Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that appropriately notifies a player of gameplay warnings by displaying during a period when game progress is stopped.SOLUTION: A game machine can recognize warning display related to gameplay precautions during a symbol stop period when symbol variations are stopped. The warning display includes first warning display (prevention of excessive devotion) and second warning display (warning display above head). During the symbol stop period, in addition to the warning display, first display (idling display of decorative symbols) and second display (operation explanation display) can be recognized. The first warning display is displayed overlappingly with the first display and the second display. The first warning display makes the first display and the second display difficult to recognize and the second warning display is spaced apart from the first display and the second display. The second warning display, the first display, and the second display can be recognized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a pachinko gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] In general, gaming machines typified by pachinko gaming machines perform various displays related to the game even during a period when the progress of the game has stopped. As an example of this type of gaming machine, Patent Document 1 below is exemplified.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine having a timekeeping means for measuring the time until a preset start time, and notifying information regarding the start time during a waiting performance for customers that is executed during a period when the game is not in progress.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in recent years, gaming machines tend to have an increasing number of gaming precautions to be notified to players compared to the past from the perspective of user-friendliness. Further, such notifications are often executed during a period when the progress of the game has stopped. The gaming machine according to Patent Document 1 has not been sufficiently studied in terms of notifying gaming precautions, and there is still room for improvement.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that appropriately notifies of gaming cautions by means of a display during a period when the progress of the game has stopped.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of visually recognizing a caution display related to precautions in a game during a symbol stop period in which symbol variation has stopped. The caution display includes a first caution display and a second caution display. During the symbol stop period, in addition to the caution display, a first display and a second display are visually recognizable. The first display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, and the second display is displayed based on the same display control data or different display control data throughout the symbol stop period. The first caution display is displayed superimposed on the first display and the second display. The first caution display makes it difficult to visually recognize both the first display and the second display. The second caution display is separated from both the first display and the second display. The second caution display, the first display, and the second display are each visually recognizable.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that appropriately notifies a caution in a game by a display during a period in which the progress of the game has stopped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, in the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the state of viewing the gaming machine 10 from the front side (the player side) as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. In addition, the "advantage (degree of advantage)" in the following description means being advantageous to the player. Further, unless otherwise specified, it refers to being advantageous in terms of the amount of acquired prize balls (game media, prize values) (including not only the payout of game balls but also the payout of medals and the granting of prize data), excluding production aspects such as so-called premium images.

[0011] <Features of the Present Invention> Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, the features of the invention (the present invention) described in the present embodiment will be explained.

[0012] The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko gaming machine. During the symbol stop period when the symbol variation has stopped (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as the symbol stop period), the gaming machine 10 can visually recognize a caution display related to matters of attention in the game. The above caution display includes a first caution display and a second caution display.

[0013] In the present embodiment, "matters of attention in the game" refer to matters that should be noted when playing the game. In addition to matters that, if not known, will lead to a decline in the gaming interest (for example, those related to the progress and operation of the game), they also include matters of attention for observing social rules (for example, explanations regarding the prohibition of cheating and the prevention of slumping), and matters of attention for maintaining the gaming machine 10 (for example, explanations regarding the prohibition of excessive operation). In the present embodiment, "visually recognizable" and "difficult to visually recognize" are relatively defined concepts. The former means being easier to visually recognize compared to the latter, and the latter means being more difficult to visually recognize compared to the former. Therefore, the state of being "visually recognizable" includes not only the entire display being visually recognizable but also a part of the display being visually recognizable. In addition, the state of being "difficult to visually recognize" includes not only the entire display being unrecognizable (not visible at all) but also being more difficult to visually recognize compared to a display that is "visually recognizable" due to factors such as a part of the display overlapping with other displays.

[0014] During the symbol stop period, in addition to the attention - attracting display, the first display and the second display are visible on the gaming machine 10. The first display will be described by way of example as the decorative symbol in the idling state displayed on the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period in the present embodiment. The display that can correspond to the first display is not limited to the decorative symbol in the idling state as in the present embodiment, and may also include a display indicating the number of symbol fluctuations in suspension (which is maintained at 0 (zero) during the symbol stop period) or a background display, etc. The second display will be described by way of example as the display related to the operation explanation displayed on the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period in the present embodiment. The display that can correspond to the second display is not limited to the display related to the operation explanation as in the present embodiment.

[0015] The first attention - attracting display is superimposed on the first display and the second display. The first attention - attracting display makes both the first display and the second display difficult to view. The second attention - attracting display is separated from both the first display and the second display, and the second attention - attracting display, the first display, and the second display are each visible. This is the characteristic. Since the display control data of the above - mentioned first display is the same over the symbol stop period, there is a problem that burn - in is likely to occur without any countermeasures. Therefore, in order to prevent this burn - in, a configuration is adopted in which a specific display (the first attention - attracting display) displayed during the symbol stop period is superimposed on the first display and the second display. On the other hand, depending on the content of the precautions to be called, there are some that have an appropriate display position. The display related to such attention - attracting (the second attention - attracting display) is separated from both the first display and the second display and arranged so that each can be visible.

[0016] Because of the above - mentioned contrivance, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately notify the attention - attracting in the game by the attention - attracting display during the period when the progress of the game has stopped (the symbol stop period). As a result, it is possible to improve the interest of the game or prevent the decline of the interest of the game. Also, for the second display where the need to prevent burning is relatively low, by making the relationship with the caution display the same as that of the first display, simplification of the display control during the symbol stop period can be achieved. The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

[0017] <Regarding the structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a view showing the symbol display device 90 disposed in the area II shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation button group disposed in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and its surroundings, FIG. 4 is a view showing the game board 50 installed inside the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. Note that each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is merely what is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and configurations and functions not illustrated here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Also, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations illustrated here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0018] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine that fires a game ball into the front area of the game board 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "game area 50a") where a large number of game pins (not shown) are erected, and conducts a game in which a bonus ball is obtained when the game ball enters a winning opening (for example, the large winning opening 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of the game ball into the winning opening may be simply expressed as "(winning at the) winning opening".

[0019] The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that is open front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds the game board 50 on the opening front side of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side of the game board 50. The upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20 protrudes forward of the gaming machine 10, and when a player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 stands up while enjoying the game, the player needs to be careful not to hit their head.

[0020] The middle frame 17 is rotatably supported about the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (to the right in this embodiment)).

[0021] The front frame 20 is rotatably supported about the left end side by the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (to the left in this embodiment)). Further, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed so as to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides perspective protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. Further, the front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiving tray 27 and a lower ball receiving tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiving tray 27 and the lower ball receiving tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integrally provided with the front frame 20. Further, the front frame 20 includes an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0022] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame door opening sensor 76 for detecting whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door opening sensor 77 for detecting whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, all of these door opening sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door opening sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 with respect to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 with respect to the middle frame 17.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving tray 27, an operation button group operated by the player is arranged. In this operation button group, as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 described later, a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b for receiving a return operation of a prepaid card are provided. As an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later, an effect button 37 capable of receiving an operation of the player for switching an effect generated during the game or obtaining various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (an up cursor button 38a, a down cursor button 38b, a left cursor button 38c, a right cursor button 38d, and a center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations in the up, down, left, and right directions, etc. are included. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit based on a change in the detection state of the sensor. Also, on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27, a movable decorative body 22 operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided.

[0024] Below the lower ball receiving tray 29, a ball discharging mechanism 36 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided. By operating this ball discharging mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening. Although not shown in the drawings, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism for moving the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operation, similar to the ball discharging mechanism 36. By operating both this mechanism and the ball discharging mechanism 36, it becomes possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmissive cover, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are respectively disposed inside thereof. The speakers 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sound, light up, or go out in conjunction with effects and error effects generated during the game.

[0026] The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display portion 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50 and sub-display portions 82 disposed around the main display portion 81. The sub-display portions 82 further include an upper sub-display portion 82a disposed above the main display portion 81, a left sub-display portion 82b disposed on the left side of the main display portion 81, and a right sub-display portion 82c disposed on the right side of the main display portion 81. Here, the main display portion 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display portion 82a, the left sub-display portion 82b, and the right sub-display portion 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices that operate by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

[0027] The main display portion 81 can display a variable display of a symbol sequence that is performed in conjunction with the variable display in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 described later, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display portion 81, the displayed decorative symbol forms three symbol sequences. Although the direction of the variable display of each symbol sequence in the present embodiment is downward, the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left-right direction, depth direction, or a combination thereof (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode using a technique (for example, perspective method) that makes the player recognize that the symbol sequence is variably displayed from the back to the front direction or the reverse direction of the main display portion 81, although it is actually a planar variable display on the display screen of the main display portion 81. In addition, the decorative patterns in the present embodiment include a "1 pattern" imitating the number "1", a "2 pattern" imitating the number "2", a "3 pattern" imitating the number "3", a "4 pattern" imitating the number "4", a "5 pattern" imitating the number "5", a "6 pattern" imitating the number "6", a "7 pattern" imitating the number "7", an "8 pattern" imitating the number "8", and a "9 pattern" imitating the number "9". These patterns are provided in each pattern column. In the following description, the "1 pattern", "3 pattern", "5 pattern", "7 pattern", and "9 pattern" may be collectively referred to as "odd patterns", and the "2 pattern", "4 pattern", "6 pattern", and "8 pattern" may be collectively referred to as "even patterns".

[0028] Each of the sub-display units 82 is provided not only for displaying effect images mainly related to effects, but also is configured to be movable. In addition, the initial position of each is that the upper sub-display unit 82a is on the upper side with reference to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b is on the left side with reference to the main display unit 81, the right sub-display unit 82c is on the right side with reference to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81.

[0029] In addition, a liquid crystal display device is adopted for the effect display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) in the present embodiment, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type or a dot matrix type can be adopted as the effect display device 80.

[0030] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and the display area of the pattern display device 90 is configured by these LEDs. Special patterns and ordinary patterns are displayed on the pattern display device 90. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed at a position where it is more difficult for the player to visually recognize than the main display unit 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 has an area smaller than the display area of the main display unit 81. Note that the arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 in the present embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is only an example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0031] The special symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in the present embodiment include the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. Note that the special symbol may be abbreviated as "Special Symbol", the first special symbol may be abbreviated as "Special Symbol 1", and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "Special Symbol 2".

[0032] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in the present embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "Normal Symbol", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "Electric Chute".

[0033] In addition to the above-described display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, and a normal symbol hold lamp 96. The first special symbol hold lamp 94 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held Special Symbol 1, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held Special Symbol 2, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held Normal Symbol. All of them can specify the corresponding number of symbol variations by the lighting modes of two LEDs (in the present embodiment, only the right LED is always on = 1, both the left and right LEDs are always on = 2, the right LED blinks + the left LED is always on = 3, both the left and right LEDs blink = 4).

[0034] In the following description, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is variably displayed by the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol". In the following description, the symbol variation in which the normal symbol is variably displayed by the normal symbol display device 93 and then stopped may be referred to as "symbol variation of the normal symbol". Also, in the following description, the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "symbol variation of the decorative symbol" separately from "symbol variation of the special symbol" and "symbol variation of the normal symbol". In the following description, when simply referred to as "symbol variation", it means the symbol variation of the special symbol unless otherwise specified.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the game board 50, a number of obstacles such as game pins (not shown), a windmill 52, and decorative members are arranged, so that a game area 50a is defined for the rolled game balls. Also, on the left side and upper side of the game area 50a, a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 are arranged to guide the game balls launched by the rotational operation of the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with respect to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction of the fall of the game ball and is in the shape of a nail.

[0036] The gaming machine 10 can adjust the strength of launching the game ball according to the magnitude of the rotational operation amount (e.g., rotational angle) of the operation handle 31. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the game ball rolls through either the first flow path X (so-called left shot) where the game ball is launched more weakly or the second flow path Y (so-called right shot) where the game ball is launched more strongly.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the main winning openings, including the large winning opening 55, the first start opening 57, the second start opening 59, the gate 63, and the general winning opening 67. However, the shown winning openings are just examples, and the number and arrangement thereof may be changed as appropriate.

[0038] The big winning opening 55 is disposed at the lower right part of the game area 50a. A big winning opening sensor 72 is attached to the big winning opening 55, and based on the detection result of the big winning opening sensor 72, winning at the big winning opening 55 is determined, and a number (in this embodiment, 15) of prize balls corresponding to the big winning opening 55 are awarded. In this embodiment, compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, the respective obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll toward the big winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0039] Above the big winning opening 55, a special electric accessory 65 is disposed. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which winning at the big winning opening 55 is easy and a closed state in which it is difficult for balls to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric accessory solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric accessory 65 becomes open in a part of the jackpot game that starts due to a jackpot being derived by a special figure win determination described later, and accordingly, winning at the big winning opening 55 is permitted. Thus, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, since winning at the big winning opening 55 becomes easy, it can be said that the jackpot game in which the chance of obtaining prize balls is significantly increased is an advantageous game state. In the jackpot game, the open state and the closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are alternately set, and one open state (which may be referred to as a "round game" in some cases, and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds" in some cases) ends based on a predetermined number (in this embodiment, 10) of game balls winning at the big winning opening 55, and the special electric accessory 65 becomes closed. Note that one open state also ends based on the elapse of a sufficient time (in this embodiment, 30 s (seconds)) for a predetermined number of game balls to win at the big winning opening 55. Here, when the special electric accessory 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on 10 game balls winning in one round of the game, it cannot immediately enter the closed state. Therefore, in one round of the game, it is possible for more than 10 game balls to win in the big winning opening 55.

[0040] The first starting opening 57 is disposed at the lower center of the game area 50a. A first starting opening sensor 70 is attached to the first starting opening 57. The winning in the first starting opening 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting opening sensor 70, and a number (in this embodiment, 4) of prize balls corresponding to the first starting opening 57 are awarded. At least in part when the winning in the first starting opening 57 is determined, the symbol variation of FIG. 1 in the special drawing is performed. Note that in the game area 50a according to this embodiment, obstacles such as game pins are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting opening 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0041] The second starting opening 59 is disposed at the lower right of the game area 50a. A second starting opening sensor 71 is attached to the second starting opening 59. The winning in the second starting opening 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting opening sensor 71, and a number (in this embodiment, 1) of prize balls corresponding to the second starting opening 59 are awarded. At least in part when the winning in the second starting opening 59 is determined, the symbol variation of FIG. 2 in the special drawing is performed. Note that in the game area 50a according to this embodiment, obstacles such as game pins are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting opening 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0042] An ordinary electric accessory 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting opening 59. The ordinary electric accessory 61 is a member that can be alternatively transitioned between an open state where it is easy for a game ball to enter the second starting opening 59 and a closed state where it is difficult for a game ball to enter, and is transitioned to either the open state or the closed state by an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62. More specifically, the ordinary electric accessory 61 becomes open in at least a part of the ordinary drawing games conducted by winning in the symbol variation of the ordinary drawing, and accordingly, winning in the second starting port 59 is permitted. Thus, when the ordinary electric accessory 61 is in the open state, since winning in the second starting port 59 becomes easier, while suppressing the decrease of the game balls by the prize balls, the opportunity to execute the symbol variation of the special drawing 2 can be significantly increased.

[0043] The gate 63 is disposed at the right central part of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning in the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning in the gate 63 is determined, the symbol variation of the ordinary drawing is performed.

[0044] The general winning port 67 is disposed at the lower left part of the game area 50a. A general winning port sensor 73 is attached to the general winning port 67, and winning in the general winning port 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning port sensor 73, and the number (4 in this embodiment) of prize balls associated with the general winning port 67 is awarded. In this embodiment, compared with the case of rolling from the second flow path Y, each obstacle is arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the first flow path X, but each obstacle may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning ports 67 may be provided.

[0045] The out port 69 is disposed at the lowermost part of the game area 50a. The game balls that are launched into the game area 50a and do not enter the above-mentioned respective winning ports fall into the out port 69 and are processed as out balls. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the above-mentioned winning ports and the out port, is provided.

[0046] On the back of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. 5, there are a main control board case 109 storing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 storing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 storing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 storing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 storing the payout control board 400. In addition to the backs of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 that covers a part of the back of the main control board case 109 is detachably attached. Note that the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Also, the board cases and covers that cover each board are composed of transparent members, and the corresponding boards are visible through each case and cover.

[0047] The power supply control board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to supply to electronic components and electrical components such as the above-mentioned control boards based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates a backup power supply, and a power-off detection circuit 503 that detects a power-off (the supply voltage by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage). Also, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500. On the premise that the primary power supply is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500 generates a normal power supply, and power is supplied to the electronic components and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Also, when the power-off detection circuit 503 of the power supply control board 500 detects a power-off, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power-off signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. Also, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when the power supply is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island to the gaming machine 10. Note that the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400. Instead of providing the power-off detection circuit 503 on the power control board 500, it may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400.

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

[0049] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described. However, these are just specific examples, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

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

[0051] The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory for a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates independently of the program processing by the CPU 101 to generate random numbers (hardware random numbers). These are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0052] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing, thereby executing various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by backup power generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information that enables the gaming machine 10 to return to the state just before power failure using that data at the time of power restoration (when power is turned on) after a power failure is configured to be backed up. For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register held at the time of power failure, information related to the game such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (game stop state or playable state), the current special symbol lottery state, and the current general symbol lottery state is targeted for backup. Note that these pieces of information are cleared (initialized) by a RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (special symbol low probability and general symbol low probability described later) is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the symbol sequence related to the decorative symbols is in a state where the initial symbol combination (in this embodiment, "1 symbol - 3 symbols - 5 symbols") is stopped and displayed, and the initial symbol combination is also in a state where it is stopped and displayed when the RAM clear process is not executed at power-on and when the symbol variation was not being executed at the time of the immediately preceding power failure. Also, this initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed only at power-on and is not stopped by the execution of symbol variation.

[0053] In this embodiment, at least in addition to the area where such information related to the game is stored (which may be referred to as the area related to the game in the RAM 103), the area where the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area related to the game in the RAM 103 are stored (which may be referred to as the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103) is backed up. And the gaming machine 10 returns using the various information stored in the backed-up area related to the game in the RAM 103 and the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration. Note that there is no restriction on the specific method of backup in this embodiment. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized in a configuration that can retain data non-volatilely even in the power-off state. As another example, among the RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data non-volatilely even in the power-off state and a second memory referenced when the gaming machine 10 operates. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may evacuate the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the evacuated information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0054] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first start port sensor 70, a second start port sensor 71, a big winning port sensor 72, a general winning port sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame opening sensor 76, a front frame opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

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

[0056] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are communicably connected only in a single direction from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various effect control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Note that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured such that it cannot request data transmission to the main control board 100. Also, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is adopted for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be adopted.

[0057] The first sub-control board 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processes related to game effects based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as an effect control program and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area and a buffer memory as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral boards and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. Note that the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operations of the operation unit.

[0058] Also, the first sub-control board 200 generates an image control command for instructing an image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, a brightness adjustment command for instructing brightness adjustment, a voice control command for instructing a voice to be output to the voice control board 310, a volume adjustment command for instructing volume adjustment, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decoration 22, and the sub-display unit 82, etc. in the effect control process based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 so as to enable bidirectional communication. Each control command (image control command, brightness adjustment command, audio control command, volume adjustment command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310. On the other hand, as a response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command has been normally received is transmitted from each control board (the second sub-control board 300, the audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] Also, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured to have its lighting controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82 and transmits movable control data via the I / O port 204. The movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured to have their movement controlled by the movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

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

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

[0062] The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown in the figure). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of two-way communication. Based on the payout control commands from the main control board 100, it executes control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls, and controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the operation amount of the operation handle 31.

[0063] The power control board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to supply electronic components and electrical components such as the above-described control boards based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment on the gaming island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates a backup power supply, and a power failure detection circuit 503 that detects a power failure (the supply voltage by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage drop). Also, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. On the premise that the primary power supply is supplied from the power supply equipment on the gaming island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the normal power supply circuit of the power control board 500 generates a normal power supply, and the power is supplied to the electronic components and electrical components including the above-described control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Also, when the power failure detection circuit 503 of the power control board 500 detects a power failure, the power control board 500 transmits a power failure signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. Also, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when the power is supplied from the power supply equipment on the gaming island to the gaming machine 10. Note that the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power failure detection circuit may not be provided on the power control board 500 but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400.

[0064] <Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include a functional configuration not shown in FIG. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, FIGS. 8 to 10 will be referred to as necessary.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special pattern lottery means 130, a general pattern lottery means 135, a big win game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric accessory control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, and a power-off process execution means 180. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described with reference to FIG. 6.

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

[0067] The ball entry determination means 110 determines winning at each winning port based on the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port.

[0068] The main random number generation means 115 can generate a plurality of types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and acquires (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to the winning port from the random number circuit 105 at the timing when winning at the winning port is determined. More specifically, when winning at the first start port 57 or the second start port 59 is determined, the main random number generation means 115 acquires the random number for special pattern win / loss determination, the random number for special pattern stop symbol lottery, and the random number for special pattern variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. When winning at the gate 63 is determined, the random number for general pattern win / loss determination, the random number for general pattern stop symbol lottery, and the random number for general pattern variation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160. Note that the random number circuit 105 monitors whether a plurality of types of random numbers updated by itself are updated normally. When an update abnormality occurs where the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is written into a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0069] The main hold control means 120 performs control related to holding the symbol variation of the special drawing and holding the symbol variation of the general drawing. Regarding the special drawing 1, the random numbers for special drawing win / loss determination, the random numbers for special drawing stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for special drawing variation pattern lottery, which are obtained triggered by winning at the first start port 57, are held (stored) as the operation hold information of the special drawing 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special drawing 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special drawing 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special drawing 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special drawing lottery means 130). Until the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter reaches the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), the operation hold information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special drawing 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160. Each time the operation hold information is used, the used operation hold information is cleared, and the remaining operation hold information is moved (shifted) in order from the smallest special drawing 1 hold counter to the storage area corresponding to the special drawing 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special drawing 1 hold counter from the current storage area. Also, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above separately for the special drawing 2 and the general drawing as for the special drawing 1, and the hold counter of the special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 hold counter. Also, in the following description, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of symbol variation" or simply "holding". Also, when the main hold control means 120 updates (increments or decrements) the operation hold information (hold counter) of the special drawing 1 or the special drawing 2, it generates a production control command (hold command) including the special drawing 1 hold counter and the special drawing 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. In addition, in the present embodiment, when both the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 2 are held, a priority change is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 2 is preferentially used.

[0070] The pre-determination means 125 executes a pre-determination for a look-ahead effect for at least a part of the case where the operation hold information of the special figure is held at a predetermined pre-determination timing. More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads out each random number of the operation hold information held this time, and executes a pre-determination for each of the special figure validity determination, the special figure stop symbol lottery, and the special figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each pre-determination is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-determinations will be the same as the results of the lottery executed later. In addition, the pre-determination means 125 generates an effect control command (pre-determination command) including the derived pre-determination result, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least in part at a predetermined pre-determination timing, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned hold command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing when it is not during a big win game. For example, there is a timing when the operation hold information of the special figure is held. In the present embodiment, when the operation hold information of Special Figure 1 is held during the general figure high probability described later, the pre-determination is regulated, so the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also regulated. On the other hand, regarding the case where the operation hold information of Special Figure 2 is held during the general figure low probability described later, the pre-determination may or may not be regulated.

[0071] The special figure lottery means 130 includes a special figure validity determination means 131, a special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special figure variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes the processing by each means in the order of the special figure validity determination means 131, the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and the special figure variation pattern derivation means 133. When the variation start condition of the special figure is satisfied, the special figure lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160. Note that "the variation start condition of the special figure is satisfied" means, as an example, that it is not during a big win game, that neither the special figure 1 nor the special figure 2 is in the middle of symbol variation execution (including during the stop display of the symbol variation related to the special figure 1 or the special figure 2), and all conditions that there is operation hold information in at least one of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2 are satisfied.

[0072] Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In addition, in the lottery using the lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, for the read random numbers, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added in a predetermined order (when there is only one target lottery value, the number of additions is one), and the result corresponding to the lottery value with a carry (digit overflow) generated is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the description of the lottery table, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the lottery table is named, but it is only necessary that the data such as the lottery values included in the lottery table corresponding to the name are stored in each ROM in an identifiable manner, and these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, for the sake of convenience of explanation, if there are items described or if "-" or "0" is described as a lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And the results with "-" or "0" described as lottery values will not win. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within the range) is described in the lottery table, since the result is derived 100%, it is not necessarily necessary to conduct the lottery. Also, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will necessarily occur in the addition of the last lottery value, so it is not necessary to perform the addition, and in that case, the lottery values themselves used for the addition are also unnecessary.

[0073] The special drawing win / loss determination means 131 executes a special drawing win / loss determination that, for each symbol variation, reads a random number for special drawing win / loss determination and determines by lottery whether to win a big win or a loss using the read random number and the lottery table for special drawing win / loss determination. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for special drawing win / loss determination, and this lottery table is commonly used in special drawing 1 and special drawing 2. Since the range of the random numbers used in this determination is 0 to 65535, when the special drawing lottery state is a low probability case (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as "special drawing low probability"), a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320). Similarly, when the special figure lottery state has a high probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special figure high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 600 / 65536 (about 1 / 109).

[0074] When the result of the special figure win / loss determination is a jackpot, the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132 reads out a random number for the special figure stop symbol lottery, and uses the read random number and the lottery table for the special figure stop symbol lottery to determine the stop symbol of the special figure by lottery. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for the special figure 1 stop symbol lottery. The range of the random number used in the lottery is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in the special figure 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2). Here, symbol A has a round number of 4, and is a symbol that becomes a special figure high probability and a general figure high probability (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "probability change symbol") after the jackpot game ends. On the other hand, symbol B has a round number of 4, and is a symbol that becomes a special figure low probability and a general figure high probability (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "normal symbol") after the jackpot game ends. Therefore, it can be said that symbol A is a more advantageous symbol than symbol B in the special figure lottery state after the jackpot game. FIG. 8(c) is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for the special figure 2 stop symbol lottery. The range of the random number used in the lottery is 0 to 99, the same as the special figure 1 stop symbol lottery. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in the special figure 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 75 / 100 (about 1 / 1.33), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 25 / 100 (1 / 4). Here, symbol a is a probability change symbol with a round number of 10 and a special figure high probability and a general figure high probability after the jackpot game ends, and symbol b is a normal symbol with a round number of 4 and a special figure high probability and a general figure high probability after the jackpot game ends. Therefore, it can be said that symbol a is a more advantageous symbol than symbol b in terms of the round number. In the following description, the jackpot related to symbol a may sometimes be referred to as a 10R probability change jackpot, and the jackpot related to symbol b may sometimes be referred to as a 4R probability change jackpot. In addition, when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is not a big win, the special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132 uniformly determines the stop symbol as symbol C when the special drawing 1 is a loss and symbol c when the special drawing 2 is a loss.

[0075] The special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special drawing variation pattern lottery tables referred to when determining the special drawing variation pattern. Based on the current special drawing variation pattern derivation state and the result of this special drawing win / loss determination, one special drawing variation pattern lottery table for determining the current special drawing variation pattern is selected. Using the selected special drawing variation pattern lottery table and a random number for special drawing variation pattern lottery, one special drawing variation pattern is determined, and the variation time is determined based on the determined special drawing variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the symbol variation related to the special drawing (special drawing 1 or special drawing 2) starts until the symbol variation ends. Details of the transition conditions and the like will be described later. In the special drawing variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment, there are a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. And the above-described method for determining the special drawing variation pattern is adopted for the symbol variation of the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted for the symbol variation of the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. In addition, in the symbol variation related to the other special drawing in each special drawing variation pattern derivation state, one special drawing variation pattern determined in advance according to the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is determined.

[0076] Hereinafter, the lottery of the special drawing variation pattern in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA by the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133 will be illustrated and described with reference to the lottery table. Note that the lottery tables used by the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC are not shown, but the point of determining the special drawing variation pattern by lottery is the same as that in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special figure variation pattern lottery table used for the symbol variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the symbol variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern HNP to the special figure variation pattern ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, in the symbol variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special figure validity determination is a miss, the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11), the special figure variation pattern HRP is determined with a probability of 52 / 1000 (about 1 / 19.2), HSP1-A is determined with a probability of 13 / 1000 (about 1 / 76.9), HSP1-B is determined with a probability of 11 / 1000 (about 1 / 90.9), HSP2-A is determined with a probability of 9 / 1000 (about 1 / 111), HSP2-B is determined with a probability of 7 / 1000 (about 1 / 143), HSP3-A is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and HSP3-B is determined with a probability of 3 / 1000 (about 1 / 333). In this case, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A to the special figure variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9(b), when the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined, the special figure variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special figure 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. On the other hand, in the symbol variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special figure validity determination is a big win, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A is determined with a probability of 90 / 1000 (about 1 / 11.1), the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B is determined with a probability of 110 / 1000 (about 1 / 9.09), the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A is determined with a probability of 135 / 1000 (about 1 / 7.41), the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 165 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.06), the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (about 1 / 5.56), the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220 / 1000 (about 1 / 4.56), and the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In this case, the special figure variation pattern HNP to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B are not determined. As described above, in this embodiment, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a ratio of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined at a ratio of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11). Further, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a ratio of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the description of the special drawing variation patterns of this embodiment, when two special drawing variation patterns are described with "~" in between, it is assumed that the description of the special drawing variation patterns existing between the special drawing variation pattern described earlier and the special drawing variation pattern described later is omitted in accordance with the order described in the drawing related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special drawing variation patterns of this embodiment, regardless of whether there is a description of the corresponding variation time, if the names of the special drawing variation patterns are different, it indicates that they are different special drawing variation patterns, but if the corresponding variation times are the same, they may be treated as the same special drawing variation pattern.

[0077] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing the special drawing variation pattern lottery table used when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random number used in this lottery (different from the random number used in the lottery related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table shown in FIG. 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the special drawing variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA includes the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, and the variation time becomes longer in this order. Specifically, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 3, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 2, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 1, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 0, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). In the following description, when the value of the special drawing hold counter to be referred to is 3, it may be referred to as "hold 3", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 2, it may be referred to as "hold 2", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 1, it may be referred to as "hold 1", and when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 0, it may be referred to as "hold 0". In this way, when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined depends on the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely it is that a longer symbol variation will be determined (the larger the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely it is that a shorter variation time will be determined). Also, such a special drawing variation pattern HNP (hereinafter may be referred to as the "basic special drawing variation pattern") also exists in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. In these special drawing variation pattern derivation states, the hold counter to be referred to is different from that in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and in each case, the value of the special drawing 2 hold counter is referred to.

[0078] In addition, when the special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133 starts the symbol variation, based on the result of the special symbol win / loss determination, it generates a production control command (variation start command) including the stop symbol of the determined special symbol and the determined special symbol variation pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0079] Similar to the special symbol lottery means 130, when the general symbol is not in the process of symbol variation, the general symbol lottery means 135 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160, and uses the read random number to execute a general symbol win / loss determination for determining the win / loss of the general symbol. When winning in the general symbol win / loss determination where the general electric accessory 61 is to be controlled to the open state, it executes a general symbol stop symbol lottery for determining the stop symbol of the general symbol by lottery, and a general symbol variation pattern lottery for determining the variation pattern (variation time) of the general symbol by lottery. More specifically, in the general symbol win / loss determination, there are a state where the general symbol lottery state is a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "general symbol high probability") and a state where the general symbol lottery state is a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "general symbol low probability"). Although the illustration of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the general symbol high probability, the probability of winning the general symbol is 65535 / 65536, and the probability of losing is 1 / 65536. On the other hand, in the general symbol low probability, the probability of winning the general symbol is 1 / 65536, and the probability of losing is 65535 / 65536. Note that in the general symbol low probability, it may be set so as not to win the general symbol (losing with a probability of 65536 / 65536).

[0080] In the general symbol stop symbol lottery, similar to the special symbol stop symbol lottery, one stop symbol is determined by lottery using a lottery table for general symbol stop symbol lottery (not shown) from a plurality of types of stop symbols with different patterns for the open state of the general electric accessory 61. When losing in the general symbol win / loss determination, similar to the special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, the stop symbol is uniformly determined.

[0081] In addition, in the general pattern variation pattern lottery, similar to the special pattern variation pattern lottery, one general pattern variation pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for general pattern variation pattern lottery from among multiple types of general pattern variation patterns.

[0082] Thus, it can be said that the high-probability general pattern has a higher probability of derivation per general pattern than the low-probability general pattern and is in a state with a higher degree of advantage than the low-probability general pattern.

[0083] When the result of the special pattern win / loss lottery is a big win, the big win game control means 140 determines the demo time related to the big win start demo and the demo time related to the big win end demo according to the determined big win symbol. In addition, at the start of a big win, the big win game control means 140 generates an effect control command (big win start command) including the demo time related to the big win start demo, stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the big win, generates an effect control command (big win end command) including the demo time related to the big win end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0084] The symbol display control means 145 variably displays the special figure 1 on the first special symbol display device 91 according to the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the special figure 1, and stops and displays the special figure 1 with the stop symbol determined by the special figure stop symbol lottery after the elapse of the variation time. Similarly, according to the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the second special symbol, the special figure 2 is variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 92, and after the elapse of the variation time, the special figure 2 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special figure stop symbol lottery. Note that the symbol display control means 145 has a special figure game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2, and when stopping and displaying the special figure (at the timing when the value of the special figure game timer becomes "0"), generates an effect control command (variation stop command) for requesting the fixed stop display of the decorative symbol and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Here, the final stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern during the pattern variation, which is different from the temporary stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern variation. And in the temporary stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the stopped decorative pattern has a small up-and-down swaying motion (so-called swaying variation), while in the final stop display of the decorative pattern, even when the same decorative pattern is stopped, such as the stopped decorative pattern not having a swaying variation, the stop display mode of the finally stopped decorative pattern is different from the stop display mode of the temporarily stopped decorative pattern. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stop display of the decorative pattern is a final stop display or a temporary stop display.

[0085] Also, the pattern display control means 145 variably displays the general pattern on the general pattern display device 93 according to the general pattern variation pattern (variation time) of the general pattern, and after the elapse of the variation time, stops and displays the general pattern with the stop pattern determined by the general pattern stop pattern lottery. Note that the pattern display control means 145 has a general pattern game timer for managing the time related to the display of the general pattern (variation time, stop display time).

[0086] In the above-mentioned big win game, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66 to open the special electric accessory 65 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop pattern of the special pattern.

[0087] Also, when winning the general pattern win / loss lottery, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the general electric accessory solenoid 62 to open the general electric accessory 61 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop pattern of the general pattern.

[0088] The game state control means 155 controls the special pattern lottery state. Specifically, as described above, at the start of the big win game, regardless of the pattern related to the big win, the special pattern has a low probability, at the end of the big win game related to the normal big win, the special pattern low probability is maintained, and at the end of the big win game related to the sure change big win, the special pattern has a high probability. In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to a low probability regardless of the symbols related to the big win at the start of the big win. When the specified conditions are satisfied, it sets the normal drawing to a high probability until the symbols are changed a specified number of times, and sets the normal drawing to a low probability after the symbols have been changed the specified number of times.

[0089] Such special drawing lottery states and normal drawing lottery states change in linkage with the above-described special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. Hereinafter, the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be described with reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). Note that FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is composed of a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to a low probability of special drawing and a low probability of normal drawing, a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to a high probability of special drawing and a high probability of normal drawing, and a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to a low probability of special drawing and a high probability of normal drawing. Except during the big win game, one of these special drawing variation pattern derivation states is set. And there are transition conditions (i) to (iv) for the transition conditions between the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. Specifically, the transition condition (i) is the end of the big win game related to the probability-variable big win, the transition condition (ii) is the end of the big win game related to the normal big win, the transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th symbol change, and the transition condition (iv) is the end of the 160th symbol change.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average variation times of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC become shorter in the order of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB. This is due to the length of the variation time related to the basic special drawing variation pattern that is most easily determined in each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.

[0091] In addition, when an update occurs in the special drawing lottery state, the normal drawing lottery state, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a production control command (game state designation command) including each state after the update, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, in each special drawing variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times of executing the symbol variation related to the transition to another special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and each time the symbol variation is started, it generates a production control command including the counted number of times of the symbol variation, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. Note that the information included in the production control command may be included in the above-described variation start command.

[0092] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes game state control means (game state control means 155) for controlling to one game state among a plurality of game states, and the game states in which symbol variation can be executed include a first game state (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA), and a second game state (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC) more advantageous than the first game state.

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

[0094] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. When it is determined that the gaming machine is in an error state, it stores a production control command (error command) including information capable of specifying the error state in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0095] When a production control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the production control command to the first sub-control board 200. In addition, each effect control command is generally transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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

[0097] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process for setting the return state based on whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the state at the time of power cut-off immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration, and the state of the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a playable state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, when there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. Also, when there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration is ON (pressed state), the RAM clear process is executed on the condition that the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration is ON and the playable state is set (when the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration is OFF, the playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process), and when there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration is OFF (not pressed state), the playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the progress of the game becomes impossible by not executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port (it is not necessary to consider the detection result of the sensor itself). On the other hand, the playable state is a restored state in which the progress of the game becomes possible by executing processing according to the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port. In particular, when the RAM clear process is not executed at the time of power restoration, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the previous power failure. For example, if the previous power failure occurred during the execution of a big win game, the game returns to the big win game that was being executed, and if the previous power failure occurred during the execution of symbol variation, the game returns to the symbol variation that was being executed.

[0098] Also, whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check (specifically, determining whether a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the target area (whether the backup flag is ON), and when the backup flag is stored (when the backup flag is ON), deriving the checksum of the complement stored in the target area and the backup information area related to the area, and when the calculation result is 0, determining that the target area is normal, and otherwise determining that the target area is abnormal) for the area related to the game in the RAM 103.

[0099] When the playable state transition means 179 is set to the playable state, it executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to the playable state. Specifically, in the playable state transition process, when the output of the security signal is ON, the process of turning off the output of the security signal and the initial setting of the device are executed. Also, in the initial setting of the device, processes such as transmitting a firing permission command for permitting the firing of game balls to the payout control board 400, setting a state in which ball entry into each winning port is enabled, and setting data for starting the random number circuit 105 are executed.

[0100] The power failure process execution means 180 executes a power failure process based on receiving a power failure signal from the power control board 500. Specifically, for the area related to the game in the RAM 103, a checksum of the area is derived, a process of storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103, and a process of turning on a backup flag indicating that the power-off process for the area has been executed (storing the backup flag in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103) are executed.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal effect control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable accessory control means 245, an effect customization means 250, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas. Also, the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following description, the fact that the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as the reception of the effect control command.

[0102] The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate a random number (software random number) updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and acquires the random number at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) by the normal effect control means 220 is executed.

[0103] The normal effect control means 220 includes an effect mode control means 221, an effect route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading effect control means 224, an effect content determination means 225, a decorative symbol control means 226, and a big win effect control means 227.

[0104] When the performance mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the performance mode in a manner that matches the special drawing variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The performance modes in this embodiment are roughly classified into a normal mode, a sure-win mode, a chance time, and a play time. The normal mode corresponds to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the sure-win mode corresponds to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, the chance time corresponds to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, and the play time corresponds to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PD.

[0105] When the performance route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) the performance route corresponding to the symbol variation held this time based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special drawing variation pattern). Note that when the special drawing variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation is the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern HNP, the performance route is not determined when the pre-determination command is transmitted. At the start of the symbol variation, the performance route is determined based on the special drawing variation pattern included in the variation start command (for example, if it is the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D). Here, the performance route is the performance from the start to the end of the symbol variation, which defines the process of the performance that notifies the result of the special drawing hit / miss determination in the symbol variation. The content of the performance executed in the symbol variation will be determined according to the performance route corresponding to the symbol variation by the performance content determination means 225 described later.

[0106] The presentation routes in this embodiment are roughly classified into a losing presentation route for notifying that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a loss (the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is not a big win), and a big win presentation route for notifying that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win. Further, the losing presentation route includes a non-developing losing presentation route where the developing presentation is not executed, and a developing losing presentation route where the developing presentation is executed. As will be described later, when the big win presentation route is determined, the developing presentation is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the developing presentation is a presentation that is executed after the decorative symbols enter the reach state (a state where the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed except for one symbol row, and the remaining symbol rows are variably displayed), and refers to a presentation that notifies whether the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or not at the end of the presentation. Therefore, in the developing presentation corresponding to the developing losing presentation route, a series of presentations corresponding to the developing presentation are executed, and it is notified at the end of the presentation that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is not a big win. On the other hand, in the developing presentation corresponding to the big win presentation route, a series of presentations corresponding to the developing presentation are executed, and it is notified at the end of the presentation that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, a different presentation route corresponds to each of the determined special drawing variation patterns. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special drawing variation pattern may sometimes be simply expressed by the special drawing variation pattern. However, a plurality of presentation routes may be associated with one special drawing variation pattern. In this case, one presentation route may be determined from the plurality of presentation routes corresponding to the determined special drawing variation pattern.

[0107] The presentation routes corresponding to the special drawing variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and the special drawing variation pattern HRP determined in the normal mode (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA) correspond to the above-described non-developing losing presentation route. Specifically, for special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D, there is a corresponding production route for notifying that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this figure variation is a loss, by having the decorative pattern stop and be displayed in a scattered state (a state where all symbol columns are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped in each symbol column), without the decorative pattern reaching a winning state. Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern imitating the same number, and even if the parts other than the numbers constituting the decorative pattern are different, it may be in such a form. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns imitating different numbers. For special figure variation pattern HRP, there is a corresponding production route for notifying that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this figure variation is a loss, by having the decorative pattern reach a winning state without going through pseudo-variation, and then the decorative pattern stop and be displayed in a scattered state without the subsequent development production being executed. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period delimited by, for example, the stop of a decorative pattern based on a certain rule (such as a state where the 7-symbol stops in the middle symbol column like "5 symbols - 7 symbols - 6 symbols") during the period before the start of the development production. Therefore, it can be said that pseudo-variation occurs only when the number of pseudo-variations reaches 2 times. That is, it can be said that when the variation of the decorative pattern until it forms a winning state is 1 time, pseudo-variation does not occur, and in that case, it can also be said that 1 time of pseudo-variation is executed. Note that although the maximum number of pseudo-variations in this embodiment is 3 times, the maximum number of pseudo-variations is not limited to this, and any number of 2 or more can be adopted.

[0108] For special figure variation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B, the above-mentioned development loss production route is applicable. Specifically, for special figure variation patterns HSP1-A and HSP1-B, there is a corresponding production route where the decorative pattern reaches a winning state without going through pseudo-variation, and then a development production for notifying that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this figure variation is a loss is executed, and after the end of the development production, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state. In the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. In the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds.

[0109] The special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B correspond to the above-mentioned big win effect route. Specifically, in the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern columns are stopped and the same decorative pattern is stopped in each pattern column) corresponds. In the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A and the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment corresponds. In the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A and the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment corresponds. For the special figure variation pattern ASP-C, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in alignment is supported.

[0110] When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, may simply be expressed as the occurrence of a hold win), based on the information of the special figure 1 hold counter and the special figure 2 hold counter included in the command, in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81, production data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 2 hold counter is set. Note that the hold image is an image that is the target of a hold preview effect that changes in various forms suggesting the degree of advantage such as the expectation of a big win game.

[0111] When the preview effect control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the preview effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The preview effect is an effect that, for the purpose of improving the gaming interest, suggests the degree of expectation for the result of the special figure validity determination in the figure variation to be previewed and the content of the effect to be executed in the figure variation to be previewed, starting from before the figure variation to be previewed is started. The figure variation to be previewed is a figure variation related to the main special figure (in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, it is special figure 1, and in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, or special figure variation pattern derivation state PD, it is special figure 2), which refers to a figure variation held in the states of hold 1 to hold 3, or a figure variation held during the execution of the figure variation related to the special figure in the state of hold 0.

[0112] When the effect content determination means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current figure variation according to the effect route already determined by the effect route determination means 222. More specifically, the effect content determination means 225 determines the content (effect pattern) of the effect for each effect execution timing in the symbol variation by lottery or the like using an effect pattern lottery table corresponding to the effect route determined by the effect route determination means 222. By doing so, it is possible to change the content of the effect related to (executed according to) the determined effect route, and it is possible to give a connection to the effect in one symbol variation. Also, even when the same effect route is determined, the executed effects can be made diverse. Note that, as the timing for determining the content of the effect, for example, the start time of the symbol variation can be cited.

[0113] When the decoration symbol control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the combination of the final (definitely stopped and displayed) decoration symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) of the decoration symbols based on the stop symbol of the specific symbol determined. Specifically, a symbol alignment composed of odd symbols is associated with symbol A, a symbol alignment composed of even symbols is associated with symbol B, and a scattered pattern is associated with symbol C or symbol c. Further, a symbol alignment composed of 7 symbols is associated with symbol a, and a symbol alignment composed of odd symbols excluding 7 symbols is associated with symbol b. Note that when associating the combination of the determined decoration symbols with the stop symbol of the specific symbol, it is not necessarily necessary to have the above correspondence relationship.

[0114] When the big win effect control means 227 receives a big win start command, it determines the content of the big win effect for notifying that it is in the big win game based on the information etc. included in the command. Note that, for the big win effect, there are a start demo effect for notifying the start of the big win game, a round effect for notifying that it is in the round game, and an end demo effect for notifying the end of the big win game.

[0115] Normally, the performance control means 220 reads out the performance data of each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of each performance according to the content of the performance determined by the above-described means provided in the first sub-control board 200. When there is performance data related to an image in the read performance data, an image control command is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Further, when there is performance data related to sound in the read performance data, an audio voice control command is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. In particular, when the return state at the time of power restoration becomes the playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process, the normal performance control means 220 reads out the performance data for notifying that the playable state has been reached with the execution of the RAM clear process. When the return state at the time of power restoration becomes the playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process, the normal performance control means 220 reads out the performance data for notifying that the playable state has been reached without the execution of the RAM clear process. Furthermore, when the return state at the time of power restoration becomes the game stop state, the normal performance control means 220 reads out the performance data for notifying that, in addition to the game stop state, the execution of the RAM clear process has become necessary. Although the details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that they be continuously executed for a certain period of time (for example, 30 s) after the execution starts, and the performance device for executing the notification is not limited.

[0116] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes a notification means capable of executing a predetermined notification (notification related to the RAM clear process) after the power is turned on.

[0117] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error performance pattern and reads out the performance data for executing the error performance according to the error performance pattern. Note that the error effect is executed with priority over the variation effect related to the symbol variation (the execution of the variation effect is restricted by the execution of the error effect). Here, the fact that the error effect is executed with priority means that, when the device related to the execution of the error effect and the device related to the execution of the variation effect are the same device, it includes not only the case where only the error effect is executed in the device, but also the case where the error effect is executed in a manner that is more easily recognized than the variation effect in the device. Further, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and read out effect data for executing an error effect when it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state.

[0118] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, when there is lamp-corresponding effect data in the effect data read out by the normal effect control means 220, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the effect data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be the execution target.

[0119] When there is movable accessory-corresponding effect data in the effect data read out by the normal effect control means 220, the movable accessory control means 245 reads out movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the effect data, transmits the read movable control data to the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82.

[0120] The effect customization means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the above-described volume adjustment command. The volume adjustment process is a process executed when power is restored or when a volume adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d) is performed. In the volume adjustment process executed during power-on recovery, the initial volume at the time of power-on recovery is set according to the stage of the volume adjustment unit (not shown) at the time of power-on recovery. More specifically, in this process, when the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power-on recovery is high volume, volume 10 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels (in this embodiment, audio playback channel CH1 and audio playback channel CH2). When the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power-on recovery is medium volume, volume 5 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels. When the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power-on recovery is low volume, volume 1 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels. Note that this volume adjustment process may be executed not only during power-on recovery but also based on the elapse of a predetermined time since the end of the most recent symbol variation. In this case, it may be executed only when the volume (current volume) of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels is smaller than the volume corresponding to the current stage of the volume adjustment unit. Also, in the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed, the current volume is updated based on the volume adjustment operation. More specifically, in this process, when this process is executed by operating the right cursor button 38d, a volume one step larger than the volume set before this process with volume 10 as the upper limit is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels. When this process is executed by operating the left cursor button 38c, a volume one step smaller than the volume set before this process is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels with volume 1 as the lower limit. Note that the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed is executed regardless of whether a symbol variation is being executed, unlike the brightness adjustment process described later. Here, setting the volume for an audio playback channel in the volume adjustment process means setting the volume in the storage area corresponding to the audio playback channel in the RAM 203. When the volume is set in this storage area, a volume adjustment command corresponding to the volume adjustment of the audio playback channel is generated by the volume adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the audio control board 310.

[0121] In addition, the effect customization means 250 executes a brightness adjustment process for adjusting brightness and a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating the above-described brightness adjustment command. The brightness adjustment process is a process executed when power is restored or when a brightness adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b) is performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed. In the brightness adjustment process executed when power is restored, the initial brightness at the time of power restoration is set according to the stage of the brightness adjustment unit (not shown) at the time of power restoration. More specifically, in this process, when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is high brightness, brightness 10 is set; when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is medium brightness, brightness 5 is set; and when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is low brightness, brightness 1 is set. Note that the brightness adjustment process may be executed not only when power is restored but also based on the elapse of a predetermined time from the end of the latest symbol variation. In this case, it may be executed only when the current brightness is lower than the brightness corresponding to the current stage of the brightness adjustment unit. In the brightness adjustment process executed when a brightness adjustment operation is performed, the current brightness is updated based on the brightness adjustment operation. More specifically, in this process, when the process is executed by an operation on the up cursor button 38a, a brightness one step higher than the brightness set before the process is set with brightness 10 as the upper limit; and when the process is executed by an operation on the down cursor button 38b, a brightness one step lower than the brightness set before the process is set with brightness 1 as the lower limit. Here, setting the brightness in the brightness adjustment process means setting the brightness in the storage area corresponding to the brightness in the RAM 203. When the brightness is set in the storage area, a brightness adjustment command that can specify the adjusted brightness is generated by the brightness adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300.

[0122] Also, in the present embodiment, when volume adjustment processing is executed due to a volume adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed, a volume adjustment sound is output (production data related to the volume adjustment sound is set), and volume adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (production data related to the volume adjustment display is set). On the other hand, when volume adjustment processing is executed due to a volume adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is being executed, the volume adjustment sound is not output, and volume adjustment display is executed by the main display unit 81. Note that the volume adjustment sound is output at the volume after being adjusted by the volume adjustment processing, so as to let the user actually hear the adjusted volume and recognize the volume. Further, the volume adjustment display is a display that can specify the volume level (any one of volume 1 to volume 10) after being adjusted by the volume adjustment processing, thereby visually recognizing the volume level after adjustment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when brightness adjustment processing is executed due to a brightness adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed, a brightness adjustment sound is output (production data related to the brightness adjustment sound is set), and brightness adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (production data related to the brightness adjustment display is set). Note that the brightness adjustment sound is for recognizing through hearing that the brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing, and the volume of the sound output does not change according to the brightness adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing. Further, the brightness adjustment display is a display that can specify the brightness level (any one of brightness 1 to brightness 10) after being adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing, thereby visually recognizing the brightness level after adjustment.

[0123] Also, the production customization means 250 executes production customization processing for customizing various productions. Details of the production customization processing will be described later.

[0124] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas respectively.

[0125] The sub-command management means 270 receives the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100, and stores the received effect command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Further, when an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, when an audio control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the audio control board 310. Note that these commands are generally transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

[0126] <Regarding the display of the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period> Subsequently, regarding the display of the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a specific example of a timing chart during the symbol stop period. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit 81.

[0127] "Layer 1", "Layer 2", and "Layer 3" shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are the layers of the effect image displayed on the main display unit 81, and are in descending order of "Layer 3", "Layer 2", and "Layer 1". Here, "higher" means that when the display positions of the images in each display layer overlap, they are preferentially visible to the player. Therefore, when the display of "Layer 3" overlaps with other displays arranged in "Layer 1" or "Layer 2", it becomes more difficult to view than the said display. In addition, within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention, in the implementation of the present invention, even if it is illustrated as the display of the same layer in FIGS. 11 and 12, it may be displayed in different layers, or even if it is illustrated as the display of different layers in FIGS. 11 and 12, it may be displayed in the same layer.

[0128] Each period (periods T1 to T5) illustrated in the time charts of FIGS. 11 and 12 represents a time length according to its length. However, the lengths of the respective periods illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 are merely one of the specific examples related to the implementation of the present invention and can be appropriately changed within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0129] The arrangement of each display illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 is merely one of the specific examples of the implementation of the present invention and can be appropriately changed within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. Therefore, each display according to the present invention does not necessarily have to be displayed on the same device (the same display body), and may be separately displayed on different devices (different display bodies).

[0130] First, based on the time chart of FIG. 11, the change in the display mode of the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period will be described. The time chart is a diagram on the premise that the menu call operation by the player is not accepted during the symbol stop period.

[0131] Immediately before the timing when the symbol variation stops (the timing illustrated as "variation stop" in the time chart of FIG. 11), as illustrated in FIG. 13(a), the decorative symbol 81a that was scrolling during the symbol variation stops at the center of the main display unit 81, and the idling display of the decorative symbol 81a starts.

[0132] Triggered by the stop of the symbol variation, as illustrated in FIG. 13(b), the decorative symbol 81a that is still idling is displayed at the center of the main display unit 81, and further, a band display 81b is displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81. The belt display 81b according to this embodiment is a display in a mode where character information "Please pay attention above your head" flows from right to left, and it is an attention - calling display that calls the player's attention so as not to hit their head on the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20 that protrudes in front of the gaming machine 10. Since the display mode of the belt display 81b changes over time, the possibility of burn - in due to its display is low, and measures for preventing burn - in for the display area of the belt display 81b are unnecessary. Although the belt display 81b displayed in the first layer is arranged in a layer above the decorative pattern 81a displayed in the third layer, since their display positions are separated from each other, the belt display 81b does not inhibit the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize the decorative pattern 81a and the belt display 81b simultaneously.

[0133] At the timing when a period T1 (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the stop of the symbol variation, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the decorative pattern 81a that is still idling is continuously displayed at the center of the main display unit 81, and the belt display 81b is continuously displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81. Further, at the center of the main display unit 81, an operation instruction display 81c is displayed so as to overlap a part of the decorative pattern 81a. The operation instruction display 81c according to this embodiment includes displays related to the above - described volume adjustment operation and brightness adjustment operation, and a display related to an operation (menu call operation) for causing the menu display 81d described later to be displayed on the main display unit 81. The operation instruction display 81c displayed in the second layer is arranged in a layer above the decorative pattern 81a displayed in the third layer and is displayed so as to partially overlap the decorative pattern 81a. Therefore, the operation instruction display 81c reduces the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a. On the other hand, since the belt display 81b displayed in the first layer is displayed at a position separated from both the decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c, the belt display 81b does not inhibit the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize the decorative pattern 81a, the belt display 81b, and the operation instruction display 81c simultaneously.

[0134] When a period T2 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the operation instruction display 81c, as shown in FIG. 14(b), while the strip display 81b continues to be displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81, at the center of the main display unit 81, after the operation instruction display 81c becomes non-displayed, a prevention-of-overlapping display 81e is displayed so as to cover all of the decorative pattern 81a (the decorative pattern 81a becomes unrecognizable). The prevention-of-overlapping display 81e according to the present embodiment is a caution display that prompts the player of gaming precautions such as "Pachinko and pachislot are games to be enjoyed moderately" and "Be careful of addiction". The prevention-of-overlapping display 81e displayed in the second layer is arranged in a layer higher than the decorative pattern 81a displayed in the third layer and is displayed so as to overlap all of the decorative pattern 81a. Therefore, the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e makes the decorative pattern 81a unrecognizable. On the other hand, although the strip display 81b displayed in the first layer is arranged in a layer higher than the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e displayed in the second layer, it is also displayed at a position separated from the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e. Therefore, the strip display 81b does not inhibit the visibility of the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize the strip display 81b and the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e at the same time, while the decorative pattern 81a and the prevention-of-overlapping display 81e cannot be visually recognized at the same time.

[0135] Note that the time length of the period T2 during which the operation instruction display 81c is displayed is premised on not accepting further operations (volume adjustment operation, brightness adjustment operation, menu call operation). When a volume adjustment operation or a brightness adjustment operation is accepted, the period during which the operation instruction display 81c is displayed becomes longer than the period T2. Further, when a menu call operation is accepted, the menu display 81d is displayed and the operation instruction display 81c becomes non-displayed. Therefore, the period during which the operation instruction display 81c is displayed becomes shorter than the period T2.

[0136] When a period T3 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the prevention display 81e, as shown in FIG. 14(c), while the band display 81b continues to be displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81, at the center of the main display unit 81, after the prevention display 81e has disappeared, the demo movie 81f is displayed so as to cover all of the decorative design 81a (rendering the decorative design 81a unrecognizable). Although a detailed description of the demo movie 81f according to the present embodiment will be omitted, it includes information that can identify the model name and manufacturer name of the gaming machine 10, as well as video related to the motif of the gaming machine 10. The demo movie 81f displayed in the second layer is arranged in a layer higher than the decorative design 81a displayed in the third layer and is displayed so as to overlap all of the decorative design 81a. Therefore, the demo movie 81f renders the decorative design 81a unrecognizable. On the other hand, although the band display 81b displayed in the first layer is arranged in a layer higher than the demo movie 81f displayed in the second layer, since their respective display areas are divided (the display areas are adjacent), the band display 81b does not inhibit the visibility of the demo movie 81f. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can view the band display 81b and the demo movie 81f simultaneously, while being unable to view the decorative design 81a and the demo movie 81f simultaneously.

[0137] At the timing when a period T4 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the demo movie 81f, it returns to the display mode shown in FIG. 13(c). That is, the decorative design 81a and the operation instruction display 81c during idling are displayed at the center of the main display unit 81, and the band display 81b continues to be displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81.

[0138] Next, based on the time chart of FIG. 12, the change in the display mode of the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period will be described. The time chart illustrates the case where a menu call operation by the player is received during the symbol stop period (during the period when the operation instruction display 81c is displayed). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14(a), although the decorative pattern 81a during idling continues to be displayed at the center of the main display unit 81, the operation instruction display 81c that was previously displayed becomes non-displayed, and instead, the menu display 81d is displayed so as to overlap a part of the decorative pattern 81a. On the other hand, the strip display 81b continues to be displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81. The menu display 81d according to the present embodiment includes displays related to the premium mode and the simple mode as items for effect customization. Here, the premium mode is an effect customization that increases the frequency of executing a so-called premium effect (usually an effect with a low occurrence frequency). And the simple mode is an effect customization that decreases the occurrence frequency of a specific effect. The menu display 81d displayed on the second layer is arranged in a layer higher than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer and is displayed so as to partially overlap the decorative pattern 81a. Therefore, the menu display 81d reduces the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a. On the other hand, since the strip display 81b displayed on the first layer is displayed at a position separated from both the decorative pattern 81a and the menu display 81d, the strip display 81b does not inhibit the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a and the menu display 81d. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize the decorative pattern 81a, the strip display 81b, and the menu display 81d at the same time.

[0139] At the timing when a period T5 (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the menu display 81d, it returns to the display mode shown in FIG. 13(c). That is, the decorative pattern 81a during idling and the operation instruction display 81c are displayed at the center of the main display unit 81, and the strip display 81b continues to be displayed at the upper part of the main display unit 81. Note that the duration T5 of the period during which the menu display 81d is shown is premised on not accepting any further operations. If a further operation is accepted, the period during which the menu display 81d is shown will be longer than period T5. Also, when an operation to select "End" among the items of the menu display 81d is accepted, the operation explanation display 81c is shown and the menu display 81d becomes non-displayed, so the period during which the menu display 81d is shown will be shorter than period T5.

[0140] Regarding the time chart in FIG. 12, since there is no difference in the change in the display mode except before and after the menu call operation from the content described using the time chart in FIG. 11, the explanation here is omitted.

[0141] As described above, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 can visually recognize a caution display regarding precautions in the game during the symbol stop period when the symbol variation has stopped, and the caution display includes a first caution display (the indentation prevention display 81e) and a second caution display (the band display 81b).

[0142] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for all of the symbol stop period (spanning before and after the periods T3 and T4 when the decorative symbol 81a is not visually recognizable), the decorative symbol 81a is maintained as the same symbol. This is due to being displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period. Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 can visually recognize a predetermined display (the decorative symbol 81a) in addition to the caution display during the symbol stop period, and the predetermined display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period.

[0143] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display periods of the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d are limited to a part of the symbol stop period (period T2 or period T5). Also, the displays of the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d change in display mode based on the reception of an operation by the player. That is, the display control data related to the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d changes when an operation by the player is received during the symbol stop period, and is maintained when an operation by the player is not received during the symbol stop period. Therefore, during the symbol stop period, in addition to the attention - calling display, the gaming machine 10 enables the first display (the decorative symbol 81a) and the second display (the operation instruction display 81c or the menu display 81d) to be visible. The first display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, and the second display is displayed based on the same display control data or different display control data throughout the symbol stop period.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 14(b), since the anti - sinking display 81e is displayed so as to cover the entire decorative symbol 81a, the decorative symbol 81a becomes difficult to view during the display period of the anti - sinking display 81e. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13(b), since the band display 81b is displayed at a position separated from the decorative symbol 81a, both the decorative symbol 81a and the band display 81b are visible during the display period of the band display 81b. Therefore, it can be said that the first attention - calling display (the anti - sinking display 81e) is displayed over the predetermined display (the decorative symbol 81a), the first attention - calling display makes the predetermined display difficult to view, the second attention - calling display (the band display 81b) is separated from the predetermined display, and the second attention - calling display and the predetermined display are each visible. Since the gaming machine 10 changes the display mode of the attention - calling display as described above during the symbol stop period, it can prevent the main display unit 81 from being burned in by the predetermined display (the decorative symbol 81a) and can appropriately call the attention of the player.

[0145] In addition, in this embodiment, during the period T3 when the anti-entrapment display 81e is displayed in the second layer, an embodiment in which the decorative pattern 81a is displayed in the third layer (the decorative pattern 81a becomes unrecognizable due to the anti-entrapment display 81e) has been described. As a modification thereof, when the anti-entrapment display 81e is displayed in the first layer, the anti-entrapment display 81e may be superimposed on the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d that can be displayed below it, so that the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d may become unrecognizable. Also in this modification, since the band display 81b is displayed at a position separated from the decorative pattern 81a, in addition to the decorative pattern 81a during the display period of the band display 81b, the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d are also visible. Therefore, it can be said that the first attention-calling display (anti-entrapment display 81e) is superimposed on the first display (decorative pattern 81a) and the second display (operation instruction display 81c and menu display 81d), the first attention-calling display makes it difficult to visually recognize both the first display and the second display, and the second attention-calling display (band display 81b) is separated from both the first display and the second display, and the second attention-calling display, the first display, and the second display are each visible. Also, when the second display (operation instruction display 81c or menu display 81d) receives a predetermined operation during the symbol stop period, the display control data changes to a different display mode, and when the second display does not receive a predetermined operation during the symbol stop period, it can be said that the second display is displayed based on the same display control data over the symbol stop period. Even in this modification, the gaming machine 10 can achieve the same effects as in this embodiment, and in particular, can prevent the second display from being burned in, which may occur when a predetermined operation is not received.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 14(b), the display area of the anti-entrapment display 81e is larger than the display area of the band display 81b. Therefore, it can be said that the display area related to the first attention-calling display (anti-entrapment display 81e) is larger than the display area related to the second attention-calling display (band display 81b). This makes it easy to make a predetermined display (decoration pattern 81a) unrecognizable, facilitating the prevention of the burning-in of the predetermined display.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 14(b), when the intrusion prevention display 81e is displayed on the main display unit 81, the band display 81b is also displayed. At this time, since the intrusion prevention display 81e and the band display 81b are displayed at non-overlapping positions, both can be visually recognized simultaneously, while the decoration pattern 81a is difficult to visually recognize. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, even when the band display 81b is displayed on the main display unit 81, there may be a case where the intrusion prevention display 81e is not displayed. Therefore, it can be said that there may be a case where both the first attention-calling display (intrusion prevention display 81e) and the second attention-calling display (band display 81b) are displayed, and in such a case, both the first attention-calling display and the second attention-calling display are visually recognizable, and the predetermined display (decoration pattern 81a) is difficult to visually recognize. Also, it can be said that there may be a case where both the first attention-calling display (intrusion prevention display 81e) and the second attention-calling display (band display 81b) are displayed, and in such a case, they are displayed so as not to overlap with each other. In this way, the first attention-calling display, which has few opportunities to be visually recognized, needs to make the predetermined display difficult to visually recognize so as to be conspicuous when displayed. On the other hand, the second attention-calling display, which has many opportunities to be visually recognized, is easily noticed by the player, so it is made visually recognizable in parallel with the predetermined display.

[0148] As shown in the time charts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the display period of the band display 81b is the entire symbol stop period, and the display period of the intrusion prevention display 81e is limited to a part (period T3) of the symbol stop period. Therefore, it can be said that the first attention-calling display (intrusion prevention display 81e) is visually recognizable during a part of the symbol stop period, and the second attention-calling display (band display 81b) is visually recognizable during the entire symbol stop period. In this way, the first attention - attracting display with a relatively short visible period becomes prominent by making the predetermined display invisible. On the other hand, the second attention - attracting display with a relatively long visible period is made visible in parallel with the predetermined display because it is easily noticed by the player.

[0149] To enhance the above - mentioned effects, the gaming machine 10 may display the intrusion - prevention display 81e only during the symbol stop period in a specific gaming state (for example, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA), and may display the band display 81b during the symbol stop period in all gaming states (for example, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC). Therefore, it can be said that in the gaming machine 10, during the symbol stop period in the first gaming state (the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA), both the first attention - attracting display and the second attention - attracting display are visible, and during the symbol stop period in the second gaming state (the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC), the first attention - attracting display is difficult to view, and the second attention - attracting display is visible.

[0150] <Regarding the display of the main display unit 81 when a predetermined error state occurs during the symbol stop period> Subsequently, regarding the display of the main display unit 81 when a predetermined error state (door - opening error) occurs during the symbol stop period, it will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of the display mode of the main display unit 81. In this embodiment, a case where a door - opening error that notifies that the front frame 20 is in an open state occurs during the symbol stop period as the predetermined error state will be described, but even when other error states occur, a similar display mode may be adopted.

[0151] When a door - opening error occurs during the display period of the operation explanation display 81c (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in FIG. 13(c)), as shown in FIG. 15(a), an error display 81g is displayed at the lower part of the main display unit 81. The error display 81g according to this embodiment is a display regarding an error state including character information "The door is open". Since the error display 81g is displayed at a position separated from any of the decorative pattern 81a, the strip display 81b, and the operation instruction display 81c, the error display 81g does not inhibit the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a, the strip display 81b, and the operation instruction display 81c. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize all of the decorative pattern 81a, the strip display 81b, the operation instruction display 81c, and the error display 81g at the same time.

[0152] During the display period of the anti - indentation display 81e (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in FIG. 14(b)), when a door - opening error occurs, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the above - mentioned error display 81g is displayed at the lower part of the main display unit 81. Since the error display 81g is displayed at a position separated from both the strip display 81b and the anti - indentation display 81e, the error display 81g does not inhibit the visibility of the strip display 81b and the anti - indentation display 81e. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize all of the strip display 81b, the anti - indentation display 81e, and the error display 81g at the same time.

[0153] During the display period of the demo movie 81f (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in FIG. 14(c)), when a door - opening error occurs, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the above - mentioned error display 81g is displayed at the lower part of the main display unit 81. Since the error display 81g is displayed so as to partially overlap the demo movie 81f, the visibility of the demo movie 81f is reduced. On the other hand, since the error display 81g is displayed at a position separated from the strip display 81b, the error display 81g does not inhibit the visibility of the strip display 81b. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can visually recognize all of the strip display 81b, the demo movie 81f, and the error display 81g at the same time.

[0154] Note that the error display 81g is preferably displayed in a layer higher than the demo movie 81f, that is, the same first layer as the band display 81b or a layer higher than the first layer. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this aspect.

[0155] As described above, when a predetermined error state (door opening error) occurs while the first caution display (the fall prevention display 81e) is visible, the first caution display remains continuously visible during the notification period of the predetermined error state. When a predetermined error state occurs while the second caution display (the band display 81b) is visible, the second caution display remains continuously visible during the notification period of the predetermined error state. With the above configuration, the gaming machine 10 can continuously display the first caution display and the second caution display, both of which are important contents, even in a predetermined error state, and can appropriately alert the player.

[0156] <Other Modification Examples> The present invention not described in the above description is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications, improvements, etc. as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Hereinafter, modification examples of the present invention will be listed.

[0157] The display positions of the respective displays (the first caution display, the second caution display, the predetermined display (the first display), the second display) according to the present invention do not have to be the positions described in the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the range that achieves the object of the present invention. These displays are not limited to those visible by the main display unit 81, and may be visible by a display body provided separately from the main display unit 81, such as the sub display unit 82 or the symbol display device 90.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the band display 81b corresponding to the "second attention-calling display" according to the present invention is made visible when the pattern variation stops (simultaneous with the start of the pattern stop period), but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the present invention may be embodied by a modified example in which the "second attention-calling display" is visible from the pattern variation period to the pattern stop period. Even in this modified example, the anti-addiction display 81e corresponding to the "first warning display" is preferably visible only during a part of the pattern stop period, and is preferably difficult to see during the pattern change period. This allows the player to have more opportunities to see the precautions related to the second warning display.

[0159] In the above embodiment, the caution on the band display 81b corresponding to the "second caution display" according to the present invention is exemplified as being related to the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, but it is preferable that an appropriate display position is determined (related to a specific gaming device). Specifically, the second caution display may be a caution about a movable gaming device such as the sub-display portion 82 (for example, "The upper sub-display portion 82a may fall"), or a caution about a gaming device that accepts player operations such as the effect button 37 (for example, "The effect button 37 may vibrate"). On the other hand, it is preferable that the caution of the addiction prevention display 81e, which corresponds to the "first caution display" of the present invention, is one that can draw attention regardless of the display position (not related to the gaming device). Specifically, it is preferable that the first caution display draws attention to the caution of observing social rules (for example, "cheating is prohibited"). The above modified example can be rephrased as the second attention calling display being a display related to a gaming device, and the first attention calling display being a display unrelated to a gaming device.

[0160] In the above-described embodiment, the change in the display mode of the main display unit 81 regarding the symbol stop period was described using a time chart starting from the timing when the symbol variation stopped (the time charts illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12), but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be implemented during a period when the symbol variation starting from the power-on has stopped. For example, during a period when a predetermined notification (notification related to the RAM clear process) is being executed, the first attention-arousing display may be made difficult to visually recognize, and the second attention-arousing display may be made visually recognizable. In this modification, it is preferable that the second attention-arousing display is related to the necessary attention-arousing even during the notification period after the power-on. For example, it is preferable that the second attention-arousing display is a display related to a gaming device (a gaming device that operates in an initial process) that operates in a predetermined manner triggered by the power-on.

[0161] <Appendix> This embodiment includes the following technical ideas. (1) A gaming machine in which an attention-arousing display related to precautions in the game is visually recognizable during a symbol stop period in which the symbol variation has stopped. The attention-arousing display includes a first attention-arousing display and a second attention-arousing display. During the symbol stop period, in addition to the attention-arousing display, a first display and a second display are visually recognizable. The first display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, and the second display is displayed based on the same display control data or different display control data throughout the symbol stop period. The first attention-arousing display is displayed over the first display and the second display. The first attention-arousing display makes both the first display and the second display difficult to visually recognize. The second attention-arousing display is separated from both the first display and the second display. The second attention-arousing display, the first display, and the second display are each visually recognizable. A gaming machine characterized by the above. (2) When the second display receives a predetermined operation during the symbol stop period, the display control data changes to a different display mode. When the predetermined operation is not received during the symbol stop period, it is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period. The gaming machine according to (1).

Explanation of Signs

[0162] 10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decoration 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball receiver 29 Lower ball receiver 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball ejection mechanism 37 Effect button 38 Cursor button 38a Upper cursor button 38b Lower cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation part 39a Ball lending button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Gaming ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner Rail 54 Protection Member 55 Large Winning Opening 57 First Start Opening 59 Second Start Opening 61 Normal Electric Game Element 62 Normal Electric Game Element Solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special Electric Game Element 66 Special Electric Game Element Solenoid 67 General Winning Opening 69 Out Opening 70 First Start Opening Sensor 71 Second Start Opening Sensor 72 Large Winning Opening Sensor 73 General Winning Opening Sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out Ball Sensor 76 Middle Frame Door Opening Sensor 77 Front Frame Door Opening Sensor 80 Effect Display Device 81 Main Display Unit 82 Sub Display Unit 82a Upper Sub Display Unit 82b Left Sub Display Unit 82c Right Sub Display Unit 90 Symbol Display Device 91 First Special Symbol Display Device 92 Second Special Symbol Display Device 93 Normal Symbol Display Device 94 First Special Symbol Hold Lamp 95 Second Special Symbol Hold Lamp 96 Normal Symbol Hold Lamp 100 Main Control Board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O Port 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main Control Board Case 110 Ball Entry Judgment Means 115 Main Random Number Generation Means 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Pre-Judgment Means 130 Special drawing selection means 131 Special drawing validity determination means 132 Special drawing stop handle selection means 133 Special drawing variation pattern derivation means 135 General drawing selection means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game playable state transition means 180 Power-off process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal effect control means 221 Effect mode control means 222 Effect route determination means 223 Sub-pending control means 224 Pre-read effect control means 225 Effect content determination means 226 Decoration symbol control means 227 Big win effect control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable accessory control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power failure detection circuit 509 Power control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims

1. A gaming machine capable of visually recognizing a caution display related to precautions in a game during a symbol stop period in which symbol fluctuations have stopped, wherein the caution display includes a first caution display and a second caution display, during the symbol stop period, in addition to the caution display, a first display and a second display are visually recognizable, the first display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, the second display is displayed based on the same display control data or different display control data throughout the symbol stop period, the first caution display is superimposed on the first display and the second display, and the first caution display makes it difficult to visually recognize both the first display and the second display, the second caution display is separated from both the first display and the second display, and the second caution display, the first display, and the second display are each visually recognizable, characterized by a gaming machine.

2. The second display, when a predetermined operation is received during the symbol stop period, the display control data changes to a different display mode, when the predetermined operation is not received during the symbol stop period, it is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, The gaming machine according to claim 1.

Images