Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of making behaviours of game balls excellent.SOLUTION: A game area is provided with a first through-gate 35. The first through-gate 35 is provided as an opening which game balls B1 flowing down in the game area can enter. The game area is provided with an adjustment mechanism 620 capable of guiding the game balls B1 to the first through-gate 35. The adjustment mechanism 620 is provided with an outlet 621 capable of discharging the game balls B1. The outlet 621 is provided for the adjustment mechanism 620 in the mode which allows the game balls B1 discharged from the outlet 621 to reach the first through-gate 35. In the game area, the adjustment mechanism 620 is installed at a position that allows the game balls B1 discharged from the outlet 621 to reach the first through-gate 35 when they flow down for a distance equal to or larger than a diameter of the game balls B1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 61

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Pachinko machines and slot machines are known as gaming machines. For example, a pachinko machine is equipped with a gaming board that defines a gaming area where gaming balls flow down, and various members such as nails and windmills are arranged on the gaming board to appropriately disperse the falling direction of the gaming balls flowing down the gaming area. In addition, the gaming board is provided with openings from which the gaming balls are paid out, such as a general winning hole, a special winning device, and an operating hole. A gaming ball launched from a gaming ball launching device flows down the gaming area while coming into contact with various members, and when the gaming ball enters the general winning hole, the special winning device, or the operating hole, a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out to the player (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-146319 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in gaming machines such as those exemplified above, it is necessary to appropriately manage the gaming machines, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that allows for optimal management of the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention includes a predetermined storage execution means for storing information corresponding to a predetermined event that occurs as a result of a game in the predetermined storage means, thereby storing the predetermined information in the predetermined storage means; an information calculation means for calculating behavior information corresponding to a game result during a predetermined period of time using the predetermined information each time a predetermined calculation trigger occurs; a result storage and execution means for sequentially storing the aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means in a calculation result storage means; Equipped with the result storage execution means includes means for causing the behavior information to be stored among the behavior information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means to be stored in the calculation result storage means; The aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means and which is not to be stored is not stored in the calculation result storage means, This gaming machine is A predetermined control means capable of executing a predetermined progress process for progressing a game; A specific storage means for storing information when the predetermined progress process is executed; a means for erasing the predetermined information from the predetermined storage means after the information calculation means has completed the calculation of the aspect information; a notification means capable of notifying the user of the content corresponding to the aspect information stored in the calculation result storage means; Equipped with The calculation result storage means is provided separately from the specific storage means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately manage gaming machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of the game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its surroundings. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4A is a front view and a right side view of a rotating body separated from an adjustment mechanism, and FIG. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the window panel and the game board when cut directly above the intake port on a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the game board. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball taken into the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 8] 13(a) and 13(b) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of a game ball that is discharged from the adjustment mechanism and enters the first through gate. [Figure 9] A front view of the adjustment mechanism showing the movement of the game ball being discharged from the adjustment mechanism and deviating from the first through gate. [Figure 10] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the window panel and game board when cut directly above the intake port on a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first blade portion when cut on a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the window panel and game board when cut directly above the intake port on a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram to explain the configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 14] (a) is a low-frequency winning determination value table showing winning determination values ​​for the regular power opening lottery in the low-frequency support mode, and (b) is a high-frequency winning determination value table showing winning determination values ​​for the regular power opening lottery in the high-frequency support mode. [Figure 15] 13(a) to (c) are time charts showing the timing at which a normal power opening winning can occur in the comparative pachinko machine. [Figure 16] (a) to (d) are time charts showing the timing when a regular power release winning may occur. [Figure 17] 4 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing an open counter update process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 20] 4 is a flowchart showing a normal power control process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 21] This is a flowchart showing the pending information acquisition process on the main side executed by the main CPU. [Figure 22] This is a flowchart showing the general map change start processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart showing the normal power release lottery processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 24] This is a flowchart showing the process during general map confirmation executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 25] This is an explanatory diagram to explain the configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensor are input to the main CPU. [Figure 26] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 27] A block diagram to explain the electrical configuration of a dispensing control device and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing executed by the dispensing CPU. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of a management IC. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a correspondence relationship memory; [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Diagram 33] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 34] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Diagram 35] 13(a) to 13(d) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers and the types of signals is stored in a correspondence memory. [Diagram 36] 13 is a flowchart showing a management output process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 37] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 38] 13(a) to 13(e) are time charts showing how history information is stored in a history memory. [Figure 39] 13 is a flowchart showing a data output process executed by a main CPU. [Diagram 40] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Diagram 41] FIG. 11 is a front view of a game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its periphery in a second embodiment. [Diagram 42] FIG. 4A is a plan view of the housing cut away from directly above the adjustment mechanism, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged front view of the housing showing the area around the rotation shaft. [Diagram 43] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rotating body separated from the adjustment mechanism. [Diagram 44](a) is a cross-sectional view of the window panel and game board when cut directly above the sorting nail on a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board; (b) is a front view of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball that is discharged from the adjustment mechanism and enters the first through gate; (c) is a cross-sectional view of the window panel and game board when cut directly above the sorting nail on a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board; and (d) is a front view of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball that is discharged from the adjustment mechanism and misses the first through gate. [Diagram 45] 13(a) to (d) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball taken into the adjustment mechanism and transported. [Figure 46] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball near the intake port. [Figure 47] FIG. 11 is a front view of a game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its periphery in a third embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 2A is a front view of the game board showing an enlarged view of the area around an electric nail in a permitted position, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the game board showing an enlarged view of the area around an electric nail in a prohibited position. [Figure 49] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball around the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 50] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain how a game ball is released from being pinched at the top of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 51] FIG. 13 is a front view of a game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its periphery in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 52] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotating body cut by a plane perpendicular to the surface of the game board. [Diagram 53] 13(a) to 13(d) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of a gaming ball that is discharged from the adjustment mechanism and enters the first through gate. [Figure 54] 13(a) and 13(b) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of a game ball discharged from the adjustment mechanism and deviating from the first through gate. [Figure 55]FIG. 13 is a front view of a game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its periphery in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 2A is a front view of the adjustment device in a closed state, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the adjustment device in an open state. [Figure 57] 13(a) to 13(d) are front views of the adjustment mechanism shown to explain the movement of the game ball around the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 58] FIG. 13 is a front view of a game board in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 59] 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a second operating port. [Figure 60] (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the prize-winning device as seen from the side, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the prize-winning device as seen from the rear side. [Figure 61] FIG. 13 is a front view of a game board showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism and its periphery in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 63] 13 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 64] 13 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 65] 13(a) to 13(h) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to twelfth buffers and the types of signals is stored in a correspondence memory. [Figure 66] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a management IC according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 67] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 68] 13 is a flowchart showing a power outage information storage process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 69] 13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 70] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 71] 23 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a control CPU in the tenth embodiment. [Figure 72] 23A is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 23B is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 73] 23 is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 74] 23 is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a control CPU in the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 75] 23 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management-side CPU in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 76] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a history memory in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 77] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 78] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the MPU of the main control device in the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 79] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 80] FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a main control device in the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 81] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F; [Figure 82] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a history memory; [Figure 83] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 84] 13 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 85] 13 is a flowchart showing a parameter management process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 86] A block diagram to explain the configuration of the signal path that transmits the detection results of each ball entry detection sensor to the main CPU and management IC in the 18th embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the main components of the pachinko machine 10 in an exploded form. For convenience, Fig. 2 omits the components within the play area PA of the pachinko machine 10.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 11 is made of wooden boards connected at all four sides, forming a rectangular frame. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in an amusement hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to an island facility. Note that the outer frame 11 is not a required component of the pachinko machine 10, and the outer frame 11 may be installed in the island facility of the amusement hall.

[0011] 2, the gaming machine body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine body 12 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 11. In detail, the inner frame 13 is rotatable forward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front.

[0012] A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front. A back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated backward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front.

[0013] The gaming machine body 12 is provided with a locking device at its rotating tip, which has the function of locking the gaming machine body 12 so that it cannot be opened relative to the outer frame 11, and also has the function of locking the front door frame 14 so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using an unlocking key on a cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0015] The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 having an outer shape substantially identical to that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed in the center of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and a game area PA formed on the front side of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13 formed by attaching the game board 24 of the above configuration to the resin base 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 51 that allows almost the entire area of ​​the game area PA to be viewed from the front. The window portion 51 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 52 is fitted into the window portion 51. The window panel 52 is formed of glass so as to be colorless and transparent, but is not limited thereto and may be formed of synthetic resin so as to be colorless and transparent, or may be formed of colored transparency as long as the game area PA can be viewed through the window panel 52 from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0017] Here, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the game board 24. As shown in Fig. 3, the game board 24 has a plurality of openings, large and small, penetrating in the front-rear direction. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 31, a special electric winning device 32, a first operating port 33, a second operating port 34, a first through gate 35, a second through gate 39, a variable display unit 36, a special chart unit 37, and a general chart unit 38. There are a total of four general winning ports 31, and one of each of the others.

[0018] The variable display unit 36 ​​is provided with a pattern display device 41 that variably displays (or variably displays or switches) patterns. The pattern display device 41 has a display surface 41a that displays effects, and is disposed in an opening 24c provided in the game board 24 so that the display surface 41a can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, a center frame 57 is disposed in the variable display unit 36 ​​so as to surround the pattern display device 41. The upper portion of the center frame 57 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10. This prevents game balls from falling in front of the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41, and is configured to prevent inconvenience such as a decrease in visibility of the display screen due to the falling of the game ball B1.

[0019] 3, the center frame 57 includes a roof unit 58 that defines the upper edge and the left and right side edges of the opening 24c. The game board 24 includes game areas PA on both the left and right sides of the center frame 57.

[0020] An inner rail section 25 and an outer rail section 26 are attached to the game board 24 so as to define a part of the outer edge of the game area PA, and a guide rail for guiding the game ball B1 is formed by the inner rail section 25 and the outer rail section 26. The game ball B1 launched from a game ball launching mechanism 27 (see FIG. 2) attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21 is guided to the upper part of the game area PA by the guide rail.

[0021] 2, the game ball launching mechanism 27 includes a launching rail 27a extending toward the guide rail, a ball feeder 27b that supplies the game ball B1 stored in the upper tray 55a (described later) onto the launching rail 27a, and a solenoid 27c that is an electric actuator that launches the game ball B1 supplied onto the launching rail 27a toward the guide rail. The solenoid 27c is driven and controlled by rotating the launching operation device (or operation handle) 28 provided on the front door frame 14, and the game ball B1 is launched. By adjusting the amount of rotation in the rotation operation, the player can launch the game ball B1 aiming at the game area PA on the left side of the center frame 57 and can also launch the game ball B1 aiming at the game area PA on the right side of the center frame 57.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, even if balls enter the first through gate 35 and the second through gate 39, the game ball B1 is not dispensed. On the other hand, when balls enter the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, and the second operating opening 34, a predetermined number of game balls B1 are dispensed. Specifically, when one game ball B1 enters the first operating opening 33 or when one game ball B1 enters the second operating opening 34, one prize ball is dispensed, when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31, ten prize balls are dispensed, and when one game ball B1 enters the special electric winning device 32, fifteen prize balls are dispensed.

[0023] The number of prize balls is arbitrary, and for example, the second actuating port 34 may be configured to have a smaller number of prize balls than the first actuating port 33, or the second actuating port 34 may be configured to have a larger number of prize balls than the first actuating port 33.

[0024] In addition, an outlet 24a is provided at the bottom of the game board 24, and game balls B1 that do not enter the various winning holes are discharged from the game area PA through the outlet 24a. In addition, the game board 24 has a large number of nails 24b planted therein to appropriately distribute and adjust the falling direction of the game balls B1, and various components such as windmills are also provided.

[0025] Here, the ball entry means that the game ball B1 passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the state in which the game ball B1 passes through the opening and is discharged from the game area PA, but also the state in which the game ball B1 continues to flow down the game area PA without being discharged from the game area PA after passing through the opening. However, in the following explanation, in order to clearly distinguish the game ball B1 entering the outlet 24a, the game ball B1 entering the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, the first through gate 35, and the second through gate 39 will also be expressed as winning.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are united as an actuation port device and installed on the game board 24. Both the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are open upward. In addition, both actuation ports 33, 34 are aligned vertically with the first actuation port 33 facing upward. The second actuation port 34 is provided with a normal power device 34a as a guide piece consisting of a pair of movable pieces on the left and right. When the normal power device 34a is in a closed state, the game ball B1 cannot enter the second actuation port 34, but when the normal power device 34a is in an open state, it becomes possible for the game ball B1 to enter the second actuation port 34.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, in the game area PA to the left of the center frame 57, a first through gate 35 is provided upstream of the second actuation port 34 in the flow direction of the game ball B1. The first through gate 35 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically, and the game ball B1 that enters the first through gate 35 flows down the game area PA after entering. Therefore, the game ball B1 that enters the first through gate 35 can reach the area where the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are provided, and enter either the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0028] 3, in the game area PA to the right of the center frame 57, a second through gate 39 is provided upstream of the second actuation port 34 in the flow direction of the game ball B1. The second through gate 39 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically, and the game ball B1 that enters the second through gate 39 flows down the game area PA after entering. Therefore, the game ball B1 that enters the second through gate 39 can reach the area where the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are provided, and enter either the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0029] Based on winning the through gates 35, 39, the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 is switched from a closed state to an open state. Specifically, a normal power opening lottery is held as a trigger of winning the through gates 35, 39, and a variable picture display is performed on the normal power display section 38a of the normal power unit 38 provided in the lower left corner of the game area PA, which is an area where the game ball B1 does not pass. Then, when the result of the normal power opening lottery is a normal power opening win and a stop result corresponding to the result is displayed and the variable display on the normal power display section 38a is terminated, the state transitions to the normal power opening state. In the normal power opening state, the normal power role 34a is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0030] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, a low-frequency support mode is set in which the normal power device 34a is intermittently opened when the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39 to support entry into the second operating port 34, and a high-frequency support mode is set in which the normal power device 34a is opened in a manner that makes it easier for the game ball B1 to enter the second operating port 34 than in the low-frequency support mode.

[0031] In the present pachinko machine 10, in the low frequency support mode in which the transition to the high frequency support mode has not been made, the performance is performed in such a manner that the player aims at the left side play area PA where the first through gate 35 is provided. Then, when the mode is transitioned to the high frequency support mode, the performance is performed in such a manner that the player aims at the right side play area PA where the second through gate 39 is provided. The details of the low frequency support mode and the high frequency support mode will be described later.

[0032] The map display unit 38a is composed of a segment display in which a plurality of segment light-emitting parts are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display device. As for the pattern displayed variably on the map display unit 38a, a configuration in which a plurality of characters are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of symbols are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of characters are displayed variably, or a configuration in which a plurality of colors are displayed in a switched manner may be considered.

[0033] In the normal map unit 38, a normal map reserve display section 38b is provided adjacent to the normal map display section 38a. The number of game balls B1 that enter the through gates 35 and 39 is reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the normal map reserve display section 38b.

[0034] A winning lottery is held by triggering a winning entry into the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34. The lottery result is then displayed clearly through the display effects on the special symbol unit 37 and the symbol display device 41 of the variable display unit 36.

[0035] Regarding the special chart unit 37 in detail, the special chart unit 37 is provided with a special chart display section 37a. The display area of ​​the special chart display section 37a is narrower than the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41. In the special chart display section 37a, a winning lottery is held by triggering the winning of the first operating port 33 or the winning of the second operating port 34, and a variable display or a predetermined display of the pattern is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. The special chart display section 37a is composed of a segment display device in which a plurality of segment light emitting sections are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this, and may be composed of other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display device. In addition, as the pattern displayed on the special chart display section 37a, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are displayed, or a configuration in which a plurality of types of colors are displayed may be considered.

[0036] In the special chart unit 37, a special chart reserve display section 37b is provided at a position adjacent to the special chart display section 37a. The number of game balls B1 that have entered the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34 is reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the special chart reserve display section 37b.

[0037] In detail, the pattern display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. The pattern display device 41 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices having a display screen such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT, or may be a dot matrix display device.

[0038] In the pattern display device 41, when the special pattern display unit 37a displays a variable or predetermined pattern based on the winning of the first operation port 33 or the winning of the second operation port 34, the pattern display device 41 displays a variable or predetermined pattern accordingly. For example, the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41 has three pattern rows, an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row, set as a plurality of display areas, and the main patterns numbered "1" to "9" are scrolled in ascending or descending order in each pattern row. In this scroll display, the scroll display of all pattern rows is started first, and the scroll display is switched to standby display in the order of the upper pattern row → the lower pattern row → the middle pattern row, and finally the scroll display is ended in a state where a predetermined pattern is statically displayed in each pattern row. Then, for example, in a game round in which the game result is a jackpot result, a predetermined combination of patterns is stopped and displayed on a valid line set in advance on the display surface 41a of the pattern display device 41.

[0039] In addition, the pattern display device 41 performs not only a display performance triggered by winning the first operation port 33 or the second operation port 34, but also a display performance during the opening and closing execution mode to which the mode is shifted after a winning is obtained. In addition, based on the winning of either operation port 33, 34, the display is started on the special pattern display unit 37a and the pattern display device 41, and one game round is performed until a predetermined result is displayed and the game ends. In addition, the manner of the variable display of the pattern in the pattern display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of pattern rows, the direction of the variable display of the pattern in the pattern row, the number of patterns in each pattern row, etc. can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the pattern displayed by the pattern display device 41 is not limited to the above patterns, and for example, a configuration in which only numbers are displayed as patterns may be configured to be displayed.

[0040] When a big win is won in a lottery based on winning the first operation port 33 or the second operation port 34, the mode shifts to an open / close execution mode in which winning is possible in the special electric winning device 32. The special electric winning device 32 is provided with a large winning port (not shown) that leads to the back side of the game board 24, and is provided with an open / close door 32a that opens and closes the large winning port. The open / close door 32a is arranged in either a closed state or an open state. Specifically, the open / close door 32a is normally in a closed state in which the game ball B1 cannot win, and is switched to an open state in which the game ball B1 can win when a lottery is won to switch to the open / close execution mode. Incidentally, the open / close execution mode is a mode to which the mode shifts when a winning result is obtained. It should be noted that the closed state does not mean that winning is impossible, but it may be configured to be in a state in which winning is more difficult than in the open state.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, an adjustment mechanism 180 is provided above the first through gate 35 to adjust the timing at which the game ball B1 is supplied toward the first through gate 35. The adjustment mechanism 180 supplies the game ball B1 to the first through gate 35 by discharging the game ball B1 toward the first through gate 35 below. The distance between the adjustment mechanism 180 and the first through gate 35 is set so that the game ball B1 discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 flows down a distance equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball B1 before reaching the first through gate 35. The adjustment mechanism 180 will be described below.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a front view of the game board 24 showing an enlarged view of the first through gate 35 and the configuration above the first through gate 35. As shown in Fig. 4, the adjustment mechanism 180 includes a rotating body 183 that takes in the game ball B1 at the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 and transports it to the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180, an adjustment drive unit 184 that rotates the rotating body 183 clockwise, and a storage unit 181 that stores the rotating body 183 and prevents the game ball B1, which has been taken in by the rotating body 183, from being thrown out before the discharge position by the centrifugal force associated with the rotation.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating body 183 is provided at the center of the adjustment mechanism 180. The rotating body 183 is formed by providing four recesses 183b to 183e capable of taking in the game ball B1 in a substantially disk-shaped transparent resin member whose diameter is tapered toward the rear. FIG. 5(a) is a front view and a right side view of the rotating body 183, and FIG. 5(b) is a front view and a plan view of the rotating body 183. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotating body 183 are formed so as to be recessed from the outer edge portion of the rotating body 183 toward the axial line side. The recesses 183b to 183e are formed so that their centers are equally spaced in the circumferential direction, and in the rotational direction, the first recess 183b, the second recess 183c, the third recess 183d, and the fourth recess 183e are arranged in that order.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5(a), none of the recesses 183b-183e reach the position of the axis of the rotor 183, and are mutually discontinuous. Each recess 183b-183e has a shape and size that allows one entire game ball B1 to fit therein. In each of the recesses 183b-183e, the inner wall near the outer edge of the rotor 183 has an inclination such that the recesses 183b-183e become wider toward the outer edge, and the width of each recess 183b-183e near the outer edge is set wider than the diameter of the game ball B1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the rotating body 183 includes a first blade portion 188 sandwiched between the fourth recessed portion 183e and the first recessed portion 183b, a second blade portion 189 sandwiched between the first recessed portion 183b and the second recessed portion 183c, a third blade portion 190 sandwiched between the second recessed portion 183c and the third recessed portion 183d, and a fourth blade portion 191 sandwiched between the third recessed portion 183d and the fourth recessed portion 183e.

[0046] 4, in the adjustment mechanism 180, the storage section 181 that stores the rotor 183 includes a base body 181a that prevents the game ball B1 captured in each of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotor 183 from moving rearward beyond the front surface of the game board 24 during transportation. The base body 181a includes a fixing flange 181b that is formed to protrude radially from the outer periphery of the base body 181a.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the window panel 52 and the game board 24 when cutting directly above the intake port 185 on a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the game board 24. In order to explain the configuration of the storage section 181, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rotating body 183 has been removed. As shown in FIG. 6, a fixing recess 24d capable of storing the base body 181a and the fixing flange 181b is formed on the front surface of the game board 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage section 181 is fixed to the game board 24 by screwing the fixing flange 181b in a state in which the base body 181a and the fixing flange 181b are stored in the fixing recess 24d (FIG. 6). The base body 181a is located behind the rotating body 183, and the front surface of the base body 181a is on the same plane as the front surface of the game board 24.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, a storage space for storing the rotating body 183 is formed in front of the base body 181a, and the rotating body 183 is stored in the storage space. An adjustment drive unit 184 is disposed behind the rotating body 183. The adjustment drive unit 184 is provided with an output shaft 184a that extends forward from the front surface of the adjustment drive unit 184 in a manner perpendicular to the front surface of the game board 24. The rotating body 183 is connected to the output shaft 184a such that the axis of the rotating body 183 is aligned on the same straight line as the output shaft 184a of the adjustment drive unit 184.

[0049] The adjustment drive unit 184 is connected to an output port of the MPU 62 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later. When a drive signal is supplied to the adjustment drive unit 184, the adjustment drive unit 184 is driven, and the rotor 183 rotates clockwise at an angular velocity of 90° per second. A stepping motor is used as the adjustment drive unit 184, and specifically, a 1-2 phase excitation drive that alternates between 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation is adopted. Note that the phase excitation method is not limited to this, and other phase excitation methods may be adopted. The adjustment drive unit 184 is configured such that the output shaft rotates once when 500 pulses of an excitation signal are transmitted from the main control device 60, and the angle change based on one pulse of the excitation signal, i.e., the angle change per step, is 0.72°.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage section 181 has upright walls 181c and 181d for partitioning the storage space. The storage space is partitioned by the upright walls 181c and 181d to be slightly larger than the rotor 183. The distance from the center of the rotor 183 to the upright walls 181c and 181d of the storage section 181 is longer than the distance from the center of the rotor 183 to the circumferential surfaces 188a to 191a of each of the blades 188 to 191, and the difference between the two distances is shorter than the radius of the game ball B1. For this reason, the possibility that the game ball B1 will get in between the circumferential surfaces 188a to 191a of each of the blades 188 to 191 and the upright walls 181c and 181d is eliminated.

[0051] The upright walls 181c, 181d are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the base body 181a in a manner that protrudes forward from the front surface of the base body 181a. Among the upright walls 181c, 181d, the left upright wall 181c on the left side and the right upright wall 181d on the right side are spaced apart in the lateral direction, so that an inlet 185 is present at the top of the storage section 181.

[0052] 4, the shape and size of the intake port 185 are set so that one game ball B1 can pass through the intake port 185, but multiple game balls B1 cannot pass through the intake port 185 at the same time. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism 180 can take in the game balls B1 one by one from the intake port 185.

[0053] The left side standing wall 181c prevents the game ball B1 flowing down from the upper left of the intake port 185 from entering the inside of the adjustment mechanism 180. Therefore, the game ball B1 is taken into the recessed parts 183b to 183e that open toward the left, and the game ball B1 is not discharged after being transported for a long time in the order of the upper part → right part → lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180. In addition, the right side standing wall 181d prevents the game ball B1 after being taken into the adjustment mechanism 180 from being thrown out of the adjustment mechanism 180 by the centrifugal force of the rotor 183 before it is transported to the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180 and the discharge timing arrives.

[0054] 4, the left side standing wall 181c and the right side standing wall 181d are separated from each other in the horizontal direction, so that the storage section 181 is opened downward. Therefore, the game ball B1 that is taken into any of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotating body 183 and transported to the bottom of the adjustment mechanism 180 is discharged toward the first through gate 35 located below.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4, the storage section 181 is provided with a discharge protrusion 181e for discharging the game ball B1 taken into the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotor 183 at a predetermined discharge position. The discharge protrusion 181e is provided near the lower center of the base body 181a. As shown in Fig. 6, the discharge protrusion 181e protrudes forward from the front surface of the base body 181a to a midpoint of the game area PA with a protruding dimension of 9 mm.

[0056] As already explained, the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the play area PA (FIG. 3) sandwiched between the front of the play board 24 and the back of the window panel 52 (FIG. 1) is 18 mm, and the diameter of the play ball B1 is 11 mm. Therefore, the discharge protrusion 181e has a length dimension in the front-rear direction that can contact both the play ball B1 located on the back side (the play board 24 side) of the play area PA and the play ball B1 located on the front side (the window panel 52 side) of the play area PA. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge protrusion 181e is formed by extending downward from the vicinity below the center of the base body 181a.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, the distance from the center of the rotating body 183 to the lower end of the discharge protrusion 181e is shorter than the distance from the center of the rotating body 183 to the peripheral surfaces 188a-191a (Fig. 5(a)) of the blades 188-191. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the first blade 188 and the third blade 190 of the rotating body 183 are provided with collision avoidance grooves 192 for avoiding collision with the discharge protrusion 181e, and as shown in Fig. 5(b), the second blade 189 and the fourth blade 191 are also provided with collision avoidance grooves 192 for avoiding collision with the discharge protrusion 181e.

[0058] The collision avoidance groove 192 is provided to be larger than the protruding dimension of the ejection protrusion 181e, and no matter what state of rotation the ejection protrusion 181e is in, the collision avoidance groove 192 will not come into contact with the rotating body 183. Therefore, the ejection protrusion 181e will not interfere with the rotation of the rotating body 183.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 4, the discharge protrusion 181e has a discharge right side surface 181g that is inclined downward and leftward as a right side surface. The discharge right side surface 181g comes into contact with the game ball B1 present in the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotor 183 at the discharge position of the game ball B1 taken into the adjustment mechanism 180. After the game ball B1 is transported to the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180 by the rotation of the rotor 183, it comes into contact with the discharge right side surface 181g and is discharged toward the first through gate 35 below.

[0060] When the game ball B1 is discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 directly downward, it enters the first through gate 35 located below without colliding with any obstacles on the way. As already explained, the game ball B1 discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 reaches the first through gate 35 after flowing down a distance equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball B1. Specifically, the game ball B1 discharged from the discharge position reaches the first through gate 35 after flowing down a distance approximately 1.5 times the diameter of the game ball B1. Since the distance from the discharge position to the first through gate 35 is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball B1, there is a possibility that the discharged game ball B1 may deviate from the first through gate 35 depending on the discharge direction and discharge speed of the game ball B1 at the discharge position. The discharge position of the game ball B1 in the adjustment mechanism 180 is fixed by the discharge protrusion 181e, and the distance from the discharge position to the first through gate 35 is short. Therefore, when the discharged game ball B1 enters the first through gate 35, the time from when the game ball B1 is discharged in the adjustment mechanism 180 to when the game ball B1 enters the first through gate 35 falls within a predetermined range.

[0061] Since the timing of discharging the game ball B1 in the adjustment mechanism 180 occurs in a 1-second cycle, the game ball B1 also enters the first through gate 35 in approximately 1-second cycles. The flow of discharging the game ball B1 from the adjustment mechanism 180 will be described in detail later.

[0062] The rotating body 183 transports the game ball B1 taken in from the intake port 185 toward the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180 by rotating clockwise while the game ball B1 is present in the recesses 183b to 183e.

[0063] The adjustment mechanism 180 can take in the game balls B1 flowing down from above when any of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotating body 183 is open upward. By configuring the inner walls of the recesses 183b to 183e near the outer edge of the rotating body 183 to have a shape that widens toward the outer edge, the period during which the adjustment mechanism 180 can take in the game balls B1 at the intake port 185 can be extended. This can increase the number of game balls B1 taken in by the adjustment mechanism 180 and increase the number of game balls B1 discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180.

[0064] Furthermore, by configuring the rotor 183 to have a plurality of recesses 183b-183e, it is possible to reduce the rotation speed of the rotor 183 required to discharge the game ball B1 from the adjustment mechanism 180 in a 1-second cycle. In this manner, by slowly rotating the rotor 183, it is possible to increase the probability that the game ball B1 that has flowed down to the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 will be captured by the recesses 183b-183e of the rotor 183.

[0065] Here, the configuration of the adjustment mechanism 180 and its surroundings on the game board 24 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of nails 24b are arranged above the intake port 185 in order to collect the game balls B1 flowing down the game area PA upstream of the intake port 185 toward the intake port 185. In the upper left area of ​​the intake port 185, a plurality of nails 24b are arranged to change the course of the game ball B1 flowing down the area to the right and direct the game ball B1 toward the intake port 185, and in the upper right area of ​​the intake port 185, a plurality of nails 24b are arranged to change the course of the game ball B1 flowing down the area to the left and direct the game ball B1 toward the intake port 185.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, the nails 24b arranged in the vicinity of the upper part of the inlet 185 are arranged so that the distance from the nail 24b to the left standing wall 181c and the distance from the nail 24b to the right standing wall 181d are longer than the diameter of the game ball B1 by one size or more. In addition, a space is provided on the left and right sides of the adjustment mechanism 180 to allow the game ball B1 that flows down toward the inlet 185 and is not taken in by the inlet 185 to escape downstream. The nails 24b are not arranged in the space. Therefore, the game ball B1 that flows down near the inlet 185 and is not taken in by the adjustment mechanism 180 can be discharged from between the nail 24b and the left standing wall 181c or between the nail 24b and the right standing wall 181d into the space on the left and right of the adjustment mechanism 180. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball B1 from accumulating around the inlet 185.

[0067] Next, we will explain the detailed configuration of the adjustment mechanism 180. First, we will explain the configuration for taking in the game ball B1.

[0068] As already explained, the diameter of the game ball B1 is 11 mm, and the length of the game area PA (FIG. 3) in the front-rear direction is 18 mm, which is larger than the diameter of the game ball B1. Thus, there is a gap in the game area PA that allows the game ball B1 flowing down the game area PA to move in the front-rear direction.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 5, each of the recesses 183b-183e of the rotor 183 is inclined toward the axis toward the front. Therefore, when the rotor 183 is in a rotating state in which the recesses 183b-183e are open toward the top, each of the recesses 183b-183e is in a state in which it is inclined downward toward the front. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, when the first recess 183b is open toward the top, the first recess 183b is in a state in which it is inclined downward toward the front.

[0070] The game ball B1 taken into the adjustment mechanism 180 from the intake port 185 fits into any of the recesses 183b to 183e that are open upward at the top of the adjustment mechanism 180. As described above, the recesses 183b to 183e that are open upward at the top of the adjustment mechanism 180 are inclined downward toward the front. Therefore, while the game ball B1 is transported toward the bottom of the adjustment mechanism 180 by the rotation of the rotating body 183, the game ball B1 is located on the front side (the window panel 52 side) of the game area PA that has a thickness in the front-rear direction.

[0071] Next, the timing at which the adjustment mechanism 180 takes in the game ball B1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the intake port 185 is open upward. If a state in which any of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotor 183 is located below the intake port 185 is taken as an intake permission state, in the intake permission state, the game ball B1 that has entered the inside of the adjustment mechanism 180 from the intake port 185 can be accommodated in the recessed portion 183b to 183e.

[0072] 4, the rotor 183 rotates, and if one of the blades 188-191 of the rotor 183 is positioned below the intake port 185, this state is regarded as an intake prohibited state. In this intake prohibited state, the game ball B1 attempting to enter the inside of the adjustment mechanism 180 from the intake port 185 collides with the circumferential surfaces 188a-191a of the blades 188-191. In this case, the game ball B1 is not taken into the inside of the adjustment mechanism 180.

[0073] At the intake port 185 of the adjustment mechanism 180, as the rotating body 183 rotates, both an intake permitted state in which the game ball B1 can be taken in and an intake prohibited state in which the game ball B1 cannot be taken in are alternately repeated.

[0074] First, a case where the intake port 185 is in an intake permission state will be described. Figures 7(a) and (b) are front views of the game board 24 showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism 180 and its vicinity. The rotating body 183 in Figure 7(a) is in a rotated state in which the first recessed portion 183b is positioned at the top, and the rotating body 183 in Figure 7(b) is in a rotated state in which the rotating body 183 in Figure 7(a) has rotated 90° clockwise.

[0075] A game ball B1 that enters the intake port 185 in the intake permitted state is taken in by the recessed portion 183b to 183e located at the top. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(a), a game ball B1 that enters the intake port 185 with the first recessed portion 183b located at the top is taken in by the first recessed portion 183b.

[0076] The game ball B1 taken into any one of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotating body 183 at the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 is transported toward the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180 as the rotating body 183 rotates. At this time, the right standing wall 181d prevents the game ball B1 taken into the adjustment mechanism 180 from being released outside the adjustment mechanism 180 before the discharge timing.

[0077] For example, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the game ball B1 taken into the first recessed portion 183b is first subjected to a force directed forward in the rotation direction (to the right in Fig. 7(a)) from the first wing portion 188. Next, the game ball B1, which is about to fall due to its own weight, is supported by the second wing portion 189.

[0078] 7(b), the game ball B1, which is about to fall to the lower right due to its own weight and the force applied by the second wing portion 189, is prevented from falling to the lower right by the application of a resistance force from the right standing wall 181d. In this state, the game ball B1 taken in at the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 is transported to the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180 by the rotation of the rotating body 183.

[0079] The game ball B1 that is taken into one of the recesses 183b to 183e of the rotating body 183 and transported to the bottom of the adjustment mechanism 180 is discharged in a certain direction by coming into contact with the discharge right side surface 181g (Figure 4) of the discharge protrusion 181e (Figure 4).

[0080] 5(b), the side surface of first blade portion 188 located at the front side in the rotation direction is referred to as first front surface 188b, and the side surface of second blade portion 189 located at the front side in the rotation direction is referred to as second front surface 189b. Further, the side surface of third blade portion 190 located at the front side in the rotation direction is referred to as third front surface 190b, and the side surface of fourth blade portion 191 located at the front side in the rotation direction is referred to as fourth front surface 191b. The front surfaces 188b-191b of each of blade portions 188-191 are surfaces extending in the radial direction of rotor 183.

[0081] When the game ball B1 that has been taken into any of the recesses 183b to 183e (Figure 5 (b)) in the rotating body 183 comes into contact with the discharge right side surface 181g and reaches the discharge timing, the game ball B1 is in contact with the front surface 188b to 191b on the rear side in the rotation direction and the discharge right side surface 181g in the recessed portion 183b to 183e in which the game ball B1 is present.

[0082] 5(a), the first recessed portion 183b, the second recessed portion 183c, and the third recessed portion 183d have the same shape and size. Therefore, the discharge mode of the game ball B1 taken into the second recessed portion 183c and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180, and the discharge mode of the game ball B1 taken into the third recessed portion 183d and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180 are the same as the discharge mode of the game ball B1 taken into the first recessed portion 183b and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180.

[0083] On the other hand, the fourth recessed portion 183e has the same shape as the first recessed portion 183b, the second recessed portion 183c, and the third recessed portion 183d, and has a size slightly smaller than the three recessed portions 183b to 183d. Therefore, the discharge mode of the game ball B1 taken into the fourth recessed portion 183e and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180 may differ from the discharge mode of the game ball B1 taken into the first recessed portion 183b to the third recessed portion 183d and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180. If the discharge mode of the game ball B1 discharged from all the recessed portions 183b to 183e is the same, the movement of the game ball B1 after discharge becomes monotonous. In contrast, by varying the discharge mode of the game ball B1 discharged from the fourth recessed portion 183e, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the player's interest in the movement of the game ball B1 after discharge.

[0084] First, the manner in which the game ball B1 that has been taken into any one of the first recessed portion 183b to the third recessed portion 183d and transported to the lower portion of the adjustment mechanism 180 is discharged will be described using the first recessed portion 183b as an example.

[0085] 8(a) and (b) are front views of the game board 24, each showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism 180 and its vicinity. Fig. 8(a) illustrates the state immediately before the game ball B1 captured in the first recess 183b reaches the discharge timing, and Fig. 8(b) illustrates the state when the game ball B1 reaches the discharge timing.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 8(a), immediately before the discharge timing, the contact state between the game ball B1 captured in the first recessed portion 183b and the right standing wall 181d is released. As a result, the game ball B1, which has lost support, is in a state where it can fall downward to the right side. However, since the rotating body 183 rotates at an angular velocity of 90° per second, the game ball B1 is pushed in the rotation direction (left direction in Fig. 8) by the first wing portion 188 and continues to move in the rotation direction (left direction in Fig. 8).

[0087] As shown in Fig. 8(b), at the time of discharge, the game ball B1 is in contact with the discharge right side surface 181g and the first front surface 188b. The distance between the two surfaces 181g, 188b sandwiching the game ball B1 gradually increases from the top to the bottom.

[0088] As the rotation of the rotor 183 progresses, the area between the two faces 181g and 188b, which has a width larger than the diameter of the game ball B1, gradually disappears from the upper side. At this time, the force applied to the game ball B1 from the right discharge face 181g and the force applied to the game ball B1 from the first front face 188b both have a component that pushes the game ball B1 downward. Therefore, the game ball B1 that was taken into the first recessed portion 183b is pushed downward as the rotor 183 rotates. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the game ball B1 is discharged downward from the first recessed portion 183b and enters the first through gate 35 with a high probability.

[0089] At the discharge timing shown in Fig. 8(b), the discharge right side surface 181g and the first front surface 188b apply a force to the game ball B1, which is originally about to fall downward due to its own weight, to cause the game ball B1 to fall downward as well. At this time, the movement of the game ball B1 to the left is restricted by the discharge right side surface 181g. Therefore, the discharge direction of the game ball B1 is restricted to one direction, and the probability of the game ball B1 entering the first through gate 35 is increased.

[0090] As already explained, the width of the recesses 183b-183e at the outer edge of the rotor 183 is wider than the diameter of the game ball B1. Therefore, the position of the game ball B1 in the recesses 183b-183e just before the discharge timing is not always the same. The discharge direction of the game ball B1 differs depending on the position of the game ball B1 in the recesses 183b-183e just before the discharge timing.

[0091] In the design stage, the position of the discharge protrusion 181e and the inclination of the discharge right side surface 181g are adjusted so that the majority of the game ball B1 captured in the first recess 183b, the game ball B1 captured in the second recess 183c, and the game ball B1 captured in the third recess 183d enter the first through gate 35. However, as already explained, the distance between the discharge position in the adjustment mechanism 180 and the first through gate 35 is set to approximately 1.5 times the diameter of the game ball B1. Therefore, when the game ball B1 discharged from the first recess 183b gets caught on the first front surface 188b and is pushed to the left, when the game ball B1 discharged from the second recess 183c gets caught on the second front surface 189b and is pushed to the left, and when the game ball B1 discharged from the third recess 183d gets caught on the third front surface 190b and is pushed to the left, the game ball B1 after being discharged may fall off to the left of the first through gate 35.

[0092] Here, we will explain the discharge mode of the game ball B1 that has been taken into the fourth recessed portion 183e and transported to the bottom of the adjustment mechanism 180. Figure 9 is a front view of the game board 24 showing an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism 180 to explain the case where the game ball B1 discharged from the fourth recessed portion 183e falls off the first through gate 35.

[0093] As already explained, the fourth recessed portion 183e is formed slightly smaller than the first recessed portion 183b, the second recessed portion 183c, and the third recessed portion 183d. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the game ball B1 discharged from the fourth recessed portion 183e is likely to be caught by the fourth front surface 191b and pushed leftward, and is likely to miss the first through gate 35 to the left.

[0094] During the design stage, the position of the discharge protrusion 181e and the inclination of the discharge right side surface 181g are adjusted so that the probability of a game ball B1 discharged from the fourth recess 183e entering the first through gate 35 is lower than the probability of a game ball B1 discharged from the other three recesses 183b to 183d entering the first through gate 35.

[0095] By configuring the adjustment mechanism 180 so that a portion of the game ball B1 discharged therefrom misses the first through gate 35, the player's attention is prevented from being focused solely on the intake of the game ball B1 by the adjustment mechanism 180, and the player is also encouraged to be interested in the discharge of the game ball B1 by the adjustment mechanism 180.

[0096] As already explained, the discharge protrusion 181e is located below the center of the rotating body 183. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 8(b), at the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180, the center of the game ball B1 in contact with the discharge protrusion 181e is located to the right of the center of the rotating body 183. The game ball B1 taken into the rotating body 183 at the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 comes into contact with the discharge protrusion 181e and is discharged at a timing earlier than the timing at which the game ball B1 rotates 180° around the center of the rotating body 183.

[0097] By configuring the game ball B1 taken in at the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 180 to be discharged before it rotates 180° or more around the center of the rotating body 183 and starts to rise, it is possible to prevent the game ball B1 from rising at the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180. Also, by setting the time from when the game ball B1 is taken in by the adjustment mechanism 180 to when it is discharged short, it is possible to shorten the time required for the series of steps of taking in, transporting, and discharging the game ball B1 by the adjustment mechanism 180, and suppress the possibility of the player's interest shifting to something else in the middle of the series of steps.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the game ball B1 is in contact with both the discharge protrusion 181e and the rotating body 183 at the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180, the area sandwiched between the discharge right side 181g with which the left side of the game ball B1 is in contact and the front faces 188b-191b with which the right side of the game ball B1 is in contact has a shape that gradually becomes wider from the upper part to the lower part. Then, as the clockwise rotation of the rotating body 183 progresses, the width of the area sandwiched between the discharge right side 181g and the front faces 188b-191b becomes narrower overall. Therefore, in the area sandwiched between the discharge right side 181g and the front faces 188b-191b, the part having a width in which the game ball B1 can exist is limited to the lower part.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the discharge right side surface 181g is inclined downward to the left. Therefore, when a force in the left direction is applied from the rotating body 183 during rotation to the game ball B1 in contact with the discharge right side surface 181g, the game ball B1 moves leftward and downward along the inclination of the discharge right side surface 181g. In the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180, the game ball B1 in contact with both the discharge protrusion 181e and the rotating body 183 is pushed downward and discharged with the rotation of the rotating body 183. Since the discharge right side surface 181g is inclined downward to the left, the game ball B1 is prevented from rising and staying without being discharged in the lower part of the adjustment mechanism 180.

[0100] Next, a configuration for allowing the game ball B1 that is not taken in by the adjustment mechanism 180 to escape to the rear of the game board 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, an escape passage 172 is provided at the rear of the game board 24 as a passage for allowing the game ball B1 that is not taken in by the intake port 185 to escape. A passage entrance 171, which is an entrance of the escape passage 172, is provided at the front of the game board 24. The passage entrance 171 is located behind the intake port 185. By allowing the game ball B1 that is not taken in by the intake port 185 to escape to the passage entrance 171, it is possible to prevent the game ball B1 that is not taken in from staying around the intake port 185.

[0101] First, a game ball B1 that flows down into the intake port 185 in the intake prohibited state and is not taken into the intake port 185 will be described.

[0102] Fig. 10(a) is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the window panel 52 and the game board 24 when the game board 24 is cut directly above the intake port 185 on a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the game board 24, and Fig. 10(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first blade portion 188 when the game board 24 is cut on a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the game board 24. In Figs. 10(a) and (b), the rotating body 183 is in a rotating state in which the first blade portion 188 is positioned at the top.

[0103] As shown in Figure 10(a), when a game ball B1 flows down into an inlet 185 that is in an intake prohibited state, the game ball B1 comes into contact with a peripheral surface 188a-191a (Figure 5(b)) of one of the blade portions 188-191 of a rotating body 183 located below the inlet 185.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), the peripheral surfaces 188a-191a of the blades 188-191 of the rotor 183 are inclined toward the axis toward the rear. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5(a), when the first blade 188 faces upward, the peripheral surface 188a of the first blade 188 is inclined downward toward the rear. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the game ball B1 that comes into contact with the peripheral surface 188a of the first blade 188 is guided backward.

[0105] In the intake prohibited state where second blade portion 189 faces upward, peripheral surface 189a of second blade portion 189 is inclined downward toward the rear, and in the intake prohibited state where third blade portion 190 faces upward, peripheral surface 190a of third blade portion 190 is inclined downward toward the rear. Also, in the intake prohibited state where fourth blade portion 191 faces upward, peripheral surface 191a of fourth blade portion 191 is inclined downward toward the rear.

[0106] Although not shown in the figure, when a game ball B1 comes into contact with any of the peripheral surface 189a of the second blade portion 189, the peripheral surface 190a of the third blade portion 190, and the peripheral surface 191a of the fourth blade portion 191, which are facing upward in the intake prohibited state, it is guided rearward, similar to the game ball B1 that comes into contact with the peripheral surface 188a of the first blade portion 188 shown in Figure 10(a).

[0107] 4, the passage entrance 171 is an opening provided on the front surface of the game board 24, and is located behind the intake port 185. The passage entrance 171 is formed from the left end of the intake port 185 to the right end of the intake port 185 on the front surface of the game board 24.

[0108] The upper end of the passage entrance 171 is set to be approximately half the size of the game ball B1 higher than the upper end of the game ball B1 that contacts the peripheral surface 188a-191a of the blade portion 188-191 when any of the blade portions 188-191 of the rotor 183 is facing upward. Therefore, the game ball B1 that flows down from above the game area PA, collides with the peripheral surface 188a-191a of the blade portion 188-191 that is inclined downward toward the rear, and bounces diagonally backward can be made to enter the passage entrance 171.

[0109] On the other hand, in order to prevent the game ball B1 flowing down the game area PA from entering the passage entrance 171 before reaching the intake port 185, the upper area of ​​the passage entrance 171 is set to the minimum area possible to prevent the game ball B1 that has not been taken in by the intake port 185 from stopping or stagnating.

[0110] 4, the left lower end of passage entrance 171 is located lower than the upper end of the back surface of any of blades 188-191 of rotor 183 when that blade is facing upward. Also, the right lower end of passage entrance 171 is located lower than the left lower end. The right lower end of passage entrance 171 will be described in detail later.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 4, a passage recess 181f is formed on the upper portion of the base body 181a in the storage section 181 so as not to interfere with the movement of the game ball B1 guided to the passage entrance 171 by the peripheral surface 188a-191a (FIG. 5(a)) of one of the blade portions 188-191 of the rotating body 183.

[0112] The passage recess 181f is formed from the left end to the right end of the passage entrance 171. The left side of the passage recess 181f is formed so that, when any of the blades 188-191 of the rotor 183 is facing upward, the upper end of the base body 181a is located lower than the upper end of the back surface of the blade 188-191.

[0113] On the left side of the passage recess 181f, the upper end of the base body 181a is located at the same position as the lower end of the passage entrance 171 or higher than the lower end of the passage entrance 171. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the game ball B1 that comes into contact with the wing parts 188-191 while attempting to enter the intake port 185 in the intake prohibited state is guided by the peripheral surfaces 188a-191a of the wing parts 188-191, and enters the passage entrance 171 without being obstructed by the base body 181a of the storage part 181.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 4, an escape passage 172 is formed as a recessed portion recessed toward the rear on the front surface of the game board 24. The escape passage 172 is formed as a recessed portion having a depth dimension in the front-rear direction greater than the diameter of the game ball B1, and a width dimension in the lateral direction greater than the diameter of the game ball B1. Therefore, the escape passage 172 has a passage cross section that allows the game balls B1 to pass through when they are in a single row.

[0115] The upstream side of the escape passage 172 is formed from the passage entrance 171 toward the lower left, and the downstream side of the escape passage 172 is formed vertically downward. The escape passage 172 guides the game ball B1 that has entered from the passage entrance 171 to the lower left of the first through gate 35.

[0116] A step is provided on the edge of a recess formed as the escape passage 172 on the front surface of the game board 24. The escape passage 172 is covered from the front by a transparent acrylic plate 172a molded in the same shape as the portion of the escape passage 172 that does not overlap with the base body 181a of the storage section 181 in terms of its external shape when viewed from the front. The acrylic plate 172a is fixed to the step formed on the edge of the escape passage 172 by an adhesive.

[0117] The step formed on the edge of the escape passage 172 has a depth in the front-rear direction equal to the thickness of the acrylic plate 172a, and the front surface of the acrylic plate 172a is located on the same plane as the front surface of the game board 24. The escape passage 172 is closed by the acrylic plate 172a and the base body 181a of the storage section 181, and the places where the game ball B1 can enter and exit are limited to the passage entrance 171 and the passage exit 173.

[0118] Since the acrylic plate 172a and the adjustment mechanism 180 fixed to the front of the escape passage 172 are transparent, the movement of the game ball B1 passing through the escape passage 172 can be seen from the outside. If the movement of the game ball B1 passing through the escape passage 172 cannot be grasped from the outside, the player cannot follow the movement of the game ball B1 after the game ball B1 enters the passage entrance 171, and the flow of the game ball B1 is interrupted midway. In contrast, by making the game ball B1 passing through the escape passage 172 visible from the outside, the flow of the game ball B1 that the player can grasp can be maintained as a continuous one.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 4, a passage outlet 173, which is an outlet of the escape passage 172, is provided on the lower left of the first through gate 35 on the game board 24. The passage outlet 173 is formed as an opening facing forward on the front surface of the game board 24. The passage outlet 173 has a shape and size that allows the game balls B1 guided by the escape passage 172 to be discharged forward one by one.

[0120] As shown in Fig. 4, an exit roof 174 is provided near the upper part of the passage exit 173 to prevent the game ball B1 discharged from the passage exit 173 from colliding with the game ball B1 flowing down in front of the front surface of the game board 24. The exit roof 174 is provided as a protruding part that protrudes from the front surface of the game board 24 toward the window panel 52 (Fig. 1) side, and exists from the front surface of the game board 24 to the vicinity of the back surface of the window panel 52. Since the upper surface of the exit roof 174 is inclined downward toward the right, the game ball B1 that flows down from above and comes into contact with the exit roof 174 is guided to the right in a manner that does not collide with the game ball B1 discharged from the passage exit 173.

[0121] The game ball B1 that passes through the escape passage 172 and is discharged from the passage outlet 173 forward of the front surface of the game board 24 flows down the game area PA. As shown in Fig. 3, the passage outlet 173 is located upstream of the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34. Therefore, the game ball B1 discharged from the passage outlet 173 can reach the area where the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are provided, and enter either the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0122] As already explained, the game ball B1 that enters the first through gate 35 can also flow down the game area PA and enter either the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. The game ball B1 that is guided to the first through gate 35 by the adjustment mechanism 180, and the game ball B1 that is guided to the escape passage 172 by the adjustment mechanism 180 and discharged from the passage outlet 173 can both flow down to the area where the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are provided. Therefore, by providing the adjustment mechanism 180, the game ball B1 that reaches the area where the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are provided is not reduced.

[0123] Returning to the description of the intake of the game ball B1 at the intake port 185, as shown in FIG. 4, in the transition process from the intake permitted state to the intake prohibited state, when the game ball B1 flows down to the intake port 185 at the timing when the interval between the blade parts 188-191 and the right standing wall 181d transitions from a state wider than the diameter of the game ball B1 to a state narrower, the game ball B1 may be sandwiched between the blade parts 188-191 of the rotor 183 and the right standing wall 181d. Hereinafter, the state transitioning from the intake permitted state to the intake prohibited state is referred to as an intermediate state. Also, the end face that is a surface that defines the right end of the intake port 185 and is located at the top of the right standing wall 181d that sandwiches the game ball B1 together with the blade parts 188-191 in the intermediate state is referred to as the standing wall side end face 182.

[0124] Here, a configuration for allowing the game ball B1 sandwiched between the blade portions 188-191 and the upright wall side end face 182 at the intake port 185 in the intermediate state to escape to the escape passage 172 will be described. First, the inclination of the front faces 188b-191b, which are side faces of the blade portions 188-191 and are located on the front side in the rotation direction of the rotor 183, will be described with reference to FIG. 5(b).

[0125] 5(b), the front surfaces 188b-191b of the blades 188-191 of the rotor 183 are inclined rearward in the direction of rotation. Therefore, when the blades 188-191 are facing upward, the front surfaces 188b-191b of the blades 188-191 are inclined leftward rearward.

[0126] Regardless of the rotation state of the rotor 183, the front faces 188b-191b of the upper blades 188-191 are inclined leftward toward the rear. Therefore, in the inlet 185 in the intermediate state, the game ball B1 sandwiched between the second front face 189b of the second blade 189 and the standing wall side end face 182, the game ball B1 sandwiched between the third front face 190b of the third blade 190 and the standing wall side end face 182, and the game ball B1 sandwiched between the fourth front face 191b of the fourth blade 191 and the standing wall side end face 182 move in the same direction as the game ball B1 sandwiched between the first front face 188b of the first blade 188 and the standing wall side end face 182. In the following, the movement of the game ball B1 sandwiched between the first front surface 188b and the upright wall side end surface 182 at the intake port 185 in the intermediate state will be described as an example.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the first front surface 188b of the first wing portion 188 facing upward is inclined leftward toward the rear. FIG. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view of the window panel 52 and the game board 24 when cutting directly above the inlet 185 with a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the game board 24. As shown in FIG. 10(c), the upright wall side end surface 182 is inclined rightward toward the rear. Therefore, when the game ball B1 flows down to the inlet 185 in the intermediate state and is sandwiched between the first front surface 188b and the upright wall side end surface 182, the two surfaces 182, 188b sandwiching the game ball B1 are in a V-shaped relationship with the rear side (game board 24 side) being wider than the front side (window panel 52 side).

[0128] When the rotating body 183 rotates clockwise while the game ball B1 is sandwiched between the two faces 182, 188b, the distance between the two faces 182, 188b gradually decreases from the front side. At this time, the force applied to the game ball B1 from the first front face 188b and the force applied to the game ball B1 from the upright wall side end face 182 both have a component that moves the game ball B1 backward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the game ball B1 sandwiched between the two faces 182, 188b is pushed toward the passage entrance 171 provided behind the intake port 185 by the rotation of the rotating body 183. Then, the pushed-out game ball B1 enters the escape passage 172 from the passage entrance 171 and is guided to the passage exit 173.

[0129] As already explained in FIG. 5(b), the front surfaces 188b-191b of the blades 188-191 are surfaces extending in the radial direction of the rotor 183. Therefore, when the game ball B1 is in contact with both the front surfaces 188b-191b and the right standing wall 181d (FIG. 10(c)) at the inlet 185, the front surfaces 188b-191b in contact with the game ball B1 are inclined downward and leftward. Therefore, the force applied to the game ball B1 from the front surfaces 188b-191b by the rotor 183 rotating clockwise includes a downward component. This suppresses the game ball B1 from moving upward when the game ball B1 is pushed toward the passage entrance 171.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 10(c), by utilizing the inclination of the front faces 188b-191b and the upright wall side end face 182 and the rotation of the rotating body 183 to push the trapped game ball B1 out to the passage entrance 171, it is possible to eliminate the trapped state of the game ball B1 while preventing the game ball B1 from stagnating or rising.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 4, the right side of the passage entrance 171 and the right side of the passage recess 181f are formed so as to enable a game ball B1 sandwiched between the blade portions 188-191 of the rotating body 183 and the right side upright wall 181d in the intermediate state to enter the passage entrance 171.

[0132] The game ball B1 sandwiched between the blades 188-191 and the right standing wall 181d is located lower than the game ball B1 that contacts the peripheral surface 188a-191a of any of the blades 188-191 in the intake prohibited state. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of the right side of the passage entrance 171 is located lower than the lower end of the left side of the passage entrance 171, and the upper end of the base body 181a on the right side of the passage recess 181f is located lower than the upper end of the base body 181a on the left side of the passage recess 181f.

[0133] The upper end of the base body 181a on the right side of the passage recess 181f is located lower than the lower end of the game ball B1 sandwiched between the wing portions 188-191 and the right standing wall 181d in the intermediate state. Also, the lower end of the right side of the passage entrance 171 is formed so as to be located at the same position as the upper end of the base body 181a on the right side of the passage recess 181f or lower than the upper end of the base body 181a.

[0134] However, in order to prevent the game ball B1 taken into any of the recesses 183b-183e of the rotating body 183 in the take-in permitted state from passing through the passage recess 181f formed at the rear and entering the passage entrance 171, the upper end of the base body 181a on the right side of the passage recess 181f is set to be positioned slightly lower than the lower end of the game ball B1 sandwiched between the wing portions 188-191 and the right-side upright wall 181d in the intermediate state.

[0135] As already explained, each of the recesses 183b-183e of the rotor 183 is inclined toward the axis toward the front, so that the game ball B1 taken into each of the recesses 183b-183e is held at the front side of the game area PA. Therefore, the possibility that the game ball B1 taken into each of the recesses 183b-183e will enter the passage entrance 171 through the passage recess 181f located at the rear (particularly the right side of the passage recess 181f) is reduced.

[0136] In the state where one game ball B1 has already been taken into the recessed portions 183b to 183e located at the top of the intake port 185 (FIG. 7(a)), another game ball B1 may arrive at the intake port 185. In this case, the recessed portions 183b to 183e are already held on the window panel 52 side. Therefore, the center of the game ball B1 that arrives at the intake port 185 later is likely to be located behind the center of the game ball B1 already taken into the recessed portions 183b to 183e. In this case, the game ball B1 that arrives at the intake port 185 later will come into contact with the game ball B1 taken into the recessed portions 183b to 183e, bounce back, and enter the passage entrance 171.

[0137] In addition, if the center of the game ball B1 that arrives at the intake port 185 later is shifted to the left or right from the center of the game ball B1 taken into the recessed portions 183b to 183e, the game ball B1 that arrives at the intake port 185 later will come into contact with the game ball B1 taken into the recessed portions 183b to 183e and bounce to the left or right, and will flow downstream in the game area PA on the side of the adjustment mechanism 180 without being taken into the adjustment mechanism 180. In this way, when multiple game balls B1 arrive at the intake port 185 in a single intake permission state at the intake port 185, one game ball B1 will be taken into one of the recessed portions 183b to 183e, and the remaining game balls B1 will be able to flow downstream in the game area PA without accumulating near the intake port 185.

[0138] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration regarding the discharge of the game ball B1 that has flowed down the game area PA.

[0139] As already explained, the game ball B1 that enters any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is discharged from the game area PA. In other words, the game ball B1 that is launched from the game ball launching mechanism 27 and flows into the game area PA is discharged from the game area PA by entering any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a. The game ball B1 that enters any one of the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is guided to the back side of the game board 24.

[0140] On the back of the game board 24, discharge passages 42-48 are formed corresponding to the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, and the outlet 24a, respectively. The game balls B1 that flow into the discharge passages 42-48 flow down the discharge passages 42-48, and are guided to the lower end of the game board 24 on the back side of the game board 24, and are collected in a discharge ball collection section (not shown). The game balls B1 collected in the discharge ball collection section are discharged to a ball circulation device of an island facility where a pachinko machine 10 is installed in a game hall.

[0141] Each of the discharge passages 42-48 is provided with various detection sensors 42a-48a for detecting the game ball B1. The discharge passages 42-48 and the detection sensors 42a-48a will be described below. As already described, four general winning openings 31 are provided, and therefore, the discharge passages 42-44 exist corresponding to each of the four general winning openings. In this case, one detection sensor 42a, 43a is provided for each of the first discharge passage 42 corresponding to the leftmost general winning opening 31 and the second discharge passage 43 corresponding to the general winning opening 31 adjacent thereto to the right. Specifically, the first winning opening detection sensor 42a is provided so that its detection range is located midway along the first discharge passage 42, and the second winning opening detection sensor 43a is provided so that its detection range is located midway along the second discharge passage 43. The game ball B1 that enters the leftmost general winning opening 31 is detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 42a while passing through the first discharge passage section 42, and the game ball B1 that enters the general winning opening 31 adjacent to the left is detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 43a while passing through the second discharge passage section 43. In addition, a third discharge passage section 44 is provided for the two general winning openings 31 on the right side, which is formed so as to merge at a midway position. The third discharge passage section 44 has an entrance side area corresponding to each of the two general winning openings 31, and the entrance side areas merge midway to form one exit side area. The third discharge passage section 44 is provided so that a detection range exists at a midway position of the exit side area in the third discharge passage section 44. The game ball B1 that enters one of the two general winning openings 31 on the right side is detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 44a while passing through the third discharge passage section 44.

[0142] A fourth discharge passage section 45 exists corresponding to the special electric winning device 32. A special electric detection sensor 45a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fourth discharge passage section 45, and the game ball B1 that entered the special electric winning device 32 is detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a while passing through the fourth discharge passage section 45. A fifth discharge passage section 46 exists corresponding to the first operating port 33. A first operating port detection sensor 46a is provided so that a detection range exists in the middle of the fifth discharge passage section 46, and the game ball B1 that entered the first operating port 33 is detected by the first operating port detection sensor 46a while passing through the fifth discharge passage section 46. A sixth discharge passage section 47 exists corresponding to the second operating port 34. A second operating port detection sensor 47a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the sixth discharge passage section 47, and the game ball B1 that has entered the second operating port 34 is detected by the second operating port detection sensor 47a in the middle of passing through the sixth discharge passage section 47. A seventh discharge passage section 48 exists corresponding to the outlet 24a. An outlet detection sensor 48a is provided so that a detection range exists in a midway position of the seventh discharge passage section 48, and the game ball B1 that has entered the outlet 24a is detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a in the middle of passing through the seventh discharge passage section 48.

[0143] In addition, a game ball B1 that is detected by any one of the various detection sensors 42a to 48a is not detected by the other detection sensors 42a to 48a. A first gate detection sensor 49a is provided for the first through gate 35, and a second gate detection sensor 50a is provided for the second through gate 39. Therefore, the game ball B1 that passes through the first through gate 35 while flowing down the game area PA is detected by the first gate detection sensor 49a, and the game ball B1 that passes through the second through gate 39 is detected by the second gate detection sensor 50a.

[0144] Although the various detection sensors 42a-50a are all electromagnetic induction type proximity sensors, any sensor can be used as long as it can detect the game ball B1 individually. The various detection sensors 42a-50a are electrically connected to a main control device 60, which will be described later, and the detection results of the various detection sensors 42a-50a are output to the main control device 60. Specifically, the various detection sensors 42a-50a output a LOW level signal when the game ball B1 is not detected, and output a HI level signal when the game ball B1 is detected. However, this is not limited to the above, and the relationship between HI and LOW may be reversed.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 2, a display light-emitting unit 53 is provided above the window 51. A pair of left and right speaker units 54 are also provided to output sound effects according to the game state. An upper bulge 55 and a lower bulge 56, which bulge toward the front, are arranged vertically below the window 51. An upper tray 55a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge 55, and a lower tray 56a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulge 56. The upper tray 55a has a function of temporarily storing game balls B1 paid out from a payout device described later, and guiding the game balls B1 to the game ball launching mechanism 27 while aligning them in a row. The lower tray 56a has a function of storing game balls B1 that are surplus in the upper tray 55a.

[0146] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 2, the main control device 60 that mainly controls the game is mounted on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 60 is configured by housing a main control board 61 in a board box 60a. The board box 60a may be provided with a trace means for leaving a trace of its opening or a trace structure for leaving a trace of its opening. As the trace means, a structure of a joint part that inseparably joins the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 60a and requires destruction of a predetermined part when separating them, or a structure of attaching a seal that leaves a trace of its removal by leaving an adhesive layer on the object to be attached when peeled off, so as to straddle the boundaries between the multiple case bodies. As the trace structure, a structure of applying an adhesive to the boundaries between the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 60a may be considered.

[0148] The back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13, including the main control device 60. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 72 formed of a transparent synthetic resin, to which a dispensing mechanism section 73 and a control device assembly unit 74 are attached.

[0149] The payout mechanism 73 includes a tank 75 to which game balls B1 are successively replenished from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and a payout device 76 for paying out the game balls B1 stored in the tank 75. The game balls B1 paid out from the payout device 76 are discharged to the upper tray 55a or the lower tray 56a through a payout passage provided downstream of the payout device 76. The payout mechanism 73 is supplied with a main power source of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board having a power switch for turning the power source on and off.

[0150] The control device assembly unit 74 includes a payout control device 77 having a function of controlling the payout device 76, and a power supply / launch control device 78 which generates and outputs a predetermined amount of power required by various control devices, etc., and controls the launch of the game ball B1 in response to the player's operation of the launch operation device 28. The payout control device 77 and the power supply / launch control device 78 are stacked one behind the other, with the payout control device 77 at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0151] <Electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10> FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0152] The main control device 60 comprises a main control board 61 which is responsible for the main control of the game, and a power failure monitoring board 67 which monitors the power supply. The main control board 61 is equipped with an MPU 62. The MPU 62 has a main CPU 63, which is a processing device including a control unit and a calculation unit, as well as a main ROM 64, a main RAM 65, and a management IC 66. In addition to the above elements, the MPU 62 also has an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as random number generators, and the like built in.

[0153] The main ROM 64 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR flash memory and a NAND flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The main ROM 64 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the main CPU 63. As shown in FIG. 12, the main ROM 64 stores a low-frequency winning determination value table T1 and a high-frequency winning determination value table T2 used in a normal power opening lottery that determines whether or not to open or close the normal power role 34a. The low-frequency winning determination value table T1 and the high-frequency winning determination value table T2 record judgment values ​​that are eligible for winning in the normal power opening lottery. Details of the low-frequency winning determination value table T1 and the high-frequency winning determination value table T2 will be described later.

[0154] The main RAM 65 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The main RAM 65 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the main ROM 64 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The main RAM 65 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the main ROM 64.

[0155] The management IC 66 is a management device that manages the entry state of the game ball B1 in the game area PA based on information supplied from the main CPU 63. Although details will be described later, the management IC 66 grasps the entry history of the game ball B1 into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a, and grasps the entry frequency into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, and the second operating opening 34 according to the grasped ball entry history.

[0156] The MPU 62 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 62 is connected to a power failure monitoring board 67 and a dispensing control device 77 provided in the main control device 60. The power failure monitoring board 67 is connected to a power supply / launch control device 78 having a function of supplying operating power, and the MPU 62 is supplied with operating power via the power failure monitoring board 67.

[0157] Various sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-50a are connected to the input side of the MPU 62. As already explained, the ball entry detection sensors 42a-50a are the first winning hole detection sensor 42a, the second winning hole detection sensor 43a, the third winning hole detection sensor 44a, the special electric detection sensor 45a, the first operation hole detection sensor 46a, the second operation hole detection sensor 47a, the out hole detection sensor 48a, the first gate detection sensor 49a, and the second gate detection sensor 50a. Based on the detection results of these ball entry detection sensors 42a-50a, the main CPU 63 judges whether a ball has entered each entry section. In addition, the main CPU 63 executes various lotteries based on the winning of the first operation hole 33, and executes various lotteries based on the winning of the second operation hole 34.

[0158] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 67, the payout control device 77, and the sound and light emission control device 81. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 based on the game ball B1 entering a prize ball entry section among the above-mentioned ball entry sections, which corresponds to the payout of the game ball B1. Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the sound and light emission control device 81.

[0159] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to the special power drive unit 32b that opens and closes the opening and closing door 32a of the special power winning device 32, the normal power drive unit 34b that opens and closes the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34, the special chart unit 37, the normal chart unit 38, and the adjustment drive unit 184. Incidentally, the special chart unit 37 is provided with a special chart display unit 37a and a special chart reserved display unit 37b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 62. Similarly, the normal chart unit 38 is provided with a normal chart display unit 38a and a normal chart reserved display unit 38b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 62. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 61, and the MPU 62 executes drive control of various drive units and various display units through the driver circuits.

[0160] That is, in the open / close execution mode, the main CPU 63 executes drive control of the special power drive unit 32b so that the special power winning device 32 is opened and closed. Also, when the open state of the normal power role 34a is won, the main CPU 63 executes drive control of the normal power drive unit 34b so that the normal power role 34a is opened and closed. Also, during each game, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the special chart display unit 37a. Also, when the lottery result of whether or not the normal power role 34a is opened is to be clearly indicated, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the normal chart display unit 38a. In addition, when a winning entry occurs at the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, or when a changing display starts in the special chart display unit 37a, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the special chart pending display unit 37b, and when a winning entry occurs at the through gates 35, 39, or when a changing display starts in the regular chart display unit 38a, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the regular chart pending display unit 38b.

[0161] The power failure monitoring board 67 relays between the main control board 61 and the power supply / launch control device 78, and monitors the voltage of 24 V DC stable, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 78. The payout control device 77 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 76 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 60.

[0162] The power supply / launch control device 78 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in, for example, a game hall. Based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, the power supply / launch control device 78 generates the necessary operating power for each of the main control board 61, the payout control device 77, and the adjustment drive unit 184, and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply / launch control device 78 is provided with a power supply unit for power interruption such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is in an OFF state, power for memory retention is supplied from the power supply unit for power interruption to the main RAM 65 of the main control device 60 and the payout control device 77. The power supply / launch control device 78 is also responsible for the launch control of the game ball launching mechanism 27, and the game ball launching mechanism 27 is driven when a predetermined launch condition is met.

[0163] The audio and light-emitting control device 81 drives and controls the display light-emitting unit 53 and the speaker unit 54 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands received from the main control device 60, and also controls the display control device 82. The display control device 82 executes display control of the pattern display device 41 based on commands received from the audio and light-emitting control device 81.

[0164] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0165] The master CPU 63 uses various counter information during play to perform a lottery for a jackpot occurrence, settings for the display of the special symbol display section 37a, settings for the symbol display of the symbol display device 41, settings for the display of the normal symbol display section 38a, etc. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a winning random number counter C1 used for a lottery for a winning occurrence, a jackpot type counter C2 used for determining a jackpot type, a reach random number counter C3 used for a reach occurrence lottery when the symbol display device 41 misses and varies, a random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the winning random number counter C1, and a variation type counter CS for determining the display duration time in the special symbol display section 37a and the symbol display device 41. In addition, a normal power role release counter C4 used for a lottery for determining whether or not the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 is in a normal power open state, and an opening initial value counter C5 used for setting the initial value of the normal power role release counter C4 are used. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, C4, and C5 are provided in the various counter areas 65b of the main RAM 65.

[0166] Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, C4, and C5 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to "0" after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals. Information corresponding to the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the reserved storage area 65a provided as acquired information storage means in the main RAM 65 when a winning occurs in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0167] The reserved storage area 65a includes a reserved area RE and an execution area AE. The reserved area RE includes a first reserved area RE1, a second reserved area RE2, a third reserved area RE3, and a fourth reserved area RE4, and a combination of numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored as reserved information in one of the reserved areas RE1 to RE4 according to the winning history of the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0168] In this case, when winning occurs multiple times consecutively in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34, the numerical information is stored in the first hold area RE1 to the fourth hold area RE4 in the order of the first hold area RE1 → the second hold area RE2 → the third hold area RE3 → the fourth hold area RE4 in chronological order. By providing the four hold areas RE1 to RE4 in this way, up to four winning histories of the game ball B1 in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34 are reserved and stored.

[0169] In addition, the number of items that can be stored on hold is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be other multiples such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0170] The execution area AE is an area for moving each piece of numerical information stored in the first holding area RE1 of the holding area RE when the changing display of the special chart display section 37a begins, and when one game round begins, a win / loss determination, etc. is made based on the various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0171] In addition, information corresponding to the normal power feature opening counter C4 is stored in the normal power reserve storage area 65c provided in the main RAM 65 when a winning combination occurs in the first through gate 35 or the second through gate 39.

[0172] The regular power reservation storage area 65c includes a regular power reservation area HA and a regular power execution area HB. The regular power reservation area HA includes a first regular power reservation area HA1, a second regular power reservation area HA2, a third regular power reservation area HA3, and a fourth regular power reservation area HA4, and the numerical information of the regular power role opening counter C4 is stored in one of the regular power reservation areas HA1 to HA4 as regular power reservation information according to the winning history of the first through gate 35 or the second through gate 39.

[0173] In this case, in the first regular power holding area HA1 to the fourth regular power holding area HA4, when winnings occur multiple times in succession in the first through gate 35 or the second through gate 39, each numerical information is stored in chronological order in the order of the first regular power holding area HA1 → the second regular power holding area HA2 → the third regular power holding area HA3 → the fourth regular power holding area HA4. In this way, by providing four regular power holding areas HA1 to HA4, it is possible to reserve and store up to four winning histories of game balls B1 in the first through gate 35 or the second through gate 39.

[0174] In addition, the number of items that can be stored on hold is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be other multiples such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0175] The normal power execution area HB is an area in which the normal power reservation information for which a normal power release lottery is to be performed is stored when the change display is started in the normal map display unit 38a (FIG. 3). Specifically, when the change display of the normal map display unit 38a is started, the normal power reservation information stored in the first normal power reservation area HA1 is shifted to the normal power execution area HB.

[0176] Each of the above counters will now be described in detail.

[0177] First, the normal power feature opening counter C4 and the opening initial value counter C5 will be explained. The normal power feature opening counter C4 and the opening initial value counter C5 are loop counters that are incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 65535 and return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. When the normal power feature opening counter C4 goes around once, the value of the opening initial value counter C5 at that time is read as the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4.

[0178] As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, the regular power release lottery is executed when the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39. The numerical information updated in the regular power accessory opening counter C4 is used for the regular power release lottery. Specifically, the numerical information updated in the regular power accessory opening counter C4 is acquired as an opening random number when the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39. Hereinafter, the numerical information updated in the regular power accessory opening counter C4, acquired when the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39, and used for the regular power release lottery is described as an opening random number. In the regular power release lottery, a judgment is made as to whether the opening random number to be selected is a winning judgment value that is a target for winning the regular power release, and if a positive judgment is made, the regular power release is won, and if a negative judgment is made, the result is a loss.

[0179] In the present pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types of support modes are set so that the manner of support by the normal power accessory 34a is different from each other. In detail, the support modes are set to a high frequency support mode and a low frequency support mode so that the frequency with which the normal power accessory 34a of the second operating port 34 is in an open state per unit time is relatively high and low when compared with a situation in which the launch of the game ball B1 continues in the same manner in the game area PA.

[0180] First, we will explain the normal power release lottery executed in the low frequency support mode. The main ROM 64 (FIG. 12) stores a low frequency winning judgment value table T1 in which winning judgment values ​​that are the targets of normal power release winning in the normal power release lottery executed in the low frequency support mode are recorded. FIG. 14(a) shows the low frequency winning judgment value table T1.

[0181] As shown in Fig. 14(a), the winning judgment value of the normal power release lottery executed in the low-frequency support mode is set to (250 x n-5) to (250 x n). Here, the variable n is a natural number from 1 to 262. The probability of winning the normal power release lottery in the low-frequency support mode is approximately 1 / 42.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 14(a), the winning judgment value that is the target of the normal power release winning is a consecutive number in units of 6. Also, the update period of the opening random number in the normal power role opening counter C4 is 4 msec. Therefore, in the normal power role opening counter C4, the period during which the updated opening random number becomes the winning judgment value for the normal power release winning target in the normal power release lottery in the low frequency support mode continues for 24 msec.

[0183] If the winning target period is the 24 msec period during which the winning judgment value that is eligible for the normal power release win continues, then in the low frequency support mode, the winning target period occurs in a 1 sec cycle, as shown in Figure 14 (a). Here, if the timing at which the game ball B1 discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 (Figure 4) enters the first through gate 35 is the winning possible timing, then as described above, the winning possible timing occurs in the same cycle of 1 sec as the winning target period occurs in the low frequency support mode.

[0184] For this reason, in the low-frequency support mode, the period in which the winning timing overlaps with the winning target period becomes a consecutive winning period in which regular power release wins occur consecutively. This consecutive winning period continues until the initial value of the regular power role release counter C4 is updated and the timing of the winning target period shifts. If the timing of the winning target period shifts, it becomes a consecutive non-winning period in which losing results continue in the regular power release lottery executed in the low-frequency support mode until the winning target period and the winning timing overlap again.

[0185] As described above, the timing when the game ball B1 is discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 and a winning entry occurs in the first through gate 35 can occur in a 1-second cycle. For this reason, during the consecutive non-winning periods and consecutive winning periods in the low-frequency support mode, the normal map fluctuation time during which the normal map display section 38a (FIG. 3) fluctuates is set to 0.5 seconds, which is shorter than 1 second. For this reason, even if the game ball B1 is discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 in a 1-second cycle, when a winning entry occurs, the fluctuation of the normal map display section 38a corresponding to the previous winning entry will have ended. This makes it possible to prevent the normal map reservation information from exceeding the upper limit (4 pieces) from becoming a normal state.

[0186] Next, the normal power release lottery executed in the high frequency support mode will be described. The main ROM 64 (FIG. 12) stores a high frequency winning judgment value table T2 in which winning judgment values ​​that are the targets of normal power release winning in the normal power release lottery executed in the high frequency support mode are recorded. FIG. 14(b) shows the high frequency winning judgment value table T2.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 14(b), the winning judgment value of the regular power release lottery executed in the high frequency support mode is set to (m to m+2). Here, the variable m is a natural number from 1 to 65501. The probability of winning the regular power release lottery executed in the high frequency support mode is approximately 3 / 5. In addition, the regular power map change time in the high frequency support mode is set to 0.5 seconds in order to speed up the consumption of regular power map reservation information.

[0188] The opening mode of the normal power role 34a when the normal power release is won in the low-frequency support mode is the same as the opening mode of the normal power role 34a when the normal power release is won in the high-frequency support mode. Specifically, a series of opening and closing operations in which the normal power role 34a is in an open state for 1 second and in a closed state for 1 second is repeated five times with one normal power release winning as a trigger. In addition, in the low-frequency support mode, the minimum secured time (i.e., one display duration on the normal power display unit 38a) secured for the next normal power release lottery after one normal power release lottery is performed is set to the same length as the secured time in the high-frequency support mode.

[0189] In the case of a continuous non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, a winning of the normal power release does not basically occur in the normal power release lottery triggered by winning the first through gate 35. On the other hand, even in the continuous non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, a winning of the second through gate 39 without the adjustment mechanism 180 above may occur. In this case, the winning of the normal power release is a low probability (about 1 / 42) in the normal power release lottery triggered by winning the second through gate 39. In the continuous non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, both the winning of the game ball B1 in the first operating port 33 and the winning of the second operating port 34 may occur. In the continuous non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the normal power release and the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is low, so the probability of winning the first operating port 33 is higher than the probability of winning the second operating port 34.

[0190] In the high frequency support mode, there is a high probability (approximately 3 / 5) of winning the normal power release lottery, which is held in response to winning at the through gates 35 and 39. Here, the shortest interval at which the game ball B1 is launched from the game ball launching mechanism 27 (Fig. 2) is 0.6 seconds. In contrast, the shortest interval at which the game ball B1 is released from the adjustment mechanism 180 toward the first through gate 35 is 1 second. For this reason, in the high frequency support mode, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for the second through gate 39 than for the first through gate 35.

[0191] In the high frequency support mode, it is possible for the game ball B1 to enter both the first operating port 33 and the second operating port 34. In the high frequency support mode, the normal power opening win occurs and the opening and closing operation of the normal power device 34a is performed frequently, so that the possibility of the game ball entering the second operating port 34 is higher than the possibility of the game ball entering the first operating port 33. Since the payout of a predetermined number of game balls B1 is executed in response to the entry into the second operating port 34, in the high frequency support mode the player can play without reducing the number of balls he has.

[0192] During the consecutive winning period in the low-frequency support mode, there is a high probability of consecutive winnings of the normal power opening lottery, which is triggered by winning the first through gate 35. Therefore, the opening and closing operation of the normal power accessory 34a becomes more frequent, and during the consecutive winning period in the low-frequency support mode, both the winning of the game ball B1 into the first operating port 33 and the winning of the second operating port 34 may occur.

[0193] During the consecutive winning period in the low frequency support mode, the shortest interval between consecutive normal power release wins is 1 second, and there is a higher chance of winning the normal power release by shooting the game ball B1 aiming at the first through gate 35 than by shooting the game ball B1 aiming at the second through gate 39. For this reason, during the consecutive winning period in the low frequency support mode, it is more advantageous for the player to aim at the first through gate 35 than at the second through gate 39.

[0194] During the consecutive winning period in the low frequency support mode, the possibility of performing a firing operation of the game ball B1 aimed at the first through gate 35, and a normal power release lottery being held and winning the normal power release is higher than the possibility of performing a firing operation of the game ball B1 aimed at the second through gate 39 in the high frequency support mode, and a normal power release lottery being held and winning the normal power release. Also, as already explained, the opening mode of the normal power role 34a when a normal power release is won in the low frequency support mode is the same as the opening mode of the normal power role 34a when a normal power release is won in the high frequency support mode. Therefore, in the low frequency support mode, when a consecutive winning period occurs, it becomes temporarily easier for the second operating port 34 to win than in the high frequency support mode.

[0195] The consecutive winning period is set in the low-frequency support mode in which the player has low expectations for winning at the second operating port 34, and the timing of the transition from the consecutive non-winning period to the consecutive winning period in the low-frequency support mode is not notified to the player. Therefore, during the consecutive non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, the player will perform the launch operation of the game ball B1 aiming at the first through gate 35 while hoping for the transition to the consecutive winning period.

[0196] In the case of a pachinko machine in which a consecutive winning period does not occur, the possibility of winning the normal power release in the low frequency support mode is lower than the possibility of winning the normal power release in the high frequency support mode. Therefore, the player's expectation of winning the normal power release is lower in the low frequency support mode than in the high frequency support mode.

[0197] In contrast, in the present pachinko machine 10, by changing the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 during the consecutive non-winning period in the low-frequency support mode, the player can have hope that the low-frequency support mode may transition to a consecutive winning period in which the possibility of winning the normal power opening is higher than in the high-frequency support mode. And by not notifying the player of the timing of the transition from the consecutive non-winning period to the consecutive winning period, the player can always have hope that the transition to the consecutive winning period may occur.

[0198] This makes it possible to increase the player's expectation of winning the normal power release in the low-frequency support mode, which combines consecutive non-winning periods with consecutive winning periods, while maintaining a state in which the possibility of winning the normal power release is lower than the possibility of winning the normal power release in the high-frequency support mode.

[0199] The configuration for increasing the frequency of the high-frequency support mode being in the normal power release state per unit time compared to the low-frequency support mode is not limited to the above. Here, the low-frequency support mode is a low-frequency support mode that combines a continuous non-winning period and a continuous winning period. For example, in a configuration in which a plurality of types of secured time (for example, the time of variable display executed in the normal power display unit 38a based on winning at the through gates 35 and 39) are secured between one normal power release lottery and the next normal power release lottery, the high-frequency support mode may be set so that a shorter secured time is more likely to be selected or the average secured time is shorter than in the low-frequency support mode. In addition, the advantage of the high-frequency support mode over the low-frequency support mode may be increased by applying any one or any combination of conditions among increasing the number of openings, lengthening the opening time, shortening the secured time secured between one normal power release lottery and the next normal power release lottery, shortening the average secured time, and increasing the probability of winning.

[0200] Here, the consecutive winning periods and consecutive non-winning periods occurring during the low frequency support mode will be explained based on Fig. 15(a)-(c) and Fig. 16(a)-(d). First, the timing of the winning of the normal power release in a comparative pachinko machine in which the consecutive winning periods and consecutive non-winning periods do not occur will be explained based on the time charts of Fig. 15(a)-(c). Fig. 15(a) shows the timing when the winning of the through gates 35 and 39 can occur in the comparative pachinko machine, Fig. 15(b) shows the winning target period when the numerical information (opening random number) updated in the normal power role opening counter C4 of the comparative pachinko machine becomes the winning judgment value that is the target of the normal power release winning, and Fig. 15(c) shows the timing when the normal power release winning can occur in the comparative pachinko machine.

[0201] Here, the comparative pachinko machine is a pachinko machine in which the adjustment mechanism 180 (FIG. 4) is not provided on the game board 24 in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, and the initial value of the random number for opening, which is updated by the normal power device opening counter C4, is not updated. Also, at the timings t1 to t6 shown in FIG. 15(a) to (c), the comparative pachinko machine is in the low frequency support mode. Since the timing at which the through gates 35 and 39 win in the comparative pachinko machine occurs is random, the timing shown in FIG. 15(a) is only an example.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 15(a), at time t1, the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39. However, as shown in FIG. 15(b), time t1 is outside the period eligible for winning. The period eligible for winning starts at time t2, which follows time t1. For this reason, even if the winning at time t1 triggers the acquisition of an opening random number, and a regular power opening lottery is performed using that opening random number, the result will be a losing one.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 15(b), when the next winning period starts at t3 after t2, the winning period continues for 24 msec. As shown in FIG. 15(a), when the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39 at t4 during the winning period, the winning at t4 triggers the acquisition of the random number for opening. Then, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the random number for opening obtained at t4 is used in the lottery for opening the regular power lottery, and the regular power lottery lottery is won.

[0204] As shown in Fig. 15(b), at t5, one second after t3, the next winning period lasting 24 msec begins. Then, as shown in Fig. 15(a), at t6 after the winning period ends, the game ball B1 enters the through gates 35, 39 and the random number for opening is obtained. As shown in Fig. 15(c), the normal power opening lottery performed using the random number for opening obtained at t6 results in a loss.

[0205] In this way, in a comparative pachinko machine in which the adjustment mechanism 180 is not provided on the game board 24 and the initial value of the random number for release is not updated, the timing of the entry of the game ball B1 into the through gates 35, 39 is random, and the normal power release is won only when the timing of the entry overlaps with the winning target period that starts every 1 second. Therefore, in the comparative pachinko machine, consecutive winning periods and consecutive non-winning periods do not occur.

[0206] Next, the timing when the normal power release winning occurs in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment will be described based on the time charts of Figures 16(a) to (d). Figure 16(a) shows the timing when the game ball B1 can enter the first through gate 35, Figure 16(b) shows the winning target period during which the numerical information (random number for opening) updated in the normal power accessory opening counter C4 becomes the winning judgment value that is the target of the normal power release winning, Figure 16(c) shows the initial value update timing of the numerical information (random number for opening) updated in the normal power accessory opening counter C4, and Figure 16(d) shows the timing when the normal power release winning can occur. At the timings t1 to t12 shown in Figures 16(a) to (d), this pachinko machine 10 is in the low frequency support mode.

[0207] As shown in Fig. 16(b), the winning target period starts at the timing of t1, and the winning target period lasts for 24 msec. As shown in Fig. 16(a), the timing of t2 when the winning occurs in the first through gate 35 is located between the winning target period that starts at the timing of t1 and the next winning target period that starts at the timing of t3, 1 sec after the timing of t1, and is outside the winning target period. Therefore, even if the winning occurs in the first through gate 35 at the timing of t2, it does not become a winning of the normal power opening.

[0208] As already explained, the interval at which the game ball B1 can be discharged from the adjustment mechanism 180 toward the first through gate 35 is 1 sec. As shown in FIG. 16(a), the timing t4 at which a winning entry into the first through gate 35 can occur next after the timing t2 is 1 sec after the timing t2. As shown in FIG. 16(b), the timing t4 is outside the period eligible for winning. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16(d), even if a winning entry into the first through gate 35 occurs at the timing t4, it does not result in a winning of the normal power release.

[0209] The period during which winning is possible at the first through gate 35 and the period during which the winning target period occurs are the same period. Therefore, if the timing at which winning at the first through gate 35 can occur is shifted from the period during which the winning target period occurs, it becomes a consecutive non-winning period during which losing results are consecutive in the regular power opening lottery.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 16(c), the initial value of the normal power role opening counter C4 is updated at the timing of t5. When the initial value of the normal power role opening counter C4 is updated, the timing at which the first through gate 35 can win may shift and overlap with the winning target period. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the winning target period begins at the timing of t6, which is later than the timing of t5. Then, as shown in FIG. 16(a), a win occurs at the first through gate 35 at the timing of t7 within the winning target period, and a random number for opening is obtained. As shown in FIG. 16(d), when a normal power opening lottery is executed using the random number for opening obtained at the timing of t7, the normal power opening lottery is won.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 16(b), the winning eligible period starts again at t8, 1 sec after t6. Also, as shown in FIG. 16(a), at t9, 1 sec after t7, a winning entry into the first through gate 35 occurs and an opening random number is obtained. As shown in FIG. 16(d), a regular power opening win occurs in the regular power opening lottery, which is performed using the opening random number obtained at t9. In this way, once the timing at which a winning entry into the first through gate 35 can be entered overlaps with the winning eligible period, a consecutive winning period occurs during which regular power opening wins occur consecutively in the regular power opening lottery.

[0212] After that, as shown in FIG. 16(c), at the timing of t10, the initial value of the normal power role opening counter C4 is updated again. As a result, the timing at which the first through gate 35 can win is shifted from the winning target period. As shown in FIG. 16(a), at the timing of t11, which is later than the timing of t10, the first through gate 35 wins and the opening random number is obtained. As shown in FIG. 16(b), the timing of t11 is outside the winning target period, and the next winning target period starts at the timing of t12, which is later than the timing of t11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16(d), if the normal power opening lottery is executed using the opening random number obtained at the timing of t11, the result will be a loss. In this way, if the timing at which the first through gate 35 can win is shifted from the winning target period due to the initial value update of the normal power role opening counter C4, the normal power opening lottery returns to a continuous non-winning period in which losing results are continuous.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 12, the main RAM 65 is provided with a postponement flag 65d which is set to "1" at the start of a continuous winning period, thereby enabling the postponement of updating the initial value in the normal power reel opening counter C4, and a postponement completion flag 65e which is set to "1" when a continuous winning period is reached and the postponement of updating the initial value in the normal power reel opening counter C4 has already been performed during that continuous winning period.

[0214] In this pachinko machine 10, when a consecutive winning period occurs, the initial value update of the normal power device opening counter C4 is postponed once at the first timing of updating the initial value of the normal power device opening counter C4. By frequently updating the initial value of the normal power device opening counter C4, the possibility of a consecutive non-winning period becoming a consecutive winning period is increased, and by postponing the update of the initial value of the normal power device opening counter C4 when a consecutive winning period occurs, the consecutive winning period is made to continue for a long time. This makes the occurrence of a consecutive winning period attractive to players. By making the occurrence of a consecutive winning period an event that players look forward to, the interest of the game can be increased.

[0215] Next, the winning random number counter C1 will be described. The winning random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of, for example, 0 to 599, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. In particular, when the winning random number counter C1 goes around once, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the winning random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the winning random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The winning random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved storage area 65a of the main RAM 65 at the timing when the game ball B1 enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0216] The random number value that will result in a jackpot win is stored as a win / lose table in the main ROM 64. As the win / lose table, a win / lose table for a low probability mode and a win / lose table for a high probability mode are set. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode and a high probability mode are set as the lottery modes in the win / lose lottery means.

[0217] In a game state where the winning / losing table for the low probability mode is referenced in the above lottery, the number of random numbers that will result in a jackpot winning is 2. On the other hand, in a game state where the winning / losing table for the high probability mode is referenced in the above lottery, the number of random numbers that will result in a jackpot winning is 20. Note that the number of random numbers that will result in a winning is arbitrary as long as the winning probability is higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode.

[0218] The big win type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of 0 to 29, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The big win type counter C2 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved storage area 65a when the game ball B1 enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0219] A plurality of jackpot results are set in this pachinko machine 10. These plurality of jackpot results are set by providing differences in three conditions: (1) the manner of opening and closing control of the special electric prize winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode, (2) the lottery mode in the winning / losing lottery means after the opening and closing execution mode ends, and (3) the support mode in the regular electric role 34a of the second operating port 34 after the opening and closing execution mode ends.

[0220] As the manner of opening and closing control of the special line winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode, a high frequency winning mode and a low frequency winning mode are set so that the frequency of winning in the special line winning device 32 from the start to the end of the opening and closing execution mode is relatively high and low. Specifically, in either the high frequency winning mode or the low frequency winning mode, a predetermined number of rounds are played up to the upper limit.

[0221] Here, the round game is a game that continues until one of the following conditions is met: the predetermined upper limit duration time has elapsed, or the predetermined upper limit number of game balls B1 have won the special electric winning device 32. In addition, the number of round games in the open / close execution mode triggered by a jackpot result is the same as the fixed number of rounds, regardless of the type of jackpot result that triggered the transition. Specifically, regardless of the jackpot result, the upper limit number of round games is set to 15 rounds.

[0222] In addition, in the present pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types are set for the opening mode of the special electric prize winning device 32, with different opening durations from when the special electric prize winning device 32 is opened to when it is closed. In detail, a long-time mode in which the opening duration is set to a long time of 29 seconds and a short-time mode in which the opening duration is set to a short time of 0.06 seconds, which is shorter than the long-time mode, are set.

[0223] In this pachinko machine 10, when the launch operation device 28 is operated by the player, the game ball launch mechanism 27 is driven and controlled so that one game ball B1 is launched toward the game area PA every 0.6 seconds. In addition, the upper limit number of balls for the end condition of the round game is set to nine. Then, in the long-time mode among the above-mentioned opening modes, the opening duration is set to a time longer than the product of the launch cycle of the game ball B1 and one round game. On the other hand, in the short-time mode, the opening duration is set to a time shorter than the product of the launch cycle of the game ball B1 and one round game, more specifically, shorter than the launch cycle of the game ball B1. Therefore, when one opening is performed in the long-time mode, it is expected that the special electric winning device 32 will win the maximum number of balls in one round game, and when one opening is performed in the short-time mode, it is expected that no winning will occur in the special electric winning device 32, or that even if a winning occurs, it will be about one ball.

[0224] In the high frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 32 is opened once in each round of play in a long time mode. On the other hand, in the low frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 32 is opened once in each round of play in a short time mode.

[0225] In addition, the number of times the special electric winning device 32 is opened and closed, the number of rounds of play, the duration of opening for one opening, and the upper limit number of times in one round of play in the high-frequency winning mode and low-frequency winning mode are arbitrary and are not limited to the above values, so long as the frequency of winning in the special electric winning device 32 between the start and end of the opening and closing execution mode is higher in the high-frequency winning mode than in the low-frequency winning mode.

[0226] The allocation destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as an allocation table in the main ROM 64. And, as such allocation destination, a low probability jackpot result, a low prize winning high probability jackpot result, and a most advantageous jackpot result are set.

[0227] The low probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the high frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the winning / losing lottery mode becomes the low probability mode, and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. However, this high frequency support mode will transition to the low frequency support mode if the number of games played after the transition reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 times).

[0228] The low-prize high-probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the low-frequency prize mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / lose lottery mode becomes the high-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. These high-probability mode and high-frequency support mode continue until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state win and transitions to the jackpot state.

[0229] The most favorable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes a high-frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / lose lottery mode becomes a high probability mode and the support mode becomes a high-frequency support mode. These high probability mode and high frequency support mode continue until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state win and transitions to the jackpot state.

[0230] In relation to the above game states, the normal game state refers to a state where the winning / losing lottery mode is not the open / close execution mode, and the win / loose lottery mode is the low probability mode, and the support mode is the low frequency support mode. Also, a configuration may be made in which a low winning high probability jackpot result is not set as a game result. Also, in the open / close execution mode in a low winning high probability jackpot result, the number of rounds of play may be less than the number of rounds of play in the case of a low probability jackpot result and the most favorable jackpot result.

[0231] In the distribution table, of the values ​​of the jackpot type counter C2, which are "0 to 29," "0 to 9" correspond to a low probability jackpot result, "10 to 14" correspond to a low probability jackpot result with a high probability of winning, and "15 to 29" correspond to the most favorable jackpot result.

[0232] Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. Here, in this pachinko machine 10, an expectation effect is set as a type of display effect in the pattern display device 41. The expectation effect refers to a display state for making a player think that the variable display state is likely to result in the award corresponding result at the stage before the stop result is derived and displayed after the variable display of the patterns in the pattern display device 41 is started in a gaming machine that is equipped with a pattern display device 41 capable of performing a variable display of patterns and in which the final stop result is a grant corresponding result in a game round that results in a predetermined jackpot result. In addition, specifically, the award corresponding result is displayed by stopping a combination of patterns with the same number on any of the pay lines.

[0233] There are two types of expectation effects: a reach display and a notice display that creates anticipation for the occurrence of a reach display or a corresponding result before the reach display occurs.

[0234] The reach display includes a display state in which a combination of reach symbols is displayed by stopping and displaying symbols for some of the multiple symbol rows displayed on the display surface 41a of the symbol display device 41, and in that state, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols. Also, in the state in which the reach symbol combination is displayed as described above, the remaining symbol rows are displayed with varying symbols, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on the background screen, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a reduced or non-displayed combination of reach symbols and then displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on almost the entire display surface 41a.

[0235] The advance notice display includes a mode in which characters are displayed separately from the symbols on the symbol rows in a situation in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner in all symbol rows after the display surface 41a of the symbol display device 41 starts displaying the variable manner of symbols, or in a situation in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner in some symbol rows. It also includes a mode in which the background screen is displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner, and a mode in which the symbols on the symbol rows are displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner. Such advance notice display can occur in both a game in which a reach display is performed and a game in which a reach display is not performed, but is set to occur with a higher probability when a reach display is performed than when a reach display is not performed.

[0236] The reach display is executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 in a game round in which the same symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed. Also, in a game round corresponding to a big win result in which the same symbol combination is not stopped and displayed, it is not executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Also, in a game round corresponding to a miss result, it is executed when the reach random number counter C3 obtained at a predetermined timing by referring to the reach table stored in the main ROM 64 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

[0237] On the other hand, the decision as to whether or not to display a notice is not made by the main control device 60 but by the audio and light emitting control device 81. In this case, the audio and light emitting control device 81 executes a lottery process for the notice display so that a game round corresponding to any jackpot result satisfies at least one of the conditions that a notice display is more likely to occur and that a notice display with a low occurrence rate is more likely to occur in a game round corresponding to a miss result. Incidentally, this lottery result is reflected when the performance for the game round is executed by the symbol display device 41.

[0238] Next, the variation type counter CS will be described. The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in determining the display duration in the special chart display unit 37a and the display duration of the pattern in the pattern display device 41 in the main CPU 63. The variation type counter CS is updated once each time the normal processing described below is executed once, and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time in the normal processing. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation display in the special chart display unit 37a and at the start of the variation of the pattern by the pattern display device 41.

[0239] <Processing configuration of the main CPU 63> Next, we will explain each process executed to progress the game by the master CPU 63. The processes of the master CPU 63 are roughly divided into main processes that are started when the power is turned on, and timer interrupt processes that are started periodically (in this embodiment, at 4 msec intervals).

[0240] <Main processing> First, the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0241] First, the power-on wait process is executed (step S101). In the power-on wait process, for example, the main process is started and a predetermined wait time (specifically, 1 sec) elapses before proceeding to the next process. During the execution period of the power-on wait process, the operation start and initial setting of the pattern display device 41 are completed. After that, access to the main RAM 65 is permitted (step S102), and the internal function register of the main CPU 63 is set (step S103).

[0242] Then, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch provided on the power supply / launch control device 78 has been manually operated (step S104), and further whether or not the power failure flag of the main RAM 65 has been set to "1" (step S105). Also, a checksum calculation process is executed to calculate a checksum (step S106), and it is determined whether or not the checksum matches the checksum saved when the power was cut off, that is, the validity of the stored data is determined (step S107).

[0243] In this pachinko machine 10, when the RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, for example, when the game hall opens for business, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S108. Similarly, if the power cutoff occurrence information is not set, or if an abnormality is found in the stored data by the checksum, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the main RAM 65 is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0244] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S109 without executing the process of step S108, provided that the power failure flag is set to "1" and the checksum is normal. In step S109, a power-on setting process is executed. In the power-on setting process, a predetermined area of ​​the main RAM 65, such as the initialization of the power failure flag, is set to an initial value, and a command corresponding to the current game state is sent to the sound and light emission control device 81. After the process of step S109 is executed, a recognition process (step S110) is executed to make the management IC 66 recognize various information, and a data output process is executed to output various data to a reading device connected to the MPU 62 (step S111). Details of the recognition process and the data output process will be described later.

[0245] The main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but when the main processing is started, the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited. This state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited is released at a timing when the processing of step S111 is completed and before the processing of step S112 is executed, and the execution of timer interrupt processing is permitted. As a result, when the supply of operating power to the main CPU 63 is started, the data output processing of step S111 is completed, and the timer interrupt processing is not executed until the stage before the processing of step S112 is started. Therefore, the processing for progressing the game in the main CPU 63 is not started until the situation is reached.

[0246] Thereafter, the process proceeds to the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. That is, the main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but there is a remaining time between one timer interrupt processing and the next timer interrupt processing. This remaining time varies depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt processing, but this irregular time is utilized to repeatedly execute the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. In this respect, the remaining process of steps S112 to S115 can be said to be non-periodic processing that is executed non-periodically.

[0247] In the remaining process, first, in step S112, interrupt inhibition is set to inhibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing. In the following step S113, a random number initial value update process is executed to update the random number initial value counter CINI and the release initial value counter C5, and in step S114, a fluctuation counter update process is executed to update the fluctuation type counter CS. In these update processes, the current numerical value information is read from the corresponding counter in the main RAM 65, and the read numerical value information is incremented by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, each is cleared to "0". After that, in step S115, an interrupt permission setting is executed to switch from a state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is inhibited to a state in which it is permitted. After executing the process of step S115, the process returns to step S112, and the processes of steps S112 to S115 are repeated.

[0248] <Timer interrupt processing> Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 18. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec).

[0249] First, the power failure information storage process is executed (step S201). In the power failure information storage process, it is monitored whether a power failure signal corresponding to the occurrence of a power cut is received from the power failure monitoring board 67, and if the occurrence of a power failure is identified, the power failure process is executed and then an infinite loop is entered. In the power failure process, the power failure flag in the main RAM 65 is set to "1", and the checksum is calculated and the calculated checksum is saved.

[0250] After that, a lottery random number update process is executed (step S202). In the lottery random number update process, the hit random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the current numerical information is read out sequentially from the hit random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3, and the process of adding 1 to each of the read numerical information is executed, and then the process of overwriting the counter from which it was read out is executed. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, each is cleared to "0".

[0251] After step S202, in step S203, an open counter update process is executed to update the normal power feature open counter C4 (FIG. 13). The details of the open counter update process will be described later. After that, in step S204, a random number initial value update process is executed to update the random number initial value counter CINI and the open initial value counter C5 (FIG. 13) in the same manner as in step S113, and in step S205, a variable counter update process is executed in the same manner as in step S114.

[0252] The normal power feature opening counter C4 is a loop counter, and the opening counter update process for updating the normal power feature opening counter C4 is executed periodically. Therefore, the initial value update timing of the normal power feature opening counter C4, which occurs when the normal power feature opening counter C4 goes around once, occurs periodically.

[0253] Here, when the opening initial value counter C5 for updating the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is a loop counter and the updating of the opening initial value counter C5 is performed periodically, the numerical information obtained as the initial value from the opening initial value counter C5 at the timing of updating the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is limited to a part of the numerical information updated by the opening initial value counter C5.

[0254] In this case, the timing of the consecutive winning periods in the low frequency support mode already explained is not random. There may be a situation where the winning period and the timing of winning do not overlap, so that the consecutive winning periods do not occur, a situation where the winning period and the timing of winning often overlap, so that the consecutive winning periods occur frequently, or a situation where the consecutive winning periods occur periodically, so that the timing of the consecutive winning periods can be easily guessed by the player.

[0255] In contrast, the present pachinko machine 10 is configured to execute the random number initial value update process for updating the opening initial value counter C5 both in the periodic timer interrupt process and in the non-periodic remaining process of the main process. Therefore, the winning target period and the timing when a prize can be won overlap at an appropriate frequency. As a result, in the low frequency support mode that combines the consecutive non-winning periods and the consecutive winning periods, it is possible to generate a consecutive winning period in a manner in which the possibility of a normal power opening winning occurring is lower than the possibility of a normal power opening winning occurring in the high frequency support mode.

[0256] Returning to the description of FIG. 18, after the fluctuation counter update process is executed in step S205, the rotation control process is executed in step S206 to rotate the rotor 183 once every 4 seconds. In the rotation control process, it is determined whether or not it is time to rotate the output shaft 184a of the adjustment drive unit 184 that is in communication with the rotor 183, and if it is time to rotate the output shaft 184a, a pulse signal is sent to the adjustment drive unit 184 to rotate the output shaft 184a. In this rotation control process, a pulse signal is sent once every 8 msec to rotate the output shaft 184a of the adjustment drive unit 184 by 0.72°. In other words, in the timer interrupt process executed at a cycle of 4 msec, a pulse signal is sent once every two times to drive the adjustment drive unit 184.

[0257] Thereafter, a fraud detection process is executed to monitor whether or not a predetermined event set as a monitoring target for fraud has occurred (step S207). In the fraud detection process, the occurrence of a plurality of types of events is monitored, and when a predetermined event has occurred, a game stop flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1". In the following step S208, it is determined whether or not the game progress has been stopped by determining whether or not the game stop flag has been set to "1". If a negative determination is made in step S208, the process from step S209 onwards is executed.

[0258] In step S209, a port output process is executed. In the port output process, when output information has been set in the previous timer interrupt process, a process is executed to output corresponding to the output information to the various drive units 32b, 34b. For example, when information is set to switch the special power winning device 32 to an open state, the output of a drive signal to the drive unit 32b for special power is started, and when information is set to switch to a closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped. Also, when information is set to switch the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 to an open state, the output of a drive signal to the drive unit 34b for normal power is started, and when information is set to switch to a closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped.

[0259] Then, a read process is executed (step S210). In the read process, signals other than the power failure signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in the subsequent processes.

[0260] Then, a ball entry detection process is executed (step S211). In the ball entry detection process, signals received from the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 50a are read, and based on the read results, the presence or absence of balls entering the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, the second operating hole 34, the first through gate 35, and the second through gate 39 is identified. Details of the ball entry detection process will be described later.

[0261] Thereafter, a timer update process is executed to collectively update the numerical information of multiple types of timer counters provided in the main RAM 65 (step S212). In this case, the timer counters in which the stored numerical information is updated by subtraction are handled collectively, but it is also possible to collectively update both the subtractive timer counters and the additive timer counters.

[0262] Then, a launch control process is executed to control the launch of the game ball B1 (step S213). In a state where the launch operation to the launch operation device 28 is continued, one game ball B1 is launched at a predetermined launch cycle of 0.6 sec. In the following step S214, as an input state monitoring process, based on the information read in the reading process of step S210, disconnection check is performed for each ball entry detection sensor 42a-50a, and opening check is performed for the game machine main body 12 and the front door frame 14.

[0263] After that, a special chart special electric control process is executed to control the execution of the game round and the opening / closing execution mode (step S215). In the special chart special electric control process, when a winning occurs in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34 in a situation where the number of reserved information stored in the reserved storage area 65a is less than the upper limit number, the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 at that time is stored as reserved information in the reserved storage area 65a in chronological order.

[0264] Here, if the period during which the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is performed is defined as the support execution period, if a winning entry into the second operating port 34 occurs during the support execution period, a process of adding "1" to the support winning counter is performed. Then, if the value of the support winning counter reaches the upper limit number of winnings set in the support execution period, the support end flag is set to "1". Here, the support winning counter is a counter that the main CPU 63 refers to in order to grasp the total number of winnings into the second operating port 34 that occurred during the support execution period, and is provided in the main RAM 65. The support winning counter is cleared to "0" at the start timing of the support execution period. Also, the support end flag is a flag that the main CPU 63 refers to in order to grasp that the number of winnings into the second operating port 34 that occurred during the support execution period has reached the upper limit number of times and that the support execution period has ended, and is provided in the main RAM 65.

[0265] In the special chart special electricity control process, on condition that the game is not in progress or the open / close execution mode and reserved information is stored, a win / loss determination process is executed to determine whether or not the reserved information corresponds to a jackpot win, and if it does correspond to a jackpot win, an allocation determination process is executed to determine which jackpot result the reserved information corresponds to.

[0266] Here, in the win / loss determination process, if a jackpot is won, the high frequency flag is set to "1". The high frequency flag is a flag that is set to "1" when the support mode for winning at the second operating port 34 is the high frequency support mode. The main CPU 63 identifies whether the support mode for winning at the second operating port 34 is the high frequency support mode or the low frequency support mode by referring to the high frequency flag. As already explained, in the event of a jackpot result, the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends, regardless of the type of jackpot.

[0267] In the special chart special power control process, not only the hit / miss judgment process and the allocation judgment process, but also, when the reserved information does not correspond to the big win, a reach judgment process is executed to judge whether the reserved information corresponds to the reach occurrence or not, and a process to select the duration of the game round using the numerical information of the variation type counter CS at that time is executed. Then, a variation command including information on the duration according to the result of each process and a type command including information on the game result are transmitted to the voice light emission control device 81, and the variation display of the pattern on the special chart display unit 37a is started. By receiving the variation command and the type command, the voice light emission control device 81 starts the performance for the game round corresponding to the contents of these commands on the display light emission unit 53 and the speaker unit 54. In addition, the voice light emission control device 81 transmits a variation pattern command corresponding to the contents of the variation command and the type command to the display control device 82. By receiving the variation pattern command, the display control device 82 starts the variation display of the pattern corresponding to the contents of the variation pattern command on the pattern display device 41. This results in a state in which one game round has started.

[0268] In the special symbol special electricity control process, during the execution of one game round, by determining whether the duration of the game round determined at the start of the game round has elapsed, it is determined whether it is time to end the game round. If it is time to end the game round, a process is executed to end the game round with a display corresponding to the game result. In this case, if the current game round corresponds to the occurrence of any jackpot result, a picture corresponding to the type of the jackpot result is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 37a, and if the current game round corresponds to a loss result, a picture corresponding to the loss result is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 37a. In addition, a final stop command indicating that the game round should be ended is transmitted to the sound and light emission control device 81. By receiving the final stop command, the sound and light emission control device 81 ends the performance for the current game round in the display light emission unit 53 and the speaker unit 54. In addition, the sound and light emission control device 81 transmits the final stop command to the display control device 82. By receiving the final stop command, the display control device 82 ends the performance for the current game round in the pattern display device 41.

[0269] In the special chart special electric control process, if the result of the game round corresponds to the transition to the open / close execution mode, a process for starting the open / close execution mode is executed. At the start, an opening command indicating that the open / close execution mode is to be started is sent to the sound light emission control device 81. In addition, in the special chart special electric control process, a process for starting each round game and a process for ending each round game are executed. When a round game is started, the special electric winning device 32 is in an open state, and when a round game is ended, the special electric winning device 32 is in a closed state. In each of these processes, an opening command indicating that a round game is to be started is sent to the sound light emission control device 81, and a closing command indicating that the round game is to be ended is sent to the sound light emission control device 81. In addition, in the special chart special electric control process, when the open / close execution mode is to be ended, an ending command indicating that is to be ended is sent to the sound light emission control device 81. The sound light emission control device 81 executes the performance for the open / close execution mode in the display light emission unit 53 and the speaker unit 54 in a manner corresponding to various commands received during the open / close execution mode. Also, the sound and light emission control device 81 transmits a command corresponding to the command received during the opening and closing execution mode to the display control device 82. The display control device 82 causes the pattern display device 41 to execute the performance for the opening and closing execution mode in a manner corresponding to the various commands received during the opening and closing execution mode. Also, in the special pattern special electricity control process, when the opening and closing execution mode is to be ended, a process is executed so that the winning / losing lottery mode and the support mode after the end of the opening and closing execution mode become modes corresponding to the type of the big win result that triggered the execution of the opening and closing execution mode.

[0270] Specifically, when the type of the jackpot result is a low probability jackpot, the game counter is set to "100" as the end criterion for the high frequency support mode. The game counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to determine whether or not the end reference number of games has been played in the high frequency support mode. The numerical information set in the game counter is updated so that "1" is subtracted when the game ends. In addition, when the type of the jackpot result is a low prize winning high probability jackpot, and when the jackpot result is the most favorable jackpot result, the indefinite flag is set to "1". The indefinite flag is a flag for continuing the high frequency support mode until the lottery result in the win / lose lottery becomes a jackpot state win after the open / close execution mode ends, and the jackpot state is transitioned to accordingly. In the high frequency support mode with the unlimited flag set to "1", if the jackpot result is a low probability jackpot, the unlimited flag is cleared to "0" and the number of plays counter is set to "100", and if the jackpot result is a low probability jackpot with a high chance of winning or a most favorable jackpot, the unlimited flag is set to "1" again.

[0271] After executing the special chart special power control process in step S215 in the timer interrupt process, the normal chart normal power control process is executed (step S216). In the normal chart normal power control process, when a prize is won in the through gates 35 and 39, a process of executing a normal power opening lottery to determine whether or not to open and close the normal power role 34a, and a process of displaying the normal chart display unit 38a and opening and closing the normal power role 34a are executed in a manner according to the result of the normal power opening lottery. The details of the normal chart normal power control process will be described later.

[0272] In the next step S217, based on the processing results of the previous steps S215 and S216, output information is set to reflect the increase / decrease in the reserved information related to the special drawing display unit 37a in the special drawing reserved display unit 37b, and output information is set to reflect the increase / decrease in the reserved information related to the ordinary drawing display unit 38a in the ordinary drawing reserved display unit 38b. Also, in step S217, based on the processing results of the previous steps S215 and S216, output information is set to update the display contents of the special drawing display unit 37a, and output information is set to update the display contents of the ordinary drawing display unit 38a.

[0273] Then, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 77 are confirmed, and a payout status receiving process is executed to perform processing corresponding to the confirmation result (step S218). Also, a payout output process is executed to set the prize ball command as an output target (step S219). Also, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of the output of an external signal according to the processing results of various processes executed in this timer interrupt process (step S220). Then, a management output process is executed to output information corresponding to the ball entry result of the game ball B1 in the game area PA to the management IC 66 (step S221). The details of the management output process will be described later.

[0274] Next, the open counter update process executed in step S203 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG 19. FIG 19 is a flowchart showing the open counter update process executed by the main CPU 63.

[0275] First, in step S301, the current numerical information of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is read, and in step S302, it is determined whether the current numerical information read in step S301 is a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current initial value. Here, the current initial value is the numerical information that is newly stored each time the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is updated.

[0276] If the current numerical information is a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current initial value (step S302: YES), this means that this is the time to update the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4. In this case, in step S303, it is determined whether the high frequency flag is set to "1". If the high frequency flag is not set to "1" in step S303, this means that the low frequency support mode is in effect. In this case, in step S304, it is determined whether the pass-through completion flag 65e (FIG. 12) is set to "1".

[0277] As already explained, the main RAM 65 (FIG. 12) includes a skip flag 65d (FIG. 12) and a skip completion flag 65e (FIG. 12). The skip flag 65d is a flag that is set to "1" when a winning period occurs consecutively in the normal power release lottery performed in the low frequency support mode and the normal power release win occurs three times in a row.

[0278] In the low frequency support mode, the normal power release winning may occur when the second through gate 39 wins during a consecutive non-winning period, when the first through gate 35 wins during a consecutive winning period, and when the second through gate 39 wins during a consecutive winning period. Of these, the probability of winning the normal power release when the second through gate 39 wins is approximately 1 / 42 during both the consecutive non-winning period and the consecutive winning period.

[0279] For this reason, in the low frequency support mode, the probability of winning the regular power release three times in a row in the regular power release lottery that is held as a result of winning the second through gate 39 is low (approximately 1 / 74000), and three consecutive regular power release wins almost never occur. Even if it does happen by chance, if the next regular power release win ends in a loss, the pass-by flag 65d is cleared to "0."

[0280] On the other hand, during the consecutive winning period, if a normal power release lottery is held as a result of winning at the first through gate 35, the normal power release is won. Therefore, if the consecutive winning period begins while the player is operating the game ball launcher aiming at the first through gate 35, the skip flag 65d is set to "1" when the first through gate 35 has been won three times since the consecutive winning period began. During the consecutive winning period, at the initial value update timing when the skip flag 65d is set to "1", the update of the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is postponed.

[0281] In addition, the skip completion flag 65e is a flag that is set to "1" when the initial value update timing arrives with the skip flag 65d set to "1" and the initial value update of the normal power role opening counter C4 is postponed. Here, the skip flag 65d is a flag that is set to "1" on the condition that it is the low frequency support mode. Therefore, the skip flag 65d is not set to "1" in the high frequency support mode. Since the skip flag 65d is not set to "1" in the high frequency support mode, the skip completion flag 65e is not set to "1". The process of setting the skip flag 65d to "1" will be described later.

[0282] If the skip completion flag 65e is set to "1" in step S304 of the opening counter update process (Figure 19), this means that the update of the initial value of the normal power feature opening counter C4 has already been skipped during the current consecutive winning period.

[0283] If the skip completion flag 65e is not set to "1" in step S304, it is determined in step S305 whether the skip flag 65d is set to "1". If the skip flag 65d is set to "1" (step S305: YES), this means that the current initial value update timing is the initial value update timing to be skipped. In this case, the skip flag 65d is cleared to "0" in step S306, and the skip completion flag 65e is set to "1" in step S307.

[0284] After it is determined in step S302 that it is not time to update the initial value, or after the pass-through completion flag 65e is cleared to "0" in step S307, it is determined in step S308 whether the current numerical information is the maximum value ("65505") of the normal power feature opening counter C4.

[0285] If the current numerical information is not the maximum value in step S308, "1" is added to the current numerical information to update the numerical information in step S309. If the current numerical information is the maximum value in step S308, the current numerical information is cleared to "0" in step S310 to update the numerical information.

[0286] If the skip completion flag 65e is set to "1" in step S304, it means that the normal power feature opening counter C4 has completed one revolution after the initial value update was skipped, and it is time to update the initial value again. In this case, the skip completion flag 65e is cleared to "0" in step S311.

[0287] After determining in step S303 that the high frequency support mode is selected, after determining in step S305 that the skip flag 65d is not set to "1", or after clearing the skip completion flag 65e to "0" in step S311, the initial value of the normal power role opening counter C4 is updated. Specifically, in step S312, the current numerical value information is acquired in the opening initial value counter C5. Then, in step S313, the numerical value information acquired in step S312 is overwritten as a new initial value over the current initial value to update the initial value. In this way, the initial value of the normal power role opening counter C4 is changed, and the winning target period is shifted. This allows a transition from a continuous non-winning period to a continuous winning period to occur at a timing that is not notified to the player. The initial value updated in step S313 is used in step S302 to determine whether or not it is time to update the initial value.

[0288] In the following step S314, the initial value updated in step S313 is overwritten onto the normal power feature opening counter C4, thereby updating the numerical information of the normal power feature opening counter C4, and this opening counter update process is terminated.

[0289] In this way, by not updating the initial value at the initial value update timing of the normal power feature opening counter C4 that comes first after the consecutive winning period, the duration of the consecutive winning period can be extended, making the consecutive winning period more attractive to players. On the other hand, when the initial value update timing comes in the high frequency support mode (step S303: YES), the initial value update of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is always executed.

[0290] Next, the normal power control process executed in step S216 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the normal power control process executed by the main CPU 63.

[0291] In the normal map normal power control process, when a winning entry occurs in the through gates 35, 39, a process is executed to obtain reserved information on the normal map side, and when reserved information on the normal map side is stored, a lottery for opening the normal power is executed using the reserved information, and a process is executed to perform a performance for the normal map using the lottery for opening the normal power. Also, a process is executed to open and close the normal power role 34a of the second operating port 34 based on the result of the lottery for opening the normal power.

[0292] In the normal play / normal play control process, as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 20, first in step S401, the reserved information acquisition process on the normal play side is executed to acquire reserved information corresponding to winning at the through gates 35 and 39. Here, the reserved information acquisition process on the normal play side will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the reserved information acquisition process on the normal play side executed by the main CPU 63.

[0293] First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the first gate winning flag is set to "1," thereby determining whether or not the game ball B1 has won the first through gate 35. Here, the first gate winning flag is a flag for the master CPU 63 to identify that one game ball B1 has entered the first through gate 35. Then, if the first gate winning flag is set to "1," the first gate winning flag is cleared to "0" in step S502.

[0294] If the first gate winning flag is not set to "1" in step S501, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether or not the second gate winning flag is set to "1", thereby determining whether or not the game ball B1 has won the second through gate 39. Here, the second gate winning flag is a flag for the master CPU 63 to identify that one game ball B1 has entered the second through gate 39.

[0295] If the second gate winning flag is not set to "1" in step S503, the pending information acquisition process is terminated, and if the second gate winning flag is set to "1", the second gate winning flag is cleared to "0" in step S504.

[0296] After the first gate winning flag is cleared to "0" in step S502, or after the second gate winning flag is cleared to "0" in step S504, in step S505, it is determined whether the current regular power reserved information in the regular power reserved area HA is less than the upper limit number (4 items). If the regular power reserved information is the upper limit number (step S505: NO), this reserved information acquisition process is terminated, and if the regular power reserved information is less than the upper limit number (step S505: YES), the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, the numerical information of the regular power role release counter C4 is stored in the regular power reserved area HA1-HA4 with the highest priority among the empty regular power reserved areas HA1-H4, and this reserved information acquisition process is terminated.

[0297] If a single processing round is configured to acquire pending information corresponding to the "1" set in the first gate winning flag and to acquire pending information corresponding to the "1" set in the second gate winning flag, the two pieces of pending information acquired in that processing round will be the same pending information.

[0298] On the other hand, in the reserved information acquisition process on the normal side, if both the first gate winning flag and the second gate winning flag are set to "1" in the current processing round, only the reserved information corresponding to the first gate winning flag being set to "1" is acquired. Then, the reserved information corresponding to the second gate winning flag being set to "1" is acquired in the next processing round.

[0299] Therefore, when the period during which the second gate winning flag is set to "1" overlaps with the period during which the first gate winning flag is set to "1", the opening random number obtained in response to the game ball B1 winning the second through gate 39 can be made different from the opening random number obtained in response to the game ball B1 winning the first through gate 35.

[0300] Returning to the explanation of the normal map / normal power control process (FIG. 20), after executing the normal map pending information acquisition process in step S401, execute the process of reading the information of the normal map / normal power counter provided in the main RAM 65 in step S402, execute the process of reading the normal map / normal power address table from the main ROM 64 in step S403. Then, execute the process of acquiring the start address corresponding to the information of the normal map / normal power counter from the normal map / normal power address table in step S404.

[0301] Here, the processing contents of steps S402 to S404 will be explained. As already explained, the normal map normal power control processing includes processing related to the normal map performance and processing related to the opening and closing of the normal power role 34a. In this case, the normal map change start processing, the normal map change processing, and the normal map confirmation processing are set as the processing related to the normal map performance. In addition, the normal power open processing and the normal power closed processing are set as the processing related to the opening and closing of the normal power role 34a.

[0302] In such a processing configuration, the GPWD counter is a counter that allows the main CPU 63 to determine which of the above-mentioned multiple types of processing should be executed, and the GPWD address table has a starting address in the program for executing the above-mentioned multiple types of processing set in correspondence with the numerical information of the GPWD counter.

[0303] The normal map normal power counter can be set to numerical information from "0" to "4", and the normal map normal power address table has start address information ("NSA0" to "NSA4") set in a one-to-one correspondence with each numerical information of the normal map normal power counter. In this case, the start address NSA0 is the start address of the program for executing the normal map change start process, the start address NSA1 is the start address of the program for executing the normal map change in progress process, the start address NSA2 is the start address of the program for executing the normal map confirmation in progress process, the start address NSA3 is the start address of the program for executing the normal power open in progress process, and the start address NSA4 is the start address of the program for executing the normal power closed in progress process.

[0304] When the processing corresponding to the currently stored numerical information is completed, the normal map normal power counter is incremented by 1, decremented by 1, or cleared to "0" according to the processing executed in the normal map normal power control processing in the next processing round, triggered by the condition for updating the numerical information being met. Therefore, in the normal map normal power control processing in each processing round, it is sufficient to execute the processing according to the numerical information set in the normal map normal power counter.

[0305] According to the above configuration, it is possible for the main CPU 63 to grasp which processing should be executed as the normal power control without checking the presence or absence of various flags. Therefore, the processing is simplified.

[0306] Below, we will explain the processing configuration for executing regular map change start processing, regular map change processing, regular map confirmation processing, regular power opening processing, and regular power closing processing using a regular map / regular power counter and a regular map / regular power address table.

[0307] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 20, after executing the process of step S404, in step S405, a process of setting the zero flag on the normal side is executed. In the process of setting the zero flag on the normal side, the numerical information of the normal / normal power timer counter is read, and if the numerical information of the normal / normal power timer counter is "0", a process of setting the zero flag on the normal side provided in the register of the main CPU 63 to "1" is executed. The normal / normal power timer counter is a counter used by the main CPU 63 to specify the timing of updating the normal / normal power counter according to the passage of time, and the numerical information corresponding to a predetermined time is set in each process of steps S407 to S411, and the update of the numerical information is executed in the timer update process of step S212 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18).

[0308] In the next step S406, a process is executed to jump (transition) to the process indicated by the start address acquired in step S404. Specifically, if the acquired start address is NSA0, a process jumps to the normal map change start process in step S407, if the acquired start address is NSA1, a process jumps to the normal map change process in step S408, if the acquired start address is NSA2, a process jumps to the normal map confirmation process in step S409, if the acquired start address is NSA3, a process jumps to the normal power open process in step S410, if the acquired start address is NSA4, a process jumps to the normal power closed process in step S411. Then, after executing any of the processes in steps S407 to S411, this normal map normal power control process is terminated. Below, the processes in steps S407 to S411 will be individually explained.

[0309] First, the normal map fluctuation start process (step S407) in the normal map normal power control process (FIG. 20) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the normal map fluctuation start process executed by the main CPU 63.

[0310] In the normal variation start process, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not it is in the high frequency support mode by referring to the high frequency flag provided in the main RAM 65. If the high frequency flag is set to "1" in step S601 and it is in the high frequency support mode, it is determined in step S602 whether or not the unlimited flag is set to "1". As already explained, if the unlimited flag is set to "1", it means that a low winning high probability jackpot or the most favorable jackpot has been won, and the high frequency support mode has been entered after the opening and closing execution mode has ended.

[0311] If the indefinite flag is not set to "1" in step S602, it is determined in step S603 whether the value of the play count counter is "0". If the value of the play count counter is "0" in step S603, it means that the high frequency support mode termination reference number has been reached. In this case, in step S604, the high frequency flag is cleared to "0". This causes the support mode of the normal power role 34a to transition from the high frequency support mode to the low frequency support mode.

[0312] Here, the normal map fluctuation start process is not executed when the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter corresponds to the normal power open process or the normal power closed process, that is, when the normal power open is won, the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is executed. Therefore, even if the end reference number of times of play ends while the opening and closing operation based on the normal power open winning is executed before the end of the end reference number of times of play, the support mode is maintained in the high frequency support mode, and is switched to the low frequency support mode after the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is finished.

[0313] In the next step S605, an external output setting process for high-frequency cancellation is executed. In this external output setting process, data is set in the main RAM 65 so that the output of a high-frequency signal from the external terminal board 97 (Fig. 2) to the management computer of the amusement hall is stopped. The output of the high-frequency signal is started when switching to the high-frequency support mode. Incidentally, the output of the high-frequency signal is stopped in the external information setting process of step S220 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 18).

[0314] After making a negative determination in step S601, after making an affirmative determination in step S602, after making a negative determination in step S603, or after executing the processing of step S605, in step S606, it is determined whether the total number of reserved information NS on the regular map side is 1 or more. If the total number of reserved information NS on the regular map side is "0" (step S606: NO), this regular map change start processing ends as is, and if it is 1 or more (step S606: YES), the processing proceeds to step S607.

[0315] In step S607, a normal power release lottery process is executed to determine whether or not the normal power release is a winning win for executing the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a, and the normal power change start process is terminated. Here, the normal power release lottery process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 23. Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the normal power release lottery process executed by the main CPU 63.

[0316] In the regular power release lottery process, first, in step S701, a shift process is executed for the regular power reserve area HA (Fig. 13). In this shift process, the release random numbers stored in the first regular power reserve area HA1 (Fig. 13) of the regular power reserve area HA are shifted to the regular power execution area HB (Fig. 13), and after the shift, the first regular power reserve area HA1 is cleared. In addition, the release random numbers in each area are shifted in the following order: the second regular power reserve area HA2 (Fig. 13) → the first regular power reserve area HA1, the third regular power reserve area HA3 (Fig. 13) → the second regular power reserve area HA2, and the fourth regular power reserve area HA4 (Fig. 13) → the third regular power reserve area HA3.

[0317] In the next step S702, it is determined whether or not the high frequency flag is set to "1", and if the high frequency flag is set to "1" (step S702: YES), it is determined in step S703 whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in progress. If the determination in step S702 is negative, or if the determination in step S703 is positive, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0318] In step S704, the low frequency winning judgment value table T1 (FIG. 14(a)) is read from the main ROM 64, and in step S705, a normal winning / losing judgment process (normal power release lottery) is performed. In the normal power release lottery, if the release random number stored in the normal power execution area HB matches any of the winning judgment values ​​stored in the low frequency winning judgment value table T1, the normal power release is won, and if it does not match any of the winning judgment values, the result is a loss.

[0319] In the next step S706, it is determined whether or not the result of the normal winning / losing determination process in step S705 was a winning for normal power release. If the result of the normal winning / losing determination process is a winning for normal power release (step S706: YES), it is determined in step S707 whether or not the high frequency flag is set to "1". If the high frequency flag is not set to "1" and the mode is low frequency support mode (step S707: NO), it is determined in step S708 whether or not the consecutive winning flag is set to "1". Here, the consecutive winning flag is a flag for identifying a consecutive winning period in low frequency support mode, and is provided in the main RAM 65 (FIG. 12).

[0320] The main RAM 65 is equipped with a consecutive winning counter for counting the number of consecutive wins of the normal power release during the consecutive non-winning period in the low frequency support mode. When the value of the consecutive winning counter becomes "3", the main CPU 63 (FIG. 12) determines that a consecutive winning period has begun and sets the consecutive winning flag to "1".

[0321] If the consecutive winning flag is not set to "1" in step S708, the consecutive winning counter is incremented by "1" in step S709, and it is determined whether the value of the consecutive winning counter is "3" in step S710. If the value of the consecutive winning counter is "3" (step S710: YES), it is determined that the consecutive winning period has begun.

[0322] In this case, the consecutive winning counter is cleared to "0" in step S711, and the skip flag 65d is set to "1" in step S712. As a result, the initial value update of the normal power feature opening counter C4 is skipped at the initial value update timing of the normal power feature opening counter C4 that comes first after the current consecutive winning period has occurred. Then, in step S713, the consecutive winning flag is set to "1" to store that it is a consecutive winning period.

[0323] If the result of the normal winning / losing judgment process (normal power release lottery) in step S705 is a loss (step S706: NO), the consecutive winning counter is cleared to "0" in step S714, and the consecutive winning flag is cleared to "0" in step S715. Therefore, even if the winning of the normal power release occurs only once or occurs twice consecutively by chance, triggered by the entry of the game ball B1 into the second through gate 39 during the consecutive non-winning period in the low frequency support mode, it is not determined that the consecutive winning period has started.

[0324] If a negative judgment is made in step S703, since the mode is high frequency support mode and the open / close execution mode is not in progress, the high frequency winning judgment value table T2 (FIG. 14(b)) is read from the main ROM 64 in step S716, and the normal winning / losing judgment process is performed in step S717 as in step S705. In the normal winning / losing judgment process, if the opening random number stored in the normal power execution area HB matches any of the winning judgment values ​​stored in the high frequency winning judgment value table T2, the normal power opening is a winning result, and if it does not match any of the winning judgment values, the result is a losing result.

[0325] After determining in step S707 that it is in the high frequency support mode, after determining in step S708 that it is already in the consecutive winning period, after determining in step S710 that the value of the consecutive winning counter is "2" or less, after setting the consecutive winning flag to "1" in step S713, after clearing the consecutive winning flag to "0" in step S715, or after executing the normal winning / loss judgment process in step S717, in step S718, the normal winning time stored in the main ROM 64 is read out. Information that sets the normal winning time to 0.5 sec is stored in advance in the main ROM 64.

[0326] In the next step S719, the information on the normal map fluctuation time read out in step S718 is set in the normal map normal power timer counter, and in step S720, a process is executed to start the fluctuation display in the normal map display unit 38a (FIG. 3). Then, in step S721, "1" is added to the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter, thereby updating the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter from "0" to "1", and this normal map fluctuation start process is terminated.

[0327] As already explained, even if three consecutive wins for normal power release occur in the high-frequency support mode, the processing of steps S708 to S713 is not executed if it is determined in step S707 that the mode is the high-frequency support mode, so that the postponement flag 65d is not set to "1" in response to the three consecutive wins for normal power release.

[0328] Next, the normal map change process (step S408) in the normal map normal power control process (FIG. 20) will be described. In the normal map change process, first, by referring to the zero flag, it is determined whether or not it is time to end the display in the normal map display unit 38a. If it is not the end timing of the change display, the picture to be displayed in the normal map display unit 38a is updated to the next picture in the order, provided that it is time to update the display contents of the normal map display unit 38a. On the other hand, if it is the end timing of the change display in the normal map display unit 38a, a picture stop process is executed to display the latest final stop picture in the normal map display unit 38a. In the picture stop process, the information of the final stop time is set in the normal map normal power timer counter. After executing the picture stop process, the normal map normal power counter is updated from "1" to "2".

[0329] Next, the normal map determination process (step S409) in the normal map normal power control process (Figure 20) will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 24. In the normal map determination process, first, in step S801, it is determined whether or not the final stop time set in the normal map normal power timer counter in the normal map change process has elapsed. Specifically, this determination process determines whether or not the zero flag is set to "1".

[0330] If the final stop time has not elapsed (step S801: NO), the process ends, and if the final stop time has elapsed (step S801: YES), it is determined in step S802 whether the result of the regular power release lottery that triggered this variable display is a regular power release win or not. If the result is a regular power release win (step S802: YES), the process proceeds to step S803.

[0331] In step S803, the normal power release counter provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "5", and in step S804, the normal power winning counter provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "10". The normal power release counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify the remaining number of times the normal power role 34a is opened in the opening and closing operation of the current normal power role 34a, and the normal power winning counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify whether or not the upper limit number of winnings have occurred in the second operating port 34 during the opening and closing operation of the current normal power role 34a. After that, in step S805, the support winning counter is cleared to "0", and in step S806, the numerical information of the opening duration (specifically, 1 sec) is set in the normal power timer counter.

[0332] In the next step S807, the numerical information of the regular map / regular electricity counter is updated from "2" to "3" by adding "1" to the regular map / regular electricity counter, and the regular map change start process is terminated.

[0333] Also, in step S802, if the result of the regular power release lottery that triggered this variable display is not a regular power release win, in step S808, the numerical information of the regular power counter is cleared to "0" and then the regular power confirmation process is terminated.

[0334] Next, the normal power open process (step S410) in the normal power control process (FIG. 20) will be described. In the normal power open process, first, it is determined whether or not it is the timing to close the normal power role 34a, and if it is not the timing to close, the open state of the normal power role 34a is maintained. On the other hand, if it is the timing to close the normal power role 34a, a process is executed to close the normal power role 34a. In this case, the value of the normal power open counter is updated to subtract "1", and if the value of the normal power open counter is "0", the numerical information of the normal power counter is cleared to "0", and the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is terminated. Also, if the support end flag is set to "1", it means that the number of winnings into the second operating port 34 has already reached the upper limit number of times. In this case, the normal power open counter and the support end flag are cleared to "0", and the numerical information of the normal power counter is cleared to "0", and the opening and closing operation of the normal power role 34a is terminated. In addition, if the numerical information of the regular power feature opening counter is "1" or more and the support end counter is not set to "1", the information of the closing time of the regular power feature 34a is set in the regular power timer counter and the regular power counter is updated from "3" to "4".

[0335] When the opening and closing operation of the normal power device 34a reaches a reference number of times, or when the number of winning entries into the second operating port 34 that have occurred during the current support execution period reaches an upper limit number of times, the current support execution period ends.

[0336] Next, the normal power closed process (step S411) in the normal power control process (Fig. 20) will be described. In the normal power closed process, the normal power role 34a is maintained in a closed state, and when the closed time has elapsed, a process is executed to open the normal power role 34a again. Specifically, information on the open duration for high frequency is set in the normal power timer counter, and the normal power counter is updated from "4" to "3".

[0337] Next, a configuration will be described for the main CPU 63 to determine whether or not the game ball B1 has entered the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, the second operating port 34, the first through gate 35, and the second through gate 39 based on the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 50a. Fig. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 50a are input to the main CPU 63.

[0338] The main CPU 63 is provided with an input port 63a. The input port 63a is configured as a 9-bit parallel interface so that it can handle nine types of signals simultaneously. An area in which information "0" or "1" is stored according to the voltage of each signal is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each terminal. That is, the area includes the 0th bit D0 to the 8th bit D8. Although more than 10 types of signals are input to the input port 63a, in order to limit the number of signals that can be input simultaneously to nine types, the signal group that is the input target to the input port 63a is switched through switching control by a driver IC.

[0339] In the ball entry detection process (step S211) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), the signal group to be input to the input port 63a is set to the signal group from each of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 50a. When such settings are made, the 0th bit D0 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first winning port detection sensor 42a, the first bit D1 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second winning port detection sensor 43a, the second bit D2 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the third winning port detection sensor 44a, the third bit D3 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the special electric detection sensor 45a, the fourth bit D4 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first operating port detection sensor 46a, the fifth bit D5 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second operating port detection sensor 47a, the sixth bit D6 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the outlet detection sensor 48a, the seventh bit D7 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first gate detection sensor 49a, and the eighth bit D8 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second gate detection sensor 50a.

[0340] When the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a do not detect the passage of the game ball B1, they output a LOW level signal indicating that the ball is not being detected as a detection signal, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a detect the passage of the game ball B1, they output a HI level signal indicating that the ball is being detected as a detection signal. When the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a receive a LOW level signal, they store "0" information in the corresponding bit, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a receive a HI level signal, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit. In other words, when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a do not detect the passage of the game ball B1, they store "0" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is not being detected, and when the ball entrance detection sensors 42a-50a detect the passage of the game ball B1, they store "1" information in the corresponding bit, which corresponds to the information indicating that the ball is being detected.

[0341] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the ball scoring detection process executed in step S211 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18).

[0342] When it is confirmed that the 0th bit D0 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 42a (step S901: YES). In this case, the first output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S902), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S903). The first output flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 42a should be executed to the management IC 66. The 10-ball counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to specify the number of times that the 10 game balls B1 should be paid out. If the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 10 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S219 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), and the value of the 10 prize ball counter is decremented by 1 when the 10 prize ball command is output once. When the payout control device 77 receives the 10 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 10 game balls B1 are paid out.

[0343] When it is confirmed that the first bit D1 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 43a (step S904: YES). In this case, the second output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S905), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S906). The second output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second winning hole detection sensor 43a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0344] When it is confirmed that the second bit D2 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 44a (step S907: YES). In this case, the third output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S908), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S909). The third output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the third winning hole detection sensor 44a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0345] When it is confirmed that the third bit D3 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a (step S910: YES). In this case, the special electric winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S911), the fourth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S912), and the value of the 15-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S913). The special electric winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the special electric winning device 32 in the round game in the open / close execution mode. In the special chart special electric control process (step S215) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), by confirming that the special electric winning flag is set to "1", it is determined that one game ball B1 has entered the special electric winning device 32, and the number of remaining balls that can enter the special electric winning device 32 in the round game is subtracted by 1. When the process of subtracting 1 from the number of balls that can enter is executed, the special electric winning flag is cleared to "0". The fourth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a should be executed to the management IC 66. The 15-ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 63 the number of times that the payout of 15 game balls B1 should be executed. If the value of the 15 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 15 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S219 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), and when the 15 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 15 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 77 receives the 15 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 15 game balls B1 are paid out.

[0346] When it is confirmed that the fourth bit D4 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first operation port detection sensor 46a (step S914: YES). In this case, the first operation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S915), the fifth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S916), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S917). The first operation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the first operation port 33. In the special chart special power control process (step S215) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), by confirming that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", a process for newly storing the reserved information is executed on the condition that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 65a is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the special power control process (step S215), it is confirmed that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to the confirmation is executed, the first operation winning flag is cleared to "0". The fifth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that the information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first operation port detection sensor 46a should be executed to the management IC 66. The one prize ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 63 the number of times that one game ball B1 should be paid out. When the value of the 1 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 1 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S219 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), and when the 1 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 1 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 77 receives the 1 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that one game ball B1 is paid out.

[0347] When it is confirmed that the fifth bit D5 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second operation port detection sensor 47a (step S918: YES). In this case, the second operation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S919), the sixth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S920), and the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S921). The second operation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the second operation port 34. In the special chart special power control process (step S215) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), by confirming that the second operation winning flag is set to "1", a process for newly storing the reserved information is executed on the condition that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 65a is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the special power control process (step S215), it is confirmed that the second operation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to the confirmation is executed, the second operation winning flag is cleared to "0". The sixth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second operation port detection sensor 47a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0348] When it is confirmed that the sixth bit D6 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a (step S922: YES). In this case, the seventh output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S923). The seventh output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information output indicating that one game ball B1 has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a should be executed to the management IC 66.

[0349] When it is confirmed that the seventh bit D7 has switched from a state in which "0" information is stored to a state in which "1" information is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the first gate detection sensor 49a (step S924: YES). In this case, the first gate winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S925). The first gate winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the first through gate 35. In the normal map normal power control process (step S216) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), as already explained in FIG. 21, by confirming that the first gate winning flag is set to "1", the process is executed to store the current numerical information of the normal power role release counter C4 as the normal map side reserved information in the normal power reserved storage area 65c, on the condition that the number of reserved information on the normal map side stored in the normal power reserved storage area 65c is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the normal map normal power control process (step S216), it is confirmed that the first gate winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the first gate winning flag is cleared to "0".

[0350] When it is confirmed that the eighth bit D8 has switched from a state in which "0" information is stored to a state in which "1" information is stored, it is determined that one game ball B1 has been detected by the second gate detection sensor 50a (step S926: YES). In this case, the second gate winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S927). The second gate winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to specify that one game ball B1 has entered the second through gate 39. In the normal map normal power control process (step S216) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), as already explained in FIG. 21, by confirming that the second gate winning flag is set to "1", the process is executed to store the current numerical information of the normal power role release counter C4 as the normal map side reserved information in the normal power reserved storage area 65c as the normal map side reserved information, provided that the number of reserved information on the normal map side stored in the normal power reserved storage area 65c is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the normal map normal power control process (step S216), it is confirmed that the second gate winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the second gate winning flag is cleared to "0".

[0351] As already explained, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18) is started at a 4 msec cycle, so when one ball entry detection sensor 42a-50a starts detecting one game ball B1, the main CPU 63 specifies that one game ball B1 has been detected by the ball entry detection sensor 42a-50a while the ball entry detection sensor 42a-50a continues to detect the game ball B1. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide one each of the first to seventh output flags.

[0352] Next, a description will be given of the processing contents executed by the dispensing control device 77. First, the electrical configuration of the dispensing control device 77 and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device 77 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0353] The dispensing control device 77 is equipped with an MPU 91. In addition to a dispensing side CPU 92, which is a processing device including a control unit and a calculation unit, the MPU 91 also includes a dispensing side ROM 93, a dispensing side RAM 94, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like.

[0354] The dispensing ROM 93 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR type flash memory or a NAND type flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The dispensing ROM 93 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the dispensing CPU 92.

[0355] The dispensing side RAM 94 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The dispensing side RAM 94 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the dispensing side ROM 93 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The dispensing side RAM 94 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the dispensing side ROM 93.

[0356] The payout side CPU 92 is capable of two-way communication with the main CPU 63. By receiving a prize ball command from the main CPU 63, the payout side CPU 92 drives and controls the payout device 76 so that the number of game balls B1 corresponding to the prize ball command is paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 monitors whether or not the payout of the game balls B1 can be performed normally, and when it is determined that the payout is not possible, it stops the payout device 76 even if the payout side RAM 94 stores information on the number of prize balls not paid out. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 transmits a payout limit command to the main CPU 63 indicating that the payout is not possible normally. When the main CPU 63 receives the payout limit command, it transmits a notification command to the sound and light emission control device 81 so that a notification indicating that the payout of the game balls B1 is not possible normally is executed by the pattern display device 41, the display light emission unit 53, and the speaker unit 54. States in which it is not possible to normally dispense game balls B1 include a full state in which the lower tray 56a is full of game balls B1, a no-ball state in which the tank 75 has not been replenished with game balls B1, an abnormal dispense state in which the dispensing device 76 is not operating normally, a main body open state in which the gaming machine main body 12 is open from the outer frame 11, and a front door open state in which the front door frame 14 is open from the inner frame 13.

[0357] A full tank detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the middle of the game ball B1 passageway leading from the payout device 76 to the lower tray 56a, and the detection result of the full tank detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. The payout side CPU 92 determines that the game ball B1 is in a full tank state when the full tank detection sensor continues to detect the game ball B1, and determines that the full tank state has been released when the state in which the game ball B1 is continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor is released.

[0358] A no-ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided at a midpoint of the game ball B1 passageway leading from the tank 75 to the payout device 76, and the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. The payout side CPU 92 determines that a no-ball state exists when the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1, and determines that the no-ball state has been released when the state in which the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 is released.

[0359] The payout device 76 is provided with a payout detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the game ball B1 paid out from the payout device 76, and the detection result of the payout detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. When the payout detection sensor detects the game ball B1, the payout side CPU 92 determines that one game ball B1 has been paid out from the payout device 76. Furthermore, the payout side CPU 92 determines that an abnormal payout state exists when the payout detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 even though the payout device 76 is being driven and controlled so that the game ball B1 is paid out, and determines that the abnormal payout state has been released when the state in which the payout detection sensor continues to not detect the game ball B1 is released.

[0360] A front door open sensor 95 is provided on the front part of the inner frame 13 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is input to the dispensing side CPU 92. In this case, when the front door frame 14 is in a closed state relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits a closed detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 92, and when the front door frame 14 is in an open state relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits an open detection signal to the dispensing side CPU 92. When the dispensing side CPU 92 receives a closed detection signal from the front door open sensor 95, it determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state, and when it receives an open detection signal from the front door open sensor 95, it determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state. In addition, the dispensing side CPU 92 transmits a front door open command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a front door close command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state when a front door open command is received, and determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state when a front door close command is received.

[0361] A main body open sensor 96 is provided on the front part of the back pack unit 15 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the main body open sensor 96 is input to the payout side CPU 92. In this case, when the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 96 transmits a closed detection signal to the payout side CPU 92, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 96 transmits an open detection signal to the payout side CPU 92. When the payout side CPU 92 receives a closed detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state, and when the payout side CPU 92 receives an open detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 transmits a main body open command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing when it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a main body close command to the main side CPU 63 at the timing when it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state when it receives a main body open command, and determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in the closed state when it receives a main body close command.

[0362] The timer interrupt process executed by the dispensing CPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 28. The timer interrupt process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec).

[0363] First, the full tank process is executed (step S1001). In the full tank process, as already explained, it is determined whether the tank is full based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and if the tank is full, it executes a process to stop the payout of the game balls B1 and transmits a command indicating the full tank state to the main CPU 63. Also, if the full tank state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of the game balls B1 and transmits a command indicating that the full tank state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0364] Thereafter, the no-ball process is executed (step S1002). In the no-ball process, as already explained, it is determined whether or not the state is a no-ball state based on the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor, and if the state is a no-ball state, it executes a process to stop the payout of the game ball B1 and transmits a command indicating the no-ball state to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the no-ball state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of the game ball B1 and transmits a command indicating that the no-ball state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0365] Thereafter, a payout abnormality monitoring process is executed (step S1003). In the payout abnormality monitoring process, as already described, whether or not a payout abnormality state exists is identified based on the detection result of the payout detection sensor, and if a payout abnormality state exists, a process for stopping the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a command indicating that a payout abnormality state exists is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the payout abnormality state is released, a process for enabling the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a command indicating that the payout abnormality state has been released is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0366] Thereafter, a front door open monitoring process is executed (step S1004). In the front door open monitoring process, as already described, it is determined whether the front door frame 14 is open or not based on the detection result of the front door open sensor 95, and if the front door frame 14 is open, a process for stopping the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a front door open command is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the front door frame 14 is closed, a process for enabling the payout of the game ball B1 is executed and a front door close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0367] Thereafter, a main body open monitoring process is executed (step S1005). In the main body open monitoring process, as already described, it is determined whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state based on the detection result of the main body open sensor 96, and if the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state, a process for stopping the payout of the gaming balls B1 is executed and a main body open command is sent to the main CPU 63. In addition, if the gaming machine main body 12 is closed, a process for enabling the payout of the gaming balls B1 is executed and a main body close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0368] Then, a command read process is executed (step S1006). In the command read process, a process of reading the prize ball command transmitted by the main CPU 63 is executed. Then, the prize ball command is stored in the payout side RAM 94. Then, after executing a prize ball setting process for adding the number corresponding to the received prize ball command to the unpaid prize ball number information in the payout side RAM 94 (step S1007), a payout control process for controlling the execution of the payout of the game ball B1 by the payout device 76 is executed (step S1008). In the payout control process, when the unpaid prize ball number information stored in the payout side RAM 94 is a value of 1 or more, the payout device 76 is driven and controlled, and when the payout detection sensor detects one game ball B1, the value of the prize ball number information is subtracted by 1. Then, when the value of the prize ball number information becomes "0", the drive control of the payout device 76 is stopped. Thereafter, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of output of an external signal according to the results of various processes executed in the current timer interrupt process (step S1009).

[0369] Next, a configuration for externally outputting information from the pachinko machine 10 to a hall computer HC installed in the gaming hall will be described.

[0370] As shown in Fig. 2, the back pack unit 15 is provided with an external terminal board 97. The external terminal board 97 is provided with a large number of external terminals, some of which are electrically connected to the main CPU 63, and some of which are electrically connected to the dispensing CPU 92. In this manner, the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 are each electrically connected to the external terminal board 97, so that the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 can externally output information to the hall computer HC, as shown in Fig. 27.

[0371] One external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the front door open sensor 95, and one external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the main body open sensor 96. In detail, a signal relay board 98 is provided at a midpoint of the signal path from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The signal relay board 98 is provided with a branch path SL2 that branches from the signal path SL1 from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The branch path SL2 is connected to an external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electrical signal corresponding to the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is not only input to the dispensing side CPU 92, but also input to the external terminal for opening the front door on the external terminal board 97. This makes it possible to externally output a signal indicating whether the front door frame 14 is in an open state to the hall computer HC without being controlled by the dispensing side CPU 92.

[0372] Regarding the main body open sensor 96 in detail, a branch path SL4 is provided on the signal relay board 98, which branches off from a signal path SL3 extending from the main body open sensor 96 toward the payout side CPU 92. The branch path SL4 is connected to an external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electric signal corresponding to the detection result of the main body open sensor 96 is not only input to the payout side CPU 92, but also input to the external terminal for main body opening on the external terminal board 97. This makes it possible to externally output a signal indicating whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state to the hall computer HC without going through the control of the payout side CPU 92.

[0373] Next, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the main CPU 63 and the payout CPU 92 to the hall computer HC. First, a description will be given of the contents of information externally output from the main CPU 63 to the hall computer HC.

[0374] In the external information setting process (step S220) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 18), the main CPU 63 performs information output settings to each external terminal assigned to the main CPU 63 on the external terminal board 97. The information output from the main CPU 63 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, information indicating that the support mode is in the high frequency support mode, information indicating that one game round has ended, information indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 100 balls) of game balls B1 have been discharged from the game area PA through any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34, information indicating that the game ball B1 has entered the first operating port 33, and information indicating that the game ball B1 has entered the second operating port 34.

[0375] In the external information setting process (step S1009) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 28), the payout side CPU 92 performs setting for outputting information to each external terminal assigned to the payout side CPU 92 in the external terminal board 97. The information output from the payout side CPU 92 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that 10 game balls B1 have been paid out.

[0376] The hall computer HC can grasp the manner in which the game balls B1 are paid out in the pachinko machine 10 in accordance with various information received from the pachinko machine 10 via the external terminal board 97. For example, The payout rate is the ratio of the number of game balls B1 paid out until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. - Ball payout rate in normal game mode other than the open / close execution mode and the high frequency support mode (hereinafter, this ball payout rate will be referred to as "B") -Ball payout rate in open / close execution mode - Payout rate in high frequency support mode The number of times a game is played until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S") BS x "number of winning balls for winning into the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34" The number of game balls B1 that enter the first operating port 33 until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S1") The number of game balls B1 that enter the second operating port 34 until 100 game balls B1 are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as "S2") B-(S1 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + S2 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") etc. are calculated. This allows the hall computer HC to manage the ball entry state of the game ball B1 in the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. The number of prize balls refers to the number of game balls B1 paid out when one game ball B1 enters the corresponding ball entry section.

[0377] <Configuration for managing winning status of gaming ball B1> Next, a description will be given of a configuration for managing the winning state of the gaming ball B1 using the management IC 66. First, the electrical configuration of the management IC 66 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0378] As already explained, the MPU 62 of the main control device 60 includes the main CPU 63, the main ROM 64, the main RAM 65, and the management IC 66. The MPU 62 also includes an I / F 101 and a read terminal 102 in addition to these.

[0379] The I / F 101 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between the MPU 62 and external devices. The I / F 101 is electrically connected to the main CPU 63 via the internal bus 103. Through the input port of the I / F 101, the detection results from the sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-50a and the commands from the payout side CPU 92 are input to the MPU 62, and various processes are executed by the main CPU 63 as described above based on the input detection results and the contents of the commands. In addition, when a signal is output to a device such as the special power drive unit 32b as a result of the execution of various processes by the main CPU 63, the signal output is performed through the output port of the I / F 101, and when a command is output to the payout side CPU 92 and the sound and light emission control device 81 as a result of the execution of various processes by the main CPU 63, the command output is performed through the output port of the I / F 101.

[0380] The reading terminal 102 is a terminal for electrically connecting the MPU 62 to a reading device, which is an external device of the pachinko machine 10, and is provided on the surface of the MPU 62 so that the terminal portion for connection is exposed. However, as already described, the main control board 61 on which the MPU 62 is mounted is housed in the board box 60a, and the reading terminal 102 faces the wall of the board box 60a so as not to be exposed to the outside of the main control device 60. Therefore, in order to electrically connect the reading device to the reading terminal 102, it is necessary to open the board box 60a to expose the MPU 62. This makes it possible to prevent the reading device from being electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 in an unauthorized manner. Note that this is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which an opening is formed in the board box 60a to expose the reading terminal 102 to the outside of the main control device 60, and the reading device can be electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 without the need to destroy the board box 60a.

[0381] The management IC 66 includes a management I / F 111, a management CPU 112, a management ROM 113, a management RAM 114, an RTC 115, a correspondence memory 116, and a history memory 117. These devices are connected to each other via an internal bus 66a provided in the management IC 66 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

[0382] The management side I / F 111 is an interface for receiving various signals from the main CPU 63 via a group of signal paths 118 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62, and for transmitting various signals to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 119 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62. Various signals from the main CPU 63 are input to an input port of the management side I / F 111, and various signals to the reading terminal 102 are output from an output port of the management side I / F 111. The main CPU 63 is electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 120 for two-way communication built in the MPU 62.

[0383] The management CPU 112 is an arithmetic processing device including a control unit and an arithmetic unit. The management ROM 113 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory such as a NOR flash memory and a NAND flash memory, and is used for reading only. The management ROM 113 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the management CPU 112. The management RAM 114 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory such as an SRAM and a DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The management RAM 114 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the same data capacity, the time required for reading is faster than that of the management ROM 113. The management RAM 114 temporarily stores various data and the like for the execution of the control programs stored in the management ROM 113.

[0384] The RTC 115 is a real-time clock that constantly measures date and time information and is configured to be able to output the measured date and time information in response to an instruction from the management CPU 112. The RTC 115 is provided with a backup power supply, so that it is possible to measure date and time information even when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

[0385] The correspondence memory 116 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain data, such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The correspondence memory 116 is used to store information on the correspondence between each of the buffers 122a-122p provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the types of signals input to those buffers 122a-122p. Details of the contents of the correspondence memory 116 will be described later.

[0386] The history memory 117 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain data, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for both reading and writing. The history memory 117 is used to store information regarding the entry of the game ball B1 received from the main CPU 63 via the management I / F 111. Details of the contents of the history memory 117 will be explained later.

[0387] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the input port 121 provided in the management side I / F 111. Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0388] The input port 121 is provided with a plurality of buffers 122a-122p. Specifically, first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p are provided. One type of signal can be input to each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p via signal paths 118a-118p, and each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a-122p stores information of "0" as the first data when the input signal is at a LOW level, and stores information of "1" as the second data when the input signal is at a HI level. Note that the relationship between LOW and HI and the first and second data may be reversed.

[0389] The first buffer 122a receives a first signal corresponding to the detection result of the first winning hole detection sensor 42a. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a first signal of LOW level when the first winning hole detection sensor 42a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a first signal of HI level for a specific period when the first winning hole detection sensor 42a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a first signal of HI level has been input to the first buffer 122a.

[0390] The second buffer 122b receives a second signal corresponding to the detection result of the second winning hole detection sensor 43a. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level second signal when the second winning hole detection sensor 43a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level second signal for a specific period when the second winning hole detection sensor 43a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level second signal has been input to the second buffer 122b.

[0391] The third buffer 122c receives a third signal corresponding to the detection result of the third winning hole detection sensor 44a. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level third signal when the third winning hole detection sensor 44a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level third signal for a specific period when the third winning hole detection sensor 44a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level third signal has been input to the third buffer 122c.

[0392] A fourth signal corresponding to the detection result of the special electric detection sensor 45a is input to the fourth buffer 122d. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fourth signal when the special electric detection sensor 45a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level fourth signal for a specific period when the special electric detection sensor 45a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level fourth signal has been input to the fourth buffer 122d.

[0393] A fifth signal corresponding to the detection result of the first actuation port detection sensor 46a is input to the fifth buffer 122e. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fifth signal when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level fifth signal for a specific period when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level fifth signal has been input to the fifth buffer 122e.

[0394] A sixth signal corresponding to the detection result of the second actuation port detection sensor 47a is input to the sixth buffer 122f. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a sixth signal of LOW level when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a sixth signal of HI level for a specific period when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a sixth signal of HI level has been input to the sixth buffer 122f.

[0395] A seventh signal corresponding to the detection result of the outlet detection sensor 48a is input to the seventh buffer 122g. In this case, the master CPU 63 outputs a LOW level seventh signal when the outlet detection sensor 48a does not detect a new game ball B1, and outputs a HI level seventh signal for a specific period when the outlet detection sensor 48a detects one game ball B1. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level seventh signal has been input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0396] The eighth buffer 122h receives an eighth signal corresponding to whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the eighth signal at a LOW level when the open / close execution mode is not in progress, and continuously outputs the eighth signal at a HI level when the open / close execution mode is in progress.

[0397] A ninth signal corresponding to whether or not the high-frequency support mode is in effect is input to the ninth buffer 122i. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs a LOW-level ninth signal when the high-frequency support mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs a HI-level ninth signal when the high-frequency support mode is in effect.

[0398] A tenth signal corresponding to whether or not the front door frame 14 is open is input to the tenth buffer 122j. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs a LOW level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is closed, and continuously outputs a HI level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is open.

[0399] An output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p to cause the management CPU 112 to recognize the opportunity to output history information stored in the history memory 117 to the reading terminal 102. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level output instruction signal when there is no need to output history information, and outputs a HI level output instruction signal for a specific period of time when there is a need to output history information. This specific period is a period of time sufficient for the management CPU 112 to identify that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the 16th buffer 122p.

[0400] Although the eleventh buffer 122k, the twelfth buffer 122l, the thirteenth buffer 122m, the fourteenth buffer 122n, and the fifteenth buffer 122o can receive signals from the main CPU 63, they are blank in this pachinko machine 10 and do not receive normal signals. In this way, the number of buffers 122a-122p provided as the input port 121 of the management I / F 111 is greater than the number of types of signals output from the main CPU 63 to the management IC 66 in this pachinko machine 10, so that the management IC 66 can be used in models other than this pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66. Incidentally, signal paths 118a to 118p are formed between the main CPU 63 and the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p, respectively, so as to correspond one-to-one to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p, but this is not limited to this, and the signal paths 118k to 118o may not be formed between the main CPU 63 and the buffers 122k to 122o to be blanked.

[0401] It is determined in the design stage of the management IC 66 that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p in the input port 121 of the management I / F 111, and the management CPU 112 can specify that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p without receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. On the other hand, it is not determined in the design stage of the management IC 66 what kind of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o, and the types of these signals are specified by the management CPU 112 upon receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. The type of these signals is specified by the management CPU 112 when a type identification command is sent from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112 when control is started in the main CPU 63 and the management CPU 112 in response to the supply of operating power to the MPU 62, as will be described in detail later. In this case, information on the types of various signals provided by the type identification command is stored in the correspondence memory 116, and when the management CPU 112 identifies the types of various signals when operating power is being supplied, the information stored in the correspondence memory 116 is referenced.

[0402] 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the correspondence memory 116. The correspondence memory 116 is provided with first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o in one-to-one correspondence with the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0403] The first correspondence area 123a stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the first buffer 122a. The first correspondence area 123a also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31. The second correspondence area 123b stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the second buffer 122b. The second correspondence area 123b also stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31. The third correspondence area 123c stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 is the information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the third buffer 122c. In addition, the third correspondence area 123c stores information indicating that the general winning opening 31 as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (10) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the general winning opening 31.

[0404] The fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32 as information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fourth buffer 122d. The fourth correspondence area 123d also stores information indicating that the device is the special electric winning device 32, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (15 balls) to be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the special electric winning device 32. The fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33 as information for the management side CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fifth buffer 122e. The fifth correspondence area 123e also stores information indicating that the device is the first operating port 33, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (1 ball) to be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the first operating port 33. The sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that the signal is the second actuation port 34, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the sixth buffer 122f. The sixth correspondence area 123f also stores information indicating that the signal is the second actuation port 34, as well as information on the number of game balls B1 (one) that will be paid out when one game ball B1 enters the second actuation port 34. The seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that the signal is the outlet 24a, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0405] The eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the open / close execution mode as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the eighth buffer 122h. The ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high frequency support mode as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the ninth buffer 122i. The tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14 as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the tenth buffer 122j.

[0406] The eleventh correspondence area 123k stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the eleventh buffer 122k. The twelfth correspondence area 123l stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the twelfth buffer 122l. The thirteenth correspondence area 123m stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the thirteenth buffer 122m. The fourteenth correspondence area 123n stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fourteenth buffer 122n. The fifteenth correspondence area 123o stores information indicating that the area is blank and does not correspond to any of the above, as information for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of signal input to the fifteenth buffer 122o.

[0407] As described above, by configuring the management CPU 112 to specify what types of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by receiving instructions from the main CPU 63, it becomes possible to use the management IC 66 for models other than the present pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66.

[0408] Moreover, instead of outputting information for recognizing the type of signal every time a signal corresponding to storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o, information for recognizing the type of signal is output in advance, and information for specifying the type of signal input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by the management CPU 112 based on the output information is stored in the correspondence memory 116. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information output from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112 each time a signal is output, compared to a configuration in which information for recognizing the type of signal is output every time a signal corresponding to storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o.

[0409] Moreover, the information for the management CPU 112 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is output when the supply of operating power starts. This allows the management CPU 112 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o when a game is started in the pachinko machine 10.

[0410] In addition, the information setting that the output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p is performed at the design stage of the management IC 66. This makes it possible to omit the process for identifying the type of signal input to the 16th buffer 122p for the output instruction signal that is used reliably not only in this pachinko machine 10 but also in other models of pachinko machines that use the management IC 66. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the process for identifying the type of such signal.

[0411] Next, a description will be given of the history memory 117 of the management IC 66. FIG.

[0412] The history memory 117 is provided with a history area 124 for sequentially storing the history information. In the history area 124, a plurality of pointer information are set with consecutive numbers, and a history information storage area 125 is set in one-to-one correspondence with each pointer information. The history information storage area 125 can store a combination of RTC information and correspondence information. In this case, each history information storage area 125 has a data capacity of 2 bytes, and a data capacity of 1 byte is assigned as an area for storing RTC information, and a data capacity of 1 byte is assigned as an area for storing correspondence information. When it becomes necessary to store correspondence information according to the signal input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o (actually, the first to tenth buffers 122a to 122j in this pachinko machine 10), first, the date information and time information measured by the current RTC 115 are stored in the area for storing RTC information in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. Thereafter, the correspondence information corresponding to the buffers 122a-122o that triggered the current information storage is read from the correspondence areas 123a-123o corresponding to the buffers 122a-122o in the correspondence memory 116, and the read correspondence information is stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 that corresponds to the pointer information currently being written.

[0413] Specifically, regarding the correspondence information stored in the history information storage area 125, since the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g receive signals corresponding to the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a as already explained, the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a to 123g in the correspondence memory 116 store information corresponding to the types of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a. More specifically, information corresponding to the types of ball entry sections corresponding to the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a to 123g. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, the first to third winning hole detection sensors 42a to 44a all detect the game ball B1 that has entered the general winning hole 31, so the first to third correspondence areas 123a to 123c corresponding to these first to third winning hole detection sensors 42a to 44a all store information indicating that it is the general winning hole 31. Also, the fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that it is the special electric winning device 32, the fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that it is the first operating port 33, the sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that it is the second operating port 34, and the seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that it is the outlet 24a. If the buffer 122a-122o that triggered the current information storage is any of the first to seventh buffers 122a-122g, information on the type of ball entry part corresponding to that buffer 122a-122g is read from any of the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a-123g, and the read information on the type of ball entry part is stored as is in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0414] On the other hand, the eighth buffer 122h receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth buffer 122i receives a signal indicating whether or not it is in the high frequency support mode, and the tenth buffer 122j receives a signal indicating whether or not the front door frame 14 is open. Therefore, the eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high frequency support mode, and the tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14.

[0415] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the 8th signal at a LOW level when the open / close execution mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs the 8th signal at a HI level when the open / close execution mode is in effect, so that the control CPU 112 can determine that the open / close execution mode has started when the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the open / close execution mode has ended when the 8th signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where the HI level changes from a LOW level to a LOW level, the control CPU 112 determines that a trigger for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the 8th signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating the open / close execution mode read from the 8th correspondence area 123h but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the eighth signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating the opening / closing execution mode read from the eighth correspondence area 123h but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0416] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the ninth signal at a LOW level when the high-frequency support mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs the ninth signal at a HI level when the high-frequency support mode is in effect, so that the control CPU 112 can determine that the high-frequency support mode has started when the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the high-frequency support mode has ended when the ninth signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where the HI level changes from a LOW level to a LOW level, the control CPU 112 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the ninth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating the high-frequency support mode read from the ninth correspondence area 123i but also the start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the 9th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating that it is the high-frequency support mode read from the 9th correspondence area 123i but also the end information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0417] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the tenth signal at a LOW level when the front door frame 14 is in a closed state, and continuously outputs the tenth signal at a HI level when the front door frame 14 is in an open state, so that the management CPU 112 can determine that the front door frame 14 is opened when the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, and can determine that the front door frame 14 is closed when the tenth signal changes from a HI level to a LOW level. In addition, in both cases where the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level and where it changes from a HI level to a LOW level, the management CPU 112 determines that an opportunity to store the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI level, not only the information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 read from the tenth correspondence area 123j but also the opening start information are stored in the area for storing the correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the 10th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 read from the 10th correspondence area 123j but also the opening completion information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0418] The history information storage area 125 is provided for a number of times that allows all the history information generated during the ten consecutive business days during which the shooting of the game ball B1 in the pachinko machine 10 continues from opening to closing to be stored. For example, if 60,000 pieces of history information are generated in one day, more than 600,000 history information storage areas 125 are provided. This makes it possible to store and hold all the history information in the history memory 117 for at least ten days.

[0419] The history memory 117 is provided with a pointer area 126 in addition to the history area 124. The pointer area 126 stores information for the management CPU 112 to specify the pointer information currently being written in the history memory 117. Specifically, at the time of shipping the pachinko machine 10, information is set in the pointer area 126 specifying the pointer information of "0" as the writing target. Then, every time one piece of history information is newly stored in the history information storage area 125, the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that the value of the pointer information to be written is incremented by 1. When the last pointer information becomes the writing target and history information is stored in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the last pointer information, the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that the pointer information of "0" becomes the writing target. As a result, when a storage trigger for history information occurs in which the number of pieces of history information that can be stored is exceeded, the history information storage area 125 in which the oldest history information is stored is overwritten with the new history information in order.

[0420] Furthermore, when the reading of history information from the history memory 117 occurs by a reading device, the history information storage area 125 is cleared to all "0"s, and the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that pointer information of "0" becomes the write target. This makes it possible to prevent history information that has once been read from becoming the read target again.

[0421] Next, a specific processing configuration for managing the winning state of the gaming ball B1 using the management IC 66 will be described. First, a processing configuration for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the signal type in the correspondence memory 116 will be described. Fig. 33 is a flowchart showing the recognition processing executed by the main side CPU 63. The recognition processing is executed in step S110 in the main processing (Fig. 17).

[0422] First, "15" is set to a recognition output counter provided in the main RAM 65 (step S1101). The recognition output counter is a counter for the main CPU 63 to identify the remaining number of times information output is required to make the management CPU 112 recognize which type of signal each of the buffers 122a-122p of the input port 121 in the management I / F 111 corresponds to. As already explained, the 15 buffers 122a-122o are targets for signal type recognition, so the recognition output counter is set to "15".

[0423] Thereafter, output processing of the identification start command is executed (step S1102). The main CPU 63 outputs various commands to the management CPU 112 to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o correspond to. When outputting these commands, the first to eighth signals input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h are used. That is, the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h) used to instruct the management CPU 112 to store history information are used to output a command to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o correspond to. This makes it possible to reduce the number of signal paths and simplify the configuration, compared to a configuration in which the signal paths for outputting the commands are provided separately from the signal paths 118a to 118p for outputting signals to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p. The identification start command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In the output process of the identification start command, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing of starting the output of the identification start command in order to make the management CPU 112 recognize that a new command has been transmitted. The output period of the identification start command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to recognize the identification start command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identification start command, the management CPU 112 specifies that a process should be started for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals in the correspondence memory 116.

[0424] Thereafter, a type identification command corresponding to the current value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 is read from the main ROM 64 (step S1103). In this case, the first buffer 122a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter, the signal type recognition setting corresponding to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is performed such that the signal type is set to the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer. Therefore, if the recognition output counter is "15" to "13", a type identification command indicating that it is the general winning port 31 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "12", a type identification command indicating that it is the special winning device 32 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "11", a type identification command indicating that it is the first operating port 33 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "10", a type identification command indicating that it is the second operating port 34 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "9", a type identification command indicating that it is the outlet 24a is read out; if the recognition output counter is "8", a type identification command indicating that it is in the opening / closing execution mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "7", a type identification command indicating that it is in the high frequency support mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "6", a type identification command indicating that it is the front door frame 14 is read out; and if the recognition output counter is "5" to "1", a type identification command indicating that it is blank is read out.

[0425] Then, the output process of the read type identification command is executed (step S1104). The type identification command has a data capacity of 8 bits like the identification start command, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In the output process of the identified type command, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing of starting output of the identified type command to make the management CPU 112 recognize that a new command has been transmitted. The output period of the identified type command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to recognize the identified type command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identified type command, the management CPU 112 stores information corresponding to the identified type command in the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the buffer that is the current setting target among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o.

[0426] Thereafter, the value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 is decremented by 1 (step S1105), and it is determined whether the value of the recognition output counter after decrement is "0" (step S1106). If the value of the recognition output counter is 1 or more (step S1106: NO), a process is executed to output a type identification command corresponding to the value of the recognition output counter after decrement (steps S1103 and S1104).

[0427] On the other hand, if the value of the recognition output counter is "0" (step S1106: YES), output processing of the recognition end command is executed (step S1107). The recognition end command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and the data of each bit is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In addition, in the recognition end command output processing, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing of starting output of the recognition end command in order to make the management side CPU 112 recognize that a new command has been transmitted. In addition, the output period of the recognition end command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management side CPU 112 to recognize the recognition end command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the recognition end command, the management side CPU 112 determines that the process for storing information on the correspondence relationship between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the signal types in the correspondence relationship memory 116 has been completed.

[0428] Next, the management processing executed by the management CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 34. The management processing is started when the supply of operating power to the management CPU 112 is started. The processing speed of the management CPU 112 is configured to be faster than the processing speed of the main CPU 63, and the combination of processing from step S1206 onwards in the management processing is executed 16 or more times from the start of one timer interrupt processing (Fig. 18) in the main CPU 63 until the start of the next timer interrupt processing (Fig. 18).

[0429] When an identification start command is received from the main CPU 63 (step S1201: YES), the value of a setting target counter provided in the management RAM 114 is cleared to "0" (step S1202). The setting target counter is a counter for the management CPU 112 to specify the type of buffers 122a-122o for which a signal type is to be set. The first buffer 122a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer are set as a signal type.

[0430] Thereafter, on condition that a type identification command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S1203: YES), a correspondence setting process is executed (step S1204). In the correspondence setting process, information on the signal type set in the currently received type identification command is stored in the correspondence area corresponding to the current value of the setting target counter of the control RAM 114, among the first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o of the correspondence memory 116. Thereafter, the value of the setting target counter of the control RAM 114 is incremented by 1 (step S1205).

[0431] If a negative determination is made in step S1203, or if the process of step S1205 is executed, it is determined whether or not an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S1206). If an identification end command has not been received (step S1206: NO), the process returns to step S1203, and the processes of steps S1204 and S1205 are executed again on the condition that a new type identification command is received from the main CPU 63 (step S1203: YES).

[0432] If an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S1206: YES), the processes of steps S1207 and S1208 are repeatedly executed. In step S1207, details of which will be described later, a history setting process is executed for storing history information corresponding to the type of signal received from the main CPU 63 in the history memory 117. In step S1208, details of which will be described later, an external output process is executed for outputting the history information stored in the history memory 117 to the reading terminal 102.

[0433] Fig. 35 is a time chart showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o is stored in the correspondence memory 116. Fig. 35(a) shows a period during which a command is output from the main CPU 63 to the control CPU 112 using the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h), Fig. 35(b) shows a period during which the output state of the ninth signal is at HI level, Fig. 35(c) shows an execution period of an identification state during which a process for identifying the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o is executed, and Fig. 35(d) shows the timing at which the correspondence setting process (step S1204) is executed by the control CPU 112.

[0434] As the supply of operating power to the main CPU 63 and the control CPU 112 is started, output of the identification start command using the first to eighth signals is started at the timing of t1 as shown in FIG. 35(a). Also, at the timing of t1, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 35(b). Thereafter, at the timing of t2 in which the output of the identification start command is continued, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 35(b). The control CPU 112 identifies that a command has been sent from the main CPU 63 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has been changed from HI level to LOW level, and grasps the contents of the command received from the main CPU 63 by confirming the information of the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the identification start command has been received, the control CPU 112 makes an affirmative decision in step S1201 of the management process (FIG. 34) to enter the identification state. Thereafter, output of the identification start command is stopped at the timing of t3 as shown in FIG. 35(a).

[0435] After that, at the timing of t4, the output of the first type identification command using the first to eighth signals is started as shown in FIG. 35(a). Also, at the timing of t4, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from LOW level to HI level as shown in FIG. 35(b). After that, at the timing of t5, in which the output of the type identification command is continued, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from HI level to LOW level as shown in FIG. 35(b). The management side CPU 112 identifies that a command has been sent from the main side CPU 63 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has been changed from HI level to LOW level, and grasps the contents of the command received from the main side CPU 63 by confirming the information in the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the first type identification command has been received, the management side CPU 112 executes the correspondence setting process as shown in FIG. 35(d) at the timing of t5. In the correspondence setting process, the information indicating that it is the general winning port 31 and the information on the number of winning balls are stored in the first correspondence area 123a of the correspondence memory 116. After that, at timing t...

Claims

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

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