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 and second warning display. During the symbol stop period, in addition to the warning display, predetermined display can be recognized. The predetermined display is displayed on the basis of the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period. The first warning display is displayed overlappingly with the predetermined display. The first warning display makes the predetermined display difficult to recognize and the second warning display is spaced apart from the predetermined display. The second warning display and the predetermined 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 technology]

[0002] Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, generally display various information related to the game even when the game progress is stopped. An example of this type of gaming machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a gaming machine that has a timing means for measuring the time until a preset start time, and that notifies information regarding the start time during a customer waiting effect that is executed during a period when no game is in progress. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-10698 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, recent gaming machines tend to notify players of more important points to be noted in playing games than ever before, from the viewpoint of user friendliness, etc. Furthermore, such notifications are often made during periods when the progress of the game is stopped. The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 has not been sufficiently considered in terms of notifying players of important points to note while playing the game, and there is still room for improvement.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that appropriately alerts a player to important gameplay precautions by displaying information during periods when the progress of a game is stopped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine in which, during a pattern stop period when pattern change is stopped, a warning display relating to game precautions is visible, the warning display includes a first warning display and a second warning display, during the pattern stop period, in addition to the warning display, a predetermined display is visible, the predetermined display is a display that is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the pattern stop period, the first warning display is displayed superimposed on the predetermined display, the first warning display makes the predetermined display difficult to see, the second warning display is spaced apart from the predetermined display, the second warning display and the predetermined display are each visible, and during a pattern change period when pattern change is being performed, the first warning display is difficult to see, and the second warning display is visible. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that appropriately alerts a player to important points to note while playing a game by displaying information during a period when the game progress is stopped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 8]Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for determining whether a special pattern is selected, Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 1, and Figure 8(c) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern selection table used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern selection table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a timing chart during a symbol stop period. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of a timing chart during a symbol stop period. [Figure 13] 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams showing a specific example of a display mode of the main display section. [Figure 14] 14(a) to 14(c) are diagrams showing a specific example of a display mode of the main display section. [Figure 15] 15(a) to 15(c) are diagrams showing a specific example of a display mode of the main display section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. In the following explanation, "advantageous (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of prize balls (gaming media, prize value) obtained (including not only the payout of gaming balls but also the payout of medals and the granting of prize data), excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

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

[0012] The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called pachinko gaming machine. In the gaming machine 10, during a pattern stop period in which the pattern variation is stopped (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a pattern stop period), a warning display regarding precautions in playing the game can be visually recognized. The above attention calling display includes a first attention calling display and a second attention calling display.

[0013] In this embodiment, "game precautions" refer to matters that one should be careful of when playing a game, and include matters that, if not known, can lead to a decrease in interest in the game (for example, matters related to the progress of the game and operations), as well as precautions for following social rules (for example, instructions on prohibiting cheating and preventing addiction), and precautions for maintaining the gaming machine 10 (for example, instructions on prohibiting excessive operations). In this embodiment, "visible" and "difficult to see" are relatively defined concepts, with the former being easier to see than the latter, and the latter being harder to see than the former. Thus, a "visible" state includes not only that the entire display is visible, but also that a part of the display is visible. Also, a "difficult to see" state includes not only that the entire display is not visible (not visible at all), but also that a part of the display is harder to see than a "visible" display due to factors such as overlapping with another display.

[0014] In the gaming machine 10, during the symbol stop period, in addition to the attention-calling display, a predetermined display is visible. The predetermined display is a display that is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the symbol stop period, and in this embodiment, an idling decorative pattern that is displayed on the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period will be described as an example. Incidentally, "a display displayed based on the same display control data throughout the pattern stop period" means that the data for generating an image corresponding to the "predetermined display" stored in a specified memory area (e.g., a partial area of ​​the RAM of the second sub-control board 300) is the same (unchanging) throughout the pattern stop period. Therefore, the "predetermined display" does not need to be always visible "throughout the pattern stop period," and it is acceptable for it to be difficult to see during part of that period due to factors such as other displays overlapping it. In addition, displays that may qualify as "predetermined displays" are not limited to decorative patterns during idling as in this embodiment, but may also include displays showing the number of pending pattern changes (which are maintained at 0 (zero) during the pattern stop period) and background displays.

[0015] The first warning display is displayed superimposed on the specified display, the first warning display makes the specified display difficult to see, the second warning display is spaced apart from the specified display, and the second warning display and the specified display are each visible. The above-mentioned predetermined display has a problem that the display control data is the same throughout the symbol stop period, and therefore, unless some countermeasure is taken, it is likely to cause burn-in. Therefore, in order to prevent this burn-in, a specific display (first attention-calling display) that is displayed during the symbol stop period is configured to be displayed superimposed on the predetermined display. On the other hand, depending on the content of the warning to be issued, there may be an appropriate display position, and such a warning display (second warning display) is spaced away from the specified display so that both can be seen.

[0016] Furthermore, during the pattern change period in which the pattern change is being carried out, the first attention-drawing display is difficult to see, and the second attention-drawing display is visible. During the symbol variation period, the circumstances are different from those during the symbol stop period, and the display mode of the predetermined display changes, so burn-in is unlikely to occur, and there is no need to display the first attention-calling display superimposed on the predetermined display. On the other hand, the second attention-calling display may need to be displayed regardless of such circumstances, so the above-mentioned configuration is adopted.

[0017] As a result of the above-mentioned improvements, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment can properly warn players of game-related cautions by displaying them during periods when game progress is stopped (pattern stop periods), thereby improving interest in the game or preventing a decline in interest in the game. The gaming machine 10 having the above-mentioned features will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

[0018] <Structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. 1 to 5 are merely components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and components and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. In addition, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components shown here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0019] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into a front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which a large number of gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a winning hole (for example, a big winning hole 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of a gaming ball into a winning hole may be simply expressed as "entering (a winning hole)."

[0020] The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50. The upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20 is shaped to protrude forward of the gaming machine 10, so that a player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 and playing a game must be careful not to hit his / her head when standing up.

[0021] The middle frame 17 is supported so as to be rotatable about the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed to the front side of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

[0022] The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view. The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20. In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0023] 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame open door sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame open door sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. The group of operation buttons includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a return operation of a prepaid card as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 described later, and includes a performance button 37 for switching the performance generated during a game or accepting a player's operation to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10 as an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later, and cursor buttons 38 (upper cursor button 38a, lower cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, middle cursor button 38e) for instructing operations to the up, down, left, and right directions, respectively. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor. In addition, a movable decorative body 22 that is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27.

[0025] A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism which, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to remove the stored balls.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of light-transmitting covers, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside the covers. The speaker 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects and error effects that occur during play.

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

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

[0029] Each of the sub-display units 82 is not only provided mainly for displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable. The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative 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.

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, the performance display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) all use liquid crystal display devices, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as drum type and dot matrix type can be used as the performance display device 80.

[0031] A number of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display unit 81, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0032] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric role (for example, the special electric role 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special pattern", the first special pattern as "Special pattern 1", and the second special pattern as "Special pattern 2".

[0033] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric role (for example, the normal electric role 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "denchu".

[0034] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the corresponding number of pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right side only constantly lit = 1, left and right sides constantly lit = 2, right side flashing + left side constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0035] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a normal pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.'' In addition, in the following description, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern". In the following explanation, when the term "pattern change" is used, it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll. Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

[0037] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly, rolls.

[0038] In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as large prize opening 55, first start opening 57, second start opening 59, gate 63, and general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

[0039] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The large prize opening 55 is provided with a large prize opening sensor 72, and the result of detection by the large prize opening sensor 72 determines whether a prize has been won in the large prize opening 55, and the number of prize balls (15 in this embodiment) associated with the large prize opening 55 is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0040] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a part of the jackpot game that starts when a jackpot is derived by the special winning / losing determination described later, and thus allows winning into the big prize winning hole 55. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, winning into the big prize winning hole 55 becomes easier, so the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state. In the jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game", and the total number of round games that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the jackpot opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Note that one open state also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the big winning hole 55 has elapsed. Here, when the special electric device 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls in one round of play, it cannot immediately return to the closed state. Therefore, there may be a case where more than 10 game balls win the big winning hole 55 in one round of play.

[0041] The first starting hole 57 is located at the lower center of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some of the cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of the special chart 1 is changed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

[0042] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of winning balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been awarded at the second starting hole 59, the pattern on special chart 2 will change. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

[0043] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is in an open state at least in part of the normal winning game that is played by winning the pattern variation of the normal picture, and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is easy, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation of the special picture 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls.

[0044] The gate 63 is located in the right center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and the winning of the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where the winning of the gate 63 is determined, the pattern of the normal figure is changed.

[0045] The general winning opening 67 is located at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

[0046] The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the winning hole and the out hole.

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

[0048] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption is detected by the power interruption detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0049] A game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out to the upper ball tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

[0050] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

[0051] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

[0052] The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 which performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 which stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 which functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 which operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0053] The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated in a backup power supply circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state immediately before the power failure using the data when power is restored (when power is turned on) after the power failure. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power failure, information related to the game such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (play stopped state or playable state), the current special drawing state, the current normal drawing state, etc. are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of special drawing and low probability of normal drawing described later) described later is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state where the initial pattern combination (in this embodiment, "pattern 1-pattern 3-pattern 5") is displayed in a stopped state, and even if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and pattern variation is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is displayed in a stopped state. Also, this initial pattern combination is displayed in a stopped state only when the power is turned on, and is not stopped by the execution of pattern variation.

[0054] In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game are stored (sometimes referred to as the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed up area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game. In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of holding data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, a first memory configured to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10 may be provided with different hardware. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0055] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start port sensor 70, the second start port sensor 71, the large prize port sensor 72, the general prize port sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door opening sensor 76, the front frame door opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0056] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, main control board 100 is electrically connected to main operation unit 39 and RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of main operation unit 39.

[0057] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data. In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0058] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

[0059] In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, brightness adjustment commands that instruct brightness adjustment, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, volume adjustment commands that instruct volume adjustment, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, etc. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and 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, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0060] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured such that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I / O port 204. The movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0061] The second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a CPU (not shown) that performs various arithmetic processing related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM (not shown) that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM (not shown) that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port (not shown) that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU executes main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM. In addition, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP (not shown) that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by a performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM is also connected to this VDP, which is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM.

[0062] The audio control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processing related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs and audio data, a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral boards and each device, and is configured such that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Thus, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, thereby enabling the speaker 33 to output audio.

[0063] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM and a RAM (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 for two-way communication, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of the game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0064] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption is detected by the power interruption detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0065] <Functional Configuration of the Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 10 will be referred to as necessary.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special chart lottery means 130, a normal chart lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric gimmick control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, and a power outage processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 6.

[0067] First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 (described later) by the command transmission means after being stored.

[0068] The winning ball determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor provided at each winning hole.

[0069] The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of ​​the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0070] The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and ordinary drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reservation counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reservation counter. In addition, in the following explanation, "suspended operation information" may be expressed as "suspended pattern change" or simply as "suspended." In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special drawing 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special drawing 2 are reserved, a priority change is performed in which the activation pending information corresponding to special drawing 2 is used preferentially.

[0071] The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit / miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned reserved command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing that is not during a jackpot game, for example, a timing when the operation reservation information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the operation reservation information of the special chart 1 is reserved during the normal chart high probability described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the operation reservation information of the special chart 2 is reserved during the normal chart low probability described below, the pre-determination may or may not be restricted.

[0072] The special drawing means 130 includes a special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, a special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special drawing change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, the special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special drawing change pattern derivation means 133. When the special drawing change start condition is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: the player is not in a jackpot game, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is in the process of changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is displayed as stopped), and at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 has pending operation information.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a diagram that diagrammatically illustrates a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiably stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, there are items described for convenience of explanation, and if "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, the result in which "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value will not win. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained in the range) is described in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so it is not necessary to perform a lottery. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the final lottery value, so that addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery values ​​used in that addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0074] The special chart hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special chart hit / miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special chart hit / miss judgment to judge by lottery whether the winning is a jackpot or a miss by using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart hit / miss judgment. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether or not a special drawing is a hit, and the lottery table is used in common for special drawings 1 and 2. The range of random numbers used in the determination is 0 to 65535, so when the special drawing lottery state is low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "low probability of special drawing"), a big hit is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 320). Similarly, when the special drawing state is in a high probability state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 109).

[0075] When the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a big hit, the special chart stop pattern drawing means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern drawing, and determines the special chart stop pattern by drawing lots using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern drawing. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2). Here, pattern A is a pattern with 4 rounds, which is highly likely to be a special pattern and highly likely to be a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "probable special pattern" and a jackpot related to this pattern may be referred to as a "probable special jackpot"). On the other hand, pattern B is a pattern with 4 rounds, which is highly likely to be a special pattern and highly likely to be a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "normal pattern" and a jackpot related to this pattern may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). Therefore, it can be said that pattern A is a more advantageous pattern than pattern B in the special pattern lottery state after the jackpot game. Figure 8(c) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 2, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99, similar to the drawing of the stop symbol of special symbol 1. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 75 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.33), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 25 / 100 (1 / 4). Here, pattern a is a probability variable pattern with 10 rounds and high probability of special and high probability of normal after the jackpot play, and pattern b is a normal pattern with 4 rounds and high probability of special and high probability after the jackpot play. Therefore, pattern a can be said to be a more advantageous pattern than pattern b in terms of the number of rounds. In the following explanation, a jackpot related to pattern a may be referred to as a 10R probability variable jackpot, and a jackpot related to pattern b may be referred to as a 4R probability variable jackpot. In addition, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is not a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 uniformly determines the stop pattern to be pattern C when special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c when special chart 2 is a miss.

[0076] The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern selection table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern hit / miss judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern selection table and the random number for special pattern variation pattern selection, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation. Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special chart variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special chart variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation of the special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation of the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. In addition, in the pattern variation related to the other special chart in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, a predetermined special chart variation pattern is determined according to the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment.

[0077] Below, the lottery table is illustrated and explained for the lottery of the special chart variation pattern in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA by the special chart variation pattern derivation means 133. Note that the lottery table used by the special chart variation pattern derivation means 133 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is omitted, but it is the same as the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA in that the special chart variation pattern is determined by lottery. FIG. 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, there is a 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11) probability of special chart change pattern HNP, a 52 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 19.2) probability of special chart change pattern HRP, a 13 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 76.9) probability of HSP1-A, and a 11 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 90. 9) probability of HSP1-B, 9 / 1000 (about 1 / 111) probability of HSP2-A, 7 / 1000 (about 1 / 143) probability of HSP2-B, 5 / 1000 (1 / 200) probability of HSP3-A, 3 / 1000 (about 1 / 333) probability of HSP3-B are determined, and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Details will be described later using Figure 9 (b), but when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation. On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A has a probability of 90 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B has a probability of 110 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A has a probability of 135 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B has a probability of 165 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.01). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In such cases, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined. In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the description of the special chart variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special chart variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special chart variation pattern existing between the special chart variation pattern described earlier and the special chart variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special chart variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special chart variation patterns are different, it indicates that they are different special chart variation patterns, but if the corresponding variation time is the same, they may be treated as the same special chart variation pattern.

[0078] Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 during special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing fluctuation time. Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). In the following explanation, if the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referenced is 3, it may be called "reserved 3", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "reserved 2", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "reserved 1", and if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "reserved 0". In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a long pattern change will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined). In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

[0079] In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special chart change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) including the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment, the determined stopping pattern of the special chart, and the determined special chart change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0080] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending operation information from the pending operation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to execute a regular map hit / miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or not, and if the regular map hit / miss judgment results in the regular map being controlled to an open state, executes a regular map stop pattern lottery to determine the stopping pattern of the regular map by lottery, and a regular map change pattern lottery to determine the change pattern (change time) of the regular map by lottery. More specifically, in the normal drawing hit / miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a 1 / 65536 miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a 65535 / 65536 miss. Note that in the normal drawing low probability, it may be set so that the normal drawing does not hit (65536 / 65536 miss).

[0081] In the normal stop pattern lottery, as in the special stop pattern lottery, one stop pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for normal stop pattern lottery from multiple types of stop patterns with different patterns that open the normal electric role 61. If the normal pattern is a miss, the stop pattern is determined uniformly as in the special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.

[0082] In addition, in the general map fluctuation pattern lottery, as in the special map fluctuation pattern lottery, one general map fluctuation pattern is determined from multiple types of general map fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for general map fluctuation pattern lottery.

[0083] In this way, a high probability of winning a normal draw is more likely than a low probability of winning a normal draw, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning a normal draw.

[0084] When the result of the special symbol winning / losing lottery is a winning symbol, the winning game control means 140 determines the demo time for the winning symbol start demo and the demo time for the winning symbol end demo according to the winning symbol determined. In addition, at the start of a jackpot, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the jackpot, generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0085] The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time based on the special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time based on the special pattern variable pattern of the second special pattern, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a movement in which the decorative pattern is slightly swaying up and down (so-called swaying change), while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by a swaying change, and so on. Even if the same decorative pattern is displayed as stopped, the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as stopped as definite is different from the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as stopped provisionally. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the display of the decorative pattern is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

[0086] In addition, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a variable manner in accordance with the normal map fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) of the normal map, and after the fluctuation time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped pattern determined by a normal map stop pattern lottery. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the display of the regular symbol (variable time, stop display time).

[0087] In the above-mentioned big win game, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

[0088] In addition, when the normal winning / losing lottery is won, the electric role control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric role solenoid 62 to open the normal electric role 61 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the normal figure.

[0089] The game state control means 155 controls the special symbol lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special symbol low probability regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot at the start of the jackpot game, maintains the special symbol low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and sets the special symbol high probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot. In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol low probability regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot at the start of the jackpot, sets the normal symbol high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times when the specified number of times is satisfied, and sets the normal symbol low probability after the symbol changes a specified number of times.

[0090] Such special chart lottery state and normal chart lottery state change in link with the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state will be explained below with reference to Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Note that Figure 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. As shown in Figure 10 (a), the special chart variation pattern derivation state is composed of a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to low probability of special chart and low probability of normal chart, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to high probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to low probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and one of these special chart variation pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, the transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC include transition conditions (i) to (iv). Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to a special jackpot, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot, transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th pattern change, and transition condition (iv) is the end of the 160th pattern change.

[0091] As shown in Figure 10(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time related to the basic special chart fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state.

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

[0093] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a gaming state control means (gaming state control means 155) that controls one of a plurality of gaming states, and the gaming states in which pattern changes can be executed include a first gaming state (special graphic change pattern derivation state PA) and a second gaming state (special graphic change pattern derivation state PB and special graphic change pattern derivation state PC) which is more advantageous than the first gaming state.

[0094] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means, data derived by calculations or the like by each means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

[0095] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and judges whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is judged that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, a performance control command (error command) including information capable of identifying the error state is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0096] When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0097] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a restoration state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179 .

[0098] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves). On the other hand, the playable state is a restored state in which the game can be played by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the last power outage. For example, if the last power outage was during a jackpot game, the game returns to the jackpot game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed.

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

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

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

[0102] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a performance customization means 250, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculation in the means, etc., in the respective corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as reception of the performance control command.

[0103] The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0104] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0105] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, special chance mode, chance time, and play time, with normal mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, chance time corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and play time corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD.

[0106] When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when the pre-determination command is transmitted, and determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change (for example, in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A to special pattern change pattern HNP-D). Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change. The content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225, which will be described later, in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0107] The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss (the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is not a hit), and a big win presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big win. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. As will be described later, when the big win presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the development performance refers to a performance that is executed after the decorative symbols reach a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of which, it is announced whether the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot or not. Therefore, in a development performance that corresponds to a development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to that development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is not a jackpot. On the other hand, in a development performance that corresponds to a jackpot performance route, a series of performances corresponding to that development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot. In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to one different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.

[0108] The presentation routes corresponding to special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart fluctuation pattern HRP, which are determined in normal mode (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA), correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above. Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss, by the decorative pattern not being in a reach state and the decorative pattern being stopped and displayed in a spread pattern (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped in each pattern row). Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern imitating the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern may be different. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns imitating different numbers. The special pattern change pattern HRP corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then the decorative pattern stops and displays in a scattered manner without executing the development performance described later, thereby notifying the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the pseudo-change refers to a period before the development performance starts, which is delimited by the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (for example, the stop of the decorative pattern in which the 7 pattern stops in the middle pattern row, such as "5 pattern-7 pattern-6 pattern"). Therefore, it can be said that the pseudo-change occurs only when the number of pseudo-changes is two. In other words, if the number of changes of the decorative pattern until the reach state is constituted is one, it can be said that the pseudo-change does not occur, and in that case, it can be said that one pseudo-change is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-changes in this embodiment is three, but the maximum number of pseudo-changes is not limited to this, and any number of times equal to or greater than two may be adopted.

[0109] The special chart change patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, in the special chart change pattern HSP1-A and the special chart change pattern HSP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a scattered pattern, which corresponds to the presentation route. In the special chart change pattern HSP2-A and the special chart change pattern HSP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo changes, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, a presentation route corresponds in which the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a scattered pattern. In the special chart change pattern HSP3-A and the special chart change pattern HSP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo changes, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, a presentation route corresponds in which the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a scattered pattern.

[0110] The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot performance route described above. Specifically, in the special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative patterns are displayed stopped in a pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern rows have stopped and the same decorative pattern has stopped in each pattern row). In the special chart change pattern ASP2-A and the special chart change pattern ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo changes, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, a presentation route corresponds in which the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern. In the special chart change pattern ASP3-A and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo changes, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, a presentation route corresponds in which the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern. The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without any pseudo-change, and then a development presentation is executed to notify the player that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development presentation ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern.

[0111] When the sub-reservation control means 223 receives a reserve command (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as the occurrence of a reserved winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of reserved images corresponding to the special chart 1 reserve counter and the number of reserved images corresponding to the special chart 2 reserve counter in the reserve display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 reserve counter and the special chart 2 reserve counter contained in the command. The reserved images are images that are the subject of reserve pre-reading performances that change into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation degree of a jackpot game.

[0112] When a pre-reading performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the pre-reading performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the expectation for the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the pre-reading target symbol change and the content of the effect to be executed in the pre-reading target symbol change before the pre-reading target symbol change starts, for the purpose of increasing the interest in the game. The pre-reading target symbol change refers to the symbol change related to the main special symbol (special symbol 1 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, and special symbol 2 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PB, special symbol change pattern derivation state PC, or special symbol change pattern derivation state PD), which is reserved in the hold 1 to hold 3 state, or the hold 0 state and the symbol change related to the special symbol is being executed.

[0113] When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222. More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change. Even if the same performance route is determined, it is also possible to diversify the performances to be executed. Note that the timing for determining the content of the performance can be, for example, the start of the pattern change.

[0114] When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern. Specifically, pattern A corresponds to a pattern consisting of odd-numbered patterns, pattern B corresponds to a pattern consisting of even-numbered patterns, and pattern C or pattern c corresponds to a pattern consisting of 7 patterns. Furthermore, pattern a corresponds to a pattern consisting of odd-numbered patterns excluding 7 patterns, and pattern b corresponds to a pattern consisting of odd-numbered patterns excluding 7 patterns. In addition, when the determined combination of decorative patterns is made to correspond to the stopping patterns of the special patterns, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence.

[0115] When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command, etc. The jackpot effect includes a start demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress, a round effect that notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress.

[0116] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. In particular, when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process. Furthermore, when the recovery state upon power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for notifying not only that the game has stopped, but also that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process. Although details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that the notifications continue for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after execution has started, and the presentation device that executes the notifications does not matter.

[0117] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is provided with a notification means that can execute a predetermined notification (a notification related to a RAM clear process) after the power is turned on.

[0118] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error presentation pattern, and reads out presentation data for executing an error presentation in accordance with the error presentation pattern. In addition, the error performance is executed with priority over the variable performance related to the pattern variation (the execution of the variable performance is regulated by the execution of the error performance). Here, the execution of the error performance with priority is not limited to the case where only the error performance is executed in the device related to the execution of the error performance and the device related to the execution of the variable performance are the same device, but includes the case where the error performance is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable performance in the device. In addition, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out presentation data for executing an error presentation.

[0119] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

[0120] When the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable prop, the movable prop control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits the read movement control data to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 to control the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

[0121] The effect customization means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume, and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the volume adjustment command described above. The volume adjustment process is a process that is 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 when power is restored, the initial volume at the time of power restoration is set according to the stage of the volume adjustment unit (not shown) at the time of power restoration. More specifically, in this process, if the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is high, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel (in this embodiment, the audio reproduction channel CH1 and the audio reproduction channel CH2) is set to volume 10, if the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is medium volume, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to volume 5, and if the stage of the volume adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is low volume, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to volume 1. Note that the volume adjustment process may be executed not only when power is restored, but also based on the lapse of a predetermined time from the end of the most recent pattern variation, and in this case, it may be executed only when the volume (current volume) of the audio reproduction channel excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is lower than the volume corresponding to the current stage of the volume adjustment unit. In addition, 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 the process is executed by operating the right cursor button 38d, the volume of the audio reproduction channel excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to a volume one step higher than the volume set before the process, with the volume 10 as the upper limit, and when the process is executed by operating the left cursor button 38c, the volume of the audio reproduction channel excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to a volume one step lower than the volume set before the process, with the volume 1 as the lower limit. Note that the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed is different from the brightness adjustment process described later and is executed regardless of whether or not a pattern change is being performed. Here, setting the volume for an audio playback channel in the volume adjustment process refers to setting the volume in a memory area in RAM 203 corresponding to the audio playback channel, and when the volume is set in that memory area, a volume adjustment command corresponding to the volume adjustment of that audio playback channel is generated by the volume adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the audio control board 310.

[0122] Furthermore, the effect customization means 250 executes a brightness adjustment process for adjusting brightness, and a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating the above-mentioned brightness adjustment command. The brightness adjustment process is a process that is 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 when pattern variation is not being performed. 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, if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is high brightness, the brightness is set to 10, if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is medium brightness, the brightness is set to 5, and if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is low brightness, the brightness is set to 1. Note that this 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 pattern variation, in which 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 addition, 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 the brightness adjustment process, when the process is executed by operating the up cursor button 38a, the brightness is set to one step higher than the brightness set before the process, with the upper limit being brightness 10, and when the process is executed by operating the down cursor button 38b, the brightness is set to one step lower than the brightness set before the process, with the lower limit being brightness 1. Here, setting the brightness in the brightness adjustment process means that the brightness is set in a memory area corresponding to the brightness of RAM 203, and when the brightness is set in that memory area, a brightness adjustment command that can specify the brightness after adjustment is generated by a brightness adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300.

[0123] In addition, in this embodiment, when a volume adjustment process is executed by performing a volume adjustment operation while a pattern change is not being performed, a volume adjustment sound is output (performance data related to the volume adjustment sound is set) and a volume adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (performance data related to the volume adjustment display is set). On the other hand, when a volume adjustment process is executed by performing a volume adjustment operation while a pattern change is being performed, a volume adjustment sound is not output, and the main display unit 81 executes a volume adjustment display. The volume adjustment sound is output at a volume adjusted by the volume adjustment process, so that the adjusted volume can be actually heard and recognized. Furthermore, the volume adjustment display is a display that identifies the volume level (any one of volume 1 to volume 10) after the volume adjustment process, thereby allowing the user to visually recognize the adjusted volume level. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a brightness adjustment operation is performed when no pattern change is being performed and thus a brightness adjustment process is executed, a brightness adjustment sound is emitted (performance data related to the brightness adjustment sound is set) and a brightness adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (performance data related to the brightness adjustment display is set). The brightness adjustment sound is for making the user recognize through hearing that the brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment process, and the volume of the sound output does not change depending on the brightness adjusted by the brightness adjustment process. Furthermore, the brightness adjustment display is a display that identifies the brightness level (any one of brightness 1 to brightness 10) after adjustment by the brightness adjustment process, thereby making the user visually recognize the brightness level after adjustment.

[0124] Furthermore, the effect customization means 250 executes an effect customization process for customizing various effects. The effect customization process will be described in detail later.

[0125] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0126] The sub-command management means 270 receives a performance control command transmitted from the main control board 100, and stores the received performance command in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if 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, if 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 transmitted in principle in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260.

[0127] <Display on the main display unit 81 during the symbol stop period> Next, the display on the main display section 81 during the symbol stop period will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a specific example of a timing chart during a symbol stop period. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are diagrams showing a specific example of a display mode of the main display section 81.

[0128] The "first layer," "second layer," and "third layer" shown in Figures 11 and 12 respectively refer to layers of effect images displayed on the main display unit 81, with the "third layer," "second layer," and "first layer" ranking in that order. Here, "higher" refers to the priority given to viewing by the player when the display positions of images on each display layer overlap. Therefore, when a display on the "third layer" overlaps with other displays placed on the "first layer" or "second layer," it becomes more difficult to view than said displays. Furthermore, within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention, in implementing the present invention, even if something is illustrated as being on the same layer in Figures 11 and 12, it may be displayed on a different layer, and even if something is illustrated as being on a different layer in Figures 11 and 12, it may be displayed on the same layer.

[0129] The length of each period (period T1 to period T5) shown in each time chart of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is expressed by its length. However, the length of each period shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is merely one specific example of the implementation of the present invention, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0130] 13 to 15 is merely one example of the implementation of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. Therefore, the displays according to the present invention do not necessarily have to be displayed on the same device (same display body), and may be displayed separately on different devices (different display bodies).

[0131] First, a change in the display mode of the main display section 81 during a symbol stop period will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. This time chart is based on the assumption that the menu call operation by the player is not accepted during the symbol stop period.

[0132] Just before the timing when the pattern change stops (the timing shown as "change stopped" in the time chart of Figure 11), as shown in Figure 13(a), the decorative pattern 81a that had been scrolling during the pattern change stops in the center of the main display unit 81, and the idling display of the decorative pattern 81a begins.

[0133] As a result of the pattern change stopping, as shown in Figure 13 (b), the decorative pattern 81a indicating idling continues to be displayed in 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 band display 81b according to this embodiment displays text information saying "Watch your head" flowing from right to left, and is a warning display that calls the player's attention not to hit his head on the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20 that protrudes forward of the gaming machine 10. Because the display mode of the band display 81b changes over time, there is a low possibility that burn-in will occur due to the display, and no measures to prevent burn-in are required for the display area of ​​the band display 81b. Although the band display 81b displayed on the first layer is positioned on a higher layer than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer, the band display 81b does not impede the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a because the display positions of the two are spaced apart. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can see the decorative pattern 81a and the band display 81b at the same time.

[0134] 13(c), when a period T1 (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the stop of the pattern variation, the decorative pattern 81a during idling continues to be displayed in the center of the main display unit 81, and the band display 81b continues to be displayed in the upper part of the main display unit 81. Furthermore, in 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 the present embodiment includes displays relating to the volume adjustment operation and brightness adjustment operation described above, as well as displays relating to an operation for displaying a menu display 81d (described later) on the main display unit 81 (menu calling operation). The operation instruction display 81c displayed on the second layer is arranged in a higher layer than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer, and is displayed so as to partially overlap the decorative pattern 81a, so that the operation instruction display 81c reduces the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a. On the other hand, the band display 81b displayed on the first layer is displayed at a position spaced apart from both the decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c, so that the band display 81b does not impede the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can simultaneously see the decorative symbol 81a, the band display 81b, and the operation instruction display 81c.

[0135] 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 Figure 14(b), the band display 81b continues to be displayed at the top of the main display unit 81, while in the central part of the main display unit 81, after the operation instruction display 81c becomes hidden, an anti-addiction display 81e is displayed so as to cover the entire decorative pattern 81a (making the decorative pattern 81a invisible). The addiction prevention display 81e according to this embodiment is a warning display that alerts the player to precautions for playing the game, such as "Pachinko and Pachislot are games that should be enjoyed in moderation" and "Be careful not to get addicted." The anti-addiction mark 81e displayed on the second layer is arranged on a higher layer than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer, and is displayed so as to completely overlap the decorative pattern 81a, so that the anti-addiction mark 81e makes the decorative pattern 81a invisible. On the other hand, the band mark 81b displayed on the first layer is arranged on a higher layer than the anti-addiction mark 81e displayed on the second layer, but is displayed at a position spaced apart from the anti-addiction mark 81e, so that the band mark 81b does not impede the visibility of the anti-addiction mark 81e. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can simultaneously see the slip-in prevention display 81e together with the band display 81b, but cannot simultaneously see the slip-in prevention display 81e together with the decorative pattern 81a.

[0136] The length of time of period T2 during which operation instruction display 81c is displayed is based on the premise that no further operations (volume adjustment operation, brightness adjustment operation, menu calling operation) are accepted. If a volume adjustment operation or brightness adjustment operation is accepted, the period during which operation instruction display 81c is displayed becomes longer than period T2. Also, if a menu calling operation is accepted, menu display 81d is displayed and operation instruction display 81c is hidden, so the period during which operation instruction display 81c is displayed becomes shorter than period T2.

[0137] When a period T3 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the anti-addiction display 81e, as shown in Figure 14(c), the band display 81b continues to be displayed at the top of the main display unit 81, while in the central part of the main display unit 81, after the anti-addiction display 81e becomes hidden, a demo movie 81f is displayed so as to cover the entire decorative pattern 81a (the decorative pattern 81a becomes invisible). A detailed description of the demo movie 81f according to this embodiment will be omitted, but the demo movie 81f includes information that can identify the model name and manufacturer name of the gaming machine 10, as well as images related to the motif of the gaming machine 10. The demo movie 81f displayed on the second layer is arranged on a higher layer than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer, and is displayed so as to completely overlap the decorative pattern 81a, so that the demo movie 81f makes the decorative pattern 81a invisible. On the other hand, although the band display 81b displayed on the first layer is arranged on a higher layer than the demo movie 81f displayed on the second layer, the respective display areas are separated (the display areas are adjacent), so the band display 81b does not impede the visibility of the demo movie 81f. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can see the band display 81b and the demo movie 81f at the same time, but cannot see the decorative pattern 81a and the demo movie 81f at the same time.

[0138] When a period T4 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the demo movie 81f, the display returns to the display state shown in Fig. 13(c). That is, the idling decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c are displayed in the center of the main display section 81, and the band display 81b continues to be displayed in the upper part of the main display section 81.

[0139] Next, a change in the display mode of the main display section 81 during a symbol stop period will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. This time chart illustrates a case where a menu call operation by the player is accepted during a symbol stop period (a period during which the operation instruction display 81c is displayed). In this case, as shown in Fig. 14(a), the idling decorative pattern 81a continues to be displayed in the center of the main display section 81, but the previously displayed operation instruction display 81c is no longer displayed, and instead, a menu display 81d is displayed so as to overlap a part of the decorative pattern 81a. Meanwhile, the band display 81b continues to be displayed in the upper part of the main display section 81. The menu display 81d according to the present embodiment includes displays related to the premier mode and the simple mode as items of effect customization. The premier mode is effect customization that increases the frequency of execution of so-called premier effects (effects that usually occur less frequently). And the simple mode is effect customization that decreases the frequency of occurrence of a specific effect. The menu display 81d displayed on the second layer is arranged in a higher layer than the decorative pattern 81a displayed on the third layer, and is displayed so as to partially overlap the decorative pattern 81a, so that the menu display 81d reduces the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a. On the other hand, the band display 81b displayed on the first layer is displayed at a position spaced apart from both the decorative pattern 81a and the menu display 81d, so that the band display 81b does not impede the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a and the menu display 81d. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can simultaneously view the decorative pattern 81a, the band display 81b, and the menu display 81d.

[0140] When a period T5 (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the menu display 81d started to be displayed, the display returns to the display state shown in Fig. 13(c). That is, the idling decorative pattern 81a and the operation instruction display 81c are displayed in the center of the main display section 81, and the band display 81b continues to be displayed in the upper part of the main display section 81. Note that the time length of the period T5 during which the menu display 81d is shown is assumed on the premise that no further operation is accepted. If a further operation is accepted, the period during which the menu display 81d is shown will be longer than the 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 the period T5.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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 anti-slip display 81e) and a second caution display (the band display 81b).

[0143] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for all of the symbol stop period (spanning before and after the periods T3 and T4 during which the decorative symbol 81a is not visible), the decorative symbol 81a is maintained as the same symbol. This is due to being displayed based on the same display control data during 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 during the symbol stop period.

[0144] As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the display period of the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d is limited to a part of the symbol stop period (period T2 or period T5). The display mode of the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d changes based on the acceptance of the operation by the player. That is, the display control data related to the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d changes when the operation by the player is accepted during the symbol stop period, and is maintained when the operation by the player is not accepted during the symbol stop period. Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, during the pattern stop period, in addition to the warning display, the first display (decorative pattern 81a) and the second display (operation instruction display 81c and menu display 81d) are visible, and it can be said that the first display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the pattern stop period, and the second display is displayed based on the same display control data or different display control data throughout the pattern stop period.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 14(b), the immersion prevention display 81e is displayed so as to cover the entire decorative pattern 81a, so that the decorative pattern 81a is difficult to see during the display period of the immersion prevention display 81e. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the band display 81b is displayed at a position spaced apart from the decorative pattern 81a, so that both the decorative pattern 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 warning display (addiction prevention display 81e) is displayed superimposed on the specified display (decorative pattern 81a), the first warning display makes the specified display difficult to see, and the second warning display (band display 81b) is spaced apart from the specified display, and the second warning display and the specified display are each visible. The gaming machine 10 changes the display mode of the warning display during the pattern stop period as described above, thereby preventing burn-in of the main display unit 81 by the specified display (decorative pattern 81a) and providing appropriate warnings to the player.

[0146] In this embodiment, the decorative pattern 81a is displayed on the third layer during the period T3 in which the addiction prevention display 81e is displayed on the second layer (the decorative pattern 81a is made invisible by the addiction prevention display 81e). As a variation of this, when the addiction prevention display 81e is displayed on the first layer, the addiction prevention display 81e may be displayed superimposed on the operation instruction display 81c or the menu display 81d that may be displayed below it, thereby making the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d invisible. In this modified example, the band display 81b is also displayed at a position spaced apart from the decorative pattern 81a, so that during the display period of the band display 81b, in addition to the decorative pattern 81a, the operation instruction display 81c and the menu display 81d can also be seen. Therefore, it can be said that the first warning display (addiction prevention display 81e) is displayed superimposed on the first display (decorative pattern 81a) and the second display (operation instruction display 81c and menu display 81d), the first warning display makes both the first display and the second display difficult to see, and the second warning display (band display 81b) is separated from both the first display and the second display, and the second warning display, the first display, and the second display are each visible. In addition, it can be said that when a specified operation is received during a pattern stop period, the second display (operation instruction display 81c or menu display 81d) changes the display control data to a different display mode, and when a specified operation is not received during a pattern stop period, the second display is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the pattern stop period. Even with this modified example, the gaming machine 10 can achieve the same effects as the present embodiment, and in particular can prevent burn-in of the second display, which can occur when a specified operation is not accepted.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 14(b), the display area of ​​the immersion prevention display 81e is larger than the display area of ​​the band display 81b. Therefore, it can be said that the display area for the first attention-calling display (addiction prevention display 81e) is larger than the display area for the second attention-calling display (band display 81b). This makes it easy to make the predetermined display (decorative design 81a) invisible, and makes it easier to prevent burn-in of the predetermined display.

[0148] 14(b), when the immersion prevention display 81e is displayed on the main display unit 81, the band display 81b is also displayed. At this time, the immersion prevention display 81e and the band display 81b are displayed at positions where they do not overlap, so that both can be seen at the same time, whereas the decorative pattern 81a is difficult to see. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, even when the band display 81b is displayed on the main display unit 81, the addiction prevention display 81e may not be displayed. Therefore, there may be cases where both the first warning display (addiction prevention display 81e) and the second warning display (band display 81b) are displayed, and in such cases, it can be said that both the first warning display and the second warning display are visible, but the specified display (decorative pattern 81a) is difficult to see. In addition, there may be cases where both the first warning display (addiction prevention display 81e) and the second warning display (band display 81b) are displayed, and in such cases, it can be said that the first warning display and the second warning display are displayed so as not to overlap. In this way, the first attention-calling display, which has a low chance of being visible, needs to be made difficult to see with respect to the predetermined display so that it stands out when displayed, whereas the second attention-calling display, which has a high chance of being visible, is easily noticed by the player and is therefore made visible in parallel with the predetermined display.

[0149] As shown in the time charts of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the display period of the band display 81b is the entire symbol stop period, and the display period of the addiction prevention display 81e is limited to a part of the symbol stop period (period T3). Therefore, it can be said that the first attention-calling display (addiction prevention display 81e) is visible during part of the pattern stop period, and the second attention-calling display (band display 81b) is visible during the entire pattern stop period. In this way, the first attention-calling display, which is visible for a relatively short period of time, becomes noticeable by making the predetermined display invisible, whereas the second attention-calling display, which is visible for a relatively long period of time, is easily noticed by the player and is therefore visible in parallel with the predetermined display.

[0150] In order to enhance the above-mentioned effect, the gaming machine 10 may display the addiction prevention display 81e only during the pattern stop period in a specific gaming state (e.g., special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), and may display the band display 81b during the pattern stop period in all gaming states (e.g., special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and special chart variation pattern derivation state PC). Therefore, it can be said that in the gaming machine 10, during the pattern stopping period in the first gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), both the first warning display and the second warning display are visible, and during the pattern stopping period in the second gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and special chart variation pattern derivation state PC), the first warning display is difficult to see, but the second warning display is visible.

[0151] <Display on the main display unit 81 when a specific error state occurs during the symbol stop period> Next, the display of the main display unit 81 when a predetermined error state (door open error) occurs during the symbol stop period 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 open error occurs during a pattern stop period, indicating that the front frame 20 is in an open state, is described as a specified error state, but a similar display mode may be used even if another error state occurs.

[0152] When a door opening error occurs during the display period of the operation instruction display 81c (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in Figure 13(c)), an error display 81g is displayed at the bottom of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 15(a). The error display 81g according to this embodiment is a display relating to an error state, including text information such as "Door is open." Since the error display 81g is displayed at a position spaced apart from the decorative pattern 81a, the band display 81b, and the operating instruction display 81c, the error display 81g does not impede the visibility of the decorative pattern 81a, the band display 81b, and the operating instruction display 81c. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can simultaneously see the decorative symbol 81a, the band display 81b, the operation instruction display 81c, and the error display 81g.

[0153] When a door opening error occurs during the display period of the anti-addiction display 81e (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in Figure 14(b)), the above-mentioned error display 81g is displayed at the bottom of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 15(b). Since the error display 81g is displayed at a position spaced apart from both the band display 81b and the immersion prevention display 81e, the error display 81g does not impede the visibility of the band display 81b and the immersion prevention display 81e. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can see the band display 81b, the addiction prevention display 81e, and the error display 81g all at the same time.

[0154] When a door opening error occurs during the display period of the demo movie 81f (when the main display unit 81 is in the display mode shown in Figure 14(c)), the above-mentioned error display 81g is displayed at the bottom of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 15(c). The error message 81g is displayed so as to overlap partially with the demo movie 81f, thereby reducing the visibility of the demo movie 81f. On the other hand, the error message 81g is displayed at a distance from the band display 81b, so it does not impede the visibility of the band display 81b. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the player can see the band display 81b, the demo movie 81f, and the error display 81g all at the same time.

[0155] It is preferable that the error display 81g is displayed in a layer higher than the demo movie 81f, that is, in the same first layer as the band display 81b or in a layer higher than the first layer, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0156] As described above, in the gaming machine 10, when a specified error state (door opening error) occurs while the first warning display (addiction prevention display 81e) is visible, the first warning display remains visible during the notification period of the specified error state, and when a specified error state occurs while the second warning display (band display 81b) is visible, the second warning display remains visible during the notification period of the specified error state. As a result of the above-described configuration, the gaming machine 10 is capable of continuously displaying the first and second warning messages, both of which contain important information, even when a specified error state occurs, thereby enabling the player to be given an appropriate warning.

[0157] <Other Modifications> The present invention not described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Modifications of the present invention are listed below.

[0158] The display positions of each display according to the present invention (first warning display, second warning display, specified display (first display), second display) do not have to be the positions described in the above embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. These displays are not limited to those that can be viewed through the main display unit 81, but may also be those that can be viewed through displays provided separately from the main display unit 81, such as the sub-display unit 82 or the pattern display device 90.

[0159] 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] In the above embodiment, the change in the display mode of the main display unit 81 regarding the pattern stop period was explained using a time chart (the time chart shown in Figures 11 and 12) starting from the timing when the pattern fluctuation stopped, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be implemented during a period in which the pattern variation starting from power-on is stopped. For example, during a period in which a predetermined notification (notification related to RAM clear processing) is being executed, the first attention-calling display may be made difficult to see, and the second attention-calling display may be made visible. In this modified example, it is preferable that the second warning display is related to a warning that is necessary even during the notification period after power is turned on, and for example, it is preferable that the second warning display is related to a gaming device that operates in a predetermined manner in response to the power being turned on (a gaming device that operates by initial processing).

[0162] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical ideas. (1) A gaming machine in which, during a pattern stop period when pattern change is stopped, a warning display relating to gameplay precautions is visible, the warning display includes a first warning display and a second warning display, and during the pattern stop period, in addition to the warning displays, a predetermined display is visible, the predetermined display is a display that is displayed based on the same display control data throughout the pattern stop period, the first warning display is displayed superimposed on the predetermined display, the first warning display makes the predetermined display difficult to see, the second warning display is spaced apart from the predetermined display, the second warning display and the predetermined display are each visible, and during a pattern change period when pattern change is being performed, the first warning display is difficult to see, and the second warning display is visible. (2) A gaming machine as described in (1), in which the display area relating to the first warning display is larger than the display area relating to the second warning display. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable Decorations 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power Switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank Rail 48 Dispatch Unit 49 Dispatch Passage 50 Game Board 50a Gaming area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective materials 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal Electric Devices 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Device 66 Special electric device solenoid 67 General winning opening 69 Out opening 70 First start opening sensor 71 Second start opening sensor 72 Big winning opening sensor 73 General winning opening sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame opening sensor 77 Front frame opening sensor 80 Effect display device 81 Main display section 82 Sub display section 82a Upper sub display section 82b Left sub display section 82c Right sub display section 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 determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Pre - determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol hit determination means 132 Special symbol stop symbol lottery means 133 Special symbol variation pattern derivation means 135 Normal symbol lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Means for transitioning to playable state 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O ports 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal Production Control Means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Method of determining direction route 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable object control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Voice control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O ports 400 Dispatch control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims

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 variation has stopped, wherein the caution display includes a first caution display and a second caution display, wherein during the symbol stop period, in addition to the caution display, a predetermined display is visually recognizable, wherein the predetermined display is a display that is displayed based on the same display control data over the symbol stop period, wherein the first caution display is displayed superimposed on the predetermined display, and the first caution display makes the predetermined display difficult to visually recognize, wherein the second caution display is separated from the predetermined display, and the second caution display and the predetermined display are each visually recognizable, wherein during a symbol variation period in which symbol variation is being executed, the first caution display is difficult to visually recognize and the second caution display is visually recognizable, a gaming machine characterized by the above.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a display area related to the first caution display is larger than a display area related to the second caution display. The gaming machine according to claim 1.

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