Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing amusement of a game suitably.SOLUTION: Second hold information is acquired by allowing game balls to enter a second operation hole provided in a game area. A big win result is selectable and a small win result is selectable when winning / losing determination processing is executed on the second hold information. Opening / closing control of a special electric winning device is executed in the big win result or the small win result, and putout of the game balls is executed when they enter the special electric winning device. In this case, a through game is provided at a downstream side of the special electric winning device, and the special electric winning device is opened and closed in a situation in which the game balls are placed on an opening / closing member to allow the game balls to enter the through gate. When the game balls enter the through gate, the hold information at a normal pattern side is acquired, and the second operation hole is opened with the hold information at the normal pattern side as an opportunity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Known types of gaming machines include pachinko machines and slot machines, which are known to have a configuration in which a gaming state is transitioned to a special control state when a predetermined transition condition is met, thereby providing a player with a benefit.

[0003] Specifically, there are known configurations of pachinko machines in which a special control state is entered when an internal lottery based on a game ball entering a ball entry section provided in the play area is won, and a special control state is entered when a game ball enters a predetermined ball entry section. When the special control state is entered, for example, a ball entry device provided in the play area starts opening and closing, and game balls are paid out based on the ball entering the ball entry device (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-009055 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 storing information corresponding to a predetermined event that occurs as a result of a game 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, 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 progress process for progressing a game; A specific storage means for storing information when the predetermined progress process is executed; 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; Equipped with The calculation result storage means is provided separately from the specific storage means. 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. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 4] 1(a) to (j) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents on the display surface of the pattern display device. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents on the display surface of the pattern display device. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram to explain the configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 9] (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (c) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart, and (d) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart. [Figure 10] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table for a first special chart, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table for a second special chart. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 13] 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 14] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 15] A block diagram to explain the electrical configuration of a dispensing control device and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing executed by the dispensing CPU. [Figure 17]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of a management IC. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a correspondence relationship memory; [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 23] 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 24] 13 is a flowchart showing a management output process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 26] 13(a) to 13(e) are time charts showing how history information is stored in a history memory. [Figure 27] 13 is a flowchart showing a data output process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 29] This is a front view of the game board showing an enlarged view of the area where the special electric prize-winning device is installed. [Diagram 30] FIG. [Diagram 31] 13(a) and 13(b) are perspective views of the passage formation body and the opening / closing member, illustrating how an inlet portion of a fourth discharge passage portion is opened and closed by the opening / closing member. [Diagram 32] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the opening / closing member and the drive unit for special electricity. [Diagram 33] 29(a) and 29(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 29(a) and (b). [Diagram 34]13(a)~(e) are time charts showing how winning occurs in the second operating port in the opening and closing execution mode. [Diagram 35] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the manner of execution of the opening and closing execution mode. [Diagram 36] 13A to 13C are time charts for explaining the manner of execution of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a small win result. [Figure 37] 4 is a flowchart showing a normal power control process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 38] 13 is a flowchart showing the special chart special power control processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 39] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of acquiring hold information executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 40] This is a flowchart showing the special chart change start processing executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 41] This is a flowchart showing the processing during special chart determination executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 42] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call start processing executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 43] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call release processing executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 44] 13 is a flowchart showing the special line closed processing executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 45] 13 is a flowchart showing a special call termination process executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 46] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of an input port of a management side I / F in the second embodiment. [Figure 47] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 48] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 49] 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 50] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a management IC according to a third embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 52] 13 is a flowchart showing a power outage information storage process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 53] 13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 54] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 55] 13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a control CPU in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 56] 13A is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 57] 23 is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 58] 23 is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a control-side CPU in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 59] 23 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a history memory in the ninth embodiment. [Figure 61] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 62] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of an MPU of a main control device in a tenth embodiment. [Figure 63] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 64] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a main control device in the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 66] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Figure 67] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 68] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 69] 13 is a flowchart showing a parameter management process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 70] 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 12th embodiment. [Figure 71] 23(a1) to (c2) are time charts illustrating the manner in which an opening and closing execution mode is executed in the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 72] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call start processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 73] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call release processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 74] 13 is a flowchart showing the special line closed processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 75] A front view of the game board in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 76] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 77] 13(a) to (e) are time charts showing how a game ball enters the first special ball entrance or the second special ball entrance in the open / close execution mode. [Figure 78] FIG. 23 is a front view of the game board in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 79] 79(a) and 79(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 78. [Figure 80] 79(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 78, and FIG. 79(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 81] (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (c) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart, and (d) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart. [Figure 82] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the manner of execution of the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 83] 13 is a flowchart showing the special call release setting process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 84] A front view of the game board in the 16th embodiment. [Figure 85] FIG. 13A is a flowchart showing the open setting process for special power lines executed by the main CPU, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing the close setting process for special power lines executed by the main CPU. [Figure 86] 13(a) to (d) are time charts showing the opening and closing of the first special electric prize-winning device and the second special electric prize-winning device. [Figure 87] A vertical cross-sectional view of a game board to explain the configuration of the special electric prize-winning device in the 17th embodiment. [Figure 88] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow-down prevention control process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 89] (a) to (d) are time charts to explain the relationship between the open / closed state of each special electric winning device and the operating position of the flow prevention member. [Figure 90] 13(a) to 13(c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the relationship between the open / closed state of each special electric prize-winning device and the operating position of the flow-down prevention member. [Figure 91] FIG. 23 is a front view of the game board in the 18th embodiment. [Figure 92] This is a flowchart showing the process of acquiring hold information on the general side, which is executed by the main CPU. [Figure 93] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents of the pattern display device. [Figure 94](a)~(e) are time charts showing how reservation information on the general map side is obtained. [Figure 95] FIG. 23 is a front view of the game board in the 19th embodiment. [Figure 96] 96(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 95. 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. Game balls launched from a game ball launching mechanism 27 (see FIG. 2) attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21 are guided to the upper part of the game area PA by the guide rail.

[0019] Incidentally, the game ball launching mechanism 27 includes a launching rail 27a extending toward the guide rail, a ball feeder 27b that supplies game balls stored in the upper tray 55a (described later) onto the launching rail 27a, and a solenoid 27c that is an electric actuator that launches the game balls 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. The game balls are 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 payout of game balls is not executed. On the other hand, when balls enter the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, and the second operating opening 34, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. Specifically, when one game ball enters the first operating opening 33 or when one game ball enters the second operating opening 34, one prize ball is paid out, when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31, ten prize balls are paid out, and when one game ball enters the special electric winning device 32, fifteen prize balls are paid out.

[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 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 is provided with a large number of nails 24b for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various components such as windmills are also provided.

[0024] Here, the term "entering the ball" means that the game ball passes through a specified opening, and includes not only the state in which the game ball passes through the opening and is discharged from the game area PA, but also the state in which the game ball 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 from the game ball entering the outlet 24a, the game ball 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 variable display unit 36 ​​includes a pattern display device 41 having a rectangular display surface, and a center frame 36a surrounding the periphery of the display surface of the pattern display device 41. In the center frame 36a, the upper, left and right sides of the display surface of the pattern display device 41 protrude forward from the surface of the game board 24, and the variable display unit 36 ​​is provided in the center of the game area PA. As a result, the game area PA is divided into an upper area PA1 located above the variable display unit 36, a left area PA2 located to the left of the variable display unit 36, a right area PA3 located to the right of the variable display unit 36, and a lower area PA4 located below the variable display unit 36. In other words, a game ball launched into the game area PA will first reach the upper area PA1, and after reaching the upper area PA1, it will flow down in the order of upper area PA1 → left area PA2 → lower area PA4, or upper area PA1 → right area PA3 → lower area PA4, and a game ball flowing down one of the left area PA2 and right area PA3 will never flow down the other.

[0026] The first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are installed in the lower area PA4, which is an area below the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA. The lower area PA4 is continuous with the left area PA2, which is an area to the left of the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, downstream thereof, and is also continuous with the right area PA3, which is an area to the right of the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, downstream thereof. Therefore, even if a game ball flows down from any position in the upper area PA1, which is an area above the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, it can reach the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. For example, even if the launch operation device 28 is rotated so as to have a maximum operation amount, the game ball can reach the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. Furthermore, when a firing operation is performed with the aim of winning through the first operating port 33, not only is there a possibility of winning through the first operating port 33, but there is also a possibility of winning through the second operating port 34, and when a firing operation is performed with the aim of winning through the second operating port 34, there is also a possibility of winning through the first operating port 33.

[0027] The first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are united as an actuation port device in a state where they are arranged in a vertical line with the first actuation port 33 on the top and the second actuation port 34 on the bottom. The first actuation port 33 is not provided with a member for varying the frequency of game balls entering the first actuation port 33, and the probability of game balls entering the first actuation port 33 when comparing a predetermined manner in which game balls flow down the left side area PA2 is the same in any game state. Therefore, the player can perform a firing operation aimed at entering the game ball into the first actuation port 33 in any situation.

[0028] A stage section 36c is provided in the lower frame section 36b, which is a portion below the display surface of the pattern display device 41 in the center frame 36a, so as to extend horizontally above the first operating port 33, and a warp passage entrance section 36e is formed in the left frame section 36d, which is a portion to the left of the pattern display device 41 in the variable display unit 36, to guide the game ball flowing down the left area of ​​the variable display unit 36 ​​to the stage section 36c. The horizontal center section of the stage section 36c exists vertically above the first operating port 33, and a lead-out section 36f is formed in the central section to lead the game ball by its own weight to the lower side of the stage section 36c. In this case, a game ball that is guided to the stage portion 36c from an area other than the lead-out portion 36f to below the stage portion 36c is unlikely to enter the first operating port 33, but a game ball that is guided from the lead-out portion 36f to below the stage portion 36c has a high probability of entering the first operating port 33.

[0029] A normal power device 34a, which is a guide piece consisting of a pair of movable pieces on the left and right, is provided in the second operating port 34. When the normal power device 34a is in a closed state, the game ball cannot enter the second operating port 34, but when the normal power device 34a is in an open state, the game ball can enter the second operating port 34.

[0030] A through gate 35 is provided upstream of the second operating port 34 in the flow direction of the game ball, more specifically in the right area PA3. The through gate 35 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically, and the game ball that enters the through gate 35 flows down the game area PA after winning. This allows the game ball that enters the through gate 35 to enter the second operating port 34.

[0031] 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 play area PA, which is an area where the game ball 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] In detail, the special chart unit 37 is provided with a first special chart display section 37a and a second special chart display section 37b. In the first special chart display section 37a, a winning lottery is held with the winning of the first operating port 33 as a trigger, and a variation display of the pattern is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. In addition, in the second special chart display section 37b, a winning lottery is held with the winning of the second operating port 34 as a trigger, and a variation display of the pattern is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. In addition, the first special chart display section 37a and the second special chart display section 37b are configured with a segment display in which a plurality of segment light emitting sections are arranged in a predetermined manner, but are not limited thereto, and may be configured with 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, the patterns displayed on the first special chart display unit 37a and the second special chart display unit 37b may include a configuration in which multiple types of letters are displayed, a configuration in which multiple types of symbols are displayed, a configuration in which multiple types of characters are displayed, or a configuration in which multiple types of colors are displayed.

[0036] In the special chart unit 37, a first special chart reserve display section 37c and a second special chart reserve display section 37d are provided at positions adjacent to the first special chart display section 37a and the second special chart display section 37b. The number of game balls that have entered the first operating port 33 can be reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the first special chart reserve display section 37c. Also, the number of game balls that have entered the second operating port 34 can be reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the second special chart reserve display section 37d.

[0037] 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 CRT, or may be a dot matrix display device.

[0038] In the pattern display device 41, when a pattern is displayed in the first special pattern display section 37a based on a winning entry in the first operating port 33, the pattern is displayed accordingly, and when a pattern is displayed in the second special pattern display section 37b based on a winning entry in the second operating port 34, the pattern is displayed accordingly. In addition to the display performance triggered by the winning entry in the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, the pattern display device 41 also displays a display performance during the opening and closing execution mode to which the mode shifts after a winning entry is obtained.

[0039] The display contents when the pattern display device 41 variably displays the patterns will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the individual patterns variably displayed by the pattern display device 41, and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the display surface of the pattern display device 41.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4(a) to (j), the design, which is a type of picture, is composed of nine main designs each numbered "1" to "9" and a sub-design consisting of a shell-shaped picture. More specifically, the main designs are composed of nine character designs, such as an octopus, each numbered "1" to "9."

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the display surface of the symbol display device 41 has three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3, which are upper, middle, and lower rows, set as a plurality of display regions. Each symbol row Z1 to Z3 is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. In detail, in the upper symbol row Z1, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in descending numerical order, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In the lower symbol row Z3, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol.

[0042] That is, the upper pattern row Z1 and the lower pattern row Z3 are composed of 18 symbols. In contrast, in the middle pattern row Z2, nine main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, and a main symbol "4" is additionally arranged between the main symbol "9" and the main symbol "1", and one sub-symbol is arranged between each of these main symbols. That is, only in the middle pattern row Z2, 10 main symbols are arranged, and it is composed of 20 symbols. And, on the display surface, the symbols of each of these pattern rows Z1 to Z3 are displayed variably so as to scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 5(b), the display surface is designed so that three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol row, resulting in a total of nine symbols being stopped and displayed, which is 3 x 3. Also, as shown in Fig. 5(a), five effective lines, namely a left line L1, a center line L2, a right line L3, a right downward line L4, and a right upward line L5, are set on the display surface.

[0044] When the display of the symbols is changed on the display surface based on the winning of the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34, the display starts so that the symbols of each symbol row Z1 to Z3 scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity. Then, the display is switched from the changing display to the standby display in the order of the upper symbol row Z1 → the lower symbol row Z3 → the middle symbol row Z2, and finally ends with the predetermined symbols being statically displayed in each symbol row Z1 to Z3. In addition, when the display of the changing patterns ends, if the result of the internal lottery is a 16R high probability result described below, a combination of "7" symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, if the result of the internal lottery is any of the 2R high probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R high probability result, and 10R high probability result described below, a combination of the same odd symbols other than the "7" symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, if the result of the internal lottery is any of the 2R low probability result, 4R low probability result, 6R low probability result, 10R low probability result, and 16R low probability result described below, a combination of the same even symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, and if the result of the internal lottery is any of the first small win result, second small win result, and third small win result described below, a combination of predetermined symbols that is not a combination of the same symbols and is not a combination of reach symbols (for example, "3·4·1") will be formed on one of the valid lines.

[0045] In addition, based on the winning of any of the operation ports 33, 34, display is started on any of the special symbol display units 37a, 37b and the symbol display device 41, and one game round is played until a predetermined result is displayed and the game ends. In addition, the manner of the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of symbol rows, the direction of the variable display of the symbols in the symbol rows, the number of symbols in each symbol row, etc. can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the symbols displayed in a variable manner on the symbol display device 41 are not limited to the above-mentioned symbols, and for example, a configuration in which only numbers are displayed as symbols may be used.

[0046] If a big win is won in the lottery based on winning the first operating port 33, the mode shifts to an opening / closing execution mode in which winning in the special electric winning device 32 is possible. Also, if a big win or a small win is won in the lottery based on winning the second operating port 34, the mode shifts to an opening / closing execution mode in which winning in the special electric winning device 32 is possible. As shown in FIG. 3, the special electric winning device 32 is provided in the right area PA3 in the game area PA. Therefore, a game ball flowing down the left area PA2 cannot win in the special electric winning device 32, and when a shooting operation is performed so that the game ball flows down the right area PA3, such as when the shooting operation device 28 is rotated so as to have a maximum operation amount, the game ball can win in the special electric winning device 32. The configuration of the special electric winning device 32 will be described in detail later.

[0047] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area PA.

[0048] As already explained, a game ball that enters any 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, a game ball 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 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. A game ball that enters any 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.

[0049] On the back of the game board 24, discharge passages 42-48 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 that flow into the discharge passages 42-48 flow down the discharge passages 42-48, and are guided to the lower end of the game board 24 on the back side of the game board 24, and are collected in a discharge ball collection section (not shown). The game balls collected in the discharge ball collection section are then discharged to a ball circulation device of an island facility where a pachinko machine 10 is installed in a game hall.

[0050] Each of the discharge passages 42-48 is provided with various detection sensors 42a-48a for detecting game balls. The discharge passages 42-48 and the detection sensors 42a-48a will be described below. As already described, four general winning openings 31 are provided, and therefore, the discharge passages 42-44 exist corresponding to each of the four general winning openings 31. In this case, one detection sensor 42a, 43a is provided for each of the first discharge passage 42 corresponding to the leftmost general winning opening 31 and the second discharge passage 43 corresponding to the general winning opening 31 adjacent thereto to the right. Specifically, the first winning opening detection sensor 42a is provided so that its detection range is located in the middle of the first discharge passage 42, and the second winning opening detection sensor 43a is provided so that its detection range is located in the middle of the second discharge passage 43. A game ball that enters the leftmost general winning opening 31 is detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 42a while passing through the first discharge passage section 42, and a game ball that enters the general winning opening 31 adjacent to the left is detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 43a while passing through the second discharge passage section 43. A third discharge passage section 44 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 44 has an entrance side area corresponding to each of the two general winning openings 31, and the entrance side areas merge at an intermediate position to form one exit side area. A third winning opening detection sensor 44a is provided so that a detection range exists at an intermediate position of the exit side area in the third discharge passage section 44. A game ball that enters one of the two general winning openings 31 on the right side is detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 44a while passing through the third discharge passage section 44.

[0051] A fourth discharge passage section 45 exists corresponding to the special electric winning device 32. A special electric detection sensor 45a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fourth discharge passage section 45, and the game ball that entered the special electric winning device 32 is detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a in the middle of passing through the fourth discharge passage section 45. A fifth discharge passage section 46 exists corresponding to the first operating port 33. A first operating port detection sensor 46a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fifth discharge passage section 46, and the game ball that entered the first operating port 33 is detected by the first operating port detection sensor 46a in the middle of passing through the fifth discharge passage section 46. A sixth discharge passage section 47 exists corresponding to the second operating port 34. A second actuation port detection sensor 47a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the sixth discharge passage section 47, and a game ball that enters the second actuation port 34 is detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 47a in the middle of passing through the sixth discharge passage section 47. A seventh discharge passage section 48 exists corresponding to the outlet 24a. An outlet detection sensor 48a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the seventh discharge passage section 48, and a game ball that enters the outlet 24a is detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a in the middle of passing through the seventh discharge passage section 48.

[0052] In addition, a gaming ball that is detected by any one of the various detection sensors 42a to 48a is not detected by the other detection sensors 42a to 48a. A gate detection sensor 49a is also provided for the through gate 35, and a gaming ball that passes through the through gate 35 on the way down the game area PA is detected by the gate detection sensor 49a.

[0053] Although electromagnetic induction type proximity sensors are used as the various detection sensors 42a-49a, any sensor can be used as long as it can detect the game balls individually. The various detection sensors 42a-49a are electrically connected to a main control device 60, which will be described later, and the detection results of the various detection sensors 42a-49a are output to the main control device 60. Specifically, the various detection sensors 42a-49a output a LOW level signal when they are not detecting a game ball, and output a HI level signal when they are detecting a game ball. However, this is not limited to this, and the relationship between HI and LOW may be reversed.

[0054] 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 51 that allows almost the entire area of ​​the game area PA to be viewed from the front. The window portion 51 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 52 is fitted into the window portion 51. The window panel 52 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 52 from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0055] Above the window 51, a display light-emitting unit 53 is provided. A pair of left and right speaker units 54 are provided to output sound effects according to the game state. Below the window 51, an upper bulge 55 and a lower bulge 56 are arranged vertically side by side, bulging toward the front side. An upper tray 55a opening upward is provided inside the upper bulge 55, and a lower tray 56a opening upward is provided inside the lower bulge 56. The upper tray 55a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device 76 (described later) and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism 27 while aligning them in a row. The lower tray 56a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 55a.

[0056] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the main control device 60 that mainly controls the game is mounted on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 60 is configured by housing a main control board 61 in a board box 60a. The board box 60a 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 60a 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 object to be attached 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 60a may be considered.

[0058] The back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13, including the main control device 60. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 72 formed from a transparent synthetic resin, to which a dispensing mechanism section 73 and a control device assembly unit 74 are attached.

[0059] The payout mechanism 73 includes a tank 75 to which game balls are successively replenished from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and a payout device 76 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 75. The game balls paid out from the payout device 76 are discharged to the upper tray 55a or the lower tray 56a through a payout passage provided downstream of the payout device 76. The payout mechanism 73 is supplied with a main power supply of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board having a power switch for turning the power supply on and off.

[0060] The control device assembly unit 74 includes a payout control device 77 having a function of controlling the payout device 76, and a power supply / launch control device 78 which generates and outputs a predetermined amount of power required by various control devices, etc., and controls the launch of game balls in response to the player's operation of the launch operation device 28. The payout control device 77 and the power supply / launch control device 78 are stacked in front of and behind each other, with the payout control device 77 at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0061] <Electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG.

[0062] The main control device 60 comprises a main control board 61 which is responsible for the main control of the game, and a power failure monitoring board 67 which monitors the power supply. The main control board 61 is equipped with an MPU 62. The MPU 62 has a main CPU 63, which is a processing device including a control unit and a calculation unit, as well as a main ROM 64, a main RAM 65, and a management IC 66. In addition to the above elements, the MPU 62 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.

[0063] The main ROM 64 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory 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 64 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the main CPU 63.

[0064] The main RAM 65 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 65 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the main ROM 64 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The main RAM 65 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the main ROM 64.

[0065] The management IC 66 is a management device that manages the ball entry patterns of game balls in the game area PA based on information supplied from the main CPU 63. Although details will be described later, the management IC 66 grasps the ball entry history of game balls 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 ball 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.

[0066] The MPU 62 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 62 is connected to a power failure monitoring board 67 and a dispensing control device 77 provided in the main control device 60. The power failure monitoring board 67 is connected to a power supply / launch control device 78 having a function of supplying operating power, and the MPU 62 is supplied with operating power via the power failure monitoring board 67.

[0067] Various sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a are connected to the input side of the MPU 62. As already explained, the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a are the first winning hole detection sensor 42a, the second winning hole detection sensor 43a, the third winning hole detection sensor 44a, the special electric detection sensor 45a, the first operation hole detection sensor 46a, the second operation hole detection sensor 47a, the out hole detection sensor 48a, and the gate detection sensor 49a. Based on the detection results of these ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a, the main CPU 63 judges whether a ball has entered each entry section. In addition, the main CPU 63 executes various lotteries based on the winning of the first operation hole 33, and executes various lotteries based on the winning of the second operation hole 34.

[0068] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 67, the payout control device 77, and the sound and light emission control device 81. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 based on the fact that a game ball has entered a prize ball entry section among the above-mentioned ball entry sections, in which the occurrence of the ball entry corresponds to the payout of the game ball. Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the sound and light emission control device 81.

[0069] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to the special power drive unit 32b for opening and closing the opening / closing member 202 of the special power winning device 32 described later, the normal power drive unit 34b for opening and closing 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 first special chart display unit 37a, a second special chart display unit 37b, a first special chart reserved display unit 37c, and a second special chart reserved display unit 37d, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 62. 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 62. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 61, and the MPU 62 executes drive control of various drive units and various display units through the driver circuits.

[0070] That is, in the open / close execution mode, the main CPU 63 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 normal power open state of the normal power role 34a is won, the main CPU 63 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, the main CPU 63 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 63 executes display control of the normal chart display unit 38a. In addition, when a winning occurs at the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, or when a changing display starts at the special chart display units 37a and 37b, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the special chart pending display units 37c and 37d, and when a winning occurs at the through gate 35, or when a changing display starts at the regular chart display unit 38a, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the regular chart pending display unit 38b.

[0071] The power failure monitoring board 67 relays between the main control board 61 and the power supply / launch control device 78, and monitors the voltage of 24 V DC stable, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 78. The payout control device 77 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 76 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 60.

[0072] The power supply / launch control device 78 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 78 generates the operating power required for each of the main control board 61, the payout control device 77, etc., and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply / launch control device 78 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 65 of the main control device 60 and the payout control device 77. The power supply / launch control device 78 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.

[0073] The audio and light-emitting control device 81 drives and controls the display light-emitting unit 53 and the speaker unit 54 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands received from the main control device 60, and also controls the display control device 82. The display control device 82 executes display control of the pattern display device 41 based on commands received from the audio and light-emitting control device 81.

[0074] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] The main CPU 63 uses various counter information during play to perform a lottery for a big win occurrence, settings for the display of the special symbol display units 37a and 37b, settings for the symbol display of the symbol display unit 41, settings for the display of the normal symbol display unit 38a, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, a winning random number counter C1 used for a lottery for a win occurrence, a big win type counter C2 used for determining a big win type, a reach random number counter C3 used for a lottery for a reach occurrence when the symbol display unit 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 for determining the change display period in the special symbol display units 37a and 37b and the symbol display unit 41. In addition, a normal power random number 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 counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in the various counter areas 65b of the main RAM 65.

[0076] 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. When a winning occurs in the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, 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 special chart reserve area 65a provided as an acquired information storage means in the main RAM 65. The special chart reserve area 65a includes a first special chart reserve area 85, a second special chart reserve area 86, and an execution area 87 for special charts.

[0077] The first special chart reserve area 85 includes a first area 85a, a second area 85b, a third area 85c, and a fourth area 85d, and the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in any of the areas 85a to 85d as reserved information on the special chart side according to the winning history of the first operating port 33. In this case, when the winning of the first operating port 33 occurs multiple times in succession, the numerical information is stored in the first area 85a to the fourth area 85d in the order of the first area 85a → the second area 85b → the third area 85c → the fourth area 85d in chronological order. In this way, by providing four areas 85a to 85d, the winning history of the game balls in the first operating port 33 can be reserved and stored up to four pieces. In addition, the number of items that can be reserved and stored in the first special chart reservation area 85 is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be other multiples such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0078] The second special chart reserve area 86 includes a first area 86a, a second area 86b, a third area 86c, and a fourth area 86d, and the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in any of the areas 86a to 86d as reserved information on the special chart side according to the winning history of the second operation port 34. In this case, when the winning of the second operation port 34 occurs multiple times in succession, the numerical information is stored in the first area 86a to the fourth area 86d in the order of the first area 86a → the second area 86b → the third area 86c → the fourth area 86d in chronological order. In this way, by providing four areas 86a to 86d, the winning history of the game balls in the second operation port 34 can be reserved and stored up to four pieces. In addition, the number of items that can be reserved and stored in the second special chart reservation area 86 is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be other multiples such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0079] The execution area 87 for special charts is an area in which reserved information for which a hit / miss judgment or allocation judgment for a special chart is performed is stored when a variable display is started in either of the special chart display units 37a and 37b. Specifically, when the variable display of the first special chart display unit 37a is started, the reserved information stored in the first area 85a of the first special chart reserve area 85 is moved to the execution area 87 for special charts. On the other hand, when the variable display of the second special chart display unit 37b is started, the reserved information stored in the first area 86a of the second special chart reserve area 86 is moved to the execution area 87 for special charts.

[0080] Information corresponding to the normal random number counter C4 is stored in the normal map reserve area 65c when a winning entry into the through gate 35 occurs. The normal map reserve area 65c includes a first area 88a, a second area 88b, a third area 88c, and a fourth area 88d, and the numerical information of the normal random number counter C4 is stored in one of the areas 88a to 88d as reserved information on the normal map side according to the winning history of the through gate 35. In this case, when winning entries into the through gate 35 occur multiple times in succession, the numerical information is stored in the first area 88a to the fourth area 88d in the order of the first area 88a → the second area 88b → the third area 88c → the fourth area 88d in chronological order. In this way, by providing four areas 88a to 88d, a maximum of four winning history of game balls into the through gate 35 can be reserved and stored. The number of reserved items that can be stored in the regular map reservation area 65c 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. The regular map reservation area 65c is provided with an execution area 89 for regular maps. The execution area 89 for regular maps is an area in which reserved information for which a regular power release lottery process is performed is stored when the regular map display unit 38a starts displaying changes. Specifically, when the regular map display unit 38a starts displaying changes, the reserved information stored in the first area 88a of the regular map reservation area 65c is moved to the execution area 89 for regular maps.

[0081] Each of the above counters will now be described in detail.

[0082] First, the normal random number counter C4 will be described. The normal random number 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 random number counter C4 is periodically updated, and is stored in the normal map reserve area 65c of the main RAM 65 at the timing when the game ball enters the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not the normal random number device 34a should be controlled to an open state based on the value of the stored normal random number counter C4.

[0083] In this pachinko machine 10, there is only one type of support mode. Therefore, the probability of winning the normal power open state in the normal power open lottery process using the normal power random number counter C4 and the determination mode of the variable display period when the variable display of the picture is executed on the normal power display unit 38a are constant regardless of the game state, and the execution mode of the drive control of the normal power role 34a, such as the number of times the normal power role 34a is in the open state in the normal power open state, one opening period of the normal power role 34a, and the closing period from the end of one opening state to the start of the next opening state when the open state of the normal power role 34a occurs multiple times in the normal power open state, are also constant regardless of the game state. As a result, there is no need to change the display control mode of the normal power display unit 38a and the drive control mode of the normal power role 34a according to the type of support mode, so it is possible to reduce the program capacity and data capacity for executing these controls. Since there is only one type of support mode, the normal game state in this embodiment is a game state in which the win / lose lottery mode is a low probability mode, and the high probability state in this embodiment is a game state in which the win / lose lottery mode is a high probability mode.

[0084] 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 special chart reservation area 65a of the main RAM 65 at the timing when the game ball enters the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34. Then, the winning or losing judgment is performed using the value of the winning random number counter C1 stored therein.

[0085] The random number value that is the winning result when determining whether or not a win is made is stored in the main ROM 64 as a winning / losing table. In the winning / losing table, a big win result, a small win result, and a losing result are set as winning / losing results. The big win result is a winning / losing result that can trigger a transition to an opening / closing execution mode in which the special electric winning device 32 is controlled to open and close, and can also trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode. The small win result is a winning / losing result that triggers a transition to an opening / closing execution mode in which the special electric winning device 32 is controlled to open and close, but does not trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode. The losing result is a winning / losing result that does not trigger a transition to an opening / closing execution mode, and does not trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode either.

[0086] The opening and closing execution mode executed when a jackpot result is obtained is a round number regulation mode executed with a predetermined number of rounds as the upper limit. The round game is a game that continues until one of the conditions is met: the number of times the special electric winning device 32 opens and closes reaches the upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit number of game balls win the special electric winning device 32. In this embodiment, the special electric winning device 32 opens and closes once in one round game, and the open duration in each round game is set to 29 seconds. In addition, the upper limit number of winning balls in the special electric winning device 32 is set to 10. In a situation where 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 is launched toward the game area PA every 0.6 seconds, so that the open duration of the round game is set to a time longer than the product of the game ball launch cycle and the upper limit number of winning balls in one round game. Therefore, in each round of play, it is expected that the number of game balls equal to or more than the upper limit number of winning balls will enter the special winning device 32. Also, the number of rounds of play executed in the round number regulation mode differs depending on the type of big win result.

[0087] The opening and closing execution mode executed when a small win is obtained is a number-of-opening and closing-number-defined mode in which round play is not set and which ends when either one of the conditions is satisfied: the number of times the special electric winning device 32 opens and closes reaches the upper limit, or a predetermined upper limit number of game balls win the special electric winning device 32. In the number-of-opening and closing-number-defined mode, multiple types of open durations are set for one open of the special electric winning device 32. All of these open durations are set longer than the firing cycle of the game balls (specifically, 0.6 seconds), but there are periods that are less than the product of the firing cycle of the game balls and the upper limit number of winning balls (specifically, 10 balls), and periods that are greater than or equal to the product of the firing cycle of the game balls and the upper limit number of winning balls (specifically, 10 balls). In the opening and closing execution mode executed when a small win is obtained, it is possible to increase the number of balls held by the player, although the number is smaller than that in the opening and closing execution mode executed when a big win is obtained.

[0088] As shown in the explanatory diagrams of Figures 9(a) to 9(d), the winning / losing table is a winning / losing table for the first special symbol used in judging the winning / losing of the first reserved information stored in the first special symbol reservation area 85 based on the winning of the first operation port 33, and a winning / losing table for the second special symbol used in judging the winning / losing of the second reserved information stored in the second special symbol reservation area 86 based on the winning of the second operation port 34. Furthermore, the winning / losing table for the first special symbol includes a low-probability winning / losing table and a high-probability winning / losing table, and similarly, the winning / losing table for the second special symbol includes a low-probability winning / losing table and a high-probability winning / losing table. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, different winning / losing tables are referred to for the first reserved information and the second reserved information, and in either case, a low probability mode and a high probability mode exist as a winning / losing lottery mode in the winning / losing judgment.

[0089] To explain each winning / losing table in detail, in the low probability winning / losing table for the first special chart, as shown in Fig. 9(a), there are two random number values ​​that result in a winning result (for example, "5" and "305"), and the rest are random number values ​​that result in a losing result. In other words, when the winning / losing lottery mode is in the low probability mode and a winning / losing judgment is made on the first reserved information, it can result in either a winning result or a losing result, but it will never result in a small winning result.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the high probability winning / losing table for the first special chart has a larger number of random numbers that result in a jackpot than the low probability winning / losing table for the first special chart, specifically 20 (for example, "5", "34", "65", "130", "163", "192", "220", "245", "276", "305", "334", "365", "392", "420", "470", "495", "520", "558", "575", "599"). In this case, the value group of the winning random number counter C1 that results in a jackpot win in a low probability mode situation is included in the value group of the winning random number counter C1 that results in a jackpot win in a high probability mode situation. The other random number values ​​are the values ​​of random numbers that result in a loss result. In other words, when the winning / losing lottery mode is the high probability mode and a win / losing judgment is performed on the first reserved information, the result will be either a jackpot result or a loss result, but it will not be a small win result.

[0091] In the low probability winning / losing table for the second special chart, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the value of the random number that becomes the big win result is the same as that in the low probability winning / losing table for the first special chart. On the other hand, the value of the random number other than the big win result is the value of the random number that becomes the small win result. In other words, when the winning / losing lottery mode is the low probability mode and the winning / losing judgment process is performed on the second reserved information, it becomes either the big win result or the small win result. In addition, the first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result are set as the small win result. The first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result are different in the execution mode of the opening / closing execution mode, which will be described in detail later. In addition, the winning probability of these first to third small win results is 199 / 600, which is the same for all of them.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 9(d), the high probability winning / losing table for the second special chart has the same random number value as the high probability winning / losing table for the first special chart. Therefore, the number of random number values ​​that result in the big win is greater than that of the low probability winning / losing table for the second special chart. On the other hand, the random number value other than the big win result is the random number value that results in the small win result. In other words, when the winning / losing lottery mode is the high probability mode and the winning / losing judgment is performed on the second reserved information, it will be either a big win result or a small win result. As with the low probability winning / losing table for the second special chart, the first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result are set as the small win result. The winning probability of these first to third small win results is approximately the same at 193 / 600 or 194 / 600.

[0093] As described above, by configuring the small win result to occur when the second reserved information becomes a trigger for the win / loss judgment, the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the small win result is more likely to occur when a winning entry occurs in the second operating port 34. And, the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the small win result occurs, allowing the player to slightly increase the number of balls he has.

[0094] Furthermore, if the probability of a jackpot result is higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode, the number and value of the winning random numbers are arbitrary, and the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in a low probability mode situation may be configured so that the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in a high probability mode situation is only partially included in the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in a high probability mode situation, or may not be included at all.

[0095] 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 special chart reservation area 65a when the game ball enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0096] A plurality of jackpot results are set in this pachinko machine 10. These plurality of jackpot results are set by providing differences in two conditions: the number of rounds played in the opening / closing execution mode, and the winning / losing lottery mode in the winning / losing lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0097] As shown in the explanatory diagrams of Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the allocation table sets the following types of jackpot results: 2R low probability result, 2R high probability result, 4R low probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R low probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R low probability result, 10R high probability result, 16R low probability result, and 16R high probability result.

[0098] For a 2R low probability result and a 2R high probability result, the number of rounds played in the open / close execution mode will be 2, for a 4R low probability result and a 4R high probability result, the number of rounds played in the open / close execution mode will be 4, for a 6R low probability result and a 6R high probability result, the number of rounds played in the open / close execution mode will be 6, for a 10R low probability result and a 10R high probability result, the number of rounds played in the open / close execution mode will be 10, and for a 16R low probability result and a 16R high probability result, the number of rounds played in the open / close execution mode will be 16. Also, for a 2R low probability result, a 4R low probability result, a 6R low probability result, a 10R low probability result, and a 16R low probability result, the winning / losing lottery mode after the end of the open / close execution mode will be the low probability mode, regardless of the winning / losing lottery mode before the transition to the open / close execution mode. This low probability mode will continue at least until the next big win result occurs and the transition to the open / close execution mode occurs as a result of that. On the other hand, for 2R high probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R high probability result, and 16R high probability result, the winning / losing lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode will be the high probability mode regardless of the winning / losing lottery mode before the opening / closing execution mode transition. This high probability mode will continue at least until the next jackpot result occurs and the opening / closing execution mode transitions accordingly.

[0099] As the allocation tables, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), an allocation table for the first special symbol used in determining the allocation of the first reserved information obtained based on a winning entry into the first operating port 33, and an allocation table for the second special symbol used in determining the allocation of the second reserved information obtained based on a winning entry into the second operating port 34 are set.

[0100] To explain each allocation table in detail, as shown in Figure 10(a), the allocation table for the first special chart has the following types of jackpot results to be allocated: 2R low probability result, 2R high probability result, 4R low probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R low probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R low probability result, 10R high probability result, 16R low probability result, and 16R high probability result. In the distribution table for the first special chart, "0-1" corresponds to a 2R low probability result, "2-5" corresponds to a 2R high probability result, "6-7" corresponds to a 4R low probability result, "8-11" corresponds to a 4R high probability result, "12-13" corresponds to a 6R low probability result, "14-17" corresponds to a 6R high probability result, "18-19" corresponds to a 10R low probability result, "20-23" corresponds to a 10R high probability result, "24-25" corresponds to a 16R low probability result, and "26-29" corresponds to a 16R high probability result. In this case, the probability of a 2R low probability result, a 4R low probability result, a 6R low probability result, a 10R low probability result, and a 16R low probability result is about 6.7%, and the probability of a 2R high probability result, a 4R high probability result, a 6R high probability result, a 10R high probability result, and a 16R high probability result is about 13%. On the other hand, in the distribution table for the second special chart, as shown in FIG. 10(b), 16R low probability result and 16R high probability result are set as the types of jackpot results to be distributed. In the distribution table for the second special chart, "0-9" corresponds to the 16R low probability result, and "10-29" corresponds to the 16R high probability result. In this case, the probability of the 16R low probability result is about 33%, which is the same as the probability of the 2R low probability result, 4R low probability result, 6R low probability result, 10R low probability result, and 16R low probability result being selected in the distribution table for the first special chart. In addition, the probability of the 16R high probability result is about 67%, which is the same as the probability of the 2R high probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R high probability result, and 16R high probability result being selected in the distribution table for the first special chart.

[0101] The allocation table for the first special symbol and the allocation table for the second special symbol have the same probability of switching to the high probability mode after the open / close execution mode in the case of a jackpot win. On the other hand, the average number of rounds played is greater in the allocation table for the second special symbol than in the allocation table for the first special symbol. Therefore, as for the types of jackpot results that can be selected in the case of a jackpot win, it is more advantageous for the player to have the second operation port 34 win and the internal lottery be held than to have the first operation port 33 win and the internal lottery be held.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] The reach display includes a display state in which a combination of reach symbols is displayed by stopping the display of symbols for some of the multiple symbol rows displayed on the display surface of the symbol display device 41, and in that state, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols. Also included are a state in which a reach symbol combination is displayed as described above, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on the background screen while displaying a reduced or hidden reach symbol combination and then displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on almost the entire display surface.

[0105] 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 variably in all symbol rows after the display of the symbols on the display surface of the symbol display device 41 starts, or in a situation in which symbols are displayed variably in some symbol rows. It also includes a mode in which the background screen is displayed in a predetermined mode different from the previous mode, and a mode in which the symbols on the symbol rows are displayed in a predetermined mode different from the previous mode. 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.

[0106] 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 small win result, 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 64 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

[0107] On the other hand, the decision as to whether or not to display a notice is not made by the main control device 60 but by the audio and light emitting control device 81. In this case, the audio and light emitting control device 81 executes a lottery process for the notice display so that a game round corresponding to any jackpot 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 a game round corresponding to a miss result. Incidentally, this lottery result is reflected when the performance for the game round is executed by the symbol display device 41.

[0108] 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 variation display period in the special chart display units 37a and 37b and the variation display period of the pattern in the pattern display device 41 in the main CPU 63. The variation type counter CS is repeatedly updated, and is acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation display in the special chart display units 37a and 37b and at the start of the variation of the pattern by the pattern display device 41.

[0109] <Processing configuration of the main CPU 63> Next, we will explain each process executed to progress the game by the master CPU 63. The processes of the master CPU 63 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).

[0110] <Main processing> First, the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0111] 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 65 is permitted (step S102), and the internal function register of the main CPU 63 is set (step S103).

[0112] Then, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch provided on the power supply / launch control device 78 has been manually operated (step S104), and further whether or not the power failure flag of the main RAM 65 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 is determined (step S107).

[0113] 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 is found in the stored data by the checksum, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the main RAM 65 is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0114] 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 65, 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 81. After the process of step S109 is executed, a recognition process (step S110) is executed to make the management IC 66 recognize various information, and a data output process is executed to output various data to a reading device connected to the MPU 62 (step S111). Details of the recognition process and the data output process will be described later.

[0115] The main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but when the main processing is started, the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited. This state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited is released at a timing when the processing of step S111 is completed and before the processing of step S112 is executed, and the execution of timer interrupt processing is permitted. As a result, when the supply of operating power to the main CPU 63 is started, the data output processing of step S111 is completed, and the timer interrupt processing is not executed until the stage before the processing of step S112 is started. Therefore, the processing for progressing the game in the main CPU 63 is not started until the situation is reached.

[0116] Thereafter, the process proceeds to the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. That is, the main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but there is a remaining time between one timer interrupt processing and the next timer interrupt processing. This remaining time varies depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt processing, 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 processing that is executed non-periodically.

[0117] 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 65, and the read numerical value information is added 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.

[0118] <Timer interrupt processing> Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 12. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec).

[0119] First, the 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 67, and if the occurrence of a power failure is identified, the 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 65 is set to "1", and the checksum is calculated and the calculated checksum is saved.

[0120] 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 random number 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 random number counter C4, and the read numerical information is incremented by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value reaches its 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.

[0121] 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 a predetermined event has occurred, a game stop flag provided in the main RAM 65 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] After that, 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.

[0124] After that, a ball entry detection process is executed (step S209). In the ball entry detection process, signals received from the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 49a 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.

[0125] Thereafter, a timer update process is executed to collectively update the numerical information of multiple types of timer counters provided in the main RAM 65 (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.

[0126] Then, a launch control process is executed to control the launch of game balls (step S211). In a state where the launch operation to the launch operation device 28 is continued, one game ball is launched at a predetermined launch cycle of 0.6 seconds. In the following step S212, as an input state monitoring process, based on the information read in the reading process of step S208, a disconnection check is performed for each ball entry detection sensor 42a to 49a, and an opening check is performed for the gaming machine main body 12 and the front door frame 14.

[0127] After that, a special chart special power control process is executed to control the execution of the game round and the execution of the open / close execution mode (step S213), and a normal chart normal power control process is executed to control the display of the normal chart display unit 38a and the drive of the normal power role 34a (step S214). The processing contents of the special chart special power control process and the normal chart normal power control process will be described in detail later.

[0128] 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 units 37a and 37b in the reserved drawing display units 37c and 37d, and output information is set to reflect the increase / decrease in the reserved information related to the ordinary drawing display unit 38a in the reserved drawing 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 units 37a and 37b, and output information is set to update the display contents of the ordinary drawing display unit 38a.

[0129] Then, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 77 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 in the game area PA to the management IC 66 (step S219). The details of the management output process will be described later.

[0130] <Goal entry detection process> Next, a configuration will be described for the main CPU 63 to determine whether or not game balls have entered the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, the second operating hole 34, and the through gate 35 based on the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 49a. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration for inputting the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 49a to the main CPU 63.

[0131] The main CPU 63 is provided with an input port 63a. The input port 63a 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 63a, in order to limit the number of signals that are input simultaneously to eight types, the group of signals to be input to the input port 63a is switched through switching control by a driver IC.

[0132] In the ball entry detection process (step S209) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), the signal group to be input to the input port 63a is set to the signal group from each ball entry detection sensor 42a-49a. 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 42a, the 1st bit D1 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second winning hole detection sensor 43a, the 2nd bit D2 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the third winning hole detection sensor 44a, the 3rd bit D3 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the special electric detection sensor 45a, the 4th bit D4 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first operation hole detection sensor 46a, the 5th bit D5 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second operation hole detection sensor 47a, the 6th bit D6 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the out hole detection sensor 48a, and the 7th bit D7 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the gate detection sensor 49a.

[0133] When the ball entrance detection sensors 42a to 49a do not detect the passage of a game ball, 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 42a to 49a detect the passage of a game ball, they output a HI level signal indicating that the ball is being detected as a detection signal. When the ball entrance detection sensors 42a to 49a receive a LOW level signal, they store "0" information in the corresponding bit, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a to 49a receive a HI level signal, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit. In other words, when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a to 49a do not detect the passage of a game ball, 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 42a to 49a detect the passage of a game ball, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is being detected.

[0134] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the ball scoring detection process executed in step S209 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12).

[0135] 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 has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 42a (step S301: YES). In this case, the first output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S302), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S303). The first output flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 42a should be executed to the management IC 66. The 10-ball counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify the number of times that the 10 game balls should be paid out. If the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 10 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), 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 77 receives the 10 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 10 game balls are paid out.

[0136] 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 has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 43a (step S304: YES). In this case, the second output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S305), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S306). The second output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 43a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0137] 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 has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 44a (step S307: YES). In this case, the third output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S308), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S309). The third output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 44a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0138] When it is confirmed that the third bit D3 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 has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a (step S310: YES). In this case, the special electric winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S311), the fourth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S312), and the value of the 15-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S313). The special electric winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball has entered the special electric winning device 32 in the open / close execution mode. In the special chart special electric control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the special electric winning flag is set to "1", it is determined that one game ball has entered the special electric winning device 32, and the remaining number of balls that can enter the special electric winning device 32 in the round play or open / close execution mode is decremented by one. When the process of decrementing the number of balls that can enter is executed, the special electric winning flag is cleared to "0". The fourth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a should be executed to the management IC 66. The 15-ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 63 the number of times that 15 game balls should be paid out. 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 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), 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 77 receives the 15 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 15 game balls are paid out.

[0139] 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 has been detected by the first actuation port detection sensor 46a (step S314: YES). In this case, the first actuation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S315), the fifth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S316), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S317). The first actuation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball has entered the first actuation port 33. In the special chart special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", a process of newly storing the reserved information is executed on the condition that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the special chart reserve area 65a 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 63 that the information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the first operation port detection sensor 46a should be executed to the management IC 66. The one prize ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 63 the number of times that one game ball 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 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), 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 77 receives the 1 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that one game ball is paid out.

[0140] 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 has been detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 47a (step S318: YES). In this case, the second actuation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S319), the sixth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S320), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S321). The second actuation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball has entered the second actuation port 34. In the special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), 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 special power reserve area 65a is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the special power 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 63 that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the second operation port detection sensor 47a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0141] 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 has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a (step S322: YES). In this case, the seventh output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S323). The seventh output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0142] 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 has been detected by the gate detection sensor 49a (step S324: YES). In this case, the gate winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S325). The gate winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to identify that one game ball has entered the through gate 35. In the normal map normal power control process (step S214) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), 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 random number counter C4 as the reserved information of the normal map side in the normal map reserve area 65c, provided that the number of reserved information on the normal map side stored in the normal map reserve area 65c is less than the upper limit number of four. 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".

[0143] As already explained, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12) is started at a 4 msec cycle, so when one ball entry sensor 42a-49a starts detecting one game ball, the main CPU 63 specifies that one game ball has been detected by the ball entry sensor 42a-49a while the ball entry sensor 42a-49a continues to detect the game ball. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide one each of the first to seventh output flags.

[0144] <Configuration for dispensing game balls> Next, a description will be given of the processing contents executed by the dispensing control device 77. First, the electrical configuration of the dispensing control device 77 and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device 77 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0145] The dispensing control device 77 is equipped with an MPU 91. In addition to a dispensing side CPU 92, which is a processing device including a control unit and a calculation unit, the MPU 91 also includes a dispensing side ROM 93, a dispensing side RAM 94, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like.

[0146] The dispensing ROM 93 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory 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 93 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the dispensing CPU 92.

[0147] The dispensing side RAM 94 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory 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 94 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the dispensing side ROM 93 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The dispensing side RAM 94 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the dispensing side ROM 93.

[0148] The payout side CPU 92 is capable of two-way communication with the main CPU 63. By receiving a prize ball command from the main CPU 63, the payout side CPU 92 drives and controls the payout device 76 so that the number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command is paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 monitors whether or not the game balls can be paid out normally, and when it is determined that the game balls cannot be paid out normally, it stops the payout device 76 even if the payout side RAM 94 stores information on the number of prize balls that have not been paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 transmits a payout limit command to the main CPU 63 indicating that the game balls cannot be paid out normally. When the main CPU 63 receives the payout limit command, it transmits a notification command to the sound and light emission control device 81 so that a notification indicating that the game balls cannot be paid out normally is executed by the pattern display device 41, the display light emission unit 53, and the speaker unit 54. States in which it is not possible to normally dispense game balls include a full state in which the lower tray 56a is full of game balls, a no-ball state in which the tank 75 has not been replenished with game balls, an abnormal dispense state in which the dispensing device 76 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.

[0149] A full tank detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the middle of the game ball passage leading from the payout device 76 to the lower tray 56a, and the detection result of the full tank detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. The payout side CPU 92 determines that the tank is full when game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor, and determines that the full tank state has been released when the state in which game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor is released.

[0150] A no-ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided at a midpoint of the game ball passage leading from tank 75 to payout device 76, and the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor is input to payout side CPU 92. Payout side CPU 92 determines that a no-ball state exists when the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball, and determines that the no-ball state has been released when the state in which the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball is released.

[0151] The payout device 76 is provided with a payout detection sensor (not shown) for detecting game balls paid out from the payout device 76, and the detection result of the payout detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. When a game ball is detected by the payout detection sensor, the payout side CPU 92 determines that one game ball has been paid out from the payout device 76. Furthermore, the payout side CPU 92 determines that an abnormal payout state exists when a game ball is continuously not detected by the payout detection sensor despite the payout device 76 being driven and controlled so that a game ball is paid out, and determines that the abnormal payout state has been released when the state in which a game ball is continuously not detected by the payout detection sensor is released.

[0152] A front door open sensor 95 is provided on the front part of the inner frame 13 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is input to the dispensing side CPU 92. In this case, when the front door frame 14 is in a closed state relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits a closed detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 92, and when the front door frame 14 is in an open state relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits an open detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 92. When the dispensing side CPU 92 receives a closed detection signal from the front door open sensor 95, 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 95, it determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state. In addition, the dispensing side CPU 92 transmits a front door open command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing 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 63 at the timing when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state when a front door open command is received, and determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state when a front door close command is received.

[0153] A main body open sensor 96 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 96 is input to the payout side CPU 92. 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 96 transmits a closed detection signal to the payout side CPU 92, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 96 transmits an open detection signal to the payout side CPU 92. When the payout side CPU 92 receives a closed detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state, and when the payout side CPU 92 receives an open detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 transmits a main body open command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing when it determines 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 63 at the timing when it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state when it receives a main body open command, and determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in the closed state when it receives a main body close command.

[0154] The timer interrupt process executed by the dispensing CPU 92 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 16. The timer interrupt process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec).

[0155] 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 game balls and transmits a command indicating the full tank state to the main CPU 63. Also, if the full tank state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of game balls and transmits a command indicating that the full tank state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0156] Thereafter, 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 game balls and transmits a command indicating the no-ball state to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the no-ball state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of game balls and transmits a command indicating that the no-ball state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0157] 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 for stopping the payout of game balls is executed and a command indicating that a payout abnormality state exists is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the payout abnormality state is released, a process for enabling the payout of game balls is executed and a command indicating that the payout abnormality state has been released is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0158] Thereafter, 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 95, and if the front door frame 14 is open, a process for stopping the payout of game balls is executed and a front door open command is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the front door frame 14 is closed, a process for enabling the payout of game balls is executed and a front door close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0159] Thereafter, a 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 an open state based on the detection result of the main body open sensor 96, and if the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state, a process for stopping the payout of game balls is executed and a main body open command is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the gaming machine main body 12 is closed, a process for enabling the payout of game balls is executed and a main body close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0160] 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 63 is executed. Then, the prize ball command is stored in the payout side RAM 94. 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 94 (step S407), a payout control process for controlling the execution of the payout of game balls by the payout device 76 is executed (step S408). In the payout control process, when the unpaid prize ball number information stored in the payout side RAM 94 is a value of 1 or more, the payout device 76 is driven and controlled, and when the payout detection sensor detects one game ball, 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 76 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).

[0161] <Configuration for external output to hall computer HC> 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.

[0162] As shown in Fig. 2, the back pack unit 15 is provided with an external terminal board 97. The external terminal board 97 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 63, and some of which, i.e., a plurality of external terminals, are electrically connected to the dispensing CPU 92. In this manner, each of the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 is electrically connected to the external terminal board 97, so that the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 can externally output information to the hall computer HC, as shown in Fig. 15.

[0163] One external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the front door open sensor 95, and one external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the main body open sensor 96. In detail, a signal relay board 98 is provided at a midpoint of the signal path from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The signal relay board 98 is provided with a branch path SL2 that branches from the signal path SL1 from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The branch path SL2 is connected to an external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electrical signal corresponding to the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is not only input to the dispensing side CPU 92, but also input to the external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 97. 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 being controlled by the dispensing side CPU 92.

[0164] Regarding the main body open sensor 96 in detail, a branch path SL4 is provided on the signal relay board 98, which branches off from a signal path SL3 extending from the main body open sensor 96 toward the payout side CPU 92. The branch path SL4 is connected to an external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electric signal corresponding to the detection result of the main body open sensor 96 is not only input to the payout side CPU 92, but also input to the external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 97. 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 92.

[0165] Next, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the main CPU 63 and the payout CPU 92 to the hall computer HC. First, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the main CPU 63 to the hall computer HC.

[0166] In the external information setting process (step S218) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), the main CPU 63 performs information output settings to each external terminal assigned to the main CPU 63 on the external terminal board 97. The information output from the main CPU 63 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that the open / close execution mode is in progress, information indicating that the win / lose lottery mode is in the high probability mode, information indicating that one game round has ended, information indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 100 balls) of game balls 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 a game ball has entered the first operating port 33, and information indicating that a game ball has entered the second operating port 34.

[0167] In the external information setting process (step S409) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), the payout side CPU 92 performs setting for outputting information to each external terminal assigned to the payout side CPU 92 in the external terminal board 97. The information output from the payout side CPU 92 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that 10 game balls have been paid out.

[0168] The hall computer HC can grasp the manner in which the game balls are paid out in the pachinko machine 10 in accordance with various information received from the pachinko machine 10 via the external terminal board 97. For example, The payout rate, which is the ratio of the number of game balls paid out until 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 - Ball payout rate in normal game mode other than open / close execution mode and high probability mode (hereinafter, this ball payout rate will be referred to as "B") -Ball payout rate in open / close execution mode - Payout rate in high probability mode The number of times a game is played until 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio will be 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 that enter the first operating port 33 before 100 game balls 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 that enter the second operating port 34 before 100 game balls 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") The hall computer HC is thereby able to manage the manner in which game balls enter the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. The number of prize balls refers to the number of game balls that are paid out when one game ball enters the corresponding ball entry section.

[0169] <Configuration for managing winning status of gaming balls> Next, a description will be given of a configuration for managing winning states of game balls using the management IC 66. First, the electrical configuration of the management IC 66 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0170] As already explained, the MPU 62 of the main control device 60 includes the main CPU 63, the main ROM 64, the main RAM 65, and the management IC 66. The MPU 62 also includes an I / F 101 and a read terminal 102 in addition to these.

[0171] The I / F 101 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between the MPU 62 and external devices. The I / F 101 is electrically connected to the main CPU 63 via the internal bus 103. Through the input port of the I / F 101, the detection results from the sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a and the commands from the payout side CPU 92 are input to the MPU 62, and various processes are executed by the main CPU 63 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 by the main CPU 63, 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 92 and the sound and light emission control device 81 as a result of the execution of various processes by the main CPU 63, the command output is performed through the output port of the I / F 101.

[0172] The reading terminal 102 is a terminal for electrically connecting the MPU 62 to a reading device, which is an external device of the pachinko machine 10, and is provided on the surface of the MPU 62 so that the terminal portion for connection is exposed. However, as already described, the main control board 61 on which the MPU 62 is mounted is housed in the board box 60a, and the reading terminal 102 faces the wall of the board box 60a so as not to be exposed to the outside of the main control device 60. Therefore, in order to electrically connect the reading device to the reading terminal 102, it is necessary to open the board box 60a to expose the MPU 62. This makes it possible to prevent the reading device from being electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 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 60a to expose the reading terminal 102 to the outside of the main control device 60, and the reading device can be electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 without the need to destroy the board box 60a.

[0173] The management IC 66 includes a management I / F 111, a management CPU 112, a management ROM 113, a management RAM 114, an RTC 115, a correspondence memory 116, and a history memory 117. These devices are connected to each other via an internal bus 66a provided in the management IC 66 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

[0174] The management side I / F 111 is an interface for receiving various signals from the main CPU 63 via a group of signal paths 118 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62, and for transmitting various signals to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 119 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62. Various signals from the main CPU 63 are input to an input port of the management side I / F 111, and various signals to the reading terminal 102 are output from an output port of the management side I / F 111. The main CPU 63 is electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 120 for two-way communication built in the MPU 62.

[0175] The management CPU 112 is an arithmetic processing device including a control unit and an arithmetic unit. The management ROM 113 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 113 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the management CPU 112. The management RAM 114 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 114 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the same data capacity, the time required for reading is faster than that of the management ROM 113. The management RAM 114 temporarily stores various data and the like for the execution of the control programs stored in the management ROM 113.

[0176] The RTC 115 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 112. The RTC 115 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.

[0177] The correspondence memory 116 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 116 is used to store information on the correspondence between each of the buffers 122a-122p provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the types of signals input to those buffers 122a-122p. Details of the contents of the correspondence memory 116 will be described later.

[0178] The history memory 117 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 117 is used to store information regarding balls entering the game machine, which is received from the main CPU 63 via the management I / F 111. Details of the contents of the history memory 117 will be described later.

[0179] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the input port 121 provided in the management side I / F 111. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0180] The input port 121 is provided with a plurality of buffers 122a-122p. Specifically, first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p are provided. One type of signal can be input to each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p via signal paths 118a-118p, and each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p 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.

[0181] A first signal corresponding to the detection result of the first winning hole detection sensor 42a is input to the first buffer 122a. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a first signal of LOW level when the first winning hole detection sensor 42a does not detect a new game ball, and outputs a first signal of HI level for a specific period when the first winning hole detection sensor 42a detects one game ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to identify that a first signal of HI level has been input to the first buffer 122a.

[0182] The second buffer 122b receives a second signal corresponding to the detection result of the second winning hole detection sensor 43a. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level second signal when the second winning hole detection sensor 43a detects no new game ball, and outputs a HI level second signal for a specific period when the second winning hole detection sensor 43a detects one game ball. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level second signal has been input to the second buffer 122b.

[0183] The third buffer 122c receives a third signal corresponding to the detection result of the third winning hole detection sensor 44a. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level third signal when the third winning hole detection sensor 44a detects no new game ball, and outputs a HI level third signal for a specific period when the third winning hole detection sensor 44a detects one game ball. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level third signal has been input to the third buffer 122c.

[0184] A fourth signal corresponding to the detection result of the special electric detection sensor 45a is input to the fourth buffer 122d. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fourth signal when the special electric detection sensor 45a does not detect a new game ball, and outputs a HI level fourth signal for a specific period when the special electric detection sensor 45a detects one game ball. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level fourth signal has been input to the fourth buffer 122d.

[0185] A fifth signal corresponding to the detection result of the first actuation port detection sensor 46a is input to the fifth buffer 122e. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fifth signal when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a does not detect a new game ball, and outputs a HI level fifth signal for a specific period when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a detects one game ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to identify that a HI level fifth signal has been input to the fifth buffer 122e.

[0186] A sixth signal corresponding to the detection result of the second actuation port detection sensor 47a is input to the sixth buffer 122f. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a sixth signal of LOW level when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a does not detect a new game ball, and outputs a sixth signal of HI level for a specific period when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a detects one game ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a sixth signal of HI level has been input to the sixth buffer 122f.

[0187] A seventh signal corresponding to the detection result of the outlet detection sensor 48a is input to the seventh buffer 122g. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level seventh signal when the outlet detection sensor 48a does not detect a new game ball, and outputs a HI level seventh signal for a specific period when the outlet detection sensor 48a detects one game ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level seventh signal has been input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0188] The eighth buffer 122h receives an eighth signal corresponding to whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. In this case, the main CPU 63 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.

[0189] A ninth signal corresponding to whether or not the period is in the high probability mode is input to the ninth buffer 122i. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the ninth signal at a LOW level when the period is not in the high probability mode, and continuously outputs the ninth signal at a HI level when the period is in the high probability mode.

[0190] A tenth signal corresponding to whether or not the front door frame 14 is open is input to the tenth buffer 122j. In this case, the main CPU 63 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.

[0191] An output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p to cause the management CPU 112 to recognize the opportunity to output history information stored in the history memory 117 to the reading terminal 102. In this case, the main CPU 63 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 112 to identify that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the 16th buffer 122p.

[0192] Although the eleventh buffer 122k, the twelfth buffer 122l, the thirteenth buffer 122m, the fourteenth buffer 122n, and the fifteenth buffer 122o can receive signals from the main CPU 63, they are blank in this pachinko machine 10 and do not receive normal signals. In this way, the number of buffers 122a-122p provided as the input port 121 of the management I / F 111 is greater than the number of types of signals output from the main CPU 63 to the management IC 66 in this pachinko machine 10, so that the management IC 66 can be used in models other than this pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66. Incidentally, signal paths 118a to 118p are formed between the main CPU 63 and the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p, respectively, so as to correspond one-to-one to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p, but this is not limited to this, and the signal paths 118k to 118o may not be formed between the main CPU 63 and the buffers 122k to 122o to be blanked.

[0193] It is determined in the design stage of the management IC 66 that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p in the input port 121 of the management I / F 111, and the management CPU 112 can specify that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p without receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. On the other hand, it is not determined in the design stage of the management IC 66 what kind of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o, and the types of these signals are specified by the management CPU 112 upon receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. The type of these signals is specified by the management CPU 112 when a type identification command is sent from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112 when control is started in the main CPU 63 and the management CPU 112 in response to the supply of operating power to the MPU 62, 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 116, and when the management CPU 112 identifies the types of various signals when operating power is being supplied, the information stored in the correspondence memory 116 is referenced.

[0194] 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the correspondence memory 116. The correspondence memory 116 is provided with first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o in one-to-one correspondence with the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0195] The first correspondence area 123a stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the first buffer 122a. The first correspondence area 123a also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information indicating the number of game balls paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31 (10 balls). The second correspondence area 123b stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the second buffer 122b. The second correspondence area 123b also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information indicating the number of game balls paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31 (10 balls). The third correspondence area 123c stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for specifying the type of signal input to the third buffer 122c by the management CPU 112. In addition, the third correspondence area 123c stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the number of game balls (10) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31, in addition to the information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information.

[0196] The fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32 as information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fourth buffer 122d. The fourth correspondence area 123d also stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32, as well as information on the number of game balls (15) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the special electric winning device 32. The fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33 as information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fifth buffer 122e. The fifth correspondence area 123e also stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33, as well as information on the number of game balls (1) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the first operating port 33. The sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that the signal is the second actuation port 34, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the sixth buffer 122f. The sixth correspondence area 123f also stores information indicating that the signal is the second actuation port 34, as well as information on the number of game balls (one) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the second actuation port 34. The seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that the signal is the outlet 24a, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0197] The eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the open / close execution mode as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the eighth buffer 122h. The ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high probability mode as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the ninth buffer 122i. The tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14 as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the tenth buffer 122j.

[0198] The eleventh correspondence area 123k stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the eleventh buffer 122k. The twelfth correspondence area 123l stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the twelfth buffer 122l. The thirteenth correspondence area 123m stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the thirteenth buffer 122m. The fourteenth correspondence area 123n stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fourteenth buffer 122n. The fifteenth correspondence area 123o stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fifteenth buffer 122o.

[0199] As described above, by configuring the management CPU 112 to specify what types of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by receiving instructions from the main CPU 63, it becomes possible to use the management IC 66 for models other than the present pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66.

[0200] 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 122a to 122o, 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 122a to 122o by the management CPU 112 based on the output information is stored in the correspondence memory 116. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information output from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112 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 122a to 122o.

[0201] Moreover, the information for the management CPU 112 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is output when the supply of operating power starts. This allows the management CPU 112 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o when a game is started in the pachinko machine 10.

[0202] In addition, the information setting that the output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p is performed at the design stage of the management IC 66. This makes it possible to omit the process for identifying the type of signal input to the 16th buffer 122p 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 66. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the process for identifying the type of such signal.

[0203] Next, a description will be given of the history memory 117 of the management IC 66. FIG.

[0204] The history memory 117 is provided with a history area 124 for sequentially storing the history information. In the history area 124, a plurality of pointer information are set with consecutive numbers, and a history information storage area 125 is set in one-to-one correspondence with each pointer information. The history information storage area 125 can store a combination of RTC information and correspondence information. In this case, each history information storage area 125 has a data capacity of 2 bytes, and 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 the signal input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o (actually, the first to tenth buffers 122a to 122j in this pachinko machine 10), first, the date information and time information measured by the current RTC 115 are stored in the area for storing RTC information in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. Thereafter, the correspondence information corresponding to the buffers 122a-122o that triggered the current information storage is read from the correspondence areas 123a-123o corresponding to the buffers 122a-122o in the correspondence memory 116, and the read correspondence information is stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 that corresponds to the pointer information currently being written.

[0205] Specifically, regarding the correspondence information stored in the history information storage area 125, since the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g receive signals corresponding to the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a as already explained, the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a to 123g in the correspondence memory 116 store information corresponding to the types of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a. More specifically, information corresponding to the types of ball entry sections corresponding to the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a to 123g. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, the first to third winning hole detection sensors 42a to 44a all detect game balls that have entered the general winning hole 31, so the first to third correspondence areas 123a to 123c corresponding to these first to third winning hole detection sensors 42a to 44a all store information indicating that they are the general winning hole 31. Also, the fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that it is the special electric winning device 32, the fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that it is the first operating port 33, the sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that it is the second operating port 34, and the seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that it is the outlet 24a. If the buffer 122a-122o that triggered the current information storage is any of the first to seventh buffers 122a-122g, information on the type of ball entry part corresponding to that buffer 122a-122g is read from any of the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a-123g, and the read information on the type of ball entry part is stored as is in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0206] On the other hand, the eighth buffer 122h receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth buffer 122i receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the high probability mode, and the tenth buffer 122j receives a signal indicating whether or not the front door frame 14 is open. Therefore, the eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high probability mode, and the tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14.

[0207] As already explained, the main CPU 63 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 112 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 112 determines that a trigger for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 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 123h but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. 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 123h but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0208] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the ninth signal at a LOW level when the mode is not the high probability mode, and continuously outputs the ninth signal at a HI level when the mode is the high probability mode, so that the management CPU 112 can determine that the high probability mode has started when the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and that the high probability 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 112 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 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 probability mode read from the ninth correspondence area 123i but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the 9th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating the high probability mode read from the 9th correspondence area 123i but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0209] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the tenth signal at a LOW level when the front door frame 14 is in a closed state, and continuously outputs the tenth signal at a HI level when the front door frame 14 is in an open state, so that the management CPU 112 can determine that the front door frame 14 is opened when the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the front door frame 14 is closed when the tenth signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the tenth 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 112 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the tenth 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 tenth correspondence area 123j but also the opening start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. 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 123j but also the opening completion information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0210] The history information storage area 125 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 game balls continues in the pachinko machine 10 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 125 are provided. This makes it possible to store and hold all the history information in the history memory 117 for at least ten days.

[0211] The history memory 117 is provided with a pointer area 126 in addition to the history area 124. The pointer area 126 stores information for the management CPU 112 to specify the pointer information currently being written in the history memory 117. Specifically, at the time of shipping the pachinko machine 10, information is set in the pointer area 126 specifying the 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 125, the information in the pointer area 126 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 125 corresponding to the last pointer information, the information in the pointer area 126 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 which the number of pieces of history information that can be stored is exceeded, the history information storage area 125 in which the oldest history information is stored is overwritten with the new history information in order.

[0212] Furthermore, when the reading of history information from the history memory 117 occurs by a reading device, the history information storage area 125 is cleared to all "0"s, and the information in the pointer area 126 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.

[0213] Next, a specific processing configuration for managing the winning status of the game balls using the management IC 66 will be described. First, a processing configuration for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the signal types in the correspondence memory 116 will be described. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the recognition processing executed by the main CPU 63. The recognition processing is executed in step S110 in the main processing (Fig. 11).

[0214] First, "15" is set to a recognition output counter provided in the main RAM 65 (step S501). The recognition output counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to identify the remaining number of times information output is required to make the management CPU 112 recognize which type of signal each of the buffers 122a-122p of the input port 121 in the management I / F 111 corresponds to. As already explained, the 15 buffers 122a-122o are targets for signal type recognition, so the recognition output counter is set to "15".

[0215] Thereafter, output processing of the identification start command is executed (step S502). The main CPU 63 outputs various commands to the management CPU 112 to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o correspond to. When outputting these commands, the first to eighth signals input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h are used. That is, the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h) used to instruct the management CPU 112 to store the history information are used to output a command to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o 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 118a to 118p for outputting signals to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p. The identification start command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h 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 of starting the output of the identification start command in order to make the management CPU 112 recognize 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 112 to recognize the identification start command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identification start command, the management CPU 112 specifies that a process should be started for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals in the correspondence memory 116.

[0216] Thereafter, a type identification command corresponding to the current value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 is read from the main ROM 64 (step S503). In this case, the first buffer 122a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter, the signal type recognition setting corresponding to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o 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 open / close execution mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "7", a type identification command indicating that it is in the high probability 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.

[0217] 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 122a to 122h 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 112 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 112 to recognize the identified type command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identified type command, the management CPU 112 stores information corresponding to the identified type command in the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the buffer that is the current setting target among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o.

[0218] Thereafter, the value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 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).

[0219] 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 the data of each bit is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h 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 112 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 112 to recognize the recognition end command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the recognition end command, the management side CPU 112 determines that the process for storing information on the correspondence relationship between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the signal types in the correspondence relationship memory 116 has been completed.

[0220] Next, the management process executed by the management CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 22. The management process is started when the supply of operating power to the management CPU 112 is started. The processing speed of the management CPU 112 is faster than the processing speed of the main CPU 63, and the combination of processes from step S606 onwards in the management process is executed 16 or more times from the start of one timer interrupt process (Fig. 12) in the main CPU 63 to the start of the next timer interrupt process (Fig. 12).

[0221] When an identification start command is received from the main CPU 63 (step S601: YES), the value of a setting target counter provided in the management RAM 114 is cleared to "0" (step S602). The setting target counter is a counter for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of buffers 122a-122o for which a signal type is to be set. The first buffer 122a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer are set as a signal type setting target.

[0222] Thereafter, on condition that a type identification command has been received from the main CPU 63 (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 control RAM 114, among the first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o of the correspondence memory 116. Thereafter, the value of the setting target counter of the control RAM 114 is incremented by 1 (step S605).

[0223] If a negative determination is made in step S603, or if the process of step S605 is executed, it is determined whether or not an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S606). 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 63 (step S603: YES).

[0224] If an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63 (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 63 in the history memory 117. 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 117 to the reading terminal 102.

[0225] Fig. 23 is a time chart showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o is stored in the correspondence memory 116. Fig. 23(a) shows a period during which a command is output from the main CPU 63 to the control CPU 112 using the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h), Fig. 23(b) shows a period during which the output state of the ninth signal is at HI level, Fig. 23(c) shows an execution period of an identification state during which a process for identifying the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o is executed, and Fig. 23(d) shows the timing at which the correspondence setting process (step S604) is executed by the control CPU 112.

[0226] As the supply of operating power to the main CPU 63 and the control CPU 112 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. 23(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. 23(b). Thereafter, at the timing of t2 in which the output of the identification start command is continuing, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 23(b). The control CPU 112 identifies that a command has been sent from the main CPU 63 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 63 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the identification start command has been received, the control CPU 112 makes an affirmative decision in step S601 of the management process (FIG. 22) to enter the identification state. Thereafter, output of the identification start command is stopped at the timing of t3 as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0227] 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. 23(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. 23(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. 23(b). The management side CPU 112 identifies that a command has been sent from the main side CPU 63 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 63 by confirming the information in the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the first type identification command has been received, the management side CPU 112 executes the correspondence setting process as shown in FIG. 23(d) at the timing of t5. In the correspondence setting process, the information indicating that it is the general winning port 31 and the information on the number of winning balls are stored in the first correspondence area 123a of the correspondence memory 116. After that, at timing t6, the output of the type identification command is stopped as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0228] 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 63 is executed by the management CPU 112. In this case, the correspondence setting process corresponding to the 15th type identification command is completed from time t16 to time t18.

[0229] 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. 23(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. 23(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. 23(b). The control side CPU 112 identifies that a command has been sent from the main side CPU 63 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 63 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the identification end command has been received, the identification state of the control side CPU 112 is ended at the timing of t20 as shown in FIG. 23(c). After that, the output of the identification end command is stopped at the timing of t21 as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0230] As described above, the configuration allows the management CPU 112 to recognize whether or not a command is being output using the 9th signal, so that the management CPU 112 can clearly recognize that a command is being output even in a configuration in which the command is output using the 1st to 8th signals (i.e., the 1st to 8th signal paths) used to instruct the management CPU 112 to store history information.

[0231] Next, a description will be given of a process configuration for storing history information in the history memory 117. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing the output process for management executed by the main CPU 63. The output process for management is executed in step S219 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 12).

[0232] First, the managed object counter provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "10" (step S701). The managed object counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to determine whether there is a managed object that has not been specified as whether the signal output state to the management CPU 112 should be changed in the current management output process, and for which managed object the signal output state to the management CPU 112 should be changed. In one management output process, the managed objects for which the main CPU 63 specifies whether the signal output state to the management CPU 112 should be changed are the seven ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a, whether the opening / closing execution mode is being executed, whether the high probability 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".

[0233] Then, it is determined whether the output state of the signal to the management side CPU 112 for the managed object corresponding to the current value of the managed 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 counter is 4 or more, thereby identifying which of the seven ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a is the managed object corresponding to the value of the managed counter (step S703).

[0234] If the answer is "yes" in step S703, it is determined whether the output flag of the main RAM 65 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 42a, it is determined whether 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 43a, it is determined whether 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 44a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether the third ... special power detection sensor 45a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether 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 45a, it is determined whether the third output flag is set to " If the value of the managed counter is "6" and corresponds to the first actuation port detection sensor 46a, the process determines 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 46a, the process determines 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 47a, the process determines 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, the process determines whether the seventh output flag is set to "1". As already explained, the first to seventh output flags are set to "1" in the ball entry detection process (FIG. 14).

[0235] 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).

[0236] 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 probability 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).

[0237] 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 42a-48a, 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 112 to a period longer than the longest processing interval of the history setting process (step S607) of the management process (FIG. 22), and is a period that allows the management CPU 112 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 probability mode, it is determined whether the high probability 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).

[0238] 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 65 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.

[0239] Next, the history setting process executed by the management side CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 25. The history setting process is executed in step S607 of the management process (Fig. 22).

[0240] First, the number of buffers to be checked by the management CPU 112 among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is set in a check target counter provided in the management RAM 114 (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 123a to 123o in the correspondence memory 116 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 123a to 123j, so in step S801, the check target counter is set to "10".

[0241] 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 122a to 122o has changed from "0" to "1", it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 63 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 122a to 122o are the targets for checking the numerical information. For example, when the value of the counter to be checked is "10", the tenth buffer 122j is the target for checking the numerical information, and when the value of the counter to be checked is "5", the fifth buffer 122e is the target for checking the numerical information.

[0242] If the determination in step S802 is affirmative, RTC information, which is date information and time information, is read from the RTC 115 (step S803). Then, a write process to the history memory 117 is executed (step S804). In the write process, the pointer information in the history area 124 currently being written is specified by referring to the pointer area 126 of the history memory 117, and the RTC information read in step S803 is written to the history information storage area 125 of the history area 124 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. In addition, the correspondence information is read from the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the current value of the counter to be confirmed, and the correspondence information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. In addition, if the correspondence information is any one of information indicating an open / close execution mode, information indicating a high probability mode, and information indicating a front door frame 14, not only the correspondence information but also start information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. When the value of the counter to be checked is "n", the n-th correspondence area 123a to 123o 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 123j 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 123e is the target from which the correspondence information is read out.

[0243] 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 125 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 probability 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 probability mode, and the front door frame 14, and the start information is stored as history information in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written.

[0244] Thereafter, a target pointer update process is executed (step S805). In this update process, the numerical information stored in the pointer area 126 of the history memory 117 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 124. If the maximum value has not been exceeded, the pointer information after the increment of one is overwritten in the pointer area 126 as new pointer information to be written. If the maximum value has been exceeded, the pointer area 126 is cleared to "0" so that the pointer information to be written becomes the initial pointer information.

[0245] 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 area 123a-123o 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"-"10", any of information indicating the open / close execution mode, information indicating the high probability mode, and information indicating the front door frame 14 is stored in the corresponding correspondence area 123h-123j, so that a positive determination is made in step S806.

[0246] If the determination in step S806 is positive, it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 63 to the buffer corresponding to the current counter value to be checked among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o 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 117 is executed (step S809). In the write process, the RTC information read out in step S808 is written into the history information storage area 125 of the history area 124 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. In addition, the correspondence information is read out from the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the current counter value to be checked, and the correspondence information is written into the history information storage area 125 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 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. By executing the writing process in this manner, when the value of the counter to be confirmed is either the open / close execution mode, the high probability 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 probability mode, or the front door frame 14, and the end information is stored as history information in the history information storage area 125 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).

[0247] 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 114 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 greater (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.

[0248] Next, the manner in which history information is stored in history memory 117 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 26. Fig. 26(a) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to any of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g, Fig. 26(b) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the eighth buffer 122h, Fig. 26(c) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the ninth buffer 122i, Fig. 26(d) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the tenth buffer 122j, and Fig. 26(e) shows the timing of writing history information to history memory 117.

[0249] At time t1, the output state of a signal input to any one of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g is switched from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 26(a). Therefore, at time t1, history information is written to history memory 117 as shown in FIG. 26(e). Thereafter, at time t2, the signal switched to HI level at time t1 as shown in FIG. 26(a) is switched to LOW level. However, since this signal is input to any one of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g 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. 26(e).

[0250] After that, 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 122a to 122g is switched from LOW level to HI level as shown in Fig. 26(a). Therefore, at each of these times, history information is written as shown in Fig. 26(e).

[0251] As shown in FIG. 26(b), the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 122h is at HI level from t4 to t7. This eighth buffer 122h corresponds to the occurrence or non-occurrence of the open / close execution mode. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), history information is written at t4, which is the timing when the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 122h 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 117.

[0252] Moreover, the history information is written in the history memory 117 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.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 26(c), the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 122i is at HI level from t8 to t11. This ninth buffer 122i corresponds to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of the high probability mode. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), at t8 when the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 122i is switched to HI level, and at t11 ​​when the output state of the signal is switched to LOW level, history information is written. 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 probability mode by checking the history information in the history memory 117.

[0254] In addition, the history information is written in the history memory 117 in chronological order. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, and the second operating hole 34 is in the high probability 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 out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, and the second operating hole 34 is in the high probability mode or not by comparing the RTC information.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 26(d), the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 122j is HI level from t12 to t15. This tenth buffer 122j corresponds to whether the front door frame 14 is open or not. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), history information is written at t12, which is the timing when the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 122j switches to HI level, and at t15, which is the timing when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. 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 117.

[0256] In addition, the history information is written in the history memory 117 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.

[0257] Next, a process configuration for outputting history information stored in the history memory 117 to a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 of the MPU 62 will be described. Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing the data output process executed by the main CPU 63. The data output process is executed in step S111 in the main process (Fig. 11).

[0258] 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 102 is received from the reading terminal 102 (step S901). The reading device is configured to output a connection signal when electrically connected to the reading terminal 102, and if the connection signal is received through the reading terminal 102, a positive determination is made in step S901.

[0259] 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 62. In order to output the history information externally, it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102. Since the power supply operation unit for stopping and starting the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 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 62 must be started with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 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.

[0260] 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 102, and it is determined whether or not the current connection of the reading device to the read terminal 102 corresponds to confirmation of control information (programs and data) of the main ROM 64 (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 configuration may be adopted in which the reading device for confirming control information and the reading device for confirming history are separate. In this case, when a reading device for confirming control information is electrically connected to the read terminal 102, 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 102, a signal for confirming history is transmitted from the reading device.

[0261] If the determination in step S902 is affirmative, an output process for confirming the control information is executed (step S903). In the output process, the program and data are read from the main ROM 64 as control information, and the read control information is output to the read terminal 102. This makes it possible to read the control information in a reading device electrically connected to the read terminal 102, and to confirm whether the control information is authentic or normal.

[0262] If a negative determination is made in step S902, an output instruction signal is sent to the control CPU 112 (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 control CPU 112 to determine that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the sixteenth buffer 122p. 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 control CPU 112. This process will be described in detail later.

[0263] 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 102 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 102 is released. When the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 102 is released (step S905: NO), the data output process is terminated.

[0264] Next, the external output process executed by the management CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 28. The external output process is executed in step S608 of the management process (Fig. 22).

[0265] When the output state of the output instruction signal received from the main CPU 63 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 125 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the out port 24a is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is counted to calculate the number of balls entering the out port 24a (step S1002). In addition, the number of history information storage areas 125 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the general winning port 31 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 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 125 in which the correspondence relationship information indicating the special winning device 32 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 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 125 in which correspondence information indicating that the operation port 33 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 (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 125 in which correspondence information indicating that the operation port 34 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 (step S1006).

[0266] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 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 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 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 125. In addition, in the entire pointer information with consecutive numbers, if there are multiple sections between the history information storage area 125 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 125 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 125 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 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 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 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 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.

[0267] 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 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 discharged from the skill area PA (K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 + K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D1") Second parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning port 31 (K2) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) Third parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special electric winning device 32 (K3) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) Fourth parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K4) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D2") Fifth parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K5) to the total number of game balls 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 parameter: (K3 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K5 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") / total number of game balls paid out (K2 x "number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K3 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K4 x "number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K5 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio 8th parameter: K3 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" / total number of game balls paid out (K2 x "number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K3 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K4 x "number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K5 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio Thereafter, the oldest RTC information and the newest RTC information in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 are used to calculate the total time required until all the history information currently being calculated is extracted (step S1009). Then, a first output process is executed (step S1010). In the first output process, all the history information stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is output to the reading terminal 102 in sequence. Also, the various parameters calculated in step S1008 are output to the reading terminal 102 in sequence, and the total time calculated in step S1009 is output to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the information to be output in the first output process is read by a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102.

[0268] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the open / close execution mode are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the open / close execution mode 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 open / close execution mode is calculated (step S1011). The period between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the open / close execution mode are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the open / close execution mode are stored is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 125. In addition, in the entire pointer information with consecutive numbers, if there are multiple sections between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode are stored and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the opening and closing execution mode are stored, the total number of balls entered for each section is calculated. In addition, if there is a history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode are stored, but the history information storage area 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 is stored does not store the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode, all the history information in the history information storage area 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode are stored is treated as being in the opening and closing execution mode.

[0269] After that, during the period of the opening / closing execution mode specified in step S1011, the number of balls that entered each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 while the front door frame 14 was in the open state is calculated (step S1012). The method of calculating the number of balls is the same as in step S1007, except that it is based on the period of the opening / closing execution mode specified in step S1011.

[0270] After that, various parameters are calculated using the results of the calculations in steps S1011 and S1012 (step S1013). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the front door frame 14 while it was open, calculated in step S1012, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the front door frame 14 calculated in step S1011. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls entered after the subtraction. The difference between the number of balls entered the out exit 24a calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls entered the out exit 24a calculated in step S1012 is set as the number of balls entered K11, the difference between the number of balls entered the general winning opening 31 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls entered the general winning opening 31 calculated in step S1012 is set as the number of balls entered K12, and the difference between the number of balls entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls entered K13 is set as the number of balls entered K14. The difference between the number of balls that enter the special electric winning device 32 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of entering balls K13, the difference between the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of entering balls K14, and the difference between the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of entering balls K15. 11th parameter: total number of game balls dispensed (K12 x "number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K13 x "number of prize balls for winning the special winning device 32" + K14 x "number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K15 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") / total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11 + K12 + K13 + K14 + K15) ratio (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D11") 12th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning port 31 (K12) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) 13th parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special electric winning device 32 (K13) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) 14th parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K14) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D12") 15th parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K15) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D13") 16th parameter: D11-(D12 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D13 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") 17th parameter: (K13 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K15 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") / total number of game balls paid out (K12 x "number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K13 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K14 x "number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K15 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio 18th parameter: K13 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" / total number of game balls paid out (K12 x "number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K13 x "number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K14 x "number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K15 x "number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio Thereafter, a second output process is executed (step S1014). In the second output process, the various parameters calculated in step S1013 are sequentially output to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 reads each piece of information to be output in the second output process.

[0271] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode 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 high probability mode situation is calculated (step S1015). The period between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode are stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode are stored is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 125. In addition, in the entirety of the consecutive pointer information, if there are multiple sections between the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode are stored and the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode are stored, the total number of balls entered for each section is calculated. In addition, if there is a history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode are stored, but the history information storage area 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 is stored does not store the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode, the history information in the history information storage area 125 in which the RTC information corresponding to a time later than the history information storage area 125 in which the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode are stored is treated as being in the high probability mode.

[0272] Thereafter, the number of balls that entered each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 while the front door frame 14 was in the open state during the period of the high probability mode specified in step S1015 is calculated (step S1016). The method of calculating the number of balls is the same as that in step S1007, except that the period of the high probability mode specified in step S1015 is the premise.

[0273] After that, various parameters are calculated using the results of the calculations in steps S1015 and S1016 (step S1017). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the front door frame 14 while it was open, calculated in step S1016, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the front door frame 14 calculated in step S1015. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls entered after the subtraction. The difference between the number of balls entered the out exit 24a calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls entered the out exit 24a calculated in step S1016 is set as the number of balls entered K21, the difference between the number of balls entered the general winning opening 31 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls entered the general winning opening 31 calculated in step S1016 is set as the number of balls entered K22, and the difference between the number of balls entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1015 is set as the number of balls entered K23. The difference in the number of balls that enter the special electric winning device 32 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of entering balls K23, the difference between the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of entering balls K24, and the difference between the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of entering balls K25. 21st parameter: Total number of game balls dispensed (K22 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K23 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the special winning device 32" + K24 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K25 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / Total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21 + K22 + K23 + K24 + K25) ratio (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D11") 22nd parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning port 31 (K22) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) 23rd parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special electric winning device 32 (K23) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) 24th parameter: the ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K24) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D22") 25th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K25) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D23") 26th parameter: D21-(D22 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D23 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") Thereafter, a third output process is executed (step S1018). In the third output process, the various parameters calculated in step S1017 are output in sequence to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 reads each piece of information that was the target of output in the third output process. Thereafter, a clear process is executed (step S1019). In the clear process, the history information storage area 125 of the history memory 117 is cleared to all "0", and the pointer area 126 is cleared to "0". As a result, the history area 124 is initialized.

[0274] <Configuration of the special call prize winning device 32> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the special electric prize winning device 32. Figure 29 is a front view of the game board 24 showing an enlarged area where the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided.

[0275] As already explained, the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided in the right area PA3 of the game area PA. The special electric prize winning device 32 is provided at the vertical center position in the right area PA3, and at the center position, the special electric prize winning device 32 extends horizontally from the right frame portion 36g, which is the right part of the display surface of the pattern display device 41 in the center frame 36a, to the right end part of the game area PA. By providing the special electric prize winning device 32 extending horizontally in this manner, the game ball flowing down the right area PA3 will surely pass through the area where the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided.

[0276] The special electric winning device 32 includes a passage forming body 201 in which the upstream region of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed, an opening / closing member 202 that blocks or allows game balls to enter the fourth discharge passage portion 45, and a guide member 203 that guides the movement of the opening / closing member 202. The passage forming body 201 is integrated with the right frame portion 36g of the center frame 36a and protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 beyond the surface of the game board 24. An upstream region 45c of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed in the passage forming body 201 so that an inlet portion 45b exists in the right wall portion 201a of the passage forming body 201.

[0277] The inlet 45b of the fourth discharge passage 45 is open to the right, and the game balls flowing down the right area PA3 can enter the fourth discharge passage 45. The upstream area 45c of the fourth discharge passage 45 is inclined downward to the left in the area continuing from the inlet 45b, but the passage direction changes so as to lead the game balls to the back side of the game board 24 and to the bottom of the game board 24 on the downstream side. The outlet of the upstream area 45c of the fourth discharge passage 45 exists on the back side of the game board 24 and is connected to the inlet of the downstream area 45d of the fourth discharge passage 45 provided on the back side of the game board 24. The downstream area 45d of the fourth discharge passage 45 extends vertically downward of the game board 24. With the above configuration, the game balls that enter the fourth discharge passage 45 are discharged to the bottom of the game board 24 on the back side of the game board 24. As already explained, the fourth discharge passage section 45 is provided with a special electric detection sensor 45a for detecting a game ball that has entered the fourth discharge passage section 45 (i.e., a game ball that has entered the special electric winning device 32), and the special electric detection sensor 45a is installed in the passage forming body 201.

[0278] An opening / closing member 202 is provided to open and close the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the opening / closing member 202, Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the passage formation body 201 and the opening / closing member 202 showing how the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is opened and closed by the opening / closing member 202, and Fig. 32 is a plan view of the opening / closing member 202 and the special power drive portion 32b.

[0279] The opening / closing member 202 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a base portion 211 that is horizontally long and has a rectangular outer edge with a predetermined width in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 as shown in FIG. 30, and a blocking portion 212 that is vertically erected at one end side of the base portion 211 and is integrally formed with the base portion 211. The base portion 211 is formed with an opening portion 213 that penetrates the base portion 211 in the vertical direction. The opening portion 213 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and the dimension in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 is set to be larger than the diameter of a game ball and smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball. The horizontal dimension of the opening portion 213 is set to be more than multiple times the diameter of the game ball, specifically, it is set to be larger than five times the diameter of the game ball and smaller than six times the diameter of the game ball. Although the position at which this opening 213 is formed is biased toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 in the base portion 211, it is located midway in both the front-to-back and lateral directions in the base portion 211, and there is a plate-shaped portion on the base portion 211 around the opening 213.

[0280] A blocking portion 212 is formed in the base portion 211 so as to rise upward from the left peripheral portion of the opening 213. The blocking portion 212 is formed in a plate shape with a pair of front and back plate surfaces facing horizontally. The area of ​​the plate surface of the blocking portion 212 is set to a size that can block the inflow of game balls into the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, more specifically, to a size that can completely close the entrance portion 45b, as shown in Figure 31 (a).

[0281] As shown in Fig. 29 and Fig. 31, the opening / closing member 202 is supported by the passage forming body 201 and the guide member 203 in a state in which it can slide in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10. In detail, as shown in Fig. 29, the guide member 203 is provided to extend laterally from the right end portion of the play area PA to the front of the passage forming body 201. The passage forming body 201 and the guide member 203 have a slide through hole 221 that penetrates the game board 24 in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10. The slide through hole 221 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer edge portion of the opening / closing member 202 in a front view. The opening / closing member 202 is inserted into the slide through hole 221, and the opening / closing member 202 can slide in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 along the slide through hole 221.

[0282] When inserted into the slide through hole 221, the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202 faces a position close to a right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a where the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed in the passage forming body 201. The distance between the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a and the blocking portion 212 is set to be less than the radius of the game ball, but the distance is arbitrary as long as the blocking portion 212 can block the game ball from entering the fourth discharge passage portion 45, and further, the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a and the blocking portion 212 may be in contact with each other, so that the blocking portion 212 slides on the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a when the opening / closing member 202 moves.

[0283] The opening / closing member 202 can be moved between a closed position where the inlet 45b of the fourth discharge passage 45 is closed by the blocking portion 212 as shown in FIG. 31(a) and an open position where the blocking portion 212 moves to the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 from the inlet 45b of the fourth discharge passage 45 and the inlet 45b is opened to the right as shown in FIG. 31(b). Also, as shown in FIG. 32, a special power drive unit 32b for sliding the opening / closing member 202 in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 is provided on the rear side of the opening / closing member 202. The special power drive unit 32b is a solenoid that is an electric actuator. In a non-driving state where a drive signal is not output from the main CPU 63 to the special power drive unit 32b, the output unit 226 of the special power drive unit 32b is disposed in a protruding position by the biasing force of the biasing member 225 of the special power drive unit 32b. On the other hand, in a driving state in which a driving signal is output from the main CPU 63 to the special power drive unit 32b, a force pulling the output unit 226 toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 is applied to the output unit 226, so that the output unit 226 moves toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 against the biasing force of the biasing member 225 and is disposed in a retreated position. The tip of the output unit 226 is connected to the rear end of the opening / closing member 202. Therefore, when the special power drive unit 32b is in a non-driving state and the output unit 226 is disposed in a protruding position, the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in a closed position as shown in FIG. 31(a), and when the special power drive unit 32b is in a driving state and the output unit 226 is disposed in a retreated position, the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in an open position as shown in FIG. 31(b). In addition, since the main body 227 of the special power drive unit 32b is located on the back side of the game board 24 and the output unit 226 is connected to the rear end of the opening / closing member 202, the special power drive unit 32b cannot be seen or is difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0284] The state of the special telephone winning device 32 when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position and the open position will be described with reference to Figs. 31(a) and 31(b) as well as Figs. 33(a) and 33(b). Figs. 33(a) and 33(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in Fig. 29. Figs. 31(a) and 33(a) show the state when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, and Figs. 31(b) and 33(b) show the state when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position. First, the case when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position will be described.

[0285] When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, as shown in Figures 31(a) and 33(a), the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is closed by the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202. As a result, when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, the entry of game balls into the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is blocked.

[0286] Regardless of whether the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position or not, the opening 213 of the base 211 is present to the right of the blocking portion 212, as already explained. In addition, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, the guide plate portion 214, which is an area of ​​the base 211 that is closer to the front of the pachinko machine 10 than the opening 213, faces the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the front end of the guide plate portion 214. The distance between the end of the guide plate portion 214 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of the game ball. As a result, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, even if a game ball placed on the guide plate portion 214 tries to flow downward from the front end of the guide plate portion 214, it is blocked by the window panel 52.

[0287] When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, the left end of the guide plate portion 214 is inserted into a slide through hole 221 formed in the passage forming body 201 so as to extend in the front-rear direction at a position below the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45. In this case, the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 is inclined downward toward the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 and downward toward the left. In this configuration, the passage forming body 201 protrudes toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 from the surface of the game board 24, and the front end of the passage forming body 201 faces the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the window panel 52. The distance between the front end of the passage forming body 201 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of the game ball. As a result, when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, even if the game ball tries to move from the left end of the guide plate portion 214 to the left of the guide plate portion 214, it is blocked by the passage forming body 201. Furthermore, as already explained, the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 not only slopes downward to the left, but also slopes downward toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10, so that when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, a game ball placed on the guide plate portion 214 will move by its own weight toward the opening 213 and flow into the opening 213.

[0288] Here, as shown in FIG. 33(a), the guide member 203 is provided so as to protrude forward of the pachinko machine 10 from the surface of the game board 24, and the forward protruding portion faces from above the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 that is placed in the closed position. The left side region 232, excluding the receiving portion 231 on the right end side of this forward protruding portion, extends laterally along the opening 213 of the base portion 211 when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, but the protruding amount of the left side region 232 toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is set to such an extent that the opening 213 of the base portion 211 is not included in the facing range. This prevents the opening 213 from being blocked by the guide member 203 when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position. In addition, the front-rear dimension of the left side region 232 is less than the radius of the game ball, so that the game ball does not ride up onto the left side region 232.

[0289] On the other hand, the receiving portion 231 present on the right side of the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202 in the guide member 203 protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 from the left side region 232, and its front end faces the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the window panel 52. The distance between the end of the receiving portion 231 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of the game ball. As a result, even if the game ball placed on the receiving portion 231 tries to flow downward from the front end of the receiving portion 231, it is blocked by the window panel 52. Since the receiving portion 231 is present at the right end portion of the game board 24, even if the game ball placed on the receiving portion 231 tries to flow downward from the right end of the receiving portion 231, it is blocked by the part of the resin base 21 provided on the right side of the game board 24.

[0290] The upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is set so that both the front-rear dimension and the lateral dimension are larger than the diameter of the game ball. In this case, as shown in FIG. 33(a), the front region 233 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is located on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 from the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202 that is located in the closed position. A regulating portion 234 is integrally formed on the left edge of the front region 233 to prevent the game ball placed on the front region 233 from falling to the left of the front region 233. In addition, the front region 233 is inclined downward toward the rear side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the game ball placed on the front region 233 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 will move to the rear region 235 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 by its own weight. The rear area 235 slopes downward toward the left, and there is no portion that prevents game balls from flowing down from the left end of the rear area 235 to the left of the rear area 235. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, game balls placed on the rear area 235 on the upper surface of the receiving part 231 move by their own weight toward the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202 and flow into the opening 213.

[0291] Next, a case where the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position will be described. When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is not closed by the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202 and is open to the right as shown in Fig. 31(b) and Fig. 33(b). This allows game balls to enter the fourth discharge passage portion 45.

[0292] When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, the opening 213 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 is entirely disposed within the slide through hole 221, and the guide plate portion 214 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 is present to the right of the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45. In this case, the guide plate portion 214 extends laterally between the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 and the rear region 235 of the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203 as shown in FIG. 33(b). As already described, the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is inclined downward toward the left end of the rear region 235, so that the game ball placed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 moves toward the guide plate portion 214 by its own weight, and the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 is inclined downward toward the left, so that the game ball placed on the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 moves toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 by its own weight. In other words, when the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position, a game ball placed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 or the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 moves by its own weight toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 and enters the entrance portion 45b. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position, not only is it possible for the game ball to enter the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, but the opening / closing member 202 guides the game ball from entering the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45.

[0293] When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, the opening / closing member 202 moves toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 more than when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, so the distance between the front end of the guide plate portion 214 and the window panel 52 becomes wider. This distance is greater than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, depending on the flow direction and flow speed of the game ball flowing down toward the special electric winning device 32 in the right area PA3, the game ball may enter the space between the guide plate portion 214 and the window panel 52 and flow down the space, causing the game ball to flow down below the special electric winning device 32. In other words, even when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, it may occur that the game ball that has reached the position of the special electric winning device 32 flows down below the special electric winning device 32 without winning the special electric winning device 32. However, this is not limited to this, and a protrusion that protrudes upward may be integrally formed over the entire front end of the guide plate portion 214, thereby making it possible to make it impossible or difficult for a game ball placed on the guide plate portion 214 to fall downward from the front end of the guide plate portion 214.

[0294] Next, referring again to FIG. 29, a configuration for making the flow-down pattern of the gaming balls in the right-side area PA3 into a predetermined pattern will be described.

[0295] In the right area PA3, upstream of the special electric winning device 32, there is provided a guide means for guiding the game ball flowing down the upstream side of the right area PA3 to the right end side of the special electric winning device 32, more specifically, to the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203 and its periphery. As the guide means, a guide nail group 241 consisting of a plurality of nails 24b is provided. The guide nail group 241 is formed by arranging a plurality of nails 24b downward to the right so as to generate a guide portion that is inclined downward from the right frame portion 36g of the center frame 36a to the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203. In this case, the distance between the nail 24b present at the left end of the guide nail group 241 and the right frame portion 36g is set to be less than the radius of the game ball, and the distance between adjacent nails 24b in the guide nail group 241 is also set to be less than the radius of the game ball. Therefore, the game ball that reaches the guide nail group 241 is guided toward the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203 by the guide portion of the guide nail group 241.

[0296] When the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, the game ball guided to the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is guided by the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 to the opening 213 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 by the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 as already explained, and flows into the opening 213. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, the game ball that flows down the right side area PA3 and reaches the special electric winning device 32 flows into the area near the receiving portion 231 in the opening 213 of the base portion 211 and flows downward toward the bottom of the special electric winning device 32.

[0297] Here, as already explained, the through gate 35 is provided in the right area PA3, and the through gate 35 is disposed downstream of the special electric winning device 32 and closer to the passage forming body 201 of the special electric winning device 32. In addition, between the special electric winning device 32 and the through gate 35, a restricting nail group 242 is provided to allow only game balls that flow down from a position closer to the passage forming body 201 of the special electric winning device 32 to below the special electric winning device 32 to enter the through gate 35. This prevents game balls that reach the special electric winning device 32 from passing through the through gate 35 when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position.

[0298] On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, the game ball that has reached the special electric winning device 32 will flow down on the guide plate portion 214 of the base portion 211 toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, as already explained. In this case, if the opening / closing member 202 is maintained in the open position until the game ball on the guide plate portion 214 reaches the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, the game ball will enter the entrance portion 45b. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 202 moves from the open position to the closed position at a stage before reaching the entrance portion 45b, the game ball on the guide plate portion 214 at that time will move to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 following the movement of the guide plate portion 214 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and then will be guided to the opening portion 213 of the base portion 211 along the inclination of the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 and flow into the opening portion 213. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 moves from the open position to the closed position while a game ball is present in the predetermined range X near the passage forming body 201 on the guide plate portion 214, the game ball flows downward toward the bottom of the special power winning device 32 at a position near the passage forming body 201 and passes through the through gate 35. When the game ball passes through the through gate 35, reserved information on the normal side is acquired, and an opportunity occurs to open the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34. In other words, the opportunity for the ball to enter the through gate 35, i.e., the opportunity for the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 to be opened, occurs only in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0299] With reference to the time chart of Fig. 34, the manner in which winning occurs in the second operating port 34 in the open / close execution mode will be described. Fig. 34(a) shows the execution period of the open / close execution mode, Fig. 34(b) shows the open / close state of the special power winning device 32, Fig. 34(c) shows the timing when winning occurs in the through gate 35, Fig. 34(d) shows the execution period when the second operating port 34 is open, and Fig. 34(e) shows the timing when winning occurs in the second operating port 34. Note that when the normal power open state is reached, the open state of the second operating port 34 occurs multiple times, but for the sake of convenience in Fig. 34, the explanation will be given assuming that the open state of the second operating port 34 occurs only once.

[0300] At the timing of t1, the opening and closing execution mode is started as shown in Fig. 34(a). In the opening and closing execution mode, a round game is executed in each period from the timing of t2 to the timing of t3, the timing of t7 to the timing of t9, and the timing of t13 to the timing of t15 as shown in Fig. 34(b), and the special power winning device 32 is in an open state.

[0301] In each of the round games from t2 to t3 and from t7 to t9, a game ball is placed on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202 of the special electric winning device 32 at the timings of t3 and t9 when the special electric winning device 32 goes from the open state to the closed state. Then, when the opening / closing member 202 moves from the open position to the closed position at the timings of t3 and t9, and the special electric winning device 32 goes from the open state to the closed state, the game ball placed on the guide plate portion 214 falls into the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202. The fallen game ball enters the through gate 35 at the timings of t4 and t10 as shown in FIG. 34(c). As a result, reserved information on the normal map side is acquired, and the variable display of the picture starts on the normal map display unit 38a. Then, as the variable display of the image is ended, the normal electric device 34a of the second operating port 34 is opened from the timing of t5 to the timing of t8 and from the timing of t11 to the timing of t14 as shown in FIG. 34(d). As already explained, even a game ball flowing down the right area PA3 can reach the position where the second operating port 34 is provided, so by continuing to launch the game ball toward the right area PA3 in an attempt to make the special electric winning device 32 win the game ball, the game ball wins at the timing of t6 and the timing of t12 as shown in FIG. 34(e). As a result, the second reserved information is acquired. Since the start of a new game round is prevented during the execution of the opening and closing execution mode, the execution of the winning / losing judgment process for the acquired second reserved information and the start of a game round triggered by the second reserved information are performed after the current opening and closing execution mode is ended.

[0302] On the other hand, in the round play from the timing t13 to the timing t15, at the timing t15 when the special electric winning device 32 changes from the open state to the closed state, there is no game ball on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202 of the special electric winning device 32, or even if there is a game ball on the guide plate portion 214, the game ball does not fall to a position where it can enter the through gate 35. Therefore, there is no winning in the through gate 35 at the end of the round play.

[0303] After that, the opening and closing execution mode occurs at the timing of t16 as shown in FIG. 34(a). At the timing when the opening and closing execution mode ends, the reserved information of the normal side is reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c. As a result, the opening of the second operating port 34 starts at the timing of t17 after the opening and closing execution mode ends as shown in FIG. 34(d), and this opening period continues until the timing of t19. Then, during this period, a launch operation is performed so that the game ball flows down the left area PA2 or the right area PA3, and a winning occurs in the second operating port 34 at the timing of t18 as shown in FIG. 34(e). In this case, if the second reserved information is not reserved and stored in the second special map reserve area 86 to the upper limit number at this time, the second reserved information is newly acquired. Then, the second reserved information becomes the subject of the win / loss judgment process and becomes the starting trigger for a new game round.

[0304] <Open / Close Execution Mode> Next, the manner in which the opening and closing execution mode is executed will be described below. Figures 35(a) and 35(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the manner in which the opening and closing execution mode is executed.

[0305] As already explained, in this embodiment, there are 2R low probability result, 2R high probability result, 4R low probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R low probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R low probability result, 10R high probability result, 16R low probability result, and 16R high probability result as jackpot results. In each of the opening and closing execution modes that occur when a jackpot result is obtained, the interval period between each round game is set to 3 seconds, as shown in FIG. 35(a). In addition, in each of these opening and closing execution modes, the upper limit number of winnings in the special electric winning device 32 in each round game is set to 10, and the open duration of each round game is set to 29 seconds. In each round game, the special electric winning device 32 is opened and closed once.

[0306] On the other hand, the number of rounds that occur in these opening and closing execution modes is different. Specifically, the number of rounds is set to 2 for the 2R low probability result and the 2R high probability result, 4 for the 4R low probability result and the 4R high probability result, 6 for the 6R low probability result and the 6R high probability result, 10 for the 10R low probability result and the 10R high probability result, and 16 for the 16R low probability result and the 16R high probability result. The more rounds are executed, the more balls will enter the special electric winning device 32 in one opening and closing execution mode, so a jackpot result with a larger number of rounds is more advantageous for the player.

[0307] In addition, the more the number of times the round game is performed, the more the number of times the opening / closing member 202 of the special power winning device 32 slides between the open position and the closed position. As already explained, when the opening / closing member 202 slides from the open position to the closed position, the game ball on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202 can win the through gate 35. Therefore, the more the number of times the opening / closing member 202 slides between the open position and the closed position, the more frequently the winning of the through gate 35 occurs, and the winning of the through gate 35 occurs, which triggers the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 to be in the open state. Then, when the second reserved information obtained by the winning of the second operating port 34 becomes the target of the winning / losing judgment process, either a big win result or a small win result occurs, so that the opening / closing execution mode is surely generated. From this point of view, a big win result with a large number of round games is more advantageous for the player.

[0308] As the jackpot results in which the number of round games is the same, a low probability result and a high probability result are set. That is, a 2R low probability result and a 2R high probability result are set as the jackpot results in which the round games are executed twice. Also, a 4R low probability result and a 4R high probability result are set as the jackpot results in which the round games are executed four times. Also, a 6R low probability result and a 6R high probability result are set as the jackpot results in which the round games are executed six times. Also, a 10R low probability result and a 10R high probability result are set as the jackpot results in which the round games are executed ten times. Also, a 16R low probability result and a 16R high probability result are set as the jackpot results in which the round games are executed sixteen times. As a result, as the jackpot results in which the number of round games that occur in the opening and closing execution mode is the same, there are a low probability result in which the winning / losing lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode is a low probability mode, and a high probability result in which the winning / losing lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode is a high probability mode. Therefore, for the number of rounds of play that occur in the open / close execution mode, there will be jackpot results that have different settings for the win / lose lottery mode while providing the same degree of profit to the player, and this increases the variety of jackpot results that players can expect.

[0309] As already explained, in this embodiment, there are the first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result as the small win result. In the opening and closing execution mode that occurs when these small win results are obtained, the upper limit number of winnings is set to 10, as shown in FIG. 35(b). Meanwhile, the number of times the special electric winning device 32 is opened in the opening and closing execution mode, and the open duration of the special electric winning device 32 in each opening are different for each small win result.

[0310] FIG. 36 is a time chart for explaining the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode executed when a small win result is obtained. FIG. 36(a1), FIG. 36(a2), and FIG. 36(a3) show the execution period of the opening and closing execution mode, and FIG. 36(b1), FIG. 36(b2), and FIG. 36(b3) show the period during which the special power winning device 32 is in the open state. FIG. 36(a1) and FIG. 36(b1) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode executed when a first small win result is obtained, FIG. 36(a2) and FIG. 36(b2) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode executed when a second small win result is obtained, and FIG. 36(a3) and FIG. 36(b3) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode executed when a third small win result is obtained.

[0311] In the case of the first small winning result, when the opening and closing execution mode is executed from timing t1 to timing t4 as shown in FIG. 36(a1), the special electric winning device 32 is opened only once from timing t2 to timing t3 as shown in FIG. 36(b1). The open duration of the special electric winning device 32 in this one opening is set to 10 seconds as shown in FIG. 35(b). The game ball launch cycle is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit number of game balls that can be won into the special electric winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode is 10, so this open duration is longer than the product of the game ball launch cycle and the upper limit number of winning balls.

[0312] In the case of the second small winning result, when the opening and closing execution mode is executed from the timing of t1 to the timing of t20 as shown in FIG. 36(a2), the special electric winning device 32 is opened once from the timing of t2 to the timing of t11, from the timing of t12 to the timing of t13, from the timing of t14 to the timing of t15, from the timing of t16 to the timing of t17, and from the timing of t18 to the timing of t19 as shown in FIG. 36(b2). That is, in the case of the second small winning result, the number of times that the special electric winning device 32 is opened is 5 times. The opening duration of the special electric winning device 32 in each opening is set to 2 seconds as shown in FIG. 35(b). The firing cycle of the game balls is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit number of winning game balls in the special electric winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode is 10, so the opening duration of each opening is shorter than the product of the firing cycle of the game balls and the upper limit number of winning balls. However, the total duration of each opening is longer than the product of the ball launch cycle and the maximum number of winning balls. Also, the total duration of each opening is equal to the duration of one opening in the opening and closing execution mode in the first small win result.

[0313] In the case of the third small winning result, when the opening and closing execution mode is executed from the timing of t1 to the timing of t40 as shown in FIG. 36(a3), the special electric winning device 32 is opened once from the timing of t2 to the timing of t21, from the timing of t22 to the timing of t23, from the timing of t24 to the timing of t25, from the timing of t26 to the timing of t27, from the timing of t28 to the timing of t29, from the timing of t30 to the timing of t31, from the timing of t32 to the timing of t33, from the timing of t34 to the timing of t35, from the timing of t36 to the timing of t37, and from the timing of t38 to the timing of t39 as shown in FIG. 36(b3). In other words, in the case of the third small winning result, the number of times that the special electric winning device 32 is opened is 10 times. The open duration of the special electric winning device 32 in each opening is set to 1 second as shown in FIG. 35(b). The firing cycle of the game balls is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit number of winning game balls in the special electric winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode is 10, so the opening duration of each opening is shorter than the product of the firing cycle of the game balls and the upper limit number of winning balls. However, the total opening duration of each opening is longer than the product of the firing cycle of the game balls and the upper limit number of winning balls. In addition, the total opening duration of each opening is equal to the opening duration of one opening in the opening and closing execution mode in the first small win result, and is equal to the total opening duration of each opening in the second small win result.

[0314] As described above, the opening and closing execution mode for each small winning result is set such that the fewer the number of openings, the longer the duration of each opening. The longer the duration of one opening of the special electric winning device 32, the easier it is to win the special electric winning device 32. On the other hand, the more times the special electric winning device 32 is opened, the more opportunities there are for the special electric winning device 32 to go from an open state to a closed state with a game ball on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening and closing member 202, so that winning the through gate 35 is more likely to occur. Therefore, in the first small winning result, winning the special electric winning device 32 is most likely to occur, but winning the through gate 35 is least likely to occur, in the third small winning result, winning the special electric winning device 32 is least likely to occur, but winning the through gate 35 is most likely to occur, and in the second small winning result, both winning the special electric winning device 32 and winning the through gate 35 are moderately likely to occur. As a result, a player who expects a win in the special electric winning device 32 will expect the first small win result, and a player who expects a win in the through gate 35 will expect the third small win result. This makes it possible to diversify what players expect. Also, since there are benefits to each of the first, second, and third small win results, it is possible to increase the player's attention to each small win result.

[0315] In addition, in both the second and third small win results, the special electric winning device 32 is opened multiple times, but the interval period for each opening is the same at 3 seconds. Also, the game ball can reach the predetermined range X on the guide plate portion 214 by the period during which the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the open position for 1 second.

[0316] <Ultra-high-speed power control processing> Next, a processing configuration for switching the second operating port 34 between an open state and a closed state, and a processing configuration for switching the special power winning device 32 between an open state and a closed state will be described. First, a processing configuration for switching the second operating port 34 between an open state and a closed state will be described. Figure 37 is a flowchart showing a normal power control process executed by the main CPU 63. The normal power control process is executed in step S214 of the timer interrupt process (Figure 12).

[0317] First, the process of acquiring reserved information on the normal map side is executed (step S1101). In this acquisition process, if a winning entry has occurred in the through gate 35 and the reserved information on the normal map side is not acquired up to the upper limit number in the normal map reserve area 65c, the numerical information of the normal random number counter C4 is stored in the normal map reserve area 65c. In this case, the reserved information on the normal map side is stored in the order of the first area 88a → the second area 88b → the third area 88c → the fourth area 88d.

[0318] Then, the numerical information of the GP counter provided in the main RAM 65 is read (step S1102), and the GP address table provided in the main ROM 64 is read (step S1103). Then, a start address corresponding to the numerical information of the GP counter is obtained from the GP address table (step S1104), and the process jumps to the process indicated by the obtained start address (step S1105).

[0319] The normal map normal power counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to grasp which of the processes in steps S1106 to S1110 in the normal map normal power control process should be executed, and the normal map normal power address table is set with a start address in the program for executing each process in steps S1106 to S1110 corresponding to the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter. If the value of the normal map normal power counter is "0", jump to the normal map change start process in step S1106, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "1", jump to the normal map change process in step S1107, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "2", jump to the normal map confirmation process in step S1108, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "3", jump to the normal power open process in step S1109, and if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "4", jump to the normal power closed process in step S1110.

[0320] In the normal map change start process of step S1106, a process of shifting the reserved information of the normal map side reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c is executed on the condition that the reserved information of the normal map side is reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c. Specifically, the reserved information of the normal map side stored in the first area 88a of the normal map reserve area 65c is shifted to the execution area 89 for normal maps, and then the reserved information of the normal map side is shifted from the second area 88b to the first area 88a, the third area 88c to the second area 88b, and the fourth area 88d to the third area 88c. Then, the reserved information of the normal map side newly shifted to the execution area 89 for normal maps is used as a lottery value to execute the normal power release lottery process. As already explained, in this embodiment, there is only one type of support mode. Therefore, the probability of winning the normal power opening state in the normal power opening lottery process is constant regardless of the game state, such as whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in effect, and whether or not the win / lose lottery mode is in the high probability mode; specifically, the probability of winning the normal power opening state is 9 / 10.

[0321] However, this is not limited to this, and the probability of winning the normal power open state may be higher or lower than this. Also, instead of executing a normal power open lottery process, a normal power open state may occur once for one reserved information on the normal side. In this case, it is possible to increase the frequency of occurrence of the normal power open state.

[0322] In the normal map variation start process, when the normal power opening lottery process is executed, a process is executed to start the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a. In this case, information on the variable display period during which the pattern is variably displayed in the normal map display unit 38a is set in the normal map normal power timer counter provided in the main RAM 65. The value set in the normal map normal power timer counter is decremented by 1 each time the timer update process (step S210) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12) is executed. In this embodiment, as already explained, there is only one type of support mode. Therefore, the variable display period of the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a is constant regardless of the game state such as whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress, and whether or not the winning / losing lottery mode is in the high probability mode, and is specifically set to 5 seconds. Then, when the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a is started, the value of the normal map normal power counter is updated from "0" to "1". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal map normal power control process becomes the normal map variation process.

[0323] However, this is not limited to this, and the variable display period of the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a may be longer or shorter than this. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which multiple types of variable display periods of the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a are set, and the variable display period to be executed is determined by lottery. Also, in a configuration in which the normal power opening lottery process is not executed, and the normal power opening state occurs once for one reserved information on the normal map side, a new normal power opening state may be started with the reserved information on the normal map side as an execution trigger, without the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a being executed, when the reserved information on the normal map side is newly acquired in a situation where the normal power opening state is not in a normal power opening state, or when the normal power opening state ends in a situation where the reserved information on the normal map side is reserved and stored. Also, conversely, even in a configuration in which the normal power opening state occurs once for one reserved information on the normal map side, the variable display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a may be executed, and the normal power opening state may be started after the variable display of the pattern is executed.

[0324] In the normal map change processing of step S1107, a process is executed to update the display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a. Also, if the value set in the normal map normal power timer counter of the main RAM 65 in the normal map change start processing is "0", the information on the confirmation period of the normal map side is set in the normal map normal power timer counter of the main RAM 65, and a process is executed to display the pattern corresponding to the result of the normal power opening lottery processing that triggered the execution of the current pattern change display in the normal map display unit 38a on the normal map display unit 38a. Then, the value of the normal map normal power counter is updated from "1" to "2". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal map normal power control processing becomes the normal map confirmation processing.

[0325] In the normal map determination process in step S1108, if the value of the normal map / normal power timer counter is "0", it is determined whether the result of the normal power opening lottery process that triggered the execution of this image change display round is a normal power opening state win. If the normal power opening state win is not a win, the value of the normal map / normal power counter is cleared to "0". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal map / normal power control process becomes the normal map change start process.

[0326] If the normal power open state is won, a process for setting the normal power open state is executed. Specifically, "3" is set to the normal power open count counter provided in the main RAM 65. The normal power open count counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify the remaining number of times that the normal power role 34a is opened in the normal power open state. In addition, numerical information on the open duration (specifically, 2 seconds) when the normal power role 34a is opened once is set to the normal power timer counter. In addition, "10" is set to the normal power winning counter. In addition, the output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is started so that the normal power role 34a is opened. The normal power winning counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify the remaining game balls that can win in the second operating port 34 in the normal power open state, and the value of the normal power winning counter is decremented by 1 each time a winning occurs in the second operating port 34. Then, when the value of the normal power winning counter becomes "0", the normal power open state is terminated regardless of the remaining number of times the normal power role 34a is opened and the remaining open duration at that time. After that, the value of the normal power counter is updated from "2" to "3". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing of the normal power control process becomes the normal power open process. Here, as already explained in this embodiment, there is only one type of support mode. Therefore, the number of times the normal power role 34a is in the open state in the normal power open state, the open duration when the normal power role 34a is in the open state once, and the upper limit number of winning balls into the second operating port 34 in the normal power open state are constant regardless of the game state, such as whether or not the open / close execution mode is in the open / close execution mode, and whether or not the winning / losing lottery mode is in the high probability mode.

[0327] In the normal power open process in step S1109, if a winning entry has occurred in the second operating port 34, a value corresponding to the number of winning entries is subtracted from the value of the normal power winning counter in the main RAM 65. If the value of the normal power winning counter is "0", the value of the normal power opening count counter is cleared to "0", the value of the normal power timer counter is cleared to "0", and the output of the drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is stopped to close the normal power role 34a, and the value of the normal power counter is cleared to "0". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing of the normal power control process becomes the normal power fluctuation start process. Also, even if the value of the normal power winning counter is not "0", if the value of the normal power timer counter is "0", the output of the drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is stopped to close the normal power role 34a, and the value of the normal power opening count counter in the main RAM 65 is subtracted by 1. Then, if the value of the normal power opening count counter is not "0", the numerical information of the closure duration of the normal power device 34a is set in the normal power timer counter, and then the value of the normal power counter is updated from "3" to "4". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal power control process becomes the normal power closed process. If the value of the normal power opening count counter is "0", the value of the normal power counter is cleared to "0" without setting a value in the normal power timer counter. As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal power control process becomes the normal power change start process.

[0328] In the normal power closed processing of step S1110, on the condition that the value of the normal power timer counter is "0", the normal power role 34a is opened by starting the output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b, and the numerical information of the open duration (specifically, 2 seconds) when the normal power role 34a is opened once is set in the normal power timer counter. Then, the value of the normal power counter is updated from "4" to "3". As a result, the processing to be executed in the next processing of the normal power control processing becomes the normal power open processing.

[0329] As described above, the normal power control process is executed, and when a winning entry occurs in the through gate 35, the image is displayed variably in the normal power display section 38a. If the normal power open state is won in the normal power open lottery process, the normal power open state is entered in which the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 is in an open state. When the normal power open state is entered and the second operating port 34 is in an open state, it becomes possible for a game ball to enter the second operating port 34, and when a game ball enters the second operating port 34, the second reserved information is stored in the second special chart reserved area 86.

[0330] <Special diagram special signal control processing> Next, a process configuration for switching the special power winning device 32 between the open state and the closed state will be described. Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing the special power control process executed by the main CPU 63. The special power control process is executed in step S213 of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 12).

[0331] First, the process of acquiring reserved information is executed (step S1201). In the process of acquiring reserved information, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 39, if a winning has occurred in the first operation port 33 (step S1301: YES), and the number of first reserved information stored in the first special chart reserve area 85 is less than the upper limit number of stored information (step S1302: YES), a process for acquiring the first reserved information is executed. The determination of whether or not a winning has occurred in the first operation port 33 is performed by determining whether or not the first operation winning flag of the main RAM 65 is set to "1". As already explained, the first operation winning flag is set to "1" in step S315 of the ball entry detection process (FIG. 14). In addition, if a positive determination is made in step S1301, the first operation winning flag is cleared to "0".

[0332] In the process for acquiring the first reserved information, first, the value of the first reserved counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 in order to grasp the number of unprocessed first reserved information stored in the first special chart reserved area 85 by the main CPU 63 (step S1303). Incidentally, the display contents of the first special chart reserved display section 37c in the special chart unit 37 are adjusted according to the value of the first special chart reserved counter. As a result, the display contents of the first special chart reserved display section 37c correspond to the number of first reserved information stored in the first special chart reserved area 85. After that, the values ​​of the hit random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in the first storage area of ​​the first special chart reserved area 85, that is, the storage area corresponding to the reserved memory number incremented by 1 in step S1303 (step S1304). After that, the first reserved command is transmitted to the voice light emission control device 81 (step S1305). When the sound and light emission control device 81 receives the first reserved command, it transmits a corresponding command to the display control device 82. The pattern display device 41 displays an image to notify the number of first reserved information stored in the first special pattern reserved area 85, and the display control device 82 updates the content of the image display to content corresponding to the number of first reserved information increasing by one by receiving a command corresponding to the first reserved command. Note that when a game round is started triggered by the first reserved information, the content of the image display is updated to content corresponding to the number of first reserved information decreasing by one.

[0333] When a negative judgment is made in step S1301, when a negative judgment is made in step S1302, or when the process of step S1305 is executed, a winning has occurred in the second operation port 34 (step S1306: YES), and further, on the condition that the number of second reserved information stored in the second special chart reserved area 86 is less than the upper limit number of stored information (step S1307: YES), a process for acquiring the second reserved information is executed. In addition, the judgment of whether or not a winning has occurred in the second operation port 34 is performed by judging whether or not the second operation winning f...

Claims

[Claim 1] a predetermined storage execution means for causing a predetermined event to occur as a result of a game to be stored in a predetermined storage means, whereby the predetermined information is 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 progress process for progressing a game; A specific storage means for storing information when the predetermined progress process is executed; 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; Equipped with The gaming machine is characterized in that the calculation result storage means is provided separately from the specific storage means.

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