Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving amusement of games.SOLUTION: If a game state when lending operation is performed is not in a specific state, normal lending effect sound is to be outputted. If a game state when the lending operation is performed is in the specific state, special lending effect sound is to be outputted. Further, if a game state when the lending operation is performed is in a mini time-shortened state and if a value of a total special variation counter is equal to or more than 100, the normal lending effect sound is to be outputted, but if a value of the total special variation counter is less than 100, the special lending effect sound is to be outputted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) is known that has a gaming area in which a gaming ball (gaming medium) moves and launches the gaming ball into the gaming area in response to a player's operation. In this type of gaming machine, a start winning hole is provided as a detection area in the gaming area to detect the gaming ball, and a random number value is acquired and stored in a storage means when the entry of the gaming ball into the start winning hole is detected, and a gaming lottery is performed to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won by using the random number value stored in the storage means in a predetermined order. Then, the display means starts to display a variable pattern, and if the result of the gaming lottery is a jackpot, the pattern is displayed in a stopped jackpot state, and the gaming state is transitioned to a special gaming state. In the special gaming state, a predetermined number of jackpot games are executed, and in each jackpot game, a special role provided in the gaming area is operated so that the jackpot opening is opened, and the gaming ball can enter the jackpot opening.

[0003] Furthermore, among these types of gaming machines, there are some that are designed so that when a ball dispensing operation button is operated, a predetermined number of gaming balls are supplied to a tray, and a presentation suggesting a set value for the probability of a jackpot is executed in response to the operation of the ball dispensing operation button (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6884407 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Recently, so-called managed gaming machines have appeared, which do not physically lend or pay out game balls to players, but instead circulate game balls within the machine by managing the number of game balls available to the player as numerical data. However, there is a demand for presentations unique to managed gaming machines.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can increase the enjoyment of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine for playing games, comprising a management means for managing a gaming value available to a player, a gaming state control means for controlling a gaming state, and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation of the game, wherein the management means changes the gaming value based on a specific operation being performed, and the presentation control means outputs a first sound effect if the gaming state when the specific operation is performed is a first gaming state, and outputs a second sound effect if the gaming state when the specific operation is performed is a second gaming state.

[0008] According to the present invention, the player can determine the gaming state by the sound effect that is generated when a specific operation is performed.

[0009] (2) The present invention also relates to a gaming machine for playing games, comprising: a management means for managing a game value available to a player; a display control means for changing and stopping a pattern under a predetermined condition; a game state control means for controlling a game state; and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation of the game, wherein the management means changes the game value based on a specific operation being performed; the game state control means ends the predetermined game state when the number of times the pattern has changed in the predetermined game state reaches a predetermined number; and the presentation control means outputs a first sound effect when the game state when the specific operation is performed is the predetermined game state and the remaining number of changes in the predetermined game state is equal to or greater than a specific number, and outputs a second sound effect when the game state when the specific operation is performed is the predetermined game state and the remaining number of changes in the predetermined game state is less than the specific number.

[0010] According to the present invention, the player can determine whether the remaining number of fluctuations in a given game state is less than a specific number by the sound effect that is generated when a specific operation is performed.

[0011] (3) The present invention also relates to a gaming machine for playing games, comprising: a management means for managing a game value available to a player; a stop control means for stopping the progress of the game when a differential value, which is the difference between the game value used in the game and the game value granted to the player, reaches a predetermined value; and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation of the game, wherein the management means changes the game value based on a specific operation being performed, and the presentation control means outputs a first sound effect when the differential value when the specific operation is performed is less than a specific value, and outputs a second sound effect when the differential value when the specific operation is performed is equal to or greater than the specific value.

[0012] According to the present invention, the player can determine whether or not the difference value is equal to or greater than the specific value by the sound effect that is generated when a specific operation is performed.

[0013] (4) The present invention also relates to a gaming machine for playing games, comprising: a management means for managing a game value available to a player; a display control means for changing and stopping a pattern under a predetermined condition; a game state control means for controlling a game state; and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation of the game, wherein the game state control means ends a predetermined game state when the number of times the pattern changes in the predetermined game state reaches a predetermined number, and the presentation control means outputs a first notification sound when the game state when the game value has decreased to the predetermined value is the predetermined game state and the remaining number of changes in the predetermined game state is equal to or greater than a specific number, and outputs a second notification sound when the game state when the game value has decreased to the predetermined value is the predetermined game state and the remaining number of changes in the predetermined game state is less than the specific number.

[0014] According to the present invention, the notification sound that is emitted when the game value decreases to a predetermined value enables the player to determine whether the remaining number of fluctuations in a predetermined game state is less than a specific number. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, interest in games can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an amusement machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is an oblique view showing the appearance of a jackpot opening of an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a main control display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a circulation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the internal structure of the circulation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lottery table of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lottery table of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lottery table of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the transition of the gaming state of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0018] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to this embodiment. The gaming machine according to this embodiment is a controlled gaming machine in which a game is played using a gaming ball (gaming medium) circulating inside the gaming machine, and includes an outer frame 2 (frame body) forming the outer surface of the gaming machine, a gaming board 6 provided inside the gaming machine and forming a gaming area 4 in which the gaming ball moves, an inner frame 7 (opening and closing part) holding the gaming board 6 and various control boards inside the gaming machine, a glass unit 8 that makes the gaming area 4 visible to the player but inaccessible to the player, and a front frame 10 formed to surround the gaming area 4 on the front side of the gaming machine. The front frame 10 forms a front frame opening 11 in a range corresponding to the gaming area 4 so that the player can see the gaming area 4, and the glass unit 8 is attached from the back side so as to close the front frame opening 11, thereby forming the front side of the gaming machine together with the glass unit 8.

[0019] A part of the front frame 10 is made of a translucent material that transmits light, and inside the part made of the translucent material are provided a number of front frame lamps 12 that output light effects to enhance the game. The front frame 10 is also provided with a speaker 14 that outputs sound effects to enhance the game.

[0020] A performance button 16 (performance operation means) that can be operated by the player is provided in the center of the lower part of the front frame 10, and when the player operates the performance button 16, the performance performed in the gaming machine changes.

[0021] A ball count display unit 17 capable of displaying the number of balls held, which is the number of game balls that can be used in the game machine, is provided on the left rear side of the effect button 16. In the game machine of this embodiment, a dedicated unit (not shown) is provided adjacent to the game machine, and when cash is inserted into the dedicated unit or a dedicated card with a number of balls held of 1 or more is inserted, and an operation to lend game balls is performed in the dedicated unit, a lending command corresponding to lending game balls to the player is transmitted from the dedicated unit to the game machine, and when the lending command is received by the game machine, a value is added to the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17.

[0022] A counting button 18 for counting the number of balls held is provided on the front side of the ball count display unit 17, and when the counting button 18 is operated while the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17 is one or more, a counting command corresponding to transferring the number of balls held to the dedicated unit is sent from the gaming machine to the dedicated unit, and the number of balls held corresponding to the sent counting command is subtracted from the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17 and added to the number of balls held on the display unit of the dedicated unit.

[0023] When the number of balls held on the ball count display section 17 is 0 and the number of balls held on the display section of the dedicated unit is 1 or more, if a return operation is performed on the dedicated unit, the number of balls held on the display section of the dedicated unit is added to the number of balls held stored on the dedicated card, and the dedicated card is returned to the player.

[0024] A handle 20 is provided on the right side of the lower part of the front frame 10, and when the player rotates the handle 20 clockwise toward the gaming machine while the number of balls held on the ball number display unit 17 is one or more, a launching device (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is activated and gaming balls are launched into the gaming area 4. Each time one gaming ball is launched, one is subtracted from the number of balls held on the ball number display unit 17. The launching device of this embodiment has a built-in drive device such as a motor that operates a hammer that hits the gaming balls, and can launch a maximum of 99 gaming balls per minute (1.65 balls per second).

[0025] The inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 are attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be rotatable about a frame rotation axis 26 that runs along the left edge of the inner frame 7, the left edge of the front frame 10, and the left edge of the outer frame 2. When a key is inserted into the cylinder lock 27 provided at the upper right of the handle 20 and rotated in one direction, the lock is released and the inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 can be opened or closed relative to the outer frame 2.

[0026] In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, gaming balls are not physically lent or paid out to the player, and the number of balls held is managed as numerical data in the gaming machine, allowing the player to play without directly touching the gaming balls, and the machine does not have upper or lower trays for storing gaming balls, as is the case with conventional gaming machines.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 6 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a circular outer rail 28 is provided on the game board 6, and the area surrounded by the outer rail 28 is the game area 4 in which the game balls move. An arc-shaped inner rail 30 is provided on the left end of the game area 4 so as to follow the outer rail 28, and the outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30 guide the game balls launched from a launching device (not shown) provided below the game board 6 to the game area 4.

[0028] A liquid crystal display 31 (effect image display means) that displays effect images and the like to enhance the game is provided at the back side of the game board 6, and a game board opening 32 is formed in the center of the game board 6 as an opening that allows the player to view the liquid crystal display 31. A decorative portion 33 is formed in the center of the game board 6 so as to surround the game board opening 32. The decorative portion 33 has a portion made of a translucent material that transmits light, and a plurality of decorative portion lamps 34 that output effect lights and the like to enhance the game are provided inside the portion made of the translucent material.

[0029] A performance object 36 (movable object) is provided at the rear of the game board 6, in front of the LCD display 31, and the performance object 36 is arranged to be able to move (displace) between a stored state in which it is stored below the LCD display 31 as shown in Figure 2, and an appeared state in which it appears to cover part of the display area of ​​the LCD display 31, although not shown.

[0030] In this embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the game board opening 32 and the front side of the decorative portion 33, and the game ball shot into the game area 4 falls in the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 32 or the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32. In the game area 4, a large number of game nails (not shown) are nailed so as to intersect with the surface of the game board 6, and the moving direction of the game ball moving in the game area 4 changes randomly.

[0031] A left opening 40 is formed on the left side of the decorative section 33, through which game balls falling in the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 32 can pass, and game balls that pass through this left opening 40 pass through a passage 42 provided inside the decorative section 33 and fall onto a stage 44 provided below the decorative section 33. The top surface of this stage 44 is smoothly curved, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 through which game balls can fall downward from the stage 44, and the game balls that fall onto the stage 44 from the passage 42 move back and forth on the stage 44 before falling downward from near the center of the stage 44.

[0032] A first start winning hole 46 is provided below the center of the stage 44, into which a game ball that has fallen downward from near the center of the stage 44 can enter. This first start winning hole 46 has a built-in sensor (detection means) that detects each game ball that enters the first start winning hole 46, and is configured so that when a game ball enters, the game ball is collected inside the gaming machine. Each time a game ball that has entered the first start winning hole 46 is detected, 3 is added to the number of balls held in the ball number display unit 17, and a special lottery is held to obtain a random number value and determine whether or not the player has won a big win or a small win.

[0033] In addition, at the bottom of the game area 4 to the left of the game board opening 32, there are provided a first general winning opening 47-1, a second general winning opening 47-2, and a third general winning opening 47-3, through which the game ball enters and is collected inside the game machine.

[0034] In detail, in this embodiment, a sensor that detects each game ball that enters the first general winning opening 47-1 is provided on the path that the game ball passes through, and each time a game ball that enters the first general winning opening 47-1 is detected, 4 is added to the number of balls held in the ball holding number display unit 17, but no special lottery is held.

[0035] On the other hand, the path through which the game ball that entered the second general winning opening 47-2 passes and the path through which the game ball that entered the third general winning opening 47-3 passes are merged (connected) so as to be combined into one path inside, and a sensor that detects each game ball that entered the second general winning opening 47-2 or the third general winning opening 47-3 is provided on the merged path. Then, every time a game ball that entered the second general winning opening 47-1 or the third general winning opening 47-2 is detected, 3 is added to the number of balls held on the ball number display unit 17, but a special lottery is not held.

[0036] A pass gate 48 is provided in the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32, through which game balls pass without being collected inside the game machine. This pass gate 48 has a built-in sensor that detects each game ball passing through the pass gate 48, and each time a game ball is detected passing through the pass gate 48, a normal lottery is held to obtain a random number value and determine whether or not a normal win has been won.

[0037] In addition, in the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32, below the passing gate 48, a second start winning opening 50 is provided, through which the game ball is collected inside the game machine when the game ball enters. This second start winning opening 50 has a built-in sensor (game medium detection means) that detects each game ball that enters the second start winning opening 50, and is provided with a normal role 52 (assistance means) that has an auxiliary member that can be operated between a closed state (a state in which the game ball is not assisted in entering, a non-assisted state) in which the game ball has difficulty entering the second start winning opening 50 and an open state (a state in which the game ball is assisted in entering, an auxiliary state) in which the game ball has difficulty entering. The normal role 52 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid that operates the auxiliary member, and when a normal winning is won in the normal lottery, it is controlled to be in an open state under a predetermined condition, thereby executing a normal game. Each time a game ball is detected entering the second start winning port 50, the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17 is incremented by 1, and a special lottery is held to obtain a random number value and determine whether or not a big win or a small win has been achieved.

[0038] In addition, the value added to the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17 each time a game ball enters the first start winning port 46 and the value added to the number of balls held in the ball count display unit 17 each time a game ball enters the second start winning port 50 may be the same value or different values.

[0039] In addition, in the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32, a fourth general winning opening 47-4 is provided below and to the right of the second start winning opening 50, into which a game ball enters and is collected inside the game machine. The fourth general winning opening 47-4 has a built-in sensor that detects each game ball that enters the fourth general winning opening 47-4, and each time a game ball enters the fourth general winning opening 47-4, one is added to the number of balls held in the ball number display unit 17, but no special lottery is held.

[0040] In addition, a large prize opening 54 is provided in the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32, into which the game balls enter and are collected inside the game machine. This large prize opening 54 has a built-in sensor that detects each game ball that enters the large prize opening 54, and is provided with a special device 56 equipped with a blocking member that blocks the large prize opening 54. The special device 56 is configured to be operable between an open state (entry possible state) in which the game balls can enter the large prize opening 54 and a closed state (entry impossible state) in which the game balls cannot enter. The special device 56 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid that operates the blocking member, and is controlled to be in an open state under a predetermined condition in a special game state that starts when a large prize or small prize is won in a special lottery, thereby executing a large prize game or a small prize game (special game). Each time a gaming ball is detected entering the big winning opening 54, 10 is added to the number of balls held on the ball number display section 17.

[0041] 3(A) and 3(B) are perspective views showing the large prize opening 54 with the special device 56 in an open state. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the large prize opening 54 of this embodiment is composed of a specific area 64 provided on the left side of the inside of the large prize opening 54 and into which the game ball can enter, and a normal area 66 provided on the right side of the inside of the large prize opening 54 and into which the game ball can enter. The specific area 64 includes a sensor that detects the entry of the game ball, and a specific device 68 having a blocking member that blocks the specific area 64 is provided. The specific device 68 is configured to be operable between an open state (entry possible state) in which the game ball can enter the specific area 64 as shown in FIG. 3(A) and a closed state (non-entry state) in which the game ball cannot enter the specific area 64 as shown in FIG. 3(B). The specific device 68 includes a drive device such as a solenoid that operates the blocking member, and is controlled to be in an open state under a predetermined condition in a small prize game. When the special device 56 is opened and the game ball enters the big prize opening 54, if the specific device 68 is also open, the game ball can enter the specific area 64, and if the specific device 68 is not open, the game ball cannot enter the specific area 64.

[0042] In addition, the normal area 66 incorporates a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball, but there is no blocking member that blocks the normal area 66, and the game ball can enter when the special device 56 is in the open state.

[0043] Therefore, when the special role 56 is in the open state and the gaming ball enters the big prize opening 54, if the specific role 68 is in the open state, the gaming ball enters the specific area 64 or the normal area 66, and if the specific role 68 is in the closed state, the gaming ball does not enter the specific area 64 but enters the normal area 66. When the gaming ball enters the specific area 64 or the normal area 66, the gaming ball is discharged from the big prize opening 54 and is configured to be collected inside the gaming machine.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, an outlet 62 is provided at the bottom of the game area 4, into which game balls that have fallen through the game area 4 without entering any of the winning holes enter.

[0045] The game ball launching device is configured so that the launching force of the game ball can be changed by adjusting the amount of rotation of the handle 20 shown in Figure 1. When the amount of rotation of the handle 20 is small, the game ball is launched so that it falls into the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 32, and when the amount of rotation of the handle 20 is large, the game ball is launched so that it falls into the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 32.

[0046] Therefore, the player adjusts the amount of rotation of the handle 20 depending on the game situation, and performs a so-called left hit, in which the game ball is launched so that it falls down the left side game area 4, passes through the left opening 40, the passage 42 and the stage 44, and enters the first start winning port 46, or enters the first general winning port 47-1, the second general winning port 47-2, or the third general winning port 47-3, or performs a so-called right hit, in which the game ball is launched so that it falls down the right side game area 4, passes through the passing gate 48, or enters the second start winning port 50, or enters the large winning port 54, or enters the fourth general winning port 47-4.

[0047] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the gaming ball falls through the left-hand gaming area 4, it does not pass through the passing gate 48 and does not enter the fourth general winning port 47-4, the second start winning port 50, or the large winning port 54, and when the gaming ball falls through the right-hand gaming area 4, it does not enter the first start winning port 46, the first general winning port 47-1, the second general winning port 47-2, or the third general winning port 47-3.

[0048] Furthermore, game balls that are launched from the launching device but return without reaching the game area 4 due to a weak launching force enter a foul passage (not shown) provided below the game board 6 and are collected inside the game machine. A sensor is provided in the foul passage to detect each game ball passing through the foul passage, and each time a game ball passing through the foul passage is detected, 1 is added to the number of balls held on the ball number display unit 17.

[0049] In addition, at the lower right of the game board 6, outside the game area 4, there is provided a main control display unit 70 which shows various information about the gaming machine, such as the results of the regular lottery, the results of the special lottery, and the game status, by turning on and off multiple lamps, etc.

[0050] 4 is a front view showing the external configuration of the main control display unit 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control display unit 70 is provided with a normal symbol display unit 72, a normal reserve display unit 74, a first special symbol display unit 76, a first special reserve display unit 78, a second special symbol display unit 80, a second special reserve display unit 82, and a game status display unit 84.

[0051] The normal symbol display unit 72 is composed of two lamps, and when a normal lottery is held, the normal symbols are displayed in a variable manner by flashing the two lamps, and the normal symbols are displayed in a stationary manner by turning on or off the two lamps, thereby displaying the result of the normal lottery.

[0052] The normal hold display unit 74 is composed of two lamps, and displays the normal hold number corresponding to the number of reserved normal random number values ​​when the normal random number value, which is a random number value for a normal lottery, is obtained but the normal lottery cannot be performed and the normal random number value is held in reserve, such as when the normal symbol is already being displayed in a changing or stopped state when the game ball passes through the passing gate 48, and displays a normal hold number of 0 to 4 by combining the two lamps by turning on, turning off, or flashing.

[0053] The first special pattern display unit 76 is composed of a 7-segment display, and when a special lottery is held by the entry of a gaming ball into the first starting winning port 46, the 7-segment display is caused to flash to display the first special pattern in a variable manner, and the 7-segment display is caused to light up in one of a plurality of different manners to display the first special pattern in a static manner, thereby displaying the result of the special lottery.

[0054] The first special reserve display unit 78 is composed of two lamps and displays a first special reserve number corresponding to the number of the reserved first special random number values ​​when, for example, the first special pattern is already being displayed in a changing or stopped state at the time the game ball enters the first start winning port 46, and a special lottery cannot be held even if a random number value for a special lottery is obtained, so the random number value for the special lottery is reserved as the first special random number value.By combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps, it displays a first special reserve number of 0 to 4.

[0055] The second special pattern display unit 80 is composed of a 7-segment display, and when a special lottery is held by the entry of a gaming ball into the second start winning port 50, the 7-segment display is caused to flash to display the second special pattern in a variable manner, and the 7-segment display is caused to light up in one of a plurality of different manners to display the second special pattern in a static manner, thereby displaying the result of the special lottery.

[0056] The second special reserve display unit 82 is composed of two lamps and displays a second special reserve number corresponding to the number of the reserved second special random number values ​​when the second special pattern is already being displayed in a changing or stopped state at the time the game ball enters the second start winning port 50, and a special lottery cannot be held even if the special lottery random number value is obtained, so the special lottery random number value is reserved as the second special random number value.By combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps, it displays a second special reserve number of 0 to 4.

[0057] The game status display unit 84 is composed of six lamps, and displays the type of game status currently set by a combination of turning on, turning off, or blinking the six lamps. In this embodiment, five types of game statuses can be set: a specific status which is the initial status after the power of the gaming machine is turned on, a micro-time-saving status which is the basic game status, a special game status which starts when a jackpot is won in a special lottery, and a first time-saving status and a second time-saving status which shorten the time for the first special symbol or the second special symbol to change and increase the chance of executing the special lottery. The six lamps are turned on, turned off, or blinked in a combination to display which game status has been set.

[0058] 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a circulation unit 100 that circulates game balls in a game machine. The circulation unit 100 is provided below the game board 6 in the inner frame 7 shown in FIG. 1, and a first passage 102 (circulation path) is provided at the top of the circulation unit 100, through which game balls that have entered the first start winning hole 46, the first general winning hole 47-1, the second general winning hole 47-2, the third general winning hole 47-3, the fourth general winning hole 47-4, the second start winning hole 50, the big winning hole 54, and the out hole 62, that is, all game balls collected from the game area 4, arrive.

[0059] In this embodiment, it is recommended that 45 game balls be circulated in the circulation unit 100, and if there are no game balls in the circulation unit 100, the manager of the gaming machine or the like can place 45 game balls in the first passage 102, thereby allowing game balls to be placed in the circulation unit 100. Therefore, the first passage 102 is formed to be wider and deeper than the other passages provided in the circulation unit 100 so that it can receive many game balls at the same time.

[0060] A collection port 104 is provided at the left end of the bottom of the first passage 102, and is sized to pass the game balls of the first passage 102 one by one. The bottom of the first passage 102 is formed so as to descend toward the collection port 104. The collection port 104 is provided with a sensor that detects the game balls passing through the collection port 104 one by one.

[0061] Fig. 6 is an exploded view showing the internal structure of the circulation unit 100. As shown in Fig. 6, inside the circulation unit 100, a second passage 106 (circulation path) through which the game balls that have entered the recovery port 104 from the first passage 102 can pass in a single file is provided, and the second passage 106 extends downward while meandering inside the circulation unit 100.

[0062] In this embodiment, when there are no game balls in the circulation unit 100 and an administrator of the gaming machine, etc. places 45 game balls into the first passage 102, the 45 game balls are received into the second passage 106 via the recovery port 104.

[0063] In the second passage 106, a sensor is provided in the vicinity of the 43rd game ball when 43 game balls are staying in the second passage 106, for detecting that the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is less than 43. In addition, in the vicinity of the 47th game ball when 47 game balls are staying in the second passage 106, a sensor is provided in the vicinity of the 47th game ball, for detecting that the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is 47 or more.

[0064] A foul passage (not shown) is connected to the middle of the second passage 106, and the game ball that passes through the foul passage merges with the game ball passing through the second passage 106.

[0065] A lifting unit 108 is provided on the left side of the second passage 106 to send the game balls that have descended the second passage 106 upward. The lifting unit 108 includes a lifting screw 110 with a spirally protruding portion, a driving device such as a motor that rotates the lifting screw 110, and a lifting passage 112 (circulation path) through which the game balls can pass in a single line in the vertical direction on the left side of the lifting screw 110. The lower end of the lifting passage 112 is connected to the lower end of the second passage 106, and game balls are received one by one from the lower end of the second passage 106 to the lower end of the lifting passage 112. The lifting screw 110 is provided so that its spiral protrusion protrudes into the lifting passage 112, and the game balls received at the lower end of the lifting passage 112 are sent to the upper end of the lifting passage 112 by being pushed up by the spiral protrusion of the lifting screw 110 rotated by the motor.

[0066] Although not shown, a polishing member capable of polishing the game balls passing through the conveying passage 112 is provided to the left of the conveying passage 112, and the polishing member polishes the game balls by coming into contact with the game balls passing through the conveying passage 112.

[0067] The upper end of the lifting passage 112 is connected to the upper end of a third passage 114 (circulation path) through which game balls can pass in a single file, and the third passage 114 extends downward toward a rectifier 116 at the right central part of the circulation unit 100, which controls the supply of game balls to the launching device.

[0068] The rectifier 116 includes a blocking member 118 that blocks the passage of game balls received from the lower end of the third passage 114, and a drive device such as a solenoid that operates the blocking member 118, and the blocking member 118 operates between a blocking state in which the game balls are blocked and a non-blocking state in which the game balls are allowed to pass. When the blocking member 118 is in the blocking state, three game balls can stay in the rectifier 116, and a sensor that detects the third game ball of the three game balls staying in the rectifier 116 is provided at the entrance of the rectifier 116, and a sensor that detects each game ball passing through the exit of the rectifier 116 is provided at the exit of the rectifier 116.

[0069] A launching device (not shown) is provided below the rear side of the rectifier 116, and when the handle 20 shown in Fig. 1 is rotated, the solenoid of the rectifier 116 is activated, the cutoff member 118 is brought into an uncut state, and one game ball is sent from the rectifier 116 to the launching device. Then, the cutoff member 118 is brought into a cutoff state, and the motor of the launching device is activated to rotate the hammer of the launching device, thereby launching one game ball sent to the launching device.

[0070] A discharge passage 120 for discharging game balls to the outside is connected to the lower part of the second passage 106 so as to branch off from the second passage 106. At the branch point of the second passage 106 and the discharge passage 120, a switching member (not shown) is provided which operates between a non-discharge state in which game balls passing through the second passage 106 are guided directly to the lower end of the second passage 106, and a discharge state in which they are guided to the discharge passage 120.

[0071] The switching member is connected to a ball removal lever 122 provided on the front of the lower part of the second passage 106, and the ball removal lever 122 operates between a closed state in which the switching member is in a non-ejection state and an open state in which the switching member is in a discharge state. Therefore, the switching member is switched between the non-ejection state and the discharge state by an administrator of the gaming machine or the like operating the ball removal lever 122. The gaming balls guided to the discharge passage 120 are discharged to the outside from a discharge port 124 provided on the lower right of the ball removal lever 122.

[0072] When the ball removal lever 122 is opened, the game balls staying upstream of the branch point of the second passage 106 and the discharge passage 120 pass through the discharge passage 120 and are discharged from the discharge port 124, but the game balls staying between the downstream side of the branch point of the second passage 106 and the discharge passage 120 and the rectifier 116 cannot reach the discharge passage 120 and remain as they are. Therefore, the game balls staying between the downstream side of the branch point of the second passage 106 and the discharge passage 120 and the rectifier 116 are launched by the launching device into the game area 4, passed through the first passage 102, the second passage 106, and the discharge passage 120, and discharged from the discharge port 124, so that all the game balls in the circulation unit 100 can be discharged.

[0073] 2.Function Blocks 7 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by control boards including a main control board 500, a sub-control board 600, and a frame control board 700. The functions of each control board, such as the main control board 500, the sub-control board 600, and the frame control board 700, are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or software consisting of a given program pre-stored in the ROM, etc.

[0074] The main control board 500 performs various calculations to progress the game based on information from input means such as the passing gate sensor 502, the first start winning port sensor 504, the second start winning port sensor 506, the large winning port sensor 508, the specific area sensor 510, the normal area sensor 512, the first general winning port sensor 514, the second general winning port sensor 516, and the third general winning port sensor 518, as well as from the frame control board 700, and based on the results of the calculations, controls output means such as the main control display device 520, the normal role drive device 522, the special role drive device 524, and the specific role drive device 526, and transmits information to the sub-control board 600 and the frame control board 700, etc.

[0075] The passing gate sensor 502 is provided at the passing gate 48 and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball passes through the passing gate 48 .

[0076] The first start winning hole sensor 504 is provided in the first start winning hole 46, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the first start winning hole 46.

[0077] The second start winning hole sensor 506 is provided in the second start winning hole 50, and outputs a detection signal every time a game ball enters the second start winning hole 50.

[0078] The special prize opening sensor 508 is provided in the special prize opening 54, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the special prize opening 54.

[0079] The specific area sensor 510 is provided in the specific area 64, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the specific area 64.

[0080] The normal area sensor 512 is provided in the normal area 66, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the normal area 66.

[0081] The first general winning opening sensor 514 is provided in the first general winning opening 47-1, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the first general winning opening 47-1.

[0082] The second general winning port sensor 516 is provided on the path through which a game ball that enters the second general winning port 47-2 or the third general winning port 47-3 passes, and outputs a detection signal each time a game ball enters the second general winning port 47-2 or the third general winning port 47-3.

[0083] The third general winning opening sensor 518 is provided in the fourth general winning opening 47-4, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball enters the fourth general winning opening 47-4.

[0084] The main control display device 520 is realized by an LED board or the like, and in the main control display unit 70, it displays normal symbols in a variable manner and then stops depending on the result of a normal lottery, displays special symbols in a variable manner and then stops depending on the result of a special lottery, and displays the game status.

[0085] The normal feature drive device 522 is realized by a solenoid or the like provided on the normal feature 52, and operates the auxiliary member between a closed state and an open state.

[0086] The special feature drive device 524 is realized by a solenoid or the like provided in the special feature 56, and operates the blocking member between the closed state and the open state.

[0087] The specific feature drive device 526 is realized by a solenoid or the like provided on the specific feature 68, and operates the blocking member between the closed state and the open state.

[0088] The main control board 500 also functions as a random number generating means 540, a normal lottery means 542, a normal display control means 543, a normal game execution means 544, a special lottery means 546, a special display control means 548, a small win game execution means 550, a big win game execution means 552, a game status control means 554, a main communication control means 556, and a main control memory 570.

[0089] The random number generating means 540 is a means for generating random numbers for lottery, and is realized by a random number generator that generates hardware random numbers, or a program that generates software random numbers. Software random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate within a predetermined count range). Note that in this embodiment, the "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but may function substantially as random numbers because the timing of acquisition is irregular.

[0090] The normal lottery means 542 (judgment means) acquires normal random numbers (lottery information) which are random numbers for normal lottery from the random number generating means 540 based on the detection signal from the passage gate sensor 502, stores them in the normal random number storage means of the main control memory 570, and performs a normal lottery (game judgment) to determine (judgment) whether or not a normal win has occurred for the normal random numbers read from the normal random number storage means. In the normal lottery, the normal lottery means 542 performs a normal win determination process, a normal symbol determination process, a normal variation determination process, and the like, and the normal random numbers include a normal win random number value used in the normal win determination process, a normal symbol random number value used in the normal symbol determination process, and a normal variation random number value used in the normal variation determination process.

[0091] Here, the normal hit random number value is obtained from 65,536 normal hit random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 based on the detection signal input from the passing gate sensor 502, and is stored as a normal random number value in the normal random number memory means.

[0092] In addition, the random number value for the normal symbol is obtained from 65,536 random number values ​​for the normal symbol, ranging from 0 to 65,535, based on the detection signal input from the passing gate sensor 502, and is stored as a normal random number value in the normal random number memory means.

[0093] In addition, the normal variable random number value is obtained from 100 normal variable random number values ​​from 0 to 99 based on the detection signal input from the passing gate sensor 502, and is stored as a normal random number value in the normal random number memory means.

[0094] The normal winning determination process is a process for determining whether or not the normal winning has been won. In the normal winning determination process, the normal lottery means 542 performs a random number judgment process using the normal lottery table stored in the lottery table storage means of the main control memory 570.

[0095] In this embodiment, the lottery table storage means stores a regular lottery table as shown in FIG. 8(A), and in the regular lottery table, a correspondence between a regular win and 100 random number values ​​from 0 to 99 is set so that a regular win has a probability of 1 / 1.

[0096] The normal lottery means 542 determines whether or not a normal win has been won by referring to the normal lottery table regardless of the game state and determining whether or not the normal win random number value read out for one time corresponds to a normal win, and if a normal win has been won, sets the winning flag for the normal win to ON in the flag storage means of the main control memory 570.

[0097] The normal symbol determination process is a process for determining which of the normal winning symbols, A, B, and C, has been selected when the normal winning is selected in the normal winning determination process. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the lottery table storage means stores the normal symbol lottery table shown in FIG. 8(B), and the normal symbol lottery table has a correspondence relationship between the normal symbol A, the normal symbol B, and the normal symbol C and 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535, so that the normal symbol A is selected with a probability of about 99 / 100, the normal symbol B is selected with a probability of about 0.55 / 100, and the normal symbol C is selected with a probability of about 0.45 / 100.

[0098] The normal selection means 542 refers to the normal symbol selection table regardless of the game state, and determines which of the multiple types of normal winning symbols the read random number value for the normal symbol corresponds to, thereby determining which of the multiple types of normal winning symbols has been selected, and sets a winning flag corresponding to the selected normal winning symbol to the ON state in the flag storage means.

[0099] The normal variation determination process is a process for determining which of a plurality of variation types the normal pattern variation type should be set to according to the game state. In the normal variation determination process, when the game state is a specific state or a special game state, the normal lottery means 542 refers to the normal variation lottery table A shown in FIG. 8(C) and determines the normal pattern variation type to normal variation A regardless of which of the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, and normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, when the game state is a slight time-saving state, the normal variation lottery means 542 refers to the normal variation lottery table B shown in FIG. 8(D) and determines the normal pattern variation type to normal variation B regardless of which of the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, and normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, when the game state is a first time-saving state or a second time-saving state, the normal variation lottery means 542 refers to the normal variation lottery table C shown in FIG. 8(E) and determines the normal pattern variation type to normal variation C regardless of which of the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, and normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery.

[0100] In addition, in a state where a normal random number value is stored in the normal random number storage means, if the normal symbol is not being variably displayed and the normal game is not being played, the normal lottery means 542 immediately reads out one normal random number value from the normal random number storage means and performs a normal lottery, assuming that a normal lottery execution opportunity has arrived, but reserves the normal random number value when the normal symbol is being variably displayed or the normal game is being played. And, in a state where the normal random number value is reserved, the normal lottery means 542 immediately performs a normal lottery for one normal random number value read out from the normal random number storage means, assuming that a normal lottery execution opportunity has arrived, provided that the normal symbol is not being variably displayed and the normal game is not being played.

[0101] Here, when a detection signal is input from the passage gate sensor 502 while the normal random number value is reserved, the normal lottery means 542 acquires a normal random number value from the random number generating means 540 based on the input of the detection signal, and stores the normal random number value in the normal random number storage means up to four times. Then, when the timing for performing the normal lottery arrives, a normal lottery is performed for the first normal random number value stored in the normal random number storage means. Then, when four times of normal random number values ​​are stored in the normal random number storage means, the normal lottery means 542 does not store the normal random number value in the normal random number storage means even if a detection signal is input from the passage gate sensor 502.

[0102] The normal display control means 543 is a means for controlling the main control display device 520 based on the result of the normal lottery, and performs normal symbol display control processing and normal hold display control processing.

[0103] In the normal pattern display control process, the normal display control means 543 displays the normal pattern in a variable manner by flashing two lamps of the normal pattern display unit 72 at a variable time according to the variable type of the normal pattern determined in the normal variable determination process, and displays the normal pattern in a stationary manner by turning on or off the two lamps of the normal pattern display unit 72 depending on whether the winning flag for the normal win has been set to the ON state in the normal win determination process, and displays the result of the normal lottery on the normal pattern display unit 72.

[0104] In detail, in this embodiment, when the variation type is normal variation A as shown in Fig. 8(C), the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 600 seconds, when the variation type is normal variation B as shown in Fig. 8(D), the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 601 seconds, and when the variation type is normal variation C as shown in Fig. 8(E), the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 1 second. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the game state at the time when the normal lottery is performed is neither the first time-saving state nor the second time-saving state, the variation type of the normal pattern is determined to be normal variation A or normal variation B, so that the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 600 seconds or 601 seconds, and when the game state at the time when the normal lottery is performed is the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state, the variation type of the normal pattern is determined to be normal variation C, so that the opportunity to execute the normal lottery arrives more frequently when the game state is the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state.

[0105] In the normal hold display control processing, the normal display control means 543 displays the number of hold items from 0 to 4 by combining turning on, off, or blinking the two lamps of the normal hold display unit 74 depending on the number of normal random numbers stored in the normal random number memory means.

[0106] The normal game execution means 544 executes one of the normal games A to B based on the result of the normal lottery. In detail, when the game state is a specific state, a special game state, or a slight time-saving state, the normal game execution means 544 refers to the normal accessory control table A shown in FIG. 8(F) and executes the normal game A regardless of whether the normal pattern A, the normal pattern B, or the normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, when the game state is the first time-saving state, the normal accessory control table B shown in FIG. 8(G) and executes the normal game B regardless of whether the normal pattern A, the normal pattern B, or the normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, when the game state is the second time-saving state, the normal accessory control table C shown in FIG. 8(H) and executes the normal game A when the normal pattern A is won in the normal lottery, and executes the normal game B when the normal pattern B or the normal pattern C is won.

[0107] In normal game A, as shown in FIG. 8(F), the opening time of the normal device 52 is set to 0.1 seconds, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a normal win, the normal device drive device 522 is controlled so that the normal device 52 remains in the open state until 0.1 seconds have elapsed, and then returns to the closed state.

[0108] In normal game B, as shown in FIG. 8(G), the opening time of the normal device 52 is set to 2 seconds, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a normal win, the normal device drive device 522 is controlled to keep the normal device 52 in the open state until the 2 seconds have elapsed and then return to the closed state.

[0109] Therefore, in normal game A, the normal device 52 operates so as to hardly increase the ease with which the game ball can enter the second start winning port 50, whereas in normal game B, the normal device 52 operates so as to increase the ease with which the game ball can enter the second start winning port 50.

[0110] The special lottery means 546 (judgment means) acquires a random number value (lottery information) for special lottery from the random number generating means 540 based on a detection signal from the first start winning hole sensor 504, and stores it as a first special random number value (first lottery information) in the special random number storage means of the main control memory 570. The special lottery means 546 also acquires a random number value (lottery information) for special lottery from the random number generating means 540 based on an input of a detection signal from the second start winning hole sensor 506 that detects game balls entering the second start winning hole 50 one by one, and stores it as a second special random number value (second lottery information) in the special random number storage means. The special lottery means 546 then performs a special lottery (game judgment) to determine (judgment) whether or not a big win or a small win has been won, using the first special random number value or the second special random number value read from the special random number storage means.

[0111] In the special lottery, the special lottery means 546 performs a jackpot determination process, a special pattern determination process, a special variation determination process, etc., and the first special random number value and the second special random number value include a jackpot random number value used in the jackpot determination process, a special pattern random number value used in the special pattern determination process, and a special variation random number value used in the special variation determination process.

[0112] Here, the random number value for the jackpot is obtained from 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 based on the detection signal input from the first start winning port sensor 504 or the second start winning port sensor 506, and is stored in the special random number memory means as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0113] In addition, the random number value for the special pattern is obtained from 100 special pattern random number values ​​from 0 to 99 based on the detection signal input from the first start winning port sensor 504 or the second start winning port sensor 506, and is stored in the special random number memory means as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0114] In addition, the special variable random number value is obtained from 100 special variable random number values ​​from 0 to 99 based on the detection signal input from the first start winning port sensor 504 or the second start winning port sensor 506, and is stored in the special random number memory means as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0115] The jackpot determination process is a process for determining whether a jackpot, time-saving win, or small win has been won. In the jackpot determination process, the special lottery means 546 first selects which of the multiple types of jackpot lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means of the main control memory 570 to use for random number determination processing, depending on whether the read jackpot random number value for one time was stored as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0116] In this embodiment, the lottery table storage means stores a big win lottery table A shown in FIG. 9(A) and a big win lottery table B shown in FIG. 9(B).

[0117] In detail, the jackpot lottery table A shown in FIG. 9(A) is selected when the read random number value for one jackpot is stored as the first special random number value, and the correspondence between the jackpot or time-saving win and the random number value from 0 to 65535 is set so that the probability of winning a jackpot is approximately 1 / 220 and the probability of winning a time-saving win is approximately 219 / 220.

[0118] In addition, the jackpot lottery table B shown in Figure 9 (B) is selected when the random number value for a single jackpot that is read out is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between a jackpot or small jackpot and a random number value from 0 to 65535 is set so that the probability of winning a jackpot is approximately 1 / 220 and the probability of winning a small jackpot is approximately 219 / 220.

[0119] If the read random number value for one jackpot is stored as a first special random number value, the special lottery means 546 selects the jackpot lottery table A regardless of the game status, and if the read random number value for one jackpot is stored as a second special random number value, the special lottery means 546 selects the jackpot lottery table B regardless of the game status.

[0120] Then, the special selection means 546 refers to the selected jackpot selection table and determines whether the read random number value for one jackpot is associated with a jackpot, a time-saving jackpot, or a small jackpot, thereby determining whether a jackpot, a time-saving jackpot, or a small jackpot has been won. Note that at least one of the jackpot selection tables A and B may include a miss.

[0121] When a big win is won, the special lottery means 546 sets the big win winning flag to the ON state in the flag storage means, when a time-saving win is won, the special lottery means 546 sets the time-saving win winning flag to the ON state in the flag storage means, and when a small win is won, the special lottery means 546 sets the small win winning flag to the ON state in the flag storage means.

[0122] The special pattern determination process is a process that is carried out when a jackpot, time-saving win, or small win is won in the jackpot determination process; when a jackpot is won, it determines whether the jackpot pattern (type of jackpot) will be the 10-round pattern A, 10-round pattern B, 10-round pattern C, 3-round pattern A, or 3-round pattern B; when a time-saving win is won, it determines whether the time-saving win pattern (type of time-saving win) will be the time-saving win pattern A or the time-saving win pattern B; and when a small win is won, it determines whether the small win pattern (type of small win) will be the small win pattern A or the small win B.

[0123] In the special pattern determination process, the special lottery means 546 first selects which of the multiple types of special pattern lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means to use for the random number determination process, depending on whether the random number value for the special pattern that was read out for one run was stored as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0124] In this embodiment, the lottery table memory means stores special pattern lottery table A shown in Figure 9(C), special pattern lottery table B shown in Figure 9(D), special pattern lottery table C shown in Figure 9(E), and special pattern lottery table D shown in Figure 9(F).

[0125] In detail, the special pattern lottery table A shown in FIG. 9(C) is selected when a jackpot is won when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the first special random number value, and the correspondence between the 10-round pattern A, 10-round pattern B, and 10-round pattern C and the random number values ​​from 0 to 99 is set so that the 10-round pattern A has a 20 / 100 probability of winning, the 10-round pattern B has a 40 / 100 probability of winning, and the 10-round pattern C has a 40 / 100 probability of winning.

[0126] In addition, the special pattern lottery table B shown in Figure 9 (D) is selected when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the first special random number value, and the correspondence between the time-saving winning pattern A and the time-saving winning pattern B and the random number values ​​from 0 to 99 is set so that the time-saving winning pattern A is won with a probability of 15 / 100 and the time-saving winning pattern B is won with a probability of 85 / 100.

[0127] In addition, the special pattern lottery table C shown in Figure 9 (E) is selected when a jackpot is won when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between the 3-round pattern A, 3-round pattern B and the random number values ​​from 0 to 99 is set so that the probability of 3-round pattern A being won is 10 / 100 and the probability of 3-round pattern B being won is 90 / 100.

[0128] In addition, the special pattern lottery table D shown in Figure 9 (F) is selected when a small win is won when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between the small win pattern A, small win pattern B and the random number values ​​from 0 to 99 is set so that there is a 10 / 100 probability that small win pattern A will be won and a 90 / 100 probability that small win pattern B will be won.

[0129] The special lottery means 546 selects special pattern lottery table A regardless of the game status when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the first special random number value and a jackpot is won, selects special pattern lottery table B regardless of the game status when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the first special random number value and a time-saving jackpot is won, selects special pattern lottery table C regardless of the game status when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the second special random number value and a jackpot is won, and selects special pattern lottery table D regardless of the game status when the random number value for the special pattern read out for one time is stored as the second special random number value and a small jackpot is won.

[0130] Then, the special lottery means 230 refers to the selected special symbol lottery table and judges whether the read random number value for one special symbol corresponds to any of a plurality of types of big win symbols, a plurality of types of time-saving win symbols or a plurality of types of small win symbols, thereby determining which of the plurality of types of big win symbols, a plurality of types of time-saving win symbols or a plurality of types of small win symbols has been won.

[0131] Then, the special lottery means 230 sets the winning flag corresponding to the winning big winning symbol, the time-saving winning symbol or the small winning symbol to the ON state in the flag storage means 2916.

[0132] The special variation determination process is a process for determining which of a plurality of variation types the variation type of the first special symbol or the second special symbol should be, depending on the game state, the result of the jackpot determination process, and the result of the special symbol determination process. In the special variation determination process, the special lottery means 546 first determines which of a plurality of types of special variation lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means should be used to perform the random number judgment process, depending on the game state, the result of the jackpot determination process, and the result of the special symbol determination process.

[0133] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the lottery table storage means stores special variation lottery tables A to E shown in Fig. 10. In each special variation lottery table, one of the variation types, Super Reach A in which the variation time of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is set to 90 seconds, Super Reach B in which it is set to 60 seconds, Normal Reach in which it is set to 30 seconds, Miss A in which it is set to 10 seconds, Miss B in which it is set to 6 seconds, Miss C in which it is set, and Special Variation in which it is set to 1 second, is associated with each of 100 random number values ​​from 0 to 99.

[0134] In detail, the selection probability of Super Reach A, Super Reach B and Normal Reach is higher on Special Variation Lottery Table A, Special Variation Lottery Table B and Special Variation Lottery Table C than on Special Variation Lottery Table D. And on Special Variation Lottery Table A and Special Variation Lottery Table C, the selection probability increases in the order of Super Reach A > Super Reach B > Normal Reach, but on Special Variation Lottery Table B and Special Variation Lottery Table D, the selection probability increases in the order of Normal Reach > Super Reach B > Super Reach A.

[0135] Also, Miss A, Miss B, Miss C, and special variations are not included in the lottery on Special Variation Lottery Table A, Special Variation Lottery Table B, and Special Variation Lottery Table C. Also, special variations are not included in the lottery on Special Variation Lottery Table D, and Miss A, Miss B, and Miss C are not included in the lottery on Special Variation Lottery Table E.

[0136] The special selection means 546 selects the special variable selection table A when a big win, a small win, or a time-saving win pattern A is won in a specific state, selects the special variable selection table B when a time-saving win pattern B is won in a specific state, selects the special variable selection table C when a big win or a small win is won in a slight time-saving state, selects the special variable selection table D when a time-saving win pattern A or a time-saving win pattern B is won in a slight time-saving state, and selects the special variable selection table E when a big win, a small win, a time-saving win pattern A or a time-saving win pattern B is won in the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state.

[0137] The special lottery means 546 then refers to the selected special lottery table to determine which of the multiple variation types the special variation random number value read out corresponds to, thereby determining which of the multiple variation types has won. In detail, when the special lottery random number value read out for one time is the first special random number value, the first special symbol variation type is determined as the winning variation type, and when the special lottery random number value read out from the special random number storage means is the second special random number value, the second special symbol variation type is determined as the winning variation type.

[0138] In this embodiment, the expectation of winning the jackpot is different for each of the Super Reach A, Super Reach B, and Normal Reach. In addition, when the time-saving winning pattern A or the time-saving winning pattern B is won in the micro-time-saving state, the more the number of first special reserved numbers, the easier it is to determine the type of fluctuation with a short fluctuation time such as Miss C, so that the number of opportunities to execute the first special lottery may be increased.

[0139] In addition, if the first special random number value is stored in the special random number memory means, the first special pattern is not being displayed in a variable manner, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being played, the special lottery means 546 assumes that the opportunity to play the special lottery has arrived and immediately reads out one first special random number value from the special random number memory means and plays a special lottery, but if the first special pattern is being displayed in a variable manner, or the game state is a special game state, or a small win game is being played, the first special random number value is reserved.

[0140] Then, when a detection signal is further input from the first start winning port sensor 504 while the first special random number value is reserved, the special lottery means 546 acquires a special lottery random number value from the random number generating means 540 based on the input of the detection signal from the first start winning port sensor 504, and stores the acquired special lottery random number value in the special random number storage means as the first special random number value.

[0141] In addition, if the second special random number value is stored in the special random number memory means, the second special pattern is not being displayed in a variable manner, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being played, the special lottery means 546 assumes that the opportunity to play the special lottery has arrived and immediately reads out one first special random number value or second special random number value from the special random number memory means to play a special lottery, but if the second special pattern is being displayed in a variable manner, or the game state is a special game state, or a small win game is being played, the second special random number value is reserved.

[0142] Then, when a detection signal is further input from the second start winning port sensor 506 while the second special random number value is reserved, the special lottery means 546 acquires a special lottery random number value from the random number generating means 540 based on the input of the detection signal from the second start winning port sensor 506, and stores the acquired special lottery random number value in the special random number storage means as a second special random number value.

[0143] In addition, when four first special random number values ​​are stored in the special random number storage means, the special lottery means 546 does not store the first random number value in the special random number storage means even if a detection signal is input from the first start winning hole sensor 504. In addition, when four second special random number values ​​are stored in the special random number storage means, the special lottery means 546 does not store the second special random number value in the special random number storage means even if a detection signal is input from the second start winning hole sensor 506.

[0144] When the first special random number value is reserved, regardless of whether the second special random number value is reserved, the special lottery means 546 reads out the first special random number value stored in the special random number storage means on the condition that the first special symbol is not being displayed variably, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being executed, and performs a special lottery for the first special random number value read out. When the second special random number value is reserved, regardless of whether the first special random number value is reserved, the special lottery means 546 reads out the first special random number value stored in the special random number storage means on the condition that the second special symbol is not being displayed variably, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being executed, and performs a special lottery for the second special random number value read out.

[0145] That is, in this embodiment, the first special random number value and the second special random number value are consumed in parallel. Note that the second special random number value may be consumed in preference to the first special random number value, or a special lottery may be performed for the first special random number value or the second special random number value according to the order stored in the special random number storage means, regardless of whether it is the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0146] In addition, when storing the first special random number value or the second special random number value in the special random number memory means, the special lottery means 546 also performs pre-judgment processing (game lottery, game judgment), such as jackpot determination processing, special pattern determination processing, and special variation determination processing (pre-judgment means).

[0147] In detail, when the special lottery means 546 (pre-judgment means) acquires a random number value for a special lottery from the random number generating means 540 based on the input of a detection signal from the first start winning port sensor 504 or the second start winning port sensor 506, it performs a jackpot determination process, a special pattern determination process, a special variation determination process, etc. as a pre-judgment process on the first special random number value or the second special random number value, depending on the game status and reserved number at that time.

[0148] The special lottery means 546 then stores the pre-determination results, including the results of each of the pre-determination processes, namely the jackpot determination process, the special pattern determination process, and the special variation determination process, in the special random number storage means in correspondence with the first special random number value or the second special random number value that was the subject of the pre-determination process.

[0149] The special display control means 548 is a means for controlling the main control display device 520 based on the results of the special lottery, and performs a first special pattern display control process, a second special pattern display control process, a first special hold display control process, and a second special hold display control process.

[0150] The first special symbol display control process is a process performed when the first special random number value is read from the special random number storage means and a special lottery is performed, and the special display control means 548 displays the first special symbol by blinking the 7-segment display of the first special symbol display unit 76 at a variable time according to the variable type of the first special symbol determined in the special variable determination process. In this embodiment, the display mode of the 7-segment display is predetermined in accordance with the result of the jackpot determination process or the result of the special symbol determination process, and the special display control means 548 displays the first special symbol in a stopped state by displaying the 7-segment display in one of a plurality of display modes according to the result of the jackpot determination process or the result of the special symbol determination process, and causes the first special symbol display unit 76 to display the result of the special lottery.

[0151] The second special pattern display control process is a process that is performed when a second special random number value is read out from the special random number storage means and a special lottery is performed, and the special display control means 548 causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a variable manner by flashing the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 80 at a variable time according to the variable type of the second special pattern determined in the special variable determination process, and then causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a static manner by displaying the 7-segment display in one of a plurality of display modes depending on the result of the jackpot determination process or the result of the special pattern determination process, and causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a static manner, and causes the second special pattern display unit 80 to display the result of the special lottery.

[0152] In the first special hold display control process, the special display control means 548 displays the number of hold items from 0 to 4 by combining turning on, off, or blinking the two lamps of the first special hold display unit 78 depending on the number of the first special random number value stored in the special random number memory means.

[0153] In the second special hold display control process, the special display control means 548 displays the number of hold items from 0 to 4 by combining turning on, off, or blinking the two lamps of the second special hold display unit 82 depending on the number of the second special random number value stored in the special random number memory means.

[0154] The small win game execution means 550 executes a small win game based on the result of the special lottery.

[0155] The small win game is executed based on the winning of a small win in a special lottery, and the small win game execution means 550 sets a value (for example, 1) corresponding to one round, which is a predetermined number of rounds for a small win, as the upper limit value of the round counter of the main control memory 570, and when the special role 56 operates in a predetermined manner in one round of the small win game, an incremental update is performed to add a value (for example, 1) corresponding to one round of the round number to the stored value of the round counter. Then, when the stored value of the round counter reaches the upper limit value (for example, 1), the small win game ends.

[0156] In detail, in a small win game, the special feature drive device 524 is driven and controlled so that the predetermined operation of the special feature 56 is to close when the opening timer of the main control memory 570 counts 1.7 seconds after the special feature 56 opens. Also, the predetermined operation of the specific feature 68 is to open the special feature 56 and close the specific feature 68 when the special feature 56 opens, and closes when the small win game ends.

[0157] Then, in one round of small win play, when the special feature 56 operates in a predetermined manner or the value of the large prize counter in the main control memory 570, to which a value equivalent to one game ball (for example, 1) is added when the large prize opening sensor 508 detects the entry of one game ball, reaches an upper limit value (for example, 10), and the special feature drive device 524 and the specific feature drive device 526 are driven and controlled so that the special feature 56 and the specific feature 68 are in a closed state, the end condition for one round is met and "1" is added to the value of the round counter.

[0158] Thus, in the small win game of this embodiment, the special device 56 is opened for 1.7 seconds and the specific device 68 is maintained in the open state, so that if the game balls are continuously fired so as to enter the large prize opening 54, the game balls can enter the specific area 64 and the normal area 66.

[0159] The big win game execution means 552 executes any one of the big win games A to C based on the result of the special lottery.

[0160] The jackpot game A is executed based on the fact that the 10-round pattern A, 10-round pattern B, and 10-round pattern C are selected in the special lottery, and the jackpot game execution means 552 sets a value (e.g., 10) equivalent to 10 times, which is a predetermined number of rounds, for the 10-round pattern A, 10-round pattern B, and 10-round pattern C as the upper limit value of the round counter, and performs an incremental update by adding a value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one round number to the stored value of the round counter every time the special role object 56 operates in a predetermined manner in each round. Then, when the stored value of the round counter reaches the upper limit value (e.g., 10), the jackpot game A ends.

[0161] In detail, in the big win game A, in the big win games of each of the first to tenth rounds, when the opening timer counts 29 seconds after the special feature 56 is opened or when the value of the big win counter reaches an upper limit (for example, 10), the special feature drive device 524 is driven and controlled so that the special feature 56 is closed. Then, it is determined that the end condition of one round is satisfied, and "1" is added to the value of the round counter.

[0162] The jackpot game B is executed based on the fact that the 3-round pattern A and the 3-round pattern B are selected in the special lottery, and the jackpot game execution means 552 sets a value (e.g., 3) equivalent to the number of rounds, which is a predetermined number of times, for the 3-round pattern A and the 3-round pattern B as the upper limit value of the round counter, and performs an incremental update by adding a value (e.g., 1) equivalent to the number of rounds for one time to the stored value of the round counter every time the special role object 56 operates in a predetermined manner in each round. Then, when the stored value of the round counter reaches the upper limit value (e.g., 3), the jackpot game B ends.

[0163] In detail, in the big win game B, in the big win games of each of the first to third rounds, when the opening timer counts 29 seconds after the special feature 56 is opened or when the value of the big win counter reaches an upper limit value (for example, 10), the special feature drive device 524 is driven and controlled so that the special feature 56 is closed. Then, it is determined that the end condition of one round is satisfied, and "1" is added to the value of the round counter.

[0164] The big win game C is executed based on the detection of the entry of the game ball into the specific area 64 in the small win game, and the big win game execution means 552 sets a value (e.g., 9) equivalent to 9 times, which is a predetermined number of rounds for the entry of the game ball into the specific area 64, as the upper limit value of the round counter, and performs an incremental update by adding a value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one round number to the stored value of the round counter every time the special role 56 operates in a predetermined manner in each round. Then, when the stored value of the round counter reaches the upper limit value (e.g., 9), the big win game C ends.

[0165] In detail, in the big win game C, the small win game is the first round, and in each of the subsequent big win games of the second to tenth rounds, when the opening timer counts 29 seconds after the special role 56 is opened or when the value of the big win counter reaches an upper limit (for example, 10), the special role drive device 524 is driven and controlled so that the special role 56 is closed. Then, it is determined that the end condition of one round is satisfied, and "1" is added to the value of the round counter 2933.

[0166] As shown in Fig. 11, the game state control means 554 performs a game state control process for transitioning the game state among a specific state, a minute time-saving state, a special game state, a first time-saving state, and a second time-saving state based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition. The transition condition of the game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0167] The specific state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of game states, and it is possible to transition from the specific state to the micro time-saving state, the second time-saving state, and the special game state. In the specific state, the normal variation lottery table A shown in FIG. 8(C) is referenced, so that the normal variation A in which the normal pattern variation time is set to 600 seconds is executed regardless of whether the normal pattern A, the normal pattern B, or the normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, and the normal role control table A shown in FIG. 8(F) is referenced, so that the normal game A in which the opening time of the normal role 52 is set to 0.1 seconds is executed regardless of whether the normal pattern A, the normal pattern B, or the normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery. Therefore, the specific state is a game state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start winning hole 50, so that it is advantageous for the player to hit from the left.

[0168] The micro-time-saving state is entered when the time-saving winning symbol B is won in the specific state, or when the special game state entered based on the winning of the 10-round symbol C ends, and it is possible to transition from the micro-time-saving state to the special game state or the specific state.

[0169] In the micro-time-saving state, the normal variation lottery table B shown in FIG. 8(D) is referenced, so that regardless of whether the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, normal variation B is executed in which the normal pattern variation time is set to 601 seconds, and the normal device control table A shown in FIG. 8(F) is referenced, so that regardless of whether the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, normal game A is executed in which the opening time of the normal device 52 is set to 0.1 seconds.

[0170] Therefore, since the micro-time-saving state makes it difficult for the game ball to enter the second start winning port 50, it is a game state in which it is more advantageous for the player to hit from the left.

[0171] In the micro-time-saving state, the period from when the first special pattern is displayed in a changing state until it stops is counted as one first special fluctuation, and the period from when the second special pattern is displayed in a changing state until it stops is counted as one second special fluctuation, and the total number of special fluctuations, which is the sum of the number of first special fluctuations and the number of second special fluctuations, is counted.When the total number of special fluctuations in the micro-time-saving state reaches 1,000, the state ends and a transition is made to a specific state.

[0172] In detail, the game state control means 554 writes a value (e.g., 1000) corresponding to a predetermined total number of special fluctuations (e.g., 1000 times) to the total special fluctuation counter of the main control memory 570 when the game state is shifted to the minute time-saving state, and subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one total number of special fluctuations from the stored value of the total special fluctuation counter every time the first special fluctuation or the second special fluctuation is performed in the minute time-saving state. Then, when the stored value of the total special fluctuation counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0) or the special game state is started, the minute time-saving state is ended.

[0173] In addition, even if the time-saving winning pattern B is won in a game state other than the specific state, the game state does not change, and even if the time-saving winning pattern B is won in the minute time-saving state, no value is added to the total special fluctuation counter.

[0174] The special game state is started based on the winning of a jackpot in a special lottery in the specific state, the micro time-saving state, the first time-saving state, or the second time-saving state, and ends when a predetermined number of rounds (number of times of execution) of special games are executed according to the type of jackpot symbol. The special game state is started based on the detection of the entry of a game ball into the specific area 64 in a small jackpot game, and ends when a predetermined number of rounds of jackpot games are executed according to the type of small jackpot symbol.

[0175] In detail, when the special game state is initiated based on the winning of 10-round pattern A, 10-round pattern B, or 10-round pattern C in a special lottery, the special game state ends on the condition that 10 rounds of special games from round 1 to round 10 have been played.

[0176] In addition, when a special game state is started based on the winning of 3-round pattern A and 3-round pattern B in a special lottery, the special game state ends on the condition that three rounds of special games from the first round to the third round have been played.

[0177] In addition, when a special game state is started based on the game ball entering the specific area 64 in a small win game, the special game state ends when nine rounds of big win games from the second round to the tenth round end.

[0178] In addition, if the entry of the game ball into the specific area 64 is not detected during a small win game, the special game state is not started and the game state is shifted to the specific state.

[0179] The first time-saving state is entered when the special game state based on winning the 10-round pattern A or the 3-round pattern A ends, or when the special game state via the small win game based on winning the small win pattern A ends, and it is possible to transition from the first time-saving state to the special game state or a specific state.

[0180] In the first time-saving state, the normal variation lottery table C shown in FIG. 8(E) is referenced, so that regardless of whether the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, normal variation C is executed in which the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 1 second, and the normal device control table B shown in FIG. 8(G) is referenced, so that regardless of whether the normal pattern A, normal pattern B, or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, normal game B is executed in which the opening time of the normal device 52 is set to 2 seconds.

[0181] Therefore, the first time-saving state makes it easier for the game ball to enter the second start winning hole 50 with a probability of 1 / 1, so it is a game state in which hitting to the right is more advantageous for the player.

[0182] In the first time-saving state, in addition to the total number of special fluctuations described above, the second special fluctuation number, which is the number of second special fluctuations, is counted, and the normal fluctuation number, which is the number of normal fluctuations, is counted, with one normal fluctuation being the time from when the normal pattern is displayed changing to when it stops being displayed.The state ends and a transition is made to a specific state when the number of normal fluctuations in the first time-saving state reaches 1,000, the number of second special fluctuations in the first time-saving state reaches 1, or the total number of special fluctuations in the first time-saving state reaches 10.

[0183] In detail, when the game state is transitioned to the first time-shortening state, the game state control means 554 writes a value (e.g., 1000) corresponding to a predetermined number of normal fluctuations (e.g., 1000 times) to the normal fluctuation counter of the main control memory 570, writes a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to a predetermined number of second special fluctuations (e.g., 1 time) to the second special fluctuation counter of the main control memory 570, and writes a value (e.g., 10) corresponding to a predetermined total number of special fluctuations (e.g., 10 times) to the total special fluctuation counter, and in the first time-shortening state, subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one normal fluctuation from the stored value of the normal fluctuation counter each time a normal fluctuation is performed, subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one second special fluctuation from the stored value of the second special fluctuation counter each time a second special fluctuation is performed, and subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one total number of special fluctuations from the stored value of the total special fluctuation counter each time a first special fluctuation or a second special fluctuation is performed. Then, when the stored value of the normal variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), when the stored value of the second special variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), when the stored value of the total special variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), or when a special game state is started, the first time-saving state is ended.

[0184] The second time-saving state is entered when the special game state based on winning the 10-round pattern B or the 3-round pattern B ends, or when the special game state via the small win game based on winning the small win pattern B ends, or when the time-saving win pattern A is won in the specific state, and it is possible to transition from the second time-saving state to the special game state or the specific state.

[0185] In the second time-saving state, the normal variation lottery table C shown in FIG. 8(E) is referenced, so that regardless of whether normal pattern A, normal pattern B, or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, normal variation C is executed in which the variation time of the normal pattern is set to 1 second, and the normal device control table C shown in FIG. 8(H) is referenced, so that if normal pattern A is won in the normal lottery, which has a probability of approximately 99 / 100, normal game A is executed in which the opening time of normal device 52 is set to 0.1 seconds, but if normal pattern B or normal pattern C is won in the normal lottery, which has a probability of approximately 1 / 100, normal game B is executed in which the opening time of normal device 52 is set to 2 seconds.

[0186] Therefore, the second time-saving state has a probability of about 1 / 100 in which it is easier to get the game ball to enter the second start winning hole 50, making it a game state in which hitting to the right is more advantageous for the player.

[0187] In the second time-saving state, the number of normal fluctuations, the number of second special fluctuations, and the total number of special fluctuations are counted, and the state ends and transitions to a specific state are made when the number of normal fluctuations in the second time-saving state reaches 1000, the number of second special fluctuations in the second time-saving state reaches 1, or the total number of special fluctuations in the second time-saving state reaches 10.

[0188] In detail, the game state control means 554, when the game state is transitioned to the second time-shortening state, writes a value (e.g., 1000) corresponding to a predetermined number of normal fluctuations (e.g., 1000) into the normal fluctuation counter, writes a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to a predetermined number of second special fluctuations (e.g., 1) into the second special fluctuation counter, and writes a value (e.g., 10) corresponding to a predetermined total number of special fluctuations (e.g., 10) into the total special fluctuation counter, and in the second time-shortening state, subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one normal fluctuation from the stored value of the normal fluctuation counter each time a normal fluctuation is performed, subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one second special fluctuation from the stored value of the second special fluctuation counter each time a second special fluctuation is performed, and subtracts a value (e.g., 1) corresponding to one total number of special fluctuations from the stored value of the total special fluctuation counter each time a first special fluctuation or a second special fluctuation is performed. Then, when the stored value of the normal variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), when the stored value of the second special variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), when the stored value of the total special variable counter reaches a threshold value (e.g., 0), or when a special game state is started, the second time-saving state is ended.

[0189] In addition, even if the time-saving winning pattern A is won in a game state other than the specific state, the game state will not change, and even if the time-saving winning pattern A is won in the second time-saving state, values ​​will not be added to the normal fluctuation counter, the second special fluctuation counter, and the total special fluctuation counter.

[0190] The main communication control means 556 controls the transmission of signals and commands (information) to the sub-control board 600 and the frame control board 700. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the main control board 500 and the sub-control board 600 are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the main control board 500 to the sub-control board 600 is possible, and signals and commands cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board 600 to the main control board 500. On the other hand, two-way communication is possible between the main control board 500 and the frame control board 700.

[0191] For example, based on a detection signal from the first start winning port sensor 504, a winning command indicating a win at the first start winning port 46 is transmitted to the frame control board 700, based on a detection signal from the second start winning port sensor 506, a winning command indicating a win at the second start winning port 50 is transmitted to the frame control board 700, based on a detection signal from the large winning port sensor 508, a winning command indicating a win at the large winning port 54 is transmitted to the frame control board 700, and based on a detection signal from the first general winning port sensor 509, a winning command indicating a win at the large winning port 55 is transmitted to the frame control board 700. Based on a detection signal from sensor 514, a winning command indicating a win at the first general winning port 47-1 is sent to the frame control board 700, based on a detection signal from the second general winning port sensor 516, a winning command indicating a win at the second general winning port 47-2 or the third general winning port 47-3 is sent to the frame control board 700, and based on a detection signal from the third general winning port sensor 518, a winning command indicating a win at the fourth general winning port 47-4 is sent to the frame control board 700.

[0192] The main communication control means 556 (external signal output means) also performs processing to control the output state of an external signal output to an external device 584, such as a hall computer 580, which is a computer that centrally manages gaming machines installed in a gaming facility, and a data counter 582, which is individually connected to the gaming machines and displays information about the gaming history of the gaming machines. Specifically, the main communication control means 556 controls the output state of a pattern display signal, which notifies the hall computer 580 and the data counter 582 that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed variably or stopped, between an on state and an off state, and controls the output state of a special game signal, which notifies the hall computer 580 and the data counter 582 that the special game state is set, between an on state and an off state each time the special game state is set.

[0193] Each time a pattern display signal is output, the number of plays indicating the number of special lotteries on the gaming machine is updated and displayed in the hall computer 580 and the data counter 582, and each time a special play signal is output, the number of jackpots indicating the number of times the special play state has been set on the gaming machine is updated and displayed in the hall computer 580 and the data counter 582.

[0194] The sub-control board 600 performs various calculations to execute effects that match the progress of the game based on information from input means such as the main control board 500, the frame control board 700, and the effect input switch 602, and controls the effect devices 626, such as the effect display device 620, the sound device 622, and the movable object drive device 624, based on the results of the calculations.

[0195] The effect input switch 602 is provided on the effect button 16, and detects an operation on the effect button 16 and outputs a detection signal.

[0196] The performance display device 620 is realized by the front frame lamp 12, the LCD display 31, the decorative lamp 34, etc., and outputs performances using light, images, etc.

[0197] The sound device 622 is realized by the speaker 14 or the like, and outputs effects such as sound and vibration.

[0198] The movable object drive device 624 is realized by a solenoid, motor, etc. that operates the prop 36, and moves the prop 36 between the stored state and the displayed state.

[0199] The sub-control board 600 also functions as a performance control means 640 and a sub-control memory 670.

[0200] Based on signals and commands transmitted from the main control board 500, detection signals from the performance input switch 602, and performance data stored in the sub-control memory 670, the performance control means 640 controls the performance display device 620 to turn on or blink the front frame lamp 12 and the decorative lamp 34, display images on the LCD display 31, control the audio device 622 to output sound from the speaker 14, and drive the movable object drive device 624 to operate movable objects such as the performance object 36, thereby controlling the performance device 626 to execute performances to liven up or assist the game.

[0201] For example, lottery presentation processing, state presentation processing, etc. are performed in response to the occurrence of a game event such as the entry of a game ball into the first start winning port 46 or the second start winning port 50, operation of the presentation button 16, or a change in the game state.

[0202] In the lottery performance process, the performance control means 640 causes the performance device 626 to execute a variable performance for performing a special lottery or a normal lottery based on a signal or command transmitted from the main control board 500. In this embodiment, the performance control means 640 performs a variable performance on the liquid crystal display 31 by displaying a variable performance image that moves a character image or changes a background image on the liquid crystal display 31 after displaying a variable performance image on the liquid crystal display 31 in a variable manner according to the result of the special lottery or the normal lottery.

[0203] In detail, in the lottery performance process, the performance control means 640 determines the performance content of the variable performance so that the variable time of the first special pattern or the second special pattern is the same as the performance time of the variable performance according to the type of the variable performance of the first special pattern or the second special pattern based on the result of the special lottery transmitted from the main control board 500. Then, the variable performance starts in accordance with the start of the variation of the first special pattern in the first special pattern display section 76, and the performance pattern image is stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the manner of the first special pattern stopped and displayed in the first special pattern display section 76. Also, the variable performance starts in accordance with the start of the variation of the second special pattern in the second special pattern display section 80, and the performance pattern image is stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the manner of the second special pattern stopped and displayed in the second special pattern display section 80.

[0204] In the lottery presentation process, when the game state is the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state, the presentation control means 640 determines the presentation content of the variable presentation so that the variation time of the normal special pattern is the same as the presentation time of the variable presentation according to the variation type of the normal pattern based on the result of the normal lottery transmitted from the main control board 500. Then, the variable presentation starts in accordance with the start of variation of the normal pattern in the normal pattern display section 72, and the presentation pattern image is stopped and displayed in a manner according to the manner of the normal pattern stopped and displayed in the normal pattern display section 72.

[0205] Furthermore, the performance control means 640 controls the movable object driving device 624 to operate the movable object in accordance with the progress of the performance pattern image and the variable performance image as a variable performance. In detail, in this embodiment, the performance control means 640 controls the movable object driving device 624 such as a solenoid or a motor to move the performance object 36 from the stored state to the appearing state, or to return the performance object 36 from the appearing state to the stored state.

[0206] The various types of variable performances have different display patterns of performance symbol images and variable performance images, different movement patterns of movable objects, different probabilities of selection according to the results of special or normal lotteries, and different execution times from start to finish. As a result, the various types of variable performances have different expectations for winning a jackpot or a normal prize when the various types of variable performances are executed, and different expectations for winning various symbols.

[0207] In the status presentation process, the presentation control means 640 executes status presentation that indicates to the player the current game status by moving character images on the liquid crystal display 31, changing background images, and moving movable objects according to the current game status, based on signals and commands transmitted from the main control board 500.

[0208] In detail, when the current game state is a specific state or a slight time-shortening state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a normal state image suggesting that the current game state is a specific state or a slight time-shortening state; when the current game state is a first time-shortening state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a first time-shortening state image suggesting that the current game state is the first time-shortening state; when the current game state is a second time-shortening state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a second time-shortening state image suggesting that the current game state is the second time-shortening state and indicating the number of times remaining until the normal variation number reaches 70; and when the current game state is a special game state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a special game state image indicating that the current game state is a special game state and indicating the number of rounds played and the number of rounds remaining.

[0209] In addition, the performance control means 640 performs control such as outputting a specific performance sound from the speaker 14, displaying a specific performance image on the LCD display 31, and operating movable objects based on the operation of the performance button 16 at a predetermined timing.

[0210] 12 is a functional block diagram of the frame control board 700. The frame control board 700 performs various calculations to control the launch of game balls, the circulation of game balls in the game machine, the management (storage) and display of the number of balls held, etc., based on information from the main control board 500, input means such as the ball removal switch 702, the rectifier inlet sensor 704, the rectifier outlet sensor 706, the foul ball sensor 708, the out sensor 710, the circulating ball count low sensor 712, the circulating ball count high sensor 714, the counting switch 716, the operation volume 718, the touch sensor 720, the launch stop switch 722, the opening sensor 724, etc., and the dedicated unit control board 800, and controls output means such as the number of balls held display device 740, the rectifier drive device 742, the launch drive device 744, the lifting drive device 746, etc., and transmits information to the dedicated unit control board 800, etc., based on the calculation results.

[0211] The ball removal switch 702 is provided on a ball removal button (not shown) provided on the frame control board 700, and detects operation of the ball removal button and outputs a detection signal. Since the ball removal button is provided on the frame control board 700, it can be operated by an administrator of the gaming machine or the like when the inner frame 7 is open relative to the outer frame 2.

[0212] The rectifier inlet sensor 704 is provided at the inlet of the rectifier 116, and outputs a detection signal each time a game ball passes through the inlet of the rectifier 116. When three game balls are present in the rectifier 116, the rectifier inlet sensor 704 continues to output the detection signal while a third game ball is present at the inlet of the rectifier 116.

[0213] The rectifier outlet sensor 706 is provided at the outlet of the rectifier 116, and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball passes through the outlet of the rectifier 116.

[0214] The foul ball sensor 708 is provided in the foul passage and outputs a detection signal every time a gaming ball passes through the foul passage.

[0215] The out sensor 710 (specific detection means) is provided at the collection port 104, and outputs a detection signal every time one gaming ball passes through the collection port 104.

[0216] The circulating ball count low sensor 712 is provided in the second passage 106 and outputs a detection signal when the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is 43 or more.

[0217] The circulating ball excess sensor 714 is provided in the second passage 106 and outputs a detection signal when the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is 47 or more.

[0218] The count switch 716 is provided on the count button 18, and detects an operation on the count button 18 and outputs a detection signal.

[0219] The operation volume 718 is provided on the handle 20 and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 20 .

[0220] The touch sensor 720 (contact detection means) is provided on the handle 20, and detects the contact of the player with the handle 20 and outputs a detection signal.

[0221] The firing stop switch 722 is provided on the firing stop button of the handle 20, and detects an operation on the firing stop button and outputs a detection signal.

[0222] The open sensor 724 is provided on the inner frame 7 and detects that the inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 are open relative to the outer frame 2, or that the front frame 10 is open relative to the inner frame 7 and the outer frame 2, and outputs a detection signal.

[0223] The ball count display device 740 is realized by an LED board or the like, and displays the number of balls remaining on the ball count display section 17.

[0224] The rectifier driver 742 is realized by a solenoid or the like provided in the rectifier 116, and operates the interrupting member 118 between the interrupting state and the non-interrupting state.

[0225] The launch drive unit 744 is realized by a motor or the like provided in the launch device, and drives the hammer of the launch device.

[0226] The lifting drive device 746 is realized by a motor or the like provided in the lifting unit 108 and operates the lifting screw 110.

[0227] The dedicated unit control board 800 is provided in the dedicated unit and is realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, and by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in a ROM or the like.

[0228] The dedicated unit control board 800 performs various calculations to lend out game balls and return the number of balls held based on information from input means such as a touch panel, banknote identification device, card reader, etc., and from the frame control board 700, and based on the results of the calculations, controls output means such as a dedicated unit display device, banknote receiving device, card writer, etc., and transmits information to the frame control board 700.

[0229] The frame control board 700 also functions as a frame state control means 760, a ball count management means 762, a launch control means 764, a circulation control means 766, a circulating ball count determination means 768, a frame communication control means 774, and a frame control memory 780.

[0230] The frame state control means 760 sets the management state managed by the frame control board 700 to one of a startup preparation state, which is the state from when the gaming machine is powered on until communication with the main control board 500 and the dedicated unit control board 800 becomes possible, a normal management state, which is a state in which communication with the main control board 500 and the dedicated unit control board 800 is possible and game play can be performed, and a ball removal state, which is a state in which game play cannot be performed and game balls inside the gaming machine can be discharged to the outside.

[0231] In detail, if the detection signal from the ball removal switch 702 is in the OFF state when the gaming machine is powered on, i.e., if the gaming machine is powered on with the ball removal button not pressed, the frame state control means 760 sets the management state to the startup preparation state and then to the normal management state, and if the detection signal from the ball removal switch 702 is in the ON state when the gaming machine is powered on, i.e., if the gaming machine is powered on with the ball removal button pressed, the frame state control means 760 sets the management state to the ball removal state. Note that the management state being set is maintained until the power is turned off, so in order to change the management state, it is necessary to turn the gaming machine off and then on again.

[0232] In the normal management state, the ball count management means 762 updates the value corresponding to the number of balls stored in the ball count counter 782 of the frame control memory 780 based on commands from the main control board 500 or the dedicated unit control board 800, and controls the number of balls to be displayed on the ball count display device 740 based on the value stored in the ball count counter 782.

[0233] In detail, the ball count management means 762 adds a value corresponding to the number of loaned balls to a value corresponding to the number of balls stored in the ball count counter 782 based on a loan command transmitted from the dedicated unit control board 800. In this embodiment, 125, which corresponds to 125 loaned balls, is added to the value of the ball count counter 782 each time a loan command is received.

[0234] In addition, based on a detection signal from the rectifier outlet sensor 706, the ball count management means 762 subtracts 1 from the value of the ball count counter 782, assuming that one game ball has been launched from the launching device, and based on a detection signal from the foul ball sensor 708, adds 1 to the value of the ball count counter 782, assuming that one launched game ball has been returned.

[0235] In addition, the ball count management means 762 adds a value corresponding to a predetermined number of winning balls for each winning port to the value of the ball count counter 782 based on the winning command corresponding to each winning port transmitted from the main control board 500. Specifically, based on a winning command indicating entry into the first starting winning port 46, 3 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782, based on a winning command indicating entry into the second starting winning port 50, 1 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782, based on a winning command indicating entry into the large winning port 54, 10 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782, based on a winning command indicating entry into the first general winning port 47-1, 4 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782, based on a winning command indicating entry into the second general winning port 47-2 or the third general winning port 47-3, 3 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782, and based on a winning command indicating entry into the fourth general winning port 47-4, 1 is added to the value of the number of balls counter 782.

[0236] Furthermore, when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 1 or more, the ball count management means 762 transmits a count command to the dedicated unit control board 800 based on the detection signal from the count switch 716, and subtracts a value corresponding to the count command from the value of the ball count counter 782. In this embodiment, when a short press operation is performed in which the count button 18 is pressed for less than 2 seconds, a count command corresponding to the short press operation is transmitted to the dedicated unit control board 800 and 1 is subtracted from the value of the ball count counter 782, and when a long press operation is performed in which the count button 18 is pressed for 2 seconds or more, a count command corresponding to the long press operation is transmitted to the dedicated unit control board 800 every 0.3 seconds, and 250 is subtracted from the value of the ball count counter 782.

[0237] The launch control means 764 controls the rectifier drive device 742 and the launch drive device 744 based on the value of the ball count counter 782, a launch permission signal from the main control board 500 that allows the launch of the game balls, and detection signals from the rectifier inlet sensor 704, the rectifier outlet sensor 706, the operating volume 718, the touch sensor 720, and the launch stop switch 722.

[0238] In detail, in the normal management state, when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 1 or more, the detection signal of the rectifier inlet sensor 704 is in the ON state for more than 2 seconds, i.e., three game balls are staying in the rectifier 116, the detection signal from the operation volume 718 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the OFF state, and the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is in the ON state, the launch control means 764 controls the rectifier drive device 742 so that the cut-off member 118 of the rectifier 116 sends one game ball to the launch device every 1.65 seconds, and controls the launch drive device 744 so that the hammer hits the game ball when one game ball is sent to the launch device.

[0239] In addition, in the normal management state, the launch control means 764 controls the rectifier drive device 742 so that the blocking member 118 of the rectifier 116 does not perform the operation of sending the game ball to the launching device, and controls the launch drive device 744 so that the hammer of the launching device does not perform the operation of hitting the game ball when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 0, the detection signal of the rectifier inlet sensor 704 is in the ON state and has not been in the ON state for more than two seconds, i.e., when three game balls are not present in the rectifier 116, the detection signal of the rectifier outlet sensor 706 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the operation volume 718 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the ON state, or the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is in the OFF state.

[0240] On the other hand, in the ball removal state, unlike the normal management state, the launch control means 764 controls the rectifier drive device 742 so that the blocking member 118 of the rectifier 116 sends one game ball to the launching device every 1.65 seconds when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 0, the detection signal of the rectifier inlet sensor 704 is OFF, the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is OFF, the detection signal of the rectifier outlet sensor 706 is OFF, the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is ON, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is ON, and the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is OFF, and controls the launch drive device 744 so that the hammer hits the game ball when one game ball is sent to the launching device.

[0241] In addition, in the ball removal state, when the detection signal from the rectifier outlet sensor 706 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is in the OFF state, or the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the ON state, the launch control means 764 controls the rectifier drive device 742 so that the blocking member 118 of the rectifier 116 does not perform the operation of sending the game ball to the launching device, and controls the launch drive device 744 so that the hammer of the launching device does not perform the operation of hitting the game ball.

[0242] The circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 based on the value of the ball count counter 782, the launch permission signal from the main control board 500, and detection signals from the rectifier inlet sensor 704, the operating volume 718, the touch sensor 720, the launch stop switch 722, and the open sensor 724.

[0243] In detail, in the normal management state, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 operates to lift game balls to the third passage 114 when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 1 or more, the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the OFF state, and the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is in the ON state.

[0244] In addition, in the normal management state, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 does not lift game balls to the third passage 114 when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 0, the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the ON state, or the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is in the OFF state.

[0245] That is, as the launching device launches the game ball, the lifting screw 110 lifts the game ball to the third passage 114.

[0246] In addition, under normal management conditions, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 operates to lift the game balls to the third passage 114 when the open sensor 724 is in the ON state for more than two seconds, i.e., when the inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 are in the open state relative to the outer frame 2 for more than two seconds.

[0247] In addition, in the normal management state, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 does not lift game balls to the third passage 114 when the open sensor 724 is in the ON state, or when the detection signal of the rectifier inlet sensor 704 has been in the ON state for more than two seconds, i.e., even if the inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 are open to the outer frame 2, and there are three game balls remaining in the rectifier 116, or when the open sensor 724 is in the OFF state for more than two seconds, i.e., when the inner frame 7 and the front frame 10 are closed to the outer frame 2 for more than two seconds.

[0248] On the other hand, in the ball removal state, which is different from the normal management state, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 operates to lift the game balls to the third passage 114 when the value of the ball count counter 782 is 0, the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is in the ON state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the ON state, and the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the OFF state.

[0249] In addition, in the ball removal state, the circulation control means 766 controls the lifting drive device 746 so that the lifting screw 110 does not lift the game balls to the third passage 114 when the detection signal from the operating volume 718 is in the OFF state, the detection signal from the touch sensor 720 is in the OFF state, or the detection signal from the launch stop switch 722 is in the ON state.

[0250] In other words, when the balls are removed, the value of the ball count counter 782 is 0, and the launch permission signal from the main control board 500 is turned OFF, but if the manager of the gaming machine, etc., touches the handle 20 and rotates it, the rectifier drive unit 742, launch drive unit 744, and lifting drive unit 746 will operate.

[0251] As a result, in the ball removal state, even if the above-mentioned ball removal lever 122 is in the open state, the remaining game balls can be launched into the game area 4, passed through the first passage 102, the second passage 106, and the discharge passage 120, and discharged from the discharge port 124.

[0252] The circulating ball number determination means 768 determines whether the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is too small based on the detection signal from the circulating ball number insufficient sensor 712, and outputs an insufficient error if the number of game balls is too small. The circulating ball number determination means 768 also determines whether the number of game balls staying in the second passage 106 is too large based on the detection signal from the circulating ball number excess sensor 714, and outputs an excessive error if the number of game balls is too large.

[0253] The frame communication control means 774 controls the transmission of signals and commands to the main control board 500 and the dedicated unit control board 800. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, two-way communication is possible between the frame control board 700 and the dedicated unit control board 800, but there is no direct communication connection between the sub-control board 600 and the frame control board 700.

[0254] 3. Method of the Present Invention In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, in the special lottery for the specific state, which is the initial state, a time-saving hit is won with a probability of approximately 219 / 220, and when the time-saving hit pattern A is won with a probability of 85 / 100, the micro-time-saving state begins, and the micro-time-saving state continues until a jackpot is won in the special lottery for the micro-time-saving state with a probability of approximately 1 / 220, or until the total number of special fluctuations reaches 1,000.

[0255] On the other hand, if a time-saving winning combination is won in a special lottery in a specific state with a probability of approximately 219 / 220, and if the time-saving winning pattern B is won with a probability of 15 / 100, the second time-saving state will begin, and in the normal lottery in the second time-saving state, normal pattern B or normal pattern C will be won with a probability of approximately 1 / 100, and normal game B will be executed and the game ball will enter the second start winning slot 50, and the second time-saving state will continue until a big win or small win is won in a special lottery with a probability of 1 / 1, or until the number of normal fluctuations reaches 70.

[0256] In this embodiment, when the time-saving winning symbol A is selected in the special lottery in the specific state, the game is shifted to the micro-time-saving state where it is difficult to win a big win, and when the time-saving winning symbol B is selected in the special lottery in the specific state, the game is shifted to the second time-saving state where it is easier to win a big win or a small win than in the micro-time-saving state. In other words, the specific state is a branching point where the game state changes to an unfavorable state or an advantageous state for the player.

[0257] In this embodiment, if a jackpot is not won in the micro-time-saving state and the total number of special fluctuations reaches 1,000, the game returns to the specific state. However, since a common presentation is executed in both the specific state and the micro-time-saving state, it is difficult for the player to determine whether the current game state is the specific state or the micro-time-saving state.

[0258] In this embodiment, when a game ball lending operation (specific operation) is performed in the dedicated unit, a lending sound effect is output from speaker 14 as if the game ball is being physically lent to the player, thereby creating the impression that the game ball has been lent.

[0259] If the game state when the lending operation is performed is not a specific state (if it is the first game state), a normal lending sound effect (first sound effect) is output, and if the game state when the lending operation is performed is a specific state (if it is the second game state), a special lending sound effect (second sound effect) is output.

[0260] In addition, if the game state when the lending operation is performed is a micro-time-saving state (a specified game state) and the value of the total special fluctuation counter is 100 or more, i.e., the remaining total number of special fluctuations (remaining number of fluctuations) in the micro-time-saving state is 100 or more (a specific number), a normal lending sound effect is output, and if the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100, i.e., the remaining total number of special fluctuations in the micro-time-saving state is less than 100, a special lending sound effect is output.

[0261] As a result, in this embodiment, when a special loan sound effect is output, the player can determine that the game state is in a specific state or is close to transitioning to a specific state, and the player's anticipation of the start of the second time-saving state can be increased by winning the time-saving winning pattern B in a special lottery for the specific state.

[0262] Furthermore, in order to determine whether the gaming state is in a specific state or is close to transitioning to a specific state, it is necessary to perform a gaming ball lending operation in a dedicated unit, which can induce the start or continuation of play on the gaming machine and promote the operation of the gaming machine.

[0263] In addition, in this embodiment, when the value (game value) of the ball count counter 782 decreases to 30 (a predetermined value), i.e., when the remaining number of game balls that can be fired becomes 30, a ball count warning sound indicating that the number of balls remaining is low is output from the speaker 14 to notify the player that the remaining number of balls is low.

[0264] When the value of the ball count counter 782 decreases to 30, the game state is in a slight time-saving state, and if the value of the total special variable counter is 100 or more, a normal ball count warning sound (first notification sound) is output, and if the value of the total special variable counter is less than 100, a special ball count warning sound (second notification sound) is output.

[0265] In this embodiment, when a special ball count warning sound is output, the player is able to determine that a transition to a specific state is imminent, and the anticipation of the second time-saving state beginning when the time-saving winning pattern B is won in a special lottery in the specific state is heightened.

[0266] Furthermore, when a special ball count warning sound is output, if the player continues playing by performing a game ball lending operation in a dedicated unit, there is a high possibility that the game state can be transitioned to a specific state, thereby encouraging continued play on the gaming machine and promoting the operation of the gaming machine.

[0267] In addition, in this embodiment, when the counting button 18 is pressed (a specific operation), a counting sound effect is output from the speaker 14 as if the game balls are being physically counted, thereby creating the illusion of the number of balls being counted.

[0268] If the game state when the counting button 18 is pressed is not a specific state, a normal counting sound effect is output, and if the game state when the counting button 18 is pressed is a specific state, a special counting sound effect is output.

[0269] In addition, when the game state when the counting button 18 is pressed is the micro-time-saving state and the value of the total special fluctuation counter is 100 or more, a normal counting sound effect is output, and when the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100, a special counting sound effect is output.

[0270] As a result, in this embodiment, when a special counting sound effect is output, the player can determine that the game state is in a specific state or is close to transitioning to a specific state, and the player's anticipation of the start of the second time-saving state can be increased by winning the time-saving winning pattern B in a special lottery for the specific state.

[0271] Furthermore, when a special counting sound effect is output, if play is resumed by performing a game ball lending operation in a dedicated unit, there is a high possibility that the game state can be transitioned to a specific state, thereby inducing a resumption of play on the gaming machine and promoting the operation of the gaming machine.

[0272] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lending sound effect control process performed by the sub-control board 600. In the lending sound effect control process, when the performance control means 640 receives a lending command (Y in step S100), it judges whether or not the game state is a specific state (step S102), and if the game state is a specific state (Y in step S102), it outputs a special lending sound effect from the speaker 14 (step S104).

[0273] If the gaming state is not the specific state (N in step S102), the performance control means 640 judges whether the gaming state is in the minute time-saving state (step S106), and if the gaming state is in the minute time-saving state (Y in step S106), judges whether the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 (step S108). If the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 (Y in step S108), a special lending sound effect is output from the speaker 14 (step S104).

[0274] On the other hand, if the game state is not the slight time-saving state (N in step S106) or if the value of the total special fluctuation counter is not less than 100 (N in step S108), the normal lending sound effect is output from the speaker 14 (step S110).

[0275] 14 is a flow chart showing the flow of the ball count warning sound control process performed by the sub-control board 600. In the ball count warning sound control process, the performance control means 640 judges whether the value of the ball count counter has decreased to 30 or not (step S120), and if the value of the ball count counter has reached 30 (Y in step S120), judges whether the game state is in the slight time-saving state (step S122), and if the game state is in the slight time-saving state (Y in step S122), judges whether the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 or not (step S124). Then, if the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 (Y in step S124), a special ball count warning sound is output from the speaker 14 (step S126).

[0276] On the other hand, if the game state is not in the micro-time-saving state (N in step S122), or if the value of the total special fluctuation counter is not less than 100 (N in step S124), a normal ball count warning sound is output from speaker 14 (step S128).

[0277] 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting sound effect control process performed by the sub-control board 600. In the counting sound effect control process, when the performance control means 640 receives a counting command (Y in step S140), it judges whether or not the gaming state is a specific state (step S142), and if the gaming state is a specific state (Y in step S142), it causes the speaker 14 to output a special counting sound effect (step S144).

[0278] If the gaming state is not the specific state (N in step S142), the performance control means 640 judges whether the gaming state is in the minute time-saving state (step S146), and if the gaming state is in the minute time-saving state (Y in step S146), judges whether the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 (step S148). If the value of the total special fluctuation counter is less than 100 (Y in step S148), a special counting sound effect is output from the speaker 14 (step S144).

[0279] On the other hand, if the game state is not the minute time-saving state (N in step S146) or if the value of the total special fluctuation counter is not less than 100 (N in step S148), the normal counting sound effect is output from the speaker 14 (step S150).

[0280] 4. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and the following modifications are introduced. Note that the above-described embodiment and the various methods described below as modifications can be appropriately combined and adopted as a control method for realizing the present invention.

[0281] For example, a special lending sound effect may be output when in a specific state, but the special lending sound effect may not be output when in a very short time saving state, or a special lending sound effect may be output when in a very short time saving state, but the special lending sound effect may not be output when in a specific state.

[0282] In addition, a special lending sound effect may be output when a lending operation is performed, but a special counting sound effect may not be output when the counting button 18 is pressed, or a special counting sound effect may be output when the counting button 18 is pressed, but a special lending sound effect may not be output when a lending operation is performed.

[0283] In addition, the game state can be shifted to a probability variable state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is higher than in other game states, and if the game state when the lending operation or the counting button 18 is pressed is not a probability variable state, a normal lending sound effect or a normal counting sound effect is output, and if the game state when the lending operation or the counting button 18 is pressed is a probability variable state, a special lending sound effect or a special counting sound effect is output.

[0284] In addition, in the above embodiment, the difference in the number of game balls (game value used in the game) that have entered the first start winning port 46, the first general winning port 47-1, the second general winning port 47-2, the third general winning port 47-3, the fourth general winning port 47-4, the second start winning port 50, the large winning port 54 or the out port 62 is counted, and the difference in the number of balls (difference value) is counted, which is the difference between the value (game value granted to the player) added to the ball count counter 782 based on the game balls entering each winning port.When the difference in the number of balls reaches 95,000 (a predetermined value), the operation of the gaming machine is stopped, thereby preventing the gaming machine from becoming too gambling-oriented.

[0285] In detail, when power is restored without any specific error occurring (when the power is turned off and on), the difference ball number counter in the main control memory 570 is set to an initial value of 100,000, and each time a game ball enters any of the winning slots or the outlet 62, 1 is subtracted from the difference ball number counter, and each time a game ball enters any of the winning slots, a value corresponding to the predetermined number of winning balls for the winning slot into which the game ball entered is added to the difference ball number counter.

[0286] In addition, when the power is restored after a specific error has occurred, the value of the difference ball counter is not reset to the initial value, and the value of the difference ball counter stored at the time of the power outage is maintained. In addition, when the value of the difference ball counter is 0, 1 is not subtracted from the difference ball counter even if a game ball enters any of the winning holes or the outlet 62, and the value of the difference ball counter is maintained at 0.

[0287] Then, when the value of the difference ball number counter reaches 190000, that is, when the difference ball number reaches 90000, it is determined that the difference ball number is approaching 95000, and the game continues while a stop warning image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31 to warn that the game is about to stop. Then, when the value of the difference ball number counter reaches 195000, that is, when the difference ball number reaches 95000, it becomes impossible to shoot the game balls, the game is stopped, and a stop notification image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31 to notify that the game has stopped.

[0288] When the value of the difference ball counter reaches 195,000 during the special game state, the game continues while a stop warning image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 31 to warn that the game will stop when the special game state ends, and when the special game state ends, it is no longer possible to launch game balls and the game is stopped.

[0289] Then, if the value of the ball difference counter when the loan operation is performed is less than 185,000, i.e., if the ball difference is less than 85,000 (specific value), a normal loan sound effect is output, and if the value of the ball difference counter is 185,000 or more, i.e., if the ball difference is 85,000 or more, a special loan sound effect is output.

[0290] In addition, if the value of the ball difference counter when the counting button 18 is pressed is less than 185,000, a normal counting sound effect is output, and if the value of the ball difference counter is 185,000 or more, a special counting sound effect is output.

[0291] In this case, when the special lending sound effect or the special counting sound effect is output, the player can determine that the game is about to come to an end. [Explanation of symbols]

[0292] 2 outer frame, 4 playing area, 6 playing board, 7 inner frame, 8 glass unit, 10 front frame, 11 front frame opening, 12 front frame lamp, 14 speaker, 16 performance input device, 17 Ball count display, 18 Count button, 27 Cylinder lock

Claims

1. A gaming machine for playing a game, A management means for managing game value available to a player; A game state control means for controlling a game state; A performance control means for controlling the performance of a game is provided, The management means includes: changing the gaming value based on the fact that a specific operation has been performed; The performance control means includes: outputting a first sound effect when the gaming state when the specific operation is performed is a first gaming state; The gaming machine is characterized in that a second sound effect is output when the gaming state when the specific operation is performed is a second gaming state.

2. A gaming machine for playing a game, A management means for managing game value available to a player; A display control means for changing and stopping the symbols under a predetermined condition; A game state control means for controlling a game state; A performance control means for controlling the performance of a game is provided, The management means includes: changing the gaming value based on the fact that a specific operation has been performed; The game state control means includes: When the number of symbol changes reaches a predetermined number in a predetermined game state, the predetermined game state is ended. The performance control means includes: outputting a first sound effect when the game state when the specific operation is performed is the predetermined game state and the remaining number of changes in the predetermined game state is equal to or greater than a specific number; The gaming machine is characterized in that a second sound effect is output when the gaming state when the specific operation is performed is the specified gaming state and the remaining number of changes in the specified gaming state is less than a specific number.

3. A gaming machine for playing a game, A management means for managing game value available to a player; a stop control means for stopping the progress of the game when a difference value, which is a difference between the game value used in the game and the game value granted to the player, reaches a predetermined value; A performance control means for controlling the performance of a game is provided, The management means includes: changing the gaming value based on the fact that a specific operation has been performed; The performance control means includes: outputting a first sound effect when the difference value at the time when the specific operation is performed is less than a specific value; The gaming machine is characterized in that a second sound effect is output when the difference value when the specific operation is performed is equal to or greater than a specific value.

4. A gaming machine for playing a game, A management means for managing game value available to a player; A display control means for changing and stopping the symbols under a predetermined condition; A game state control means for controlling a game state; A performance control means for controlling the performance of a game is provided, The game state control means includes: When the number of symbol changes reaches a predetermined number in a predetermined game state, the predetermined game state is ended. The performance control means includes: outputting a first notification sound when the gaming state when the gaming value is reduced to a predetermined value is the predetermined gaming state and the remaining number of fluctuations in the predetermined gaming state is equal to or greater than a specific number; A gaming machine characterized in that the gaming state when the gaming value decreases to a predetermined value is the predetermined gaming state, and a second alert sound is output when the remaining number of fluctuations in the predetermined gaming state is less than a specific number.

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