent setting process of the advance command, the result of this change time determination process is included in the advance command.

[0222] In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 and the like are directly stored in the special variable reserve area, and then the win / loss determination process and the like are executed, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a temporary storage area may be provided to temporarily store the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 and the like when it is acquired, and after the win / loss determination process and the like are executed for the information stored in the temporary storage area, the information may be stored in the reserve area of ​​the corresponding special variable reserve area.

[0223] The process of extracting the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. in steps S505 and S514 constitutes the discrimination value extraction process, and the process of storing the extracted values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. in the special variable holding area in steps S505 and S514 constitutes the discrimination value storage process. Furthermore, the function of extracting and storing the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. constitutes the information acquisition means. Also, the process of determining whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 in steps S506 and S515 (steps S5101 and S5104) is a value corresponding to a win constitutes the first win / loss determination process, and the process of storing the determination result (setting the corresponding flag) in steps S5102 and S5105 constitutes the result storage process.

[0224] Next, the through gate passing process of step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 18. In step S601, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball has passed through the through gate 34 based on the detection information of the through gate switch 225. If a negative determination is made in step S601, this process is terminated.

[0225] On the other hand, if the determination in step S601 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that the gaming ball has passed through the through gate 34, then in step S602, it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc, which counts the number of reserved variable displays performed by the normal symbol display device 41, is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the determination here is negative, then this processing is terminated as is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S602 is affirmative, that is, if the passage of the gaming ball through the through gate 34 is confirmed and the value of the normal hold counter Nc is less than 4, then the processing proceeds to step S603, and the normal hold counter Nc is incremented by 1.

[0226] In the following step S604, an addition display process is performed on the normal hold display device 44 (normal hold lamp) corresponding to the increase of one in the hold number of the variable display in the normal pattern display device 41. In other words, if both of the pair of left and right normal hold lamps are off, the left normal hold lamp is turned on, if the left normal hold lamp is on and the right normal hold lamp is off, both left and right normal hold lamps are turned on, if both left and right normal hold lamps are on, the left normal hold lamp is made to blink while the right normal hold lamp is kept on, and if the left normal hold lamp is blinking and the right normal hold lamp is on, processing is performed to blink both left and right normal hold lamps.

[0227] After step S604, in step S605, a random number related to the winning or losing is obtained. Specifically, the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 updated in the random number update process of step S303 is stored in the first area of ​​the empty storage area of ​​the normal variable reserve area of ​​RAM 503. After that, the through gate passing process is completed.

[0228] Next, the launch permission command setting process in step S306 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0229] First, in step S701, it is determined whether or not a firing permission flag indicating that a firing state signal is being received from the firing control circuit 312 is set to ON. The firing state signal is transmitted from the firing control circuit 312 to the main control device 261 when the firing control circuit 312 receives a touch signal from the handle 18, a firing switch signal, and a CR unit connection signal from the dispensing control device 311.

[0230] If the answer in step S701 is YES, then in step S702 it is determined whether or not a launch state signal has been received. If the answer in step S702 is NO, then in step S703 the launch permission flag is turned off, and then this process ends.

[0231] On the other hand, if the answer in step S702 is YES, then in step S704 it is determined whether the value of the launch timer used to measure the interval between launches of game balls is 0. If the answer in step S704 is NO, then in step S707 the value of the launch timer is decremented by 1, and then this process is terminated.

[0232] On the other hand, if the answer in step S704 is YES, in step S705, the main control device 261 sends a launch permission signal to the launch control circuit 312. In the following step S706, the launch permission flag is turned off. After step S706, this process ends.

[0233] If the determination in step S701 is negative, then in step S708 it is determined whether or not a launch state signal has been received. If the determination in step S708 is negative, then the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S708 is positive, then in step S709 the launch permission flag is set to ON.

[0234] In the following step S710, a ball feeding signal is sent to the launch control circuit 312. Furthermore, in step S711, the launch timer is set to "300", which corresponds to 0.6 seconds. This allows the game ball to be launched by the launch device 60 after it has been reliably set in the launch position by the ball feeding device 63, and also allows the main control device 261 to send a launch permission signal at 0.6-second intervals while the main control device 261 continues to receive a launch status signal from the launch control circuit 312, causing the game ball to be launched by the launch device 60 at 0.6-second intervals. After step S711, this process ends.

[0235] When the launch control circuit 312 receives a launch permission signal from the main control device 261, it determines whether it has received all of the touch signal, launch switch signal, and CR unit connection signal from the handle 18 and the payout control device 311, and if a positive determination is made, it drives the launch device 60 (launch solenoid) and performs a launch process to launch the gaming ball.The launch control circuit 312 also performs adjustment control of the launch device 60 regarding the launch strength (launch speed) of the gaming ball based on the dial position signal.As a result, the gaming ball is launched by the launch device 60 with the adjusted strength.

[0236] In addition, when the launch control circuit 312 receives a ball feeding signal from the main control unit 261, it checks the preparation ball detection sensor that detects whether a game ball is set at the launch position on the launch rail 61 where the game ball will be launched by the launch device 60, and if it is confirmed that a game ball is not set at the launch position, it drives the ball feeding device 63 and performs a ball feeding process to set the game ball at the launch position.

[0237] 13 is a flowchart showing NMI interrupt processing, which is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like. By this NMI interrupt, the state of the main control device 261 at the time of power cut is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

[0238] That is, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. Then, the CPU 501 suspends the control being executed and starts NMI interrupt processing, and in step S401, stores the power outage occurrence information in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power outage occurrence information, and ends the NMI interrupt processing.

[0239] The above-mentioned NMI interrupt process is also executed in the payout control device 311, and the occurrence information of the power outage is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311, and the CPU 511 suspends the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of Fig. 13. The contents of the process are as explained above.

[0240] Next, the flow of the main processing executed by CPU 501 in main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 10. This main processing is started upon reset when power is turned on.

[0241] First, in step S101, initial setting processing is performed when the power is turned on. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer, and a wait processing is performed for, for example, about one second to wait for the sub-side control devices (sub-control device 262, dispensing control device 311, etc.) to become operable. In the following step S102, RAM access is permitted.

[0242] Thereafter, data backup processing is performed for RAM 503 in CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether RAM clear switch 323 provided in power supply circuit 313 of power supply / launch control device 310 is pressed (ON). If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S112 to clear (delete) the backup data. On the other hand, if RAM clear switch 323 is not pressed, the process proceeds to the following step S104, where it is determined whether power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 503a of RAM 503. If it is not set, backup data is not stored, and in this case, the process also proceeds to step S112. If power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 503a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S105, and in the following step S106, it is determined whether the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power failure, i.e., the validity of the backup. If the calculated RAM judgment value does not match the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power failure, the backed-up data has been destroyed, and in this case, the process also proceeds to step S112.

[0243] In the processing of step S112, an initialization command is sent to initialize the sub-controller 262 and the dispensing controller 311, etc. Then, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization processing (step S113, etc.). The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in the working area address of RAM 503. Instead of this RAM judgment value, it is also possible to determine the validity of the backup by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 503 is correctly saved.

[0244] As described above, in the present pachinko machine 10, when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall opens for business, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 323. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to RAM initialization processing (step S113, etc.). Similarly, if no power outage occurrence information is set or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.), the process proceeds to RAM 503 initialization processing (step S113, etc.). That is, in step S113, the used area of ​​RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the following step S114, the initial value of RAM 503 is set. Thereafter, in step S111, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to normal processing, which will be described later.

[0245] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed (step S103: NO), the process at power recovery (process at power recovery) is executed on the condition that the power failure occurrence information has been set and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before the power failure is restored, and in step S108, the power failure occurrence information is cleared.

[0246] In step S109, a command is sent to return the sub-controller to the gaming state it was in when the power was turned off. In step S110, the used registers are restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Then, in step S111, interrupt permission is set and the process proceeds to normal processing, which will be described later.

[0247] Next, the flow of normal processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 11. In this normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. In summary, the processing of steps S201 to S211 is executed as a regular processing at a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S212 and S213 is executed in the remaining time.

[0248] First, in step S201, external output processing is performed to transmit control signals to each device based on the settings of the special display devices 43a, 43b and the start winning devices 33a, 33b, 33c, etc., updated in the previous normal processing, and to transmit output data such as commands to each control device on the sub-side.

[0249] For example, when starting a variable display on the special display devices 43a and 43b, a variable pattern command is sent to the sub-control device 262 to start a variable effect display such as a variable display of the decorative pattern 455 on the decorative pattern display device 42. The sub-control device 262 that has input the variable pattern command determines the display mode (variation time, effect pattern, etc.) of the decorative pattern display device 42 based on the various commands, and issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to display the display mode on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0250] The fluctuation pattern command includes fluctuation information (information used to determine the content of the fluctuation display) indicating the results of the hit / miss determination process, the type determination process, the reach determination process, and the fluctuation time determination process, and information indicating whether the fluctuation information corresponds to the first fluctuation display or the second fluctuation display. In other words, it includes information specifying the fluctuation pattern of the decorative pattern 455, such as normal reach, super reach, or premium reach. Meanwhile, the sub-control device 262 stores the relationship between these fluctuation pattern commands and the fluctuation patterns of the decorative pattern 455 in a table. Then, the sub-control device 262 determines the fluctuation pattern of the decorative pattern 455, etc., based on the fluctuation pattern command, and controls the display control device 45, sound, etc.

[0251] Here, the variation patterns of the decorative symbol 455 will be explained. A "normal reach" is a reach pattern in which no special effects are displayed other than the varying display of the decorative symbol 455. A "super reach" is a reach pattern in which, during the varying display of the decorative symbol 455 (after the reach state is established), characters and the like are displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 in addition to the decorative symbol 455, thereby creating a sense of anticipation in the player. A "premium reach" is a presentation mode that can only be derived when a jackpot state occurs, and is performed in such a manner that, during the varying display of the decorative symbol 455 (after the reach state is established), characters and the like of a different pattern from the super reach are displayed in addition to the decorative symbol 455, thereby creating a sense of anticipation in the player. In addition, a "complete miss" is a variation pattern in which the varying display of the decorative symbol 455 is stopped without entering any reach state.

[0252] Furthermore, the sub-control device 262 determines the stop pattern (combination of stop patterns) of the changing display of the decorative pattern 455 on the decorative pattern display device 42 based on the information on the change pattern and change time included in the change pattern command, and stops and displays the decorative pattern 455 after the change time has elapsed. In other words, when a time-saving jackpot ("10RS", "4RS") that grants a time-saving mode after the end of the jackpot state is won, the changing display is stopped and displayed with a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of any of the repeated numbers 1 to 9 (combination of winning patterns with time-saving). When a normal jackpot ("4RN") that grants a normal mode after the end of the jackpot state is won, the changing display is stopped and displayed with a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of any of the repeated numbers 2, 4, 6, or 8 (combination of winning patterns). Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, if a win is made in the time-saving mode, the mode will be switched to time-saving mode after the jackpot state ends, and if a win is made in the normal mode, the mode will be switched to normal mode after the jackpot state ends. In this state-maintaining jackpot ("4RC"), the variable display is stopped and displayed with a combination of decorative symbols 455 (winning symbol combination) consisting of any of the even numbers 2, 4, 6, or 8. In other words, only when a time-saving jackpot is won, the variable display can be stopped and displayed with a combination of decorative symbols 455 (winning symbol combination) consisting of any of the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

[0253] A combination of front-to-back miss symbols corresponds to a "reach" in which the final stopped symbol stops just one symbol before or after the reach symbol after a reach has occurred. A combination of symbols other than front-to-back miss symbols corresponds to a "reach other than a front-to-back miss" in which the final stopped symbol stops other than before or after the reach symbol after a reach has occurred. A combination of completely miss symbols corresponds to a "complete miss" in which no reach even occurs. The main control device 261 may be configured to set a pattern command specifying one of a winning symbol combination, a winning symbol combination with time reduction, a winning symbol combination, a combination of front-to-back miss symbols, a combination of symbols other than a front-to-back miss, or a completely miss symbol combination, and output it to the sub-control device 262 along with a variation pattern command. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the decorative symbol 455 does not change over time in the time-saving mode. Instead, when the results of the variation display are displayed, the decorative symbol 455 combination is displayed as a stop symbol to facilitate the player's recognition of whether they won or lost.

[0254] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 11, in step S202, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. More specifically, like the other counters, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their upper limit values ​​(255 and 31 in this embodiment), they are cleared to 0, respectively. The updated values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are then stored in the corresponding buffer areas of RAM 503.

[0255] In the following step S203, the winning ball count signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S204, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read.

[0256] Then, in step S205, a second special display control process is executed. In this process, control is performed on the second special display device 43b, and the determination of a big win or a small win and the setting of variable displays on the second special display device 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42 are performed. The details of this second special display control process will be described later.

[0257] In the next step S206, a first special display control process is executed. In this process, control is performed on the first special display device 43a, and a jackpot determination is made and variable display settings are made on the first special display device 43a and the decorative symbol display device 42. Details of this first special display control process will be described later.

[0258] In step S207, a variable prize-winning device control process is executed. In this process, control is performed on the first variable prize-winning device 32a and the second variable prize-winning device 32a. The details of the variable prize-winning device control process will be described later.

[0259] In step S208, a normal display control process is executed. In this process, control is performed regarding the normal symbol display device 41. Details of this normal display control process will be described later.

[0260] In step S209, a start winning device control process is executed. In this process, control is performed on the second start winning device 33c and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b. The start winning device control process will be described in detail later.

[0261] Thereafter, in step S210, it is determined whether or not power failure occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If power failure occurrence information is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S211 whether or not the timing for executing the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in this example) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. If the predetermined time has already elapsed, the process proceeds to step S201, and the processes from step S201 onwards are repeatedly executed.

[0262] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous normal processing, the random number initial value counter CINI and the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the timing of the next normal processing execution (steps S212 and S213).

[0263] That is, in step S212, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value (596 in this example), it is cleared to 0.

[0264] In step S213, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated (similar to step S202). Specifically, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their maximum values ​​(255 and 31 in this example), they are cleared to 0, respectively. The updated values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are then stored in the corresponding buffer areas of RAM 503.

[0265] Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S210 changes depending on the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using this remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (i.e., the initial value of the win / lose random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 can also be randomly updated.

[0266] If power outage information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (step S210: YES), the power has been shut off, and the processes from step S214 onward are performed as power outage processing when the power is shut off. The power outage processing first prohibits the occurrence of interrupt processing in step S214, saves the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 in a stack area in step S215, and stores the value of the stack pointer in the backup area 503a in step S216.

[0267] Then, in step S217, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is sent to other control devices (such as the dispensing control device 311). Then, in step S218, a RAM judgment value is calculated and saved in the backup area 503a. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at the working area address of RAM 503. Then, in step S219, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop continues until the power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed.

[0268] The processing of step S210 is executed at the end of a series of processing corresponding to changes in the game state performed in steps S201 to S209, or at the end of one cycle of processing in steps S212 and S213 performed within the remaining time. Therefore, in the normal processing of the main control device 261, power interruption information is checked at the end of each processing. Therefore, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is reduced compared to when each processing is in progress, and storage is facilitated. Furthermore, when restoring the state before the power interruption, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, allowing for easy restoration, thereby reducing the processing load on the main control device 261. Furthermore, since interrupt processing is prohibited before data storage (step S214), data at the time of the power interruption is prevented from being changed, and the state before the power interruption can be reliably stored.

[0269] Next, the first special display control process of step S206 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 20. First, in step S801, it is determined whether the value of a first variable interval timer for measuring the remaining time of a variable interval (the period until the next first variable display is started) set after the first variable display of the first special display device 43a is "0" or not.

[0270] If the result of the determination in step S801 is affirmative, that is, if it is not a variable interval, in step S802, the progress of the first variable display itself is in a state of being suspended, and it is determined whether or not the connection display flag, which indicates that the state of the first special display device 43a is in a state of continuing the variable display, is set to ON. In this embodiment, if the second variable display instructing a 4RC jackpot is stopped and displayed, the first variable display is suspended, and after the 4RC jackpot state ends, the suspended first variable display is resumed.

[0271] If the result of the determination in step S802 is negative, in step S803, the winning status storage area, which will be described in detail later, is referenced to determine whether the current status is other than the big win status or the small win status.

[0272] In addition, during a winning state (big win state, small win state), there is an opening period from when the display mode corresponding to the winning is displayed statically on the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b until the variable winning devices 32a, 32b are opened, a round period during which the variable winning devices 32a, 32b are in an open state, an interval period during which the variable winning devices 32a, 32b are in a closed state, and an ending period after the final round until the variable display on the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b can begin.

[0273] In this embodiment, the win status memory area stores "0" when the game is in a state other than the big win state or the small win state. In the big win state, "1" is stored during the opening period and the interval period, "2" during the round period, and "3" during the ending period. In addition, in the small win state, "4" is stored during the opening period and "5" during the first round. That is, in step S803, it is determined whether "0" is stored in the win status memory area to determine whether the game is in the big win state or the small win state. If the determination in step S803 is negative, i.e., if the game is in the big win state or the small win state, this process ends.

[0274] On the other hand, if the result of step S803 is affirmative, in step S804, it is determined whether or not the special chart 1 display flag indicating that the first variable display is in progress is set to on in the first special display device 43a. If the result of step S804 is negative, that is, if the state is not a big win state or a small win state, it is not during the period from the 4RC big win instruction to the resumption of the first variable display {if an interval (determined display period) is provided after the second variable display, that period}, and it is not during the first variable display, it proceeds to step S805, and it is determined whether or not the first pending counter Na, which counts the number of pending first variable displays triggered by the ball entering the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, is greater than 0.

[0275] If the answer in step S805 is affirmative, in step S806, 1 is subtracted from the first reservation counter Na. In the following step S807, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the first special variable reservation area. This data shift process is a process to shift the data stored in the reservation areas 1 to 4 of the first special variable reservation area sequentially toward the execution area, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: reservation 1 area → execution area, reservation 2 area → reservation 1 area, reservation 3 area → reservation 2 area, and reservation 4 area → reservation 3 area.

[0276] After step S807, in step S808, a subtraction display process is performed on the first hold display device 46a (first hold lamp) corresponding to the decrease of the hold number in the first variable display by one. That is, if both of the pair of left and right first hold lamps are flashing, the left first hold lamp is kept flashing while the right first hold lamp is turned on; if the left first hold lamp is flashing and the right first hold lamp is turned on, both the left and right first hold lamps are turned on; if both the left and right first hold lamps are turned on, the left first hold lamp is kept on while the right first hold lamp is turned off; and if the left first hold lamp is turned on and the right first hold lamp is turned off, both the left and right first hold lamps are turned off. After step S808, in step S809, a first variable display setting process is performed, and then this process is terminated. Details of the first variable display setting process will be described later.

[0277] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S805, in step S810, the setting status of the special chart 2 display flag, which indicates that the second variable display is being performed on the second special display device 43b, is checked to determine whether or not the second variable display is being performed on the second special display device 43b.

[0278] If step S810 returns a positive result, i.e., if the second variation display is in progress, the process ends. On the other hand, if step S810 returns a negative result, step S811 performs a standby display setting (such as setting a standby display command to be output to the sub-control device 262) to derive a display mode corresponding to a variation standby state in which no variation display is being performed on both the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b (for example, a mode in which only the first and second first special display device lamps from the right in the bottom row or the second special display device lamp is lit). In other words, after the variation stops, the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b of this embodiment maintain the stopped mode (in a mode indicating the result of the winning / losing lottery) for the variation interval, but when the variation interval ends, they switch to a display mode indicating a variation standby state. After step S811, the process ends.

[0279] The display modes indicating that the decorative pattern display device 42 is in a variable standby state include a first standby display mode and a second standby display mode. The sub-control device 262, upon receiving a standby display command, may first be configured to set the decorative pattern display device 42 to the first standby display mode, in which the brightness of the decorative pattern display device 42 is maintained and the static display mode of the variable display of the decorative pattern 455 is maintained substantially unchanged, and to set a value corresponding to a predetermined time (e.g., a value corresponding to 30 seconds) for a standby time measurement timer that measures the time since the first standby display mode was derived. Furthermore, when the value of the standby time measurement timer is subtracted every predetermined time and becomes "0," the brightness of the decorative pattern display device 42 may be dimmed and the display mode may be simplified (e.g., the decorative pattern 455 is not displayed) and the second standby display mode may be set.

[0280] Here, the details of the first variable display setting process in step S809 will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0281] First, in step S901, it is determined whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of ​​the first special variable reserve area is "7,207,407", which corresponds to a jackpot. In step S901, it may be determined whether the first variable display corresponds to a jackpot by determining whether the jackpot expected flag of the execution area of ​​the first special variable reserve area is set on. In this embodiment, a jackpot win / loss lottery is conducted to determine whether a jackpot will be won or not based on the ball entering the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, but a small win win / loss lottery is not conducted to determine whether a small win will be won or not.

[0282] If the result of the determination in step S901 is affirmative, in step S902, the special chart 1 big win confirmation flag, which indicates that the first variable display corresponding to the big win is being performed, is set to ON. In the following step S903, it is determined whether the 10RS flag is set to ON in the execution area of ​​the first special variable holding area. If the result of the determination in step S903 is affirmative, the 10RS pattern setting process is performed in step S904. Note that, instead of determining the variable pattern based on flag information such as the 10RS flag in step S903, the variable pattern may be determined by referring to the corresponding table again based on the values ​​of the type determination counter C2 and the variable selection counter C3.

[0283] The pattern setting process is a process for causing the special display devices 43a, 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42 to execute a variable display corresponding to the variable information stored in the execution area, and determines the variable pattern (variable display time, stop mode, presentation pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a, 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42, and sets the variable pattern command, etc.

[0284] More specifically, in step S904, first, the mode storage area is checked to determine the game mode, and the special chart 1 variation time determination table to be referenced is selected. Then, the selected special chart 1 variation time determination table is referenced, and the special chart 1 variation time is determined based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1 stored in the execution area of ​​the first special variation reserve area. In addition, the determined special chart 1 variation time is stored (associated) with the execution area of ​​the first special variation reserve area. In this embodiment, the special chart 1 variation time in the time-saving mode is uniformly 180 seconds, but a special chart 1 variation time determination table corresponding to the time-saving mode may be provided, and the special chart 1 variation time may be determined by referring to the special chart 1 variation time determination table.

[0285] Furthermore, a reach pattern is determined based on the fluctuation pattern and the special chart 1 fluctuation time. Then, information including the first fluctuation display, 10RS, the determined reach pattern, and the fluctuation time is set in a fluctuation pattern command (first fluctuation pattern command). In this embodiment, the reach pattern of the decorative symbol display device 42 is determined on the main control device 261 side, but in order to reduce the burden on the main control device 261, the main control device 261 does not determine the reach pattern, and the fluctuation pattern command may be configured to include information on whether it is the first fluctuation display or the second fluctuation display, information indicating the fluctuation pattern (information that can be determined as to whether it is a big win, a small win, 10RS, 4RS, 4RN, 4RC, a reach that misses before and after, a reach that does not miss before and after, or a complete miss), and information indicating the fluctuation time.

[0286] After step S904, in step S913, the special chart 1 display flag is set to on, indicating that the first variable display is in progress on the first special display device 43a, and in step S914, the remaining time (remaining period) of the first variable display (first display) is set to a value corresponding to the special chart 1 variable time in the special chart 1 display timer, and then this processing is terminated.

[0287] Also, if the result of step S903 is negative, in step S905, it is determined whether the 4RS flag is set on in the execution area of ​​the first special variable pending area. If the result of step S905 is positive, in step S906, the 4RS pattern setting process is performed. After step S906, in step S913, the special chart 1 display flag is set on, and in step S914, a value corresponding to the special chart 1 variable time is set for the special chart 1 display timer, and then this process is terminated.

[0288] Also, if the result of step S905 is negative, the 4RN pattern setting process is performed in step S907. After step S907, in step S913, the special chart 1 display flag is set to on, and in step S914, a value corresponding to the special chart 1 variable time is set for the special chart 1 display timer, and then this process is terminated.

[0289] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in step S901, in step S908, the execution area of ​​the first special variable pending area is taken into consideration and it is determined whether or not the front and rear flag (see reach determination process in Figure 17) is on. If a positive determination is made in step S908, that is, if it is a "front and rear miss reach", then a front and rear reach pattern setting process is performed in step S909, and then this process ends via steps S913 and S914.

[0290] If the result of step S908 is negative, the execution area of ​​the first special variable reserve area is taken into consideration and it is determined in step S910 whether the non-front and rear flag is on. If the result of step S910 is positive, that is, if it is a "reach other than a front and rear miss", a non-front and rear reach pattern setting process is performed in step S911, and then this process ends via steps S913 and S914.

[0291] Also, if the result of step S910 is negative, that is, if the result is a "complete miss," then the miss fluctuation pattern setting process is performed in step S912, and then steps S913 and S914 are performed, after which the process ends.

[0292] Returning to the explanation of Figure 20, if the result of step S804 is affirmative, that is, if the first variable display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S812, where the subtraction process of the special chart 1 display timer is performed. Each time this process is performed, the value of the special chart 1 display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, if the variable time is 6 seconds (6000 msec), the special chart 1 display timer is set to "1500", and is subtracted by 1 every 4 msec.

[0293] Next, proceed to step S813, and determine whether the special chart 1 variable time has elapsed by taking into consideration the value of the special chart 1 display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the special chart 1 variable time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the special chart 1 display timer becomes "0", step S813 is determined to be positive.

[0294] If a negative determination is made in step S813, then in step S818, a switching display setting is made to continue the switching display (variable display) of the first special display device 43a. Also, if a positive determination is made in the above step S802, the process proceeds to step S818. A situation in which a positive determination is made in step S802 is during the 4RC jackpot state, during which the variable display of the first special display device 43a is continued, and the variable display of the first special display device 43a is continued from the first variable display before the 4RC jackpot state, and is continued from the first variable display after the 4RC jackpot state.

[0295] Based on the settings of the display switching setting, a control signal to switch display is output to the first special display device 43a in the external output process of the next normal process. This realizes the display switching (variable display) of the first special display device 43a at the timing of the first special display control process, that is, every 4 ms. After step S818, this process ends.

[0296] On the other hand, if the result of step S813 is affirmative, the special chart 1 display flag is turned off in step S814, and the special chart 1 stop display setting is performed in step S815 to display the stop on the first special display device 43a. Based on the setting contents of this special chart 1 stop display setting, a control signal to display the stop is output to the first special display device 43a in the external output process of the next normal process. In other words, the first special display device 43a will display the stop corresponding to each jackpot type, loss, etc. set in the first variable display setting process.

[0297] Furthermore, after step S815, in step S816, a special symbol 1 stop command is set to the sub-control device 262 to cause the decorative symbol display device 42 to display a stop. This allows for more reliable synchronization of the stop timing of the first special display device 43a and the decorative symbol display device 42. However, since the stop mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 has already been determined by the sub-control device 262 by the variable pattern command output at the start of the variable display, there is no need to add information regarding the stop mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 again. Again, the stop display by the special display devices 43a and 43b is the primary display, and the display of the decorative symbol 455 by the decorative symbol display device 42 is merely auxiliary (for presentation purposes). Next, in step S817, a special symbol 1 discrimination information setting process is performed to initially set the winning state and switch the game mode, and then this process ends.

[0298] Here, the special chart 1 determination information setting process of step S817 will be explained with reference to Fig. 22. First, in step S1001, the execution area of ​​the first special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the special chart 1 jackpot confirmation flag is set to on. If a positive determination is made in step S1001, the special chart 1 jackpot confirmation flag is turned off in step S1002, and a jackpot in progress flag indicating that a jackpot state is in progress (a special chart 1 jackpot in progress flag indicating that a jackpot has occurred in the first variable display stored in the first special variable reserve area) is turned on in step S1003.

[0299] In the next step S1004, the execution area of ​​the first special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the 10RS flag is set to ON. If the determination in step S1004 is affirmative, in step S1005, "10" is set in a round number counter for determining the number of rounds executed during the big win state (the number of times the first variable winning device 32a is opened).

[0300] On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S1004, the round number counter is set to "4" in step S1006.

[0301] After step S1005 or step S1006, in step S1007, "1" is set in the winning status storage area. Furthermore, in step S1008, a value "2000" corresponding to an opening period of, for example, 8 seconds is set in the special variable timer used for control during the winning state (opening / closing control of the first variable winning device 32a). Subsequently, in step S1009, "8" indicating the maximum number of balls that can enter per round is set in the winning counter for counting the number of game balls that enter the first variable winning device 32a. Furthermore, during the switch reading process of the timer interrupt processing (see Figure 12), the value of the winning counter is determined based on the detection information of the first count switch 223a or the second count switch 223b to determine whether a ball has entered the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b corresponding to the relevant round, and if it is determined that a ball has entered the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b, the value is decremented by one.

[0302] Then, in step S1010, an opening command is set to notify the sub-control device 262 of the start of the winning state. The opening command includes information on the type of winning, etc., so that the sub-control device 262 can also grasp the total number of rounds in the winning state, etc.

[0303] After step S1010, in step S1011, it is determined whether the special drawing 2 display flag is set to on. If the determination in step S1011 is negative, in step S1022, the value of the second variation interval is set to "0", and then this processing is terminated.

[0304] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1011 is affirmative, in step S1012, the special chart 2 display flag is turned off, and in step S1013, processing is performed to forcibly stop (forcefully terminate / stop) the second variable display of the second special display device 43b in a manner corresponding to a "miss." In other words, if the first variable display is stopped in a manner that indicates a jackpot, the second variable display that is currently changing is forcibly terminated (erased) regardless of its content, so that after the jackpot state ends, a new variable display is also started for the second variable display.

[0305] Furthermore, in step S1014, the value of the special diagram 2 display timer is set to "0". In addition, in order to inform the sub-control device 262 side that the second variable display is to be stopped, in step S1015, a special diagram 2 forced stop command is set, and then this processing is terminated.

[0306] Furthermore, if a negative judgment is made in step S1001, a value corresponding to the fluctuation interval (determined display period) is set in the first fluctuation interval timer in step S1016. In this embodiment, the fluctuation interval (determined display period) of the first fluctuation display is set to "1 second" in normal mode and "5 seconds" in time-saving mode. During the fluctuation interval, the special display devices 43a and 43b maintain their static display state during the fluctuation interval, the decorative pattern 455 of the decorative pattern display device 42 basically maintains its static display state during the fluctuation interval (continuing to oscillate slightly), and the auxiliary patterns 471 and 472 of the decorative pattern display device 42 continue to fluctuate until the end of the fluctuation interval (determined display period) of the corresponding fluctuation display, and are displayed statically at the end of the fluctuation interval. When the fluctuation interval ends and the fluctuation display is reserved and stored, the fluctuation display on the special display devices 43a and 43b, the performance fluctuation display on the decorative pattern display device 42, and the auxiliary fluctuation display are simultaneously started. On the other hand, if the variable display is not reserved and stored even after the variable interval has ended, the stopped state of the decorative pattern 455 and auxiliary patterns 471 and 472 of the decorative pattern display device 42 continues to be derived for a while, and then the display switches to a game standby display (demo screen display). Also, if the decorative pattern 455 is stopped and displayed as an even-numbered doublet combination in the variable display of the decorative pattern display device 42, a re-lottery effect may be performed during the variable interval (including the variable interval) in which the combination of the decorative pattern 455 may be converted to an odd-numbered doublet (it may also be configured so that the conversion is always performed when derived).

[0307] After step S1016, in step S1017, it is determined whether or not "12" is stored in the mode storage area, i.e., whether or not the game mode is the time-saving mode. If the determination in step S1017 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0308] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1017 is affirmative, in step S1018, the value of the fluctuation number counter is decremented by 1 to measure the duration of the time-saving mode (the remaining number of fluctuations until the upper limit is reached). Note that, as will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the upper limit of the time-saving mode is set to when the first fluctuation display is performed once (or 0 times in some cases) or the second fluctuation display is performed 100 times (basically, the first fluctuation display ends once and the time-saving mode ends before the second fluctuation display reaches 100).

[0309] In the next step S1019, it is determined whether the value of the fluctuation counter is "0." If the determination in step S1019 is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1019 is positive, in step S1020, "11" is set in the mode storage area, indicating normal mode. In other words, since the upper limit of the time-saving mode has been reached, the time-saving mode is terminated and a transition to normal mode is made. After step S1020, in step S1021, the time-saving lamp 48 is turned off, and in step S1022, a support end command is set to the sub-control device 262 to notify the transition to normal mode (end of high-ball entry mode), and then the process ends. Note that the configuration of the time-saving lamp 48 and the manner in which it corresponds to the game mode are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate for each model. For example, the time-saving mode may be lighting and the normal mode may be flashing, or the normal mode may be turning the light off for 2 seconds and turning it on for 1 second, and the time-saving mode may be turning the light off for 1 second and turning it on for 2 seconds.

[0310] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 20, if the determination in step S801 is negative, i.e., if it is within the period of the fluctuation interval, then in step S819, the value of the first fluctuation interval timer is subtracted by 1. For example, if the fluctuation interval is 1 second (1000 msec) and the first fluctuation interval timer is set to "249" (or "250" if step S819 is configured to be performed before step S801), then in this process the value of the first fluctuation interval timer is subtracted by "1" every 4 msec, and becomes "0" after 1 second.

[0311] After step S819, in step S820, it is determined whether the value of the first variable interval timer is "0." If the determination in step S820 is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S820 is positive, the process sets the first confirmed display command in step S821, and then ends the process.

[0312] Next, the second special display control process (step S205) of the normal process (see Fig. 11) will be described with reference to Fig. 23. In this embodiment, the second special display device 43b is configured to set a variation interval for the second variable display, but it may be configured not to set one.

[0313] First, in step S1601, it is determined whether the value of a second variation interval timer for measuring the remaining time of the variation interval set after the second variation display of the second special display device 43b is "0." If the determination in step S1601 is negative, that is, if the time is within the variation interval period of the second variation display, then in step S1616, the value of the second variation interval timer is decremented by 1. Furthermore, in step S1617, it is determined whether the value of the second variation interval timer is "0." If the determination in step S1617 is negative, then this processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1617 is positive, then in step S1618, a second fixed display command indicating that the interval period (fixed display period) of the second variation display has ended is set to the sub-control device 262, and then this processing is terminated.

[0314] On the other hand, if the result of step S1601 is affirmative, that is, if it is not the variation interval of the second variation display, then in step S1602, it is determined whether the value of the win status storage area is "0", that is, whether it is in a state other than the big win state or the small win state. If the result of step S1602 is negative, that is, if it is in the big win state or the small win state, then this process ends.

[0315] On the other hand, if the result of step S1602 is affirmative, then in step S1603, it is determined whether or not the special chart 2 display flag indicating that the second variable display is in progress is set to on in the second special display device 43b. If the result of step S1603 is negative, that is, if the game is not in a big win state or a small win state and is not in the second variable display state, then the program proceeds to step S1604, where it is determined whether or not the second pending counter Nb, which counts the number of pending second variable displays triggered by the ball entering the second start winning device 33c, is greater than 0.

[0316] If the answer to step S1604 is NO, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the answer to step S1604 is YES, 1 is subtracted from the second reservation counter Nb in step S1605. In the following step S1606, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the second special variable reservation area. In this data shift process, data stored in the reservation 1 area of ​​the second special variable reservation area is shifted to the execution area, data stored in the reservation 2 area is shifted to the reservation 1 area, data stored in the reservation 3 area is shifted to the reservation 2 area, and data stored in the reservation 4 area is shifted to the reservation 3 area.

[0317] After step S1606, in step S1607, a subtraction display process is performed on the second hold display device 46b (second hold lamp) corresponding to the hold number in the second variable display being reduced by one. In other words, a process is performed to turn off the second hold lamp. After step S1607, in step S1608, a second variable display setting process is performed, and then this process is terminated.

[0318] Here, the details of the second variable display setting process in step S1608 will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0319] First, in step S1701, it is determined whether the value of the win / lose random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is "7, 207, 407" corresponding to a jackpot. In step S1701, it may be determined whether the second variable display corresponds to a jackpot by determining whether the jackpot expected flag of the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is set on.

[0320] If the result of step S1701 is affirmative, a special 2 jackpot confirmation flag indicating that the second variable display corresponding to the jackpot is being performed is set to ON in step S1702. In the following step S1703, it is determined whether or not the 10RS flag is set to ON in the execution area of ​​the second special variable holding area. If the result of step S1703 is affirmative, a 10RS pattern setting process is performed in step S1704.

[0321] If the answer at step S1703 is negative, then at step S1705 it is determined whether the 4RS flag is set to on. If the answer at step S1705 is positive, then at step S1706 a 4RS pattern setting process is performed, and if the answer at step S1705 is negative, then at step S1707 a 4RC pattern setting process is performed.

[0322] As described above, the pattern setting process is a process for executing a variable display corresponding to the variable information stored in the execution area in the special display devices 43a, 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42, and determines the variable pattern (variable display time, stop mode, presentation pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a, 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42, and sets the variable pattern command, etc.

[0323] However, as will be described in more detail later, in the time-saving mode of this embodiment, the time of the second performance display corresponding to the second variable display may be associated with the content of the variable display (whether the lottery result is a win or loss, and the type of win), and basically, as shown in Figure 52(a), the special chart 2 variable time is set according to the content of the variable display. In other words, if the second fluctuation display is "10RS", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 30 to 40 seconds; if it is "4RC", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 15 to 25 seconds; if it is "4RS", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 15 to 25 seconds (if the value of CS1 is "0 to 149") and 30 to 40 seconds (if the value of CS1 is "150 to 255"); if it is "completely off", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 5 to 13 seconds; if it is "other than off before or after", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 5 to 13 seconds (if the value of CS1 is "20 to 255") and 30 to 40 seconds (if the value of CS1 is "0 to 19"); if it is "off before or after", it is set to one of the fluctuation patterns of 30 to 40 seconds.

[0324] In the time-saving mode of this embodiment, basically, the decorative pattern display device 42 performs a display effect corresponding to the second variable display. In the time-saving mode, the decorative pattern 455 is derived (displayed) at least when the second variable display is statically displayed, but there are also patterns in which the decorative pattern 455 is not derived from the start of the second variable display until just before its end. In the time-saving mode, the decorative pattern display device 42 may be configured to start displaying the variable decorative pattern based on the start of the second variable display, and to end (statically display) the variable decorative pattern based on the end of the second variable display.

[0325] After step S1704, step S1706, or step S1707, in step S1712, the special chart 2 display flag, which indicates that the second variable display is in progress on the second special display device 43b, is set to on, and in step S1713, a value corresponding to the special chart 2 variable time is set to the special chart 2 display timer, which measures the remaining time of the second variable display, and then this processing is terminated.

[0326] Also, if a negative determination is made in step S1701, in step S1708, it is determined whether the value of the small win / no win random number counter C1' stored in the execution area of ​​the second special variable pending area is "77 to 91, 177 to 191," which corresponds to a small win. If a positive determination is made in step S1708, in step S1709, a small win confirmation flag indicating that a second variable display corresponding to a small win is being performed is set to ON. In the following step S1710, a small win pattern setting process is performed. In the small win pattern setting process, as in the various pattern setting processes described above, the variable patterns (variable display time, stop mode, presentation pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a, 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42 are determined, and a variable pattern command including information indicating that it is the second variable display and the variable pattern (small win), and information on the variable time, is set.

[0327] After steps S1710 and S1711, the special drawing 2 display flag is turned off in step S1712, the special drawing 2 display timer is set in step S1713, and then this processing is terminated.

[0328] Returning to the explanation of Figure 23, if a positive judgment is made in step S1603, i.e., if the second variable display is in progress, proceed to step S1609, and perform a subtraction process on the special chart 2 display timer.

[0329] Next, proceed to step S1610, and determine whether the special chart 2 variable time has elapsed by taking into consideration the value of the special chart 2 display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the special chart 2 variable time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the special chart 2 display timer becomes "0", step S1610 is determined to be positive.

[0330] If a negative judgment is made in step S1610, a switch display setting is made in step S1615 to continue the switch display (second variable display) of the second special display device 43b. Based on the contents of the switch display setting, a control signal to perform switch display is output to the second special display device 43b in the external output processing of the next normal processing. This realizes the switch display (variable display) of the second special display device 43b at the timing of the second special display control processing, that is, every 4 ms. After step S1615, this processing ends.

[0331] On the other hand, if the result of step S1610 is affirmative, the special chart 2 display flag is turned off in step S1611, and the special chart 2 stop display setting is performed in step S1612 to display the stop on the second special display device 43b. Based on the setting contents of this special chart 2 stop display setting, a control signal to display the stop is output to the second special display device 43b in the external output process in the next normal process. In other words, the second special display device 43b will stop and display the mode corresponding to each big win type, small win, miss, etc. set in the second variable display setting process.

[0332] After step S1612, in step S1613, the sub-control device 262 is set to a special symbol 2 stop command that causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to stop display. This makes it possible to more reliably synchronize the stop timing of the second special display device 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42.

[0333] Next, in step S1614, a special chart 2 discrimination information setting process is performed to set the initial winning status and the game mode switching setting, and then this process is terminated.

[0334] Here, the special chart 2 determination information setting process of step S1614 will be explained with reference to Fig. 25. First, in step S1801, the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the small win confirmation flag is set on. If a positive determination is made in step S1801, the small win confirmation flag is turned off in step S1802, and a small win in progress flag indicating that the small win state is in progress is turned on in step S1803. Furthermore, in step S1804, "4" is set in the win status memory area, indicating that the small win state is in the opening period.

[0335] In the next step S1805, the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the 10RS flag is set to ON. If the determination in step S1805 is affirmative, in step S1806, "10" is set to a round number counter for determining the number of rounds executed during the winning state. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1805 is negative, in step S1807, "4" is set to the round number counter.

[0336] After steps S1806 and S1807, in step S1808, a value "2000" corresponding to the opening period of the small win state (8 seconds in this example) is set to the special variable timer used for control during the win state (opening / closing control of the variable winning devices 32a, 32b). Furthermore, in step S1809, "8" indicating the maximum number of balls that can enter per round is set to the winning counter for counting the number of game balls that have entered the variable winning devices 32a, 32b.

[0337] Then, in step S1810, the value of the second variation counter is decremented by 1. In this embodiment, since the game mode does not change simply because a small win has been won, the remaining number of times in the time-saving mode is decremented by one even when the small win variation display has ended. The decrement process of the variation counter may be configured to be performed only when "12" is stored in the mode storage area, or may be configured to be performed at the end of the small win state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of prize balls that can be obtained is the same in the first round of the small win state and in the rounds of other big win states. However, the number of prize balls that can be obtained in the first round of the small win state may be configured to be relatively small.

[0338] In the next step S1811, a small win opening command is set to notify the sub-control device 262 of the start of the small win state. The small win opening command includes information indicating the type of small win (whether it will be 10RS, 4RS, or 4RC when transitioning to the big win state) or information indicating the opening time of the first round, etc., so that the sub-control device 262 can also grasp the progress of the small win state.

[0339] After step S1811, step S1812 determines whether the special symbol 1 display flag is set to ON. If step S1812 returns a negative result—that is, if a win instruction is given in the second variable display while the first variable display is not being displayed—the second win / lose lottery is assumed to have been won during the first variable interval. The value of the special symbol 1 variable interval timer is set to "0" in step S1821, and this process is terminated so that there is no remaining first variable interval after the end of the jackpot state. Note that when switching from normal mode to time-saving mode, four or more rounds of jackpot states are sandwiched between them. By going through four rounds of jackpot states, which are right-hitting states, at least two or three balls are expected to land on the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b, which opens and closes at regular intervals, during the jackpot state. Therefore, if gameplay proceeds normally, time-saving mode begins with the first variable display on hold. Of course, if the player does not hit the game ball to the right in the jackpot state, he or she will not receive the prize balls that were in the jackpot state, which would be a disadvantage to the player; if the player does not hit the game ball to the right in the small jackpot state and cause the game ball to enter the specific ball entry section 145, the jackpot state will not be entered; and if the player does not hit the game ball to the right in the time-saving mode and cause the game ball to enter the second start-up winning device 33c, the time-saving mode will not proceed. Considering these points, there will almost never be a situation in which the time-saving mode proceeds without the first variable display being executed.

[0340] On the other hand, if the result of step S1812 is affirmative, the execution area of ​​the second special variable pending area is referenced in step S1813 to determine whether the 4RC flag is set to on. If the result of step S1813 is negative, that is, if it corresponds to "10RS" or "4RS," the special chart 1 display flag is turned off in step S1814. In other words, regardless of the remaining time or content of the first variable display (whether or not the lottery was successful, etc.), the first variable display is (forced) to end. Note that the content of the forcibly terminated first variable display (the result of the first lottery) is not reflected in the game.

[0341] Furthermore, in step S1815, the value of the special chart 1 display timer is stored in the time storage area at the time of the end of the variation. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the time-saving mode does not reveal whether "4RS" or "4RC" has been selected, providing a dramatic effect and gameplay that suggests the remaining time in the time-saving mode may be longer than the time indicated. In other words, the time-saving mode in this embodiment basically ends (transitions to normal mode) when the first variation display, set as the upper limit, is executed to the end and terminates (completion). Furthermore, the special chart 1 variation time in the time-saving mode is a uniform 180 seconds. Here, if "4RS" is selected in response to the second variation display in the time-saving mode, the currently executing first variation display is forcibly terminated, and a new first variation display is set after the jackpot ends, and the time-saving mode is also reset. As a result, the time-saving mode begins with 180 seconds remaining after the jackpot ends. On the other hand, if you win "4RC" in response to the second variable display in the time-saving mode, the first variable display will only be temporarily suspended, and after the jackpot state ends, the first variable display that was running until the jackpot state was executed will resume. In other words, for example, if the "4RC" jackpot state is executed when there are 60 seconds left in the special chart 1 variable time, and therefore in the time-saving mode, the first variable display for the remaining 60 seconds will resume after the jackpot state ends. In other words, the time-saving mode for the remaining 60 seconds will begin.

[0342] Here, a longer remaining time in the time-saving mode is advantageous to the player, and the player is interested in whether the remaining time in the time-saving mode has been reset based on the occurrence of a jackpot state. In this embodiment, even if "4RS" is won, the decorative symbol display device 42 does not provide any information. Instead, after the jackpot state ends, a presentation pattern is provided in which the remaining time display that informs the player of the remaining time in the time-saving mode does not display the actual reset time, but rather the remaining time that was displayed before the jackpot state was realized, just as if "4RC" had been won (as if "4RC" had been won). The information stored in the variable end time storage area is used when executing this presentation pattern.

[0343] Following step S1815, in step S1816, a process is performed to forcibly stop (forcefully terminate / stop) the first variable display of the first special display device 43a in a manner corresponding to a "miss." In other words, when the second variable display is stopped in a manner that indicates a win, the first variable display that is currently changing is forcibly terminated (erased) regardless of its content (whether the first win / loss lottery was successful or not, etc.), so that after the winning state ends, a new variable display is also started for the first variable display.

[0344] Thereafter, in step S1817, the value of the special chart display timer is set to "0." Furthermore, in order to inform the sub-control device 262 that the first variable display is forcibly terminated (stopped), a special chart 1 forced stop command is set in step S1818, and then this processing is terminated. The special chart 1 forced stop command also includes information on the remaining time (for fake) of the first variable display stored in the time storage area at the time of variation end.

[0345] Also, if the determination in step S1813 is affirmative, that is, if it corresponds to "4RC", in step S1819, the connection display flag indicating that the display mode of the first special display device 43a is to keep the first variable display in a variable mode (keep the switching display) is set to ON. Furthermore, in order to inform the sub-control device 262 side that the first variable display is temporarily stopped (interrupted), in step S1820, a special display 1 interrupt command is set, and then this processing is terminated.

[0346] Also, if the result of step S1801 is negative, in step S1822, the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the special chart 2 jackpot confirmation flag is set on. If the result of step S1822 is positive, in step S1823 the special chart 2 jackpot confirmation flag is turned off, and in step S1824 the special chart 2 jackpot in progress flag, which indicates that the jackpot state is in progress, is turned on. Furthermore, in step S1825, the execution area of ​​the second special variable reserve area is referenced to determine whether the 10RS flag is set.

[0347] If a positive decision is made in step S1825, the round number counter is set to "10" in step S1826. On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S1825, the round number counter is set to "4" in step S1827.

[0348] After steps S1826 and S1827, in step S1828, the winning status storage area is set to "1", which indicates a state of waiting for the first variable winning device 32a to open. Furthermore, in step S1829, the special variable timer is set to a value of "2000", which corresponds to the opening period of the jackpot state (8 seconds in this example). Subsequently, in step S1830, the winning counter is set to "8".

[0349] Thereafter, an opening command is set in step S1831. After step S1831, the processes from step S1812 onward are executed, and then this process ends.

[0350] Furthermore, if a negative judgment is made in step S1822, a value corresponding to the variable interval (determined display period) is set in the second variable interval timer in step S1832. In this embodiment, the variable interval (determined display period) of the second variable display is set to 0.4 seconds in time-saving mode and 0.1 seconds in normal mode. Next, in step S1833, it is determined whether or not "12" is stored in the mode memory area, i.e., whether or not the time-saving mode is in effect. If a negative judgment is made in step S1833, this processing is terminated.

[0351] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1833 is affirmative, then in step S1834, the value of the second variation counter is decremented by 1. In the following step S1835, it is determined whether the value of the second variation counter is "0." If the determination in step S1835 is negative, then this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1835 is affirmative, that is, if the upper limit of variation of the second variation display in the time-saving mode has been reached after the end of the jackpot state, then in step S1836, "11" is set in the mode memory area, indicating normal mode. After step S1836, in step S1837, the time-saving lamp is turned off, and in step S1838, a support end command is set to notify the sub-control device 262 of a transition to normal mode (end of high ball entry mode), and then this process is terminated.

[0352] Next, the variable winning device control process for opening and closing the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b in step S207 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0353] First, in step S1201, it is determined whether the value set in the win status memory area is "0" or not, thereby determining whether the state is other than the win state. If the determination in step S1201 is affirmative, that is, if the state is not a win state, this process is terminated. Incidentally, at the start of the big win state or the small win state, "1" or "4" is set in the win status memory area in the first and second determination information setting processes.

[0354] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1201 is negative, that is, if the game is in a winning state (if any of "1" to "5" is set in the winning status storage area), the process proceeds to step S1202, where the value of the special variable timer is decremented by 1. In the following step S1203, it is determined whether the value of the special variable timer is "0." If the determination in step S1203 is positive, it is determined in step S1204 whether "1" is set in the winning status storage area.

[0355] If the result of step S1204 is affirmative, then in step S1205, the value "2" is set in the winning status storage area. In the following step S1206, the value "7500" corresponding to the time (30 seconds) for which the first variable winning device 32a is to be kept open is set in the special variable timer.

[0356] After step S1206, in step S1207, a first opening process is performed to open the first variable winning device 32a, and in step S1208, a round command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that a round is about to begin. After that, this process is terminated.

[0357] If the result of step S1204 is negative, then in step S1209, it is determined whether or not "4" is set in the win status memory area. In this embodiment, "4" is set in the win status memory area during the opening period of the small win state.

[0358] If the determination in step S1209 is negative, then in step S1210 it is determined whether or not "3" is set in the win status memory area. As will be described in detail later, when all rounds in the jackpot state end and the ending period begins, "3" is set in the win status memory area. If the determination in step S1210 is negative, that is, if it is not yet time to end the jackpot state, then in step S1211 the value of the round number counter is decremented by 1.

[0359] In the next step S1212, it is determined whether or not "5" is set in the winning status memory area. In this embodiment, "5" is set in the winning status memory area during the round period (first round) in the small winning state.

[0360] If the determination in step S1212 is negative, then in step S1213 it is determined whether the value of the round number counter is "0." If the determination in step S1213 is negative, that is, if there are still rounds to be played, then in step S1214 "1" is set in the win status storage area. Thereafter, in step S1215, a value of "250" corresponding to the interval time (1 second) is set in the special variable timer.

[0361] In the following step S1216, the winning counter is set to "8." Furthermore, in step S1217, a first closing process is performed to close the first variable winning device 32a, and in step S1218, an interval command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that an interval has started. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0362] If the result of step S1209 is affirmative, that is, if the opening period of the small win state has ended, then in step S1219, "5" is set in the win status memory area. Then, in step S1220, the value "7500" corresponding to the time of the round period (30 seconds) is set in the special variable timer.

[0363] In the following step S1221, a second opening process is performed to open the second variable winning device 32b. Furthermore, in step S1222, the allocating device 147 of the second variable winning device 32b is opened (the slide piece 148 is set to the open position), and the specific winning section 145 is set to the open state. Furthermore, in step S1223, a small win round command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that a round in the small win state has started. After that, this process ends.

[0364] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in step S1203, that is, if there is still time remaining for the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b to remain in the open or closed state (open time or closed time), the process proceeds to step S1224, where it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered the specific ball entry section 145 provided in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b. Note that, as will be described in detail later, in this process, whether or not a gaming ball has entered the specific ball entry section 145 is determined by determining whether or not a specific winning flag, which is set to ON when detection is made by the specific ball entry detection switch 226a that detects a gaming ball that has entered the specific ball entry section 145, is set to ON.

[0365] If the result of step S1224 is negative, then in step S1225, it is determined whether the value of a winning counter that counts the number of balls that enter the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b is "0." At the start of the big win state and the start of the interval, the winning counter is set to "8," which is the upper limit (prescribed number) of the number of winnings per round. Then, one is subtracted from the winning counter each time a game ball enters the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b.

[0366] If the determination in step S1225 is negative, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1225 is positive, that is, if the trigger for ending the round arrives before the set period for the round has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1211. As a result, if the game balls enter the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b up to the upper limit (8 balls) during one round, the round will end promptly at that point even if the upper limit (30 seconds) of the opening period has not elapsed.

[0367] If the result of the determination in step S1224 is affirmative, that is, if a game ball enters the specific ball entry section 145 in the small win state, which triggers the occurrence of a big win state (transition to or continuation of the big win state), then in step S1226, a specific winning process for generating the big win state is performed, and then this process is terminated. The specific winning process will be described in detail later.

[0368] If the result of step S1213 is affirmative, that is, if all rounds in the jackpot state have been played, the process proceeds to step S1227, where the win status memory area is set to "3." After step S1227, in step S1228, the special variable timer is set to a value of "2500," which corresponds to the ending time (10 seconds).

[0369] After step S1228, in step S1229, the prize counter is set to "7." Note that, when the process of setting the ending from step S1227 onward is performed following a positive determination in step S1225, the prize counter value is set to "0." If the prize counter value is left at "0" at the start of the ending period, the variable prize device control process 4 msec later will suddenly determine "YES" in step S1225, preventing the ending period from being completed. For this reason, a temporary value other than "0" ("7" in this example) is entered into the prize counter in step S1229 to complete the ending period. Of course, the ending period may be completed in another way.

[0370] After step S1229, in step S1230, a first closing process is performed to close the first variable winning device 32a, and in the following step S1231, an ending command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that an ending has started. After that, this process is terminated.

[0371] If the result of step S1210 is affirmative, that is, if the ending period has ended and it is time to end the jackpot state, the process proceeds to step S1232, where an end setting process is performed. In the end setting process, the mode storage area and the variation counter are set.

[0372] Here, the end setting process will be explained with reference to Fig. 28. First, in step S1401, the execution area corresponding to the current winning state of either the first special variable reserve area or the second special variable reserve area is referenced, and it is determined whether or not either the special chart 1 jackpot flag or the special chart 2 jackpot flag is set on. If a positive determination is made in step S1401, in step S1402, the corresponding execution area is referenced, and it is determined whether or not either the 10RS flag or the 4RS flag is set on.

[0373] If the determination in step S1402 is affirmative, in step S1403, a value "12" corresponding to the time-shortening mode is set in the mode storage area. As a result, the time-shortening mode is granted after the jackpot state ends. In the following step S1404, as the upper limit of the time-shortening mode, the first variation count counter is set to "1" and the second variation count counter is set to "100". Furthermore, in step S1405, a process is performed to turn on the time-shortening lamp, and in step S1406, a time-shortening jackpot end command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 to start the time-shortening mode.

[0374] Thereafter, in step S1407, the big win flag is turned off, and in step S1408, "0" is set in the win status storage area, indicating that the state is not a win state, and then this process is terminated.

[0375] On the other hand, if the result of step S1402 is negative, the corresponding execution area is referenced in step S1409 to determine whether the 4RN flag is set to on. If the result of step S1409 is positive, the value "11" corresponding to normal mode is set in the mode memory area in step S1410. This results in normal mode being applied after the jackpot state ends. In the following step S1411, the time-saving lamp is turned off, and further, in step S1412, a normal jackpot end command is set to instruct the sub-control device 262 to start normal mode. Thereafter, the jackpot flag is turned off in step S1407, and "0" is set in the win status memory area in step S1408, after which this process ends.

[0376] If the result of step S1409 is negative, i.e., if the "4RC flag" is set to ON in the corresponding execution area, the process proceeds to step S1413, where the transition display flag for switching the display mode of the first special display device 43a is turned OFF until the end of the jackpot state. Furthermore, in step S1414, it is determined whether the value of the mode storage area is "12," which indicates the time-shortening mode.

[0377] If the result of step S1414 is affirmative, in step S1415, it is confirmed whether the value of the second variation counter is "0." Note that the decrement of the second variation counter accompanying the execution of the second variation display corresponding to the 4RC jackpot is executed at the end of the second variation display. In addition, in this embodiment, even if a 4RC jackpot state occurs, the values ​​of the first variation counter and the second variation counter are reset. However, it is also possible to configure the value of at least the second variation counter to be reset. (Regarding the value of the first variation counter, since the first variation display that was executed when the 4RC jackpot state started continues in the 4RC jackpot state and is resumed when the 4RC jackpot state ends, resetting it is essentially the same, but in this embodiment, it is not reset.)

[0378] If the result of step S1415 is negative, i.e., if the upper limit of the number of executions of the second variable display in the time-saving mode has not yet been reached, a time-saving maintenance jackpot end command is set in step S1416 to the sub-controller 262 to start the time-saving mode in the same way as the time-saving mode before the jackpot state. The remaining time of the interrupted first variable display may be stored not only when the first variable display is forcibly terminated (stopped) but also when it is interrupted, and the stored time-saving time may be compared with the time of the special display 1 timer (if they differ, the value in the memory area is set to the first display timer). Thereafter, the jackpot flag is turned off in step S1407, and "0" is set in the win status memory area in step S1408, after which this process ends.

[0379] Also, if a positive judgment is made in step S1415 (in this example, the upper limit of the number of times the second variable display is executed is set to 100 times, and basically this upper limit will never be reached), in step S1417, "11" is set in the mode memory area, in step S1418, the time-saving lamp is turned off, and in step S1419, a normal jackpot end command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 to start normal mode. Thereafter, in step S1407 above, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off, and in step S1408 above, "0" is set in the win status memory area, and then this process is terminated.

[0380] Also, if a negative determination is made in step S1414, that is, if "4RC" is won in response to the second variable display executed in normal mode (the second variable display that was on hold in the time-saving mode) and the jackpot state of "4RC" has ended, a normal jackpot end command is set in step S1424 to notify the sub-control device 262 to start normal mode. After that, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off in step S1407, and "0" is set in the win status storage area in step S1408, and then this process is terminated.

[0381] In this example, if "4RC" is won, the first variation count counter, the second variation count counter, and the mode storage area are not reset, but if "4RC" is won in the time-saving mode, the first variation count counter is set to "1" to continue the time-saving mode, and if "4RC" is won in the normal mode, the first variation count counter is set to "0" to continue the normal mode. That is, for example, if a positive determination is made in step S1414, instead of the processing of steps S1415 to S1419, the first variation count counter is set to "1" and the second variation count counter is set to "100" (the mode storage area may be set to "12" again). Furthermore, after a negative determination is made in step S1414, before setting the normal jackpot end command in step S1424, the mode memory area may be temporarily set to "12", the first variation counter may be set to "0", the second variation counter may be set to "100", and then it may be determined whether the value of the first variation counter is "0", and if it is "0" (it will be "0" because "0" was set immediately before), "11" may be set in the mode memory area. In this case, even if 4RC is won in normal mode, the mode will essentially transition to normal mode (if the second variation display that was reserved and stored at the time of the time-saving mode termination does not correspond to either 10RS or 4RS, the mode will not return to the time-saving mode).

[0382] If the result of step S1401 is negative, i.e., if a small win has occurred, then in step S1425, the ball entry counter that counts the number of game balls present in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b is checked to determine whether the number of game balls present in the specific area 141 is "0." If the result of step S1425 is positive, then in step S1426, the corresponding execution area is referenced to determine whether the 4RC flag is set to on. If the result of step S1426 is positive, then in step S1427, the connection display flag is turned off.

[0383] After step S1427, or if a negative determination is made in step S1426, in step S1428, it is determined whether the value of the second variation counter is "0." Furthermore, even when the variation display instructing a small win ends, the value of the second variation counter is decremented by "1," and the upper limit of the variation count in the time-saving mode is not reset simply because a small win state has occurred.

[0384] If the result of step S1428 is negative, in step S1429, a small win end command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that the small win state is ending. After that, in step S1430, the small win flag is turned off, and in step S1431, "0" is set in the win status storage area, and then this process ends.

[0385] Also, if the answer is affirmative in step S1428, in step S1432, the value "11" corresponding to normal mode is set in the mode memory area, in step S1433, the time-saving lamp is turned off, and in step S1434, a support end small win end command is set to notify that the upper limit of the time-saving mode has been reached by the variable display that instructed the small win. After that, in the above step S1430, the small win in progress flag is turned off, and in the above step S1431, "0" is set in the win status memory area, and then this process ends.

[0386] If the result of step S1425 is negative, the remaining ball monitoring flag is set to ON in step S1435 to continue monitoring the game balls in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, and then this process is terminated. In other words, if game balls remain in the specific area 141, the small win state is configured not to end even when it is time for the small win state to end.

[0387] Here, the remaining ball monitoring process (step S307) of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 12) will be explained with reference to FIG. 29. First, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b based on detection information from the second count switch 223b installed near the entrance to the specific area 141. If a positive determination is made in step S1301, in step S1302, the value of the ball entry counter that counts the gaming balls present in the specific area 141 is incremented by 1. In the following step S1303, a value corresponding to a predetermined time during which the gaming ball currently detected by the second count switch 223b should have been discharged from the specific area 141 is set for the monitoring timer used in the remaining ball monitoring process. In this embodiment, the system is configured so that the time it takes for a game ball that has entered the specific area 141 to be discharged from the specific area 141 will not exceed two seconds unless there is a malfunction, and in step S1303, the monitoring timer is set to "750," which corresponds to three seconds.

[0388] After step S1303, or if a negative determination is made in step S1301, in step S1304, it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered the specific ball entry section 145 based on the detection information of the specific ball entry detection switch 226a. If a positive determination is made in step S1304, a specific winning flag is set to ON in step S1305. In the following step S1306, the value of the ball entry counter is decremented by 1.

[0389] After step S1306, or if a negative determination is made in step S1304, in step S1307, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the non-specific ball entry section 146 based on the detection information of the non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b. If a positive determination is made in step S1307, the value of the ball entry counter is decremented by 1 in step S1308.

[0390] After step S1308, or if a negative determination is made in step S1307, a determination is made in step S1309 as to whether the value of the goal counter is "0." If a negative determination is made in step S1309, a determination is made in step S1310 as to whether the value of the monitoring timer is "0." If a negative determination is made in step S1310, the value of the monitoring timer is decremented by 1 in step S1311, and then the process ends.

[0391] On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in step S1310, that is, if it is judged that game balls still remain even when all game balls should have been discharged from the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, error processing (for example, lighting the error indicator lamp 104, displaying an error on the data lamp, notifying the hall computer, etc.) is performed in step S1312, and then this processing is terminated.

[0392] If the answer is YES in step S1309, the process goes to step S1313, where it is determined whether or not the remaining ball monitoring flag, which may be set when the small win state is ended (when the win state ends while the small win state is still in the small win state, or when the state transitions to the big win state), is turned on. If the answer is NO in step S1313, the process ends.

[0393] On the other hand, if the result of step S1313 is affirmative, the remaining ball monitoring flag is turned off in step S1314. In the following step S1315, it is determined whether the special chart 1 jackpot flag or the special chart 2 jackpot flag is set to on. If the result of step S1315 is affirmative, that is, if a game ball enters the specific ball entry section 145 in a small win state and a jackpot state occurs, in step S1316, "1" is stored in the win status storage area, and in step S1317, a value "250" corresponding to the interval time (1 second) is set in the special variable timer.

[0394] Then, in step S1318, the prize counter is set to "8." Furthermore, in step S1319, an interval command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that an interval has started. Then, this process ends.

[0395] Also, if the result of step S1315 is negative, the process to end the small win state has not yet been performed, so the small win flag is turned off in step S1320, and "0" is stored in the win status memory area in step S1321.

[0396] Then, in step S1322, the execution area corresponding to the current winning state is referenced to determine whether the 4RC flag is set to ON. If the determination in step S1322 is affirmative, the connection display flag is turned OFF in step S1323. After step S1323, or if the determination in step S1322 is negative, in step S1324, it is determined whether the value of the second variation number counter is "0". If the determination in step S1324 is negative, a small win end command is set in step S1325, and then this processing ends.

[0397] On the other hand, if the result of step S1324 is affirmative, the value "11" corresponding to normal mode is set in the mode memory area in step S1326, and the support end small win end command is set in step S1327, after which the processing is terminated.

[0398] Returning to the explanation of the variable winning device control process in FIG. 26, if the result of step S1212 is affirmative, i.e., if the round (first round) in the small win state has ended, a second closing process is performed in step S1233 to close the second variable winning device 32b. Subsequently, in step S1234, it is determined whether the big win flag is set to on. If the result of step S1234 is negative, i.e., if the game ball could not be made to enter the specific ball entry section 145 of the second variable winning device 32b during the small win state, the allocating device 147 of the second variable winning device 32b is closed in step S1241 (the slide piece 148 is set to the closed position, and the specific ball entry section 145 is set to the closed state). Thereafter, the end setting process of step S1232 is performed to end the winning state, and then this process is terminated.

[0399] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1234 is affirmative, i.e., if the game is to transition to (continue in) a jackpot state, then in step S1235, it is determined whether the value of the ball entry counter, which indicates the number of game balls present in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, is "0." If the determination in step S1235 is affirmative, then in step S1236, "1" is stored in the winning status storage area, and in step S1237, a value of "250," which corresponds to the interval time (1 second), is set in the special variable timer. Furthermore, in step S1238, "8" is set in the winning counter, and in step S1319, an interval command is set to inform the sub-control device 262 that an interval has started. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0400] On the other hand, if the result of step S1235 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the small win state has ended but game balls remain in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, the remaining ball monitoring flag is set to on in step S1240, and then this processing is terminated.

[0401] Next, with reference to Figure 27, we will explain the specific winning processing that is performed when it is determined in the variable winning device control processing (step S1224 in Figure 26) that the specific winning flag, which indicates that a ball has entered the specific winning section 145, is set on.

[0402] First, in step S1901, the specific winning flag is turned off. In the following step S1902, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is set to on (in this example, if two game balls enter the specific ball entry section 145 consecutively during a small win, the special chart 2 jackpot flag may be set to on). If the determination in step S1902 is affirmative, this process is terminated.

[0403] On the other hand, if the result of step S1902 is negative, in step S1903, the allocating device 147 is closed (the slide piece 148 is placed in the closed position, and the specific ball entry section 145 is placed in the closed state). Furthermore, in step S1904, the small win flag is turned off, and in step S1905, the special chart 2 big win flag is turned on.

[0404] Then, in step S1906, a specific winning command is set to the sub-control device 262 to inform it that a big win state has occurred when a gaming ball has entered the specific ball entry section 145, and then this processing is terminated.

[0405] In addition, when a transition to a jackpot state (a special jackpot) is made based on a ball entering the specific ball entry section 145, the decorative pattern display device 42 displays a display instructing the transition to the jackpot state in preference to other displays. In addition, in this embodiment, when the second variable winning device 32b is opened in the small winning state, the specific ball entry section 145 is also opened at the same time, and if there is no ball entering the specific ball entry section 145, the second variable winning device 32b remains open during the period in which it is opened, and if even one game ball can be made to enter the second variable winning device 32b that is opened in the small winning state, the game ball can be made to enter the specific ball entry section 145, thereby generating a jackpot state. However, the specific ball entry section 145 may be configured to open and close even during the period when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state (the opening periods do not necessarily have to coincide), or a distribution mechanism may be provided separate from the distribution device 147 to distribute game balls that have entered the second variable winning device 32b to the specific ball entry section 145 and the non-specific ball entry section 146, so that even if a game ball enters the second variable winning device 32b that is in the open state during a small win state, a big win state may not occur.

[0406] Next, the normal display control processing of step S208 of the normal processing (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to FIG. 30. First, in step S2101, it is determined whether the value of the normal pattern interval timer for measuring the remaining time of the interval (normal pattern interval) set after the variable display of the normal pattern display device 41 is "0". If the negative determination is made in step S2101, that is, if it is a normal pattern interval, in step S2116, the value of the normal pattern interval timer is subtracted, and then this processing is terminated. In other words, for example, if the normal pattern interval is 1 second (1000 msec) and the normal pattern interval timer is set to "249" ("250" if step S2116 is configured to be performed before step S2101), in this processing, the value of the normal pattern interval timer is subtracted by "1" every 4 msec, and becomes "0" after 1 second.

[0407] On the other hand, if the result of step S2101 is affirmative, that is, if it is not a normal interval period, then in step S2102, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing control in progress flag, which indicates that the opening / closing control of the second start winning device 33c is in progress, is set to on. If the result of step S2102 is affirmative, this process is terminated.

[0408] On the other hand, if the result of step S2102 is negative, then in step S2103, it is determined whether a normal pattern display flag indicating whether a variable display is being performed on the normal pattern display device 41 is on. If the normal pattern display flag is on, it is considered that a variable display is being performed on the normal pattern display device 41.

[0409] If a negative determination is made in step S2103, the process proceeds to step S2104, where it is determined whether the value of the normal hold counter Nc is greater than 0. If a negative determination is made in step S2104, that is, if no variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 is held, the process ends as is. For example, if a negative determination is made in step S2104, the normal symbol display device 41 may perform a standby display setting to derive a display mode corresponding to a variable standby state in which no variable display is being performed. In other words, after the variable display stops, the normal symbol display device 41 maintains its stopped mode (in a mode indicating the result of the ball entry support lottery) during the normal symbol interval period, but when the normal symbol interval period ends, it may be configured to switch to a display mode indicating a variable standby state.

[0410] On the other hand, if the answer in step S2104 is affirmative, in step S2105, 1 is subtracted from the normal hold counter Nc. In the following step S2106, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the normal variable hold area. This data shift process is a process of shifting the data stored in the first to fourth hold areas of the normal variable hold area to the execution area side in order, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: hold 1 area → execution area, hold 2 area → hold 1 area, hold 3 area → hold 2 area, hold 4 area → hold 3 area.

[0411] Then, in step S2107, a normal pattern variation setting process is executed to set and start the variable display of the normal pattern display device 41.

[0412] Here, the normal symbol variation setting process will be explained with reference to Fig. 31. First, in step S2301, a normal symbol display flag is set to ON, which indicates that the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable manner in the normal symbol display device 41. In the following step S2302, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode storage area, that is, whether the high ball entry state (time-saving mode) is in effect.

[0413] If a positive determination is made in step S2302, then in step S2306 it is determined whether the value in the winning status memory area is "0". If a positive determination is made in step S2306, that is, if the game is not in a winning state, then the program proceeds to step S2303. In step S2303, the normal symbol display timer, which measures the variable time (remaining time) of the variable display performed by the normal symbol display device 41, is set to "100" so that the variable display time of the normal symbol is 0.4 seconds.

[0414] Thereafter, in step S2304, it is determined whether the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 in the execution area of ​​the normal variable reserve area is "0" or not.

[0415] If the answer in step S2304 is affirmative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the answer in step S2304 is negative, that is, if the player wins the ball-scoring support lottery to determine whether the second start-up winning device 33c is opened, the process goes to step S2305, where a ball-scoring support flag indicating that the player has won the ball-scoring support lottery is set to ON. After step S2305, the process ends.

[0416] Also, if the negative determination is made in step S2302, that is, if the ball is in a low ball state, or if the negative determination is made in step S2306, that is, if the winning state is in progress, the process proceeds to step S2307. In step S2307, the normal symbol display timer is set to "15000" to set the variable display time of the normal symbol to 60 seconds.

[0417] Furthermore, in step S2308, it is determined whether the normal symbol random number counter C4 in the execution area of ​​the normal variable reserve area is "0", and if the determination is negative, this process is terminated as is, and if the determination is positive, in the above step S2309, the ball entry support flag is set to ON, and then this process is terminated. In other words, in this embodiment, the variable display time of the normal symbol during the winning state is set relatively long, similar to the time-saving mode, and it is difficult to win the ball entry support lottery during the winning state. In addition, the time for which the normal symbols change display and the probability of winning in the ball entry support lottery can be set appropriately for each model of pachinko machine.

[0418] Returning to the explanation of Figure 30, after step S2107, in step S2108, a subtraction display process is performed on the normal hold display device 44 (normal hold lamp) corresponding to the reduction of the number of holds in the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 by one. In other words, if both of the pair of left and right normal hold lamps are flashing, the left normal hold lamp is kept flashing while the right normal hold lamp is lit, if the left normal hold lamp is flashing and the right normal hold lamp is lit, both left and right normal hold lamps are lit, if both left and right normal hold lamps are lit, the left normal hold lamp is kept lit while the right normal hold lamp is turned off, and if the left normal hold lamp is lit and the right normal hold lamp is turned off, processing is performed to turn off both left and right normal hold lamps. After step S2108, this process ends.

[0419] Also, if the result of step S2103 is affirmative, that is, if the normal symbol display device 41 is displaying a variable, the process proceeds to step S2109, where the normal symbol display timer is decremented. Each time this process is performed, the count value of the normal symbol display timer is decremented by one.

[0420] Next, the process proceeds to step S2110, where it is determined whether the count value of the normal map display timer is "0", i.e., whether the variable time has elapsed. If the determination in step S2110 is affirmative, the normal map display flag is turned off in step S2111, and in step S2112, a normal map stop display setting is made to display a stop on the normal pattern display device 41. In other words, if the winning ball support lottery is won (if the winning ball support flag is set on), both of the pair of normal map lamps on the left and right of the normal pattern display device 41 are lit, and if the winning ball is lost, only the left normal map lamp is lit.

[0421] Next, the process proceeds to step S2113, where a process for setting general map discrimination information is performed. The process for setting general map discrimination information will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0422] First, in step S2401, it is determined whether or not the winning support flag is set to ON. If the result of step S2401 is NO, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S2401 is YES, in step S2402, the normal variable flag is set to ON to determine whether or not the second start winning device 33c is in the open state.

[0423] In the following step S2403, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode memory area, i.e., whether the ball is in a high winning state. If the determination in step S2403 is affirmative, it is determined in step S2404 whether the value in the winning status memory area is "0". If the determination in step S2404 is negative, i.e., if the state is not a winning state, in step S2405, the normal variable timer for measuring the opening time (remaining time) of the second starting winning device 33c is set to "450" ​​so that the opening time of the second starting winning device 33c is 1.8 seconds.

[0424] Furthermore, in step S2406, the opening number counter, which counts the number of times (remaining number of times) the second start winning device 33c is to be opened, is set to "2" so that the second start winning device 33c is opened twice. After step S2406, in step S2409, the ball entry support flag is turned off, and in step S2410, the opening / closing control in progress flag is turned on. Furthermore, in step S2411, the second start winning device 33c is set to the open state, and then this process is terminated.

[0425] Furthermore, if a negative judgment is made in step S2403 (if the ball is in a low ball entry state) or a positive judgment is made in step S2404 (if the ball is in a winning state), in step S2407, the normal variable timer is set to "50" so that the opening time of the second start winning device 33c is 0.2 seconds. In the following step S2408, the opening number counter is set to "2" so that the second start winning device 33c is opened twice. After step S2408, in step S2409, the ball entry support flag is turned off, in step S2410, the opening / closing control in progress flag is turned on, and in step S2411, the second start winning device 33c is set to the open state, and then this process ends.

[0426] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 30, after step S2113, in step S2114, a value equivalent to the normal interval period (for example, 1 second) is set in the normal interval timer, and then this processing ends.

[0427] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S2110, a switching display setting is made in step S2115 to continue the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 (a switching display in which a pair of normal symbol lamps on the left and right are alternately lit). Based on the settings of the switching display setting, a control signal to perform a switching display is output to the normal symbol display device 41 in the external output processing in the next normal processing. This realizes the switching display (variable display) of the normal symbol display device 41 at the timing of the normal display control processing, that is, every 4 ms. After step S2115, this processing ends.

[0428] In this embodiment, the normal pattern change display (normal pattern change display) is performed even during the winning state, and the normal pattern change display during the winning state has the same length as the change time in the time-saving mode, and the probability of winning the ball entry support lottery during the winning state is also the same as the probability of winning in the time-saving mode, but the opening mode of the second start-up winning device 33c when the ball entry support lottery is won during the winning state is the same as when the ball entry support lottery is won during the normal mode (although the change display of the normal pattern display device 41 is consumed quickly, it is relatively difficult to get the game ball to enter the second start-up winning device 33c).

[0429] Next, the start winning device control process in step S209 of the normal process (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0430] First, in step S2201, it is determined whether the opening / closing control in progress flag is on. If the determination in step S2201 is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2201 is positive, the value of the normal variable timer is decremented by 1 in step S2202.

[0431] In the next step S2203, it is determined whether the value of the normal variable timer is "0." If the determination in step S2203 is negative, that is, if it is the period during which the second start winning device 33c is maintained in the open / closed state, this process is terminated.

[0432] On the other hand, if the result of step S2203 is affirmative, then in step S2204 it is determined whether the normal variable flag is on. If the result of step S2204 is affirmative, that is, if the second start winning device 33c is currently in the open state and the time has come to change it to the closed state, then in step S2205 the normal variable flag is turned off. In the following step S2206, the value of the opening count counter is decremented by 1, and in step S2207 the second start winning device 33c is set to the closed state.

[0433] Thereafter, in step S2208, it is determined whether the value of the opening number counter is 0. If the determination in step S2208 is affirmative, the opening / closing control in progress flag is turned off in step S2209, and the process proceeds to step S2216, which will be described later.

[0434] On the other hand, if the result of step S2208 is negative, i.e., if there are remaining times among the multiple times the second start winning device 33c has been opened, then in step S2210 a value equivalent to the interval time (for example, "250") is set for the normal variable timer, and then the process proceeds to step S2216, which will be described later.

[0435] Furthermore, if the result of step S2204 is negative, i.e., if the second start winning device 33c is in an interval period between multiple openings (the second start winning device 33c is in a closed state) and the timing to end the interval period has arrived, the normal variable flag is set to ON in step S2211. Furthermore, in step S2212, it is determined whether or not "12" is stored in the mode memory area. If the result of step S2212 is positive, in step S2213, the normal variable timer is set to a value of "450," which corresponds to an opening time of 1.8 seconds. On the other hand, if the result of step S2212 is negative, in step S2214, the normal variable timer is set to a value of "50," which corresponds to an opening time of 0.2 seconds.

[0436] After steps S2213 and S2214, in step S2215, the second start winning device 33c is set to the open state. After step S2215, the process proceeds to step S2216. Note that when the second start winning device 33c is set to the open state, if a specified number of game balls (for example, four) enter the second start winning device 33c, the second start winning device 33c may be configured to immediately close.

[0437] After steps S2209, S2210, and S2215, in step S2216, the value of the first auxiliary opening timer used to control the opening and closing of the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is subtracted by 1. In the following step S2217, it is determined whether the value of the first auxiliary opening timer is "0." If the determination in step S2217 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0438] On the other hand, if the answer is YES in step S2217, it is determined in step S2218 whether a first auxiliary opening flag indicating that the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is in the open or closed state is set to ON. If the answer is NO in step S2218, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is set to the open state in step S2219, the first auxiliary opening flag is set to ON in step S2220, and a value corresponding to the period (for example, 1 second) during which the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is in the open state is set to the first auxiliary opening timer in step S2221, and then this process ends.

[0439] Also, if a positive judgment is made in step S2218, in step S2222, the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is set to a closed state, in step S2223 the first auxiliary opening flag is turned off, and in step S2224 a value corresponding to the period during which the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is in a closed state (for example, 7 seconds) is set to the first auxiliary opening timer, and then this processing is terminated.

[0440] The cycle of opening and closing the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is not particularly limited, and may be predetermined. For example, to make it difficult to grasp the timing of opening the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b, the length of the period during which the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is in the closed state may be changed in sequence, or the length of the period during which the first auxiliary start-up winning device 33b is in the open state may be changed in sequence (for example, the closed period may be changed in the order of 7 seconds → 10 seconds → 8 seconds → 11 seconds → 7 seconds, and the open period may be changed in the order of 0.5 seconds → 1 second → 0.8 seconds → 0.5 seconds, etc.).

[0441] Next, we will explain the dispensing control executed by CPU 511 in dispensing control device 311. For convenience of explanation, first, the reception interrupt process will be explained with reference to Figure 34, and then the main process will be explained with reference to Figure 35.

[0442] 34 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt processing executed by the dispensing control device 311. The reception interrupt processing is a processing executed by interrupting when the dispensing control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the dispensing control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, other processing executed by the CPU 511 in the dispensing control device 311 is temporarily put on hold, and the reception interrupt processing is executed.

[0443] When the reception interrupt process is executed, first in step S3001, the command transmitted from the main control unit 261 is stored in the command buffer of RAM 513, and in step S3002, the command reception flag is turned on to record that a command has been transmitted from the main control unit 261, and then the reception interrupt process is terminated. As described above, when a command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referenced and the command is stored in a predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is updated so that the next received command can be stored in the next storage area.

[0444] In this embodiment, the reception process of a command transmitted from main control device 261 is performed by an interrupt process that is executed when the command is received, but, for example, in the timer interrupt process shown in Fig. 36, before the command determination process (step S3201) is performed, it may be confirmed whether or not a command has been received, and if a command has been received, the command may be stored in a command buffer in RAM 513 and the command reception flag may be turned on, and if a command has not been received, the process may proceed to command determination process. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received by checking the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port at predetermined intervals.

[0445] Next, the main processing of the dispensing control device 311 will be described with reference to Figure 35. Figure 35 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device 311, and this main processing is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

[0446] First, in step S3101, initial setting processing is performed when power is turned on. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer and an interrupt mode is set. Then, in step S3103, RAM access is permitted and an external interrupt vector is set in step S3104.

[0447] Thereafter, in step S3106, it is determined whether or not power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a of RAM 513. If power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S3107, and in the following step S3108, it is determined whether or not ...

Claims

[Claim 1] A means for generating a specific state that determines to transition to a specific state based on the fulfillment of the first condition, A first display means that performs a first display corresponding to the determination result of the specified state generation means, A special game generation means that performs a lottery to determine whether or not to generate a special game state based on the fulfillment of the second condition, The system includes a second display means for performing a second display corresponding to the result of the aforementioned draw, The system is configured to allow the first display by the first display means and the second display by the second display means to be executed in parallel. The aforementioned specific state is in a gaming machine configured to execute the second display multiple times during the period in which the first display is executed. The gaming machine is, A first means that, when the second display corresponding to the result of the winning or losing lottery ends while the first display is being executed, terminates the first display based on the termination of the second display, and after the termination of the special game state corresponding to the second display, enables the start of a first display different from the first display that was being executed until the special game state was executed, The system includes a second means which, when the second display corresponding to the result of winning the lottery ends while the first display is being executed, terminates the first display based on the termination of the second display, and after the termination of the special game state corresponding to the second display, enables the execution of the first display that was being executed until the special game state was executed, A gaming machine characterized in that, when the execution period for the first display has elapsed and the first display has ended in the specified state, it transitions to a normal state in which it is difficult or impossible for the second condition to be met, or may transition to such a state.

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