Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of excellently disposing design members on a game board.SOLUTION: In a game area where game balls flow, there is provided a design unit 44 which improves appearance decorativeness of the game area. The design unit 44 is provided with a passage part including an upper passage part, an upper side rear guide part and an upper side rear passage part, and a rear guide part. Of these, into the upper passage part, game balls flowing in the game area can enter. The design unit 44 is provided with first design pieces 51, 52 attached with designs 44a on the front surface. In the first design pieces 51, 52, rotating standing wall parts, rod-shaped contact parts, and rear contact parts are formed which can change states of the first design pieces 51, 52 between situations that game balls are present in an area from the upper side rear guide part across to the upper side rear passage part and situations that no game balls are present in the area, and can change states of the decorations of the design unit 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Pachinko game machines and slot machines are known as gaming machines. For example, in a pachinko game machine, a tray storage section for storing game balls given to a player is provided on the front part of the game machine, and the game balls stored in the tray storage section are guided to a game ball launching device and launched toward a game area according to a launching operation by the player. Then, for example, when a game ball enters a ball entrance section provided in the game area, the game ball is paid out from, for example, a payout device to the tray storage section. In addition, a configuration in which an upper tray storage section and a lower tray storage section are provided as the tray storage section is also known in a pachinko game machine, and in this case, the game balls stored in the upper tray storage section are guided to the game ball launching device, and the game balls that are surplus in the upper tray storage section are discharged to the lower tray storage section (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, in a slot machine, when a start lever is operated to start a new game while medals have been bet, a lottery process is executed by the control means. When the lottery process is executed, the control means executes a rotation start control to start the rotation of the reels, and when a stop button is operated during the rotation of the reels, the control means executes a rotation stop control to stop the rotation of the reels. Then, if the stop result after the rotation of the reels has stopped corresponds to a winning combination in the lottery process, a bonus corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-59585 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in gaming machines such as those exemplified above, it is necessary to appropriately manage the gaming machines, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that allows for optimal management of the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention includes a predetermined storage execution means for executing a predetermined storage process so that when a predetermined event occurs as a result of a game, information corresponding to the event is stored in the predetermined storage means, thereby storing the predetermined information in the predetermined storage means; an information calculation means for calculating behavior information corresponding to a game result during a predetermined period of time using the predetermined information each time a predetermined calculation trigger occurs; a result storage and execution means for sequentially storing the aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means in a calculation result storage means; Equipped with the result storage execution means includes means for causing the behavior information to be stored among the behavior information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means to be stored in the calculation result storage means; The aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means and which is not to be stored is not stored in the calculation result storage means, This gaming machine is A predetermined control means capable of executing a predetermined process including a predetermined progress process for progressing a game and the predetermined storage process; a specific storage means for storing information when the predetermined progress process is executed; A means for generating a specific advantageous period when a specific opportunity occurs; a means for erasing the predetermined information from the predetermined storage means after the information calculation means has completed the calculation of the aspect information; a notification means capable of notifying the user of the content corresponding to the aspect information stored in the calculation result storage means; Equipped with In one processing cycle of the predetermined process, the predetermined progress process is executed, and then the predetermined storage process is executed. the calculation result storage means is provided separately from the specific storage means, When a specific event occurs that stops the game progress control, the predetermined storage process is not executed by the predetermined storage execution means. The information calculation means is characterized in that it calculates the status information corresponding to the game result during the specified period by using the specified information during the specific advantageous period. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately manage gaming machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a design unit showing a portion of the front side configuration and the rear side configuration. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a base body and an upper design piece separated from the base body; FIG. [Figure 6] A front view of the design unit shown separated from the game board. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an end view of the cross section of the design unit taken along line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the design unit taken along line BB in FIG. 7. [Figure 9]FIG. 2A is a front view of an upper rear passage forming body, FIG. 2B is a rear view of the upper rear passage forming body, and FIG. [Figure 10] 13(a1) to (d2) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the corresponding relationship between the flow-down position of the game ball in the upper passage section and the upper rear passage section and the movement of the design piece. [Figure 11] A front view of the design unit showing a state in which multiple game balls are present in the passage portion at the same time. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram to explain the configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 17] This is an explanatory diagram to explain the configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensor are input to the main CPU. [Figure 18] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 19] A block diagram to explain the electrical configuration of a dispensing control device and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing executed by the dispensing CPU. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of a management IC. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a correspondence relationship memory; [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 27] 13(a) to 13(d) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers and the types of signals is stored in a correspondence memory. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing a management output process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 29] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Diagram 30] 13(a) to 13(e) are time charts showing how history information is stored in a history memory. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing a data output process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Diagram 33] FIG. 11 is a front view of a game board in a second embodiment. [Diagram 34] A front view of the design unit shown separated from the game board. [Diagram 35] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the design unit. [Diagram 36] FIG. [Figure 37] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the design unit, showing the rear vicinity of the plate-shaped front portion. [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the upper side of the design unit. [Figure 39] FIG. 2A is a front view of the design unit with both switching window sections in an open state, and FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the design unit in that state, showing the rear vicinity of the plate-shaped front part cut away. [Diagram 40] FIG. 2A is a front view of the design unit with the lower switching window portion in an open state, and FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the design unit in that state, showing the rear vicinity of the plate-shaped front portion cut away. [Diagram 41] (a) is a front view of the design unit with game balls placed on both the upper guide plate portion and the lower guide plate portion, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the design unit in this state, showing the rear area of ​​the plate-shaped front portion cut away. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F in the third embodiment. [Diagram 43] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 44] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Diagram 45] 13(a) to 13(h) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to twelfth buffers and the types of signals is stored in a correspondence memory. [Figure 46] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a management IC according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 48] 13 is a flowchart showing a power outage information storage process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 49] 13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 50] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 51] 13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a control CPU in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 52] 13A is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 53] 23 is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 54] 23 is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a control-side CPU in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 55] 23 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU in the ninth embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a history memory in the tenth embodiment. [Figure 57] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 58] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the MPU of the main control device in the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 59] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 60] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a main control device in a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 62] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Figure 63] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 64] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 65] 13 is a flowchart showing a parameter management process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 66] A block diagram to explain the configuration of the signal path that transmits the detection results of each ball entry detection sensor to the main CPU and management IC in the 13th embodiment. [Figure 67] A block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the main control device and the audio and light emission control device in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 68] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 69] 13 is a flowchart showing the special chart special power control processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 70]13 is a flowchart showing the performance control process executed by the sound / light side CPU. [Figure 71] This is a flowchart showing the special chart change start processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 72] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call start processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 73] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a normal counter area, an opening / closing execution mode counter area, and a high frequency support mode counter area provided in a main RAM. FIG. [Figure 74] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 75] This is a flowchart showing the normal ball scoring detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 76] 13 is a flowchart showing a check process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 77] (a) is a front view of the special map display section, (A) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display contents of the special map display section, (b) is a front view of the general map display section, and (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display contents of the general map display section. [Figure 78] 13 is a flowchart showing a check waiting process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 79] 13 is a flowchart showing a process during display of a check result executed by a main CPU. [Figure 80] 13(a) to 13(g) are time charts showing the progress of a check waiting period and a check result display period. [Figure 81] 4 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 82] 1(a) to (j) are diagrams showing individual patterns that are variably displayed on a pattern display device. [Figure 83] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the display surface of a pattern display device. [Figure 84] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents of the pattern display device during the check waiting period or the check result display period. [Figure 85] 23 is a flowchart showing a check process executed by a main CPU in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 86] 13 is a flowchart showing a process during display of a check result executed by a main CPU. [Figure 87] 13(a) to 13(g) are time charts showing the progress of a check waiting period and a check result display period. [Figure 88] 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port provided in an MPU of an audio and light emission control device in the sixteenth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 89] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a correspondence area provided in the audio / optical side ROM; FIG. [Figure 90] 13 is a flowchart showing a management output process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 91] 13 is a flowchart showing the performance control process executed by the sound / light side CPU. [Figure 92] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a normal counter area, an opening / closing execution mode counter area, and a high frequency support mode counter area provided in the sound / light side RAM. FIG. [Figure 93] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a CPU on the sound and light side. [Figure 94] 13 is a flowchart showing a check process executed by a CPU on the sound and light side. [Figure 95] A front view of the main control device in the 17th embodiment. [Figure 96] 96 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 95. [Figure 97] FIG. 23 is a front view of a slot machine according to an eighteenth embodiment. [Figure 98] 1 is an oblique view of the slot machine with the front door open. [Figure 99] FIG. [Figure 100] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of symbols on each reel. FIG. [Figure 101]FIG. [Figure 102] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence between winning symbol combinations and the benefits that are awarded when a winning combination is achieved. [Figure 103] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine. [Figure 104] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by a main MPU. [Figure 105] 11 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a main MPU. [Fig. 106] 11 is a flowchart showing normal processing executed by a main MPU. [Figure 107] 13 is a flowchart showing a lottery process executed by the master MPU. [Figure 108] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery table for a normal mode. [Fig. 109] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the stopping order of the reels and the winning patterns that are achieved when the lottery table for the normal mode is selected. FIG. [Figure 110] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery table for a first RT mode. [Figure 111] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the stopping order of the reels and the winning patterns that are achieved when the lottery table for the first RT mode is selected. [Figure 112] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery table for the second RT mode. [Figure 113] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the stopping order of the reels and the winning modes that are achieved when the lottery table for the second RT mode is selected. [Fig. 114] 13 is a flowchart showing the response process executed by the main MPU when a game ends. [Figure 115] 13 is a flowchart showing a transition chance management process executed by a main MPU. [Fig. 116] 13 is a flowchart showing the ART state processing executed by the main MPU. [Fig. 117]13 is a flowchart showing a game management process executed by a master MPU. [Fig. 118] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents of an image display device. [Figure 119] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a main MPU. [Figure 120] 11 is a flowchart showing a lighting process executed by a main MPU. [Figure 121] 6A and 6B are time charts showing the relationship between the opening angle of the front door and the control state of the lighting device. [Fig. 122] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the lighting device when the front door is open and the opening angle is equal to or less than a predetermined opening angle, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the lighting device when the opening angle of the front door is at the maximum opening angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the main components of the pachinko machine 10 in an exploded form. For convenience, Fig. 2 omits the components within the play area PA of the pachinko machine 10.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 11 is made of wooden boards connected at all four sides, forming a rectangular frame. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in an amusement hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to an island facility. Note that the outer frame 11 is not a required component of the pachinko machine 10, and the outer frame 11 may be installed in the island facility of the amusement hall.

[0012] 2, the gaming machine body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine body 12 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 11. In detail, the inner frame 13 is rotatable forward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front.

[0013] A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front. A back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated backward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front.

[0014] The gaming machine body 12 is provided with a locking device at its rotating tip, which has the function of locking the gaming machine body 12 so that it cannot be opened relative to the outer frame 11, and also has the function of locking the front door frame 14 so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using an unlocking key on a cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0016] The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 having an outer shape substantially identical to that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed in the center of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and a game area PA formed on the front side of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21.

[0017] Here, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the game board 24.

[0018] An inner rail section 25 and an outer rail section 26 are attached to the game board 24 so as to define a part of the outer edge of the game area PA, and the inner rail section 25 and the outer rail section 26 form a guide rail as a guide means. A game ball B1 launched from a game ball launching mechanism 27 (see FIG. 2) attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21 is guided to the upper part of the game area PA by the guide rail. The game ball B1 is made of iron and is a sphere with a diameter of 11 mm.

[0019] Incidentally, the game ball launching mechanism 27 includes a launching rail 27a extending toward the guide rail, a ball feeder 27b that supplies the game ball B1 stored in the upper tray 111a (described later) onto the launching rail 27a, and a solenoid 27c that is an electric actuator that launches the game ball B1 supplied onto the launching rail 27a toward the guide rail. The solenoid 27c is driven and controlled by rotating a launching operation device (or an operation handle) 28 provided on the front door frame 14, and the game ball B1 is launched.

[0020] A number of large and small openings are formed in the game board 24, penetrating in the front-rear direction. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 31, a special electric winning device 32, a first operating port 33, a second operating port 34, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a special chart unit 37, and a general chart unit 38. There are a total of four general winning ports 31, and one of each of the others.

[0021] Even if a ball enters the through gate 35, the game ball B1 is not dispensed. On the other hand, when balls enter the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34, a predetermined number of game balls B1 are dispensed. Specifically, when one game ball B1 enters the first operating port 33 or when one game ball B1 enters the second operating port 34, one prize ball is dispensed, when one game ball B1 enters the general winning port 31, ten prize balls are dispensed, and when one game ball B1 enters the special electric winning device 32, fifteen prize balls are dispensed.

[0022] The number of prize balls is arbitrary, and for example, the second actuating port 34 may be configured to have a smaller number of prize balls than the first actuating port 33, or the second actuating port 34 may be configured to have a larger number of prize balls than the first actuating port 33.

[0023] In addition, an outlet 24a is provided at the bottom of the game board 24, and game balls B1 that do not enter the various winning holes are discharged from the game area PA through the outlet 24a. In addition, the game board 24 has a large number of nails 24b planted therein to appropriately distribute and adjust the falling direction of the game balls B1, and various components such as windmills are also provided.

[0024] Here, the ball entry means that the game ball B1 passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the state in which the game ball B1 passes through the opening and is discharged from the game area PA, but also the state in which the game ball B1 continues to flow down the game area PA without being discharged from the game area PA after passing through the opening. However, in the following explanation, in order to clearly distinguish the game ball B1 entering the outlet 24a, the game ball B1 entering the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, and the through gate 35 will also be expressed as winning.

[0025] The first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are unitized as an actuation port device and installed on the game board 24. Both the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are open upward. In addition, both actuation ports 33, 34 are aligned vertically with the first actuation port 33 facing upward. The second actuation port 34 is provided with a normal power device 34a as a guide piece consisting of a pair of movable pieces on the left and right. When the normal power device 34a is in a closed state, the game ball B1 cannot enter the second actuation port 34, but when the normal power device 34a is in an open state, it becomes possible for the game ball B1 to enter the second actuation port 34.

[0026] A through gate 35 is provided upstream of the second operating port 34 in the flow direction of the game ball B1. The through gate 35 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically, and the game ball B1 that enters the through gate 35 flows down the game area PA after entering. This makes it possible for the game ball B1 that enters the through gate 35 to enter the second operating port 34.

[0027] Based on winning the through gate 35, the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 is switched from a closed state to an open state. Specifically, an internal lottery is performed with the winning of the through gate 35 as a trigger, and a variable picture display is performed on the normal map display section 38a of the normal map unit 38 provided in the lower right corner of the game area PA, which is an area where the game ball B1 does not pass. Then, when the result of the internal lottery is a win for the electric role opening and the stop result corresponding to the result is displayed and the variable display of the normal map display section 38a is terminated, the state transitions to the normal power opening state. In the normal power opening state, the normal power role 34a is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0028] The map display unit 38a is composed of a segment display in which a plurality of segment light-emitting parts are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display device. As for the pattern displayed variably on the map display unit 38a, a configuration in which a plurality of characters are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of symbols are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of characters are displayed variably, or a configuration in which a plurality of colors are displayed in a switched manner may be considered.

[0029] In the normal map unit 38, a normal map reserve display section 38b is provided adjacent to the normal map display section 38a. The number of game balls B1 that enter the through gate 35 is reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the normal map reserve display section 38b.

[0030] A winning lottery is held by triggering a winning entry into the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34. The lottery result is then displayed clearly through the display effects on the special symbol unit 37 and the symbol display device 41 of the variable display unit 36.

[0031] Regarding the special chart unit 37 in detail, the special chart unit 37 is provided with a special chart display section 37a. The display area of ​​the special chart display section 37a is narrower than the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41. In the special chart display section 37a, a winning lottery is held by triggering the winning of the first operating port 33 or the winning of the second operating port 34, and a variable display or a predetermined display of the pattern is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. The special chart display section 37a is composed of a segment display device in which a plurality of segment light-emitting sections are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this, and may be composed of other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display device. In addition, as the pattern displayed on the special chart display section 37a, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are displayed, or a configuration in which a plurality of types of colors are displayed may be considered.

[0032] In the special chart unit 37, a special chart reserve display section 37b is provided at a position adjacent to the special chart display section 37a. The number of game balls B1 that have entered the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34 is reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the special chart reserve display section 37b.

[0033] In detail, the pattern display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. The pattern display device 41 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices having a display screen such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a DRT, or may be a dot matrix display device.

[0034] In the pattern display device 41, when the special pattern display unit 37a displays a variable or predetermined pattern based on the winning of the first operation port 33 or the winning of the second operation port 34, the pattern display device 41 displays a variable or predetermined pattern accordingly. For example, the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41 has three pattern rows, an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row, set as a plurality of display areas, and the main patterns numbered "1" to "9" are scrolled in ascending or descending order in each pattern row. In this scroll display, the scroll display of all pattern rows is started first, and the scroll display is switched to standby display in the order of the upper pattern row → the lower pattern row → the middle pattern row, and finally the scroll display is ended in a state where a predetermined pattern is statically displayed in each pattern row. Then, for example, in a game round in which the game result is a jackpot result, a predetermined combination of patterns is stopped and displayed on a valid line set in advance on the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41.

[0035] In addition, the pattern display device 41 performs not only a display performance triggered by winning the first operation port 33 or the second operation port 34, but also a display performance during the opening and closing execution mode to which the mode is shifted after a winning is obtained. In addition, based on the winning of either operation port 33, 34, the display is started on the special pattern display unit 37a and the pattern display device 41, and one game round is performed until a predetermined result is displayed and the game ends. In addition, the manner of the variable display of the pattern in the pattern display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of pattern rows, the direction of the variable display of the pattern in the pattern row, the number of patterns in each pattern row, etc. can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the pattern displayed by the pattern display device 41 is not limited to the above patterns, and for example, a configuration in which only numbers are displayed as patterns may be configured to be displayed.

[0036] When a big win is won in a lottery based on winning the first operation port 33 or the second operation port 34, the mode shifts to an open / close execution mode in which winning is possible in the special electric winning device 32. The special electric winning device 32 has a large winning port (not shown) that leads to the back side of the game board 24, and has an open / close door 32a that opens and closes the large winning port. The open / close door 32a is arranged in either a closed state or an open state. Specifically, the open / close door 32a is normally in a closed state in which the game ball B1 cannot win, and when the internal lottery is selected to switch to the open / close execution mode, the open / close execution mode is switched to an open state in which the game ball B1 can win. Incidentally, the open / close execution mode is a mode to which the mode shifts when a winning result is obtained. It should be noted that the closed state does not mean that winning is impossible, but it may be configured to be in a state in which winning is more difficult than in the open state.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, the game areas PA into which the game ball B1 can flow are provided on both the left and right sides of the display surface 41a. Of these, the right side area PA1 provided on the right side of the display surface 41a is provided with a design unit 44 that opens and closes the design pieces 51-54 in response to the inflow of the game ball B1.

[0038] <Configuration of Design Unit 44> Next, the design unit 44 will be described below.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the design unit 44, showing a part of the front side configuration and the rear side configuration in an exploded manner. As shown in Fig. 4, the design unit 44 includes a plate-shaped base body 45, a plurality of passage forming bodies 46-48 fixed to the front side of the base body 45, a pair of upper and lower rear passage forming bodies 49, 50 fixed to the rear side of the base body 45, and a plurality of design pieces 51-54 fixed to positions facing the upper and lower rear passage forming bodies 49, 50 with the base body 45 in between.

[0040] First, the passages 46a to 50a provided on the front and rear sides of the base body 45 will be described below.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base body 45 and the upper design pieces 51-54 in a state where they are separated from the base body 45, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the design unit 44 shown separated from the game board 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the base body 45 is formed in a vertically long rectangle using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate, and extends in the vertical direction. The horizontal dimension of the base body 45 is approximately four times the diameter of the game ball B1 (FIG. 3), and the vertical dimension of the base body 45 is approximately ten times the diameter of the game ball B1. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper passage forming body 46 in which the upper passage portion 46a (FIG. 4) is formed is fixed to the upper center of the base body 45.

[0042] First, the upper passage portion 46a will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 7 is an end view of the cut surface of the design unit 44 taken along line AA in Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the design unit 44 taken along line BB in Figure 7.

[0043] 4, the upper passage forming body 46 is formed using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate, and includes an upper front plate portion 46d having a rectangular region 46b and a protruding region 46c protruding downward from the lower portion of the rectangular region 46b. A left side plate portion 46e is integrally formed on the back surface of the rectangular region 46b of the upper front plate portion 46d with its left side peripheral portion standing upright, and a right side plate portion 46f is integrally formed with its right side peripheral portion standing upright.

[0044] The left and right plate portions 46e, 46f extend vertically and face each other laterally. As a result, the upper passage forming body 46 is divided into a front side, a left side, and a right side by the upper front plate portion 46d, the left side plate portion 46e, and the right side plate portion 46f, forming an upper passage portion 46a. The upper passage portion 46a extends vertically downward, and is open upward, downward, and rearward when the upper passage forming body 46 is separated from the base body 45.

[0045] Fixing portions 55, 56 that can fix the upper passage forming body 46 to the base body 45 are integrally formed on the side surfaces of the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f opposite the upper passage portion 46a. The left and right fixing portions 55, 56 protrude in the direction opposite the upper passage portion 46a and extend from a midway position slightly rearward of the upper front plate portion 46d to the same rear position as the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f. The left fixing portion 55 provided on the left plate portion 46e and the right fixing portion 56 provided on the right plate portion 46f form a left-right pair and have the same horizontal dimension.

[0046] The fixing parts 55, 56 are formed with screw holes (not shown) extending from the back surface to a midway position on the front side. In addition, a pair of left and right upper fixing holes 45a corresponding to the screw holes formed in the left and right fixing parts 55, 56 are formed near the upper end of the base body 45.

[0047] 6, the upper passage forming body 46 is fixed to the front side of the base body 45 by screwing the fixing parts 55, 56 from the rear of the base body 45, with the upper end coinciding with the upper end of the base body 45. In this state, the upper passage part 46a (FIG. 7) is open toward the top, and the game ball B1 (FIG. 3) flowing down the right area PA1 (FIG. 3) can flow in.

[0048] The rear side of the upper passage portion 46a (FIG. 7) is closed by the base body 45. As shown in FIG. 4, a guide protrusion 45b is integrally formed in the front surface of the base body 45 in an area defining the rear side of the upper passage portion 46a, for directing the flow position of the game ball B1 (FIG. 3) flowing into the upper passage portion 46a and flowing downward toward the front. The guide protrusion 45b extends from a midpoint in the height direction of the base body 45 to a height position equal to the lower ends of the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 4, the width of the upper passage portion 46a and the depth of the upper passage portion 46a at the height position where the guide protrusion 45b is provided are slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball B1 (Fig. 3). Since the guide protrusion 45b is not provided near the upper end of the upper passage portion 46a, the depth of the upper passage portion 46a near the upper end is slightly larger than the depth of the upper passage portion 46a at the height position where the guide protrusion 45b is provided, making it easier for the game ball B1 to flow into the upper passage portion 46a.

[0050] Over the entire vertical area of ​​the upper passage portion 46a, the dimension of the upper passage portion 46a in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction is larger than the diameter of the game ball B1 (FIG. 3), allowing the game ball B1 to flow downward within the upper passage portion 46a.

[0051] 8, an upper rear guide portion 57 that guides the game ball B1 (FIG. 3) rearward is provided vertically below the upper passage portion 46a on the front side of the base body 45. In addition, an upper through-hole 58 that penetrates the base body 45 from front to rear and has a vertically elongated, generally rectangular hole cross section is formed in the base body 45 at a rear position of the upper rear guide portion 57.

[0052] Next, the upper rear guide portion 57 and the upper through-hole 58 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the upper through hole 58 is formed across the entire lateral area of ​​the upper passage portion 46a, and is formed from the lower ends of the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f of the upper passage forming body 46 to a height position approximately at the center of the base body 45.

[0054] 5, the upper rear guide portion 57 includes a rectangular plate-like base portion 59 extending in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the game ball B1 (FIG. 8) that has flowed down the upper passage portion 46a (FIG. 8), and a rear guide protrusion portion 61 provided on the upper flat surface of the base portion 59. The base portion 59 is provided at a height position at the center of the upper through-hole 58, and the left and right ends at the rear end of the base portion 59 are integrally formed with the left and right peripheral portions of the upper through-hole 58 in the base body 45.

[0055] The upper through hole 58 is divided into upper and lower parts by the base portion 59, and the area above the base portion 59 and the area below the base portion 59 both have vertical and horizontal dimensions that allow the game ball B1 to move back and forth across the base body 45.

[0056] The rear guide protrusion 61 is provided at a position where it can come into contact with all game balls B1 flowing vertically downward from the upper passage portion 46a (FIG. 7), and is integrally formed by protruding upward from the upper flat surface of the base portion 59. The rear upper portion of the rear guide protrusion 61 is inclined downward toward the rear, and the front upper portion of the rear guide protrusion 61 is inclined toward the rear more than the front upper portion.

[0057] 7, the protruding region 46c of the upper front plate portion 46d protrudes to a height position near the upper end of the rear guide protrusion 61, and is located slightly forward of the rear guide protrusion 61. The gap between the protruding region 46c and the rear guide protrusion 61 prevents the game ball B1 from passing through. The protruding region 46c is located in front of the game ball B1 that has flowed down to the height position of the upper rear guide portion 57, and the forward movement of the game ball B1 is restricted.

[0058] On the left and right of the rear guide protrusion 61, there are openable and closable design pieces 51, 52 (FIG. 5), which restrict the movement of the game ball B1 to the left and right after it has flowed down to the height position of the upper rear guide part 57. The game ball B1 that cannot move left and right is guided rearward by the upper rear guide part 57 and moves to the rear of the base body 45 through the upper through-hole 58.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7, an upper rear passage forming body 49 (Fig. 7) in which an upper rear passage portion 49a is formed is fixed at a position facing the upper rear guide portion 57 across the upper through-hole 58. The upper rear passage portion 49a will be described below with reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 7 to 9. Fig. 9(a) is a front view of the upper rear passage forming body 49, Fig. 9(b) is a rear view of the upper rear passage forming body 49, and Fig. 9(c) is a left side view of the upper rear passage forming body 49.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the upper rear passage forming body 49 is formed using a colored opaque resin material such as ABS resin, and includes a housing portion 49b in which an upper rear passage portion 49a is formed. The housing portion 49b is formed in a box shape that is open forward by a back wall portion 49e (FIG. 9(b)), an upper wall portion 49f, a lower wall portion 49g, a left side wall portion 49j, and a right side wall portion 49i. The housing portion 49b is divided into a rear side, an upper side, a lower side, a left side, and a right side by these five walls 49e to 49g, 49i, and 49j to form the upper rear passage portion 49a. The upper rear passage portion 49a extends vertically downward, and is open forward when the upper rear passage forming body 49 is separated from the base body 45.

[0061] The left side wall portion 49j and the right side wall portion 49i are integrally formed with a left side fixing portion 49p and a right side fixing portion 49q that can fix the upper rear passage forming body 49 to the base body 45 (FIG. 4). The left side fixing portion 49p is provided so as to protrude outward from the left side wall portion 49j, and the right side fixing portion 49q is provided so as to protrude outward from the right side wall portion 49i. These fixing portions 49p, 49q are formed with fixing through holes 49r, 49s that penetrate the fixing portions 49p, 49q in the front-rear direction. In addition, a pair of left and right bosses (not shown) are integrally formed at a height position approximately at the center of the upper through hole 58 on the back surface of the base body 45 (FIG. 4) in correspondence with the fixing through holes 49r, 49s. The bosses are provided on the left and right sides of the upper through hole 58, and the bosses are formed with screw holes (not shown) that extend from the back surface to a midpoint on the front side. 7, the upper rear passage forming body 49 is fixed to the base body 45 by screwing the fixing portions 49p, 49q (FIG. 9(a)) to the bosses from the rear. In this state, the front ends of the upper wall portion 49f, the lower wall portion 49g, the left side wall portion 49j, and the right side wall portion 49i (FIG. 9(a)) abut against the peripheral portion of the upper through-hole 58 in the base body 45 from the rear.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 8, the entire area of ​​the upper through-hole 58 is continuous with the upper rear passage portion 49a (Fig. 9(a)). As shown in Fig. 9(a), a front guide protrusion 66 that guides the game balls B1 forward is provided at the lower end of the upper rear passage portion 49a. The front guide protrusion 66 is provided at a position where it can come into contact with all game balls B1 flowing down the upper rear passage portion 49a, and is integrally formed by protruding the upper flat surface of the lower wall portion 49g upward.

[0063] 7, the rear half of the upper part of the front guide protrusion 66 is inclined downward toward the front, and the front half is inclined downward toward the front less than the rear half. All the game balls B1 that flow down the upper rear passage portion 49a are guided forward by the front guide protrusion 66 and return to the front of the base body 45 through the upper through hole 58. At a position facing the front guide protrusion 66 across the upper through hole 58, a central passage forming body 47 is fixed in which a central passage portion 47a is formed, into which the game balls B1 that have returned to the front of the base body 45 flow.

[0064] Next, the central passage portion 47a will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0065] 4, the central passage forming body 47 is made of a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate, and includes a central front plate portion 47e having a rectangular region 47b, an upper protruding region 47c protruding upward from an upper portion of the rectangular region 47b, and a lower protruding region 47d protruding downward from a lower portion of the rectangular region 47b. A pair of left and right partition portions 67 and 68, which partition the left and right sides of the central passage portion 47a, are integrally formed on the back surface of the central front plate portion 47e.

[0066] The left and right partitions 67, 68 have the same depth dimension as the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f provided on the upper passage forming body 46. The left and right partitions 67, 68 are formed spaced apart in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval, and extend from the lower ends of the left and right peripheral portions of the central front plate portion 47e to a height position near the upper end of the upper protruding region 47c of the central front plate portion 47e. The right side surface of the left partition portion 67 and the left side surface of the right partition portion 68 extend vertically, and the two side surfaces face each other in the horizontal direction.

[0067] The central passage forming body 47 is partitioned into a front side, a left side, and a right side by a central front plate portion 47e, a left partition portion 67, and a right side partition portion 68 to form a central passage portion 47a. The central passage portion 47a extends vertically downward. When the central passage forming body 47 is separated from the base body 45, the central passage portion 47a is open upward, downward, and rearward.

[0068] The horizontal dimensions of the left and right partitions 67, 68 are approximately the same as the horizontal dimensions of the left and right fixing parts 55, 56 provided in the upper passage part 46a. The left partition part 67 and the right partition part 68 are formed with screw holes (not shown) that extend from the back surface to a midway position on the front side.

[0069] 5, a pair of left and right central fixing holes 45c are formed in the base body 45 at a height position slightly higher than the lower end of the upper through-hole 58, corresponding to the screw holes (not shown) formed in the left and right partitions 67, 68. The left and right central fixing holes 45c are formed to the left and right of the upper through-hole 58, and penetrate the base body 45 from front to rear.

[0070] 7, the central passage forming body 47 is fixed to the base body 45 by screwing the partitioning portions 67, 68 (FIG. 4) from the rear side of the base body 45. In this state, the central passage portion 47a is located vertically below the upper rear guide portion 57, and the upper protruding region 47c of the central front plate portion 47e faces the front guide protrusion portion 66 provided on the upper rear passage portion 49a, with the base body 45 in between.

[0071] The gap between the upper protruding region 47c and the upper rear guide portion 57 prevents the game ball B1 from passing through the gap. The upper protruding region 47c is located in front of the game ball B1 that has been guided by the front guide protrusion 66 and returned to the front of the base body 45.

[0072] 5, a left regulating wall portion 69 and a right regulating wall portion 71 are integrally formed on the left and right outer edges of the lower part of the upper through-hole 58 on the front surface of the base body 45. As shown in FIG. 8, the left and right regulating walls 69, 71 are formed from the front surface of the base body 45 to the front end of the pedestal portion 59, and extend from the lower end of the pedestal portion 59 to the upper ends of the left and right partition portions 67, 68 of the central passage forming body 47.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 8, the left and right regulating walls 69, 71 and the left and right partitions 67, 68 are present to the left and right of the game ball B1 that has been guided by the front guide protrusion 66 and returned to the front of the base body 45. The game ball B1, whose movement to the front, left, and right is restricted, flows downward and into the central passage 47a (Fig. 7).

[0074] 7, the rear side of the central passage portion 47a is closed by the base body 45. On the front surface of the base body 45, in an area defining the rear side of the central passage portion 47a, a guide protrusion portion 45d is integrally formed to guide the game ball B1 that has flowed into the central passage portion 47a toward the front.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 8, the guide protrusion 45d extends from below the lower end of the upper through hole 58 to a height position near the lower ends of the left and right partitions 67, 68. As shown in Fig. 4, the horizontal and depth dimensions of the central passage 47a are the same as the horizontal and depth dimensions of the upper passage 46a already described, and the game ball B1 can flow down the central passage 47a.

[0076] 7, the depth dimension near the upper end of the central passage 47a is slightly larger than the depth dimension at the bottom, so that the game ball B1 can easily flow into the central passage 47a. The game ball B1 flows downward while its flow position is changed to the front by the guide protrusion 45d.

[0077] A lower rear guide portion 72 that guides the game ball B1 that has flowed down the central passage portion 47a rearward is integrally formed on the front surface of the base body 45 vertically below the central passage portion 47a. The configuration of the lower rear guide portion 72 is the same as the configuration of the upper rear guide portion 57 already described. Due to the presence of the lower rear guide portion 72, the game ball B1 that has flowed down the central passage portion 47a is guided rearward along the inclination of the upper surface of the lower rear guide portion 72.

[0078] Here, as described above, the base body 45 is formed using a transparent resin material. The front surface of the base body 45 is colored and opaque except for the upper and lower rear guide parts 57, 72, so that the rear cannot be seen. On the other hand, the upper and lower rear guide parts 57, 72 are transparent, so that the game ball B1 guided by the rear guide parts 57, 72 can be seen from the front.

[0079] The lower protruding region 47d of the central front plate portion 47e protrudes to a height position near the upper end of the lower rear guide portion 72, and is located slightly forward of the lower rear guide portion 72. The gap between the lower protruding region 47d and the lower rear guide portion 72 prevents the game ball B1 from passing through. The lower protruding region 47d is located in front of the game ball B1 that has flowed down to the height position of the lower rear guide portion 72, and the forward movement of the game ball B1 is restricted.

[0080] 7, a lower through-hole 73 is formed in the base body 45 at a position rearward of the lower rear guide portion 72, and a lower rear passage forming body 50, in which a lower rear passage portion 50a is formed, is fixed at a position facing the lower rear guide portion 72 across the base body 45. The configurations of the lower through-hole 73, the lower rear passage portion 50a, and the lower rear passage forming body 50 are the same as the configurations of the upper through-hole 58, the upper rear passage portion 49a, and the upper rear passage forming body 49 already described.

[0081] Openable and closable design pieces 51, 52 are present on the left and right sides of the lower rear guide section 72, and restrict the movement to the left and right of the game ball B1 that is discharged from the central passage section 47a and flows down to the height position of the lower rear guide section 72. The game ball B1 that cannot move left and right is guided rearward by the lower rear guide section 72 and flows into the lower rear passage section 50a, as shown in Fig. 7. The game ball B1 that flows down the lower rear passage section 50a is guided by the front guide protrusion 76 provided at the lower end and returns to the front of the base body 45.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 5, left and right regulating wall portions 77, 78 that regulate the leftward and rightward movement of the game ball B1 (Fig. 7) that has returned to the front of the base body 45 are integrally formed on the left and right outer edges of the lower part of the lower through-hole 73. The regulating wall portions 77, 78 differ from the regulating wall portions 69, 71 provided on the left and right outer edges of the lower part of the upper through-hole 58, which have already been described, in that the regulating wall portions 77, 78 extend to approximately the lower end of the lower through-hole 73. As shown in Fig. 7, the lower passage forming body 48, in which the lower passage portion 48a is formed, is fixed to a position facing the front guide protrusion portion 76 across the base body 45.

[0083] Next, the lower passage portion 48a will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 4, the lower passage forming body 48 is formed using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate. The lower passage forming body 48 includes a lower front plate portion 48d having a vertically long rectangular region 48b and an upper protruding region 48c protruding upward from an upper portion of the rectangular region 48b. A left side plate portion 48e is integrally formed on the rear surface of the lower front plate portion 48d with a left side peripheral portion standing upright, and a right side plate portion 48f is integrally formed with a right side peripheral portion standing upright.

[0085] The left and right plate portions 48e, 48f have the same depth dimension as the left and right plate portions 46e, 46f of the upper passage forming body 46. The left and right plate portions 48e, 48f extend vertically and face each other laterally. As a result, the lower passage forming body 48 is divided into a front side, a left side, and a right side by the lower front plate portion 48d, the left side plate portion 48e, and the right side plate portion 48f to form a lower passage portion 48a. The lower passage portion 48a extends vertically downward, and is open upward, downward, and rearward when the lower passage forming body 48 is separated from the base body 45.

[0086] Fixing portions 79, 81 that enable the lower passage forming body 48 to be fixed to the base body 45 are integrally formed on the side surfaces of the left and right plate portions 48e, 48f opposite the lower passage portion 48a. The left and right fixing portions 79, 81 protrude in the direction opposite the lower passage portion 48a, and extend from an intermediate position slightly rearward of the lower front plate portion 48d to the same rear position as the left and right plate portions 48e, 48f.

[0087] The left fixing portion 79 provided on the left plate portion 48e and the right fixing portion 81 provided on the right plate portion 48f form a left-right pair and have the same horizontal dimension as the left and right fixing portions 55, 56 provided on the upper passage forming body 46. The fixing portions 79, 81 are formed with screw holes (not shown) that extend from the back surface to a midway position on the front side.

[0088] A pair of left and right lower fixing holes 45e are formed near the lower end of the base body 45 in correspondence with screw holes (not shown) provided in the fixing portions 79, 81. The lower fixing holes 45e penetrate the base body 45 from the front to the rear. The lower passage forming body 48 is fixed to the base body 45 by screwing the fixing portions 79, 81 from the rear of the base body 45.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 7, the lower passage forming body 48 is fixed vertically below the lower rear guide portion 72. The gap between the upper protruding region 48c of the lower front plate portion 48d and the lower rear guide portion 72 prevents the game ball B1 from passing through the gap. The upper protruding region 48c located in front of the game ball B1 guided by the front guide protrusion 76 restricts the forward movement of the game ball B1. In addition, the restricting walls 77, 78 provided on the left and right outer edges of the lower through hole 73 restrict the left and right movement of the game ball B1.

[0090] Since the forward, leftward, and rightward movement of the game ball B1 that has returned to the front of the base body 45 is restricted, the game ball B1 flows into the lower passage portion 48a below. With the lower passage forming body 48 fixed to the base body 45, the rear side of the lower passage portion 48a is closed by the base body 45.

[0091] The lower passage portion 48a has the same horizontal dimension as the upper passage portion 46a already described, and has the same depth dimension as the depth dimension of the upper passage portion 46a near the upper end, so that the game ball B1 can flow down. The game ball B1 is guided vertically downward by the lower passage portion 48a and then discharged downward.

[0092] In addition, in the upper passage section 46a, the upper rear passage section 49a, the central passage section 47a, the lower rear passage section 50a, and the lower passage section 48a, the dimensions of the passage sections 46a to 50a in the direction perpendicular to the passage direction (horizontal direction) are less than twice the diameter of the game ball B1, making it impossible for multiple game balls B1 lined up horizontally to pass through each of the passage sections 46a to 50a.

[0093] As described above, by configuring the game ball B1 to pass through the passages 46a-50a alternately provided on the front side and the back side of the base body 45, the downward movement speed of the game ball B1 can be decelerated at the timing when the game ball B1 moves in the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to extend the flow time of the game ball B1 in the passages 46a-48a while suppressing the vertical dimension of the design unit 44. In addition, the effect of the speed at which the game ball B1 enters the upper passage 46a can be suppressed, and the flow time of the game ball B1 can be averaged.

[0094] 6, the front plate portions 46d, 47e, and 48d of the upper passage forming body 46, the central passage forming body 47, and the lower passage forming body 48 fixed to the front side of the base body 45 are divided into a plurality of regions including one or more transparent regions, and the plurality of regions are aligned in the horizontal direction. Specifically, each of the front plate portions 46d, 47e, and 48d has a central region 83 that is transparent and allows the rear to be seen, and a left region 82 and a right region 84 that are opaque and prevent the rear from being seen.

[0095] As described above, the passage forming bodies 46 to 48 including the front plate portions 46d, 47e, and 48d are formed using a transparent resin material. The opaque design 44a is applied to the entire left region 82 and right region 84 of the front plate portions 46d, 47e, and 48d, and the region in which the game ball B1 passing behind the front plate portions 46d, 47e, and 48d can be seen from the front is limited to the central region 83.

[0096] The central region 83 has a horizontal dimension that allows a portion of the game ball B1 passing through the three passages 46a to 48a (FIG. 7) provided on the front side of the base body 45 to be visible from the front in the flow direction of the three passages 46a to 48a. By allowing a portion of the game ball B1 flowing down the three passages 46a to 48a to be always visible, the player can grasp the movement of the game ball B1 without losing sight of it.

[0097] If the entire area of ​​each of the front panel portions 46d, 47e, 48d were made transparent so that the entire game ball B1 passing through the passage portions 46a to 48a could be seen from the front, the area in which the design 44a could be displayed would be small on the front side of the design unit 44. In contrast, in the design unit 44 of this embodiment, the horizontal dimension of the central area 83 is kept smaller than the diameter of the game ball B1 (FIG. 7), so that the movement of the game ball B1 can be grasped from the front, while the design 44a can also be displayed in the left and right areas 82, 84.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of design pieces 51-54 are fixed on the front side of the base body 45 in a height range substantially equal to that of the upper and lower rear passage sections 49a, 50a (Fig. 7). The configuration of the plurality of design pieces 51-54 fixed in a height range substantially equal to that of the lower rear passage section 50a is the same as the configuration of the plurality of design pieces 51-54 fixed in a height range substantially equal to that of the upper rear passage section 49a. The plurality of design pieces 51-54 fixed in a height range substantially equal to that of the upper rear passage section 49a will be described below.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 5, the design unit 44 (Fig. 4) includes a pair of left and right first rotating shafts 85 fixed to the front side of the base body 45, a pair of left and right first design pieces 51, 52 rotatably fixed to the first rotating shafts 85, a pair of left and right second rotating shafts 86 fixed near the lower side of the left and right first rotating shafts 85, and second design pieces 53, 54 rotatably fixed to the second rotating shafts 86 and rotating outside the first design pieces 51, 52. Note that Fig. 5 shows only the upper design pieces 51 to 54 and the rotating shafts 85, 86.

[0100] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the left side of the left design pieces 51, 53 and the right side of the right design pieces 52, 54 (the left and right sides of the design unit 44) are described as the outside, and the right side of the left design pieces 51, 53 and the left side of the right design pieces 52, 54 (the central side of the design unit 44) are described as the inside.

[0101] First, the first design pieces 51, 52 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 5, the first design pieces 51, 52 are formed using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate. The first design pieces 51, 52 have an opaque design 44a (Fig. 6) applied to the entire front surface, and have plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a that prevent the rear from being seen. The left side plate-shaped front part 51a of the left side first design piece 51 and the right side plate-shaped front part 52a of the right side first design piece 52 form a left-right pair. Note that the design 44a is omitted from Fig. 6.

[0103] Downward recesses 51b, 52b are formed on the upper outer surfaces of the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 to prevent the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a from coming into contact with the fixed portions 55, 56 (Figure 4) of the upper passage forming body 46 when the first design pieces 51, 52 rotate around the first pivot axis 85.

[0104] The rear surface of the plate-like front portion 51a, 52a is integrally formed with the upright wall portion 51c, 52c by erecting the peripheral portion of the recessed portion 51b, 52b. The rear end of the upright wall portion 51c, 52c is integrally formed with the fixing portion 87, 88 that enables the first design piece 51, 52 to be fixed around the first rotation shaft 85.

[0105] The fixing parts 87, 88 have plate-shaped base parts 87a, 88a protruding upward from the rear ends of the recessed surfaces of the upright wall parts 51c, 52c, and disk parts 87b, 88b formed on the upper back surfaces of the base parts 87a, 88a. The disk parts 87b, 88b have a predetermined thickness dimension in the front-rear direction, and the disk parts 87b, 88b have first shaft insertion holes 87c, 88c through which the first rotating shaft 85 made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape can be inserted. The first shaft insertion holes 87c, 88c penetrate the base parts 87a, 88a and the disk parts 87b, 88b in the front-rear direction.

[0106] A pair of left and right rear accommodating portions 45f, 45g capable of accommodating the rear end portions of the left and right first rotating shafts 85 are integrally formed on the front surface of the base body 45 at a height position substantially the same as the upper ends of the upper through-holes 58. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, a pair of left and right front accommodating portions 89, 91 capable of accommodating the front end portions of the first rotating shafts 85 are integrally formed on the front lower portions of the left and right fixing portions 55, 56 of the upper passage forming body 46.

[0107] 4 and 5, the front and rear housing portions 45f, 45g, 89, and 91 have a predetermined thickness dimension in the front-rear direction and face each other in the front-rear direction. The surfaces of the front and rear housing portions 45f, 45g, 89, and 91 facing each other are recessed in a manner capable of housing the end portion of the first rotating shaft 85.

[0108] The first rotating shaft 85 is sandwiched between the base body 45 and the upper passage forming body 46 in such a manner that its rear end is accommodated in the rear accommodating portions 45f, 45g and its front end is accommodated in the front accommodating portions 89, 91. The front surfaces of the front accommodating portions 89, 91 provided in the upper passage forming body 46 are colored and opaque, so that the first rotating shaft 85 cannot be seen from the front.

[0109] The left and right first rotating shafts 85 are fixed equidistantly from the center in the lateral direction of the base body 45. The first design pieces 51, 52 are fixed to the front side of the base body 45 with the first rotating shafts 85 inserted into the first shaft insertion holes 87c, 88c, and are rotatable around the first rotating shafts 85.

[0110] The first design pieces 51, 52 fixed around the first rotating shaft 85 can be switched between a closed state in which the left and right plate-like front parts 51a, 52a are closed in front of the upper rear guide part 57 and the upper rear passage part 49a to display the design 44a (Fig. 6), and an open state in which the plate-like front parts 51a, 52a are open outward to allow the game ball B1 guided by the upper rear guide part 57 and the game ball B1 passing through the upper rear passage part 49a (Fig. 7) to be visible from the front. First, the first design pieces 51, 52 in the closed state will be described below.

[0111] 6, the upright walls 51c, 52c (FIG. 5) have a depth dimension that places the front surface of the plate-shaped front portion 51a, 52a at substantially the same forward position as the front plate portions 46d, 47e, 48d of the upper passage forming body 46, the central passage forming body 47, and the lower passage forming body 48, with respect to the base body 45 as a reference. When the first design pieces 51, 52 are fixed around the first pivot shaft 85 (FIG. 5), the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a extend in a vertical direction parallel to the front surface of the base body 45.

[0112] The plate-like front portions 51a, 52a extend to a height position intermediate the central passage forming body 47. An upwardly facing lower recess 92 is formed on the inner lower portion of the left and right plate-like front portions 51a, 52a in a manner that avoids the upper protruding region 47c of the central front plate portion 47e. The lower recess 92 is formed along the periphery of the central front plate portion 47e. At height positions other than the vicinity of the lower end of the lower recess 92, the plate-like front portions 51a, 52a are inclined downward and outward, and at a height position near the lower end of the lower recess 92, the plate-like front portions 51a, 52a extend vertically.

[0113] A downward upper recess 93 is formed on the inner upper part of the plate-like front parts 51a, 52a in a manner that avoids the protruding region 46c of the upper front plate part 46d. The upper recess 93 is formed along the peripheral part of the protruding region 46c. The upper recess 93 is provided by inclining the inner upper part of the left and right plate-like front parts 51a, 52a downward and inward.

[0114] In the left and right plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a, inner sides 94, 95 connecting the lower end of the upper recess 93 provided on the inner upper part and the upper end of the lower recess 92 provided on the inner lower part extend in the vertical direction. The inner sides 94, 95 of the left and right plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a are close to each other in front of the center of the upper rear passage portion 49a. Therefore, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the closed state, the upper rear guide portion 57 and the upper rear passage portion 49a are almost entirely invisible from the front.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 5, the first design pieces 51, 52 are capable of contacting the game ball B1 (Fig. 7) and are provided with rotating upright walls 51d, 52d that obtain the force required to move the first design pieces 51, 52 to the open state from the game ball B1 that has come into contact with them. The rotating upright walls 51d, 52d are integrally formed by erecting the peripheral portion on the back side of the upper recessed portion 93 (Fig. 6) in the plate-like front portion 51a, 52a. The left and right rotating upright walls 51d, 52d are inclined downward toward the inside, similar to the peripheral portion of the upper recessed portion 93.

[0116] At the inner lower ends of the left and right rotating upright walls 51d, 52d, rod-shaped contact portions 51e, 52e are integrally formed which come into contact with the game ball B1 guided by the upper rear guide portion 57 to maintain the open state of the first design pieces 51, 52. The left rod-shaped contact portion 51e provided on the left first design piece 51 extends slightly rearward from the front end of the upper rear passage portion 49a (FIG. 7), and the right rod-shaped contact portion 52e provided on the right first design piece 52 extends slightly rearward from the center of the upper rear passage portion 49a.

[0117] Plate-shaped rear contact portions 51f, 52f are integrally formed at the rear ends of the left and right rod-shaped contact portions 51e, 52e, which contact the game ball B1 passing through the upper rear passage portion 49a to maintain the open state of the first design pieces 51, 52. The right rod-shaped contact portion 52e is set to have a larger length than the left rod-shaped contact portion 51e, so that the left rear contact portion 51f provided on the left rod-shaped contact portion 51e is present in approximately the front half of the upper rear passage portion 49a (FIG. 7), and the right rear contact portion 52f provided on the right rod-shaped contact portion 52e is present in approximately the rear half of the upper rear passage portion 49a. In other words, the left side first design piece 51 and the right side first design piece 52 are positioned identically or approximately identically in the front-to-back direction of the pachinko machine 10 on their front surfaces, whereas the left side rear contact portion 51f and the right side rear contact portion 52f are positioned offset forward and backward in the upper rear passage portion 49a.

[0118] When the first left design piece 51 is in the closed state, the area from the left pivoting upright wall 51d to the left rear contact portion 51f extends from the upper left corner of the upper rear passage portion 49a toward the lower right as shown in Fig. 8, and the tip of the left rear contact portion 51f is located to the right of the lateral center of the upper rear passage portion 49a and behind the upper rear guide portion 57. The left rear contact portion 51f is located at a position shifted rearward by the length of the left rod-shaped contact portion 51e relative to the left pivoting upright wall 51d. As a result, the left pivoting upright wall 51d is located forward of the front surface of the base body 45, i.e., in the area where the upper passage portion 46a is extended downward, while the left rear contact portion 51f is located rearward of the front surface of the base body 45, i.e., inside the upper rear passage portion 49a.

[0119] When the right first design piece 52 is in the closed state, the area from the right rotating upright wall portion 52d to the right rear contact portion 52f extends from the upper right corner of the upper rear passage portion 49a toward the lower left as shown in Fig. 8, and the tip of the right rear contact portion 52f is located to the left of the lateral center of the upper rear passage portion 49a and behind the upper rear guide portion 57. In addition, the right rear contact portion 52f is located at a position shifted rearward by the length of the right rod-shaped contact portion 52e with respect to the right rotating upright wall portion 52d. As a result, the right rotating upright wall portion 52d is located forward of the front surface of the base body 45, i.e., in the area where the upper passage portion 46a is extended downward, while the right rear contact portion 52f is located rearward of the front surface of the base body 45, i.e., inside the upper rear passage portion 49a.

[0120] As described above, due to the existence of the area extending from the left pivoting upright wall 51d to the left rear contact portion 51f and the area extending from the right pivoting upright wall 52d to the right rear contact portion 52f, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the closed state, the left rear contact portion 51f and the right rear contact portion 52f are in a crossed state in a front view in a positional relationship shifted forward and backward. In this case, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the closed state, the left pivoting upright wall 51d and the right pivoting upright wall 52d have their ends on the left rear contact portion 51f side and the right rear contact portion 52f side above the rear guide protrusion 61, and the distance between these ends is less than the diameter of the game ball B1, more specifically, less than the radius. In addition, the distance to the end of the left side rear contact portion 51f side of the left side rotating upright wall portion 51d and the distance to the end of the right side rear contact portion 52f side of the right side rotating upright wall portion 52d are the same or approximately the same with respect to the lateral center position of the passage area from the upper passage portion 46a to the rear guide protrusion portion 61. In addition, the game ball B1 flowing down the upper passage portion 46a is restricted to a position closer to the front by the guide protrusion portion 45b provided on the upper passage portion 46a, and the plate surface of the left side rotating upright wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right side rotating upright wall portion 52d extend to the rear of the center of gravity position of the game ball B1 flowing down the position closer to the front. In addition, the lateral dimension of the passage area from the upper passage portion 46a to the rear guide protrusion portion 61 is set to a dimension larger than the diameter of the game ball B1 but smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball B1, more specifically, smaller than 1.5 times the diameter of the game ball B1. With the above configuration, even if the game ball B1 is present in any position in the lateral direction in the passage area, the game ball B1 comes into contact with both the plate surface of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right rotating upright wall portion 52d from above before contacting the rear guide protrusion portion 61 as it moves toward the rear guide protrusion portion 61. In addition, the plate surfaces of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the right rotating upright wall portion 52d are both inclined downward toward the lateral center of the passage area, and the inclination angles are symmetrical but are the same or approximately the same. Therefore, the game ball B1 that comes into contact with the plate surfaces of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the right rotating upright wall portion 52d from above is guided to the lateral center of the passage area.

[0121] Although the details will be described later, in the initial state where the game ball B1 is not in contact, the first design pieces 51, 52 are arranged in a closed state, but when the game ball B1 abuts from above against the plate surface of the left rotating standing wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right rotating standing wall portion 52d, the first design pieces 51, 52 are configured to rotate outward toward a position where they are in an open state. In this case, the game ball B1 abutting from above against the plate surface of the left rotating standing wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right rotating standing wall portion 52d as described above is guided to the horizontal center of the above-mentioned passage area. Then, when the game ball B1 flows down the horizontal center, the distance between the position where the game ball B1 abuts against the plate surface of the left rotating standing wall portion 51d and the center of gravity of the game ball B1 is the same or approximately the same as the distance between the position where the game ball B1 abuts against the plate surface of the right rotating standing wall portion 52d and the center of gravity of the game ball B1. Therefore, the external force from the game ball B1 is evenly applied to the plate surface of the left-side pivoting upright wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right-side pivoting upright wall portion 52d, causing the left-side first design piece 51 and the right-side first design piece 52 to pivot outward in a symmetrical manner.

[0122] When the first design pieces 51, 52 are pushed by the downward movement of the game ball B1 and rotate outward toward the position where the game ball B1 is in the open state, the game ball B1 moves toward the rear guide protrusion 61 and rests on the rear guide protrusion 61 while maintaining a state of contact with the plate surface of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right rotating upright wall portion 52d. The game ball B1 resting on the rear guide protrusion 61 moves rearward by flowing down the downward slope toward the rear on the upper surface of the rear guide protrusion 61. With this rearward movement, the contact object of the game ball B1 changes from the plate surface of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the plate surface of the right rotating upright wall portion 52d to the left rod-shaped contact portion 51e and the right rod-shaped contact portion 52e, and in a situation where the game ball B1 flows into the upper rear passage portion 49a, it changes to the plate surface of the left rear contact portion 51f and the plate surface of the right rear contact portion 52f. The game ball B1 then flows vertically downward through the upper rear passage 49a while maintaining contact with the plate surfaces of the left rear contact portion 51f and the right rear contact portion 52f. The state in which the game ball B1 abuts against the tip of the left rear contact portion 51f and the tip of the right rear contact portion 52f is the open state position of the first design pieces 51, 52.

[0123] If the first design pieces 51, 52 rotate outward from the position where the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the open state, further rotation is restricted by abutting against the left side wall portion 49j and the right side wall portion 49i (FIG. 9(a)) of the upper rear passage forming body 49. This makes it possible to limit the outward rotation position of the first design pieces 51, 52 to a predetermined position even if the game ball B1 comes into contact with the first design pieces 51, 52 with force.

[0124] The game ball B1 flowing down the upper rear passage portion 49a is in a state where it does not contact the plate surface of the left rear contact portion 51f and the plate surface of the right rear contact portion 52f at a position below the upper rear guide portion 57 and above the front guide protrusion portion 66. Since the game ball B1 is not applied to the first design pieces 51, 52 by being in this non-contact state, the first design pieces 51, 52 return to the closed state by the biasing force described later. The rotation of the first design pieces 51, 52 toward the closed state is restricted by abutting from the outside against the central passage forming body 47 fixed to the base body 45. This restricted position is the closed state position.

[0125] Next, the second design pieces 53, 54 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0126] As shown in Fig. 5, the second design pieces 53, 54 are formed using a colored opaque resin material such as ABS resin, and have a substantially square prism-shaped main body 53a, 54a with an opaque design 44a (Fig. 6) on the front surface. The main body 53a, 54a has a fixing portion 53c, 54c formed with a second shaft insertion hole 53b, 54b through which the second rotating shaft 86 can be inserted, integrally formed at the upper rear end thereof. The fixing portion 53c, 54c has a predetermined thickness dimension in the front-rear direction, and the second shaft insertion hole 53b, 54b penetrates the fixing portion 53c, 54c in the front-rear direction.

[0127] The second rotating shaft 86 is made of metal and includes a cylindrical body shaft portion 86a and a disk-shaped head portion 86b that is provided at one end of the body shaft portion 86a and has a diameter larger than that of the body shaft portion 86a. In the base body 45, a pair of left and right second shaft fixing portions 45h, 45i that can fix the left and right second rotating shafts 86 are integrally formed near the lower side of a pair of left and right rear side housing portions 45f, 45g in which the rear ends of the left and right first rotating shafts 85 are housed.

[0128] The second shaft fixing parts 45h, 45i protrude from the front and rear of the base body 45 and are formed in a disk shape at the front and rear of the base body 45. The forward protruding dimension of the second shaft fixing parts 45h, 45i is set to be smaller than the thickness dimension of the rear housing parts 45f, 45g. A screw thread is formed at the end of the body shaft part 86a of the second rotating shaft 86 opposite to the head 86b, and the second shaft fixing parts 45h, 45i are formed with screw holes 45j, 45k corresponding to the screw thread. The screw holes 45j, 45k are formed from the front surface of the second shaft fixing parts 45h, 45i to the vicinity of the back surface.

[0129] The second rotating shaft 86 is fixed to the second shaft fixing parts 45h, 45i by screws from the front side of the base body 45. The second design pieces 53, 54 are fixed around the second rotating shaft 86 by inserting the body shaft part 86a of the second rotating shaft 86 into the second shaft insertion holes 53b, 54b, and are rotatable around the second rotating shaft 86. A washer 96 is inserted between the fixing parts 53c, 54c of the second design pieces 53, 54 and the head part 86b of the second rotating shaft 86, reducing the possibility that the second rotating shaft 86 will rotate with the rotation of the second design pieces 53, 54.

[0130] After the second design pieces 53, 54 are fixed, the first design pieces 51, 52 are fixed in front of the second design pieces 53, 54, so that the second design pieces 53, 54 are present between the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a and the base body 45. In this state, the fixing parts 87, 88 and the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a of the first design pieces 51, 52 are present in front of the second rotating shaft 86, and the second rotating shaft 86 cannot be seen from the front.

[0131] Interlocking protrusions 97, 98 are integrally formed on the inner upper portion of the second design pieces 53, 54, allowing the second design pieces 53, 54 to rotate in conjunction with the first design pieces 51, 52. The interlocking protrusions 97, 98 include plate-shaped bases 97a, 98a extending inward and upward from the main bodies 53a, 54a, and contact portions 97b, 98b provided on the ends of the bases 97a, 98a opposite the main bodies 53a, 54a.

[0132] The bases 97a, 98a are provided at the rear ends of the main bodies 53a, 54a, and the contact parts 97b, 98b stand upright from the front faces of the bases 97a, 98a. The left contact part 97b provided on the left second design piece 53 and the right contact part 98b provided on the right second design piece 54 contact the left pivot upright wall part 51d and the right pivot upright wall part 52d from the outside.

[0133] 8, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the closed state, the main body portions 53a, 54a extend to a height position substantially equal to the left and right partition portions 67, 68 of the central passage forming body 47. The lower rear side portions of the main body portions 53a, 54a are formed with upward recesses 53d, 54d (FIG. 5) that prevent the main body portions 53a, 54a from contacting the partition portions 67, 68.

[0134] As shown in Fig. 6, the outer peripheral portions 99, 101 of the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a of the first design pieces 51, 52 extend vertically. The main body portions 53a, 54a of the second design pieces 53, 54 protrude outward. Most of the main body portions 53a, 54a overlap the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a from the rear and cannot be seen from the front. On the other hand, the outer lower portions of the main body portions 53a, 54a protrude outward from the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a, and the design 44a attached to the outer lower portions can be seen from the front.

[0135] A hemispherical protrusion (not shown) that reduces the contact area between the second design piece 53, 54 and the base body 45 is integrally formed on the back surface of the outer lower part of the main body 53a, 54a. By limiting the contact area between the main body 53a, 54a and the base body 45 to the protrusion, the friction force generated between the second design piece 53, 54 rotating around the second rotation shaft 86 and the base body 45 is reduced.

[0136] As shown in Fig. 5, the volume of the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 is set to be smaller than the volume of the main body parts 53a, 54a, and the weight of the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 is smaller than the weight of the main body parts 53a, 54a. As shown in Fig. 8, the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 have an inclination angle and length dimension that prevent the main body parts 53a, 54a from being located inside the second pivot shaft 86 when the first design pieces 51, 52 are in the closed state. With these configurations, the center of gravity of the second design pieces 53, 54 is set outward from the second pivot shaft 86.

[0137] When the first design pieces 51, 52 rotate outward to the open state, an outward force is applied from the rotating upright walls 51d, 52d to the interlocking protrusions 97, 98. In this case, the second design pieces 53, 54 also open outward in conjunction with the first design pieces 51, 52. At this time, the center of gravity of the second design pieces 53, 54 moves further outward.

[0138] The center of gravity of the second design piece 53, 54 is always located outside the second pivot shaft 86, and gravity acting on the second design piece 53, 54 always acts to rotate the second design piece 53, 54 inward. As already explained, the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 of the second design piece 53, 54 are in contact with the pivoting upright wall parts 51d, 52d of the first design piece 51, 52 from the outside. Therefore, an inward force is always applied to the first design piece 51, 52 from the second design piece 53, 54. Specifically, the inward force is applied in the upper right direction from the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 in contact with the left pivoting upright wall part 51d, and a force is applied in the upper left direction from the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 in contact with the right pivoting upright wall part 52d.

[0139] Here, the torsional moment generated around the first rotation shaft 85 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0140] 8, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are not in contact with the game ball B1, a torsion moment due to gravity acting on the first design pieces 51, 52 and a torsion moment due to the force applied from the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 to the rotating standing wall parts 51d, 52d are generated around the first rotation shaft 85. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the torsion moment due to gravity acting on the first design pieces 51, 52 is described as the torsion moment due to the first design pieces 51, 52, and the torsion moment due to the force applied from the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 to the rotating standing wall parts 51d, 52d is described as the torsion moment for interlocking.

[0141] Most of the first design pieces 51, 52 are located inside the first pivot shaft 85 to which the first design pieces 51, 52 are fixed, and the center of gravity of the first design pieces 51, 52 is located inside the first pivot shaft 85. Since the gravity of the first design pieces 51, 52 acts downward, the torsion moment caused by the first design pieces 51, 52 rotates the first design pieces 51, 52 outward.

[0142] The contact points between the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 and the rotating upright walls 51d, 52d are present inside the left and right first rotating shafts 85. As already explained, an inward force is always applied from the interlocking protrusions 97, 98 of the second design pieces 53, 54 to the rotating upright walls 51d, 52d of the first design pieces 51, 52. For this reason, the interlocking torsion moment tends to rotate the first design pieces 51, 52 inwardly, opposite to the torsion moment caused by the first design pieces 51, 52.

[0143] In the design unit 44 of this embodiment, the shapes of the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 are adjusted so that the interlocking torsion moment is larger than the torsion moment caused by the first design pieces 51, 52. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, by reducing the depth dimension of the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a in the first design pieces 51, 52, the weight of the first design pieces 51, 52 is reduced, and the torsion moment caused by the first design pieces 51, 52 is reduced.

[0144] As already explained, by adjusting the inclination angle and length of the interlocking protrusions 97, 98, the center of gravity of the second design pieces 53, 54 is set outside the second pivot shaft 86. In this configuration, by setting the distance between the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a and the base body 45 large, it is possible to set the depth dimension of the main body parts 53a, 54a, most of which is accommodated between the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a and the base body 45, large. By increasing the volume of the second design pieces 53, 54, the gravity acting on the second design pieces 53, 54 is increased.

[0145] With the above configuration, the torsional moment for interlocking is increased and becomes larger than the torsional moment caused by the first design pieces 51, 52. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, when the first design pieces 51, 52 are not in contact with the game ball B1 (Fig. 8), the first design pieces 51, 52 rotate inward to close. At this time, the second design pieces 53, 54, which apply an inward force to the first design pieces 51, 52, also interlock and close.

[0146] When the game ball B1 (FIG. 8) comes into contact with the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d, a torsion moment is generated around the first rotation shaft 85 due to a new force applied from the game ball B1 to the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, this torsion moment is referred to as a torsion moment caused by the game ball B1.

[0147] As already explained, the contact position between the game ball B1 and the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d is inside the first rotating shaft 85. The torsion moment by the game ball B1 tends to rotate the first design pieces 51, 52 outward. This torsion moment acts in the same direction as the torsion moment by the first design pieces 51, 52, and acts in the opposite direction to the interlocking torsion moment.

[0148] In the design unit 44 of this embodiment, the material of the second design pieces 53, 54 and the distance from the contact position of the game ball B1 with the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d to the first pivot axis 85 are adjusted so that the sum of the torsional moment due to the game ball B1 and the torsional moment due to the first design pieces 51, 52 is greater than the torsional moment for interlocking.

[0149] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the left and right first pivot shafts 85 are fixed away from the downstream position of the game ball B1 to the left and right, so that the distance from the contact position of the game ball B1 with the pivoting upright walls 51d, 52d to the first pivot shafts 85 is set long. This increases the torsional moment caused by the game ball B1. In addition, while the game ball B1 is made of iron, the second design pieces 53, 54 are made of resin, which has a smaller specific gravity than iron, so that the torsional moment for linking is smaller than the torsional moment caused by the game ball B1.

[0150] With the above configuration, the sum of the torsional moment due to the game ball B1 and the torsional moment due to the first design pieces 51, 52 is greater than the torsional moment for interlocking. Therefore, when the game ball B1 comes into contact with the rotating upright wall parts 51d, 52d, the first design pieces 51, 52 rotate outward to open. Also, the second design pieces 53, 54 rotate outward while interlocking with the first design pieces 51, 52 to open.

[0151] In the design unit 44 of this embodiment, the shape and size of the second design pieces 53, 54 are adjusted so that the force of the design pieces 51 to 54 returning to the closed state due to their own weight does not interfere with the movement of the game ball B1 guided to the rear guide part while contacting the left and right rod-shaped contact parts 51e, 52e, and the movement of the game ball B1 flowing down the upper rear passage part 49a while contacting the left and right rear contact parts 51f, 52f. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the outward protruding dimension of the second design pieces 53, 54 is suppressed. As a result, the weight of the second design pieces 53, 54 is suppressed, and the center of gravity of the second design pieces 53, 54 is set closer to the second rotation shaft 86.

[0152] In the case where the first design pieces 51, 52 are configured to return to the closed state using only the first design pieces 51, 52 without using the second design pieces 53, 54, the center of gravity of the first design pieces 51, 52 in the closed state needs to be in the same position as the first rotation shaft 85 in the lateral direction or outside the first rotation shaft 85. In this case, the first design pieces 51, 52 have a large volume outside the first rotation shaft 85.

[0153] In contrast, in the design unit 44 of this embodiment, the second design pieces 53, 54 are utilized and positioned between the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a and the base body 45, making it possible to return the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 to the closed state while reducing the horizontal dimension of the design unit 44.

[0154] Here, the manner in which the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 move in accordance with the flow of the game ball B1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10(a1) to Fig. 10(d2). Fig. 10(a1) to Fig. 10(d2) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the correspondence between the flow-down position of the game ball B1 in the upper passage portion 46a and the upper rear passage portion 49a and the movement of the design pieces 51 to 54.

[0155] As shown in Fig. 10(a1) and Fig. 10(a2), the game ball B1 that has flowed down the upper passage portion 46a comes into contact with the left and right rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d before coming into contact with the upper rear guide portion 57. Then, as shown in Fig. 10(b1) and Fig. 10(b2), the game ball B1 moves downward to the upper rear guide portion 57 while coming into contact with the left and right rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d. In this case, the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 rotate outward as the left and right interlocking protrusions 97, 98 are pushed outward by the left and right rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d, and the left and right second design pieces 53, 54 rotate outward. In addition, the inclination angle and length dimension in the inclination direction of the left and right rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d are set so that when the game ball B1 flows down to a height position where it is guided by the upper rear guide portion 57, the entire game ball B1 is present between the lower end of the left rotating upright wall portion 51d and the lower end of the right rotating upright wall portion 52d, and the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 and the left and right second design pieces 53, 54 are open until almost the entire upper rear passage portion 49a is visible from the front.

[0156] As shown in Fig. 10(b2), when the game ball B1 contacts the upper rear guide portion 57, the entire game ball B1 is present between the left and right rod-shaped contact portions 51e, 52e. In this state, the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 are in an open state, and the height position of the rod-shaped contact portions 51e, 52e is approximately the same as the height position of the center of gravity of the game ball B1 guided by the upper rear guide portion 57. As shown in Fig. 10(c1) and Fig. 10(c2), the game ball B1 moves backward while being guided by the upper rear guide portion 57 while contacting the left and right rod-shaped contact portions 51e, 52e. In this process, the left and right rod-shaped contact parts 51e, 52e are prevented from rotating inward, i.e., the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 and the left and right second design pieces 53, 54 are prevented from rotating in a direction returning to the closed state by the game ball B1 present between the left and right rod-shaped contact parts 51e, 52e. Therefore, the open state of the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 continues until the game ball B1 flows into the upper rear passage part 49a. As already explained, in the open state, the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a do not exist in front of the upper rear guide part 57, and the player can see the game ball B1 guided to the upper rear passage part 49a from the front.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 10(d1) and FIG. 10(d2), the game ball B1 that has flowed into the upper rear passage portion 49a flows downward while contacting the left and right rear contact portions 51f, 52f. In this process, the left and right rear contact portions 51f, 52f are prevented from rotating inward, that is, the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 are prevented from rotating in a direction returning to the closed state, by the game ball B1 that exists between the left and right rear contact portions 51f, 52f. The rear contact portions 51f, 52f have a length dimension that allows the contact state between the game ball B1 and the rear contact portions 51f, 52f to be released while the game ball B1 is being guided to the front guide protrusion 66. Therefore, the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 are kept in the open state until the game ball B1 reaches the height position of the front guide protrusion 66. As already explained, in the open state, the plate-shaped front portions 51a, 52a are not present in front of the upper rear passage portion 49a, and the player can see the game ball B1 flowing down the upper rear passage portion 49a from the front.

[0158] After that, when the contact state between the game ball B1 and the rear contact parts 51f, 52f is released, the force for maintaining the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 in the open state is lost. In this case, the first design pieces 51, 52 are pushed inward by the second design pieces 53, 54 arranged on the outside and rotate inward, and the second design pieces 53, 54 also rotate inward accordingly. Then, the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 return to the closed state position. As already described, the game ball B1 guided by the front guide protrusion 66 and returning to the front of the base body 45 can be seen from the central area 83 set in the central front plate part 47e. Therefore, even if the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 return to the closed state while the game ball B1 is being guided by the front guide protrusion 66, there is no time when the game ball B1 becomes invisible from the front. The player can always see at least a part of the game ball B1 and can grasp the movement of the game ball B1.

[0159] As described above, a pair of left and right first design pieces 51, 52 and a pair of left and right second design pieces 53, 54 are provided in the front position of the lower rear passage section 50a. As shown in Fig. 4, the configurations of the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 provided in front of the lower rear passage section 50a are the same as the configurations of the first design pieces 51, 52 and the second design pieces 53, 54 provided in front of the upper rear passage section 49a. The description of the configuration in front of the lower rear passage section 50a will be omitted.

[0160] A case where the game ball B1 flows down from the upper passage section 46a to the lower passage section 48a will be described. As shown in Fig. 8, when one game ball B1 flows into the upper passage section 46a, the design pieces 51-54 in front of the upper rear passage section 49a are in an open state from when the game ball B1 flows down the upper passage section 46a and comes into contact with the rotating upright walls 51d, 52d until when the game ball B1 comes into contact with the front guide protrusion 66 of the upper rear passage section 49a (Fig. 9(a)). The design pieces 51-54 return to a closed state while the game ball B1 is being guided by the front guide protrusion 66.

[0161] Thereafter, the design pieces 51-54 in front of the lower rear passage section 50a are in an open state from when the game ball B1 that has flowed down the central passage section 47a comes into contact with the rotating upright walls 51d, 52d until when it comes into contact with the front guide protrusion 76 of the lower rear passage section 50a (FIG. 5). The design pieces 51-54 return to a closed state while the game ball B1 is being guided by the front guide protrusion 76. At least a portion of the game ball B1 that has flowed into the upper passage section 46a is always visible from the front until it is discharged from the lower passage section 48a.

[0162] By arranging the design pieces 51-54, which can be switched between a closed state and an open state, in multiple locations in the passage sections 46a-50a (FIG. 7), the design pieces 51-54 can be opened and closed multiple times when one game ball B1 passes through. By frequently changing the front surface of the design unit 44, the design unit 44 can attract the player's attention.

[0163] A situation may occur in which multiple game balls B1 are present simultaneously in the passages 46a to 50a (FIG. 7) of the design unit 44. For example, after the first game ball B1 (FIG. 8) contacts the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d (FIG. 8) of the upper first design pieces 51, 52 and the first design pieces 51, 52 are in an open state, a situation may occur in which the second game ball B1 contacts the rotating upright wall portions 51d, 52d of the first design pieces 51, 52 in the open state before the first game ball B1 reaches the front guide protrusion portion 66 (FIG. 8) of the upper rear passage portion 49a. In this case, one or more game balls B1 are present between the left and right first design pieces 51, 52 until the second game ball B1 reaches the front guide protrusion portion 66 of the upper rear passage portion 49a, so that the open state of the first design pieces 51, 52 continues.

[0164] A situation may also occur in which different game balls B1 are in contact with the upper and lower first design pieces 51, 52. Fig. 11 is a front view of the design unit 44 showing a state in which multiple game balls B1 are simultaneously present in the passage sections 46a-50a. In this case, as shown in Fig. 11, the upper and lower design pieces 51-54 are simultaneously in the open state. The design unit 44 in this embodiment can always make at least a portion of each game ball B1 visible from the front for all game balls B1 passing through the passage sections 46a-50a (Fig. 7).

[0165] As shown in Fig. 3, a pair of left and right design members 105 are provided on the left and right sides of the design unit 44. The design member 105 includes a design portion 105b (Fig. 11) with a design 105a on the front surface, and a support portion 105c (Fig. 11) that supports the design portion 105b in front of the game board 24. Note that the design 105a is omitted from Fig. 11.

[0166] The support parts 105c (FIG. 11) are screwed to the game board 24 from the rear side of the game board 24 and fixed near the upper left and upper right of the design unit 44. The support parts 105c protrude from the front of the game board 24 to a position forward of the front of the design unit 44. The design part 105b (FIG. 11) is provided at the front end of the support part 105c and extends vertically downward to a height position approximately the same as the lower end of the design unit 44.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 3, when the design pieces 51-54 of the design unit 44 are in the closed state, the entire design pieces 51-54 are contained inside the left and right design parts 105b (FIG. 11). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the design pieces 51-54 are in the open state, a part of the outside of the open design pieces 51-54 is hidden behind the design part 105b and cannot be seen. As already explained, by inclining the rotating upright wall parts 51d, 52d, the rotation amount of the first design pieces 51, 52 when moving from the closed state to the open state is suppressed. As a result, the area of ​​the plate-shaped front parts 51a, 52a that are hidden behind the design part 105b and cannot be seen in the open state is reduced. As shown in FIG. 3, the design unit 44 and the design member 105 are arranged side by side in the right area PA1, so that a wide area is always secured in which the designs 44a, 105a (FIGS. 3 and 6) can be displayed. This makes it possible to enhance the decorative appearance of the game board 24 while preventing the game ball B1 from becoming invisible from the front.

[0168] As shown in Fig. 6, unit fixing bosses 102 that can fix the design unit 44 to the game board 24 are integrally formed at the four corners of the back surface of the base body 45. The four unit fixing bosses 102 have screw holes (not shown) formed from the back surface to a midway position forward. At the front surface of the game board 24 (Fig. 3), the right area PA1 (Fig. 3) is provided with a recess (not shown) that can accommodate the components on the back surface side of the design unit 44 (the base body 45, the rear passage forming bodies 49, 50, and the unit fixing bosses 102).

[0169] As shown in Fig. 3, the design unit 44 is fixed to the front side of the game board 24 by screwing the unit fixing boss 102 (Fig. 6) from the rear side of the game board 24 with the rear side of the design unit 44 housed in a recess (not shown). In this state, the front side of the base body 45 (Fig. 6) is on the same plane as the front side of the game board 24. The game ball B1 discharged from the lower passage portion 48a (Fig. 7) flows smoothly down and returns to the right area PA1.

[0170] In the right area PA1, a plurality of left guide nails 103 are provided on the upper left side of the design unit 44 to guide the game ball B1 flowing downstream on the left side upstream of the upper passage section 46a (FIG. 7) to the upper passage section 46a, and a plurality of right guide nails 104 are provided on the upper right side of the design unit 44 to guide the game ball B1 flowing downstream on the right side upstream of the upper passage section 46a to the upper passage section 46a. The plurality of guide nails 103, 104 provided on the left and right sides form a row, and the row of the left guide nails 103 is inclined downward from the left end of the right area PA1 to the right, and the row of the right guide nails 104 is inclined downward from the right end of the right area PA1 to the left.

[0171] By providing the left guide nail 103 and the right guide nail 104, all game balls B1 flowing downstream of the design unit 44 in the right area PA1 are guided by the left guide nail 103 and the right guide nail 104 and enter the upper passage portion 46a (FIG. 7). By guiding many game balls B1 to the design unit 44, the frequency of switching between the closed state and the open state of the design pieces 51 to 54 can be increased. This allows the attention of the player to be drawn to the design unit 44. In addition, by providing the left guide nail 103 and the right guide nail 104, the game ball B1 that has flowed into the right area PA1 is prevented from entering the left and right sides of the design unit 44. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball B1 from colliding with the design pieces 51 to 54 of the design unit 44 from the outside or the game ball B1 from colliding with the design member 105.

[0172] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration regarding the discharge of the game ball B1 that has flowed down the game area PA.

[0173] As already explained, the game ball B1 that enters any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is discharged from the game area PA. In other words, the game ball B1 that is launched from the game ball launching mechanism 27 and flows into the game area PA is discharged from the game area PA by entering any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a. The game ball B1 that enters any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is guided to the back side of the game board 24.

[0174] On the back of the game board 24, discharge passages 122-128 are formed corresponding to the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, and the outlet 24a, respectively. The game balls B1 that flow into the discharge passages 122-128 flow down the discharge passages 122-128 into which they flow, and are guided to the lower end of the game board 24 on the back side of the game board 24 and collected in a discharged ball collection section (not shown). The game balls B1 collected in the discharged ball collection section are discharged to a ball circulation device of an island facility where a pachinko machine 10 is installed in a game hall.

[0175] Each of the discharge passages 122-128 is provided with various detection sensors 122a-128a for detecting the game ball B1. The discharge passages 122-128 and the detection sensors 122a-128a will be described below. As already described, four general winning openings 31 are provided, and therefore, the discharge passages 122-124 are provided corresponding to each of the four general winning openings 31. In this case, one detection sensor 122a, 123a is provided for each of the first discharge passage 122 corresponding to the leftmost general winning opening 31 and the second discharge passage 123 corresponding to the general winning opening 31 adjacent thereto to the right. Specifically, the first winning opening detection sensor 122a is provided so that the detection range is located in the middle of the first discharge passage 122, and the second winning opening detection sensor 123a is provided so that the detection range is located in the middle of the second discharge passage 123. The game ball B1 that enters the leftmost general winning opening 31 is detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 122a while passing through the first discharge passage section 122, and the game ball B1 that enters the general winning opening 31 adjacent to the left is detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 123a while passing through the second discharge passage section 123. In addition, a third discharge passage section 124 is provided for the two general winning openings 31 on the right side, which are formed so as to merge at an intermediate position. The third discharge passage section 124 has entrance side regions corresponding to the two general winning openings 31, and has one exit side region by merging the entrance side regions at an intermediate position. The third win opening detection sensor 124a is provided so that a detection range exists at an intermediate position of the exit side region in the third discharge passage section 124. The game ball B1 that enters either of the two general winning openings 31 on the right side is detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 124a while passing through the third discharge passage portion 124.

[0176] A fourth discharge passage section 125 exists corresponding to the special electric winning device 32. A special electric detection sensor 125a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fourth discharge passage section 125, and the game ball B1 that entered the special electric winning device 32 is detected by the special electric detection sensor 125a while passing through the fourth discharge passage section 125. A fifth discharge passage section 126 exists corresponding to the first operating port 33. A first operating port detection sensor 126a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fifth discharge passage section 126, and the game ball B1 that entered the first operating port 33 is detected by the first operating port detection sensor 126a while passing through the fifth discharge passage section 126. A sixth discharge passage section 127 exists corresponding to the second operating port 34. A second operating port detection sensor 127a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the sixth discharge passage section 127, and the game ball B1 that has entered the second operating port 34 is detected by the second operating port detection sensor 127a while passing through the sixth discharge passage section 127. A seventh discharge passage section 128 exists corresponding to the outlet 24a. An outlet detection sensor 128a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the seventh discharge passage section 128, and the game ball B1 that has entered the outlet 24a is detected by the outlet detection sensor 128a while passing through the seventh discharge passage section 128.

[0177] In addition, the game ball B1 that is detected by any one of the various detection sensors 122a to 128a is not detected by the other detection sensors 122a to 128a. In addition, a gate detection sensor 129a is also provided for the through gate 35, and the game ball B1 that passes through the through gate 35 while flowing down the game area PA is detected by the gate detection sensor 129a.

[0178] Although electromagnetic induction type proximity sensors are used as the various detection sensors 122a-129a, any sensor can be used as long as it can detect the game ball B1 individually. The various detection sensors 122a-129a are electrically connected to a main control device 140 described later, and the detection results of the various detection sensors 122a-129a are output to the main control device 140. Specifically, the various detection sensors 122a-129a output a LOW level signal when the game ball B1 is not detected, and output a HI level signal when the game ball B1 is detected. Note that this is not limited to the above, and the relationship between HI and LOW may be reversed.

[0179] As shown in Fig. 2, the front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13 formed by attaching the game board 24 of the above configuration to the resin base 21. As shown in Fig. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 131 that allows almost the entire area of ​​the game area PA to be viewed from the front. The window portion 131 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 132 is fitted into the window portion 131. The window panel 132 is formed of glass so as to be colorless and transparent, but is not limited thereto and may be formed of synthetic resin so as to be colorless and transparent, or may be formed of colored transparency as long as the game area PA can be viewed through the window panel 132 from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0180] Above the window 131, a display light-emitting unit 133 is provided. A pair of left and right speaker units 134 are provided to output sound effects according to the game state. Below the window 131, an upper bulging unit 111 and a lower bulging unit 136 that bulge toward the front are arranged vertically. An upper tray 111a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging unit 111, and a lower tray 136a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging unit 136. The upper tray 111a has a function of temporarily storing game balls B1 paid out from a payout device described later, and guiding the game balls B1 to the game ball launching mechanism 27 while aligning them in a row. The lower tray 136a has a function of storing game balls B1 that are surplus in the upper tray 111a.

[0181] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 2, the main control device 140 that mainly controls the game is mounted on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 140 is configured by housing a main control board 141 in a board box 140a. The board box 140a may be provided with a trace means for leaving a trace of its opening or a trace structure for leaving a trace of its opening. As the trace means, a structure of a joint part that inseparably joins the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 140a and requires destruction of a predetermined part when separating them, or a structure of attaching a seal that leaves a trace of its removal by leaving an adhesive layer on the bonded object when peeled off, so as to straddle the boundaries between the multiple case bodies. As the trace structure, a structure of applying an adhesive to the boundaries between the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 140a may be considered.

[0183] The back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13, including the main control device 140. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 152 formed of a transparent synthetic resin, to which a dispensing mechanism section 153 and a control device assembly unit 154 are attached.

[0184] The payout mechanism 153 includes a tank 155 to which game balls B1 are successively replenished from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and a payout device 156 for paying out the game balls B1 stored in the tank 155. The game balls B1 paid out from the payout device 156 are discharged to the upper tray 111a or the lower tray 136a through a payout passage provided downstream of the payout device 156. The payout mechanism 153 is supplied with a main power source of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board having a power switch for turning the power source on and off.

[0185] The control device assembly unit 154 includes a payout control device 157 having a function of controlling the payout device 156, and a power supply / launch control device 158 which generates and outputs a predetermined amount of power required by various control devices, etc., and controls the launch of the game ball B1 in response to the player's operation of the launch operation device 28. The payout control device 157 and the power supply / launch control device 158 are stacked in front of and behind each other, with the payout control device 157 at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0186] <Electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10> FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG.

[0187] The main control device 140 comprises a main control board 141 which is responsible for the main control of the game, and a power failure monitoring board 147 which monitors the power supply. The main control board 141 is equipped with an MPU 142. The MPU 142 has a main CPU 143, which is a calculation processing device including a control unit and a calculation unit, as well as a main ROM 144, a main RAM 145, and a management IC 146 built in. In addition to the above elements, the MPU 142 also has an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as random number generators, and the like built in.

[0188] The main ROM 144 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The main ROM 144 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the main CPU 143.

[0189] The main RAM 145 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The main RAM 145 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the main ROM 144 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The main RAM 145 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the main ROM 144.

[0190] The management IC 146 is a management device that manages the entry state of the game ball B1 in the game area PA based on information supplied from the main CPU 143. Although details will be described later, the management IC 146 grasps the entry history of the game ball B1 into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a, and grasps the entry frequency into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, and the second operating opening 34 according to the grasped ball entry history.

[0191] The MPU 142 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 142 is connected to a power failure monitoring board 147 and a dispensing control device 157 provided in the main control device 140. The power failure monitoring board 147 is connected to a power supply / launch control device 158 having a function of supplying operating power, and the MPU 142 is supplied with operating power via the power failure monitoring board 147.

[0192] Various sensors such as various ball entry detection sensors 122a-129a are connected to the input side of the MPU 142. As already explained, the various ball entry detection sensors 122a-129a are the first winning hole detection sensor 122a, the second winning hole detection sensor 123a, the third winning hole detection sensor 124a, the special electric detection sensor 125a, the first operation hole detection sensor 126a, the second operation hole detection sensor 127a, the out hole detection sensor 128a, and the gate detection sensor 129a. Based on the detection results of these ball entry detection sensors 122a-129a, the main CPU 143 judges whether a ball has entered each ball entry section. In addition, the main CPU 143 executes various lotteries based on the entry into the first operation hole 33, and executes various lotteries based on the entry into the second operation hole 34.

[0193] The output side of the MPU 142 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 147, the payout control device 157, and the sound and light emission control device 161. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 157 based on the fact that the game ball B1 has entered a prize ball entry section among the above-mentioned entry sections, which corresponds to the payout of the game ball B1. Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the sound and light emission control device 161.

[0194] The output side of the MPU 142 is connected to the special power drive unit 32b that opens and closes the opening and closing door 32a of the special power winning device 32, the normal power drive unit 34b that opens and closes the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34, the special chart unit 37, and the normal chart unit 38. Incidentally, the special chart unit 37 is provided with a special chart display unit 37a and a special chart reserved display unit 37b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 142. Similarly, the normal chart unit 38 is provided with a normal chart display unit 38a and a normal chart reserved display unit 38b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 142. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 141, and the MPU 142 executes drive control of various drive units and various display units through the driver circuits.

[0195] That is, in the opening and closing execution mode, the main CPU 143 executes drive control of the special power drive unit 32b so that the special power winning device 32 is opened and closed. Also, when the open state of the normal power role 34a is won, the main CPU 143 executes drive control of the normal power drive unit 34b so that the normal power role 34a is opened and closed. Also, during each game round, the main CPU 143 executes display control of the special chart display unit 37a. Also, when the lottery result of whether or not the normal power role 34a is opened is to be clearly indicated, the main CPU 143 executes display control of the normal chart display unit 38a. In addition, when a winning entry occurs at the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, or when a changing display starts in the special chart display unit 37a, the main CPU 143 executes display control of the special chart pending display unit 37b, and when a winning entry occurs at the through gate 35, or when a changing display starts in the regular chart display unit 38a, the main CPU 143 executes display control of the regular chart pending display unit 38b.

[0196] The power failure monitoring board 147 relays between the main control board 141 and the power supply / launch control device 158, and monitors the voltage of 24 V DC stable, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 158. The payout control device 157 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 156 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 140.

[0197] The power supply / launch control device 158 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in, for example, a game hall. Based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, the power supply / launch control device 158 generates the operating power required for the main control board 141, the payout control device 157, etc., and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply / launch control device 158 is provided with a power supply unit for use during power interruption, such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is in an OFF state, power for memory retention is supplied from the power supply unit for use during power interruption to the main RAM 145 of the main control device 140 and the payout control device 157. The power supply / launch control device 158 is also responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launching mechanism 27, and the game ball launching mechanism 27 is driven when a predetermined launch condition is met.

[0198] The audio and light-emitting control device 161 drives and controls the display light-emitting unit 133 and the speaker unit 134 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands received from the main control device 140, and also controls the display control device 162. The display control device 162 executes display control of the pattern display device 41 based on commands received from the audio and light-emitting control device 161.

[0199] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 143> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 143 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0200] The master CPU 143 uses various counter information during play to perform a lottery for a big win, setting the display of the special symbol display section 37a, setting the symbol display of the symbol display device 41, setting the display of the normal symbol display section 38a, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, a winning random number counter C1 used for a lottery for a winning occurrence, a big win type counter C2 used for determining a big win type, a reach random number counter C3 used for a reach occurrence lottery when the symbol display device 41 misses and changes, a random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the winning random number counter C1, and a change type counter CS that determines the display duration time in the special symbol display section 37a and the symbol display device 41. Furthermore, a normal power role release counter C4 used for a lottery for whether or not the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 is in a normal power open state is used. The above counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in the various counter areas 145b of the master RAM 145.

[0201] Each counter C1-C3, CINI, CS, C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to "0" after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals. Information corresponding to the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the reserved storage area 145a provided as acquired information storage means in the main RAM 145 when a winning occurs in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0202] The reserved storage area 145a includes a reserved area RE and an execution area AE. The reserved area RE includes a first reserved area RE1, a second reserved area RE2, a third reserved area RE3, and a fourth reserved area RE4, and a combination of numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored as reserved information in one of the reserved areas RE1 to RE4 according to the winning history of the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0203] In this case, when winning occurs multiple times consecutively in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34, the numerical information is stored in the first hold area RE1 to the fourth hold area RE4 in the order of the first hold area RE1 → the second hold area RE2 → the third hold area RE3 → the fourth hold area RE4 in chronological order. By providing the four hold areas RE1 to RE4 in this way, up to four winning histories of the game ball B1 in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34 are reserved and stored.

[0204] In addition, the number of items that can be stored on hold is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be other multiples such as two, three, or five or more, or may be singular.

[0205] The execution area AE is an area for moving each piece of numerical information stored in the first holding area RE1 of the holding area RE when the changing display of the special chart display section 37a begins, and when one game round begins, a win / loss determination, etc. is made based on the various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0206] Each of the above counters will now be described in detail.

[0207] First, the normal power accessory opening counter C4 will be described. The normal power accessory opening counter C4 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 250, for example, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The normal power accessory opening counter C4 is periodically updated, and is stored in the normal power reserve area 145c of the main RAM 145 at the timing when the game ball B1 enters the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to control the normal power accessory 34a to an open state based on the value of the stored normal power accessory opening counter C4.

[0208] In the present pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types of support modes are set so that the manner of support by the normal power accessory 34a is different from each other. In detail, the support modes are set to a high frequency support mode and a low frequency support mode so that the frequency with which the normal power accessory 34a of the second operating port 34 is in an open state per unit time is relatively high and low when compared with a situation in which the launch of the game ball B1 continues in the same manner in the game area PA.

[0209] In the high-frequency support mode and the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the normal power opening state in the normal power opening lottery using the normal power role opening counter C4 is the same (for example, both are 4 / 5), but in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times that the normal power role 34a is in the open state when the normal power opening state is won is set to be more than in the low-frequency support mode, and the opening time for one time is set to be longer. In this case, when the normal power opening state is won in the high-frequency support mode and the open state of the normal power role 34a occurs multiple times, the closing time from the end of one opening state to the start of the next opening state is set to be shorter than the opening time for one time. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, the minimum time to be secured between one normal power opening lottery and the next normal power opening lottery (i.e., the display duration of one time in the normal power display unit 38a) is set to be shorter than in the low-frequency support mode.

[0210] As described above, in the high frequency support mode, the probability of winning at the second actuation port 34 is higher than in the low frequency support mode. In other words, in the low frequency support mode, the probability of winning at the first actuation port 33 is higher than that of the second actuation port 34, but in the high frequency support mode, the probability of winning at the second actuation port 34 is higher than that of the first actuation port 33. When a win at the second actuation port 34 occurs, a predetermined number of game balls B1 are paid out, so that in the high frequency support mode, the player can play without losing too many balls.

[0211] The configuration for increasing the frequency of the high-frequency support mode becoming in the normal power release state per unit time compared to the low-frequency support mode is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a configuration for increasing the probability of winning the normal power release state in the normal power release lottery. In addition, in a configuration in which a plurality of types of secured time (for example, the time of variable display executed in the normal power display unit 38a based on winning the through gate 35) are provided for securing from one normal power release lottery to the next normal power release lottery, the high-frequency support mode may be set so that a shorter secured time is more likely to be selected or the average secured time is shorter than in the low-frequency support mode. Furthermore, the advantage of the high-frequency support mode over the low-frequency support mode may be increased by applying any one or any combination of conditions from increasing the number of openings, lengthening the opening time, shortening the secured time secured from one normal power release lottery to the next normal power release lottery, shortening the average secured time, and increasing the winning probability.

[0212] Next, the winning random number counter C1 will be described. The winning random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 599, and to return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. In particular, when the winning random number counter C1 goes around once, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the winning random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the winning random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The winning random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved storage area 145a of the main RAM 145 at the timing when the game ball B1 enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0213] The random number value that results in a jackpot win is stored as a win / lose table in the main ROM 144. As the win / lose table, a win / lose table for a low probability mode and a win / lose table for a high probability mode are set. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode and a high probability mode are set as the lottery modes in the win / lose lottery means.

[0214] In a game state where the winning / losing table for the low probability mode is referenced in the above lottery, the number of random numbers that will result in a jackpot winning is 2. On the other hand, in a game state where the winning / losing table for the high probability mode is referenced in the above lottery, the number of random numbers that will result in a jackpot winning is 20. Note that the number of random numbers that will result in a winning is arbitrary as long as the winning probability is higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode.

[0215] The big win type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of 0 to 29, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The big win type counter C2 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved storage area 145a when the game ball B1 enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0216] A plurality of jackpot results are set in this pachinko machine 10. These plurality of jackpot results are set by providing differences in three conditions: (1) the manner of opening and closing control of the special electric prize winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode, (2) the lottery mode in the winning / losing lottery means after the opening and closing execution mode ends, and (3) the support mode in the regular electric role 34a of the second operating port 34 after the opening and closing execution mode ends.

[0217] As the manner of opening and closing control of the special line winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode, a high frequency winning mode and a low frequency winning mode are set so that the frequency of winning in the special line winning device 32 from the start to the end of the opening and closing execution mode is relatively high and low. Specifically, in either the high frequency winning mode or the low frequency winning mode, a predetermined number of rounds are played up to the upper limit.

[0218] Here, the round game is a game that continues until one of the following conditions is met: the predetermined upper limit duration time has elapsed, or the predetermined upper limit number of game balls B1 have won the special electric winning device 32. In addition, the number of round games in the open / close execution mode triggered by a jackpot result is the same as the fixed number of rounds, regardless of the type of jackpot result that triggered the transition. Specifically, regardless of the jackpot result, the upper limit number of round games is set to 15 rounds.

[0219] In addition, in the present pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types are set for the opening mode of the special electric prize winning device 32, with different opening durations from when the special electric prize winning device 32 is opened to when it is closed. In detail, a long-time mode in which the opening duration is set to a long time of 29 seconds and a short-time mode in which the opening duration is set to a short time of 0.06 seconds, which is shorter than the long-time mode, are set.

[0220] In this pachinko machine 10, when the launch operation device 28 is operated by the player, the game ball launch mechanism 27 is driven and controlled so that one game ball B1 is launched toward the game area PA every 0.6 seconds. In addition, the upper limit number of balls for the end condition of the round game is set to nine. Then, in the long-time mode among the above-mentioned opening modes, the opening duration is set to a time longer than the product of the launch cycle of the game ball B1 and one round game. On the other hand, in the short-time mode, the opening duration is set to a time shorter than the product of the launch cycle of the game ball B1 and one round game, more specifically, shorter than the launch cycle of the game ball B1. Therefore, when one opening is performed in the long-time mode, it is expected that the special electric winning device 32 will win the maximum number of balls in one round game, and when one opening is performed in the short-time mode, it is expected that no winning will occur in the special electric winning device 32, or that even if a winning occurs, it will be about one ball.

[0221] In the high frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 32 is opened once in each round of play in a long time mode. On the other hand, in the low frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 32 is opened once in each round of play in a short time mode.

[0222] In addition, the number of times the special electric winning device 32 is opened and closed, the number of rounds of play, the duration of opening for one opening, and the upper limit number of times in one round of play in the high-frequency winning mode and low-frequency winning mode are arbitrary and are not limited to the above values, so long as the frequency of winning in the special electric winning device 32 between the start and end of the opening and closing execution mode is higher in the high-frequency winning mode than in the low-frequency winning mode.

[0223] The allocation destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as an allocation table in the main ROM 144. And, as such allocation destination, a low probability jackpot result, a low prize winning high probability jackpot result, and a most advantageous jackpot result are set.

[0224] The low probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the high frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the winning / losing lottery mode becomes the low probability mode, and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. However, this high frequency support mode will transition to the low frequency support mode if the number of games played after the transition reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 times).

[0225] The low-prize high-probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the low-frequency prize mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / lose lottery mode becomes the high-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. These high-probability mode and high-frequency support mode continue until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state win and transitions to the jackpot state.

[0226] The most favorable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes a high-frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / lose lottery mode becomes a high probability mode and the support mode becomes a high-frequency support mode. These high probability mode and high frequency support mode continue until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state win and transitions to the jackpot state.

[0227] In relation to the above game states, the normal game state refers to a state where the winning / losing lottery mode is not the open / close execution mode, and the win / loose lottery mode is the low probability mode, and the support mode is the low frequency support mode. Also, a configuration may be made in which a low winning high probability jackpot result is not set as a game result. Also, in the open / close execution mode in a low winning high probability jackpot result, the number of rounds of play may be less than the number of rounds of play in the case of a low probability jackpot result and the most favorable jackpot result.

[0228] In the distribution table, of the values ​​of the jackpot type counter C2, which are "0 to 29," "0 to 9" correspond to a low probability jackpot result, "10 to 14" correspond to a low probability jackpot result with a high probability of winning, and "15 to 29" correspond to the most favorable jackpot result.

[0229] Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. Here, in this pachinko machine 10, an expectation effect is set as a type of display effect in the pattern display device 41. The expectation effect refers to a display state for making a player think that the variable display state is likely to result in the award corresponding result at the stage before the stop result is derived and displayed after the variable display of the patterns in the pattern display device 41 is started in a gaming machine that is equipped with a pattern display device 41 capable of performing a variable display of patterns and in which the final stop result is a grant corresponding result in a game round that results in a predetermined jackpot result. In addition, specifically, the award corresponding result is displayed by stopping a combination of patterns with the same number on any of the pay lines.

[0230] There are two types of expectation effects: a reach display and a notice display that creates anticipation for the occurrence of a reach display or a corresponding result before the reach display occurs.

[0231] The reach display includes a display state in which a combination of reach symbols is displayed by stopping and displaying symbols for some of the multiple symbol rows displayed on the display surface 41a of the symbol display device 41, and in that state, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols. Also, in the state in which the reach symbol combination is displayed as described above, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on the background screen, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a reduced or non-displayed combination of reach symbols and then displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on almost the entire display surface 41a.

[0232] The advance notice display includes a mode in which characters are displayed separately from the symbols on the symbol rows in a situation in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner in all symbol rows after the display surface 41a of the symbol display device 41 starts displaying the variable manner of symbols, or in a situation in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner in some symbol rows. It also includes a mode in which the background screen is displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner, and a mode in which the symbols on the symbol rows are displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner. Such advance notice display can occur in both a game in which a reach display is performed and a game in which a reach display is not performed, but is set to occur with a higher probability when a reach display is performed than when a reach display is not performed.

[0233] The reach display is executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 in a game round where the same symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed. Also, in a game round corresponding to a big win result where the same symbol combination is not stopped and displayed, it is not executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Also, in a game round corresponding to a miss result, it is executed when the reach random number counter C3 obtained at a predetermined timing by referring to the reach table stored in the main ROM 144 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

[0234] On the other hand, the decision as to whether or not to display a notice is not made by the main control device 140 but by the audio and light emitting control device 161. In this case, the audio and light emitting control device 161 executes a lottery process for a notice display so that a game round corresponding to any big win result satisfies at least one of the conditions that a notice display is more likely to occur and that a notice display with a low occurrence rate is more likely to occur in the game round corresponding to any big win result than in the game round corresponding to a loss result. Incidentally, this lottery result is reflected when the performance for the game round is executed by the symbol display device 41.

[0235] Next, the variation type counter CS will be described. The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in determining the display duration in the special chart display unit 37a and the display duration of the pattern in the pattern display device 41 in the master CPU 143. The variation type counter CS is updated once each time the normal processing described below is executed once, and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time in the normal processing. The buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation display in the special chart display unit 37a and at the start of the variation of the pattern by the pattern display device 41.

[0236] <Processing configuration of the main CPU 143> Next, we will explain each process executed to progress the game by the master CPU 143. The processes of the master CPU 143 are roughly divided into main processes that are started when the power is turned on, and timer interrupt processes that are started periodically (in this embodiment, at 4 msec intervals).

[0237] <Main processing> First, the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0238] First, the power-on wait process is executed (step S101). In the power-on wait process, for example, the main process is started and a predetermined wait time (specifically, 1 sec) elapses before proceeding to the next process. During the execution period of the power-on wait process, the operation start and initial setting of the pattern display device 41 are completed. After that, access to the main RAM 145 is permitted (step S102), and the internal function register of the main CPU 143 is set (step S103).

[0239] Then, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch provided on the power supply / launch control device 158 has been manually operated (step S104), and further whether or not the power failure flag of the main RAM 145 has been set to "1" (step S105). Also, a checksum calculation process is executed to calculate a checksum (step S106), and it is determined whether or not the checksum matches the checksum saved when the power was cut off, that is, the validity of the stored data (step S107).

[0240] In this pachinko machine 10, when the RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, for example, when the game hall opens for business, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S108. Similarly, if the power cutoff occurrence information is not set, or if an abnormality in the stored data is confirmed by the checksum, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the main RAM 145 is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0241] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S109 without executing the process of step S108, provided that the power failure flag is set to "1" and the checksum is normal. In step S109, a power-on setting process is executed. In the power-on setting process, a predetermined area of ​​the main RAM 145, such as the initialization of the power failure flag, is set to an initial value, and a command corresponding to the current game state is sent to the sound and light emission control device 161. After the process of step S109 is executed, a recognition process (step S110) is executed to make the management IC 146 recognize various information, and a data output process is executed to output various data to a reading device connected to the MPU 142 (step S111). Details of the recognition process and the data output process will be described later.

[0242] The main CPU 143 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but when the main processing is started, timer interrupt processing is prohibited. This state in which timer interrupt processing is prohibited is released when the processing of step S111 is completed and before the processing of step S112 is executed, and execution of timer interrupt processing is permitted. As a result, when the supply of operating power to the main CPU 143 is started, the data output processing of step S111 is completed, and timer interrupt processing is not executed until the stage before the processing of step S112 is started. Therefore, processing for progressing the game is not started in the main CPU 143 until the situation is reached.

[0243] Thereafter, the process proceeds to the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. That is, the main CPU 143 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processes, but there will be a remaining time between one timer interrupt process and the next timer interrupt process. This remaining time will vary depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt process, but this irregular time is utilized to repeatedly execute the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. In this respect, the remaining process of steps S112 to S115 can be said to be non-periodic process that is executed non-periodically.

[0244] In the remaining process, first, in step S112, interrupt inhibition is set to inhibit occurrence of timer interrupt processing. In the following step S113, random number initial value update processing is executed to update the random number initial value counter CINI, and in step S114, fluctuation counter update processing is executed to update the fluctuation type counter CS. In these update processing, the current numerical value information is read from the corresponding counter in the main RAM 145, and the read numerical value information is incremented by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, each is cleared to "0". After that, in step S115, interrupt permission is set to switch from a state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is inhibited to a state in which it is permitted. After executing the processing of step S115, the process returns to step S112, and the processing of steps S112 to S115 is repeated.

[0245] <Timer interrupt processing> Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 16. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec).

[0246] First, a power failure information storage process is executed (step S201). In the power failure information storage process, it is monitored whether a power failure signal corresponding to the occurrence of a power cut is received from the power failure monitoring board 147, and if the occurrence of a power failure is identified, a power failure process is executed and then an infinite loop is entered. In the power failure process, the power failure flag in the main RAM 145 is set to "1", and a checksum is calculated and the calculated checksum is saved.

[0247] After that, a lottery random number update process is executed (step S202). In the lottery random number update process, the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power role release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the current numerical information is read out sequentially from the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power role release counter C4, and after executing a process of adding 1 to each of the read numerical information, a process of overwriting the counter from which it was read out is executed. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, each is cleared to "0". After that, in step S203, a random number initial value update process is executed as in step S113, and in step S204, a variable counter update process is executed as in step S114.

[0248] Thereafter, a fraud detection process is executed to monitor whether or not a predetermined event set as a monitoring target for fraud has occurred (step S205). In the fraud detection process, the occurrence of a plurality of types of events is monitored, and when it is confirmed that a predetermined event has occurred, a game stop flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1". In the following step S206, it is determined whether or not the game progress has been stopped by determining whether or not the game stop flag has been set to "1". If a negative determination is made in step S206, the process from step S207 onwards is executed.

[0249] In step S207, a port output process is executed. In the port output process, when output information has been set in the previous timer interrupt process, a process is executed to output corresponding to the output information to the various drive units 32b, 34b. For example, when information is set to switch the special power winning device 32 to an open state, the output of a drive signal to the drive unit 32b for special power is started, and when information is set to switch to a closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped. Also, when information is set to switch the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 to an open state, the output of a drive signal to the drive unit 34b for normal power is started, and when information is set to switch to a closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped.

[0250] Then, a read process is executed (step S208). In the read process, signals other than the power failure signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in the subsequent processes.

[0251] After that, a ball entry detection process is executed (step S209). In the ball entry detection process, signals received from each ball entry detection sensor 122a to 129a are read, and based on the read results, the presence or absence of balls entering the out gate 24a, the general winning gate 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating gate 33, the second operating gate 34, and the through gate 35 is identified. Details of the ball entry detection process will be described later.

[0252] Then, a timer update process is executed to collectively update the numerical information of multiple types of timer counters provided in the main RAM 145 (step S210). In this case, the timer counters in which the stored numerical information is updated by subtraction are handled collectively, but it is also possible to collectively update both the subtractive timer counters and the additive timer counters.

[0253] Then, a launch control process is executed to control the launch of the game ball B1 (step S211). In a state where the launch operation to the launch operation device 28 is continued, one game ball B1 is launched at a predetermined launch cycle of 0.6 sec. In the following step S212, as an input state monitoring process, based on the information read in the reading process in step S208, a disconnection check is performed for each ball entry detection sensor 122a to 129a, and an opening check is performed for the game machine main body 12 and the front door frame 14.

[0254] Thereafter, a special chart special electric control process is executed to control the execution of a game round and the opening / closing execution mode (step S213). In the special chart special electric control process, when a winning occurs in the first operation port 33 or the second operation port 34 in a situation where the number of reserved information stored in the reserved storage area 145a is less than the upper limit number, the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 at that time is stored as reserved information in the reserved storage area 145a in chronological order. In addition, in the special chart special electric control process, on the condition that the game round and the opening / closing execution mode are not in progress and reserved information is stored, a win / loss determination process is executed to determine whether the reserved information corresponds to a big win or not, and if it corresponds to a big win, an allocation determination process is executed to determine which big win result the reserved information corresponds to. In addition, in the special chart special power control process, not only the hit / miss judgment process and the allocation judgment process, but also, when the reserved information does not correspond to a big win, a reach judgment process is executed to judge whether the reserved information corresponds to a reach occurrence or not, and a process to select the duration of the game round using the numerical information of the variation type counter CS at that time is executed. Then, a variation command including information on the duration according to the results of each process and a type command including information on the game result are transmitted to the voice light emission control device 161, and the variation display of the pattern on the special chart display unit 37a is started. By receiving the variation command and the type command, the voice light emission control device 161 starts the performance for the game round corresponding to the contents of these commands in the display light emission unit 133 and the speaker unit 134. In addition, the voice light emission control device 161 transmits a variation pattern command corresponding to the contents of the variation command and the type command to the display control device 162. By receiving the variation pattern command, the display control device 162 starts the variation display of the pattern corresponding to the contents of the variation pattern command on the pattern display device 41. This results in a state in which one game round has started.

[0255] In the special symbol special electricity control process, during the execution of one game round, by determining whether the duration of the game round determined at the start of the game round has elapsed, it is determined whether it is time to end the game round. If it is time to end the game round, a process is executed to end the game round with a display corresponding to the game result. In this case, if the current game round corresponds to the occurrence of any jackpot result, a picture corresponding to the type of the jackpot result is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 37a, and if the current game round corresponds to a loss result, a picture corresponding to the loss result is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 37a. In addition, a final stop command indicating that the game round should be ended is transmitted to the sound and light emission control device 161. By receiving the final stop command, the sound and light emission control device 161 ends the performance for the current game round in the display light emission unit 133 and the speaker unit 134. In addition, the sound and light emission control device 161 transmits the final stop command to the display control device 162. When the display control device 162 receives the final stop command, it ends the presentation for the current game round on the symbol display device 41.

[0256] In the special chart special electric control process, if the result of the game round corresponds to the transition to the open / close execution mode, a process for starting the open / close execution mode is executed. At the start, an opening command indicating that the open / close execution mode is to be started is sent to the sound light emission control device 161. In addition, in the special chart special electric control process, a process for starting each round game and a process for ending each round game are executed. When a round game is started, the special electric winning device 32 is in an open state, and when a round game is ended, the special electric winning device 32 is in a closed state. In each of these processes, an opening command indicating that a round game is to be started is sent to the sound light emission control device 161, and a closing command indicating that the round game is to be ended is sent to the sound light emission control device 161. In addition, in the special chart special electric control process, when the open / close execution mode is to be ended, an ending command indicating that is to be ended is sent to the sound light emission control device 161. The sound light emission control device 161 causes the display light emission unit 133 and the speaker unit 134 to execute the performance for the open / close execution mode in a manner corresponding to various commands received during the open / close execution mode. Also, the sound and light emission control device 161 transmits a command corresponding to the command received during the opening and closing execution mode to the display control device 162. The display control device 162 causes the pattern display device 41 to execute the performance for the opening and closing execution mode in a manner corresponding to the various commands received during the opening and closing execution mode. Also, in the special pattern special electricity control process, when the opening and closing execution mode is to be ended, a process is executed so that the winning / losing lottery mode and the support mode after the end of the opening and closing execution mode become modes corresponding to the type of the big win result that triggered the execution of the opening and closing execution mode.

[0257] After executing the special power control process of step S213 in the timer interrupt process, execute the normal power control process (step S214). In the normal power control process, if a winning entry to the through gate 35 occurs, execute a process to acquire the reserved information of the normal side, and if the reserved information of the normal side is stored, execute an opening judgment for the reserved information, and execute a process to perform a performance for the normal side using the opening judgment as a trigger. Also, execute a process to open and close the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 based on the result of the opening judgment. In this case, if the support mode is the low frequency support mode, execute a corresponding process, and if the support mode is the high frequency support mode, execute a corresponding process. Also, if the opening and closing execution mode is selected, the support mode will be the low frequency support mode even if the support mode immediately before is the high frequency support mode.

[0258] In the next step S215, based on the processing results of the previous steps S213 and S214, output information is set to reflect the increase / decrease in the reserved information related to the special drawing display unit 37a in the special drawing reserved display unit 37b, and output information is set to reflect the increase / decrease in the reserved information related to the ordinary drawing display unit 38a in the ordinary drawing reserved display unit 38b. Also, in step S215, based on the processing results of the previous steps S213 and S214, output information is set to update the display contents of the special drawing display unit 37a, and output information is set to update the display contents of the ordinary drawing display unit 38a.

[0259] Then, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 157 are confirmed, and a payout status receiving process is executed to perform processing corresponding to the confirmation result (step S216). Also, a payout output process is executed to set the prize ball command as an output target (step S217). Also, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of the output of an external signal according to the processing results of various processes executed in this timer interrupt process (step S218). Then, a management output process is executed to output information corresponding to the ball entry result of the game ball B1 in the game area PA to the management IC 146 (step S219). The details of the management output process will be described later.

[0260] Next, a configuration will be described for the main CPU 143 to determine whether or not the game ball B1 has entered the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, and the through gate 35 based on the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 122a to 129a. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration for inputting the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 122a to 129a to the main CPU 143.

[0261] The main CPU 143 is provided with an input port 143a. The input port 143a is configured as an 8-bit parallel interface so as to be able to handle eight types of signals simultaneously. An area in which information "0" or "1" is stored according to the voltage of each signal is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each terminal. That is, the area includes the 0th bit D0 to the 7th bit D7. Although more than eight types of signals are input to the input port 143a, in order to limit the types of signals that are input simultaneously to eight types, the group of signals to be input to the input port 143a is switched through switching control by a driver IC.

[0262] In the ball entry detection process (step S209) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), the signal group to be input to the input port 143a is set to the signal group from each ball entry detection sensor 122a-129a. In a situation where such a setting is made, the 0th bit D0 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first winning hole detection sensor 122a, the 1st bit D1 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second winning hole detection sensor 123a, the 2nd bit D2 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the third winning hole detection sensor 124a, the 3rd bit D3 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the special electric detection sensor 125a, the 4th bit D4 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first operation hole detection sensor 126a, the 5th bit D5 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second operation hole detection sensor 127a, the 6th bit D6 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the out hole detection sensor 128a, and the 7th bit D7 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the gate detection sensor 129a.

[0263] When the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a do not detect the passage of the game ball B1, they output a LOW level signal indicating that the ball is not being detected as a detection signal, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a detect the passage of the game ball B1, they output a HI level signal indicating that the ball is being detected as a detection signal. When the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a receive a LOW level signal, they store "0" information in the corresponding bit, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a receive a HI level signal, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is not being detected. In other words, when the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a do not detect the passage of the game ball B1, they store "0" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is not being detected, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 122a to 129a detect the passage of the game ball B1, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is being detected.

[0264] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the ball scoring detection process executed in step S209 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16).

[0265] When it is confirmed that the 0th bit D0 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 122a (step S301: YES). In this case, the first output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S302), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S303). The first output flag is a flag for the main CPU 143 to specify that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 122a should be executed to the management IC 146. The 10-ball counter is a counter for the main CPU 143 to specify the number of times that the payout of 10 game balls B1 should be executed. When the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 10 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 157 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), and when the 10 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 10 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 157 receives the 10 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 156 so that 10 game balls B1 are paid out.

[0266] When it is confirmed that the first bit D1 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 123a (step S304: YES). In this case, the second output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S305), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S306). The second output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 123a should be executed to the management IC 146.

[0267] When it is confirmed that the second bit D2 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 124a (step S307: YES). In this case, the third output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S308), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S309). The third output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 124a should be executed to the management IC 146.

[0268] When it is confirmed that the third bit D3 has switched from a state in which "0" information is stored to a state in which "1" information is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 125a (step S310: YES). In this case, the special electric winning flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S311), the fourth output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S312), and the value of the 15 winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S313). The special electric winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 143 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the special electric winning device 32 in the round game in the open / close execution mode. In the special chart special electric control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), by confirming that the special electric winning flag is set to "1", it is determined that one game ball B1 has entered the special electric winning device 32, and the number of remaining balls that can enter the special electric winning device 32 in the round game is reduced by one. When the process of reducing the number of balls that can enter by one is executed, the special electric winning flag is cleared to "0". The fourth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 125a should be executed to the management IC 146. The 15-ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 143 the number of times that the payout of 15 game balls B1 should be executed. If the value of the 15 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 15 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 157 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), and when the 15 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 15 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 157 receives the 15 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 156 so that 15 game balls B1 are paid out.

[0269] When it is confirmed that the fourth bit D4 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first actuation port detection sensor 126a (step S314: YES). In this case, the first actuation winning flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S315), the fifth output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S316), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S317). The first actuation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 143 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the first actuation port 33. In the special chart special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), by confirming that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", a process for newly storing the reserved information is executed on the condition that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 145a is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the special power special power control process (step S213), it is confirmed that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to the confirmation is executed, the first operation winning flag is cleared to "0". The fifth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that the information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first operation port detection sensor 126a should be executed to the management IC 146. The one prize ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 143 the number of times that one game ball B1 should be paid out. When the value of the 1 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 1 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 157 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), and when the 1 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 1 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 157 receives the 1 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 156 so that one game ball B1 is paid out.

[0270] When it is confirmed that the fifth bit D5 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second operation port detection sensor 127a (step S318: YES). In this case, the second operation winning flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S319), the sixth output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S320), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 145 is incremented by 1 (step S321). The second operation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 143 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the second operation port 34. In the special chart special electric control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), by confirming that the second operation winning flag is set to "1", a process for newly storing the reserved information is executed on the condition that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 145a is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the special electric control process (step S213), it is confirmed that the second operation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to the confirmation is executed, the second operation winning flag is cleared to "0". The sixth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second operation port detection sensor 127a should be executed to the management IC 146.

[0271] When it is confirmed that the sixth bit D6 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 128a (step S322: YES). In this case, the seventh output flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S323). The seventh output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 143 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 128a should be executed to the management IC 146.

[0272] When it is confirmed that the seventh bit D7 has switched from a state in which "0" information is stored to a state in which "1" information is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the gate detection sensor 129a (step S324: YES). In this case, the gate winning flag provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "1" (step S325). The gate winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 143 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the through gate 35. In the normal map normal power control process (step S214) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), by confirming that the gate winning flag is set to "1", a process is executed to store the current numerical information of the normal power role release counter C4 as the normal map side reserved information in the normal power reserve area 145c, provided that the number of reserved information on the normal map side stored in the normal power reserve area 145c is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the normal map normal power control process (step S214), it is confirmed that the gate winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the gate winning flag is cleared to "0".

[0273] As already explained, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16) is started at a 4 msec cycle, so when one ball entry detection sensor 122a-129a starts detecting one game ball B1, the main CPU 143 determines that one game ball B1 has been detected by the ball entry detection sensor 122a-129a while the ball entry detection sensor 122a-129a continues to detect the game ball B1. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide one each of the first to seventh output flags.

[0274] Next, a description will be given of the processing contents executed by the dispensing control device 157. First, the electrical configuration of the dispensing control device 157 and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device 157 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0275] The dispensing control device 157 is equipped with an MPU 171. In addition to a dispensing side CPU 172, which is an arithmetic processing device including a control unit and an arithmetic unit, the MPU 171 also includes a dispensing side ROM 173, a dispensing side RAM 174, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like.

[0276] The dispensing ROM 173 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR type flash memory or a NAND type flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The dispensing ROM 173 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the dispensing CPU 172.

[0277] The dispensing side RAM 174 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The dispensing side RAM 174 is randomly accessible, and takes less time to read data than the dispensing side ROM 173 when compared for the same data capacity. The dispensing side RAM 174 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the dispensing side ROM 173.

[0278] The payout side CPU 172 is capable of two-way communication with the main CPU 143. By receiving a prize ball command from the main CPU 143, the payout side CPU 172 drives and controls the payout device 156 so that the number of game balls B1 corresponding to the prize ball command is paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 172 monitors whether or not the payout of the game balls B1 can be performed normally, and when it is determined that the payout is not possible, it stops the payout device 156 even if the payout side RAM 174 stores information on the number of prize balls not paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 172 transmits a payout limit command indicating that the payout is not possible to be performed normally to the main CPU 143. When the main CPU 143 receives the payout limit command, it transmits a notification command to the sound and light emission control device 161 so that a notification indicating that the payout of the game balls B1 is not possible to be performed normally is executed by the pattern display device 41, the display light emission unit 133, and the speaker unit 134. States in which it is not possible to normally dispense game balls B1 include a full state in which the lower tray 136a is full of game balls B1, a no-ball state in which the tank 155 has not been replenished with game balls B1, an abnormal dispense state in which the dispenser 156 is not operating normally, a main body open state in which the gaming machine main body 12 is open from the outer frame 11, and a front door open state in which the front door frame 14 is open from the inner frame 13.

[0279] A full tank detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the middle of the game ball B1 passageway leading from the payout device 156 to the lower tray 136a, and the detection result of the full tank detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 172. The payout side CPU 172 determines that the game ball B1 is in a full tank state when the full tank detection sensor continues to detect the game ball B1, and determines that the full tank state has been released when the state in which the game ball B1 is continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor is released.

[0280] A no-ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided at a midpoint of the game ball B1 passageway leading from the tank 155 to the payout device 156, and the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 172. The payout side CPU 172 determines that a no-ball state exists when the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1, and determines that the no-ball state has been released when the state in which the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 is released.

[0281] The payout device 156 is provided with a payout detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the game ball B1 paid out from the payout device 156, and the detection result of the payout detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 172. When the payout detection sensor detects the game ball B1, the payout side CPU 172 determines that one game ball B1 has been paid out from the payout device 156. Furthermore, the payout side CPU 172 determines that an abnormal payout state exists when the payout detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 even though the payout device 156 is being driven and controlled so that the game ball B1 is paid out, and determines that the abnormal payout state has been released when the state in which the payout detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 is released.

[0282] A front door open sensor 175 is provided on the front portion of the inner frame 13 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the front door open sensor 175 is input to the dispensing side CPU 172. In this case, when the front door frame 14 is closed relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 175 transmits a closed detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 172, and when the front door frame 14 is open relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 175 transmits an open detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 172. When the dispensing side CPU 172 receives a closed detection signal from the front door open sensor 175, it determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state, and when it receives an open detection signal from the front door open sensor 175, it determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state. Furthermore, the dispensing side CPU 172 transmits a front door open command to the main side CPU 143 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a front door close command to the main side CPU 143 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main side CPU 143 determines that the front door frame 14 has changed to an open state when it receives a front door open command, and determines that the front door frame 14 has changed to a closed state when it receives a front door close command.

[0283] A main body open sensor 176 is provided on the front part of the back pack unit 15 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the main body open sensor 176 is input to the payout side CPU 172. In this case, when the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 176 transmits a closed detection signal to the payout side CPU 172, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 176 transmits an open detection signal to the payout side CPU 172. When the payout side CPU 172 receives a closed detection signal from the main body open sensor 176, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state, and when it receives an open detection signal from the main body open sensor 176, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state. Furthermore, the payout side CPU 172 transmits a main body open command to the main side CPU 143 at the timing when it is determined that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a main body close command to the main side CPU 143 at the timing when it is determined that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main side CPU 143 determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed to the open state when it receives the main body open command, and determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed to the closed state when it receives the main body close command.

[0284] The timer interrupt process executed by the dispensing CPU 172 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 20. The timer interrupt process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec).

[0285] First, the full tank process is executed (step S401). In the full tank process, as already explained, it is determined whether the tank is full based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and if the tank is full, it executes a process to stop the payout of the game balls B1 and transmits a command indicating the full tank state to the main CPU 143. Also, if the full tank state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of the game balls B1 and transmits a command indicating that the full tank state has been released to the main CPU 143.

[0286] Then, the no-ball process is executed (step S402). In the no-ball process, as already explained, it is determined whether or not the state is a no-ball state based on the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor, and if the state is a no-ball state, it executes a process to stop the payout of the game ball B1 and transmits a command indicating the no-ball state to the main CPU 143. In addition, if the no-ball state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of the game ball B1 and transmits a command indicating that the no-ball state has been released to the main CPU 143.

[0287] Thereafter, a payout abnormality monitoring process is executed (step S403). In the payout abnormality monitoring process, as already described, it is determined whether or not a payout abnormality state exists based on the detection result of the payout detection sensor, and if a payout abnormality state exists, a process to stop the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a command indicating that a payout abnormality state exists is sent to the main CPU 143. In addition, if the payout abnormality state is released, a process to enable the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a command indicating that the payout abnormality state has been released is sent to the main CPU 143.

[0288] Then, a front door open monitoring process is executed (step S404). In the front door open monitoring process, as already described, it is determined whether the front door frame 14 is open or not based on the detection result of the front door open sensor 175, and if the front door frame 14 is open, a process to stop the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a front door open command is sent to the main CPU 143. In addition, if the front door frame 14 is closed, a process to enable the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a front door close command is sent to the main CPU 143.

[0289] Thereafter, the main body open monitoring process is executed (step S405). In the main body open monitoring process, as already described, it is determined whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state based on the detection result of the main body open sensor 176, and if the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state, a process for stopping the payout of the gaming balls B1 is executed and a main body open command is sent to the main CPU 143. In addition, if the gaming machine main body 12 is closed, a process for enabling the payout of the gaming balls B1 is executed and a main body close command is sent to the main CPU 143.

[0290] Then, a command read process is executed (step S406). In the command read process, a process of reading the prize ball command transmitted by the main CPU 143 is executed. Then, the prize ball command is stored in the payout side RAM 174. Then, after executing a prize ball setting process for adding the number corresponding to the received prize ball command to the unpaid prize ball number information in the payout side RAM 174 (step S407), a payout control process for controlling the execution of the payout of the game ball B1 by the payout device 156 is executed (step S408). In the payout control process, when the unpaid prize ball number information stored in the payout side RAM 174 is a value of 1 or more, the payout device 156 is driven and controlled, and when the payout detection sensor detects one game ball B1, the value of the prize ball number information is subtracted by 1. Then, when the value of the prize ball number information becomes "0", the drive control of the payout device 156 is stopped. Thereafter, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of output of an external signal according to the results of various processes executed in the current timer interrupt process (step S409).

[0291] Next, a configuration for externally outputting information from the pachinko machine 10 to a hall computer HC installed in the gaming hall will be described.

[0292] As shown in Fig. 2, the back pack unit 15 is provided with an external terminal board 177. The external terminal board 177 is provided with a large number of external terminals, some of which, i.e., a plurality of external terminals, are electrically connected to the main CPU 143, and some of which, i.e., a plurality of external terminals, are electrically connected to the dispensing CPU 172. In this manner, each of the main CPU 143 and the dispensing CPU 172 is electrically connected to the external terminal board 177, so that the main CPU 143 and the dispensing CPU 172 can externally output information to the hall computer HC, as shown in Fig. 19.

[0293] One external terminal of the external terminal board 177 is electrically connected to the front door open sensor 175, and one external terminal of the external terminal board 177 is electrically connected to the main body open sensor 176. Regarding the configuration of this electrical connection in detail, a signal relay board 178 is provided at a midpoint of the signal path from the front door open sensor 175 to the dispensing side CPU 172. The signal relay board 178 is provided with a branch path SL2 branched from the signal path SL1 from the front door open sensor 175 to the dispensing side CPU 172. The branch path SL2 is connected to an external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 177. Therefore, an electrical signal corresponding to the detection result of the front door open sensor 175 is not only input to the dispensing side CPU 172, but also input to the external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 177. This makes it possible to externally output a signal indicating whether the front door frame 14 is in an open state to the hall computer HC without going through the control of the dispensing side CPU 172.

[0294] Regarding the main body open sensor 176 in detail, a branch path SL4 is provided on the signal relay board 178, which is branched from a signal path SL3 extending from the main body open sensor 176 toward the payout side CPU 172. The branch path SL4 is connected to an external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 177. Therefore, an electric signal corresponding to the detection result of the main body open sensor 176 is not only input to the payout side CPU 172, but also input to an external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 177. This makes it possible to externally output a signal indicating whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state to the hall computer HC without going through the control of the payout side CPU 172.

[0295] Next, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the master CPU 143 and the payout CPU 172 to the hall computer HC. First, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the master CPU 143 to the hall computer HC.

[0296] In the external information setting process (step S218) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), the main CPU 143 performs information output settings to each external terminal assigned to the main CPU 143 in the external terminal board 177. The information output from the main CPU 143 to the external terminal board 177 includes information indicating that the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, information indicating that the support mode is in the high frequency support mode, information indicating that one game round has ended, information indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 100 balls) of game balls B1 have been discharged from the game area PA through any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34, information indicating that the game ball B1 has entered the first operating port 33, and information indicating that the game ball B1 has entered the second operating port 34.

[0297] In the external information setting process (step S409) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 20), the payout side CPU 172 performs setting for outputting information to each external terminal assigned to the payout side CPU 172 in the external terminal board 177. The information output from the payout side CPU 172 to the external terminal board 177 includes information indicating that 10 game balls B1 have been paid out.

[0298] The hall computer HC can grasp the manner in which the game balls B1 are paid out in the pachinko machine 10 in accordance with various information received from the pachinko machine 10 via the external terminal board 177. For example, The payout rate is the ratio of the number of game balls B1 paid out until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. - Ball payout rate in normal game mode other than the open / close execution mode and the high frequency support mode (hereinafter, this ball payout rate will be referred to as "B") -Ball payout rate in open / close execution mode - Payout rate in high frequency support mode The number of times a game is played until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S") BS x "number of winning balls for winning into the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34" The number of game balls B1 that enter the first operating port 33 until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S1") The number of game balls B1 that enter the second operating port 34 until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S2") B-(S1 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + S2 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") etc. are calculated. This allows the hall computer HC to manage the ball entry state of the game ball B1 in the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. The number of prize balls refers to the number of game balls B1 paid out when one game ball B1 enters the corresponding ball entry section.

[0299] <Configuration for managing winning status of gaming ball B1> Next, a description will be given of a configuration for managing the winning state of the gaming ball B1 using the management IC 146. First, the electrical configuration of the management IC 146 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0300] As already explained, the MPU 142 of the main control device 140 includes the main CPU 143, the main ROM 144, the main RAM 145, and the management IC 146. The MPU 142 also includes the I / F 101 and the read terminal 182 in addition to these.

[0301] The I / F 101 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between the MPU 142 and external devices. The I / F 101 is electrically connected to the main CPU 143 via the internal bus 183. Through the input port of the I / F 101, the detection results from the sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 122a to 129a and the commands from the payout side CPU 172 are input to the MPU 142, and various processes are executed in the main CPU 143 as described above based on the input detection results and the contents of the commands. In addition, when a signal is output to a device such as the special power drive unit 32b as a result of the execution of various processes in the main CPU 143, the signal output is performed through the output port of the I / F 101, and when a command is output to the payout side CPU 172 and the sound and light emission control device 161 as a result of the execution of various processes in the main CPU 143, the command output is performed through the output port of the I / F 101.

[0302] The reading terminal 182 is a terminal for electrically connecting the MPU 142 to a reading device, which is an external device of the pachinko machine 10, and is provided so that the terminal portion for connection is exposed on the surface of the MPU 142. However, as already described, the main control board 141 on which the MPU 142 is mounted is housed in the board box 140a, and the reading terminal 182 faces the wall of the board box 140a so as not to be exposed to the outside of the main control device 140. Therefore, in order to electrically connect the reading device to the reading terminal 182, it is necessary to open the board box 140a to expose the MPU 142. This makes it possible to prevent the reading device from being electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 in an unauthorized manner. Note that this is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which an opening is formed in the board box 140a to expose the reading terminal 182 to the outside of the main control device 140, and the reading device can be electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 without the need to destroy the board box 140a.

[0303] The management IC 146 includes a management I / F 111, a management CPU 192, a management ROM 193, a management RAM 194, an RTC 195, a correspondence memory 196, and a history memory 197. These devices are connected to each other via an internal bus 146a provided in the management IC 146 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

[0304] The management side I / F 111 is an interface for receiving various signals from the main CPU 143 via a group of signal paths 198 for one-way communication built in the MPU 142, and for transmitting various signals to the reading terminal 182 via a group of signal paths 199 for one-way communication built in the MPU 142. Various signals from the main CPU 143 are input to an input port of the management side I / F 111, and various signals to the reading terminal 182 are output from an output port of the management side I / F 111. The main CPU 143 is electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 via a group of signal paths 200 for two-way communication built in the MPU 142.

[0305] The management CPU 192 is an arithmetic processing device including a control unit and an arithmetic unit. The management ROM 193 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR flash memory and a NAND flash memory, and is used for reading only. The management ROM 193 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the management CPU 192. The management RAM 194 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as an SRAM and a DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The management RAM 194 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the same data capacity, the time required for reading is faster than that of the management ROM 193. The management RAM 194 temporarily stores various data and the like for the execution of the control programs stored in the management ROM 193.

[0306] The RTC 195 is a real-time clock that constantly measures date and time information and is configured to be able to output the measured date and time information in response to an instruction from the management CPU 192. The RTC 195 is provided with a backup power supply, so that it is possible to measure date and time information even when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

[0307] The correspondence memory 196 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain data, such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The correspondence memory 196 is used to store information on the correspondence between each of the buffers 202a-202p provided in the input port 201 of the management side I / F 111 and the types of signals input to those buffers 202a-202p. Details of the contents of the correspondence memory 196 will be described later.

[0308] The history memory 197 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain data, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for both reading and writing. The history memory 197 is used to store information regarding the entry of the game ball B1 received from the main CPU 143 via the management I / F 111. Details of the contents of the history memory 197 will be explained later.

[0309] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the input port 201 provided in the management side I / F 111. Fig. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the input port 201 of the management side I / F 111.

[0310] The input port 201 is provided with a plurality of buffers 202a-202p. Specifically, first to sixteenth buffers 202a-202p are provided. One type of signal can be input to each of the first to sixteenth buffers 202a-202p via signal paths 198a-198p, and each of the first to sixteenth buffers 202a-202p stores information of "0" as the first data when the input signal is at a LOW level, and stores information of "1" as the second data when the input signal is at a HI level. Note that the relationship between LOW and HI and the first and second data may be reversed.

[0311] The first buffer 202a receives a first signal corresponding to the detection result of the first winning hole detection sensor 122a. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a first signal of LOW level when the first winning hole detection sensor 122a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a first signal of HI level for a specific period when the first winning hole detection sensor 122a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a first signal of HI level has been input to the first buffer 202a.

[0312] The second buffer 202b receives a second signal corresponding to the detection result of the second winning hole detection sensor 123a. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a LOW level second signal when the second winning hole detection sensor 123a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level second signal for a specific period when the second winning hole detection sensor 123a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level second signal has been input to the second buffer 202b.

[0313] The third buffer 202c receives a third signal corresponding to the detection result of the third winning hole detection sensor 124a. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a LOW level third signal when the third winning hole detection sensor 124a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level third signal for a specific period when the third winning hole detection sensor 124a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level third signal has been input to the third buffer 202c.

[0314] A fourth signal corresponding to the detection result of the special electric detection sensor 125a is input to the fourth buffer 202d. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a LOW level fourth signal when the special electric detection sensor 125a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level fourth signal for a specific period when the special electric detection sensor 125a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level fourth signal has been input to the fourth buffer 202d.

[0315] A fifth signal corresponding to the detection result of the first actuation port detection sensor 126a is input to the fifth buffer 202e. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a LOW level fifth signal when the first actuation port detection sensor 126a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level fifth signal for a specific period when the first actuation port detection sensor 126a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level fifth signal has been input to the fifth buffer 202e.

[0316] A sixth signal corresponding to the detection result of the second actuation port detection sensor 127a is input to the sixth buffer 202f. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a sixth signal of LOW level when the second actuation port detection sensor 127a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a sixth signal of HI level for a specific period when one game ball B1 is detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 127a. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a sixth signal of HI level has been input to the sixth buffer 202f.

[0317] A seventh signal corresponding to the detection result of the outlet detection sensor 128a is input to the seventh buffer 202g. In this case, the master CPU 143 outputs a LOW level seventh signal when the outlet detection sensor 128a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level seventh signal for a specific period when the outlet detection sensor 128a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level seventh signal has been input to the seventh buffer 202g.

[0318] The eighth buffer 202h receives an eighth signal corresponding to whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. In this case, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs the eighth signal at a LOW level when the open / close execution mode is not in progress, and continuously outputs the eighth signal at a HI level when the open / close execution mode is in progress.

[0319] A ninth signal corresponding to whether or not the high frequency support mode is in progress is input to the ninth buffer 202i. In this case, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs a LOW level ninth signal when the high frequency support mode is not in progress, and continuously outputs a HI level ninth signal when the high frequency support mode is in progress.

[0320] A tenth signal corresponding to whether or not the front door frame 14 is open is input to the tenth buffer 202j. In this case, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs a LOW level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is closed, and continuously outputs a HI level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is open.

[0321] An output instruction signal is input to the sixteenth buffer 202p to cause the management CPU 192 to recognize the opportunity to output history information stored in the history memory 197 to the reading terminal 182. In this case, the main CPU 143 outputs a LOW level output instruction signal when there is no need to output history information, and outputs a HI level output instruction signal for a specific period of time when there is a need to output history information. This specific period is a period of time sufficient for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the sixteenth buffer 202p.

[0322] Although the eleventh buffer 202k, the twelfth buffer 202l, the thirteenth buffer 202m, the fourteenth buffer 202n, and the fifteenth buffer 202o can receive signals from the main CPU 143, they are blank in this pachinko machine 10 and do not receive normal signals. In this way, the number of buffers 202a-202p provided as the input port 201 of the management I / F 111 is greater than the number of types of signals output from the main CPU 143 to the management IC 146 in this pachinko machine 10, so that the management IC 146 can be used in models other than this pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 146. Incidentally, signal paths 198a to 198p are formed between the main CPU 143 and the first to sixteenth buffers 202a to 202p, respectively, so as to correspond one-to-one to the first to sixteenth buffers 202a to 202p, but this is not limited to this, and the signal paths 198k to 198o may not be formed between the main CPU 143 and the buffers 202k to 202o to be blanked.

[0323] It is determined in the design stage of the management IC 146 that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 202p in the input port 201 of the management I / F 111, and the management CPU 192 can specify that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 202p without receiving an instruction from the main CPU 143. On the other hand, it is not determined in the design stage of the management IC 146 what types of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o, and the types of these signals are specified by the management CPU 192 upon receiving an instruction from the main CPU 143. The types of these signals are specified in the management CPU 192 by transmitting a type identification command from the main CPU 143 to the management CPU 192 when control is started in the main CPU 143 and the management CPU 192 in response to the supply of operating power to the MPU 142, as will be described in detail later. In this case, information on the types of various signals provided by the type identification command is stored in the correspondence memory 196, and when the management CPU 192 identifies the types of various signals when operating power is being supplied, the information stored in the correspondence memory 196 is referenced.

[0324] 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the correspondence memory 196. The correspondence memory 196 is provided with first to fifteenth correspondence areas 203a to 203o in one-to-one correspondence with the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o provided in the input port 201 of the management side I / F 111.

[0325] The first correspondence area 203a stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the first buffer 202a. The first correspondence area 203a also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31. The second correspondence area 203b stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the second buffer 202b. The second correspondence area 203b also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 192 to specify the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31. The third correspondence area 203c stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for specifying the type of signal input to the third buffer 202c by the management CPU 192. In addition to the information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information indicating that the general winning opening 31, the third correspondence area 203c also stores information on the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31.

[0326] The fourth correspondence area 203d stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32 as information for the management side CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the fourth buffer 202d. The fourth correspondence area 203d also stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (15 balls) to be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the special electric winning device 32. The fifth correspondence area 203e stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33 as information for the management side CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the fifth buffer 202e. The fifth correspondence area 203e also stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (1 ball) to be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the first operating port 33. The sixth correspondence area 203f stores information indicating that the input is the second actuation port 34, as information for the management CPU 192 to identify the type of signal input to the sixth buffer 202f. The sixth correspondence area 203f also stores information indicating that the input is the second actuation port 34, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (one) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the second actuation port 34. The seventh correspondence area 203g stores information indicating that the input is the outlet 24a, as information for the management CPU 192 to identify the type of signal input to the seventh buffer 202g.

[0327] The eighth correspondence area 203h stores information indicating the open / close execution mode as information for the management CPU 192 to identify the type of signal input to the eighth buffer 202h. The ninth correspondence area 203i stores information indicating the high frequency support mode as information for the management CPU 192 to identify the type of signal input to the ninth buffer 202i. The tenth correspondence area 203j stores information indicating the front door frame 14 as information for the management CPU 192 to identify the type of signal input to the tenth buffer 202j.

[0328] The eleventh correspondence area 203k stores information indicating that the signal type input to the eleventh buffer 202k is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the twelfth buffer 202l. The twelfth correspondence area 203l stores information indicating that the signal type input to the twelfth buffer 202l is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the thirteenth buffer 202m. The fourteenth correspondence area 203n stores information indicating that the signal type input to the fourteenth buffer 202n is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the fourteenth buffer 202n. The fifteenth correspondence area 203o stores information indicating that the signal type input to the fifteenth buffer 202o is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of signal input to the fifteenth buffer 202o.

[0329] As described above, by configuring the management CPU 192 to specify what types of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o by receiving instructions from the main CPU 143, it becomes possible to use the management IC 146 for models other than the present pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 146.

[0330] Moreover, instead of outputting information for recognizing the type of signal every time a signal corresponding to storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o, information for recognizing the type of signal is output in advance, and information for specifying the type of signal input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o by the management CPU 192 based on the output information is stored in the correspondence memory 196. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information output from the main CPU 143 to the management CPU 192 each time a signal is output, compared to a configuration in which information for recognizing the type of signal is output every time a signal corresponding to storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o.

[0331] Moreover, the information for the management CPU 192 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o is output when the supply of operating power starts. This allows the management CPU 192 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o when a game is started in the pachinko machine 10.

[0332] In addition, the information setting that the output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 202p is performed at the design stage of the management IC 146. This makes it possible to omit the process for identifying the type of signal input to the 16th buffer 202p for the output instruction signal that is used reliably not only in this pachinko machine 10 but also in other models of pachinko machines that use the management IC 146. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the process for identifying the type of such signal.

[0333] Next, a description will be given of the history memory 197 of the management IC 146. FIG.

[0334] The history memory 197 is provided with a history area 204 for sequentially storing history information. In the history area 204, a plurality of pointer information are set with consecutive numbers, and a history information storage area 205 is set in one-to-one correspondence with each pointer information. The history information storage area 205 can store a combination of RTC information and correspondence information. In this case, each history information storage area 205 has a data capacity of 2 bytes, a data capacity of 1 byte is assigned as an area for storing RTC information, and a data capacity of 1 byte is assigned as an area for storing correspondence information. When it becomes necessary to store correspondence information according to a signal input to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o (actually, the first to tenth buffers 202a to 202j in this pachinko machine 10), first, the date information and time information measured by the current RTC 195 are stored in an area for storing RTC information in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. Thereafter, the correspondence information corresponding to the buffers 202a-202o that triggered the current information storage is read from the correspondence areas 203a-203o corresponding to the buffers 202a-202o in the correspondence memory 196, and the read correspondence information is stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 205 that corresponds to the pointer information currently being written.

[0335] Specifically, as for the correspondence information stored in the history information storage area 205, as already explained, the first to seventh buffers 202a to 202g receive signals corresponding to the detection results of the scoring detection sensors 122a to 128a, and therefore information corresponding to the types of scoring detection sensors 122a to 128a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 203a to 203g in the correspondence memory 196. More specifically, information corresponding to the types of scoring parts corresponding to the scoring detection sensors 122a to 128a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 203a to 203g. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, the first to third winning hole detection sensors 122a to 124a all detect the game ball B1 that has entered the general winning hole 31, so the first to third correspondence areas 203a to 203c corresponding to these first to third winning hole detection sensors 122a to 124a all store information indicating that they are the general winning hole 31. In addition, the fourth correspondence area 203d stores information indicating that they are the special winning device 32, the fifth correspondence area 203e stores information indicating that they are the first operating hole 33, the sixth correspondence area 203f stores information indicating that they are the second operating hole 34, and the seventh correspondence area 203g stores information indicating that they are the outlet 24a. If the buffer 202a-202o that triggered the current information storage is any of the first to seventh buffers 202a-202g, information on the type of goal section corresponding to that buffer 202a-202g is read from any of the first to seventh correspondence areas 203a-203g, and the read information on the type of goal section is stored directly in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 205.

[0336] On the other hand, the eighth buffer 202h receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth buffer 202i receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the high frequency support mode, and the tenth buffer 202j receives a signal indicating whether or not the front door frame 14 is open. Therefore, the eighth correspondence area 203h stores information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth correspondence area 203i stores information indicating the high frequency support mode, and the tenth correspondence area 203j stores information indicating the front door frame 14.

[0337] As already explained, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs the 8th signal at a LOW level when the open / close execution mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs the 8th signal at a HI level when the open / close execution mode is in effect, so that the control CPU 192 can determine that the open / close execution mode has started when the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the open / close execution mode has ended when the 8th signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where the HI level changes from a LOW level to a LOW level, the control CPU 192 determines that a trigger for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205 has occurred. In other words, when the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating the open / close execution mode read from the 8th correspondence area 203h but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205. In addition, when the eighth signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating the opening / closing execution mode read from the eighth correspondence area 203h but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 205.

[0338] As already explained, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs the ninth signal at a LOW level when the high-frequency support mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs the ninth signal at a HI level when the high-frequency support mode is in effect, so that the management CPU 192 can determine that the high-frequency support mode has started when the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the high-frequency support mode has ended when the ninth signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where the HI level changes from a LOW level to a LOW level, the management CPU 192 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205 has occurred. In other words, when the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating the high-frequency support mode read from the ninth correspondence area 203i but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205. In addition, when the 9th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating that it is in the high frequency support mode read from the 9th correspondence area 203i but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 205.

[0339] As already explained, the main CPU 143 continuously outputs the 10th signal at a LOW level when the front door frame 14 is in a closed state, and continuously outputs the 10th signal at a HI level when the front door frame 14 is in an open state, so that the management CPU 192 can determine that the front door frame 14 is opened when the 10th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the front door frame 14 is closed when the 10th signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the 10th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where the HI level changes from a LOW level to a LOW level, the management CPU 192 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205 has occurred. In other words, when the 10th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 read from the 10th correspondence area 203j but also the opening start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 205. In addition, when the 10th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 read from the 10th correspondence area 203j but also the opening completion information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 205.

[0340] The history information storage area 205 is provided for a number of times that allows all the history information generated during the ten consecutive business days during which the shooting of the game ball B1 in the pachinko machine 10 continues from opening to closing to be stored. For example, if history information is generated 60,000 times a day, more than 600,000 history information storage areas 205 are provided. This makes it possible to store and hold all the history information in the history memory 197 for at least ten days.

[0341] The history memory 197 is provided with a pointer area 206 in addition to the history area 204. The pointer area 206 stores information for the management CPU 192 to specify the pointer information currently being written in the history memory 197. Specifically, at the time of shipping the pachinko machine 10, information is set in the pointer area 206 specifying pointer information of "0" as the writing target. Then, every time one piece of history information is newly stored in the history information storage area 205, the information in the pointer area 206 is updated so that the value of the pointer information to be written is incremented by 1. When the last pointer information becomes the writing target and history information is stored in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the last pointer information, the information in the pointer area 206 is updated so that the pointer information of "0" becomes the writing target. As a result, when a storage trigger for history information occurs in excess of the number of history information that can be stored, the history information is overwritten with new history information in order starting from the history information storage area 205 in which the oldest history information is stored.

[0342] Furthermore, when the reading of history information from the history memory 197 occurs by a reading device, the history information storage area 205 is cleared to all "0"s, and the information in the pointer area 206 is updated so that pointer information of "0" becomes the write target. This makes it possible to prevent history information that has once been read from becoming the read target again.

[0343] Next, a specific processing configuration for managing the winning state of the gaming ball B1 using the management IC 146 will be described. First, a processing configuration for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o provided in the input port 201 of the management side I / F 111 and the signal type in the correspondence memory 196 will be described. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing the recognition processing executed by the main side CPU 143. The recognition processing is executed in step S110 in the main processing (Fig. 15).

[0344] First, "15" is set to a recognition output counter provided in the main RAM 145 (step S501). The recognition output counter is a counter for the main CPU 143 to identify the remaining number of times information output is required to make the management CPU 192 recognize which type of signal each of the buffers 202a-202p of the input port 201 in the management I / F 111 corresponds to. As already explained, the 15 buffers 1 to 15 are targets for signal type recognition, so "15" is set to the recognition output counter.

[0345] Thereafter, output processing of the identification start command is executed (step S502). The main CPU 143 outputs various commands to the management CPU 192 to make the management CPU 192 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o correspond to. When outputting these commands, the first to eighth signals input to the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h are used. That is, the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 198a to 198h) used to instruct the management CPU 192 to store history information are used to output a command to make the management CPU 192 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o correspond to. This makes it possible to reduce the number of signal paths and simplify the configuration, compared to a configuration in which the signal paths for outputting the commands are provided separately from the signal paths 198a to 198p for outputting signals to the first to sixteenth buffers 202a to 202p. The identification start command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In the output process of the identification start command, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing when the output of the identification start command is started so that the management CPU 192 recognizes that a new command has been transmitted. The output period of the identification start command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management CPU 192 to recognize the identification start command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identification start command, the management CPU 192 specifies that a process should be started for storing information on the correspondence relationship between the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o and the signal types in the correspondence relationship memory 196.

[0346] Thereafter, a type identification command corresponding to the current value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 145 is read from the main ROM 144 (step S503). In this case, the first buffer 202a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter, the signal type recognition setting corresponding to the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o is performed such that the signal type is set to the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer. Therefore, if the recognition output counter is "15" to "13", a type identification command indicating that it is the general winning port 31 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "12", a type identification command indicating that it is the special winning device 32 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "11", a type identification command indicating that it is the first operating port 33 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "10", a type identification command indicating that it is the second operating port 34 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "9", a type identification command indicating that it is the outlet 24a is read out; if the recognition output counter is "8", a type identification command indicating that it is in the opening / closing execution mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "7", a type identification command indicating that it is in the high frequency support mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "6", a type identification command indicating that it is the front door frame 14 is read out; and if the recognition output counter is "5" to "1", a type identification command indicating that it is blank is read out.

[0347] Then, the output process of the read type identification command is executed (step S504). The type identification command has a data capacity of 8 bits like the identification start command, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In the output process of the identified type command, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing of starting output of the identified type command to make the management CPU 192 recognize that a new command has been transmitted. The output period of the identified type command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management CPU 192 to recognize the identified type command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identified type command, the management CPU 192 stores information corresponding to the identified type command in the correspondence area 203a to 203o corresponding to the buffer that is the current setting target among the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o.

[0348] Thereafter, the value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 145 is decremented by 1 (step S505), and it is determined whether the value of the recognition output counter after decrement is "0" (step S506). If the value of the recognition output counter is 1 or more (step S506: NO), a process is executed to output a type identification command corresponding to the value of the recognition output counter after decrement (steps S503 and S504).

[0349] On the other hand, if the value of the recognition output counter is "0" (step S506: YES), output processing of the recognition end command is executed (step S507). The recognition end command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In addition, in the recognition end command output processing, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing of starting output of the recognition end command in order to make the management side CPU 192 recognize that a new command has been transmitted. In addition, the output period of the recognition end command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management side CPU 192 to recognize the recognition end command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the recognition end command, the management side CPU 192 determines that the process of storing information on the correspondence relationship between the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o and the signal types in the correspondence relationship memory 196 has been completed.

[0350] Next, the management processing executed by the management CPU 192 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 26. The management processing is started when the supply of operating power to the management CPU 192 is started. The processing speed of the management CPU 192 is configured to be faster than the processing speed of the main CPU 143, and the combination of processing from step S606 onwards in the management processing is executed 16 or more times from the start of one timer interrupt processing (Fig. 16) in the main CPU 143 to the start of the next timer interrupt processing (Fig. 16).

[0351] When an identification start command is received from the main CPU 143 (step S601: YES), the value of a setting target counter provided in the management RAM 194 is cleared to "0" (step S602). The setting target counter is a counter for the management CPU 192 to specify the type of buffers 202a to 202o for which a signal type is to be set. The first buffer 202a is the first buffer for which a signal type is to be set, and thereafter the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer are the next buffers for which a signal type is to be set.

[0352] Thereafter, on condition that a type identification command has been received from the main CPU 143 (step S603: YES), a correspondence setting process is executed (step S604). In the correspondence setting process, information on the signal type set in the currently received type identification command is stored in the correspondence area corresponding to the current value of the setting target counter of the management RAM 194, among the first to fifteenth correspondence areas 203a to 203o of the correspondence memory 196. Thereafter, the value of the setting target counter of the management RAM 194 is incremented by 1 (step S605).

[0353] If a negative determination is made in step S603, or if the process of step S605 is executed, it is determined (step S606) whether or not an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 143. If an identification end command has not been received (step S606: NO), the process returns to step S603, and the processes of steps S604 and S605 are executed again on the condition that a new type identification command is received from the main CPU 143 (step S603: YES).

[0354] If an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 143 (step S606: YES), the processes of steps S607 and S608 are repeatedly executed. In step S607, details of which will be described later, a history setting process is executed for storing history information corresponding to the type of signal received from the main CPU 143 in the history memory 197. In step S608, details of which will be described later, an external output process is executed for outputting the history information stored in the history memory 197 to the reading terminal 182.

[0355] Fig. 27 is a time chart showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o and the types of signals input to these buffers 202a to 202o is stored in the correspondence memory 196. Fig. 27(a) shows a period during which a command is output from the main CPU 143 to the control CPU 192 using the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 198a to 198h), Fig. 27(b) shows a period during which the output state of the ninth signal is at HI level, Fig. 27(c) shows an execution period of an identification state during which a process for identifying the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o and the types of signals input to these buffers 202a to 202o is executed, and Fig. 27(d) shows the timing at which the correspondence setting process (step S604) is executed by the control CPU 192.

[0356] As the supply of operating power to the main CPU 143 and the control CPU 192 is started, output of the identification start command using the first to eighth signals is started at the timing of t1 as shown in FIG. 27(a). Also, at the timing of t1, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 27(b). Thereafter, at the timing of t2 in which the output of the identification start command is continued, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 27(b). The control CPU 192 identifies that a command is being sent from the main CPU 143 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has been changed from HI level to LOW level, and grasps the contents of the command received from the main CPU 143 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h. In this case, since the identification start command has been received, the control CPU 192 makes an affirmative decision in step S601 of the management process (FIG. 26) to enter the identification state. Thereafter, output of the identification start command is stopped at the timing of t3 as shown in FIG. 27(a).

[0357] After that, at the timing of t4, the output of the first type identification command using the first to eighth signals is started as shown in FIG. 27(a). Also, at the timing of t4, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 27(b). After that, at the timing of t5, in which the output of the type identification command is continued, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 27(b). The control side CPU 192 identifies that a command has been sent from the main side CPU 143 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has been changed from HI level to LOW level, and grasps the contents of the command received from the main side CPU 143 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h. In this case, since the first type identification command has been received, the control side CPU 192 executes the correspondence setting process as shown in FIG. 27(d) at the timing of t5. In the corresponding relationship setting process, information indicating that the general winning port 31 is a winning port and information on the number of winning balls are stored in the first corresponding relationship area 203a of the corresponding relationship memory 196. After that, at the timing of t6, the output of the type identification command is stopped as shown in FIG.

[0358] Thereafter, from time t7 to time t9, from time t10 to time t12, from time t13 to time t15, and from time t16 to time t18, similar to the time t4 to time t6, the correspondence setting process corresponding to the type identification command output from the master CPU 143 is executed by the management CPU 192. In this case, the correspondence setting process corresponding to the 15th type identification command is completed from time t16 to time t18.

[0359] After that, at the timing of t19, the output of the identification end command using the first to eighth signals is started as shown in FIG. 27(a). Also, at the timing of t19, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 27(b). After that, at the timing of t20, in which the output of the identification end command is continued, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 27(b). The control side CPU 192 identifies that a command has been sent from the main side CPU 143 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has been changed from HI level to LOW level, and grasps the contents of the command received from the main side CPU 143 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 202a to 202h. In this case, since the identification end command has been received, the identification state of the control side CPU 192 is ended at the timing of t20 as shown in FIG. 27(c). After that, the output of the identification end command is stopped at the timing of t21 as shown in FIG. 27(a).

[0360] As described above, the configuration allows the management CPU 192 to recognize whether or not a command is being output using the 9th signal, so that the management CPU 192 can clearly recognize that a command is being output even in a configuration in which command output is performed using the 1st to 8th signals (i.e., the 1st to 8th signal paths) used to instruct the management CPU 192 when to store history information.

[0361] Next, a description will be given of a process configuration for storing history information in the history memory 197. Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing the output process for management executed by the main CPU 143. The output process for management is executed in step S219 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 16).

[0362] First, the managed object counter provided in the main RAM 145 is set to "10" (step S701). The managed object counter is a counter for the main CPU 143 to determine whether there is a managed object that has not been specified as whether the signal output state to the management CPU 192 should be changed in the current management output process, and for which managed object the signal output state to the management CPU 192 should be changed. In one management output process, the managed objects for which the main CPU 143 specifies whether the signal output state to the management CPU 192 should be changed are the seven ball entry detection sensors 122a to 128a, whether the opening and closing execution mode is being executed, whether the high frequency support mode is being executed, and whether the front door frame 14 is being opened or closed, a total of 10 objects. Therefore, the managed object counter is initially set to "10".

[0363] Then, it is determined whether the output state of the signal to the management side CPU 192 for the managed object corresponding to the current value of the managed object counter is at HI level (step S702). If it is not at HI level (step S702: NO), it is determined whether the value of the managed object counter is 4 or more, thereby identifying which of the seven ball entry detection sensors 122a to 128a is the managed object corresponding to the value of the managed object counter (step S703).

[0364] If the determination in step S703 is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the output flag of the main RAM 145 corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to "1" (step S704). Specifically, if the value of the managed counter is "10" and corresponds to the first winning hole detection sensor 122a, it is determined whether or not the first output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "9" and corresponds to the second winning hole detection sensor 123a, it is determined whether or not the second output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "8" and corresponds to the third winning hole detection sensor 124a, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "7" and corresponds to the special power detection sensor 125a, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "8" and corresponds to the special power detection sensor 125b, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "9" and corresponds to the second winning hole detection sensor 123a, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "8" and corresponds to the third winning hole detection sensor 124a, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "7" and corresponds to the special power detection sensor 125c, it is determined whether or not the third output flag is set to "1", a, it is determined whether the fourth output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "6" and corresponds to the first actuation port detection sensor 126a, it is determined whether the fifth output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "5" and corresponds to the second actuation port detection sensor 127a, it is determined whether the sixth output flag is set to "1", if the value of the managed counter is "4" and corresponds to the out port 24a, it is determined whether the seventh output flag is set to "1". As already explained, these first to seventh output flags are set to "1" in the ball entry detection process (Fig. 18).

[0365] If the output flag corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to "1" (step S704: YES), the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter among the first to seventh signals is set to HI level (step S705). After that, the output flag corresponding to the value of the managed counter is cleared to "0" (step S706).

[0366] If a negative determination is made in step S703, it is determined whether or not a trigger has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter to HI level (step S707). Specifically, if the value of the managed counter is "3", it is determined whether or not a transition to the open / close execution mode has occurred, if the value of the managed counter is "2", it is determined whether or not a transition to the high frequency support mode has occurred, and if the value of the managed counter is "1", it is determined whether or not the front door frame 14 has entered the open state. If a positive determination is made in step S707, the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to HI level (step S708).

[0367] If the answer is YES in step S702, it is determined whether or not a trigger has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter to a LOW level (step S709). Specifically, if the value of the managed counter is 4 or more and the current managed object is any of the ball entry detection sensors 122a-128a, it is determined whether or not a HI output duration (specifically, 10 msec) has elapsed since the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter among the first to seventh signals was switched from a LOW level to a HI level. This HI output duration is set in the management CPU 192 to a period longer than the longest processing interval of the history setting process (step S607) of the management process (FIG. 26), and is a period that allows the management CPU 192 to reliably identify the output state of the signal that has switched from a LOW level to a HI level. Also, if the value of the managed counter is "3" and the current managed object is in the open / close execution mode, it is determined whether the open / close execution mode has ended, if the value of the managed counter is "2" and the current managed object is in the high-frequency support mode, it is determined whether the high-frequency support mode has ended, and if the value of the managed counter is "1" and the current managed object is the front door frame 14, it is determined whether the front door frame 14 is in the closed state. If an opportunity has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter to a LOW level (step S709: YES), the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to a LOW level (step S710).

[0368] If a negative determination is made in step S704, if the process of step S706 is executed, if a negative determination is made in step S707, if the process of step S708 is executed, if a negative determination is made in step S709, or if the process of step S710 is executed, the value of the managed object counter in the main RAM 145 is decremented by 1 (step S711). Then, it is determined whether the value of the managed object counter after the decrement is "0" (step S712). If the value of the managed object counter is 1 or more (step S712: NO), the process of step S702 and subsequent steps is executed for the managed object corresponding to the new managed object counter value.

[0369] Next, the history setting process executed by the management CPU 192 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 29. The history setting process is executed in step S607 of the management process (Fig. 26).

[0370] First, the number of buffers to be checked by the management CPU 192 among the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o is set in a check target counter provided in the management RAM 194 (step S801). Specifically, the number of correspondence areas in which information other than information indicating that they are blank is stored among the first to fifteenth correspondence areas 203a to 203o in the correspondence memory 196 is identified, and the information of the identified number is set in the check target counter. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, information other than information indicating that they are blank is stored in the first to tenth correspondence areas 203a to 203j, so in step S801, the check target counter is set to "10".

[0371] Thereafter, by checking whether the numerical information stored in the buffer corresponding to the current value of the counter to be checked among the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o has changed from "0" to "1", it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 143 to the buffer has been switched from LOW level to HI level (step S802). When the value of the counter to be checked is "n", the nth buffers 202a to 202o become the targets for checking the numerical information. For example, when the value of the counter to be checked is "10", the tenth buffer 202j becomes the target for checking the numerical information, and when the value of the counter to be checked is "5", the fifth buffer 202e becomes the target for checking the numerical information.

[0372] If the determination in step S802 is affirmative, RTC information, which is date information and time information, is read from the RTC 195 (step S803). Then, a write process to the history memory 197 is executed (step S804). In the write process, the pointer information of the history area 204 currently being written is specified by referring to the pointer area 206 of the history memory 197, and the RTC information read in step S803 is written to the history information storage area 205 of the history area 204 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. In addition, the correspondence information is read from the correspondence areas 203a to 203o corresponding to the current value of the counter to be confirmed, and the correspondence information is written to the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. In addition, if the correspondence information is any one of information indicating the open / close execution mode, information indicating the high frequency support mode, and information indicating the front door frame 14, not only the correspondence information but also start information is written to the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. When the value of the counter to be checked is "n", the n-th correspondence area 203a to 203o is the target from which the correspondence information is read out. For example, when the value of the counter to be checked is "10", the tenth correspondence area 203j is the target from which the correspondence information is read out, and when the value of the counter to be checked is "5", the fifth correspondence area 203e is the target from which the correspondence information is read out.

[0373] By executing the writing process as described above, when the value of the counter to be checked is any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34, the combination of the RTC information and the correspondence relationship information indicating that it is any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is stored as history information in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. Also, when the value of the counter to be checked is any of the opening / closing execution mode, the high frequency support mode, and the front door frame 14, the combination of the RTC information, the correspondence relationship information indicating that it is any of the opening / closing execution mode, the high frequency support mode, and the front door frame 14, and the start information is stored as history information in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information to be written.

[0374] Thereafter, a target pointer update process is executed (step S805). In this update process, the numerical information stored in the pointer area 206 of the history memory 197 is read and incremented by one. It is determined whether the pointer information after the increment of one has exceeded the maximum value of the pointer information in the history area 204. If the maximum value has not been exceeded, the pointer information after the increment of one is overwritten in the pointer area 206 as new pointer information to be written. If the maximum value has been exceeded, the pointer area 206 is cleared to "0" so that the pointer information to be written becomes the initial pointer information.

[0375] When a negative determination is made in step S802, or when the process of step S805 is executed, it is determined whether or not the correspondence information for checking whether the signal output has been switched to a LOW level is stored in the correspondence areas 203a to 203o corresponding to the current value of the counter to be checked (step S806). Specifically, when the current value of the counter to be checked is "8" to "10", any of information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, information indicating the high frequency support mode, and information indicating the front door frame 14 is stored in the corresponding correspondence areas 203h to 203j, so that a positive determination is made in step S806.

[0376] If the determination in step S806 is positive, it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 143 to the buffer corresponding to the current counter value to be checked among the first to fifteenth buffers 202a to 202o has been switched from HI level to LOW level by checking whether the numerical information stored in the buffer corresponding to the current counter value to be checked has been changed from "1" to "0" (step S807). If the determination in step S807 is positive, the RTC information is read out as in step S803 (step S808), and further a write process to the history memory 197 is executed (step S809). In the write process, the RTC information read out in step S808 is written into the history information storage area 205 of the history area 204 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. In addition, the correspondence information is read out from the correspondence areas 203a to 203o corresponding to the current counter value to be checked, and the correspondence information is written into the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. Moreover, not only the correspondence relationship information but also the end information is written in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. By executing the writing process in this manner, when the value of the counter to be checked is either the open / close execution mode, the high frequency support mode, or the front door frame 14, a combination of the RTC information, the correspondence relationship information indicating either the open / close execution mode, the high frequency support mode, or the front door frame 14, and the end information is stored as history information in the history information storage area 205 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. Thereafter, the target pointer update process is executed in the same manner as in step S805 (step S810).

[0377] If a negative determination is made in step S806, if a negative determination is made in step S807, or if the process of step S810 is executed, the value of the confirmation target counter in the management RAM 194 is decremented by 1 (step S811). Then, it is determined whether the value of the confirmation target counter after decrement by 1 is "0" (step S812). If the value of the confirmation target counter is 1 or more (step S812: NO), the process of step S802 and subsequent steps is executed for the confirmation target corresponding to the new confirmation target counter value.

[0378] Next, the manner in which history information is stored in history memory 197 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 30. Fig. 30(a) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to any of the first to seventh buffers 202a to 202g, Fig. 30(b) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the eighth buffer 202h, Fig. 30(c) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the ninth buffer 202i, Fig. 30(d) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the tenth buffer 202j, and Fig. 30(e) shows the timing of writing history information to history memory 197.

[0379] At time t1, the output state of a signal input to any one of the first to seventh buffers 202a to 202g is switched from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 30(a). Therefore, at time t1, history information is written to the history memory 197 as shown in FIG. 30(e). Thereafter, at time t2, the signal switched to HI level at time t1 is switched to LOW level as shown in FIG. 30(a). However, since this signal is input to any one of the first to seventh buffers 202a to 202g and the switching to LOW level is not a target for storing history information, writing of history information is not executed at time t2 as shown in FIG. 30(e).

[0380] Thereafter, at times t3, t5, t6, t9, t10, t13, and t14, the output state of the signal input to any of the first to seventh buffers 202a to 202g is switched from LOW level to HIGH level as shown in Fig. 30(a). Therefore, at each of these times, history information is written as shown in Fig. 30(e).

[0381] As shown in FIG. 30(b), the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 202h is HI level from t4 to t7. This eighth buffer 202h corresponds to the occurrence or non-occurrence of the open / close execution mode. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(e), history information is written at t4, which is the timing when the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 202h switches to HI level, and at t7, which is the timing when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. In this case, the history information written at t4 includes start information, and the history information written at t7 includes end information. This makes it possible to grasp the execution period of the open / close execution mode by checking the history information in the history memory 197.

[0382] Moreover, the history information is written in the history memory 197 in the order of the passage of time. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is during the opening and closing execution mode. Furthermore, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is during the opening and closing execution mode by comparing the RTC information.

[0383] As shown in FIG. 30(c), the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 202i is at HI level from t8 to t11. This ninth buffer 202i corresponds to the occurrence or non-occurrence of the high frequency support mode. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(e), history information is written at t8, which is the timing when the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 202i switches to HI level, and at t11, which is the timing when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. In this case, the history information written at t8 includes start information, and the history information written at t11 ​​includes end information. This makes it possible to grasp the execution period of the high frequency support mode by checking the history information in the history memory 197.

[0384] In addition, the history information is written in the history memory 197 in chronological order. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is in the high-frequency support mode or not. In addition, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is in the high-frequency support mode or not by comparing the RTC information.

[0385] As shown in FIG. 30(d), the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 202j is HI level from t12 to t15. This tenth buffer 202j corresponds to whether the front door frame 14 is open or not. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(e), at t12, when the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 202j is switched to HI level, and at t15, when the output state of the signal is switched to LOW level, history information is written. In this case, the history information written at t12 includes start information, and the history information written at t15 includes end information. This makes it possible to grasp the period during which the front door frame 14 is open by checking the history information in the history memory 197.

[0386] In addition, the history information is written in the history memory 197 in chronological order. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is from the time the front door frame 14 is open or not. In addition, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 is from the time the front door frame 14 is open or not by comparing the RTC information.

[0387] Next, a process configuration for outputting history information stored in the history memory 197 to a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 of the MPU 142 will be described. Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing the data output process executed by the main CPU 143. The data output process is executed in step S111 in the main process (Fig. 15).

[0388] In the data output process, first, it is determined whether or not a connection signal indicating that the reading device is electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 is received from the reading terminal 182 (step S901). The reading device is configured to output a connection signal when electrically connected to the reading terminal 182, and if the connection signal is received through the reading terminal 182, a positive determination is made in step S901.

[0389] If a negative determination is made in step S901, the data output process is terminated. In this case, in order to execute the data output process, it is necessary to restart the supply of operating power to the MPU 142. In order to output the history information externally, it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the MPU 142 with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 182. Since the power supply operation unit for stopping and starting the supply of operating power to the MPU 142 is provided on the back of the back pack unit 15, it is necessary to open the gaming machine main body 12 relative to the outer frame 11 to expose the back of the back pack unit 15 in order to perform the stopping and starting operations. Under such circumstances, by configuring it so that the supply of operating power to the MPU 142 is started with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 182 in order to output the history information externally, it is possible to make it difficult for anyone other than the manager of the gaming hall to read the history information.

[0390] If the determination in step S901 is affirmative, it is determined whether or not a signal for confirming control information is received from the read terminal 182, and it is determined whether or not the current connection of the reading device to the read terminal 182 corresponds to confirmation of control information (programs and data) of the main ROM 144 (step S902). The reading device is configured to be able to perform both confirmation of control information and confirmation of history information, and when confirmation of control information is selected by manual operation of the reading device, a signal for confirming control information is transmitted from the reading device, and when confirmation of history information is selected by manual operation of the reading device, a signal for confirming history is transmitted from the reading device. Note that this is not limited to this, and a reading device for confirming control information and a reading device for confirming history may be configured separately. In this case, when a reading device for confirming control information is electrically connected to the read terminal 182, a signal for confirming control information is transmitted from the reading device, and when a reading device for confirming history is electrically connected to the read terminal 182, a signal for confirming history is transmitted from the reading device.

[0391] If the determination in step S902 is affirmative, an output process for confirming the control information is executed (step S903). In the output process, a program and data are read from the main ROM 144 as control information, and the read control information is output to the read terminal 182. This makes it possible to read the control information in a reading device electrically connected to the read terminal 182, and to confirm whether the control information is authentic or normal.

[0392] If a negative determination is made in step S902, an output instruction signal is sent to the management CPU 192 (step S904). Specifically, the output state of the output instruction signal is switched from a LOW level to a HI level. This HI level output state continues for a specific period of time. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 192 to determine that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the sixteenth buffer 202p. As a result of the output state of the output instruction signal being switched to a HI level, a process for outputting history information is executed in the management CPU 192. This process will be described in detail later.

[0393] When the process of step S903 or step S904 is executed, it is determined whether the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 182 is still continued (step S905). If it is still continued (step S905: YES), the process waits in step S905. This makes it possible to prevent a process set in the execution order after the data output process from being executed until the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 182 is released. When the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 182 is released (step S905: NO), the data output process is terminated.

[0394] Next, the external output process executed by the management CPU 192 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 32. The external output process is executed in step S608 of the management process (Fig. 26).

[0395] When the output state of the output instruction signal received from the main CPU 143 is switched from LOW level to HI level (step S1001: YES), the process for outputting the history information from step S1002 onwards is executed. Specifically, first, the number of history information storage areas 205 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the out port 24a is stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 is counted to calculate the number of balls entering the out port 24a (step S1002). In addition, the number of history information storage areas 205 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the general winning port 31 is stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 is counted to calculate the number of balls entering the general winning port 31 (step S1003). In addition, the number of history information storage areas 205 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the special winning device 32 is stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 is counted to calculate the number of balls entering the special winning device 32 (step S1004). The number of balls that have entered the first operation port 33 is calculated by counting the number of history information storage areas 205 in which correspondence information indicating that the operation port 33 is stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 (step S1005). The number of balls that have entered the second operation port 34 is calculated by counting the number of history information storage areas 205 in which correspondence information indicating that the operation port 34 is stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 (step S1006).

[0396] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 205 existing in the period between the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 and the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, the number of balls entering each of the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operation hole 33, and the second operation hole 34 that occurred in the situation where the front door frame 14 is in an open state is calculated (step S1007). The period between the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored in the history area 204 of the history memory 197 and the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 205. In addition, in the entire pointer information with consecutive numbers, if there are multiple sections between the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored and the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, the total number of balls entered for each section is calculated. In addition, if there is a history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, but the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are not stored in the history information storage area 205 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, all the history information in the history information storage area 205 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 205 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored is treated as if the front door frame 14 is in an open state.

[0397] After that, various parameters are calculated using the calculation results of steps S1002 to S1007 (step S1008). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the gate while the front door frame 14 was open, calculated in step S1007, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the gate calculated in steps S1002 to S1006. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls entered after the subtraction. The difference between the number of balls entering the out port 24a calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1002 is designated as the number of balls entering the port 24a, the difference between the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1002 is designated as the number of balls entering the port 24a, the difference between the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1002 and the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1007 is designated as the number of balls entering the port 24a, the difference between the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1002 and the number of balls entering the port 24a calculated in step S1002 .... First parameter: total number of game balls B1 dispensed (K2 x "number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K3 x "number of prize balls for winning at the special winning device 32" + K4 x "number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K5 x "number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / total number of game balls B1 discharged from the game area PA (K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 + K5) ratio (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D1") Second parameter: the ratio of the total number K2 of game balls B1 entering the general winning opening 31 to the total number (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) of game balls B1 discharged from the game area PA Third parameter: the ratio of the total number K3 of game balls B1 entering the special electric winning device 32 to the total number (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) of game balls B1 discharged from the game area PA Fourth parameter: the ratio of the total number K4 of game balls B1 entering the first operating port 33 to the total number (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) of game balls B1 discharged from the game area PA (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "D2") Fifth parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls B1 entering the second operating port 34 (K5) to the total number of game balls B1 discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D3") 6th parameter: D1-(D2 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D3 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") Seventh para...

Claims

[Claim 1] a predetermined storage execution means for executing a predetermined storage process so that when a predetermined event occurs as a result of a game, information corresponding to the event is stored in the predetermined storage means, thereby causing the predetermined information to be stored in the predetermined storage means; an information calculation means for calculating behavior information corresponding to a game result during a predetermined period of time using the predetermined information each time a predetermined calculation trigger occurs; a result storage and execution means for sequentially storing the aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means in a calculation result storage means; Equipped with the result storage execution means includes means for causing the behavior information to be stored among the behavior information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means to be stored in the calculation result storage means; The aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means, which is not a storage target, is not stored in the calculation result storage means, This gaming machine is A predetermined control means capable of executing a predetermined process including a predetermined progress process for progressing a game and the predetermined storage process; A specific storage means for storing information when the predetermined progress process is executed; A means for generating a specific advantageous period when a specific opportunity occurs; a means for erasing the predetermined information from the predetermined storage means after the information calculation means has completed the calculation of the aspect information; a notification means capable of notifying the user of the content corresponding to the aspect information stored in the calculation result storage means; Equipped with In one processing cycle of the predetermined process, the predetermined progress process is executed, and then the predetermined storage process is executed. the calculation result storage means is provided separately from the specific storage means, When a specific event occurs that stops the game progress control, the predetermined storage process is not executed by the predetermined storage execution means. A gaming machine characterized in that the information calculation means calculates the status information corresponding to the result of the game during the specified period by using the specified information during the specific advantageous period.

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