Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest in a game or preventing a decrease in interest in a game by performing appropriate notification during an execution period of a specific performance.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a first display section, and a second display section smaller than the first display section, a first display (operation instruction image MG3) pertaining to a specific performance is visible in the first display section during an execution period of the specific performance accompanying operation of a movable member, and a second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) including an explanation regarding operation of at least the movable member is visible in the second display section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Among gaming machines represented by pachinko gaming machines, there are those that notify a player of an instruction regarding game progress (for example, an operation instruction for an effect button) during the execution of a specific effect. As an example of this type of gaming machine, Patent Document 1 below is cited.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine in which, in an effect that requires pressing an effect button, there are a mode of displaying an operation instruction on the front side of the effect button and a mode of displaying an operation instruction on the back side of the effect button, and the probability of entering a special game state (such as a jackpot game state) changes depending on which mode is adopted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in recent gaming machines, from the perspective of user-friendliness and so on, the content to be notified to players during the game, such as the operation method and precautions for operation, has become more diverse than in the past. Although there are multiple display modes for the image related to the operation instruction of the effect button in the gaming machine according to Patent Document 1, regarding the mode of displaying the operation instruction on the back side of the effect button, the visibility of the instruction is reduced, and there is still room for improvement from the perspective of user-friendliness.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that improves the gaming interest or prevents the decline of the gaming interest by performing appropriate notification during the execution period of a specific effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine including a first display unit and a second display unit smaller than the first display unit. During the execution period of a specific effect involving the operation of a movable member, in the first display unit, a first display related to the specific effect is visible, and in the second display unit, a second display including at least an explanation regarding the operation of the movable member is visible. Even during the execution period of the specific effect, in the first display unit, there are a first case where the first display is visible and a second case where it is difficult to view. In either the first case or the second case, the second display is visible in the same manner in the second display unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that improves the gaming interest or prevents the decline of the gaming interest by performing appropriate notification during the execution period of a specific effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

[0012] The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko gaming machine. The gaming machine 10 includes a first display unit (for example, the main display unit 81) and a second display unit (for example, the upper sub-display unit 82a) that is smaller than the first display unit.

[0013] During the execution period of a specific effect involving the operation of movable members (for example, the effect button 37 and the movable decoration 22), in the first display unit, a first display related to the specific effect (for example, an operation instruction image MG3 requesting an operation instruction for the effect button 37) is visible, and in the second display unit, a second display including at least an explanation regarding the operation of the movable member (for example, an effect image SG1 prompting attention to the movable decoration 22) is visible. This is the gist of the present invention. In addition, the gaming machine 10 has a first case where the first display is visible (for example, when a predetermined error state has not occurred) and a second case where it is difficult to view (for example, when a predetermined error state has occurred). In either the first case or the second case, the second display is visible in the same manner on the second display unit.

[0014] In addition to displaying the first display related to the specific effect, the gaming machine 10 displays a second display including an explanation of the operation of the movable member for a player who is not familiar with the game, thereby wiping out confusion and the like regarding the specific effect, preventing a decrease in the gaming interest, and as a result, improving the gaming interest. Also, regardless of whether the first display is visible or difficult to view, the gaming machine 10 can cause the player to recognize the execution of the specific effect (the operation mode of the movable member) by viewing the second display. The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

[0015] <Regarding the structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a view showing the symbol display device 90 disposed in the area II shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation button group disposed in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery, FIG. 4 is a view showing the game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. Note that each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is merely an example necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and components and functions not illustrated here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components illustrated here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0016] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, which fires a game ball into the front area of a game board 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "game area 50a") where a large number of game pins (not shown) are erected, and conducts a game in which a prize ball is obtained when the game ball enters a winning opening (for example, a large winning opening 55, etc.). In the following description, the fact that the game ball enters the winning opening may sometimes be simply expressed as "winning (the winning opening)".

[0017] The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that is open at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds the game board 50 on the opening front side of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the game board 50. The upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20 protrudes forward of the gaming machine 10. When a player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 stands up while enjoying the game, the player needs to be careful not to hit their head.

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

[0019] The front frame 20 is rotatably supported about its left end by the hinge mechanism 21 and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (to the left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed so as to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides perspective protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. In addition, the front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiver 27 and a lower ball receiver 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiver 27 and the lower ball receiver 29 are vertically spaced apart and provided integrally with the front frame 20. Further, the front frame 20 is provided with an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0020] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 is provided with a middle frame door opening sensor 76 for detecting whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door opening sensor 77 for detecting whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the middle frame 17. In the present embodiment, these door opening sensors are all ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door opening sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 with respect to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 with respect to the middle frame 17.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving tray 27. In this operation button group, as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 described later, a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b for receiving the return operation of the prepaid card are provided. As an operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 described later, an effect button 37 for receiving the player's operation for switching the effects generated during the game or obtaining various information related to the gaming machine 10, 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 in the up, down, left, and right directions, etc. are included. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit based on the change in the detection state of the sensor. The performance button 37 functions as the operation means as described above, and is configured to be able to protrude and retract by an actuator such as a motor (not shown), and also functions as a movable body that protrudes when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, during the execution of a specific performance described later).

[0022] A movable decorative body 22 is provided on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27. The movable decorative body 22 has a performance lamp (not shown) built therein and functions as a light emitting means, and is configured to be operable by an actuator such as a motor (not shown), and also functions as a movable body that operates when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, during the execution of a specific performance described later).

[0023] A ball discharging mechanism 36 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided below the lower ball receiving tray 29. By operating this ball discharging mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening. Although not shown in the drawings, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism for moving the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operation, similar to the ball discharging mechanism 36. By operating both this mechanism and the ball discharging mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmissive cover, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are respectively disposed inside thereof. The speakers 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sound, light up, or go out in conjunction with performances, error performances, etc. generated during the game.

[0025] The performance display device 80 is composed of a main display unit 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50 and sub-display units 82 disposed around the main display unit 81. The sub-display units 82 further include 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 that operate by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). Also, each of the sub-display units 82 (the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c) is smaller than the main display unit 81.

[0026] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes a first display unit (main display unit 81) and a second display unit (upper sub-display unit 82a) that is smaller than the first display unit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0058] Also, the first sub-control board 200 generates an image control command for instructing an image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, a brightness adjustment command for instructing brightness adjustment, a voice control command for instructing voice to be output to the voice control board 310, a volume adjustment command for instructing volume adjustment, lamp control data for controlling lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, movable control data for controlling movement of the movable decoration 22, the effect button 37, the sub-display unit 82, etc. in the effect control process based on an effect control command from the main control board 100. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 so as to enable bidirectional communication. Each control command (image control command, brightness adjustment command, audio control command, volume adjustment command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310. On the other hand, as a response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command has been normally received is transmitted from each control board (the second sub-control board 300, the audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] Also, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured to have its lighting controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decoration 22, the effect button 37, and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movable control data via the I / O port 204. The movable decoration 22, the effect button 37, and the sub-display unit 82 are configured to have their movement controlled by the movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0071] The special drawing lottery means 130 includes a special drawing validity determination means 131, a special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes the processing by each means in the order of the special drawing validity determination means 131, the special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133. When the variation start condition of the special drawing is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160. Note that "the variation start condition of the special drawing is satisfied" means, as an example, that it is not during a big win game, that neither of the special drawings 1 and 2 is in the process of symbol variation (including during the stop display of the symbol variation related to special drawing 1 or special drawing 2), and that all conditions that there is operation hold information in at least one of special drawing 1 and special drawing 2 are satisfied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0080] In the general drawing stop symbol lottery, similar to the special drawing stop symbol lottery, one stop symbol is determined by lottery using a lottery table for general drawing stop symbol lottery (illustration omitted) from a plurality of types of stop symbols with different patterns for the open state of the general electric accessory 61. When losing in the general drawing success / failure determination, the stop symbol is uniformly determined as in the case of the special drawing 1 and the special drawing 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0087] In addition, when winning the general pattern win / loss lottery, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the general electric accessory solenoid 62, and releases the general electric accessory 61 according to the release pattern corresponding to the stop pattern of the general pattern.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0111] When the prediction effect control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the prediction effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The prediction effect is an effect that, for the purpose of improving the gaming interest, suggests the degree of expectation for the result of the special figure hit or miss determination in the figure variation of the prediction target and the content of the effect to be executed in the figure variation of the prediction target from before the start of the figure variation of the prediction target. The figure variation of the prediction target is a figure variation related to the main special figure (in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, it is the special figure 1, and in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, or the special figure variation pattern derivation state PD, it is the special figure 2), and refers to a figure variation held in the states of hold 1 to hold 3, or a figure variation held in the state of hold 0 and during the execution of the figure variation related to the special figure. Note that the specific effect according to the present invention is described as a kind of the above prediction effect in this embodiment, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a normal effect (an effect executed after the start of the special figure variation) performed during the special figure variation, or an effect executed when the special figure variation has stopped (such as an effect executed during a big win game or in a standby demo state).

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

[0113] When the decorative symbol control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final combination (left symbol · middle symbol · right symbol) of the decorative symbols (definitely stopped and displayed) based on the stop symbol of the special symbol determined. Specifically, a symbol alignment composed of odd symbols is assigned to symbol A, a symbol alignment composed of even symbols is assigned to symbol B, and a scattered pattern is assigned to symbol C or symbol c. Further, a symbol alignment composed of 7 symbols corresponds to symbol a, and a symbol alignment composed of odd symbols excluding 7 symbols corresponds to symbol b. In addition, when making the combination of the decorative symbols to be determined correspond to the stop symbol of the special symbol, it is not necessarily necessary to have the above correspondence relationship.

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

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

[0116] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error performance pattern and reads out the performance data for executing the error performance according to the error performance pattern. Note that the error effect is executed with priority over the variation effect related to symbol variation (the execution of the variation effect is restricted by the execution of the error effect). Here, the fact that the error effect is executed with priority means that, when the device related to the execution of the error effect and the device related to the execution of the variation effect are the same device, it includes not only the case where only the error effect is executed on the device, but also the case where the error effect is executed on the device in a manner that is more easily recognized than the variation effect. Further, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and read out effect data for executing an error effect when it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state.

[0117] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35 and the effect lamps built in the movable decoration 22. For example, when there is effect data corresponding to a lamp in the effect data read out by the normal effect control means 220, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the effect data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be the execution target.

[0118] When there is effect data corresponding to a movable accessory in the effect data read out by the normal effect control means 220, the movable accessory control means 245 reads out movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decoration 22, the effect button 37, and the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the effect data, transmits the read movable control data to the movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable decoration 22, the effect button 37, and the sub-display unit 82.

[0119] The effect customization means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the above-described volume adjustment command. The volume adjustment process is a process executed when power is restored or when a volume adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d) is performed. In the volume adjustment process executed at power-on, the initial volume at power-on is set according to the stage of the volume adjustment unit (not shown) at power-on. More specifically, in this process, when the stage of the volume adjustment unit at power-on is high volume, volume 10 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels (in this embodiment, audio playback channel CH1 and audio playback channel CH2); when the stage of the volume adjustment unit at power-on is medium volume, volume 5 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels; when the stage of the volume adjustment unit at power-on is low volume, volume 1 is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels. Note that this volume adjustment process may be executed not only at power-on but also based on the elapse of a predetermined time since the end of the most recent symbol variation. In this case, it may be executed only when the volume (current volume) of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels is smaller than the volume corresponding to the current stage of the volume adjustment unit. Also, in the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed, the current volume is updated based on the volume adjustment operation. More specifically, in this process, when this process is executed by operating the right cursor button 38d, a volume one step higher than the volume set before this process with volume 10 as the upper limit is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels; when this process is executed by operating the left cursor button 38c, a volume one step lower than the volume set before this process with volume 1 as the lower limit is set for the volume of the audio playback channels excluding specific audio playback channels. Note that the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed is executed regardless of whether a symbol variation is being executed, unlike the brightness adjustment process described later. Here, setting the volume for an audio playback channel in the volume adjustment process means setting the volume in the storage area corresponding to the audio playback channel in the RAM 203. When the volume is set in this storage area, a volume adjustment command corresponding to the volume adjustment of the audio playback channel is generated by the volume adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the audio control board 310.

[0120] In addition, the effect customization means 250 executes a brightness adjustment process for adjusting brightness and a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating the above-described brightness adjustment command. The brightness adjustment process is a process executed when power is restored or when a brightness adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b) is performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed. In the brightness adjustment process executed when power is restored, the initial brightness at the time of power restoration is set according to the stage of the brightness adjustment unit (not shown) at the time of power restoration. More specifically, in this process, when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is high brightness, brightness 10 is set; when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is medium brightness, brightness 5 is set; and when the stage of the brightness adjustment unit at the time of power restoration is low brightness, brightness 1 is set. Note that the brightness adjustment process may be executed not only when power is restored but also based on the elapse of a predetermined time from the end of the latest symbol variation. In this case, it may be executed only when the current brightness is smaller than the brightness corresponding to the current stage of the brightness adjustment unit. In the brightness adjustment process executed when a brightness adjustment operation is performed, the current brightness is updated based on the brightness adjustment operation. More specifically, in this process, when the process is executed by an operation on the up cursor button 38a, a brightness one stage higher than the brightness set before this process is set with brightness 10 as the upper limit; and when the process is executed by an operation on the down cursor button 38b, a brightness one stage lower than the brightness set before this process is set with brightness 1 as the lower limit. Here, setting the brightness in the brightness adjustment process means setting the brightness in the storage area corresponding to the brightness in the RAM 203. When the brightness is set in the storage area, a brightness adjustment command capable of specifying the adjusted brightness is generated by the brightness adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted toward the second sub-control board 300.

[0121] Also, in the present embodiment, when volume adjustment processing is executed due to a volume adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed, a volume adjustment sound is output (production data related to the volume adjustment sound is set), and volume adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (production data related to the volume adjustment display is set). On the other hand, when volume adjustment processing is executed due to a volume adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is being executed, the volume adjustment sound is not output, and volume adjustment display is executed by the main display unit 81. Note that the volume adjustment sound is output at the volume after being adjusted by the volume adjustment processing, so as to let the user actually hear the adjusted volume and recognize the volume. Further, the volume adjustment display is a display that can specify the volume level (any one of volume levels 1 to 10) after being adjusted by the volume adjustment processing, thereby visually allowing the user to recognize the volume level after adjustment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when brightness adjustment processing is executed due to a brightness adjustment operation being performed in a state where symbol variation is not being executed, a brightness adjustment sound is output (production data related to the brightness adjustment sound is set), and brightness adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (production data related to the brightness adjustment display is set). Note that the brightness adjustment sound is for the user to recognize through hearing that the brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing, and the volume of the sound output does not change according to the brightness adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing. Further, the brightness adjustment display is a display that can specify the brightness level (any one of brightness levels 1 to 10) after being adjusted by the brightness adjustment processing, thereby visually allowing the user to recognize the brightness level after adjustment.

[0122] Also, the production customization means 250 executes production customization processing for customizing various productions. Details of the production customization processing will be described later.

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

[0124] The sub-command management means 270 receives the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received effect command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Also, when an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Further, when a voice control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. Note that these commands are generally transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

[0125] <Regarding the control process of specific effects> Subsequently, the control process of specific effects will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process at the start of variation related to a specific effect. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table used in the process at the start of variation related to a specific effect.

[0126] The specific effect in the present embodiment is a developed effect that can be executed in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA (that is, an effect corresponding to any of the special figure variation patterns other than the above-described special figure variation pattern HNP). The specific effect is an effect in which the effect button 37 protrudes during the effect, requiring the player to press the effect button 37, and is an effect that suggests the winning expectancy of a big win depending on the state of the movable decoration 22 (a combination of the light emission state and the presence or absence of movement) triggered by the pressing.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S101 which is the first step of the start-of-variation processing related to a specific effect, it is determined whether the specific effect is being executed. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S102, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process ends. As described above, since the specific effect in this embodiment is a type of preview effect, step S101 determines whether it is being executed. However, when implementing the present invention with the specific effect as a normal effect, instead of this determination, it may be a lottery for determining whether to execute the specific effect. Note that since the details of the preview determination (determination performed before the start of variation) related to the specific effect are not particularly limited, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0128] In step S102, the mode of the cut-in image (cut-in image MG4 described later) to be displayed on the main display unit 81 during the specific effect is determined by lottery, and the process proceeds to step S103. FIG. 12(a) is a lottery table used for the determination in step S102, and the range of the random number used in this lottery is 0 to 999. When the current special figure variation wins the jackpot, a mode including the character information of "Chance!" is determined with a probability of 600 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.67), a mode including the character information of "Intense Heat!!" is determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), and a mode including the character information of "Jackpot?!" is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). Also, when the current special figure variation is a non-win (a miss), a mode including the character information of "Chance!" is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25), and a mode including the character information of "Intense Heat!!" is determined with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 5). Note that when the current special figure variation is a non-win (a miss), a mode including the character information of "Jackpot?!" is not determined. Therefore, it can be said that this mode is an effect in which the jackpot is confirmed.

[0129] In step S103, the mode (light emission mode and presence or absence of operation) of the movable decoration 22 during the specific effect is determined by lottery, and the process proceeds to step S104. Figure 12(b) is the lottery table used for the determination in step S103, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery is from 0 to 999. When the current special figure variation wins the jackpot, a mode is determined in which the movable decoration body 22 emits white light and does not operate with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), a mode is determined in which the movable decoration body 22 emits red light and does not operate with a probability of 600 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.67), and a mode is determined in which the movable decoration body 22 emits rainbow light and operates with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). Also, when the current special figure variation is a non-win (a miss), a mode is determined in which the movable decoration body 22 emits white light and does not operate with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11), and a mode is determined in which the movable decoration body 22 emits red light and does not operate with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). Note that when the current special figure variation is a non-win (a miss), a mode in which the movable decoration body 22 emits rainbow light and operates is not determined. Therefore, it can be said that the said mode is an effect for determining a jackpot.

[0130] In step S104, each effect control data (lamp control data and movable control data) related to the specific effect is set, and the process is terminated.

[0131] As described above, in the specific effect according to the implementation of the present invention, since the lottery for determining the mode of the cut-in image to be displayed on the main display unit 81 and the lottery for determining the mode of the movable decoration body 22 are executed separately, even if the player pays attention only to one of the modes, the player can recognize the winning expectation of the jackpot, and when the player pays attention to both modes, the player can more accurately recognize the winning expectation of the jackpot (the suggestion accuracy of winning the jackpot is increased). Therefore, during the execution period of the specific effect, from the viewpoint of user-friendliness, it can be said that it is preferable to prompt the player to pay attention not only to the main display unit 81 but also to the movable decoration body 22.

[0132] <Regarding the transition of the display mode in the specific effect> Next, the transition of the display mode in the specific effect will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the flow of the specific effect. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the transition of the display modes of the main display unit 81 and the upper sub-display unit 82a during the execution period of the specific effect.

[0133] The time chart in FIG. 13 shows the execution period of the specific effect. More specifically, it shows the period from the timing when the upper sub-display unit 82a starts displaying the supplementary explanation image SG1 (the timing denoted as "display of supplementary explanation" in FIG. 13) to the timing when the upper sub-display unit 82a ends displaying the supplementary explanation image SG1 (the timing denoted as "non-display of supplementary explanation" in FIG. 13).

[0134] As shown in the upper left diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14, during the execution of the symbol variation (hereinafter simply referred to as the "previous variation") that is executed before the target variation of the specific effect (period T1 shown in FIG. 13), the main display unit 81 displays the variable display MG1 of the decorative symbol, and the upper sub-display unit 82a displays the supplementary explanation image SG1. The supplementary explanation image SG1 according to the present embodiment is a display that prompts the player to pay attention to the movable decorative body 22 and includes a display imitating the movable decorative body 22. As shown in FIG. 13, in the implementation of the present invention, the supplementary explanation image SG1 (corresponding to the "second display" of the present invention) in the upper sub-display unit 82a preferably starts displaying before the display related to the specific effect (corresponding to the "first display" of the present invention) starts in the main display unit 81. However, the trigger is not particularly limited and may be triggered by the retention winning of the target symbol variation, or may be triggered by some condition established thereafter.

[0135] As shown in the upper right diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14, during the interval period (period T2 shown in FIG. 13) from when the previous variation stops to when the target variation of the specific effect starts, the main display unit 81 displays the stop display MG2 of the decorative symbol representing the result of the previous variation, and the upper sub-display unit 82a continues to display the supplementary explanation image SG1. Thus, since the supplementary explanation image SG1 can be visually recognized before the start of the target variation, the player can anticipate that a specific effect will be executed in the target variation and can recognize that they should also pay attention to the movable decoration 22 in the specific effect.

[0136] When the target variation of the specific effect starts, the main display unit 81 displays the variation display MG1 of the decorative pattern, and the upper sub-display unit 82a continues to display the supplementary explanation image SG1. Since the display mode at this time is the same as the upper left figure in FIG. 14, detailed description is omitted.

[0137] As shown in the lower left figures of FIGS. 13 and 14, during the period that is the introduction part of the specific effect (the period T3 shown in FIG. 13), the main display unit 81 displays the operation instruction image MG3, and the upper sub-display unit 82a continues to display the supplementary explanation image SG1. The operation instruction image MG3 is a display that prompts the player to operate the effect button 37, and includes a display imitating the protruding state of the effect button 37, a character display of "Push!", and a bar display indicating the period during which the operation of the effect button 37 is validly accepted. By changing the display mode of the bar display, the player is made to visually recognize that the limit of operability of the effect button 37 is approaching. In the lower left figure of FIG. 14, it is illustrated as if only the operation instruction image MG3 is visible on the main display unit 81, but other displays not shown (for example, so-called mini pattern or retreat display of decorative pattern) may be included.

[0138] As shown in the lower right figures of FIGS. 13 and 14, when the operation of the effect button 37 is accepted, in the subsequent period (the period T4 shown in FIG. 13), the main display unit 81 displays the cut-in image MG4 in the mode determined by the lottery in the variation start time process (lottery in step S102 of FIG. 11) related to the specific effect, the upper sub-display unit 82a continues to display the supplementary explanation image SG1, and the movable decoration 22 operates in the mode determined by the lottery in the variation start time process (lottery in step S103 of FIG. 11) related to the specific effect. In FIG. 13, a time chart when an operation of the effect button 37 is received is illustrated. However, even if the operation of the effect button 37 is not received within the operation valid period of the effect button 37, the display on the main display unit 81 changes to the display mode shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 14.

[0139] As described above, even if the display mode changes in the main display unit 81, the supplementary explanation image SG1 displayed on the upper sub-display unit 82a is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the player to pay attention to the movable decoration body 22 over the execution period of the specific effect. As shown in FIG. 13, in the implementation of the present invention, the supplementary explanation image SG1 (corresponding to the "second display" of the present invention) in the upper sub-display unit 82a preferably becomes non-displayed after the display related to the specific effect (corresponding to the "first display" of the present invention) in the main display unit 81 becomes non-displayed. However, the timing is not particularly limited, and it may be triggered by the stop of the operation of the movable decoration body 22, the stop display of the target change, or any condition that is established thereafter.

[0140] As described above, since the display mode in the specific effect transitions, during the execution period of the specific effect accompanied by the operation of the movable members (the movable decoration body 22 and the effect button 37), in the first display unit (the main display unit 81), the first display related to the specific effect (the operation instruction image MG3 and the cut-in image MG4) is visible, and in the second display unit (the upper sub-display unit 82a), it can be said that the second display (the supplementary explanation image SG1) including at least an explanation regarding the operation of the movable members is visible. By performing such display control, even if the player is not accustomed to the game, it is possible to wipe out confusion and the like regarding the specific effect, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the game interest.

[0141] In addition, the specific effect is an effect executed during the symbol variation, and in the symbol stop period (period T2 shown in FIG. 13) when the symbol variation is not being executed, in the first display unit (main display unit 81), the first display (operation instruction image MG3 and cut-in image MG4) is difficult to visually recognize, and in the second display unit (upper sub-display unit 82a), the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) is visually recognizable. By performing such display control, the second display can be visually recognized before the execution of the specific effect.

[0142] In the above-described example, the interval period between the pre-variation and the target variation was described as corresponding to the "symbol stop period" according to the present invention. However, the same relationship also holds during the symbol stop period (during the standby demo described later) when there is no remaining symbol variation. This point will be described later.

[0143] Also, as described above, the specific effect according to the present embodiment becomes difficult to visually recognize (non-display) from a state where the first display (cut-in image MG4) is visually recognizable in the middle of its execution period (at the end of period T4). On the other hand, it can be said that the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) is visually recognizable even after the first display becomes difficult to visually recognize (non-display). By performing such display control, the second display can be visually recognized even after the first display becomes difficult to visually recognize.

[0144] Also, as described above, the specific effect according to the present embodiment is an effect that can be executed in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, but it may also be an effect that can be executed in other gaming states (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC) more advantageous than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, or it may be an effect that is not executed. Incidentally, even in a mode where the specific effect is an effect not executed in the PB or PC state of deriving the special drawing variation pattern, it is preferable that the supplementary explanation image SG1 (corresponding to "second display") is diverted to the execution period of another effect involving the operation of the movable decoration 22 and displayed on the upper sub-display unit 82a (visible). Further, when this other effect does not involve the protrusion of the effect button 37, it is preferable that the operation instruction image MG3 (corresponding to "first display") is not displayed on the main display unit 81 (difficult to visually recognize). Thereby, the opportunity for the player to visually recognize the second display can be increased, the understanding of the content can be deepened, and the effect of the present invention (prevention of decrease in game interest) can be enhanced.

[0145] Also, as described above, it can be said that both the first display (operation instruction image MG3) and the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) used for the specific effect according to the present embodiment include displays imitating movable members (movable decoration 22 and effect button 37). Thereby, the content of each display can be easily understood by the player, and the effect of the present invention (prevention of decrease in game interest) can be enhanced.

[0146] <Regarding the transition of the display mode when a predetermined error state occurs during the execution period of the specific effect> The content illustrated in FIG. 14 is based on the premise that the gaming machine 10 is operating normally during the execution period of the specific effect, but it is also assumed that an error state may occur in the gaming machine 10 during that period. Hereinafter, the case where a door opening error occurs during the execution period of the specific effect will be described. Note that the door opening error is merely a specific example of a predetermined error state, and the same display mode may be used during the occurrence of other error states (however, limited to error states that do not stop the symbol variation).

[0147] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the transition of the display modes of the main display unit 81 and the upper sub-display unit 82a when a predetermined error state (door opening error) occurs during the execution period of the specific effect. As is clear from comparing FIGS. 14 and 15, during a door opening error, an error display MG5 is displayed so as to cover a part of each display (the changing display MG1 of the decorative pattern, the stop display MG2 of the decorative pattern, the operation instruction image MG3, the cut-in image MG4) displayed on the main display unit 81, and each display becomes difficult to visually recognize. On the other hand, the upper sub-display unit 82a is not affected by the error display MG5 and maintains the display of the supplementary explanation image SG1, so the supplementary explanation image SG1 remains visible. Note that in this embodiment, "visually recognizable" and "difficult to visually recognize" are relatively determined concepts, where the former is easier to visually recognize than the latter, and the latter is more difficult to visually recognize than the former. Therefore, the state of being "visually recognizable" includes not only the entire display being visible, but also a part of the display being visible. In addition, the state of being "difficult to visually recognize" includes not only the entire display being invisible (not visible at all), but also a part of the display being more difficult to visually recognize than a display that is "visually recognizable" due to factors such as overlapping with other displays.

[0148] As described above, in the specific effect according to this embodiment, even during its execution period, in the first display unit (main display unit 81), there are a first case where the first display (operation instruction image MG3 and cut-in image MG4) is visually recognizable (when no door opening error has occurred) and a second case where it is difficult to visually recognize (when a door opening error has occurred). In either the first case or the second case, it can be said that in the second display unit (upper sub-display unit 82a), the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) is visually recognizable in the same manner. In this way, regardless of whether the first display is visually recognizable or difficult to visually recognize, by visually recognizing the second display, the player can be made to recognize the execution of the specific effect.

[0149] Note that in this embodiment, the case where no predetermined error state (door opening error) occurs during the execution period of the specific effect corresponds to the "first case" according to the present invention, and the case where a predetermined error state has occurred corresponds to the "second case" according to the present invention. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be understood that the periods T1 and T2 shown in FIG. 13 correspond to the "first case" according to the present invention, and the periods T3 and T4 shown in FIG. 13 correspond to the "second case" according to the present invention.

[0150] <About the flow of a specific performance when power is restored during the performance> Next, the flow of a special performance when power is restored during the performance will be explained with reference to FIG. Figure 16 is a time chart showing the flow of a specific performance when power is interrupted and restored in the middle of the specific performance, and more specifically, shows the case where power is interrupted and restored in the middle of the period T3 shown in Figure 13.

[0151] In the above-described situation, after the power is turned on after a power outage (period T5 shown in Figure 16), the main display unit 81 displays a recovery display (not shown) indicating that recovery is in progress, and the upper sub-display unit 82a displays the supplementary explanation image SG1 in the same manner as before the power outage. During the period from when the power is turned on until a predetermined time has elapsed (period T6 shown in FIG. 16), the main display unit 81 continues the above-mentioned recovery display, and the upper sub-display unit 82a does not display the supplementary explanation image SG1. It is preferable that the recovery display of the main display unit 81 is hidden when the target variation (the pattern variation that was interrupted midway) stops. On the other hand, the supplementary explanation image SG1 of the upper sub-display unit 82a does not necessarily need to be linked to the display of the main display unit 81, so it may be hidden before the end of the recovery display (the example shown in FIG. 16), may be hidden after the end of the recovery display, or may be hidden simultaneously with the end of the recovery display.

[0152] In this way, if a power outage occurs and is restored in the middle of a particular performance, the main display unit 81 will give priority to displaying the recovery display and make the operation instruction image MG3 difficult to see (not displayed), while the upper sub-display unit 82a will be able to continue displaying the supplementary explanation image SG1 in the same manner as before the power outage. Therefore, even in the above-described case, the player can visually recognize that a specific effect was executed before the power failure (it is necessary to pay attention to the movable decoration 22), and the effect of the present invention (prevention of deterioration of game amusement) can be enhanced.

[0153] Therefore, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, it is provided with notification means (main display unit 81) capable of executing predetermined notification (recovery display) after the power-on. During the period when the predetermined notification is being executed, the first display (operation instruction image MG3 on the main display unit 81) is difficult to visually recognize, and the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1 on the upper sub-display unit 82a) is visually recognizable.

[0154] Note that the above-described example explained with reference to FIG. 16 was for the case where the gaming machine 10 was recovered by powering on without RAM clearing. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. Even during the period after powering on with RAM clearing (for example, the notification period related to the RAM clearing process), while the main display unit 81 performs the display related to the notification, the upper sub-display unit 82a may perform the display related to the operation explanation of the movable member (such as the movable decoration 22 and the effect button 37). This modification is suitable for the case where the movable member operates in the initial process executed after powering on with RAM clearing.

[0155] <Regarding the transition of the display mode during the standby demo> Subsequently, the transition of the display mode during the standby demo will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the flow during the standby demo. FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams showing the transition of the display modes of the main display unit 81 and the upper sub-display unit 82a during the standby demo.

[0156] The time chart of FIG. 17 shows the execution period of the standby demo. More specifically, it shows the period from the time when the symbol variation stops (the timing indicated as "stop of symbol variation" in FIG. 17) to the end of the demo movie (the timing indicated as "non-display of demo movie" in FIG. 17). Here, the stop of symbol variation does not only refer to the stop of the target variation of a specific effect, but may include all stops of symbol variation in a state where there is no pending symbol variation (when it is in the state of preservation 0). However, it may exclude the stop of symbol variation in a specific gaming state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state).

[0157] Note that in FIG. 17, the illustration after the end of the demo movie is omitted, but thereafter, until a new symbol variation is executed, the display of operation instructions, the display for preventing sinking, and the display of the demo movie can be repeated. However, this is not the case if the above-described volume adjustment operation, brightness adjustment operation, etc. are received during the above display control.

[0158] As shown in the upper left diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 18, during a period when the symbol variation has stopped and there is no pending symbol variation (period T11 shown in FIG. 17), the main display unit 81 displays the stop display MG2 of the decorative symbol, and the upper sub-display unit 82a is not displayed. During a period after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed in the above state (period T12 shown in FIG. 17), as shown in the upper right diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 18, the main display unit 81 displays the operation instruction image MG6 together with the stop display MG2 of the decorative symbol, and the upper sub-display unit 82a remains non-displayed. The operation instruction image MG6 includes the display related to the above-described volume adjustment operation and brightness adjustment operation, and the display related to the operation (menu call operation) for causing the main display unit 81 to display the menu display. Here, the menu display is the display related to other effect customizations excluding volume adjustment and brightness adjustment, but the details thereof are omitted.

[0159] During a period after a further predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed (period T13 shown in FIG. 17), as shown in the lower left diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 18, the main display unit 81 displays the anti-sinking image MG7, and the upper sub-display unit 82a remains non-displayed. The anti-entrapment prevention image MG7 is a type of cautionary display that prompts players with gaming precautions such as "Pachinko and Pachislot are games to be enjoyed moderately" and "Be careful of entrapment." In this embodiment, "gaming precautions" refer to matters that should be noted during gaming. Besides matters that may lead to a decline in gaming interest if not known (such as those related to the progress and operation of the game), they also include precautions for observing social rules (such as explanations regarding the prohibition of cheating) and precautions for maintaining the gaming machine 10 (such as explanations regarding the prohibition of excessive operation).

[0160] Furthermore, when a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 17, the main display unit 81 starts displaying a demo movie. In this embodiment, the execution period of the demo movie includes a period for displaying information that can identify the specifications, model, or type of the gaming machine (periods T14 and T16 shown in FIG. 17), and a period for performing a demo display of an attention-grabbing effect that can be executed during the game (during the execution period of symbol variation) (periods T15 and T16 shown in FIG. 17). As shown in the upper left diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 19, during period T14, the main display unit 81 displays a main identification image MG8 that identifies the model name and type name of the gaming machine 10, and the upper sub-display unit 82a displays a sub-identification image SG2 that identifies the model name and version name of the gaming machine 10. As shown in the upper right diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 19, during period T15, the main display unit 81 displays the specific effect (the same image as the operation instruction image MG3) described above as one of the attention-grabbing effects, and also displays a demo-in-progress image MG9 that alerts that the display is a demo display and not an actual game. At this time, the upper sub-display unit 82a displays a supplementary explanation image SG1, similar to the specific effect executed during symbol variation. As shown in the lower left diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 19, during period T16, the main display unit 81 displays the effect image MG10 related to an attention effect different from the specific effect, and also displays the above-described in-demo image MG9. At this time, since it is not necessary for the upper sub-display unit 82a to display the supplementary explanation image SG1, it displays the sub-specific image SG2 as in period T14. Note that, in this embodiment, the other attention effect indicated by the effect image MG10 is exemplified by a full rotation reach.

[0161] Therefore, it can be said that the specific effect is an effect executed during symbol variation, and during the symbol stop period (period T15 shown in FIG. 17) when symbol variation is not being executed, the first display (operation instruction image MG3) is difficult to visually recognize on the first display unit (main display unit 81), and the second display (supplementary explanation image SG1) is visually recognizable on the second display unit (upper sub-display unit 82a). By performing such display control, the player can visually recognize the second display with ease during breaks in the game or the like.

[0162] As described above, the gaming machine 10 displays the main specific image MG8 and the sub-specific image SG2 that can identify the specifications, model, or type of the gaming machine, and also displays the anti-entrapment image MG7 and the in-demo image MG9 that call attention to precautions during the game. Also, as is clear from comparing FIGS. 18 and 19, the distance from the display position of the main specific image MG8 to the display position of the sub-specific image SG2 is longer than the distance from the display position of the main specific image MG8 to the display position of the anti-entrapment image MG7. Also, as is clear from comparing FIGS. 18 and 19, while the centers of the display positions of the main specific image MG8 and the anti-entrapment image MG7 are the central portions of the main display unit 81 respectively, the center of the display position of the in-demo image MG9 is the lower portion of the main display unit 81 respectively. Therefore, the distance from the display position of the anti-entrapment image MG7 to the display position of the in-demo image MG9 is longer than the distance from the display position of the anti-entrapment image MG7 to the display position of the main specific image MG8. Since players who are not used to the game have unstable lines of sight during the game, the display positions of the main identification image MG8 and the sub-identification image SG2 that identify the specifications of the gaming machine, etc., and the display positions of the anti-entrapment image MG7 and the in-demo image MG9 that call attention to precautions during the game are dispersed. On the other hand, since the anti-entrapment image MG7 is a relatively important display, its display position is concentrated near the main identification image MG8. Since the display positions of each display are adjusted in this way, the gaming machine 10 can appropriately allow the player to visually recognize the necessary information and can suppress a decrease in the gaming interest.

[0163] <Other Modification Examples> The present invention not described in the above description is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications, improvements, etc. as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Hereinafter, modification examples of the present invention will be listed.

[0164] Regarding the high and low probabilities, ratios, frequencies, and the number of times in the above-described embodiments, as long as each relationship is ensured, the smaller value may be 0 or the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, regarding the high and low of each ratio described above, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the high and low of each ratio is not limited. In addition, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in the above-described embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt an arbitrary value within the range.

[0165] The flow of the specific effects shown in each time chart used in the description of the above-described embodiment, and the events that trigger the start or end of each display are merely a specific example of the implementation of the present invention and can be appropriately changed within the range of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0166] The display positions of each display (the first display and the second display) according to the present invention do not have to be the positions described in the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed within the range of achieving the object of the present invention. These displays are not limited to those visible on the main display unit 81 or the upper sub-display unit 82a, and may be visible on other display units different from the display units used in this embodiment, such as the left sub-display unit 82b, the right sub-display unit 82c, and the symbol display device 90.

[0167] The content shown by each display (the first display and the second display) according to the present invention is not limited to those explaining the operation method like the operation instruction image MG3 or those indicating the type of movable member to be noted like the supplementary explanation image SG1. For example, when operating the protruding effect button 37, it may be replaced with a display that alerts to avoid pinching the skin in the gap.

[0168] <Supplementary Note> This embodiment includes the following technical ideas. (1) A gaming machine including a first display unit and a second display unit smaller than the first display unit, wherein during the execution period of a specific effect involving the operation of a movable member, in the first display unit, a first display related to the specific effect is visible, and in the second display unit, a second display including at least an explanation regarding the operation of the movable member is visible. Even during the execution period of the specific effect, there are a first case where the first display is visible in the first display unit and a second case where it is difficult to view. In either the first case or the second case, the second display is visible in the second display unit in the same manner. A gaming machine characterized by this. (2) The gaming machine according to (1), wherein both the first display and the second display include a display imitating the movable member. (3) When the power is turned on, it includes notification means capable of executing a predetermined notification after the power is turned on. During the period when the predetermined notification is being executed, the first display is difficult to view, and the second display is visible. The gaming machine according to (1). (4) In the second case, it is a case where a predetermined error state occurs during the execution period of the specific effect. The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0169] 10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decoration 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball ejection mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Upper cursor button 38b Lower cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation part 39a Ball lending button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protection member 55 Big winning hole 57 First start hole 59 Second start hole 61 Normal electric accessory 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 66 Special Electric Component Solenoid 67 General Winning Opening 69 Out Port 70 First Start Port Sensor 71 Second Start Port Sensor 72 Big Winning Opening Sensor 73 General Winning Opening Sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out Ball Sensor 76 Middle Frame Door Opening Sensor 77 Front Frame Door Opening Sensor 80 Effect Display Device 81 Main Display 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 Judgment Means 115 Main Random Number Generation Means 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Pre - Judgment Means 130 Special Symbol Lottery Means 131 Special Symbol Hit Judgment 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 state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Restoration power processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game playable state transition means 180 Power-off processing execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal performance control means 221 Performance mode control means 222 Performance route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Look-ahead performance control means 225 Performance content determination means 226 Decoration symbol control means 227 Big win performance control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable accessory control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power control board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power Disconnection Detection Circuit 509 Power Control Board Case X First Flow Path Y Second Flow Path

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising: a first display unit; and a second display unit smaller than the first display unit, wherein during an execution period of a specific effect accompanied by the operation of a movable member, in the first display unit, a first display related to the specific effect is visible; in the second display unit, a second display including at least an explanation regarding the operation of the movable member is visible; even during the execution period of the specific effect, in the first display unit, there are a first case where the first display is visible and a second case where the first display is difficult to view; in either the first case or the second case, in the second display unit, the second display is visible in the same manner, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein both the first display and the second display include a display imitating the movable member.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising notification means capable of executing a predetermined notification after power-on, wherein during the period when the predetermined notification is being executed, the first display is difficult to view and the second display is visible.

4. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second case is a case where a predetermined error state occurs during the execution period of the specific effect. ​

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