Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can enhance the attention degree on a game.SOLUTION: A game area PE is provided with a second open / close plate as a passage forming body. The second open / close plate can be pivoted to a first position or a second position. The first position is a position where the second open / close plate functions as a passage part of a game ball. In that position, a predetermined surface of the second open / close plate is directed upward to constitute a floor part of the passage part. The second position is a position where a game ball on the floor part can fall downward. In the predetermined surface of the second open / close plate, there is provided a first open / close plate which stands upward when the second open / close plate is in the first position, and extends in a passage direction of the second open / close plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It is known that gaming machines such as pachinko machines provide special benefits, such as the payout of gaming balls, based on the entry of gaming balls into a ball entry means or ball entry section provided in the gaming area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-074175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, there is a need for innovations in gaming machines that can increase the attention paid to the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase attention to the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a launching means capable of launching a game ball into a game area based on a predetermined launching operation; A passage forming body provided in the game area and capable of forming a passage portion for game balls; Equipped with The passage forming body is rotatable between a first position where a predetermined surface of the passage forming body faces upward and the predetermined surface forms a floor of the passage section, and a second position where game balls on the floor can be dropped downward, The specified surface of the passage forming body is provided with an upright portion that stands upward when the passage forming body is in the first position and extends in the passage direction of the passage forming body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the level of attention to the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 5] 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the variable winning device and its surrounding configuration. [Figure 6] 1A is a front view of the variable winning device and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device. [Figure 7] An oblique view of the variable winning device and its surrounding structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the display content on the display screen of the pattern display device. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the display content on the display screen of the pattern display device. FIG. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the MPU of the main control device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing normal processing executed by the MPU of the main control device. [Figure 14]10 is a flowchart showing a game play control process. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a game state transition process. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of opening and closing the large prize opening. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a game in a normal game state. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a game in the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 19] A front view showing the variable winning device and its surrounding configuration in variant 1 of the first embodiment. [Figure 20] An oblique view of the shutter in the variable winning device. [Figure 21] 10(a) is a front view of the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration in the second embodiment, and (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device. [Figure 22] (a) is an oblique view of the variable prize-winning device and its surrounding structure, and (b) is a plan view showing the rear part of the opening and closing door. [Figure 23] 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a game in a normal game state, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a game in an open / close execution mode. [Figure 24] 10A is a front view of the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration in the third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view thereof. [Figure 25] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device, and (b) is a plan view of the opening and closing member and its surrounding structure. [Figure 26] An oblique view of the variable winning device and its surrounding structure. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a distribution table. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart showing a fluctuation start process. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of opening and closing the large prize opening. [Figure 31]10 is a flowchart showing a notification performance control process. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the announcement effect. [Figure 33] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game in the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 34] A cross-sectional view of a variable winning device in an open state in variant example 1 of the third embodiment. [Figure 35] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device in the closed state in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 36] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device in the open state A, and (b) is a plan view thereof. [Figure 37] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device in open state B. [Figure 38] 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the allocation table, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence between the type of big win and the open state of the variable winning device. [Figure 39] (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening and closing pattern of the variable winning device during one round of play in variant example 1 of the fourth embodiment, and (b) and (c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining other examples thereof. [Figure 40] An explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between each round and the opening and closing pattern of the variable winning device in variant example 2 of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 41] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an opening / closing member in a third modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 42] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation mode of the opening and closing member. [Figure 43] (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of jackpot and the opening state of each round in variant example 4 of the fourth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of jackpot and the number of times it switches to opening state A in the opening / closing execution mode. [Figure 44] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the fourth modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 45]10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of jackpot and the opening state of the 15th round in variant example 5 of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example thereof. [Figure 46] FIG. 10(a) is a front view of the variable winning unit and its peripheral configuration in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning unit. [Figure 47] A cross-sectional view of a variable winning unit. [Figure 48] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an opening / closing member according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. [Figure 50] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the opening / closing member in an opening / closing execution mode. [Figure 51] 10(a) is a front view of the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration in variant 1 of the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the opening and closing member. [Figure 52] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device corresponding to the cross section of line AA in Figure 51(a). [Figure 53] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device corresponding to the cross section of line AA in Figure 51(a). [Figure 54] FIG. 13(a) is a front view of the winning unit and its peripheral configuration in the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a distribution table. [Figure 56] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a gaming machine. [Figure 57] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another example of a flow path forming portion. [Figure 58] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another example of a flow path forming portion. [Figure 59] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a gaming machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main components of the pachinko machine 10 in an expanded form. Note that Fig. 2 omits the components within the gaming area of ​​the pachinko machine 10 for convenience.

[0010] The pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be able to rotate forward. The gaming machine main body 12 has an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 that is arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 that is arranged behind the inner frame 13.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 11 with one of the left and right sides serving as the support side. A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with one of the left and right sides serving as the support side. A back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated backward with one of the left and right sides serving as the support side.

[0012] The gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotating tip, which has the function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 so that it cannot be opened relative to the outer frame 11, and also has the function of locking the front door frame 14 so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states can be released by using an unlocking key to unlock a cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] The front door frame 14, which is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13, is formed with a window section 61 that allows almost the entire area of ​​the game area (described later) to be viewed from the front. The window section 61 is substantially oval in shape and has a window panel 62 fitted into it. The window panel 62 is made of colorless and transparent glass, but is not limited to this and may also be made of colorless and transparent synthetic resin.

[0014] Light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window 61. As part of the various lamps, a display light-emitting unit 63 is provided above the window 61. In addition, speaker units 64 are provided on both the left and right sides of the display light-emitting unit 63 to output sound effects according to the game status.

[0015] Below the window 61 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulge 65 and a lower bulge 66 are arranged side by side, bulging out toward the front. An upper tray 71 that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge 65, and a lower tray 72 that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulge 66. The upper tray 71 has the function of temporarily storing game balls dispensed by the dispensing device 96 provided in the back pack unit 15 and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism 53 while aligning them in a row. The lower tray 72 also has the function of storing surplus game balls in the upper tray 71.

[0016] A launch handle 60 is provided to the right of the lower tray 72 in the front door frame 14. By operating the launch handle 60, game balls are launched toward the game area PE from a game ball launch mechanism 53 provided below the game area PE in the inner frame 13. In this case, by changing the amount of rotation of the launch handle 60, the launch strength of the game balls launched toward the game area PE, i.e., the momentum of the launch, is changed.

[0017] The play area PE is formed on a game board 24 mounted on the inner frame 13. The configuration of the game board 24 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a front view of the game board 24.

[0018] The game board 24 is plate-shaped, and an inner rail portion 51 and an outer rail portion 52 are attached to its surface (front surface). A game area PE is formed so as to be partitioned by these inner rail portion 51 and outer rail portion 52. Furthermore, these inner rail portion 51 and outer rail portion 52 form a guide rail 54 for game balls to the game area PE, and game balls launched from the game ball launching mechanism 53 by the player rotating the launch handle 60 are guided to the upper part of the game area PE by the guide rail 54.

[0019] The guide rail 54 is formed so that its exit portion faces the upper center of the play area PE on one side of the play area PE. Therefore, as the player rotates the launch handle 60 more, the arrival position of the game ball in the upper part of the play area PE shifts from the side where the exit portion of the guide rail 54 is formed to the opposite side. The exit portion of the guide rail 54 is provided on the left side of the play area PE.

[0020] In the area defined as the play area PE on the game board 24, multiple large and small openings that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction are formed by router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 31 (see FIG. 5), an upper operating opening (first starting ball entry section) 33, a lower operating opening (second starting ball entry section) 34, a variable winning device 201, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a main display section 43, and a display section for a bonus item 44, etc.

[0021] When a ball enters the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, the through gate 35, and the variable winning device 201, it is detected by the corresponding detection sensors (general winning opening entry sensor 31e, upper operating opening entry sensor 33b, lower operating opening entry sensor 34c, through gate entry sensor 35a, and large winning opening entry sensor 202a). When balls enter the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, and the variable winning device 201, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this case, when a ball enters the upper operating opening 33, three prize balls are paid out; when a ball enters the lower operating opening 34, two prize balls are paid out; when a ball enters the general winning opening 31, ten prize balls are paid out; and when a ball enters the variable winning device 201, fifteen prize balls are paid out.

[0022] The number of prize balls is arbitrary, and for example, the number of prize balls associated with the lower operating port 34 may be greater than the number of prize balls associated with the upper operating port 33, or the number of prize balls associated with both operating ports 33, 34 may be the same. Also, the number of prize balls associated with the variable winning device 201 may be less than the number of prize balls associated with the operating ports 33, 34, or the same as the number of prize balls associated with both operating ports 33, 34. However, in order to maintain the advantage of winning with the variable winning device 201, it is preferable that the number of prize balls associated with the variable winning device 201 be greater than the number of prize balls associated with the operating ports 33, 34. Additionally, the number of prize balls associated with the general winning port 31 may be the same as or greater than the number of prize balls associated with the variable winning device 201. As will be described later, the general prize opening 31 is a ball entry section that is not related to the game that draws the jackpot lottery, which is the core of the game, or the game during the jackpot, and it can be said that the prize balls that are awarded based on balls that enter the general prize opening 31 play a supplementary role in carrying out this core game. In this regard, the more prize balls there are in the general prize opening 31 (or the more likely it is that balls will enter the general prize opening 31), the less balls will be lost when playing games such as the jackpot lottery, or the more prize balls can be obtained overall.

[0023] In addition, the game board 24 is provided with an outlet, and game balls that do not enter the various winning holes etc. are discharged from the game area PE through the outlet. Also, the game board 24 is provided with a large number of game nails 38 for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various components (apparatuses) such as windmills are also provided.

[0024] Here, "entering a ball" refers to a game ball passing through a predetermined opening, and includes not only a situation in which the game ball passes through an opening and is discharged from the game area PE, but also a situation in which the game ball continues to flow down the game area PE without being discharged from the game area PE after passing through an opening. However, in the following explanation, to clearly distinguish from a game ball entering an outlet, the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, the through gate 35, or the variable winning device 201 will also be referred to as "winning." Of the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, the through gate 35, and the variable winning device 201, the through gate 35 is configured to return a winning game ball to the game area PE, while the other winning sections 31, 33, 34, and 201 are configured to guide a winning game ball to the back side of the game board 24 and not return it to the game area PE (preventing it from re-entering another winning section or outlet).

[0025] The variable display unit 36 ​​is provided so as to include the center of the game area PE. The peripheral portion of the variable display unit 36 ​​protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 beyond the surface of the game board 24, thereby dividing the area into multiple areas into which game balls can flow.

[0026] Specifically, the game area PE is divided into an upper area PE1, which is an area above a predetermined height position of the variable display unit 36; a left area PE2, which is an area contiguous below the upper area PE1 and to the left of the variable display unit 36; a right area PE3, which is an area contiguous below the upper area PE1 and to the right of the variable display unit 36; and a lower area PE4, which is an area contiguous below each of the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 and below the variable display unit 36.

[0027] Which of these areas PE1 to PE4 the game ball flows through is determined by the rotation amount of the launch handle 60, i.e., the launching force of the game ball. Specifically, when the player rotates the launch handle 60 as the first launching operation by a rotation amount within a first range that is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotation amount but less than a reference rotation amount, the launched game ball is more likely to be launched to the left of the horizontal center position in the upper area PE1. In this case, the game ball flows through the game area PE in the order of upper area PE1 → left area PE2 → lower area PE4.

[0028] On the other hand, when the player rotates the launch handle 60 as a second launch operation by a rotation amount within a second range that is equal to or greater than the reference rotation amount, the launched game ball is more likely to be launched to the right of the horizontal center position in the upper region PE1. In this case, the game ball flows down in the order of upper region PE1 → right region PE3 → lower region PE4. In other words, by adjusting the rotation amount of the launch handle 60, the player can select whether the game ball will be played on the left route flowing down the left region PE2 or on the right route flowing down the right region PE3.

[0029] The reference rotation amount is a rotation operation amount at which the rate at which the game ball flows down the left area PE2 and the rate at which the game ball flows down the right area PE3 are the same or approximately the same, and the predetermined rotation amount is a rotation operation amount at which the launched game ball can pass through the guide rail 54 and enter the game area PE. With a rotation operation amount in the first range, the rate at which the game ball flows down the left area PE2 becomes high, and with a rotation operation amount in the second range, the rate at which the game ball flows down the right area PE3 becomes high.

[0030] The upper actuation port 33 and the lower actuation port 34 are unitized as an actuation port device and installed on the gaming board 24. Both the upper actuation port 33 and the lower actuation port 34 open upward. Furthermore, the upper actuation port 33 is positioned upward, and the two actuation ports 33, 34 are aligned vertically, specifically in the vertical direction. The game balls can reach the upper actuation port 33 and the lower actuation port 34 regardless of whether the player is performing the first or second launching operation. The lower actuation port 34 is provided with an electric device 34a serving as a guide piece (support piece) consisting of a pair of left and right movable pieces.

[0031] The electric device 34a is configured to be switchable between an open state (support state or guide state) that allows the ball to enter the lower operating port 34, and a closed state (non-support state or non-guide state) that makes it more difficult or impossible to enter the ball into the lower operating port 34 than in the open state. Here, we will provide additional information about the electric device 34a.

[0032] The actuation port case 33a that constitutes the upper actuation port 33 juts out toward the front and is generally trapezoidal when viewed from the front, with the upper edge length being smaller than the lower edge length. The upper edge length of the actuation port case 33a (i.e., the left-to-right width of the upper actuation port 33) is slightly longer than the diameter of a gaming ball, and the lower edge length is longer than the distance between the left and right electric devices 34a when the electric devices 34a are in a closed state. The installation distance between the actuation ports 33, 34a is adjusted so that the distance between the actuation port case 33a and the upper end of the electric devices 34a is slightly shorter than the diameter of a gaming ball when the electric devices 34a are in a closed state.

[0033] According to the above configuration, when the electric device 34a is closed, the game ball cannot enter the lower actuation opening 34, but it can enter the lower actuation opening 34 when the electric device 34a is opened. In particular, during the transition of the electric device 34a from the closed state to the open state, the approximately trapezoidal actuation opening case 33a of the upper actuation opening 33, as described above, acts as an obstacle. Therefore, the game ball cannot enter the lower actuation opening 34 until the electric device 34a is fully opened. The game ball can only enter the lower actuation opening 34 when the electric device 34a is almost fully open. In other words, a game ball falling from above hits the side of the actuation opening case 33a and bounces outward, preventing it from directly entering the lower actuation opening 34. This makes it extremely difficult for the electric device 34a to enter the lower actuation opening 34 when it is opened in a very short time, and it becomes easy to enter the lower actuation opening 34 only when the electric device 34a remains open.

[0034] In addition to the configuration in which the operating port case 33a of the upper operating port 33 is approximately trapezoidal as described above, the operating port case 33a of the upper operating port 33 may be configured in two stages with a narrow upper section and a wide lower section, or a blocking nail may be planted diagonally below the operating port case 33a.

[0035] The variable winning device 201 is installed in the lower area PE4 of the game board 24, more specifically, in the center in the left-right direction at the bottom of the game area PE. The variable winning device 201 has a large winning opening 202 (see FIG. 7(b)) that leads to the back side of the game board 24, and also has an opening / closing door 203 that opens and closes the large winning opening 202. The opening / closing door 203 is normally in a closed state in which game balls cannot or do not easily win a prize, but when an internal lottery is won to transition to an opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution state), the opening / closing door 203 is switched to a predetermined open state in which game balls can easily win a prize.

[0036] Here, the opening and closing execution mode is a mode to which the mode shifts when a jackpot or a special miss is won. The opening and closing execution mode will be explained in detail later. The opening mode of the variable winning device 201 can be such that the variable winning device 201 is repeatedly opened up to a maximum of multiple rounds (for example, 15 rounds), with one round consisting of the passage of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or the winning of a predetermined number of prizes (for example, 10 prizes).

[0037] Flow path forming sections 131, 161 are installed on both the left and right sides of the lower area PE4, sandwiching the variable winning device 201. The left flow path forming section 131 forms a game ball flow path through which game balls that have passed through the left area PE2 can flow down, and the right flow path forming section 161 forms a game ball flow path through which game balls that have passed through the right area PE3 can flow down. These flow path forming sections 131, 161 are configured to guide game balls that have flowed down the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 to the variable winning device 201, respectively, and are formed of a colorless, transparent or colored, transparent synthetic resin.

[0038] Each of the flow path forming portions 131, 161 protrudes from the front surface of the gaming board 24 toward the front of the gaming machine, and its front surface faces a window panel 62 provided in the front door frame 14. The distance between the front surface of each of the flow path forming portions 131, 161 and the window panel 62 is narrower than the width of one gaming ball, so that a gaming ball cannot pass in front of the flow path forming portions 131, 161. Therefore, each of the flow path forming portions 131, 161 defines a part of the outer edge of the gaming area PE (more specifically, the outer edges of the lower left and lower right of the gaming area PE). The front surface of each of the flow path forming portions 131, 161 is decorated with a predetermined shape and color.

[0039] The right-side flow path forming section 161 is provided with a main display section 43 and a bonus display section 44. The main display section 43 and the bonus display section 44 are provided so as to be exposed from the front surface of the right-side flow path forming section 161. In other words, the main display section 43 and the bonus display section 44 are visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 62 of the front door frame 14, and game balls are prevented from falling in front of these display sections 43, 44.

[0040] The main display unit 43 is configured with a round display unit RS for displaying the number of rounds in the opening / closing execution mode when the opening / closing execution mode is selected (or when the opening / closing execution mode is selected) as a result of an internal lottery, a first result display unit AS for displaying the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the upper operating port 33, and a second result display unit BS for displaying the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the lower operating port 34.

[0041] The round display unit RS starts displaying the number of rounds when the opening and closing execution mode starts, and stops displaying the number of rounds when the opening and closing execution mode ends.

[0042] In the first result display unit AS, a winning entry into the upper operating port 33 is used as a trigger to display a varying pattern, and as a result of stopping the varying display, the result of the internal lottery held based on the winning entry into the upper operating port 33 is displayed clearly. If the result of the internal lottery held based on the winning entry into the upper operating port 33 is a winning result corresponding to transition to the opening / closing execution mode, the predetermined stopping result is displayed in the first result display unit AS, the varying display is stopped, and then transition is made to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0043] In the second result display unit BS, a winning entry into the lower operating port 34 is used as a trigger to display a varying pattern, and as a result of stopping the varying display, the result of the internal lottery held based on the winning entry into the lower operating port 34 is displayed clearly. If the result of the internal lottery held based on the winning entry into the lower operating port 34 is a winning result corresponding to transition to the opening / closing execution mode, the predetermined stopping result is displayed in the second result display unit BS, the varying display is stopped, and then transition is made to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0044] Here, one game session is defined as the time when a variable display is started in the corresponding result display unit AS, BS based on a win in either of the operating ports 33, 34, and when a predetermined stop result is displayed and the variable display is stopped. However, one game session is not limited to the above, and for example, in a configuration where a single result display unit is provided and the variable display is performed in that single result display unit regardless of whether a win occurs in either of the operating ports 33, 34, one game session is defined as the time when a variable display is started in that single result display unit and when the variable display is stopped with the predetermined stop result displayed.

[0045] The reel display unit 44 is a display unit for displaying the results of an internal lottery conducted based on winning at the through gate 35. In this case, the reel display unit 44 displays a varying pattern triggered by winning at the through gate 35, and as a result of the stopping of the varying display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the through gate 35 is displayed. If the result of the internal lottery based on winning at the through gate 35 is a winning result corresponding to a transition to an electric reel opening state, the reel display unit 44 displays a predetermined stopping result, the varying display stops, and then the state transitions to an electric reel opening state. In the electric reel opening state, the electric reel 34a provided in the lower operating port 34 is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0046] The main display unit 43 and the display unit for props 44 are constructed by a segment display device having multiple segments, but are not limited to this and other display devices such as a liquid crystal display device may also be used.

[0047] The variable display unit 36 ​​is provided with a pattern display device 41 that variably displays (or variably displays or switchably displays) a pattern, which is a type of picture. In addition, the variable display unit 36 ​​is provided with a center frame 42 that surrounds the pattern display device 41. The upper part of this center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10. This prevents game balls from falling in front of the display screen of the pattern display device 41, and is configured to prevent inconvenience such as a decrease in visibility of the display screen due to falling game balls.

[0048] The pattern display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Note that the pattern display device 41 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT.

[0049] The symbol display device 41 displays symbols, for example, arranged at the top, middle, and bottom, and these symbols are displayed in a variable manner by scrolling left and right. In this case, the variable display on the symbol display device 41 is initiated based on a win in the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34. That is, when a variable display is performed on the main display unit 43, a variable display is performed on the symbol display device 41 accordingly. Then, for example, in a game that transitions to a 15-round opening / closing execution mode in which the large winning port 202 of the variable winning device 201 is opened 15 times as the opening / closing execution mode, a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed stationary on a preset pay line on the symbol display device 41.

[0050] A first reserve light-emitting unit 45 corresponding to the first result display unit AS and the symbol display unit 41 is provided in the upper left portion of the front side of the center frame 42. Up to four game balls that enter the upper operation port 33 are reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting the first reserve light-emitting unit 45. In addition, a second reserve light-emitting unit 46 corresponding to the second result display unit BS and the symbol display unit 41 is provided in the upper right portion of the front side of the center frame 42. Up to four game balls that enter the lower operation port 34 are reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting the second reserve light-emitting unit 46. As described above, because the upper portion of the center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10, the visibility of the first reserve light-emitting unit 45 and the second reserve light-emitting unit 46 is not obstructed by falling game balls.

[0051] A third reserve light emitting unit 47 corresponding to the device display unit 44 is provided at the bottom of the center frame 42. The number of times that a game ball passes through the through gate 35 can be reserved up to four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the third reserve light emitting unit 47. Note that each of the reserve light emitting units 45 to 47 may be configured to be displayed as part of the symbol display device 41.

[0052] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, a main control device 81 and a performance control device 82 are mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24).

[0054] The main control device 81 includes a main control board that has the function of controlling the main game (main control circuit) and the function of monitoring the power supply (power outage monitoring circuit), and the main control board is housed in a board box 83 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 83 includes a box base (front case body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a box cover (rear case body) that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and box cover are inseparably connected by box joints 85 that serve as separation prevention means (or connecting means), thereby sealing the board box 83. Because the box base and box cover are inseparably connected by these box joints 85, opening the internal space of the board box 83 requires the destruction or partial removal of the board box 83. Multiple box joints 85 are provided on the long sides of the board box 83, and at least one of them is used for the connection process.

[0055] The box coupling part 85 can have any configuration as long as it connects the box base and box cover together in an unopenable manner. The box base and box cover are connected in an unopenable manner by inserting a locking claw into the elongated hole that constitutes the box coupling part 85. The coupling process using the box coupling part 85 prevents unauthorized opening after the coupling and allows early and easy detection of any unauthorized opening that may occur. Even after the box has been opened, the re-opening process is possible. That is, the coupling process is performed by inserting a locking claw into at least one elongated hole of the multiple box coupling parts 85. When the board box 83 is opened, for example, when a malfunction occurs in the housed main control board or when inspecting the main control board, the connection part between the box coupling part 85 with the locking claw inserted and the other box coupling parts 85 and the box body are cut. This separates the box base and box cover of the board box 83, allowing the main control board inside to be removed. If the re-coupling process is then performed, a locking claw is inserted into the elongated hole of the other box coupling part 85. If a history of the board box 83 being opened is left in the board box 83, it is possible to easily find out that an unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the board box 83.

[0056] A plurality of connecting pieces 86 are provided on one short side of the board box 83 so as to protrude laterally. These connecting pieces 86 correspond one-to-one to a plurality of connectable pieces 87 formed on the mounting base of the main control device 81, and the connecting pieces 86 and the connectable pieces 87 connect the board box 83 to the mounting base.

[0057] As a trace means for detecting unauthorized opening of the board box 83, a seal may be attached across the boundary between the box base and the box cover. In this case, when the seal is peeled off from the attachment point, the adhesive layer of the seal will remain on the board box 83, leaving a trace. Furthermore, the seal may be provided with an IC tag that transmits a response wave containing identification information in response to a call wave of a predetermined frequency, so that when the seal is peeled off, the antenna of the IC tag is cut off, making it impossible to transmit the response wave.

[0058] The performance control device 82 is equipped with a performance control board that controls audio and lamp displays, as well as a display control device not shown, in accordance with instructions from the main control device 81, and the performance control board is housed in a board box 84 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

[0059] 3, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 91, to which a dispensing mechanism 92 and a control device assembly unit 93 are attached. The back pack 91 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a protective cover part 94 that protrudes rearward and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to cover the main control device 81, performance control device 82, etc. from behind.

[0060] The payout mechanism 92 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 94, and includes a tank 95 to which gaming balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming parlor are successively replenished, and a payout device 96 for paying out the gaming balls stored in the tank 95. The gaming balls paid out from the payout device 96 are discharged into the upper tray 71 or the lower tray 72 through a payout passage (not shown) provided downstream of the payout device 96. The payout mechanism 92 is also equipped with a back pack board to which a main power supply of, for example, 24 volts AC is supplied and which is provided with a power switch for turning the power on and off.

[0061] The rear pack 91 is provided with an external output terminal 99 on the upper edge, near the pivot axis of the rear pack unit 15. The external output terminals 99 include an output terminal for outputting a signal when the tank 95 or the like runs out of game balls, an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the gaming machine main body 12 is opened, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the front door frame 14 is opened, and an output terminal for outputting a signal during (or during) a transition to a state such as an open / close execution mode. Signals regarding the state of the frame are output to the gaming hall's management and control device through these output terminals. Incidentally, an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed is not necessary for so-called cash machines.

[0062] The control device aggregate unit 93 is equipped with a payout control device 97 and a power supply and firing control device 98. The payout control device 97 and the power supply and firing control device 98 are stacked in front and behind each other so that the payout control device 97 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0063] The dispensing control device 97 is configured such that a dispensing control board that controls the dispensing device 96 is housed in a board box. In this case, the board box of the dispensing control device 97 may be provided with the same fraud prevention means as the board box 83 of the main control device 81.

[0064] The power supply and launch control device 98 is configured by housing a power supply and launch control board in a board box, and this board generates and outputs the predetermined power required by various control devices, etc., and also controls the launch of game balls in response to the player's operation of the launch handle 60. In addition, this pachinko machine 10 has a function to store various data, so that in the event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained and, when the power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage can be restored.

[0065] <Flow path forming sections 131, 161 and variable winning device 201> In this embodiment, the flow path forming sections 131, 161, the variable winning device 201, and the related configuration are characteristic. Therefore, the flow path forming sections 131, 161, the variable winning device 201, and the related configuration will be further explained below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4 showing the variable winning device 201 and its surrounding configuration, Figure 6(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 201, (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device 201, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the variable winning device 201 and its surrounding configuration.

[0066] First, the left side flow path forming portion 131 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The left side flow path forming portion 131 is disposed along the inner rail portion 51 in the left portion of the lower area PE4. As already explained, the left side flow path forming portion 131 protrudes forward from the front surface of the gaming board 24, and is configured so that gaming balls cannot flow down in front of the left side flow path forming portion 131. The upper surface portion 132 of the left side flow path forming portion 131 is a rolling surface on which gaming balls can roll, and forms a flow path that guides gaming balls to the left-right center side of the lower area PE4.

[0067] The upper surface portion 132 is formed with steps in the vertical direction and is divided into a first inclined portion 133 on the upstream side and a second inclined portion 136 on the downstream side. The first inclined portion 133 is inclined downward to the right when viewed from the front, and forms a left-side first flow path that guides game balls that have flowed down the left side area PE2 toward the left-side game nail group 134. The left-side game nail group 134 is made up of a plurality of game nails 38 arranged in a substantially straight line between the first inclined portion 133 and the lower operating port 34 located above the variable winning device 201, and forms a guide path that can guide game balls from the first inclined portion 133 to the lower operating port 34.

[0068] Gaps 135, each large enough for one game ball to pass through, are formed between the first inclined portion 133 and the left-side game pin group 134 and at a midpoint in the left-side game pin group 134, allowing game balls to fall through these gaps 135. Below the gaps 135, upward-opening general winning openings 31a and 31b are arranged, and each of the general winning openings 31a and 31b can accept one game ball. A plurality of game pins 38 are arranged between the gaps 135 and the general winning openings 31a and 31b, and these game pins 38 randomly distribute game balls that fall through the gaps 135. Therefore, a game ball that falls through the gaps 135 may or may not win a prize in one of the general winning openings 31a and 31b. While two general winning openings 31 are arranged in this embodiment, the number of general winning openings 31 is arbitrary, and may be one, three, or more.

[0069] The second inclined portion 136 is inclined downward to the right side when viewed from the front, and its most downstream portion (terminal end) is open toward the variable winning device 201. The second inclined portion 136 is disposed below the general winning openings 31a, 31b, and forms a left-side second flow path that guides gaming balls that do not win in the general winning openings 31a, 31b toward the variable winning device 201.

[0070] Between the second inclined portion 136 and the first inclined portion 133, a first vertical wall portion 137 is formed, which forms the step and connects both inclined portions 133, 136. The first vertical wall portion 137 extends in the up-and-down direction, and between the first vertical wall portion 137 and the general winning opening 31a, a left-side third flow path through which one gaming ball can pass is formed. Therefore, when a gaming ball that has fallen through the gap 135 passes through the left side of the general winning opening 31a, the gaming ball can reach the second inclined portion 136 through the third flow path.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second inclined portion 136 is continuous with the lower end of the first vertical wall portion 137, and is configured so that there is no escape route for game balls, such as an outlet, between the connection with the first vertical wall portion 137 and the most downstream portion (the end on the variable winning device 201 side). For this reason, all game balls that have passed through the left-side third flow path and game balls that have fallen onto the second inclined portion 136 are guided to the variable winning device 201 side. The rolling surfaces of the game balls on the first inclined portion 133 and the second inclined portion 136 are flat and free of irregularities, allowing the game balls to roll (flow down) smoothly.

[0072] Furthermore, a plurality of game pins 38 are arranged in an area PE4a between the lower actuation port 34 and the variable winning device 201, and in an area PE4b between the left game pin group 134 and the variable winning device 201, and these game pins 38 are laid out so as to guide game balls that have flowed into the areas PE4a and PE4b to the variable winning device 201. For this reason, game balls that flow down past the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34, and game balls that fall through the gap 135 and flow into the area PE4b, all flow down toward the variable winning device 201. Note that if the game balls in the areas PE4a and PE4b flow down toward the variable winning device 201, the game pins 38 in these areas may be omitted, or a passage member (guide member) made of synthetic resin may be provided instead of the game pins 38.

[0073] A second vertical wall portion 138 extending downward (toward the inner rail portion 51) is provided at the most downstream portion of the second inclined portion 136. An outlet 141 through which game balls can enter is provided at the top of the second vertical wall portion 138, and game balls that enter the outlet 141 are guided to the back side of the game board 24 and discharged from the game area PE. The outlet 141 opens in the lateral direction (to the right) of the game machine, and is large enough to allow one game ball to pass through.

[0074] The front surface of the left-side flow path forming portion 131 at the outlet 141 and its surrounding area, i.e., at least the portion of the front surface of the left-side flow path forming portion 131 that overlaps from the front of the gaming machine with the outlet 141 and the guide path that guides gaming balls that have entered the outlet 141 to the back side of the gaming board 24, is decorated and colored using plating, stickers, etc. On the other hand, the second inclined portion 136 that serves as the rolling surface for gaming balls is not colored in this way, and this portion has a lower light transmittance than the second inclined portion 136. As a result, the opening of the outlet 141 and the flow of gaming balls that have entered the outlet 141 are invisible or difficult to see when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. In other words, the outlet 141 has lower visibility than other ball entry portions (for example, the variable winning device 201), making it less noticeable.

[0075] In this case, a sign (for example, "OUT") indicating or clearly indicating the outlet 141 may be provided on the front surface of the left-side flow path forming portion 131 at the outlet 141 and its surrounding area so that players, hall employees, etc. can be aware of the existence of the outlet 141. Note that instead of coloring the above-mentioned portion, the portion may be made of an opaque material or a material with lower light transmittance than the second inclined portion 136, thereby reducing the visibility of the outlet 141.

[0076] Incidentally, as already explained, the left-side flow path forming portion 131 itself is made of a transparent synthetic resin and has translucency. Therefore, by disposing a light-emitting board equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements capable of emitting light toward the front and sides of the gaming machine (up and down or left and right) behind the left-side flow path forming portion 131, it is possible to perform a light-emitting effect, for example, by brightly illuminating the second inclined portion 136.

[0077] Next, the right-side flow path forming portion 161 will be described. The upper surface portion 162 of the right-side flow path forming portion 161 is a rolling surface on which the gaming ball can roll, and forms a flow path that guides the gaming ball to the left-right center of the lower area PE4. The upper surface portion 162 of the right-side flow path forming portion 161 is bilaterally symmetrical with the upper surface portion 132 of the left-side flow path forming portion 131, and has a first inclined portion 163, a second inclined portion 166, and a first vertical wall portion 167.

[0078] The first inclined portion 163 is inclined downward to the left in a front view, and forms a right-side first flow path that guides the game balls that have flowed down the right-side area PE3 toward the right-side game nail group 164. The right-side game nail group 164 forms a guide path that can guide the game balls to the lower operating port 34, and gaps 165 that allow one game ball to pass through are formed between the first inclined portion 163 and the right-side game nail group 164 and at a midpoint of the right-side game nail group 164. In addition, below the gaps 165, general winning openings 31c and 31d that open upward are arranged, and game balls that fall from the gaps 165 can win in the general winning openings 31c and 31d.

[0079] The second inclined portion 166 is inclined downward to the left in a front view, and forms a right-side second flow path that guides game balls toward the variable winning device 201. The second inclined portion 166 is disposed below the general winning openings 31c, 31d, and guides game balls that do not win in the general winning openings 31c, 31d to the variable winning device 201. The first vertical wall portion 167 connects the first inclined portion 163 and the second inclined portion 166, and forms a right-side third flow path between the first inclined portion 163 and the general winning opening 31d, through which one game ball can pass.

[0080] In this embodiment, the second inclined portion 166 is continuous with the lower end of the first vertical wall portion 167, and is configured so that there is no escape route for game balls, such as an outlet, between the connecting portion with the first vertical wall portion 167 and the terminal portion (the end portion on the variable winning device 201 side). For this reason, all game balls that have passed through the right-side third flow path and game balls that have fallen onto the second inclined portion 166 are guided to the variable winning device 201 side. The rolling surfaces of the game balls on the first inclined portion 163 and the second inclined portion 166 are flat and free of irregularities, allowing the game balls to roll (flow down) smoothly.

[0081] In the area PE4c between the right-side group of game nails 164 and the variable winning device 201, a plurality of game nails 38 are provided to guide the game balls that have flowed into the area PE4c to the variable winning device 201, and all game balls that have fallen from the gap 165 and flowed into the area PE4c flow down toward the variable winning device 201. Note that, if the game balls in the area PE4c flow down toward the variable winning device 201, the game nails 38 in the area PE4c may be omitted, or a passage member (guide member) made of synthetic resin may be provided instead of the game nails 38.

[0082] A second vertical wall portion 168 extending downward (toward the inner rail portion 51) is provided at the most downstream portion of the second inclined portion 166. An outlet 171 for discharging game balls from the game area PE is provided at the top of the second vertical wall portion 168. The outlet 171 opens laterally (to the left) of the gaming machine and is large enough to allow one game ball to pass through. The height position of the outlet 171 is the same as that of the outlet 141 of the left-side flow path forming portion 131, and the outlets 141 and 171 face each other across the variable winning device 201. As with the outlet 141, the outlet 171 and the front surface of the right-side flow path forming portion 161 around the outlet 171 are opaque, making the outlet less visible from the front of the gaming machine than other ball entry portions. Incidentally, in this embodiment, no outlets other than the outlets 141 and 171 are provided.

[0083] Next, the variable winning device 201 will be described. As shown in Figure 6(a), an opening 207 that penetrates the thickness of the game board 24 is provided at the lowest position of the game board 24. The variable winning device 201 has a plate-shaped base body 211, and is attached to the game board 24 by fitting the base body 211 into the opening 207.

[0084] The distance between the front surface 211a of the base body 211 and the window panel 62 is larger than the diameter of a gaming ball, and a passage 208 through which gaming balls can pass is formed in front of the front surface 211a. The passage 208 is configured with side wall portions 213 formed from the second vertical wall portions 138, 168 of the flow path forming portions 131, 161, and a bottom portion 214 formed from the inner rail portion 51, and a special prize opening 202 is formed at the top of the passage 208 (see FIG. 7(b)). The special prize opening 202 opens upward and has a horizontally long rectangular shape extending left and right in a plan view. The size (width dimension) of the special prize opening 202 is large enough to allow multiple gaming balls to pass through at the same time.

[0085] A through-hole 222 is formed in the center of the lower part of the passage section 208, penetrating the base body 211 in the thickness direction. The through-hole 222 has a horizontally elongated, approximately oval shape when viewed from the front, and is large enough to allow multiple game balls to pass through at the same time. As shown in FIG. 6(b), a ball passage 221 is provided on the back side of the base body 211, and the ball passage 221 communicates with the passage section 208 through the through-hole 222. The ball passage 221 extends rearward, and game balls that reach the ball passage 221 are guided rearward along the passage bottom surface 221a. A special prize opening winning sensor 202a is located midway along the ball passage 221, detecting game balls that have entered the special prize opening 202. The special prize opening winning sensor 202a is electrically connected to the main control device 81, and when a game ball passes through the detection area of ​​the special prize opening winning sensor 202a, predetermined detection information (detection signal) is input to the main control device 81. The main control device 81 determines whether or not a prize has been won in the big prize opening 202 based on this detection information.

[0086] A plate-shaped shutter 216 is disposed as an opening / closing door 203 so as to cover the big winning opening 202. The shutter 216 is configured to be able to slide forward and backward, and can be displaced between a protruding position where it protrudes from the front part 211a of the base body 211 (the front face of the gaming board 24) toward the front of the gaming machine, and a retracted position where it retracts rearward from the protruding position and does not protrude toward the front of the gaming machine.

[0087] When the shutter 216 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7(b), a receiving area RA that can receive gaming balls into the special prize opening 202 is formed above the passage portion 208. The receiving area RA is in the same position as the special prize opening 202 in a plan view and has the same shape and size, and the formation of the receiving area RA allows gaming balls to enter the special prize opening 202. In addition, in the retracted position, the front end of the shutter 216 is flush with the front surface 211a of the base body 211 or is located closer to the back of the gaming machine than the front surface 211a. This not only allows gaming balls to pass in front of the shutter 216 in the retracted position, but also prevents gaming balls from getting caught on the boundary between the base body 211 and the shutter 216, ensuring a smooth flow of gaming balls.

[0088] On the other hand, when the shutter 216 is in the protruding position, as shown in Figure 7(a), the shutter 216 covers the large prize opening 202 from above, thereby eliminating the receiving area RA. This causes the variable prize-winning device 201 to enter a closed state, restricting the entry of game balls into the large prize opening 202. Note that it is not necessary for the closed state to prevent game balls from entering the large prize opening 202, and it may be configured so that game balls can enter the large prize opening 202 to a degree that makes it more difficult to win compared to the open state. In short, it is sufficient that the ease of winning a prize in the large prize opening 202 differs between the open state and the closed state, and the degree of closing or opening is arbitrary.

[0089] Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the height positions of the left and right end portions 216a, 216b of the shutter 216 are set to positions that are lower by at least the size of one gaming ball from the second inclined portions 136, 166 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161. In other words, step portions 204 are formed on both the left and right sides of the shutter 216 so that the left and right end portions 216a, 216b of the shutter 216 are lower than the second inclined portions 136, 166 by at least the diameter of a gaming ball. These step portions 204 are arranged such that the outlets 141, 171 open toward the shutter 216. Therefore, when a gaming ball rolls on the shutter 216 positioned in the protruding position, the gaming ball is guided to the outlets 141, 171 by the shutter 216.

[0090] The shutter 216 is provided with a guide function for guiding gaming balls to the outlets 141, 171. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a first shutter inclined portion 217 that slopes downward toward the outlet 141 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the shutter 216, and a second shutter inclined portion 218 that slopes downward toward the outlet 171 is provided on the right side of the upper surface. These inclined portions 217, 218 are symmetrical, and gaming balls that reach the upper surface of the shutter 216 are guided to the outlets 141, 171 by the inclined portions 217, 218. It should be noted that it is not necessary to incline the entire shutter 216, and it is sufficient if at least the upper surface portion is inclined.

[0091] The shutter 216 extends in the left-right direction, and more specifically, its left and right end portions 216a, 216b are located near the second vertical wall portions 138, 168 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161. The distance between the left and right end portions 216a, 216b of the shutter 216 and each outlet 141, 171 is less than the diameter of a gaming ball, so that gaming balls do not fall between the shutter 216 in the protruding position and each outlet 141, 171. For this reason, gaming balls guided by the shutter 216 toward the outlets 141, 171 will all enter the outlets 141, 171 unless the shutter 216 is displaced to the retracted position during guidance.

[0092] When the shutter 216 is in the retracted position, the game balls will not enter the outlets 141, 171 as a general rule, except in cases where the game balls change direction due to contact with each other.

[0093] As shown in Figures 6(b) and (c), a variable winning drive unit 219 that drives the shutter 216 is attached to the back side of the base body 211. The variable winning drive unit 219 has a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a drive force transmission means that transmits the drive force from the solenoid to the shutter 216. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the shutter 216 retreats from the protruding position to the retracted position, and the variable winning device 201 switches from a closed state to an open state. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the shutter 216 advances from the retracted position to the protruding position due to the biasing force of the biasing means (spring, etc.), and the variable winning device 201 switches from an open state to a closed state.

[0094] <Electrical configuration of pachinko machine 10> Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0095] The main control board 111 is equipped with an MPU 112. The MPU 112 incorporates a ROM 113 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 112, a RAM 114 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when the control programs stored in the ROM 113 are executed, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits such as a random number generator, etc. Note that it is not essential that the ROM 113 and RAM 114 be integrated into a single chip for the MPU 112; they may each be integrated into a separate chip. This also applies to the MPUs of control devices other than the main control device 81.

[0096] The MPU 112 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 112 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 115 and a dispensing control device 97 provided in the main control device 81. In this case, the power outage monitoring board 115 is connected to a power supply and launch control device 98 having the function of supplying operating power, and power is supplied to the MPU 112 via the power outage monitoring board 115.

[0097] Various sensors are also connected to the input side of the MPU 112. These sensors include a general prize opening sensor 31e, an upper prize opening sensor 33b, a lower prize opening sensor 34c, a through prize opening sensor 35a, and a special prize opening sensor 202a, which detect prizes at the general prize opening 31, the upper operation opening 33, the lower operation opening 34, the through gate 35, and the variable prize opening 201. The MPU 112 performs prize determinations (ball entry determinations) for each ball entry section based on the detection results of these various sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, and 202a. The MPU 112 also executes a jackpot occurrence lottery based on prizes at the upper operation opening 33 and the lower operation opening 34, and executes a support occurrence lottery based on prizes at the through gate 35.

[0098] The output side of the MPU 112 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 115, a payout control device 97, a performance control device 82, etc. A prize ball command is output to the payout control device 97 based on the result of winning a prize ball into a prize ball entry section corresponding to the payout of a prize ball, for example.

[0099] Various commands for performance are output to the performance control device 82. Details of these various commands will be explained later. Incidentally, the performance control device 82 is electrically connected to the main control device 81 via a connector unit (connection unit) having connectors on both ends of a signal line.

[0100] The output side of the MPU 112 is connected to various drive units, including the electric device drive unit 34b and the variable winning drive unit 219. The main control board 111 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 112 controls the drive of the various drive units through these driver circuits. Specifically, when a transition to the opening / closing execution mode occurs, the MPU 112 controls the drive of the variable winning drive unit 219 so that the large winning opening 202 opens and closes. When the electric device 34a is opened, the MPU 112 controls the drive of the electric device drive unit 34b so that the electric device 34a opens and closes. During each game, the MPU 112 controls the display of the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS on the main display unit 43, and during the opening / closing execution mode of the variable winning device 201, it controls the display of the round display unit RS on the main display unit 43. When the result of the lottery as to whether or not the electric role 34a is to be opened is to be clearly displayed, the MPU 112 executes display control of the role display unit 44.

[0101] Furthermore, an external output terminal 99 is connected to the output side of the MPU 112, and information on balls entering various entry areas and lottery results such as jackpots is output to the management control device (hall computer HC) on the gaming hall side through this external output terminal 99. This allows the hall computer HC to grasp the status of the pachinko machine 10.

[0102] The power failure monitoring board 115 relays between the main control board 111 and the power supply and launch control device 98, and also monitors the stable 24 volt DC voltage output from the power supply and launch control device 98. The payout control device 97 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 96 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 81.

[0103] The power supply and firing control device 98 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in, for example, an amusement facility or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, it generates the operating power required for the main control board 111, the payout control device 97, etc., and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply and firing control device 98 is provided with a power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage, such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, power for maintaining memory is supplied from the power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage to the RAM 114 of the main control device 81.

[0104] The power supply and launch control device 98 is responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launching mechanism 53, and the game ball launching mechanism 53 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met. In this case, the game ball launching mechanism 53 includes a launch rail extending toward the guide rail 54 of the game board 24, a ball feeder that supplies game balls stored in the upper tray 71 onto the launch rail, and a solenoid that is an electric actuator that launches the game balls supplied onto the launch rail toward the guide rail 54, and the game balls are launched when a drive signal is supplied from the power supply and launch control device 98 to the solenoid.

[0105] Based on various commands input from the main control device 81, the performance control device 82 drives and controls each of the hold light-emitting units 45 to 47 provided in the variable display unit 36, and the display light-emitting unit 63 and speaker unit 64 provided in the front door frame 14, and also controls the display control device 212.

[0106] An MPU 242 is mounted on a performance control board 241 provided in the performance control device 82. The MPU 242 has built-in ROM 243 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 242, RAM 244 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 243 are executed, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like.

[0107] The MPU 242 is provided with an input port and an output port. The main control device 81 is connected to the input side of the MPU 242. From the main control device 81, it receives hold display control commands (hold display control information) such as shift commands and hold commands. It also receives game number control commands (game number control information) such as variation commands, type commands, and variation end commands. It also receives open / close execution mode commands (open / close execution mode information) such as open commands, close commands, opening commands, and ending commands.

[0108] The MPU 242 performs processing to execute various effects based on various commands received from the main control device 81. The received commands are stored in a command storage area provided in the RAM 244 of the MPU 242. The MPU 242 then performs processing such as analyzing the stored commands to execute various effects. The ROM 243 of the MPU 242 is provided with various table storage areas, and the RAM 244 of the MPU 242 is provided with various flag storage areas and various counter areas, and when executing various effects, it is possible to perform processing using these areas.

[0109] The output side of the MPU 242 is connected to each of the reservation light-emitting units 45 to 47 provided on the variable display unit 36, the display light-emitting unit 63 and speaker unit 64 provided on the front door frame 14, and also to the display control device 212.

[0110] The display control device 212 includes a display control board 271 on which are mounted an MPU 272 in which a program ROM 273 and a work RAM 274 are integrated into a chip, a video display processor (VDP) 275, a character ROM 276, and a video RAM 277.

[0111] The MPU 272 receives hold display control commands (hold display control information) for controlling hold display, game number control commands (game number control information) for displaying variable patterns, and opening / closing execution mode commands (opening / closing execution mode information) for displaying moving images during the opening / closing execution mode from the performance control device 82. Then, the MPU 272 analyzes the received commands or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received commands to control the VDP 275 (specifically, generates internal commands for the VDP 275).

[0112] The program ROM 273 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the MPU 272 and fixed value data, and also stores and holds JPEG format image data for the background image.

[0113] The work RAM 274 is a memory for temporarily storing work data, flags, etc. that are used when various programs are executed by the MPU 272. The work data, flags, etc. are stored in various areas of the work RAM 274.

[0114] The VDP 275 is a type of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device that serves as a liquid crystal display driver incorporated in the pattern display device 41. Because the VDP 275 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 275 adjusts the timing of the MPU 272, video RAM 277, etc. to mediate data reading and writing, and also reads image data to be stored in the video RAM 277 from the character ROM 276 at a predetermined timing and displays it on the pattern display device 41.

[0115] The character ROM 276 serves as an image data library for storing character data such as the designs to be displayed on the design display device 41. The character ROM 276 stores bitmap image data of various display designs, a color palette table to be referenced when determining the color to be displayed for each dot of the bitmap image, and the like.

[0116] It is also possible to provide a plurality of character ROMs 276 and store image data etc. in each character ROM 276. It is also possible to configure the character ROM 276 to store JPEG format image data for background images stored in the program ROM 273.

[0117] The video RAM 277 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the pattern display device 41, and the display content of the pattern display device 41 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 277.

[0118] Here, the display contents of the pattern display device 41 will be explained based on Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a diagram showing individual patterns variably displayed on the pattern display device 41, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the display screen G of the pattern display device 41.

[0119] As shown in Figures 9(a) to (j), the design, which is a type of picture, is composed of nine main designs each numbered "1" to "9" and a sub-design consisting of a shell-shaped picture. More specifically, the main designs are composed of nine character designs such as an octopus each numbered "1" to "9."

[0120] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the display screen G of the symbol display device 41 has three symbol columns Z1, Z2, and Z3 set up on the upper, middle, and lower rows. Each symbol column Z1-Z3 is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. Specifically, the upper symbol column Z1 has nine main symbols from "1" to "9" arranged in descending numerical order, with one sub-symbol between each main symbol. The lower symbol column Z3 has nine main symbols from "1" to "9" arranged in ascending numerical order, with one sub-symbol between each main symbol. In other words, the upper symbol column Z1 and the lower symbol column Z3 are configured with 18 symbols. In contrast, the middle symbol column Z2 has nine main symbols, "1" through "9," arranged in ascending numerical order, with a "4" main symbol additionally arranged between the "9" main symbol and the "1" main symbol, and one sub-symbol arranged between each of these main symbols. In other words, the middle symbol column Z2 alone has 10 main symbols, for a total of 20 symbols. On the display screen G, the symbols of each of these symbol columns Z1 through Z3 are displayed variably, scrolling periodically in a predetermined direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the display screen G displays three symbols per symbol column, resulting in a total of nine symbols, 3 x 3.

[0121] Also, five active lines, namely, a left line L1, a middle line L2, a right line L3, a downward-right line L4, and an upward-right line L5, are set on the display screen G. The variable display stops in the order of upper symbol column Z1 → lower symbol column Z3 → middle symbol column Z2, and when the variable display of all symbol columns Z1 to Z3 ends with a combination of symbols with the same number on any active line, a jackpot result is generated and a jackpot animation is displayed.

[0122] In this pachinko machine 10, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols," and when a special jackpot result occurs, a combination of the same specific symbols is displayed. Also, the main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols," and when a normal jackpot result occurs, a combination of the same non-specific symbols is displayed.

[0123] In addition, the manner in which the patterns are displayed in a variable manner in the pattern display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of pattern rows, the direction in which the patterns are displayed in a variable manner in the pattern rows, the number of patterns in each pattern row, etc. can be changed as appropriate.

[0124] A first hold display area Ga is set on the left side of the bottom of the display screen G, and a second hold display area Gb is set on the right side of the bottom of the display screen G.

[0125] The first reserve display area (non-priority side reserve display area) Ga is partitioned and displayed so that unit reserve display areas Ga1 to Ga4, the same number as the maximum number of reserved balls when game balls enter the upper operating port 33, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Specifically, the maximum number of reserved balls when game balls enter the upper operating port 33 is four, and corresponding to this, the first reserve display area Ga is set with a first unit reserve display area Ga1, a second unit reserve display area Ga2, a third unit reserve display area Ga3, and a fourth unit reserve display area Ga4.

[0126] For example, if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the upper operating port 33 is one, a predetermined reserved image is displayed only in the first unit reserved display area Ga1, and if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the upper operating port 33 is four, a predetermined reserved image is displayed in all of the first unit reserved display area Ga1 to the fourth unit reserved display area Ga4.

[0127] In addition, the second reserve display area (priority side reserve display area) Gb is displayed in sections such that the same number of unit reserve display areas Gb1 to Gb4 as the maximum number of reserved balls when a gaming ball enters the lower operating port 34 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Specifically, the maximum number of reserved balls when a gaming ball enters the lower operating port 34 is four, and corresponding to this, the second reserve display area Gb has a first unit reserve display area Gb1, a second unit reserve display area Gb2, a third unit reserve display area Gb3, and a fourth unit reserve display area Gb4 set therein.

[0128] For example, if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the lower operating port 34 is one, the reserved image is displayed only in the first unit reserved display area Gb1, and if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the lower operating port 34 is four, the reserved image is displayed in all of the first unit reserved display area Gb1 to the fourth unit reserved display area Gb4.

[0129] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries using the MPU 112 of the main control device 81> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0130] During play, the MPU 112 uses various counter information to perform a lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, set the display of the main display unit 43, set the performance content of the symbol display device 41, set the display of the symbol display device 44, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the MPU 112 uses a jackpot random number counter C1 used to determine the lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, a jackpot type counter C2 used to determine the type of jackpot, a reach random number counter C3 used to determine whether a reach occurs when the symbol display device 41 misses and changes, a random number initial value counter CINI used to set the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and a change type counter CS that determines the change display time in the main display unit 43 and the symbol display device 41. Furthermore, the MPU 112 uses an electric symbol release counter C4 used to determine whether or not the electric symbol 34a of the lower operating port 34 is set to an electric symbol release state.

[0131] Each of counters C1, C2, C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching its maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in lottery counter buffer 114a set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 114. In lottery counter buffer 114a, information corresponding to jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS is stored in reserved ball storage area 114b, which serves as acquired information storage means, when a win occurs in upper actuation port 33 or lower actuation port 34.

[0132] The reserved ball storage area 114b includes a reserved area RE consisting of a first result display section reserved area Ra and a second result display section reserved area Rb, and an execution area AE. The reserved areas Ra and Rb each include a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area, and the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variable type counter CS stored in the lottery counter buffer 114a is stored in one of the areas as reserved information according to the winning history of the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34. The reserved information corresponds to special information.

[0133] In this case, when multiple consecutive wins occur in the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34, the first to fourth areas store the numerical information in chronological order: first area → second area → third area → fourth area. By providing four areas in this manner, up to four winning balls in the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34 can be reserved and stored. In addition, reserved ball storage area 114b is provided with a total reserved number storage area, and information for specifying the number of winning balls in the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34 that are reserved and stored is stored in this total reserved number storage area.

[0134] The number of items that can be stored on hold is not limited to four and can be any number, such as two, three, five or more, or it can be singular.

[0135] The execution area AE is an area for moving each value stored in the first area of ​​the reserve area RE when the variable display of the main display unit 43 begins, and when one game round begins, a win / loss determination is made based on the various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0136] Regarding each counter in detail, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 599, and return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 599). When the jackpot random number counter C1 completes one cycle, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34. More specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the reserved area Ra for the first result display unit of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33, and is stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display unit of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the lower actuation port 34.

[0137] The random number value that results in a jackpot win is stored as a win / loss table (win / loss information group) in a win / loss table storage area 113a, which serves as win / loss information group storage means in ROM 113. As the win / loss table, a win / loss table for a low probability mode (low probability win / loss information group) and a win / loss table for a high probability mode (high probability win / loss information group) are set. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set as lottery modes in the win / loss lottery means. In each win / loss table, the random number value is set so that the probability of winning the jackpot is higher in the win / loss table for the high probability mode than in the win / loss table for the low probability mode.

[0138] In addition, in each lottery mode, the lottery result will be a losing result except for the random number value that results in a jackpot win.

[0139] The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of 0 to 29, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 29). In this embodiment, multiple jackpot results are set. These multiple jackpot results are set by providing differences in two conditions: (1) the lottery mode in the win / lose lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode ends, and (2) the support mode in the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34 after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0140] The support modes for the electric device 34a of the lower operating port 34 are set to a low-frequency support mode (low-frequency support state or low-frequency guide state) and a high-frequency support mode (high-frequency support state or high-frequency guide state) so that the frequency with which the electric device 34a of the lower operating port 34 opens per unit time is relatively high or low when compared in a situation where game balls are continuously being released in a similar manner into the game area PE.

[0141] Specifically, in the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the electric role open state in the electric role open lottery using the electric role open counter C4 is the same (for example, 1 / 2 in both), but in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times the electric role 34a is opened when the electric role open state is won is set to be more than in the low-frequency support mode, and the opening time for each opening is set to be longer. In this case, when the electric role open state is won in the high-frequency support mode and the electric role open state of the electric role 34a occurs multiple times, the closing time from the end of one opening state to the start of the next opening state is set to be shorter than the opening time for each opening. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, the minimum time ensured between one electric role open lottery and the next electric role open lottery is set to be shorter than in the low-frequency support mode.

[0142] As described above, in the high frequency support mode, the probability of a winning ball entering the lower actuation port 34 is higher than in the low frequency support mode. In other words, in the low frequency support mode, the probability of a winning ball entering the upper actuation port 33 is higher than in the lower actuation port 34, but in the high frequency support mode, the probability of a winning ball entering the lower actuation port 34 is higher than in the upper actuation port 33. When a winning ball enters the lower actuation port 34, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out, so in the high frequency support mode, the player can play without losing too many balls.

[0143] The configuration for making the high-frequency support mode more frequently than the low-frequency support mode in becoming in the electric role open state per unit time is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a configuration for increasing the probability of winning the electric role open state in the electric role open lottery. Furthermore, the high-frequency support mode and the low-frequency support mode may be set by making any one condition or any combination of the conditions of the number of times, open time, and winning probability different.

[0144] The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically, and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when the gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34. More specifically, when the gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33, it is stored in the reserved area Ra for the first result display section of the RAM 114, and when the gaming ball enters the lower actuation port 34, it is stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display section of the RAM 114.

[0145] The allocation destination of the game result for the big win type counter C2 is stored as an allocation table (allocation information group) in an allocation table storage area 113b serving as an allocation information group storage means in the ROM 113.

[0146] In this embodiment, the types of jackpot results are set to a normal jackpot result and a probability variable jackpot result. The normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode becomes a low probability mode and the support mode becomes a low frequency support mode.

[0147] The probability variable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / lose lottery mode becomes a high probability mode and the support mode becomes a high frequency support mode. The high frequency support mode continues until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state and the game transitions to the jackpot state.

[0148] The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 238). The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation opening 33 or the lower actuation opening 34. More specifically, the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the reserved area Ra for the first result display unit of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation opening 33, and is stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display unit of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the lower actuation opening 34. Whether or not a reach occurs is determined based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of ​​the ROM 113. However, in a game that transitions to the open / close execution mode, the MPU 112 determines whether a reach occurs regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. The number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display is the same in each game state, but may be set individually depending on the game state. For example, the number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display may be set to be larger when the support mode is the high frequency support mode than when it is the low frequency support mode.

[0149] Here, the term "reach display" (reach state) refers to a display state that makes a player believe that the game machine is in a variable display state that is likely to result in the special display result after the variable display (or variable display) of the pattern (picture) has begun on the pattern display device 41 and before the stop display result is derived and displayed, in a game machine that is equipped with a pattern display device 41 that is capable of performing a variable display (or variably display) of the pattern (picture), and in which the stop display result after the variable display becomes a special display result during a game cycle in which the variable winning device 201 is in the open / close execution mode.

[0150] In other words, by displaying the patterns of some of the multiple pattern rows displayed on the display screen of the pattern display device 41 in a stopped state, a combination of reach patterns that may result in a jackpot pattern combination corresponding to the occurrence of the open / close execution mode is displayed, and in this state, the patterns of the remaining pattern rows are displayed in a variable manner.

[0151] More specifically, as a preliminary step to terminating the display of the changing patterns, a reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reach patterns that may result in a jackpot pattern combination corresponding to the occurrence of the open / close execution mode on a pre-set effective line within the display screen of the pattern display device 41, and while the reach line is formed, the changing patterns are displayed using the final stopped pattern sequence.

[0152] To explain the display contents of FIG. 10 in detail, first, high-speed variable display is initiated for all symbol columns Z1 to Z3. In this case, it is impossible or difficult to recognize which symbol is displayed. Then, the variable display mode of the upper symbol column Z1 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display, which allows the player to easily or easily recognize the displayed symbol. Then, as the variable display of the upper symbol column Z1 ends, the variable display mode of the lower symbol column Z3 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display. Then, the variable display of the lower symbol column Z3 ends. In this case, a ready-to-win line is formed by the main symbol with the same number as that of any of the activated lines L1 to L5 being displayed as a static display. Then, when the variable display of the middle symbol column Z2 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display and an open / close execution mode is triggered, the main symbol with the same number as that of the main symbol forming the ready-to-win line is displayed as a static display on the ready-to-win line, and the variable display of the symbols in the middle symbol column Z2 ends.

[0153] Further, the reach display includes a reach effect in which, while a reach symbol combination is displayed as described above, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols, and predetermined characters or the like are displayed as animation on the background screen, and a reach effect is performed by displaying a reduced-size or non-displayed reach symbol combination and then displaying predetermined characters or the like as animation on almost the entire display screen. Furthermore, when a reach display is being performed or before a reach display, the reach random number counter C3 or another counter may be used to determine whether or not to perform a notice display using a predetermined image such as a predetermined character.

[0154] The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 198). The variation type counter CS is used by the MPU 112 to determine the variation display time in the first result display section AS and the second result display section BS of the main display section 43, and the variation display time of the symbols on the symbol display device 41. The variation type counter CS is updated once each time the normal processing described below is executed, and is also repeatedly updated within the remaining time of the normal processing. The variation type counter CS is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33 or the lower actuation port 34. More specifically, the variation type counter CS is stored in the first result display reserve area Ra of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the upper actuation port 33, and is stored in the second result display reserve area Rb of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the lower actuation port 34.

[0155] The electric accessory release counter C4 is configured to be incremented by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 250, and to return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 250). The electric accessory release counter C4 is periodically updated, and is stored in the electric accessory reserve area 114c of the RAM 114 at the timing when a gaming ball enters the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is held to determine whether or not the electric accessory 34a should be controlled to an open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory release counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 190, the electric accessory 34a is controlled to an open state, and if C4 = 191 to 250, the electric accessory 34a is not controlled to an open state.

[0156] The MPU 112 determines the variable display time in the first result display section AS and the second result display section BS using the value of the variable type counter CS stored in the execution area AE, and for this determination, it uses the variable display time table storage area 113c of the ROM 113. Also, the MPU 112 determines the stop results in the first result display section AS and the second result display section BS using the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE, and for this determination, it uses the stop result table storage area of ​​the ROM 113.

[0157] <Regarding various processes executed by the main control device 81> Next, we will explain the timer interrupt processing and normal processing that are executed to progress the game by the MPU 112 in the main control device 81. In addition to the timer interrupt processing and normal processing, the MPU 112 also executes main processing that is started when the power is turned on and NMI interrupt processing that is started by inputting a power outage signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal), but we will not explain these processes here.

[0158] <Timer interrupt processing> First, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 12. This process is started by the MPU 112 periodically (for example, every 2 msec).

[0159] In step S101, a reading process for the various detection sensors is performed. In this reading process, the status of the various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, and 202a is read, and the status of these various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, and 202a is determined and the detection information is saved. Furthermore, if the various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, and 202a corresponding to the occurrence of a prize ball detect the entry of a game ball, a prize ball command is set to instruct the payout control device 97 to pay out the prize balls. For example, if the large prize opening sensor 202a detects the entry of a prize ball into the variable prize winning device 201, a prize ball command is set to instruct the corresponding number of prize balls, 15. In the following step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated.

[0160] In the next step S103, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory opening counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory opening 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 114.

[0161] In the following step S104, a winning process for through is executed in response to a win at the through gate 35. In the winning process for through, if a win at the through gate 35 has occurred, the value of the electric role release counter C4 updated in step S103 is stored in the electric role hold area 114c on the condition that the number of reserved roles stored in the electric role hold area 114c is less than the upper limit number (for example, "4"). Also, a process is executed for the performance control device 82 to light up the third reserved light emitting unit 47 corresponding to the number of reserved roles stored.

[0162] Thereafter, in step S105, the winning process for the actuation port is executed, and then this timer interrupt process is terminated. In the winning process for the actuation port, based on the fact that a game ball has entered either of the actuation ports 33, 34, a prize ball command for paying out game balls based on the winning is set, and information acquisition process is performed to store the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS.

[0163] In the information acquisition process, it is determined whether the gaming ball has entered the upper actuation port 33 (starting entry). If the gaming ball has entered the upper actuation port 33, the number of reserved information stored in the first result display unit reserve area Ra is determined, and the determined number is set as the first start reserved memory number RaN. On the other hand, if the gaming ball has not entered the upper actuation port 33, it is determined whether the gaming ball has entered the lower actuation port 34 (starting entry). If the gaming ball has entered the lower actuation port 34, the number of reserved information stored in the second result display unit reserve area Rb is determined, and the determined number is set as the second start reserved memory number RbN. It is then determined whether the set start reserved memory number N (RaN or RbN) is less than an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the start reserved memory number N is less than the upper limit value, the start reserved memory number N in the corresponding result display unit reserve area is updated to be incremented by 1. When the first start pending memory number RaN is set, the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS are stored in the first memory area among the empty memory areas of the first result display unit hold area Ra, and when the second start pending memory number RbN is set, the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS are stored in the first memory area among the empty memory areas of the second result display unit hold area Rb. After that, the performance control device 82 executes a process to light up the first hold light emitting unit 45 or the second hold light emitting unit 46 corresponding to the start pending memory number.

[0164] <Normal processing> Next, the flow of normal processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 13. Normal processing is processing that starts after main processing, which is started when the power is turned on, is executed, and in normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. In summary, the processing of steps S201 to S206 is executed as periodic processing at a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S209 and S210 is executed in the remaining time.

[0165] In normal processing, first, external signal output processing is executed in step S201. In the external signal output processing in step S201, output data such as commands set in the timer interrupt processing or the previous normal processing is sent to each control device on the sub-side. Specifically, the presence or absence of a prize ball command is determined, and if a prize ball command is set, it is sent to the payout control device 97. In addition, if a performance command is set, it is sent to the performance control device 82.

[0166] Next, in step S202, the fluctuation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches its maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the fluctuation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of ​​the RAM 114.

[0167] In the next step S203, a game control process is executed to progress each game. In this game control process, a win / loss determination of a jackpot and a distribution determination of the jackpot type are performed, and the variable display of the symbols by the symbol display device 41 and the variable display on the main display unit 43 are set.

[0168] After executing the game number control process in step S203, the process proceeds to step S204, where a game state transition process is executed. This game state transition process transitions the game state to an open / close execution mode, etc. Details of the game number control process in step S203 and the game state transition process in step S204 will be described later.

[0169] In the following step S205, an electric role support process is executed to drive and control the electric role 34a provided in the lower operating port 34. In this electric role support process, an electric role release lottery is executed to determine whether or not the electric role 34a is to be opened using numerical information acquired from the electric role release counter C4 stored in the electric role reserve area 114c of the RAM 114, and if the electric role open state is selected, an opening and closing process of the electric role 34a is executed. In addition, display control of the role display unit 44 is performed so as to inform the result of the electric role release lottery.

[0170] Thereafter, in step S206, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 53 is excited once every predetermined period (for example, 0.6 seconds) on the condition that a launch permission signal is input from the power supply and launch control device 98. This causes the game ball to be launched toward the play area.

[0171] In the next step S207, it is determined whether or not a power outage flag has been set in the RAM 114. The power outage flag is set when the power outage monitoring board 115 detects the occurrence of a power outage and inputs a power outage signal from the power outage monitoring board 115 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 112, and is cleared in the next main processing.

[0172] If the power outage flag is not set, the last of the multiple processes that are repeatedly executed has been completed, so in step S208, it is determined whether the execution timing of the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the current normal process. Then, within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process, the random number initial value counter CINI and the fluctuation type counter CS are repeatedly updated.

[0173] That is, in step S209, 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 its maximum value, it is cleared to 0. The updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is then stored in a corresponding area of ​​RAM 114. Also, in step S210, the fluctuation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches its maximum value, it is cleared to 0. The updated value of the fluctuation type counter CS is then stored in a corresponding area of ​​RAM 114.

[0174] Here, the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S206 changes depending on the state of the game, so 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 jackpot random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the variation type counter CS can also be randomly updated.

[0175] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the power outage flag is set, this means that a power outage has occurred, and so power outage processing from step S211 onwards is executed. That is, in step S211, timer interrupt processing is prohibited from occurring, and then in step S212, a RAM judgment value is calculated and saved, and after prohibiting access to RAM 114 in step S213, an infinite loop continues until the power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed.

[0176] <Game play control processing> Next, the game number control process in step S203 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0177] In the game play control process, first, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the game is in the open / close execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not an open / close execution mode flag is stored (memorized) in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The open / close execution mode flag is stored when the game state is transitioned to the open / close execution mode in the game state transition process described later, and is erased when the open / close execution mode is terminated in the game state transition process.

[0178] If the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, the game round control process is terminated without executing any of the processes from step S302 onwards, i.e., the game round start process of steps S303 to S305 and the game round progress process of steps S306 to S309. In other words, if the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, a game round will not be started regardless of whether a prize has been won in the actuation ports 33, 34.

[0179] If the opening / closing execution mode is not in effect, then in step S302, it is determined whether the main display unit 43 is displaying a change. Specifically, it is determined whether either the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS is displaying a change. This determination is made by determining whether a change display in progress flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The change display in progress flag is stored when change display is started for either the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS, and is cleared when the change display ends.

[0180] If the main display unit 43 is not in a variable display state, the process proceeds to steps S303 to S305 for processing to start a game round. In the processing to start a game round, first in step S303, it is determined whether the common hold number CRN, which is the sum of the start hold memory numbers of the first result display unit AS and the second result display unit BS, is "0". If the common hold number CRN is "0", this means that the start hold memory numbers RaN, RbN are "0" for both the upper actuation port 33 and the lower actuation port 34. Therefore, the game round control process is terminated as is.

[0181] If the common reserve number CRN is not "0," a data setting process is executed in step S304 to set the data stored in the reserve area Ra for the first result display unit or the reserve area Rb for the second result display unit for variable display, and then a variable start process is executed in step S305 to start the variable display in the main display unit 43 and the variable display in the pattern display device 41, after which the game turn control process is terminated. In the variable start process, a win / lose lottery is executed based on the data (reservation information) set in the data setting process, and the stop result is set so that the game turn ends with the stop result corresponding to the win / lose lottery result. In addition, the variable display time for the game turn to be executed is set based on the variable type counter CS, etc. In addition, in the variable start process, a variable command containing information on the game result and a type command containing information on the variable display time are output and set to the performance control device 82 so that a performance corresponding to the game turn to be executed is performed. The variable command and type command are sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). The effect control device 82 transmits the received command to the display control device 212 while maintaining its information format. Upon receiving the command, the display control device 212 executes display control of the symbol display device 41, etc., so as to start the effect of that game round.

[0182] If the main display unit 43 is in the process of variable display, the game round progress processing of steps S306 to S309 is executed. In the game round progress processing, first, in step S306, it is determined whether the variable display time for the current game round has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the variable display time information stored in the variable display time counter area of ​​RAM 114 has become "0". The value of the variable display time information is set in the variable start processing at the start of a game round. Furthermore, the value of this set variable display time information is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt processing (FIG. 12) is started.

[0183] If the variable display time has not elapsed, variable display processing is executed in step S307. In the variable display processing, the display of the result display section for the current game round is controlled (light emission control of each display segment) so that each display segment in the result display section for the current game round is turned on and off in a predetermined order, and the game round control processing is terminated.

[0184] If the variable display time has elapsed, a variable end process is executed in step S308. In the variable end process, information set based on the result of the lottery for the variable start process is identified, and the main display unit 43 is controlled so that the image corresponding to that information is stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43.

[0185] In the following step S309, a variation end command is set. After that, this game round control process is terminated. The variation end command set in step S309 is sent to the presentation control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (Fig. 13). The presentation control device 82 sends the received variation end command to the display control device 212 while maintaining its information format. By receiving the variation end command, the display control device 212 displays the final stop pattern combination for that game round as a confirmed display (final stop display).

[0186] <Game state transition processing> Next, the game state transition process in step S204 in the normal process (FIG. 13) will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0187] First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the game is in the open / close execution mode. If it is not in the open / close execution mode, the process proceeds to step S402, where it is determined whether or not the timing has come when the variable display of the image in the first result display section AS or the second result display section BS for one game has ended. If the variable display has not come to an end, the game state transition process is terminated.

[0188] If the timing of the variable display has ended, in step S403, it is determined whether the game result of the current game corresponds to the transition to the open / close execution mode. If the game result does not correspond to the transition to the open / close execution mode, the game state transition process is terminated.

[0189] If the transition corresponds to the opening / closing execution mode, the opening / closing execution mode start process is executed in step S404. In this start process, it is checked whether the variable winning device 201 is in a closed state before the opening / closing execution mode is started. In addition, in the opening / closing execution mode start process, an opening period setting process is executed to wait without starting to open the variable winning device 201 when the opening / closing execution mode is started. In the opening period setting process, waiting time information for opening that is pre-stored in ROM 113 is set in a timer counter T provided in the various counter area 114d of RAM 114. The value of the timer counter T is decremented by 1 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 2 msec, each time the timer interrupt process is started).

[0190] In the following step S405, as a process for starting the round display, the number of rounds ("15" in this embodiment for any jackpot result) of the open / close execution mode to be executed this time is displayed in the round display section RS of the main display section 43.

[0191] In the following step S406, an opening command is set. This set opening command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal processing (FIG. 13). The performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed. The content of this performance includes the display mode of the pattern display device 41, and this determined display mode is output from the performance control device 82 to the display control device 212 as a display content command. Based on the display content command received from the performance control device 82, the display control device 212 controls the display of the pattern display device 41 so that a display (for example, a moving image display) corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode is performed.

[0192] Then, in step S407, after executing the external signal setting process, this game state transition process is terminated. In the external signal setting process, the signal output state of the output terminal for the jackpot signal provided in the external output terminal 99 is set to the jackpot signal output state. As a result, if the output terminal for the jackpot signal is connected to a management control device on the gaming hall side, a jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the management control device can know that a jackpot has occurred in the pachinko machine 10.

[0193] On the other hand, if the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, an affirmative determination is made in step S401, and the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, it is determined whether or not the waiting time for the opening has elapsed. If the waiting time for the opening has not elapsed, the game state transition process is terminated. If the waiting time for the opening has elapsed, the special prize opening opening / closing process is executed in step S409. The special prize opening opening / closing process will now be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0194] First, in step S501, it is determined whether the variable winning device 201 is in the open state and whether the special winning opening 202 is open. Specifically, this determination is made based on the drive state of the variable winning drive unit 219. If the special winning opening 202 is not open, it is determined in step S502 whether the value of the round counter RC is "0" and in step S503 whether the value of the timer counter T is "0".

[0195] If the value of the round counter RC is "0" or the value of the timer counter T is not "0", the large prize opening / closing process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the round counter RC is not "0" and the value of the timer counter T is "0", the process proceeds to step S504, and the variable prize drive unit 219 is driven to set the variable prize device 201 to the open state.

[0196] In the next step S505, a process for setting the open time of the round is executed. In the process for setting the open time, "15000" (30 seconds) corresponding to the upper limit open time (upper limit open period) of the round is input to the timer counter T.

[0197] In the next step S506, a process for setting the upper limit of the number of winning prizes for each round is performed. In the process for setting the upper limit of the number of winning prizes for each round, a process for inputting "10" corresponding to the upper limit of the number of winning prizes into the winning prize counter PC provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 is performed.

[0198] Then, in step S507, an opening command is set, and the opening / closing process is terminated. This set opening command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). The performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to each round based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed.

[0199] Furthermore, if the variable winning device 201 is in the open state in step S501, the process proceeds to step S508, where it is determined whether or not the value of the timer counter T is "0." If the value of the timer counter T is not "0," it is determined in step S509 whether or not a gaming ball has won the variable winning device 201 based on the detection state of the large winning opening winning sensor 202a. If no winning has occurred, the opening / closing process is terminated. On the other hand, if a winning has occurred, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1 in step S510, and then it is determined in step S511 whether or not the value of the winning counter PC is "0," and if it is not "0," the opening / closing process is terminated.

[0200] In step S508, if the value of the timer counter T is "0" and the upper limit release time has elapsed, or if the value of the prize counter PC is "0" and the upper limit number of prizes has been won in step S511, this means that the conditions for ending the round have been met. In such cases, in step S512, the variable prize drive unit 219 is deactivated to close the variable prize device 201.

[0201] In the following step S513, the value of the round counter RC is decremented by 1 to execute update processing of the round counter RC. In the following step S514, it is determined whether the value of the round counter RC is "0".

[0202] If the value of the round counter RC is not "0", step S515 executes a process for setting the closing time between rounds, that is, the time from when the variable winning device 201 is changed from the open state to the closed state until it is changed back to the open state. In the process for setting the closing time, a process is executed in which "2000" (4 seconds) corresponding to the waiting time (interval) between rounds is input to the timer counter T.

[0203] Thereafter, a close command is set in step S516, and this opening / closing process is terminated. The close command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). Based on the received close command, the performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to the interval of the round game, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed.

[0204] If it is determined in step S514 that the value of the round counter RC is "0", then in step S517, an ending start process is executed. In this start process, an ending waiting time is set for the ending of the opening and closing execution mode, during which the next game round is not started and the game waits. Specifically, the timer counter T is set to the waiting time information for the ending that is pre-stored in the ROM 113. In this embodiment, the ending waiting time is set to 5 seconds, and in step S517, a process is executed to input "2500" into the timer counter T.

[0205] Then, in step S518, an ending command is set, and the opening / closing process ends. The ending command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). Based on the received ending command, the performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to the end of the opening / closing execution mode, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed.

[0206] Returning to the explanation of the game state transition process (FIG. 15), after the big prize opening / closing process is executed in step S409, it is determined in step S410 whether the round counter RC is "0". If the value of the round counter RC is not "0", this game state transition process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the round counter RC is "0", it is determined in step S411 using the timer counter T whether the waiting time for the ending has ended. If the waiting time for the ending has not ended, this game state transition process is terminated. On the other hand, if the waiting time for the ending has ended, transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode is executed in step S412.

[0207] In the transition process at the end of the open / close execution mode, the winning / losing lottery mode and support mode are set after the open / close execution mode. Specifically, if the trigger for this open / close execution mode was a guaranteed jackpot result, the game state will transition to a high probability mode and a high frequency support mode after the open / close execution mode ends, and if the trigger is a normal jackpot result, the game state will transition to a low probability mode and a limited number of low frequency support mode after the open / close execution mode ends.

[0208] Then, in step S413, a process for ending the display of the round display section RS is executed, and in step S414, an end process for the opening and closing execution mode is executed, and then this game state transition process is terminated. In the end process for the opening and closing execution mode, the transition to the opening and closing execution mode is made and various counters and flags used during the opening and closing execution mode are erased.

[0209] <About the game flow> Next, the game flow in the normal game state (a game state other than the opening and closing execution mode) and the opening and closing execution mode will be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18. Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game flow in the normal game state, and Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game flow in the opening and closing execution mode.

[0210] First, the flow of the game in the normal game state will be explained with reference to Figure 17. When the game ball that has flown down the left area PE2 (see Figure 4) reaches the left flow path forming portion 131, the game ball descends along the first inclined portion 133 of the left flow path forming portion 131 and is guided toward the left game nail group 134. If the game ball then jumps over the gap 135 between the first inclined portion 133 and the left game nail group 134, the game ball is guided by the left game nail group 134 toward the lower operating port 34. When the game ball has crossed the left game nail group 134, if the electric device 34a is in the open state, the game ball will enter the lower operating port 34, and if the electric device 34a is in the closed state, the game ball will fall toward the variable winning device 201 without entering the lower operating port 34.

[0211] On the other hand, if a gaming ball falls from a gap 135 between the first inclined portion 133 and the left-side gaming nail group 134 or a gap 135 provided at a midpoint of the left-side gaming nail group 134, the gaming ball is guided to the general winning openings 31a, 31b or above the general winning openings 31a, 31b. If the gaming ball wins at the general winning openings 31a, 31b, the winning is detected by the general winning opening winning sensor 31e, and a predetermined number of gaming balls (e.g., 10) are paid out. On the other hand, if the gaming ball that fell from the gap 135 does not win at the general winning openings 31a, 31b, the gaming ball passes through a left-side third flow path formed between the first vertical wall portion 137 and the general winning opening 31a or passes between the general winning openings 31a and 31b, and falls onto the second inclined portion 136 of the left-side flow path forming portion 131.

[0212] As already explained, the second inclined portion 136 is configured so that there is no escape route for game balls, such as an outlet, between the connection with the first vertical wall portion 137 and the terminal end (the end on the variable winning device 201 side), and therefore all game balls that fall onto the second inclined portion 136 are guided to the variable winning device 201 side. Then, the game balls that have been guided to the variable winning device 201 side fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216, which is in the protruding position and closing the large winning port 202, and are guided to the outlets 141, 171 by the inclined portions 217, 218 provided on the shutter 216. Here, since the distance between the left and right ends 216a, 216b of the shutter 216 and the second vertical wall portion 138, 168 of the left flow path forming portion 131 is less than the diameter of the game ball, the game ball rolling on the shutter 216 does not fall between the shutter 216 and the second vertical wall portion 138, 168, and all of the game balls enter the outlets 141, 171.

[0213] In addition, in the area PE4b between the left-side game nail group 134 and the variable winning device 201, the game nails 38 are arranged so as to guide the game ball that has flowed into the area PE4b to the variable winning device 201. Therefore, even if the game ball that has passed through the gap 135 does not reach the second inclined portion 136, the game ball is guided to the variable winning device 201 and falls onto the shutter 216. Then, as in the above case, the game ball rolls on the shutter 216 and is guided to the outlet 141, 171.

[0214] When a gaming ball is shot out so as to flow down the right-side area PE3 (see FIG. 4), and the gaming ball that has flowed down the right-side area PE3 reaches the right-side flow path forming portion 161, the gaming ball is guided toward the right-side gaming nail group 164 by the first inclined portion 163 of the right-side flow path forming portion 161. In this case as well, when the gaming ball does not reach the right-side gaming nail group 164 or when the gaming ball falls through a gap 165 provided at a midpoint of the right-side gaming nail group 164, the gaming ball is guided to the general winning openings 31c, 31d or above the general winning openings 31c, 31d.

[0215] Then, gaming balls that do not win through the general winning openings 31c, 31d pass through the right-side third flow path formed between the first vertical wall portion 167 and the general winning opening 31d, or pass through between the general winning openings 31c and 31d, and fall onto the second inclined portion 166 of the right-side flow path forming portion 161. In the second inclined portion 166, there is no escape route for gaming balls, such as an outlet, between the connection portion with the first vertical wall portion 167 and the terminal portion (the end portion on the variable winning device 201 side), so all gaming balls that fall onto the second inclined portion 166 are guided toward the variable winning device 201 side and fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216.

[0216] In addition, even if a game ball flows into the area PE4c between the right game nail group 164 and the variable winning device 201, it is guided to the variable winning device 201 side by the game nails 38 arranged in the area PE4c and falls onto the upper surface of the shutter 216. Furthermore, a game ball that reaches the vicinity of the upper actuation port 33 and the lower actuation port 34 but does not win either of these actuation ports 33, 34 and flows into the area PE4a is also guided to the variable winning device 201 side and falls onto the upper surface of the shutter 216.

[0217] In this manner, in this embodiment, regardless of whether the gaming balls pass through the left area PE2 or the right area PE3, all gaming balls that have not entered the upper actuation port 33, the lower actuation port 34, and the general winning ports 31a to 31d are collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 201. When the shutter 216 is in the protruding position and the variable winning device 201 is in the closed state, the collected gaming balls fall onto the shutter 216 and are then guided by the shutter 216 to the outlets 141, 171.

[0218] Next, the flow of the game in the open / close execution mode will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The flow of the game balls that have flowed down the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 until they are collected in the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 201 is the same as in the normal game state, so the description will be omitted.

[0219] As already explained, when the mode is switched to the open / close execution mode, the variable winning device 201 is switched from the closed state to the open state, and then the switching control (open / close control) of switching from the open state to the closed state is performed at least once (15 times in this embodiment). When the variable winning device 201 is in the open state, the shutter 216 is positioned in the retracted position, thereby forming an accepting area RA (see FIG. 7(b)) that can accept game balls into the large winning opening 202, and allowing the game ball to win into the large winning opening 202. On the other hand, when the mode is closed, the shutter 216 is positioned in the protruding position, thereby eliminating the accepting area RA, and restricting the game ball from winning into the large winning opening 202.

[0220] Under such a configuration, in this embodiment, game balls that have flowed down the second inclined portions 136, 166 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161 and the areas PE4a to PE4c are configured to be collected in the area where the receiving area RA is formed. Therefore, when the shutter 216 is in the retracted position (when the variable winning device 201 is in the open state), if game balls reach the area where the receiving area RA is formed, all of those game balls flow into the receiving area RA and win the big winning opening 202 (flow into the passage portion 208). This suppresses the generation of out balls, and makes it possible to efficiently make game balls win in the variable winning device 201.

[0221] On the other hand, when the shutter 216 is in the protruding position (when the variable winning device 201 is in the closed state) and the game ball reaches the formation area of ​​the receiving area RA, the game ball falls onto the shutter 216, as in the normal game state, and is guided to the outlet 141, 171.

[0222] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0223] Of the game balls flowing down the game area PE, all game balls that do not win in other ball entry sections (upper operating port 33, lower operating port 34, general winning ports 31a to 31d) upstream of the variable winning device 201 are configured to be guided to a predetermined area (an area where the receiving area RA is formed). In this case, by the player watching the flow of game balls gathering in the predetermined area, when the variable winning device 201 is switched to the open state, it is possible to give the player the impression that the variable winning device 201 will be able to efficiently win game balls.

[0224] Moreover, by providing the left-side flow path forming portion 131 and the right-side flow path forming portion 161, and by configuring the game balls to be guided to the predetermined area as described above regardless of whether they flow down through the left-side area PE2 or the right-side area PE3, the flow of game balls gathering in the predetermined area can be generated on a daily basis, not just in special game states such as when hitting from the right. In other words, by constantly watching the flow, the player is encouraged to be aware that they can efficiently win with the variable winning device 201, and the enjoyment of generating the open / close execution mode can be enhanced.

[0225] Additionally, in this embodiment, when the variable winning device 201 is in a closed state, game balls guided to the predetermined area are guided to the outlets 141, 171. In this case, game balls that have gathered in the predetermined area during normal game play can be appropriately released outside the game area PE. This prevents game balls from remaining in the predetermined area, and prevents ball jamming in the predetermined area and its surrounding areas. For example, if ball jamming occurs frequently in these areas, there is a concern that the increased need for game hall staff to clear the jammed balls may be an annoyance for players, or that a flow of game balls may be created that is contrary to the design intent. However, this embodiment makes it possible to effectively prevent such inconveniences.

[0226] A left-side flow path forming section 131 and a right-side flow path forming section 161 are provided on the left and right sides of the gaming board 24, and the variable winning device 201 is disposed between these flow path forming sections 131, 161. In this configuration, a predetermined area for collecting gaming balls can be set between the flow path forming sections 131, 161, allowing the gaming balls to gather in the center of the lower area PE4. This allows the flow of gaming balls to be configured in a location that is more easily noticeable to the player than when the predetermined area is set in the left or right corner of the gaming board 24, for example. Furthermore, by positioning the variable winning device 201 between the flow path forming sections 131, 161, the relative positions of the three sections give the player the impression that the gaming balls are likely to gather around the variable winning device 201, even if the player does not actually see the flow of the gaming balls, thereby favorably stimulating their desire to play.

[0227] Each flow path forming section 131, 161 is provided with a first inclined section 133, 163, which guides game balls above the general winning openings 31a-31d and then guides game balls that do not win at the general winning openings 31a-31d to the variable winning device 201. For example, if game balls were configured to win at the variable winning device 201 too efficiently, the processing load within the gaming machine for winning may increase, which may hinder the operation of the gaming machine. In this regard, by configuring the flow of game balls to approach the general winning openings 31a-31d and then the variable winning device 201, the number of game balls that reach the variable winning device 201 can be reduced, and excessive winnings at the variable winning device 201 can be prevented. In this case, since the general winning openings 31a-31d are utilized, the frequency of winning at the variable winning device 201 can be reduced while still dispensing game balls. Therefore, compared to reducing the frequency of winning into the variable winning device 201 by, for example, guiding the game ball to the outlet, it is easier to gain understanding from the player, and it is possible to prevent a decline in motivation to play.

[0228] The outlets 141, 171 are arranged to the side of the shutter 216. In this case, the flow of game balls on the shutter 216 in the protruding position can be used to guide the game balls to the outlets 141, 171, and the shutter 216 can be used as a guide path to the outlets 141, 171. Furthermore, since the distance between the shutter 216 and the outlets 141, 171 is less than the diameter of the game ball, game balls are prevented from falling downward between the shutter 216 and the outlets 141, 171. As a result, a separate guide path for guiding game balls from the shutter 216 to the outlets 141, 171 is not required, and the game ball guide path to the outlets 141, 171 can be simplified.

[0229] <First Modification of the First Embodiment> In this modified example, the configuration of the second inclined sections 136, 166 in each flow path forming section 131, 161 and the variable winning device 201 is different from that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the second inclined sections 136, 166 and the variable winning device 201 according to this modified example will be explained below with reference to Figures 19 and 20. In these figures, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0230] 19, in this modified example, outlets 231, 232 are provided in the second inclined portions 136, 166. Each outlet 231, 232 opens upward and allows one gaming ball to pass through.

[0231] The outlets 231, 232 are provided at a midpoint on the rolling surface of the gaming balls in the second inclined portions 136, 166, specifically, at the most upstream portion of the second inclined portions 136, 166, i.e., at the end portion on the side of the first vertical wall portions 137, 167. For this reason, gaming balls that have passed through the third flow paths formed between the first vertical wall portions 137, 167 and the general winning openings 31a, 31d can enter the outlets 141, 171. Incidentally, since only a small proportion of gaming balls flowing down the gaming area PE flow into the third flow paths, in this modified example, substantially all (almost all) of the gaming balls that do not enter the operating openings 33, 34 and the general winning openings 31a-31d are guided to the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 201.

[0232] In this way, by providing outlets 231, 232 at intermediate positions of second inclined portions 136, 166, the game balls can be discharged from the game area PE in the process of being guided toward the variable winning device 201. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment in which the game balls are uniformly guided toward the variable winning device 201, it becomes more difficult to predict the direction of the game balls, and it becomes possible to increase the attention paid to the flow of the game balls.

[0233] In the above-described modified example, the outlets 231, 232 are provided at the most upstream part of the second inclined section 136, 166, but the location of the outlets 231, 232 is not limited to this, and for example, they can be provided at an intermediate position between the most upstream part and the most downstream part of the second inclined section 136, 166. Incidentally, the closer the outlets 231, 232 are to the most downstream part of the second inclined section 136, 166, the higher the rate at which gaming balls enter the outlets 231, 232. In other words, the outlets 231, 232 can be used as an adjustment means for adjusting the rate at which gaming balls reach the variable winning device 201.

[0234] In the above modification, an outlet is provided in each of the second inclined portion 136 of the left flow path forming portion 131 and the second inclined portion 166 of the right flow path forming portion 161, but an outlet may be provided in only one of the second inclined portions 136, 166. Furthermore, an outlet that opens upward may be provided in each flow path forming portion 131, 161 or in the first inclined portion 133, 163 of either flow path forming portion, or an outlet that opens to the side (toward the center of the left and right sides of the lower region PE4) may be provided in the first vertical wall portion 137, 167.

[0235] Next, a description will be given of the variable winning device 201 according to this modified example. As shown in Fig. 20, the variable winning device 201 according to this modified example is characterized by the configuration of the shutter 216.

[0236] In this modified example, the variable winning device 201 is provided with a deceleration means for reducing the moving speed of the gaming ball when it moves on the shutter 216. Specifically, the upper surface 216c of the shutter 216 is provided with a plurality of ridges 215 extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the gaming ball. Each ridge 215 protrudes upward from the upper surface 216c of the shutter 216 and has a columnar shape with a semicircular cross section that is convex upward. These ridges 215 are arranged in a line in the moving direction of the gaming ball on the shutter 216 (the left-right direction of the gaming machine), and are spaced apart at a predetermined interval.

[0237] By providing such a deceleration means, when a gaming ball lands on the upper surface 216c of the shutter 216, the gaming ball moving toward the outlet 141, 171 is decelerated, and the gaming ball's stay time on the shutter 216 is extended. As a result, if a gaming ball reaches the shutter 216 during a waiting period between round games (a period during which the variable winning device 201 is closed), the probability that the next round game will start (the variable winning device 201 will be switched to an open state) before the gaming ball has crossed the shutter 216 increases. In other words, not only gaming balls that reach the variable winning device 201 when the variable winning device 201 is open, but also gaming balls that reach the variable winning device 201 during the waiting period can win in the big winning port 202, thereby enabling more efficient winning. Note that the convex rib portion 215 functions to obstruct the flow of gaming balls on the shutter 216, and can therefore also be referred to as an obstructing portion or an obstacle portion.

[0238] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration are different from those in the first embodiment. Below, the variable winning device 301 and its peripheral configuration according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. Figure 21(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 301 and its peripheral configuration, (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device 301, Figure 22(a) is a perspective view of the variable winning device 301 and its peripheral configuration, and (b) is a plan view showing the rear portion 305c of the opening and closing door 305. In these figures, the same symbols are used for configurations that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0239] In this embodiment, the large prize opening 302 of the variable prize winning device 301 is formed as a horizontally elongated rectangular opening when viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 21(a). The size (width) of the large prize opening 302 is larger than the size of two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, allowing multiple game balls to pass through at the same time. As shown in FIG. 21(c), a ball passage 303 is formed behind the large prize opening 302, which guides game balls that enter the large prize opening 302 to the back side of the gaming board 24 and then downward. A large prize opening entry sensor 302a is located midway along the ball passage 303 to detect game balls that enter the large prize opening 302.

[0240] The variable winning device 201 is provided with a plate-shaped opening / closing door 305 that corresponds to the large winning opening 302. The opening / closing door 305 is rotatable in the front-to-back direction around a rotation axis provided at the lower end of the large winning opening 302. This back-to-back rotation allows the door 305 to be displaced between a protruding position (open position) where it protrudes forward from the front surface of the gaming board 24 and opens the large winning opening 302, and a retracted position (closed position) where it is prevented from protruding from the front surface of the gaming board 24 and covers the large winning opening 302.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the opening / closing door 305 is in the retracted position, the opening / closing door 305 covers the large prize opening 302 from the front, restricting the entry of game balls into the large prize opening 302 and closing the large prize opening 302. At this time, the front surface 305b of the opening / closing door 305 is flush with the front surface of the game board 24 (the front surface 311a of the base body 311 of the variable prize opening device 301) or is positioned closer to the rear of the gaming machine than the front surface of the game board 24. When the opening / closing door 305 pivots forward from this position to the protruding position, a receiving area RA capable of receiving game balls is formed in front of the large prize opening 302. The receiving area RA has the same shape and size as the large prize opening 302 in a front view, and the formation of the receiving area RA allows game balls to enter the large prize opening 302. This opens the large prize opening 302 to an open state.

[0242] 21(a), the height position of the opening / closing door 305 is set so that the opening / closing door 305 and the outlets 141, 171 formed in each flow path forming portion 131, 161 are aligned side by side. More specifically, when the opening / closing door 305 is positioned in the protruding position, the rear surface portion (ball receiving portion) 305c of the opening / closing door 305 is set to be at a position that is lower by at least one ball size from the second inclined portions 136, 166 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161. In other words, a step is formed between the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305 and the second inclined portions 136, 166, so that the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305 is lower than the second inclined portions 136, 166 by at least the diameter of the gaming ball, and the outlets 141, 171 are arranged in this step. With this configuration, when the opening and closing door 305 is located in the protruding position, some of the game balls moving on the opening and closing door 305 enter the outlets 141, 171.

[0243] As in the first embodiment, the outlets 141, 171 are open to the opening / closing door 305 side and are large enough to allow one gaming ball to pass through. The outlets 141, 171 and the front surfaces of the flow path forming portions 131, 161 in their surrounding areas are made opaque, and are less visible from the front of the gaming machine than the lower outlet 321 described later.

[0244] As shown in Figure 22 (b), a protrusion 325 is provided on the rear surface 305c of the opening / closing door 305. The protrusion 325 protrudes upward from the rear surface 305c and is intended to adjust the ease with which gaming balls moving on the opening / closing door 305 can reach the outlets 141, 171. In other words, the higher the protrusions 325 are made and the more there are of them, the more difficult it becomes for gaming balls to reach the outlets 141, 171. By adjusting these factors when designing the gaming machine, it is possible to adjust the ease with which gaming balls can escape to the outlets 141, 171, i.e., the rate at which gaming balls win the big prize opening 302.

[0245] In this embodiment, the protrusion 325 is disposed close to the front end 305f of the door 305, so that the ease with which game balls reach the outlets 141, 171 can be adjusted by the so-called tilt of the pachinko machine 10 when it is installed in the gaming hall. That is, by increasing the tilt (degree of forward tilt) of the pachinko machine 10, game balls can more easily pass through the front end 305f side of the door 305, and are more likely to be affected by the protrusion 325. Note that, in this embodiment, the protrusions 325 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the door 305, but they may be disposed on only the left or right side. The number of protrusions 325 is arbitrary, and may be one or three or more.

[0246] As shown in Figure 21(a), the opening and closing door 305 extends in the left-right direction, and more specifically, its left and right end portions 305d, 305e (see Figure 22(b)) are located near the second vertical wall portions 138, 168 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161. The distance between the left and right end portions 305d, 305e of the opening and closing door 305 and each outlet 141, 171 is less than the diameter of a gaming ball, so that gaming balls will not fall between the opening and closing door 305 in the protruding position and each outlet 141, 171.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 21(b), a variable winning drive unit 219 that drives the opening / closing door 305 is attached to the back side of the base body 311. The variable winning drive unit 219 has a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a drive force transmission means that transmits the drive force from the solenoid to the opening / closing door 305. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the opening / closing door 305 rotates from a retracted position to a protruding position, and the variable winning device 301 switches from a closed state to an open state. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the opening / closing door 305 returns from the protruding position to the retracted position due to the biasing force of the biasing means (spring, etc.), and the variable winning device 301 switches from an open state to a closed state.

[0248] As shown in FIG. 21(a), a lower outlet 321 is disposed below the variable winning device 301. The lower outlet 321 opens forward and has a horizontally elongated, generally oval shape when viewed from the front. The size (width) of the lower outlet 321 is larger than the size of two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, allowing multiple game balls to pass through at the same time. Behind the lower outlet 321, a ball passage 322 is formed to guide game balls that enter the lower outlet 321 to the back side of the gaming board 24. In this embodiment, the ball passage 322 corresponding to the lower outlet 321 and the ball passage 303 corresponding to the big winning opening 302 are joined together, but these ball passages 322, 303 may not be joined together.

[0249] <About the game flow> Next, the game flow in each of the normal game state and the open / close execution mode will be described with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game flow in the normal game state, and (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game flow in the open / close execution mode. In both the normal game state and the open / close execution mode, the flow from when the game balls flow down the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 to when they are collected in the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 301 is the same as in the first embodiment described above with reference to Figure 18, so the description will be omitted.

[0250] First, the flow of the game in the normal game state will be explained with reference to Figure 23 (a). In the normal game state, the opening / closing execution mode is not executed, and the variable winning device 301 remains closed. In this state, when game balls are guided to the variable winning device 301 side via the second inclined portions 136, 166 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161 or the areas PE4a to PE4c, all of these game balls pass in front of the opening / closing door 305 and flow down toward the lower outlet 321. In other words, in the normal game state, all game balls gathered in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 301 enter the lower outlet 321 and are discharged from the game area PE.

[0251] Next, the flow of the game in the open / close execution mode will be described with reference to FIG. 23(b). As already explained, when the mode is switched to the open / close execution mode, a round game is executed in which the variable winning device 301 is switched from the closed state to the open state, and then the switching control from the open state to the closed state is performed at least once (once in this embodiment), and in the open / close execution mode, such a round game is performed multiple times (15 times in this embodiment). When the variable winning device 301 is in the open state, the opening / closing door 305 is positioned in the protruding position, thereby forming a receiving area RA (see FIG. 21(c)) that can receive game balls into the large winning opening 302, and allowing the game ball to enter the large winning opening 302. On the other hand, when the mode is closed, the opening / closing door 305 is positioned in the retracted position, thereby eliminating the receiving area RA, and thus restricting the game ball from entering the large winning opening 302.

[0252] As in the first embodiment, the game area PE is configured to collect game balls in the area where the receiving area RA is formed. Therefore, when the opening / closing door 305 is in the protruding position and the variable winning device 301 is in the open state, if game balls reach the area where the receiving area RA is formed, all of the game balls flow into the receiving area RA. The game balls that flow into the receiving area RA in this way fall onto the rear surface 305c of the opening / closing door 305, then move backward along the rear surface 305c and enter the large prize opening 302. Some game balls also move left and right on the rear surface 305c of the opening / closing door 305. If the game balls go over the protrusion 325, they enter the outlets 141, 171 and are discharged from the game area PE. As already explained, when a game ball enters the big prize opening 302, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 15 balls) are paid out, but when a game ball enters the outlet 141, 171, no game balls are paid out.

[0253] On the other hand, when the opening / closing door 305 is in the retracted position and the variable winning device 301 is in the closed state, if the game ball reaches the area where the receiving area RA is formed, the game ball passes in front of the opening / closing door 305 and enters the lower outlet 321, just as in the normal game state.

[0254] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0255] Since the configuration is such that all game balls that do not enter the other ball entry sections (upper operating port 33, lower operating port 34, general entry ports 31a to 31d) upstream of the variable entry device 301 are guided to a predetermined area (the area where the receiving area RA is formed), the same effect as in the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0256] A lower outlet 321 and outlets 141, 171 are provided, and when the variable winning device 301 is in a closed state, the game ball enters the lower outlet 321, and when the variable winning device 301 is in an open state, the game ball enters the outlets 141, 171. This is expected to have the following effects.

[0257] If game balls enter the variable winning device 301 too efficiently, it may give an advantage to the player, which may cause problems in the operation of the game hall. If such a problem is anticipated at the design stage of the game machine, the flow path of the game balls may be reviewed and the winning rate of the variable winning device 301 may be adjusted. In this case, if the game balls are blatantly guided to the outlet side, which reduces the winning rate of the game balls to the variable winning device 301, it may lead to a decrease in motivation to play, which is undesirable.

[0258] In this regard, the present embodiment addresses the above problem by configuring the outlet through which game balls are discharged to be switched depending on the operating state of the variable winning device 301. That is, when the variable winning device 301 is in the closed state, game balls enter the lower outlet 321, and therefore, in a game state in which the open / close execution mode is not executed, game balls are discharged through the lower outlet 321. Since periods in which the open / close execution mode is not executed tend to be longer and more dominant in a game than periods in which the open / close execution mode is executed, by the player regularly seeing game balls being discharged through the lower outlet 321, the player is encouraged to recognize that the lower outlet 321 is the outlet for game balls and that game balls that enter the lower outlet 321 become out balls. Furthermore, when the variable winning device 301 is in the open state, game balls are discharged through the outlets 141, 171, instead of the lower outlet 321. The preconceived notion that the lower outlet 321 is the outlet prevents a player from recognizing that a game ball has been discharged even when the game ball enters the outlets 141, 171. This makes it possible to discharge game balls that have not entered the open variable winning device 301 while making the discharge less noticeable. This makes it possible to adjust the winning rate of game balls in the variable winning device 301 while preventing a decline in player motivation.

[0259] Moreover, in this embodiment, since the balls enter the outlets 141, 171 via the opening and closing door 305 in the protruding position, it is also possible to maintain the flow of game balls that gathers game balls in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 301. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the winning rate of game balls in the variable winning device 301 while giving the impression that game balls are likely to come close to the variable winning device 301.

[0260] The outlets 141, 171 are configured to have lower visibility when viewed from the front (viewed from the front of the gaming machine) than the lower outlet 321. In this case, the presence of the outlets 141, 171 is weakened compared to the lower outlet 321, and an increase in the player's attention to the outlets 141, 171 is suppressed. This makes it possible to make the discharge of gaming balls through the outlets 141, 171 even less noticeable.

[0261] In order to emphasize the lower outlet 321 while diluting the presence of the outlets 141, 171, a marking (for example, "OUT") suggesting or clearly indicating that it is an outlet may be provided around the lower outlet 321, for example, on the side of the lower outlet 321, or on a decorative element if one is placed in front of the lower outlet 321, and the marking may be provided in correspondence with the lower outlet 321, while no such marking may be provided for the outlets 141, 171, or the marking may be made less noticeable than that for the lower outlet 321 (for example, by making the marking smaller or fainter).

[0262] The outlets 141, 171 are arranged upstream of the lower outlet 321. In gaming machines, the outlet is often arranged at the bottom (most downstream part) of the play area PE, and it is expected that there are many cases where players play with such a preconceived notion. This configuration makes use of this, and by arranging the outlets 141, 171 upstream of the lower outlet 321, it is possible to prevent players from recognizing the outlets 141, 171 as outlets at a glance.

[0263] The outlets 141, 171 are arranged adjacent to the opening / closing door 305. When the opening / closing door 305 is in the protruding position, if a gaming ball moving on the rear surface 305c of the opening / closing door 305 passes through the opening / closing door 305, the gaming ball can be made to quickly enter the outlets 141, 171. As a result, it becomes difficult for a player to recognize the flow of the gaming ball from passing through the opening / closing door 305 to the outlets 141, 171, making the entry of the gaming ball into the outlets 141, 171 even less noticeable. In addition, by arranging the outlets 141, 171 adjacent to the opening / closing door 305, the distance between the opening / closing door 305 and the special prize opening 302 can be shortened. This makes it possible to make the gaming ball enter the outlets 141, 171 while making it appear as if it had entered the special prize opening 302, making the discharge even less noticeable.

[0264] The distance between the outlets 141, 171 and the opening / closing door 305 is less than the diameter of a gaming ball. For example, if a configuration were adopted in which gaming balls fell between the outlets 141, 171 and the opening / closing door 305, a player would see the gaming balls spilling out of the opening / closing door 305, which could give the player the impression that gaming balls are likely to spill. In this regard, the present configuration prevents gaming balls from falling out between the outlets 141, 171 and the opening / closing door 305, making it less likely that the player will get the impression that gaming balls are likely to spill, and making it possible to suitably prevent a decline in motivation to play.

[0265] In the above embodiment, the configuration is such that game balls cannot enter the lower outlet 321 when the system is in the open state, but the configuration may be such that game balls can enter within a range that is more difficult to enter than when the system is in the closed state. Also, the configuration is such that game balls generally cannot enter the outlets 141, 171 when the system is in the closed state, but the configuration may be such that game balls can enter within a range that is more difficult to enter than when the system is in the open state.

[0266] <Third embodiment> In this embodiment, the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration are different from those of the above-described embodiments. The variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26. FIG. 24(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration, (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof, FIG. 25(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401, (b) is a plan view of the opening / closing member 431 and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration. In these figures, components similar to those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. For convenience, the left-side flow path forming portion 131 is not shown in FIGS. 24(b) and 25(a).

[0267] As shown in Figure 24(a), the variable winning device 401 has a plate-shaped base body 411, and is attached to the gaming board 24 by fitting the base body 411 into an opening formed at the bottom of the gaming board 24. As shown in Figure 24(b), the distance between the front surface 411a of the base body 411 and the window panel 62 is larger than the diameter of the gaming ball, allowing the gaming ball to pass in front of the front surface 411a.

[0268] 24(a) and 24(b), a first winning opening 403 is formed on the top of the base body 411 so as to open toward the front of the gaming machine. The first winning opening 403 has a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and its size (width) is larger than the width of two gaming balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, allowing multiple gaming balls to pass through at the same time.

[0269] 25(a), a first ball passage 405 is formed behind the first winning opening 403. The first ball passage 405 guides the game ball that has entered the first winning opening 403 to the back side of the game board 24 and then guides it downward. A first large winning opening winning sensor 403a that detects the game ball that has entered the first winning opening 403 is disposed midway along the first ball passage 405.

[0270] As shown in Figure 24(b), a passage 408 through which game balls can pass is formed below the first winning opening 403 and in front of the base body 411. The bottom of the passage 408 is partitioned by an inner rail 51, and outlets 441, 442 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the passage 408 (see Figures 24(a) and 26(a)). These outlets 441, 442 are provided below the outlets 141, 171 in the second vertical wall portions 138, 168 of the flow path forming portions 131, 161, and both open laterally so as to face the passage 408 side.

[0271] A second winning opening 404 is formed in the center of the lower part of the passage 408 so as to penetrate the base body 411 in the thickness direction. The second winning opening 404 is formed as an opening that opens forward and has a substantially elliptical shape that is long horizontally when viewed from the front, and its size (width dimension) is larger than the width of two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, allowing multiple game balls to pass through at the same time.

[0272] As shown in Figure 25(a), a second ball passage 421 is provided on the back side of the base body 411 so as to communicate with the second winning opening 404. The second ball passage 421 extends rearward, and a gaming ball that has won in the second winning opening 404 flows into the second ball passage 421 and is then guided rearward along the passage bottom surface 421a. A second large winning opening winning sensor 404a that detects a gaming ball that has won in the second winning opening 404 is disposed midway along the second ball passage 421.

[0273] As described above, the variable winning device 401 of this embodiment is provided with two winning openings 403, 404 as winning openings through which gaming balls can win, and these winning openings 403, 404 form the large winning opening 402. The first large winning opening winning sensor 403a and the second large winning opening winning sensor 404a are electrically connected to the main control device 81, and when a gaming ball passes through the detection area of ​​each of the large winning opening winning sensors 403a, 404a, predetermined detection information (detection signal) is input to the main control device 81. The main control device 81 determines whether or not a prize has been won in the large winning opening 402 based on this detection information.

[0274] As shown in FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b), the variable winning device 401 is provided with an opening / closing member 431 corresponding to the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404.

[0275] The opening / closing member 431 is provided with a first opening / closing plate 432 that opens and closes the first winning opening 403, and is rotatable in the front-to-back direction around a rotation axis provided at the lower end of the first winning opening 403. This back-to-back rotation allows the first opening / closing plate 432 to be displaced between a protruding position (see FIGS. 25(a) and 26(b)) in which it protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24 (front surface 411a of the base body 411), and a retracted position (see FIGS. 24(b) and 26(a)) in which it is prevented from protruding from the front surface of the game board 24.

[0276] When the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position, the first opening / closing plate 432 covers the first winning opening 403 from the front, restricting the entry of game balls into the first winning opening 403 and closing the first winning opening 403. In this state, the front surface 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 is located flush with the front surface of the gaming board 24 or closer to the rear of the gaming machine than the front surface of the gaming board 24. When the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward from this state and the first opening / closing plate 432 is located in the protruding position, the first winning opening 403 is allowed to enter and the first winning opening 403 is opened. Note that the closed state does not necessarily require that game balls cannot enter the first winning opening 403; it may be configured so that game balls can enter the first winning opening 403 to a degree that is more difficult than in the open state.

[0277] As shown in Figure 26(a), a second opening and closing plate 433 that opens and closes the second winning opening 404 is provided on a front surface 432b of the first opening and closing plate 432. The second opening and closing plate 433 is formed so as to protrude from the front surface 432b of the first opening and closing plate 432 toward the front of the gaming machine when the first opening and closing plate 432 is in the retracted position. The depth dimension of the second opening and closing plate 433 (the amount of forward protrusion from the first opening and closing plate 432) is equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball, allowing a gaming ball to be placed on the second opening and closing plate 433.

[0278] The second opening / closing plate 433 is integrated with the first opening / closing plate 432, and is configured to rotate back and forth in accordance with the rotation of the opening / closing member 431. This rotation back and forth allows the second opening / closing plate 433 to be displaced between a protruding position (see FIGS. 24(b) and 26(a)) in which it protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24 (the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411) with its upper surface portion 433b facing upward, and a retracted position (see FIGS. 25(a) and 26(b)) in which the protrusion of the second opening / closing plate 433 is suppressed and the upper surface portion 433b is tilted forward.

[0279] The second opening / closing plate 433 extends in the left-right direction, and more specifically, its left and right ends are located near the second vertical wall portions 138, 168 of each flow path forming portion 131, 161. The depth dimension (projection length from the first opening / closing plate 432) of the second opening / closing plate 433 is set so that, in the projecting position, the distance (distance) D1 between the front end portion 433a of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of a gaming ball, as shown in FIG. 24(b). Therefore, when the second opening / closing plate 433 is located in the projecting position and covers the passage portion 408 from above, gaming balls cannot flow into the passage portion 408 from either the front or the side of the second opening / closing plate 433, and the inflow of gaming balls into the passage portion 408 is restricted. This restricts the entry of gaming balls into the second winning opening 404, and the second winning opening 404 is closed. It is not necessary that the second winning opening 404 be configured so that a game ball cannot enter when it is in the closed state, but it may be configured so that a game ball can enter to a degree that is more difficult to enter than when it is in the open state.

[0280] Furthermore, when the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the protruding position, the second opening / closing plate 433 protrudes toward the front of the gaming machine, allowing gaming balls to be received on the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. That is, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions not only as an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the second winning opening 404, but also as a ball receiving portion that receives gaming balls. As shown in FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b), the gaming balls received on the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 fall downward from the upper surface 433b as the second opening / closing plate 433 moves from the protruding position to the retracted position. This allows the gaming balls to flow into the passage 408 and win the second winning opening 404. The upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 is provided with a plurality of ridges 215 (speed reduction means), which lengthen the duration of the gaming balls on the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0281] As shown in FIG. 25(a), when the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the retracted position, the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the protruding position, and at that time, in this embodiment, the distance D2 between the upper end 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is equal to or greater than the diameter of the gaming ball, allowing the gaming ball to pass in front of the first opening / closing plate 432. At that time, as shown in FIG. 25(b), the center portion 433c of the second opening / closing plate 433 protrudes further forward than the first opening / closing plate 432, narrowing the distance to the window panel 62, but the left and right portions are located behind the first opening / closing plate 432. At these portions, the distance to the window panel 62 is greater than the diameter of the gaming ball, and the gaming ball that has passed in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 flows into the passage portion 408 through these portions.

[0282] In this way, when the second opening / closing plate 433 is switched from the protruding position to the retracted position, and during the period when the second opening / closing plate 433 is maintained in the retracted position, a game ball is permitted to enter the second winning opening 404, and the second winning opening 404 is in an open state. However, winning into the second winning opening 404 by falling from the second opening / closing plate 433 occurs only when the second opening / closing plate 433 is switched from the protruding position to the retracted position, and winning into the second winning opening 404 during the period when the retracted position is maintained occurs only when the game ball passes near the window panel 62. For this reason, the probability of a game ball entering the second winning opening 404 is lower than the probability of a game ball entering the first winning opening 403.

[0283] 24(a), the second opening / closing plate 433 has a mountain-shaped shape when viewed from the front, and like the shutter 216 according to the first embodiment, is capable of guiding the game balls received on the upper surface portion 433b to the outlets 141, 171. The positional relationship between the two, such as the height position of the second opening / closing plate 433 relative to the outlets 141, 171 and the distance between the outlets 141, 171 and the second opening / closing plate 433, is the same as in the shutter 216 and outlets 141, 171 according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0284] As shown in FIG. 24(b), a variable winning drive unit 419 that drives the opening / closing member 431 is attached to the back side of the base body 411. The variable winning drive unit 419 has a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a drive force transmission means that transmits the drive force from the solenoid to the opening / closing member 431. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the opening / closing member 431 rotates from a state in which the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the extended position to a state in which the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the retracted position, switching from a closed state in which the winning openings 403, 404 (large winning opening 402) are closed to an open state in which they are opened. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the force of the biasing means (spring, etc.) returns the opening / closing member 431 to a state in which the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the protruding position, and the opening / closing member 431 switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0285] In this embodiment, since some of the game balls that flow into the passage 408 can be discharged through the outlets 441, 442, a through-hole provided in the center of the lower part of the passage 408 functions as the second winning opening 404, but as shown in Fig. 27, the outlets 441, 442 may be omitted and the second winning opening 404 may be configured to open upward. In Fig. 27, the second opening / closing plate 433 is not shown in order to make the second winning opening 404 easier to understand.

[0286] Next, the allocation of jackpot types according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 28. Fig. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table. The allocation table is a table for allocating the types of jackpot results based on the value of the jackpot type counter C2, and is stored in the allocation table storage area 113b of the ROM 113 (see Fig. 8).

[0287] As shown in Figure 28, in this embodiment, the distribution table sets the types of jackpot results as explicit 15R special jackpot results (explicit high-probability game results), non-explicit 15R special jackpot results (non-explicit high-probability game results or results resulting in a latent special state), and 15R normal jackpot results.

[0288] An explicit 15R probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes high probability mode and the support mode becomes high frequency support mode. This high frequency support mode continues until the lottery result in the win / loss lottery becomes a jackpot state and the game transitions to the opening / closing execution mode. An implicit 15R probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode becomes high probability mode and the support mode becomes low frequency support mode. A 15R normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode becomes low probability mode and the support mode becomes low frequency support mode.

[0289] In the case of a non-disclosed 15R probability variable jackpot result, after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode transitions to high probability mode, but the support mode becomes low frequency support mode, as in the case of a 15R normal jackpot result. This creates a gaming state in which the win / loss lottery mode becomes high probability mode, even though the support mode of the electric device 34a is the same as the low frequency support mode. This makes it impossible or difficult for the player to distinguish between a non-disclosed 15R probability variable jackpot result and a 15R normal jackpot result, adding to the fun of predicting whether the win / loss lottery mode will be high probability mode or low probability mode.

[0290] In the distribution table shown in Figure 28, of the values ​​"0 to 29" of the jackpot type counter C2, "0 to 9" corresponds to an explicit 15R special jackpot result, "10 to 19" corresponds to an implicit 15R special jackpot result, and "20 to 29" corresponds to a 15R normal jackpot result, but the distribution of these numbers is arbitrary.

[0291] Next, each control process executed by the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 in this embodiment will be described.

[0292] 29 is a flowchart showing the fluctuation start process. This process is executed in step S305 of the game number control process (FIG. 14).

[0293] In the variation start process, first, in step S701, a win / loss determination process is executed to determine whether the reserved information referenced in this variation start process corresponds to a jackpot win. Specifically, the information for jackpot determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, i.e., the information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot random number counter C1, is grasped. Then, if the win / loss lottery mode is the low probability mode, the win / loss table for the low probability mode stored in the win / loss table storage area 113a of the ROM 113 is referenced to determine whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to a jackpot win. If the win / loss lottery mode is the high probability mode, the win / loss table for the high probability mode stored in the win / loss table storage area 113a of the ROM 113 is referenced to determine whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to a jackpot win.

[0294] In the next step S702, it is determined whether the result of the win / loss determination process in step S701 corresponds to a jackpot win. If the result corresponds to a jackpot win, a type determination process is executed in step S703.

[0295] In the type determination process, the type determination information stored in the execution area AE, that is, the information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot type counter C2, is grasped. Also, by referring to the allocation table (FIG. 28) stored in the allocation table storage area 113b of the ROM 113, it is determined whether the above-mentioned grasped type determination information is included in the information corresponding to the probability variable jackpot result.

[0296] In the following step S704, it is determined whether the type of the current jackpot win is a variable probability jackpot result based on the information identified in the type determination process in step S703. If it is a variable probability jackpot result, a stop result setting process for a variable probability jackpot is executed in step S705, and if it is not a variable probability jackpot result, a stop result setting process for a normal jackpot is executed in step S706. Also, if it is determined in step S702 that it is not a jackpot win, a stop result setting process for a miss is executed in step S707.

[0297] In each stop result setting process of steps S705 to S707, information on the type of the picture to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43 is specified by referring to the stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area of ​​the ROM 113, and the specified information is stored in the RAM 114. Also, in steps S705 and S706, information (explicit 15R certain variable jackpot flag, non-explicit 15R certain variable jackpot flag, 15R normal jackpot flag) for specifying by the MPU 112 that the win / loss determination result of the current game round is a jackpot result is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114.

[0298] After executing any of the processes in steps S705 to S707, in step S708, a process for setting the variable display time for performing the variable display is executed. In the following step S709, a variable command and a type command are set. The variable command includes information on whether or not a jackpot has been achieved, whether or not a reach has occurred, and information on the variable display time. In addition, the type command includes information on the game result. In other words, the type command includes information on the game result, such as information on the explicit 15R variable jackpot result, information on the non-explicit 15R variable jackpot result, information on the 15R normal jackpot result, and information on the miss result.

[0299] The variation command and type command set in step S709 are sent to the performance control device 82 in step S201 of the normal processing (Fig. 13). The performance control device 82 sends the variation command and type command to the display control device 212 while maintaining their information form. The display control device 212 determines the variation display pattern on the pattern display device 41 for that game round based on the received variation command and type command, and controls the display of the pattern display device 41 so that the determined variation display pattern is executed. Thereafter, in step S710, the variation display of the patterns is started on the main display unit 43, and then this variation start processing is terminated.

[0300] Figure 30 is a flowchart showing the special prize opening opening / closing process in this embodiment. The processes of steps S801 and S802 shown in Figure 30 are executed between steps S509 and S510 in the special prize opening opening opening / closing process in Figure 16. Step S509 determines whether or not a gaming ball has entered variable prize winning device 401 based on the detection state of special prize opening winning sensors 403a and 404a, and step S510 is a process for updating the value of prize winning counter PC.

[0301] If the determination in step S509 is affirmative, that is, if the entry of a gaming ball into variable winning device 401 is detected, then in step S801 it is determined whether or not the detection of the winning is due to the detection of a gaming ball by second large winning opening winning sensor 404a. If the determination result is that a gaming ball was detected by second large winning opening winning sensor 404a, then in step S802 a second winning opening command is set indicating that a gaming ball has been detected by second large winning opening winning sensor 404b, that is, that a gaming ball has entered second winning opening 404. The second winning opening command set in step S802 is output to the performance control device 82 in the external output processing of step S201 in the normal processing (FIG. 13).

[0302] After step S802 is executed or if a negative decision is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S510, where the value of the prize winning counter PC is decremented by one.

[0303] In this manner, in this embodiment, when a game ball is detected to have won in the variable winning device 401 (large winning opening 402), it is determined whether this is a winning ball in the second winning opening section 404. However, the winning counter PC is updated in units of winning balls in the large winning opening 402, without distinguishing between the first winning opening section 403 and the second winning opening section 404. Therefore, when the total number of winning balls in the winning opening sections 403, 404 reaches a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10; see step S506 in FIG. 16), the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0304] <Announcement performance control processing> Next, the announcement performance control process executed by the MPU 242 of the performance control device 82 will be described with reference to Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing the announcement performance control process.

[0305] The notification effect control process is a process for performing a notification effect during the execution of the opening / closing execution mode, and is activated at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 2 msec). The notification effect control process determines whether or not a predetermined execution condition for the notification effect is met, and if it is determined that the condition is met, controls the pattern display device 41 to execute the notification effect.

[0306] Specifically, first, in step S901, it is determined whether the opening / closing execution mode is being executed. This determination is made based on whether an opening command has been received from the main control device 81. If it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is not being executed, the notification effect control process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is being executed, in step S902, it is determined whether the current jackpot result is a non-explicit variable probability jackpot result or a normal jackpot result. This determination is made based on the type command from the main control device 81.

[0307] If the result of the determination is that the current jackpot result is neither a non-explicit variable probability jackpot result nor a normal jackpot result, i.e., it is an explicit variable probability jackpot result, the notification effect control process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current jackpot result is either a non-explicit variable probability jackpot result or a normal jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S903 to determine whether or not it is during the opening period. If it is determined that it is during the opening period, the introduction effect setting process is executed in step S904.

[0308] Here, the introduction effect will be explained with reference to Fig. 32(a). The introduction effect is a game effect executed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41, and is executed as a pre-effect of the announcement effect that clearly indicates whether the game state (lottery mode) after the open / close execution mode ends will be the high probability mode or the low probability mode. In the introduction effect, an egg image 461 with a "?" mark and a warrior character image 462 holding a sword are displayed. Although not shown in the figure, text such as "Something good might happen if you get 20 or more game balls to enter the second winning opening 404..." is also displayed.

[0309] In addition, in the introduction effect, a jackpot symbol image 463 is displayed, which shows the main symbol that was stopped and displayed on the activated lines L1 to L5 in the game that resulted in the jackpot result. In this embodiment, in the case of a non-declared variable probability jackpot result, the same even number symbol is stopped and displayed on one of the activated lines L1 to L5, just like in the case of a normal jackpot result. Therefore, the player cannot tell whether it is a variable probability jackpot result or a normal jackpot result from the stopped result on the activated lines L1 to L5.

[0310] Furthermore, in the introduction performance, a count image 464 is displayed to indicate the number of wins in the second winning opening portion 404. In this embodiment, when a win in the second winning opening portion 404 is detected, a display of the warrior character image 462 swinging his sword down toward the egg image 461 is displayed, and the number displayed on the count image 464 is counted up. These displays serve as notification that a win in the second winning opening portion 404 has occurred.

[0311] Returning to the explanation of the announcement performance control process in Fig. 31, in step S904 (introduction performance setting process), an output command to the display control device 212 is set so that the introduction performance of Fig. 32(a) is performed on the display screen G of the pattern display device 41. The display control device 212 controls the display of the pattern display device 41 based on the command.

[0312] After step S904 is executed or if a negative judgment is made in step S903, in step S905, it is determined whether or not the announcement effect or the end effect, which will be described later, has been executed. If these effects have been executed, the announcement effect control process is terminated. If they have not been executed, in step S906, it is determined whether or not a second winning opening command has been received from the main control device 81. The second winning opening command is output when the main control device 81 detects that a gaming ball has won into the second winning opening 404. If the second winning opening command has been received, in step S907, the value of the second winning counter SPC is incremented by 1 and updated. The second winning counter SPC is used by the effect control device 82 to manage the number of winning balls that have won into the second winning opening 404, and is stored in RAM 244. In addition, in step S907, an output command is set to the display control device 212 so as to update the display of the count image 464 described above.

[0313] After step S907 is executed or if a negative judgment is made in step S906 (a new second winning port command has not been received), the process proceeds to step S908, where it is judged whether the value of the second winning counter SPC is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 20). If it is judged that the value of the second winning counter SPC is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process executes a notification effect setting process in step S909.

[0314] Here, the announcement effect will be described with reference to FIGS. 32(b) and (c). The announcement effect is a game effect that announces (indicates) whether the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the high-probability mode. If the jackpot result is a non-indicated probability variable jackpot result, i.e., if the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the high-probability mode, as shown in FIG. 32(b), an image 465 in which the word "probability variable" appears from a cracked egg is displayed, along with a warrior character image 462 that appears happy. On the other hand, if the jackpot result is a normal jackpot result, i.e., if the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the low-probability mode, as shown in FIG. 32(c), an image 466 in which the word "normal" appears from a cracked egg is displayed, along with a warrior character image 462 that appears standing still. By looking at these displays, the player can clearly know whether the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the high-probability mode or the low-probability mode.

[0315] Returning to the explanation of the announcement effect control process in Figure 31, in step S909 (announcement effect setting process), an output command is set to the display control device 212 so that the announcement effect of Figure 32(b) or Figure 32(c) is performed on the display screen G of the pattern display device 41 depending on the type of jackpot result.

[0316] On the other hand, if the determination in step S908 is negative, that is, if the value of the second winning counter SPC is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S910, where it is determined whether the current round of play is the predetermined number of rounds (for example, the 10th round). If it is determined that it is not the predetermined number of rounds, the notification effect control process is terminated, whereas if it is determined that it is the predetermined number of rounds, the end effect setting process is executed in step S911.

[0317] In the end effect, as shown in FIG. 32(d), an uncracked egg image 461 is displayed, and a dejected warrior character image 462 is displayed. In this case, a "?" mark is displayed on the egg image 461 so that the player cannot distinguish whether the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the high probability mode or the low probability mode. In this case, the player continues playing the game without knowing whether the lottery mode will be the high probability mode or the low probability mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends. In step S911 of FIG. 31, an output command is set to the display control device 212 so that the end effect is performed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41.

[0318] In this manner, in this embodiment, if the number of game balls entering the second winning opening 404 does not reach a predetermined number by the time the predetermined number of rounds of play is completed, a time-out ending effect is displayed. This makes the player eager to quickly achieve a win in the second winning opening 404, and appropriately evokes a sense of impatience and tension. This makes it possible to make the game more exciting than if the opening and closing execution mode were merely performed vaguely.

[0319] After step S909 or step S911 is executed, the value of the second winning counter SPC is cleared by inputting "0" in step S912. Then, this notification effect control process is terminated.

[0320] <About the game flow> Next, the flow of the game in the normal game state and the open / close execution mode will be described. In both the normal game state and the open / close execution mode, the flow of the game balls that flow down the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 until they are collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 301 is the same as in the first embodiment described with reference to Figure 18, so the description will be omitted.

[0321] First, the flow of gameplay in the normal game mode will be explained with reference to FIG. 26(a). In the normal game mode, the opening / closing execution mode is not executed, and the variable winning device 401 remains in the closed state. The closed state in this case refers to a state in which the rotational position of the opening / closing member 431 is set so that the first opening / closing plate 432 closes the first winning opening portion 403 and the second opening / closing plate 433 closes the second winning opening portion 404. In this state, as already explained, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion and can receive game balls flowing down the game area PE. Then, the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 are guided by the second opening / closing plate 433 toward the outlets 141, 171 and enter the outlets 141, 171. That is, in the normal game state, the game balls collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 enter either the left or right outlet 141, 171 and are discharged from the game area PE.

[0322] Next, the flow of the game in the open / close execution mode will be described with reference to Fig. 33. In Fig. 33, "reaching ball" means a game ball that has reached the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401.

[0323] When the opening / closing execution mode is entered, a round of play is executed in which the variable winning device 401 is changed from a closed state to an open state, and then switching control to the closed state is performed at least once (once in this embodiment), and in the opening / closing execution mode, such a round of play is performed multiple times (15 times in this embodiment).

[0324] When the variable winning device 401 is in the open state, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward (see FIG. 26(b)), thereby opening the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404, and allowing a game ball to enter each of the winning openings 403, 404. Therefore, a game ball that reaches the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 when the variable winning device 401 is in the open state will enter either the first winning opening 403 or the second winning opening 404 (timings t1 to t4 in FIG. 33). In this case, as described above, the probability of a game ball entering the second winning opening 404 is lower than the probability of a game ball entering the first winning opening 403.

[0325] When the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state, both the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are closed, while the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion. In other words, a game ball that reaches the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 at the timing of a waiting period set between previous and next rounds of play (a period during which the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state and awaits the start of the next round of play) falls onto the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. Then, if the next round of play starts before the game ball reaches the outlet 141, 171, that is, while the game ball is on the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 (when the variable winning device 401 is switched back to the open state), the game ball falls downward and wins a prize in the second winning opening 404 (timings t5 and t6 in FIG. 33).

[0326] If a gaming ball on the second opening / closing plate 433 reaches the outlet 141, 171 before the start of the next round of play, the gaming ball will not win a prize in the second winning opening section 404 but will be discharged from the gaming area PE through the outlet 141, 171. In this regard, in this embodiment, the second opening / closing plate 433 is provided with a convex rib section 215 as a deceleration means, and the gaming ball's stay period on the second opening / closing plate 433 is extended. In other words, a gaming ball that reaches the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 during the waiting period is given preferential treatment so that it is more likely to win a prize in the second winning opening section 404.

[0327] The above description has been given for the waiting period between rounds, but the same applies to a game ball that reaches the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 during the closed period before the first round is played (the period when the variable winning device 401 is closed immediately before the start of the first round). In other words, if the first round of play starts while the game ball is on the second opening / closing plate 433, the game ball will win in the second winning opening portion 404.

[0328] In this embodiment, not only when the variable winning device 401 is in the open state, but also when the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state, a game ball that reaches the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 can win a prize in the variable winning device 401. If the number of prizes in the second winning opening 404 reaches 20 or more by the end of the 10th round of play, a notification effect (FIG. 32) is executed on the display screen G of the pattern display device 41, and a notification corresponding to the lottery mode (game state) after the end of the open / close execution mode is made.

[0329] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0330] A second opening / closing plate 433 is provided on the opening / closing member 431, and when the variable winning device 401 is in a closed state, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving section, and further, when the variable winning device 401 is switched from the closed state to the open state, the game ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can enter the second winning opening section 404.

[0331] When the open / close execution mode is executed, it is desirable for players to achieve efficient entry into the large prize slot and reduce the waste of game balls. For this reason, some players may engage in so-called stop shots, such as refraining from firing game balls at times when it is unlikely that a ball will enter the large prize slot. However, excessive technical intervention of this kind can hinder the fairness of the game, which is undesirable.

[0332] In this regard, according to the configuration of this embodiment, even if a game ball is shot at a timing when it is unlikely to win at the first winning opening 403, it can be made to win at the second winning opening 404 via the second opening / closing plate 433 (ball receiving section). This makes it possible to efficiently obtain benefits while suppressing the generation of wasted balls, and is a configuration that meets the needs of players. Moreover, it is also possible to suppress the rampant practice of stopping shots, which is advantageous in ensuring the fairness of the game.

[0333] Moreover, the configuration is such that a gaming ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can enter the second winning opening portion 404, not the first winning opening portion 403. For example, if a gaming ball falling from the second opening / closing plate 433 were to enter the first winning opening portion 403, the winning destination would be the same as that of a gaming ball that enters the first winning opening portion 403 by opening the first winning opening portion 403, which could make it difficult to identify which route the gaming ball took to enter the pachinko machine 10. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the winning destination of the gaming ball differs between when the gaming ball enters the pachinko machine 10 by dropping from the second opening / closing plate 433 and when the gaming ball enters the pachinko machine 10 without dropping, making it easy to identify which route the gaming ball took to enter the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the former case can be more easily advantageous than the latter case, and this configuration is advantageous in evoking a sense of exclusivity in winning a prize by dropping from the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0334] Furthermore, for example, in a configuration in which game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 (ball receiving portion) are made to enter the first winning opening portion 403, there is a concern that game balls heading to the first winning opening portion 403 through the ball receiving portion and game balls heading directly to the first winning opening portion 403 without going through the ball receiving portion will interfere with each other, hindering their respective winnings. In this regard, in this configuration, the winning opening portion that goes through the ball receiving portion and the winning opening portion that does not go through the ball receiving portion are separated, thereby making it possible to suitably prevent the occurrence of such inconveniences.

[0335] The configuration is such that a gaming ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 is dropped downward to enter the second winning opening 404. In this case, the gaming ball on the second opening / closing plate 433 can be guided to the second winning opening 404 by utilizing the forward rotation of the opening / closing member 431, thereby simplifying the configuration. Furthermore, by switching from the closed state to the open state, the gaming ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can enter the second winning opening 404 and the ball receiving state of the second opening / closing plate 433 can be reset. As a result, when the variable winning device 401 is returned from the open state to the closed state, it is possible to start a new ball receiving operation with no gaming balls remaining on the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0336] Furthermore, the second winning opening 404 is disposed below the second opening / closing plate 433 and is configured to open upward. In this case, it is possible to make it easier for gaming balls that fall from the second opening / closing plate 433 to enter the second winning opening 404. Moreover, it is possible to simplify the path of the gaming balls from the second opening / closing plate 433 to the second winning opening 404, and it is possible to keep the area occupied by the path in the play area PE small compared to when the path is complicated. In other words, this can be an optimal configuration for gaming machines with limited play areas PE.

[0337] When the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward to open the variable winning device 401, the distance D2 between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is configured to be equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball. In this case, the gaming ball passes in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 and can win in the second winning opening 404. In other words, double wins in the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 can be expected, which makes the game more entertaining than a standard game where the only focus is on whether or not the gaming ball will enter one winning opening.

[0338] The configuration is such that the gaming balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 are guided to the outlets 141, 171. In this case, when the opening / closing execution mode is not executed and the variable winning device 401 remains closed, the gaming balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can be guided to the outlets 141, 171 and appropriately discharged from the gaming area PE. This prevents gaming balls from remaining on the second opening / closing plate 433, and prevents ball clogging on the second opening / closing plate 433 and its surrounding area.

[0339] Furthermore, the outlets 141, 171 are configured to be located adjacent to the side of the opening / closing member 431. In this case, it is possible to facilitate the lead-out of game balls from the second opening / closing plate 433 to the outlets 141, 171. Also, because the distance between the second opening / closing plate 433 and the outlets 141, 171 is short, it is possible to visually confirm whether game balls remain on the second opening / closing plate 433 or whether the balls have already entered the outlets 141, 171 without moving one's line of sight, and it is possible to concentrate on the points of interest. This reduces distraction compared to when various points need to be visually checked, and makes it easier for the player to concentrate on the game.

[0340] In addition, the outlets 141, 171 are configured to open on the side of the opening / closing member 431. In this case, the momentum of the gaming ball moving on the second opening / closing plate 433 can be used to smoothly make the gaming ball enter the outlets 141, 171, and it is possible to prevent the flow of gaming balls from stagnating on the second opening / closing plate 433. Furthermore, since the gaming ball can be made to enter the outlets 141, 171 as is without changing the direction of movement, the structure for leading out the gaming balls to the outlets 141, 171 can be simplified.

[0341] When a predetermined number of winning balls into the second winning opening 404 are detected, a notification effect is executed to notify the player whether the result is a special jackpot or a regular jackpot, so that winning into the second winning opening 404 is more advantageous for the player than winning into the first winning opening 403. In this case, not only does the second opening / closing plate 433 receive the game balls and prevent the occurrence of wasted balls, but the subsequent development of the game can be varied depending on whether the game ball wins into the first winning opening 403 or the second winning opening 404 (whether the game proceeds knowing whether the game is in the high probability mode or not, or whether the game proceeds without knowing). In other words, which of the winning openings 403, 404 the game will win becomes a major concern for the player, making it possible to appropriately increase the player's attention to the game.

[0342] In addition, in other words, the relationship between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 in this embodiment can be said to be such that the first opening / closing plate 432 stands or protrudes upward on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 when the opening / closing member 431 is in the closed state, and extends in the passage direction of the upper surface portion 433b (the direction toward the outlets 141, 171). In this case, the rotation of the opening / closing member 431 causes game balls on the upper surface portion 433b to fall and flow downwards to the opening / closing member 431, while the first opening / closing plate 432 can prevent new game balls from flowing into the opening / closing member 431. This limits the opportunities for game balls to flow downwards to the opening / closing member 431, and increases the excitement when a game ball falls.

[0343] Furthermore, the first opening / closing plate 432 is disposed at a distance equal to or greater than the diameter of a game ball from the pivot tip of the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433, and more specifically, is disposed at the end portion of the upper surface portion 433b opposite the pivot tip. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 431 is in the closed position (FIG. 24(b)), a game ball can be placed in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 on the upper surface portion 433b, and when the opening / closing member 431 is pivoted forward (when in the open position of FIG. 25(a)), the first opening / closing plate 432 can be prevented from interfering with the fall of the game ball from the upper surface portion 433b. In other words, it is possible to satisfactorily achieve both the function of dropping game balls received on the upper surface portion 433b and the function of preventing further falling of game balls.

[0344] Furthermore, the first opening / closing plate 432 extends over the entire length of the upper surface portion 433b in the passage direction. In this case, when the opening / closing member 431 is positioned at the open position, it is possible to prevent game balls from passing by the first opening / closing plate 432 and flowing into the passage portion 408.

[0345] In addition, when the opening / closing member 431 is in the open position and a gaming ball rests on the first opening / closing plate 432, if the opening / closing member 431 returns to the closed position in that state, the first opening / closing plate 432 may rotate backward with the gaming ball still resting on it. In this case, the gaming ball may become caught between the first opening / closing plate 432 and an object behind the first opening / closing plate 432, causing ball jamming. In this regard, in the above configuration, a space portion (the first winning opening portion 403 and the first ball passage 405) capable of accommodating one or more gaming balls is provided behind the first opening / closing plate 432, making it possible to suppress the occurrence of ball jamming.

[0346] <Modification 1 of the third embodiment> In this modified example, the configuration of the opening / closing member 431 is different from that of the third embodiment. Specifically, when the opening / closing member 431 is in the open position, the gap between the opening / closing member 431 and the window panel 62 is narrower than in the third embodiment. This modified example will be explained below with reference to Figure 34. Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in the open state. In this figure, the same components as those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0347] In this modified example, the depth dimension of the first opening / closing plate 432 is set so that when the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward from the closed position (FIG. 24(b)) to the open position, the distance D2 between the upper end 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of the gaming ball. Therefore, the gaming ball cannot pass in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 (opening / closing member 431) and does not flow into the passage portion 408 below the opening / closing member 431.

[0348] In this way, in this modified example, even if the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward to a rotation position that opens the first winning opening 403, the second winning opening 404 is not opened, and only the first winning opening 403 is opened. In this case, the opportunity for winning at the second winning opening 404 can be limited to only when switching from the closed state to the open state, and it is possible to highlight the game of dropping a game ball from the second opening / closing plate 433 and having it win at the second winning opening 404.

[0349] <Fourth embodiment> In this embodiment, the operating mode of the opening / closing member 431 is different from that of the third embodiment. This embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 35 to 37. Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in a closed state, Figure 36(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in an open state A, (b) is a plan view thereof, and Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in an open state B. In these figures, the same components as those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0350] The variable prize-winning device 401 of this embodiment includes two open states. Specifically, the open states are open state A (FIG. 36), in which the second prize-winning opening 404 is open, and open state B (FIG. 37), in which the first prize-winning opening 403 is open. These open states A and B are realized by adjusting the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the opening / closing member 431 of the variable prize-winning device 401. In addition to open states A and B, a closed state (FIG. 35), in which both the first prize-winning opening 403 and the second prize-winning opening 404 are closed, is also possible. However, this closed state is similar to the closed state (FIG. 24(b)) of the third embodiment, and therefore will not be described here. In the closed state shown in FIG. 35, the distance D1 between the front end 433a of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of a game ball.

[0351] 36(a) and (b), in the open state A, the rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 toward the front of the gaming machine from the closed state is set to a first rotation amount, thereby allowing a gaming ball to enter the second winning opening 404 but not the first winning opening 403. In other words, the first rotation amount is a rotation amount in which the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the distance D3 between the upper end 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 and the distance D4 between the left and right ends 433d, 433e of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 are equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball, while keeping the opening degree of the first winning opening 403 within a range in which a gaming ball cannot enter the first winning opening 403. When the distances D3 and D4 are equal to or greater than the diameter of the gaming ball, the gaming ball flowing down from above the opening / closing member 431 first passes in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 and rests on the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. The gaming ball resting on the upper surface 433b moves along the slope of the upper surface 433b toward the left end 433d or the right end 433e, and falls below the opening / closing member 431 through the front areas of those ends 433d, 433e. In this way, a ball passage 471 through which the gaming ball can pass is formed, and the gaming ball can win a prize in the second winning opening 404.

[0352] In addition, if there is a game ball on the second opening / closing plate 433 just before switching from the closed state to the open state A, the game ball will fall downward from the second opening / closing plate 433 during the process of switching to the open state A, and will be able to enter the second winning opening 404.

[0353] As shown in Figure 37(a), in the open state B, the rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 from the closed state toward the front of the gaming machine is set to a second rotation amount that is greater than the first rotation amount, thereby allowing a prize to be won at the first winning opening 403 while not allowing a game ball to win at the second winning opening 404. In other words, the second rotation amount is set to the first opening / closing plate 432 opening the first winning opening 403 to an extent that allows a game ball to win at the first winning opening 403, while rotating the opening / closing member 431 so that the passage 408 (see Figure 24(b)) leading to the second winning opening 404 is covered from above by the first opening / closing plate 432. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the first opening / closing plate 432 are set so that when the opening / closing member 431 is rotated to a rotational position that results in the open state B, the distance D5 between the upper end 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of the game ball.

[0354] Here, the second rotation amount is such that the forward rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 from the closed state is greater than the first rotation amount, so that switching from the closed state to the open state B is performed via the open state A. At that time, the period during which the open state A is maintained is configured to be shorter than the period during which the open state B is maintained (the period during which the open state B is maintained).

[0355] 37(b), if a game ball is on the second opening / closing plate 433 immediately before switching from the closed state to the open state B, the game ball will fall downward during the switching to the open state B, and will be able to win a prize in the second winning opening 404. In other words, when the variable winning device 401 is in the open state B, a prize is not allowed to win in the second winning opening 404, but when switching to the open state B, a prize is allowed to win in the second winning opening 404.

[0356] In this embodiment, the variable winning drive unit 419 is equipped with a stepping motor as a drive source. The stepping motor is electrically connected to the main control unit 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control unit 81. Specifically, when a first drive signal is output from the main control unit 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable winning device 401 is in the open state A, and when a second drive signal is output from the main control unit 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable winning device 401 is in the open state B. Furthermore, when a return signal is output from the main control unit 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state.

[0357] Next, the allocation of big win types according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 38(a). Fig. 38(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table.

[0358] In the allocation table of this embodiment, two types of results are set corresponding to the non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot results: non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result A and non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result B. Also, two types of results are set corresponding to the 15R normal jackpot results: normal jackpot result A and normal jackpot result B.

[0359] When the jackpot type is non-displayed 15R probability variable jackpot result A and when the jackpot type is non-displayed 15R probability variable jackpot result B, the symbols displayed on the main display unit 43 will be different, but the same symbol combination may be displayed on the symbol display device 41 (for example, the symbol combination "444" may be displayed in both non-displayed 15R probability variable jackpot result A and non-displayed 15R probability variable jackpot result B). This makes it impossible or difficult to distinguish which jackpot result is from the symbol combination displayed on the symbol display device 41, preventing the player from easily understanding the jackpot type. The same is true for normal jackpot results A and B; the symbols displayed on the main display unit 43 will be different, but the same symbol combination may be displayed on the symbol display device 41.

[0360] The results of the explicit 15R probability jackpot are the same as the distribution table (Figure 28) of the third embodiment described above.

[0361] Next, the relationship between the big win type and the open state of the variable winning device 401 will be explained with reference to Fig. 38(b). Fig. 38(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the corresponding relationship.

[0362] If the jackpot type is a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result A or a 15R normal jackpot result A, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A in the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the jackpot result. In the open state A, the second winning opening 404 is opened. When a game ball enters the second winning opening 404, the second winning opening sensor 404a detects the entry, as in the third embodiment. If a predetermined number of game balls or more enter the second winning opening 404 during the opening / closing execution mode, the notification effect shown in FIGS. 32(b) and 32(c) is executed, and the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode is announced. This allows the player to clearly know whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends will be the high-probability mode or the low-probability mode.

[0363] On the other hand, if the jackpot type is a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result B or a 15R normal jackpot result B, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state B in the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to that jackpot result. Although winning at the second winning opening 404 is expected when switching from the closed state to the open state B, winning at the second winning opening 404 is no longer permitted after the transition to the open state B, making winning at the second winning opening 404 less likely to occur compared to the open state A. Therefore, if the jackpot type is a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result B or a 15R normal jackpot result B, the ending effect shown in FIG. 32(d) is more likely to be executed, increasing the possibility that the player will proceed to play after the opening / closing execution mode ends without clearly understanding whether the lottery mode is a high probability mode or not.

[0364] In this way, in this embodiment, the probability of knowing the lottery mode after the end of the open / close execution mode is higher, so that the open state A is more advantageous than the open state B. This adds to the fun of playing the game in the hope that the variable winning device 401 will be opened in the open state A, and the level of attention to the game is suitably increased.

[0365] 38(b) may apply to all round games executed in the open / close execution mode, or may apply to some round games. For example, if the jackpot type is a non-specified 15R probability variable jackpot result B or a 15R normal jackpot result B, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state B in all round games in the open / close execution mode, and if the non-specified 15R probability variable jackpot result A or a 15R normal jackpot result A is obtained, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A in round games from the 1st round to the 10th round, and in the open state B in the remaining round games.

[0366] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0367] The open state has multiple states, and can be switched between a closed state in which both the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are closed, an open state A in which the second winning opening 404 is open, and an open state B in which the first winning opening 403 is open. This allows for more diverse winning modes for the game ball, compared to a standard game in which only one winning opening is involved, and increases the game's entertainment value. Moreover, because such switching is achieved by a single opening / closing member 431, the winning opening that switches to the open state when the opening / closing member 431 is operated is not uniquely determined, and it is possible to add to the excitement of predicting which winning opening 403, 404 will be open. In addition, since it is more advantageous for the player if the game ball enters the second winning opening 404 than if the game ball enters the first winning opening 403, the player is greatly interested in whether the opening state is A or B. This is expected to make the player more interested in the behavior of the opening / closing member 431, and it is possible to suitably increase the level of attention paid to the game.

[0368] The variable winning device 401 is configured to switch from the closed state to the open state B via the open state A. In this case, the behavior of the open / close member 431 up to the point of switching to the open state B can be made to match the behavior of the open / close member 431 when switching from the closed state to the open state A. In this case, during the period when the behaviors of the open / close member 431 match, it is unclear to the player whether the open state will be the open state A or B. This prevents a situation in which the winning openings 403, 404 that will be open from the behavior of the open / close member 431 being determined too early, and increases the fun of predicting which winning openings 403, 404 will be open.

[0369] When switching to open state B via open state A, the period of time during which the game ball remains in open state A is shorter than the period of time during which the game ball remains in open state B. For example, if the period of time during which the game ball remains in open state A is longer than the period of time during which the game ball remains in open state B, it becomes easier for a game ball to enter the second winning opening 404. As a result, the difference between open state B becomes unclear, and the purpose of providing open state B may be lost. In this regard, with this configuration, even though the game ball remains in open state A, the probability of the game ball entering the second winning opening 404 can be kept low, making it possible to appropriately differentiate the game ball from open state B.

[0370] <Modification 1 of the Fourth Embodiment> This modified example differs from the fourth embodiment in that the open state of the variable winning device 401 is changed during one round of play. This modified example will be described below with reference to Figure 39(a). Figure 39(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening and closing patterns of the variable winning device 401 during one round of play.

[0371] In this modified example, when one round of play is started, first the variable winning device 401 is switched from a closed state to an open state A (see FIG. 36) in which the second winning opening portion 404 is open. Then, during the one round of play, the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state A to an open state B (see FIG. 37) in which the first winning opening portion 403 is open. After that, based on the establishment of the end condition for the round of play (the number of winning game balls into the variable winning device 401 reaching a predetermined upper limit number or the opening period reaching a predetermined upper limit period), the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state B to a closed state, and the round of play ends.

[0372] In this way, the open state of variable winning device 401 changes during a round of play, so it is expected that the player will carefully watch the behavior of opening / closing member 431, making it possible to appropriately increase the level of attention to the game. In addition, compared to conventional gaming machines in which only whether variable winning device 401 opens or not, it is possible to diversify the flow of game balls and the winning patterns into variable winning device 401, making it possible to increase interest.

[0373] In the above case, the switch from open state A to open state B can be made at will as long as the maintenance period of open state A (the period during which the second winning opening section 404 is kept open) is ensured to a certain extent, but it can be made, for example, based on the number of game balls entering the variable winning device 401 reaching a predetermined number that is less than the upper limit number, based on the execution period of open state A (the period during which the second winning opening section 404 is kept open) reaching a predetermined period that is shorter than the upper limit period, or based on both of these being true.

[0374] Furthermore, when switching from the open state A to the open state B, the variable winning device 401 is transitioned from the open state A to the open state B without returning it to the closed state. In this case, the amount of rotation of the opening / closing member 431 until the open state B is reached can be reduced, compared to when the variable winning device 401 is returned to the closed state and then transitioned to the open state B, allowing for quick state switching. Furthermore, by not intervening in the closed state, the occurrence of wasted balls (occurrence of an event in which a game ball enters the outlet 141, 171) is suppressed, and it becomes possible to efficiently cause game balls to enter the variable winning device 401.

[0375] The change in the open state does not necessarily have to be performed in all rounds of play in the open / close execution mode, and may be performed only in some rounds of play, as shown in Figure 39(b). In other words, it is sufficient that the change in the open state is performed in at least some rounds of play in the open / close execution mode.

[0376] 39(c), when the open state of the variable winning device 401 is changed in a plurality of rounds of play, the change pattern of the open state may be made different. In this case, the way in which the open state changes differs depending on the round, which is effective in diversifying the winning patterns of game balls into the variable winning device 401.

[0377] <Modification 2 of the Fourth Embodiment> This modified example differs from the fourth embodiment and its modified example 1 in that the open state of the variable winning device 401 is changed on a round-by-round basis. This modified example will be described below with reference to Figure 40. Figure 40 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between each round and the opening / closing pattern of the variable winning device 401.

[0378] When the open / close execution mode is executed, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A in the first round of play, and in the second round of play, it is opened in the open state B, which is different from the first round. Also, in the third round of play, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A, and in the fourth round of play, it is opened in the open state A, as in the third round.

[0379] In this way, the open state of the variable winning device 401 varies depending on the round, and therefore the manner in which the game ball enters the variable winning device 401 varies depending on the round. This makes it possible to diversify the ways in which the round game can be enjoyed and improve the interest, compared to when the same round game is simply repeated as the opening / closing execution mode progresses.

[0380] In the above case, when switching from the first round to the second round, the variable winning device 401 is shifted from the open state A to the open state B without returning to the closed state. In other words, since the round play of the second round sets the first winning opening 403 in the open state, the closed state of the first winning opening 403 is required as a pre-condition, but in this modified example, it is considered that this is achieved by the open state A performed in the round play of the first round (in the open state A, the first winning opening 403 is in the closed state (see Figure 36)), and the variable winning device is shifted to the open state B without returning to the closed state.

[0381] In this case, compared to returning the variable winning device 401 to the closed state before transitioning to the open state B, the amount of rotation of the opening / closing member 431 until the open state B is reached can be reduced, enabling quick state switching. Also, the open state A of the first round doubles as the waiting period immediately before the start of the second round (the period during which the first winning opening 403 is kept in the closed state and the game waits for the start of the second round), so it is possible to transition from the first round to the second round without interruption, or to start the second round instantly after the end of the first round, and the waiting period can essentially be eliminated or made extremely short.

[0382] These measures make it possible to suppress the occurrence of wasted balls (occurrence of an event in which a game ball enters the outlet 141, 171), and promote efficient winning into the variable winning device 401. In addition, the open / close execution mode can be progressed at a good tempo, making it possible to improve time efficiency when playing games.

[0383] Furthermore, when switching from the second round to the third round, the variable winning device 401 is shifted from the open state B to the open state A without returning to the closed state. This makes it possible to expect the same effect as in the above case.

[0384] <Modification 3 of the Fourth Embodiment> This modified example differs from modified examples 1 and 2 of the fourth embodiment in that the open states A and B are switched by changing the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 431 from the closed state. This modified example will be described below with reference to Figs. 41 and 42. Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the opening / closing member 431 according to this modified example, and Fig. 42 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the opening / closing member 431. In these figures, the same components as those in the above embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0385] As shown in Figure 41, in this modified example, the second opening / closing plate 483 of the opening / closing member 431 is flat. That is, the second opening / closing plate 483 is configured so that its upper surface 483b extends linearly (approximately horizontally) in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. The second opening / closing plate 483 is large enough to cover the passage 408 (see Figure 24(b)) connected to the second winning opening 404 from above and close the passage 408.

[0386] The opening / closing member 431 can rotate in the front-to-rear direction around a rotation shaft 431a provided at the lower end of the first opening / closing plate 432, and the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 483 rotate integrally with this front-to-rear rotation. Although not shown in the figures, the game board 24 is provided with flow path forming portions 131, 161 as in the other embodiments, and outlets 141, 171 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member 431.

[0387] Next, the operation of the opening / closing member 431 will be described with reference to Fig. 42. In this modified example, the open state also includes an open state A in which the second winning opening portion 404 is open, and an open state B in which the first winning opening portion 403 is open, and it is possible to switch between the closed state, the open state A, and the open state B.

[0388] In the closed state, as shown in FIG. 42(a), the first opening / closing plate 432 covers the first winning opening 403 from the front, and the second opening / closing plate 483 covers the passage 408 from above. This prevents game balls from winning through the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404, and both winning openings 403, 404 are closed. In the closed state, the second opening / closing plate 483 protrudes forward, allowing game balls flowing down from above to be received by the upper surface 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483. The game balls received by the upper surface 483b move left and right along the upper surface 483b and are guided to the outlets 141, 171.

[0389] As shown in Figure 42(b), when the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward from the closed state, it becomes the open state B. In the open state B, the first opening / closing plate 432 falls forward, opening the first winning opening 403 and allowing a game ball to enter the first winning opening 403. In addition, the first opening / closing plate 432 that has fallen forward covers the passage 408 from above, closing the second winning opening 404.

[0390] If a gaming ball is present on the upper surface 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483 when switching from the closed state to the open state B, the downward rotation of the second opening / closing plate 483 accompanying the forward rotation of the opening / closing member 431 causes the gaming ball to fall downward and become eligible to win a prize in the second winning opening 404. In other words, the gaming ball on the second opening / closing plate 483 becomes eligible to win a prize in the winning opening (second winning opening 404) on the opposite side to the winning opening (first winning opening 403) that becomes open when switching to the open state B. Furthermore, such a win is not permitted after the switch to the open state B is complete, but is limited to being permitted only during the switching process.

[0391] As shown in Figure 42(c), when the opening / closing member 431 rotates rearward from the closed state, it enters the open state A. In the open state A, the second opening / closing plate 483 is in an upright position, opening the passage 408 upward and allowing game balls to enter the second winning opening 404. In addition, the upright second opening / closing plate 483 covers the first winning opening 403 from the front, so that the first winning opening 403 is in a closed state.

[0392] If a gaming ball is present on the upper surface 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483 when switching from the closed state to the open state A, the second opening / closing plate 483 rotates toward the first winning opening 403, and the gaming ball is guided to the first winning opening 403, making it possible for the gaming ball to win a prize at the first winning opening 403. Such a win is not permitted after the switch to the open state A is complete, and is only permitted during the switching process.

[0393] In this modified example, the second opening / closing plate 483 is made flat in order to prevent the game balls on the second opening / closing plate 483 from moving to the left or right end of the second opening / closing plate 483 and spilling out when they are guided toward the first winning opening 403. However, as long as such spilling does not occur or is unlikely to occur within a range, the second opening / closing plate 483 may be configured to be inclined toward the outlets 141, 171, as in the fourth embodiment described above.

[0394] As described above, in this modified example, when the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward, it becomes the open state B, and when it is rotated backward, it becomes the open state A. This is expected to increase the player's interest in the direction in which the opening / closing member 431 moves, and to make the player pay close attention to the behavior of the opening / closing member 431. This makes it possible to appropriately increase the level of attention to the game. Furthermore, because the open state A or B corresponds to the movement direction of the opening / closing member 431, it becomes easier for the player to intuitively grasp which state it is, improving ease of play.

[0395] In the above modified example, when the switching to the open state A is completed, it is not possible for a game ball to enter the first winning opening portion 403, but it is not limited to this, and it may be possible for a game ball to enter a prize in a range where it is more difficult to enter than the second winning opening portion 404. Similarly, when the switching to the open state B is completed, it is not limited to the configuration where it is not possible for a game ball to enter the second winning opening portion 404, and it may be possible for a game ball to enter a prize in a range where it is more difficult to enter than the first winning opening portion 403.

[0396] <Modification 4 of the Fourth Embodiment> This modified example is based on modified example 3 of the fourth embodiment, and improves the switching mode to open states A and B during the open / close execution mode. This modified example will be described below with reference to Figure 43(a). Figure 43(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of jackpot and the open state of each round, and Figure 43(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of jackpot and the number of times of switching to open state A in the open / close execution mode.

[0397] In this modification, even if a gaming ball enters the second winning opening 404, the notification effect shown in FIG. 32 is not executed (and of course, the introduction effect and the end effect are not executed either). Furthermore, from the effect image displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41 during the opening / closing execution mode, it is impossible or difficult to distinguish whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends will be the low probability mode or the high probability mode. Furthermore, when the opening / closing member 431 is switched to either the open state A or B during one round of play, that state continues until the end of that round of play. Furthermore, as with the modification 1 of the third embodiment, the jackpot types in this modification are set to an explicit 15R probability variable jackpot result, an implicit 15R probability variable jackpot result, and a 15R normal jackpot result (see FIG. 28).

[0398] As shown in Figure 43(a), in the opening and closing execution mode when the jackpot type is allocated to a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result, the opening and closing member 431 is rotated forward to the open state B in the round games of the 1st to 4th rounds and the 10th to 15th rounds, and the opening and closing member 431 is rotated backward to the open state A in the round games of the 5th to 9th rounds. On the other hand, in the opening and closing execution mode when the jackpot type is allocated to a 15R normal jackpot result, the opening and closing member 431 is rotated forward to the open state B in the round games of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th to 15th rounds, and the opening and closing member 431 is rotated backward to the open state A in the round games of the 2nd, 4th, and 6th rounds.

[0399] In other words, the number of times the variable winning device 401 is switched to open state A differs depending on whether the jackpot type is assigned to an unspecified 15R special jackpot result or a 15R normal jackpot result; in more detail, in the former case, the number of times it switches to open state A is more than a predetermined number of times (four times in this modified example), and in the latter case, the number of times it switches to open state A is less than the predetermined number of times.

[0400] Such control is realized, for example, by the main control unit 81 setting the opening mode of the opening / closing member 431 for each round based on information regarding the results of the allocation of jackpot types, such as the acquired value of the jackpot type counter C2 and a flag indicating the results of the allocation of jackpot types.

[0401] The above-described configuration adds to the excitement of guessing the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends from the number of times the open / close member 431 switches to the open state A (the behavior of the open / close member 431). This significantly increases the player's interest in the behavior of the open / close member 431, and makes it possible to favorably increase the level of attention paid to the game.

[0402] In this modified example, the type of jackpot and the number of times to switch to open state A correspond one-to-one, but as shown in Figure 44, if the jackpot type is assigned to an unspecified 15R special jackpot result, it is more likely that the number of times to switch to open state A will be more than the specified number, and if it is assigned to a normal 15R jackpot result, it is more likely that the number of times to switch to open state A will be less than the specified number.

[0403] In addition, if the jackpot type is assigned to an unspecified 15R special jackpot result, the number of times the jackpot switches to open state B will be more than a predetermined number of times, and if the jackpot type is assigned to a normal 15R jackpot result, the number of times the jackpot switches to open state B will be less than a predetermined number of times.

[0404] Furthermore, in this modified example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, when the opening / closing member 431 is switched to either the open state A or B during one round of play, that state is maintained until the end of that round of play, but as in modified example 1 of the fourth embodiment, the opening state of the opening / closing member 431 may be changed during one round of play. In this case, the number of times (total number) that the opening / closing member 431 switches to the open state A during the opening / closing execution mode may be different between when a non-specified 15R probability variable jackpot result is allocated and when a 15R normal jackpot result is allocated, or the number of rounds including the switching to the open state A may be different.

[0405] <Fifth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment> This modified example is targeted at the round game of a predetermined round, and differs from the above modified example 4 in that the opening state of the variable winning device 401 is different when the jackpot type is assigned to an unspecified 15R variable jackpot result and when the jackpot type is assigned to a 15R normal jackpot result. This modified example will be explained below with reference to Figure 45(a). Figure 45(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the jackpot type and the opening state of the 15th round.

[0406] In this modified example, in the open / close execution mode when the jackpot type is assigned to a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result, the open / close member 431 is rotated backward in the 15th round of round play to be in the open state A. On the other hand, in the open / close execution mode when the jackpot type is assigned to a 15R normal jackpot result, the open / close member 431 is rotated forward in the 15th round of round play to be in the open state B. In both the case of a non-specified 15R variable probability jackpot result and a 15R normal jackpot result, the open / close member 431 is rotated forward in the round play other than the 15th round to be in the open state B.

[0407] This configuration adds to the excitement of guessing the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends based on the open state of the variable winning device 401 in the 15th round. This, as with the fourth modification, significantly increases the player's interest in the behavior of the opening / closing member 431, making it possible to appropriately increase the player's attention to the game. In addition, since it is sufficient to pay attention to the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 in a predetermined round, the burden on the player can be reduced compared to when all rounds of play performed in the opening / closing execution mode are considered.

[0408] In this modified example, the predetermined round is the 15th round (final round), but it is not limited to this and can be any round. However, if the result is a normal jackpot and the player can guess it at a relatively early stage in the opening and closing execution mode, there is a risk that the player will be disappointed and will not be able to fully enjoy the remaining opening and closing execution mode, so it is preferable that the predetermined round is a round game at the end of the opening and closing execution mode (the final round or the round game just before that).

[0409] In addition, in this modified example, a predetermined round is one round game, but it may be composed of multiple round games. Furthermore, as in the case of Figure 45 (b), the jackpot type and the opening mode in a predetermined round (whether to be opened state A or B) do not correspond one-to-one, and when the jackpot type is assigned to an unspecified 15R variable jackpot result, the variable winning device 401 may be more likely to be in the opening state A in a predetermined round game than when assigned to a 15R normal jackpot result.

[0410] <Fifth embodiment> This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the variable winning device 401 according to the fourth embodiment is configured as a variable winning unit in which multiple variable winning devices are integrated. This embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 46 and 47. Figure 46(a) is a front view of the variable winning unit 501 and its surrounding configuration, and Figures 46(b) and 47 are cross-sectional views of the variable winning unit 501. In these figures, the same symbols are used for configurations that are the same as those in the above embodiments, and their description will be omitted.

[0411] As shown in FIG. 46(a), the variable winning unit 501 has a base body 411 similar to the variable winning device 401 according to the fourth embodiment. An upper large prize opening 505 that opens forward is formed in the upper part of the base body 411, and a lower large prize opening 506 that also opens forward is formed in the lower part of the base body 411. These upper large prize opening 505 and lower large prize opening 506 have the same configuration as the first prize opening section 403 and second prize opening section 404 according to the fourth embodiment, and are opened and closed by an opening / closing member 431. In other words, the upper large prize opening 505 and the opening / closing member 431 form the upper variable winning device 502, and the lower large prize opening 506 and the opening / closing member 431 form the lower variable winning device 503.

[0412] The specific operation of the opening / closing member 431 for opening and closing the upper large prize opening 505 and the lower large prize opening 506 is the same as when opening and closing the first prize opening section 403 and the second prize opening section 404 in the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, and as shown in Figures 46(b) and 47(a) and (b), it is possible to switch between a closed state in which both large prize openings 505, 506 are closed, an open state A in which the lower large prize opening 506 is opened, and an open state B in which the upper large prize opening 505 is opened.

[0413] In the open state B shown in Figure 47(b), when a gaming ball enters the upper large prize opening 505, this is detected by the first large prize opening entry sensor 403a provided in the first ball passage 405 behind the upper large prize opening 505. When the entry of a gaming ball into the upper large prize opening 505 is detected in this way, the payout control device 97 pays out a first number of gaming balls (for example, 10 balls).

[0414] On the other hand, in the open state A shown in Figure 47(a), when a gaming ball enters the lower large prize opening 506, this is detected by the second large prize opening entry sensor 404a provided in the second ball passage 421 behind the lower large prize opening 506. When the entry of a gaming ball into the lower large prize opening 506 is detected in this manner, a second number of gaming balls (for example, 15 balls), which is greater than the first number, is paid out from the payout control device 97. In other words, in this embodiment, a large number of prize balls can be won by having a gaming ball enter the lower large prize opening 506, and it is more advantageous for the player to have a gaming ball enter the lower large prize opening 506 than to have a ball enter the upper large prize opening 505.

[0415] Furthermore, if a gaming ball is on the second opening / closing plate 433 immediately before switching from the closed state to the open states A and B, the gaming ball falls downward during the process of switching to the open states A and B, and can enter the lower large winning opening 506. Therefore, in the opening / closing execution mode, a gaming ball that reaches the variable winning unit 501 during the waiting period (the period in the closed state) between the previous round game and the next round game can enter the lower large winning opening 506.

[0416] Incidentally, when the open state A is set in the previous round of play and the open state B is set in the next round of play, the open state A may be transitioned to the open state B without returning to the closed state, as in the case of the modified example 2 of the fourth embodiment (Fig. 40). This allows the transition from the previous round to the next round without interruption, or the next round to start instantly after the previous round ends, and the waiting period can be eliminated or made extremely short.

[0417] In this modified example, since the upper variable winning device 502 and the lower variable winning device 503 are treated as separate variable winning devices, for example, when a round of play is played in the open state B (a state in which the upper large winning opening 505 is open), the round of play ends when the number of game balls that have entered the upper large winning opening 505 reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, 10 balls) or when the duration of the open state B reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, 30 seconds). Similarly, when a round of play is played in the open state A (a state in which the lower large winning opening 506 is open), the round of play ends when the number of game balls that have entered the upper large winning opening 505 reaches the predetermined upper limit or when the duration of the open state B reaches the predetermined upper limit.

[0418] In this modified example, the announcement effect (FIG. 32) based on the winning of a gaming ball into the lower big winning opening 506 may or may not be performed.

[0419] <Modification 1 of the Fifth Embodiment> This modified example differs from the fifth embodiment in that it does not have the open state A (a state in which the lower large prize opening 506 is open) shown in Figure 47(a). In this modified example, the open state is only open state B (a state in which the upper large prize opening 505 is open), and it is configured to be switchable between two states: the closed state (Figure 46(b)) and the open state B. In other words, as in the case of modified example 1 (Figure 34) of the third embodiment, the opportunity for a gaming ball to enter the lower large prize opening 506 is limited only when switching to the open state B. This makes it possible to emphasize the gameplay in which the more gaming balls there are on the second opening / closing plate 433 at the time of switching, the more advantageous it is for the player.

[0420] Sixth Embodiment This embodiment is based on the third embodiment, and features an improved ball receiving structure in the closed state. This embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b) are perspective views of the opening / closing member 631 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 49 is a side view. In these figures, the same components as those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. However, in this embodiment, even if a gaming ball wins the second winning opening 404, no notification effect is executed, and the number of gaming balls paid out is the same as when a gaming ball wins the first winning opening 403. In other words, the degree of advantage to the player is the same when a gaming ball wins the first winning opening 403 and when a gaming ball wins the second winning opening 404.

[0421] As shown in FIG. 48(a), the opening / closing member 631 of this embodiment includes a long, plate-shaped movable plate 651. The movable plate 651 is arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction of the gaming machine, similar to the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433, and is disposed between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 in the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 631. One long side 652 of the movable plate 651 is provided with a cylindrical shaft (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 651, and the shaft is rotatably connected to a bearing 653 provided on the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. That is, as shown in FIG. 49, the movable plate 651 is configured to be rotatable between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 around a rotation shaft extending in the same direction as the rotation shaft of the opening / closing member 431. As a result, the movable plate 651 can be switched between a state in which it overlaps the front surface 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 from the front (FIG. 48(a)), and a state in which it overlaps the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 from above (FIG. 48(b)). As shown in FIG. 48(b), the movable plate 651 has a size that allows it to cover substantially the entire upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. In this embodiment, no drive source such as a solenoid for driving the movable plate 651 is provided.

[0422] In this embodiment, there are two closed states for closing the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404: closed state A shown in Fig. 48(a) and closed state B shown in Fig. 48(b). These closed states A and B differ in whether or not the movable plate 651 overlaps the second opening / closing plate 433 from above; specifically, closed state A occurs when the movable plate 651 does not overlap the second opening / closing plate 433, and closed state B occurs when they overlap.

[0423] 48(a), in the closed state A, the movable plate 651 is in an upright state, so that the first surface portion 654 of the movable plate 651 located on the second opening / closing plate 433 side is exposed forward, and the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 is exposed upward. In this case, the first surface portion 654 of the movable plate 651 is flush with the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411 (the front surface of the gaming board 24; see FIG. 24(b)) or is located closer to the rear side of the gaming machine than the front surface portion 411a, so that gaming balls can pass in front of the first surface portion 654.

[0424] Therefore, in the above case, the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion, which is a first mode. The upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 is smooth and flat, making it difficult for the game ball to get caught when moving on the upper surface 433b. In addition, the first surface 654 of the movable plate 651 is also smooth and flat, which also prevents the game ball from getting caught.

[0425] An engaging portion 656 is provided on a surface portion 655 at the tip end of the rotation of the movable plate 651 so as to protrude from the surface portion 655 in the direction of the rotation radius of the movable plate 651. When the movable plate 651 is in an upright position, this engaging portion 656 is adapted to engage with an engaged portion 657 (see FIG. 49) provided on the base body 411 side of the variable winning device 401, thereby making it possible to maintain the movable plate 651 in an upright position.

[0426] As shown in FIG. 48(b), in the closed state B, the movable plate 651 is tilted toward the second opening / closing plate 433, so that the front surface 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 is exposed forward, and the second surface 658 of the second opening / closing plate 433, which is located on the first opening / closing plate 432 side, is exposed upward. In this case, a second mode is achieved in which the second surface 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as a ball receiving portion. The second surface 658 of the movable plate 651 is provided with a plurality of ridges 660 extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 651. These ridges 660 function as deceleration means, similar to the ridges 215 in other embodiments. In other words, when a gaming ball rests on the second surface 658, the movement of the gaming ball toward the outlet 141, 171 is impeded by the ridges 660, and the gaming ball is decelerated.

[0427] The front surface 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 is provided with a plurality of grooves 661 corresponding to the ridges 660. These grooves 661 can accommodate the ridges 660 when the opening / closing member 631 is in the closed state A.

[0428] Next, the operation of the opening / closing member 631 in the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode will be described. Although not shown, the game board 24 in this embodiment is also provided with flow path forming sections 131, 161 (see FIG. 5), and the game balls flowing down the game area PE are collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401.

[0429] First, the normal gaming state will be described with reference to Figures 48(a) and 49. In the normal gaming state, the opening / closing member 631 is maintained in a closed state in which the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are closed. In this case, the movable plate 651 is held in an upright position by engagement between the engaging portion 656 and the engaged portion 657, and the opening / closing member 631 is in a closed state A. In this closed state A, the upper surface 483b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion, so that gaming balls collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 in the gaming area PE fall onto the upper surface 483b of the second opening / closing plate 433 and roll on the upper surface 483b. As already explained, the upper surface 483b is smooth and flat, so that the game ball moves smoothly over the upper surface 483b and is quickly guided to the outlets 141, 171 located on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member 431.

[0430] Next, the case where the opening and closing execution mode is executed will be described with reference to Fig. 50. Fig. 50 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the opening and closing member 631 in the opening and closing execution mode. Here, for convenience, it is assumed that the variable winning device 401 is opened once in one round of play.

[0431] In the first round of play, first, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated forward from the closed state A described above, and the first winning opening 403 is set to an open state (FIGS. 50(a) and 50(b)). At this time, the first opening / closing plate 432 presses the movable plate 651 from behind, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging portion 656 with the engaged portion 657, and the movable plate 651 rotates forward together with the opening / closing member 631. Thereafter, when the first opening / closing plate 432 rotates to the open position, the movable plate 651 rotates downward by its own weight. As a result, the movable plate 651 moves away from the first opening / closing plate 432 and comes into contact with the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0432] Thereafter, when the end condition for the round game (the number of winning game balls in the variable winning device 401 reaches a predetermined upper limit number or the open period reaches a predetermined upper limit period) is met, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above case and returns to the closed state (FIG. 50(c)). At that time, the movable plate 651 rotates together with the opening / closing member 631 so as to lean against the second opening / closing plate 433. As a result, at the time of returning to the closed state, the movable plate 651 overlaps the second opening / closing plate 433 from above, and the closed state of the opening / closing member 631 is switched to closed state B.

[0433] In the closed state B, the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as a ball receiving portion, so that the game balls collected in the arrangement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 in the game area PE fall onto the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 and roll on the second surface portion 658. As already explained, the second surface portion 658 is provided with the convex rib portion 660 as a deceleration means, so that the moving speed of the game balls moving on the second surface portion 658 is decelerated by the convex rib portion 660. For this reason, it takes longer for the game balls to reach the outlets 141, 171 than in the case of the closed state A, and the stay period on the opening / closing member 631 is extended.

[0434] Then, when the second round of play begins, the opening / closing member 631 is again rotated forward and switched from the closed state to the open state (FIG. 50(d)). Accordingly, the game balls on the movable plate 651 fall downward and enter the second winning opening 404. As described above, the game balls are in the closed state B during the waiting period immediately before the second round, and the game balls stay on the opening / closing member 631 (movable plate 651) for a longer period of time. Therefore, the probability that the opening / closing member 631 will switch to the open state before the game balls on the ball receiving section reach the outlets 141, 171 increases, and the probability that the game balls will enter the second winning opening 404 increases. In other words, the closed state B is more advantageous to the player than the closed state A.

[0435] Thereafter, when the conditions for ending the round of play are met, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated in the opposite direction again to return to the closed state (FIG. 50(e)). In this case, the state becomes closed state B as in the case at the end of the first round, and the period during which the game ball stays on the opening / closing member 631 (movable plate 651) is extended. Thereafter, the same process is repeated until the end of the 14th round.

[0436] When the 15th round of play begins, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated backward (FIG. 50(f)) from the closed state B (FIG. 50(e)). As a result, the second opening / closing plate 433 closes the first winning opening 403 and opens the second winning opening 404. In this case, the game ball that was on the second surface 658 of the movable plate 651 at the start of the backward rotation enters the first winning opening 403. In addition, as the opening / closing member 631 rotates backward, the movable plate 651 falls backward and rotates toward the first opening / closing plate 432. Thereafter, when the end condition for the round play is met, the opening / closing member 631 rotates forward from the state of FIG. 50(f) and returns to the closed state (FIG. 50(g)). In this case, the movable plate 651 leans against the first opening / closing plate 432 and rises up together with the first opening / closing plate 432, thereby switching to the closed state A.

[0437] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0438] It is possible to switch between a state in which the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as the ball receiving portion (closed state A) and a state in which the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as the ball receiving portion (closed state B), and the configuration makes it possible to change the ease with which the game ball moves in a specified direction (towards the outlet 141, 171) in the ball receiving portion.

[0439] In order to increase the efficiency of game balls entering the large prize opening 402 in the open / close execution mode (reducing the number of lost balls), it is desirable to slow down the speed at which game balls pass through the ball receiving section and lengthen the period of time that game balls stay above the ball receiving section. However, if the ball receiving section is designed to significantly decelerate game balls, this effect is exerted even in normal game mode, and the flow of game balls above the ball receiving section in normal game mode may stagnate, leading to ball clogging in the ball receiving section and its surrounding area. For this reason, it becomes necessary to minimize the degree of deceleration or to design a structure in which game balls do not pass above the ball receiving section in normal game mode, which places constraints on game machine design.

[0440] In this regard, in this embodiment, by switching between closed state A and closed state B, the ease of movement of game balls on the ball receiving section can be changed, thereby alleviating the above-mentioned constraints. As a result, the flow of game balls on the ball receiving section is stagnated in the open / close execution mode, while the flow of game balls on the ball receiving section is smoothed in the normal game state. Therefore, it is possible to increase the efficiency of game balls entering the special prize opening 402 in the open / close execution mode while avoiding affecting the normal game state.

[0441] A movable plate 651 is rotatably disposed between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433, and the state of the ball receiving section is switched mechanically in conjunction with the switching of the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 631. In this case, the switching control of the opening / closing member 631 (opening / closing control of the variable winning device 401) and the switching control of the ball receiving section can be performed together. This simplifies the control process compared to when these switching controls are performed separately, and reduces the processing load on the main control device 81. Note that "mechanically interlocked" means interlocking without the intervention of an electric actuator.

[0442] The open / close member 631 is configured to rotate forward and backward as transition modes from the closed state to the open state. When the open / close member 631 rotates forward, it becomes closed state B, and when it rotates backward, it becomes closed state A. In this case, since the rotation direction of the open / close member 631 corresponds to the closed state mode, players who are interested in whether closed state A or B will occur are likely to pay close attention to the movement of the open / close member 631, thereby making it possible to appropriately increase attention to the game. Furthermore, by controlling whether the open / close member 631 rotates forward or backward in each open / close control, it is possible to control whether closed state A or B will occur. This prevents the closed state switching pattern from becoming uniform, such as alternating between closed states A and B with each open / close control, and allows for more diverse state switching patterns. Furthermore, by rotating the open / close member 631 backward in the final round of the open / close execution mode, the normal game state after the open / close execution mode ends can be started in the closed state A state. This makes it difficult for game balls to pass through the ball receiving section during normal game play, thereby making it possible to prevent inconveniences such as ball jamming.

[0443] In the above embodiment, only the 15th round (the final round) is in the closed state A, and all other rounds are in the closed state B. However, a configuration in which the closed state A is used in rounds other than the 15th round may also be used. In this case, in order to diversify the rounds in which the closed state B (or the closed state A) occurs, multiple jackpot results may be provided as jackpot type allocation results, and the round in which the closed state B (or the closed state A) occurs may vary depending on the jackpot result. For example, in the case of jackpot result A, the closed state B occurs in each of the 1st to 14th rounds (only the open state A occurs in the 15th round), in the case of jackpot result B, the closed state B occurs in each of the 1st to 10th rounds (the closed state A occurs in the remaining rounds), and in the case of jackpot result C, the closed state A occurs in all rounds. This configuration makes it difficult to predict in advance which round will result in the closed state A (the round in which the opening / closing member 631 rotates backward), further increasing interest in the movement of the opening / closing member 631 and is also effective in preventing monotony in the game.

[0444] Furthermore, the closed state in the opening / closing execution mode may be different depending on whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode is a high probability mode or a low probability mode, thereby suggesting the lottery mode. In this case, the closed state in a predetermined round in the opening / closing execution mode may be different depending on whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode is a high probability mode or a low probability mode. This not only allows players to enjoy whether the large prize opening 402 is in closed state B, which makes it more likely that a prize will be won, but also provides the enjoyment of predicting the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode based on which closed state is reached. In this case, during a game round that results in a jackpot or during the opening / closing execution mode, the display screen G of the symbol display device 41 or the speaker may not be configured to suggest or clearly indicate the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode has ended. Note that if a notification is to be made, it should not be made until the predetermined round in the opening / closing execution mode, including the game round that results in a jackpot, has ended, but should be made after the start of the round that follows that round. Also, instead of the lottery mode, a support mode may be suggested after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0445] <Modification 1 of the Sixth Embodiment> In this modified example, the configuration of the opening and closing member differs from that of the sixth embodiment, specifically, it differs in that it is based on the first embodiment. This modified example will be explained with reference to Figures 51 to 53. Figure 51(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 201 and its surrounding configuration according to this modified example, (b) is a perspective view of the opening and closing member 731, and Figures 52 and 53 are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device 401 corresponding to the cross section of line AA in Figure 51(a). In these figures, the same symbols are used for configurations similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiments, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0446] As shown in Figures 51 and 52, the opening / closing member 731 according to this modified example has a plate-shaped shutter portion 732 that covers the special winning opening 202 (see Figure 7(b)). The upper surface 732a of the shutter portion 732 is smooth and flat, similar to the upper surface 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 according to the sixth embodiment. The opening / closing member 731 is configured to be able to slide forward and backward, and can be displaced between a protruding position where it protrudes forward of the gaming machine from the front surface 211a of the base body 211 (the front surface of the gaming board 24), and a retracted position where it retracts rearward from the protruding position and is prevented from protruding forward of the gaming machine.

[0447] As shown in FIG. 51(b), a support portion 734 is provided on the upper surface 732a of the shutter portion 732 so as to stand upward. The support portion 734 is disposed near the rear end 732b of the shutter portion 732, and a plurality of extension portions 735 extending forward are provided on its front surface 734a. The extension portions 735 have the same length in the front-to-rear direction, and the front end 735a of each extension portion 735 is located rearward of the front end 732c of the shutter portion 732. As shown in FIG. 51(a), each extension portion 735 has a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the gaming machine and is arranged at equal intervals. Meanwhile, a plurality of slit portions 737 are formed in the base body 211 so as to correspond to the extension portions 735. Each slit portion 737 penetrates the base body 211 in the thickness direction, and each extension portion 735 can be inserted into each slit portion 737 from the rear of the base body 211.

[0448] In this modified example, the closing states for closing the large prize opening 202 are a closed state A shown in Fig. 52(a) and a closed state B shown in Fig. 52(b). These closed states A and B differ in the amount of forward sliding (movement distance) of the opening / closing member 731 from the retracted position, and specifically, the sliding amount in closed state B is greater than that in closed state A.

[0449] 52(a), the front end 735a of each extension portion 735 is flush with the front surface 211a of the base body 211 (the front surface of the gaming board 24) or is located slightly toward the rear of the gaming machine than the front surface 211a. Therefore, in the closed state A, the flow of gaming balls moving on the upper surface 732a of the shutter portion 732 is not or is hardly obstructed by the extension portion 735. Furthermore, as already explained, since the upper surface 732a of the shutter portion 732 is smooth and flat, the gaming balls move smoothly on the upper surface 732a and are quickly guided to the outlets 141, 171 located on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member 731.

[0450] On the other hand, in the closed state B shown in Figure 52 (b), the front end 735a of each extension portion 735 protrudes forward from the front surface 211a of the base body 211 (the front surface of the game board 24). Therefore, in the closed state B, each extension portion 735 functions as an obstruction portion or an obstacle portion that obstructs the flow of game balls moving on the upper surface portion 732a of the shutter portion 732, and the game balls are decelerated by these extension portions 735. Therefore, it takes longer for the game balls to reach the outlets 141, 171 than in the closed state A, and the duration of their stay on the opening / closing member 731 is extended.

[0451] In this modified example, the open / close member 731 is also maintained in the closed state A in the normal game state, and game balls collected in the placement area of ​​the variable winning device 401 are quickly guided to the outlets 141, 171. On the other hand, in the open / close execution mode, the open / close member 731 is set to the closed state B in each waiting period of the first to fourteenth rounds, and the game balls stay on the open / close member 731 for a longer period of time. Then, at the start of the next round, game balls present on the open / close member 731 fall downward as the open / close member 731 retreats to the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 53, and enter the big winning opening 202. Thereafter, when the round game of the fifteenth round ends, the closed state of the open / close member 731 is switched to the closed state A.

[0452] In this way, even in this modified example, it is possible to change the ease with which game balls move in a predetermined direction (towards the outlet 141, 171) in the ball receiving section. This allows the flow of game balls on the ball receiving section to stagnate in the open / close execution mode, while allowing the flow of game balls on the ball receiving section to be smoothed in the normal game state. Therefore, it is possible to increase the efficiency with which game balls enter the special prize opening 202 in the open / close execution mode while avoiding any effect on the normal game state.

[0453] In the above configuration, the open states A and B are switched by extending and retracting the extension portion 735, but in the closed state A, the front end portion 735a of the extension portion 735 may be made to protrude forward from the base body 211 by a smaller amount than in the open state B.

[0454] In addition, in the above configuration, only the 15th round (final round) is in the closed state A, and all other rounds are in the closed state B, but it is also possible to configure rounds other than the 15th round to be in the closed state A. Also, the round in which the closed state B (or the closed state A) is reached may be different depending on whether the lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode is the high probability mode or the low probability mode, thereby suggesting the lottery mode.

[0455] Seventh Embodiment This embodiment is based on the third embodiment described above, and differs from the above embodiments in that it has a third operating port 803 instead of the second winning port portion 404. This embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 54. Figure 54(a) is a front view of the winning unit 801 and its surrounding structure according to this embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of line BB in (a). In this figure, the same components as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0456] As shown in Figure 54(a), the pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment has a winning unit 801 in which a variable winning device 802 and a third operating port 803 are integrated. The winning unit 801 has a base body 811 that is fitted into the game board 24, and the variable winning device 802 is disposed on top of the base body 811. The variable winning device 802 is made up of a first winning port section 403, an opening / closing member 431 that opens and closes the first winning port section 403, and a back structure (a first ball passage 405 and a first large winning port winning sensor 403a) for guiding and detecting a game ball that has entered the first winning port section 403.

[0457] A third actuation port 803 is disposed at the bottom of the base body 811 (below the variable winning device 802). The third actuation port 803 opens forward and is large enough to allow multiple game balls to pass through simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 54(b), a ball passage 821 is provided on the back side of the base body 811 so as to communicate with the third actuation port 803. The ball passage 821 extends rearward, and a game ball that enters the third actuation port 803 flows into the second ball passage 421 and is then guided rearward along the passage bottom surface 821a. A thir...

Claims

[Claim 1] A launching means capable of launching a game ball into a game area based on a predetermined launching operation; A first ball entry means and a second ball entry means through which the game ball can enter; a movable body that can be switched between a first state in which the game ball cannot or is difficult to enter the first ball entry means and a second state in which the game ball can or is easier to enter the first ball entry means than in the first state; a switching control means for executing switching control to switch the movable body from the first state to the second state and then to the first state in a predetermined case; Equipped with The movable body has a ball receiving means capable of receiving a game ball when the movable body is in at least the first state, The second ball entrance means is disposed in a predetermined area below the ball receiving means, The movable body is configured to be capable of restricting the entry of a game ball into the second ball entry means when the movable body is in the first state, When the movable body is switched from the first state to the second state while a predetermined game ball is received in the ball receiving means, the predetermined game ball in the ball receiving means is configured to flow downward below the ball receiving means, The predetermined game ball that flows down below the ball receiving means can enter the second ball entry means, In the specific state in which the switching control is executed, there is at least a period of the first state that is a predetermined period of the first state and a period of the specific first state that is different from the period of the first state, The length of the predetermined period of the first state and the length of the specific period of the first state are configured to be different, A discharge means is provided for discharging game balls from the game area, A gaming machine characterized in that the discharge means is provided downstream of the ball receiving means.

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