Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine allowing one to easily confirm abnormality occurring in light emitting means.SOLUTION: Light emitting means includes a first LED, a second LED, and a third LED that emit light in different colors each, a period when the light emitting means emits light includes a first period (period T1) and a second period (period T2), at least two of the three LEDs emit light during the first period, LEDs in a combination different from that during the first period among the three LEDs emit light during the second period, and a light emitting mode of the light emitting means can be changed when predetermined operation means is operated during at least one of the first period and the second period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, light emitting devices (LEDs) are provided on the frame, game board, movable body, etc. to enhance the presentation effect and increase the interest of players (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-082839 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the light emitting means breaks down, the expected presentation effect cannot be achieved, which leads to a decline in interest in the game. Therefore, it is necessary for the hall to easily detect abnormalities in the light emitting means, such as a burned out LED.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that makes it possible to easily check any abnormality occurring in a light-emitting means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a predetermined area in which a plurality of light-emitting means are attached, the light-emitting means including a first LED, a second LED and a third LED each emitting light of a different color, the periods during which the light-emitting means emits light include a first period and a second period, in the first period, at least two of the first LED, the second LED and the third LED emit light, and in the second period, a different combination of the first LED, the second LED and the third LED emit light from that in the first period, and in at least one of the first period or the second period, the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting means can change when a predetermined operating means is operated. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that allows easy confirmation of an abnormality occurring in a light-emitting means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for determining whether a special pattern is selected, Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 1, and Figure 8(c) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 2. [Figure 9]Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a time chart starting from power-on accompanied by execution of the RAM clear process. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit and the sound output mode of the speaker during the inspection mode, where Figure 12(a) shows a specific example during period T1, Figure 12(b) shows a specific example during period T2, Figure 12(c) shows a specific example during pattern idling in period T3, and Figure 12(d) shows a specific example during the standby demo performance in period T3. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a table showing the relationship between the conditions that can be satisfied during period T2 and the light emission modes of the full-color LEDs provided on the frame lamp and the movable decorative body that correspond to those conditions. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a time chart starting from power-on without execution of the RAM clear process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a time chart starting from power-on when a RAM abnormality occurs at power-on. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit and the sound output mode of the speaker in the case shown in Figures 14 and 15, where Figure 16(a) shows a specific example during pattern idling in period T4, Figure 16(b) shows a specific example during the standby demo performance in period T4, and Figure 16(c) shows a specific example in period T5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. In the following explanation, "advantageous (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of prize balls (gaming media) obtained (including not only the payout of gaming balls but also the payout of medals), excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

[0010] <Features of the present invention> Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (the present invention) described in this embodiment will be described. In addition, when explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and the configuration may be described in parentheses for the same purpose in the explanations of the gaming machine 10 that follow.

[0011] The gaming machine 10 according to the present invention is a pachinko gaming machine, and has a predetermined area in which a plurality of light emitting means are attached. In the following embodiments, the area in which at least the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22 are provided corresponds to the above-mentioned specified area.

[0012] The above-mentioned light-emitting means includes a first LED (an LED chip that emits red light), a second LED (an LED chip that emits green light), and a third LED (an LED chip that emits blue light), each of which emits light of a different color, and is a device known as a full-color LED that can express a variety of colors by balancing the light emission intensities of these.

[0013] The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that it has a first period (period T1 shown in FIG. 11) and a second period (period T2 shown in FIG. 11) as periods during which the light-emitting means emits light. The first period is a period during which at least two of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED emit light, and the second period is a period during which a different combination of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED emit light from the first period. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 is characterized in that the light emission state of the light emitting means can change when a predetermined operating means (cursor button 38, effect button 37) is operated during at least one of the first period or the second period. By providing the first and second periods with the above characteristics, it is possible to carry out in parallel an inspection that changes the combination of LEDs that are illuminated for each period (checking for burnt out LEDs) and an inspection that changes the illumination state in response to a specified operation (checking the normalcy of the operating means). In the following description, "change in light emission mode" is not limited to change in light emission color, but also includes change in light emission intensity (brightness) and change in time interval of blinking (repeated turning on and off).

[0014] The gaming machine 10 having the above-mentioned features will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

[0015] <Structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. 1 to 5 are merely components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and components and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. In addition, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components shown here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0016] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into a front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which a large number of gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a winning hole (for example, a big winning hole 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of a gaming ball into a winning hole may be simply expressed as "entering (a winning hole)."

[0017] The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

[0018] The middle frame 17 is supported so as to be rotatable about the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed to the front side of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

[0019] The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view. The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integral with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball tray 29 is full of discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball tray 29. In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0020] 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame open door sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame open door sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. The group of operation buttons includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a return operation of a prepaid card as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 described later, and includes a performance button 37 for switching the performance generated during a game or accepting a player's operation to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d) for instructing operations to the up, down, left, and right directions, as an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor. A monochromatic LED is provided inside the effect button 37, and is covered with a red transparent case. Because of the above configuration, the effect button 37 emits red light for the period during which the LED is emitting light.

[0022] In addition, a movable decorative body 22 that operates (vibrates) due to an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27. Furthermore, multiple full-color LEDs are provided inside the movable decorative body 22, and the movable decorative body 22 lights up when the full-color LEDs light up in accordance with the operation of the actuator, causing the movable decorative body 22 to emit light in a variety of colors, enhancing the dramatic effect produced by the operation of the movable decorative body 22.

[0023] Therefore, the gaming machine 10 has a designated area (movable decorative body 22) to which multiple light-emitting means are attached, and the light-emitting means can be said to include a first LED (red LED chip), a second LED (green LED chip), and a third LED (blue LED chip), each of which emits light of a different color.

[0024] A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism which, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to remove the stored balls.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of light-transmitting covers, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside the covers. The speaker 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects and error notifications that occur during play. In the area corresponding to the frame lamp 35, multiple full-color LEDs composed of LED chips corresponding to the three colors RGB are arranged, and by combining the light emission modes of each LED chip, it is possible to emit light in a variety of colors.

[0026] Therefore, the gaming machine 10 has a specified area (frame lamp 35) in which multiple light-emitting means are attached, and the light-emitting means can be said to include a first LED (red LED chip), a second LED (green LED chip), and a third LED (blue LED chip), each of which emits light of a different color.

[0027] The performance display device 80 is composed of a main display unit 81 disposed approximately in the center of the game board 50, and a sub-display unit 82 disposed around the main display unit 81. The sub-display unit 82 further includes an upper sub-display unit 82a disposed above the main display unit 81, a left sub-display unit 82b disposed on the left side of the main display unit 81, and a right sub-display unit 82c disposed on the right side of the main display unit 81. Here, the main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by actuators such as motors (not shown).

[0028] The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative pattern forms three pattern rows. In this embodiment, the direction of the variable display of each pattern row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode that uses a method (e.g., perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though in reality it is a planar changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81. In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" that imitates the number "1", a "2 symbol" that imitates the number "2", a "3 symbol" that imitates the number "3", a "4 symbol" that imitates the number "4", a "5 symbol" that imitates the number "5", a "6 symbol" that imitates the number "6", a "7 symbol" that imitates the number "7", an "8 symbol" that imitates the number "8", and a "9 symbol" that imitates the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol", "3 symbol", "5 symbol", "7 symbol", and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols", and the "2 symbol", "4 symbol", "6 symbol", and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols".

[0029] Each of the sub-display units 82 is not only provided mainly for displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable. The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side with respect to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side with respect to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of ​​the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. However, even when the sub-display units 82 (particularly the left sub-display unit 82b and right sub-display unit 82c) are in the initial positions shown in FIG. 4, approximately the upper half of the display area is visible to the player.

[0030] A number of LEDs are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special and normal patterns. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display unit 81, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0031] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric role (for example, the special electric role 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special pattern", the first special pattern as "Special pattern 1", and the second special pattern as "Special pattern 2".

[0032] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric role (for example, the normal electric role 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "denchu".

[0033] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations for reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right constantly lit only = 1, left and right constantly lit = 2, right flashing + left constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0034] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a normal pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.'' In addition, in the following explanation, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern". In the following explanation, when the term "pattern change" is used, it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll. Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

[0036] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly, rolls.

[0037] In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as large prize opening 55, first start opening 57, second start opening 59, gate 63, and general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

[0038] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The large prize opening 55 is provided with a large prize opening sensor 72, and the result of detection by the large prize opening sensor 72 determines whether a prize has been won in the large prize opening 55, and the number of prize balls (15 in this embodiment) associated with the large prize opening 55 is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0039] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a part of the jackpot game that starts when a jackpot is derived by the special winning / losing determination described later, and thus allows winning into the big prize winning hole 55. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, winning into the big prize winning hole 55 becomes easier, so the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state. In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game", and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.

[0040] The first starting hole 57 is located at the center lower part of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) corresponding to the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some of the cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern change related to the special chart 1 is performed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

[0041] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of winning balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been determined for the second starting port 59, a pattern change related to special chart 2 will occur. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

[0042] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is opened when the result of the normal winning / losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as "normal winning"), and accordingly, winning is permitted in the second starting hole 59. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, winning in the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation related to the special drawing 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease of the game balls by the prize ball.

[0043] The gate 63 is located in the right center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and the winning of the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where the winning of the gate 63 is determined, the pattern of the normal figure is changed.

[0044] The general winning opening 67 is located at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (3 in this embodiment) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

[0045] The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69, is provided.

[0046] In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) in order to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the rear of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, a second sub-control board case 309 in which the second sub-control board 300 is stored, a power supply control board case 509 in which the power supply control board 500 is stored, and a payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored. In addition to the rear of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 which covers part of the rear of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner. In addition, the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through each case and cover.

[0048] A game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out to the upper ball tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

[0049] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

[0050] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

[0051] The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 which performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 which stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 which functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 which operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0052] The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage, the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state it was in immediately before the power outage using the data. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and each register that were held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game possible state) and the current general drawing state, is backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clear process described later.

[0053] In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game are stored (sometimes referred to as the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed up area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game. In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of holding data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, a first memory configured to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10 may be provided with different hardware. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0054] The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the special prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door opening sensor 76, the front frame door opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0055] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, main control board 100 is electrically connected to main operation unit 39 and RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of main operation unit 39.

[0056] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data. In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0057] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

[0058] In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the sub-display unit 82, etc. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the performance button 37, the frame lamp 35, and the movable decorative body 22, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The performance button 37, the frame lamp 35, and the movable decorative body 22 are configured so that their lighting is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I / O port 204. The movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0060] The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the figure, is equipped with a CPU that performs various calculations related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and the CPU is configured to execute main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM. Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by a performance content determination means 225 described later based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM that is used for expanding and processing the image data read from the image ROM is also connected to this VDP.

[0061] The audio control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processing related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs and audio data, a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral boards and each device, and is configured such that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Thus, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, thereby enabling the speaker 33 to output audio.

[0062] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM and a RAM (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 for two-way communication, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of the game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0063] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption is detected by the power interruption detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0064] <Functional Configuration of the Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for describing the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when describing the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 11 will be referred to as necessary.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special chart lottery means 130, a normal chart lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric gimmick control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, a power outage processing execution means 180, and a complete function control means 190. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 6.

[0066] First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 (described later) by the command transmission means after being stored.

[0067] The winning ball determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor provided at each winning hole. In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole by a sensor installed in a prize hole such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) including information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0068] The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of ​​the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0069] The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change related to the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change related to the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main reserve control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and ordinary drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reserve counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reserve counter, and the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 reserve counter in this embodiment is 4. In addition, in the following explanation, "suspended operation information" may be expressed as "suspended pattern change" or simply as "suspended." In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved, a priority variation is performed in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the operation pending information is used in the order in which it is reserved regardless of whether it corresponds to the special chart 1 or the special chart 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are simultaneously used when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved may be adopted.

[0070] The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit / miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned pending command. Here, the predetermined timing of pre-determination is, for example, the timing when the activation pending information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the activation pending information of the special chart 1 is reserved during the normal chart high probability described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the activation pending information of the special chart 2 is reserved during the normal chart low probability described below, the pre-determination may or may not be restricted.

[0071] The special drawing means 130 includes a special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, a special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special drawing change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, the special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special drawing change pattern derivation means 133. When the special drawing change start condition is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: the player is not in a jackpot game, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is in the process of changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is displayed as stopped), and at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 has pending operation information.

[0072] Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams that typically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiably stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, there are items described for convenience of explanation, and if "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, a result with "-" or "0" described as the lottery value will not win. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained in the range) is described in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so it is not necessary to perform a lottery. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the final lottery value, so that addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery values ​​used in that addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0073] The special chart hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special chart hit / miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special chart hit / miss judgment to judge by lottery whether the winning is a jackpot or a miss by using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart hit / miss judgment. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether or not a special drawing is a hit, and the lottery table is used in common for special drawings 1 and 2. The range of random numbers used in the determination is 0 to 65535, so when the special drawing state is low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "low probability of special drawing"), a big hit is derived with a probability of 366 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 170), and when a big hit is not derived, it is a miss. Similarly, when the special drawing state is in a high probability state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 1100 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 59.6), and if a jackpot is not derived, it is a miss.

[0074] When the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a big hit, the special chart stop pattern drawing means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern drawing, and determines the special chart stop pattern by drawing lots using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern drawing. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2). Here, pattern A is a pattern with 3 rounds, and after the jackpot play ends, the special pattern is unlikely to be a special one and the normal pattern is likely to be a special one (hereinafter, the jackpot related to this pattern may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). On the other hand, pattern B is a pattern with 10 rounds, and after the jackpot play ends, the special pattern is likely to be a special one and the normal pattern is likely to be a special one (hereinafter, the jackpot related to this pattern may be referred to as a "variable jackpot"). Therefore, pattern B can be said to be a more advantageous pattern than pattern A in terms of the number of rounds. Figure 8(c) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 2, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99, similar to the drawing of the stop symbol of special symbol 1. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 65 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.53), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 35 / 100 (approximately 1 / 2.85). Here, the pattern a is a probability variation pattern with 10 rounds and high probability of special and high probability of normal after the end of the jackpot game, and the pattern b is a normal pattern with 10 rounds and low probability of special and high probability of normal after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, it can be said that the pattern a is a more advantageous pattern than the pattern b in the subsequent special drawing state. In addition, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is not a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 uniformly determines the stop pattern to be pattern C when special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c when special chart 2 is a miss. In addition, in this embodiment, the rate at which the special chart has a high probability of appearing after the end of a jackpot game using special chart 1 (50 / 100) is different from the rate at which the special chart has a high probability of appearing after the end of a jackpot game using special chart 2 (65 / 100) (the pattern change of special chart 2 is more favorable than the pattern change of special chart 1).

[0075] The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern selection table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern hit / miss judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern selection table and the random number for special pattern variation pattern selection, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation. Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. On the other hand, in the pattern change related to the other special pattern (the special pattern for which the above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern change pattern is adopted) in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, a predetermined special pattern change pattern is determined according to the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment. In particular, in this embodiment, in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a pattern change with a change time of 1000 ms is determined, and in the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a pattern change with a change time of 2000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment of the pattern change is a miss, a pattern change with a change time of 2000 ms is determined.

[0076] FIG. 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined.

[0077] Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 90.9). P1-B, special pattern variation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 111), special pattern variation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 143), special pattern variation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and special pattern variation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 333) are determined, and in this case, special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using Figure 9 (b), when special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of this pattern variation. In addition, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is pattern A (i.e., when a normal hit is determined), the special chart change pattern ASP1-A occurs with a probability of 120 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 8.33), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B occurs with a probability of 140 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.14), and the special chart change pattern AS occurs with a probability of 160 / 1000 (1 / 6.25). P2-A, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56). In this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is pattern B (i.e., when a sure win is determined), the special chart change pattern ASP1-A occurs with a probability of 90 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B occurs with a probability of 110 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A occurs with a probability of 135 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B occurs with a probability of 165 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In such cases, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.

[0078] In this manner, in this embodiment, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, then at a rate of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), one of the special chart change patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined, and at a rate of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11), the special chart change pattern HNP is determined. In addition, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a normal hit, one of the special chart change patterns ASP1-A to ASP3-B is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Furthermore, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a sure hit, one of the special chart change patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C will be determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special pattern variation pattern lottery table for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different.

[0079] Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 during special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing fluctuation time. Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). In the following explanation, if the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referenced is 3, it may be called "reserved 3", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "reserved 2", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "reserved 1", and if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "reserved 0". In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a special pattern change pattern with a long change time will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined). In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

[0080] In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special chart change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) including the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment, the determined stopping pattern of the special chart, and the determined special chart change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0081] As described above, the gaming machine 10 can be said to be equipped with a variation pattern deriving means (special symbol variation pattern deriving means 133) that derives a variation pattern related to the symbol variation.

[0082] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit / miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is correct or not, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map hit / miss judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state. In the judgment of whether the regular drawing is a hit or miss, there are two states: a high probability state of the regular drawing selection (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing high probability") and a low probability state of the regular drawing selection (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the selection table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the high probability state, the probability of the regular drawing being a hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of 1 / 65536 is a miss, while in the low probability state, the probability of the regular drawing being a hit is 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of 65535 / 65536 is a miss. Note that in the low probability state, the regular drawing may not be a hit (65536 / 65536 is a miss).

[0083] At the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (start demo command) including information related to the jackpot game (time required for the start demo, number of rounds, and subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a presentation control command (round start command) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, at the end of a round game, a presentation control command (end demo command) including the time required for the end demo of the jackpot game is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0084] The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and stops and displays the special pattern 1 with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 2, and stops and displays the special pattern 2 with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends and until the jackpot game starts (when the result of the normal chart hit / miss judgment is a normal hit), and the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart in this embodiment is a uniform 300 ms, regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a small up and down swing (so-called swing swing), whereas in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by a swing swing. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

[0085] Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal pattern display device 93 to display the normal pattern in a variable manner in accordance with a variable time corresponding to the determined normal pattern variable pattern of the normal pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal pattern to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern play timer for managing the time related to the regular pattern (regular pattern change time, regular pattern stop display time, etc.).

[0086] In the above-mentioned big win game, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

[0087] The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to low probability regardless of the stopped pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, sets the normal drawing to high probability until the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is performed when the specified conditions such as the end of the jackpot game are satisfied, and sets the normal drawing to low probability when the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is completed.

[0088] Such a general drawing state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing pattern derivation state will be explained below with reference to Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 10(b). Fig. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing pattern derivation state, and Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average change time for each special drawing pattern derivation state. As shown in Figure 10 (a), the special chart variation pattern derivation state includes a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to low probability of special chart and low probability of normal chart, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to high probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to low probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and one of these special chart variation pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, the transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC include transition conditions (i) to (iii).

[0089] Specifically, the transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to a special jackpot, the transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot, and the transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th pattern change. In addition, when a jackpot game related to a probability hit is started in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB is set again after the jackpot game ends. Furthermore, when a jackpot game related to a normal hit is started in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is set again after the jackpot game ends (the count of the pattern variation in the transition condition (iii) starts from 0).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average change time of each of the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, and the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB. This is due to the length of the change time related to the basic special pattern change pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special pattern change pattern derivation state. Here, the average change time refers to the sum of the change times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that may occur in any pattern change, which is derived by multiplying the probability that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment is derived by the probability of the special pattern change pattern being hit) for each change time related to the special pattern change pattern that can be selected in a certain special pattern change pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special pattern change pattern that can be selected in the certain special pattern change pattern derivation state, the change time related to the special pattern change pattern is treated as the average change time.

[0091] Thus, in this embodiment, in terms of time efficiency of winning balls due to the average fluctuation time, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC can be said to be a more advantageous gaming state than the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB.

[0092] In addition, when a transition occurs to the regular chart lottery state or the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that the pattern change related to the transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times of the counted pattern change each time the pattern change is started, and stores the command in the transmission command area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

[0093] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means, data derived by calculations or the like by each means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

[0094] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and judges whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is judged that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, a performance control command (error command) including information capable of identifying the error state is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0095] When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0096] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a restoration state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179 .

[0097] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include an inspection possible state, a game stop state, and a game possible state. Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame open door sensor 76 when power is restored. Furthermore, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored, and then the inspection possible state is set. Then, when the inspection possible state ends, the play possible state is set. Note that if the RAM clear switch 43 is ON when power is restored and the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF, the RAM clear process is not executed, and the inspection possible state is not set and the play possible state is set. Furthermore, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed, and the testable state is not set and the playable state is set.

[0098] The game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves). The playable state is a restored state in which the game can be played by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the last power outage. For example, if the last power outage was during a jackpot game, the game returns to the jackpot game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed. The testable state is a state in which it is possible to check whether the target device is operating normally. For example, when targeting devices controlled by movable control data (the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82), operation can be checked by sending movable control data to each device in a specified order and activating them. Also, when targeting devices controlled by lamp control data (the frame lamp 35 and the LEDs provided in the movable decorative body 22), operation can be checked by sending lamp control data to each device according to specified conditions and changing the light emission mode. In this embodiment, an example in which the inspection possible state and the playable state are distinguished (the periods in which each state is set do not overlap) is given for explanation, but the implementation of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this example. For example, the inspection possible state and the playable state can be set to overlap, and the present invention may be implemented by a modified example in which the game can proceed when the inspection possible state is set. In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which the testable state is set when power is restored with the execution of a RAM clear process is described, but the implementation of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this example. For example, the testable state may be set when power is restored without the execution of a RAM clear process, or a menu screen may be called up in a playable state, and the testable state may be set as one item on the menu screen.

[0099] In addition, whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process (specifically, a process which determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), and if the calculation result is 0, determines that the target area is normal, and otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) on the area related to the game in RAM 103.

[0100] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when a transition condition to the playable state is satisfied. More specifically, in the game play state transition process, if the security signal output is ON, a process for turning the security signal output OFF and initial settings of the device are executed. In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning slot, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

[0101] The power cut-off process execution means 180 executes a power cut-off process based on receiving a power cut-off signal from the power supply control board 500. Specifically, for an area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play, a process is performed in which a checksum for that area is derived and the complement of that checksum is stored in a backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play, and a process is performed in which a backup flag indicating that a power cut process has been performed for that area is turned ON (a backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play).

[0102] The complete function control means 190 derives the increase in the number of game balls from the state where the number of game balls has decreased the most (so-called MY), and when MY reaches a predetermined threshold value (100,000 balls in this embodiment) or more, it sets a game stop state assuming that the activation condition of the complete function is satisfied. Since the game stops when the complete function is activated in this way, the activation of the complete function can be treated as a type of error occurrence.

[0103] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 250, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculation in the means, etc., in the respective corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as reception of the performance control command.

[0104] The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0105] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0106] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, low-probability time-saving mode, and RUSH mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the low-probability time-saving mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.

[0107] When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when the pre-determination command is transmitted, and determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change (for example, in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A to special pattern change pattern HNP-D). Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change. The content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225, which will be described later, in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0108] The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss, and a hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. As will be described later, when the hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the development performance refers to a performance that is executed after the decorative symbols reach a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of which, it is announced whether the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot or not. Therefore, in a development performance that corresponds to a development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to that development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a jackpot nor a jackpot. On the other hand, in a development performance that corresponds to a hit performance route, a series of performances corresponding to that development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot. In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to one different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern. Below, the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern determined in each presentation mode will be explained.

[0109] First, the presentation routes corresponding to special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart fluctuation pattern HRP, which are determined normally (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA), correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above. Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss when the decorative pattern is not in a reach state and the decorative pattern is displayed in a scattered pattern (a state in which all pattern rows are displayed and the same decorative pattern is not displayed in each pattern row). Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern imitating the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern may be different. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns imitating different numbers. The special pattern change pattern HRP corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then the decorative pattern stops and displays in a scattered manner without executing the development performance described later, thereby notifying the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the pseudo-change refers to a period before the development performance starts, which is divided by the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (for example, the stop of the decorative pattern in which the same decorative pattern stops in the middle pattern row and the right pattern row, such as "5 pattern-6 pattern-6 pattern"). Therefore, it can be said that a pseudo-change occurs only when the number of pseudo-changes is two. In other words, if the number of changes of the decorative pattern until the reach state is constituted is one, it can be said that a pseudo-change does not occur, and in that case, it can be said that one pseudo-change is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-changes in this embodiment is three, but the maximum number of pseudo-changes is not limited to this, and any number of times equal to or greater than two may be adopted.

[0110] The special chart change patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, the special chart change pattern HSP1-A and the special chart change pattern HSP1-B correspond to a performance route in which a development performance is executed to inform the user that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss through one decorative pattern change, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a scattered pattern after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart change pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart change pattern HSP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart change pattern HSP1-B. The special pattern change pattern HSP2-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo-changes, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern change are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP2-B. The special pattern change pattern HSP3-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo-changes, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern change are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP3-B.

[0111] The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the winning performance route described above. Specifically, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the development performance is executed without pseudo-change, and the pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern rows are displayed in a stopped state and the same decorative pattern is displayed in each pattern row) is displayed in a stopped state after the development performance ends. The types of development performance corresponding to each special chart change pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart change pattern ASP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart change pattern ASP1-B. The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the development performance is executed after two pseudo-fluctuations, and the pattern alignment is stopped and displayed after the development performance ends. As with the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B. The special chart change pattern ASP3-A and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the development performance is executed through three pseudo-changes, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. As with the special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performance corresponding to each special chart change pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart change pattern ASP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart change pattern ASP3-B. The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without any pseudo-change, and then a development performance HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern.

[0112] In this way, in this embodiment, by making the same development performance correspond, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP1-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP1-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP1-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP1-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-A, and the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the performances of the corresponding performance routes are consistent from the start to the very end (the timing when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is shown by the development performance related to the performance route). Therefore, in the pattern change in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed, the player can have a sense of expectation of winning the jackpot. In addition, the above-mentioned special chart change pattern that determines the performance route in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed can also be said to be a special chart change pattern that makes you expect a big win. These are the same in other performance modes. In addition, there is no corresponding development failure performance route for the special chart variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development performance HEC is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be made to recognize the big win (normal win or probability hit) with certainty. Therefore, it can be said that the performance route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern is a performance route that determines the big win, and the special chart variation pattern is a special chart variation pattern that determines the big win.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(a), if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss, within the range in which the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, it becomes more difficult to determine the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route in which the development performance HEA is executed (e.g., special chart change pattern HSP1-A) followed by the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route in which the development performance HEB is executed (e.g., special chart change pattern HSP1-B). Furthermore, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a normal hit or a special chance hit, within the range in which the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, the special chart change pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEA is executed (e.g., special chart change pattern ASP2-A), followed by the special chart change pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEB is executed (e.g., special chart change pattern ASP2-B) are more likely to be determined in that order. As mentioned above, the development effect HEC is only executed when a jackpot is won. Therefore, the expectation of winning a jackpot can be increased in the order of development effect HEA, development effect HEB, and development effect HEC.

[0114] When the sub-reservation control means 223 receives a reserve command (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as the occurrence of a reserve winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of reserved images corresponding to the special chart 1 reserve counter and the number of reserved images corresponding to the special chart 2 reserve counter in the reserve display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 reserve counter and the special chart 2 reserve counter contained in the command. The reserved images are images that are the subject of reserve pre-reading performances that change into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation degree of the occurrence of a jackpot game.

[0115] When the look-ahead performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called look-ahead performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the expectation for the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the pre-reading target symbol change and the content of the effect to be executed in the pre-reading target symbol change before the pre-reading target symbol change starts, for the purpose of increasing the interest in the game. Note that the pre-reading target symbol change is the symbol change related to the main special symbol (special symbol 1 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, and special symbol 2 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PB and the special symbol change pattern derivation state PC), and refers to the symbol change reserved in the hold 1 to hold 3 states.

[0116] When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222. More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines a performance pattern selection table to be referenced for the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change based on the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222, and determines the content of the performance by a selection using the determined performance pattern selection table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change.

[0117] When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern. Specifically, in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, any of the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern can be determined for the pattern B, and all pattern combinations including the 7 pattern can be determined for the pattern C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of rounds of the jackpot game to be generated and the subsequent presentation mode (special pattern variation pattern derivation state) (after the jackpot game ends) can be estimated depending on the type of pattern combination related to the decorative patterns corresponding to the jackpot game.

[0118] When the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command related to a jackpot game (start demo command, round start command, end demo command), it determines the content of the presentation during the jackpot game based on the type of the presentation control command and the information contained in the presentation control command. The effects during a jackpot game include a start demo effect that is executed based on the reception of a start demo command and notifies the start of a jackpot game, a round effect that is executed based on the reception of a round start command and notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that is executed based on the reception of an end demo command and notifies the player that a jackpot game is ended. The start demo effect executed based on the reception of a start demo command includes a right-hit display (a display that encourages the player to hit the right) displayed on the main display unit 81, and the right-hit display continues to be displayed on the main display unit 81 during the round effect. The end demo effect executed based on the reception of an end demo command may include a warning display (a display that encourages the player to prevent addiction, etc.) displayed on the main display unit 81, and a warning display is displayed during a specific jackpot game. Here, the warning display may be a display related to preventing addiction or a display related to forgetting to take a prepaid card.

[0119] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. In addition, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying the player that a playable state has been achieved with the execution of a RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and reads presentation data for notifying the player that a playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process. Furthermore, in the case of a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying the player that a game stop state has been achieved and that a RAM clear process needs to be executed. Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that the notifications are executed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the execution is started, and the presentation device for executing the notifications does not matter.

[0120] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern, and reads out performance data for executing an error notification in accordance with the error notification pattern. The error notification is executed with priority over the variation performance. Here, the variation performance is executed during the execution of the pattern variation, including the start of the pattern variation, and refers to a performance that suggests the expectation of a jackpot occurring in the pattern variation or the reserved pattern variation. Also, when the device involved in the execution of the error notification and the device involved in the execution of the variation performance are the same device, the error notification is executed with priority, not only in the case where only the error notification is executed in the device (the execution of the variation performance is restricted by the execution of the error notification), but also in the case where the error notification is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variation performance in the device. Furthermore, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out presentation data that executes an error notification.

[0121] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

[0122] When the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable prop, the movable prop control means 250 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits the read movement control data to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 to control the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

[0123] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0124] The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100, and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, when an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, these commands are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, as a general rule.

[0125] As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a testable state is set when power is restored with the execution of a RAM clear process, and the operation of the target device can be checked. Hereinafter, the period in which the testable state is set is referred to as the "test mode," and the details of the test mode will be described.

[0126] <About inspection mode> Next, the inspection mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a time chart starting from power-on accompanied by execution of the RAM clear process. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit 81 and the sound output mode of the speaker 33 during the inspection mode, where Figure 12(a) shows a specific example during period T1, Figure 12(b) shows a specific example during period T2, Figure 12(c) shows a specific example during pattern idling in period T3, and Figure 12(d) shows a specific example during the standby demo performance in period T3. FIG. 13 is a table showing the relationship between the conditions that can be satisfied during period T2 and the light emission modes of the frame lamp 35 and the full-color LEDs provided on the movable decorative body 22 that correspond to those conditions. In the time chart shown in Fig. 11, an unstated period means a period during which the corresponding device is not operating, but the device may perform operations other than those described as long as they do not violate the purpose of the present invention. For example, the speaker 33 may output an unstated sound, the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82 may display an unstated display, and the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22 may perform an unstated light-emitting mode (including turning off the light).

[0127] FIG. 11 illustrates periods T1, T2, and T3. The period T1 is a part of the inspection mode, and is a period that arrives when the power is turned on with the execution of the RAM clear process. In this embodiment, the period T1 is illustrated assuming that it starts after a period of time from the power on, but it may start immediately (almost simultaneously) with the power on. The period T2 is a part of the inspection mode and is a period that arrives after the end of the period T1. In this embodiment, the period T2 is illustrated assuming that it starts immediately (almost simultaneously) after the end of the period T1, but it may start after an interval from the end of the period T1. The period T3 is a period that arrives after the end of the inspection mode, and is a period during which inspections that can be performed in the inspection mode cannot be performed (a period during which inspection is not possible). The order in which the periods T1, T2, and T3 occur is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 11, and can be changed within the scope of the present invention.

[0128] During the period T1, the full-color LEDs provided on the frame lamp 35 and the movable ornamental body 22 change their luminous color in the order of purple → yellow → light blue. In addition, the movable ornamental body 22 operates (vibrates) throughout the period T1. The purple color is a combination of the light emitted by red and blue LED chips. Yellow is a color that combines the light emitted by red and green LED chips. Furthermore, the light blue color is a combination of the light emitted by green and blue LED chips. That is, in the period T1, the full-color LED emits light in a combination of two of the red, green, and blue LED chips, and the combination changes over time. As described above, by comparing the full-color LED before and after the change that occurs as the LED emits light in a sequential manner that combines two colors during period T1, it is possible to efficiently visually determine whether the three-color LED chips that make up the full-color LED are broken (damaged) at the chip-by-chip level. In contrast, when the light emission mode of only one color is changed sequentially, it is impossible to determine whether the light is out or the LED chip is burned out, so the method described in this embodiment is more efficient.

[0129] In this embodiment, the light emission state of the full-color LED during period T1 is illustrated as three colors: purple, yellow, and light blue. However, any of these three colors may be omitted, or white light emission (a state in which all of the red, green, and blue LED chips are emitting light) may be included.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 12(a), during a period T1, the main display unit 81 displays that the device is in the inspection mode, and the speaker 33 outputs a voice message saying "In inspection mode." Furthermore, during the period T1, the effect button 37 emits red light by lighting up a single-color LED provided therein.

[0131] In the period T2, the full-color LED provided in the frame lamp 35 emits white light in principle. As described above, white light is a combination of all the red, green, and blue LED chips. Also, during period T2, the full-color LED provided on the movable decorative body 22 is turned off and is inactive (does not vibrate) for that period. However, each full-color LED emits light in a predetermined manner according to the conditions that are met during period T2 (details will be explained in the next paragraph).

[0132] The relationship between the conditions that can be satisfied during period T2 and the light emission modes of the frame lamp 35 and the full-color LEDs provided on the movable decorative body 22 that correspond to those conditions will be explained using Figure 13. When the up cursor button 38a is operated, the full-color LED emits blue light. When the down cursor button 38b is operated, the full-color LED emits yellow light. When the left cursor button 38c is operated, the full-color LED emits green light. When the right cursor button 38d is operated, the full-color LED emits purple light. When the effect button 37 is operated, the full-color LED emits red light. When the ball enters the first starting hole 57 (detected by the first starting hole sensor 70), the full-color LED flashes slowly (alternating between emitting white light and being turned off). When the ball enters the second starting hole 59 (detected by the second starting hole sensor 71), the full-color LED flashes rapidly (repeatedly emitting white light and turning off). The second starting hole 59 is a winning hole that is normally closed by the electric device 61 in normal mode (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), but during the inspection mode, the second starting hole 59 can be opened to allow a ball to enter, and even if the second starting hole 59 is closed, its operation can be confirmed by manually inserting a game ball into it.

[0133] In other words, the difference is that period T1 is an inspection period to visually check for damaged LED chips due to changes in the light-emitting mode of the full-color LED, while period T2 is an inspection period to check the soundness of the operating means and winning slot sensor to be inspected. In order to clearly recognize the difference, it is preferable that the light emission mode of the full-color LED differs between period T1 and period T2. In this embodiment, the light emission mode in period T1 does not include white, so the light emission mode in period T2 is set to white, but if the light emission mode in period T1 includes white, the light emission mode in period T2 may be a different mode (for example, monochromatic light emission such as red).

[0134] As shown in FIG. 12(b), during period T2, the main display unit 81 displays a message indicating that the device is in inspection mode, but since the sub-display unit 82 (the configuration shown is the upper sub-display unit 82a) is operating in front of it, part of the display is concealed and cannot be seen. On the other hand, the speaker 33 repeatedly outputs the voice "In inspection mode" as in the period T1, so that the inspection operator can continue to recognize that the inspection mode is in progress. During period T2, the effect button 37 emits red light, as in period T1, because the monochromatic LED provided therein continues to be lit without any change.

[0135] During the period T3, as described above, the inspection-enabled state ends and the game is enabled. To indicate this, during the period T3, the full-color LED provided in the frame lamp 35 emits light in a manner different from that during the periods T1 and T2 (hereinafter, this manner is referred to as pattern A). At this time, the movable decorative body 22 is inoperative and unlit.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 12(c), when the period T3 starts, the main display portion 81 displays the initial symbols (the symbol combination of "1", "3", and "5"). Meanwhile, the speaker 33 repeatedly outputs the voice "Initialization completed" to notify that the RAM clear process has been executed when the power is turned on.

[0137] 12(d), when a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the period T3, a standby demo effect is displayed on the main display unit 81. In addition, in the figure, a state in which a sinking prevention display is displayed on the main display unit 81 as an example of a standby demo effect is illustrated. At this time, the speaker 33 is silent because it is desirable to suppress power consumption during the standby demonstration. During period T3, the effect button 37 emits red light, as in periods T1 and T2, because the monochromatic LED provided therein continues to be lit without any change.

[0138] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which period T1, which is the inspection period for visually checking for LED chips that are damaged due to changes in the light emission mode of the full-color LED, and period T2, which is the inspection period for checking the soundness of the operating means and winning port sensor that are the subject of inspection, do not overlap. However, the present invention may also be implemented by a modified example in which part of period T1 and part of period T2 overlap, and in part of period T1, as in period T2, the light emission mode of the full-color LED changes in response to operation of the operating means or detection of the prize slot sensor.

[0139] Therefore, it can be said that the period during which the light-emitting means (the frame lamp 35 and the full-color LED provided on the movable decorative body 22) emits light includes a first period (period T1) and a second period (period T2). In addition, in the first period, at least two of the first LED (red LED chip), the second LED (green LED chip), and the third LED (blue LED chip) emit light, and in the second period, a different combination of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED emit light from that in the first period. Furthermore, it can be said that the light emission state of the light emitting means can change when a predetermined operation means (cursor button 38 and performance button 37) is operated during at least either the first period or the second period. In addition, "when a specified operating means is operated" does not necessarily mean that the light emission mode changes at the timing when the operation is detected (almost simultaneously with the detection), but also means that the light emission mode changes with a delay after the detection, provided that the operation is detected. This allows inspection of the full-color LED in the inspection mode to be performed to check for damaged (broken) LED chips and to check the soundness of the operating means.

[0140] As described above, in the present embodiment, the common voice "Inspection mode" is output from the speaker 33 throughout both periods T1 and T2. Therefore, it can be said that the device is equipped with an audio output means (speaker 33), and that there is a common sound (the voice "Inspection mode") output from the audio output means in both the first period (period T1) and the second period (period T2). By outputting a common sound in this manner, it is possible to make the user aware that the first period and the second period are both in the inspection mode (inspection possible state).

[0141] Since the test contents of periods T1 and T2 are different, the present invention may be implemented by a modified example in which the periods are distinguishable not only by the light emission pattern of the full-color LED as in this embodiment, but also by the sound emitted from the speaker 33. In other words, the embodiment may be provided with an audio output means (speaker 33), and the sound output by the audio output means in the first period (period T1) may be different from the sound output by the audio output means in the second period (period T2).

[0142] Furthermore, the period during which the light-emitting means (the frame lamp 35 and the full-color LED provided on the movable decorative body 22) emits light can be said to include a third period (period T3) in addition to a first period (period T1) and a second period (period T2). It can also be said that the light emission mode of the light-emitting means in the first and second periods (the former is color change, and the latter is white light emission) is different from the light emission mode of the light-emitting means in the third period (light emission of pattern A). Since the light emission manner of the full-color LED differs as described above, it is possible to visually distinguish between the inspection mode (first period and second period) and a period other than the inspection mode (third period).

[0143] As described above, the inspection content in period T1 is intended to inspect the full-color LEDs, and therefore does not inspect the single-color LEDs provided inside the performance button 37. The light emission state of such LEDs does not need to change during the inspection mode (periods T1 and T2) or during other periods (period T3) until another factor such as the execution of a performance occurs. In other words, other light-emitting means (the built-in LED of the performance button 37) provided in an area other than the specified area (the movable decorative body 22 or the frame lamp 35) can emit light in a common light-emitting manner during the first period (period T1), the second period (period T2), and the third period (period T3). In carrying out the present invention, it is sufficient that the other light-emitting means have a common light-emitting mode in both the first period and the second period, and the light-emitting mode in the third period does not necessarily have to be common. Furthermore, this embodiment is one specific example of implementing the present invention, and the light-emitting means not subject to inspection (monochrome LEDs provided inside the performance button 37) may also have their light-emitting modes changed so as to be distinguishable between the inspection mode (periods T1 and T2) and other periods (period T3), just like the light-emitting means subject to inspection (full-color LEDs provided in the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22). In this modified example, the light-emitting means not subject to inspection are not limited to those that are distinguishable between the inspection mode and other periods only by differences in light-emitting modes, and may be distinguishable by whether or not customization is possible, for example, the light intensity cannot be adjusted (brightness can be customized) during the inspection mode, but the light intensity can be adjusted during other periods.

[0144] As described above, the period T3 during which the full-color LED emits light in pattern A is a period different from the inspection mode, and the game can proceed (the pattern change can be executed). Therefore, even if the pattern change starts during the period T3, the period T3 can continue after the pattern change starts. In other words, the third period (period T3) is a period during which pattern change can be carried out, and when the pattern change starts in the third period, the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting means corresponding to the third period can continue even after the start of the pattern change. This makes it possible to clearly notify that the inspection mode has ended, and the notification can be continued even after the pattern change has begun (until the light emission mode changes due to a performance or the like).

[0145] Furthermore, during at least one of the first period (period T1) or the second period (period T2), the light emission mode of the light-emitting means (the frame lamp 35 and the full-color LED provided on the movable decorative body 22) may change when a game ball enters a designated winning hole (first starting hole 57, second starting hole 59), and it can be said that the change in the light emission mode of the light-emitting means based on operation of a designated operating means (cursor button 38, performance button 37) and the change in the light emission mode of the light-emitting means based on the entry of a game ball into a designated winning hole may differ. Here, "when a game ball enters a designated winning hole" does not necessarily mean that the light emission mode changes at the time the ball is detected (almost simultaneously with the detection), but also means that the light emission mode changes with a delay after the detection, provided that the ball is detected. This makes it possible to carry out inspections to check for damaged (broken) LED chips, and to check the soundness of the operating means, as well as to check the soundness of the prize slot sensor.

[0146] As described above, the winning holes that can be inspected in this embodiment include the first starting hole 57 and the second starting hole 59. The light emission state of the full-color LED that is required for the ball to enter each hole is different. In other words, the designated winning holes include a first winning hole (first starting hole 57) and a second winning hole (second starting hole 59), and the change in the light emission mode of the light-emitting means that occurs when a game ball enters the first winning hole (slow flashing) may be different from the change in the light emission mode of the light-emitting means that occurs when a game ball enters the second winning hole (fast flashing). This makes it possible to check the operation of each winning sensor.

[0147] As described above, the winning holes that cannot be inspected in this embodiment include the general winning hole 67 and the big winning hole 55. Even if a ball is detected entering these holes, the illumination state of the full-color LED does not change. In other words, there are other winning ports (general winning port 67, large winning port 55) that are different from the designated winning port, and during the first period (period T1) and the second period (period T2) when the light emission mode of the light-emitting means changes when a game ball enters the designated winning port (period T2), no change occurs in the light-emitting means even if a game ball enters the other winning ports. In this way, by providing prize slots that are not subject to inspection, the inspection work can be simplified (improved work efficiency).

[0148] In the above embodiment, the light emission mode of the full-color LED changes according to the satisfaction of the conditions shown in Fig. 13, but it is preferable that the light emission mode of the full-color LED changes (including returning to the original light emission mode, white light emission) when a predetermined time has passed or the next condition is satisfied. This is to efficiently check the operation of the operating means and the winning port sensor. Therefore, it can be said that in at least one of the first period (period T1) or the second period (period T2), when a specified operating means is operated, the light emission mode of the light-emitting means may change, and after the change, the light emission mode of the light-emitting means may further change.

[0149] <About turning on the power without switching to inspection mode> Next, power-on without transitioning to the inspection mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a time chart starting from power-on without execution of the RAM clear process. FIG. 15 is a time chart starting from power-on when a RAM abnormality occurs at power-on. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit 81 and the sound output mode of the speaker 33 in the case shown in Figures 14 and 15, where Figure 16(a) shows a specific example during pattern idling in period T4, Figure 16(b) shows a specific example during the standby demo performance in period T4, and Figure 16(c) shows a specific example in period T5. In the time charts shown in Figures 14 and 15, periods not indicated mean periods during which the corresponding devices are not operating, as in Figure 11, but they may perform operations other than those described within the scope of the present invention. For example, the speaker 33 may output undescribed sounds, the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82 may display undescribed displays, and the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22 may perform undescribed light emission modes (including off).

[0150] In the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, when the power is turned on without the execution of the RAM clear process, the game state is set as a trigger of the power-on, and the game state backed up at the time of the power failure is restored. Note that in this embodiment, the explanation is given on the premise that the state is restored to the state in which the symbols are stopped (symbols are idling) before the power failure. In the period T4, the full-color LED provided in the frame lamp 35 emits light in the pattern A, similarly to the period T3. In addition, the movable decorative object 22 is inoperative and unlit, as in period T3.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 16(a), when period T4 begins as a result of power-on without execution of a RAM clear process, the main display unit 81 displays the symbols before power-off (the symbol combination of "2", "5", and "6"). Meanwhile, the speaker 33 repeatedly produces a voice message saying "power is on" to notify the user that the power has been turned on.

[0152] Also, as shown in Fig. 16(b), when a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the period T4, a standby demo effect is displayed on the main display unit 81. The situation shown in the figure is the same as the situation shown in Fig. 12(d). In the period T4, the effect button 37 has a single-color LED provided therein that is lit and emits a red light, similar to the periods T1, T2, and T3.

[0153] In addition, in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, if a RAM abnormality occurs when the power is turned on, the game machine 10 goes into an error state when the power is turned on. Note that, in this embodiment, the explanation is given on the premise that a RAM abnormality occurs, but the same processing may be executed even when other error states (including an error state that occurred before the power was cut off and did not return to normal even when the power was turned on) occur.

[0154] During a period T5 triggered by the power-on that causes a RAM abnormality, the full-color LED provided in the frame lamp 35 emits light in a light emission mode (hereinafter referred to as pattern B) that corresponds to the RAM abnormality. In addition, the movable decorative object 22 is inoperative and unlit, as in period T4.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 16(c), when the period T5 starts, the main display unit 81 displays an error message (a message indicating that a RAM abnormality has occurred). Meanwhile, the speaker 33 repeatedly outputs sounds such as "An error has occurred" and "Please call a store clerk" to notify the user of the error state.

[0156] As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the light emission state of the full-color LED after power-on may differ depending on the state after power-on. Specifically, after power-on, if the device is in inspection mode (inspection possible state), period T1 begins and the full-color LED emits light in a predetermined color change (changing from purple to yellow to light blue), after power-on, if the device is in a playable state, period T4 begins and the full-color LED emits light in pattern A, and after power-on, if the device is in an error state, period T5 begins and the full-color LED emits light in pattern B.

[0157] Among the above-mentioned relationships, the relationship between the periods T1 and T5 can be expressed as follows. In other words, when the state after power-on is the first state (testable state), the first period (period T1) may occur after the power-on, and when the state after power-on is the second state (error state), a specific period (period T5) may occur after the power-on, and the light emission mode of the light-emitting means in the specific period (pattern B) may differ from the light emission mode of the light-emitting means in the first period (a mode in which the light changes in the order of purple → yellow → light blue). In this way, if a state (an error state in this embodiment) occurs that requires notification rather than testing when the power is turned on, the notification of that state can be prioritized (or not hindered) by using a different light emission mode.

[0158] Furthermore, the relationship between the periods T2 and T5 can be expressed as follows: In other words, the second period (period T2) is a period that comes after the first period (period T1), and it can be said that the light emission mode (pattern B) of the light-emitting means in the specific period (period T5) may also be different from the light emission mode (white light emission) of the light-emitting means in the second period. This can further enhance the effect of the notification that should be prioritized (error notification in this embodiment).

[0159] <Other Modifications> Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

[0160] First, the controls shown in the figures and the like in the invention according to this embodiment are one means for realizing the above-mentioned inventions, and do not limit the specific control contents of the inventions. In other words, the above-mentioned inventions merely describe the phenomena.

[0161] Furthermore, the devices that are the subject of inspection in the inspection mode according to this embodiment are merely specific examples, and some devices may not be the subject of inspection, or other devices may be added to the subjects of inspection.

[0162] The location corresponding to the "predetermined area" in which the "light-emitting means" of the present invention is provided is not limited to that described in this embodiment, but may be any location on the gaming machine, and may be on the gaming board, on the front frame, or inside the gaming machine. Furthermore, the light emitting manner of the "light emitting means" in the inspection mode can also be changed within the scope of the present invention.

[0163] In this embodiment, the "first period," "second period," and "specific period" according to the present invention have been described as periods during which game progress is not possible, but game progress may be possible during at least some of these periods. In addition, in this embodiment, when the state after power-on is the first state (testable state), a transition occurs to a "first period" and a "second period," and when the state after power-on is the second state (error state), a transition occurs to a "specific period." However, the state corresponding to this second state is not limited to the example described in the embodiment (RAM abnormality) and can be changed as appropriate. For example, as described above, the operation of the complete function can be regarded as one type of error state, and the state in which the complete function is operating may be treated as the second state. In this modified example, the state in which the complete function is operating after power is turned on means that the complete function is operating before the power is cut off, and a specified operation (operation of the RAM clear switch 43) is not performed when the power is turned on, or an operation other than the specified operation is performed, and the operation of the complete function continues even after the power is turned on, and in such a case, it may become a "specific period." In this modified example, if a predetermined operation is performed when the power is turned on to execute the RAM clear process, it is preferable to transition to the first state (testable state) after the power is turned on.

[0164] In addition, in the present embodiment, the probability, ratio, and frequency, and the number of times may be 0 on the smaller side and the maximum value on the larger side, as long as the respective relationships are ensured. In particular, as for the above-mentioned ratios, as long as the phenomenal aspects are ensured, there is no restriction on the control for realizing the ratios.

[0165] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0166] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea. (1) A gaming machine having a predetermined area in which a plurality of light-emitting means are attached, the light emitting means includes a first LED, a second LED, and a third LED that emit light of different colors, The period during which the light emitting means emits light includes a first period and a second period, During the first period, at least two of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED emit light; In the second period, a combination of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED that is different from that in the first period is illuminated, In at least one of the first period and the second period, when a predetermined operation means is operated, the light emission mode of the light-emitting means may be changed. A gaming machine characterized by: (a) a voice output means is provided; The sound output by the audio output means in the first period may be different from the sound output by the audio output means in the second period. (1) A gaming machine as described above. (b) a voice output means; a common sound is output from the audio output means during both the first period and the second period; (1) A gaming machine as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable Decorations 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power Switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank Rail 48 Dispatch Unit 49 Dispatch Passage 50 Game Board 50a Gaming area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective materials 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal Electric Devices 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Devices 66 Special electric device solenoid 67 General Prize Winners 69 Outlet 70 First starting sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 77 Front frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 81 Main display 82 Sub display 82a Upper sub display 82b Left sub display 82c Right sub display 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st special pattern reserved lamp 95 2nd Special Design Hold Lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O ports 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Means of determining whether or not a special drawing is correct 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Means for deriving special chart variation patterns 135 General drawing method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Means for transitioning to playable state 180 Power cut processing execution means 190 Complete function control means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O ports 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal Production Control Means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Method of determining direction route 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 240 Lamp control means 250 Movable object control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Voice control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O ports 400 Dispatch control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having a predetermined area in which a plurality of light emitting means are attached, the light emitting means includes a first LED, a second LED, and a third LED each emitting light of a different color; The period during which the light emitting means emits light includes a first period and a second period, During the first period, at least two of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED emit light; In the second period, a combination of the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED that is different from that in the first period emits light, In at least one of the first period and the second period, when a predetermined operation means is operated, the light emission mode of the light-emitting means may be changed. A gaming machine characterized by:

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